Don Imus in trouble again?

[Phrebert]

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[DisneyDmbNut]

Did you hear his explanation this morning? Based on what he said, I don't think he'd agree with your assessment. According to him Jones isn't a thug, he's a victim. The only reason he was arrested is because of the color of his skin. The police are picking on him because he's black.

Imus must be smoking some strong stuff if he thinks people are going to believe that he's an advocate for the plight of the black man.

I think he just further sunk himself with his explanation this morning...

 

[Robinrs]

Blatants like Imus never shock or bother me... it's those subtle ones like the ones on this board that bug the heck out of me.

I'm used to blatant, I'm a NYer... people would call me names in the street and it would be ON! The subtle ones just keep the facade going like "who me? What did I say?"

Like it isn't OBVIOUS...

 

[bimshire]

Blatants like Imus never shock or bother me... it's those subtle ones like the ones on this board that bug the heck out of me.

I'm used to blatant, I'm a NYer... people would call me names in the street and it would be ON! The subtle ones just keep the facade going like "who me? What did I say?"

Like it isn't OBVIOUS...

Agreed.
I don't care for Imus but at least he is out of the closet so I know where he stands. It's the ones that say, I got a black friend so I am not a bigot or a racist. Those folks that pretty much mirror the KKK who at certain times are seen as good citizens in communities but at other times terrorizing fellow citizens disguised with hood and robe. Yep, those are the ones that I'm more concerned about.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Blatants like Imus never shock or bother me... it's those subtle ones like the ones on this board that bug the heck out of me.

I'm used to blatant, I'm a NYer... people would call me names in the street and it would be ON! The subtle ones just keep the facade going like "who me? What did I say?"

Like it isn't OBVIOUS...

 

[CPT Tripss]

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[Charade]

Blatants like Imus never shock or bother me... it's those subtle ones like the ones on this board that bug the heck out of me.

I'm used to blatant, I'm a NYer... people would call me names in the street and it would be ON! The subtle ones just keep the facade going like "who me? What did I say?"

Like it isn't OBVIOUS...

Wow... Like who?

Rational discussion and discourse on racial issues is impossible to talk about. The moment anyone (usually white, of course) utters anything remotely perceived as having anything to do with race or racially issues is instantly labeled a racist for pretty much all time and then no matter what they say after that, it doesn't matter.

Heck, even Bill Cosby was trashed for his straight talk about it. I wonder how people feel now that Obama has basically said the same thing. I don't recall hearing a peep about it.

 

[Charade]

Now he has "slipped" again and more outrage. .

I see outrage but I don't see "slipping".

If a black person had said the same thing, it would have been met with "yeah, right!!! It's like that!!" with a serious tone.

 

[DawnCt1]

Until there is an honest dialog about what is going to be acceptable shock jocks like Imus are going to continue to push the boundary of civility. Who can these guys ridicule? Are there groups, women, obese people and Catholics included who must not be offended by the "banter" but racially charged humor is over the line?

Excellent point. Christians and Catholics are always fair game, as are the other groups you mentioned but when it comes to race, absolutely no error in judgement is tolerated.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I wonder what the reason is that Americans can't have a frank dialog about race. We just have so few shared experiences.

Back in the day (1971) in a military race relations program, I had a guy from Philadelphia MS wonder why I (from Philadelphia PA) had seen incidents of prejudice and racism and he had not. I told him it was because we just didn't see things through the same lenses.

 

[sweetandsassyfl]

I think Imus is incredibly stupid....and I also think there's no way Pac Man Jones is just being "picked on" (nor do I think Imus really believes that.) He's a thug, plain and simple.

 

[agentpleakley]

I think Imus is incredibly stupid....and I also think there's no way Pac Man Jones is just being "picked on" (nor do I think Imus really believes that.) He's a thug, plain and simple.

I don't understand how Jones is still playing pro ball.

 

[sweetandsassyfl]

Oh, and I also believe that thugs come in all colors. Bill Romanowski would definitely qualify for the label as well (or would have when he played ball.)
And I think that Phrebert's definition of Al Sharpton is a lot nicer than the one I'd come up with (but mine would probably earn me points )

 

[SeeVee]

what a fool....
he got a second chance when most do not!!
and when a pattern emerges it is hard to say it was just a mistake...or said for simply shock value....

One only gets two chances at freedom of speech? Let him say whatever he wants. Who really cares? If he wants to marginlize himself, so be it.

And when the likes of Al Sharpton is on the case, I am inclined to side with the other side.

 

[Charade]

I wonder what the reason is that Americans can't have a frank dialog about race. We just have so few shared experiences.

While that's mostly true it IMO still shouldn't prevent "outsiders" looking in from bringing in a different perspective as long as it's done with respect.

Why is it different for me (a middle-aged white man from the Philly area too) vs. someone like Al Sharpton to say (for example) that 70 percent of black children born out of wedlock is a problem? Why is there a "stigma" attached to my comment but not his? Is it because I'm white? And that I can't possibly truly mean that I feel it's a problem. Why can't I legitimately agree with Cosby and Obama that black men running from their fatherly duties is a problem? It's a problem that affects everyone. Not just (but primarily) blacks. And as long as their views are consistent and not just focused on one race or another. I truly believe that some people find racial tension where there is none. They look at the world through "racially tinted" glasses while a portion of the rest has blinders on.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I consider myself fairly liberal and I don't have an issue with what Imus said. Although I'm no fan of Don Imus' incredibly lame show, but I'm definitely a fan of free speech. I enjoy Howard Stern, Neil Rogers, and a number of other broadcasters that definitely push the limits of good taste and racial/misogynistic banter. As far as I'm concerned, let the marketplace decide whether or not Imus stays on the air. If you don't like what he and others have to say, turn the dial.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Wow... Like who?

Rational discussion and discourse on racial issues is impossible to talk about. The moment anyone (usually white, of course) utters anything remotely perceived as having anything to do with race or racially issues is instantly labeled a racist for pretty much all time and then no matter what they say after that, it doesn't matter.

Heck, even Bill Cosby was trashed for his straight talk about it. I wonder how people feel now that Obama has basically said the same thing. I don't recall hearing a peep about it.

I feel that it is possible to have a rational discussion about race with you and most DISers.

However, there are a few here that will come in and ruin it. I can't say who these posters are. If I do, I'll get a nice little PM from a moderator.

For the record, Bill Cosby didn't say anything that parents, teachers, youth leaders...in our community haven’t been saying and working on for years.

I believe people were angry because the media latched onto what he said as if:

A. No one has said these things before
B. No one was doing anything to tackle the issues

The media praised Cosby for what he said, while ignoring the men and women who have worked for decades to turn things around.

We didn't hear anything about the youth programs.
We didn't hear anything about the job training programs
We didn't hear anything about the college prep programs
We didn't hear anything about the college tours
We didn't hear anything about the GED and technical training programs

I was never angry with Cosby, I agree with everything he said. There are plenty of people out there who are not taking responsibility for themselves and their families.

I was angry with the media. I was angry with the people (some right here on the DIS) who used his words as an opportunity to say:

They are lazy
They don’t care about themselves
They just want a hand out.

Here's something I don't understand. People praise the things Cosby said. Yet, they complain when they find out that a group that is tackling the issues, is focusing on the black community. If we all agree that there are problems in the black community that need to be solved, why get upset if the mission statement mentions the targeted group?

 

[Nancyg56]

I see outrage but I don't see "slipping".

If a black person had said the same thing, it would have been met with "yeah, right!!! It's like that!!" with a serious tone.

I actually heard someone on a news program refer to his conversation as a "slip". I was only half paying attention so I cannot even remember who said it, just that the person was a guest.

I honestly don't care what he or any of the other shock guys say, I don't listen to their shows and won't support their ratings. I just cannot understand why any backlash occurs when these guys are hired to purposely offend someone. If a radio or TV network wants this kind of programing then they should stand up when they go over some invisible line. And so should the advertisers. If these folks really had a backbone they would do that, or simply not hire them in the first place.

They remind me of those people who own wild animals and then are surprised when they get bitten.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I think Imus is incredibly stupid....and I also think there's no way Pac Man Jones is just being "picked on" (nor do I think Imus really believes that.) He's a thug, plain and simple.

Which one?

 

[CPT Tripss]

One only gets two chances at freedom of speech? Let him say whatever he wants. Who really cares? If he wants to marginlize himself, so be it.

And when the likes of Al Sharpton is on the case, I am inclined to side with the other side.

Do you really want to argue free speech on this board? This is a private place and Imus was fired by private employers . . . free speech doesn't apply.