Don Imus????

Question

I dont think he should be fired. we have freedom of speech in this country and he just messed up one time. Thoughts??

i think al sharpton should be fired, if he hadnt said anything this wouldnt be a story

Answer 1

I don't think anything should be done. If Imus thinks those girls were nappy headed, ho's, or both, he's entitled to his opinion. These words are NOT on the FCC's banned words list. What exactly did he do to deserve suspension? Tell you what, the next time Chris Rock says "cracker" I want him thrown off HBO. How's that?

Answer 2

Even though he has the right to say what he wants, there are limits to things you can & can't say on the air. He's done this before and this should be the straw that broke the camels back. Those women did nothing to deserve those things he said, and took away from their accomplishments of their program as well as the NCAA Women's Baketball program.

Instead of going on Al Sharpton's radio the next day and apologizing, he should of been a man about it and apologized to the women of Rutgers. That alone should of gotten him fired because it took him almost 5 days to face the facts of what he did. Yes he apologized, but it's been too long overdue to be credible and believable enough for the people offended to forgive and forget.

Answer 3

He isnt fired and rightfully so. Freedom of speech is in this country, but only to an extent. For people not to cross boundaries, we punish them. This might tell Imus and others that calling people "Nappy Headed Hoes" is unacceptable. Dont take freedom of speech for granted or else youll pay some punishment.

Answer 4

I agree that I do not think Don Imus should be fired. While I disagree with Mr Imus and find his statement offensive, he is within the limits of the Constitution and limits of the law to make such statements. I choose to show my disagreement with his statement by not listening to his show or buying products from his advertisers, and supporting legislation proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Louise Slaughter (D-NY) to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine.

As long as there is an audience of listeners that allow broadcasters and sponsors to make money, people like Don Imus will have a job. If they were not profitable, they would not be on radio or newspaper columnists, etc.

What started the proliferation of these types of radio shows and attack editorials was when the FCC repealed regulation that was known as the Fairness Doctrine. It used to govern broadcasters on the public airwaves from 1949 until it was repealed in 1987. Congress has twice tried to re-instate it but it was vetoed by Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush in 1991.

Regulation was further weakened in 2000 when two corallary rules were also rescinded by the FCC. these rules were the "personal attack" and "political editorial" rules.

Another cause of this phenomenom is the willingness and acceptance of the American public to tolerate rude, nasty behavior. It started simply enough in sports with show boating and taunting and has elevated to trash talking and humilation of the opponent. There is also the claim of rap or hip-hop muscians that became a recurring refrain that they were no being respected. That phrase has so permeated the American culture that people today demand "respect" just for existing instead of earning respect for accomplishments and leadership.

In America today, people are also willing to show support for someone like Rush, Imus, Al Franken, or any other public figure who uses insults and attacks the more powerful. It is a form of joining the bully to pick on someone but saying they aren't really a bully because they aren't the one hurling the insults. Whether it is open support by repeating their statements and listening to their shows, or support by omission and not saying statements such as "Nappy headed Hos" are not acceptable in our society.

It is time that Americans returned to having manners, decency, respect for other people and other people's opinions, instead of cramming their beliefs, values, and opinions down others throats because they are having a turn at the microphone, or running Congress, or any other position of power. The pendulum will swing back given enough time.

Answer 5

Inflammatory speech has become a very narrow corridor of late and Mr. Imus was caught in his own snare. The very type of "say whatever you want to" program he has run - along with others in the shock jock ilk - has bitten him in the hiney.

We ARE accountable for our words. Wars are fought over words and their perceived meeting.

In this case, Don Imus has "messed up" before but because this case was one of racial profiling, it has stirred up the firestorm that previous rants have lacked.

Until people on the airwaves realize that not only are they being listened to but that their words DO affect people and they way they feel, they skate on thin ice with impugnity. Unless WE hold them accountable for all of their trash talk.

We have the right to not listen to nor to buy products that choose to advertise with inflammatory broadcasters of any stripe.

Money speaks much louder than righteous indignation.

no ad revenue - no show.

Answer 6

I think Don Imus is a Jacka** but he has a right to his opinion no matter how ignorant it is. I think eventually public opinion is going to get him fired.
I think he did it for ratings and to get his name in the news like the other Jacka** from the Sienfeld sitcom. What's his name?
Again, I don't like what he said but I will defend to the death his right to say it. I always like to know when I am facing a fool and Imus is a big fool.

Answer 7

Freedom of speech is not the same as a right to a podium. He can say whatever he wants - but he has no constitutionally protected right to have a radio show to say it on.

Answer 8

He got a two week suspension. I agree with you. He should have the right of free speech. How much further will this be taken before we as Americans stand up and say, "No more!"

Where is everybody's sense of humor for crying out loud.

Answer 9

I don't listen to him and hope he does get fired.
What he said was deliberately done for it's shock effect.
Then they can fire Sharpton for the phney apology show.

Answer 10

I think what he said was wrong. He's getting a suspension, which is good. I don't think he'll be fired though.