Well, now that Mr. Imus has been fired by CBS(aka: The Corporate Beancounting Suckups), I guess it's time for all of us to throw open our windows, lean out, and shout out, ala Howard Beale:
"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!!!!"
What Imus did was stupid, I agree, but was it a fireable offense??? I think not. Don Imus is a humorist, who has insulted all manner of people, and his employers have known this from the start. I have found his humor to be both funny and offensive. That which I found funny, I have laughed at. That which I have found offensive, I have not. Anyone, whether on the radio, television, the internet, wherever, who tries to satisfy everyone is trying to accomplish the impossible. He offered an apology, which is what anyone would and should do. He admitted that the joke was in bad taste, which was an admirable thing to do, as humorists usually don't. Still, his opponents deemed it necessary to force his ouster. I think this shows their agenda to the max. This is just another part of the plan to emasculate the masses, and incorporate more "political correctness" into our society. I for one am embarassed that it has come to this. He exercised his First Amendment rights, and was fired because some people, who for some reason or another, have the power to influence corporations into thinking that they will suffer traumatic economic loss if they continue to support him by advertising on his show. How did our society get into such a sorry state. Have we fallen so far down that we can't say what is either a joke or an opinion in public without fear of attack and retaliation. Ah, well, I guess the time has come to rip up The Bill of Rights and The Constitution and use them for kindling.
Don, I will miss you very much. I grew up listening to you back in NY on WABC and WNBC. You enlightened me and enraged me. But you alway entertained me. For that, I say Thank You.

And if anyone disagrees with me, then feel free to voice your opinion, just as I have. Which, by the way is my right and choice, gauranteed to me in The First Amendment.

As always,
Have Fun and Play safe,
Brian

When I was in high school I'd arrive with tear stains from laughing so hard at Imus on WNBC AM radio. Even in 1973 he was regularly pushing the envelope and enraging everyone from ethnic factions to the Northport LI Police Department; but he had ratings and advertisers, so he became NBC's golden boy. When Howard Stern came along 'controversial' took a new track while Imus kept to his subtle but sardonic social lampooning.

 Imus's big mistake was selling out to the chicken-shit "don't take a chance, keep to the formula" corporate mentality. For the last 15 years he has not been able too truly be edgy thanks to this, and that is why he has or had no discernable ratings to save him in this socio-political brouhaha.

 We’re all going lose on this one. The hypocrites who regularly refer to them selves as “nigger, ho’, bitch, pimp etc” and conduct themselves in the most ruffian of demeanor along with their tiny collection of extremely mouthy media whores have succeeded in taking free speech and expression away from America as a collective and now enslaved it for only their use.    

1) Imus's most agressive detractors (Jesse Jackson and The Rev. Al) have themselves exhibited bigotted behavior, but never seem to be called on it by most people that are paying attention.

2) You did NOT just exercise your First Amendment rights. You and I have NONE here. We are allowed here only by the good graces of the owners of this site.

the N-word anymore. Maybe you should look into why you want to call people that in the first place.

FYI, freedom of speech does not relieve you of the responsibility for the words that you speak.

He's just a big nothin anyway.  I SAY THE RATINGS ARE WHAT GOT IMUS CANNED.  Nobody listens to him anymore so give him the heave ho out you go. He opened the door and they threw him out.  That's all there is to it. End of story.  Case closed.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was all just a "manuver" to get free from his contracts and FREE again... I'm glad it happened! It's a step in the right direction for undoing this FCC-clusterfuck PC-culture we live under!

FUCK THE FCC!!! FUCK THE FCC!!! And double gang-bang fist-fuck those network execs that continually play along with the 1940's cultural-strongholders and the anti-speech locksteps that have incrementally eroded our rights!!

Jeremy, I'm not sure if you were responding to me or not, so I am assuming that you were. I don't use the "n" word, and neither did Imus, unless you count nappy as the "n" word. I don't call anyone anything derogatory, though I admit to having thought about it, whether they be black, white, or whatever. I am human. As for freedom of speech. I am fully aware of the responsibility of what I say, and to whom I say it. I think the problem lies in the hyper-sensitive morons that have been bottle fed more crap by the media and politicians than I can imagine. When people stop calling each other nigga and pimp, and ho's like you and I and countless others have heard, and when hypocrites such as Al sharpton stop using the media for their own agenda, which has nothing to do with racial equality, but more with puttting their names in the paper, then I will be willing to listen to what they have to say, as should everyone else. Until then, I will continue to think that our society has become a group of sniveling, whiny little wimps that are afraid to do anything for themselves.

B.

PC has long been a code word for the desire to hurl racial and sexist insults at people. You continue to reinforce that view with your position that the media cannot go after rich white guys with radio and TV shows until they take care of all the black guys.

The only people I want to see insults hurled at are dog breath pseudo-liberal hypocrits. Put your catcher's mit on Jeremy and squat down behind your plate. I keep hoping that if they take a few in the teeth they will improve their outlook on life. It is strictly for their self improvement.

will certainly NOT end Western civilization as we know it.  But our priorities are certainly not what they should be.  We DO need to discuss the menace posed by radical religious groups, whether they be headed by Jim Jones, David Koresh or some Muslim Cleric in a cave.  

As far as firing Imus - to be perfectly honest... yea, he is not even a good talk show voice... he mumbles and seems dated.  in the 70s he was ok - but now?  just mean and nasty - and I for one am tired of it.  The market is taking care of it, cause the sponsors are pulling out.  Do I worry about the man? no - there are many people he has hurt in his career - and he seemed to not care about them... so why should I worry about him?  again, he is just a mean dude... does charity work just to keep the hounds off his back.  And while I find Al Sharpon and Jesse Jackson JUST as offensive, well, we have to start somewhere.  What I would hope (and there are some who do, Bill Cosby comes to mind) is that prominent blacks would start to espouse that we are a single country - not black, not white - but a country composed of many.  What unites us is the desire to have freedom, and RESPECT.  That was what was lacking from Imus... and for the most part from Al and Jesse, cause while they fight for respect of some, they disrespect many.

But I would also say fire Paula Poundstone from NPR - a person convicted of child endangerment - and again... not that funny!

many many need to go.  Ever really listen to rap "music"?  First as a trained musician - what they do is marginal... at best.  but the words - boarder on sedetion.  

Why do we tolerate rudeness?  civil?  Imus was neither civil nor funny.  How sad we laughed at a man for close to 40 years who is so bitter and twisted.  He found no good to praise.




-- Modified on 4/13/2007 11:31:31 AM

-- Modified on 4/13/2007 11:33:36 AM

Right wing ideologues are supporting and coming to the defense of Imus.  Why?  Why are these conservative dudes coming to his defense....??  Cause they know that if there was ever a call to return to civility on the airwaves - they would go too!  incredible.  as I have repeatedly stated, Sean Hannity is a milder form of Bob 'racist in extreme' Grant.... and that needs to go.  If you disagree with him, he lables you as ignorant and stupid.  and his views are somewhat polar... without regards to the effects on humans that his political perspective, if put into practice would bring about.

Me?  Conservative... you bet.  but I do not feel the need to dictate.

moron that he is- he handed it to them! lol!

Let me clarify something. I thought what Imus said was wrong. I have laughed at him in the past, and he has angered me as well. I only want to state that too many people are having their decisions influenced by self serving idiots who's only agenda is the betterment of their own self. I think Jesse Jackson has done some wonderful things for people, but I also think he has made some mistakes. We all do.
Al Sahrpton????? If ever there was a snake oil salesman in our time, then he is it. He serves no useful purpose on this planet whatsoever. Nor for that matter does Bob Grant, Sean Hannity or Ann Coulter or Al Franken. I am merely stating that too many people are not involved in making their own educated decisions. When you let someone like Al Sharpton make up your mind, thats because you have lost your mind.
I agree that Imus was not good in the last few years, and he has become more "crotchety" as he has aged(which is hard to believe). Maybe the powers that be did use this incident as a way of getting rid of the dead wood. But when these hypocrites start shouting out about racism, and how they aren't going to take any more of this, I say, "Fine, when you stop calling people niggers and ho's, then you can complain about others who do, but until then, STFU.

where Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton called anyone a "nigger and ho." I am curious.

Look, everybody involved acted within their rights.  He did, the protesters did, the sponsors did, MSNBC and CBS did.  They all acted within their rights of free speech and free commerce.    

There were no calls for his ouster by Congressmen on the floor.  That I would object to.  So, the government acted like it should have, unlike it did over Janet Jackson's nipple.  

So, what's your problem?

Free speech is tempered by the fact that it could piss people off, and they will act on it.  No way can rights change that.  Objectors have the same rights as speakers.  They'll speak out.  There's no way people should expect that every insult will be accepted passively or even forgiven.  

As Mark Twain said (paraphrased) people in our country are guaranteed the right to free speech and the common sense not to use it.  

It's a setback for him, but Imus will do well.  He should be set for life.  Not only that, he's a proven audience magnet, and the basketball team forgave him.  Somebody will pick him up on satellite, and that's the direction he should have been going anyway.

-- Modified on 4/13/2007 6:13:44 PM

I never said they called anyone a nigger or a ho, and I have no real beef with Rev. Jackson but if you want me to give you an incident where Rev. Sharpton used the media to enflame racism, and promote his "agenda", then I ask you to remember the name Tawana Brawley, where he created an entire story about a false rape, accusing someone of a crime that they did not commit, inflicting serious damage to someones personal and professional reputation. I can only assume what his motives were. Would you care to take a guess????? Or are you going to defend that as well. The Rev. Sharpton is a reprehensible human being, who's only goal is to see his name in print and on the radio and television. Any publicity is good publicity for him, regardless of how stupid it is. I am sick and tired of people using the race card for their own personal gain, be they black or white. I give people respect based on their actions and the Rev. Sharpton has not earned mine yet. I highly doubt that he will ever earn it. As for the Rev. Jackson, I respect him. He does try to promote better realtions between people, though I believe that he sometimes chooses the wrong method.

read your own posts. Maybe you should since you said the following:

" But when these hypocrites start shouting out about racism, and how they aren't going to take any more of this, I say, "Fine, when you stop calling people niggers and ho's, then you can complain about others who do, but until then, STFU."

Don Imus says something racist. People complain and protest and now black people are attacked for being offended. WTF?

The attitude that white people can say whatever racist thing they want and black people cannot complain because of Al Sharpton is pretty fucked up. It sounds like a dodge to avoid responsiblity to me.

This whole thing started because some white dude said something blatantly racist and misogynistic on the radio. It seems like you are of the ilk that think that that is OK until black people get their act together. I do not buy into the poor, oppressed white man argument because I have eyes and can see how the world works. I guess when Al Sharpton or Ludacris get their own morning show on NBC I'll see your point.

are limited since Howard Stern hates his guts and practically owns Sirius which is trying to merge with XM. I imagine Howard would have some say in any offer and the ratings do not show that Imus is much of an audience magnet at all. Personally I am surprised that this is front page news at all. The dude is old and rich. I doubt he plans on starting over in some dive station in Buffalo, N.Y.

But satellite has a lot of stations.  Stern might like burying Imus in his ratings.

I think one reason why the basketball team accepted his apology is that Imus doesn't need it, so he has some credibility.

They should ALL go.  They ALL spew hatred and bigotry.  what is so hard to understand.  and while I agree that they are protected by free speech... my problem is that they get paid big bucks to vomit this vile bile... all over the airwaves... I say - if they want to do so, let them pay to broadcast - but without sponsors... and that is what is now happening - finally people are getting overthemselves enough to just say "enough is enough"!  if Imus goes, who knows maybe someone will stop the likes of Al sharpton - the next time he lies!  or Sean Hannity the next time that he suggests that someone who disagrees with him is ignorant or stupid...

Look, it is ok to disagree with someone - it is not ok to denegrate them - or to lie about them... as in the case of Imus, well, frankly, I do not find him funny now, nor did I find him funny in 1975 when I first heard him....  

he is not even a good announcer.

and I don't call people anything - which is why I find most of rap "music" offensive... and it should not be financed.... so, please don't tell me to STFU.... I don't fit your definition.

go figure.

the bigger reason they accepted his apology is that unlike al shitstick, they are not in the business of racial discord.

they, by their behavior do more to credit their race than shitstick could ever do in his lifetime, even if he started now!

shitstick is a miserymerchant

Imus should ahve told shitstick to "fuck off and die, you're not the aggreived party"

lol

-- Modified on 4/13/2007 9:12:33 PM

all of the stations are owned by Sirius. No shock jock is up against Howard. They also have Bubba the Love Sponge, but his show starts after Howard's is over. Imus would have to dig his nose way deep up Howard's ass before he would let him aboard.

Satellite carries what?  Hundreds thousands of targeted stations?  You bet that they have the marketing department doing surveys on who listens to what and making adjustments accordingly.  That's all in house, but they are figuring out what they could carry to gain more subscribers and keep the ones that they have.  

Stern might have gained them a tens of millions of listeners, but he is not going to walk if they carry Imus on a remote station somewhere.  That would be like in pre-satellite days, walking away from FM radio because Imus was on AM radio. It's true they are not going to put Imus up against Stern head to head.

from 600,000 to over 6,000,000. The other jocks, Bubba and Ferrel, were hired by him. They ain't hiring Imus unless Howard says it is OK and the way he was talking about him this week, Imus would have to do a whole lot of sucking.

If i came across as saying that only white people can complain , and that black people cannot, then I apologize, that was not my intention. I was trying to say that certain people have an agenda that does not serve the greater cause in it's best light. I did not find Imus' comments funny. Nor did I find Rev. Sharpton's refusal to accept Imus apology appropriate either. My intention was to point out ulterior motives that I believe are either being swept under the rug, or ignored entirely.
Imus made a mistake, a big and foolish one. He apologized, but was rebuffed by someone who is not "directly" affected by the comment. Those that were accepted his apology. The Rev. Sharpton decided to interject his views before those that were directly affected had an opportunity to even respo nd. He took it upon himself to speak for someone who had a voice and was, in my opinion, taking the time to formulate an appropriate response. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, should have done anything until those people who Imus offended had a chance to respond to his comments. Once that was done, then anyone else could voice their opinion. If the Rutgers Ladies Basketball Team chose to not respond, then all doors are open. But until then, I repeat my previous statement of, STFU.