Imus--Stay or Go?

[rbeemer]

Do I support what Imus said - no

Do I support his right to say it - yes

The question is if Al and Jesse are going to clean up the airways are they going to apply the same rigor to all genre of music? Are they going to apply the same enthusiam to all personalities regardless of race?

[Mary K]

So the fact that they're basketball players is supposed to make a difference? And I would somehow be more offended if my daughter is one than if she WASN'T?

No and No. BUT, These women didn't do anything to deserve being insulted on national TV. They are women collage basketball players with Mothers and Fathers that are probably proud as hell to have their daughters in collage, and playing on a good basketball team.

Or just any daughter in general and I will be offended? But what if I'm NOT offended and I have a daughter? And I'm black to boot?

Okay, what if.

What if you have absolutely no respect for yourself? "You might not be offended"

What if you had absolutely no respect for women? "You might not be offended"

What if you are in a mental state that could not comprehend the the meaning of being offended. "You might not be offended"

What if you absolutely agree with what Imus said. "You might not be offended"


They didn't violate his right to free speech. He can speak free all he wants to. They just decided not to pay him for it anymore.

Mk

[bobhenry]

In defense of tolerance and freedom of speach I defer to those more learned ....

"I disapprove of what you say , but will defend to the death your right to say it. "

Voltair

We have cameras on every post and camera on every phone how soon will it be microphones listining in. Beware of "BIG BROTHER" he's everywhere.

[Mary K]

The Man didn't go to jail, or be put to death folks. He lost his job, big whup

He will get another, and you folks who like to listen to him, for reasons I can not begin to imagine, will get to again. ...OR...He will write a book and make millions.

I just don't see his rights to free speech being violated, just not tolerated.

Mk

[madjack]

...you do not have the right to shout FIRE inna crowded theater...nor do you have the right to say what you want, when the air time is paid for by someone else(we have had this argument about postings on this board)...the market spoke...Imus was dropped when the advertisers pulled out...I betchbuddy, he will be back in one form or another...
madjack

[wolfix]

Free speech may not be nice, it may even be cruel at times, but it is better then the alternative. If you are offended by what Imus says, turn him off. In America, you have that right. But Imus also has that same right to say what he wants.
I was never a fan of Imus. And Ira is exactly right, the consumers did not speak. It is the PR division of those companies that made the decisions. Americans do not boycott things.... they only talk about it. If Americans really cared about Americans and not only about themselves, WAl-Mart would not be in business today. [ Unless they changed their corporate ways. ]

The problem I have is the way he was attacked and by whom. The Rutgers players did not find it offensive until they were told to be offended by it......
The whole thing is silly........

.

[Claw]

...you do not have the right to shout FIRE inna crowded theater...nor do you have the right to say what you want, when the air time is paid for by someone else(we have had this argument about postings on this board)...the market spoke...Imus was dropped when the advertisers pulled out...I betchbuddy, he will be back in one form or another...
madjack

This was not crying Fire in a crowded place. Imus from my understanding has been saying similar stuff for decades. So why now did they can him? Like it or not Al and Jesse have usurped power and they 'held up' the corporate sponsors with threats. It is their modus operandi and the corprate world bows to it all the time and will probably give a donation to the most irreverent Revends. So to say the market spoke is a little inacurate.

The problem lies in the preventing people to speak because you disagree with their message. It is all fine and good if your people are in power but when they are not your message may be the next one to be deemed intolerable.

If we as individuals fail to self-govern the moral boundies of our own life, ie; turn off that which we find unacceptable, then an intolerant enity will govern us by making a never-ending list of acceptable behavior. Freedom demands responsiblity and tolerance.

[Joanne]

As Americans we have freedom of speech with few limits (as MadJack pointed out). What many people seem to ignore is the fact that there are consequences to our actions, and that includes our speech.

I have the right to walk into my boss's office and call him a jerk. I won't be arrested for that, it's freedom of speech. When he fires me, that's the consequence of me exercising my freedom of speech in an irresponsible manner.

Within FCC guidelines Mr. Imus has the right to say whatever he wants. That's freedom of speech. When he makes irresponsible statements about a girls basketball team and gets fired, that a consequence.

Were I a business owner I would not want my advertising dollars supporting that kind of speech. That would not be representing the image of my company in the manner I want it represented. That's a simple business decision.

I have always believed that with the gift of freedom of speech came the responsibility to use it wisely.

Joanne

[Woodbutcher]

Please keep in mind that these advertisers new full well what kind of a show Imus puts on. There moral compass was fine for years until Al and Jesse started screaming racism. These advertisers backed down only because of the fear of hundreds of blacks (who never heard of Imus before) would picket in the lobby. Now we will see if these advertisers suffer any backlash from pulling the plug.
I have not heard anyone in the media mention how many support staff, producers, writers ect also will lose their jobs as well. Imus's comments are not defenseable. But this is a serious over reaction.

[cam5e]

Having watched this "sideshow" develope over the past week all I can say is if you're so thin skinned that Don Imus can offend you, you're gonna have real probles getting through life.

Was/is Imus an ass? Yes. But there are far worse things being said and done even as you read this.

[asianflava]

I just found out what he said that got this whole thing started. I personally don't think is a big deal. Nappy Headed Ho isn't a big deal apparently it is to some people.

[Joseph]

Couldn't've happened to a better start. Now it should happen to Limbaugh, Savage, O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and the rest of those spewing idjits on FauxNews.

I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to...

...silence those with whom you disagree?

I don't think so.

Joseph

[PaulC]

I think it's a waste of time. He does not take a hint
Cheers
Paul

[Miriam C.]

If your interested---this is the source of most of the push to get this to the front pages. If you read the other things going on around Imus perhaps it makes the hoop-la more understandable.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200704040011

BTW---T-shirts and teddy bears now available. How disgusting can you get. Everything back to making a buck no matter how distasteful and crass.

[Joseph]

Joseph, may I politely recommend that you refrain from trying to incite a debate by not highlighting your posts as you have done here.

Hey, it's bold and slanted to the right. What else did you expect from me?

Joseph