A Truly Dangerous Precedent

“I make my living off the evening news

Just give me something-something I can use

People love it when you lose,

They love dirty laundry…”
--Don Henley, Dirty Laundry, 1982.

Let me start by saying that I do NOT like Don Imus. Let me add, I am sure this may surprise some folks who read this blog--but hear me out.

Having noted all the comments I expect, I feel as though Don Imus was shafted this week.

Obviously any intelligent person would know that referring to women, particularly African American women, as “natty-haired ho’s” is just stupid; let alone racist and nasty with a side-dose of meanness.

Ok, I have dispensed with the common sense. Don Imus deserves whatever MSNBC and CBS Radio decide to do to him. Note, though, this is what MSNBC and CBS Radio decides—not what outsiders say.

What happened to Don Imus this week is a dangerous and slippery slope.

I believe in the first amendment. I believe that a free press is among our greatest assets.

I never listen to Imus, and I really have no concern for or about him. I do not care (or much less know) who advertises with him. Their brand name on his show does not impact me in the slightest: however, I will fight to the death for him to say his ignorant and biased comments. It is the cost of all of our freedoms.

So he says something freaking dumb and he is booted off of MSNBC and suspended by CBS Radio. OK, fine—case closed. Then various African American leaders start throwing their credentials and muck-raking entities about and Imus is fired.

Wait a moment, here. Does anyone fire Jesse Jackson when he refers to New York as “Hyme-Town?” Well, he really could not be fired, because he wasn’t elected, but you get the point.

How about the mayor of New Orleans when he refers to his city as a “chocolate town?" Where is the demand for him to step down?

The rappers that are represented on CBS Records; where is the outcry when they use the N-Word or say more degrading comments about women?

Believe me, I do not like Imus and I abhor rap music. That said, I believe rappers have the right to voice their opinions in their “art.” I really do not understand rap; but again, many good folks who read this do not understand my love of Punk and Metal. Freedom of speech and expression—let the rappers rap about whatever they wish.

And if you agree, then you must agree that Imus should be allowed to be judged by his employer.

I liken this to the place I teach: suppose I make a stupid comment to a kid. The parents call the school, the principal gives me a reprimand or punishment, and then the parents do not feel it is enough—should they have the power to fire me? I do not think so; nor do I think any outsiders should have such a command of the daily operations of an organization.

The Reverend Al Sharpton (who I actually like quite a bit) and the Reverend Jessie Jackson, as well as some African-American employees of CBS Radio, began their list of demands to CBS and after CBS made an initial ruling, the executives changed their mind and fired Imus.

Again, if CBS Radio decided to fire the man, fine; but to bend to social pressure of a group who is “fed up,” well; seriously that is not appropriate.

I do not wish Don Imus success or failure. However, the freedoms we all enjoy have taken a hit this week.

For that, I feel a bit frightened.