Imus, while best known to most these days for his morning spot on MSNBC, is carried on regular radio. People do tend to look at the standards they hold for what can be broadcast on that at a slightly higher level then they do for cable and pay cable. Imus has also put himself in an odd position by creating an image of himself as a serious news maker and interviewer. Were he simply a comedian or a shock jock, his comment might have been met more with “what did you expect” eye rolling then this level of outrage.

Imus has tried to give himself an image as a credible news and commentary source and as an interviewer that power players must visit. He can’t be that and a shock jock and not expect trouble to follow.

“He’s going on Al Sharpton’s show today. Boy, THAT should be a lot of laughs!”

Yeah, there’s another guy that needs to have his comments blow up in his face.

He’s going on Al Sharpton’s show today. Boy, THAT should be a lot of laughs!

It’s a valid point. Constitutionally guaranteed Freedom of Speech means little if societal or corporate pressure stamps out all fringe views. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has held that Freedom of Speech includes the right not to say things you don’t want to say. MSNBC has every right to refuse to be a conduit for certain messages.

Besides, if MSNBC were to fire Imus it’s not like they’d be silencing him. If the man wanted to do so, he could set up a Web site and offer his vitriol to people via streaming audio. MSNBC is unlikely to take a stand on principle, though. If they believe Imus continues to be a financial asset, they’ll keep him. If he’s become a liability, they’ll give him the axe.

Now I’d like to never hear from him again. Not because of his politics, or his condescending I’m-so-much-smarter-than-you-noms attitude, or his odd habit of bringing up Kierkegaard during his MNF gig.

Nope. I’d like to never hear him again because, put as quickly as I can, he’s no longer funny.

Unlike Stern, who does not pretend to be any kind of intellectual, Imus has made his name by having politicians on and playfully “hammering” them with “tough” questions. It’s a farce and the act has grown thin.

I’m reluctant to call for his firing, however. It was a stupid, ugly joke but if we start firing people for every ugly joke where do we stop? It’s all fine to say let’s get rid of Imus–we all find the joke offensive. But what about Margarette Cho? Or Dennis Miller? or whoever; most comedians at some point make jokes taht are farly characterized as offensive to the right, left, handicapped, mentally challanged, whatever.

Bye-bye network.

Imus may be looking at that now. Won’t miss him. I’ve got better ways to find information, get news or pass the time then to listen to guys who’s stock and trade is making shock statements or by demeaning and insulting minorities, women or even us “privileged” white guys because they think that it’ll get them hot ratings or because they just plain believe that garbage that they’re peddling.

Now, any time I hear about a case like this, be it Imus, Hannity, Stern, whoever, I smell ratings scam. As much as you and I might find his entire speech distasteful, there are those that’ll tune in because A)they agree, B) they want to hate him more, or C) they’re curious. So I can’t see Universal being TOO upset at Donny Chia Pet. At most, he might get a slap on the wrist but behind closed doors before his mike is hot, I’m sure the suits’ll give him a thumbs up.