Imus, The Duke Boys And Our Bloodlust

Dick Meyer: Thoughts On Building Up And Tearing Down Celebrities

(CBS)  This commentary was written by CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer.

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We have become serial character assassins.

Don Imus is just the latest example of something sad and unattractive: we have an insatiable, mean bloodlust for bringing people down.

By "we" I mean me. And you. And Imus, who of course has made millions tearing people apart and cackling at the demise of other famous high and mighties.

The collective "we" that is, I suppose, contemporary American culture has made character destruction and celebrity-slaughter the gladiator sport of our day.

People don't get ruined in football and boxing except by accident. But it is the goal of the culture of the character assassins. And the Coliseum is columns like this, Web sites like this and television networks like this. The Coliseum is filled with people like you and me.

We are all part of it. Who hasn't enjoyed the downfall of some famous person — be it Mark Foley, Ted Haggerty, Bill Clinton, Sandy Berger, Britney Spears or Martha Stewart?

The merits or demerits, guilt or innocence of any of these names in the news are absolutely irrelevant to what I'm talking about. Some of us hate some people. Period.

Plenty of bad people get their just comeuppance; plenty of innocents get slaughtered too. I won't even bother to give my views about Imus. I can't believe anyone in the world cares what anybody else thinks anymore: every possible opinion on the matter has been stated somewhere in the yakking universe five times, loud and soft.

The point is this sordid personality destruction has become a repetitive public ritual and we're hooked on it. Numbers crunchers could probably make graphs of the frequency and intensity of Great Falls. And of our voyeuristic, uncharitable fascination with them.

The Duke lacrosse team learned it can happen to ordinary people too, that unknowns can become knowns — famous and infamous — in one fast news cycle. A year and $3.5 million later, the accused Duke players have legal redemption but untold scars as well.

Their problems weren't caused only by a morally bankrupt prosecutor, but by a culture that was rooting for the fall of these privileged white boys who played with strippers. They certainly had their defenders in the world of professional arguers as well. That just meant that the whole case became an "issue" — partisan, divisive, loud and cruel.

It isn't hard to understand why there are so many character lynchings. There are a lot of rats and phonies in this world. Is the national supply of famous creeps higher than at other points in our history? Absolutely, simply because the supply of media is so vastly greater. More media, more bandwidth to create celebrities and then stalk them.

And with the Internet and ubiquitous television, geographic proximity is no longer necessary for a mob mentality to arise. We have virtual mobs. For briefing, shiny sick moments all eyes are focused on Imus — or Anna Nicole, Michael Jackson, Jack Abramoff or Ken Lay.

Our media and our culture have become expert at creating celebrities and other phonies.

We can turn a contestant on a game show into a household name in a week. And like some cheesy Hollywood threat: "We made you, and we can break you."

So many of the celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment are undeserving, greedy, hubristic, ostentatious, coarse, egotistical or vulgar. Of course we love it when they crash and burn. We wouldn't be human if we didn't. Some of them deserve everything they get.

And spotting these parasitic unworthies, calling them out, cheering on their demises seems like the only tool we have to fight societal fakery and fraud. How else can we fight back this amorphous enemy but to collect scalps? We wait vigilantly for their flameouts to lighten the loads of our lives with a little innocent gloating.

I do this in my column all the time. An aspect of this process is, of course, necessary to check the people who have power and abuse it. The game is different for people who hungrily seek fame, fortune and power; they're in the game by choice, they know the stakes and the risks and they want to play. That doesn't mean we should be quite so happy when they fall.

The problem is that we are devouring ourselves. We can create celebrities, but not leaders. We generate fame, but not honor.

Perhaps the most we can do, you and I, is try not to let this unforgiving quality of public life seep into our private lives.

[mcvet]

Over the past several decades we have slowly saw our goal of "Innocent until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law", changed to the very basic Fascist concept of "Guilty until you can prove you aren't". Anyone who wants a real good view of this need only tune in O'Reily just about any night. Guilt by Association. Guilt by implication. Constantly they do this day after day. Anyone who doesn't agree is a "Liberal" AND they toss the REAL defination of the word out the window. Welcome to Southern Fascism at it's best folks... Enjoy!! Sieg Heil

[pineapple51]

Why aren't some of the comments put on the air.I agree with many.Get over it! If Imus is fired, then don't stop there..how many of these people listen and laugh at Simon's crude remarks and insults to contestants, as just one example.Or how many are forced to listen to the crude words of Rap music pouring out of car windows.We have all said things we regret and apologize for, let any of those who are doing the barking throw the first stone if he or she has never said something about someone else.If they are scared for life then let them stand with our solders in Irag and see what they see and tell of which scars are worse. Quit wasting air time, they had their 15 minutes of fame, now spend it on the solders who died for them and their freedom to speak at all..

[gmond]

This article was either poorly written or poorly edited.

[redstripe11]

Southern Fascism? O'Reilly doesn't sound Southern to me. He's from New York, correct? Just like that fascist Giulianni. Sound like Northeastern Fascists to me.

[cahtreb]

I rarely have watched or listened to Imus, but firing him over that one stupid moment is not the answer. Doesn't the church teach "turn the other cheek"? Doesn't "I made a foolish mistake
and I am sorry." Count for nothing? Does the punishment of taking away a man's livelyhood and reducing the ability of children black and white suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia count for anything? I find that Staples, Proctor and Gamble, and all the others who jumped on the firing of him from MSNBC leaves a bad taste for these companies and MSNBC. If CBS fires him I for one will not have very good feelings towards the people who caused this. Imus is coming on the heels of the Duke Boys who were exonerated. He is the blacks whipping boy. It is a very sorry state this world is in. Judge not, less you be judged!

[mollycody]

I hope CBS has more of a back bone then NBC! In regards to Imas, Because when people listen to guys like al sharptan, Who claim they are a rev. But wants to see someones life destoyed, over a comment they made without thinking first.The only thing Al Sharpton wants is to look like a hero, but really he is just a loud mouth trouble maker,looking for attention. If CBS fires Imas over this shame on them!! That would be a SIN!!!!

[aristars]

Next time, a white celebrity offends a black individual, sh/e must apologize to that individual not to either Rev Al Sharpen or Rev Jackson, or to the whole black race!
While I condemn Imus%u2019s offensive words, I do also condemn the way he was treated on Al Sharpen%u2019s show by Rev Al Sharpen! I do not see how, Al Sharpen, a man of God allows his egotism to take over the Christian believes. What has happened to (love your enemy)? If you see Imus as an enemy to the black race! Rev Al Sharpen and Rev Jackson have an obligation to stress on what bring races closer in America for America for all races who are all human beings!! It%u2019s about time to deal with whatever offensive to any in a civilized dialogue! Imus should have contacted the university to arrange a meeting with the ladies who have got offended instead of putting himself in a humiliating way in Rev Al Sharpen%u2019s den! Imus owes an apology to no body but the ladies whose team I, guess was his favorite! For God%u2019s sake! Imus has been talking on air for 30+ years! Do not you expect slips of the tongue for a few times? Statistics, the science!, may challenge the unforgivable Rev AL Sharpen who should have known that forgiveness in Jesus%u2019 way has no room for splitting hair interpretation ! Imus has done more good than many of those who want to tear him down for slips of a tongue! Stop this madness!

[rcipu]

Please don't fire Don Imus. He does so much more good than the average person on the radio. So many of us enjoy his show of which there is absolutely no replacement anywhere for our demographics of age 40 to 70 year olds. He makes us laugh and inspires us with his views and guests. All on his show are clever and add brightness to our days. He is asking for forgiveness so let's let him have his chance, PLEASE!!!!

[ronrenny]

The bottom line: The United States of America has enough problems with hate from outside of our borders. We hardly need a shockjock called Imus stirring up old tired racist statements.
It seems like we cannot move on and get past all of the racial statements. Imus? Shame on you .... you should know better. CBS? Please do something about this other than allowing Imus a two week vacation?

[rrcuevas]

Concerning Don Imus comments. What about his right to free speech. There is nothing in the Bill of Rights that prohibits us to say things that hurt peoples feelings or offends them. Sharpton is about showing that he has the power to inflict monetary pain because he was offended. How would he like it if I inflicted monetary pain on him because I was offended by something he said. He wouldn't because he will tell you in a heartbeat that it is his right to free speech. I think you the media is spinning only one side of the story. I do not think Imus should lose his job over this. He apologized and that should be the end of it. I think Sharpton, Jackson, the liberal media and liberal educators continue to feed racial issues at a level that does not exist. Instead of all this attention, Imus should have been ignored as speaking stupid and let it go especially after he apologized. Sharpton is just trying to show that he has some great influence or power. He is just another black American that has the right of free speech. I will never agree with Sharpton on anything but I will defend his right to say it even if it offends me. I am doing the same for Don Imus.

[jw1013]

You know, I am tired of this never ending cry of %u201Cwoe is me.%u201D It seems like every time an incident occurs whether it may be police involved, petty violence, or crime in general you media pukes drive the racial undertones like I have never seen before. Yes, racism exists %u2013 in EVERY community %u2013 across the entire spectrum regardless of race or religion; however, why is it that virtually every incident involving a non-white person sparks protest and violence in the streets? Example, Don Imus! Even better yet, the Duke Lacrosse team %u2013 where are the protest? I mean, they were falsely accused and even arrested for rape based on fantastic lies. Case in point%u2026there was an outrage in Durham and the second coming of the million man march because of the circumstances and the ethnicity of the person allegedly raped. The truth is out now, so, where is the public apology to the for the public display of ignorance based on deplumation of character and future job opportunities that were lost because of this lie!

[bunnyday-2009]

This column is caca %u2013 it neatly turns the victim into the offender. Yes people stop and stare at traffic accidents, but that has nothing to do with the dynamics of this situation. To reduce it to its most basic terms, Imus%u2019 job was to create an entertainment that attracted and kept sponsors. Do it right and the rewards are substantial, make a misstep and you lose the mandate of heaven as they said in Imperial China. If you want the big bucks stay in control of your mouth and don%u2019t grossly offend the very people your sponsors are seeking to reach. Whether or not most people are experiencing schadenfreude is irrelevant as Imus%u2019 statement is clearly offensive on its own merits.
BTW the comment about %u201Cthe very basic Fascist concept of "Guilty until you can prove you aren't" is misguided. The burden of proof rests with the defendant at Civil Law (based on Roman law) which governs most of the civilized world (and much of the uncivilized world). In this country the overwhelming power of political judges and ambitious prosecutors sometimes makes a mockery of the presumption of innocence; in Civil Law countries the idea is to avoid bringing dubious charges in the first place %u2013 ergo the investigation by a special (non-elected) judge. Both systems have their merits and weaknesses but the civil law system is not a %u201Cfascist concept%u201D.

[sandiecarol]

I agree with most Americans that the reference Don Imus made about the young women on the Rutgers basketball team was wrong on all levels. He%u2019s apologized on radio, TV, and in person, which should be close to the end of the story. I have to ask WHY would African Americans be more offended and angry about a comment made by a comedic DJ then they are about the DAILY negative references made about women by Black Americans in the music business? This sorry incident should not be turned into a %u201Cfeel good power play%u201D for a few. I don%u2019t believe getting rid of one truly regretful DJ will make a difference to the American citizens. The Rutgers girls have every right to demand respect on and off the court but let%u2019s even up the game. Why not call for a NATIONAL protest or boycott of the radio stations and companies that support black artists that disrespect and embarrass all women. That would be a message that could possibly make a difference in changing the destructive direction our country has been moving in.
Sandie Carroll
Wilmington, DE

[burntrauma]

MSNBC who???? Who buys crummy GM cars anyway?
I was glad to get the list of hypocrites who
and sneaking out the back door ....there are
many kinds of boycotts ...those of us who are loyal to Imus boycott too....
Frankly I hope he takes the 2 weeks off to make a contract with Sirius and watch all of you whose
pay checks depend of his enormous talent just plain disappear into the shadows.
Suck it up CBS and stand by your man... the real money ...by those of us who work for our money and spend it are behind this unique and imperfect man who makes us laugh and think and
discourse ...and yes get offended once in a while.
The Rev Sharptongue should spend more time explaining his shameless public abuse of airwaves for a phoney rape charge years ago
which he never apologized for to the aggrieved accused nor to the public....oh thats right
Sharptongue doesn't make any money for you!!
Screw the sponsers leaving ...others will take their space....IMUS FOREVER

[djermano1]

We sure can get Imus fired, but can't seem to stop a murdering President in the WhiteHouse, who creates terror and racism. Something is really F@#ed up in the Divided States of America.

[suezq42]

I really think that the comments that Don Imus made should have been ignored because by Al Sharpton & all the black people who have not forgiven his appology & moved on are just fueling MOre predijuce between races. I think its dividing EVERYONE & causing way more trouble than warrented over Don Imus' mistake (slip of the tongue) or what ever. Even if he did mean it or even if he was joking, what was said was said & should have been dropped not brought up over & over & over & causing more divisions between races. I am sorry but ya know, I have never liked it when people speak bad of other races, but this has really soured me on black people more than I would have ever thought possible. I wouldnt harm a person for anything, but I just have hard feelings towards them about this issue. Why destroy the man's carreer & his reason for living? Just cause he said 3 words? Good grief GET OVER IT. Just let it die down & not be such a big dividing issue, PLEASE! Give Don Imus back his carreer. I have NEVER liked him so that is not an issue, its the black people bringing more predijuce on to themselves. Do they want more?

[pghlady3]

I agree, what Imus said was not right, but we have accepted this behavior. When Spike Lee can say "nappy head ho" in his movies, and rap songs say to "kill the ho's". Then it is made acceptable. Yes I don't have to by the rap music, but I have to listen to it every time I stop at a red light and the moron three cars back is blairing it so my childern hear it in our car with our windows up and our radio on.
It can't be both ways, either no one says it or every one can say it. And were are the "I'm sorry, I was wrong" from Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson for the Duke team???? Maybe they should be fired too.

[xlt150]

Enough is enough. Imus had a laps in moral judgement when he use the phrase on the radio. He apologized, got a 2 week vacation (possibly fired by now). Let's stop making a mountain out of a mole hill.

It's getting to the point to where you can't say or do anything without offending someone.

[e7eryday]

How is it acceptable that Sharpton and Jackson defended Dr. Kamau Kambon, a black professor who basically said that the white race should be wiped out, but they're not cool with a poorly executed attempt at humor by a white man? Apparently its ok to say racist comments as long as you are black. Way to bring the masses together guys!


Hypocrites.

[sheba_g_2000]

why would you be driving in your car with your children listening to a shock jock? That is not a show for kids to listen too....just as you dont have kids watching somethings on TV..
I watched that show with Imus..what he said was not right,but how many people that are complaining about what he said have said the same things about other people....whitey...cracker ect where does it all end?
Imus has said he was sorry I believe him!
He has done more good for people of all races then the people that are trying to tear him done.

People need to clean up their own house before complaining about someone elses.

[dianne5796]

Within every race there are insulting words, which are jokingly used among themselves. However that very same word would be insulting, if another person of a different nationality used it toward the ethnic group, which uses it jokingly. This is known within the different races, so I wish people would stop acting like Imus didn%u2019t know what he said was hurtful. I know no black people who use words like; redneck, trailer trash or smuck (not sure of spelling). But I have many white friends to whom I have heard jokingly play with those very same words among each other. I don%u2019t support anyone losing their job, but I don%u2019t support any person being purposely cruel either. I believe Mr. Imus is prejudice and his past and present racial joke proves it. I%u2019m a black woman who has worked hard rearing my children and teaching them to look at the person not his color. I don%u2019t teach the N, word just like I don%u2019t teach my children the redneck word. I do feel sorry for people like Mr. Imus because African Americans and other minorities help build this county and we are not going away. So I say to Mr. Imus and people like him, do a DNA, test on yourself and you will found out just how pure white you are. You my even find your long lost African cousin.

A Detroiter

[sermandave]

We all have said something in our life we wish we had not said. I am sure Don Imus feels that way and he has said so. I am tired of the lynch mob way we are acting in this country. If we dont want to hear what Imus is saying, they put on/off switches on the TV sets. Use them!

I hope you will not follow MSNBC and cancell this show for its regretable mistake. How many hours of unrehearsed verbage does Don Imus and his staff put out yearly? Wow, I am amazed that a poor attempt at humor, three poorly chosen words, will cause such a stir. Our world is not perfect, nor is Don.

This whole issue is absurd if you listen to RAP or Chris Rock and all that came before him.

Look at your commercials for everything from "Natural Male Enhancement" to KY Jelly, FDS, Tampons, Depends and so on that offend me greatly. Homosexual behavior in programming also offends me.

Don Imus does not.

Why dont you report on the good he has created by his charitable ventures and the lives that has helped?

Know a man by his works.

David L. Shawver

[mesmerizeyou]

It upsets me to think that Al Sharpton, along with Jesse Jackson, can speak out against Imus. Who are they to talk. I also feel that they are pushing the race card as far as they can. What Imus said was not right, however rappers such as fifty cent, jayz and many many others call woman hoes all the time and does anyone care, so leave Imus alone, yes he was wrong , he apologized, hes sorry, why punish him only when this is a world wide problem, punish them all then who say these offensive remarks!!!

[lurenchic]

there is much to gain in tearing people down, that's why. someone is taken down, so that someone else can come up.

[carlylaine]

"Imus, who of course has made millions tearing people apart and cackling at the demise of other famous high and mighties." *** MEYER 12APR07

Looks like what goes around comes around, huh? I have tried to warn different SHOCK JOCKs to be careful, but they won't listen. Now it's the JOCKs who are SHOCKED!

He really didn't need to apologize to Jackson or Sharpton. But to the team-yes-he should have. He showed his wimpness...HE BUCKLED.

BUT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FIRED.

[msjustme2]

One is allowed to walk around naked in their home but it is unacceptable in public. Imus clearly oversteppd the limits when he referred to these women as ******. That is the question and the only question. There is no apology which is acceptable for such behavior. I agree with the numerous men, Black and White, who state this was an offense against their daughters. With regard to the rappers who use such words, many work for the same company which employs Imus. Others are employed by other non-Black music companies. I have always believed what these negative rappers say is what many in White America really want to say but know they can't. And to set the record straight it is these same companies who choose to use Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson as spokepersons for the Black community. Trust me we did not elect them.

[nekir]

DO NOT FIRE IMUS!!!!!! No one has sincerely apologized as much as Imus has. I know this experience will make a big impact on him. You and he can turn this into a major opportunity instead of being pressured by the PC of the moment.

[msjustme2]

Oh, and by the way. The comments about what a great and charitable guy Imus is is irrelevant. Most criminals, including child molesters and murders, have some good qualities about them. But it is their specific act which determines their fate. I wonder what Imus' reaction would be if someone called his daughter or sister a ***. The basketball player was fired for saying he did not like ***. This is well beyond that. Imus should be fired and that is the whole of it.

[cathaleen]

Some habits are hard to break. Even though Imus has been in the radio business for eons he still has to push the envelope. He's been thrown out of the business before because of his drug habit and now, clean and sober, he does it again. It's called arrogance.

[tmliddle]

Way to go rrcuevas!! You hit the nail right on the head. It's time the African Americans stopped crying wolf all the time. Not everything is about RACISM!! So, Imus said something stupid, move on already. Enough. I am so sick and tired of it all. Everytime you turn around, the African Americans are crying RACISM. Well, like you said, where the heck are all the African Americans now with the Duke boys??? They were so gung ho on it being RACISM when they were sure the Duke boys were guilty, well.....we're now awaiting a PUBLIC APLOGY!! Those boys are owned big time! As far as I'm concerned, the black community just keeps Al Sharptin in his job of fueling the fire. If he hadn't stepped in and started a rucus, 80% of the people that now know what was said, never would have known and therefore, wouldn't have been offended. Instead, he landed a good person on the unemployment line. A person, I might add, that does an incredible amount of good deads for all race of people!!

[georgiank]

Today's Hypocrisy!!!!
I am not a big fan of Imus or Howard Stern or any other talk show host that is crude and insulting to others, but isn't that what made these shows rise in their ratings? Did CBC or MSNBC have a problem with Imus when he would insult any other race? But now that the media, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev Jackson have decided to gain more fame from the remark that Imus made, CBC and MSNBC are worried about their ratings and their $$$$. If CBS had guidelines for Imus they should have made them known before this happened. Don't ruin a man's life because he made a mistake. What happened to loyalty and all the good Imus has done for the show.
As for Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson, shame on both of you! Have you felt like you have been out of the spot light for a while? Do you come to every nationality's rescue when they have been slandered? I think you two have the prejudice here! You two call yourselves good Christians? Tell me neither one of you have said or done something that you regretted later. Look to Jesus for an answer to this situation and see what he would have done.
Was Imus wrong in what he said? Yes, he was. But, at least Imus was being consistent. I can't say the same for CBC, Sharpton and Jackson.

[strongview-2009]

i left the same comments at nbc. the firing of imus on msnbc is caving to special interest and if cbs fires imus then i will react the same as i am going to do with nbc and that is...

i will not have anything thing to do with any nbc media. i will not purchase anything from any nbc advertisers. if there happens to be a show i want to see i will tape it and not watch any advertisements.

i am through having the race ambulance chasers al sharpton & jesse jackson determine all media output in the united states.

i am through will all political correct speech. i do not practice hate speech to anyone and i quit watch imus years ago because of his scarcasim to all groups. but now i will find his radio show and have it on in defiance of all the media cowards that will not stand up to these self appointed morale police ie al sharpton & jesse jackson etal.

let imus appoligize and meet with the ladies he hurt and go from there.

[tejasdemo]

Excellent article !

[surekha23-2009]

I am an American, but, of Indian origin (neither Black or White !!). I think Imus is sorry for the comments he made. said SORRY FOR WHATEVER HE TALKED ABOUT. I think, he should be PARDONED AND GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE... TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGET IS !!!

[artdish]

Here are some thoughts about Imus, Bush, feminism, and humor:

http://www.artdish.com/ubbcgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7&t=000210

I'd print it all, but there's no room here!

[plarocca1]

Imus does step over the line...and some might feel a bit too often. Although I personally feel he is not a racist or misogynist, having him speak in such a manner just helps to fuel the acceptability of the true racists and bigots in our country.

Firing him, however, would be inappropriate --- and I disagree with MSNBC's position in this matter.

A dismissal by CBS RADIO throws away the platform for both IMUS and the media to show that there has been a true change in attitudes in this country.
We have little hope of attaining true racial harmony if the only solution implemented is to " throw away" the offender---there are just too many of them for this to be a viable choice.

Throwing away the problem DOES NOT FIX IT --- "FIXING IT" fixes it !

The true opportunity is to retain IMUS (after suspension) and let a revised show format be demonstration of a correction of attitudes.

I find that every adversity faced in life, whether it is created by chance or our own making, sets the stage for us to come out a better person at the other end. Whether or not Don's job is been lost over this situation, he has been given a great chance to rise to greater heights in his personal life and career.
Regards,

[whatwhenwher]

I am sick of the Jessie Jackson%u2019s and the Al Pinheads Sharpton%u2019s defenders of Dr. Kamau Kambon, being allowed to spell check the opinions of others.Do you notice when it%u2019s a black that uses any kind of derogatory remark it%u2019s funny%u2026funny as hell%u2026makes a great TV show.Did you notice that a bunch of blacks on a jury can get away with setting a black murderer of a white woman free? America the home of the brave and the land of freedom is under siege by a parasitic virus called political correctness. This parasite is taking over our Country faster than the Kudzu here in the South. We have a murderous evil entity that has taken over our government, we can%u2019t get them fired or even the Mafia Media to report about it. However a bunch of blacks can point their finger and kill the career of a Icon like Don Imus. I am boycotting MSNBC I have removed it from my programs and will continue to do so until they apologize for having no backbone. I will also boycott CBS if they follow suit. I also truly hope that Sirius picks up the Imus Show. I wish to say to all you that have blacked balled Imus:
"Who cares what you think?"
-- George W. Bush to supporter Bill Hangley Jr., July 4, 2001
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1791
"If society fits you comfortably enough, you call it freedom."
-- Robert Frost

[steph032]

Imus must be fired,the point is not what you hear in radio or if you like any of the so called black leaders.The point is these are college students that are trying to get an education and playing a sport. why should they be slandered because they are black. what did they do wrong?yes it's wrong for rap artist to make comments like that in there songs,so yes you should protest against that also. It should not be allowed.So lets start with Imus he should be fired. Stephanie Sargent

[processor2]

Don Imus was a big enough man to apologize.

Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be big enough men to apologize to these innocent Duke boys for the false accusations and presumptions they stirred up in Durham, NC.

I won't be holding my breath.

...

[processor2]

Don Imus was a big enough man to apologize.

Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be big enough men to apologize to these innocent Duke boys for the false accusations and presumptions they stirred up in Durham, NC.

I won't be holding my breath.

...

[cmp271]

I totally agree...when are the bigots jackson and Sharpton going to apologize for their defamatory remarks about the Duke kids. If I were their parents I would sue these two as individuals. Let them feel the heat the way they do to others..Neither of them are real reverands, both are frauds. The Black Panthers need to be placed in jail!!

As for Imus, I have no intentions of buying any product from any of the company adverisers. I don't appreciate business thinking they can censor the media. The same for the two aforementioned idiots, they need to be censored for their racism against whites.

[samthetvcat]

Gosh, nothing makes me more uncomfortable than lose-lose situations. This is just sad all around for all parties involved.

In the Imus case, it seems like people are divided into 3 camps on the issue - sympathetic to the women's basketball team, sympathethic to Imus, or like me feeling an urge to run away and bury my head in the sand.

Unlike the people who have picked a side, I feel for both parties and am frustrated with both parties. Like it's true that the women did nothing to deserve Imus' stupid comment and the contrast between the kind of comment they deserved for their accomplishments and one they got was gross. On the other hand, this is the first complaint Imus has gotten during a 40 yr career and seems to have tried his best to make amends. The women are upset by how their lives have been disrupted by the firestorm, but hasn't most of that been caused by Sharpton and Jesse Jackson stirring the pot? Also, who here hasn't been disrespected and had accomplishments overlooked - like it's always seemed to me that type A guys are just as harsh if not harsher to other guys. Then there's the influence of rap music which uses those same words all the time. On the other hand, with the nation's history of slavery and things not yet being equal, maybe Imus has to be held to a different standard given that he's got the power to shape the national debate.

I'm torn! This is sad! Duke makes me even sadder!

[samthetvcat]

PS I'm not a guy, but it seems like sometimes they're harsher to each other. I don't know . . .

[cjhr43]

I am an American, but, of Indian origin (neither Black or White !!). I think Imus is sorry for the comments he made. said SORRY FOR WHATEVER HE TALKED ABOUT. I think, he should be PARDONED AND GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE... TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGET IS !!!

Amen!!! Well said. Political correctness is getting to the point of being ridiculous and unaccptable. THIS HAS OPENED UP A PANDORA'S BOX... Imus has the reputation of being callous but has gotten away with it up until now. The Duke Boys have a much larger issue and need apologies but I don't see much of that happening...What would have been the reaction if a comment was aimed at a group of German or Italian American students? Its always open season on them...

[anndoty]

This all makes me so sad. Not for Don Imus, but for the rest of us that have to continue to live with the whining & hypocrisy. I worry about the direction our authority figures (black spokespeople, big corporations & political leaders) are taking us as a country. That someone can be attacked and fired for something they said just scares the hell out of me. When will it be too much?????

[samthetvcat]

Oh yeah and that's another point . . . Imus isn't Trent Lott - he seems to sincerely want to learn and grow as an individual, so why the fixation on getting him fired? Wouldn't it be more productive for the women to invite him into their lives and let him see what amazing women they truly are? He strikes me as somebody who would be sincerely interested in the process and would benefit greatly. That could be a real healing for everybody. I think the solution to this debacle needs to be one that affirms the value of all people involved. That includes Imus affirming the women, and then the women affirming Imus as somebody who seems to be well-respected as somebody who is able to ask the tough questions of politicians.

Like yes the women felt invalidated, but I don't think it's the best solution to demand an invalidation of the invalidator - that's vengeance, not progress imo.

Okay, I'm glad I stuck with this. Still avoiding the Duke situation though . . .

[winjefres]

If CBS cancels Don Imus while holding itself and up as paragons of virtue and value, I'd like to point out that "You People" were the employers of Don Imus. "You People" knew exactly what he was from the beginning, and YOU CHOSE to hire him and have his programming because it made a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$ for you. Under the harrassment statutes it would read this way: "You knew or should have known..." exactly what he was doing, thus it makes you as libel in a moral sense (though not necessarily in a legal sense) for what he said. For your leadership or any network leadership to NOW parade around as "holier than thou" people is terribly disengenuous. AND, to cave-in to external threats is so pathetic. I completely agree that Imus' comments who totally out of place. I also think that any network parading for holy pictures, as if, it didn't know and didn't choose this "shock jock" for exactly what he is is the height of hypocracy.

[samthetvcat]

Ugh! I don't even want to start thinking about the $$$! Back to the sand for my head . . .

[cjhr43]

As for Imus, I have no intentions of buying any product from any of the company adverisers. I don't appreciate business thinking they can censor the media. The same for the two aforementioned idiots, they need to be censored for their racism against whites.

Ditto... we also will not purchase any products from the advertizers who "pulled out"... What has happened to this country that used to have the courage to defend and or forgive??? The backbone of the US has turned to cartilage...

[processor2]

Don Imus was a big enough man to apologize.

Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be big enough men to apologize to these innocent Duke boys for the false accusations and presumptions they stirred up in Durham, NC.

I won't be holding my breath.

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