When I first saw the situation involving Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s concerts, I thought: Well, if the headliner doesn’t want an opening act because the opening act is too political, that’s the headliner’s right. But if it is the case that Sheeran didn't want him removed at all, and that decision instead resulted from outside pressure due to Macklemore's outspoken political advocacy, I don't think that's something that should really be celebrated. I think we were a lot healthier when people were more comfortable saying, “I hate his opinions, but he's entitled to them, and I'm not buying a ticket to his show.” Of course, people have every right in the world to protest speakers or performers they dislike — and I would vigorously defend that right. But when the goal of that pressure is to prevent someone from speaking or performing because of their political views, and the campaign succeeds, you can't really say that's a win for a culture of free speech.