Jock Shocked

NEW YORK—Shock Jock Don Imus has sunk into the pleasant mire of obscurity, but it seems his fans are loath to see him go so gently. So they organized a day of activities last Friday to protest his departure from his daily slot on CBS radio and MSNBC.

I got in contact with the Imus diehards loosely organized around the website supportimus.org, though not affiliated with the I-man himself. An email soon resulted in a phone call from Laree Lee, a 50-year-old woman from Missoula, MT, with a gentle laugh.

“The man affected so many people,” she began, telling me that Imus—who was fired from his CBS show after controversy erupted surrounding his description of the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos”—was not a racist, he was engaged in a parody of racism intended to discredit it. And he supports the troops. And have you heard about his extensive charity work?

Well, yes. But despite these sterling qualities, Imus’ comments weren’t just a slip of the tongue or one off-color joke gone wrong; he’s had a history of prejudicial attacks on all kinds of minority groups, from blacks and gays to women and Asians. (Slate has compiled some of the hits here.)

The next morning, I woke up at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m. to visit the Imusketeers at Rockefeller Plaza, where they had joined the screaming throngs outside NBC’s “Today Show,” signs in hand. I met five or six standing outside the barricades on the sidewalks (designed to keep fans from swarming Al Roker and Hillary Duff, not to prevent the demonstration), and they told me that several other members of their team were in the scrum.

I spoke with Keith Adler, who put up www.supportimus.org in the wake of the controversy. He is a 33-year-old graphic designer, with a mustache and the sensitive demeanor of a high school guidance counselor. At his side was P.T. Bartman, a 43-year-old “web activist” in a soiled Cubs jersey who chain smoked hand-rolled cigarettes throughout our conversation.

They repeated Lee’s claims, and expanded: Adler seemed genuinely upset that people who weren’t fans hadn’t been asked to weigh in on the issue. According to him, only outsiders—who heard the comment out of context, failing to catch the subtle humor—had called for Imus’ release. When asked about his long record of slurs—such as telling “60 Minutes” he hired his controversial producer, Bernard McGuirk, to tell “nigger jokes” —the two produced again the parody defense, noting that he is an “equal opportunity offender.” It would be interesting to see, say, a car thief argue that he has shown no malice toward the owners of the automobiles he’s pilfered, if he’s also robbed houses or banks. He’s an equal-opportunity offender, so don’t take it personally.

Bartman also noted that Imus got plenty of his own medicine, with McGuirk regularly referring to Imus as “scrotum-face.” Apparently the difference between insulting someone for being an ugly individual and insulting someone for being a member of a racial or ethnic group is lost on Imus’ supporters.

But why, I wondered, do you think Imus was fired? Lee had blamed Media Matters for monitoring Imus’ show, never mind the fact that Media Matters monitors everybody’s show. Other names came up: Hillary Clinton, since Imus makes fun of her. (As if no one else ever had). And Dick Cheney, for the same reason.

The Imus fans seemed honestly lost without their leader (except for Bartman, who just seemed lost). “We’ve lost nearly three months of the show,” Adler complained. He would have preferred just a suspension for the DJ. But they did have a few good points to make: Namely, that CBS radio and the MSNBC cable network were complicit in Imus’ bad behavior. If anybody should have known that Imus was a bigot, it was the two networks that aired him. Hypocrites, cry the I-fans, who chose NBC as the site of their protest because of weather-celebrity Al Roker, who made a crass joke about epileptics while discussing the (literally) seizure-inducing 2012 Olympics logo. Roker had publicly condemned Imus’ Rutgers comments.

The I-fans present themselves as free speech advocates, even including the following disclaimer on their website: “Prefacing everything here is a deep understanding of and sympathy with the message behind the effort to get Imus fired. Accepting that fully, the purpose of this site is to correct the unfairness that has come to DJ Don Imus in the course of making that point.” Bartman tells me he is a progressive who came out of the labor movement, and points to Imus’ championing of Harold Ford in the last election. Adler, more or less a libertarian, notes that he wouldn’t have known about progressives like John Hightower without “Imus in the Morning.” But in the end, progressives don’t support racial slurs in the public arena. And like it or not, with his cocktail of serious interviews and, well, minstrel show humor, Imus was in the public arena.

The debate over Imus’ comments has come from different angles. It’s not really a free speech issue, since he wasn’t really censored: He was just sent home. It’s not being “political correctness,” either, that conservative bogeyman that died circa the late ’90s: it’s about saying that racist language is unacceptable. But for the Imus fans, who for the most part seem uncomfortable with the DJ’s language—at least now that he’s been publicly chastised—it’s more about missing their long-time morning companion.

“He was a shock jock. I was entertained,” Lee said.

Tim Fernholz is the editor in chief of the Georgetown Voice and a contributing writer at Campus Progress.org. He can be reached at tfernholz@gmail.com.

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Comments

1. Here’s what bothers me: you make repeated references to the racism in the “joke” that got Imus fired, but you don’t mention its sexism at all.

   That’s been an overwhelming theme in this story: everyone condemns Imus for being racist, but it’s as if nobody even NOTICES the sexism. Even most progressives don’t mention it.

   — Thad - Jul 5, 03:42 PM - #
   
   

2. all Imus has to do his call himself REV. Imus and all will be forgiven.
   People sure have forgiven Rev. Sharpton
   Jeff

   — Jeff - Jul 5, 05:22 PM - #
   
   

3. Nice article. I have been looking for any coverage of the June 29 supportimus activity. Googling “imus rally” shows a lot of references to anti-imus rallies around april. Maybe there is not that much support for imus as I might want or hope for. But it may provide interesting research on current kultur if there was a way to measure the google results against knowledge of Imus show vs knowledge of activists using imus video clip and rather poor quality media matters “research” for publicity , race bating, self loathing , i.e. the GRWC summary of all things progressive.

   Sorry about the sexist observation Thad. Maybe its overlooked because it is so obvious ?

   — Bob Leurck - Jul 5, 06:03 PM - #
   
   

4. Voltaire said it best when he was paraphrased, ...but I will defend to the death… yada, yada. What he really said was, “What a fuss to make about an omelet.” Voltaire was talking about freedom of speech and the overreaction to a poor book. Imus was parodying the negro rap.
   Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but not to the facts upon which that opinion is based.
   Like the militant agnostic said, “I don’t know, and neither do you.”
   Morons.

   — wade rivers - Jul 5, 06:50 PM - #
   
   

5. Imus was mocking the Rutgers women for embracing a dysfunctional Black lifestyle, commenting on their many tattoos. If you can’t say that, there’s no free speech.

   On his ranch, some boys were calling the girls ho’s, and he told them to stop, and when they persisted, he sent them home. On his ranch, he has the authority to stop it ; on the air, the best he can do is mock it.

   He shouldn’t have apologized at all.

   The amazing thing is how all of his pundit friends turned on him. The man had more phonies as guests than anybody could imagine.

   (Preview doesn’t work ; I wonder if Submit will! Netscape 4.0)

   — Ron Hardin - Jul 6, 06:27 AM - #
   
   

6. Tim, this is beautifully written and well argued.

   — Alex Levy - Jul 6, 07:17 AM - #
   
   

7. To laugh at what the IMUS supporters were doing there is doing a dis-service to your community. Does not Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson hold protests? Do they cause uproars and sometimes get arrested for civil disobedience? The people you mentioned in your blog are friends of mine. They spent money to support a cause that 10’s of Millions around the Country agree with. The Firing of an American Icon “Don Imus” was unfair. He made a bad joke and apologized and that should have been the end of it. But no Fat Al Sharpton and Mumble mouth Jackson had to get involved. Disparaging is what you did and I have the right to do the same to your so called leaders. Imus will be back, and he will not take any prisoners.

   — Bruce - Jul 6, 07:32 AM - #
   
   

8. We live in a diverse culture where many will find the speech of others offensive. Free speech means that there are times when some will find particular speech offensive. The ideal of the first amendment is that all speech, offensive to some or not, should be protected from censorship.

   If you watch news on a regular basis you invariably see this comment made after someone makes a controversial comment “I am all for free speech, except when you say…” I would argue that those people are not for free speech, they are for speech that they agree with and like. As DL Hughely points out, you are either for free speech or against it, there is no in between.

   You have no right to never be offended. You do have the right when you are offended to join the discussion. To close anyone out the discussion does nothing but eliminate another point of view.

   Also, I can tell you that PC did not disappear as you claim in the late 90’s, rather it is alive and well and around us everyday. I see the examples everyday.

   Imus was straddling two very difficult arenas being politics and humor. He was doing this in a highly polarized political environment where you could not help but to offend both sides of the divide.

   Turning to Media Matters, they do have a definite liberal slant in what they are looking at and the commentators they are monitoring. I doubt very much if they are carefully watching Keith Olberman’s show looking for offensive humor. Although, they could find humor that offends others if they did.

   The Imus show itself provided a unique mix of humor and political interviews. The interviews were done in such a manner as to not allow the politician to squirm away with talking point answers. Further, I found authors and books I would not have but for the Imus show.

   Most people I talk with believe Imus was railroaded by a couple of disingenuous Reverends. Who by the way owe some apologies starting with but not limited to the Duke Lacrosse players. That these guys have any credibility to comment and that their comments are accepted as gospel by the main stream media is amazing to me.

   On your comments on Al Roker, the only thing I believe most Imus fans wanted was Al to be held to the same standard to which he insisted that Imus be held.

   — JoeM - Jul 6, 09:28 AM - #
   
   

9. I am still unaware of the racial element of Imus’ joke. The Rutger’s team has 7 blacks and two whites. While his joke has mean-spirited, how can it be racist? He was comparing the appearance of the Tennessee team to Rutgers. A team which is also black. The controversy was created by the media to shoot down Imus. He was so concerned about being called a racist that he had to apologize. In reality he really didn’t make a racial joke. Other black comedians are typically making racial jokes that do not have to be interpreted as racist, because they are. They get away with this on a regular basis. Ina recent poll, 96% of respondents said Imus should be back. That is the “mainstream”. Don’t let the media foll you people, think for yourself!

   — Tom - Jul 6, 09:54 AM - #
   
   

10. Imus didn’t get fired because he made sexist or racial remarks…ask Hilary why IMUS lost his job…

    — carrie elkin - Jul 6, 10:04 AM - #
    
    

11. I still don’t get how nappy headed is racist. I have heard that statement being made by many people in the African American community. It was a way of telling someone to run a comb threw their hair. My grandmother would alway say “comb your hair son you want people to think we’re gypsies.” Is that a racist statement? Ho was a sexist statement but if we are going to start throwing people off the air for that, more than half the shows on the air would get tossed. As to the person who commented that your position was well argued. I hope he was being sarcastic. #1 question did you ever watch or listen to his show? Did you take the time to invetigate some of the details around the accusations of Don Imus and his racist views? You toss away the idea that this man has done so much good for the under-represented in our country. What have you done for Kids with cancer,Syckle Cell Anemia, Parents whose kids of died of SIDS, soldiers who have come home with no arms or legs? It is so easy for those who were not fans of this show to say he got what he deserved since they have no reference but to this one moment and his horrible statement “Nappy Headed Hos” which in fact is so horrific of a statement that you and others repeat it in print and on the air over and over again. I don’t know how the girls in Rutgers can stand the pain. Speaking of has anyone asked the girls what their impressions of this evil presence on our planet was. Do any of you self-rightous hypocrites who live such clean and unoffensive lifes have anyone else on your list that needs to be removed from the airwaves in order to protect the world from “words that should not be heard” Lenny Bruce is turning over in his grave.

    — Bill Flynn Jr. - Jul 6, 10:15 AM - #
    
    

12. There is support for Imus all over this country – Imus fans are hard core and we won’t stop our efforts until Imus is back.

    — JG - Jul 6, 10:39 AM - #
    
    

13. Tim, thanks for your time and interest in all the I-Fans out here. I do wish you’d have spent more time covering all of the charities Imus supported and the fact he is a champion to thousands of us with autistic children.

    I have received emails from I-Fans ages 21-73 all desperate to hear him again and no, most understood he simply said something stupid and not malicious. We support him 100%.

    Thanks again for getting up at such an ungodly hour.

    — Melanie - Jul 6, 10:59 AM - #
    
    

14. Although I was one of the supporters in NYC, I regret not having the opportunity to meet you. We were well-represented in Keith and PT. I am a 66-year-old female who, having traveled very little in my life, braved my first plane trip, not to mention the train, bus, subway, taxi, and blistered and swollen feet, to make an appearance in NYC in support of Don Imus and the Imus in the Morning Program. It was my favorite show and it was a violation of my rights to simply watch a television program when it was removed, or I should say jerked, from the airwaves.

    Others can defend Don Imus better than I and have done so, but this is really about me. I think I
    I’ve paid by life dues to hear anything and everything I want to. I thought Imus in the Morning was the best show on tv. It had very interesting topics of discussion, great live music, and, yes, some very funny jokes. I am and have been a law-abiding, tax-paying, and harmless person and that show was one thing I looked forward to each day.

    There is a lady in West Virginia with terminal cancer who is heartbroken about the loss of the show and is hoping against hope the show returns so she can leave this world smiling.

    I know an alcoholic who watched the show each morning and it helped him stay sober.

    I could go on and on, but the fans of the show are hurting and our story is only beginning to be told.

    — Anne Beard - Jul 6, 11:09 AM - #
    
    

15. I was one of the people who couldn’t get to NYC because our flight was cancelled (another story but what is going on with the airlines?).

    My husband and I miss Imus in the Morning and are hopeful of a return to the airwaves shortly. We were completely shocked that he was fired so quickly and how many of his so-called friends said and did nothing to support him. All of us who watched the show for years knew he and Bernie weren’t racists and so did these people who were on the show all the time (Russert, Williams, Newsweek crew – too many to name). We felt personally betrayed by these people and no longer watch their shows or buy their magazines, etc. We cannot wait for Imus to return to find out what he has to say about what happened in April. His ratings will be huge and we’ll all support the advertisers who come back with him. He should never have been fired and bringing him back is the right thing to do.

    — Jeannie Martin - Jul 6, 11:25 AM - #
    
    

16. Tim,

    You did portray me fairly, I am a free speech proponent and I am an Imus Fan.

    I inserted my homepage in the URL option. Anyone who would like to read in depth about the Imus Issue, I have embedded many links in my Blog section. I also have the youtube video of D.L.Hugley on myspace page D.L., responding to the protest of his show in Ft Worth, his opinion on Free Speech.

    The Free Market did not decide Imus’ firing it was a secondary boycott of his advertisers, that may not have been legal. I have read that the First threat of the boycott on the networks was legal but then to go after those same network’s advertizers might not have been legal. This undermines Free Speech, not my words, you can find this article on Supportimus.org’s links section.

    Imus’s contract was very interesting he was encouraged to be controversial and edgy, he had a one bite clause, meaning he would be warned and then he would not do the offending thing twice. CBS and MSNBC have an 8 second delay, if what was said, was truly so offensive why didn’t they hit the button? The answer they didn’t think it was offensive at the time until the whole sound bite was blown up and saturated all over the American airwaves.

    Perhaps Imus isn’t a sympathetic personality to some, the man did take on many powerful people, and entities. The Pentagon-Walter Reed, Haliburton-The Interped Soldiers Fund, he told Haliburton, they should pony up a contribution since they were making so much money off the war. Big Pharma, he was working on the Autism Bill in Congress. The Imus’ wanted investigations into whether the perservative used in childhood vacines had any link to the increasing Autism Rates in our country…When Hillary Clinton was first lady she pushed childhood vacines. Hillary Clinton is now a Senator and running for President.

    Imus’s charities, Ranch for Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children with Autism, Asthma,SIDS, after his firing Deidra Imus kept her engagement in Harlem for children with Asthma.

    I don’t believe the Firing of Don Imus and his producer Bernard McGuirk, has ever had more then superficial coverage.

    For the record Al Roker Called for Insisted that Imus be fired, for insensitive remarks about the Rutger’s ladys basketball team. Al Roker turned around and made fun of people with Epilepsy, he apologized but no one insisted Al Roker be fired Why?

    Finally from your mouth to God’s ear, I only hope in my lifetime, I see the death of Politically Correct Speech. All who think Politically Correct Speech is a good thing read George Orwells 1984.

    — Laree - Jul 6, 11:33 AM - #
    
    

17. Nice work, Tim. A few things though. Certainly I’m no advocate of racial or sexist slurs — Imus’s comments were gross — but that isn’t to say there wasn’t a void left by his departure. Imus was like a Sasha Baron Cohen — ridiculous enough to get his subjects to admit to their shocking and deeply held beliefs. Bottom line: Arrogant, yes. Offensive, no doubt. Worthless, no.

    — Julie Siegel - Jul 6, 11:43 AM - #
    
    

18. I am boycotting until Imus comes back..I still have alot of years left.No one will ever replace Imus. GOD BLESS YOU IMUS!

    — Darcey Morris - Jul 6, 11:50 AM - #
    
    

19. “...he wasn’t really censored: He was just sent home.”

    cen·sored, cen·sor·ing, cen·sors – To examine and expurgate. (American Heritage Dictionary)

    By what definition was Imus not censored?

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 6, 12:52 PM - #
    
    

20. Imus was censored. His firing had very little to do with his comments but with the fact he wasn’t on the Hillary bandwagon. Media Matters want Rush, Hannity, Laura – anyone who disagrees or isn’t supportive silenced. They want us to all be a bunch of zombies. That is not what America is about – the marketplace should have decided whether Imus’ show survived. Hillary wants to bring back the Fairness Doctrine to force us to listen to Air America. I don’t want to listen to Al Franken or Jeanine Garafolo – I want to listen to Imus in the Morning.

    — Julie O - Jul 6, 01:31 PM - #
    
    

21. Wow, some really dumb people out there still interested in this issue it seems. Oh you poor people who feign ignorance about Don Imus and his longtime practice of making racist remarks. First of all, “nappy headed hos” was only part of what he said, him and his corny producer guy were basically sitting around calling the Rutgers team manly and ugly. As if that crew of losers weren’t the ugliest assembled bunch in a 10 mile radius. Then the nappy headed hos comment came. And you really, really have to be a serious idiot to not understand that this was a racist comment. It was not satire, it was not “making fun of racism”, even Imus himself admitted that much! Duh, you idiots. Of course it was racist. They were showing a clip of the players on the court. All of them at the time were black. Was Imus supposed to be mocking racism when he called Gwen Ifill a “cleaning lady”? No.

    Its hilarious how at first all of Imus’ Republican backers were all saying “well, lets just let the market handle this”. Then as soon as he starts losing sponsors and gets fired, he’s being “censored”. Hilarious! Amazing isn’t it how a business matter turns into some great 1st amendment struggle as soon as a conservative is involved!

    The fact is, Don Imus was and is an idiot with nothing valuable to contribute to the public discourse. This was simply a market correction. Imus being taken off the public airwaves was simply an acknowledgment that the man had no business holding such a powerful platform in the first place. There was no reason on Earth that Don Imus should have had several hours of airtime every day. Imus is free to get a new radio show and broadcast it wherever he can get someone to agree to do so. He’s not under arrest, he is under no legal threat. None of his rights have been taken away, he just got fired from his job for doing a bad job. Plain and simple, folks. If everyone, as part of the 1st amendment, has the personal right to a TV show then that is news to me. Nothing about that in the Constitution I know and love. Anyone saying this is a free speech issue is either ignorant or being willfully disingenuous. You poor saps who feel the need to link to comedians and social critics and artists who use terms like ‘ho’ are completely missing the point. I do hope that one day you are able to actually figure out what the point is…good luck.

    — onceler - Jul 6, 02:09 PM - #
    
    

22. Onceler – Imus is coming back so you better get used to it.

    You have the right to say Don Imus is an idiot and we are idiots too but I can say you are the idiot for being so misinformed. You obviously never watched or listened to the show on a regular basis. People like Tim Russert, Brian Williams, politicians, authors, musicians, athletes would not have begged to be on the show daily if it were so stupid and added nothing. Go back and listen to Howard Stern or whatever it is that you think is so wonderful.

    — Jack - Jul 6, 02:23 PM - #
    
    

23. Tim Fernholz,you suffer from Tunnel Vision.I watched Tom Joyner & his job is to make fun of white people on a dailey basis.His White Shark Bite song sung to the tune of Mack The Knife about the 15yr.old white surfer girl that lost her arm has been on his site & the net for over 3 yrs.I was so upset about it that I sent it to Media Matters,Hillary,NBJ & all involved in the take down of the Icon Imus.This was removed from the net in a NY second.Can not be found.Is no longer on the Joyner site.Strange huh?And his comment was against a white child of 15. Not full grown adults in college & these girls are far from ready for the real world to say they are scared for life.What a bunch of Crapola.BooWho.Now Joyner wasn’t taken down.Why? Well he was not a threat to anyone.You only go after power.That was Imus.So Tim go figure.The Truth will set you Free

    — Sue - Jul 6, 02:25 PM - #
    
    

24. Censored, shmensored. The 1st amendment only protects people against “censorship” by the government, specifically Congress (“Congress shall make no law…”). It does not give anyone the right to their own radio show.

    Laree, you say that “the First threat of the boycott on the networks was legal but then to go after those same network’s advertizers might not have been legal.” How so? You offer no support for that statement. Is it illegal for people to decide not to buy those advertisers’ products? Is it illegal to use one’s free speech rights to try and convince others to do the same? The answer to both questions is obvious: NO.

    Imus’ first amendment rights have not been violated at all. He can still say whatever he wants. No one is required to provide him with a radio forum. He was not “fired by the free market” – he was fired by his employers simply because they believed he had become more of a liability than an asset. That’s capitalism. THAT is what America is all about.

    — Joe Sixpack - Jul 6, 02:29 PM - #
    
    

25. Yes, Joe Sixpack, that’s capitalism and that is why Imus will be back on the air in the Fall…because he makes a lot of people a lot of money.

    — julie - Jul 6, 02:32 PM - #
    
    

26. Onceler, You have a right to your opinion and a right to say what you think. But, you have no right to call Don Imus a racist and an idiot. That is flat out slander. Your so-called evidence that suggests that he might be a racist is weak. If you remember the context Imus’ made his remarks, he was commenting on the looks of the rutgers team compared to Tennessee team, which is also majority african american. While I agree that his jokes were mean-spirited towards the rutgers women, I can not agree with you that there was ANY racial intent in his jokes. The Gwen Ifill incident was used in thrid person satire, in which Imus makes fun of people who would be so stupid to use such a term as cleaning lady to refer to an african american. If you actually listened to the show rather than what the media has told you what to think, then you would be in the know like the majority of people. Once again, think for yourself, not what they make you think. Finally, Imus was not fired because of bad performance as his show was actually one of the highest rated shows on MSNBC. He also had a huge radio audience. He was forced out by the blackmail of Al Sharpton’s posse.

    — Tom - Jul 6, 02:33 PM - #
    
    

27. Julie, it wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see things play out exactly as you suggest, and if that’s how it goes, it’s fine by me. I just don’t see how “censorship” or the 1st amendment have anything to do with it. The people who fired him had the absolute right to do so, in accordance with the terms of his contract. He’s been paid in full and doesn’t even have to go to work any more. I would LOVE to be “censored” like that. There is absolutely no reason to feel sorry for him, but then the Imus fans are really only feeling sorry for themselves, and conflating their self pity with righteous indignation.

    — Joe Sixpack - Jul 6, 02:38 PM - #
    
    

28. Joe – if your favorite program of years – 5 days a week – was yanked off you’d understand how thousands of us feel. We do feel sorry for ourselves because we are being deprived of our favorite show. Is that so difficult to understand? All indications are for an Imus return and the marketplace ultimately will end up deciding if he stays on. I predict he’ll do just fine.

    — Julie - Jul 6, 02:47 PM - #
    
    

29. Hey, I listen to loudmouthed jerks on the radio every day too, though not Imus – his show wasn’t even available in my market. If any of the shows I like were yanked, then yes, I would absolutely feel sorry for myself. I understand that perfectly. I would not, however, launch into a misguided crusade to save the show via spurious claims of censorship.

    — Joe Sixpack - Jul 6, 02:56 PM - #
    
    

30. Onceler – I love it when people won’t give out their name when they post nasty comments and call people names. Do you not have the courage of your convictions? Apparently not, because you won’t leave your name. Well, Imus fans do and we listened to this man for many years, thousands of hours, and we KNOW he’s not a racist. I seriously doubt you listened to the show because your comments are so ridiculous.

    You say Imus’ firing was a market correction…the correction is being made to bring him back – that is the market correction.

    — Melanie - Jul 6, 02:58 PM - #
    
    

31. “...his horrible statement ‘Nappy Headed Hos’ which in fact is so horrific of a statement that you and others repeat it in print and on the air over and over again.”

    You know, I never thought of that. If it’s fit to print, is it really that awful? Those derisive Muhammed cartoons from a while back weren’t widely reprinted by any major papers, so why was “nappy headed hos” repeated so many times in the news?

    — DC - Jul 6, 03:23 PM - #
    
    

32. Joe, your comments are only those of a person who has not yet had speech he agrees with censored. If we continue on our present path in the US that day will come for you. And what will you say then, I imagine nothing, as you will be too afraid to speak out.

    I don’t feel sorry for Imus, he wouldn’t be where he was if hadn’t said the remark. Which by the way is the sentiment Imus expressed on the show to which you clearly never listened.

    What I do believe is that a voice that challenged the status quo has been silenced. That should concern you also. What would you like on your television every morning the dumbed down pablum of the latest Paris Hilton, Anna Nicole, Lindsay Lohan news? That is the last stuff I want to hear and rarely did that crap make it into the Imus program. Imus covered hard news with humor. You may not have cared for the humor but it was humor none the less.

    There are some of us out here who have sense of humor, who get the jokes and know that satire can be biting and point out things people don’t want pointed out.

    I am not surprised by a whole bunch of Americans being concerned with one out of context remark and blowing it out of proportion. Many Americans have heard nothing more than the remark, judged it and then moved on.

    I know there is a sports radio host, who has said that the women of the WNBA all look like horses and if you go to a WNBA game don’t forget the apples and sugar cubes for the women. And his listeners picked up on the idea and would whinny when they called in to his show. Why is he still on the air? Because he isn’t political, and doesn’t challenge those who don’t like to be challenged.

    — JoeM - Jul 6, 03:28 PM - #
    
    

33. This is not a claim of constitutional rights, “Freedom OF Speech” is a core American Value.

    MSNBC and WFAN are paying the price for censoring Imus, that is the power of free markets.

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 6, 03:32 PM - #
    
    

34. I am not an Imus fan by any stretch, and I probably haven’t heard his show in 10 years. I dont find him particularly entertaining, yet I think his firing was nonsense and the height of hypocracy. I do believe in being “PC” (as much as I hate that phrase), but there are so many worse and more dangerous people on radio (Hannity, Weiner Savage, Coulter, etc.) Compared to them, what Imus says is lightweight and harmless. To the Imus fans, be patient. He’ll be back.

    — Jeff - Jul 6, 04:17 PM - #
    
    

35. We know he’ll be back…we just resent that he had to be humiliated like he was, especially since we IMUS fans know all the good he has done, and that effort has been stymied somewhat because he has lost his forum. He WILL be back and better than ever…I do believe he has been taking names over the past few months…soooo, backstabbers beware!!!

    — carrie elkin - Jul 6, 04:25 PM - #
    
    

36. Not a very well written piece for either side. If getting up at 6 am is difficult, we know the writer probably didn’t listen to Imus anyway.

    — Becca - Jul 6, 04:31 PM - #
    
    

37. Joe Sixpack,

    It wasn’t me who stated the secondary boycott undermines free speech, if you read my comment, I stated this, here is the link.

    http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dorf/20070423.html

    — Laree - Jul 6, 05:12 PM - #
    
    

38. This is still a FREE country people still have the right to freedom of expression, last time I looked.

    Imus told a joke, he was attempting humor, people didn’t like the joke, he apologized.

    If people got fired everytime someone said something someone else didn’t like and made them angry, there would be alot of unemployed people in this Free Country of Ours.

    The first person to use the term “Politically Correct” was Joseph Stalin, I don’t ever remember anything remotlely funny, attributed to Joseph Stalin.

    — Laree - Jul 6, 05:21 PM - #
    
    

39. Shock jocks are frequently fired for stepping over the line of good taste.

    Here is a list of relatively recent examples:

    * “The Greaseman” was fired by WARW in 1999, after making a comment about James Byrd, who was dragged behind a pickup truck by two white supremacists. After playing a song by Lauryn Hill, The Greaseman said “and they wonder why we drag them behind trucks.” * Star and Bucwild were fired by Clear Channel Radio in 2006 after offering $500 to any listener who could provide information about rival DJ Envy’s daughter and used anti-Asian slurs when talking about Envy’s wife. * Bob Grant was fired from WABC in 1995 after joking about the death of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown. * Opie and Anthony were fired from WNEW in 2002 after getting two listeners to have sex in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. * Members of WQHT morning show team were fired in 2005 after playing the “Tsunami Song,” which was full of anti-Asian slurs.

    Like Imus, all of these shock jocks had a history of slurs, bad taste, racism, sexism, etc. Imus is just the latest in the long line of shock jocks to talk himself out of a job.

    — David - Jul 6, 05:37 PM - #
    
    

40. Please bring back Imus.

    Another week of “Morning Joe” and I’ll have to hang myself.

    God, I suck.

    — Joe Scarborough - Jul 6, 07:17 PM - #
    
    

41. The truth is that with the brainwashing, reptition of the news today, we need someone to say something from left field, blow us away, then make us laugh. This fear of offending someone is ridiculous! Get a backbone people! Without freedom of speech, we won’t be able to call someone a moron without all the morons freaking and calling for their firing

    — su - Jul 6, 07:28 PM - #
    
    

42. Unlike the folks who follow Imus, I put myself in the place of the targets of Imus humor.

    To them, IT WASN’T FUNNY! They seemed to see the comment as racist. They didn’t seem to like being called “Ho’s,” even in gest.

    What ALL of the supporters of Imus on this thread seem to lack is what Imus lacks. Empathy

    — hterrya - Jul 6, 08:25 PM - #
    
    

43. Next time, try taking the measure of the man in its entirety instead of focusing solely on shock-jock-speak. This guy has spoken more plainly and reached more people normally written off by the supposed “high-minded” than almost anyone, on subjects ranging from war crimes to toxic vaccines foisted on a clueless population by Big Pharma. Meanwhile, Sharpton and Jackson extort. The. Measure. Of. The. Man.

    — Katy - Jul 6, 09:04 PM - #
    
    

44. Joe Scarborough says it best.

    The whole affair is pathetic evidence of political power games and the complete lack of any type of sense of humor in American society….the young women in Sudan would give anything to have the opportunities of the Rutgers girls…we take our wounded feels soooo seriously in this country. Amazing nonsense. Way more has been lost than a radio show…MSNBC was the mistake. Imus was a radio show, they tried to make it something it was not. Their efforts to get SOMEBODY to watch shot them in the foot. Unfortunately, they took a lot of people down the tube along with them. May MSNBC rest in peace. May Imus return.

    — Maddy - Jul 6, 10:39 PM - #
    
    

45. When Don Imus uttered his now famous description of the Reutgers basketball team (who would normally not have gotten much attention from the media as they had lost the championship game), no one was offended. We all understood what was going on as did the stations involved. NO ONE CAUGHT IT! It was only after the monitored phrase was given to the Rev.s and the media and the team and anyone else that they could reach that we were all told that what we heard was AWFUL and DISGUSTING. Once it was explained to all the the phrase was racist and sexist, and Imus was a really bad guy, the hay was in the barn. The stations and sponsors began dropping like flies. (The same stations who had just given him a new five year contract that they owe him now.) His regular viewers just could watch in horror as the mob scene unfolded. The phrase now has a life and meaning of its own. And it was all created in just a couple of days with wide spread coverage. No one wanted an apology (except the team) and they didn’t want to try to correct the problem if it involved keeping Don Imus on the air. If he was of such little consequence, why not let him at least finish his telethon and say his good-byes? But no, it had to be immediate. Who would benefit most from his not talking to 3 million people in the morning? I don’t think his leaving actually improved race relations and I’m still waiting for the forums we were supposed to get and the addition of more people of color on the airwaves. Nothing has changed except that Imus is gone and so is a major problem to the Clinton campaign. I am a long-time Imus fan as well as a Democrat, a Christian, a teacher, and an advocate for free speech. I do not need anyone to tell me if speech is racist. I will decide for myself what to listen to or watch. WE are the market that Don Imus had and we never got a chance to make a decision. It was snatched from us by a small group who feel they know what is best for all of us. I am anxiously awaiting the return of Don Imus. He contributes more to the sick and underpriveledged, despite his ill health, than the total of his detractors. I will never watch MSNBC/CBS/NBC again. I am boycotting the sponsors who deserted him. Imus fans have more time than sense, so don’t expect us to “get over it”. We expect the return of Don Imus and his entire team. Only then will the mornings be right again.

    — Bobbie - Jul 6, 11:32 PM - #
    
    

46. The fact that Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson opposed Imus gets a lot of people riled up on this thread.

    Rev. Martin Luther King used to get folks riled up down here in Texas during the days of segregation, too. One person suggested that Rev. King’s testicles should be nailed to a stump to “shut him up.”

    Are any of you folks on the thread who are so riled up by Revs. Sharpton and Jackson kin to some of the segregationist folks down in Texas?

    Are any of you folks those SAME segregationist folks?

    — hterrya - Jul 6, 11:47 PM - #
    
    

47. Tim – I’m a college student (a junior) who has to get up early in the mornings. I am a news addict, and Imus was, simply put, an amazing interviewer. Since you’re in college, I bet you’re also on Facebook. Poke around in the groups section and you’ll be surprised at the number of pro-Imus groups. Though it had an older, educated audience, this wasn’t a show for Klansmen in the nursing home.

    Since this is a progressive magazine, it’s truly a shame that some progressive causes are now suffering with his abscence. Now, I know you think that lobbying for a progressive cause is null and void if you’re a “racist” (I won’t get into that argument, as other people have already touched on it). But nearly every day, Imus was pressuring big pharmaceutical companies for causing high autism rates in children, as well as high cancer rates in the environment. He was very much against the Iraq War and called Dick Cheney a “war criminal.” He staunchly supported Kerry in ’04 and gave Democratic candidates Joe Biden, Christopher Dodd, Bill Richardson a copious amount of air time. (Seriously, who else gives Bill Richardson air time?) He always spoke highly of Obama – he said that he was the bright “star” of the DNC. Hardly the words of a racist. And – get this – Paul Begala and James Carville claim that Imus played a critical part in getting Bill Clinton, our first “black president,” elected back in ’92. (He helped Clinton cinch the state of New York).
    It’s OK if Imus is not your type of programming and you don’t believe his apology. We’re all different, and we all like different things. (Though, like someone else said, I doubt you ever saw the show if waking up at 6 AM is a challenge.) However, I wouldn’t categorize the Imus fans as a bunch of simpletons simply because you disagree with them. This was a show with high profile guests and hard humor, and this other college progressive believes that the US is worse off for its cancellation.

    — Laura - Jul 7, 12:17 AM - #
    
    

48. While we are on the topic of Martin Luther King. Besides Imus, which media figure observes MLK’s birthday by taking the day off and replaying the “I have a dream” speech in its entirety?

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 7, 10:30 AM - #
    
    

49. I forget when did Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson apologize to those 3 Duke Lacrosse Players? Someone send me the article so I can read it.

    — Laree - Jul 7, 10:33 AM - #
    
    

50. And while we are talking about the the Reverends Sharpton and Jackson. Why in meeting with CBS they didn’t pursue BET and MTVs “objectionable content”?

    Simple reason, they were head hunting for Imus. “Moral Outrage” had absolutely nothing to with this vicious attack on free speech.

    Note;
    CBS licenses BET and MTV to Viacom.

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 7, 10:47 AM - #
    
    

51. Hello, In spite of the fact I hate these little boxes, I am so fed up with mega mass media my cable TV service has been disconnected. The firing of Don Imus was the last nail in my paying on average $120.00 a month, which did indeed include High speed internet access. I now listen to a CA radio station. KCAA. We have LIVE EARTH on today so take a break and listen to some good music.
    Are YOU all right? Takin it to the streets…. Hey, if Mr President ignores Congress why would we think mega mass-media wouldn’t do the same to IMUS fans.
    HELLO, last I checked, this was THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. I can stand out on my street corner and scream into the wind. (HOWLING is more my style.) If my neighbors hear me, they may choose to ignore me. If the neighbors are irritated by me they might call the Police. The neighbors might call me names. The neighbors might do bad things to me, also. This is America, people if you tell people how you feel about anything consider you have no control over others. You have to be able to handle the onslot of re-action. Personally I would rather have negative feed-back then be totally ignored. _`Jyoop`

    — JYOOP - Jul 7, 10:55 AM - #
    
    

52. hyterra, first your comparison of Dr. King with the Revs is so obtuse it is painful. Dr. first by title was an educated and thoughtful man who’s cry for rights for the oppressed was heartfelt and heard by so many of my generation. The Revs by comparison are releatively uneducated, neither has a college degree and Sharpton was named a reverend at 10 years old.

    Second, I am personally insulted that you would include everyone who disagrees with Revs and their positions as a racist.

    — Joem - Jul 7, 11:30 AM - #
    
    

53. This is Funny and a very good Imus impersonation.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be8PE2d_mBU

    — Laree - Jul 7, 01:41 PM - #
    
    

54. Don Imus is a man who has touched many lives and that is a part of the story that DESERVES to be told. His loyal fan base consists of people of all ages, colors and political beliefs. As one poster pointed out, Don Imus’ personal battle with substance abuse helps people who are dealing with their own personal addiction problems.

    Here is a link describing what he and his wife Deirdre are doing for children on the Imus ranch. (Link)

    As you can see from the article, Don and Deirdre are not just writing a check to a charity, but are spending a great deal of THEIR PERSONAL vacation time with children with cancer, blood disorders or who lost a sibling to SIDS. It is difficult enough to deal with these diseases as adults, but can you imagine how difficult it is for kids to deal with something like this? Through the Imus ranch, Don and Deirdre are trying to help kids regain the confidence they lost while dealing with their horrific ordeal. In addition to the ranch, Don Imus has also become an advocate for kids with autism, sickle-cell anemia and for military families. For more information on his charitable works see DonImus.org.

    As we have learned from Don Imus’ contract, he was hired to be controversial. Al Roker’s contoversial epileptic joke demonstrates how easy it is for live television personalities to “cross-the line” and offend a group of people.

    Don Imus apologized and his apology has been accepted by the group he offended. Unlike Al Roker and other radio personalities who also made offensive remarks, Don Imus is still off the air. Don Imus’ fans have not forgotten all the good he has done in his career, and we will not rest until he is reinstated

    — Jill - Jul 7, 01:43 PM - #
    
    

55. If you don’t like Imus (or anyone else), turn the channel or turn it off, but for those of us who do, leave us alone. I believe in FREE SPEECH and I dearly love Imus!

    — Bebley Youree - Jul 7, 01:51 PM - #
    
    

56. I second Jill’s sentiment: We will NOT rest until Don Imus is rightfully reinstated.

    — Kathy - Jul 7, 01:52 PM - #
    
    

57. I like cherry Tootsie Pops the best. Hands down. I guess chocolate would be next. I don’t much care for the other flavors. In Life Savers, cherry is my favorite and also butter rum. I enjoy tangerine and apple too.

    — The Candy Man - Jul 7, 01:57 PM - #
    
    

58. Here’s one of the few articles you’ll find on Imus’ contributions to those of us with autistics…but don’t forget, he’s just a KKK-loving sexist a-hole so who cares if he helped people? Laura, loved your post. Candy Man – you forgot butter rum lifesavers, they’re the best.

    (Link)

    — Mel - Jul 7, 04:02 PM - #
    
    

59. I put butter rum on there right after cherry :)

    they are delicious, you’re right

    — The Candy Man - Jul 7, 04:03 PM - #
    
    

60. Another article by someone who apparently never watched or listened to the show who can’t simply try to objective.

    — John - Jul 7, 05:45 PM - #
    
    

61. Imus lovers are out in force.

    However, their hero was FIRED FOR CAUSE.

    Whining is fine.

    The RAGING HATRED of Revs. Sharpton and Jackson because they don’t share your idol worship of a VERY flawed individual is NOT fine!

    — hterrya - Jul 7, 06:54 PM - #
    
    

62. hterrya,
    Don Imus wasn’t fired “for cause”; he was the scapegoat for people a lot more influential and with much more pull than Al and Jesse. And you are actually calling Imus “flawed” and defending Sharpton and Jackson??? You are insinuating that the “Revs” are not flawed. As Imus would say, “you can’t make this UP!” Oh and hterrya, the I-fans are not whining. They are showing loyalty in the face of grave injustice and hypocrisy.

    — Kathy - Jul 7, 08:27 PM - #
    
    

63. Tom Joyner (black radio host) wrote this in defense of Imus:

    Quote:
    While there is no excuse to offer in defense of Don Imus for his
    insensitive remark about the Rutgers women’s basketball team, I am
    nevertheless willing to stand up while others cower to say that any
    fair analysis of the context shows that Imus made the comment trying
    to be funny, not malicious and not premeditated. The remark was not
    funny and the man has apologized for it with genuine remorse. It is
    nauseating to see Imus continuing to be hounded by the likes of Al
    Sharpton, a man who has made more than his share of insensitive
    racial remarks. Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young spoke of “silly ass
    white boys” a few years ago without continued demands for his
    resignation. Jesse Jackson cast a slur upon Jews by referring to New
    York as Hymietown but after apologizing was not hounded for a
    resignation from his bully pulpit.

    While engaged in talk radio for several years I spoke of certain
    black talk show hosts around the country who consistently used
    insensitive racial remarks to stir their audience and permitted
    callers to go even further. The difference is that people like
    Sharpton make a very good living grinding away at the mistakes made
    by white America while there is no one or group in white America
    willing or even wanting to point to the hypocrisy. Don Imus made an
    off the cuff remark that was racially insensitive and in bad taste.
    He acknowledged his mistake and apologized for it without pulling
    punches. To insist that the man be stripped of his livelihood as
    Sharpton demands after staging a “dog and pony show” of his own on
    the radio is petty and ill advised, but it does feed Sharpton’s
    enormous ego by keeping him in front of the cameras.

    I’ve never met Don Imus, but I am aware of the enormous good he has
    done for suffering children at his Imus ranch – a project made
    possible by the work Imus has done on his radio program. Sharpton,
    and others who profit from the division of the races in this country,
    don’t stop to consider the good that a man has accomplished. Their
    entire focus is to catch a mistake made, fan the issue for personal
    publicity and, stepping around the carnage, move on to the next photo
    opportunity. If Don Imus had not acknowledged being personally
    embarrassed on the national stage and had not offered a sincere
    apology for a hasty remark that was not premeditated then I would join
    the call for resignation. Sharpton has not lived his life by the same
    rules he demands of Imus.

    Sincerely,
    A. Thomas Joyner
    President
    Joyner Management, Inc.

    — Jules - Jul 7, 08:28 PM - #
    
    

64. Hello: The comment about Revs Sharpton and Jackson is the first comment I have seen even close to supportive and nice. In my humble opinion they are not so popular. Good evening.

    — shori lynn adcock - Jul 7, 08:34 PM - #
    
    

65. Outof all the Goo Goo choices out there, my personal fav is the original Goo Goo (silver wrapper) with peanuts. The pecan ones are just okay; the peanut butter ones are pretty tasty but I’d still have to go with the original Goo-Goo.

    — The Candy Man - Jul 7, 08:40 PM - #
    
    

66. I is for ideal for the radio.
    M is for missing him daily.
    U is for you can’t make this stuff up
    S is for surely to goodness he’ll be back soon.

    — Bebley Youree - Jul 7, 08:45 PM - #
    
    

67. Hey HterryA,

    Take a look at number 63 and read about those wonderful unflawed reverends you were mentioning in your blog

    — mikey - Jul 7, 08:50 PM - #
    
    

68. Imus has flaws? Best of Imus is he admits to and takes responsibility for his flaws.

    Lets look at Al Sharpton;

    Controversies
    1. Tawana Brawley
    2. Crown Heights Riot
    3. Freddie’s Fashion Mart
    4. LoanMax spokesman
    5. Duke lacrosse players
    6. Response to Don Imus’ slur
    7. Accusations of racism, homophobia, and bigotry

    (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpton#Controversies)

    When has Al Sharpton ever stepped up to take responsibility or apologize for?

    Lets look at Jesse Jackson;

    Controversies
    1. Remarks about Jews
    2. Extra-marital affair

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson

    Point is Jesse Jackson has flaws.

    What I like about Imus, he is a grumpy old man who cares deeply about causes that are important to me and somewhere between it all he manages to make me a laugh.

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 7, 09:19 PM - #
    
    

69. — hterrya
    What ALL of the supporters of Imus on this thread seem to lack is what Imus lacks. Empathy

    Empathy for what? I was watching Imus that morning and I took the comment to be a bit of a compliment to the ladies of Rutgers. I believe the comment was that the gils looked tough and Imus and Benie wouldn’t want to face them.
    But, then again, we all hea the way we wish to hea o most hear the way they are TOLD to hear. I feel for the ones that have to hear the way they are told. I believe in some countries, we once referred to that as communism. Not for me! Imus gave us an education in politics, reading and taking a stand in issues of controvery. I for one, miss him as he spoke up for my autistic son when everyone else hid or suddenly became mute.
    Anyone who never took the time to listen to Imus missed a lot. You don’t have to agree with everything he says, but he will leave you thinking about the issues.

    — Denise - Jul 7, 11:09 PM - #
    
    

70. — hterrya
    I AM NOT A segregationist! I am not racist! I just have a problem with people who yell RACISM being the ones to promote racism! I really appreciate the answers a lot of these people gave me when I asked how to explain to my children why Imus had to go when so many rappers used the same words or when black comedians trashed whites and never got in trouble. I am still waiting for those answers! If you look at the history of Sharpton and Jackson, you will find that they tend to incite and NEVER apologize when they have been proven wrong. Or maybe you don’t think they were ever wrong.

    — Denise - Jul 7, 11:18 PM - #
    
    

71. Not one single one of you Imus Idolators mentioned that the PEOPLE OF COLOR who work for MSNBC told MSNBC management they felt that Imus should be fired for cause.

    Like Imus, the Imus Idolators’ support of people of color lacks believability and empathy.

    — hterrya - Jul 8, 01:57 AM - #
    
    

72. I really think that the people that worked at MSNBC should not have had such a big say in Imus getting fired. They didn’t understand the humor, and were fine when epileptics were the but of Al Roker’s lame sense of humor. It’s like going to work for Playboy and then campaigning to get the nude pictures removed.

    And as for empathy, we have tons of empathy. We get completely why people were hurt by this one remark, taken out of context and played a million times in front of everyone and their kids. But it was taken out of context. It was not representative of the rest of show.

    Oh, and mediamatters doesn’t monitor every show at all. Happy to see Tom Joyner’s principled stand above, but they don’t monitor his shows or Randi Rhodes, who is said to be very racist and sexist.

    — Keith - Jul 8, 03:08 AM - #
    
    

73. I actually find the people who worked at NBC to be the true racists, since they banded together along race lines above universal principle.

    — Keith - Jul 8, 03:16 AM - #
    
    

74. Keith: I’m sure the people of color at MSNBC like being called the “true racists” just like the women of the Rutgers Basketball team liked Imus’ comments and liked being called names by Imus Idolators who thought they should see the “universal principle.”

    Lots of empathy you’ve got. You make Imus look like an empathy baron.

    — hterrya - Jul 8, 03:47 AM - #
    
    

75. I agree with Denise. Couldn’t have said it better. hterrya, you are outnumbered and you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about re: Imus. One of his best friends was the African American minister Bishop GE Patterson. You have not done your Imus research before attacking him. Period. And I’m still waiting to hear what you think of Sharpton and Jackson and how you can defend them.

    — mikey - Jul 8, 07:53 AM - #
    
    

76. Hello: the remark Imus used was taken straight out from a movie. They go on to discuss said movie. It’s the same stuff used by other African American entertainers for profit and for laughs. Double standard anyone? Mr. Imus was paid to be controversial and I do think he should only talk about “public figures”, yes, but he is a kind philanthropist and most everyone attacking him does not know much about Imus nor do they watch the show. Good morning to all!

    — Bebley Youree - Jul 8, 07:56 AM - #
    
    

77. Al Roker waited over ten years to take revenge for Imus’s criticisms regarding Rokers serial marriages and stomach staples. Criticisms which undermined Rokers “Uncle Albert” image.

    Of course soon after his “not in my house” comment karma kicked in and Uncle Albert showed the person he truly is with a terrible epilepsy joke. Taking a page from his “conspirator in chief” – Al Sharpton, he refused to acknowledge or apologize for the “Joke” attributing it to a misunderstanding.

    Keep in mind as MSNBC struggles through consolidation and reorganization the impact canceling Imus and the lost $25M in cash flow has had on the operation. Where’s the empathy for the 175 jobs that are lost and the impact on families because of the miss.

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 8, 08:25 AM - #
    
    

78. What does TV and a Shock Jock, have to do with Emphathy, since when does the Television Set have to emote: Empathy? Really this is the standard for television programing? A SHOCK JOCK wasn’t empathatetic. By the title you wouldn’t expect him to be empathetic but he was to a whole lot of people. There is alot of things, I would like to come out of my television set but given the mass saturation coverage of celebutants like Paris Hilton, I don’t see them daily. Empathy I believe is a healthy human emotion, I don’t know that it has anything to do with the regular FORMAT of a show on television outside of the personalities own Charities. Which he drumed daily, he would tell us I know you are tired of me talking about this Thermisol issue but this is important the rate of Autistic Children in this country is going up at a unprecendented rate ect..and here we are so obviously we listened. There is a wonderful article I read and it is in my blog section for Imus Links, an African American Man “Rattler-Gator” addressed the Imus issue: From the view point of how he wants African American Women treated and raised in this country, he stated someone forgot “The Sticks and Stones Rule”

    — Laree - Jul 8, 08:47 AM - #
    
    

79. Where is the empathy from the Hip Hop Community? Where is the empathy from the comedians, who use these terms and worse Dave Chappel, Chris Rock ect?

    All Americans, every last one of them, has the right to Freedom of Expression, If I don’t like what they are rapping or saying, I just turn the channel or turn them off.

    — Laree - Jul 8, 10:52 AM - #
    
    

80. My heroes :

    Willy Wonka
    Russell Stover
    Baby Ruth

    My favorite holiday is Halloween. Ya think? :)

    My least favorite experience: going to the dentist

    — The Candy Man - Jul 8, 11:21 AM - #
    
    

81. On March 20, the leader of the nation’s largest African American Pentecostal denomination passed away in Memphis. The death was ignored by most members of the mainstream media’s millionaire news readers — people who wouldn’t know the difference between the late G.E. Patterson’s Church of God in Christ, the Churches of Christ, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) and the Church of God of Prophecy. As far as I know, Patterson’s demise wasn’t big news on Fox & Friends, CNN, the Today Show or Good Morning America. But there was one news outlet that owned the story: MSNBC. Shock jock Don Imus thought Patterson’s passing was a really big deal and he devoted a lot of time to honoring the memory of the Pentecostal pastor. Patterson’s widow appeared on Imus’ program soon after the preacher’s death, and Imus spoke movingly about the bishop’s contribution to America’s spiritual life. Imus played excerpts of Patterson’s sermons — including a clip (if I recall correctly) that called for the church to reach out to all of God’s children regardless of color.

    — Harley - Jul 8, 11:45 AM - #
    
    

82. Empathy

    - noun

    “The intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.”

    Don Imus throws himself into causes contributing his money, his time and asks his audience to do the same.

    Imus and the I-Nation are beyond empathetic; at it soul it is concerned, caring, loving and giving.

    When CBS and NBC cancelled Imus in the middle of the annual radiothon his audience registered support for Imus by contributing a record $4M for children’s health.

    Don’t look for empathy from this crowd. Empathy is a meaningless gesture based on some abstract notion, caring is real. Don Imus and the I-Nation care with their hearts, their minds and with their resources.

    — Channel Surfer - Jul 8, 11:50 AM - #
    
    

83. Let’s talk about the “INTEGRITY” of NBC? Why would they OFFER to pay Paris Hilton $1,000,000 to talk about crap? Who was THAT going to help? Why would they replace Imus with someone who said NASTY and VILE things about a possible presidential canidate’s wife over the broadcast LIVE on MSNBC AND radiowaves? (Do you think Fred Thompson’s wife “works the pole”?) Instead they DEFEND him! Why would they NOT discipline Al Roker for making jokes about epilepsy? (Those of you who can pick yourselves up off of the floor….....) Matt Lauer and/or Anne Curry, and Meridith laughing LOUDLY in the background? Is THIS what you call INTEGRITY? NBC who was BOYCOTTED by the families of the Virginia Tech victims for PROVIDING A PLATFORM for the MADMAN! Don’t start by talking about INTEGRITY at NBC to me!

    — Harley - Jul 8, 11:55 AM - #
    
    

84. Note to Revs. Sharpton and Jackson: Don’t come near the crowd in this thread. They are in a lynching frenzy because you dared to oppose their idol.

    Jesus is soooo proud of the Idolators’ love for those who oppose their idol. Rev. Patterson is proud, too.

    Run for your lives, Revs. Sharpton and Jackson!

    P.S. to Al Roker and the rest of the people of color at MSNBC: You probably should avoid the Imus Idolators on this thread, also. Their mob temperature is on BOIL!

    — hterrya - Jul 8, 12:31 PM - #
    
    

85. Look, I just came from church! I KNOW who my Lord and Savior is! Do you? If you watched his show, you would have known that Imus was close to the Patterson family. What about the MOB that lynched Imus? How HOT and FIRED up were they?

    — Harley - Jul 8, 12:58 PM - #
    
    

86. Instead of leading witch huts, Sharpton and Jackson could better direct their energy to solving the ills of our community which include our young people making idols of: drugs, having babies out of wedlock, ADULTERY, bling, keeping the pimp/hoe mentaily going (Flavor of Love & I Love New York are guilty of this!), wearing their drawers out for everybody to see, calling each other B’s , H’s and N’s in our muisic, poverty, Black on Black crime (Somebody’s dying everyday!), etc. Let’s work on some of THAT before we try to take more folk oof of the airwaves! Whose next after Imus? Sean Hannity? Bill O’Reilly? Rush Limbaugh? You just can’t stop at Imus. Let me know we’re going after next! Candyman send me some Skittles or Starburts if you got some!

    — Harley - Jul 8, 01:08 PM - #
    
    

87. WHILE I DON’T AGREE ON HER USE OF THE N-WORD EXAMPLE, MONIQUE IS RIGHT ON OTHER POINTS:
    Comedienne and actress Mo’Nique is enjoying popularity on multiple levels. The host of last night’s BET Awards ’07 as well as TV’s Flavor Of Love: Charm School and Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance is known for her outrageous comedy, but lately she has been raising more eyebrows for her defense of the N-word. The Baltimore-based actress used the racial slur and defended it on stage as host of the TP 25 Gala celebrating Teddy Pendergrass in Philadelphia earlier this month, and again at the recent Jill Scott concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Many felt her use of the word was inappropriate, particularly in light of the recent Don Imus controversy about who can say what, but Mo’Nique doesn’t feel that way. Asked about it in a special Q&A on Essence.com, Mo’Nique said, “I love that word because that is who our ancestors are. When we get to heaven and we meet those group of people they won’t know to call us African-Americans, they won’t know to call us the Blacks, they going to know to call us N——-. And when they say, ‘Hey N——-,’ I’m going to respond, ‘Hey N——-. Look at all the great things the n——-s did.’ “Her name is Oprah Winfrey; his name is Jay-Z. Come on, let’s take pride in our accomplishments.” Mo’Nique continued, “If the White people say, ‘Hey n——-,’ say ‘Hey!’ Learn how to take the power back, just like the word fat. Like, ‘Mo’Nique you’re fat.’ You’re right, now what?’” While Black Americans nationwide voiced disgust when now-fired radio host Don Imus called the Rutgers University women’s basketball team a bunch of “nappy headed ‘hos,” Mo’Nique says there are bigger issues at stake. “We’ve become too sensitive and are concentrating on the wrong things instead of focusing on our inner city schools and why they are pushing our kids who can’t read or write through the system,” she added. “Why aren’t we writing articles and making noise about that? But we’d rather scream, protest and have town meetings about someone calling us a name. Come on y’all, let’s start to focus on the important things.”

    — Harley - Jul 8, 01:13 PM - #
    
    

88. Harley,

    I don’t think Progressive equates with Open Minded. There is more to this “Imus Firing” then what has been reported on the surface, from a Media Culture that chases the likes of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears around.

    You all don’t have to look into it deeper…to make your mind up but I have.

    If everyone wants to except the superficial reasons for the Firing of Don Imus and Bernard McGuirk, it is a Free Country. If you don’t know or don’t care when the Mainstream Media is manipulating you, it is a Free Country. I don’t except the superficial and I know not to believe everything “The Media” tells me, it is a Free Country.

    I wish you all well, good luck in college, and a good long fruitful life. I like Reese’s Cups.

    — Laree - Jul 8, 01:30 PM - #
    
    

89. I haven’t gotten an answer yet. Who are we going after next? Did firing Imus solve the problems in OUR community? Will KEEPING him from returning solve anything? If so, what problems have been solved? Who are we going after next, cause they are PLENTY more left. How about Rush Limbaugh playing that “Barack the Magic Negro” on his show day after day. I was angry at Obama for NOT going after that like he went after Imus. How about Hillary Clinton taking almost a million dollars from Tambaland (Whose lyrics are laced with N’s, B’s and H’s. I listened to him when I was in college, so I’m familiar with his work.) and at the same time bad mouthing on Imus? Pure hypocrisy. Candyman, I’m still waiting on my Skittles and Starbursts! :)

    — Harley - Jul 8, 01:47 PM - #
    
    

90. All,

    I meant accepted not excepted. I was having trouble with spelling Empathy too there for awhile. Gator-Rattler addressed this in his blog on The Sticks and Stones Rule, I think alot of you would enjoy his writing yes he is a Gator Fan from Florida.

    I see there is a Candyman do we have a Coffeeman? a Starbucksman? Got to make a coffee run.

    — Laree - Jul 8, 02:33 PM - #
    
    

91. I wish I could give out candy to all. I could be like the Halloween “Santa Claus” and share the sweetness.

    “...the candy man can cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good.”

    Stay sweet, everyone! :)

    — The Candy Man - Jul 8, 05:08 PM - #
    
    

92. GET OFF THIS WEBSITE AND DON’T EVER WRITE ME AGAIN. hahaha! Imus fans will understand. The Iman will rise from the ashes, youll see. Ain’t no Sharptons , Hillarys or MSNBCees who can keep this man down.

    — Fred - Jul 8, 05:14 PM - #
    
    

93. What/where was the so-called “outrage” in the black community? It was a complete fabrication by the media that there was a large-scale outrage in the black community. Most people were only outraged because Mr. Sharpton spoon-fed them some dribble and they bought in when the TV camera was pointed on them. Most of these were complete opportunists who had a power gain by jumping on the bandwagon. The boycott of MSNBC and CBS radio had been much larger than the boycott of the african-american community to Imus sponsors ever would have been.

    — Tom - Jul 8, 07:53 PM - #
    
    

94. It bothers me that people attack Imus for being “racist” when he’s genuinely not-and they give the real racists free passes all the time. If you think Sharpton and Jackson are not racists, think again my friends. They set race relations way back.

    — Brooke Baxter-Ross - Jul 8, 07:54 PM - #
    
    

95. The reason I think the MSNBC employees were racist is they identified themselves as a semi-official block inside MSNBC according to skin color. Up until that day they were just equal employees of that company. On that day, they basically established the black employees of NBC group, which to me is more of a problem than Imus’ Archie Bunker-esque satire. Like Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock, Imus can joke about racism because he is not a racist. Racism has been completely discredited both legally and culturally in this country. Even in the 70s, the racism of the Gene Hackman character in ‘The French Connection’ is shown as a deep flaw.

    I also have full empathy for the emotions felt by the team, and even those felt by others who identified with the team. But I also think everyone’s hurt feelings came from their not understanding the show. Imus is like Archie Bunker, playing a character. If we had video of Imus saying this to girls across the street, it would be different. He was in character doing a performance. His “for real” support of the black community is undoubted and should be unquestioned.

    Also, the natural thing to misunderstand this time around will be that we’re behind Imus because of this one incident. We want to talk about everything but this one incident, because not only did people misunderstand this one incident, there is so much else in the show that has nothing to do remotely with any of this. As I’ve said many times, I heard the “comment” live and was offended it by it myself, I thought it went too far. But that is part of the fun of this show, was to see how far is too far and to dance(ususally very pleasurably and brilliantly) around that line.

    So basically people canned our show because they didn’t understand the language. Free speech issue.

    — Keith - Jul 8, 11:18 PM - #
    
    

96. hterrya, I’m sure Imus did not enjoy being wrongly called a racist in front of the whole country and getting fired because of it, just as his fans were also wrongly labeled racists. People have avoided admitting they like the show for fear of being labeled racists.

    I feel no sorrow for the NBC employees. The fundamental relationship was one between the show and the audience. NBC was merely allowed to broker the advertising space in the midst of that relationship. The employees inside NBC were not “the market speaking”, they were a race-divided activist group inside the company.

    The market speaking would have been more and more people tuning to find out about the totally brilliant non-racist satire that took place in the midst of the best interviews of authors, journalists, and newsmakers, news updates, and incredible music. And hilarious comedy. Instead, all you humorless bastards stepped in and took it away. The sad thing is, if any of you actually started watching the show, you’d realize a) Imus fans were right all along, and b) that you also love the show.

    Instead, people are using this as a punching bag to carry on the fight against racism but to Imus and I-fans, it’s basically preaching to the converted.

    — Keith - Jul 8, 11:33 PM - #
    
    

97. # 94 – Brooke Baxter Ross: You are a person of color, so you can speak from the experience of one who has been the subject of hatred and hostility based on your color, Right?

    — hterrya - Jul 8, 11:37 PM - #
    
    

98. I am an African-American, too. I REFUSE to play the VICTIM or the RACE card! FREE IMUS!

    — Harley - Jul 9, 07:21 AM - #
    
    

99. I’m an African -American female, Democrat, college educated, and REGULAR Imus Show viewer! Why would you OVER-GENERALIZE that ONLY WHITE people listened to his show? Imus has MANY African-American fans! We as Black folks need to take care of a LOT of things in our OWN community before we go off on more witch hunts! What about the fact that BET is about to put a show called “HOT GHETTO MESS” on that shows Black people in the MOST RIDICULOUS situations! We need to be protesting THAT! By the way BET and CBS Radio are owned by Viacom, so they can fire Imus, but put that crap on! I just DON’T understand it! Candyman, I need something to wake me up!!!!!

    — Harley - Jul 9, 07:30 AM - #
    
    

100. I have to say the debate about Imus among young people has been refreshing. Nearly 60, I had allowed myself to conclude true activism was dead and college students were becoming automatrons blindly following dogma spoon fed by one political faction or another.

     Consertives have always worried me and neo-cons seem intent on globalizing their ideals. A liberal populist, I have become extremely concerned about progressives who seem hell-bent on bringing back Mcarthyism.

     I have found here and in other venues that alot of young people are passionate about freedom of expression even when that speech insults or offends them. They also know hypocrisy when they see it and this has forced me to examine that trait within myself.

     God Bless America.

     — RAGGEDSTEP - Jul 9, 08:18 AM - #
     
     

101. Tim, PT can write circles around you in his sleep.

     — JG - Jul 9, 09:42 AM - #
     
     

102. YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! YES, IT’S THE SAME TIMBALAND THAT GAVE HILLARY THE $800,000! WONDER WHAT SHE WOULD SAY ABOUT THIS!:

     http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur34820.cfm

     WHAT HYPOCRISY!

     But, Imus HAD TO GO! What is THIS filth going to do to the Black Community?

     — Harley - Jul 9, 09:47 AM - #
     
     

103. For hterrya regarding comment number 97 You ask me if I have been the subject of hate and hostility because of my color. Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. I am a white woman and you cannot believe the hate and hostility I have suffered under the hands of an African American woman who was my supervisor. She was kind to the black workers and she spat venom to the white workers. SHE was a racist, not Imus. I know what a racist is. I transferred to another school because of this woman. I put up with it for five years as did others.So yes, I have faced hostility, embarrassment, lack of respect, all because of my color. I can relate to that. And I am saying again: Imus is no racist.

     Sidenote: The aforementioned supervisor is no longer there, just for the record.

     — Brooke Baxter-Ross - Jul 9, 09:50 AM - #
     
     

104. Harley: sending you virtual skittles and starbursts. Laree, we do need a Starbucks Man!
     Laree commented that she loves Reeses. I do too. I also enjoy the White Reeses from time to time. But for yummy candy, you can’t get any better than the original Reeses Peanut Butter Cup.

     — The Candy Man - Jul 9, 09:55 AM - #
     
     

105. I like Almond Joy and pretty much anything w/ coconut, Candyman.

     — Bebley Youree - Jul 9, 10:03 AM - #
     
     

106. I AM MAD AS HELL AND SPITTING FIRE AT THIS MOMENT! YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP!

     (Link)

     BET and CBS are BOTH owned by Viacom! They take Imus off, but this CRAP being put on! What say you?

     — Harley - Jul 9, 10:48 AM - #
     
     

107. All,

     Did you google Rattler Gator and Sticks and Stones Rule, I read this blog and then I started going back for more because I enjoy reading what he writes, lately he lost a longtime friend from NC., a friend who supported a rival team to the Gators. This is an African American Man, addressing the issue and how he “Felt” one way about the Issue but he “Thought” a different way. I commented on Rattler Gator’s blog Sticks and Stones Rule. I got what he wrote, it did get through to me. This addresses “Empathy”

     The sound bite heard around the world, saturated the airwaves, a person familar with Marketing did this, this was planned out, otherwise those young women would never have heard it, really I doubt they listened to Imus. The soundbite was just the surface of what was going on, there is so much more that was going on behind the scene.

     Imus would constantly tell his fans to get a life, stay off my phone, who are you people, what do you want from me!!! this is why we watched, he isn’t a cookie cutter made for radio or television personality, he didn’t feed people pablum everday- the message I got out of his show was stop whinning, if you have a problem stand up and do something about it. He has been in trouble before he was exiled to Cincinnatti, Ohio, they never forgot about that time, they always joked about it, watch yourself, I don’t want to end up back in Cincinnatti.

     When the Airwaves were saturated with this 3 word soundbite, this is all anyone- who didn’t listen to him on a regular basis would ever associate with Imus, it is a clever manipulation of the American Public. However his fans who listened to him and watched him everyday knew he has said so much more, about so many things…More often then not the Powerful who would just as soon someone shut him the hell up. The estimate of his listening and viewing audience is something like 3 million people besides MSNBC he was broadcast on 70 CBS radio stations he reached alot of people…He had just signed a 5 year contract worth reported millions, his producer was getting praise and promotions…so I guess if you really believe he is a racist, they were giving him cash rewards for his programing. It is true what I read in an earlier comment there are all kinds of young people on Myspace and Facebook who are Imus fans.

     My own opinion there is a movement to restore the Fairness Doctrine and they started with Moderate Democrats like Imus, I am guessing he is Democrat? he supported John Kerry last Presidential election, first they target the Moderate Dems, then they go after the Conservative Radio people. This isn’t Free Speech, if you control the Airwaves, you control the message, then you control the people.

     I used to be a Democrat I am now an Independent, I don’t trust either major party Democrat or Republican.

     I am a Grizzly’s fan a Sooner fan and a Alabama Roll Tide fan.

     Chocolate it’s not just for breakfast anymore.

     — Laree - Jul 9, 11:23 AM - #
     
     

108. As all the Imus true fans know was not a racist. He did a radio show for four hours a day and whether any one likes it or not he made many people laugh and was very generous to many causes. I for one participated in the phone calling, the emailing and all the boycotting after his insane unjustified firing. If you don’t care for Imus in the Morning you have the rght to change the station. I am grateful to have the right to try to do what little I can to help the others bring the Iman back where he belongs..on the air.

     — Patti - Jul 9, 11:32 AM - #
     
     

109. All,

     this is a link to fake Imus blog the comments give you an idea what the show was like also you can comment as yourself but you are also encouraged to fake it…the reason the show was popular is because it was for the most part FUNNY. This is an interactive blog you are part of blog, when you start commenting.

     To Imus Fans, Fake Russert just showed up…ugly buisness talking blackmail.

     http://fakeimus.blogspot.com/

     — Laree - Jul 9, 12:09 PM - #
     
     

110. HI LEE I HAVENT FORGIVEN JESSIE OR SHARTON AND NEVER WILL READ ON FOLKS..
     IM KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA THYROID CANCER..SPREADING

     MARTIN LURTHER KING HAD A DREAM ONE DAY AND THIS ISNT IT..HE WANTED ALL RACES AND PEOPLE OF ALL COLORS TO COME TOGETHER AND

     AND IF HE THE GREAT MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ALIVE TODAY

     JESSIE AND AL WOULDNT BE DONG THYRE THING

     I CAN TELL YOU THAT

     CAUSE HE WOULDNT LET THEM

     THEYD BE DEGRADING MARTIN LUTHER KING

     AND IN THE WORDS OF ANOTHER RODNEY KING">KING CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG,...karen fort ashby west virginia 54 USA HOME OF FREE SPEEECH..AND RIGHTES.. FOR (ALL AMERICANS )(OF ALL COLORS) (THIS IS NOT A CRAYON BOX) THIS IS ACT LIKE IT AL AND JESSIE">AMERICAGOD BLESS IMUS AND MAY GOD CONTINURE TO BLESS AMERICA

     ONE THING THE REV MARTAIN LUTHER KING (WASNT IS A RACIST) HE WAS A GOOD AND DECEN BLACK MAN) WITH CLASS AND A WONDERFULL MAN GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS LATE WIFE AND FAMILY KAREN USA

     AND BRING THE IMAN BACK TO TV SOON BEFORE WE DIE OF SORROW

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 03:21 PM - #
     
     

111. HI LEE.IM KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA
     myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     I HAVE THYROID CANCER AND I HAVE NOT FORGIVEN JESSIE AND ALL SHARPTON AND NEVER WILL..LORD HEAR MY PRAYER

     MARTIN LURTHER KING HAD A DREAM ONE DAY AND THIS ISNT IT..HE WANTED ALL RACES AND PEOPLE OF ALL COLORS TO COME TOGETHER AND

     AND IF HE THE GREAT MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS ALIVE TODAY

     JESSIE AND AL WOULDNT BE DONG THYRE THING

     I CAN TELL YOU THAT

     CAUSE HE WOULDNT LET THEM

     THEYD BE DEGRADING MARTIN LUTHER KING

     AND IN THE WORDS OF ANOTHER RODNEY KING">KING CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG,...karen fort ashby west virginia 54 USA HOME OF FREE SPEEECH..AND RIGHTES.. FOR (ALL AMERICANS )(OF ALL COLORS) (THIS IS NOT A CRAYON BOX) THIS IS ACT LIKE IT AL AND JESSIE">AMERICAGOD BLESS IMUS AND MAY GOD CONTINURE TO BLESS AMERICA

     ONE THING THE REV MARTAIN LUTHER KING (WASNT IS A RACIST) HE WAS A GOOD AND DECEN BLACK MAN) WITH CLASS AND A WONDERFULL MAN GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS LATE WIFE AND FAMILY KAREN USA

     AND BRING THE IMAN BACK TO TV SOON BEFORE WE DIE OF SORROW

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 03:25 PM - #
     
     

112. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     karen 54 thyroid cancer Fort Ashby West Virgnia

     I LOVE AND SUPPORT DON IMUS

     BUT I ALSO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

     AND AGREE AITH THAT STATEMENT FREE SPEECH WE.RE RIGHT ...YOU.RE WRONG DEAL WITH IT….

     ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE UNAMERICAN...

     MY LATE DAD WAS A MASTER CHIEF IN THE NAVY AND AT SEA MOST OF THE TIME..(HE DIED OF CANCER).SO GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS WE LOVE YOU AND COME HOME SAFE...

     GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS,DON IMUS THE SICK KIDS AT THE IMANS CANCER RANCH HIS FAMILY AND CAST AND CREW..AND MAY (GOD) CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA!

     WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY THATS SUPPOSESSED TO FREE SPEECH">HAVEITS A LUXURY WE(ENJOY HERE) OTHER COUNTRYS DONT HAVE THAT LUXURY...THATS WHY I LOVE AMERICA SO MUCH AND I (HATE) the way they took off THE IMAN..(in the middle of a cancer marathon..>that is unamerican the girls forgave,the iman apologized,and GOD FORGIVES...NOW FOR THE LOVE OF GOD...PUT HIM BACK ON THE TV SO I CAN WATCH AND LAUGH BEFORE I (TAKE THAT BIG DIRTNNAP) PLEASEEEEEE

     IMAS IS THE GODFATHER OF SHOCK JOCKS (THE DON) HE SHOCKS US WITH THE NEWS HIS SATIRE HUMOR SPORTS ADN THE VERY FUNNY CHARACHTERD PLAYED BY THE WONDERFUL ROB BARTLET..HE USED TO BE A LAW AND ORDER">LAWYERON
     AND BERNIE (LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER) I WAS BORN ON ST PADDYS DAY (BERNARD) SO WHENYOU SAY TOP OF THE MORN I THINK OF MY AND IHAVE CANCER">BIRTHDAY HOW LUCKY CN I GET)?HOPEFULLY LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE DON IMUS BACK ON THE TV VERY VERY SOON ASAP OR FASTER:o) I MISS YOU DON AND ALL YOUR CAST AND CREW...SO MUCH IT (HURTS) NO LAUGHTER IN THE MORNING)
     THIS IS TRLY WITH ALL THE TRAGEDY IN THIS WORLD WE NEED YOU NOW(MORE THAN EVER BEFORE">DISTURBINGYOUR BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET AND BEYOND KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA USA USA FREE SPEECH FOR ALL!

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 03:32 PM - #
     
     

113. OK I CANT HAVE CARDINAL EGAN SO ILLBE CARDINAL EGAN

     IN 2 different posts HI LEE>
     Karen 54 fort ashby west virginia thyroid cancer spreading

     HI CARDINAL EGAN

     GOOD MORNING GOD BLESS

     CARDINAL EGAN ..WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS JOE IN THE MORNING..(NO IMUS ON TV MESS)

     WHAT DO YOU THINK.. I THINK
     YA SHUMUCK YA

     ITS A FRAME UP BE-GEES

     IF THE IMAN AINT ON
     BE-JEES
     THEN I’M NOT ON EITHER IM OUT OF A JOB BE-JEES

     YOU IGNORANT WISE ASS YA

     LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

     WHATS GONNA BE DONE ABOUT THIS CARDINAL EGAN?

     WELL KAREN I DONT KNOW ...BUT THIS I KNOW AND HEAR ME WELL

     ALL THOSE SMUCKS WHO FRAMED THE IMAN WONT BE IN HEAVEN I CAN TELL YOU THAT

     OH THATS RIGHT CARDNIAL EGAN I KNOW WHERE THERYE GOIN (ALONG WIHT JESSIE AND SHARPTON....THOSE CLASSLESS BASTARDS IN PREACHER SUITS...CARL TOLD ME ..HADES

     NO BE-JEES
     THRYE GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET BE-JEEES

     GOD WILLIN
     BE JEE-S

     BOW YOUR HEADS

     BOWING OUR HEADS

     FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOST WE WANT THE ONES WHO FIRED IMUS..(HEADS ON A STICK THE MOST)

     THEN WE’LL PROTEST ALL OVER NY

     WE WONT NEED CANDLES WE GOT THYRE HEADS

     ON STICKS

     THEY’LL BE BURNING

     THOSE BACKSTABBIN DICKS

     AND THEN WHEN THRYE ALL GONE

     AND THYRES NOTHING BUT ASHES WELL ASHES TO ASHES DUST TO DUST

     IMAN BACK ON THE TV IS A MUST.. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER THANK YOU CARDNAL EGAN

     HURRY BACK GUYS WE MISS YOU ALL ..VERY VERY MUCH ..HOME OF FREE SPEECH ,..FOR ALL AMERICANS ..THIS IS NOT A CRAYON BOX..(ITS AMERICA...FREEDOM FOR ALL ...ALL COLORS AND CREEDS.. BE-JEES ...ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE UNAMERICAN KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA

     I HAVE CANCER AND DONT WANT TO DIE
     HURRY BACK IMUS IF YOU HAVE TO FLY

     AND BRING CARDNAL EGAN AND MY MAN PIGFEET DUPREE
     AND DONT FORGET CARL (YET ANOTHER LAWNMOWER BLADE WENT MISSING LAST NIGHT..I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU.. BUT IF I WAS THOSE CLASSSLESS IDIOTS JESSIE AND WHO GOT YOU FIRED">SHARPTON...ID BE (VERY AFRAID) CAUSE (I KNOW CARL ..AND HE DONT LIKE THEM) HES OUT OF A JOB TOO AND THIS CARDINAL EGAN PARODY IS AT ITS END .. I HAVE MY COFFEE |_|D NOW ITS DONE AND SO IS THIS BLOG ..POKE ME WITH A FORK...IM DONE

     KAREN 54 loves you DON IMUS AND YOUR CAST AND CREW HURRY BACK TO TV SO WE CAN WATCH YOU .. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.. AND WE ALL ILLIN

     YOULL BE BACK ON TV SOON GOD WILLIN...LORD HEAR MY PRAYER

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 03:40 PM - #
     
     

114. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     Karen 54 thyroid cancer spreading Hurry Back to tv now PLEASE WE MISS YOU DON AND YOUR WHOLE CREW AND CAST

     IM THE CARIDNAL NOW

     TOP OF THE MORN BE-JEES

     YA SHMUCKS YA

     WHERE DID EVERYONE GO?
     I DONT KNOW JUST ASK (JOE)

     WHere Is THe Iman?
     WHo knows Ask Joe

     Lord hear our prayer

     Bow your HEads

     FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOST...(ITS JOE IN THE TOASTER.. WE WANT THE MOST
     LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

     THANK YOU.. CARDNIAL EGAN...CARIDNAL EGAN EVERYBODY CLAP CLAP CLAP WE MISS YOU BERNIE AND THE IMAN TOO YOUR BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET...KAREN 54 WEST VA

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 03:43 PM - #
     
     

115. myspace.com/wva_karen_r
     Karen 54 sorry my martain luther king post got posted 2 times but my my space address and piic wasnt on it now it is you cuold delte the one that doesnt sorry HAVE A NICE DAY AND BRING BACK THE IMAN LORD HEARMY PRAYER

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 03:48 PM - #
     
     

116. myspace.com/wva_karen_r
     hi lee

     karen 54 thyrid cancer spreading..ill findout in july to where god willin

     REV DON,,HELL NO

     HES THE DON KING OF SHOCK JOCKS

     IF WOLFMAN JACK WAS ALIVETODAY HES CHEW SOMENE UP OVER HWAT THEY DID TO DON IMUS yu never hear of the cancer ranch for his little kids with cancer ihave a 5 year old Autistic Grandson Ryan he gives to many charitys cancer autism sids and many others you dotn hear that oh no …well this is america home of free speech and i graduated in 1971
     george carlin was big then he had the 7 words you could never say on tv then time whnt by then you could say the 7 words on tv,,now its 2007 and you cant say thm again

     were going back in time

     good god caueif we go back in time the iman is stil on the tv HA HA HA

     HURRY BACK TO TVIMUS THOSE 2 ithat calls themselves preachers arent the kind of preachers in my church in my day preachers preached in the church..if you needed help they helped and thats it..now that sharpton and jessie (IS JESSIE STILL IN JAIL ON THAT GUN CHARGE) he’ll soon find out why they callit the pokey lololol

     they get in folks busness then disapear….thry show up get soemoen fired in thyre cheap suits and afro sheeened hair..and then go away

     and leave many many people out of a job..and those por girls at rudgers thyve never seen your show he ent after them and showed them the rppers are still on my mom loves flava flav i love dave chappleim white he said the n word a zillion times where were jessie and sharpton then i ahve all daves dvds so im ok i only wished id have taped all the imus shows….i seen no need..now i wish iwould have so we cold watch him forever and a day
     hurry back don and all your cast and crew this is disturbing depressing tedious and UNAMERICAN..free speech for all rappers tv shock jocks all americans
     may god bless you donand your cast and crew adn may GOD continue to bless america HURRY BACK BOYCCOT MSNBC SAY HELL NO TO JOE i watch fox now and im a democrat then i love gretta but BRING BACK DON IMUS I WILL WATCH ANY STATIO HES ON some peopel dotn have a computer so i speak for them like my mom bring back don imus her fav was dr phil i lo veyou the cardinal my man pigfeet NO ANNE YOU CANNOT HAVE HIM (HES MINE) andcarl CARLS MADHE DRINKS SLICE HES HUNTING DOWN THE 2 revs now as we speak YET ANOTHER LAWNMOWWER BLADE ANDA CASE OF SLIC ANS 2 bibles went misign this weekend and carl said um hum im headed for ny OMG....WAY TO GO CARL..BRIGN BACK THE IMAN NOW TO TV ANYTHIGN LESS WOULD BE UNAMERICAN LORD HEAR MY PRAYER you go lee you go girl adn get the iman back on teh tube i knwo YOU CAN DO IT….KAREN fort ashby west va USA USA SAU USA FREE SPEECH FOR ALLAMERICANS

     typos itype with permantly numbhands read thought he llines all and bring back the iman id rather watch than blog but ill blog till my hands fall off it THE IMAN RETURNS TO TV VERY VERY SOON OR..SOONER

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 04:30 PM - #
     
     

117. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     MY RAP TO DON IMUS

     IM SORRY FOR ALL YOUR SORROW
     IT;LL BE BETTER TOMMAOW
     WEMISS YOU IMAN
     AND YOUR RESTATAL HAT
     WE HAVE YOU IN OUR HEARTS
     THATS WHERE IT STARTS
     BUT WE WONT STOP THERE
     WE WANT YOU ON THERE
     WHERE YOU SAY WHERE
     TV THATS WHERE
     OR MONNINGS ARE TO QUIET
     IF YOU DONT BELOVE ME
     JUST ASK WYATT
     HE YOURBOY
     AND HE IS A DEAR
     AND DEADRIES YOUR WIFE AND YOUR HER DEAR
     SHES THE LOVLIEST WOMAN I EVER SEEN
     YOU IAMN
     ARE HER KING
     SHES YOUR QUEEN
     AND HTAT AINT
     ALL
     SHE’LL GREN AND CLEAN THE WHOLE COURT HALL
     SHELL CLEAN UP ALL THE DIRT ADN WITH STEALTH">FILTH
     SO YOU CAN COME BACK TO US
     IN GREAT HEALTH

     THYRES NOTING ON TV WIHT YOU ALL GONE
     AND I DONT KNOW IF I CAN GO ON
     I ALREADY HAVE CNACER AND IT HAS SPREAD
     WITHOUT YOU IMUS
     IM BETTER OFF DEAD

     JULYS BONE SCAN WILL GIVE ME ANSWERS ILLBE SURE TO TELLYOU THEM
     HURRY BACK TO TV WHERE YOU ARE LOVED
     DEAR GOD IMUS YOU ARE DEARLY LOVED

     OH HERE COMES CARL WITH HIS SLING BLADE HIDE JESSIE AND AL ARENT YOU AFRAID?
     WELL YOU BETTER BE CAUE CARLLIS THIRSTY HE DRINKS SLICE

     RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NO STAY PUT SO HE CAL KILLYA YOU DESERVE THAT AND WORST FOR WHAT YOU DIDI TO THE IMAN AND HTE WHOLE WORLD
     NOW WERE STUCK WITH HELL NO">JOE
     IM WATCHING FOX

     IMUS JUST SHOW UP IM SURE THEYLBE GLAD TO HAVE THYRE RATINGS SOAR WIHT YOU ON FOX

     LOVE KAREN YOUR INOUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND MISS YOU SO MUCH OUR HEARTS ARE FULL OF HOLESSSS

     GIT ER DONE HON AND GET BACK TO TV WHERE YOU BELONG

     ON OUR TVS IN THE MORNING
     SO GET LOTSPOF REST SO YOULLBE STRONG

     TO START OUR DAYS LIKE YOUVE DONE FOR SO LONG
     WE LOVE YOU IMUS AND ALLTHE KIDS AT HE RANCH

     LOTS AND LOTS OF HUGS AND KISSESITSTHE IMAN WE ALLMISSESS XOXOXOXOXOXXO HURY BACK

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 07:37 PM - #
     
     

118. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     THE NY IMUS PROTEST RALLY....WHERE WAS THE PAPARAZI?
     Current mood: irate

     Karen 54 West Virgnia THYROID CANCER SPREADING TO GOD KNOWS WHERE...

     YA KNOW SOMETHIGN AMERICA
     I THINK ALL THE NEWS CHANNELS PAID OFF">WERE TO NOT TELECAST THE IMUS NY PROTEST RALLY

     WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? THIS TO ME IS THE MOST DISTURBING THING I EVER SEEN AND HEARD IN ALL OF MY LIFE....

     SOMETHING SMELLS AND SOMETHING ISNT RIGHT

     WELL I HOPE THAT THE ONES (IN CHARGE OF NOT COVERING THAT IMUS PROTEST IN NY)

     GET THYRE ASSESSS FIRED CANNED LAID OFF AND SCREWED BLUE>>AND IT WONT FEEL GOOD EITHER

     NO NEWS REPORTERS AT A PROTEST RALLY WHAT GIVES?

     YOUR THOUGHTS?... I THINK THE WHOLE THING WAS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR LIKE A LAWYER...

     AND I HOPE THEY LOSE ALL OF THEY’RE JOBS...SEE HOW THEY LIKE IT

     ANYONE SEE THE GODFATHER MOVIE?

     YOUR GONNA BE SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES ..LIKE FREDO...MEANS YOUR GONNA GO FISHING AND DIE LIKE IN THE GODFATHER AND WITH CEMENT ..TENNIS SHOES ON BYE BYE BYE NOW SEE YA WOULDNT WANT TO BE YA…. ID RATHER WATCH (THE DON)..(IMUS ON TV EVERY MORNING...

     IMUS IN THE MORNING..LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER HURRY BACK TO TV SOON DON BEFORE WE ALL...DRY UP IN THIS HEAT) OR DIE..WHICH EVER COMES FIRST...WE MISS YOU SO MUCH ITS MAKING US ALL SICK.....WE CANT EVEN LAUGH ANYMORE...THEN I HAVE CANCER ..BUT SO DO THE KIDS AT YOUR RANCH ...TELL THEM KAREN SAYS HI AND BE WELL.. YOU TOO DON..AND ALL YOUR CAST AND CREW,...YOUR BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET..KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA USA USA AMERICA...HOME OF FREE SPEECH FOR ALL AMERICANS ANYTHIGN ELSE WOULD BE UNAMERICAN ... SEE YOU SOON ..ON YOUR RETURN TO TV ..MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA ..AND OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS OHRRRAH TO OUR TROOPS

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 07:46 PM - #
     
     

119. myspace.com/wva_karen_r karen 54 fort ashby west virginia…
     USA ..I HAVE SPREADING THYROID CANCER I THOUGHTT THIS UP

     IF HOUDINI WAS ALIVE TODAY HED PUT THE IMAN BACK ON TV AND MAKE THOSE CLASSLESS IDIOTS JESSIE AND SHARPTON DISSAPEAR....

     OH HOUDINI CAN YOU HEAR ME .IF SO .LORD HEAR MY PRAYER DO YOUR MAGIC UP IN HEAVEN AND MAKE THE IAMN COME BACK TO TV AND MAKE JESIE AND AL DISSAPEAR.. LORD AND HOUDINI.. HEAR MY PRAYER

     WE MISS YOU DON. MAYBE THIS WILL WORK. WE LOVE YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINE TO BLESS AMERICA

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 07:52 PM - #
     
     

120. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     THEY.RE LINING UP TO KISS OUR ASSES (_|_) RABBIES SHOTS FIRST
     Current mood: irate

     KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA

     THEY ARE ALL LINING UP NOW TO KISS OUR ASSESS...ANNE...RABBIES SHOTS FIRST...

     PSSST ...DON ..SNEAK IN WHILE THEY ARE KISSING MINE AND ANNES ASSESS ...HURRY DON ..THEN LOCK THE DOOR..... AND START THE SHOW..

     WE GOT THE REST OF THE CAST AND CREW IN LAST NIGHT..(UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS

     WE WISH AND PRAY LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

     HURRY BACK TO TV SOON ..THE IMUS IN THE MORNING VIEIWERS ARE MISSING YOU SO MUCH.

     WERE ALL SO DEPRESSED AND CONFUSED AND SICK ....

     WE’RE MAD AS HELL AND WERE JUST NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!

     HURRY BACK TO TV SOON DON WE MISS YOU AND YOUR CAST AND CREW

     THE NEWS IS DISTURBING AND DEPRESSING

     AND WE NEED THE OUTLET WE ALWAYS HAD...YOUR SHOW
     IMUS IN THE MORNING

     PLUS YOUR BETTER THAN THE NEWS YOU REPORT THINGS THEY NEVER DO AND YOU HAVE THAT SATIRE HUMOR WEVE COME TO ENJOY :o)

     YOUR BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET..KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA

     GOD BLESS YOU YOUR CAST AND CREW AND FAMILY

     AND MAY CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA

     ORAHHHHHHHH ..GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS OVER SEAS.. AND HURRY HOME SAFE TO YOUR FAMILYS GOD SPEED .. KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA

     7:36 PM – 0 Comments – 2 Kudos – Add Comment – Edit – Remove

     MANY PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE IMANSHOW DONTHAVE COMPUTERS SO IM GONNA SPEAK FOR THEM Current mood: depressed

     Karen 54 thyroid cancer spreading FORT ASHBY WEST VA

     I AM THE IMANS BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET..I KNOW I CAN INCLUDE ANNE AND LEE IN THIS...BUT THESE ARE MY WORDS

     SOME PEOPLE DONT HAVE A COMPUTER,THEY JUST WANT THE IMUS IN THE MORNING SHOW BACK..AS WE ALL DO..

     I MISS THE SATIRE HUMOR THE IMAN .CARDINAL EGAN .CARL. .MY MAN..

     (MINE) BLINDMAN PIGFEET DUPREE .ANNE IS GONNA TRY TO STEALYOU AWAY FROM ME PIG ..YOU BE STRONG...LOL

     NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS.. BUT DOES ANYONE ..ON THIS EARTH ..KNOW WHEN THE IMAN WILL COME BACK TO TV?

     IF HE DOES.NOT RETURN TO.US SOON ..WELL HAVE TO BUILD A (WERE ADDICTED TO IMUS IN THE MORNING REHAB )..FOR US ALL..IMUS WERE IN MOURNING.. VEIWERS S0 WE MISS YOU TOO MUCH NOW ITS DISTURBING.. DEPRESSING. AND I THINK OF ALL VEIWERS LIKE MY 74 YEAR OLD MOM WHO DOTN HAVE A COMPUTER BUT SHES 16 YEARS LUNG CANCER FREE AND HASNT SMOKED SINCE EARLY MARRIGE ..MY LATE SISTER WATCHED YOU EVERY DAY AND MADE HER WATCH ADN NOW MOMS WANTING YOU BACK VERY VERY SOOON.....SHE LIVED WIHT MOM WHEN SHE RETIRED DOWN IN ODENTON MARYLAND CAME HERE ,BACK TO CUMBERLAND MARYLAND TO LIVE,,TURNED PARALIZED AND DIED OF MULTPLE MYALMOMA 50 DAYS LATER ...ITS UNTREATABLE AND INCURABLE AND SHE WAS 50

     SHE DIDNT KNOW SHE HAD IT THEY TOLD HER TO TAKE OVERTHE COUNTER MEDICINE

     HMOS THATS WHAT IT IS

     AND NO ONE CAN GET GOOD MEDICAL CARE THESE DAYS AND SHE WORKED ALL HER LIFE

     SHE LOVED YOUR SHOW DON IMUS

     AS WE ALL DO

     AND MANY OLDER FOLKS AND YOUNG SOME CANT AFFORD OR HAVE A COMPUTER BUT THEY LOVE YOUR SHOW

     LORD HEAR MY PRAYER ..PLEASE RETURN TO OUR TV;S SOON WITH YOUR WHOLE CAST AND CREW AND SHOCK US …YOUR A SHOCK JOCK DON.....ACT LIKE IT.. WE MISS YOU SO MUCH IT WAS DISTRBING..NOW ITS DEPRESSING..WERE ALL SINKING FAST..SO HURRYABCK SOON WOULD YA…PLEASE ....LORD HEAR MY PRAYER...YOUR BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET AND BEYOND..KAREN 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA

     USA USA USA USA FREE SPEECH FOR ALL AMERICANS..ALL COLORS ..I REPEAT (THIS IS NOT A CRAYON BOX )..ITS (AMERICA).. ANYTHING LESS WOUDL BE (UNIMARICAN) (HEAR THAT.. JESSIE AND SHARPTON) ..FREE SPEECH ..AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

     OUR BUISNESSIS ...IS GETTING IMUS IN THE MORNINGBACK ON TV AND WERE GONNA DO IT..IF ITS THE LAST THING WE DO

     GOD BLESS DON IMUS FAMILY AND CREW
     AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA...HOME OF FREE SPEECH FOR ALL AMERICANS OF ALL COLORS RACES AND EVERYTING YOUR BIGGEST FAN ON THIS PLANET KAREN 54 WEST VIRGINIA!!!!!!!!1

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 07:55 PM - #
     
     

121. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     Excuse All Typos,My Hannds are Permantly Numb..ty..

     MY RAP TO DON IMUS

     IM SORRY FOR ALL YOUR SORROW
     IT;LL BE BETTER TOMMAOW
     WEMISS YOU IMAN
     AND YOUR RESTATAL HAT
     WE HAVE YOU IN OUR HEARTS
     THATS WHERE IT STARTS
     BUT WE WONT STOP THERE
     WE WANT YOU ON THERE
     WHERE YOU SAY WHERE
     TV THATS WHERE
     OR MONNINGS ARE TO QUIET
     IF YOU DONT BELOVE ME
     JUST ASK WYATT
     HE YOURBOY
     AND HE IS A DEAR
     AND DEADRIES YOUR WIFE AND YOUR HER DEAR
     SHES THE LOVLIEST WOMAN I EVER SEEN
     YOU IAMN
     ARE HER KING
     SHES YOUR QUEEN
     AND HTAT AINT
     ALL
     SHE’LL GREN AND CLEAN THE WHOLE COURT HALL
     SHELL CLEAN UP ALL THE DIRT ADN WITH STEALTH">FILTH
     SO YOU CAN COME BACK TO US
     IN GREAT HEALTH

     THYRES NOTING ON TV WIHT YOU ALL GONE
     AND I DONT KNOW IF I CAN GO ON
     I ALREADY HAVE CNACER AND IT HAS SPREAD
     WITHOUT YOU IMUS
     IM BETTER OFF DEAD

     JULYS BONE SCAN WILL GIVE ME ANSWERS ILLBE SURE TO TELLYOU THEM
     HURRY BACK TO TV WHERE YOU ARE LOVED
     DEAR GOD IMUS YOU ARE DEARLY LOVED

     OH HERE COMES CARL WITH HIS SLING BLADE HIDE JESSIE AND AL ARENT YOU AFRAID?
     WELL YOU BETTER BE CAUE CARLLIS THIRSTY HE DRINKS SLICE

     RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NO STAY PUT SO HE CAL KILLYA YOU DESERVE THAT AND WORST FOR WHAT YOU DIDI TO THE IMAN AND HTE WHOLE WORLD
     NOW WERE STUCK WITH HELL NO">JOE
     IM WATCHING FOX

     IMUS JUST SHOW UP IM SURE THEYLBE GLAD TO HAVE THYRE RATINGS SOAR WIHT YOU ON FOX

     LOVE KAREN YOUR INOUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND MISS YOU SO MUCH OUR HEARTS ARE FULL OF HOLESSSS

     GIT ER DONE HON AND GET BACK TO TV WHERE YOU BELONG

     ON OUR TVS IN THE MORNING
     SO GET LOTSPOF REST SO YOULLBE STRONG

     TO START OUR DAYS LIKE YOUVE DONE FOR SO LONG
     WE LOVE YOU IMUS AND ALLTHE KIDS AT HE RANCH

     LOTS AND LOTS OF HUGS AND KISSESITSTHE IMAN WE ALLMISSESS XOXOXOXOXOXXO HURRY BACK
     Karen 54 FORT ASHBY WEST VIRGINIA USA HOME OF FREE SPEECH AMERICA

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 08:14 PM - #
     
     

122. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     looks like i didnt refresh oh well my don imus rap oton 2 times like my martain luther king did readit twiceor delete any repeats sorry I LOVE DON IMUS KAREN 54 WEST VIRGINIA USA HOME OF FREE SPEECH FOR ALL AMERICANS OF ALL COLORS RACES AND CREED ANYTHIGN ELSE WOLD BE UNAMERICAN

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 08:27 PM - #
     
     

123. myspace.com/wva_karen_r

     IM WHITE GO LOOK

     LEE IS BLACK.. SHE LOVES THE IMAN.

     WHEN THEIMAN WAS RIPPED OFF THE AIR ALL TH EBLACKPEOPLE AND WHITE INCLUDING THE GIRLS AT RUTGERS DIDNT THINK HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED..
     SO WHY WASHE? THINK ABOUT IT…WHO IS THE HEAD OF MSNBC?DANN ABRAMS..SOMEONE ELSE VIACOM ..WHO..THE BLACK RAPPERS ARE STILL ON WHOM I LOVE....THRYE STILL ON WITH WEVERY N WORD EVERY SECOND|...I LOVE THEM BUT I LOVE DON IMUS TOO THE MAN WAS(SET UP">PEOPLE BY 2 WORTHLESS ADVICTS IN PREACHER SUITS...NOW THEY LEFT ANFD THE IMAN IS GONE>>AND THYRE GONE)PLUSS JESSIE STILL IN JAIL ON THAT GUN CHARGE...THEY CALL JAIL THE POKEY HAVE FUN JESSIE I BET AALOT OF INMATES LOVED IMUS INT HE MORNING IF THEY LIKE COMEDY SATIRE HUMOR NEWS SPORTS AND HTE IMAN AND HIS CAST OF CHARACHTERS THE IMUS IN THE MORNIGN SHOW WAS ONE OF A KIND AND I WANT IT BACK..WHOS WITH ME????????THE PAPERATZI SHOWED JESIE BEIGN ARRESTED..WERE FORCED TO WATCH PARIS HILTONS EVERY MOVE,BUT DID HTEY COVER THE IMUS RALLY IN NY(HELL NO) WHY)
     THEY WRE PAID OF..AND ID LOVE TO KNOOW BY WHOM?WOULDNT YOU?BRING BACK DON IMUS NOW THIS IS AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND HTE LITTLE KIDS WIHT CANCER AT IMUS RANCH I HAVE CANCER AND IM REALLY ILLIN ITS SPREAD...I NEED DON IMUS ON TV NOW...CASE CLOSED LOVE AND KISSESSITS THE IMAN WE LL MISSESSSSSSXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXXOXO FREE SPREECH FOR ALL IN THAT INCLUDES THE IMUS IN THE MORNING SHOW">AMERICA TOO>>AND MAY GOD CONTINUE OT BLESS AMERICA

     — Karen Ridenour - Jul 9, 08:53 PM - #
     
     

124. myspace.com/wva_karen_r I LOVE RAPPERS MOST ARE BLACK THEY USE THE N WORD JESSIE AND SHARPTON KNOW BETTER THAN TO TAKE ABOUY THYRE LIVLEYHOOD...BUT DON IMUS WHY PICK ON A MAN WHO HAS A CANCER RANCH A WONDERFUL MORNING SHOW FUN LAUGHTER AND KINDNESS AND HTE SATIRE HUMOR WEVE ALL CAME TO ENJOY...GO TO THE MOON SHARPTON AND JESSIE IF YOU GETOUT OF JAIL ..AND LEAVE US AMERICANS ALONE TO SPEAK AND SING AS WE WISH....CLASSLESS CLOWN THATS TOO GOOD OF A WOR FORTHESE 2 CLASSLESS PREACHERS GO TO YOUR CHURCHES AND PRECH (IF YOU STIL HAVE A CONGREGATION) THATIS...BRING BACK