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William Shatner Blasts IRS for Wasting Tax Dollars on 'Star Trek' Inspired Video
Sometimes spoofing "Star Trek" can produce hilarious results. However, when it comes to a video put together by the Internal Revenue Service riffing on the classic sci-fi TV series and film franchise, the result can be provoking the ire of one of its original stars.
A six-minute IRS video "shown at the opening of a 2010 training and leadership conference" was produced at the taxpayers' expense, and Captain Kirk—aka actor William Shatner—did not find it amusing, reports the L.A. Times.
Shatner took to Twitter to express his dismay:
So I watched that IRS video. I am appalled at the utter waste of US tax dollars.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 26, 2013
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In the video, which the Times notes "does not appear to have any training value," employees of the IRS took on roles from the TV series and said they would "boldly go where no governmental employee has gone before" while convening on what appears to be an elaborate set.
For their part, the IRS has now said they're sorry and they wouldn't do it again. From a statement issued by the IRS:
"The IRS recognizes and takes seriously our obligation to be good stewards of government resources and taxpayer dollars. There is no mistaking that this video did not reflect the best stewardship of resources."
No word on if this mea culpa satisfied Shatner.
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