Sharpton Doesn't Object To Imus' Return
Activist Who Lobbied For Radio Personality's Dismissal Says If Back On Air, Imus Should Have An Ombudsman
19NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2007 | by Caitlin A. Johnson
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Don Imus appeared on Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show to try to make amends. Now Sharpton says if Imus returns to radio, he should get an ombudsman. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
(AP) The Rev. Al Sharpton has said he wouldn't object if dismissed DJ Don Imus returned to radio. But now that it looks as though Imus might be close to a comeback, the civil rights activist has some advice for the man he campaigned to get fired.
If Imus returns to the airwaves after his dismissal for making a racist and sexist remark about the Rutgers women's basketball team, he should commit in his contract to forgo any racist, sexist or homophobic comments, Sharpton wrote in a guest column listing "musts for Imus" Sunday in The Daily News.
He also called on Imus to set aside time weekly to talk on-air with an ombudsman, settle a lawsuit filed by a member of the Rutgers team, and join his push to rid rap and other music lyrics of racist and misogynist language.
"If and when Imus gets back in the broadcasting booth, each of us will have to judge for ourselves whether his apologies were an attempt to keep his job or whether he sincerely wanted to uphold standards that would respect all people," wrote Sharpton, who said last month he wouldn't oppose Imus' potential return, under the right conditions.Photos: Don Imus
Imus' lawyer, Martin Garbus, did not immediately return telephone messages left at his office and an after-hours number early Sunday.
Imus and his former employer, CBS Radio, agreed to a settlement Tuesday that pre-empted his threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit. The terms of the settlement weren't disclosed.
The announcement essentially made Imus a free agent, and broadcast industry experts predicted he would soon be back on the air, though it wasn't clear exactly where he might land on the dial. His former morning time slot on CBS-owned WFAN-AM has gone to former National Football League quarterback Boomer Esiason and New Jersey radio personality Craig Carton.
As Imus' settlement with CBS was announced, Rutgers basketball player Kia Vaughn sued Imus, CBS and others, claiming the offensive comments damaged her reputation.
A spokeswoman for CBS Radio didn't immediately respond to an e-mail message early Sunday seeking comment on Sharpton's column.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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light. Camera #2 is on me!"
They''re attention ******. They love to listen to the sound of their own voices especially in front of tv news cameras. Self-appointed &
self-righteous protectors of black folks everywhere. Where are the intelligent, rational
black leaders who are NOT interested in turning everything into a circus? Maybe Sharpton & Jesse''s peeps have shut them up.
They''re the complete opposite of Jesus Christ.
They have no more in common with Him than the Geico gecko.
Posted by Keithle1 at 09:18 AM : Aug 20, 2007
Sharpton can''t blame Imus for the rampant illegitimacy (~70%) of births in some black communities. However, he could blame ol'' Jesse Jackson, the adulterer, for at least contributing to it, but no, Sharpton takes a pass on that. Nice going Revs. You''re such great role models.
Sharpton is a racist, he hates whites and believes they owe him a living. Notice how Jackson has backed off recently, is he afraid of being sued by the Duke families-AS HE SHOULD BE AND SHARPTON??? The Rico act is alive and well and should be used to sue both of them for stirring up racial anger and causeing these Duke boys to live in fear. They should also be tried under the hate crimes act as well as both Sharpton and jackson are guilty of breeding hate against whites, and in this case the targets were white lacrosse players who were targeted by the black pantheres.
As for the Rutgers players, who cares about them, if you are on TV or anything national you are fair game to be picked on! Maybe they see it as a way to make some free money off white folks again? The players were losing their tournament, and yes they did look "rough" and "ghettoish" to the rest of the civilized world!! As long as the players keep on about this the more it will be remembered. As for Sharpton, he needs to be sued and silenced once and for all!! No one wants to hear his drivel. Would someone please start a class action suit against this guy and shut him up!
the planned comedy bits. He gets an interesting mix of guests. I usually enjoy the musicians he brings into the studio. Something different in
the morning.
This is the only thing Sharpton has to worry about? Nothing else going on in the black community that is more important than this?
I guess Sharpton digs the power. Makes him feel important. Sharpton stood up for "nappy-headed hos everywhere!"
Can''t blame Imus for all of the young black men dying at the hands of other young black men. But that''s a minor issue...
As an example we have an illegal immigration problem because we have so many liars and opportunists in the Senate, House, Federal and State Courts, Business and White House for the last 30 years. Kennedy,Hatch,Clinton, Bush, Kerry and McCain...etc....etc, these clowns are the cause.
It is all about power and money and if you are into tearing people down and lying about them just because they are from a particular political party you are nothing better than a lynch mob.
Posted by brianbwb at 08:54 AM : Aug 20, 2007
Sharpton isn''t qualified to be president of my kid''s kindergarten class, much less the whole country. Your philosophy is that we should elect a d!ckhead just because we already know he''s a d!ckhead? Using that line of reasoning, how about John Michael Karr for President, at least you know he likes little girls?
Idiots like you make me proud to be an American - NOT. Back to the 17th Century with you!
Posted by ajk_cbsnews
Ignore this, these people are still bitter because their parents wouldn''t let them have a Black boyfriend.
Sharpton for president, at least you know.
Posted by trenticus
Exactly why he should be president, at least we know what we''re getting.