Shots In The Dark: Imus on My Mind

Monday, April 09, 2007

Imus on My Mind

David Carr has a nice piece in the Times today about Don Imus, the talk-radio host who last week referred to the women of the Rutgers basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's."

Imus' guests include good liberals like Evan Thomas, Tom Oliphant, and John Kerry. (And not-so-good liberals such as the odious Joe Lieberman.)

All of Imus' guests—really the definition of inside-the-Beltway Washington—are quick to forgive him.

“He should not have said what he said, obviously,” said Mr. Thomas of Newsweek. “I am going on the show, though. I think if I didn’t, it would be posturing. I have been going on the show for quite some time and he occasionally goes over the line.”

What kind of bullshit rationale is that?

It would be "posturing" not to go on the show after someone makes a racist (and hardly his first such) comment?

That's like saying it would be posturing to insist on sitting in the front of the bus.

Two points: One, these liberals who refuse to call Imus what he is—a racist—lose their credibility when criticizing Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter for similar remarks.

And two, why does anyone listen to Imus when they can listen to Howard Stern, who is both politically progressive and much, much funnier than Imus? Stern is really quite brilliant; Imus is just an old crank.

¶ 12:40 PM

Comments:

For some reason, Imus is a huge marketing outlet for inside-the-beltway types who are publishing books -- and for that reason he makes them all his bitches (including the nappy-headed ones).

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 2:25 PM

Suburbanization and its long commutes have brought us global warming as well as the drive-time inanities of Imus, Stern, et al.

Subways and newspapers make for a healthier nation than suburbs and Ford Explorers.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 2:32 PM

I personally enjoy all kinds of inanity when I'm driving, including conservative talk shows. This raises the question: does commuting by automobile cause personality changes? The government needs to investigate.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 2:59 PM

Evan Thomas is not a good liberal.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 3:38 PM

John Kerry is not a good liberal.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 5:43 PM

I am not a good liberal. But I cast stones like one.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 6:22 PM

I totally agree with your points here Rich and as a conservative I don't always agree with you. Especially the difference between Imus and Howard Stern. Stern is actually funny, while Imus is at best cranky. That is what people never seem to get about Stern...he is funny...plain and simple and that more than anything else accounts for his remarkable success and longevity.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 6:59 PM

Surprised that someone has not made the comparison with Summers. Richard?
One or two comments that have the effect whether the intention of racism: ok, dont end a career.
A pattern of comments and actions: we have had enough.

It is surprising to me how many Harvard connected liberals--Evan Thomas for example who spent a year here--are rushing to defend Imus.

# posted by Anonymous : April 9, 2007 9:23 PM

Agree w/Anon 6:59pm and I don’t usually agree with you, either, Richard. But Stern is so much funnier and more talented than Imus… Imus, who is completely self-obsessed, just cares too much what others think; something that's very transparent. I mean what the hell kind of cop-out is it for him to say "I'm not a bad person, I just said a bad thing?" His attempt to save face, even while on the surface taking responsibility, reveals his pathetic need for approval. And this is what gets him the nod and backing from all those inside-the-beltway types…

Stern on the other hand could care less what others think, and that’s the beauty of his talent; he says what he - and many of us - are really thinking but are just afraid to say. BUT, having said that, as a woman, I have to protest how he completely objectifies our gender! This behavior, coupled w/his sex-addicted personality, definitely crosses the line sometimes and loses my interest. Regardless you have to respect his non-pandering behavior...

# posted by Anonymous : April 10, 2007 4:53 AM

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