Imus booted off MSNBC

[GuitarsCanada]

I see where Imus and his comments cost him his simulcast on MSNBC. Outrageous and totally uncalled for comments, but this could be extreme. I find it comical that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are leading the crusade though. Howard Stern is certainly having a blast with it all. He is loving it.

[nine]

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are a couple of hypocritical fools. Always out there with their manufactured indignance about something or other. Cameras have gotta be rolling though- otherwise they probably don't have much to say. Those two are the definition of "attention whore".

What that Imus guy said was kind of out of line, but really, that kind of inflammatory stuff is said a million times a day by ignoramuses like him on talk radio. He just got caught (and was white). Haha. And now we get to hear allllllllll about it, which is fantastic. Just when I thought I couldn't know more about Anna Nicole Smith they've abandoned that old story. Now I get to learn about some old radio dummy that I'd never heard of before.

[GuitarsCanada]

You are, of course correct on all accounts. It is really funny to see the way these things work. Foolish comments yes, but if we are looking strictly at foolish comments, there are tons to choose from.

[nine]

...but if we are looking strictly at foolish comments, there are tons to choose from.

No kidding. Every once in a while some poor sucker like Imus happens to say the wrong thing at the wrong time and becomes a lightning rod for controversy. Whether the comment was really worth of controversy or not.

I'm not saying that excuses what he said. It doesn't at all. But really, when you hear the comment in context and the way he said it, it really wasn't that bad. I looks horrible in print and when repeated in a deadpan or even angry way by some newscaster though.

See, the thing is, I have no idea if this Imus guy is really a racist or not. What he said didn't seem all that racist to me. Certainly in bad taste and probably quite ignorant.

[Powdered Toast Man]

He's been a loudmouth dickweed for his entire 30 year broadcasting career. This was the last straw and he pushed the envelope too far. I for one am glad they fired him. If I made a comment like that to a customer at my work I would be tossed out the door faster than you can make a B.S. apology. He called a group of young women's basketball players, "A bunch of nappy headed ho's" which basically translates to "A bunch of black whores" simply because the team members happen to be predominantly African-American. Wouldn't you agree that if he called every player on your own daughter's sports team a whore that you'd think he should be fired. I for one do not see the logic in arguing that what he said didn't warrant termination. He said this on air to millions of people nationwide - this wasn't him and a buddy getting overheard at the water cooler.

[mario]

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are a couple of hypocritical fools. Always out there with their manufactured indignance about something or other. Cameras have gotta be rolling though- otherwise they probably don't have much to say. Those two are the definition of "attention whore".

What that Imus guy said was kind of out of line, but really, that kind of inflammatory stuff is said a million times a day by ignoramuses like him on talk radio. He just got caught (and was white). Haha. And now we get to hear allllllllll about it, which is fantastic. Just when I thought I couldn't know more about Anna Nicole Smith they've abandoned that old story. Now I get to learn about some old radio dummy that I'd never heard of before.Not defending Imus, but I totally agree about Jackson and Sharpton. About a year or two ago, they were both defending black rappers who use those same words or worse.

[CocoTone]

You are, of course correct on all accounts. It is really funny to see the way these things work. Foolish comments yes, but if we are looking strictly at foolish comments, there are tons to choose from.


Imus should never work again. He is an azzhole, and deserves what he is getting. You want foolish comments?? Guitar bulletin boards are full of 'em.:zzz:

CT.

[david henman]

Not defending Imus, but I totally agree about Jackson and Sharpton. About a year or two ago, they were both defending black rappers who use those same words or worse.

...i don't get this.

lots of folks make racist and bigotted comments. are we supposed to give imus a free pass simply because he is not the only person that has ever uttered a racist insult?

what an odd rationale. when someone gets charged with murder, do we say, "hey, look, other people have committed murder too, you know"?

-dh

[torndownunit]

He's been a loudmouth dickweed for his entire 30 year broadcasting career. This was the last straw and he pushed the envelope too far. I for one am glad they fired him. If I made a comment like that to a customer at my work I would be tossed out the door faster than you can make a B.S. apology. He called a group of young women's basketball players, "A bunch of nappy headed ho's" which basically translates to "A bunch of black whores" simply because the team members happen to be predominantly African-American. Wouldn't you agree that if he called every player on your own daughter's sports team a whore that you'd think he should be fired. I for one do not see the logic in arguing that what he said didn't warrant termination. He said this on air to millions of people nationwide - this wasn't him and a buddy getting overheard at the water cooler.

Ya it's a well known fact that Imus is a racist and a misogynist and has made remarks like this for years. This was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

I know people will say, well Howard Stern is just as bad. The difference is Stern's material is sarcasm, and comedy and is mainly used to show the silliness of such attitudes. Imus is purely a racist.

[ne1roc]

Do any of you in the GTA listen to The Fan 590?
Bob McCowan had a round table on the topic that was very informative.
Apparently, this Imus guy was trying to be funny and mimic the way hip hop artist speak? I don't know the real facts because I never heard his comments.

While he was definitely showing poor taste in his comments, Bob made a very valid point! If the black community does not want to hear these types of comments in the future, their own community has to stop using these words as well.

Another great point he brought up was bringing up comedians like Chris Rock who makes fun of his race and uses the "N" word in his routine to add to the comedy. As a white person, is it ok to laugh if you are sitting within an audience of black people?

[torndownunit]

If you look back into his career you will find he has been fired many times for the same thing. People on these news shows seem to neglect to mention that part of it. The guy is a full on racist scumbag. This is just ONE case. And it's getting more attention this time (a) because of situations like the Mel Gibson and Kramer ones, and (b) because this time he was on TV.

If you think this is some slip of the toungue, or that he was doing some skit, research the guy you are defending.

What the black community does or doesn't do has nothing to do with one white redneck racist who finally is getting what he's had coming to him for years.

[ne1roc]

If you look back into his career you will find he has been fired many times for the same thing. People on these news shows seem to neglect to mention that part of it. The guy is a full on racist scumbag. This is just ONE case. And it's getting more attention this time (a) because of situations like the Mel Gibson and Kramer ones, and (b) because this time he was on TV.

If you think this is some slip of the toungue, or that he was doing some skit, research the guy you are defending.

What the black community does or doesn't do has nothing to do with one white redneck racist who finally is getting what he's had coming to him for years.

I am not defending the guy at all, but I am willing to listen to other arguments and not be offended by them.

The point on the Black community having to take some responsibility for this can be valid one. If a black person can use these words, why can't a white person?

Personally, I don't think its right that anyone uses those types of words.

[torndownunit]

Well in this case because it's done out of pure hatred.

I can see your argument when it applies to use of the terms that have become common in hip-hop culture. And seems to have become common even for whites in that case.

While I think that is sad as well, there is a HUGE difference between using those words in 'lingo' and using them to promote hatred. You forget about the fact that Imus is a complete Misogynist as well. He was insulting them for being black AND being successful women. And again, it's an issue of a LONG history of this stuff. Way before the use of the words in Hip Hop culture started being a bigger issue as it is now.

The guy is a complete scumbag plain and simple.

[GuitarsCanada]

I see where CBS radio had to follow suit with MSNBC and also fired him from the radio show. So he is now officially unemployed, after 40 years in the biz.

[nine]

So he is now officially unemployed, after 40 years in the biz.

Until he gets picked up by Sirius or whatever due to all of this free publicity.

[torndownunit]

Sorry if my posts were a little harsh earlier. It's just upsetting because IMO there is no other way a comment like "Nappy headed ho's" can be taken. Him saying he was doing it as a hip-hop reference is ridiculous. Where in life do you ever hear someone refer to a black person as 'nappy headed' and it be considered anything but racism? It's just ridiculous.

[ne1roc]

Sorry if my posts were a little harsh earlier. It's just upsetting because IMO there is no other way a comment like "Nappy headed ho's" can be taken. Him saying he was doing it as a hip-hop reference is ridiculous. Where in life do you ever hear someone refer to a black person as 'nappy headed' and it be considered anything but racism? It's just ridiculous.

Here are some links to hip hop lyrics from the web.
Lyrics (http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/fugees/blunted/nappy.fge.txt)

More Lyrics (http://www.dooballoh.com/cgi-bin/display.cgi?id=9669)

Here's a good article from the Boston Globe:
Article (http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/04/14/fire_hip_hop_offenders_too/)

[torndownunit]

Ok, well feel free to go out and call some black people 'nappy headed ho's' tomorrow. You can always quote those articles to them afterwards. I am sure they will completely understand.

[ne1roc]

Ok, well feel free to go out and call some black people 'nappy headed ho's' tomorrow. You can always quote those articles to them afterwards. I am sure they will completely understand.

You're missing the point, the article, and Bob McCowan are trying to make?

Nobody should be using these word.

[nine]

Imus didn't refer to anyone as a "jigaboo". Do some reading, everyone.

Honestly, do you think that if he referred to the team as "jigaboos", anyone would be paying attention to him saying "nappy headed hos"? Come on.

[ne1roc]

I'm really not sure if some of the comments here are just being made to be politically correct? :confused-smiley-010

I myself, refuse to be politically correct........not that there is anything wrong with that.

Anyone ever see that Seinfeld episode where he makes the dentist jokes and he's accussed of being an anti-dentite? The dentist's point to Jerry was that unless you are a dentist, you can't be telling dentist jokes?

Anyone here see a corelation?

[Wild Bill]

I was tempted to jump into this thread, but I promised myself that before I got involved in anything controversial on this board again I would first watch ALL the episodes of "Touched by an Angel."

I'm starting to fantasize about Della Reese...:eek:

[lolligagger]

I just happen to be reading Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. As shocking as the language is in this book (especially for the time), what I find even more appalling is that we do not appear to have made much progress in the past 150 years since the book was written. Its amazing how language and references can become deeply ingrained in culture...or lack thereof.

[nine]

I'm starting to fantasize about Della Reese...:eek:

I don't know about anyone else, but that's far more disgusting to me than what Imus said. :tongue:

[david henman]

I'm really not sure if some of the comments here are just being made to be politically correct? :confused-smiley-010
I myself, refuse to be politically correct........not that there is anything wrong with that.
Anyone ever see that Seinfeld episode where he makes the dentist jokes and he's accussed of being an anti-dentite? The dentist's point to Jerry was that unless you are a dentist, you can't be telling dentist jokes?
Anyone here see a corelation?

...not really.

nor am i a fan of whatever politically correct means. censorship, too, is counter-productive.

but, i am a huge fan of treating people with respect.

-dh

[torndownunit]

You're missing the point, the article, and Bob McCowan are trying to make?

Nobody should be using these word.


I see what you are saying, and what the article is saying. But you and I aren't the black community. It's a problem they should resolve, but in the meantime none of us have any right to tell them what to say. It's not a valid reason for white people to use those terms. And it definitely doesn't give a redneck like Imus any excuse to use those terms. I just can't see any possible 'angle' that would make what he did justified in any way.

[ne1roc]

...not really.

nor am i a fan of whatever politically correct means. censorship, too, is counter-productive.

but, i am a huge fan of treating people with respect.

-dh

So are you saying you won't tell a dentist joke out of respect for dentists?

[torndownunit]

I can't recall every hearing a dentist joke in my life :tongue: I probably wouldn't tell one just because it seems lame hah.

But do you think you can compare someone's profession to someone's race or sex? I think there's a pretty big difference myself. I think it's a sad world when people find ways to justify hate. I am not saying you are, I am saying people in the media are.

Here is one quote from an article on Imus:

Imus called Washington Post reporter Howard Kurtz a "boner-nosed... beanie-wearing Jewboy," referred to a disabled colleague as "the cripple," and to an Indian men's tennis duo as "Gunga Din and Sambo."

In who's messed up world could those comments be seen as a joke?

[ne1roc]

I don't think anybody is trying to justify hate. I think they are trying to figure out what is a source of hate?

[david henman]

So are you saying you won't tell a dentist joke out of respect for dentists?


...no.

unless she's got me in her chair and is exploring my mouth with sharp instruments.

:eek:

-dh