Don Imus controversy

[Bruce B]

http://nc-state-basketball.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/06/don-imus-calls-rutgers-womens-team-nappy-headed-hos/

 

Maybe its just because I can't stand Imus, but don't you think this clown should be out of a job? I don't want to sit up on a pedestal acting like I've never said something similar for comedic purposes amongst friends, but then again I don't have a syndicated radio show either.

Years ago, and his name eludes me, an exec from the Dodgers made comments about black people that were much less offensive and was fired, and Jimmy The Greek said that black people are "bred to be athletes" and was canned.

Nappy headed ho's and this clown still has a job?

I think we live in an age where we are way way too sensitive about being politically correct but this knucklehead should pay.

[EnemaEms]

I fucking hate Imus. He is such a tool. Here in Chicago, Jesse Jackson and his merry men are protesting everyday outside of the NBC studios until he is fired. For once, I actually agree with Jesse Jackson.

 

-Dean-

[JoeyN]

If he said it once I can see him getting let off with an apology, but he went on and on for a while, as did all the other guys on his show. Should be fire, but wont be. I don't feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for all the sick kids who go to the ranch of his

[EnemaEms]

Most of his advertisers pulled out from his show. Without ad revenue, why keep him?

 

-Dean-

[Cyberwoo]

I think we live in an age where we are way way too sensitive about being politically correct but this knucklehead should pay.

 

He is paying via a suspension no?

 

Do I think what he said was way out of line? Of course. Do I think that means he should be fired? No. Suspend the guy and make it very clear that if he ever says something like that again then he can and will be fired. The guy has apologized and offered to meet with the ladies. If the women at Rutgers can forgive the guy after they visit than end of story. It was a stupid mistake and I'm pretty sure one he wont make again.

 

I dont know this Imus guy nor have I ever listened to his show for what its worth.

[Bruce B]

Just in comparison people have been fires for a lot less.

[exile]

Nappy headed ho's and this clown still has a job?

Jiggaboo was also said and his apology to "Those people" according to Imus was actually worse than the actual event itself.

 

I don't think he should be fired because of his actions but he will be let go if he has no sponsors. Money talks in the radio biz.

[MrJames]

I guess I really don?t see what the big deal is. I?ve listened to his show a few times but nothing that really kept the channel tuned in. It came off as a joke that wasn?t funny like most of his other jokes. He made a comparison between the looks of the Tennessee and Rutgers girls and then went into the ?white guy speaking ebonics? shtick. It wasn?t funny but I don?t think the guy should be fired for it. Give him his two weeks of vacation while the publicity hounds take their 15 minutes for all its worth.

[foogledricks]

I haven't followed this really. My general feeling is that this type of thing is usually an overreaction. I have a much thicker skin though than most people I think. And my skin is white. And I am class-wise less likely to be offended by things because I am not usually the target, so it is easy for me to say.

[Bruce B]

I have a much thicker skin though than most people

 

Then why did you weep when I called you "milk toast"?

[Dimness]

The first thing I said when I heard about this controversy is "Who the hell is Don Imus?"

 

Seriously, never heard of this guy.

[secretvampire]

He IS a tool. It would be one thing if this is his first infraction, but this is a regular occurance:

 

http://www.slate.com/id/2163872?nav=tap3

 

I have no idea how this guy stays in business.

[GreenMonkey]

The first thing I said when I heard about this controversy is "Who the hell is Don Imus?"

 

Seriously, never heard of this guy.

 

 

Me either.

 

I didn't see how this was racist. It just seemed asshole-ish to me.

[Rainmaykr]

I didn't see how this was racist. It just seemed asshole-ish to me.

+1

 

That he called this group of women hoes was the most digusting part of his remarks, IMO. Does he have to stoop to such low class to entertain the kiddies? It says a lot of his audience.

[JoeyN]

Does he have to stoop to such low class to entertain the kiddies?

Actually his show is not geared towards kids or teens, even though I did use to listen to him early in the morning riding the bus to school. The show is listened to by mostly adults, and he has a ton of political people on his show. He is an old guy. He has been around a long time, before stern even. His big thing is, he runs a huge ranch for kids with cancer and various other diseases out west. The reason his suspension does not start till monday is the Raise A'thon for the ranch is thurs and friday of this week

[Chris The Rock]

I can't understand the outrage. Look at how women are referred to elsewhere, such as other places in the entertainment industry. Start flashing some lyrics to some award-winning music up on TV and see how that goes over. Let's see what argument is used by the folks who perform and produce that form of entertainment...

 

I agree that referring to women as "Ho" is a much worse offense than referring to the state of one's hair.

 

This guy is going down. It's the price you pay for fame.

 

Does anyone know if Howard Stern called his co-host a "nappy headed ho" in jest? Seems like something he'd do.

[PHiL]

I can't understand the outrage. Look at how women are referred to elsewhere, such as other places in the entertainment industry. Start flashing some lyrics to some award-winning music up on TV and see how that goes over. Let's see what argument is used by the folks who perform and produce that form of entertainment...

 

I agree that referring to women as "Ho" is a much worse offense than referring to the state of one's hair.

 

This guy is going down. It's the price you pay for fame.

 

Does anyone know if Howard Stern called his co-host a "nappy headed ho" in jest? Seems like something he'd do.

 

I agree with what you are saying Chris.. I'm not saying what he said was right in any way shape or form.. However this apology to everyone left or right is just crazy. He apologized over the radio to the team and coach.. Hes going to meet with the team as well..I really don't care if he gets fired or not.. I'm just tired of seeing Al Sharpton and jackson sticking there noises in everyone else's business. There was no need for him to go onto sharptons radio show and explain himself, hes a no body..

 

Back when Mayor Dinkins was mayor of new york sharpton was in his back pocket.. When Guiliani was elected mayor.. A reporter asked will he meet with Al Sharpton.. Where Guiliani replied. " Is he in goverment? " Reporter responded no.. And Guliani replied then I see no need..

The bigger issue is Sharpton and Jackson are assholes.. Enough said.

[Rainmaykr]

I don't think he should be fired for what he said either. I'm not one of the those who think that people have a right to not be offended. I'd rather him get fired because his listening numbers dwindle or he loses too many sponsors or is otherwise no longer profitable. If, after all of this (which I think in the grand scheme of things is rather insignificant), people still tune in to hear what he has to say, or that sponsors line up to give his radio show money to be associated with him, then the market has spoken and he should keep his job.

 

Censorship is ugly business, almost as ugly as Imus, especially in the hands of race-whoring guilt pimps, but if he hasn't broken any laws or FCC codes, I don't agree that he should be fired for what he said.

[General Zot]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. If I'm not mistaken, Imus ASKED Sharpton if he could go on his radio show to apologize. Sharpton agreed and somehow now he's the asshole? That's like me inviting you to dinner Phil and then chewing your ass up and down for being such a prick about expecting to be fed.

 

---------

 

My opinion on Imus (who I must admit I've never listened to before) is that he's pulled this stunt like 4-5 times before. And apologized after each time before he turns around and does it again. There is a certain point at which reasonable doubt fades to intentional behavior - in my mind Imus has jumped that fence.

 

He should be let go whether he is racist/sexist or not. Because if he can't control himself enough to stop such a diatribe, then he's incompetent at his job (which consists of talking and haviong conversations.) So regardless of whether he is intentional hatemongering or just incompetent, why let him continue to have a national venue?

[Chris The Rock]

MSNBC drops IMUS...

I'm not one of the those who think that people have a right to not be offended.

BINGO!

 

He may be getting what he "deserves" by not being careful about what he says, but my goodness this is way out of proportion. Did Michael Richards take this much heat, or is it just because Imus is successful that he's being punished to this degree?

[General Zot]

But again Chris, if it had been like the fourth or fifth time Michael Richards had said such a thing, doesn't that start to spell out a very clear pattern of his character? Anyone can make a mistake once. Someone that makes the same mistake 5-6 times after having to grovel and apoligize for it is either totally out of control, or believes what he's saying so much that he can't help himself.

 

Ah well. Like I said, I never heard him on the radio so the net effect on me is just about zero...

[PHiL]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. If I'm not mistaken, Imus ASKED Sharpton if he could go on his radio show to apologize. Sharpton agreed and somehow now he's the asshole? That's like me inviting you to dinner Phil and then chewing your ass up and down for being such a prick about expecting to be fed.

 

 

My mistake then..However hes still an asshole. Thats enough about this from me because it will def reach where lcvg doesn't want it to go.So Enjoy the rest of the convos.. :tu

[Chris The Rock]

But again Chris, if it had been like the fourth or fifth time Michael Richards had said such a thing, doesn't that start to spell out a very clear pattern of his character? Anyone can make a mistake once. Someone that makes the same mistake 5-6 times after having to grovel and apoligize for it is either totally out of control, or believes what he's saying so much that he can't help himself.

 

Like you, this has zero affect on me.

 

The point I'm taking away from this is that the blow up over this is a load of crap. Decry the use of racist / sexist sounding terms from one guy, but let hundreds of others say worse things and get off with no attention. We can fire Imus for being a racist, but laugh at Carlos Mencia?

 

Your original point was spot on. Fire the guy if he sucks at his job.

[Bruce B]

I was a long time Stern fan that opted out when he went to Sirius.

Whats he saying about Imus? Must be interesting.

I think Imus has that cancer farm as a shield. He doesnt care about anyone but himself.

[Calvin]

Like you, this has zero affect on me.

 

The point I'm taking away from this is that the blow up over this is a load of crap. Decry the use of racist / sexist sounding terms from one guy, but let hundreds of others say worse things and get off with no attention. We can fire Imus for being a racist, but laugh at Carlos Mencia?

 

Your original point was spot on. Fire the guy if he sucks at his job.

 

Imus said something wrong,and he should be punished for it.But I don't think he should be fired.Screw that.If he was a man of color,this wouldn't even be an issue - this would be a non-story.

 

I used to listen to Imus back when I was driving cross-country.(also got to first hear Stern,Jim Rome,and some others).He's been doing stuff like this for years.So has Stern - as well as many others.That is why they are called shock jocks - controversy brings in the ratings.

 

I am so sick of so-called community leaders like Sharpton & Jackson coming out of the woodwork everytime someone else either says or does something that they can use to push their own agenda.Where the hell are they otherwise?

 

I also agree with Chris - hence the quote.Why is it that if I say the "N" word.I'd be labeled a racist - but if an African-American does it,its "cool".

 

Bullshit.It's either a bad word for everyone,or it's not.And I don't want to hear that adding an "A" to the word makes a difference.That's a copout. If the African-American community really wants to do something about this,why not start with the hip-hop artists that use this language on their recordings? Show that,regardless of your color,some things should not be said.Period.Then maybe things would start to change for the better.

 

(For the record,I don't say the "N" word,nor do I allow any of the students I take to & from school to do so.I was raised that we are all alike,regardless of skin color,gender,whatever.If more people thought like that,we wouldn't have half the problems that we do nowadays...)