Shelly Luther

This is another one of those stories in which the protagonist is, while clearly more wrong than right, something less than a clear-cut hero. We live in a time of lionization of lightning rods, but that rarely presents the entire scenario.

To be sure, Judge Eric Moye behaved like a total bonehead. Texas was about to ease its restrictions on businesses such as hair salons, and it would have made all the difference if that had been taken into account. A week in jail for not apologizing merely provided fodder for the open-it-all-back-up-right-now camp's push to paint a picture of heavy-handed government.

Luther, however, was clearly grandstanding when she tore up the cease-and-desist order at the rally. Yee-haw gestures aren't helpful at the present moment.

Then there's the question of why she didn't have some support from friends, family or loyal clients. Hair stylists tend to have particularly supportive customers who have a vested interest in seeing their favorite salons make it through challenging times. To wax anecdotal, my wife is a stylist and salons owner, and her clientele has not only stepped up in the present situation, but rose to the occasion during a couple of surgeries in recent years that necessitated some days of inactivity. And it's my understanding that since this brouhaha, a Go Fund Me account has raised several thousands of dollars for Luther and her business.

Then there's the matter of Ted Cruz seeking out Luther for a haircut yesterday. It's the perfect political move, is it not? Great publicity all around.

Glad to see that this one seems to have been resolved in a win for an entrepreneur under economic duress, and for freedom generally. But on the way to that resolution, there were some moments of testiness and excess that, sadly, probably portend more of the same as we work out the delicate balance this nasty virus is requiring of us.