Empty gestures
I was ignoring the Imus spectacle hoping it would just go away. But when Sean Hannity (aka "Rush Limbaugh for Dummies") announced his firing yesterday with the gravitas of Walter Cronkite announcing the death of JFK, I realized we had reached a new low in public discourse in this country.
I'm not an Imus fan. I always found his barely coherent mumbling annoying and can't remember ever finding his attempts at humor funny. His comment was stupid and offensive, but was this the first time he's ever made a stupid and offensive comment? I doubt it. Does this make him above criticism? Of course not. Criticize him all you want. That's how free speech should work. What made this different than the Michael Richards and Mel Gibson dress rehearsals was that the loudest voices in the media claiming to be offended (strangely, not the victims of the insult themselves), smelt blood and would not be satisfied with the numerous apologies and public shame and humiliation inflicted on Imus. They sensed a kill and would not be content until the offending party was silenced (at least until he signs a new contract with another station). Is this what we've come to? Are we all such a bunch of thin-skinned babies that whenever we hear something we don't like we have to cry and carry on until the bad man is made to go away?
Last night while watching a tribute to Kurt Vonnegut on the News Hour, there was a clip of him lamenting the fact that we no longer live in a country where you can say anything you want, no matter how stupid or offensive. After this sad spectacle, I suspect he's right.
I'm not an Imus fan. I always found his barely coherent mumbling annoying and can't remember ever finding his attempts at humor funny. His comment was stupid and offensive, but was this the first time he's ever made a stupid and offensive comment? I doubt it. Does this make him above criticism? Of course not. Criticize him all you want. That's how free speech should work. What made this different than the Michael Richards and Mel Gibson dress rehearsals was that the loudest voices in the media claiming to be offended (strangely, not the victims of the insult themselves), smelt blood and would not be satisfied with the numerous apologies and public shame and humiliation inflicted on Imus. They sensed a kill and would not be content until the offending party was silenced (at least until he signs a new contract with another station). Is this what we've come to? Are we all such a bunch of thin-skinned babies that whenever we hear something we don't like we have to cry and carry on until the bad man is made to go away?
Last night while watching a tribute to Kurt Vonnegut on the News Hour, there was a clip of him lamenting the fact that we no longer live in a country where you can say anything you want, no matter how stupid or offensive. After this sad spectacle, I suspect he's right.
posted by BayonneMike at 8:10 AM
8 Comments:
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It started to really take off when the sponsors pulled out. Al Sharpton could have ranted all he wanted as he usually does, but to quote Cindy Lauper, "Money Changes Everything".
Al needs to keep to his word and shake up the African American Community (aka: Rap Artists)
In any event, one less moronic "everyman" voice over the airwaves is fine with me...ha. He'd probably love to join Howard on Sirius (if he'd allow it)
There are so many thinly-veiled racists on talk radio I really don't understand how these comments were so unsually offensive to break through in the first place, but yeah, the advertisers were eventually the deciding factor. CBS may want us to swallow their sanctimonious tripe about changing the culture but funny they didn't mention that until Mennen or whoever it was pulled out.
Also, how many bands do you think renamed themselves the Nappy Headed Ho's this week?
Full disclousre: I've been listening since 1971. I stopped listening for awhile after an albino joke and was offended more recently by the lesbian jokes [family concerns in both areas], but I always came back. I like the crew, not just Imus.
As I made my $50 pledge to help SIDS babies, kids w/cancer and blood disorders, and the Imus ranch, I had a feeling that he would return bigger than ever. In an exclusive to LAMENTATIONS, I'll predict where he ends up: WFAN. After he pays some church rebuilding money, he'll get the blessing of the unforgiving reverends. Opie and Anthony received Donahue's blessing after they apologized to the Catholic league and Imus will get the same consideration.
My politics are Scoop Jackson Democrat. it's hard to translate in 21st c. argot but I guess it's what Kerry tried to run as, social liberal and defense conservative. Democrat litmus tests have made it hard to be strong on defense without being painted as a war monger by our own party.
I know he covered his racism with of the outpouring of goodwill, bt what was with that hair? Those eyebrows. That continual skowl. No. He hadda go. Angie will tell ya how she once had it out with him on live talk radio back in the 70s. Put him to shame.
America IS forgiving and the dear man will be back to work after a nice vacation on his ranch.
I prefer "The Idiot's Guide to Rush Limbaugh" for a multitude of reasons.
How ever did you manage to hear Hannity?
Know thy enemy. That's why I listen to right-wing radio.
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