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Don: I have watched your show since discovering it accidentally for the past few years. Your wide shar3es my name, Deirdre, (spelled correctly, the Irish way) and as the shows progressed and I became used to your "frank" commentaries on everything WRONG with America, this latest debacle has hurt me to the quick. What is wrong with Americans? I have said since coming here (30 years ago_ the USA is in its kindergarten of cultural development. Look at Benny HGill and the outrageous mimicry he does (without offense even being considered) of every alien that resides in Britain. You are just the same--you see things and speak your mind, and the educated amongst us know that you mean no real offense, and that is evidenced alone by your love of Deirdre and the wonderful work both of you endlessly do to BENEFIT society. So, here is one intelligent English/Irish educated foreigner with straight hair, but weouldn't mind a bit of nap now and then (especially in my old age and in the late afternoon) nap--meaning sleepy, tired, and nap time. What Americans translate this into is purely due to the fact that the black population in the USA have surely had a rough road, but it's time to GET OVER IT! I support you fully, as do the many friends I urged to watch you and give you a deserved chance. You're a good man with a wonderful wife and you've lived life well and long and hard enough to say whatever the hell you like. Get over it America! Sincerely, Deirdre Wilson

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...what I meant to say was "what an exceptional group of beautiful young women!"

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The racist/sexist nature of the Iman’s locker room jokes were totally inappropriate, either in or out of the locker room. The initial anger was appropriate. I believe the apologies are sincere.

I, for one, did not know Rutgers had a women’s basketball team. I respect and admire them for their achievements. I believe that, once the smoke clears, this may ultimately prove to be a positive for all sides.

As the third of three brothers to enlist in the military, one of whom died with honors and a bogus explanation, I also recognize the tremendous good Don Imus has done for our enlisted military, a disproportionate number who are African American men and women, serving honorably. His courageous challenges of the corruption and incompetence in Washington has and will continue to save lives in the military.

Personally, I was summarily dismissed from the Navy via use of a secret and fraudulent homosexual report, an effective method for bypassing the Uniform Code of Military Justice and a crime with which the Justice Dept, the Pentagon and the Courts went to extraordinary lengths to cover up. I have first hand experience with the corruption and understand the need for a voice like Imus speaking loudly.

Weighing the good against the bad, I believe that it would be a serious mistake to end the greater good that benefits African Americans as well as everybody else, provided the racist/sexist humor ends.

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Diedre Wilson:

I don't know who you are, but you sound like joke.
1. Just because you get old doesn't mean you get a free pass to be an idiot. Can he say what he wants? Sure, this is America. But that doesn't mean he isn't a damn idiot for saying it. Its racist, and even if he claims to be joking, that doesn't make it right.
2. How can you tell the entire black population to get over it? If you've ever been the victim of discrimination, you'd realize that its not your place to tell others how to feel in the face of such treatment. If you haven't been the victim of discrimination, then shut up, because what do you know about it?

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This is a message for Don Imus.
Don
I have been a loyal fan of your show for the last 4 years or so. I have always enjoyed the funny things which are done and said on your show and the interesting guests you bring on. I have to admit that the racial bantering which goes on at times, especially that of Bernie, has bothered me at times--wondering whether it was all just in jest or whether there was actual racism underneath on your part and Bernie's.

The comments you and Bernie made about the Rutgers women's basketball team has made me wonder whether I should watch and listen to your show anymore. Am I contributing to racism and sexism by doing so? I hope not. But only you know what really is motivating you and Bernie when you get into the racial bantering.

I want to believe that the racial stuff is meant only in a humorous vein. Again only you know. As I have been watching and listening to you respond to the aftermath of your Rutgers comments I have been pleased for the most part on how you have responded. You seem to be genuinely contrite and apologetic for the hurt you have caused. The only thing that bothers me about your response is your insistence on continuing to qualify your remarks by saying that the context in which they were said need to be taken into account, that you are a good person who did a bad thing etc etc etc. When you qualify your apology that way it brings into serious question whether you really mean it and whether you really understand how hurtful your remarks were not just to the basketball team but to other African Americans and others who abhor racism in any form. My unsolicited advice to you is that you make a clean unblemished and unqualified apology to these fine young women and all African Americans and promise never to do it again. I like your idea to diversify your program staff. Right now it is totally dominated primarily by Anglo males which may have created an atmosphere where you all feel free to cross the line when it comes to matters of racial sensitivity.

I sincerely hope you will learn a very important lesson from your horrendous comments and become an even better person than what you are now. I have defended you to several friends on this recent event. Please don't let me down. I also commend you for all the good work you have done and continue to do for those less fortunate. Thanks for listening.

Arturo Montoya

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Dear Mr. Imus.

My name is Rosemary Reeves I’m a 58 year black woman who was born and raised in Chicago. I have lived through all of what went on in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Now in 2007 nothing has changed.

Believe me Mr. Imus, if it was just you it would not be so bad but it is not just you. Look around and go inside yourself. You have heard it behind closed doors let’s get that out of the way first.

I want to start off saying when I first heard what you said I could not believe what I was hearing. Then it went to out rage and I wanted you out, I just wanted you to disappear. Then I was happy that you said it so everyone could hear it. Then I was sad because in this day and age we are still dealing with this type of disrespect, racism and sexism.

Then I was so upset again when I kept hearing you say over and over again that you are a good person that said a bad thing and this lets me know that you still don’t understand what you did. This is really what is bad about the whole matter. I pray that you will in this life time understand what is really going on and you know what I’m talking about.

I was upset again when all of the men came out too get all the attention on TV. This makes me very upset because so many of these same men don’t really care about women’s issue. If they did they would do something to change the laws to make thing better for all women.

I have an organization called Women-Eye it was born to give women and girls tools to empower themselves. This is the only way that women will be able to take charge and make changes in the world. Women are the people who give birth to boys who grow up to be men. When did men lose their respect for women? My mission is to make women whole. Only then can they raise healthy children who respect all people around the world. The goal is so that men will not be saying things like you said for any reason.

I had never watched your show but after hearing you say this over and over again I had to learn more about you. I needed to see and hear you so I could judge your spirit for myself I then started feeling maybe you have learned something from this. Maybe we have all learned something from this. Now how can we use this as a growing tool to make the world better for all women?

Mr. Imus, you made the statement about the Rutgers women team, but it was not personal which is even worst. Because you don’t even know those young women so it is not so much that you offended them you offended all women black women in particular.

Until we can get all men to treat all women with respect, not just in your arena but all around the world we will never have peace. So if we want to stop wars we need to stop and learn from each other and make a real afford to understand each other.

Mr. Imus, I will pray not just for you but also for all the people that you work with. I pray that they will make sure that they will do what they can to help you and themselves.

Mr. Imus in closing I want to say out all the people that you have had on your show and that you have talked to in the last few days that you should learn from has been Mike Burnicle with the Boston Herald. He stated that God is giving you this time to make something good happen from this entire event no one else said anything like that. Mr. Imus, how can I help you to do this? We have to change this world from a (You or Me) world to a (You and Me) world.

Yours Truly


Rosemary Reeves

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Yes, what Imus said is offensive and wrong. But it also shows how hypocritical some of these black leaders(and the black community in general) are to the issue of racism. Truth is, black people don't give a damn about racism(in fact, they make up the majority of racists in this country to other minority groups), they only care about racism against blacks. For example, when Shaquille O' Neal made some very racist comments about a Chinese player named Yao Ming,("Tell Yao Ming, CHeeng Chong WING WOOOONG!!"), I didn't hear a single one of these black anti-racism crusaders decry this obviously racist comment. Shouldn't Shaq have been fired from the NBA for this? Imagine if a white guy said, "Tell Shaq, *monkey noise*"... There would be a second LA riot in this country, I guarantee you.

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Yes, what Imus said is offensive and wrong. But it also shows how hypocritical some of these black leaders(and the black community in general) are to the issue of racism. Truth is, black people don't give a damn about racism(in fact, they make up the majority of racists in this country to other minority groups), they only care about racism against blacks. For example, when Shaquille O' Neal made some very racist comments about a Chinese player named Yao Ming,("Tell Yao Ming, CHeeng Chong WING WOOOONG!!"), I didn't hear a single one of these black anti-racism crusaders decry this obviously racist comment. Shouldn't Shaq have been fired from the NBA for this? Imagine if a white guy said, "Tell Shaq, *monkey noise*"... There would be a second LA riot in this country, I guarantee you.

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White males sure know alot about double standards. They should because they invented it.
For those white males who say "get over it" you're the ones who can't "get over it" You can't get over the fact that we are not going let Imus get away with calling young black college students nappy headed whores on national tv/radio.
I almost felt sorry for Imus when I saw him one on one with Al Sharpton. Here was this tough cowboy acting like a little punk. I don't want Imus fired, we de-fanged him and that's good enough for me.

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I don't care for Imus. Never listened to him, never will. What he said was inappropriate, out of bounds.

BUT HOWEVER . . . 2 things: First, I agree w/ Brian that this is his shtick. He and Stern and other lesser lights do this crap all the time. I don't know why anyone wastes their time.

Second, why do Jackson (Hymietown)and Sharpton (If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house) and so many others get a free pass for saying outrageous things? And why do so many liberal white journalists allow this to go on? Because they're afraid of being labeled a racist? It is all a ridiculous joke. Imus is the flava of the day. "Crucify him! Fire him! What an outrage!" The mob will be on to someone and something else tomorrow. The puppetmasters watch in bemused silence.

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I don't really care what Imus said. Probably because I'm white. Then again, if some black talk show host had some disparaging remarks about whites I wouldn't care. I don't think he has to apologize. Make MSNBC apologize on his behalf. Unfortunately, he's just a Dinosaur in Politically Correct era. I'm just afraid of the trickle effect from this that Talk Show hosts will be too afraid to speak their minds. For me at least, it's not what he said, it's about what he and other talk show host will be too afraid to say because of this. HE SHOULD NOT BE FIRED.

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What a sad mess.First of all I have never listened to Don Imus.I have heard various other personalities at least once whom I dont care to hear again but I must say that I hear much worse on a day to day basis. The phrase Don used seems to be pretty common among most of our youth.I hear Black and White young people calling each other Ho's, dawgs, bitches and guess what? They don't seem offended. My point being,if we allow it from our children, who say it in public why should we be so offeded by what Don said,and call for his being fired. Lets get real people who listen to or watch shows of that calibur take it with a grain of salt. They call it entertainment.This country has a lot more serious problems than this. I'd be willing to bet that at least one of those players have made the same comment or one equally offensive about someone they know.Grow up.

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Don Don't let the bastards get you down. Jesse and Al make a living with this type of BS. Remember "hymie town" and Tawaney Broadley? What a joke those two are.

Good Luck Your the best! Pete

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Sorry guys, but this time I draw the line in the sand. It was an absolutely awful statement and probably unforgiveable. But still!!!! There are so many worse people that can be gone after!

Imus is not a shock jock by any means. He has on a daily basis the most current political, cultural and social event experts as guests. Regular contributors to the NY Times, New Yorker, WSJ, Washington Post, etc. For God's sake, Andrea Mitchell (wife of big Al Greenspan) is a regular, weekly, liberal guest as are as many die-hard conservatives. AND GUESS WHAT? He does it with a laugh and always has done! All political spectrums are fair game....and in the end, he has found and shared insightful interviews with almost every one of his guests! Gee, whiz...we might even have an insight via the more relaxed media of radio of the inner characters of the movers and shakers of our lives. I've always felt that his guests could relax through humor, even if they were spouting their own particular agenda.

Imagine that Imus has not even tried to jump the line to make his opinions matter at the polls? He certainly could have as his radio audience is enormous. The egos in the entertainment industry are notorious, but Mr. Imus has simply seen it all after many years in the business and frankly, puts his ego aside and says it like it is.

Not only that.....I would venture that he has not only raised millions but billions in causes that when you think about them, are truly worthy. Please recall his private rehab effort at the San Antonio Vet's Hospital. He donated his air time to force the same corporations, (that are abandoning him now), to contribute enormous bucks to this successful project that was inaugurated by the US Senate, (Mr. McCain and others, even Nancy Pelosi) last fall, as a privately capitalized venture to help veterans!

Imagine he was in the middle of his yearly fund-raising campaign that garners several million dollars a year to various charities? It is a true shame that those funds are not going to be raised. Those charities will suffer. No doubt Imus' fault... but others i.e. Sharpton, Jackson, Redstone etc. are at fault as well. They should consider their targets a little more carefully and go after those that truly deserve it.

Another point to be made is that Imus has made no excuses at all (unlike our former Bill Clinton) and has made every effort to apologize with true sincerity. Unfortunately, to no avail. They scream for apologies but don't accept them when they are offered. This is Bill Clinton and Nixon legacy. They drag it on so that the maximum amount of publicity can be garnered and their self-promotion assured.

Not that the Imus show doesn't have its raw edge. The Irish cardinals, the Hispanic attorney generals, or other off color characters...such as the regular Ray Nagin of New Orleans. But then again, who is drawing the line? I particularly admire that Mr. Imus has made no excuses and has apologized as quickly and honestly as the entertainment media will allow. Even given his fullest efforts, he is abandoned. This man has been doing good works for ages. In the three years I have been listening to him on my morning commutes, (between NPR etc.), he has never failed to encourage drug/alcohol abusers to find the straight and narrow. Always using himself as an example.


Also it points out the hypocrisy of people of like Sumner Redstone who will play that disgusting Borat in the theaters and make millions, but will fire Imus. Imagine if a black celebrity would go after the filth spouted in the black music industry? He'd be an Uncle Tom for sure! Anyone supporting him would be "racist". Maybe there will be an African American out there that will turn the tide or a woman that will go after the smut we see on TV everyday. Then civility might have an even chance. Not holding my breadth too long, am afraid

It is about time that people stood up to this type of media destruction. Frankly, I wonder where it will end and of course, wonder why Imus should be my line in the sand. Why I should get my dander up about this one, (as opposed to every kind of perhaps, worthier cause), is beyond me. Somehow, it just feels right. Please write MSNBC and put a vote in for Mr. Imus!
ML Eastcoast

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Many conservative [50] and liberal commentators [51] have accused Reverend Sharpton of being racist and homophobic. Sharpton was quoted as saying to an audience at Kean College in 1994 that, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” [52] Sharpton defended his comments by noting that the term “homo” was not homophobic but added that he no longer uses the term. [53] Sharpton has since called for an end to perceived homophobia in the African-American community. [54]

And this from a man who gets someone ffires for making a dumb statement as a joke this is how Rev. Al really feels

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