Topic: Imus... Idiot or Innovator?

Now first let me say that I DO NOT want this to become a flame war. I do not want this to become anything more than an intriguing discussion. Please do not post "Imus sucks!!!" or anything to the effect of that. If you have something to say, say it, but make your point and allow others to do the same. Thank You.

For the past week or so the Imus scandal has been an important issue in the media. The issue has caused a suspension of Imus from his show, and a possible (early?? hes like 70...) retirement.

Now for my opinion. While I believe that Imus should not have said the unwarrented comments that he did, I don't think it was in any way necessary to reprimand him. Free speech is an important part of our country, it is so important it is the first ammendment in the constitution. This refers to even radio hosts, not just the average joe talking to a friend.

Imus has been saying things like this for years... why now is he being punished for his comments? Other radio hosts say very similar things every day (including such famous hosts like Howard Stern). This also brings me to the point of who can say what. Who is allowed to say racial remarks? When Chris Rock says a comment like Imus's about African American women, he is seen as a comic genius by the media. Imus makes a remark and he is slammed in every possible way from every possible direction. Where does the hipocracy and double standards end?

Many people are offended by what Imus said, but most of them would not even have known he said it if the media hadn't blown it out of proportion. The reason those people don't get offended by him everyday is because they don't listen to his show. He says what's on his mind, and those who don't appreciate it don't have to listen. That's not the case any more because everyone is now forced to hear it every hour of every day.

I do not think Don Imus had any reason to say what he did, but (as you said Fetter) he does have th freedom of speech. But how far can that freedom go? Should a radio host be allowed to say something like "You all f****** suck horse****?" I also think that the people are making to big a deal over this. I think that he perhaps should get in a bit of trouble, but not fired.

I think that what Imus said was extremely rude and offensive and worthy of reprimand.  However, I don't think he should have been canned over it all! 

I mean come on, turn on the radio and you are gonna hear worse remarks than than in many of today's most popular songs.  And some people would not even know what Imus meant if certain rappers (paging Snoop Doggy Dogg) had not made the slang common language! 

Honestly (and sadly) I've heard children use worse language to deliver far more shocking insults.

With power comes respondsibility- Don Imus was in a high position and should have kept his mouth shut.
I found it encouraging that opinions DO matter- the people who protested Imus' remark were using their free speech too, no?
I do think that musicians who want rap music to be taken seriously should make an effort to produce better songs.

wow topical issues...whats next?

i think imus as a person is an idiot. he treats people poorly, probably didnt deserve to get fired-but
glad he did.

I don't think he should have gotten fired over it. That's going a bit too far, I think.

20 republic credits says it's because he's white. That or they finally got sick of him.

Innovative idiot?

It's not because he's white, and anyone who truly believes them would be hard pressed to prove their point. He was slammed because he is mainstream radio now, with senators, governors, vice presidents, and book writers on his show. People listen for information and opinions on current events, not to hear racial slurrs. Imagine what would happen to Oprah is she got mad and called a fan a stupid cracker? Her reputation and career would be smashed because it is not what people watch her show to see.

Do I believe that this makes it ok to fire him? Not at all, I think that maybe a small appology on the next days show would have been fine... but the media had to blow the whole thing up and make Imus a racist.

Who is Imus? I have no idea... :/

The radio personality who called that black womens basketball team a group of "nappy-headed hoes". His resignation was demanded and he was recently fired.

"Nappy-headed hoes" is what Imus said. I think this is rather funny/stupid at the same time.