Puerto Rican Complaints

Did you guys hear about this? The Puerto Ricans are mad because of Kramer stomping on the Puerto Rican flag last night. They want an apology on(and they specified this) next weeks show. Hmm.Did someone say "cashing in?" They want Jerry and NBC to apologize publicly. Man, they can't just wait till the guy ends the show, they have to disrupt the nature of everything first. they have to get something out of the apology, like an advertisement for Puerto Rico or something. But why should Jerry aplogize? He didn't write it, or direct it, or produce it. He simply starred in the episode. And his name is on the title of the show. but if the name on the title matters on who gets blamed, then what happens when someone on Friends steps on a flag? Do all the friends of the world have to apologize? They also asked for Castle Rock to ban the episode from ever being shown again. I consider that a little extreme. They can't just edit it out, can they? they want a perfectly good and funny episode to never be shown again for the rest of its life? Man, I think some people need to grow up.

WAYne

I like to think of everyone online as a community, and "this community means about as much to me, as a festering bowl of dog snot!"-R. J. Fletcher from UHF

Tasteless... but fuck it and carry on. Should have burned the French flag.

I agree, the French flag should be burned!!!!

In article , [email] (SeinJunkie) wrote:

This political correctness thing is getting way out of hand. If I was Jerry, I would just ignore them. No apologies, not a word, just ignore the whole thing.

Idiots.

Next thing you know the Swedes will forget about Don Cherry and accuse Seinfeld of trashing a Saab to insult THEM.

Martin Nadeau wrote:

<snip>

Let's not forget that Kramer was trying to put out the fire - if the fire had gone out of control people may have been killed, those not knowing Kramer's intent attacked him - a metaphor for life!

SeinJunkie wrote:

And if he doesn't, what are they going to do after next week? Boycott the show for the rest of the season? Talk about bad timing for making demands.

Are you stupid? Jerry Seinfeld writes for the show.

One might ask, why not have them get stuck in the St Patrick's Day parade? Offends a different group, perhaps more politically powerful. I suppose it could be argued that it has to be some group large enough to have a parade that would tie up traffic, but something that is not well-known, so that you could credibly forget the parade was going to happen.

I wonder what would have happened if it had been a gay rights parade.

Charles Blair wrote:

=======================================================================What
New York Parades did they have to choose from?

St. Patrick's Day Parade: ================= But the have already 'insulted' the Irish in The Limo- Remember O'Brian the neo-nazi and then again in The Summer of George, dancers that did not move their arms..

Gay Pride Parade: ============ Gays were 'singled out' in the Outing - remember the weak comeback 'Not that there's anything wrong with that.' Well, if there was nothing wrong with that then why was gerry and George so upset and why did Kramer have a spasm when Jerry suggested he may be Gay too..

Walk for AIDS ============== Already used when Kramer would not wear the ribbon.

Thanksgivings Day Parade ================== They may have used the Macy's Thanksgivings Day Parade - but no, they already trashed Woody Woodpecker in that one. And they already trashed Santa Clause through Kramer's department store job.

New York Marathon ============== Gee I almost missed that one in The Hot Tub. So its been done too.

May Day ======== They could have used the May Day parade, but no, they trashed the Commies in The Race.

So those groups were all insulted, dragged through the mud, and ridiculed.

Obviously the only Parade left was the Puerto Rican parade. If they had ignored it the Puerto Ricans would have cried that they were ignored, insulted, their name never dragged through the mud...(can't win can you)

            -------------------------

Say does Puerto Rico have a New York parade?

:-)   :-)   :-)   :-)   :-)    This was fun!!!

In article , [email] (Charles Blair) wrote:

Erm, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's approximately the right time of year for Puerto Rico. Not for St. Patrick's Day.

It mightn't have been 'festive' enough. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Cheers, Lulu

Not EVERY show. As i pointed out, Jerry didnt write this one, 10 other writers did. No need to call anyone stupid... jackass! (and you all saw that coming)

WAYne

I like to think of everyone online as a community, and "this community means about as much to me, as a festering bowl of dog snot!"-R. J. Fletcher from UHF

Cute. But seriously, Jerry (and Larry in the old days) does the final once over of each new script. Jerry has the final say in what gets cut or added so he really has a hand in writing every ep, even if he doesn't get the writing credit on the show. ------------------------------------------ [email] (Hammer nail here--> <-- for a new monitor.)

Like Jerry said before, were all getting too touchy. "If somebody asks me 'which way is Israel', I don't go flying off the handle."

Sledge983 wrote in article ...

Kramer

me

Greetings . . . from San Juan

The feeling down here, among those who even noticed it, is that regardless of it being a lame joke and an obvious conclusion to Kramer's foolish behavior, in the making of the scene a flag *was* desecrated *not* for any worthy reason of protest or expression, but just as a prop for comic effect. Even those of us who "get it" are made . . . uncomfortable . . . by it. Try to understand, it's an emotional issue . . .

Many here are wondering whether the whole thing with the flag burn/stomp, the angry mob, etc. would have passed muster as part of the show as easily had it been, oh an Irish crowd at St. Pat. Day Parade or an Italian crowd at Columbus Day parade. (In all honesty, though, I am wondering whether any of my compatriots would have cared a whit if it *had* been some other ethnic group but ourselves.)

I do agree the episode need not be eliminated, but in the process of shortening it for syndication it may be feasible to do some editing of that scene. And I feel that though Mr. Seinfeld/NBC/Castle Rock need not make a major act of Public Atonement for the greater glory of the New-York-Rican community "leaders", today's brief, boilerplate apology is unsatisfying.

Really unfortunate that this has to happen at this point . . .

JRD

Buenos dias.

Made me a bit uncomfortable, even though I'm not Puerto Rican. Not many people can offend me; it's no small accomplishment.

I think it should have been a French Bastille Day parade, but I don't think the French throw parades. For _real_ comedic value, you couldn't beat a CPUSA May Day parade, with Kramer burning the red flag and pissing off some commies.

"Editing" and "censorship" are the same beast. Take out five seconds, and it would no longer be the "Laser Pointer" episode.

Did anyone notice that Kramer seemed to be the only regular who was bothering to enjoy the parade?

Alright, JRD, I understand your point. I, myself, have a problem with the burning of the American flag and I did not, at one point, understand our Supreme Court's assertion that the burning of the flag is a form of free speech. Now, however, I understand it and here's how: if someone takes a flag, walks up to a court house, pours lighter fluid on the flag, sparks it up, and stomps on it, he's expressing an opinion of the U.S.A. and I don't agree with what he's saying. Right? Now, that's free speech and as much as I want to stop what he's saying, he's got the right to free speech, even IF I don't agree with it. You see, it's his expression that I'm angered with. If he was burning a bra, briefs, or whatever, I wouldn't give a shit. So, it must be a form of speech.

That said, however, had the same situation occured with an American flag...I WOULD HAVE LAUGHED! The funniness of the scene is Kramer's stupidity (ACCIDENTALLY setting the flag on fire) coupled with the high on pride Puerto Ricans observing that flag burning and giving chase. (Not to mention the reoccurence of old characters.)

Had the same situation occurred a Veteran's Day parade with a whole host of war-proud, patriotic old soldiers witnessing Kramer doing a two-step on a burning Old Glory, I would have LAUGHED. It's funny - the stupidity and the miscommunication! And Kramer's love for the Puerto Ricans! I mean, was that not noticeable?

The Three Bs

The Three B's wrote in article ...

I am absolutely in agreement with everything that you have stated. I actually am a bit surprised and disappointed by some of the virulent counter-reactions in this NG. If it's any consolation, back in soc.culture.puerto-rico, those of us who have expressed that our reaction was of some discomfort but that we "get" the joke and recognize the right of free speech are getting crucified by that NG's Flame Squad. One thing many people may not realize is that 1898 is the 100 aniversary of the US conquest of PR (Tuesday is the anniversary of SJ getting shelled by the USN) and the rhetoric both scholarly and political as to the event has our collective skin worn thin.

Regards, JRD

Now, back to Seinfeld, already in progress . . .

What pisses me off the most about this is what I just read at Mr. Showbiz (http://www.mrshowbiz.com).

"We want a public apology on the show next week," he said. "If they don't, we are exploring our legal options."

Legal options FOR WHAT? Last time I checked, we could burn our own U.S. flag because it was protected under a little thing called 'freedom of speech.' If Puerto Rico wants to become a state in the future, they'd better get used to this. And they want to sue? On what basis? Being offended? If that were possible, Don Rickles would have been put out of business a long time ago. I could even understand where the Nation Puerto Rican Coalition could be offended, but to threaten a lawsuit over this?

Seiny wrote in message ...

we

What will happen is this, those that have been infuriated by the *slanderous act* will be told to watch the final episode, in its entirety, and to expect the apology to air at the end of the show. When the apology doesn't air and the masses realize there is nothing they can do, there will be a reaction that will divide the popluation in two. 50% will stand completely still, turn their head slightly and clench one fist and then say the word, "seinfeld!". (said in the jerry-esque way he said, "newman!"). The remaining portion of the population will do this, sit down, look up to the sky an scream, "Seiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiif eld!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (much like george/elaine screamed khaaaaaaaaaaaaaan/suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzz)

thank you for your time

In article ,

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Those who complain about things like this don't understand the humor of Seinfold. A lot of his humor is aimed at debunking the notions of "correctness";, not just "political correctness", but social correctness as well. Remember the episode when the 4 of them are going to a party. They *have* to bring something--that's the socially correct way. But it's more than that; George says, "OK, I'll bring some Pepsi." Elaine says, "You can't bring Pepsi". One of the characters, I think Jerry, poionts out the absurdity of guests having to "bring" something.

Personally, I'm with Jerry. There are far too many notions out there about what is *correct*, which have nothing to do with treating people humanely and compassionately and in accordance with the Golden Rule.

Jerry Weaver

I'm confused. If a Puerto Rican flag (or any country's flag) accidently catches on fire, what am I supposed to do?

Pee on it to put the fire out....Where's Poppie when we need him :-)

Oh yeah. Can you even imagine how the ultrasensitive complainers would have gone off if Kramer had urinated on the flag instead of burning it?

You know what? Maybe they did this on purpose. As if there wasn't enough hype, now Seinfeld's showing up in primne time news, not just the Hard Copy/Access Hollywood shows but real News. Maybe the whole Puerto Rican Outrage thing was designed specifically to add to the hype?? So the angry PR's are really just fueling the (flag) fire! I love it!!