tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822678093661476153.post2152044040988626044..comments2023-10-21T03:53:43.281-04:00Comments on Where's Luke?: Counterpoint: Defending My BoyOpen Barhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01296373954499786645noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822678093661476153.post-68404127969018946462007-04-10T12:38:00.000-04:002007-04-10T12:38:00.000-04:00My final thoughts...I agree with Max, this guy is ...My final thoughts...<BR/><BR/>I agree with Max, this guy is getting way too much attention for a comedian who failed at humor. Unlike the Michael Richards incident, which clearly was a guy not in control of his emotions, Imus was not enraged. In this case (similar to former Sen. D'Amato's very poor Lance Ito impression a while back on Imus' show, which he distanced himself from immediately) Imus attempted a joke that failed, for a variety of reasons.<BR/><BR/>I think Jerry's last paragraph above sums up why I got fired up in response to his first post. It's clear that Jerry doesn't like Imus. That's fine. What's not fine is to take that dislike and use it to argue for a system-wide ban on Imus on the airwaves. As I noted, there are other ways to achieve the goal of diminishing the importance attached to Imus' messages, that done go as far as banning his ability to reach a wide audience. <BR/><BR/>And, as I said in my original comments, I think it's perfectly fair to ask why people like Tim Russert and Sen. Schumer and others go on his show all the time and don't call him out on some of this stuff. But not liking someone and wanting to undermine his or her credibility isn't the same thing as wanting that person off the air.<BR/><BR/>I despise Limbaugh. I think he's a hypocrite and full of shit and people shouldn't listen to him. I also think he's racist, sexist and a lot of other, way more damaging things to society, than just not entertaining. But I also don't think that just because I get offended by what he says, that my offense should govern what other people are allowed to listen to/watch.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I think that after watching the clips of Imus on Al Sharpton's radio show and their interview with Matt Lauer on Today, Imus should own his bigotry in the context of Avenue Q's "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist Sometimes" Key lines...<BR/><BR/>Everyone's a little bit racist<BR/>Sometimes.<BR/>Doesn't mean we go <BR/>Around committing hate crimes.<BR/>Look around and you will find<BR/>No one's really color blind.<BR/>Maybe it's a fact<BR/>We all should face<BR/>Everyone makes judgments<BR/>Based on race.<BR/><BR/>Everyone's a little bit racist<BR/>Today.<BR/>So, everyone's a little bit racist<BR/>Okay!<BR/>Ethinic jokes might be uncouth,<BR/>But you laugh because<BR/>They're based on truth.<BR/>Don't take them as <BR/>Personal attacks.<BR/>Everyone enjoys them - <BR/>So relax!<BR/><BR/>If we all could just admit<BR/>That we are racist a little bit,<BR/>Even though we all know<BR/>That it's wrong,<BR/>Maybe it would help us<BR/>Get along.<BR/><BR/>Everyone's a little bit racist<BR/>It's true.<BR/>But everyone is just about<BR/>As racist as you!<BR/>If we all could just admit<BR/>That we are racist a little bit,<BR/>And everyone stopped being<BR/>So PC<BR/>Maybe we could live in - <BR/>Harmony! <BR/><BR/>Full lyrics here:<BR/>www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/avenueq/everyonesalittlebitracist.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822678093661476153.post-72640984597825443452007-04-09T13:31:00.000-04:002007-04-09T13:31:00.000-04:00I think Don Imus, and what he blurts out, is getti...I think Don Imus, and what he blurts out, is getting WAY too much attention from *anybody* - and not because of the number of listeners he has or doesn't have, but because it's a silly morning talk show! Imus' show is entertainment, nothing more. He's not Walter Cronkite.<BR/><BR/>Imus must be happy - what's the old adage in showbusiness, any publicity is good publicity?Maxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08566203707020250587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822678093661476153.post-62848565330083616362007-04-09T11:41:00.000-04:002007-04-09T11:41:00.000-04:00I agree that MSNBC's response is a cop out, and if...I agree that MSNBC's response is a cop out, and if I viewed "we" as an attempt to lessen the blame, then that's also a cop out (I just don't see it that way). I think he is owning up to what he said (going on Sharpton's radio show today, and has asked to meet with the players, coaches, and parents of players on the Rutgers team). Whether he thinks he did anything wrong or is just trying to clean up his mess is debatable (and I am sorry to say that I suspect it is the latter), but it is more than most do when accused of doing something wrong.<BR/><BR/>I just have a really hard time agreeing with your assessment that he is "one of the worst people in the world" (literary use of exaggeration notwithstanding), given all the good stuff he does (raises money for Hackensack hospital, raises money and awareness to combat SIDS, provides a free summer camp to kids with cancer and their siblings, etc.). You can say that his racism is enough for you to stop listening and advocate his firing, but you cannot deny that he has done a lot of good with his money and celebrity.Side Barhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14612970173870600320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822678093661476153.post-82961199486493815772007-04-09T11:25:00.000-04:002007-04-09T11:25:00.000-04:00"...you could easily argue that the fact that so m..."...you could easily argue that the fact that so many people listen to him is one more reason why he needs to be mindful of what he says..."<BR/><BR/>True dat.<BR/><BR/>I think the apology was weakened by the use of "we" rather than "I". I know it was not just him, but he is not on the Imus, Bernard, and Sid show. He sounds like Ronald Reagan saying, "Mistakes were made" rather than just owning up to his bigotry.<BR/><BR/>I think Bernard does most of the bigotry so that Imus can say that he's not making comments, but he's clearly in support of the comments since they do not stop.<BR/><BR/>MSNBC's statment essentially said, "Well, we don't produce the show. That's done by WFAN, all we do is air it." Which is like saying, "I didn't rob the bank. I just gave the guy a ride to and from the bank."<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm just having trouble with the fact that Imus, to me, is just one of the worst people in the world, and yet he still has credibility with important people who, in my opinion, should know better. I guess that's it.ChuckJerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16596845287728762643noreply@blogger.com