I am not sure if this is the correct area to place this but I didn't want to subject anyone to "ratings" in Issues and Causes. So, I am posting this here for discussion.

Just wondering if anyone is familiar with what is going on and what their opinions are.

For those of you who do not know, I will try to recap in a nutshell.

Don Imus is a radio and television personality. He has a talk radio show that can be viewed on television on MSNBC. He is known for making, distasteful remarks, at times. Some call his humor, potty humor. Some think he is really quite funny. Anyway, during one of his broadcasts, they were recapping a basketball game played by the Rutgers girl's baskeball team. Rutgers lost. While they were airing a clip, Imus made a comment about the team. He called them "nappy headed hos" (nappy headed whores). Most of the girls are African-American and there is no question that they are the ones to whom he was directing his remarks. There was quite an uproar over this. Imus was suspended for two weeks. Reverend Al Sharpton is calling for Imus to be fired and he is not backing down. Sharpton thinks it is high time that people who make these racist comments need to be dealt with in a way that isn't a simple slap on the back of the hand, which is what he views the suspension to be.

So, for those of you who are familiar with this, any comments? What are your views?
For those of you not familiar with this, please do a Google search to gather more info. Then post back here with your views.

I am quite interested in hearing opinions. I think this really cuts to the heart of the racial problems we are still having in this country, and I am wondering where people stand on this issue.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzz

I pretty much expected that answer from you "spam on whitebread."

Thank you for the scintillating dialogue. You really challenged me mentally. I am sitting here, during yet another snowfall. It would be nice to have a discussion on something other than the bible, the present administration, global warming, or spam and the many uses thereof.

Ok, This is my opinion. Sharpton is a sleazebag out for self promotion first and only. He's the worst example of a civil rights advocate that there is.

What Imus said was reprehensible. He should be punished for it. But Imus is not a bad person, just a stupid one. I don't believe Imus is a racist. Imus is clearly trying to make amends for the remark. But its being blown WAY out of proportion by Sharpton.

I read where Imus pointed to the cancer patient ranch he runs pointing that he's basically a good person and Sharpton responding saying; "This is not about whether you are a good man. What you said was racist." While the latter is true, wouldn't it be better to use Imus's platform to promote the fight against racism rather than hold him up as an example? If you are calling for someone's firing for ONE stupid remark, doesn't it matter what good he has done? Are you going to take away the good things he does but wouldn't be able to continue? None of these things enters into Sharpton's pea brain. He doesn't think about consequences, just promoting himself.

And another quote I read was from Bryan Monroe president of the Nat'l Assoc of Black Journalists. He stated; "These woman are devasted by what he said." I wonder if Monroe actually talked to any of the team members. I can't imagine they would be "devasted" by a stupid offhand remark from a guy like Imus. Upset? Sure! Angry? Definitely! But devastated? Give me a break.

Suspend Imus for a couple of weeks. Make his publicly apologize. Make him go to Rutgers and tell the team how sorry he is. But fire him? Lets not be ridiculous.

By the way, I am not an Imus fan. I don't like him or listen to him.

Well I thought we all knew that Imus is the most boring person in the Media. I really expected his true colors to show at some point. Just stating my position on Imus. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz but enough about me, let's talk about you.

Imus is another example of a has-been who is trying to latch on to any publicity he can. You can tell by his looks that he's scared of fading away: badly dyed hair, grow it long to appear young and hip, a face like a cadaver. If people didn't give him the time of day he wouldn't even be on the air. Who are these people that listen to him?

I like what Glenn Beck said on CNN last night, what he said is terrible but those there americans are supposed to have freedom of speech and freedom of the press so if he gets pulled off the air, who next?

Aparently he's just extremely rude to everyone (ive never seen this show though) but yeah. While his comments may be rude an arrogant if he silenced where does it end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

Imus is another example of a has-been who is trying to latch on to any publicity he can. You can tell by his looks that he's scared of fading away: badly dyed hair, grow it long to appear young and hip, a face like a cadaver. If people didn't give him the time of day he wouldn't even be on the air. Who are these people that listen to him?

---

Yep, As alwys Karma, you are right on. Who are these people?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lowtax4eva

I like what Glenn Beck said on CNN last night, what he said is terrible but those there americans are supposed to have freedom of speech and freedom of the press so if he gets pulled off the air, who next?

Aparently he's just extremely rude to everyone (ive never seen this show though) but yeah. While his comments may be rude an arrogant if he silenced where does it end.

---

We can't talk about the present administration on this post, sorry.:rolleyes:

Hi Ruby - Great topic here.

Lots of Monkey hugs to you :).

Imus? - Don't watch him at all. But when I do see the rare spot of him, to me, just nothing but noise that comes out. Sadly, I feel the same way about Al Sharpton. Nothing but noise comes out. Each individual has the opportunity to do great things based on the positions that they have, and yet, at least in my eyes, they are blown opportunities.

With that said, the comments that Imus made, were just disgusting. But I do not care one ioda what someone like him thinks. But see, that is easy for me to say, as I generally don't fall into the categories where ugly comments are made about a group of people. So I really am unsure if I even have a right to comment on Imus's ugly comments or anyone else's for that matter. From where I sit, pfffft, who cares what that sad sack thinks? But, if I were a part of a group, that throughout time, would be poked, pushed, called names, time after time after time, would I so easily dismiss it? I don't think so. Think I would be darn hurt. And the last thing I would want would be an apology from him. Why? Has his heart changed? Has all the ugly inside him been removed? When he looks at people, does he see them as the person inside, or what they look like outside? This doesn't apply just to Imus, but to all of those who have said ugly words about another group of people.
An apology? Fire him? Why? I wouldn't want squat from him. Notta nothing. To me, to request something from him, is saying, "Imus, I value your opinion so much"... blleeeek.

This kind of nonsense always breaks my heart. No one feels better after and there really is no need for it whatsoever. I will never ever understand predjudice or racism. Ever. If someone is kind and loving, why care what they look like?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by magprob

We can't talk about the present administration on this post, sorry.:rolleyes:

---

Maggie, maggie, maggie. Now don't go putting words in my mouth.


Thank you all.

Scott, I agree with 99% of what you have stated. The only difference is that this was not a one time remark by Imus. He has done this before. He basically insults everyone but he has made racial remarks towards African Americans in the past. He has never been called to the carpet so intensely before. I do believe that in his heart of hearts, the guy is a racist just because of the way he so matter of factly blurted out the remark. I have always thought the guy is an idiot. Does it mean he should be fired? I don't know. I don't like him and don't watch the guy, and for the life of me, I don't understand why he still has a show. Are his ratings that high?

Karma, you stated exactly what I have thought since he showed up on Television. The guy looks like a cadaver. How he has managed to stay alive and sitting upright all these years is beyond me. I have no idea who his core audience is but I am hazarding a guess that they aren't people I would be friends with.

As always Allheart, you are all heart. I agree with the "noise" comment. Both men disgust me. They are on the same end of my personal intolerance scale. I would like to see them both shipped off to the Island of Has Beens and Wannabes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

I pretty much expected that answer from you "spam on whitebread."

Thank you for the scintillating dialogue. You really challenged me mentally. I am sitting here, during yet another snowfall. It would be nice to have a discussion on something other than the bible, the present administration, global warming, or spam and the many uses thereof.

---

No love, those words came out of your mouth.

If you want to get nitpicky with me, my dear, I never said "we cannot talk about the present administration..." as you have stated. I said, "It would be nice to have a discussion on something other than,..." Two very different statements indeed, my darling.

Don't mess with me spam lover. I am surrounded by a seemingly inexhaustable supply of snow. Someone lied. It ain't spring.

Well then just go outside and make some snow Angels for a while and stop being a pitbull! GRRRRRR! You have cabin fever.

Ruby,

I just looked high and low for a SPAM beater. Sorry, came up empty handed.

Maybe it's best, since my last research, well... :o

Many hugs to you.

Amen Scott... and probably stuff after it I did not read.

What really blows my mind is that anyone listens to either one of them, unless it is for a good laugh.

... a sad laugh, though...

You are very right maggie, but I can't help myself. I am a pitbull, after all. Anyway, not just cabin fever. Tax return fever too.

Heehee Allheart. Would love to see what you might turn up this time around.

http://www.cyberbrahma.com/rants/images/spam1.jpg

Like many other "shock jocks" on the radio... Imus keeps his job by delivering ratings for his show. If people are not paying attention to him, he's going to loose his gig. So what does he do? The same thing so many of these characters do... They try to be more outrageous and controversial than their competition. He knew this comment would get a reaction, that's why he made it.

I don't like shock media, but I recognize the fact that these guys have to play these characters for the sake of getting ratings. I'm sorry our culture embraces this stuff, but if the masses weren't drawn to it, these guys wouldn't be doing it.

Al is playing the same attention game, but he really believes his own BS. That's the difference. He's not putting on a show for ratings, he actually believes his own outrageous demands.

Should Imus be fired? I don't know... maybe.
Should Imus be fired because Al says so? I don't think so.

Like I said, I don't like or listen to him. But if you fire Imus for that remark, then you got to fire Hannity for his hate mongering. The first amendment does have some presence here.

Hannity is a complete idiot! He calls himself Catholic and Conservative like I call myself but in my opinion he is an embarrassment to both!

Never heard of him... and I think I am very glad I have not, by the sounds of it.

Sometimes it is very scarey how much ugly there can be in this world.

Hannity gets his script faxed to him from the White House every morning. Same with Rush. I have a hard time believing any of them any more. Faux News.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Like I said, I don't like or listen to him. But if you fire Imus for that remark, then ya gotta fire Hannity for his hate mongering. The first amendment does have some presence here.

---

Agree -- If he is fired and they hold all radio commentators to the same standard -- they would all be off the air -- Which really might be a good thing -- just listen to the hate some of them broadcast and think of the fools that suck it up. -- Savage

Scott you bring up a very good point regarding the first amendment. And someone like Hannity.

Are racist remarks protected under the first amendment?

I wonder if an African American on air personality made racist remarks towards white people, in the same vein as Imus did toward AAs, if that person would be allowed to continue, or be suspended, or fired?

I guess in the end, it will all depend on whether influential people will cancel bookings on Imus's show or if they will book in the future. I think his guests are what keeps him on air. I can't imagine it is a direct result of his intelligence, or his wife's rockin' boobies, although the latter may be the reason he is still on.

I watched the press conference with the Rudgers team. All very well spoken women. They will be having a meeting with Imus so he can apologize. His producer actually said "ho" first and then Imus repeated adding the "nappy headed.... ". I agree with scottgem, if you fire him because you don't like what he said - who's next. We have freedom of speech, that doesn't mean free to say what we like as long as it doesn't make anyone mad.

I think everyone is racist. No matter what color your skin is.

Attachment 3218

Ya know. I think these are the young ladies that creep was referring to. Now, I am really mad. Look at these beatufiul young girls. It's all well and good for us, with some years and wisdom under our belts, to be able to know that creeps do exsist. But tell that to these young girls hearts. Just awful!

They are beautiful girls and should be very proud of their accomplishments. They should not give that creep one second of their time.

How dare he!!

We get all upset that someone would say something like this. And yes, he is in the wrong. But, we are ready to having him thrown out in the streets and beat up (basically)
He made an off handed comment (Like I said - he was wrong)

But then you have people in this world that abuse - physically abuse - other people and they get slapped on the hand and not much is done about it. And no one in society seems to care.

What is wrong with that picture is that there 6 African American girls there who have been racially abused by a complete and utter moron and it has been confirmed to them what they already thought and that is that they are looked at differently in this world compared to the other 2 innocent team mates who sit there in the same photo. That's what is wrong with the photo.

When Imus made the comments they were about the team as a whole. Including the two white girls in the picture.

They are both huge losers, who will do anything to get a camera on them.
Does anyone else remember when Imus was a VJ on VH1. Anyway he needs to retire. As for sharpton look at any of these its where he originally came to the attention of the public.tawana brawley - Google Search


I personal would pay almost anything to see these two in a cage match to the death (both preferably)

And besides is this sexist or racist? Or maybe he is jealous of their hair
Or maybe doesn't like ladies basketball.

Don't really listen to him or care, but there is one thing every one seems to have forgotten. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH! It is his opinion, that's all.
I will not change the world and it will not change the basket ball team.

Instead focus on how you can help someone today.

Peace.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NowWhat

When Imus made the comments they were about the team as a whole. Including the two white girls in the picture.

---

You reckon?? Interesting observation. Don't know if I agree though!

I believe previous comments are correct. If it was a black, in this case, person saying it would it have been such a big deal.

I do not understand the uproar. I am a minority (latin) and have never been offended by what any one says about my race. Even in this case, I should be offended then. There are many latinos with "nappy" hair. I can concur with some of the comments about my race, so what. When I get offended is only when someone says something negative about me as a person.

We are ALL racist and prejudice. Don't tell me no. I have black friends, yes they want to be called black not african americans, and they make "racial" jokes and comments about their own race (light skin vs. dark skin) and other races, mine included. To my face. We get a big kick out of it. I asked one of my friends what he though about this. He's response: " they probably are nappy hair ho's"... and laughed.

I am sure many of you will not like my opinion. And that is great. We can't all agree with everyone. Imagine if we did. We would all have the same thoughts, politically views, religion, sexual preferences, and the inability to think for ourselves.

Rac·ism > noun
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race

Prej·u·dice > noun
Preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b : an instance of such judgment or opinion c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

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

So because he is on the radio - he doesn't have 1st amendment rights? You may not like what he says - but he does have the right to say what he wants.
Just like we have the right to say what we want to on this forum. It is freedom of speech. When you start taking things like that away - where does it end. Every person being crucified for an unpopular opinion? I don't want to live in that world.
If the comments made by this radio personality offended you - then turn off your radio or don't watch as he is broadcast on MSNBC. That is your right. No one is forcing you to listen or watch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NowWhat

When Imus made the comments they were about the team as a whole. Including the two white girls in the picture.

---

Sorry Now. I don't agree with this statement. 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.

Matt, I agree with you. I think the thing that made me start this thread in the first place was Al Sharpton's "pitbull" attack against Imus. I don't like Imus. Never have. But, I don't like Sharpton either. Every time I see him I am reminded of the Tawana Brawley scandal. The man is shameless in his attempts for publicity and personal recognition.

I was thinking about this last night. Do you remember a few months back when Rosie O'Donnell did a very blatant stereotypical impression of an Asian person? I don't watch The View. I don't have any desire to see a bunch of women sitting around spewing their personal opinions about anything and everything. BORING to me. But, I saw those clips of O'Donnell doing her "impression." I was shocked at that. And, what was the result? Nothing. Nothing was done.

I think the only way to get rid of all these idiots is for the general populace to stop watching this garbage and giving them all these most undeserved ratings. As long as the producers of these shows are making money, they will continue.

Atyourservice, I don't know if I agree fully with what you are saying. I grew up in an era in which my friends preferred to be called black. But, when the moniker of African-American came along, some of my friends preferred to be called that. It makes it very difficult for me to find the proper balance. How far do we carry the politically correct concepts? If we keep picking at each other we will never move in a more positive direction. I am assuming that you are much younger than I. I keep hoping that with each generation, there will be more things that we can all find common ground on than the obvious differences people seem to get hung up on. I agree with you that we all harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts to some degree. But, we need to recognize that it just isn't a constructive way to live our lives. Generalizations don't benefit anyone.

I don't know if I believe this is a Freedom of Speech issue. When it comes to using public platforms to use words and slurs that are hurtful to a large group, it becomes muddied for me. The Ku Klux Klan are allowed to hold "conventions" under the Freedom of Speech the right to hold public gatherings acts. When the Ku Klux Klan marches in towns and hold those gatherings, I can choose not to attend. But, they will never, ever be given a nationally syndicated television show that will allow them to come into our homes every day spewing their hateful messages.

In the case of Don Imus, Al Sharpton, Rosie O'Donnell, Sean Hannity, and all the others out there, where do we draw the line? Why are they allowed to spew hateful messages? Granted, they don't do it as the basis of their shows platforms. But, it appears to me that the only way we are going to get anywhere as a society is to hold someone accountable at some point in time. Is Don Imus the person who should be held up as an example? I don't know. As I said, I don't like either Imus or Sharpton. But, maybe all this fuss will have a positive effect in that people will start to think about what they are saying before they open their mouths. It would be nice to think that would be the outcome. But, after all this fuss dies down, will we just backslide again? Probably.

Hello Now:

He can say what he wants - just not on MY airways where I grant the license.

You don't see a distinction between the corner soapbox and the public airways?? Fortunately, the law does.

excon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NowWhat

So because he is on the radio - he doesn't have 1st ammendment rights? You may not like what he says - but he does have the right to say what he wants.
Just like we have the right to say what we want to on this forum. It is freedom of speech. When you start taking things like that away - where does it end. Every person being crucified for an unpopular opinion? I don't want to live in that world.
If the comments made by this radio personality offended you - then turn off your radio or don't watch as he is broadcast on MSNBC. That is your right. No one is forcing you to listen or watch.

---

This is a common misconception, but the First Amendment doesn't really apply to this situation or this site. The First Amendment states: Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press Rev Al is not Congress (thank god). If CBS or MSNBC decide to censure, suspend or terminate Imus's contract they have a right to do so because they are exercising editorial control of their broadcasts. This site has rules about what can't be said here and people and posts are banned if they violate those rules. Since the site is privately owned (as are the broadcast facilities Imus uses), they have the right to do this.

However, there is the concept of Freedom of Speech at play here. Americans hold dear the right to be able to voice their opinions. To say what they feel about various issues. What they say doesn't have to popular or even respectable. Imus's comment was reprehensible and he should be severely criticized for it. But he had the right to say it. Just have we have the right to criticize him for saying it and to not listen to him (or buy the products of his sponsors).

If Imus is terminated it should be because no one will sponsor his program because they don't like what he says. That would be the right of the sponsors to express their freedoms.