The "nappy headed hos" comment should end Don Imus's career.

[trumad]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Radio host Don Imus apologized Friday for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy headed hos" on his nationally syndicated program.

The National Association of Black Journalists demanded his immediate firing after the man known as "Imus in the Morning" put his foot deep in his mouth Wednesday. Imus questioned the players' looks, describing them as tattooed "rough girls." His producer compared the team -- which has eight black members -- to the NBA's Toronto Raptors.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/women/specials/ncaa_tourney/2007/04/06/imus.apology.ap/index.html

[wicket]

1. Has his producer who called them "Jigaboos" been fired???

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[hiaasenrocks]

22. No, and I doubt he will be. Here's why:

(First, please understand that I am only quoting here -- this is really offensive...)

Several years ago on Imus, they were talking about reparations for slavery. Bernard, the producer, said that African-Americans should be glad they were brought here, otherwise (and this is a direct quote, burned into my memory) "they would still be in Africa, swinging on vines and eating monkey carcasses."

If Bernard wasn't fired after that statement, it seems that he can get away with anything.

[Catherine Vincent]

23. Wow! That is offensive.

Shame on MSNBC!

[hiaasenrocks]

26. I think this was before he was on MSNBC. But...

one would hope they would have known about it before dealing with that show.

This occurred in the early/mid 1990s.

[mduffy31]

36. To be fair

He was making a reference to Spike Lee's movie School Daze, which uses that term.

[USA_1]

2. Imus = Bigoted Big Shit

Has been from the first day he went on NYC radio.

[madeline_con]

3. He's an idiot.

I've been trying to figure out how he got that gig in the first place for years. He's useless and stupid.

I emailed the show one time becuase his trusty sidekick sat around sexually harrassing Contessa Brewer to the point that she looked like she wanted to bolt from the room.

[me b zola]

10. I'll never forget that

I couldn't believe what I was witnessing, that the bastard sexually harassed her on telivision & radio and got away with it. It was the very definition of "hostile work environment" & sexual harassment, they should use those tapes to train new employees on what will get your ass fired and sued!

I also agree with the OP, Imus' racists comments should end his career.

[MADem]

19. Contessa won out in the end though. She stomped out, saying loudly

"I am NOT putting up with THIS CRAP"--and then she never came back. That was the end of the 'harrassing women' schtick. It used to be a byproduct of his show.

[WiseButAngrySara]

47. I hadn't heard about this, and just googled. I can't believe

Anus wasn't fired for these remarks!http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2005/05/don_imus_berates_contessa_brewer/
Don Imus Berates Contessa Brewer
By James Joyner
‘OLD FOOL’ IMUS STRIKES BACK (New York Post)
DON Imus didn’t like being called “a cantankerous old fool” by MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer on PAGE SIX. Brewer, a former news reader on Imus’ show, also said the I-man doesn’t know how to relate to “beautiful women.” “With that fat ass she’s got, she wouldn’t be one of ‘em,” Imus said on the air Friday. “That skank has to spend three hours with makeup in the morning … Who’s she kidding? . . . Plus, she’s dumber than dirt … Oh, my God, what a pig. But I was willing to cut her some slack and not say anything, you know, until - in fact, I didn’t say anything . . . That’s why they have those big double-doors there at MSNBC, you know, so they can get her fat ass in makeup.” An MSNBC spokesman said: “Contessa Brewer is a valued and respected employee. While Don Imus’ humor is often brilliant and provocative, we believe that this morning’s comments about Contessa went over the line. We have expressed our displeasure to Don.”
Most of the characters on Imus’ program are rather annoying, not the least of whom is Mr. Imus himself. The photographic evidence, however, would seem to indicate that Ms. Brewer in not, in fact, a fat skank.

http://brazosportnews.blogspot.com/2005/04/imus-A one-sentence item in the NY Post's Page Six gossip column this morning brought the fading feud between MSNBC radio yakker Don Imus and former news reader Contessa Brewer back to the red-hot level of schoolyard name-calling.

Here's the gossip item that led to Imus going nuts:
April 29, 2005 -- MSNBC's Contessa Brewer, a former news reader on Don Imus' show, telling pals at Cain that she thinks Imus is a "cantankerous old fool" who doesn't know how to relate to "beautiful women" . .-----


Imus & Crew immediately lit into Contessa at the start of their morning show, saying traffic tie-ups in New York City were caused by her "BIG BUTT" being stuck in a tunnel and her "FAT ASS" being stuck in the door at Burger King.

"Why didn't she just keep her mouth shut?" Imus demanded. "Why would she bring this on herself? She knows how we are. SHE IS SO PAINFULLY STUPID. That's the reason I got rid of her. I'd ask her to explain a story she had read and she didn't have a clue."

They went on and on about how Contessa was ugly, comparing her to "Miss Piggy," and saying how she looked terrible in the tight outfits she wore.

"I don't think Amy (Robach) or any of those in the back have to worry about HER taking over the Today show."

"She is MSNBC's answer to Candy Crowley," said Bernard, Imus' producer, comparing Contessa to the heavy-set CNN reporter.

Imus: "Why would she want to say anything about me with (Page Six scribe) Richard Johnson sitting near by? She must have been liquored-up. I was trying to keep my big mouth shut. But not anymore."

They called Contessa a "bimbo" with no sense of humor who got her job by winning a hot dog eating contest, that she makes Paris Hilton look like Condaleeza Rice (in intellect), that's she's an "ignorant slut."....

You'd have thought Brewer had called Imus a child molester.

Imus is a seasoned veteran in these sort of verbal fisticuffs, and the gossip item seemed to bring him back to life following his bout with kidney stone surgery that apparently didn't go all that well. He's on Vicodin for pain, so maybe that played a part in his over-reaction.

Indeed, the I-Man appeared more angry and animated over the alleged comments Contessa made than he was when the Wall Street Journal recently published an article that questioned the integrity of his New Mexico ranch, where kids with cancer are given of a week of therapeutic cowboy work.

Since Imus has the microphone Monday through Friday, he's at a decided advantage over Contessa, who's a mere news reader in the afternoons on the ratings-challenged MSNBC. He's in his element now.

Moreover, Imus has a band of loyal on-air sycophants who are more than happy to chime in when Imus goes nuclear. It's like Lord of the Flies on the radio.....

Update: Brewer was a no-show at her Friday afternoon newsreading gig on MSNBC. There is no official word from management regarding the Imus & Co. contretemps.

co-bludgeon-contessa-brewer.html

[TomInTib]

4. That doesn't bother his audience so he is not going anywhere.

In the real world, ratings are all that matter.

If he doesn't lose a large chunk of his audience, he has nothing to worry about.

[trumad]

5. Not true---

he stepped on it this time.

[MADem]

20. I gotta agree with Tom. It won't resonate with the bulk of his audience.

Of course, he's living up to the name that Harold Ford JR and his old Congressional roommates used to give him (they would listen to the show in DC in the AM at the apartment they shared): Anus in the Morning....

[TomInTib]

21. I would be more than amazed, trumad.

While I have not caught more than about five minutes -total- over the years of Mr. Imus, there is just no way he would be fired for saying something so common.

It's not like he called them 'crack whores' or something.

I will bet that there has been more time and energy spent on this subject here on DU than in the boardrooms of his sponsors or whatever network he appears on.

[madeline_con]

27. We'll see...

I'll bet he gives an obligatory insincere apology and it's business as usual come Monday.

I'll even go so far as to say he foloows the apology by ragging on the team some other way. He's probably writing the script right now.

:popcorn:

[AlCzervik]

6. yes he should and his apology was half assed at best, i'm not holding my breath

on his firing though.

[Gabi Hayes]

8. what about Glenn Beck? he called Hilary a BITCH, and have you heard

one WORD about that? besides here

[AlCzervik]

9. i didn't even hear about that one, i'm still pissed he didn't fired for what he said to

Keith Ellison.

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

30. Oh, I SOOOOOO wish Glenn Beck would be fired

I'd salsa dance with satan for that one.

[HughMoran]

7. I've always despised this grumpy old gas-bag

I hope he goes down.

[scarface2004]

11. i thing during the break he called them a bunch of

n word! it was on the live feed. then he called the coach 'ubangi' lover, and two black assistants amos and andy. he s ain t funny, he s an asshole!

[Catherine Vincent]

12. I sure hope this drunk racist bastard gets fired.

But he probably won't. I ask all the time why MSNBC keeps this guy on. He has gotten away with a lot of racist, sexist shit in the past and nothing ever happens. It pains me that KO is on the same channel this ass is on.

[spooky3]

18. racist AND sexist, as in the current example

He and his sycophants should be given no more chances.

[sellitman]

13. I'm sick of Dems like Dodd and Biden appearing on his show.

I say lets do what we have done to Faux Noise: Marginalize them by not appearing on their show.

[Captain Hilts]

25. He's Very Big in the Northeast. nt

[Venus Dog]

14. It's amazing what these people get away with...

the rest of us would be put away for saying something like that. Who the hell are these people, anyway? Why can't I have my own radio program and spew away about dead-looking white men playing dress up?

[sellitman]

15. Here is MSNBC's lame cop out of what Imus said:

"As Imus makes clear every day, his views are not those of MSNBC."
MSNBC

after Don Imus on his radio show called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos"

[AlCzervik]

16. thats is so not even close to good enough, he should be fired along with

poo flinging monkey thats his sidekick.

[Stargleamer]

17. "I never said I don't care about Osama Bin Laden. . . "

"that's one of your exaggerations..." should have ended *'s career. In this day and age, outright lies or comments like Coulter made about John Edwards, seem not to have any effect at all on a career, except if you're one of the masses.

[Captain Hilts]

24. Yes, it should. nt

[madrchsod]

28. never happen

as long as advertisers keep buying ad time he`ll be on the air

[Lint Head]

29. These good old boys are part of the problem not the solution.

He should go!:dem:

[cascagraphic]

31. His audience is too big. As longer as he brings in the listeners he'll have a job.

[wanpete]

32. please do not understimate the disgusting nature of this comment

he may not be fired, but he will be castrated. This is totally vile and msnbc should be ashamed if they continue to carry his show.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

52. I think he is being castrated as we speak by the one person who really can do it...

Deirdra Imus. Remember, she just finished writing a book that is going on sale this coming week, and ten bucks says her husband's idiocy puts her book sales right in the toilet. I bet she she is reaming him a new one all weekend. He may lose a career and a marriage with his big ugly mouth.

[Jersey Devil]

33. Boy, he looks like shit and why would you take him seriously?

This guy burned up just about every useful brain cell in his head, admittedly snorting cocaine and drinking vodka by the bottle for decades, employs Bernard McGurk, who is possibly the most racially biased person I have ever listened to on any form of media, so how can he possibly have any acceptable explanation for calling the Rutgers women's basketball players "nappy headed hos"?

Just look at him - he can't be more than 61-63. He looks like he's dead already and his stupid comments confirm it. If there was any doubt, would someone with intact brain cells who was on the radio for over 30 years do something so stupid?

[tularetom]

34. Anybody who looks like that should just STFU about anyone else's looks

That is one sick lookin mofo. and as far as I know the show has shitty ratings. The only reason MSNBC carries it is that it is a simulcast of a radio show, in other words its cheap. It comes on here at like 3 in the morning and although I often am up at 4, I wouldn't turn on this piece of shit if it were the only thing on. It isn't funny, it's not informative and it's kinda nasty. And look at that picture of Anus - why the fuck does he sit at the mike wearing that asinine cowboy hat. He looks like a bag lady that fished that fuckin hat out of somebody's trash can.

[kid a]

35. Disgusting - he is an idiot! MSNBC should fire him

[deminks]

37. So, here is a list of sponsors for the I-pig

currently on the I-pig's home page:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036713/

in the bottom left corner of the page. Let them know how you feel about their business's condoning such comments.

Here is a list of guests off the top of my head from recent shows. We may not be able to convince the MSNBC "reporters" to stay off the show, they propably have to. But what the hay, tell them anyway. But the senators and congress critters have an image and a responsibility (or so they told me in school). Ask them not to appear on the show, and thus not to condone such comments in the past and the future (cause you know the I-pig is just gonna do it again).

Senator Dodd
Senator Kerry and wife
Senator Biden
Senator Lieberman (ok, it's worth a try anyway)
Senator McCain (again, it's worth a try)


Here is a list of radio stations that carry the I-pig:

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?id=imus_stations&navid=3096433&fmt=full

e-mail the show:

[e-mail]

Let people know that this kind of hate doesn't sell anymore. And before you say that most of America loves this, no they don't. Look at the polls. We are the majority now.

edited to add:

upcoming performers on the I-pig's show: Let them know

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3226997/

[MrSlayer]

38. As big of a no-talent douche as he is, he still has a decent following.

And brings in enough ad revenue to merit the station keeping him on. It was easy to fire the idiotic "Greaseman" for his comments back in the day, he had no ratings.

[a la izquierda]

39. I almost messed myself last night...

when I heard this. I am so damn proud of the girls at my alma mater. They're students, you dumb shit! How dare he? Bigoted, big-haired prick!

[Eurobabe]

40. Anyone write to MSNBC to COMPLAIN? I did. n/t

[KharmaTrain]

41. Imus Is The Bank At WFAN...

He brings in millions to that station and provides cheap programming for MSNBC. I haven't seen the financials for the past year, but WFAN was the most profitable radio station in the country and Imus is a major reason. If anything, I'll bet his bosses are privately pleased at his outrageousness as it has generated a lot of PR...that could translate into listeners and ratings.

[knitter4democracy]

42. Good Lord, how can someone like that be on the air?!

That's disgusting and horrifying. How someone could go on and on like that and have a producer condone it and go along with it is beyond me. I loved watching Rutgers play--they were really good, and they played solid b'ball. They deserve respect and honor, not that crap.

[happydreams]

43. Imus in mourning no doubt. nt

[nam78_two]

44. God I hope so-he is obnoxious.nt

[femrap]

45. Please email your disgust of Imus'

racist and misogynist comments to either or both:

[e-mail]

[e-mail]


If he had said such degrading comments about male athletes, he'd already be fired.

I hope Rutger's women sue him for slander. Or has our culture really come to the point of referring to women as whores? He has to go.

[Blue_Tires]

46. i would think so, but

you look in his past, and imus has dropped a lot of racially or gender-specific hand grenades, and he still keeps his job...not only that, other talking-out-of-ass screechmeisters are getting high-salary, primetime spots on networks (beck, grace, etc.)...no programming manager seems to know what passes for acceptible discourse or even banter anymore...

the sad truth is these people are only going to push the envelope and get more outrageous trying to outdo the other guy...We are not that far from some network giving Coulter a one-hour spot

[Tom Joad]

48. One of his guests called Palestinians "stinking animals" back in 2004

http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1331&theType=NR

DON IMUS: They're (the Palestinians) eating dirt and that fat pig wife of
his is living in Paris.
COLLEAGUE: They’re all brainwashed, though. That’s what it is. And they're
stupid, to begin with, but they’re brainwashed now. Stinking animals. They
ought to drop the bomb right there, kill ‘em all right now…
IMUS: Well, the problem is we have (reporter) Andrea (Mitchell) there; we
don't want anything to happen to her.
COLLEAGUE: Oh, she's got to get out. Andrea, get out and then drop the bomb
and kill everybody…
COLLEAGUE: Look at this. Animals. Animals!
_____________________

Imus does not believe in the humanity of Arabs, specifically Palestinians. Not that this is unique, but it still is despicable.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

53. 2004? They did it again last week! That doofy mafia hit man goon

who is always on the show (can't remember his name) launched into a screaming rage when a middle eastern man called in. He was screaming and making the tongue sound that people in the middle east make and was literally on the brink of a heart attack, demeaning the caller and yelling and cursing at him. Imus was off that day and Charles was pulling his hair out, mumbling about this probably causing an international incident. I was certain that it would hit the papers, but of course, it just disappeared.

[WinkyDink]

49. They were "only" women. Tom Brookshier got canned., let us not forget.

He "was fired from his position due to a derogatory remark he made regarding the collective IQs of the players on the University of Louisville basketball team."
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:WgI6AneljuMJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brookshier+tom+brookshier+fired&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

What makes Imus so special??

[Karenina]

51. RATINGS. He's speaking to Amurikkkans

Fer AMURIKKKANS.

[Nikki Stone1]

50. Yes, Fire him!

How they get away with this crap is beyond me,

[UTUSN]

54. If only. But it won't happen. He's a bit long in the tooth to keep on saying these things, isn't he?

[lpbk2713]

55. He always seems to look like he died about three years ago

... and no one has told him to lay down yet.

[trumad]

56. Kick

I still predict this

[lpbk2713]

57. So now he'll get two weeks off to decide

if he is ready to retire voluntarily.

[malaise]

58. I disagree

I support the suspension but want a serious discussion of race on MSM period. All of MSM is racist.

[Warren DeMontague]

59. How about a WARNING with those graphic pics?

Good grief. Who knew prunes wore hats?