Actually the reason that these "so-called" stars are not slammed by those like Sharpton has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Sharpton cannot intimidate them.

It has everything to do with the fact that most of these "stars" have the same skin pigmentation as Mr. Sharpton.

/SARCASM
I mean, we all know that those with a higher melanin levels in their skin can NEVER be racist.
SARCASM/

The meme that has been developed to protect the rappers and black comedians is that they are either using racist and bigoted terms in a generic sense or that they are attacking powerful people. the meme now claims that Imus was attacking defenseless. However, that logic has never stopped virtually every black sports writer from making fun of Duke University's mens basketball team for having too many white players or having white players that everyone loves to hate.

Least you forget - these rappers are making money for the sisters and brothers - it is in your face acceptable when there is money to be made.

Perhaps the excuse, "I was making a joke," after making bigoted remarks won't be employed so easily in the future.

I'll believe their concern about Imus' speech when they start criticising the rap and hiphop 'artists' for their own contributions to the pervasive sewage that's become popular 'black' culture.

JAT, they may be making money, but I don't know how much of it they're spreading around the neighborhood.

It's the soft bigotry of lowered expectations.

You don't expect much from rappers and you don't get much.

You expect more from a radio host.

On a personal note, I've never liked Mr. Imus

The rappers angle is being played up but Imus's sin is acknowledging Race in the context of Sports. As crude and racist as his quip was, pretending racial differences don't exist is the #1 unwritten code of sports coverage. It's so taboo, that acknowledging the taboo is itself taboo. And from the mouth of a white man it's Sirens and Flashing Lights. If Jimmy the Greek and Paul Hornung can get fired for differentiating the black atheletes' superiority on the field, I'd guess there will be some more meetings about Imus's future prospects even while he's on "vacation".
And leave it to the Fox Radio Wieners to beat this horse to death. Non-stop "outrage" from Kilmeade and Gibson, especially. The other networks (Ingraham, etc) were more thoughtful.

BryanD...agreed it is real taboo, in sports..Is it always a coincidence that the top 30 flankers in the NFL or the top 60 sprinters in the world are black? As for the conservative reproach about liberals ignoring the misogynist and rascist lyrics of rap music. In the main, you are probably right, except for Tipper Gore's campaign in 95.

bryanD
If Jimmy the Greek and Paul Hornung can get fired for differentiating the black atheletes' superiority on the field

Wasn't also Limbaugh canned from his sports broadcasting gig for remarking that the media was going easy on McNair because of the color of his skin ? There's just some observations you aren't allowed to make unless you have the correct skin color.

Bad poetry recited to records played incorrectly is not music. How could anyone complain about the music rappers turn out when they've never done any such thing?

Imus was referring to specific individuals - the members of the Rutgers basketball team - with his racial slurs. That's the difference between what he did and what rappers do.

That's unacceptable, except in the conservative world of Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin where racist bigots have their apologists standing ready to stand up for the likes of Imus.

Also, remember that NBC and CBS both have record labels in their family portfolios. And they make millions off of rappers.
I am not shocked at the double standard of Sharpton and others. Any outrage I had at their BS burned out in the 80s.
But, the corporations, to suspend someone for racist stupidity (and seriously, Imus and his sidekick Bernie have been doing this schtick for ages, so who is shocked) with one hand and pretending to moral superiority while collecting the money from thug-rap with the other... that is the real bull-sh!t.

Lee,
Malkin isn't defending Imus. She's taking the outrage pimps to task for how selective their outrage is.
Which do you think is more harmful to society, an old racist fool like Don Imus, or an entire music industry (and supporting fashion lines!) that glorifies dehumanizing behavior? It's right to call Imus on the carpet... now when do more people take the next step and say no more to other racists?

Steve Crickmore, _mike _,

If you've never checked out the Sports archives at isteve.com, you'll definitely enjoy them. From why the team with the most white second stringers is likely to win, to golf course design, to the Limbaugh controversy. Great stuff. Great site.

http://isteve.com/

Get over it already. Admit it. It was a funny comment! I still laff and laff at it and I'll betcha I'm in a big club. Eff sharpton and all the rest of those people for infringing on the Iman's freedom of speech. And leave the rappers/hip-hoppers alone too.

SCSI - By defending Imus as being "not as bad (or just as bad) as rappers" Lorie and Malkin are indeed defending what Imus said. That's inexcusable in my book - and just as bad as what Imus did.

Lorie wrote: "But since white liberals are not the ones listening to urban radio, I guess it doesn't count", suggesting that white liberals and "political correctness" are behind the push to make Imus accountable.

Imus broadcast a racial slur against specific individuals. The fact that conservative Republicans would come to his defense is obscene. The fact that her referred to these accomplished women athletes as whores, and conservative women bloggers are defending him, speaks volumes as well.

The Residen Moron, Lee, whined:

Imus broadcast a racial slur against specific individuals. The fact that conservative Republicans would come to his defense is obscene. The fact that her referred to these accomplished women athletes as whores, and conservative women bloggers are defending him, speaks volumes as well.

Are you so dense that you're unable to distinguish between pointing out the lack of consistency in the 'outrage' and defending the remarks as appropriate ? From your remarks, it would certainly appear so.

Lee:

So, when the Left suggests that Communism isn't as bad as, say, Nazism, is the Left defending Communism?

If I say that Jeffrey Dahmer was worse than John Wayne Gacy, am I somehow defending Gacy?

What Don Imus said was wrong and outrageous. What rappers rap about is even more wrong and outrageous. You going to now claim that I'm defending Don Imus?

And are you really about to claim that calling all women "ho's" is somehow less offensive than calling just one woman a "ho"?

Well intended, Lee, but illogical.

A racial slur, by definition, is targeted at an entire ethnic group, even if the proximate victim is a singular individual. Hence it is not different, whether you target the group as a whole or the individual.

The slur, specifically, was not "whore" it was "ho", a deliberate use and mockery of the common gangsta/hood speech and therefore targetted at those who use that speech, and at the same time, associating the team with people who use that speech- guilt by association, which is the hallmark of racism.

For example, supposing we said "Lee is a greasy wop". It is only a slur if it is also understood that the comment means that "wops are greasy"- a slander on an entire ethnic group, not an individual.

If it had been specifically targetted, Imus would have said "whores with bad hair styles"- and in such case it would have been crude and vile, but not racist. His use of a cultural style implicitly villified the entire culture, thus making it a racist. So you see, you simply cannot have a racist slur that is targetted solely at an individual or individuals. By its very existence, it is broadly targetted.

Ben

The only confusion in my mind about the whole Imus thing is why it took this long to fire him. Not only is this incident alone worth firing him but so have at least a dozen other incidents in the past 20 years, but, because he was a liberal supporter he's been given a pass until now. He just couldn't be ignored on this issue with his racist comments and have it swept under the rug. Had he called Condi Rice a "nappy head ho" and a "wanna-be jigga-bo" you can bet he would be the hero of the Leftist and Lee would be defending his right to free speech.

The truth is he is a racist and should be fired. What rappers do or not do is a separate issue and where I disagree with Malkin is that by somehow trying to join the issues the real problem is going to get buried.

So according to Lee, stereotyping and denigrating a generic, nameless group with racist and sexist slurs, like rappers do, is OK. But when talking about actual individuals, it's bad.

I would say that both are bad and both should be rightly condemned for their actions. If Imus gets fired than so be it, there is no protection of free speech when it comes to your job. But for Sharpton and Jackson to get on their soapbox and deride Imus while not even attempting to do the same with rappers is hypocrisy defined.

Lurking Observer: "And are you really about to claim that calling all women "ho's" is somehow less offensive than calling just one woman a "ho"?"

Absolutely, calling these specific individuals "whores" is worse, yes. No question -- in my mind - conservative seem to differ with me on this point, and I find that amazing.

Look - Here is the Rutger's Women Basketball team roster:

ADAMS, KATIE G Jr. 5-10 Ogden/Ogden, UT

AJAVON, MATEE G Jr. 5-8 Malcolm X Shabazz/Newark, NJ

CARSON, ESSENCE F/G Jr. 6-0 Rosa Parks(Eastside H.S.)/Paterson, NJ

JERNIGAN, DEE DEE G Fr. 5-11 East Chicago/East Chicago, IN

JUNAID, RASHIDAT C Fr. 6-4 Camden Catholic/Chesilhurst, N.J

MCCURDY, MYIA F Fr. 6-1 Winton Woods/Cincinnati, OH

PRINCE, EPIPHANNY G Fr. 5-9 Murry Bergtraum/Brooklyn, NY

RAY, JUDITH BRITTANY G Fr. 5-9 Aquinas/Bronx, NY

VAUGHN, KIA C So. 6-4 St. Michael's Academy/Bronx, NY

ZURICH, HEATHER F So. 6-1 Pascack Valley/Montvale, NJ

Calling those individual "whores" is unacceptable. Why would anyone decent America come to Imus' defense on this?

"If I say that Jeffrey Dahmer was worse than John Wayne Gacy, am I somehow defending Gacy?

In a sense, yes -- you're saying Dahmer "isn't as bad" as Gacy. In this case what Imus did is far worse than what rappers do -- these talented athletes won a national championship and a fellow American referred to them as "whores" simply because they are black. If this had been an all-white team Imus would not have made any derogatory statements.

Quit defending what he did as being less offensive then the offense YOU receive listening to black rappers. It isn't about you, or Lorie, or Michelle -- it's about the specific women listed above who were called "whores" by a national radio personality.

related (NPR) - Three Advertisers Drop Support for Imus

Talk show host Don Imus, suspended for racially charged remarks, now faces problems with advertisers. Procter & Gamble, Staples and Bigelow Tea say they no longer want their ads on Imus in the Morning.

these talented athletes won a national championship

FYI, they got crushed by Tennessee in the ncaa championship game.

and a fellow American referred to them as "whores" simply because they are black.

Actually there are some white girls on the team as well.

If this had been an all-white team Imus would not have made any derogatory statements.

That's just your opinion. I would expect otherwise though, Imus has a history of saying outrageous things about everyone. It just wouldn't have made the headlines because it wouldn't have been defined as racist.

Quit defending what he did as being less offensive then the offense YOU receive listening to black rappers.

Again, that's just your opinion. I find both equally degrading, but I don't listen to Imus and I do listen to some rap music.

it's about the specific women listed above who were called "whores" by a national radio personality.

No it's not, if he had just called them whores the media hoopla surrounding that comment would be negligible. It's the "nappy-headed" in conjunction with "ho's" that's created this firestorm.

And if it is only about the women you listed would also then deride both Sharpton and Jackson for their hysteria about this incident?

First: Proof that Lee cannot read and comprehend:
The Question:

"If I say that Jeffrey Dahmer was worse than John Wayne Gacy, am I somehow defending Gacy?

Lee's answer:

In a sense, yes -- you're saying Dahmer "isn't as bad" as Gacy.

NO, NO, NO! He is saying just the opposite. He is saying Dahmer is worse. It is too early in the morning to be drunk Lee.

This also explains your inability to distinguish criticism of rap music, using Imus as a springboard to do so, is not the same as defending Imus.

One last try... Imus is wrong. Rappers like Mims are wrong. If you can go on a crusade about Imus, why not go after Mims while you're at it?

Now, go find where Malkin has said Imus isn't a wrong headed racist. Just one link where she says Imus is OK.
You won't. She didn't.

Lee,

Rutgers came in second place, losing to Tennessee who Imus did not insult. One of the aspects of Rutgers is that it has one of the few successful black head coaches who just happens to recruit black women exclusively. Yet, during the Rutgers press conference, coach C. Vivian Stringer played up the two white bench warmer who did not even play against Tennesse and down played her five black high school all-american freshmen. Also, Coach Stringer both violated federal regulations when she discussed her players grades and exaggerated by claiming that they had 4.0 when Rutgers does not have any Academic All-Americans and when the women's team have a 50% graduation rate in its last senior class.

lee you are so effing intellectually dishonest it blows my mind!! The very first thing Malkin write is that she DOES NOT defend Imus, does not agree with him. She wrote this specifically so idiot BDS suffering moonbats like yourself wouldnt go around claiming that she is defending Imus, yet you do it anyway. You get more and more pathetic every day. Did you even read what Malkin wrote?!!

"Let's stipulate: I have no love for Don Imus, Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson. I repeat: A pox on all their race-baiting houses...I agree with the athletes that Imus's misogynist mockery was "deplorable, despicable and unconscionable." And as I noted on Fox News's O'Reilly Factor this week, I believe top public officials and journalists who have appeared on Imus's show should take responsibility for enabling Imus--and should disavow his longstanding invective."

Yeah, sounds like she is defending him to me lee! You are seriously ridiculous, can you not read for god's sake?!?! Cut the shit asshole, try playing it straight for once. And further, if you think that all the rap music out there doesn't call out SPECIFIC persons (as you are basing your whole argument on) to call ho's, bitches and niggas, then you are a blind fool. There are thousands of rap songs that do just that. Ben's comments are right on the money, unfortunately they are also over your head. You're pathetic.

lee: "If this had been an all-white team Imus would not have made any derogatory statements."

You're exactly right, because if he had called an all white team "whores", nobody would have found it derogatory, including you.

I remain deeply sorry that Don Imus, who is a great fellow, and by no means part of any racism problem amomg radio broadcasters remains a target by the likes of Al Sharpton, a political cockroach who profits by exploiting sheer nonsense into a hysteria meant to profit his own radio, political or financial empire.

Where is Al Sharpton when some radio broadcasters abuse the issue of border security to make broadly racist attacks on all Hispanics in general? Where is Sharpton when far more powerful radio figures actually hold deeply racist and White supremacy views? Don Imus is only the 12th most popular broadcaster on radio, and hardly the most powerful, or by any means a legitimate racist by any genuine stretch of the imagination. Imus is weak enough of a figure that the likes of Sharpton won't go after some of the more irresponsible language and thoughts sometimes coming from more powerful figures like Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter or others.

But on the other hand, I'm a strong defender of freedom of speech where I'll defend the right of muscians, comics, even Larry Flynt or others to be very fuuny or very offensive if they choose to be, if it is meant in fun, not from a geniune viewpoint of promoting or inciting some hate or violence. Often it is Sharpton who has incited bad feelings, such as when he incited the Crown Heights Riot when he referred to Jews in a derogatory manner as "Diamond merchants" a few years ago. Even Jesse Jackson admits to spitting into the food of White customers when he was an young employee of a restaurant, or incited an ethnic attack on Jewish persons in NYC by calling the city, "Hymietown". Neither Sharpton or Jackson are honest or impartial players in this Don Imus situation that they are both fueling.

But I still have no problems with shock humor, or offensive music as long as there is no violent intent. When I was the lead singer of the highly controversial punk rock band, The Inputs, back in the late 70's to early 80's, I deliberately wrote material to be very offensive simply for laughs. But we had a lot of problems with this including twice being banned by all Portland nightclubs because of claimed onstage obscenity and other complaints. And some of our shows resulted in very bad incidents including a near fatal stabbing incident, a fire being set by an audience member and a riot where windows and furniture was broken. When we played a show, it literally brought down the house we played in. I can understand where shock jocks like Don Imus, Howard Stern, The Greaseman and others want to be outrageous simply for laughs, but sometimes it is very easy to cross some public line for decency or taste. As a former entertainer, who wanted to follow the path of my mother, a one-time former stage actress, you want to be liked by the public and establish your own style, but you can always misjudge the public taste if you choose some form of shock humor as your form of entertainment style rather than a more mainstream entertainer style.

It is very easy for some in rock, rap, comedy, or on the radio airwaves to cross a line sometimes by accident, misjudging what you think the public will accept. Why someone like a Don Imus, who is sort of like a watered-down Howard Stern for old men is singled out in this controversary is beyond me. Far worst personalties can be found with great ease.

lee is comfortable ascribing the term "racist" and "bigot" to a person without regard for the person's animus, when animus is an essential component of the term. As long as the recipient of the statement considers the statement racist or bigoted, the speaker is guilty. This is, of course, the height of intellectual dishonesty and facilitates the use of the pejorative "racist" to suit the political goals of the left and minority power brokers.

It is particularly so in this case, when the accusation of "racism" comes from two guys with an ugly history of anti-Semitism between them.

As one who has listened to Imus for over 15 years, I also dispute that he wouldn't have had some other choice insults for a team of white athletes who had their heads handed to them in a national championship.

This morning, Imus said that his remark wasn't some "right wing racist smear."

Every time that idiot opens his mouth I detest him more and more. I don't know how many times he has repeated "I'm a good person" but he's becoming Stuart Smalley. He is an arrogant, pompous ass who routinely feels compelled to deride everyone as liars or morons or something equally kind. It's made worse by the obsequious behavior of politicians who line up to be on his show. The ranch is used as a recrimination offset by Imus to validate his rantings. He sits there in his bleached 70's hairdo with that stupid cowboy hat on his head and acts as the morality hangin' judge.

Having seen the kind of vile tripe heaped upon Malkin, it's offensive that he portray the right as having sole domain over racism.

Lee said:

SCSI - By defending Imus as being "not as bad (or just as bad) as rappers" Lorie and Malkin are indeed defending what Imus said. That's inexcusable in my book - and just as bad as what Imus did.

Michelle said:

Let's also stipulate: The Rutgers women's basketball team didn't deserve to be disrespected as "nappy-headed hos." No woman deserves that. I agree with the athletes that Imus's misogynist mockery was "deplorable, despicable and unconscionable."

Lee

You are a lying liberal. But I repeat myself.

No wonder lee is defending rap lyrics calling women whores and bitches, constantly raping about niggas and murdering people. And lee, it is by your own logic that you are indeed defending all of that. And now I know why:

"Timbaland To Host Fundraiser For Hillary Clinton"

http://www.rapbasement.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2513&Itemid=35

And from some of his lyrics I can understand the association!

"Timbaland aint gonna run mowhere baby,
Timbaland got private planes"

"I'm Rich I Can Pay To Have You Six Feet Deep"