Should Imus have been fired from MSNBC ?

[justfishin]

Let me make a statement first. I think what Imus said was insensitive and was a typical Imus speaking before he thought again.

That being said, I only have one comment. Who died and left Al Sharpton in charge of rewriting the rules of free speech? Do we have to ask him what we can and cannot say?

I  don't agree with some of the things Imus says and it was money, sponsors and being insensitive to political correctness that got him fired but,again, where does Al Sharpton get the gall to ask for a resignation. Isn't that up to the FCC and the networks own policing of their shows? Why doesn't he police the rap groups lyrics? They are much more female insensitive and racist I feel. If my post is out of place then delete it, these are just my thoughts and qualms. Its just lately it seems that a few in this world, such as , Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the Tipper O'Neils whom think they have the right to tell me what I can and cannot say.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

IMO, no.  

What he said was wrong and he never should have went there, but this PC crap is getting out of hand.  

BTW -

His show will no longer be on TV, just radio.  That was breaking news earlier this evening

[.ghoti.]

I agree, Jim. Every radio has a dial, every TV has a remote. Change the channel if you don't like what you're seeing or hearing. Don't tell me what I can choose to see. Sensorship is alive and well in this country. I am quite capable of doing my own sensoring. I know what offends me, and I can choose to not tune it in.

Many things do offend me. I won't get into that, except to say that what Imus said was positively offensive.  

 

Hearing somebody call a spade a @$#@ing shovel does not offend me.

That may offend you, if you hear it on your radio. If it does, turn the dial, and don't go back. But don't tell me I can't listen, if I so choose.

Janet Jackson, and her perfectly timed and executed "wardrobe malfunction" cost all of us a piece of our liberty.

Sorry for the rant.

To get back on track, Imus has only succeeded in proving, once again, what a bloody fool he is. If we all stop listening, he"ll go away.

Cheers,

GK

[Fish Man]

i totally agree with u guys..IMO he was entirely wrong with what he said but as posted above who have the option of changing the dial...and as far as what he said it was by all means wrong.but i feel that everyone should be allowed a second chance and in my experiances "EVERYONE" says things that they will regrete after they say it

[frogtog]

I think that he should be able to say what he wants without the Al's and the

Rainbow's stepping in. Some of the rappers say a lot worse things without

retaliation. So why him? Could it be the color of his skin! :-/ Just my .02 worth.

[RecMar8541]

censorship alive and well?  are you kidding?? censorship RUNS this country.  Ask anyone who been to Iraq, if they even recognized the news when they came home.  I didnt even know where the h e double hockey sticks they were talking about.

Now Freedom of speech.

I do NOT agree with what Imus said, but, if that is how he feels he has the right to say so, we have the right not to listen to him, and he goes away. (kudos ghoti)

I personally dont feel anyone has the right to stifle another persons opinion, expression, or ideas.

political Correctness has gotten so out of hand its sad.  Some are far more concerned with not offending anyone that they trample on the rights of others to insure noone is offended.  Thats insane.  The criminal justice system is far more concerned with not trampling on the rights of criminals, that it impedes there ability to control crime.  Thats insane.

There is a certain political group that is ruining this country, im not gonna get into who...or what...but sometimes I sit back and say d**n,  I spent 22 years defending freedom, in a place where so little freedom exists anymore....

Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know!

recon

[edbassmaster]

" Why doesn't he police the rap groups lyrics?"

I couldnt have said it any better. They are way worse than what Imus said!!

[moby bass]

Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the Tipper O'Neils

Don't you mean Tipper Gore?

[Bassn Blvd]

Imus may have been wrong with what he said but the  A/A population has said alot worse but you dont hear al sharpten or jesse jackson speaking up.  Those two just like being the focus of attention. Also,  how many of those basketball plpayers heard the comment live. Yea he was wrong to say it but there are also white girls on that team. I dont hear white leaders crying . We have Black entertainment television.  Y dont we have white entertainment television. How do you turn nappy headed hos into racism anyway?  give me a break.  

[tipptruck1]

Now lets say a black person called us white people inbreed hillbilly crackers. Would that person have gotten in trouble? I don't think so. But agree rap is a whole lot worst. I aslo agree if you don't like it change it. Iam not a fan of Howard Stern do I have to listen to him no. This is a lot like the parents that don't like a certin game. Well its easy don't buy it for your kid. Don't go crying to the game company that you don't want you kids playing a certin game. Thats about all I have to say about this.

[Sam]

Some obsrvations.

Blacks call blacks the "N" word all the time and it is OK.

Blacks call whites "Crackers" and that is OK.

Blacks can listen to their rap music as loud as they want and it is OK.

Blacks, when they are in the majority at work or have managment frightend of them, do all sorts of things that would get others fired and nothing happens to them.

Mexicans and others from South and Central America are taking the good jobs as they work hard; are not problem employees; do not have negitive attitudes; and are family people who take care of their families and do not abandon their families or have children to prove how manly they are.

The word "Ho" is from rap music.

You can say what you want in the USA but you will pay a price if it is offensive to a group. And we all know that whatever we say about anything, including bass fishing, can be offensive to someone or group. Like PETA.

I think the entire issue will backfire on the music industry. I think you will see a backlash against the rapper style of nasty words, phrases and subjects in rap music.

Then again, in our country we forget these things as soon as the talking heads on radio and TV go to some other topic.  After all, how else can our politicians continue to be re-elected after doing what they do all the time?

Am I offended at what Imus said?  No, but I can see the Rutgers' team point of view and all other young ladies who play sports.  I watch more women's basketball because it is pure and the women play a "team" game which is what basketball is all about.  

But this is what Imus does and it is not out of character for him to do so.

And where were all the Catholics when Imus made fun of the Pope and Catholic church?  That was almost as bad as saying what he said about Rutgers.

I do not listen to him as he is just plain awful.  I am sure a number of you guys love him but for me, he is a waste of time.  Maybe this is what he needs to get his ratings higher.  Frankly, I could care less if he ever returns to either radio or TV.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Blacks can listen to their rap music as loud as they want and it is OK.

 

Black or white, city sound ordinances apply regardlress of skin color.  I've found the complete opposite here actually.  If an african-American tries bumping some "2 live crew" as he rolls down Main st, East Greenwich, he won't make it to the end of the street but when I come by with a system that has a good 2000 watts more but have Dave Matthews cranking,...noone seems to mind.

[Cephkiller]

1.  Imus is an idiot and has shown himself to be so for quite some time.  His latest snafu is no surprise.

2.  Imus has the right to be an idiot and express his idiocy in any way he chooses.

3.  Imus' employer has the right to disagree with Imus and censor him in any manner they see fit.

4.  The offended parties (including black leaders) have a right to voice their disdain.

5.  The first amendment applies only when governmental entities are attempting to censor expression.

Try Googling number 5 or below is a really good explanation, if you are interested.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/First_amendment

[justfishin]

Moby Bass, yes it is Tipper Gore, sorry, I don't know what I was thinking,lol. I certainly do not want this post to turn into a race issue. I did not mean in along that context. My main point was, why is there a certain few, and I will say it again, that can get away with policing our freedom of speech. I say, let Al Sharpton watch the Chapelle show. I like that show and take it as comedy but, if I wanted to cry about political correctness, this show would be it. Hmmmm, I never heard Al say anything about this show or him complain about how black woman are treated in black video or music. He is just another clown putting the lime light on himself. Someone needs to tell him to STHU. I hope he goes on the O' Reilly show, lol. That would be fun.

[justfishin]

Cephkiller hit the nail on the head. Ok, I am done complaining now. Its back to fishing, or attempting to catch them. These fronts in MD are killing me although, they are rockin and rollin on the Susquehanna in PA right now. Everyone has been catching some good ones. They are biting pretty well there. Tubes in Green Pumpkin/ Smoke Purple tail and a 1/8oz jighead have been a killer on them.

[moby bass]

I sometimes turned on the tv and went to the station Imus was on.....just so I could turn him off. Guy's

a jerk, IMO.

[Replica.]

Now lets say a black person called us white people inbreed hillbilly crackers. Would that person have gotten in trouble? I don't think so.

Michael "The Greek" Irvin got fired from ESPN for his racist comments about Tony Romo.

http://nfl.aolsportsblog.com/2006/11/22/michael-irvin-says-tony-romos-athleticism-is-due-to-black-ances/

[Zel]

The only people Imus needed to apologize to for his idiot comment were the girls on that basketball team!

[roadwarrior]

*** Moderator Note ***

This thread has entered the "gray area" with too much potential to move swiftly downhill.

It's time to move on.

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator