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Jay Leno thought he was poking gentle fun at the lifestyles of rich and famous Republican presidential candidates — Mitt Romney in particular. But last Thursday when Leno’s slide show came to a location cited as Mitt Romney’s summer home — in reality an image of the Sikh holy shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar, India — it sparked a diplomatic incident. And now, a lawsuit charging Leno and NBC with libel.
Dr. Randeep Dhillon of Bakersfield filed the suit today in Los Angeles Superior Court. On behalf of himself and Bol 
Punjabi All Regions Community Organization, the suit charges that the broadcast was libelous on its face and exposed Sikhs and their religion to hatred, contempt and ridicule because it portrayed the holiest place in the Sikh religion as a vacation resort owned by a non-Sikh. The suit charges that Leno’s use of the photo of the temple was intentional, deliberately false and “hurt the sentiments of all Sikh people in addition to those of the plaintiff.” The suit seeks general, special and punitive damages as well as court costs. It appears that video of the segment in question has been removed from NBC’s website.
Separately, Sikh leader Dalbeg Singh said today community leaders would seek an apology from Leno. India’s foreign ministry said a formal complaint had been lodged with the State Department in Washington.
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Finally someone sues Leno for not being funny!!!
Usually I’m the one with the funny remarks but that was good.
yes, I’m sure everyone on here waits with bated breath your next witty remark. Because you’re so darn clever.
Why do you constantly attack? you always try to make people feel bad.
Doug
People unhappy with their own life tend to do that. Gotta bring everyone else down so they are as miserable as you are.
Wasn’t the original comment the same? An attack for not being funny?
So, it’s ok to attack Leno, and that’s somehow funny and upbeat even tho it’s not – but it’s not ok to attack the attacker, that’s just a bummer by someone unhappy and with bad motives.
Have I got that double standard logic right?
I image you’re a real blast at parties! not.
Congratulations for not writing “baited”.
So this guy sues over a picture being aired for humor. Shouldn’t the Jews be able to shut down most of television for the years of slander they got, i mean come on!
Um, you’re not funny either.
What has happened to the really great comics who never used jokes that created a slam or made another person the butt of the joke. Leno and others should take a step back and study the works of Jack Benny and Red Skelton and others.
How is this joke a slam, or possibly offensive. Romney is so rich, that this temple is his summer home. I doubt that the plantiff would try to make the case that this was a serious statement of fact. If so, then how can this satirical hyperbole be construed as offfensive?
Isn’t this the same temple that the separatist Sikhs occupied with guns until they were removed by force. I think that would be offensive. I hope NBC counter sues (which they won’t). Frivolous lawsuits as extortion or pub grab are so annoying!
You mean like Don Rickles…Mr. Warmth?
The work of the brilliant Jack Benny would not be as popular these days because society has changed since the 30s and 40s with his radio broadcasts and the 50s and 60s with his television show. I’m glad you mentioned Benny. I think he was a comic genius and I do not often use that word. What was funny fifty years ago is frequently not funny now and one must put the humor in context to really understand much of the “old stuff.” Anyway…I find myself watching David Letterman a lot more often lately because he’s crankier than he used to be which actually has made him much funnier, at least to me.
Or Henny Youngman. Man, that guy sure hated his wife. Would someone please take her?
Actually, the “take my wife, please” line started when he was about to go onstage & asked an usher “to take my wife, please” -to her seat. No hatred at all.
HEY!!!!…Red Skelton made fun of Drunks…..We have feelings too, ya know….
On the contrary, I thought this was funny and still do. It’s amazing that people are so easily offended. Soon we won’t be able to walk out the front door of the house without offending someone. When does it end?? Is there no end to this RIDICULOUSNESS??
Well, this truly is a serious issue for Mitt during an election year, particularly given the state of the economy. Consider the flack McCain got for being too far removed from the greater populous regarding wealth. Mitt’s trying to play “average joe” here… as absurd as that may be. At any rate, illuminating his wealth is certainly not something that’s going to help his campaign.
You beat me to it, so I’ll just say DITTO!!!
Humor, or attempted humor, is exempt from lawsuit.
No, it’s not.
It’s just much much harder to win if the speech is humorous or satirical. If the plaintiff can prove that you said something for the purpose of inflicting harm to reputation, the fact that it was humorous might not get you off the hook. Fortunately for Leno, the standard of malice that would be applied here is very hard to prove on a good day, and it appears that his purpose was a jab at Romney, not Sikhs. But far from being “immune to lawsuit”, the plaintiffs are entitled to argue that Leno’s comments were deliberately malicious towards them.
And Leno in turn is able to sue these babies for brining a frivolous lawsuit that caused monetary injury. I how he counter sues the hell out of them. So tired of ALL people who claim minority victim status.
And they should counter sue the counter sue. I’ll bet the lawyers are getting woodies thinking about all the money theyll make!!
They can argue it, they just can’t win.
Well, then Leno and NBC are in big trouble, because Leno hasn’t been humorous in years.
That’s funny!
I like Leno for the most part but I’d like to see them have their shorts sued off for the unrelenting bashing of conservatives and unseemly arrogance. Such maledictions they are wont do make are the favorite sport of the Hollywood. The same goes for creeps like Letterman and Jimmy what’s-his-name.
Thanks. I’ve been piqued, of late, at Leno for his disrespectful treatement of the President. I must have missed the shows featuring the “unrelenting bashing of conservatives.”
It was a joke. Leno has poked fun at democrats too. The problem is that the republicans can’t take it. But they have no trouble when bashing Obama. Rush limbaugh and Sean Hannity bash Obama all the time. Get real and stop this foolishness. Politicians, no matter what party they represent, are fair game for comedians and have been since politics began. So, for those offened by Leno’s joke, lighten up. Life’s is too short.
But, the repubs aren’t suing. The Hindus are. I guess Leno is lucky that he didn’t show a Saudi temple. Fatwas can be painful.
The Sikh suit is a bit of overkill. I doubt Leno meant or foresaw a negative response, perhaps didn’t even know the importance of the temple pictured. I think the Sikhs should settle for an apology from Leno. We should think of where this world would be if anyone anywhere can sue anybody just because their feelings were hurt. Freedom entails the risk of being offended, learning from errors, and not giving reverence to everybody and everything. I am upset about Christ being denigrated, but I’m not suing anybody about that!
Hurt feelings are so grade school! Sweeps Weeks are kicking off.
There is a larger problem here than a percieved insult. When religionists have no sense of humor, we have seen that people often die. I think that is called over reaction. Muslims, Hindu’s and now Sikh’s seem to suffer from that affliction quite a lot. Personally, I think God has a sense of humor. Too bad these other jokers don’t.
actually the joke was pretty funny! (But he ripped it off from Letterman who always shows Jeeter’s home)
HA! About time!
Why don’t the Sicks (almost rhymes with Sucks) go back to the Holy Crapland of India where it’s all Sicks (NOT SUCKS) all the time! Great joke, kudos to Jay Leno!
Imam sure that Mr Romney has enough money to buy the Shrine.
I am not a Jay Leno fan but if I was him and his lawyers I would tell Dr. Randeep Dhillon and the Bol Punjabi All Regions Community Organization to get a life and a sense of humor. If they are that thin skinned then life must be a real let down every day for them.
Religion is a person’s personal choice and nobody’s business. Comedians, those in the comedy clubs and on TV, and also those in Congress should just leave it alone. Let’s focus on the issues and fix the USA.
That is, as long as those Catholics, Scientologists, Muslims, and Southern Baptists stay out of politics.
Given Rommey is a public figure and the location is public…I doubt Jay has much to worry about except the legal bills (which I would guess the insurance carrier for NBC will pick up). On the other hand the religion has to determine if they want to move ahead with this and incur legal bills for a sure loser (ever heard of the first amendment. This seems like a way for some yahoo(s) with the religion to get their fifteen minutes of fame and enjoy some sabre rattling. I doubt most Americans ever heard of this shrine or sect before reading this (I plead guilty).
This means that Leno will be forced to go back to attacking the Catholic Church and Catholics.
Jay is a jerk! Hope they take all his money,he did Conan dirt so I hope he pays!
You are obviously a Romney supporter and can’t stand the fact that Romney is the but of a JOKE. I’ll bet you would have a belly laugh if this Joke was made at Obama’s exspense. Comedians have been poking fun at politicians for years. What makes you think that Romney is exempt? Get off your high conservative horse and lighten up. Romney has said and done things that make him the perfect target for comedians.
Intentional, really? Most people don’t even know who Sikhs are. I’d bet it was completely random.
I thought they were unemployed extras from I Dream of Jeannie.
Ask Indira Gandhi who the Sikhs are. Oh yeah, she sent troops into the Golden Temple and was assassinated for it.
Hope no Sikhs in LA take this insult as seriously.
not knowing who sikhs are is no excuse to poke fun on TV. most people do know how to call a sikh “bin laden or terrorist”…so this will certainly teach everyone a lesson and about time !
I support this lawsuit and hope more American TV hosts watch their mouths in future.
you people need to get a sense of humor now. What’s next? The sikh equivalent of a fatwa?!
i am eagerly waiting for some one to joke on a red hot christian butt………..
Marsha
you’re waiting…? R u KIDDING ME? CHRISTIANS ARE ATTACKED ON TV RADIO AND BY THE ADMINISTRATION DAILY… you mad’am (and I’m taking your word on that one) are ignorant of the reality you live in. google christian jokes on tv – then go get some ‘whine’ to suck back with that dose of reality
Obviously you and others need to educate yourself. As americans, we make fun of christians MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE! Of ourselves, of catholics, of jews, of EVERYONE. Watch Blazing Saddles then please come back and tell me what traditional american group ISNT attacked mercilessly in it!
People need a sense of humor! Realize that the American culture is jovial and joking and we dont want sticks up our behinds either! So.. in the spirit of tolerance… accept who WE ARE too.
Already been done. Just watch TV or the movies for a while and you’ll be sure to see a “redneck Southern Christian” or a “hot chick Christian” portrayed as stupid, idiotic or otherwise ridiculed.
Um, they poke fun at Christians all the time. Wake up and join reality.
If you watched American TV you’d know that Christians are made fun of all the time.
People just need to grow a thicker skin. It’s just a tacky building in a land that is so putrid they run from it every chance they get.
If it is such a big deal, go home in protest.
For a country that had its riches plundered and was given freedom in 1947 only, India’s progress is remarkable. Some of their poorest citizens are better than our American (and Indian) brains.
And contrary to your belief, many Indians are now staying in India. And ones that leave, they’re choosing Singapore and the UK over the opportunities over here.
The middle class is dying in the US. It’s exploding in India and China. In 50 years, millions of the super poor in India will be middle class. Many of the middle class in America today will be super poor. It sucks, but it’s a cycle.
I understand that it is your first amendment right to censor me. That being said, why do censor my innocuous statements?
India’s poorest are better off than America’s? You are insane.
Yeah…
India is a real gem of a place…
Nothing like passing the squalid destitute, starving on the sides of the roads in their countless millions.
Put up or Shut up.
India is a hell hole where millions die from treatable common illness and malnutrition every week.
Given it’s freedom in 1947?
The standard of living was significantly higher under British rule.
Modern India dreams of having the per-capita income and infant mortality rates they had under their ‘occupation’
The Colonial argument is getting old. The underlying reason India has had growth was because of western education and the schools that were set up by the British over there.
In 50 years from now, you will still be completely disorganized (just look at the disaster that was the commonwealth games), corrupt, and prejudiced towards your own people of a lower caste.
Chinese are more industrious, pragmatic, educated and organized. Everything is made in China. India just has call centres.
Indians won’t come here because there is nothing left here!
Outsourcing has already sent thousands of jobs to India. More to Asia, what is left illegal’s from Mexico and South America has taken. America has a rich class and a poor class why leave American jobs in India for the poor class in America with no jobs?
any other fiction you have for us today? What a crock!
Then what are you doing here? you might wanna go back home then!
Harumph! Harumph! Harumph!
sure looked like romney’s house.
You’ve been there?
I do not think it was intentional. I seriously doubt Leno thought it would be offensive. After all, Sikhs generally have one of the best senses of humor, which is why you/they have been so readily accepted in America, it’s part of why we love you guys.
BTW, I served with Sikhs in the Army. You should be very proud of your former Countrymen.
Even in Kalifornia, this lawsuit will go nowhere, just like Leno’s career has.
Although I agree with most of your post, Jay Leno’s garage filled with vintage cars alone tells me he has had quite a career!
Yeah, the host of The Tonight Show’s career has gone nowhere.
Um Leno’s career going nowhere? Really? Yeah, that’s why every comedian was and is gunning for The Tonight Show gig – cause it’s such a dead end job and career ender. I’m not saying the guy is funny but he did land the most cush job ever.
Since when did it become against the law to be insensitive or to hurt someones feelings? The doctor needs to toughen up. All these religions that get offended over cartoons or jokes or something should realize their god and religion is most powerful and doesn’t need a courtroom to protect their particular brand of faith. Whew…………
It is not a crime in this country but what is called a tort heard in a civil court not a criminal court, but like you i am really tired of the legions of perpetually offended and outraged.I do not think hurt feelings qualify as a tort but greedy lawyers and stupid judges can do anything.
Best post and right on…mystic religions have a retarding effect on their adherents and reduce their response from one of an intellectual nature to simply an emotional one of fear, hurt and vengeance. A legal “fatwa” rather than the ones issued for the enemies of Islam (intellectuals,cartoonists and writers).
I’ve heard Catholic jokes (and Christian jokes in general), Jewish jokes, Muslim jokes, Hindu jokes, Buddhist jokes, Atheist jokes, Agnostic jokes and, yes, even a Taoist joke or two, but this is the first Sikh joke, so I’d just like to say….
Congratulations on this momentous and historical occasion! Now, you’re just like everyone else : D
Since 911 I hardly ever if ever hear jokes about Muslims on Network TV in the US.
No. You don’t hear muslim jokes on TV. Never. Catholic, Evangelist, Jewish…Sikh, anything but muslim. The entertainment industry always makes a big deal out of freedom of expression except w/ islam because the entertainers fear for more than their careers.
Everyday in every way, Hollywood endorses the effectiveness of terror.
“because the entertainers fear for more than their careers.
Everyday in every way, Hollywood endorses the effectiveness of terror.”
Truer words were never spoken !!!
Bingo!
To the Sikhs of America… and India too… welcome to the party!
This is what we in America call Freedom Of Speech.
It’s a sacred tenet of our society and one that millions of Americans routinely suffer emotional distress and sometimes even physical danger to protect.
Sometimes it pisses people off, especially those new to the concept. But eventually, you’ll realize it frees you and empowers you a lot more than it costs you.
If you don’t like it, and some certainly don’t, try one of those failing European countries where one of the protections those nanny states offer is protection from having your feelings hurt. Haw haw haw.
loved your “…first Sikh joke” good juxtipostion.
I have heard plenty of “Sick” jokes.
This isn’t even a Sikh joke – the guy who filed the lawsuit is. Should have used the Vatican for a picture, we Christians have a sense of humor.
Calm down Nancy its just a picture of an incredibly ugly building and a stupid joke made a bad host, this suit will be tossed. Further Get over yourself you fool. The first Singh dummy is out for money by the way not some panty twist over a dopey building.
What do you mean you want to see more freedom of speech curatiled in the USA? Are you nuts! I suppose everything in your world is about being P.Correct and you likely wear one of the titles. Same on you if you’re an American…if not then move to a country that enjoys “controlled speech”
I would hipe you’d speak up equally as much for all the bashing Christianity gets in this country….I doubt you do.
Go buy a sense of humor and get over it.
Then you’re an idiot. Plain and simple. And people like you need to be pushed to the perimeter of social decision making. As soon as you start clamping down on humor it’s a slippery slope to an utter loss of freedom. If you don’t like off color jokes, don’t watch TV. Freedom of speech isn’t the ability to say whatever you want. The joke wasn’t even that offensive. And if it was, then you’re a tight ass and I’d hate to live life through your brain.
That is all.
*Freedom of speech isn’t just the ability to say whatever you want. It’s more about having to listen to things you might not agree with. …is what that was supposed to say.
The lawsuit is frivolous, the picture was used not to offend any Sikhs but to poke fun at a politician. Had the picture been of a palace or castle would that person have been offended? Probably not, this country was founded on free speech, Mr. Leno exercised his right as an American citizen so why should he be sued?
I would like a valid argument vice an opinion based on personal bias; I can make all kinds of personal observations but if I can’t back them up with a well articulated argument they mean nothing.
There was nothing libelous about the joke. If the court is fair, and who knows in LA, this case will be thrown out for lack of merit. The lawyer who brought it should be disciplined as well. In a fair world, Leno would counter sue because the suit against him is MORE libelous than the joke he made. Of course, he won’t do that, because it would look bad for the network.
This lawsuit will be dismissed. It is unAmerican on it’s face and an affront to our constitutional free speech rights. If you want to be able to use government force to protect your delicate feelings, go somewhere else…. PLEASE. You are destroying my freedom. I wonder if I can sue you for that?
Lighten up. You’ll live longer.
Get over it you want to live in the USA you must learn to lighten up
And this is going to help how?
Except to make yourself look petty and frivolous?
Hey, you liberals have not done away with the Constitution and Bill of Rights yet.
We still have freedom of speech in this county. Those who refuse to accept that premise need to return to their home countries.
When you come to America, you adapt to America, not the other way around.
Really?? Because Christians are never the butt end of a joke! Get a life and grow up!
Really? TV is no place to poke fun an anybody? Really?
You’re a tool. Go freedom of speech, even if it is helpful to Leno.
It’s called the First Amendment. You do NOT have a “freedom from offense.” This would be a very arbitrary and unworkable standard (6 billion people on the planet, all have feelings, 6 billion different standards of offense…the definition of arbitrary!). Freedom for all means you will occasionally not like what others have to say. Agree to disagree-that’s the adult thing to do. Nothing says you have to watch Jay Leno. Nothing says you have to watch NBC. Nothing says you have to watch television. The way to counteract offensive speech is more speech, not less!
Get a life…better yet, move home in protest…
excuse me, but did Leno even UTTER the word ‘sikh’ in the slide show? was there any label on the image saying ‘sikh’ on it? if not, your contention that he was poking fun is hysterical twaddle at best. get a freaking grip; you DON’T have the right to not have your widdle feewings hurt, Percival
So…nobody from other countries every pokes fun at us Americans? Lighten up guy. That’s what this country is about FREE SPEECH – get over it or get gone.
@Vikramjit Singh… Your an Idiot… go get a sense of humor.
Vikramjit Singh,
I’ll never forget the image of the resolute English Sikhs holding off – w/swords! – the Godless, rampaging, spoiled by govt. welfare, ignorant English punks intent upon detroying sacred Sikh property. That was well done.
I think you can afford to lighten up regarding the unfunny Leno’s jealously over Romney.
C’mon! Are you freakin’ kidding me?! I’m no Leno fan but this is ridiculous and I hope the lawsuit gets thrown out for being frivolous (and stupid). In this country, **everybody** is fair game for ridicule. If you don’t like the fact that freedom of speech is guaranteed by our Constitution, please exercise your right to return to your country of origin!
Everyone except the Muslims. PCism forbids Muslim jokes and anything objectionable—TO THEM. Christians, however, are fair game, especially from the unfunny elite.
Can Leno and NBC sue the sikhs for stupidity, and wasting time in the courts? There has to be something more productive to sue for than hurting my feelings.
It is called freedom of speech, you should try it some time.
You just don’t get it….you can’t poke fun at someone who you didn’t even know “was standing there”, figuratively speaking.
I doubt one person in 1000 in this country could have identified the building in the picture as any sort of holy place, much less a Sikh holy place. I don’t know many Sikhs, but the few I do know are much more rational than the comment you just made.
You’re nuts. Because Leno used an opulent looking building in a joke about Romney’s wealth is not sufficient cause for a lawsuit. If the Sikh’s truly feel offended, then requesting an apology might be the most that they should realistically ask for. Even that is over the top. If they don’t think it is funny, don’t laugh, don’t watch Leno and move on. If I sued every time an entertainer takes a jab at the Catholic Church, I’d be suing every two minutes.
F U if you can’t take a joke. Same for Momminy, er, I mean Rommney. P.S., I do know what Sikhs are, but I don’t give a rat’s . . . about them. Is that OK with you? I mean, if you think that is wrong please (oh great one) correct me.
There is freedom of speech in this country. That includes the freedom to ridicule, poke fun at, and even be disrespectful to religion. You can not gain respect through violence and intimidation.
I too, support lawsuits. In fact, I am suing every state and country that has a lottery because I have not won.
To Mr. Singh and the other offended Sikhs:
Welcome to America. Here we have something called Freedom of Speech – and a sense of humor. If you can’t abide either, you are welcome to go home.
Now relax and have fun.
Wow lighten up people, the joke was about Romney not Sikhs. That is the problem now a days people take this religion stuff way to seriously, and as a result what is suppose to be a good thing just creates hatred. Give it a rest, have a nice day and crack a smile, it won’t kill you.
Of course while you are here, taking American jobs, letting your elders use food stamps, medicaid, and Sec 8 housing vouchers, please continue to file stupid law suits.
If the Sikh community never filed the suit, no one would have known this austentatiously decorated building was their holiest of buildings. If it were up to me, I would tear it and all the other worldwide religious shrines down, sell them for household decorations, use the money to feed, house and educate the poor in those host countries, and that would be the benevolent thing to do.
Sorry if someone called you a terrorist. That is not right. But being in America means having to be able to take a joke and not take yourself and your culture/religion too seriously. If you can’t do that then the turban on your head won’t be the only thing which makes people think you are a terrorist.
This is absolutely stupid. If Leno had used St Peters in Rome, or St Basils in Moscow – and the Catholic or Russian Orthodox church had tried this stunt, you and everyone else would have crucified the church ( pun intended ).
This had nothing at all to do with belitting Sikhs in particular, nor religion in general. They found the most elaborate and ornate building they could that was unfamiliar to them and used it in the bit. There is nothing – I repeat nothing – I repeat nothing libelous about it. Grow up.
Seriously? Where are you living that censorship is so damn HOLY? If you don’t like the humour, tune out. Surely there are more important things you can find to be upset about!
Your weakness is exposed by your ignornance my friend. India is rich in it’s history and culture long before any empire from Europe arrived on it’s shores. I have been there, I have trained with the best of Gurkha warriors. I have known many Sikhs, and you sir represent the worst…your are a parasite as your views are expressed illustrate. You sir are clearly a Democrat.
United States Constitution, Amendment I:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Yeah, to he11 with that whole freedom of speech thing! Bastages!
@Vikramjit Singh: This is such a frivolous lawsuit. It’ll be thrown out by the court and most likely a fine will be imposed on the plantiffs for wasting the court’s time. Odds are this lawsuit will increase publicity for Jay Leno and give his ratings a slight boost.
It’s the 5th largest religion in the world, dude.
That means it has the fifth largest amount of scared followers in the world, dude.
Ignorant comment, dude.
Because American live in the corner of the world, thats why they don’t know about the SIKHS.
I think the name of the organization is funny. Its initials are BP ARCO, two big oil companies. But I guess Leno can’t make a joke about that or he’ll get sued twice.
The Supreme Court ruled in “Hustler v. Falwell” 1988…parody of public officials is was fair game.
Indeed most people don’t know who Sikhs are which is why a couple were killed here in the US following 9-11 by idiots who thought they were Muslims. I can sort of understand how they’ve grown a tad hypersensitive since then. (In addition over the past decade they’ve faced significant discrimination in other Western countries over their kids being able to carry religious symbols and the like when in school.) I seriously doubt this lawsuit is about actually collecting any money and is instead about simply trying to raise awareness.
It’s a shame this lawsuit came about. I hope an apology from Leno will end it. The Sikh religion is more of a philosophy or way of life. A very peaceful people…
Why don’t people relax and just try to understand american satire a little? My goodness is everything a potential desecration? If sikhs choose to practice a little spiritual wisdom this would be a gift from God; an chance to practice love and understanding and teach people about the Religion of sikhism. The world knows so little about the teachings of gura Nanak.
This is absurd.
Dr Dhillon? You cannot sue someone for hurting your feelings – go back to your country where you can do that.
Are you kidding me?? People sue here all the time when their feelings are hurt…also known as “being offended”. Atheists are turning it into a national pasttime. I’d say Dr. Dhillon is right at home.
As in “emotionally scarred for life”!
@anon. Yes he can. and you are not paying his taxes so stfu about going back. why don’t u go back to where your ancestors came from ?
Should a Sikh be using the acronym “stfu?” Get over yourself, Man. You’re so absurd, only YOU are taking you seriously.
Amendment I, United States Constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Not absurd……..SICK!!!!!!!!!
It would appear that Christians are the only ones with thick skin on this planet.
So do the Catholics and Jews. Also don’t forget about the Italians and Irish, very thick skins.
Sikh? I thought it was Sith.
@Steve C : Don’t worry. This lawsuit will clear up a lot of confusion.
The confusion is really on your part, Vik. Your confusing us with someone who gives a damn.
@Vikramjit: Wait…are you saying this lawsuit is about publicity and “Sikh” awareness at the expense of free speech a man’s reputation? Very illuminating.
@Singh
Dude, obviously you have no sense of humor. Maybe in a few generations, your descendents will be Americans and have an Americans sense of humor.
This is why we can’t have nice things… or humor, apparently. For crying out loud — I doubt that Leno was gunning for the Sikhs, or that 99% of non-Sikhs would even be able to even remotely correctly identify that building if asked. Once again, people need to get a life.
BTW, as a sometime journalist, the question emerges: shouldn’t they be suing him for slander, and not libel, as this wasn’t published, but spoken?
Wrong. Part time journalist get a part-time legal dictionary. Its libel.
This ain’t the UK. Ever heard of satire? Cripes. If you’re looking for a missing stick, I think I know where it might have gone missing.
Libel – written
Slander – spoken
Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Idiot.
It was on television so legally it would be a publication. This would make it libel. And that’s thousands upon thousands of case precedents. Torts 101.
“Slander?” “Libel?”
Actually, it’s neither. It’s a joke.
I’m sure the weenies will get their groveling apology soon enough. Jay’s crew probably just grabbed a picture off Google. There’s certainly no malice, or even callous disregard, which you need to prevail even in front of an idiot jury. In fact the joke wasn’t even all that bad.
What the Sikhs really need to do is tune in to “South Park” in a couple of weeks. Once this story gets out revealing them to be the same, pathetic, libelous, thin skinned, asses we’ve come to know so well in our public discourse, Sikhs are in for a taste of some REAL offending.
Chris,
One can only hope the “South Park” guys land with both feet on these fools’ heads and teach them what being made fun of is really like.
gaddamn – that was funny lol!!!
Nice, made me laugh. Thanks
Congratulations, just gave lawyers a bad name, very difficult to do. You could make a fortune suing people who tell lawyer jokes.
get a brain before you reach for the dictionary…showing a picture cannot, in any sense, be considered ‘libel’
at least, not on THIS planet
@Lawyer: It’s going to be really hard to prove that Jay Leno acted with malicious intent. Humor, satire, etc. don’t count as libel. It looks like you should ask your law school for a refund.
You make it sound as if Leno is funny in the first place
Actually, the picture shown of the temple is a Monopoly game peice; I’ve used it several times when I own Boardwalk, Park Place etc., Its value is 25 times the value shown on the deed when other players land on it. It is GREAT for bankrupting other players.
Jay Leno is not only a nut. He is a racist nut.
Yes, because the joke at that Sikh Mitt Romney was obviously meant to denigrate his race.
Racist? Maybe in your crap world, not mine.
Leno is anti-Irish. Look how he fucked over Conan O’Brien.
Then exercise your good judgement and turn him off. Nobody wants to hear your insults.
Jay is most certainly NOT a racist. He is one of the few in this country left with a sense of humor, in addition to being a kind and decent human being.
Lighten up or shut up, please. This is getting old.
I think you have him confused with Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi.
My image of Sikhs just sank a tiny bit. Perhaps all the other Sikhs should sue Dr. Dhillon.
As a Sikh myself, I would have to totally agree with you. This is *embarrassing* and utterly ridiculous, and this Dr Dhillon fellow should be ashamed of himself. Get a sense of humor!
As a sikh I support the lawsuit. We sikhs will not tolerate insult to our religion.
It’s Leno and NBC who should be embarrassed.
You realize you sound just like the Taliban, right? Give us all a break and go away.
Sikh and yee shall find a sense of humor.
There was no mention of religion, just a picture shown of a building that almost no one in America can identify. And we make fun of ourselves and our own religion(s) so, when in Rome…. I think you just feel relevant enough to speak up now that your people were included in this one.
Won’t tolerate? Who the hell do you think you are Ayatollah?
This lawsuit will get thrown out of court. It is not libel, because there no monetary damage that can be shown.
The lawyer who filed this suit knows this fact. He/She only took this case to make a greater point.
This is America, not Europe. Nobody cares if you are “offended”.
You won’t “tolerate” an insult to your religion?
Ok, two things there:
1. Satire, or comedy, is a part of the free speech you get to enjoy over here in America. It’s a part of the FIRST Amendment. The FIRST one! That’s the most important one! If you’re here in America already, then it’s part of the freedom you enjoy right now. You think that Christians like the “God Hates Fags” group? They don’t, but they have the RIGHT to say those things because this is America. So be you Sikh, Christian, Atheist, or whatever, you don’t have the RIGHT to not be offended. That would be stupid.
2. It wasn’t an insult to your religion, dude. It was a joke about Romney. In fact, NOBODY would have ever even heard about this if it weren’t for the lawsuit. This lawsuit brings a LOT of bad press to your religion and makes people like you look stupid because you don’t understand the Constitution.
In short, learn the laws and grow a pair, because you sound like an idiot.
Which insults to other religions would you support? Islam, Jewish, Tao, Buddhist? Your ethno-centralism is nasueating.
I hope a big Eff you is the response to this.
Ridiculous.
where can i get a picture of that temple so i can get it tattooed on my ass!
Before doing it, think about Indira Ghandi’s fate.
Yes… wasn’t she assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards?
come to me..I’ll tattoo that American Flag on it. LOL
You sir, shall be hearing from my lawyer regarding this comment !!!
I will chip in to pay for the tattoo as long as you promise to shave your butt first
If you think that insulting our flag is going to bother anyone here in the slightest, go right ahead. We’re far more sophisticated than anyone who still carries a SWORD around can ever hope to be.
LMFAO
Whoops. The intern that google-image-search-and-swiped that photo is fired.
But srsly India, this is what you people worry about? Really?
That’s not funny at all Jay. No joke.
Yes, that was a really Sikh joke.
LMAO – Good one.
Nice!!
What “expose[s] Sikhs and their religion to hatred, contempt and ridicule” is their utter lack of humor, not to mention their apparent litigious nature.
well what exposes Americans to hatred, contempt and foolishness that they forget that “respect” is still a word i know american have the “i dont give a fuck attitude” and no matter what is written in your first amendment certainly does not apply to the world as a whole, you see there a world outside of america and those people have some sentiments and culture which is something america hasnt been able to preserve in its own people, if you disagree just walk out of your home and sit on an intersection and just look around.
Nobody is perfect, there are things that are beyond your understanding and maybe god intended to make you that way.
On the other hand, we don’t have grudges that get passed down for a hundred generations and stuff like that.
It was a joke.
Sorry Grewal. If Leno said this IN India, I would agree with you. But, in America, you can say what you want. You don’t have to like it. That respect word you toss around works both ways.
Leno can say what he wants..and someone can sue him too.
Leno is a racist punk like many american TV hosts. Bill O Reilly is another one.
Vikramjit,
Let’s settle down a bit. Leno maybe should have vetted what he was putting on air, but to say he is a racist punk goes a bit too far. Had he used a picture of the Vatican, or say, the American Cathedral in DC, I doubt you would be going nuts right now. Had he used a Hindu temple, like the Jane Temple in Mumbai, I doubt you would be spewing your vitriol. And I doubt anyone would be suing, much less blinking.
Yours is a proud religion, but trying to ascribe motive to this issue may be a bit much.
Perhaps Leno had his production staff just find a Google image that depicted opulence and wealth. To be honest, most holy shrines, be that of Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, etc. would have fit the joke they were making. They are all gorgeous and well adorned.
I understand you may feel this was an affront on you and your beliefs, but more likely, you are over-reacting and would have given a rat’s ass had this been another religion in the limelight.
Vikramjit Singh, Leno is no racist. That word (racist) is so casually tossed around that it makes me SICK to hear or read anymore. I don’t believe people even know the meaning to the word. Racist…utter foolishness you speak of. It was a “simple” joke at best. Until you know the true heart of Americans, you really don’t know us.
No one should ever get respect for an ideology or for being a member of a group (in this case, a religious group). Respect is a personal thing, for ones deeds and actions. Religion is a pre-historic leftover of fear and lack of knowledge, promoting dumbness and extreme prejudice & discrimination.
If one wants to believe in a deity, he can do so as extremely as he wants to, as long as he keeps his “rules” to himself. Your imagination, your rules, you follow them and leave the rest alone!
If one uses lavish imagery or ideas to express ones ideology, don’t be shocked to get ridiculed for those expressions.
At least Americans have a period on their keyboards.
Actually, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution DOES apply to the entire world. “We are endowed by our Creator certain inalienable rights….”. Our Creator created everybody walking around on the planet. Hmmm. But the only place its allowed to live and thrive is the United States. Hmmm. I wonder if that’s why we are the greatest country on the planet. Hmmm.
Sigh. Will somebody please explain to Dr. Dhillon what the First Amendment means?
Actually the First Amendment went down when Jorge W. Bushez signed the law which created the DHS. And now the NDAA signed by O’Bummer has put the final nail in the coffin.
If that is the case how come Leno is not behind bars. Superficial even handedness does not mask superficiality of your post.
The First Amendment only relates to government action. It has nothing to do with this.
Actually it does. The government would have to extract any penalty that the government imposed when making a verdict on such a case.
In this case he was making a political satire joke too. That has in the past been construed as political speech that is protected.
The question is it libel? Does anyone think he was saying it was true? Was is clearly satire?!? Maybe not funny .. but clearly satire.
All I can say is … get a f@*!ing life, people. It’s called humor, satire, parody — all legal (for now) in the U.S.A. If you want to live where you can’t poke fun at people or their beliefs, leave. The ironic thing is he didn’t even know it was a Sikh temple!
Can’t we just all get along??
A rich guy is making jokes about a rich guy for being rich???
I think your comment is the best and it sums up perfectly.
Please. Can we just lighten up?
Leno hasn’t been funny in years. He should be sued for fraud, impersonating a comedian.
Lighten up. The joke was to denegrate Romney for being wealthy.
The temple was used because it’s a palatial place and the joke was not meant to be insulting to the temple, its people or its religion. The powers that be didn’t give a thought about the temple, they just wanted to “stick it to Romney”. The Leno show, and most liberal venues, are trying to bring Romney down. After all, he is a hard working American success story and must be made fun of.
End of story.
P. S. Jay is a heck of a lot funnier than Letterman.
If ur name is really LEnore then you must be in ur 80s and i see why you like Jay.
Only people with no lives that voted for Obama watch Leno and Letterman.
How foolish of Leno to involve a religion other than the Mormons. They are the only ones that you can make fun of and be politically correct.
Mormonism is not the only religion you can make fun of and be politically correct… Remember Scientology? Of course, they’ll send assassins after you…
Libel! Libel! Someone sue this guy!!!
The direct link between the CoS and assassins has never been proven.
I think Jay Leno is getting Punk’d by Conan.
Obviously the lawsuit will be thrown out, but Leno will lose my respect if he wusses out and apologizes.
if Leno hasn’t already lost your respect after years of being unfunny, jerking over Letterman,jerking over Conan, insulting Kathy Griffin with an ugly joke, insulting the country with his horrific performance at the White House Correspondents Dinner, offending minority groups and people with disabilities with his unfunny “jokes” and just being the biggest asswipe in Hollywood, then the problem is yours.
Lest anyone forget, Mr. Conan O’Brian screwed up bigtime as the host of “The Tonight Show;” he couldn’t hold a mass audience at 11:30 PM with his usual shtick. NBC saw it was bleeding money and brought Leno back. IMO, Jay Leno got a raw deal in the public eye, and I think this was purely unintentional.
I knew Yogi Bhajan, leader of the Sikh Dharma in the West; he was a close friend of my own guru, Swami Satchidananda, who was largely responsible for bringing yoga to the West in the 1960s. The Sikhs have traditionally been warriors, but in this case, their honor was offended unintentionally and they would do themselves a favor by saying “We know it was unintentional, but please don’t do it again,” and leaving it at that.
Not a Romney fan, but that has to be the stupidest sheet I’ve ever read. Can we start suing people for showing non-Christians w/Christian symbolism? Yea ~ let’s just start suing people for hurting our feelings. Someone looked at me strange in the grocery store today, offending me, made me have a bad day.
Great points you made. I think I’ll go sue the guy that looked at me wrong from his car today. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
Hey, this is America, everybody’s a victim. Sue somebody!
It’s all about the Benjamins.
Pls point me in the right direction. So many people to sue. so little time.
plus, it’s bad luck to piss off a sikh.
The judge will award summary judgement for the defendants on 1st Amendment grounds, hopefully without hearing any evidence except for watching the clip with the joke.
Parody is absolutely protected by the 1st Amendment, see Flynt vs. Falwell for the 8-0 ruling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hustler_Magazine_v._Falwell
I can only hope the judge also awards legal fees to Leno & NBC, fines the plaintiff & his lawyers for filing a false & malicious lawsuit.
The joke wasn’t that funny, but no one was defamed or slandered, there is no case!
Then justice would be done. This is a joke of a case.
Thanks for inserting a little sanity and accuracy into this story, Garry.
Head … Nail … Hammer … Impact … On target
Good point.