Exclusive Transcript from "Dr. Phil"
9 year old car thief and jet setter Semaj Booker and his mother flew to Los Angeles to appear on the Dr. Phil show, defying a court order that placed Semaj under house arrest and specifically prohibited him from leaving Pierce County.
The Dr. Phil episode with Semaj has not yet aired, but Exit133.com has received what appears to be a transcript of the taping. Below is a partial clip from Semaj’s ‘therapy’ with Dr. Phil.
Dr. Phil: Semaj, how old are you?
Semaj: Nine.
Dr. Phil: And you stole a car, is that right?
Semaj: Uh-huh.
Dr. Phil: And then you had a high-speed chase with the police, is that right?
Semaj: Uh-huh.
Dr. Phil: And then you snuck on to two planes and went to Texas, is that right, too?
Semaj: Uh-huh. I was trying to get to Dallas.
Dr. Phil: I think our audience wants to know, Semaj, is there a reason for this reckless behavior?
[Audience claps]
Dr. Phil: Go head and answer the question, Semaj. This is a safe place. Is there a reason you did these things?
Semaj: I don’t like it at home.
Dr. Phil: Are you stressed out about your family or school, Semaj?
Semaj: No.
Dr. Phil: Because you know, Tacoma recently was ranked the most stressful city in America, Semaj. Is that why you wanted to go to Dallas, to relieve some stress?
Semaj: Lakewood.
Dr. Phil: Excuse me?
Semaj: I live in Lakewood.
Dr. Phil: You don’t want to admit you’re from Tacoma, then?
Semaj: But I’m not.
Dr. Phil: I understand people from Tacoma are sometimes embarrassed to say they are from Tacoma.
Semaj: But I’m not.
Dr. Phil: I’m here to help you, Semaj, and I can’t help you if you’re defensive. Why don’t you want to say you’re from Tacoma? Does Tacoma have a bad reputation?
Semaj: I like Tacoma fine. The people are nice. They even leave the keys in the car when they’re at the grocery store.
Dr. Phil: Is it that bad people come from Tacoma, Semaj. Like Ted Bundy? Is that why you were embarrassed.
Semaj: He was born in Vermont.
Dr. Phil: Or the Beltway Snipers.
Semaj: I don’t think those guys were from Tacoma either.
Dr. Phil: What about Tom Tuttle from Tacoma, Washington. He got brainwashed by the Communists and turned on his fellow volunteers.
Semaj: That was a movie with John Candy.
Dr. Phil: Nonsense. Are you trying to tell me that no bad people have come from Tacoma?
Semaj: No, but a lot of people are proud to come from Tacoma.
Dr. Phil: Just not you?
Semaj: I’m from Lakewood.
Dr. Phil: Well who did come from Tacoma, then, since you keep insisting you didn’t?
Semaj: Bing Crosby and Thea Foss and Jon Kitna and Marcus Trufant and the Wailers and Frank Herbert and Gary Larson and Dale Chihuly and —
Dr. Phil: I think we’ve heard about enough, Semaj. All those people are from Tacoma, huh? Do you think they all admit it or would they say Seattle?
Semaj: I don’t know. Maybe.
Dr. Phil: Where did you learn about all those people who came from Tacoma?
Semaj: Wikipedia. I looked you up before I got here, by the way. Congratulations on being the #4 on the Unsexiest Men in the World List.
Dr. Phil: You can’t trust everything you read on Wikipedia, Semaj.
Semaj: So you weren’t accused of an ethics violation in Texas?
Dr. Phil: And, we’ll be back after a word from our sponsors.
Disclaimer: We may occasionally stretch the truth or make things up on Fridays… but only when there’s a disclaimer. Everything else is absolutely true. Trust us.
8 comments
P phil b. October 13, 2008
L’Arche at 120th & Vickery in Summit-Waller might be a good example of this ‘3rd Option’. A sustainable & intentional community built on dignity, justice, & charity, & not charity alone.
Habitat for Humanity & the Heifer Project are 2 others, which come to mind.
O onbroadway October 13, 2008
Thanks, Phil – I wasn’t aware of two out of those three. Isn’t MultiCare not-for-profit? Somehow I think they’ll find ways to make ends meet.
M Melanie October 14, 2008
Sometimes non-profit and not-for-profit are used interchangeably. Here’s an explanation of both: Non-Profit or charitable organizations raise funds to perform some charitable act or mission. A non-profit organization is a legally constituted organization whose objective is to support or engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit. Examples are the American Red Cross or the United Way.
Not-for-profit or fraternal organizations are a group of people that form an organization for fellowship. Examples would be Credit Unions and the American Legion.
S Squid October 14, 2008
A key “creative way to make ends meet” that many non-profits fail to fully capitalize on is their ability to generate earned income through sales, especially if those sales are related in some intrinsic way to their mission. For example, one could argue that theater groups have a responsibility to maximize ticket sales. Schools need to max out enrollment and consider pushing student/teacher ratios. Social service organizations would do well to copy operations like Goodwill that generate significant income from retail stores.
The old paradigm of constantly going to the philanthropic community (and the same old resources there at that) simply won’t work anymore. Non-profit status does not mean you can’t run in a most business-like fashion.
I’d also argue for a significant overhaul of IRS classifications of charitable status. My proposal is basically (and simply) to create two classes of non-profit organizations. The vast majority of them would continue as is, with donors able to take a tax deduction for their contributions. A small number of non-profits providing essential human services serving the poor and most destitute would be placed in a special category and donors these would be granted a tax CREDIT for say their first $1500 in contributions. This would strongly encourage people to be sure they were giving at least a modest amount to the truly needy, without impacting gifts to symphonies, alma maters, big hospitals, etc. all of whom have untapped ability to generate earned income.
My $.02 on that issue.
J J. Cote October 16, 2008
Very well put, all. Squid, your $.02 is invaluable.
My problem with the current system lies in the fact that some “non’profits” are far from it. Both Multicare and Franciscan claim non-profit yet I’ve seen them drive patients without resources or insurance to the point of bankruptcy in an attempt to collect a bill. Compassionate Care is Non-Existent in this town when it comes to health care. Can anyone find out what their top six officers make a year and the raises that they get in relation to collections?
S Squid October 16, 2008
I don’t know about top 6, but your among your highest paid charitable CEO’s in Tacoma would be the head of the Boys and Girls Club, making over a cool quarter mil a year.
A Andy Buelow October 23, 2008
In response to Squid: I have been working in the nonprofit sector for 20 years and have yet to work for one that was not seeking to maximize its earned revenue. However, in the majority of cases, a nonprofit organization needing regular philanthropic support does not mean that it is not being run in a business-like manner, as your post implies. Although the earned-to- contributed revenue ratio varies greatly among different categories of nonprofits, very few exist that survive exclusively on earned revenue.
S Sakinah Booker February 10, 2017