Well I'm glad both parties were able to meet and get it all out on the table. Didn't really care if Imus got fired or not but wanted him to hear the voices of the young, beautiful, and talented ladies he offended at Rutgers University. They didn't deserve such harsh statements from Imus.

Wow..........Harvey really came thru with that little missive. Elegent, honest, real, healthy. I'm posting the link on my local CL R&R, where unPC is the norm.

Thanks, Harvey, we last saw each other at Yankee Stadium, Closing Ceremonies, Gay Games IV, NYC 1994.

TRL

Now I know I didn't want him fired. (I was on the fence before)
He owns and operates a dude ranch in New Mexico. This charity ranch is for children with cancer and other diseases along with siblings who have lost family members to these diseases. In the past, corporations like American Express and Readers Digest have donates millions to this place. Last year he helped approx. 90 children, more than Make A Wish.
Now the entire operation is in jepardy since he was fired and the money is drying up. It seems he has helped more families directly through his ranch than hurt directly with his remarks. After all, they were just words. Wrong, bigoted words, yes, but his actions, (through his charity), is more important. And almost half of the kids who visit the ranch are minorities.
It's to bad that all the people who called for his termination either didn't know this or didn't care. So thank you Al and Jesse, you might have thought you did the right thing, but this time you didn't. Next time, think it through. But for now they got what they wanted, they won. I'm not exactly sure what they won. But whatever it is, it's insignificant to what is going to be lost. I know what that is. In the end it's the children who are going to lose.

You have a good point. Well said.
We're all victims at one time or another. The key is not to allow ourselves to be a permenantly victimized or give them all the power. It's easier said than done though. This is a road all of us on the board continue to walk.

Well,he obviously had a huge audience.Those who felt victimized should now feel vindicated and those who enjoyed his show will have to find someone else to listen to.These celebrities,whether it's on the radio or whatever form of media can really get a big head,to the point that they think they can say anything and it will be okay.I don't think you can mistakenly say things like he did.However there was some discussion here in Detroit with the hot topic being "Hip-Hop" music and how it degrades so many types of people,especially women.Most of the male performers went out of their way to avoid the topic.The argument that it's okay for me to use the "F" word because I'm gay or it's okay to use the "N" word because I'm black is getting stale.

Imus isn't the problem. There will still be others who use such vile words to debase and defile others, if only to sell records. Yes, this is a much bigger issue than one old white man with a limited audience.

Bravo to Michelangelo Signorile for pointing out how impotent and Hollywood-happy GLAAD is in light of this brouhaha (ie, Imus has been rancidly homophobic forever).

http://signorile2003.blogspot.com/2007/04/...n-thinking.html

This is what really bothers me about all of this. Things that are FAR worse are being said towards other minorities and there's no reaction.

Did you see the Rosie O'Donnell "gem" on The View about Chinese reaction to some of our news? Like a 1st grader, she pulled her eyes really tight and started to talk in a childish mock chinese kind of language. Where are the Chinese American versions of Sharpton and Jackson? I mean, there were some asians who publicly denounced this rubbish, but nothing is ever on the scale of when blacks get "dissed."

But the black community turning around and then letting rap "artists" get away with saying "hos" and "bitches" while forbidding dried up old white radio announcers to do it certainly isn't going to help anyone's cause. (Spare me the "racializing" story, "ho" is as racially charged a word towards women no matter who spits it out) Sorry, I just don't buy this "we can be racist, sexist, homphobic thugs....because we can, and that's just the way it is...but absolutely no one else can" mindset.

It's all bad. No matter who it comes from. It's just frustratingly hypocritical when the group screaming the loudest about this hateful language has "song" after "song" with lyrics including "a'ight," "bitch," "ho," and "ni**a." You want to proverbially clean house of all this hate? Might want to start in your own room.

And you need to spend less time worrying about what idiotic old radio announcers are saying in the white community (right, because rappers only talk in the black community ) and worry about "your" community's perpetual sense of victimization and entitlement.

"My community" isn't crying the loudest (like usual) here, even when "other communities" are getting far worse treatment, "yours" is.

DownLowNY, do you personally know Tennis Guy? Am I missing something here? Tennis Guy expresses an opinion and he is attacked. That should not be what this forum is all about! If you want to start a conversation about corruption in black politics, bring it on daddy. Ever hear of Gary, Indiana? It's the blackest city in the nation, and probably the most corrupt. It also happens to be my home. When I see housecleaning begin in black comminities by blacks, I will sit up and take notice. Otherwise, DownLowNY, take your misguided hostility elsewhere.

What the hell do corruption in black politics and Gary, Indiana have to do with the matter at hand? You’re simply full of shit and trying to change the subject. Not only are you dishonest, but worse yet, you think you're clever. Since you want to have that conversation fine. The only politics that are more corrupt than black politics are white politics. There’s more corruption in the white city government of San Diego (whose municipal pension fund was looted of almost 1.5 billion dollars) than there is in every black city in the country. Get the hell out of here with your racist little canards. As I said before, when you and your ilk finish cleaning your house, then and only then will you have the credibility to lecture others about cleaning theirs.

Success! I outed another racist clown! Pause here while I pat myself on the back. You don't even know what my race is...you are the racist fool who will bring down everyone. Pat yourself on the back while you are at it. You deserve it. Call me some more names...that's what intelligent discourse is all about, isn't it...whomever can call the other the most stupid name they can think of...you won, brother! You think you know it all and yet you know nothing. Folks like you are dangerous. Go back to your hole and try not to choke on your own bitterness.

Wow, this DownLowNY guys has some serious problems with his issues. Perhaps some therapy might help him. You know, to guide him in a more productive direction for these issues. Because to me, his anger seems quite dangerous. Nothing good can come from that aspect.

Quote["You need to spend less time worrying about what rappers are saying in the black community and spend more time worrying about your community's lack of leadership." Quote]

WTF? Everyone needs to worry about what all kinds of of rappers are saying and better yet they need to stop buying this junk until the quality of the lyrics stop debasing so many people! Why does anyone enjoy listening to racist,mysoginistic,homophobic and basically stereotypical lyrics? Thank God there are so many other types of music to listen to.I never listened to Imus and never wanted to.I certainly would not try to defend him but he is not alone in offending many people.The only difference is that for some insane reason,a select group can get away with anything,anytime.

You don't even know what race I am (not that it even matters), and you're telling me "my community" isn't man enough? I'm not even Asian or Hispanic, so I wasn't trying to be a victim at all, I was simply pointing out that for some reason some loud-mouthed entertainers can pick on certain minorities, and other loud-mouthed entertainers can't pick on another. Funny how that works.

I agree with the others here, not only are you a deflecting hypocrite, but a dangerous, assumption-making and ignorant racist to boot.

Jesus Christ the two of you sound pathetic as hell. I had posted earlier that I don't understand why people are dividing themselves into camps over this. This is a humanity issue. Its not a black or white issue. Everyone should be outraged at Imus' comments. Sure there can be a disagreement on whether or not he should have been fired but excuse me.... "crying the loudest like usual"?!!! What the hell is that?!!! I agree there are bigger fish to fry and that firing Don Imus isn't going to really change anything but I don't think you are in any position to comment on giving advice about what "my community" needs. I also agree with DownLowNY in that yes...members of my community will stand up when they think that there is an injustice. Are they perfect in what they are doing? No. Have they been wrong in the past and blown it out of proportion? Sure. I originally thought Imus should have been fired but now I don't believe he should have. In the end, it is free speech and slowly but surely, we are losing our individual rights. People think its a great idea when it happens but its the same thing with red camera lights, cameras in neighborhoods, etc. Before we know it...we're not going to have much individual freedom if we don't watch it. But I remember what a rabbi said after the Imus thing about why members of the Jewish community didn't stand up when Imus made anti-semetic comments, and the rabbi saying that they often rely on their black brothers and sisters to stand up for things when they won't. I do however appreciate that there are people who are willing to stand up and say "ya know what...no." If Imus has to be the sacrificial lamb for greater change than so be it. A dialogue like I have never seen has been started because of this situation and I'm hoping that those rappers (stop generalizing all rap music because its not all of them) are called out and forced to have to change their ways because its warping the minds of too many. I listen to some of that same music but would never think of referring or thinking of a woman in those terms. I owe the kind of man I am to the beautiful, strong black women who made sure I had good home training. From my grandmothers to aunts, cousins, and most importantly my mother. Unfortunately, there are tons of kids who aren't that fortunate so not all of us get that home training.

But I think people need to back up in terms of thinking what "you" know that another community needs. I agree that my people definitely fix the issues that are going on in our own backyard but that doesn't mean we aren't going to speak up for crap that happened with Imus. There is so much I have actually learned since this Imus thing about what members of "my" community are doing than I wouldn't have learned because mainstream media didn't report it. I had praised Jason Whitlock for his article he had written earlier in the week but he was SLAMMED by Al Sharpton on Oprah yesterday. Rev. Sharpton nailed Whitlock left and right quoting dates, events, articles and books detailing how he and Rev. Jackson have been leading protests and boycotts of advertisers associated with BLACK shows and Entertainers that use racist and mysoginistic material in their shows!!! Whitlock stuttered and said, "Why wasn't there as much National Attention on their protests against Black Entertainers?" Rev Sharpton said, "You need to ask the national media because they were there protesting just as vigorously as they led the charge against Imus". He said that they protested "BarberShop", "Boondocks" etc.......all Black shows with Black entertainers. So all the people, including myself who are saying that Imus has been given a bum deal because there is a "double standard" where black men are given a pass, need to SHUT IT UP, ZIP IT, AND THROW IT AWAY!!! And since its such a "black" issue, how about the white men that are the heads of these music labels that are basically pimping off these rappers and adding to a culture of misogyny and homophobia. Should they not be held accountable as well? The issues going on are widespread and are going to take years to fix. I mean whats the point of the Indiana talk about the corrupt black government there? Let me not break down the rampant institutional racism in the highest forms of government in this country through policy that surely aren't created and upheld by any people that look like me. So really...lets not go THERE!! Tennis Guy...I actually understand what you're saying but the way it came out was very insulting to me personally. I know that situations like this really bring out people's deep feelings about race and I actually appreciate the dialogue that is occurring since lord knows there is racism in the gay community. Talk about double standards. But no one wants to ever seem to go there on this board about that but will surely pontificate ad nauseum about the latest black star or athlete who calls someone a faggot. And ya know what...it should be discussed. However, like I said, other topics don't seem to want to be acknowledged by most on here. So don't go talking about double standards when I can surely point out a few others.

Imus may be fired but we all know that he will be back on some network. I find his comments reprehenisible. These young woman are to be admired. All straight A students and great athletes. They are radiating success. Imus was probably exposed to misogyny and racism from his father. The bastard.

wow, guys..............that got just a little bit heated.

TRL

After hearing the full scope (and not making any excuses for what Imus said), but why hasn't anyone reacted to him calling the Tennessee women's team "cute"?

None of us speak for our "community." Even the self appointed Al Sharpton doesn't speak for all black people, and Rosie doesn't speak for all white people or all lesbians. So all this community talk is misleading.

I'm sure we can all agree that what Imus said was disgusting and rude.

I'm sure we can all agree that discrimination of any kind is wrong, and that there's no place on the airwaves where demeaning others is appropriate...unless of course you're trashing Ann Coulter: now that's totally appropriate.


And doesn't anyone find it strange and humorous that someone called "DownLow..." is trying to lecture anyone on anything related to integrity or politics? Is there anything more ridiculous than someone trying to stay on the "down low" - regardless of their skin color, gender or age?

I commented on the comparison he was making between the mostly Black Rutgers team and the mostly White Tennessee team...but anyways, I also am surprised that things that have zero to do with this issue have been thrown in.

As Mdterp says, the uproar surrounding Imus's comments entails basic issues of humanity, fairness, power, and so forth. People's comments about hiphop are important, but the rappers do not have a national radio show that politicians and media people of all stripes are parading on and off of. Most rappers also are not uttering horrible comments about Jews, handicapped people, and so forth, even though a number do regular demean women of all colors, especially Black women, and gay people. But critics HAVE TAKEN THESE ISSUES UP WITH THE RAPPERS, including Al Sharpton. Critics have let the record companies and broadcasters have it. Critics have told BET and MTV that they need to get their acts together. So this isn't new. Nevertheless, Imus is not a rapper; he is a very powerful, very rich White man who has had the ear and support of major politicians and media people. So he's in a very different position altogether. I don't think he should have been fired, but I do think he should have been suspended and boycotted. But the decision ultimately was CBS's and MSNBC's. It's too bad they waited so long to address what was obviously a serious issue. And even still, you have hatemongers like Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, and Rush Limbaugh still on the air(waves). The VP of the US has repeatedly chatted up his good friend Limbaugh. What message does that send to gay and lesbian people all over this country? It's about basic humanity!

Millerbeach, I know you think Gary, Indiana is the most corrupt place on earth, but I can assure you, there are other extremely corrupt city administrations, run by people of all races. In addition to San Diego, which was a corrupt Republican playground, Chicago is so corrupt it's not even funny; what do you think is keeping Patrick Fitzgerald so busy when he's not attending to CIA Agent-gate? MAYOR DALEY'S ADMINISTRATION! Do you realize how many people associated with him have been indicted and convicted of various crimes? It's obscene. And the people of Chicago just reinstalled this crook for yet another term, even though in many wards they did kick out some of the hack alderman who've been his enablers! I rarely if ever agreed with MIB on anything, but truly, we were of similar minds about Daley, who makes all Democratic politicians, of whatever race, look bad.

Rappers rely on album sales. Rap (the bad kind) stays afloat because people buy the albums despite criticism.

Radio shows rely on sponsors. Imus got canned because the sponsors said no thanks.

What Stalin did doesn't make Hitler's crimes any better. So why bring him up?


*collects his Goodwin points and goes to prepare dinner*

Oprah addressed these issues on her show for the past 2 days. Really fascinating and a really open discussion about Imus, the role of rap music in promoting racism and misogyny, etc.

As much as I think Al Sharpton can often be a hypocrite who craves media attention, his leadership, loud vocal presence and refusal to back down are admirable. An organization like GLAAD needs someone like Al Sharpton who would never criticize Isaiah Washington and then give an award to the show he is on.

Yawns When you ran out of here, you forgot your purse with your medication...



Another classic case of "Physician, heal thyself".



Get off it little clown, not even you believe the shit that you post in here...

It's hardly a surprise that you are making little juvenile comments about a screen name rather than addressing the argument. Small things do indeed amuse small minds...

All participants, refrain from further personal attacks.

Agreed m1...if you can't find anything of intellect on the topic to say and instead want to just resort to personal attacks ZIP IT!!! And its not just DownLow!

DownLow: The arguments have been addressed....please try and stay reasonable and somewhat articulate in these discussions. Your attacks are unnecessary.

You and your ilk haven’t addressed anything, instead you’ve engaged in juvenile name calling. To make matters worse, when I counterattack and hit you in your face, you start squealing. If only you were to practice what you preach about being reasonable and articulate…

Perhaps this discussion is too mature for you. Instead, maybe a 'downlow' party?

As we can see from your behavior, you don't have the first clue as to what mature is. Small things really do amuse small minds...

Ok you two...ENOUGH!!! Don't make me take my belt off! Back to your corners. I'm callin this fight right now. Simmer down now....simmer down.

Wow, this thread as brought out all levels of racism from both sides of the fence. Hypocrisy, contradictions, name calling, just to point out a few general themes. Think I move over to 'Hot Jock Talk', for awhile. I've had enough. And for the first time ever, on any board I belong to, I'll use my ignore poster option.