Manufactured Outrage over Imus

He was wrong but then did he deserve to be fired

from JoeUser Forums
The CBS talk show host Mr Don Imus is known to outrage public sentiments and he has been doing so for the past 25 years and except for a couple of close encounters with the easily outrage kind, Don Imus did not end up as chicken meat. The remarks he made about the Rutgers Basket Ball Team were in keeping with his character or at least his public persona of one who is not afraid to outrage the sensibilities of his listeners. If we believe, as I do that freedom of expression includes the right to outrage, there is nothing reprehensible in what Imus did except his rather unfortunate choice of words. Personally I think he was being obnoxious but did not deserve capital punishment for what he said. This incident just goes to prove to the whole world that there are seroious limitations in the USA about the 'freedom of expression' and the stimulated commrnts on the alledged lack of freedom in the Islamic World is just one of the many bogus arguments put forward by the chattering classes.

I was appalled at the coordinated manner in which Imus was attacked. The entire leadership of NAACP went public with its "outrage". Not a single individual had the courage to say in public that the kind od degradation on women in Rap Videos was far far worse than what Mr Don Imus had said. Simulated outrage for the expression of a private opinion, even if it is an unpopular opinion has to be seen as coordinated attack on civil liberty. I am by no maens endorsing what Mr Imus had said, I am only saying that his remarks should have been ignored instead of becoming the subject of the outrage industry.
2,314 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
If I said something like that at work I'd be fired. I don't see why he should be treated any differently just because he's an outrageous celebrity.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
If I said something like that at work I'd be fired. I don't see why he should be treated any differently just because he's an outrageous celebrity.


Then why isn't ALL of hiphop losing their record contracts? ""bitches ain't shit but tricks and ho's"

The top ten rap songs right now mention "ho" 189 times.

Um, genius: this is free speech. He falls into the same category (artist) as ANY rapper-hiphop performer.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Um, genius: this is free speech. He falls into the same category (artist) as ANY rapper-hiphop performer.


Yep, and just like I don't support them, businesses decide not to support Imus. You're right, it's the capitalist way. BTW, thanks. I've always known I'm smart.   
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

YOu have to learn the difference between freedom of speech, and right to work.  He has every right to say what he did, and he will not be arrested or jailed for it.  That is freedom of speech.

He has no right to work.  After his sponsors bailed on him, his employer - a private concern - fired him for that reason.  If the sponsors - who had every right to withhold their support from him - had not bailed, he would probably still be employed.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
After his sponsors bailed on him, his employer - a private concern - fired him for that reason.


Right, it's an economic decision. No revenue no show.

Also, just try to give free speech a try here on JU. There are limits to what Stardock (Brad) will put up with. Just try it and you'll get dumped faster than Imus.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Just try it and you'll get dumped faster than Imus.

I dont remember who, but someone called Brad a Nazi after the last election.  I dont remember cause he was gone before the electrons stopped flying on his post.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I said this in another post, it is a sad day when two of the biggest racists in America, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton can lead an attack on another racist, {Imus} and get him fired, while they still have their own radio shows. Both Jackson and Sharpton have said much worse things than the Nasty comment Imus made yet no one called for them to be fired or punished. It has turned into a country where Blacks can say whatever they want and get away with it no questions asked, and whites will have their lives destroyed for similar comments.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
If I said something like that at work I'd be fired


Imus was a talk show host who, I believe, tried to provoke a controversy, but the man should also be judged by his intentions, afterall do not hip hoppers say and do a lot more.

YOu have to learn the difference between freedom of speech, and right to work.


This is a clever one. By your definition of freedom a journalist probing the current scandal in the Justice Department or White House cannot be defended on the ground of the "freedom of the press and expression' as that freedom excludes the right to work. Clever argument but will not wash as one presupposes the other.

a Nazi


Calling an individual a nazi is not freedom of expression it is abuse. And I can say that with confidence.

It has turned into a country where Blacks can say whatever they want and get away with it no questions asked, and whites will have their lives destroyed for similar comments



I cannot agree with your comment that Jessie and Alsharpton are racists. I think that is too strong a word. They are ethnocentric in their approach and they believe rightly or wrongly that they are the voice of the Black population. And thats that.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

This is a clever one. By your definition of freedom a journalist probing the current scandal in the Justice Department or White House cannot be defended on the ground of the "freedom of the press and expression' as that freedom excludes the right to work. Clever argument but will not wash as one presupposes the other

And that makes sense?  You are either being intentionally obtuse, or you really cant grasp the concept of Free Speech.  Notice Free and Speech.  Not Freedom Press.  Both are rights, but hardly the same.  And your analogy is akin to saying because the sky is green, it must be made of green cheese!  WOW!  Wrong all the way around.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Imus was a talk show host who, I believe, tried to provoke a controversy, but the man should also be judged by his intentions, afterall do not hip hoppers say and do a lot more.


Did you finish reading what I wrote? It comes down to economics. Money drives business not free speech. The record companies make money on the crap and that's their sole motivation. They don't care about anything else as long as people buy they will sell. The main stream media on the other hand is held to higher standards by the FCC and also by their advertisors/sponsors. It's just like that. Can you understand that, genius?

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
You are either being intentionally obtuse, or you really cant grasp the concept of Free Speech. Notice Free and Speech.


No I am not being obtuse. But I do say that the "outrage" industry going on overdrive aLL on account of a few obnoxious remarks by a talk show host bodes ill for the civil liberties of citizens.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
bodes ill for the civil liberties of citizens


I think it says no such thing. He can say whatever he wants just not on their dime. Go make himself a fancy sign and stand on the corner with it.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think it says no such thing. He can say whatever he wants just not on their dime.


Bingo! Again he cannot seem to get the idea of Freedom of Speech and right to work.