First off, the world is too overly sensitive.  We're already walking on pins and needles.  We constantly have to be careful with what we say or what jokes we tell.  We constantly have to be politically correct because wishing someone a merry Christmas to someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas may emotionally damage them thus forcing you to pay them later in a lawsuit.  Funny how money can cure emotional distress.  I call bullshit.

I'm sure by now most people have heard about the Michael Richards fiasco.  How the famed Seinfeld star (Kramer) went on a racial rant against several black people in a comedy club calling them the N-word.  They were giving him a hard time and he went berserk.  It happens to the best of us.  I'm not defending what he did nor am I saying that use of that word was appropriate in that or any situation, period.  But that's not what this post is about.

It appears now that the 'victims' of this ordeal have joined up with civil defense attorney, Gloria Aldred.  They haven't stated if they are going to sue or not, but my guess is they are.  Why shouldn't they?  Someone called them a bad name and now they want this person's money.  Makes sense right?  Well, maybe if you're money grubber who can't take it like a man.

I understand that calling someone the N-word is very wrong, and very bad, but does that entitle you to their money?  No.  Unless you sustained some type of physical damage, when someone calls you a name you don't deserve a single penny from them.  Just suck it up.  Is that what this society has come to?  Suing over name calling?  Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

In the case of Michael Richards, he's already been punished enough for what he's done.  Right now he's been in the publics' eye as a racist.  Currently seen as a skinny, middle-aged, white, bad comedian, racists.  And the whole country knows it.  He's career is shot and he'll probably never be looked at in a positive light again.  Don't you think that's punishment enough?  To be shunned by the very society in which you live.  I think that's some of the worst punishment a person can be dealt.

But now these 'victims' are thinking about taking his money as well.  Why not?  He's probably got lots of money.  He was on one of the most popular shows ever and keeps making more and more money with every re-run of Seinfeld that is shown.  Something tells me that if Michael Richards wasn't on the stage that night and instead some poor, non-famous white guy was up there throwing around racial remarks, that the victims wouldn't be suing for money.  These victims are not under emotional distress.  They know Michael Richards has money and they want it.  Like vultures to a dying carcass.

And where do we draw the line?  What will happen when someone makes fun of a fat person?  Will this 'victim' be entitled to their 'abusers' money?  What about when a little kid calls another kid a fart-eater?  Will parents start suing each other over their child's emotional distress?  Being called a bad name, or getting your feelings hurt is a part of life.  Deal with it.  It's not a part of life that anyone enjoys nor should it be in our society.  But it is.  Suing people and taking their money is not the answer.