What's your opinion?

[oxbay]

Well, I have been reading and listening to all this BS about Don Imus and how he should be fired for calling the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy headed ho's"

I thought I would see what you guys thought about the situation.

[Pirate]

There are several things that factor into this, the first being what his job is:

He is nothing more than a shock jock and he has always been demeaning in nature. I don't think this latest incident is any different than his other attacks. He shouldn't be fired for expressing his opinion. It wasn't even his own opinion, his producer called the girls hos first.

The second thing is, and this is Colin Cowheard's thought which for once I share, that the hip hop nation has made the word "hos" mainstream and almost acceptable. As far as I am concerned none of those girls deserves an apology if they have one of these songs on their Ipods where a rapper is calling girls "hos." They are proliferating the abuse of women by buying that music.

[medric822]

Two words: Double Standard.

[maddux31]

Totally blown out of proportion! Rap music always degrades the black community. What about black comics that degrade white people? Total BS!

[Edam]

I agree with all of the above, plus Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson are hypocrites.

From a FOX News column:

And notice how most of the ire about the Imus incident is directed at Imus himself, and not his longtime radio producer Bernard McGuirk. Is that because McGuirk — when he went on to call the game "jigaboos versus the wannabes" — was quoting from Spike Lee's "School Daze," and any uproar directed at McGuirk would be an indictment on one of the country's leading black directors?

I guess we'd have to go to the film archives and excise that scene and speech from all future printings of the film, and a nationwide call to burn any existing copies would be initiated. We'd have Spike Lee VHS bonfires at Blockbusters everywhere.

Highly unlikely.

[el_jefe061]

I don't have a problem with what he said, but he should be smarter than to say something like that on the radio. Whether it's truly bad or not, you just don't say anything in the gray area, especially if it could involve race. I think he should be fired for not knowing any better. It's like if you're walking through a dark alley with $100's hanging out of your pocket; yes, it's your legal right to do it, but no one should feel sorry for you because you got mugged. It's Imus' right to say that, but he shouldn't be surprised that the people he was talking about got angry, and no one should feel sorry for him if he does get fired.

[AstroEric]

I'm all for firing shock jocks and loudmouthed non-fact based political pundits en masse.

[medric822]

Also, whenever an important black man is killed, they always suspect the whites are the ones that did it. They probably blame us for Tupac, wether we liked his music or not. I just think that for this country to be truely desegerated, both sides have to give in. And that will be impossible when groups similar to the NAACP still around. Whites and blacks both can vote, pay taxes, see the same movie in the same theator in the same isle, drink from the same fountain, or even the same cup if they wanted to, what else is there that isn't 100% equal?

[DoubleD]

Also, whenever an important black man is killed, they always suspect the whites are the ones that did it. They probably blame us for Tupac, wether we liked his music or not.

. . . .

what else is there that isn't 100% equal?

There is still a lot of racism in this country. One would have to be naive to think it's been abolished. While people like Al Sharpton are not helping in the progression, there still needs to be "ok, did race play a part of this?" when sizing up a situation because it still is a problem.

That said, I still have yet to see where the racism is in what he said. He was talking about a GROUP of women of DIFFERENT ethnicities. "Nappy" isn't just used for black people, it refers to whites aswell. And while what he said, refering to them as hos, was sexist, he's also a comedian. It's kinda stupid that things can be said inside a Comedy Club and you're a God, but say the same thing outside of it and you're a bigot.

It's kind of like the situation where the guy told another guy on air that he always "Fagged out" on him. You then have a bunch of people jumping ontop of him thinking what he said was homophobic, when in reality fagged is a legit english word that has absolutely nothing to do with a persons sexual orentiation. People like to jump on the first thing that they can b-tch about, because we as humans can't be whole unless we're bitching.

[MarkB]

Also, whenever an important black man is killed, they always suspect the whites are the ones that did it. They probably blame us for Tupac, wether we liked his music or not. I just think that for this country to be truely desegerated, both sides have to give in. And that will be impossible when groups similar to the NAACP still around. Whites and blacks both can vote, pay taxes, see the same movie in the same theator in the same isle, drink from the same fountain, or even the same cup if they wanted to, what else is there that isn't 100% equal?

Are you actually being serious with this post?

By the way, the Ku Klux Klan says "Hi".

[Hory]

what else is there that isn't 100% equal?

Average income, infant mortality rate, education access etc etc...

Which may have something to do with that 300-odd years of history you appear to know little about.

It's kinda stupid that things can be said inside a Comedy Club and you're a God, but say the same thing outside of it and you're a bigot.

Like Michael Richards?

[AstroEric]

Is there a version of Susan Faludi's Backlash that was written about race instead of gender?

[DoubleD]

Like Michael Richards?

The difference is, Michael Richards attacked somebody race for the purpose of attacking them, not making a joke.

Now how about pointing to all the comics who became rich and famous because of their racists and sexist jokes?

EDIT:

And to be clear, I understand that there is a time and place for things. A comedy club is a place where generally offensive things are taken much more lightly. But, say, a middle school teacher can't tell a racist and/or sexist joke infront of his class. Freedom of speech doesn't grant you freedom from repercussions. But his job is to be an on-air comedian. There's quite a difference from making a joke on a comedy show and making serious racist/sexist attack.

[MmmHuha420]

Alright, this is how I see it, and it might upset some, but...

This involves Don Imus and anyone that reps him at CBS Radio, and anyone directly involved with Rutgers women's basketball team... NO ONE ELSE!!! Yes, this even means Al Sharpton needs to stay out of it, because it doesn't involve him. What Don Imus said was made in a joking manner, he didn't mean it in any type of attacking manner... Richard Pryor said all kinds of stuff like that in a joking manner, but you didn't see Sharpton, or any other leaders of the African-American community go after him. And the double-standard still continues, because if you look at the majority of the rap and hip-hop community, they use HO and other words like that... if Sharpton doesn't like words like that, then talk to those members of the hip-hop and rap communities that freely use that type of hateful language, and get them to stop using it, that would be where Sharpton would be best used in this situation, not trying to get Imus fired.

[jhoff80]

Here's my opinion. First of all, its a common name at least in the area of New Jersey that I'm originally from to call Rutgers something that rhymes but starts with "Sl" so I can't imagine that being called hos was that new.

Anyway, the main point of what I think is that Imus tried to be funny, and failed miserably at it, but yet its not really all that offensive, and people are making way too big a deal about it.

[lautrec]

The fact is, if you say something that is race related, specifically towards a non-caucausion, in this day and age, you are going to have to answer for it.

What Imus said was certainly a slam, towards women and towards a particular race (I have no idea what the "proper" word is for that particular race, or what is politically correct. I have heard the term "African-American" used, but I don't think that term applies to every person in this country of a African descent, due to the fact that they may be or may not be a)African and b)American. A very limiting term. Too bad there's no all-inclusive term that is politically acceptable such as caucasion is for the majority of white people.)

So, since Imus said such a stupid thing, regardless of "shock jock" status or in the spirit of comedy, etc., he's should know that he's going to get crucified for it.

We've become such a society of victims and special interests groups, that you had pretty well not say ANYTHING about ANY group whatsoever, lest you get flamed by the current watchdogs with the proper political and social warden pedigrees.

Imus was not very smart there.

Should he be fired? Personally, I don't listen to inflammatory "personalities" like him, Howard Stern, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Rush Limbaugh, Hillary Clinton, Chris Matthews, Bill O'Reilly, Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, etc, etc, just to name a few. They have their agendas, and they thrive on sensationalism, shock, terror, doom and gloom, and all things to beat down the average person. I pretty much leave all those types to their own. Fire all them, I say!

This is just another example of someone making a dumb decision, and all the agenda motivated bottom feeders jumping on to make hay. The real losers in this? America, once again.

[medric822]

Ok, I live in PA, in a area where race isn't much of a problem. In my town, it has always been the irish side against the italian side. Kinda like an IRA meets The Godfather, but with little if any blood shed. And I have been to almost every state east of the Mississippi, and I have never seen anything where race was a problem. Am I a racist? No. (Thanks MarkB, I'm not part of the White Nights) Do I think that racism is still a problem in the US, yes. Without a doubt. But do I think that it is less of a problem than what it was during the 60's, when people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were activists for the black community, no, I dont. I cant say I agree with whoever said that Sharpton dosn't make matters any better, because I dont know how he plays into this issue, if at all.

From what I heard of the origional audio clip, he said how he thought the girls from Tennessee were pritty, while the team from (I cant remember, insert team name here) were kinda ugly, and he pointed out their tatoos. And it was taken by many to be a racist comment. But after re-reading the first post, I see he said more.

I'll go back to what I said about Mike Richards, when he got into trouble for saying the "N" word. That rappers have made this word practicaly into a household word, and many other words alike. Do I think its right that some people can say them, and others cant, no. Its a double standard.

Unfortunately, there probably will always be a stake driven into the ground divideing races and religions, and sexes. I have my own views on certain things, which I dont think this is the right place to talk about them, and so do you. Look, you draw your own conclusions about me, feel free to.

[DJEagles]

Imus is an ***, but he has an audience. His job is to "shock" people, and he certainly did that. He apologized....everyone should just move on. The media has beaten the hell out of this story, when they should be focusing on other things, like Iraq, Iran, etc.

He shouldn't have said what he did, but he shouldn't pay the price with his job. Meet with the players and coaches, and apologize.

[AstroEric]

Do I think that racism is still a problem in the US, yes. Without a doubt. But do I think that it is less of a problem than what it was during the 60's, when people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were activists for the black community, no, I dont.

I think you've got your second part backwards, if you're trying to say what I think you're trying to say....

[VTek33]

I agree with a lot of what's been said. The only thing I would add is that it's amazing how the Left has hijacked the Constitution. If I mentioned to anyone that Imus has free speech rights, I'd be labeled a racist right along with him. That’s why the Left invented the concept of “hate crimes,†a concept that literally criminalizes speech and even thought, so as to make the harboring of politically incorrect thoughts a crime. We all don't like to hear inflammatory speech and in response, some take it further than others. Personally, I wanted Ward Churchill fired (at least) for his comment about the 9/11 victims being "little Eichmanns."

[AstroEric]

The only thing I would add is that it's amazing how the Left has hijacked the Constitution.

[medric822]

DJEagles said that we should move on because he appologized. Then how come when I appologized for things I said, he threw them back in my face next time I said something.

Also, I dont know if many of you have noticed, but the Constitution is a nice long statement saying "Damned if you do, Damned if you dont." What draws the line beween free speech and hate speech? Why were several reporters jailed because they refused to reveal their source, a right that is granted to them through the Constitution. I guess this is one reason I could never stand government class, because the Constitution is a bunch of BS in which the laws that are written in it can be suspended for certain people and events.

[krawhitham]

Do I think that racism is still a problem in the US, yes. Without a doubt. But do I think that it is less of a problem than what it was during the 60's, when people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were activists for the black community, no, I dont.

Both have been there from almost the beginning

In 1965, Jesse Jackson participated in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s movement in Selma, Alabama.

Jackson was present with King in Memphis when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968

In 1969, Sharpton was appointed by Jesse Jackson as youth director of Operation Breadbasket, a group that focused on the promotion of new and better jobs for black Americans.

[krawhitham]

The only thing I would add is that it's amazing how the Left has hijacked the Constitution.

Better than the right whipping their *** with it I suppose

[tywiggins]

Also, I dont know if many of you have noticed, but the Constitution is a nice long statement saying "Damned if you do, Damned if you dont." What draws the line beween free speech and hate speech? Why were several reporters jailed because they refused to reveal their source, a right that is granted to them through the Constitution. I guess this is one reason I could never stand government class, because the Constitution is a bunch of BS in which the laws that are written in it can be suspended for certain people and events.

You show very little understanding and no respect of the Constitution. The Constitution is the supreme law of this country. If Congress passes a law that violates the Constitution, the Supreme Court has the responsibility of declaring it unconstitutional. If the President violates the Constitution, the Supreme Court can declare his act unconstitutional.

Presidents have suspended certain parts of the Constitution in times of crisis. Habeas corpus was suspended by President Lincoln. (President Bush also did this)

I really don't see how freedom of speech applies in this situation. The guy wasn't arrested or charged with anything. Some people don't like what he said, and some are making a big deal about it. If he is fired because of it, so what? As long as he's not arrested because of it, I don't care.

Where in the constitution does it guarantee that reporters do not have to reveal their sources?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I'm not a legal expert, but I don't see how this would prohibit a judge or a grand jury from trying to get reporters to reveal their sources.

In Branzburg v. Hayes (1972), the Court placed limits on the ability of the Press to refuse a subpoena from a Grand Jury based on claims of Freedom of the Press. The issue decided in the case was whether a reporter could refuse to "appear and testify before state and Federal grand juries" basing the refusal on the contention that such appearance and testimony "abridges the freedom of speech and press guaranteed by the First Amendment." The 5-4 decision was that such a protection was not provided by the First Amendment.