Imus in the Morning Cancelled…

Tomorrow morning, for the first time in nearly twelve years, there will be no “Imus in the Morning” for me as I drive my 20 minutes into work.
Caving in to pressure from the “African-American Community,” CBS President Les Moonves terminated the long-running, nationally-syndicated radio show effective immediately:

I want to inform you that we have decided to cease broadcasting the Imus in the Morning radio program, effective immediately, on a permanent basis.

We reach this decision after a period of thought, discussion, listening to you, and the pursuit of due process in this painful matter. From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent. While we have already made our disappointment and outrage clear, I would like to take the opportunity to offer my personal apologies to the Rutgers team, its impressive Coach, and the entire Athletic Department and Administration of Rutgers University. CBS has nothing but the highest regard for that establishment and its students, and we are sorry that offense was given in such a brutal and insensitive manner.

I would also like to extend an apology to everyone beyond Rutgers. Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society — all races, economic groups, men and women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation and our many other constituencies.

At the same time, we wanted to take the time necessary to listen to the many diverse voices that were raised on this issue. In so doing, we have been trying, as best as is possible in such a complex and emotional environment, to determine what is, indeed, the right thing to do. I believe that in taking this action, we are doing the right thing.

Many of you have come forward during this past week to share your thoughts and feelings. I thank you for that. At the end of the day, the integrity of our Company and the respect that you feel for CBS becomes the most important consideration.

One thing is for certain: This is about a lot more than Imus. As has been widely pointed out, Imus has been visited by Presidents, Senators, important authors and journalists from across the political spectrum. He has flourished in a culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people. In taking him off the air, I believe we take an important and necessary step not just in solving a unique problem, but in changing that culture, which extends far beyond the walls of our Company.

I want to thank all those who came to see us to express their views. We are now presented with a significant opportunity to expand on our record on issues of diversity, race and gender. We intend to seize that opportunity as we move forward together.

Well, now Don Imus and Howard Stern have one more thing in common: they’ve both been screwed by Les Moonves and weren’t even kissed first.
One particular section in Moonves’ statement regarding Imus bears highlighting:

“He has flourished in a culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people. In taking him off the air, I believe we take an important and necessary step not just in solving a unique problem, but in changing that culture, which extends far beyond the walls of our Company.”

Oh, really? Is that so, Mr. Moonves?
So, does solving that unique problem and changing that culture which allows a certain level of objectionable expression–you know, the kind that hurts and demeans a wide range of people–does that also include all of the rap and hip-hop music that Viacom and CBS sell and otherwise promote to consumers on a daily basis, Mr. Moonves?
CBS has not only jumped back into the record business, but they also promote artists who engage in music guilty of the same speech Imus was fired for.
Here’s Don Imus on the NBC’s “Today” two days ago: April 10, 2007:

“That phrase originated in the black community, and I — I’m not stupid. I may be a white man, but I know that these young women and young black women all through that society are demeaned and disparaged and disrespected by the — by their own black men and that they are called that name, and I know that the — and that doesn’t give me, obviously, any right to say it, but it doesn’t give them any right to say it.”

The culture of “bitches and hos” is glamorized throughout the “hip-hop community.” Men treat themselves as pimps or gangstas and they treat women as something lesser–like subservient objects to be degraded. They can call themselves and each other “nigga,” but no one else outside their ethnic group had better use the word or there will be hell to pay. They insist on using the word and then cry “racism” when someone like Don Imus says something horribly inappropriate.
(I have no interest in using the word and cringe when I hear it come from some rap artist or gangsta wannabe.)
The bullshit double standard still exists, thanks in large part to racists like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. They don’t advance the cause of equality, they do nothing but propagate the continuation of racism in America.
This was all part of a concerted effort by Sharpton and his buddies to take down Imus, because they want to regulate what you can and cannot say about African-Americans. They make their living trading on race issues. It’s a wonder they can sleep at night.

“It is our feeling that this is only the beginning. We must have a broad discussion on what is permitted and not permitted in terms of the airwaves.” – Al Sharpton

Permitted?? It’s the “thought police” taken to a whole new level. What’s next…no more talk radio? No cable news discussions? No blogs? The dismissal of a radio legend like Don Imus has far reaching implications and has the potential to make the Fairness Doctrine look like a fairy tale in comparison.
They may have started with Imus, but they sure won’t end with him. This should put everyone on notice–Al Sharpton is going to control what you get to say one way or another.
Les Moonves was right. There is a culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people. It wasn’t started or nourished by Don Imus, though. You can thank Ludacris, Snoop, Dre and a whole bunch of others. Don Imus had nothing to do with it.
I wonder what I’ll listen to tomorrow on my drive to work?
William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com