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If you’re betting that Don Imus will get fired for his racist remarks about the Rutgers women’s basketball team, don’t invest a lot, because the odds are probably against it.
Why? Isn’t Al Sharpton right when he says this was a public, racist act, deserving Imus’ firing?
Imus’ defense is so weak it sounds like a fifth grade ethics class lesson: It’s not me that’s bad—it’s only what I said that’s bad. Well, true enough. Imus can’t be judged by what’s in his heart (who knows?). But he must be judged by what comes out of his mouth, because that’s what he gets paid for. In our free society, while Imus may be able to say whatever denigrating thing is in his head (and often does), he should pay for it when he goes beyond the boundaries of civility and decency.
Isn’t it time Imus, along with the other political broadcast jocks, be held responsible for what comes out of their mouths? Doesn’t a damaging racist remark like this deserve something more than a two-week suspension, which is equivalent to a mint mouthwash, not even an old-fashioned bar of Lava soap?
Senator Barack Obama got it right when he said that Imus violated the trust that comes with a public platform. But it’s likely the only trust that will be involved is the networks trusting that Imus will continue to bring in the listeners and advertisers after his two-week absence.
So Imus probably will not be fired. But here’s a not so novel, yet potentially effective idea for listeners who respect their fellow citizens and value the air waves: Turn Imus off. And when you shop, boycott the products he advertises.
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