NABJ president demands firing of Imus

[Venisenvy]

NABJ president Bryan Monroe asked Thursday if Imus had "lost his mind" and called for the veteran radio host's dismissal.

Imus was speaking with producer Bernard McGurk when the NCAA title game between Rutgers and Tennessee came up.

"That's some rough girls from Rutgers," Imus said. "Man, they got tattoos ... "

"Some hardcore hos," said McGurk.

"That's some nappy headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that," Imus said.

Imus, a member of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame and one of the nation's best-known radio voices, is renowned for his caustic style and politically incorrect verbal broadsides. His show is syndicated to millions of listeners at more than 70 stations around the country.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=2828504

They have fired others for less, should he go?

[JoviFan]

Nah who cares.

[Richard Tafoya]

AP:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070407/ap_en_tv/imus_apology_20

"We are disappointed by Imus' actions earlier this week which we find completely inappropriate," WFAN-AM said in a statement Friday. "We fully agree that a sincere apology was called for and will continue to monitor the program's content going forward."

Imus apologized Friday for the comments made earlier this week on his nationally syndicated program.

...

Near the start of Friday's show, Imus said he wanted to "apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived remark we made the other morning referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team."

"It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended. Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, and we are sorry."

[BrokenHalo]

Honestly, I just think they need to be consistant--if they're firing others for less, he should be fired. Especially since it's not a first time offense.

I would not want someone using hate speech representing me/my company/etc. I do think that "political correctness" goes too far at times, but I think calling these women "hos" was totally inappropriate (I believe the "nappy headed" part was what is being argued against in this case, but frankly I think it's more offensive that these women are being called hos...even though that's fairly commonplace now, I guess. Maybe that's why it bothers me...I digress.)

I just think that if they set a standard, they need to be consistant with the consequences for people who don't follow it. So no saying that Joe Schmoe gets fired for this while Howard Stern or Don Imus or whoever gets away with it because that's how they always act.

[JoviFan]

They will never fire Stern he is who he is.

[BrokenHalo]

I know they won't; and I'm okay with that except then they shouldn't turn around and fire Joe Schmoe for doing and saying the same things.

[Richard Tafoya]

Should the same standard apply to Limbaugh? Should he be fired for using the term?

http://mediamatters.org/items/200604030004?offset=20&show=1

Frankly, I'm not a fan of the morning yak shows to begin with or much talk radio at all, so clearing the radio waves of that type of political histrionics across the political spectrum would suit me fine. Let 'em take it to satellite.

[pinky]

Nah who cares.
Every black female, whether an athlete or not, OUGHT to care about this.

In fact, everyone who thinks racism is wrong ought to care about it.
They will never fire Stern he is who he is.Who said anything about Stern? This is about Don Imus!

I'm waiting for Dave's take on this.

[JoviFan]

Brokenhalo did about stern. If your going to fire Imus then stern needs to go first.

What i meant about the who cares thing is that people say things all the time he just happens to be on tv, stern does it all the time and no one gets all upset about him they just say it stern up to his old tricks you don't hear anyone saying fire him like anyone would. Thats what i meant by who cares.

[pinky]

Sorry, I did miss that mention of Stern in my too-fast skimming.

However, I would submit that there is a difference between Stern and Imus in that Stern has no pretentions about being a serious reporter, and is in it only for what he perceives as entertainment. Imus, on the other hand, wants to be taken seriously.

As for Richard's question about whether or not Limbaugh should be fired for using the term "ho" on his show, I think Imus went much farther by using the phrase "nappy-headed hos" and that's where he became completely offensive.

I, for one, will no longer be watching MSNBC until his show is off the air.

[db44]

Thanks, Claire. :p

I don't want to talk too much about this situation because it is personal.

What I will say though is management needs to do something more than accept his apology as "sincere." With pretty much every out-of-line comment Sid made on the show, he was suspended and eventually fired (although he is back as a fill-in). With that precident, Imus and Bernard should be subject to some sort of punishment... I don't know if I've seen an apology from Bernard yet.

And to touch on Stern, I do wonder if this was a ploy by Imus to get out of his contract and to get a chance to test the Sirius waters. He seems to like the company and Mel Karmazin. In true radio shockdom, this is how some people work. Opie and Anthony for instance, pulled off their "Mayor Memino is dead" prank at a time that their suspension just happened to coincide with their usual vacation time. The same when they made the jump to XM, something outlandish. I think Imus may be ready to take that leap now that the merger is close.

[pinky]

It seems Imus is being suspended for two weeks....

http://www.comcast.net/tv/index.jsp?cat=TELEVISION&fn=/2007/04/09/632222.html&cvqh=itn_imus
NEW YORK - CBS Radio and MSNBC both said Monday they were suspending Don Imus' morning talk show for two weeks as a protest grew about his reference last week to members of the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."

The suspension begins next Monday.

MSNBC, which telecasts the radio show, said Imus' expressions of regret and embarrassment, coupled with his stated dedication to changing the show's discourse, made it believe suspension was the appropriate response.

"Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word," the network said....

Imus could be in real danger if the outcry causes advertisers to shy away from him, said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio. The National Organization for Women is also seeking Imus' ouster...

The Rutgers comment has struck a chord, in part, because it was aimed at a group of young women at the pinnacle of athletic success. It also came in a different public atmosphere following the Michael Richards and Mel Gibson incidents, said Eric Deggans, columnist for the St. Petersburg Times and chairman of the media monitoring committee of the National Association of Black Journalists. The NABJ's governing board, which doesn't include Deggans, wants Imus canned.

"This may be the first time where he's done something like this in the YouTube era," Deggans said. Viewers can quickly see clips of Imus' remarks, not allowing him to redefine their context, he said...

[db44]

Now that Rutgers has spoken, here's what I have to say:

Imus is a product of the 70s when political correctness was partically non-existant. The comments would have raised an eyebrow then, but I doubt much more. The comments on his show were made at a time where I beleive we are way too politically correct, but were still over the line. There is no appropriate punishment for him because any way you look at it, he will come out the victor: Whether more listeners or the move to Sirius.

I felt today's presser at Rutgers was out of line too. The school lost my respect when in the opening moments of her statement, coach C. Vivian Stringer called the team "God's representatives." It was a pep rally on the school's side until the players had a chance to speak. It also made me laugh that they spoke about the academic level of the players when some of them couldn't speak proper English, and when one player said she was missing class to instead be part of the national spectacle.

To my above comments, I have always felt way too much emphasis is placed on college sports. Supporters say sports bring money into the schools. Fine, if you want to beleive that, tell me why it's okay for student athletes, gender or race excluded, to get a free pass when it comes to education. A teacher makes what, $60k while a head coach can make a million a year? Bobby Knight is looked at as bad because of his physical confrontations with players, but it is overlooked that he graduates more players at a higher level than most coaches and that he thinks that's more important than the game itself.

In a similar light, I have a problem with these players calling themselves unworthy of namecalling, no matter how acute or brutal. Many of these players accepted scholarships to school and to put themselves on the national stage. Many, especially it seem to me men's players, do it and can't care about the education involved. They just look at it as a springboard to professional sports. As such, scholastic athletes deserve any critique that we level on the famous such as other athletes, politicans, actors and musicians.

I'm not a fan of excessive political correctness. As like much of our society nowadays, it is a way to make things way too easy for people. We can't handle being made fun so bar making fun of people? Schools want to ban booing? C'mon. If you are that sensitive about bad things being said about you, well, I don't think it's the speaker who is the problem. But then, someone who would complain like that I picture would be the type of person who would sue McDonald's when the person spills hot coffee over his or herself.

[JoviFan]

Now that Rutgers has spoken, here's what I have to say:

Imus is a product of the 70s when political correctness was partically non-existant. The comments would have raised an eyebrow then, but I doubt much more. The comments on his show were made at a time where I beleive we are way too politically correct, but were still over the line. There is no appropriate punishment for him because any way you look at it, he will come out the victor: Whether more listeners or the move to Sirius.

I felt today's presser at Rutgers was out of line too. The school lost my respect when in the opening moments of her statement, coach C. Vivian Stringer called the team "God's representatives." It was a pep rally on the school's side until the players had a chance to speak. It also made me laugh that they spoke about the academic level of the players when some of them couldn't speak proper English, and when one player said she was missing class to instead be part of the national spectacle.

To my above comments, I have always felt way too much emphasis is placed on college sports. Supporters say sports bring money into the schools. Fine, if you want to beleive that, tell me why it's okay for student athletes, gender or race excluded, to get a free pass when it comes to education. A teacher makes what, $60k while a head coach can make a million a year? Bobby Knight is looked at as bad because of his physical confrontations with players, but it is overlooked that he graduates more players at a higher level than most coaches and that he thinks that's more important than the game itself.

In a similar light, I have a problem with these players calling themselves unworthy of namecalling, no matter how acute or brutal. Many of these players accepted scholarships to school and to put themselves on the national stage. Many, especially it seem to me men's players, do it and can't care about the education involved. They just look at it as a springboard to professional sports. As such, scholastic athletes deserve any critique that we level on the famous such as other athletes, politicans, actors and musicians.

I'm not a fan of excessive political correctness. As like much of our society nowadays, it is a way to make things way too easy for people. We can't handle being made fun so bar making fun of people? Schools want to ban booing? C'mon. If you are that sensitive about bad things being said about you, well, I don't think it's the speaker who is the problem. But then, someone who would complain like that I picture would be the type of person who would sue McDonald's when the person spills hot coffee over his or herself.
For once i agree with you. Not to mention the part about them being educated people and come one alot of college's let there players slack off on grades just to make more money for the school if so happens to make it as far as this team did.

[Annoyedlistner]

the major problem i have here is the fact that Imus has apologized about 10 million times after he said it and people still want his head on a stake.

Am i missing something? Did he murder someone?

What more do you really want? Should someone's career really be ruined over a comment like that. not just no...but hell no.

Accept the man's apology and move on.

He spent 2 hours on Sharpton's show yesterday and Sharpton still wont let him off the hook. It's getting out of hand.

[JoviFan]

There are so many people out there on the radio that do this everyday like Stern but it's supposively ok when he does it. It shouldn't be. Yes he has said he's sorry and that should be the end but it won't

[db44]

I would guess they are ganging up on Imus for years of minor "infractions" and for going after everyone personally. The people who have been most after him seem to be Jackson and Sharpton, who have long been targets of Imus... To the point where a Sharpton impersonation is somewhat regular on the show.

[Venisenvy]

Im happy to see him being punished, he deserved something when it seemed nothing was going to happen. While I think he is sorry he said it, I'm worried he didnt seem to realize it till long after that what he said was wrong. He is definetly handling this the right way to save his job but it seems the punishment is just not enough. Two weeks is a vacation, the harm should have been significant. I was hoping MSNBC would drop his show.

[JoviFan]

There not going to drop the show esp. now with all the free publicity they will get more viewers.

[db44]

Well, I'm never shopping at Staples again. They and Bigelow Tea are the two sponsors listed as pulling out of advertising.

There's one problem though: As far as I can remember, Staples wasn't an Imus sponsor. In my mind, they are using this as a way to make a name for themselves. So screw them.

Bigelow though is a pretty big account for Imus. They paid for multiple live spots a day and sponsored some giveaways. That will hurt financially and I think has a chance to pursuade others to follow suit.

For the record, I believe they have every right to announce their action and would not protest drinking their product as I plan to avoid Staples. Their withdrawl is legit.

[pinky]

I felt today's presser at Rutgers was out of line too. The school lost my respect when in the opening moments of her statement, coach C. Vivian Stringer called the team "God's representatives." It was a pep rally on the school's side until the players had a chance to speak. It also made me laugh that they spoke about the academic level of the players when some of them couldn't speak proper English, and when one player said she was missing class to instead be part of the national spectacle.I didn't see the entire press conference, but I think it's disingenuous to criticize how these young women spoke while under a great deal of pressure that they neither sought nor deserved. They are, after all, only 18-20 years old. My own daughter is their age, and while she is very intelligent, I doubt she would be capable of being any more eloquent under the circumstances.

As for missing class to be part of the press conference, maybe she felt the principle was more important than one class.

To my above comments, I have always felt way too much emphasis is placed on college sports. Supporters say sports bring money into the schools. Fine, if you want to beleive that, tell me why it's okay for student athletes, gender or race excluded, to get a free pass when it comes to education. A teacher makes what, $60k while a head coach can make a million a year? Bobby Knight is looked at as bad because of his physical confrontations with players, but it is overlooked that he graduates more players at a higher level than most coaches and that he thinks that's more important than the game itself.
Essence Carson, the team captain, is a straight A student. She is probably not the only player on the team who is succeeding academically. Vivian Stringer demands nothing less from her players. And while I recognize that there is a pecking order among college sports, I do know that a crew team coach at Rutgers, who used to coach at either Cornell or Columbia (I'm not sure which), said that the difference between the two schools is that at his former school, if you don't go to class and don't do the work, you get a C, while at Rutgers, you get an F. The sports programs at RU haven't exactly been feeding huge numbers of players into the pro leagues.


I'm not a fan of excessive political correctness. As like much of our society nowadays, it is a way to make things way too easy for people. We can't handle being made fun so bar making fun of people? Schools want to ban booing? C'mon. If you are that sensitive about bad things being said about you, well, I don't think it's the speaker who is the problem. But then, someone who would complain like that I picture would be the type of person who would sue McDonald's when the person spills hot coffee over his or herself.Frankly, I think political correctness is carried to an extreme as well. But this comment went way beyond politically incorrect. It was racist, misogynist, and downright cruel. Dave, you don't have a daughter, I do. And I know for sure that if anyone said anything even remotely that bad about her, especially to a national audience, getting fired would be the very least of his worries.

[Annoyedlistner]

I didn't see the entire press conference, but I think it's disingenuous to criticize how these young women spoke while under a great deal of pressure that they neither sought nor deserved. They are, after all, only 18-20 years old. My own daughter is their age, and while she is very intelligent, I doubt she would be capable of being any more eloquent under the circumstances.

As for missing class to be part of the press conference, maybe she felt the principle was more important than one class.
Essence Carson, the team captain, is a straight A student. She is probably not the only player on the team who is succeeding academically. Vivian Stringer demands nothing less from her players. And while I recognize that there is a pecking order among college sports, I do know that a crew team coach at Rutgers, who used to coach at either Cornell or Columbia (I'm not sure which), said that the difference between the two schools is that at his former school, if you don't go to class and don't do the work, you get a C, while at Rutgers, you get an F. The sports programs at RU haven't exactly been feeding huge numbers of players into the pro leagues.

Frankly, I think political correctness is carried to an extreme as well. But this comment went way beyond politically incorrect. It was racist, misogynist, and downright cruel. Dave, you don't have a daughter, I do. And I know for sure that if anyone said anything even remotely that bad about her, especially to a national audience, getting fired would be the very least of his worries.

But he's appologized again and again....what else can the man do?

was it a racist comment? yes...but is it really worth having Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton protesting? no

Last week we had 2 white police officers shot in the head and killed by a young black male...where were Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton last week? They certaintly werent standing up for the familes that lost loved ones here.

I'm sorry...Jackson and Sharpton have far more important things to do then harp on this "issue" as long as they have.

[db44]

There's a difference between being nervous and having it show and using slang/eubonics at a press conference. We saw both yesterday. I agree about being nervous, flubbing lines and words, but not when somebody uses poor English. It's something you yourself has made fun of W for.

I take a different look at Rutgers than you do. I'm looking at a school that has recently come into its own in football, has had a decent women's hoops program for a while but indeed reached a pinnacle last week, and has seen its men's bball program grow steadily for the most part over the last few years. Suddenly they have a national stage. You talk about what Stringer's demands? Let's see what they allow from athletes in 10 years if they have continued success. They don't have to worry about that yet. Despite the school's long history, it never had success.

I have a number of friends who went to Rutgers. Not many talk all that favorably of their education they received from the school.

I thought Carson and Zurich spoke very well and the Q&A, and despite what I said in my other post, the players were the most impressive part of the presser. The school's part felt like an infomercial. If school officials didn't stress their academic level at the presser, I wouldn't have minded if the women spoke the way they did or that they were missing classes. And yet, they didn't have the confidence to have the players speak their minds. After more answers than not, the president or whoever it was came on to "correct" the players, to add his part to what each one said.

Needless to say, as soon as Stringer invoked God, my opinion soured. That was in the opening moments so I was skeptical pretty much from then.

You know I agree about what he said being inappropriate and I think Imus should be punished...

[db44]

Stopped the last post because reports are out MSNBC is ending its relationship with Imus.

[db44]

As I said before Joey, I feel Sharpton and Jackson are trying to get back at Imus for years of his attacks on him. Sharpton is okay ending Imus' career, but allows himself to remain a public figure when he tried to incite riots in New York over allegations which were proven false? Why does he allow himself to still have a career. Sticks and stones afterall are much more damaging than words.

As some media folks are saying, where is Sharpton to confront Snoop Dog or rappers? One person said to Jim Rome it was because of Imus' audience that he needs to be punished, that he was talking to executives and politicians, not to kids who like gangsta rap. That's all the more reason to shut "gangstas" up IMHO: Which audience is more impressionable, and whose audience is hearing the same words, but will learn to believe it where the other is more learned?

[Annoyedlistner]

As I said before Joey, I feel Sharpton and Jackson are trying to get back at Imus for years of his attacks on him. Sharpton is okay ending Imus' career, but allows himself to remain a public figure when he tried to incite riots in New York over allegations which were proven false? Why does he allow himself to still have a career. Sticks and stones afterall are much more damaging than words.

As some media folks are saying, where is Sharpton to confront Snoop Dog or rappers? One person said to Jim Rome it was because of Imus' audience that he needs to be punished, that he was talking to executives and politicians, not to kids who like gangsta rap. That's all the more reason to shut "gangstas" up IMHO: Which audience is more impressionable, and whose audience is hearing the same words, but will learn to believe it where the other is more learned?

I got another one for you here....

last year when Duke Lacross players were accused of raping a young black lady Sharpton and Jackson were all over it.

Where were they today when all charges were dropped against the players after the DA over stepped his bounds? They were protesting Imus.

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are racist.

[JoviFan]

I do agree with you on Sharpton and Jackson being racist.

I just heard Imus's show is cancelled. I can't believe they did this. He will get another show on another channel mark my words.

[db44]

Jackson was eulogizing Eddie Robinson, who considering what we've made of college sports, certainly deserved it. I'll give him that much in regards to today.

Imus hasn't been cancelled, yet. MSNBC has decided not to simulcast his show, which is not the same. Imus has been on long before MSNBC, and this may be motivated more by the fact that the network has not been happy with its ratings in the morning for a while.

[JoviFan]

That's what i meant sorry msnbc decided not to air his show anymore. My bad.

I believe there is a double standard in today's society. If a white person does something to a black person it's racist however if a black person does something to a white person you don't hear that at all. Not right. Sorry thats how i feel.

[db44]

I agree there is a double standard, but this is the first time where it's bothered me. I do support Affirmative Action and the likes, but there are so many people of different races making a buck on hateful words, and many of them I feel mean their words where I don't feel that way about Imus. The rappers I alluded to, Rush, I think they mean it. Imus, Stern, I don't.

I wonder how many children will end up being hurt by this, and if Imus is pulled off the air? Will the Hakensack Medical Center be able to treat the kids they do in the Imus center? Will children with cancer still be able to go to the Imus Ranch? So much is being made this week as though his is the worst person in the world, yet he does help many children. Going back to Sharpton, I would like to know how much time and money he devotes to charitable causes.

[Venisenvy]

Sharpton and Jesse are both scum, it's sad that they are always the ones in the african american community that get the publicity.

I said earlier that what I felt a proper punishment was for msnbc to drop his program which they have done so. I think he has been punished enough and this should be the end of it. Although I dont understand why his suspension is not imediate and is a week away.

[pinky]

But he's appologized again and again....what else can the man do?
Perhaps he could apologize without trying to minimize his comments with additions like "I'm not a bad person" and "These kinds of words are in rap songs all the time" and other things that try to make people think that he only said it because others did too.

The fact that similar expressions are common in gangsta rap is irrelevant to this issue. When used that way, the words are nothing more than an artistic expression. I don't like the art, I think it's evil, but that's really all it is. What Imus said last week was directed specifically at eight individual young women. And that makes a huge difference, IMO.

I agree that Sharpton and Jackson are as racist as they come. They are certainly not worthy of being successors to Dr. King. But that doesn't mean they can never be correct. In this case, I think they are.

Kudos to MSNBC.

[JoviFan]

I personally don't see the difference in Imus saying this and rappers saying this in rap songs. If you say it you say it. But there is a double standard thing here. Go figure. And it's ok for Isaiah Washington to make racist remarks and not get fired from Grey's Anatomy go figure.

[Whoda Thunk?]

Interesting that supporting Imus often means pointing a finger at someone else. What he said was wrong and offensive. I'm not a huge fan of rap, but what rappers are saying doesn't mean Imus' comments are okay. Since when do two wrongs make a right?

I thought Washington made a homophobic remark, not a racist one? Plenty of people were offended, but if ABC chose not to take action, that's on them- it has nothing to do with MSNBC dropping Imus' show.

I'm not sure MSNBC really cares about his comments- losing sponsors probably meant more to them than anything.

[db44]

I don't think MS has lost sponsors yet. The ones mentioned so far (minus Staples) were radio sponsors, and I believe mostly from before the MS days.

As to pointing the finger at someone else, well, I think this story answers that:

http://www.kansascity.com/182/v-print/story/66339.html

By JASON WHITLOCK
Columnist

Thank you, Don Imus. You’ve given us (black people) an excuse to avoid our real problem.

You’ve given Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson another opportunity to pretend that the old fight, which is now the safe and lucrative fight, is still the most important fight in our push for true economic and social equality.

You’ve given Vivian Stringer and Rutgers the chance to hold a nationally televised recruiting celebration expertly disguised as a news conference to respond to your poor attempt at humor.

Thank you, Don Imus. You extended Black History Month to April, and we can once again wallow in victimhood, protest like it’s 1965 and delude ourselves into believing that fixing your hatred is more necessary than eradicating our self-hatred.

The bigots win again.

While we’re fixated on a bad joke cracked by an irrelevant, bad shock jock, I’m sure at least one of the marvelous young women on the Rutgers basketball team is somewhere snapping her fingers to the beat of 50 Cent’s or Snoop Dogg’s or Young Jeezy’s latest ode glorifying nappy-headed pimps and hos.

I ain’t saying Jesse, Al and Vivian are gold-diggas, but they don’t have the heart to mount a legitimate campaign against the real black-folk killas.

It is us. At this time, we are our own worst enemies. We have allowed our youths to buy into a culture (hip hop) that has been perverted, corrupted and overtaken by prison culture. The music, attitude and behavior expressed in this culture is anti-black, anti-education, demeaning, self-destructive, pro-drug dealing and violent.

Rather than confront this heinous enemy from within, we sit back and wait for someone like Imus to have a slip of the tongue and make the mistake of repeating the things we say about ourselves.

It’s embarrassing. Dave Chappelle was offered $50 million to make racially insensitive jokes about black and white people on TV. He was hailed as a genius. Black comedians routinely crack jokes about white and black people, and we all laugh out loud.

I’m no Don Imus apologist. He and his tiny companion Mike Lupica blasted me after I fell out with ESPN. Imus is a hack.

But, in my view, he didn’t do anything outside the norm for shock jocks and comedians. He also offered an apology. That should’ve been the end of this whole affair. Instead, it’s only the beginning. It’s an opportunity for Stringer, Jackson and Sharpton to step on victim platforms and elevate themselves and their agenda$.

I watched the Rutgers news conference and was ashamed.

[db44]

By the way, I hear the station's radiothon, not being simulcast this morning, is doing better than ever.

Imus' supporters are showing their support the most convincing way.

Has anyone heard of any stations pulling out of CBS syndication? So far, I haven't.

[JoviFan]

Well cbs fired him so now he can show up on Sirius i bet money on that one.

[Annoyedlistner]

This is just plain wrong.....its been takin to far....wrong wrong wrong.

[pinky]

I personally don't see the difference in Imus saying this and rappers saying this in rap songs. If you say it you say it. But there is a double standard thing here. Go figure. And it's ok for Isaiah Washington to make racist remarks and not get fired from Grey's Anatomy go figure.
It's much like the difference between "some women are idiots" and "JoviFan is an idiot."

[Richard Tafoya]

What race did Isiah Washington focus in on? I recall him using some stupid homosexual slurs, but the race items got past me.

And to the best of my knowledge, those comments didn't air during an episode of Grey's Anatomy, so he didn't put the show itself in any jeopardy.

[kristan]

There is no difference in the words that Imus used and the words that rappers use. To say one is an artistic expression is ridiculous. It's due to rappers offensive language that so many ppl are feeling it's ok to use such offensive and racist language. It amazes me that one group are able to claim a word and say they are the only ones able to use it. This is the same thing some one white says something offensive and it's horrible yet blacks use the same words but it's ok because they are black. That's crazy.

[pinky]

So what you're saying is that Imus wasn't smart enough to think for himself, and he just figured that because rappers use that kind of language generally, it was perfectly fine for him to use it against a group of successful teenagers?

THAT is crazy.

[JoviFan]

There is no difference in the words that Imus used and the words that rappers use. To say one is an artistic expression is ridiculous. It's due to rappers offensive language that so many ppl are feeling it's ok to use such offensive and racist language. It amazes me that one group are able to claim a word and say they are the only ones able to use it. This is the same thing some one white says something offensive and it's horrible yet blacks use the same words but it's ok because they are black. That's crazy.
Totally agree but watch out i was called an idiot for this.
It's really the same thing the grey's star said something against gay's and Imus said something racist they both said something wrong and Imus got fired for this and the other didn't. It's not right. And all these rappers can rap about it and it can be ok but a white person say's something and its lets hang him and get him fired. Go figure.

[JoviFan]

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash3im.htm

kinda funny....

Makes you wonder.

[pinky]

Totally agree but watch out i was called an idiot for this.
No, you weren't. I used that as an example that you might understand in order to illustrate the difference between the general comment and the particular insult to the women at Rutgers.

You felt the difference, but still missed the point.

[JoviFan]

No, you weren't. I used that as an example that you might understand in order to illustrate the difference between the general comment and the particular insult to the women at Rutgers.

You felt the difference, but still missed the point.
And like i said i don't see any difference they both said nasty things about people. Yes it's about 2 different subjects but it's still the same thing. They were both wrong for saying things. But for one to be fired and the other one not and the fact that the white gentlemen got fired and the black gentlemen didn't is wrong. There is a double standard doesn't matter if it's a gay issue or a racist issue they are both wrong. My other point is that is a black person said what Imus said they would of not been fired but a white person is.

For the record i new you weren't per say calling me an idiot i didn't mean for it to come off that way but it did so sorry for that.

[db44]

I found this one interesting, as it backs up what I said about the program and success. Apparently until the Imus situation, the school was going to accept a kid who they knew had a record:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/news/story?id=2839858

Rutgers University dismissed a highly regarded football recruit Monday, shortly after ESPN raised questions about the player's criminal record.

Reggie Dixon, a wide receiver/running back from Plainfield High School in New Jersey, and a two-time state sprint champion, recently signed a letter of intent to play for Rutgers. But Dixon was found guilty last summer of two counts of aggravated sexual assault.

According to copies of court records obtained by ESPN, Dixon twice assaulted his stepsister -- a non-blood relative -- the first time when he was 12 and she was 9, then again when she was 14 and he was 17.

Dixon went on trial in June, when he was 18, but was tried as a juvenile, found guilty and sentenced in August to register under Megan's Law, undergo psychological evaluations and pay restitution.

Carla Venson, the victim's mother, told ESPN that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano told her it was his decision to accept Dixon. When contacted on Monday, Schiano said Rutgers was aware of the conviction when Dixon was recruited, but more details recently emerged.

I wonder what more details could emerge other than half-year old court records. So much for Rutgers' do-no-wrong reputation they hyped at the pep rally.

[JoviFan]

I found this one interesting, as it backs up what I said about the program and success. Apparently until the Imus situation, the school was going to accept a kid who they knew had a record:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/news/story?id=2839858



I wonder what more details could emerge other than half-year old court records. So much for Rutgers' do-no-wrong reputation they hyped at the pep rally.
I find this quit amusing....