Nothing like an evening of Christmas music to get in the spirit of the season, right? Holiday tunes performed in a luxurious setting by the area's best musicians - The Shreveport Symphony - and featuring a talented guest performer (Erich Bergen), known for his work on stage and screen.

Sounds like an awesome time, right? Well, as the saying goes, so near, yet so far.

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Since President Joe Biden announced his vaccine mandate for federal workers, large employers and health care workers a few months ago, I'd railed against what I (and many others) see as its unconstitutionality and abuse of executive power.

But little did I know I was about to look another, albeit smaller, vaxx mandate square in the face.

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The woman at the will-call window at Shreveport's Riverview Theater shuffled through her stack of tickets. "Here you are, sir," she said, handing me the envelope. "Now, you do have your proof of vaccination card?"

Not yet seeing the big (COVID) picture, I responded without thinking, "Uh, it's in the car."

"Well, you'll have to show it at the door to enter the theater," she said, "Or a negative test not more than 72 hours old."

It seemed like five minutes passed before I spoke again. "Can I get a refund?"

"Absolutely," she said, explaining that my card would be credited in a day or so.

Thanking her, I headed back toward the parking lot, sorting out the moment. Though disappointed, I wasn't angry at the Symphony. It's their show and they can make whatever rules they want for their event, which I don't doubt for a moment they put in place with the safety of their patrons in mind. But...

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I can't, in good conscience, think that one (big) vaccine mandate is bad and go along with another, no matter how few people it might affect.

And even though I don't think it was the Symphony's intention, I can't play what I call "that segregation game," saying that one group is allowed in and another is kept out.

And I wonder how many folks found themselves in that same spot, and if they scurried back to their cars for "their papers," or if they, like me, asked for a refund?

But just to show there's no hard feelings, here's the link to the Shreveport Symphony's upcoming concert schedule. Their shows are always pretty great. Too bad I won't see you there.

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