Strengthening Constitutional Self-Government

No Left Turns

First Mel Gibson. . .

and now Michael ("Kramer") Richards. Check out this video of his racist tirade. I don’t know what he thought he was trying to do, but he’d better ring up Mel’s handlers real fast. Is there something in the water in Hollywood? (Yes, it’s called alcohol, and other substances—Ed.)

Discussions - 15 Comments

Nonsense--Kramer’s just expressing concern about ethno-cultural viability!

I think he was trying to be "cutting edge" and missed the mark. Proof that just because you’re funny doesn’t mean you should be doing stand up. And if you are an actor, think twice before ad libbing.

Here’s what the AP is reporting:

Comic Paul Rodriguez, who was at the club, said he thought Richards’ remarks crossed the line. "Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don’t happen to be African-American, then you have a whole lot of explaining," he said. "Freedom of speech has its limitations and I think Michael Richards found those limitations."

Freedom of speech has no limitations when it comes to insulting our troops serving overseas during a time of war, does it? Heck, judging from the election results, supporting our troops is a real loser.

Burger King poses with this query: " Is there something in the water in Hollywood?"

No need to go to Hollywood when most of redstate America will do just as well.

"...alcohol, and other substances." Ask the experts: Statesman Of The Year Limbaugh and Pastor Haggard.

Has anyone actually watched the video? I don’t think his rant was part of any comedy bit, he just got pissed off and started dropping the n-bomb like crazy. As Mr. Hayward implied, it’s so over the top that I wouldn’t be surprised if drugs or alcohol was involved.

Serenity Now! Serenity Now!

Puh-LEEZE, people. Nobody ever has a bad day or a bad reaction? Nobody ever loses their temper and goes off and says really stupid things, even racist things, that they will regret for the rest of their lives? Yeah, he should apologize - and profusely. Yeah, he should be held accountable for what he said. That’s the part of "Freedom of Speech" that too many people forget. Say what you will because it’s your right to do so, but pay the price when it offends someone. Give the guy a break - I DO believe he is human.

Well, no one’s suggesting throwing him in prison, or seizing his assets. What this discussion leaves out is that Michael Richards’ career was washed up long before yesterday. What has he done since Seinfeld ended? One wonders whether, in the midst of his onstage rant, he saw this as a way of returning to the limelight. This is undoubtedly the most attention he’s gotten in years. My prediction is that this incident changes nothing--his career will continue on the same downward spiral that it’s been on since 1998.

I agree with John. It’s pretty unlikely that any movie deals will be coming his way as a result of this newfound limelight.

I’m all for forgiveness and I’m pleased that he has apologized, but I have to say that I don’t think that word slips out of a person’s mouth without some racism having been in the person to begin with. I’ve been known to use colorful language on occasion, particularly when someone makes me angry, but it would never even occur to me to use racial epithets in anger because I’m not racist.

This sort of thing was stated during the Mel Gibson debacle too and I think it holds water. A person doesn’t use language like that unless those words travel through that person’s thoughts already.

What a shame that people will now remember him partially for this outburst instead of just for his great work on Seinfeld.

My biggest fear now is that Dustin "Screech" Diamond will try to follow in his footsteps.

I’m not sure it’s possible for Screech to be any less likeable than he is now, but I could be wrong.

Wow, I was shocked to see that dain hasn’t weighed in on this one. I’m sure he would have something fun and enlightening to say.

Ohio Brass says "Sernenity Now! Serenity Now! Is this some kind of oblique request/demand for a Serenity/Firefly sequel? If it is, count me definitely IN.

Actually I was refering to the Seinfeld episode in which Mr. Catanza passes a relaxation technique onto Kramer.

Ah. I never much watched Seinfeld, even in reruns. And then, "Firefly" was not on long enough to ever get to reruns.

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