Kramer, say it ain't so!

[Oracle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgmCBKPHnSY

[Flip]

He later apologized on the Late Show, but they removed the video from YouTube.

[Julius Seeker]

Someone obviously didn't eat their black and white cookie before the show...

I don't think he's necessarilly a racist, the guy does need some serious councilling though.

[Ishamael]

The hillarious thing is that me and my family (out to visit) were at that Laugh Factory and saw Kramer (he'll always be Kramer to me) perform as a suprise guest that Saturday, the night after The Incident. We had NO idea he'd gone on a tirade against a heckler the very night before. In a wierd way, it actually made the night that much cooler and more memorable.

[Ishamael]

And apparently he's pointed the sword at the Jews!

http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/22/richards- ... irst-time/

Too bad there was no cellphone camera there.

[Julius Seeker]

And apparently he's pointed the sword at the Jews!

http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/22/richards- ... irst-time/

Too bad there was no cellphone camera there.

From the Washington Post: As for reports that Richards shouted out anti-Semitic remarks during another standup comedy routine in April, Rubenstein confirmed that Richards did, but that he was only role-playing.

"He's Jewish. He's not anti-Semitic at all. He was role-playing, he was playing a part. He did use inappropriate language, but he doesn't have any anti-Semitic feelings whatsoever," Rubenstein said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01988.html


From what I gather, he is obviously very very very sorry for what he did. His comments were obviously quite ridiculous, but I do believe him when he says they were motivated by rage and not by bigotry. Just because he reacted the way he did does not mean that those hecklers were not assholes; but he definately shouldn't have reacted with those ridiculous comments. On the backlash, it is similar to Mel Gibson, those who are jumping on him the hardest are just more assholes who just want an excuse to be mad at someone; I doubt they're actually hurt. I get sick of all those PC assholes sometimes.

[Kupek]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

[Eric]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

Indeed, ""Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a fucking fork up your ass" is a pretty bold statement of how much control you wish you had over a group on individuals.

[Julius Seeker]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

He was in a rage, according to his interview. As I recall, the black guys also made racist remarks whent hey were pissed off, does that mean they are a bunch of racists? He flew into a rage, and wanted to really hurt those guys verbally, and that is the knowledge he found to do it.

In an interview apology later on, he looked fairly broken up, he stated that his comments were the result of his rage and not motivated by bigotry.

[Zeus]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

I'd have to disagree with that. Being a racist is how you conduct your life not what you do when you want to get at someone, which is what Richards appeared to be doing. He wanted to hit him where it hurts, he doesn't necessarily avoid all blacks 'cause he thinks they're criminals or monkeys or whatever just because he said something. I mean, if he's a Jew and he was playing a roll as an anti-Semetic guy, does that mean he hates Jews just 'cause he said certain things?

Really, people are looking for racism constantly and often overblow any situation, especially in the US. Just because he calls someone black the "n-word" (god, we gotta get rid of that PC shit; I basically only use "n-word" 'cause it's such a loaded word it'll destroy my point; it's a word, people, it only means something when it has intent and context attached to it not when you're using it to make an argument or explain it or whatever) while blacks are calling themselves that on a regular basis to me does not make him any more racist than a black man using it...period. If a black man can use it and everyone knows he's either a) joking or b) just trying to piss someone off, then so can Richards. Otherwise, it's just hypocrasy that rules our society.

But, that's the way it is and always will be while people always look to treat the symptoms rather than the disease itself.

[Julius Seeker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV7tP1_0xrQ

This Glenn Beck guy I suspect might be racist though.

[Julius Seeker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTTdLW5hv-Y

Just listen =)

[Nev]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

If a black man can use it and everyone knows he's either a) joking or b) just trying to piss someone off, then so can Richards. Otherwise, it's just hypocrasy that rules our society.

But, that's the way it is and always will be while people always look to treat the symptoms rather than the disease itself.

Zeus, you're out of your mind on this one. I expect this kind of nonsense from Seek at this point, but you ought to know better. You're completely lacking context here - did you even watch the video, or read the actual comments he made? Or note that Eric quoted them? How do you defend someone who brings up the specter of public lynching at a comedy club?

You're supposed to heckle comedians during stand-up. It's part of the deal. And if you're a comedian, you're supposed to handle that heckling in a fairly lighthearted way, something that throws back that energy at the audience in a way that's lightly antagonistic - and funny - without being hostile. It's generally considered to be part of the act, a way to show that you have the verbal wit and skill to think on your feet, and the ability to defend yourself verbally without really hurting anyone else.

Richards did exactly the opposite of that. He went right for the neck, in a very visceral and unfair way. It would be like, in a fencing match, lightly and humorously tapping your opponent on the mask with the tip of your saber, at which point your opponent flies into a murderous rage, breaks the end off of his own blade, and starts trying to stab you in the heart with the jagged pieces.

Also, Michael Richards has been acting this way for a very long time. My friends ran into him during the height of Seinfeld at a coffeeshop in Los Angeles near the high school we all went to at the time, about ten years ago. They asked him if they could take his picture - not an unreasonable request of a major television star from a bunch of teenagers. He told them that if they took his picture, he'd grab and take away their camera. You don't have to threaten teenagers in order to prevent a picture from being taken - a simple "I'd prefer it if you didn't take my picture today, please respect my privacy" would have sufficed very well for my friends.

My mother thinks Richards may have some mental health issues, and I have to say that there may be some validity to that viewpoint. We'll probably never know. But...seriously...what are you thinking here, man?

[Nev]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

He was in a rage, according to his interview. As I recall, the black guys also made racist remarks whent hey were pissed off, does that mean they are a bunch of racists? He flew into a rage, and wanted to really hurt those guys verbally, and that is the knowledge he found to do it.

In an interview apology later on, he looked fairly broken up, he stated that his comments were the result of his rage and not motivated by bigotry.

As for you, Seek, why aren't you at the neo-Nazi meeting?

Muscle-bound Aryan avatar, constant defense of fascist Germany as a wonderfully industrious empire, defense of Richards' hate-spewing bile...why you bullshitting?

[kali o.]

*tosses a random 2 cents into the mix*

- Pushing people's buttons is always the best way to succeed in an "arguement". Calling someone a chink, gook, spic, nigger, fat, fag and all those other lovely words is usually a fairly accessible and readily available "button" (especially since these things are plainly evident and applicable). I don't think the use of any such terms automatically means someone is a racist or a bigot - just that they lack the imagination for anything more PC, yet still effective.

- The black guy called him a "cracker" and at least one other racial insult. He doesn't have a leg to stand on.

I don't know if either Richards or the heckler(sp?) are racist...best case scenario is that they lack the intelligence for anything more witty. Excusable for some random comedy club patron but not Richards, a fairly famous comedian.

I got the impression (imo) Richards had some plan of a joke or point when he started his ranting...he either lost it because he realized he went too far or lost it because he realized he let his racism slip. Dunno which - don't really care either.

[Julius Seeker]

If you're pissed off, and the first thing you call upon in your rage are racist insults, then I'm inclined to think you're a racist.

He was in a rage, according to his interview. As I recall, the black guys also made racist remarks whent hey were pissed off, does that mean they are a bunch of racists? He flew into a rage, and wanted to really hurt those guys verbally, and that is the knowledge he found to do it.

In an interview apology later on, he looked fairly broken up, he stated that his comments were the result of his rage and not motivated by bigotry.

As for you, Seek, why aren't you at the neo-Nazi meeting?

Muscle-bound Aryan avatar, constant defense of fascist Germany as a wonderfully industrious empire, defense of Richards' hate-spewing bile...why you bullshitting?

Honestly, I really don't give a crap about what you think about me, but I am going to point out how you're an idiot anyways. Your post is just too retarded. I can't pass up such an opportunity.

1) There is absolutely nothing wrong or racist with my comments. Or Zeus's.

2) You are a dipshit.

3) Last time I checked Michael Richards was not standing before an audience of a million Germans speaking about idealism and the realization of the Greater German Empire.

4) The Michael Richards incident has absolutely nothing to do with the third reich Nazi Germany.

5) Dolph Lundgren is Swedish who is into physical fitness and martial arts (he is a decorated champion), not a German nazi; I am half Swedish ancestry, was born in Sweden, and am also into physical fitness and martial arts. Accusing me of supporting the third reich because of my association with Sweden is absolutely retarded.

6) I don't think Michael Richards said anything in his tirade about how things were back in Nazi Germany. It's quite funny, as he was actually talking about Los Angeles 50 years ago, the city which YOU live in. Talk about hypocrisy at its finest.

I would really like to be polite here, but after reading these ridiculous accusations, to sum things up: you are a fucking moron.

[Nev]

*sigh*

Sorry, Seek. I apologize.

My opinion of Richards is that he was spitting nonsense full of hate, and his actions are not indefensible. The incident with my friends ten years ago "proved" that to me, I suppose.

However, it was not okay to let your defense of him, which was something I disagreed with, spur me on into doing something that was the exact same thing he did, more or less - start unjustified personal attacks on someone, which is what I just did with you. Again, I apologize.

It's part of a problem I have in which I let myself get angry, without controlling it, and then say very hurtful things. Looking at it without the anger poisoning my mind, I can see a pattern of it stretching back over a long period here, and I apologize to everyone who's been on the receiving end of it. Perhaps that's why I get so angry at Richards - I see it in myself and don't like it. It all seems very different by morning light, anyway.

Consider this my vow to work on it and not fly off at the handle anymore...time will have to be the true tutor, I guess we'll all be able to see how well it works.

Also, just as an FYI, I don't live in Los Angeles anymore. Northern California, now.

[Julius Seeker]

It's perfectly OK dude, like I said in the first line: it doesn't matter (to me) what you said about me. I wasn't offended or anything, I just wanted to tear your post apart. I don't hold a thing against you. Don't take it too seriously =P

[Ishamael]

I got the impression (imo) Richards had some plan of a joke or point when he started his ranting...he either lost it because he realized he went too far or lost it because he realized he let his racism slip.

That's what I think happened to.

In other news, it turns out Kramer (errr...Richard) is not really Jewish. Background - he went on an anti-Semitic rant earlier this year, but claimed it was OK because he was Jewish. His parents aren't Jewish and he's never converted to Judaism. (source: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/200 ... x.htm">USA Today </a> )

[Nev]

While I don't plan to go off and insult any of you guys this time, I think some of you might be starstruck here.

I wouldn't call what he did "letting his racism slip". I'd call it "plastering his racism up in thirty-foot letters of fire across the roof of the building".

Did any of you actually watch the video?

[Zeus]

While I don't plan to go off and insult any of you guys this time, I think some of you might be starstruck here.

I wouldn't call what he did "letting his racism slip". I'd call it "plastering his racism up in thirty-foot letters of fire across the roof of the building".

Did any of you actually watch the video?

Yes and I stand by my previous post