Amazing how not even the long-awaited news that Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby could interrupt the media uproar over Don Imus’ racial slur about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team. On Wednesday, MSNBC ended its simulcast of his radio show. On Thursday, CBS ended that radio show. Still, Imus raised $1.3 million Thursday during his radio-only fundraiser on behalf of children’s and SIDS charities, including his Imus Ranch for kids with cancer. Somebody out there must think his serial apologies are sufficient penance.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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118 Comments
Don Imus doesn’t claim to be a straight news reporter. He is after all an entertainer first but with an amazing knowledge of our national situation.
Most likely “the big boys” want to squash his commentary, one of the few voices of freedom in this country. As essentially, a rapidly talking, talking head, he is bound and does make occasional gaffes.
So I say, spank his hand and get on with the show.
I have listen to Imus off and on during the last about twenty years, some time I have found him offensive and other time witty. But as to his fund raising please do not throw the baby out with the bath water ( Great the one thing lately that has been getting under my skin I am now resorting to), the causes are well worth funding and the program for kids is a good cause. It was the causes that the money came in for not Imus.
I guess Imus can draw social security now that his employment income is gone. Being savvy about fund raising, I doubt Imus will have to cut back much on his lifestyle.
Time to head back to the Ranch Mr. Imus. You can call your sheep “nappy headed ho’s” if you wish. :)
This coverage by the Kansas City Star writer(Black guy) has it nailed…
http://www.kansascity.com/182/story/66339.html
He even made it on MSNBC this morning.
But be on the watch, there will be a push by the left to go after all radio since they cant get a foothold in it. Look out Rush, Boortz et al. But it may get some push back as some of the others are starting to get some coverage…RAP etc.
There were threats of hitting BET, MTV, VH1, perhaps censoring them all.
So do NOT be to happy with this as it may spread…
In England there are several people in jail today for 10 years because the used the word “immigrant” The EU has made it a criminal offense to use bad language to “offend” an immigrant. Which is any NON WHITE of course. So its essentially a “put the white guy in jail law”
But at least we have the 2nd amendment if the gov gets to in your business.
But Im guessing Imus will get a bigger contract as soon as XM and Sirius merge.
I rather doubt we’ve heard the last of Mr. Imus and his disgusting wondertongue. There’s just too much money to be made in barf radio these days for some jackass to not hire him.
I never listened to Imus – so I won’t be missing anything.
But it’s time this non-story went away. Like most things in today’s society, a slip of the tongue holds folks interest longer than actual news.
Too bad about Imus. But the true racists walked away. Sharpton and Jackson are the real racists.
Never listened to him or watched him. My wife has watched him a few times. He isn’t even on the radio here in Atlanta
I would not have fired him but I have little sympathy for him. He got what he deserved. And I can tell you know that my employer would do the same thing if an employee called somebody a “nappy headed ho” at my job. Loke I said before, the AM radio band in this country has become a bastion of right wing commentary, hate, racism, sexism, homophobia and immigrant bashing. Imus is just one of many and hopefully the first of many to be shown the door. Next should be Savage, Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh and Boortz. We need to bring back the Fairness Doctrine and reclaim the airwaves for decent people.
I am quite sure Imus is probably talking to Mel Karmazin who hired him to begin with right now and that soon Sirius will announce Imus in the morning- which is fine because that is not public airwaves. Him and Howard Stern can keep company.
I have to agree with XXX on this: Sharpton is nothing more than a rabble rousing racist, and Jackson still looking for that morning talk show.
If they are so concerned about the black race, why aren’t they over in Dufar trying to stop the slaughter?
There’s no money there.
The black folks just knocked off a man who has been committed to speaking out in favor of their causes despite the occasional ill attempts at humor. He is gone because he is white.I, like Imus, am waiting to hear Reverend Al and Jesse apologize to the Duke players.
Republican
I thought it was your sheep that were the nappy headed ho’s — you should be able to tell when you stand behind em to get the goods …
I found Imus’ show to be very funny, extremely intelligent and informative, and something I could listen to every day and enjoy. Me and 50 million other people thought the same way.Tell me, all you Imus bashers, do you tune in to Jesse and Al Sharpton’s weekly programs? Why? Because they are the real scumbags in all of this.
“He isn’t even on the radio here in Atlanta”
Sure he is/was. On WLAR 1340.I’m surprised you didn’t know that, living in Atlanta and all.
I guess saying I’m sorry and really being sorry isn’t good enough in the US anymore. Isn’t that sad…
Seems to me that more harm was done by removing Imus than by leaving him on the air. He could have set an example and led the way to cleaning up the air ways…I don’t think removing him will raise the bar!
Yes, Imus is an entertainer…a white one at that. If he would have been black, nothing would be said. This is a fact!! I don’t see the “band wagon” yelling over black rap stars/singers using the same language. The ball game certainly isn’t playing on a level field.
If only there was a shark attack or a skool shooting. Maybe a pretty white girl goes missing. That would change the subject.
I cannot believe how this world revolves around the issue of somebody calling somebody else names. Good Lord, grow up! If this is the worst thing that ever happens to you, you are truly blessed on this earth. This issue should have been treated as the stupid gaffe it was and everybody should have moved on. If it caused a lessening of a man’s character in your eyes, so be it. Otherwise it should have been treated as the embarassing foot-in-mouth it was. I don’t think any lives were lost by this statement. People seem to have lost the ability to use any common sense.
Sharpton has pledged to ‘clean up the airwaves’ after his victory over Imus.
We HAVE to stand up and call this charlatan out for who he is. Write, call in, do everything you can to get this creep back under a rock where he belongs. Jackson too.
If not… Do you want those two deciding who you listen to and see on the public airwaves?
They just set a DANGEROUS precedent. Two immoral racist riot inciters have the power to say who is and isn’t on the airwaves?
Stand up people. Let your voices be heard. Let the voice of reason drown the voice of the racists Sharpton and Jackson. Let Jackson and sharpton apologize for their OWN atrocities.
Sharpton and Jackson didn’t have the power to fire Imus. NBC and CBS did. Last time I checked, both companies are private property, and it’s their choice as to who gets to use their airwaves and cable to spew racism and sexism. If they decide it’s not going to be Don Imus, it’s their decision.
It’s clear if you’ve bothered to read the articles on the subject that the main force behind firing Imus from MSNBC was the entire NBC News department. No one wanted to work with him anymore; not only is he offensive on the air, but apparently he’s just as sexist and misogynistic off-air to MSNBC News staff. They’d had their fill, and said so.
At CBS, it looks like the top guy in charge, Sumner Redstone, said it was time for Imus to go. Since he’s in charge, and it’s his company, he gets to make those decisions.
I’m endlessly surprised by the number of so-called “conservatives” who are trying to frame this as a violation of Imus’ free speech rights, and that Imus is somehow being “censored.” Have you people forgotten the meaning of “private property?”
Tom,
Indeed. First Amendment concerns are completely beside the point. These are MARKET FORCES at work here involving advertisers withdrawing their support because of the threat of consumer boycott. Nobody’s taking away anybody’s free speech rights.
Are CF2K’s free speech rights abridged because GlaxoSmithLkine, Archer Daniels Midland, Berkshire Hathaway and Smith and Wesson don’t want to pay for the broadcasting of CF2K’s views? If not, then Imus’s aren’t either.
Don Imus is free to broadcast over the internet if he chooses. He’s free to stand in a public parking lot shouting into the wind. But nobody has an unabriged right to employment, even in broadcasting.
And, as usual, Blog Racist #1 misconstrues the issue since, as we all know, there’s nothing that arouses White Right Wingers like getting to call a black man a racist.
Tom,You have to step into reality. Does jackson have the ability to extort billions (yes that is billions with a ‘b ‘) from Toyota? He shouldn’t, but he does thru the strong arm tactics of Rainbow Coalition and PUSH. He is an extortionist that feeds on the fear of being called racist.
Granted, people gave jackson and sharpton their power, thru fear. It is time to take back that power. They have abused it time and time again and proven themselves bigoted racists.
The freedom of speech argument was dropped long ago. What is in place here is the fear of being called a racist. sharpton has already made the claim he will attack anyone who went on Imus’ show. Fear and strong arm tactics.
I bet it never makes the news, but watch and see if CBS and NBC don’t invest heavily in PUSH. I can almost guarantee it.
And what are the execs at the two media giants going to say? We’re afraid of jackson and sharpton?
This is far beyond Imus. He had a long and prosperous career. Good for him. This is about two bigots using racial threats to make policy changes.
Sol,
None of your ranting about what horrible people Sharpton and Jackson are changes any of the facts that I outlined above.
Furthermore, Sharpton and Jackson are using their rights of free speech to say what they think of Imus and his ilk. It’s their right to do so. It’s up to the MSM whether they get a national platform to do so, and it’s up to you to choose to agree or disagree with them.
If you don’t like the choices the MSM are making, don’t read/listen to them. Start your own radio/tv/newspaper. Buy an existing one. Make enough noise so that the MSM carries *your* views.
It’s called the “marketplace of ideas.” We’re all welcome to play in it. If you find an audience, good. If not, too effin’ bad.
Enough whining.
Well, the kids shouldn’t suffer because of his mistake. Even I would donate to his children’s fund.
And I have always appreciated the attention he brought to kids with autism and the struggles of the parents.
And how would you feel if you lost your job because a clansman that got MSM attention called you a racist?
Have you looked at what the PUSH organization does?
When the *Marketplace of ides* and the free market system are jeopardized by the few, it isn’t free anymore is it?
I think people should show some self restraint and stop listening to Howard Stern.
Freedom of speech is one thing, even offensive speech. But we should choose who we listen to more carefully.
I would also like to see rap go away.
JM Walker, many of them have spoken out strongly and regularly about the slaughter in Darfur. Maybe had you paid attention, you’d have known that?
Sol,
If I was using someone else’s private property to spew views that were offensive to the owners of that property, they’d have every right to fire me. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Klan, Jackson, or whatever.
PUSH exercises their Constitutional rights. It appears that the what they say is something you disagree with. Too bad.
If you believe they’ve engaged in “extortion,” I would suggest you take that evidence of serious criminal activity to law enforcement authorities.
How is the marketplace of ideas being jeapardized? You must be KIDDING. Every month that passes, there are more outlets for expressing opinions than before. The internet, the expansion of broadcast into cable and then satellite, the opening by MSM of their own websites to blogs like this…you say the “marketplace of ideas” isn’t free???
You’re making a joke that went over my head, right?
No?
::eyeroll::
Kev you have used this story twice that I have seen to attack conservative talk show hosts, lumping them with Imus.
THE IMUS SCANDAL: POLITICAL IMPACTDemocratic politicians lose a soapbox with ImusHis show gave many of them a way to reach a national audience of white males — a crucial voting bloc.By Peter Wallsten, Times Staff WriterApril 13, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-imuspol13apr13,0,2734444.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Maybe you should have checked your facts. Would you have been hollering so loudly if you knew he was a liberal talk radio host.
Stories are everywhere that this will be used as a wedge to bring back the fairness doctrine. Look at what has happened here and tell me that both sides of this weren’t broadcast over and over and over and over again. How much more even could the playing field have been?
If you don’t like Savage, Rush, Bortz, Hannity – do like I did Imus years ago – change channels.
Don’t back taking freedom of speech off the airways. It is a business and if your program can’t sell enough advertising to stay on the air (Air America) the market will shut you down.
Conservative talk shows are money makers that is why they stay on the air.
Imus crossed the line a little more than usual and got his hand slapped big time as well he should have. Now when will we go after Sharpton and Jackson for the very harmful thing they said about the Duke Lacrosse players when they were falsely accused of rape? A year of their lifes was taken from them.
Hypocrites have had a field day with this and now may have their own feet held to the fire to punish those just as guilty that are given a pass.
“This is about two bigots using racial threats to make policy changes.”
Is it really? What were the racial threats? Consumer boycotts? Those are economic threats.
“When the *Marketplace of ides* and the free market system are jeopardized by the few, it isn’t free anymore is it?”
To the contrary: in the ‘marketplace of ideas’ Imus’s brand of sophomoric racism has been found wanting.
I have watched Imus almost daily for several years. I will miss his irreverant humor and sharp political satire. He was not afraid to poke fun at powerful people, places or things in our culture. He he picked on everyone and everything (including close friends) but had a strong sense of loyalty; he clearly isn’t a racist; he is highly intelligent, he occasionally makes mistakes of judgement(the last one being temporarily fatal) but admits them; he usually knew when to back off, but not always.Imus will be back. I hope that time is soon, because he is so excellent at his craft. Everything else of the news and entertainment programing genre is boring by comparison. Those of you who never took the time to get to know Imus should take a look the next time he comes around. His views are timely and important if you view them in the satirical manner he intends. He’ll be back.
Tom,Try reading this pdf. Jackson admits to using strong arm tactics by threatening to hang the racist flag on anyone who doesn’t pay him. http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2006/jackson-report.pdf
Now, given the climate and PCness of today’s society, a business, radio personality, radio station, whatever, can not stand or profit having that label.
Ergo, by threats of the racial banner, Jackson and sharpton remove the free from the free market to push their own views and greed.
Ksgrm,The problem is NO ONE will hold sharpton and jackson to their own actions unless this is kept at the forefront and people DEMAND that they own up to their own atrocities !!!
Face it, the MSM is afraid of them for fear of being labeled racist themselves.
At the very same time the big story is the charges being dropped on the Duke lacross players I think that it’s ironic that the two biggest race baiters in America, Al Sharptongue and Je$$ie Jack$on are able to bring down some pathetic old white guy.
Hank
Sol,
You’re not getting this. No one has to give Jackson, or Imus, or you, or me, any kind of platform to spew our views. Like CF2K pointed out, we are free to stand in a parking lot, yelling into the wind.
If you don’t LIKE Jackson’s speech, there’s a solution for you: Make more speech, and make it smarter/louder/more convincing.
Oh, and a propaganda piece from Bob Barr on Judicial Watch’s website is no more going to convince me of anything than an opposing piece from, say, the ACLU.
I was a recent convert to watching Imus — about 2 months. I liked most of what he did because he is a former Marine, more an independent, compassionate conservative than a liberal, and spoke his mind — albeit irreverently most of the time. What I appreciated most tho was using his show as a forum to keep issues related to our Soldiers and sailors and veterans a major topic of discussion virtually every day — he was the only talking head doing that — also his NFP ranch is noteworthy.
I was watching when he made the remark, I was amused and surprised and a little revolted by it. Now knowing his past brushes with these incidents – he got what he deserved —- and it’s unfortunate that the vets, soldiers and sailors have at least temporarily lost a media voice for thier causes …
Hank,
Once again, NBC and CBS fired Imus for reasons of their own, not because of Sharpton or Jackson.
Enough race-baiting. Good grief.
…. and Tom is right ….. and the marketplace has spoken (right or wrong)
Tom why are you just ignoring what Jackson did in the Duke Lacrosse case? He was the first to condemn them. Didn’t wait for any evidence. Called for their ouster from Duke and on and on and on. Offered a scholarship to the ‘victim’.
The boys were kicked out of school, the coach was fired, a year went by and they were viewed as quilty this entire time.
I was very upset with Imus and said so. Where is your outrage about what Sharpton and Jackson did to these young men? What the ‘victim’ did is inexcusable but the real players, Jackson and Sharpton, jumped on a national stage and condemned these young men with no evidence.
When you look at folks like Sharpton and Jackson, you get the distinct feeling that they HATE being black.
This last dog and pony show from them isn’t any different from the others – except this time MSNBC/CBS capitulated.
Sadly, everytime they start up their race baiting machine they are actually sowing the seeds of racism all across our country.
Losing one’s job for a mild slip of the tongue will do nothing but crete animosity in folks.
There is talk of Imus suing…..
Meanwhile Jackson and Sharlton are walking around – chests all puffed out….but most folks still see them for the racist idiots they are.
I mean, seriously. Listen to those two. Between the two of them – you can’t even come up with half a brain.
They’re nothing but a joke.
What was it Sharpton said about the election? “Jewing the numbers,” or something like that.
Do you know what the idiot said now?
“”We must decide what can be PERMITTED or NOT PERMIITED on the airwaves.”"
ROFLMAO – the little man really thinks he’s something, doesn’t he? Like HE gets to decide.
Liberalism – the new Fascism.
Tom,Try sharpshooting these. If you want to bring political lines into this, you have already lost. You can pick and choose, but you can not hide the facts of what PUSH is and does.
I have to post these a few at a time because of the spam blocker…
http://www.sierratimes.com/03/05/22/article_mg.htm
http://www.cnsnews.com/Politics/Archive/200108/POL20010815a.htmlhttp://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=687http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200501%5CPOL20050111a.html
Tom, right or wrong, Sharpton took credit for CBS firing Imus.
http://www.adversity.net/c33_boeing.htmhttp://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/feb2003/chic-f25.shtmlhttp://www.nlpc.org/view.asp?action=viewArticle&aid=722
Wasn’t Imas himself a big liberal?
GSheridan,By MSNBC and CBS caving into them, they have set a dangerous precedent. That is why I keep posting here. They have succeeded this time, but where will they stop?
I don’t know your source, but fully believe he said “We must decide what can be PERMITTED or NOT PERMITTED on the airwaves.”
What a scary damn thought that MSNBC and CBS have so empowered these two.
Tom why are you just ignoring what Jackson did in the Duke Lacrosse case?Posted by: ksgrm | April 13, 2007 at 09:39 AM
Ksgrm (and others): This thread isn’t about Jackson and the Duke Lacross case. This thread is about Imus getting fired, and why.
I would be willing to be Imus heads to pay satellite radio – where the good shows are all heading.
ksgrm – did Jackson REALLY call for the boys from Duke to be ousted? And he really offered a scholarship to the nasty little excuse for a human being who fabricated the story?
Racists.
Tom, since both stories are in the news today – it’s a valid comparison.
Answer the question, please.
Tom, right or wrong, Sharpton took credit for CBS firing Imus.Posted by: ksgrm | April 13, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Ksgrm,
I think Sharpton is a racist, a bigot, and a loudmouth with no agenda but his own ego. When MSM has him on, I change the channel or shut it off.
Same goes for Jackson. To him I add the title “opportunist.” IMO, he’s been riding his presence at King’s assassination for 40 years. I find him to be one of the most cynical and exploitative people in public life.
Again, this isn’t about either of them. They can claim all the credit they want. Saying so doesn’t make it true. Imus crossed the line, and his employers gave him the boot.
As I said in a post a few days ago, if he’d been working for me, his ass would have been on the pavement before the 5-second delay was up.
Yes, Sol, it’s scary, indeed.
To think that race warlords like these two would be able to influence what we watch and listen to.
This will jump start the liberal push for the Fairness Doctrine again.
Problem is – it won’t work. Advertisers won’t pay for airtime no one is listening to.
Has anyone heard Jackson or sharpton apologize for the Duke Lacrosse fiasco?
Can it even be called a fiasco? It looks to me like downright hate, lies and racism.
Wonder why, after such a fiasco the MSM isn’t hounding jackson and sharpton for apologies?
Tom,They become the spotlight since they were the biggest mouth pieces in the Imus case. I thought Imus was boring and didn’t listen to him anyway.What IS the problem s the credit and air time the MSM have given the two. As you say you change the channel, doesn’t it disturb you that they want to decide what is and isn’t on the airwaves? As MSNBC and CBS have shown, they have that power.
Problem is – it won’t work. Advertisers won’t pay for airtime no one is listening to.Posted by: GSheridan | April 13, 2007 at 09:52 AM
DUH. GSheridan “gets it” without even knowing she has.
I did hear Hannity talk to Jackson after the Duke charges were dropped and he was asked if he had apologized to the boys involved, he hadn’t and didn’t take this opportunity to do so. When asked if he was taking back his offer of a scholarship for the ‘victim’, he said no.
This was on yesterday.
Sol,
What part of “NBC decided to fire him because their news people refused to work with him” escapes you?
Even if they *did* take Sharpton’s and Jackson’s statements into account in their decision, IT’S THEIR DECISION.
S & J may *want* to decide what is and isn’t on the airwaves, but they aren’t going to ever have that authority. For you or anyone else to claim they have it is fear-mongering at best, race-baiting at worst.
Tom – the question is, do YOU ‘get it?’
Sharpton and Jackson have created an unstable ‘victim mentality’ among blacks in today’s society.
Unfortunately, this has led to the entire black culture being stripped of its initiative and motivation. Instead of rising to the top through hard work and perseverance, they have been taught to cling to the implied response to ‘class exploitation.’
This case is no different. It shows a growing hyper-sensitivity to very mild infractions.
It hurts everyone. Especially blacks who have come to believe they can get rich by extorting money from those who don’t walk the straight and narrow – according to the laws of Al and Jesse.
I still have a feeling you didn’t understand my post on no one listening to the radio based upon the implementation of the so-called Fairness Doctrine.
As we all graduate to pay radio – I guess we can honestly say Free Speech, is no longer free.
Tom,Fear mongering and race baiting. Two shining example – sharpton and jackson.
When Toyota was the target of fear mongering and race baiting, when they caved, do you think they attributed it to jackson’s extortion?
Just as Toyota caved to fear-mongering for fear of being labeled racist, they had to have an explanation other than being extorted so as not to shy off shareholders that they are open to attack and willing to cave.
Read between the lines once or twice.
Good grief.
I’m surrounded by a sea of so-called “conservatives,” and I’m the only one arguing for the free market.
Back in the 80s, I had almost this exact argument with my so-called “liberal” friends. If you recall, that’s when the “Fairness Doctrine” was largely repealed, giving broadcasters the right to use their property to publicize any views they chose. The “liberals” were in a froth and a frenzy, convinced that they’d be closed out of the marketplace of ideas.
It’s ironic that today’s so-called “conservatives” have so completely lost their way that they now argue against the very positions they held 20 years ago.
There is no doubt Imus is more Liberal than any of labeled Political Ideologies. He is a self-described gun-toting Liberal. Supported Kerry in 2004 and has a long list of supporting Liberal causes.
Imus’ problem is that he is Intellectually Blunt rather than Intellectually honest. He let his Liberal Cow hand attitude get the best of him.
Tom – the liberals are ALSO arguing against the very positions they stood up for in the 70’s.
Now, the only ‘good’ radio – is radio they agree with, and if they don’t get that, they’ll make sure they so dilute another’s message that no one will listen anymore.
The only difference is that now it is fascist/liberals who want to control dissemination of the news.
Talk about someone ‘losing their way,’ since when were liberals all about censorship???
I have no problem with free speech. I have a problem with, as you put it Tom, fear-mongering and race baiting.
Tom what I am saying is that the job was CBS’s to give or take away. Sharpton by his remarks has led the uninformed masses out there into thinking that he walked in and demanded Imus be fired and he was.
Thus Sharpton and Jackson by their posturing have once more been elevated to ‘the spokespeople of the black race’. When people such as yourself know different but let it slide by what is the bottom line effect?
They are holding down an entire race by this posturing. Elevate the Oprahs, Bill Cosbys, Condi Rices, Clarence Thomas – blacks who really care about the advancement of young blacks.
That is what I am trying to say. Don’t want to appear to be piling on so will drop out for a while.
Ksgrm,
The cure for Sharpton’s bullshit (and I agree that it is most certainly bullshit) is to refute him, point for point. If you don’t like his speech, speak more and speak louder.
That’s the way this nation was founded, and it’s worked pretty well so far.
Posted by: GSheridan | April 13, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Huh?
Your post is so full of false premises that it’s not even worth trying to refute. It’s like having a knife-fight with a cloud.
Will you guys PLEASE stop attributing this issue to party lines? The point of this is the fear basis of the MSM to be labeled racist by jackson and sharpton. Had they not gotten involved, odds are this would have been a non issue.
Imus’ mistake was to apologize and apologize often. He slit his own throat when he went to sharpton.
sharoton and jackson don’t appologie for the crap they pull and that buys them a pass.
What should be on everyone’s mind is that sharpton and jackson have now been given the power to go after the next white DJ they see fit. Bet it doesn’t happen. Any one PLEASE take the bet !!!! I could use the help for my next mortgage payment.
Tom – if you don’t want to answer just say so – don’t pretend your ‘above it.’
We all know you’re not.
lol
The reason Imus was ‘fired’ had nothing to do with anything other than his sponsors bailing out on him.
He essentially lost his job when P&G pulled their advertising.
Hank
Get a clue Hank. I’ll give you two guesses why P&G and staples and GM pulled their sponsorship.
It amazes how little people understand what happens in the aftermath.
Imus will be right back where he was 6 months from now, if he wants to be.
But for the employees of CBS and NBC who yelled and shook their fists in their bosses faces to push for the firings are facing far worse.
6 months from now they will find themselves getting assigned to cover state fairs and spelling bee’s if they are lucky. They will find anything they do or say that can even remotely be considered a firing offense have them packing their belongings into a box and escorted by security to the door.
The Rutgers players and coaches will find themselves a headline if they are ever caught DUI, cheating on a boyfriend, saying anything stupid. They will find themselves a spectacle for things other people will get a pass for. They will apply for jobs and have people think twice about hiring them.
So before you puff out your chest and take pride in what has occurred, remember that in the long run this will accomplish little but misery for everyone but Imus.
The real point is simple. Imus lost his sponsors. The money went away. When the money goes away, the airtime goes away. Had the sponsors not bailed, he’d be on the air right now. Just like “ching chong” Rosie.
You want to whine about Sharpton and Jackson having too much influence over the sponsors? Go right ahead. But to MSNBC and CBS, the bottom line is all about the money.
Dear Sol,
I’m sitting by my phone now. Send me one if you ever get one.
Hank
Eugene Robinson from the Washington Post has this comment on Imus:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041201825.html
For young black hip-hop artists to use such language to demean black women is similarly deplorable — and, I would argue, even more damaging. But come on, people, don’t deceive yourselves that it’s precisely the same thing. Don’t pretend that 388 years of history — since the first shackled African slaves arrived at Jamestown — never happened. The First Amendment notwithstanding, it has always been the case that some speech has been off-limits to some people. I remember a time when black people couldn’t say “I’d like to vote, please.” Now, white people can’t say “nappy-headed hos.” You’ll survive.*****
I am sorry, but I think to conflate white and so-called “black” racism is about the most disingenous bullshit I have ever seen on this blog. I challenge you right-wing blowhards to post under your real names if you’re so proud of your racist rants. I dare you to throw those “white sheet” nics – as my grandfather said, “any bastard who needs to put a white sheet over his head to say what he thinks, can’t be worth too much.”
Hank,Send me the number. My email is live.
“I am sorry, but I think to conflate white and so-called “black” racism is about the most disingenous bullshit I have ever seen on this blog.”Posted by: Steven Davis | April 13, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Racism is racism is racism. To say one race can be racist but not another is in itself racist.
This was nothing less than a lynching.The linch mob was led by the country’s 2 worst racist thugs.
Too bad everybody forgot about all Imus has done for kids. What have Jackson and Sharpton done for anybody but themselves?
Double standard’s piss me off.Black rappers and other misfits do the same BS and its OK.Then you have Sharpton and Jackson that are no better with the stunts they pulled and the things they said.Now you have A black congresswoman (Sheila Jackson Lee D-Houston) reportedly complained that the names of hurricanes are all Caucasian sounding names.
She would prefer some names that reflect African-American culture suchas Hamiqua, Tanisha, Woeisha, Shaqueal, and Jamal. She would also like the weather reports to be broadcast in language that street people canunderstand.
I can hear it now. A weatherman in Houston says…….
“Wazzup, Mutha-fukkas! Hehr-i-cane Chamiqua be headin’ fo’ yo ass like Leroy on a crotch rocket! Bitch be a category fo’! So grab yo’ chirren, yo’ Ho, leave yo crib, and head fo’ de nearest guv’ment office fo yo FREEshit!”Give me a break
Ah, the racists are thick as thieves ’round these parts. Big shock.
They just can’t stand watching black folks win a political battle. Period. Racism’s cool with them so long as they’re winning and they can pretend they aren’t racists.
That Jackson-Lee thing was from like five years ago. Not “now,” Kareem.
I just love how the radicals on both sides – conservative radicals and liberal radicals – grab onto the worst behavior of those they perceive as enemies, and then paint everyone with the same nasty brush.
How about this:
Rep. Randy Cunningham was a white Republican. Therefore, all white Republicans are crooks.
No Tom, all Republicans are crooks regardless of color.
No Tom, all Republicans are crooks regardless of color.Posted by: Kareemawheat | April 13, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Nice. Such civil discourse. Such willingness to listen to other views, even those you disagree with. I won’t even begin to comment on the language you used in your first post, except to say it cost you any shred of credibility your arguments would have otherwise had.
Wondering if kareemawheat and another poster aren’t one in the same. Look at the above posts for those that have nothing to contribute but to make inflammatory remarks.
God love the little trolls.
No where as bad as what is on the music awards show, MTV, radio and in your local music store.If you is white and do it…..badIf you is black and do it…OK.. BS!
Sharpton and Jacksons are rubes that do a disservice to their own
Big difference between white and black racism. And then again, there isn’t!
You see, white racism hurt the blacks for a long time, now it’s the racism of race baiters like Al Sharptongue and Je$$ie Jack$on that is hurting the blacks.
Hank
When you jump on Imus like they did, for power and money, and it seems like most people see them for what they are, then cases like Tawana Brawley’s (had it been real) lose credibility.
Hey, there was a case a few years back. Two redneck inbred hillbilly assholes raped and drug a girl to death. What happened to them? If it happened in Texas, they should have been put to death by now. Anyone remember/know where it stands?
boohoo my life sucks. I cant get a job. sharpton and his racist buddy are keepin my white ass on the blog all day it’s all their fault
Sorry to hear that, boohoo.
Sucks to be you, I guess.
…shrug…
The thoughts of Jason Whitlock, KC Star, on the Imus matter as of Wednesday. Mr. Whitlock is an African-American sportswriter for the Star.
http://www.kansascity.com/182/story/66339.html
Don Imus is a liberal Democrat.Democrat candidates used to flock to the Imus show.
SolDevVB…. sorry to hear about your brothers…didnt know it was your family
Yeah Kareema, accusing stranger’s sibling of attrocities is terribly mature and witty… Oh, wait a second, no it’s not!
I didn’t know that. In fact I do not even know that station Must not be a very big station. The powerhouse stations here like WSB and WGST are what most folks listen to for talk.
Not only is Imus gone, but the jobs of probably 20 to 30 people.
I didn’t know that. In fact I do not even know that station Must not be a very big station. The powerhouse stations here like WSB and WGST are what most folks listen to for talk.
He isn’t even on the radio here in Atlanta”
Sure he is/was. On WLAR 1340.I’m surprised you didn’t know that, living in Atlanta and all.
Imus was a bad charactor even off the air. He cussed and pushed staff around and many people at CBS didn’t want to deal with him at all. Even Howard Stern didn’t take too well to him when they worked together- in fact I think he had an Imus charactor in the movie Private Parts where Imus cussed him out on his first day.
Yeah! You’re right Kev. But Howard Stern also called Imus up during this witch hunt and told him to stand up to this.
I guess he caved in.
I think Imus sucks in my opinion.
The bigots / hypocrites win again.
Whats surprising is repub and GS are dissing a free market decision …. sure MSNBC and CBS caved in but just as much to advertisers and their own employees as to sharpie and jackie (who are not all that well admired in the black community – but you wouldn’t know that)
you repukes need to make up your mind your confusing me
Ken! This wasn’t a free market decision. It was political pandering to the race war lords.
Wrong, Joe. It wasn’t until they lost sponsers that they pulled his show on TV and radio. Money has all the power in broadcasting, and without sponsers, there is no revenue.I think it’s pretty hypocritical that “hoe” and “nigger” are racial slurs blacks tolerate in rap “music”. Maybe when the black community decides to clean up their image of themselves, I’ll get more upset over pathetic assholes like Imus.
The sponsers pulled their ads when Imus was considered suspended and because of the surrounding controversy. Not because he had a drop of number of listening audience or that people refused to listen to him anymore.
Advertisers try to reach as many of their target audience as possible, regardless of forum. From Shock Jock to Penthouse Magazine. You think GM really cared who was facilitating the audience, so long as they listen or see their ad? Hell No!
They dropped Imus, because they didn’t want the race warlords to go after them.
Imus was a political liability, not a capitalist number game for the advertisers. That is true capitalism.
What you had was Stalinism and McCarthyism. In our socialist and politically correct world now, businesses shy away from it, not because they will lose money or business, because the extortion of the political correct warlords.
A tatic that the Mafia did and treated businesses. “Don’t do business over here or we will break your legs”, not because it’s a poor source of profit potential and a poor place to invest.
Mary that has been my thought all along. From some discussions I have listened to today many are taking another look at BET and rap music. If someone is disrespectful to black girls and women, it matters not what their race is, it is wrong.
I heard an interesting comment from Dick Gregory earlier. He wasn’t upset at all about the Imus episode. He thought we were all adults and should get by it. He thinks it all happened because Imus wanted to break his contract to go on satelite and this was a good way to do it.
He actually said that.
Imus is not an a-hole…he is just like the average white male who isn’t integrated beyond basic social interation. I have yet to know a white male who doesn’t make fun of blacks. I mean, come on, the music, the gangsta look, the crime, the posturing, and my god! The ebonics!! I don’t believe me or anyone has to respect that bullshit. Yes, Imus directed his comment in a very bad way…but he could have made the comment in general without assigning it to anyone and no one would have noticed.As long as blacks hate themselves…why the hell should i give a shit about them.
ksgrm – good points. I had heard earlier that Imus will probably be on Sirius soon.
I used to listen to him when his show was on in the morning commute. He was a bit crude at the time but targeted political types who, in my view, are fair game.
I recall one particular skit during the Monica ‘thing’ where he really did a number on Clinton. He had an “interview” with the “Late Richard Nixon” about what should be done. “Bill Clinton should be brought to the well in front of Congress and reprimanded. Make the ‘offending member’ stand and attention and then WHACK IT WITH A RULER!”
Not too different from my punishment – give Hillary Lorena Bobbitt’s knife and a pre-approved pardon …
Art (or whatever name you’re using), racist much?
Dick Gregory made a great statement and then made a damn fool of himself. My God, Black People Please stop looking at white people to give you respect. Learn to respect yourselves and we will follow.A few winters ago Wichita was dealt with two quadruple murders a few weeks apart. The first was a black-on-black crime, the second was a black on white crime.If the tables were turned Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would have labeled Wichita as the core of racism. Here is what I want to know? If blacks are killing each other and killing whites – Where the hell is Sharpton coming to town and trying to ‘minister’ to the black community.Don’t give me this shit about racism. I just don’t like black culture. That’s not racism, that’s taste.
Political Mom,I really do fear that whita america is being duped into feeling guilt that we (whites) are giving this country away to minorities. Have you experienced black neighborhoods, hispanic neighborhoods; what exactly do we gain from losing our grip to cultures that represent a spanish speaking nation, and ebonics as the new language of education and business.Until they can take care of themselves I do not believe whites need to fall at their feet with guilt.Wake up. Sharpton took down Imus. Imus was a radio comedien. We let a corrupt black ‘minister’ tell us that a comedian was offensive. Come on.Political Mom – you will not like America when you are being drug through the streets by minorities.
There is no “black culture” anymore than there is a “white culture”. Different people like different things. Sure, some blacks like trash rap and many whites like it too. But some blacks like gospel music, RB and blues. I know many black people at work and they despise rap music even more than I do. Some whites like country music, some like rock, others like easy listening and some rap. You cannot pigeonhole people by their colour.
Kev,You are one blind idiot.You, as a white person, are exactly what I am talking about. Do you think that Blacks think there is only one culture? NO! They despise white culture…because we carry guilt. Holy Shit man, wake up. You will not like America when the minorities take control.I am defending white ways. We speak Enlish, not ebonics, not spanish. KEV – imagine this country when the teachers stop teaching english because we need to respect the ‘cultural’ ebonics of blacks.Sir – you might as well just go ahead and suck off Al Sharpton because you are exactly what he wants you to be.
Kev is somewhat right and Red Scare is somewhat right.
Kev is right to say that you cannot group color or race into a single culture.
But Red Scare is right, when he said there should be critisim of culture.
Rap and Ghetto culture is a sub-culture, rather than mainstream. You don’t see older or educated people acting ghetto or looking like a thug sagging pants wannbe gangta.
To Al Sharpton’s credit! He does speak against the rap and ghetto culture.
I like Al Sharpton more than I do Jesse Jackson. Sharpton gets out front on stuff while Jackson only goes if there is a TV camera or money to be had.
KevWhat, exactly, does the word “culture” mean if not the collective likes and dislikes and lifestyles of a group of people?
There IS a gangster culture out there that Bill Cosby and other, respectable Black leaders notice and try to fight against.
If you like the suicidal, self-destructive nature of ganster-rap culture, perhaps YOU are a racist?
I care about all people, Blacks included.
I don’t give a damn what word police and thought police think about how I show that concern.
Imus did something stupid.
Get over it.
Imus is a better man than Sharpton or Jackson. Not because Imus is White, but because Sharpton and Jackson don’t have the guts to boycott the corporate sponsors of ganster rap.
Yes, I believe in the marketplace. Imus needs to find sponsors that have a pair.
Next, the Black community needs fo find leaders that have a soul.
Jackson and Sharpton can’t hold a candle to MLK or to Cosby.
BTW, It seems that both Obama and Buchanan agree with me on my above post, where it comes to gangster rap:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article55179.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail_38
MSNBC and CBS don’t have to justify their decisions to anyone but their owners. They get to make whatever business decisions they choose; you can choose not to watch or listen to any media outlets they own, control, or provide syndicated content to.
Imus’ real problem is that if he doesn’t offend people, he’s out of a job too. Imus isn’t the problem; his audience is!
I really don’t listen to Imus. His comments aren’t that important. They will not change the world nor the views of others. I have to agree with those who feel that he is just being entertaining. After all, isn’t that why he was hired in the fisrt place? I agree that he should be fined like any other professional who shoul know the boundaries.