The Issue: Protests that verbally attack individuals, not just issues

Their View: Demonstration at Jeff Key show got out of hand

We don't want to make a hero out of gay playwright Jeff Key, a Marine who fought in the Iraq War, who clearly holds different views than ours about the war and President Bush. Nevertheless, in a democracy all reasonable views need to be given a fair hearing - whether we disagree with them or not.

That's why we found disappointing the reception given to Key in Casey County where hundreds of people protested outside his performance in opposition to Key's homosexuality. The pastors who organized it contended that the demonstration was not about hate, but at least one of those in attendance made remarks that sounded hateful. It's sad that some protesters chose to attack Key personally rather than listening to him.

You never know. They might have actually learned something.

- The Advocate-Messenger, Danville