Author Topic: Don Imus Gate  (Read 9055 times)

Offline nickclone

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Don Imus Gate
« on: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 06:44:01 AM »
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/media/10imus.html?ref=media

Quote
The radio talk show host Don Imus was suspended for two weeks yesterday after the outcry over his racially disparaging remarks about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.

It took a bit a research to find out exactly what he said, apparently he called the team "rough-looking nappy-headed hoes". I gotta say, I'm in the middle with this one, I'm sure he meant it as just a joke, but did he really have to say that? I think the suspension is enough, he apologized, took his licks and I think it should be done. However, Sharpton and Jackson want him fired. I personally don't think one mistake should EVER get you fired from any job (sometimes you gotta learn the hard way), but they want him gone.

As a black person (who doesn't listen to Imus In the Morning"), I think it should be let go. I think the black community to should pick it's battles and not blow everything out of proportion.

Offline angrykeebler

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 09:01:12 AM »
i agree. i remember when Jackson referred to New York as "Hymie Town" and no one really brings that up anymore. This will probably ruin Imus's career.
Suck it, Pugnate.

Offline scottws

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 09:18:42 AM »
I don't think he intended to be insulting.  Regardless, it was a really dumbass thing to say.

I mean you should just know better.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 12:05:06 PM »
It's the world we live in.  You can call some team "pasty bucktoothed crackers" without a hitch.  Try a similarly applicable joke on a black team, and you get burned at the stake.  Ever heard the saying "fuck them if they can't take a joke"?

Offline MysterD

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 05:22:11 PM »
i agree. i remember when Jackson referred to New York as "Hymie Town" and no one really brings that up anymore. This will probably ruin Imus's career.

On another hand, this was the first time in forever I actually put Don Imus on in the morn' to listen to...hehe.
Probably been years since I tuned him in....


EDIT:
Does anyone remember if he was ever suspended when he did his parody song titled "White Faces?"
« Last Edit: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 06:04:09 PM by MysterD »

Offline Antares

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday, April 10, 2007, 07:59:24 PM »
Don Imus has said some spectacularly racist and insensitive things throughout his career.  I don't think this is any worse than the rest of it.  Althought that said I have no interest in listening to the guy, I think he is a dumbass.


For anyone who is curious look up what he said about snoop dogg eating monkey carcasses in africa.....

Offline MysterD

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #6 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 02:48:14 PM »

Offline angrykeebler

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #7 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 03:09:03 PM »
I've never listened to Imus nor have I ever heard of him before this whole thing went down. What was done to him was totally unfair. Fuck Sharpton and Jackson. Frickin hypocrites making a big deal out of nothing and ruining a mans career just to draw attention onto themselves.
Suck it, Pugnate.

Offline Pugnate

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #8 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 03:19:11 PM »
The whole thing ticks me off. WTF? I am not even sure what he said was that offensive.

Black rappers say and do stuff that is far far worse, but black leaders do jack about them. Every time I saw this on the news I got angry.



Offline MysterD

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #9 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 06:44:12 PM »
The whole thing ticks me off. WTF? I am not even sure what he said was that offensive.
As soon as I heard the clip of the banter back and forth b/t him and Bernard on the Rutgers girls, I said, "Oh, shit....He'll be gone, soon enuff...." You just knew it....whether he was joking around or not. This is over the public radio airwaves here; this is not some product you'd go spend $$ to buy uncut. Imus don't own that station. It's the way our society is.

The word "ho" is one thing....a "ho" is just a slang term for a "whore," regardless of the origin of that word. Eminem has used that term "ho" a great number of times -- namely, often in reference to his on-and-off girlfriend Kim and his mother. Only people complained about that was women, b/c he's degrading women in his lyrics; nobody else. Though, Imus probably would've had just womens groups after him, if he just called the Rutgers girls "hoes"...heh. But by throwing in the word "nappy," that is what really did him in.

Most of these radio shows are on probably a short delay anyways, right?? If so, I got two more questions -- how long of a delay? AND why the hell didn't the censors cut out what he said, if they are so concerned about this matter?? It's THEIR airwaves basically, not Imus'.

Quote
Black rappers say and do stuff that is far far worse, but black leaders do jack about them. Every time I saw this on the news I got angry.
I do believe in freedom of speech -- period. People should be able to say what they want -- no matter how right or wrong it may be. It's in the Constitution, last time I checked.

I think the major difference b/t Imus and the rappers is this, since this is all done over the public airwaves -- when you listen to a song by a rapper on the radio, a good deal of the "offensive" language/content is already edited out of the song played on the radio (at least over here where I live). You will hear loads of things censored in song lyrics: any cuss words; the word "gun" and its slangs; any degrading "women terms"; and any drugs terms and their slangs; etc etc. I often don't like listening to rap on the radio, for this reason -- since most of the songs are so cut up and edited nowadays, anyways. Well, most of that is already edited-out or the rapper will actually do another version just for the radio. Personally, I prefer that 2nd option of that rapper doing another version just for the radio -- and make sure you *put* that *clean* version on the album as a "bonus track", since they are often different enough to warrant it belonging on the album.

Now, if you want the actual product uncut, you have to actually go out and buy it at your store w/ your own hard-earned $$. Imus, he's over the regular airwaves -- that doesn't cost you anything but owning an actual radio. Imus is not on pay-to-listen radio. Given the content -- which is often a lil' edgy on his show -- maybe a guy like him should have been on there on pay-to-listen radio. He'd probably have more freedom there, to make such jokes, like say a Howard Stern does have.

Actually, w/ the things Imus has said and done over the years, I'm surprised this hasn't happened a lot sooner. Especially w/ songs he done like "White Faces," heh.

Also, I do find it interesting that Imus is playing the "Duke" card on Sharpton now...hehe. I think he's got Sharpton there on that one.

If anybody hasn't read this, this is a piece from Jason Whitlock, a black columnist of the Kansas City Star.
 Yeah, Just READ it. It's a hell of a read.

Here's a little bit of it; and I agree w/ the stuff I quote from Jason below:

Quote from: Jason Whitlock
Somehow, we’re supposed to believe that the comments of a man with virtually no connection to the sports world ruined Rutgers’ wonderful season. Had a broadcaster with credibility and a platform in the sports world uttered the words Imus did, I could understand a level of outrage.

But an hourlong press conference over a man who has already apologized, already been suspended and is already insignificant is just plain intellectually dishonest. This is opportunism. This is a distraction.

Oh, here's a pic of Jason.
« Last Edit: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 07:13:14 PM by MysterD »

Offline Pugnate

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #10 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 11:22:27 PM »
Come on, how is the word 'ho' that offensive? Sure it is derived from the word whore, but does it really have that same meaning?

If he wanted to call them whores or prostitutes he would have used those words, but he said 'ho'. What does that tell you? It is a word that is used very casually in any rap song, and sometimes it can just slip out because it has been so watered down.

Also what does 'nappy headed' mean?

And D, why do you have a pic of Jason Whitlock so handy?

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #11 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 11:34:02 PM »
I think this is a load of horseshit dreamed up by a bunch of ignorant fucks with nothing better to do than cry about life.  I also think this Imus guy is a moron.  I couldn't care much less about all those involved, and I hope they all die in car accidents.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline idolminds

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #12 on: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 11:43:33 PM »
People need thicker skins. Why would you even care what some moron has to say about you? Quit crying like a little bitch with a skinned knee. Ignore him and this all goes away.

Also, Sharpton and Jackson are a couple of fucking ambulance chasers. Something happen to a black person? To the Media Mobile!

Offline iPPi

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #13 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 12:03:32 AM »
Overreaction.

Offline gpw11

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #14 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 12:52:43 AM »
This whole thing is a clusterfuck.

Women's basketball sucks.  Anything said about it should automatically be ignored anyways.  The guy fucked up and got fired, that sucks and the radio station and msnbc should have had more balls, but it's their call.  He probably wanted to go to sat. radio anyways.

"I do believe in freedom of speech -- period. People should be able to say what they want -- no matter how right or wrong it may be. It's in the Constitution, last time I checked."

People always bring this up whenever someone says anything like this.  It's in no way a freedom of speech issue.  No one is contesting his legal right to say it, but that's not to say there won't be reprecautions when someone says something disagreeable.  People are going to raise hell and people will lose jobs.  Employers are under no obligation to allow you to say whatever you want.  The first amendment only protects you from being charged by the gov't...that's pretty much it. 

No, what he said isn't that bad, but a lot of people are very racially sensitive and there are action networks set up for exactly this sort of thing.  You basically hear worse shit on a primetime sitcom, but whatever.  The real bullshit is when those racist motherfuckers Jackson and Sharpton got involved.  When the fuck are the people these two 'represent' going to make it very well known that they are nothing but extremists? Having either involved basically only hurts your cause these days...especially in "hymie town".  Thse two motherfuckers do more for segregation and general disrespect of the poor black in america then the most hard core 60's era KKK member ever could. 

But that got me thinking about it...we need a white representative out there.  Someone they can interview when someone says something bad about white people or some white guy gets fucked over?

"How do you feel about edward mcallester getting beaten by the state police?"
Spokesperson: "Redneck fucker should have ran faster.  So do you think I should go plasma or LCD?"   

Offline Pugnate

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #15 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 01:35:14 AM »
Snoopdog apparently used a lot of foul words of Imus on some media thing.

That's bullshit.

Snoop says much worse. In fact he has proclaimed many times that he was a real pimp. He made women have sex with men for money and then proceeded to take that money from them. Stupid hypocrites.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #16 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 04:09:35 PM »

Offline nickclone

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #17 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 08:00:30 PM »
I've gotta say, I'm surprised by the reaction on this board. The whole board seems to be on Imus' side, but maybe this video clip of what happened will change your mind


Whats being said is clearly not a joke and is racist and hateful, I don't see what this has anything to do with what rappers say or do. I think he should be suspended, but not fired. This isn't Sharpton or Jackson's fault either, it's white people thinking that blacks will get uppity and cause a scene. Truth is, the media is making a big deal about this not Jackson or Sharpton.

Offline Pugnate

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #18 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 10:37:46 PM »
Well after watching some other stuff I have been changing my mind a little. I can understand why they fired him, with the sponsors pulling out etc.

Offline idolminds

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #19 on: Friday, April 13, 2007, 11:04:40 PM »
I'm not really on Imus' side. I think hes an idiot and shouldnt have said what he did. On the other side of the coin, people are blowing this thing up to ridiculous proportions. Its one ignorant racist dude. Ignore him. He got fired...he probably deserved it.

Jackson and Sharpton *are* the media. Well, media whores at any rate. They make a big deal out of damn near everything.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #20 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 12:28:36 AM »
What idol said.  I think the guy's a stupid jackass.  I just happen to also think everyone else is being a bunch of bitches.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline MysterD

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #21 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 05:30:27 AM »
And D, why do you have a pic of Jason Whitlock so handy?
It was right on the Kansas Star website, right w/ the article; you really can't miss it.

I've gotta say, I'm surprised by the reaction on this board. The whole board seems to be on Imus' side, but maybe this video clip of what happened will change your mind
I'm not on Imus' side.

I do believe in "Free speech", but here's my two things w/ him right now:
1. What he said, jokingly or not, was just plain wrong. Period.
2. It was done over public airwaves that Imus just don't actually own.
(His employers own it; so he plays by their rules. He broke them, so he's done.)

Quote
Whats being said is clearly not a joke and is racist and hateful, I don't see what this has anything to do with what rappers say or do.
I think the point being said is that rappers often use the words "bitch" and "ho" a lot -- for the same of being vulgar. Nobody is looking behind the songs and what is being said, if you ask me. It is being used in many different contexts, which is part of the debate. Personally, I wonder if some people actually decipher the lyrics and see what is really being said and meant. Sometimes, they use it negatively -- as Snoop pointed out. Though, Snoop didn't really point out that sometimes those words "bitch" and "ho" are often used in general to replace the word "women" or "girls" -- yes, where it actually has *no* meaning to it; it's just for the sake of saying a swear (probably to get you to go buy the unedited album). This can be said about many other words used, as well. That's just language, though -- one word just doesn't have one exact meaning to it; it's all about context.

The problem I see is most complaining about these rappers, is this: I don't hear this kind of stuff on the radio on any hip hop stations where I live -- it's censored out already in the song, ahead of time. I never hear words like "bitch", "ho", or anything explicit. More so than ever especially, these days. You want it unedited? You have to go buy the album. What we heard from Imus was over the radio was on the public radio -- and if them radio stations cared like they say they do -- since most of them are on delays -- they would've edited out what he said.

(The same is done w/ most movies on regular TV stations, as well. All the edgy content, for the most part, is sliced out. If you want an unedited movie, go get it on HBO, PPV on your cable or satellite provider, rent it on DVD, or buy it on DVD.)

Quote
I think he should be suspended, but not fired.
Agreed.

Quote
This isn't Sharpton or Jackson's fault either, it's white people thinking that blacks will get uppity and cause a scene.
Imus started it. His fault for making such a joke/comment over the public airwaves. That's just asking for trouble.

And shame on the radio station itself for not censoring it out, since most radio stations are on delays, anyways. They should know better, too. I'm sure they have the power to do so and edit it out, if they so choose.

Quote
Truth is, the media is making a big deal about this not Jackson or Sharpton.
The media will turn anything even more so into a 3-ring circus than it already is, just to get a "story" and generate more money.

Quote from: Que
I just happen to also think everyone else is being a bunch of bitches.
From all sides, there's too much whining and complaining. It's getting very tiresome.

I mean, c'mon -- this Rutgers women's basketball team defied all odds. They beat the best of the best, coming out strong and persevering throughout every adversity that was thrown at them. And now, they're going to let a few nasty comments some aging radio shock jock that was trying to be edgy w/ his comedy (and failed miserably at it, too) suddenly just "scar them for life?" Oh, I'm sure what Imus said hurt them, sure -- but "scar them for life?" I dunno' about that much. Nothing can ever take away what these girls as Rutgers teammates were and always will be -- NCAA champions, as it is put forth right into the record books.

In recent news, the girls accepted Imus' apology.

« Last Edit: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 06:29:59 AM by MysterD »

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #22 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 11:07:08 AM »
Just listen to them talk.  I'll go Imus one better - are they even real fucking human beings?  How do you even live with skin so thin?  It's pathetic.  Shut the fuck up and move on with your life, or go die and leave the air to better people.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #23 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 11:16:44 AM »
I've gotta say, I'm surprised by the reaction on this board. The whole board seems to be on Imus' side, but maybe this video clip of what happened will change your mind


Whats being said is clearly not a joke and is racist and hateful, I don't see what this has anything to do with what rappers say or do. I think he should be suspended, but not fired. This isn't Sharpton or Jackson's fault either, it's white people thinking that blacks will get uppity and cause a scene. Truth is, the media is making a big deal about this not Jackson or Sharpton.

That I have to agree with.  It's not so much black sensitivity as it is white cowardice.  If white people were not wetting their underwear every time there's black anger, things like this wouldn't happen.

I am not on Imus's side.  I'm neutral toward the guy, never having been a fan or a detractor.  What I am is against people who make important decisions being pussies when it comes to racial situations such as this one.  No one should lose their status, dignity or job because someone can't take an off-color joke.

Offline Pugnate

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #24 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 04:24:53 PM »
Now this is funny... http://wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=2145

This was the CBS cultural diversity page before the Imus firing:



Look at it now:

http://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity/cbs_radio/index.php

What the hell is it with that black dude in place of Don Imus? Apparently he isn't even employed at CBS muhaha. Suddenly there is a woman there too!

I find the whole forced cultural diversity thing to be hilarious. A few years ago I joked with Xessive once that networks seem to create unusual characters just to satisfy the minorities. I remember in the seventh season of Friends all of a sudden there were tons of black characters, and it was so painful how the show was trying to be "multicultural". Also in certain sitcoms they wanted to satisfy the gays, the lesbians, the blacks and other minorities so they would try to fit that all into one character so as not to waste the others.

For example there would be a female black lesbian character who was part Chinese hehe... and then the other twenty members of the show were just white. haha. :)

Offline Ghandi

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #25 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 05:55:49 PM »
Nice find, Pug. The first one I found hilarious, though. The page was about diversity but it's all white dudes in the pictures.

I don't think that it's all forced cultural diversity as much as reaching out to a diverse market. If one network is composed of entirely white males and another of minorities, who gets the minority market? Now of course I agree with you on much of this politically correct BS that is happening - this whole Don Imus thing was blown out of proportion- undoubtedly he would have simply been fined if it weren't for the media coverage.

Offline sirean_syan

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #26 on: Saturday, April 14, 2007, 07:30:58 PM »
Or, in a sane world he would have gotten an angry caller one day and he probably would have just said something like: "Sorry, it was just a quick stupid joke. It wasn't the first, won't be the last, but I'm sorry it was inappropriate. It's unfortunate that's how a lot of humor works." Then he would have gone on to talk about whatever he talks about on his show.

Offline nickclone

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #27 on: Monday, April 16, 2007, 08:15:31 AM »
Or, in a sane world he would have gotten an angry caller one day and he probably would have just said something like: "Sorry, it was just a quick stupid joke. It wasn't the first, won't be the last, but I'm sorry it was inappropriate. It's unfortunate that's how a lot of humor works." Then he would have gone on to talk about whatever he talks about on his show.

I was on Imu's side until I saw that video of what was said, it wasn't a joke at all. I think the media is trying to protect him because I had to hear what was said from word of mouth on the net, I couldn't find out what he said on the news or any news site. I just didn't get it.

Offline scottws

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #28 on: Monday, April 16, 2007, 01:22:28 PM »
Well, at first I thought it was just a boneheaded statement that had no true ill will.  But I've since heard this guy has said all kinds of really racist stuff before this incident.  I'm not sure why this one got picked up to be the one to make a big deal about.

In any case this guy is a gasbag.  I'm glad he's off the air.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #29 on: Monday, April 16, 2007, 10:56:21 PM »
Oh noes a racist!  Let's all go hide lest he say something to hurt our precious feelings.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline WindAndConfusion

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #30 on: Friday, April 20, 2007, 01:35:36 PM »
The media confuses the taboos of racism with racism itself. They're also afraid of being accused of racism themselves (especially since they ARE racist).

It's a bit like how the phrase, "Now I'm not racist but..." is always followed by something racist.

Offline WindAndConfusion

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Re: Don Imus Gate
« Reply #31 on: Friday, April 20, 2007, 02:45:29 PM »
On the other hand, Jackson and Sharpton are now totally fucked.