December 8, 2006
FOUR FOR FRIDAY
Q1 - Payout: Michael Richards, immortalized as Kramer on TV's Seinfeld, was caught on tape last month at a Los Angeles comedy club delivering a racist tirade directed at four African-American hecklers. The hecklers--three men and one woman represented by celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred--have reportedly agreed to meet Richards' (with a retired judge who will serve as a mediator) to accept Richards' apology. If the judge recommends it, do you think Richards' should pay financial damages to the four people he offended? If not, do you think he should make a financial contribution to a race relations-related cause?
Q2 - Time Off: How much time off from work will you be taking between now and the beginning of 2007?
Q3 - Priorities: A recent poll from the Gallup Organization show that Americans want their government leaders to focus on Iraq as the nation's top policy priority. According to Gallup, more than two-thirds of Americans name Iraq in this context, and it is the dominant issue for Republicans as well as Democrats. The economy and healthcare trail far behind, while concerns about immigration and fuel prices are down considerably from earlier this year. What do you feel the U.S. Congress's top priority should be now and in 2007?
Q4 - Favorite "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "The Little Drummer Boy," etc. What is your favorite animated Christmas special?
Posted by Mikal at December 8, 2006 12:02 AM
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My answers will be posted whenever Blogger gets its act together this morning. :-)
Q1 - Payout: It takes two to tango. Richards wasn't right, but neither were the hecklers. Can't they just apologize to one another off-screen and get on with their lives? If I had to pay for every time I made some politically incorrect statement, I'd be broke... I mean more broke than I am already.
Q2 - Time Off: I plan on taking three days off... including weekends.
Q3 - Priorities: We should focus on defending our friend, Israel... and no, I'm not Jewish. The Jews are in a pickle, and it's not a Kosher pickle. They're surrounded by hate mongers, and unless we do something to keep the maddening hordes at bay, Israel will be wiped off the map. What ever happened to standing up for your friends?
Q4 - Favorite animated Christmas Special: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," but I hate the movie version with Jim Carrey.
#1. Maybe Michael Richards should quit drinking or check in to a rehab. Otherwise, he simply is a person who espoused racist and demeaning views and words. There's no crime in that. If I were a club owner, I wouldn't book him for any more events.
#2. I'll take off probably the better of a week and a half.
#3. Our focus should be on bringing our troops home to their and our families and communities.
#4. The misnamed "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is my favorite animated special. The Grinch, along with Ebenezer Scrooge, is one of my favorite characters of all time because he CHANGES. He celebrates with the Who down in Whoville and, I'm sure, his heart grew at least 2 sizes!
Q1 - Payout: Nope. He shouldn't have to pay. He if wants to pay, that's different, but then again, that seems like a slimy way to get out of what is really just a heartfelt apology.
Q2 - Time Off: Since I cut short 3 other planned events this year with my family because work was so busy, I'm taking 10 days between now and the end of the year.
Q3 - Priorities: Balance the budget and have a plan to address the country's debt. Iraq, immigration, health care; all cost money. Our country has to realize that we either need to make some tough decisions on where we spend our money, or we have to cut programs and what we want to do, or we have to get more money in. Simple math, but apparently our government can't grasp it. You don't do that, all other priorities are already screwed.
Q4 - Favorite: Rudolph. I used to watch that show so much as a kid.
1 - He definitely shouldn't have to pay. However....
2 - I'll be heading to warmer weather for 9 days.
3 - Minimum wage hike! Forget Reagonomics and lets see what happens when things start trickling up!
4 - Come on! "A Charlie Brown Christmas" hands down.
1 - Why should he be made to pay? Since when does making racial slurs carry a financial penalty? I'm not saying I approve of racism, but if we're going to start doing that, what about going back to Mel Gibson and make him pay for his anti-semetic drunk rantings? Wait, he's already going to be "paying" for them, as his earnings will be going down...
2 - I won't be taking any time off, but after this weekend I won't be working until after the beginning of the year. The way our business is, when it's not busy, I just do the books, scheduling, etc from home, so I'll still be doing that but will be able to count my blessings from home with my kids!
3 - While we do need to find a solution to the problems in Iraq, the economy, the healthcare situation, immigration issues, etc need to be addressed. It seems there are enough people working in DC for us that they SHOULD (in a dream world perhaps) be able to break into groups to work on more than one issue. But that may just be rational thinking, which we know the government isn't the greatest at.
4 - I like the Grinch and Frosty. I just wish they were on a little earlier for my kids to watch and not go to bed so late on school nights!
Mikal - when are we going to get to see YOUR thoughts on your 4 for Friday questions?
Q1 - I think Michael Richards is paying in the court of public opinion, which in my opinion is sort of a market-driven punishment.
While offensive, his remarks are not illegal in this country. So any payment on his part would be arbitrary and symbolic only. Accepting such a payment would be like me taking $1 as payment from my seven year-old son because he talked-back to his mother. Then saying, "ok, you've learned your lesson."
Q2- I'm probably going to be drinking during that time. Unfortunately I then forget I'm not supposed to be working and work right through the holidays.
Q3- Well, first you know the Gallup people have gotten something wrong since two-thirds of Americans cannot find Iraq on a map of the U.S.
Second, I believe the Congress' top priority will be what it's been for the past week or so. That is: "Should Pelosi have given Denny Hastert that corner office?"
Q4- I like the old Norelco electric razor commercial, with Santa going through the snow on it. It doesn't really work though. (My Dad didn't think it was that funny.)
1. What's green got to do with it? Money doesn't solve everything, you know. Or anything, really. Just make him feel really, really bad...his conscience can take care of the rest.
2. 5.5, not enough but good nonetheless!
3. I don't have time to really think about this one. But on a whim, my thoughts are that the current war is the most pressing need. Probably should handle it the way I manage my projects at work -- put out the fires, but keep all the other little flames in check, and then reprioritize.
4. Animation is out. I'm all for the claymation stuff and other such videos -- that version of Rudolph. But I'm highly disappointed that you didn't allow for the Muppets, because The Muppet's Christmas Carol is my Favorite Movie of All Time.
1. I joined the Marines for a very specific reason. I love this country and my freedoms. If Richards is forced to pay for practicing his freedom, you may as well spit on the service records and graves of every person who ever served this great nation. What he did is unquestionably inappropriate. But he's still an American with the rights and freedoms that come with it. And I'll practice my freedom by boycotting him.
2. None. Somebody's gotta keep this company runnin' ;)
3. Oh man. Don't even get me started. But I will say this. Regardless of how I feel about the invasion of Iraq, the fact is we did it. If you're going to freakin' invade another country, then invade the dang country and take it over! Quit with the screwing around and take care of business. Complete the invasion already! You definitely do NOT want to run away like a scared little dog. Ok ok... end of rant. Top priority? Definitely not what color they should paint the fence on the White House lawn. Top priority should be not wasting time during their sessions.
4. To start with, I hate Christmas (or I should say, the spectacle that it's become). Perhaps the most important event in mankind's history, the coming of our Savior, and this is how we honor His birth? I'll watch The Fourth Wiseman in defiance of St. Nick.
I realize these comments make me sound like a raving psychotic madman. Well... I am ;)
1. I have become extremely tired and bored with the media and the "chosen few" who seem to find a reason to have a story and get in the news in everything that happens. I definitely don't approve of what Richards did but neither do I approve of what the hecklers did. I call it a draw and I think they all should apologize. I also think the media should apologize for giving some people the opportunity to be on TV and in the news again. I call them the vultures. If racism comes up there are certain people you will always see. Make it another issue and another group of vultures appear. They remind me of Ambulance Chasers.
2. Since I am not working outside my home, I will be busy as usual.
3. I'd like to see the Iraq mess taken care of some how (God give these people wisdom and help them to use it), but I am also concerned by our head-in-the-sand government (Republicans, Democrats, etc.)and the way they seem to be ignoring the many issues we have as a country. Maybe it is easier for them to wage war in Irag and between themselves than tackle the issues we have here. After all, if they were to address those many issues it would mean they have to do some real work that takes wisdom, courage, cooperation, and self-sacrifice. We know that doesn't describe the majority of people we have elected. That's an indictment of us becasue they reflect us and that is why there is no improvement.
4. I'm not much into animation. I'm more a "A Christmas Carol", "Christmas on 34th Street", etc. person. I'm looking forward to seeing The Nativity.
1. I don't think he needs to pay those people off, it has nothing to do with money. But I think it is a good idea for him to donate to a related cause or volunteer working with youth at risk.
2. The only days off I'll be taking are December 25th & 26th, and January 1st. Otherwise, I'll be working.
3. I think the focus on Iraq needs to continue, but health care, homelessness, education and so many more issues are just as important to the people of this country.
4. I love all those Christmas specials, especially the claymation/puppet ones. We used to wait longingly for those shows to come on TV. Now we have the luxury of watching them whenever we want on DVD.
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