What Imus get-eth, Rutgers player(s) may take-eth away

from JoeUser Forums

Ooops, not so fast there Don Imus.

Don Imus, he of the Nappy Headed Ho comment on his syndicated radio and MSNBC simulcast show, just settled up on the remainder of his original contract.  Settled up to the tune of $20 million (give or take).  Not too bad a pay day for not having to finish up your contract.

Buuuuuuuuuttttttt!  Wait, the story doesn't end there.  Imus probably barely had time to get that news, and perhaps start celebrating it, as he was also probably thinking about making a comeback on some station's airwaves, before the news hits that at least one of the players on the Rutger's women's basketball team is now filing a big lawsuit against Imus, along with MSNBC and his former radio network.

Just in time to take the check from one side and hand it right on back over to the other side there isn't it Mr. I-man?

922 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Perhaps Mr. I-man should be offering about 10% of that contract settlement to establish a scholarship program for women of color at good old Rutgers.  At least he'd get some positive press (one would hope) if he did something like that.

But he also probably should set aside another 10 - 50% of that contract settlement to have ready to pay off the players in some out of court settlement.

(Though I have to say if I was one of the women on that team I'm not sure I'd want to sue since it just opens them up to negative comments and re-examination of the video clips that inspired Imus' comments, etc., when the public had already pretty much moved on from having any idea who the individual players really were....)

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, for piss sake...the Rutgers women should not get a dime.

They were not hurt one whit by his comments...which should be the standard for legal action...in fact, it gave them GREATER exposure, as 90% of the nation otherwise didn't give a shit about the championship.

They're proving themselves to be worthless scumbags, in my OPINION (Note to Rutgers attorneys...an OPINION is still legal!) They should be ashamed of themselves, and in my OPINION, they just may be "nappy headed hos"!
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

I don't care at all if the female players from that team want to sue Imus and have their day in court.  Assuming that the Judge is a reasonable scholar of the law, and/or assuming that the jury (if there is one) is reasonably well instructed, then the women likely lose and get sent packing as they give everyone a refresher course in what 'libel' and 'slander' actually are.

But, on the other hand, if Imus tossed them a bone of some sort by way of a scholarship fund it wouldn't be a bad idea.  Have him provide some funds to establish a scholarship in the name of the players and just move on.

I'm just wondering at this point how much stink and fuss the usual cast of characters (Jesse 'Apologize....' Jackson and Al Sharpton as examples) will make over the issue.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Intentional infliction of emotional distress.

From Wikipedia

"Courts in most jurisdictions take a decidedly unfavorable stance towards IIED claims. It is felt that they are generally frivolous claims for non-quantifiable harm..." "Meeting the element of conduct that is so outrageous as to be beyond the bounds of civilized society is extremely difficult, and consequently most claims fail."

WWW Link

Probably won't get anything, unless there are actual bills from a psychiatrist or something.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree with Gideon.  But more than that, the lawsuit has no basis.  Free speech is still free speech.  And as abhorant as his comment was, it is still free speech.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress law does not abridge freedom of speech. Therefore, if the comment did indeed intentionally inflict emotional distress, it is actionable.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
The ladies of Rutgers and the Coach behaved in a manner that bespoke of dignity, grace and forgiveness.

NOW they are acting like nappy headed greedy Ho's
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
As far as I know it's just one player, right? One out of however many isn't a bad ratio at all.