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After Kramer Flap, Governor [Doyle] (D, WI) Not in a Festivus Mood
Madison.com via AP ^ | December 2, 2006 | Scott Bauer

Posted on 12/02/2006 11:02:34 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

Festivus just isn't the same this year for self-professed "Seinfeld" fanatic Gov. Jim Doyle.

In fact, Doyle said he won't be recognizing the made-up holiday after Michael Richards, aka Kramer, unleashed a string of racial slurs at black patrons during a recent comedy club appearance.

"Probably like a lot of people, I'm still sorting out my feelings about it all," Doyle said Friday. "It's pretty hard for me to watch the show right now."

That says a lot coming from a governor whose aides are known to watch "Seinfeld" reruns in their spare time so they can keep up with Doyle's almost encyclopedic knowledge of the episodes. Last year Doyle placed a Festivus Pole, an unadorned aluminum pole, among the other holiday decorations at the governor's mansion. The holiday, created in a 1997 "Seinfeld" episode, has turned into a celebration in its own right. There's a book about it, and a Milwaukee firm makes the pole.

Doyle joked last year about his intention to follow the traditions of the holiday, but he was in a much more dour mood on Friday when talking about Richards' situation.

"What Michael Richards did was so offensive, it's hard for me as a personal matter to even watch the show," the governor said.

Doyle's "Seinfeld" obsession has caught some people around the Capitol off guard.

In a contentious meeting with Republican legislative leaders in January 2005, Doyle quipped, "What is this, Festivus?" A central part of that holiday is the "airing of the grievances."

Then-Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, later acknowledged he didn't get the joke.

Since then, Schultz's staff and other lawmakers have been known to throw "Seinfeld" quips back at the governor. Schultz said at the Republican Party convention last year, "Turns out that Doyle's a 'Seinfeld' fan. Fitting that a 'Show about Nothing' would be liked by a 'Governor about Nothing.'"


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: festivus; kramer; seinfeld
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What a sensitive, caring, new-agey, touchy-feeley, don't-offend-anyone Governor we have! Thanks goodness we all now know how he feels about "made up" holidays.

Now, Governor...how about letting we eeeeevil Christians have a Nativity Scene in at least one public place in 'The People's Republik of Madistan?' (Like that'll happen.)

1 posted on 12/02/2006 11:02:37 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: Watery Tart; KRAUTMAN; reformedliberal; Mygirlsmom; codercpc; s2baccha; ozaukeemom; PjhCPA; ...

"I Guess It's Festivus For The Rest of Us" Ping!


2 posted on 12/02/2006 11:03:28 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"It's pretty hard for me to watch the show right now."

What a whiner.
3 posted on 12/02/2006 11:05:31 AM PST by cripplecreek (If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Gov. Jim Doyle

I have grievance with you!

4 posted on 12/02/2006 11:08:41 AM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"Probably like a lot of people, I'm still sorting out my feelings about it all," Doyle said Friday.

Grow up.

5 posted on 12/02/2006 11:11:02 AM PST by JennysCool
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

He probably won't have any trouble celebrating that other made-up holiday (started in 1966 by one Karenga).


6 posted on 12/02/2006 11:14:49 AM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: JennysCool

I'm traumatized by dogs because I saw Old Yeller. My heart skips a beat every time I see a passenger jet due to 9/11. I'm too afraid to drive anymore because I hit a deer nearly 10 years ago.......


7 posted on 12/02/2006 11:19:39 AM PST by cripplecreek (If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

"Thanks goodness we all now know how he feels about "made up" holidays."

One must wonder whether or not that includes kwa'anza?


8 posted on 12/02/2006 11:23:02 AM PST by Vn_survivor_67-68
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To: cripplecreek
What a whiner.

What a POLE !

9 posted on 12/02/2006 11:51:17 AM PST by Neenah
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I wonder if Governor Doyle has any Dixie Chicks albums.


10 posted on 12/02/2006 11:53:39 AM PST by SaveTheChief (This is my "+3 tagline of smiting")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I know where Doyle can stick that Festivus pole.


11 posted on 12/02/2006 11:55:35 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

"I know where Doyle can stick that Festivus pole."

LOL! Mr. Costanza? IS that YOU?


12 posted on 12/02/2006 1:37:41 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

It's interesting how many people on this site (myself included) will not watch certain entertainers because they have expressed opinions that are offensive to us...and then a lot of people jump on the Governor of Wisconsin for doing the same thing.

Look, the guy was an a$$hat of the first order when he went off on those hecklers. About as big an a$$hat as Tom Cruise was when he went off on Brooke Shields, or the Dixie Chicks trashing the President at that concert, or Charlie Sheen when he did his "call me crazy" conspiracy rant about 9/11. (BTW, Charlie--OK, you're crazy. Hope you're happy.)

One of the consequences of being an a$$hat is that you stand a good chance of losing your audience. This idiot is now learning that.

Shut up and sing, people!


13 posted on 12/02/2006 1:44:27 PM PST by BeHoldAPaleHorse (Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!)
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To: Vn_survivor_67-68

Once upon a time, Christmas was a "made up" holiday. Then it became a time of spiritual significance. Now it's a reason to go out and spend lots of money.


14 posted on 12/02/2006 1:45:45 PM PST by BeHoldAPaleHorse (Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!)
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To: BeHoldAPaleHorse

I could care less what happens to Richards/Kramer. I care that an idiot that can quote "Seinfeld" front to back was just RE-ELECTED to Govern my state! :)


15 posted on 12/02/2006 2:45:05 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Is the governor Jewish?


16 posted on 12/02/2006 3:09:55 PM PST by GretchenM (What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Please meet my friend, Jesus)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
17 posted on 12/02/2006 3:14:54 PM PST by Wormwood (Enjoy this post while it lasts!)
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To: Wormwood
Could someone in this room tell me why there is no outrage at the multiple racial epithets the two Black patrons hurled at the white entertainer who is on stage trying to earn a living?
18 posted on 12/02/2006 3:21:29 PM PST by Plains Drifter (America First, Last, and Always!!!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

19 posted on 12/02/2006 3:36:19 PM PST by lesser_satan (EKTHELTHIOR!!!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Festivus wasn't made up for that episode of Seinfeld, but it is actually older & was made up for an episode of "Star Trek". And no, I do not consider myself to be a Trekkie. :D
20 posted on 12/02/2006 9:45:46 PM PST by GoLightly
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