David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Theater Critic

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has weighed in on the controversial play “Corpus Christi” which was to be performed at Tarleton University today according to the Texas Tribune.

“Texans don’t deserve to see their hard-earned tax money used to debase their religion. This lewd display runs completely contrary to the standards of scholastic excellence and common decency that we demand in our publicly-funded institutions for higher learning.”

If you haven’t been following the story, a Tarleton State University (which is part of the Texas A&M system) theater major choose to produce the play, by Texas Native Terrence McNally, as part of a class assignment. Corpus Christi tells the story of a modern day gay man whose life closely parallels that of Jesus Christ.

In sensationalist fashion the press has described it as depicting a “Gay Jesus” which has gotten the right wing all aflutter, to the point that the school announced last night that the production would be halted for “security reasons”.

Which brings me to my point: As a public official Dewhurst took an oath to uphold the laws of Texas, one of which is a law against “Terroristic Threats”:

Penal Code Sec. 22.07. A person commits an offense if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to… influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.

In fact, it’s a third degree felony.

I have to believe that if the threats were severe enough to cause the cancelation of the play, that they are severe enough to investigate and prosecute.

I’m certain that what Lt. Gov. Dewhurst meant to say was that as he is sworn to uphold the laws of the State of Texas he is calling on the Stephenville Police to fully investigate the crime. I’m sure a corrected statement will be issued shortly.

By the way, the number for the Stephenville police department is 254-918-1200.