NWR- Don Imus??

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Posted by portjeffbride

well, just for the record, I feel compelled to clear up something with the 'freedom of speech' arguement.

Freedom of speech (as long as it does not infringe on others freedom) is a right of an individual.... when standing on their soapbox either on their private property, or on public ground.

Freedom of speech does not occur at the work place. Your employer is allowed to censor you at their discression.

Live radio / TV hosts must be cognescent of what is considered 'acceptable' content by not only the FCC, but their broadcaster/employers. If they go over the line (as in this case), they risk censorship, fines, suspension, or being fired. All perfectly legal, and if Imus wasn't asleep at the wheel, he might have clammed up prior to committing career suicide....

oh, and I regretfully also must remind everyone of Bill-O's settlement out of court for sexual harrassment and TONS of really misogynistic behavior in the work place. Alas, he isn't always that professional....

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all i have to say is that theres a VERY big differance between freedom of speech and oppressive discrimination!!

I understand what you are saying COMPLETELY and yes, I agree. But I personally DO NOT think that's where it was coming from. I think it was just a REALLY stupid and ignorant thing to say and he made a mistake.

Considering the comments in this thread (especially the one about the media & MSNBC ultimately being a business) I can understand why he was fired.

But for me, I have heard WAY MORE offensive comments possibly stemming from hate, on the tv & radio so its confusing to me.

I have never been 'oppressed' or harshly discriminated against so I dont expect anyone to accept my opinions. I just expect people to respect the context they are being made in (does that make sense?)

regardless, i love and respect every one of you even though we may not agree on the same issues.

But when you have never been opressed or discriminated againist (which I am sure you have in some shape or form at least once in your life) you wouldnt understand the harshness of his words. When you are used to the discrimination you get tired of it and eventually dont want to deal with it anymore.

Fruthremore, if his actions were not punished people would think it was okay to go around calling black women nappy headed hoes. And if someone who took his example and called me that in the street..... the new suburb Long Island Tiffany would be gone and the orginal Bronx Tiffany would reappear.

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Posted by portjeffbride

well, just for the record, I feel compelled to clear up something with the 'freedom of speech' arguement.

Freedom of speech (as long as it does not infringe on others freedom) is a right of an individual.... when standing on their soapbox either on their private property, or on public ground.

Freedom of speech does not occur at the work place. Your employer is allowed to censor you at their discression.

Live radio / TV hosts must be cognescent of what is considered 'acceptable' content by not only the FCC, but their broadcaster/employers. If they go over the line (as in this case), they risk censorship, fines, suspension, or being fired. All perfectly legal, and if Imus wasn't asleep at the wheel, he might have clammed up prior to committing career suicide....

oh, and I regretfully also must remind everyone of Bill-O's settlement out of court for sexual harrassment and TONS of really misogynistic behavior in the work place. Alas, he isn't always that professional....

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Ah, PortJeffBride, we're on the same page again.

to add:

Imus was pulling down millions a year, and will no doubt get a fat contract with Sirius (ala Stern) and continue to make cash. So please, no one should feel sorry for him.

Agreed with the ladies that said before- he wasn't fired for saying what he said. He was fired because of the pressure on sponsors.

Speech on the airwaves is restricted in a few ways- first, the airwaves are 'patrolled' by the FCC, and specific guidelines have to be followed. The fines that can be levied by the FCC are now GINORMOUS and have the potential to put radio stations out of business. Secondly, radio stations censor themselves and their subsidiaries... anyone remember Clear Channel's list of songs you can't play?

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Posted by carolinep24

all i have to say is that theres a VERY big differance between freedom of speech and oppressive discrimination!!

I understand what you are saying COMPLETELY and yes, I agree. But I personally DO NOT think that's where it was coming from. I think it was just a REALLY stupid and ignorant thing to say and he made a mistake.

Considering the comments in this thread (especially the one about the media & MSNBC ultimately being a business) I can understand why he was fired.

But for me, I have heard WAY MORE offensive comments possibly stemming from hate, on the tv & radio so its confusing to me.

I have never been 'oppressed' or harshly discriminated against so I dont expect anyone to accept my opinions. I just expect people to respect the context they are being made in (does that make sense?)

regardless, i love and respect every one of you even though we may not agree on the same issues.

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I understand what you are saying but like you claim, if it was just an ignorant and stupid thing to say on his part, does that make it justifiable? That is not an excuse at all to say well ive heard worse things on television so this is okay, because the worse things we hear said on television is just as wrong as this and imo should be banned as well!

Woman are 'oppressed' everyday unfortunately and they always will be. The reason they are oppressed is because of degrading language that is said on tv in our modern society. And we all wonder why our children and society are becoming sick and twisted individuals? Just look around us and turn on the televsion to see the brainwashing that occurs.

We dont have to agree we all have different opinions and its okay thats why we have a forum

Oh lets forgive him because hes having a chartiy function? So if all racist in this world have charity functions should we forgive them to?

No, I didn't say that. I just think it takes from the charitable (and successful for many years) event that is happening.

The information was not listed anywhere had it not been for supporters announcing it. Who does that help?

I definitely think his background in charity is a testament to his character in general as just making a dumb mistake.

if it was just an ignorant and stupid thing to say on his part, does that make it justifiable

No, it doesn't make it justifiable. These are just my opinions from my knowledge of Don Imus, Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton in general.

<333 I appreciate the fact that I can voice my opinions without being stereotyped in a certain sector but I have to admit, it;s not always easy to be completely honest.

and no one should live feeling that way.



haha i like that emoticon.
mmmmmmmm beach...

Imus was pulling down millions a year, and will no doubt get a fat contract with Sirius (ala Stern) and continue to make cash. So please, no one should feel sorry for him.

I don't feel sorry for him. In fact I heard him comment about his private meeting with the Rutgers team that he's not doing it for his job... he doesn't NEED his job. He's doing it b/c he needs to make sure he works things out for himself and for the women he offended.

Granted, he could be FULL OF ****. But I've listened to him for years (indirectly) and I *feel* he is being honest.

Look-- he didnt have to apologize (my my look at Ann Coulter for goodness sakes...)

Don't know. my opinion is that people deserve a second chance... maybe not as a broadcaster, but definitely as a human being, you know?

again: beach:


yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

ohmigod, stealthgroom, that clearchannel list....
it hurts my little brain!!!!

One thing on the list:
john lennon 'imagine'

Yeah, I'm sure they banned that song only after 9/11..... what a hateful angry song!

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Posted by MrsDaniRella

Woah, woah, woah SG...

Hang on a minute... you can say what you want about Ann Coulter because she is VERY extreme (and sometimes cruel and hurtful) and yeah, I can see Don Imus being in that category sometimes b/c he is extreme too but I have NEVER, EVER heard anything insulting from Bill O'Reilly... he actually seems like he goes OUT of his way to be fair towards people and not say things that are inappropriate... ESPECIALLY things that are racist or biased... The same goes for Sean Hannity.

They are two guys that are very professional and serious about their jobs and there's nothing on record that they have ever said that is racist or discriminatory.

So, I can totally respect your opinion on Ann Coulter and others that I know are really out there and very extreme but I'm an avid Bill fan and I like Sean Hannity too and they have never said stuff like that-- they are definitely not mud slingers and are never cruel or racist... ever.

Sorry, I had to defend my man Bill O

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Oh Dani. I'm sorry... and we get along so great, too. But I got to respectfully disagree with you. I think Bill O'Reilly is incredibly inappropriate and inaccurate. Much of his facts and figures are fabrications and distortions, he bullies guests who are on his shows and doesn't allow them to speak if he doesn't agree with them. How he turned the drunk driving incident and the fire in the bronx into political footballs about illegal immigration were among the most sickening political theater I've ever seen. Sean Hannity is also this bad. I don't want to get into a flame war, tho, so if you want, I'm happy to continue the discussion in fm or offsite.

--the stealth groom
(he may eat meat, watch sports, drink whiskey and play poker, but he's one of those crazy liberals too!)

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Posted by PaddysGirl15

I definately think he should be criticized for his actions, completely disrespectful and totally out of line. I do agree with you stealth groom- they are making a huge deal out of this to make us not think about the other nonsense that goes on!


Miss Jonesy and the morning show did something really similar when they played that song mocking the tsunami and were laughing about it-- they did not get fired. Howard Stern constantly crosses the line and never got fired. Why make the example now? What is good for the goose is good for the gander!

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Actually, the entire morning crew that made the stupid tsunami comments were ALL fired and they each had to pay a fine.

The main problem is that the entire country is accepting racist comments as another form of expression rather than as what they are-racist. Anyone who makes such ignorant comments should be reprimanded while keeping their racist ideas OUT of our society. These ideas only bring down our nation. It's not about freedom of speech anymore, it's about respecting human rights and understanding the fine line between 'expression' and ignorance. That goes for all of the foolish statements made by actors/radio hosts/celebraties, etc.

So if he just made a dumb mistake did that guy (dont even know his name and dont care to) from Seinfield make a dumb mistake when he screamed the N word a thousand times... or did Barbara Bush make a dumb mistake when she said that the people in Hurricane Katrin were better off living in shelters anyway cause they were already poor.... I mean people want to exuse these peoples words but their are to many dumb 'mistakes' being said and its good someone finally does something about it.

If you read my OP, you would see I actually stated I do NOT see these incidents as being the same. I think the Michael Richards incident (the Seinfeld dude) as being a place of hate and deep rooted issues. I would never excuse that.

The Babs Bush comment-- I wouldnt even TRY to acknowledge that as I ((feel)) the Bush family is deep rooted in racism and corruption etc etc but that's a political influence. Imus is an ENTERTAINER... I would DEFINITELY be tooting a differnt toon if it were one of our leaders referring to some strong women as nappy headed hoes.

Look-- I was in a bagel store this morning in my neighborhood where about 6-9 'elderly' men were discussing the issue (yes, different races) One of them simply commented 'I don't even know what a nappy head hoe is...' and they all had a laugh over it and how this has made the FRONT page of the daily news, yet the woman who excused the Duke students of rape and ruined their lives for a year was a story on the side.

That's the way I saw the 'incident' I saw it as an OLD white man saying a comment that he didnt even know what repercussions it could hav brought upon himself. Granted, as a person 'in the media' he SHOULD have though twice-- yes. And I'm not saying I agree with him.

Michael Richards (Seinfeld dude) KNOWS what the N-word is... Knows what kind of hurt the N-word brings people. I have no justification for that. It was STUPID. Do *I* forgive him? Of course... he made a mistake. But of course I recognize that I am NOT of African-American descent and I do not know or have never experience that kind of hatred.

Again, I'm just stating my opinion on THIS issue. Not disregarding the others.

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Posted by tiff940

So if he just made a dumb mistake did that guy (dont even know his name and dont care to) from Seinfield make a dumb mistake when he screamed the N word a thousand times... or did Barbara Bush make a dumb mistake when she said that the people in Hurricane Katrin were better off living in shelters anyway cause they were already poor.... I mean people want to exuse these peoples words but their are to many dumb 'mistakes' being said and its good someone finally does something about it.

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'And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this [she chuckles slightly]is working very well for them.'

Lest you have any questions on how your actions as a parent can shape your child, there it is, right there, a serious reminder.

And Tiff940, you'll notice that Barbara Bush never offered an apology for that (not that I'd accept it).

People say some racist, fascist, violent stuff on the radio. Michael Savage thinks that people who protest the war should be stuffed with bombs and dropped in Iraq. How these folks got a microphone and I didn't is beyond me.

jayandjenny said it best.

But while we all have our own opinion (which we should have) I dont think it is fair for people to tell others to just get over it, or not take it that serious, especailly when half the people have nevvvverrr evvverr experienced the constant racism that African Americans feel everyday. For example, I dont know what it feels like the be Jewish and experience religious discrimination and racism on that level so I would never tell a Jewish person that discrimination directed toward them is not that big of a deal. Basically my point is that... Until you experience the type of hatred and racism that black people in this country struggle with on a everyday basis that dont tell them how to react. (This isn't directed towards any one person just everyone in general) Still love you guys though!

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Posted by stealthgroom

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Posted by tiff940

So if he just made a dumb mistake did that guy (dont even know his name and dont care to) from Seinfield make a dumb mistake when he screamed the N word a thousand times... or did Barbara Bush make a dumb mistake when she said that the people in Hurricane Katrin were better off living in shelters anyway cause they were already poor.... I mean people want to exuse these peoples words but their are to many dumb 'mistakes' being said and its good someone finally does something about it.

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'And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this [she chuckles slightly]is working very well for them.'

Lest you have any questions on how your actions as a parent can shape your child, there it is, right there, a serious reminder.

And Tiff940, you'll notice that Barbara Bush never offered an apology for that (not that I'd accept it).

People say some racist, fascist, violent stuff on the radio. Michael Savage thinks that people who protest the war should be stuffed with bombs and dropped in Iraq. How these folks got a microphone and I didn't is beyond me.

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He just offered an apology because now hes in trouble and if he wasnt he wouldnt care one bit. So his apology is phony.

Well said tiff940!

FH and I are Latinos and it's sad to hear him say that he now stops leaving his full name (i.e. the Latino last name) on voicemails when searching for apartments. He called one place and was quickly told by the super that there are no apartments available. I get sick every time I pass this building and still see a VACANCY sign hanging right there on the yard. Could be a coincidence, but because we have felt this direct ignorance before, you can't help but wonder......

thankfully, we can all share our thoughts here and learn from each other. LOVE TO ALL THE LIW BRIDES!

He just offered an apology because now hes in trouble and if he wasnt he wouldnt care one bit. So his apology is phony.

I honestly dont think so b/c Imus has made his mark on the broadcasting industry and is a very very successful (and old) man!!

but I can see why you think that way.

and my love, I would never tell anyone to get over it. which is why Im just having a conversation with you about it. If you ask me a question, I will answer it as honestly and objectively as possible

<333

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Posted by tiff940

jayandjenny said it best.

But while we all have our own opinion (which we should have) I dont think it is fair for people to tell others to just get over it, or not take it that serious, especailly when half the people have nevvvverrr evvverr experienced the constant racism that African Americans feel everyday. For example, I dont know what it feels like the be Jewish and experience religious discrimination and racism on that level so I would never tell a Jewish person that discrimination directed toward them is not that big of a deal. Basically my point is that... Until you experience the type of hatred and racism that black people in this country struggle with on a everyday basis that dont tell them how to react. (This isn't directed towards any one person just everyone in general) Still love you guys though!

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I couldnt agree with you more. In addition what im not understanding is why many woman that have replied are saying he made a mistake and are letting the racist remark overshadow the fact that he called women 'hoes'. This is something that any woman regardless of race, should never ever respond by saying, 'oh its just a stupid mistake he made'.