Everyone seems to have their own opinion on the Imus firing. Obviously, I was 
mistaken when I wrote--
mistaken when I wrote--"Do they really think that their protests will get Imus fired? After all this free advertising, MSNBC and CBS radio would be irresponsible business-people to do that."
Well, I guess there's always a chance that the networks could rescind their firing, but that appears unlikely. I have several thoughts about all this.
1) Because of the way this all played out, very little of an on-going nature will be done to make a difference in how women and minorities are treated in our culture. Had Imus been allowed to 
stay on the air to make amends and actually institute some sort of awareness campaign, the plight of minorities and women may have been addressed. But now, who will be in a position, beside the usual voices, to say anything about it. And the usual voices, and you know who I mean, are almost laughable. Were those usual voices really injecting themselves into this situation to make the world a better place? You decide.
stay on the air to make amends and actually institute some sort of awareness campaign, the plight of minorities and women may have been addressed. But now, who will be in a position, beside the usual voices, to say anything about it. And the usual voices, and you know who I mean, are almost laughable. Were those usual voices really injecting themselves into this situation to make the world a better place? You decide. 2) The Rutgers women's basketball team had the courage and grace to accept Imus's apology
. Will Reverends Sharpton and Jackson say that's good enough for them? I'll be surprised if that happens. Their stance on proper behavior doesn't seem to include themselves.
. Will Reverends Sharpton and Jackson say that's good enough for them? I'll be surprised if that happens. Their stance on proper behavior doesn't seem to include themselves. 3) Who will replace the many millions of dollars that Imus raised for charity each year, those who want him to go straight to Hell?
4) As long as we're jumping on people who cross the line with hateful and hurtful language 
concerning women and minorities in the public arena, when is somebody going to say they are outraged at rap music? Or any other kind of music these days that objectifies and degrades women...particuarly minority women? Have you seen the lyrics to some of the songs in this art form lately?
concerning women and minorities in the public arena, when is somebody going to say they are outraged at rap music? Or any other kind of music these days that objectifies and degrades women...particuarly minority women? Have you seen the lyrics to some of the songs in this art form lately? 5) Why is there a difference between what an old white guy says on the radio...and what an old white guy says on HBO...or any other mass-media setting. Obviously, it appears to be OK to say anything to millions of people, as long as they paid to watch or hear it. I don't think the impact on society is any less because the media that's being enjoyed is paid for.
6) Who is going to make the world realize that Imus does a radio show based in comedy? And, that most of what he has ever said in his whole life was intended to make someone either laugh or cringe. Someone needs to say that he's not a Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, or Al Franken who are trying to change the world to their way of thought.
7) What happens when a radio show is taken off the air? Something else takes its place. What will that be for WFAN? Probably the Mike Francesa show. And he's already said it was a big mistake for CBS to can Imus, and that he was embarassed that the company did it. Doesn't sound like there will be any help for the civil rights agenda there.
Oh...there will be more to come. You can bet on that.
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