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Man cited for disorderly conduct for poking "Sesame" character
Associated Press ^
| 08/05/03
| Staff Writer
Posted on 08/05/2003 10:13:13 AM PDT by bedolido
A New York City man became annoyed with a theme park worker dressed as Telly from "Sesame Street" and shoved an umbrella into the worker's stomach, police said.
Hiram Cruz, of the Bronx, was cited for disorderly conduct for poking the 17-year-old employee Friday during a visit to Sesame Place outside Philadelphia, police said.
The teen complained of minor stomach pain and was taken to a hospital as a precaution, Middletown Sgt. Ken Mellus said.
"He felt that Telly was bothering him in some way," Mellus said. "I don't think he was trying to hurt the kid. He thought the costume had padding."
Cruz was visiting the theme park with his ex-wife and 3-year-old child when the altercation took place, police said. A message left for a Hiram Cruz in the Bronx was not immediately returned today.
Two years ago, a Maryland man kicked, punched and knocked down a Sesame Place worker dressed as Cookie Monster because she wouldn't pose with his 3-year-old daughter. Lee P. McPhatter Jr., then 22, of Waldorf, was convicted of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment and sentenced to a year of probation. He also was ordered to take an anger-management class.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: character; cited; conduct; disorderly; man; mascots; poking; sesame; sesamestreet; umbrella
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To: MineralMan
>>>I let him take a swing at me, dodged it, then beat the crap out of him<<<
LOL
What a man... if your wife doesn't know it (pretty sure she must) tell her she's a lucky little peacock.
21
posted on
08/05/2003 12:34:15 PM PDT
by
b9
To: doodlelady; MineralMan
I wonder if the reason why people attack these characters, is because of the anonymity. They do not know who is inside of the costume, and they truly don't think of them as people, or victims of disrespect or violence.
22
posted on
08/05/2003 12:41:53 PM PDT
by
Pan_Yans Wife
("Life isn't fair. It's fairer than death, is all.")
To: San Jacinto
"I say it is time for a new civil rights law to protect Costumed Characters. It should be a Hate Crime to abuse, threaten or harass a Costumed Character, regardless of color, species, animation status, or studio affiliation. Why can't we just all get along?" OK, I can get behind this along as their is an clause stated very clearly that this law does not cover Mimes!
Mimes should be beaten on a regular basis, until they are wiped from the face of the earth!
23
posted on
08/05/2003 12:50:14 PM PDT
by
Mad Dawgg
(French: old Europe word meaning surrender)
To: Pan_Yans Wife
"I wonder if the reason why people attack these characters, is because of the anonymity. They do not know who is inside of the costume, and they truly don't think of them as people, or victims of disrespect or violence.
"
That's probably part of it. The one thing I noticed, though, in following my costumed wife around, was that it was only inebriated men who assaulted the character. Perhaps the alcohol dimmed their minds more than they were already dimmed and they thought it would be funny to harass the funny character.
It's a real hazard. At some theme parks, costumed characters have an escort with them at all times, particularly if the costume is bulky or awkward. I think it should be a rule, frankly.
I can't speak for all the costumes, but that peacock costume my wife was wearing was heavy, unbearably hot, and extremely awkward. It takes an athlete to wear the large costumes, and it's mostly athletic young women who do the job. I tried it on one time. I was 42 years old at the time, and couldn't stay in it more than 15 minutes in the hot sun. I don't know how my wife managed the 30 minute shifts, to tell you the truth. Women are tough!!!!
24
posted on
08/05/2003 12:52:08 PM PDT
by
MineralMan
(godless atheist)
To: bedolido
Which one is the gay muppet with AIDS?
And what's up with a frog dating a pig? That smacks of beastiality. Gonzo chasing chickens is one thing. He's arguably a chicken himself. But a frog and a pig knockin' boots?!? That's SICK!
25
posted on
08/05/2003 12:56:14 PM PDT
by
Redcloak
(All work and no FReep makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no FReep make s Jack a dul boy. Allwork an)
To: Pan_Yans Wife
>>>I wonder if the reason...is because of the
anonimity<<<
Good point! (as usual)
Whether it's a rude kid ttreating it like a
Toontown character or just an obnoxious drunk.
Does lack of eye contact induce aggression?
Especially coupled with a mute response.
I get nervous trying to talk to people wearing sunglasses, especially the mirrored ones.
26
posted on
08/05/2003 1:00:36 PM PDT
by
b9
To: bedolido
Man cited for disorderly conduct for poking "Sesame" character THis kind of behavior needs to be stopped now before it escalates into character assasination.
To: 11th Earl of Mar
>>>character assassination<<<
LOL ... good one!
They say 'character' is what you do when no one is looking.
How about 'when you can't see them looking at YOU'.
28
posted on
08/05/2003 1:54:14 PM PDT
by
b9
To: Redcloak
29
posted on
08/05/2003 1:56:32 PM PDT
by
Liberal Classic
(Quemadmoeum gladis nemeinum occidit, occidentis telum est.)
To: bedolido
Today's episode has been brought to you by the letter "P."
30
posted on
08/05/2003 2:15:09 PM PDT
by
Sloth
("I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" -- Jacobim Mugatu, 'Zoolander')
To: mhking
ping
31
posted on
08/05/2003 2:18:26 PM PDT
by
Sloth
("I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" -- Jacobim Mugatu, 'Zoolander')
To: MineralMan; bedolido
My first day of my first season out at the Festival, in my Xen getup, I was surrounded by five drunk rednecks. To say they were harassing me would be to put it quite mildly. I didn't break character (for which I'm quite proud) - I merely leaned my quarterstaff on one dude's foot, supporting my 150-pound weight, and told them they'd best back off before I divested them of their remaining teeth.
But then, I was allowed to talk.
32
posted on
08/05/2003 2:19:33 PM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: MineralMan
It's a real hazard. At some theme parks, costumed characters have an escort with them at all times, particularly if the costume is bulky or awkward. I think it should be a rule, frankly.
We only have three characters whose faces are obscured by their costumes - they're giant puppets, about ten feet tall, and they have handlers who accompany them everywhere. (The handlers and the people inside the puppets switch every so often, so they both get a chance to breathe fresh air.)
Drunks are probably 80% of the crap the puppets take, and they take a good deal. The other 20% are smartass kids who like to run their heads into the puppets' crotches, which are actually the wearers' stomachs. Ouch.
33
posted on
08/05/2003 2:23:11 PM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: Xenalyte
"I merely leaned my quarterstaff on one dude's foot, supporting my 150-pound weight, and told them they'd best back off before I divested them of their remaining teeth.
"
Hah! I can think of one other place you could have put your quarterstaff....very effective against drunken idiots, too.
BTW, I love the quarterstaff. Back, years ago, when I had to walk daily through a very dangerous part of Los Angeles, I got myself a nice quarterstaff to use as a walking stick. nobody ever bothered me, which is a good thing, since I also took a course in combat with it. Nasty weapon in good hands.
34
posted on
08/05/2003 2:26:30 PM PDT
by
MineralMan
(godless atheist)
To: bedolido; NYer; narses; Loyalist
We truly live in dark times.
What ever happened to Evil Bert? Isn't he at the Episcopalian Bishops' Conference? Or maybe writing John Kerry's speeches...Or directing the construction of LA's cathedral...Or cruising NY bars with Slick Willie...
To: MineralMan
It's a sweet piece of work - it's dymondwood, and I've wailed away at a tree with it for quite some time and never made a mark on it. The festival director, who used it before me, managed to break his combat partner's toe with it once. Ouch.
I miss it . . . but I think I'll enjoy my hand-to-hand this season. I'm taking on two of my Conquistadors at once.
36
posted on
08/05/2003 2:28:41 PM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: Xenalyte
"We only have three characters whose faces are obscured by their costumes - they're giant puppets, about ten feet tall, and they have handlers who accompany them everywhere. (The handlers and the people inside the puppets switch every so often, so they both get a chance to breathe fresh air.)
"
That sounds like a very good plan. I think all large costumed characters need handlers...and someone to switch off with.
So how do you like doing the faires? I've often thought about getting involved, but just haven't taken the time.
37
posted on
08/05/2003 2:30:41 PM PDT
by
MineralMan
(godless atheist)
To: bedolido
People who attack these theme park workers are lowlifes. They should take a branding iron- put a scarlet L on his forehead.
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