[NowWhat]

He was not including the white girls in that comment. Those words were most definitely directed toward the black members of the team. I don't think there is any debate about that.

I think it was a racist and sexist comment. When he used the word "ho's" - he was saying something against the entire team.

I don't want to get in a debate on what he meant the statement to be - because he is an idiot and you can never understand an idiot. I think he insulted the whole team - black and white.

[excon]

Hello again:

Here's where we get into trouble. Free speech is not free. There are limits on it. You can't shout fire in a crowded theater. You can't organize a prayer meeting in public school, and you can't use the PUBLIC airways to spew venom.

The key word is PUBLIC. YOU and I own the airways. We license the providers and regulate the content. We don't let pornography on Good Morning America, and we ought not let racists spew hate on a different channel at the same time.

Look, I'm not a believer in regulation. I think you should be able to eat all the transfat you want and it's fine with me if you don't wear your seatbelts. But, since there are only a FEW airways, they are considered to be a “common”, like electricity is a “common”, or the highways, and we REGULATE commons, as we should.

Since WE regulate and license, the onus of Imus' pronouncement shifts from him - to US. We (government) have the power to remove him or let him stay. IF we let him stay, does that mean that we, the public sanction what he said??

I think it does.

excon

[NowWhat]

I totally get what you are saying, excon, I do. But, part of what makes us who we are - is our differences. I do not choose to listen/watch Don Imus. Or anyone else I find boring or offensive. But, there are others that enjoy listening or watching and actually share some of the same views. (right or wrong)
I guess what gets me going is that we are in such an uproar over words that came out of this man's mouth - when there are so many other - bigger issues in our country that should have our attention and our passion. Not an idiot like Don Imus.

[RubyPitbull]

I have to agree fully with what ScottGem and excon have both stated. We do tend to forget those aspects they have both very logically and effectively have pointed out.

Nowwhat, why not get into a debate about it? That was the reason I posted. I am not trying to drag people into a fighting match. I want to know peoples opinions and I wanted to have an animated discussion and friendly debate about it.

So, I still don't agree with what you are saying. You cannot separate the words that were spoken. He called them "nappy headed hos." If he just said "hos" I would wholeheartedly agree that he was referring to the entire team. But, he didn't.

[manimuth]

Like most have said already, what Imus said is reprehensible. (The degree of punishment is where many disagree).

But, as a person who has only seen the Imus show a few times and doesn't know much about the man, I can appreciate that he has put himself waaaay out there to be criticised and yelled at by continuously appearing apologetic in public... especially by stepping outside his own territory and into Al Sharpton's and scheduled, soon, to be on the women's, he insulted, territory.

He could've pridefully stood by his hurtful and insensitive comments, or made protected and weak apologies, like other shock jocks (and comedian) have done recently.

[RubyPitbull]

I totally get what you are saying, excon, I do. But, part of what makes us who we are - is our differences. I do not choose to listen/watch Don Imus. Or anyone else I find boring or offensive. But, there are others that enjoy listening or watching and actually share some of the same views. (right or wrong)
I guess what gets me going is that we are in such an uproar over words that came out of this man's mouth - when there are so many other - bigger issues in our country that should have our attention and our passion. Not an idiot like Don Imus.

I just saw your post after I posted my last response. I agree with you about bigger issues. Care to start a thread on a topic of interest or concern to you?

[NowWhat]

Ruby, I can debate with the best of them - What I didn't want to debate was the mind of an idiot. I agree what he said was wrong and all of that. But, I think he insulted the whole team. The entire team was at the press conference - not just the black girls. He made a racist and sexist statement.

As far as starting my own thread - I wouldn't know which topic to choose.

[excon]

Hello again:

The key to my post, is that we're really not talking about this jerk. On that, we agree.

But, since this jerk is licensed by you and me to do his thing, and WE can CHOOSE to stop him cold or let him continue, I think the conversation is much more about US than it is HIM.

excon

[RubyPitbull]

Of course the entire team was at the press conference. They are a team, after all.

If you don't want to debate the mind of an idiot, then don't. I did not force you to join in on this discussion.

You have made a point that there are bigger issues in our country. I agree. When you feel like discussing one of those issues or you choose a topic that is of interest, then start a thread. If I am around and have something to say, or to add to the discussion, I will.

P.S. Thank you excon. You have hit the nail on the head as to what my intentions were here.

[RubyPitbull]

Like most have said already, what Imus said is reprehensible. (The degree of punishment is where many disagree).

But, as a person who has only seen the Imus show a few times and doesn't know much about the man, I can appreciate that he has put himself waaaay out there to be criticised and yelled at by continuously appearing apologetic in public....especially by stepping outside his own territory and into Al Sharpton's and scheduled, soon, to be on the women's, he insulted, territory.

He could've pridefully stood by his hurtful and insensitive comments, or made protected and weak apologies, like other shock jocks (and comedian) have done recently.

Yes, man. I think he has really put himself out there. Actually, his handling of it has surprised me. Maybe his ratings are not that great after all. Look at Howard Stern. I wonder if he would have apologized to the extent Imus has. I tend to doubt it. He is always defending his right to state whatever is on his mind.

[NowWhat]

My husband and I talked about Howard Stern last night. I am curious of what his take is on this. He (I think) hates Don Imus. But he is always defending his right to say what he wants.

There are so many battles to pick - do we start with the small ones or the big ones? And what is considered small or big? Getting Don Imus off the air - what does it accomplish. I guarantee you there is another one just like him waiting in the wings - waiting to get his big break. So what do we do?

[RubyPitbull]

I don't know the answer to "what do we do." As you can see from my responses I am questioning the entire process as well.

However I do know that Howard Stern and Don Imus DO hate each other. The feud goes back about 25 years. I used to listen them both when they were both on the same radio station out of NY. Imus felt that he was a mentor to Stern and Stern owed his success to Imus. Stern didn't agree. Boy, you should have heard some of that infighting. Now THAT was entertainment.

[NowWhat]

I just read that Staples and Proctor & Gamble have pulled advertising on the Imus show. Biglow Tea Co. has said that he has put their advertising in jeopardy.
So, in the end, money is going to determine his fate.

[NeedKarma]

So, in the end, money is going to determine his fate.

That's the way and the reason most things are done in the U.S.

[Matt3046]

Hello Ruby:

To those of you who are saying this is a Freedom of Speech issue, you’re wrong. I don’t own the corner soapbox. I don’t own the newspaper. I don’t own the TV station.

But I OWN the PUBLIC airways and license their use. They should NOT be used to spew venom.

excon

s



True this kind of talk (Imus not the con) Is not helping anyone. It's sexist racist, and just downright insulting to these "girls" yes they are practically just teens and I know if someone called my nieces or daughter a ho, I would not be happy. Imus is picking on children, who have done nothing wrong, only attempted to succeed. And both these men are lowlifes trying to take advantage of the situation for personal gain. (who even was paying ant attention to Immus) To sum up both of them should be deported to Canada. LOL

[NeedKarma]

I know if someone called my nieces or daughter a ho, I would not be happy.

Wow, you must be going crazy trying to shut down rap music then! They say much worse stuff than Imus.

[NowWhat]

When my husband and I were talking about this - he said the same thing.
That some of the same things are being said in rap music

[Matt3046]

Wow, you must be going crazy trying to shut down rap music then! They say much worse stuff than Imus.

Yes I have been spending quite allot of time trying to shut down rap.:p Here's my strategy, never buy, listen or acknowledge it in anyway. LOL
Since I don't actually listen to it I don't really know. I was just trying to make the point that these girls didn't deserve to be singled out and insulted. Yes he does have the right but it is still just mean. Rap music is vulgar and everyone knows it (except me) Imus named a specific group, besides I do agree rap needs to be contained also. At least if it is too much keep it of the radio.

[RubyPitbull]

I agree with Matt. In rap music, the performers are not throwing insults directed at a specific group of young women they do not know.

That actually is where you get into a freedom of speech/expression right. Just as with the KKK, we do not have to attend these events or purchase recordings.

The problem for me, comes into play when we are paying for entertainment. I have satellite. I do not have a choice where I live. I pay for the service. Therefore, I feel I do have a right to state that I do not approve of certain content.

And, yes Nowwhat, I saw that this morning too. "Money will determine his fate" comes back to what I was saying earlier. If the producers cannot make any, he will be axed. This should be very interesting to see how it all plays out. I am wondering if this will set a precedent or create new rules that will be followed by the owners of these networks. I guess time will tell. But, this incident truly seems to be having a snowball effect for Imus at the moment.

[Matt3046]

Ah my favorite words, "I agree with matt" I just think this is more personal then black/ white he didn't say this about black women in general but about these young ladies specifically. Also Sharpton is a poor excuse for a representative.