Don Imus roils the racial waters once again

The chances of Don Imus once again becoming a good radio buddy to various politicians probably got slimmer today.

True, when Imus regained a program last December after offensive remarks he made several months earlier about the Rutgers University women's basketball team led to his exile, several friends from Capitol Hill who had once been his frequent guests -- including John McCain -- helped welcome him back by chatting with him on air.

But since that first flurry of appearances, Imus' new show has not evolved into the regular stop it once was for a bipartisan swath of political bigshots (others included Chris Dodd, Joe Lieberman and John Kerry). And an exchange Imus had today regarding professional football player Adam "Pacman" Jones doesn't seem likely to help restore his sway.

During a report this morning on his nationally syndicated show about Jones, who has been reinstated by the NFL after several scapes with the law led to his suspension during the entire 2007 season, Imus asked, "What color is he?"

When told Jones (who recently requested that that announcers no longer use his nickname when mentioning him) is African American, Imus responded, "Well, there you go. Now we know."

It's a surprise that Imus apparently was clueless about the well-publicized Jones. It's no surprise that his remark again placed him at the center of a racially tinged controversy. Huffington Post is tracking the furor, including Imus' defense: "I meant he was being picked on because he's black.''

Regardless on whether the I-man rides this one out, it's a bit tougher to imagine McCain wanting to have another conversation with him as the vote nears in November.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[nappyhead]

I don't get it....

[Joe Dugan]

What a trio! A felon, a race baiter and a race baiter extorninist.
God save us from these idiots.
eskimo

[Mim]

Seems, that everybody must watch every word, think about every word before you open your mouth, or somebody will scream ' A RACE REMARKS'. Does not appear this comment was about race, but people that needed to get attention in the headlines. If you really want to talk about racial comments, then write about the Rev Wright. A BETTER idea, have Imus interview Wright!!!

[Chris Coughlin]

This morning, Imus' program called on the Saudiis to use their wealth to feed starving African children. So now Sharpton and Jackson, and all the sycophants of the Saudiis are after Imus because he asked what color a football player is? No, they are after Imus because he has the guts to speak truth to power, and they are cowards all. Imus rocks.

[Bosley Biggles]

Telling the truth should not be grounds for dismissal.

[Beltway Greg]

Seriously Imus is dead air. It's a sad commentary on the state of entertainment in this country that they wouldn't replace him with someone who has some talent. I really can't figure out what is worse? The I-man or his lunatic wife giving out all of her free uncredentialed medical advice.
Her earnestness is potentially more damaging than his racist banality. Imagine if tens of thousands of families actually start refusing to have their children vaccinated because of her advice. The whole thing is rather ironic considering they host sick children at their ranch.

Beltway Greg

[AnnoyedVet]

Umm Don Imus has given most of his time to LIBERAL DEMOCRAT politicians and other public figures, but you can't help but to slip McCain in there twice. The media is really putting the voodoo on average americans aren't they. Yes I'm voting for McCain but if a better candidate came around, I'd drop him in a heartbeat. This liberal media bias is so disgusting and patronizing.

[rick Huffman]

Imus is a racist republican pig who thinks he is better than everyone else. Excuse me, I mean he is a black man being targeted,,,,,give us a break...get the loser off the air.

[Al Wills]

Now the experts know what Imus meant? As long at Imus 'splains his meaning, and it aint racist, then move on homey!
Besides, why isn't Sharpton calling on Def Comedy Jams creator and "genius" behind the most racist public comments in the world.. Russell Simmons? He is behind the filth, racism, sexism, and total denegrating talk in all of the media, and yet he gets or bought his free pass!!!
Beat it Ya'll. If this is America for Simmons, it's truly America for everyone.
Al Wills

[framedart]

Ha Ha. Nice try, Imus, but no cigars.

[TT]

This is not news

[Mark Ira Kaufman]

Q: What sort of human being would be shocked by Don Imus spewing bigotry?

A: Anyone who thinks that the Rutgers women's basketball team smear was a one-time gaff.

Imus as served up such smears for years.

For example on December 8, 2006, Imus referred to the publishers of a new book called "The Christmas Thief" as "thieving Jews," and his subsequent "apology" on the same program, where he said (of thieving Jews), "I apologize … I realize that's redundant."

This followed his November 30, 2006 show, on which he and his co-hosts self-righteously referred to the "Jewish management at whoever we work for, CBS" whom he later referred to as "money grubbing bastards," one of the classic canards of the Jew-hater.

It must be comfortable to live a life so unfettered by the burdens of decency.

[Donna H.]

While I wouldn't put it past Imus to be implying that Jones is a miscreant, and not a victim of injustice, because he's black, it's impossible to judge because the article has provided no context by way of the dialog preceding these remarks. It's a disservice to Imus and to the readers not to provide that information.

[Kim]

Ok so Don Imus, and millions of Americans are potentially racist. What a big freaking surprise. Hey white folks, its ok if you dont like me. There are many of you I dont like. So... *shrug* Who gives a damn? Im happy with maintaining a professional distance.

I think this is ridiculous. Im African American and I see nothing racist about what he said.

I can see how his comments can be misconstrued, but after clarifying what he meant, lets just let it go.

Whining over every little comment minimizes cases and incidents of 'actual' racism, and encourages folks to turn a deaf ear claiming that we are 'crying wolf'.

[Keith]

Not sure why this is offensive. I know it hurts some of you, but the fact is that sports with a higher percentage of black athletes have more incidents of off-the-court trouble.
How many professional hockey players get into trouble with the law? Not too many. How many black hockey players are there? Not too many. Gee, could there be a connection there somewhere...

[Big Earl XXXX]

Even if he did mean it, why does it offend someone to speak the truth. Black people commit more violent crimes per number of black citizens than other races. Black professional athletes also commit more crimes per black athlete than their white counterparts, per white athlete.

Do the math, it adds up.

There you go.

[Tom Colton]

Last week Congressional Democrats ( including Obama )
declared their intent to Nationalize the American Oil
Industry. This should have been front page news for
days, but was instead buried all weekend. And you
published this crud about Imus? Why aren't you talking
about important issues like last week's declaration to
National Socialize America's Energy Sector by Congressional Democrats? This statement is far more
important than Imus, some clown who said McCain
would profit from further terrorism or Obama's quik
scrapping of his "Presidential Seal" when the American
People saw it Friday night and became angered at
his blatant gall.

[Dewey]

I remember Don Imus from his time on WNBC in the early 1970's. He was amusing. Maybe he should have stayed away from the real world. Yea 'Brother Love'.

[Mike]

Don didn't say anything that most of us aren't thinking anyway.

Check out: http://www.vdare.com/taylor/050913_crime.htm

When 12-14% of the population commits 50% of the crime in this country, you can't ignore the magnitude of what that translates into. I'm no mathematician but one hell of a lot of African Americans are criminals. Does anyone watch those cop or prison shows--it looks like scenes from Zimbabwe.

[Lisa Austin]

Quit picking on Imus. He is smart and interesting, Those who choose not to chat with him are being stupid and anyone had the right not to listen to him. HIs comments about Pacman and his color should not even be an issue. Pacman, black or white, is a thug and a disgrace to the NFL. It is horrific to me to reinstate anyone to the NFL as it should be an honor to play and any player should act like a decent human being at the very least. Instead he is paid a ton because he is a great player but truly a thug. They will no doubt have Michael Vick out there soon who I do not consider a human being. He is a monster. Oh, name the white pro players that have acted in the atrocious manner that these two men have. Please leave Imus alone as he has done more good than these men ever have. I truly believe he was on Pacman's side on his comment saying Pacman had been picked on. Although I believe Pacman should never be allowed to play pro football again.

[Miri NY]

He'can't attract hardworking whites.
Jesse Jackson won too.
He's only where he is bcs he's black.
Can we ban people who say things like that too?

[D. Grant Haynes]

rick Huffman wrote, "Imus is a racist republican pig who thinks he is better than everyone else. Excuse me, I mean he is a black man being targeted,,,,,give us a break...get the loser off the air."

This may be an aside to the conversation about Imus, but I am always especially annoyed when an American suggests, as they so often do, that a "loser" should be banished.

I resent the intimation that, conversely, a "winner"--whatever winning required in the way of cowardice and compromise of principle for expediency necessitated--should be rewarded.

Don Imus speaks his mind and concomitantly, often a truth that politically correct media cowards dare not speak--even if they think said truth.

Bravo to Don Imus!

[White and Unashamed]

I support him! Imus is saying what all white people only think these days. Blacks commit a lot more crime than whites. MORE: 9 times as likely to commit murder than whites. Look at the FBI crime report! Whites, grow some balls like Imus and not stand for this taboo anymore!

[KYJurisDoctor]

It is HARD to figure out whether the man is a Racist or just INFATUATED with a person's skin color!

[Diana in California]

Leave Mr. Don Imus alone! Only reason he's being targeted is because he's White, and in this election year it's open season on scrutinizing comments made by anybody who is not Black. Mr. Imus was just trying to prove his point, formed opinions and beliefs about race. Mr. Imus is entitled to his opinion and I applaud him for having the courage to speak his mind. Al Sharpton and any Black activists who speak against Mr. Imus are hypocrites, racists, and race baiters. Where were Al Sharpton and Black activists when Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright and Michael Pfleger made their comments about White-Americans, Jews, garlic nose Italians, Condolezza Rice, and the Clintons?

I'm Latino of Mexican descent and I do not get offended over any comments made about my ethnic group because I'm a proud law abiding citizen, retired military woman who does not fit any of the stereotypes. SO IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!

P.S. When is the L.A. Times going to report on the Larry Sinclair story? Where there's smoke there's fire. Are you dismissing Mr. Sinclair's story because he's White and allegedly has a criminal record?

[KathyYou know what s]

What slays me is that Imus will likely be unemployed because of this while Obama attended the race hating church that he did and still has over 50% support in this messed up country of ours.

[We take no prisoners and we eat the wounded !]

When you want to kill a dog...just shout that the mutt is rabbid.Imus has not one drop of racist blood and calls a spade a spade.

[conman]

OMG!, not another shot at Imus please....... he didnt mean it the way it;s being labled and even if he did, SO WHAT!
Oh, I forgot that the reason for the black crime is because we (THE DREADED WHITE PEOPLE) held them back and repressed their families for so long that the poverty and depression has forced it on them......give me a break!
People, look at whats happening in this country, when 90% of the white childrens popular culture in this country are controlled by 10% of the total population, we have a problem. Imus didnt mean to imply that "PAC-MAN JONES" was obviously Black and you know it. but I wish he had.

[uptownsteve]

What's the big deal?

Imus is just the personification of the racist double standard in America.

Imus. Pat Buchanan on MSNBC. Bill Bennett on CNN..
Rush Limbaugh..

They all have a paper trail of racist remarks a mile long but remain respected well paid members of the media.

But Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments almost derail Barack Obama's campaign..

You can't make this stuff up!

[uptownsteve]

It sure seems to be a lot of white power types on this blog.

LA Times eh?

[truth]

Hey white folks not every cry of racism is from black folks, there are watch dog communities that look out for a number of minority communities, and they are mostly headed up by non-minorities, or people who want to start some ridiculous debate. In another 50 to 60 years when you are the minorty, hopefully someone will look out for you. The only question is who will it be, blacks who have been here as long as you have, who you've used, maligned, disrespect and disregarded, Mexican's, the new indentured laborers, Asian, who takes what you give but views you with contempt, or the confused mixed race with self esteem issues. If all esle fails your original helpers will once again help, but somehow I think the Indians have learned their lessons. I hope I am around to see.

[Intelligent Individual]

As a non-American black, I sometimes wonder why black Americans dwell on the words of other races. I watch all shows and I've always wondered why the "black shows" can make fun of white people, but as soon as a "white" show says something about blacks, here comes Mr Sharpton and the picket signs. My thing is, though it not right to make fun of others, it is a free country and we should accept that people are going to exercise their freedom of speech. Everyone has their own opinion and the right to speak their minds; maybe it is not always welcomed, but we need to let it go because getting upset is not going to change anything.

[KSUARE]

Imus? Oh that's right...the who should consider working out his own "naps" before discussing the kinks on anyone else's head...I remember now. Don't listen to the program and haven't seen a transcript so perhaps it was innocent...who knows? What I do know, as evidenced by the discourse posted here, is that there are many who agree with the less innocent characterization of his words. Citation of lazy (and outright wrong) statistics, Imus is a target because he's white, and Russell Simmons is responsible for the death of civility. Wow...really?
What's sad is that as this post read, the pervading question for many is (just like Imus) "what color is (s)he?" Yes, your ignorance must be an awful burden to you, but you don't have to stay stupid.

[Bevbach]

As a Black American, I believe that Mr. Imus can say what he wants, and even hide his reasoning for doing so...
Just like Mr. Imus can try to hide the white rolls of his wrinkles from his plastic surgeries under his turkey lookin' neck, and try to hold his head just so for the camera--enjoy the last moments of what was probably good physical looks---MAYBE...

But these actions neither sound, nor look good, really, no matter what.
So much for Free Speech---Now sue Mr. Imus, Mr. Jones, and get some of your monies back, LOL.

No offense intended at all..Just truth

[Chad Sexington]

This is like a tree falling in the woods . . . I'm shocked there's still anyone around to hear Imus fall down.

[Bevbach]

As a Black American, I believe that Mr. Imus can say what he wants, and even hide his reasoning for doing so...
Just like Mr. Imus can try to hide the white rolls of his wrinkles from his plastic surgeries under his turkey lookin' neck, and try to hold his head just so for the camera--enjoy the last moments of what was probably good physical looks---MAYBE...

But these actions neither sound, nor look good, really, no matter what.
So much for Free Speech---Now sue Mr. Imus, Mr. Jones, and get some of your monies back, LOL.

No offense intended at all..Just truth