Ruminating over the Don Imus Controversy
I swear, if I hear one more news commentator utter the phrase “nappy-headed hos”, I’m going to jump off a bridge. (Especially you, Shepard Smith!) It is like the cable news networks have been given a license to become copy-cat criminals and are just finding ways to incorporate the phrase into every news story.
CNN BREAKING NEWS: “Nancy Pelosi refused to meet President Bush on Iraq funding because she is reportedly upset that Don Imus said “nappy-headed hos.”
I have never liked Don Imus and obviously his comments were stupid, racist and way over the top. But I also think the reaction to his comments are way over the top and border on hysteria.
Just a few examples:
- Certainly Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson shouldn’t be lecturing anyone about making racist remarks.
- MSNBC General Manager Dan Abrams blamed FOX News for the Imus controversy. (WTF?)
- Why is Imus suspended, but Rosie O’Donnell stays?
- Why is Robert Byrd still in the Senate? Why is Ted Kennedy?
- The Rutgers team says they were deeply hurt by Imus’ comments. One player said today… “The Rutgers University women’s basketball team has made history. We haven’t done anything to deserve this controversy, and yet it has taken a toll on us mentally and physically.”
I hate to tell her, but if she is this drained by what a shock jock said about her…. she’s in for a very sensitive life in the real world. (And I hope she isn’t watching any news coverage which repeatedly uses the phrase 24/7.)
Don Imus should probably be fired. I do agree with Sharpton that he most likely violated FCC guidelines. So let’s be done with it. Fire the old coot. I’m just tired of hearing about it!
Let’s move on to more important news. Larry Birkhead is the daddy! *sarcasm off*
-Bruce (GayPatriot)
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The coverage is way over the top. NBC News devoted half it’s broadcast tonight to this story.
What I think is interesting, though not surprising, is how everyone is seemingly ignoring the base reason for the insult in the first place: that the girls don’t conform to gender stereotypes. His original line was they were “rough” looking girls cause they had “tatoos.”
And as we all know, girls are supposed to wear lipstick and skirts.
If Imus hadn’t added the racial insult to his original line of thinking, this story would have never happened. Which is a bit of commentary about what is acceptable in America today and what is not.
It’s still acceptable to ridicule someone for not conforming to specified gender roles. It’s not acceptable to ridicule because of race.
Comment by Chase — April 10, 2007 @ 8:03 pm - April 10, 2007
[...] Original post by GayPatriot [...]
Pingback by Politics: 2008 HQ » Blog Archive » Ruminating over the Don Imus Controversy — April 10, 2007 @ 9:32 pm - April 10, 2007
Why doesn’t NBC spend a few minutes on this story
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/04/10/a-khomeinist-in-austin/
PBS issues a call to filmmakers to make films paid for by Federal Govt that pertain to our nation’s culture struggle.
Well , among many others, a group made a film about the threat of islamists. this film went through the entire process from applying to particpiate, being approved, preproduction, filming , postproduction.. but now the higher-ups in CPB in Washington got wind of the movie and are suppressing it and wont let it show becasue it is “alarmist”
NO KIDDING ITS ALARMIST.. THERE’S FIRE
Comment by Vince P — April 10, 2007 @ 10:01 pm - April 10, 2007
Jonathon Alter on MSNBC tonight said something crazy even for the nutts on the left. He said what was refreshing about Imus was he was taking full blame for his remarks and was apologizing for hurting others….not following the poor example of Bush 43 and never saying he was sorry or mistakes have been made. These nutts blame everything, including high humidity, on the evil and dastardly B U S H. I remember when they used to blame Reagan for forest fires. .
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — April 10, 2007 @ 10:14 pm - April 10, 2007
Fred Barnes on Humes show tonight captured my thoughts perfectly. For the Rutgers women to feel physically and mentally tortured over Imus’s remarks is very sad. They should have treated him like a knat. What they accomplished was amazing and they have so much to celebrate both athletically and academically. At some point hateful words can make you stronger. Like the drunk fan yelling at a superstar slugger. I think it’s only demeaning if you allow it to lower your self image. The women of Rutgers should sho fly Imus, not meet with him. Why waste their valuable time and glow brightening his day?
I’d also like to know what all those leftisit guests that appear daily on the Imus show have to say about his racism. When did they first have an inkling he was a racist and why did they keep appearing with him? So many are journalists from NBC, Brian Williams, David Gregory, Howard Feinstein, Newsweek, how could such professional journalists not ferret out such an obvious racist.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — April 10, 2007 @ 10:29 pm - April 10, 2007
Well, if they go after Imus’ comments, then they should go after every othe rapper/hip-hop whatever “artist” who mainstreamed all this ghetto-speak/gangsta scene into society. I could care less about about Imus, or what happens to him. But what I find deplorable is that this controversy disguises what “passes” in pop-culture. And I don’t buy the “it’s ok when black folk say it (or gay, or whatever); but when [other] say it: it’s bad” argument. Ignorance is as ignorance does.
Comment by Gustav — April 10, 2007 @ 10:31 pm - April 10, 2007
“MSNBC General Manager Dan Abrams blamed FOX News for the Imus controversy. (WTF?)”
They put the whammy on him with their evil eye!
“Why is Imus suspended, but Rosie O’Donnell stays?”
Rosie can suck out a man’s eyes just by opening her mouth really fast. Do you want to give her the pink slip?
“Why is Robert Byrd still in the Senate? Why is Ted Kennedy?”
Because pollution in the drinking water can be harmful to democracies.
Comment by Saul — April 10, 2007 @ 10:40 pm - April 10, 2007
I do not wach or listen to him so I was only aware of the controversy because of the unrelentless coverage by the media.
But I do not understand what the term “suspension” means in terms of Imus. Does his contract permit “suspensions”? Does he have a pay or play contract where he will be paid regardless of his show being on or not? If he is still getting paid and will be paid through the end of his contract, the suspension is meaningless.
Regardless of the suspension, if you don’t like what he represents, stop watching and urge people to stop watching. That is what ratings are about. I thought the idea of cable was to get around censorship. No matter of what I think, am I missing something or is the public calling for censorship rules on cable TV?
Comment by Kevin Norte — April 11, 2007 @ 12:01 am - April 11, 2007
I gotta agree that the reaction has been more disgraceful than the comment just like the Ann Coulter Kerfuffle. It seems that some folks just love to be “offended” and seek it out whenever possible. It’s ridiculous that this has gone on so long.
BTW, how much do you suppose Al “Brawley” Sharpton and “Hymietown” Jackson shook Imus down for?
Isn’t it more disgraceful that these two a$$ clowns have actually destroyed lives and reputations while Imus threw out essentially meaningless words?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — April 11, 2007 @ 1:36 am - April 11, 2007
Michelle Malkin has a great take on the contrast between Imus’ comments and mainstream rap music:
http://jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin041107.php3
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 11, 2007 @ 9:32 am - April 11, 2007
Great point. What Imus said is wrong. But rapper junk is worse. Why did it only hurt Rutgers team when Imus said it???
Comment by comment0r — April 11, 2007 @ 10:58 am - April 11, 2007
Or better yet, since this hits us close to home, how come nobody batted an eye at Roseanne Barr’s anti-gay tirade?
Does anyone seriously think a prominent gay or lesbian will take her to task? Or is it because she’s so leftist that she can get away with it?
Here’s an idea – a Rosie (Barr) vs Rosie (O’Donnell) cage match to settle this whole brouhaha.
Insert Rosie joke(s) here.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 11, 2007 @ 11:51 am - April 11, 2007
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ” -Eleanor Roosevelt (1937)
A harsh observation, but….. that the ladies of the Rutgers basketball team are wallowing in their victimhood, and allowing themselves be used in this manner, rather than shrugging-off his oafish comments demonstrates that he’s right about the “ho”-part. TV-lights, book rights and financial compensation do not make up for a lack of backbone and personal integrity on their parts.
“Madame, would you sleep with someone for a million-dollars?”
“Sure. Of course I would.”
Would you sleep with me for a twenty-dollars?”
“No, …do you take me for a whore?”
“Well, we’ve already established that. We’re just negotiating your price….”
Comment by Ted B. (Charging Rhino) — April 11, 2007 @ 12:20 pm - April 11, 2007
You know, Peter, I don’t think that’s an unfair characterization on Rosie’s part.
Of most gays.
People like yourself, Ted, GP, GPW, Michigan-Matt, V the K, and Calarato excepted, of course……but we are a distinct minority within the gay community.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — April 11, 2007 @ 12:47 pm - April 11, 2007
Point well taken, NDT. But as I see it, for so-called “tolerant” and “open-minded” liberals to not take issue with Rosie’s comments are showing that they are more driven by anti-conservative animus than for a modicum of fairness for all. Hence the hypocrisy.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 11, 2007 @ 12:54 pm - April 11, 2007
True in one sense, Peter.
But do you think that the reason they’re keeping quiet is because Roseanne is saying what they know to be true — and exploit for their own purposes?
To me, the reason they’re not saying anything is because it would be patently stupid for them to get upset over something which is so obvious. It’s only the gay leftists who are too clueless to realize what everyone else thinks of them.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — April 11, 2007 @ 1:24 pm - April 11, 2007
I agree, lets move on and remember if Rev. Al (Tawana Brawley) Sharpton and Jesie (Hymietown) Jackson get their way, Imus will released from his contract. After his well earned vacation I am sure he will become the XMRADIO on Satellite version of Howard Stern.
http://unsigned.xmradio.com/
Comment by Kevin Norte — April 11, 2007 @ 1:31 pm - April 11, 2007
It just occured to me. Do you think the Imus flap has been blown up to deflect from the Pelosi humiliation and the Di Fi billion dollar contractor corruption stink?
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — April 11, 2007 @ 9:40 pm - April 11, 2007
I love hearing about the latest political intrigue from Leftists… there are always so many nefarious plots going on.
Comment by Vince P — April 11, 2007 @ 9:54 pm - April 11, 2007
So MSNBC fired Imus and CBS will probably follow suit. I’m gonna ask everyone to think back to last fall when Chris Matthews on his hateful show compared Joe Leiberman to “uncle Toonoose” from the Danny Thomas, Make Room for Daddy show in the 50’s. Those who saw that show know uncle Toonoose as the Jewish old uncle tormenting his son.
Chris Matthews compared Joe Lieberman this “uncle Toonoose type figure to his younger WASPish challenger” in the Democrat primary in an unfavorable way. Matthews was stirring up anti semitic images in trying to hurt Leiberman. And to remind the Conn. voters of Joe’s Jewishness. My point is this behavior by leftist hatemongers is common and on going. When it is hateful sterotypes of Christians or Jews it is usually overlooked.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — April 12, 2007 @ 12:15 am - April 12, 2007
#14
People like yourself, Ted, GP, GPW, Michigan-Matt, V the K, and Calarato excepted, of course……but we are a distinct minority within the gay community.
HELLO????
Comment by ThatGayConservative — April 12, 2007 @ 3:04 am - April 12, 2007
I think I was excluded too.. pfth.
Comment by Vince P — April 12, 2007 @ 3:59 am - April 12, 2007
I think I may have been wrongly included, if it helps.
Comment by V the K — April 12, 2007 @ 5:29 am - April 12, 2007
NBC News finally puts its finger in the air and figured out that it needed to cancel the show…which it has. My justice would have been far more swift and certain. Good riddance. In the order of things, this issue falls far below Bush’s mess in Iraq as far as I am concerned, but it is still a problem that needs to be addressed when it pops up.
Comment by fnln — April 12, 2007 @ 5:46 am - April 12, 2007
God this annoys me… Iraq is not “Bush’s mess”. Depending on what scale you want to view things.. at its smallest level, it’s America’s Mess. So if you live in America.. this is your mess too. We’re all one country even though I know Leftist Anti-American Dystopians like to think they exist on some other plane.
We’re going to be in Iraq for the rest of our lives. The Arab/Islamic Culture is totally failed. They cannot be allowed to fall into the arms of Islam/Allah. They must be given another path for human existance.
There is not one good or easy option available.. all future choices will be among horribly difficult and in some cases painful options.
This is the world that Islam has brought us, it is not something the US did or do not do. Please take soem time to learn about Islam and stop dividing this country.
Comment by Vince P — April 12, 2007 @ 6:04 am - April 12, 2007
Vince also brings up a good point in an unintentional way. While we’re all sitting here bickering about free speech or the limitations thereof, Iran is enriching plutonium and training Iraqi terrorists within their borders.
Did someone here just press the snooze button, or what?
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 12, 2007 @ 12:59 pm - April 12, 2007
Feels a lot like 2001, doesn’t it? Al Qaeda was preparing a massive and deadly attack while America was obsessed with Gary Condit and Chandra Levy.
Comment by V the K — April 12, 2007 @ 2:55 pm - April 12, 2007
bzzzt. wrong, vinnie. iraq IS bush’s mess. he took on this fight with NO rationale. he lied to all of the world with his distorted “intelligence.” he cherry-picked info to use and destroy, he went after people who questioned his choice for war. this IS bush’s legacy. face it, he will forever be remembered as the president who completely altered our reasons for war. the world’s nations will remember this act of war and it will take generations for us to live down his moral mistake.
Comment by rightiswrong — April 12, 2007 @ 5:46 pm - April 12, 2007
So, Bush was venal and dishonest enough to lie about WMD’s in Iraq, but not venal and dishonest enough to arrange to make sure that WMD’s were discovered after the invasion?
The left is so f**king retarded it’s unbelievable.
Comment by V the K — April 13, 2007 @ 7:23 am - April 13, 2007
“The left is so f**king retarded it’s unbelievable.”
And VdaK, here’s another news flash for you – the sky is blue. Really.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 13, 2007 @ 12:23 pm - April 13, 2007
This is one of the best boards I’ve seen on the subject. At least y’alls talking relevant issues. All this and much more could be better addressed if we had better leadership in this floundering country. Have you noticed how the Constitution and Bill of Rights have become things to circumvent, or how the Ten Commandments have become the ten suggestions? Today’s communication technology has made us a nation of the individual, by the individual and for the individual, for lack of a better option. We’ve had effective leaders in the past, but they’ve all become irrelevant now — our country, our community, is tearing itself apart like an internal combustion engine without oil. Good luck Barak, but I’m still looking, and willing to make sacrifices.
Comment by Don M — April 15, 2007 @ 12:18 am - April 15, 2007
Imus is Imus, and being that it was allowed, what did they expect? His mouth was big, they knew it and yet, it was encouraged. The problem is, he disrespected a group, which has a support system, but don’t act as if you’re surprised when the guy has been doing this very same thing albeit against different people, since the start of his show. If it hadn’t been allowed to begin with, it wouldn’t be an issue. There has to be a point, where a line is drawn.
Comment by Big Mike — April 28, 2007 @ 12:14 am - April 28, 2007