MSNBC to Imus: You're FIRED!

[White Rain]

http://www.kansascity.com/182/story/66339.html

Good article.

Very great article. It gets down to the nature of things.

 

[Paladin]

You are picking apart everything I write. I never said a white person hasn't experienced discrimination. IMO racial discrimination is quite a bit different than the other forms of discrimination you listed.

I only replied to 1 of your posts.

 

[Paladin]

Just heard on CNN that Imus met with the ladies tonight and that the meeting "ended on a positive note".

Was this meeting even necessary? I have a feeling these women wouldn't have heard about it if people didn't make such a stupid over-reaction to this. The coach was babbling about some healing process beginning for her students. Are they really that devastated?

 

[IdahoMom]

Was this meeting even necessary? I have a feeling these women wouldn't have heard about it if people didn't make such a stupid over-reaction to this. The coach was babbling about some healing process beginning for her students. Are they really that devastated?

If my daughter was one of the girls on the team, I would have told her "Don Imus doesn't define you!"

I have a very hard time believing that the players- confident, successful college athletes are devastated over one remark. I'm sure they receive boat loads of praise on a daily basis for their successes- so why not shrug off the remark and think "that guy is twisted" or something like that?

 

[Masterj]

Do you think so? I'm not so sure. Look at why he was fired and his age. I wouldn't be surprised if he remains unemployed.

I am positive. Philamena - Don Imus' entire career has been based on being SHOCKING and CONTROVERSIAL. Those are the traits that made him famous and those are the reasons why both CBS and MSNBC hired him. Satellite radio is not monitored like public radio, which is one of the reasons why Howard Stern went to Sirius. Don't forget - Stern and Imus are rivals.

I do a lot of work with Sirius and I am willing to put money on the fact that they most likely already contacted him or his agent. It all comes down to dollar signs.

 

[Masterj]

FYI - in case anyone doesn't know, but NJ Governor Jon Corzine was in a serious hit and run accident while driving to this meeting to act as a facilitator.

 

[ljwf22]

FYI - in case anyone doesn't know, but NJ Governor Jon Corzine was in a serious hit and run accident while driving to this meeting to act as a facilitator.

Here's a report on the accident.
CAMDEN, N.J. - New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine was in critical condition Friday but expected to recover after his SUV crashed into a guard rail while heading to a meeting between Don Imus and the Rutgers women's basketball team.

The crash on the Garden State Parkway broke the governor's leg, six ribs, his sternum and fracturing a vertebrae. Authorities were still searching for a pickup truck driver whose actions were blamed for causing it.

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070413/ap_on_re_us/corzine_crash

 

[eve]

Doesn't Rev. Sharpton do what we all do?

He forms an opinion based on what he reads in the press.

In both the Brawley and Duke cases, the early press reports were wildly inaccurate, of course, but some would say the same about the Ramsey and Holloway cases. Nonetheless, most of us formed some opinion (and in many cases, quite a heated opinion) about those matters based on what was reported.

Now one may well argue that a public figure with as much media access as Sharpton has an extra duty to get the facts straight. But the fact he doesn't always do so successfully doesn't make him any different than most of the talking heads we discuss here every day.

Hi Nova,

I realize this has no official significance but it interests me that Sharpton and Jackson are men of the cloth. Where's the Christian love and forgiveness? I'm not feelin' it. Imus acted like an , his comments were revolting - so what? He'll pay in his way, and he did apologize for a terrible mistake. The networks have every right to fire when they want and free speech issues are only issues when the government is involved so that's not my beef. I think it's ironic that although he was hired to be shocking, he has to be shocking in a pc approved way. PC now seems to require Sharpton and Jackson approval. Huh? I am disgusted by the hypocrisy and cowardice I see surrounding this whole mess. I think it's pathetic people buy into the Sharpton-Jackson agenda which only serves to divide people further.

As for Duke, the two Reverends have some duty to show some grace and apologize. It is unbelievable. If black students had been publicly lynched this way, I cannot imagine how intense and hostile the scrutiny would be on those who did the lynching. All those Duke profs who spoke out against these boys before they went through the judicial process, the Duke adminisrators who suspended them...all of them - where are they now? Even the prosecutor apologized!

This whole thing is very revealing, especially in light of the recent wave of similar incidents, ala Washington, Richards, Gibson.

Eve

 

[Paladin]

Hi Nova,

I realize this has no official significance but it interests me that Sharpton and Jackson are men of the cloth. Where's the Christian love and forgiveness? I'm not feelin' it. Imus acted like an , his comments were revolting - so what? He'll pay in his way, and he did apologize for a terrible mistake. The networks have every right to fire when they want and free speech issues are only issues when the government is involved so that's not my beef. I think it's ironic that although he was hired to be shocking, he has to be shocking in a pc approved way. PC now seems to require Sharpton and Jackson approval. Huh? I am disgusted by the hypocrisy and cowardice I see surrounding this whole mess. I think it's pathetic people buy into the Sharpton-Jackson agenda which only serves to divide people further.

As for Duke, the two Reverends have some duty to show some grace and apologize. It is unbelievable. If black students had been publicly lynched this way, I cannot imagine how intense and hostile the scrutiny would be on those who did the lynching. All those Duke profs who spoke out against these boys before they went through the judicial process, the Duke adminisrators who suspended them...all of them - where are they now? Even the prosecutor apologized!

This whole thing is very revealing, especially in light of the recent wave of similar incidents, ala Washington, Richards, Gibson.

Eve

So...who can I write to ask that Jackson and Sharpton are fired? Who can I boycott?

 

[MREG2]

My prediction: Hell will freeze over before he apologizes. I hope I'm wrong and if so, I'll be back on this thread to admit it if need be.

And pigs will fly....

 

[MREG2]

Imus used his freedom of speech to make offensive comments.

Those who protested, used their freedom of speech to protest.

MSNBC used their authority as Imus' employer to suspend him.

Consumers who were outraged by the comments and who felt the apology was not good enough, made it clear to advertisers that they would not support their products if they continue to sponsor Imus' broadcast.

Bowing to pressure from the free market, the advertisers chose to withdraw their support of MSNBC.

MSNBC responded to the advertiser threat of pullling out by punting Imus.

Works for me....

imho

Not for me...

 

[MREG2]

I believe we have to protect free speech. I dispise Imus. I think he is a disgusting racist pig. I would never watch his show. I do not share his opinions on anything and as far as I am concerned I believe any air time he takes up is garbage. If MSNBC has decided they no longer wish to have his show take up their air space that I think that is fine. However, I do not believe he needs to apolgize for anything. He has spoken these beliefs before and its no secret he is a racist. Its about time his employeers recognize what he promotes and take a stand if they are not comfortable with that. However, he has every right to spurt any kind of trash he wishes and its the publics right and not to hire him or listen to him if they choose not too. IF there is a bigots are us radio station out there who would like to hire him then I say that is fine. It is also fine for me to never listen to such a station. The man is aplogizing to do damage control not because these are not his views. His 40 years of air play make it clear these are his views. Its time he realize that the public has every right to choose not to listen to them and the mainline media has every right to not hire him. Freedom of speech is wonderful in that it also alows us freedom to not listen.

mjak

I too depise Imus and personally don't listen to his show. But people have said worse without getting fired. That is what I believe is wrong. Yes, he is known for his views. Therefore no one should be shocked that he said what he did. But some people just can't let things go and have to cause an uproar over things. That's what really gets me going. If people would just let things go it would be so much easier. But that will never happen as long as certain people are around.

 

[MREG2]

CBS just fired him, which ends his show.

That's going too far. The suspension was enough. No more free speech, I guess. Back in the old days, you turned the dial off if you didn't like what someone said. Now you have to have them fired.

May the Constitution RIP. Jackson and Sharpton must be too busy censoring Imus to issue an apology to the Duke LAX players......

ETA: I guarantee he will end up with a satellite radio show before long, where no one can touch him for what he says.

I agree DK, it has gone too far. Oh Freedom of Speech is still there but my dear just don't p*ss off Jackson and Sharpton or anyone else for that matter. Other than that please feel free to say what you want. :doh:

Again, they will never apologize to the Duke LAX players. Because, God forbid, that would mean they were wrong. Hiprocrites. Plain and simple.

Dk, I hope he does just to show that not everyone can always get there way. Freak, it's like dealing with a bunch of kids. I'm trying to teach my 4 yr old that she can't always get her way... :silenced:

 

[MREG2]

Yes, that's my question also. Didn't Rev's Sharpton and Jackson publicly throw the Duke Lacrosse players under the bus?
I think it's outrageous that Imus was fired.:hand: It's not right imo.
What more could Imus have done? He apologized, met the women and their coach and apologized some more.

Apparently, he didin't kiss enough of their behinds....:slap:

 

[MREG2]

No Imus won't be fine. He's 67 years old and just got fired. He lost his retirement.He shouldn't have said what he did--- but he did what he could to correct the situation. And for the rest of his life he'll be ripped a new one because of a statement some blacks have made about their own race.

You know, it's not about if he will be fine or not. This will follow him for the rest of his life, no matter how long that is. At least he apologized. Bill O'Reilly never did for his slander again Shawn Hornbeck, a kid. But Bill is still going. He still is spewing crap on his show... Everyone wants to be treated the same then it has to be consistant. And this is proof that in this country that just won't happen...

 

[MREG2]

That's the best quote I've seen about this situation yet! :clap:

Actually, a white man made the decision to fire Imus.[/QUOTE]

Maybe...but who fueled the flames?? :hand:

 

[MREG2]

Im not new, but im not talking about no outrage at websleuths. Im talking about Sharpton and his cronies rallying to get Imus fired and while a lying, stripper falsely accused men of gangrape gets off scott free apparently. If that accuser had been white and the men african I dont think theyd sit back and let that slide. Good grief remember Susan Smith, when she falsely accused a colored man of taking her kids? Thought wed never hear the end of it.You ask me Sharpton is a rasict, attacking whites for every stupid thing they say and doesnt say one word about blacks falsely accusing whites.Double standard.
What Imus said was stupid but not damaging and theyre not going to quit until they have him lynched.
But on the other hand whos rallying for that stripper to go to jail ?? :behindbar Thats what I meant.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Nova]

As unpopular as this may sound, I'm glad he's fired. Mean spirited comments have no place anywhere. Back in October, my best friend became involved witha a man he met online. And, as dumb as this sounds, without even ever meeting me, he called me a "big titted drunken " . I can't believe how it felt. I don't drink, I've been married for 20 years and yes I've got some ginormous . However, it was such a slap in my face, such a blatant form of misogony, that I knew exactly how those girls felt. And like them, it was "blown off" as "just a playful joke".

Its unfortunate, I know my relationship with my best friend as changed because of it. His new boyfriend didn't feel it was worth apologizing for, and as far as Don Imus is concerned, I found his apologies rather hollow as well.

Nancy

That's simply awful, Nancy.

Of course, gay men are just as capable of being sexist and racist as anyone else. But it makes me especially sad. We really ought to know better.

 

[Nova]

True. But the Isaiah Washington thing was as big news as Imus' and there was plenty of outrage. Double standard again.

The "double standard" is that the word "" is still more acceptable than the word "." The solution isn't to make slurs against African Americans MORE acceptable; the solution is to make homophobic attacks LESS acceptable.

And I don't know what that has to do with Don Imus; he has been an equal-opportunity slanderer of gays and blacks for years.

But the more important difference between Washington and Imus is that Washington didn't broadcast his slur on the air.

 

[Nova]

Okay, maybe Imus wasn't the best comparison.

Michael Richards using the Nword at that comedy club AFTER the Isaiah Washington f'got incident. Look at the hell Michael Richards (rightfully so) got for that, but boo is said to/about Washington.

Again, public (onstage) v. private (offstage) speech. Neither is "acceptable," but there's still an enormous difference.