http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspxSince the Statue Fell: Four years to the day since Baghdad fell, anti-American protests rage throughout Iraq. And John McCain is sticking to his story over the Baghdad market fiasco. Just one of the GOP candidates seeming imploding before our eyes.en-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116667Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:33:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116667Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PAI think what John McCain is hoping for is that by the time 2008 rolls around, all remaining Iraqi civilians will either be dead or forced to relocate due to the U.S. 'OCCUPATION.' Their sole intentions from the start of this war was not to prevent a civil war but to allow one to happen by removing the controls and allowing widely-known sectarian tensions that existed in the country to spread. Thus, the population would essentially 'divide and conquer' itself, which is the hopes of all such colonial actions! With basically no one around, who is to confront the U.S. occupation as they get what they were really after - THE OIL under the ground?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116675Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:00:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116675Charity, Princeton, NJI'm impressed at how so many of the press worked so hard to confirm Mitt Romney's hunting license story. Really good work. Only thing: WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU PEOPLE IN MARCH 2003 WHEN WE WERE GOING TO WAR?????http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116685Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:23:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116685Tru M., Cleveland, OhioKeith, it's just a small thing, but thanks for being more accurate in your portrayal of Regent University tonight. Yes, its law school is low ranked. Yes, it's weird that such a disproportionate number of its grads are in the Bush Administration. Yes, it's the kind of school whose religious goals are obviously at odds with the ideals of this country and its governance, and which seems to be teaching something other than the "Christian" values it professes. And yes, its accreditation is very new compared to that of other schools. But it does indeed have that accreditation. SHOULD it have that accreditation? Good question!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116705Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:53:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116705Carl Trump, Waynesburg,PAImus should not have appeared on Sharptons radio program because it gave legitimacy to a non-legitimate media hound!!!!!!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116706Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:55:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116706L.C.Miller,Prattville,AlSo Why all the fuss about Imus..Blacks say worse things in their Rap music garbage about themselves.So, he's not politically correct.MSNBC knows this and they've kept him on the air before when he has said unpopular things..why the Fuss now?..because he said "Nappy ho's"...so what?..put him back to work..Is Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson going to make up for the loss revenue?...I don't think so...http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116722Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:17:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116722robert berendes, altha, floridakeith, we love you for your intelligent commentary and observation. we love imus for his guests' intelligent commentary and observation. imus may not be "correct" frequently; however, he is frequently "on target." thx. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116723Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:17:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116723John D Wood SrIf the truth hurts, Gonzalez will never feel pain.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116749Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:13:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116749jeff mccoyGosh Keith you went pretty easy on Imus and his racial comments. He certainly deserved a "Worst Person in the World". Are you just another corporate shill with a different SPIN?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116776Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:15:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116776R. Northern CaliforniaRe: #1 Romney. Check out Romney's body language when he is strolling through a crowd, or doing a meet-and -greet. He looks like a little boy, all full of wonder, being guided to and fro as though he doesn't know where he is supposed to go or what he is supposed to do next. His confidence is not nearly what it should be for a presidential candidate. He is not leadership material, period. None of the Repubs running for Prez are. C'mon Hagel, announce!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116788Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:54:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116788Gladys Roure, Tallahassee, FloridaRegarding the Don Imus ruckus Some of my very closest and dearest friends are black. Being a native of Puerto Rico I am very proud of my mixed ethnicity: Spanish, Taino Indian, and African. But enough is enough! Lets punish, censor, shun, and jail the KKK and other criminal hatemongers who live to defile, physically threaten, and espouse their hateful rhetoric against blacks. But Imus,who stupidly made a very offensive remark, not taken to be maliciously hateful by the majority of the viewers, and who has since apologized many times, is not the KKK. People do make stupid and very bad mistakes. And if they honestly ask to be forgiven they should. Who will be the first to cast the proverbial stone? Remember that Imus though opinionated and a loudmouth, is a man who also supports and works with a number of charities helping needy children, including minorities. He is not the KKK. He's not even the Kramer who ranted and raved so hatefully against blacks. Nor is he a Paris Hilton using the "N" word on TV. And why don't we go after her? Is it because she's a Hilton? It seems nowadays that anytime someone makes an offensive and stupid remark about a jew and a black, everything comes to a halt, followed by a nationwide coverage of round table meetings and picketings. Why is it that the Nation is not mobilized in this same manner when people make a "fag" remark as they often do, or make other denigrating insults against other minorities? Why are blacks and jews so special? In the name of equal time and fair play... everybody should be that special or nobody should... Gladys/Floridahttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116793Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:58:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116793Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaBill - I do hear you on the "hawkish" thing about Hillary and agree with you 100%. I also believe she is acting in this manner in her efforts to win in 2008, which she can't. I have read a lot about Hillary, and like McCain, I can't understand why she doesn't go back to the "Hillary" she once was. She was not hawkish in her younger years, and even left the republican party as she grew into an adult. She has written that she knew within her heart what her true beliefs were. She is "selling out" in her efforts to "please and/or pander" to "everyone". I also believe she is trying too hard to prove a woman can be "tough on defense", etc. etc. This is also wrong, and insulting to women, in my opinion. However, there are many people I know that will not vote for a woman period, as they have told me. Oh well, maybe one day. She is making a mistake, and one that we've seen over and over again. I truly believe she both knows and believes in her heart what is right regarding Iraq, but she has allowed her aspirations to lead her down the path of "selling out". This saddens me, and I hope when she loses the primary, she will be the "great" Senator I truly believe she can be. Gore/Obama 2008!! my friend!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116794Tue, 10 Apr 2007 05:05:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116794Alexis, Ft. lauderdale, FL.I just want to make a quick comment about this Imus thing. Are you kidding me? why are we seriously even talking about this. Sure, his comments were a little out there, but when have really ever known him to not say just what he thinks. It's just too bad that we can,t just let some things go. There are far more important to be so deeply focused on. Let it go! move on! We should be paying attention to all the intelligent and thought provoking things that he has to say.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116801Tue, 10 Apr 2007 05:32:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116801HonkyEvidently Al Sharpton dose'nt watch BET, Imus said what is said on BET every minute of every day. If your black you can say whatever but if your white you better not say any thing at all about any minorities. Whatch just one episode of Mind of Mencia.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116823Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:05:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116823G. CantrellDon Imus is a good man who says what wants when he wants.I was in Cols,Oh. during the riots of the 1960's,I heard words from blacks like Nigga,blackboy,hoebag,and more like what you doin her cracka boy,fact is we were trying to board up houses being distructed by blacks in their very own neighborhood. This was conversations between blacks,not mixed races. Life is not what he makes it to be,life is real. As for Jesse Jackson,grow up, he needs to quit shooting his mouth on the race issue as there are two great show host on MSNBC,Lester Holt is one of the greatest news men who will take his place in history beside of Cronkite. Jackson will never own that status ,nomatter how much he screams about the rece issue. Allison Stewart host a very interesting show,and again Jesse Jackson can never stand in the shadows of these two great MSNBC giants.His memory is very weak in recall of how great the host of two fine programs are. MSNBC would do well to disallow all of Jesse Jackson's comentary from all their programing. Don Imus is not worthy of being dropped from the programing on MSNBC,I for one can drop MSNBC if this happens,there are other news carriers to watch. This is not the old days of only one news station,times have changed. Let the Shock Jock talk. Let the man speak and be heard.I am sure that MSNBC will fold to political pressure from loud mouths like Sharpton and Jackson. Go ahead and show how weak you really are. Sad day for Imus,but he will rise above it all and win in the end. Don Imus,we're behind you,say what you want,when you want and how you want. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116833Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:54:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116833Jim BeverlinImus program lives on insults and barbs, you will just lose viewers. He need to stop saying he is sorrow (forever) He should not be made to gravel or be insulted to his face. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116836Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:12:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116836Jean Sanders Fort Myers, FloridaWhen I first started watching Imus years ago, I could not stand him! Arrogant, mean, old nasty person. Could not understand why I kept watching him. Now, of course, I love this mean old buzzard, cuz I know him! He is a great guy with a great heart who has the guts to say the things most of us are thinking. He crossed the line... he knows it and is bending over backwards to heal the pain he caused. Let's move on. Jean in Floridahttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116837Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:15:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116837Judith RussellI am very surprised at the comment made about Imus last night regarding Olberman's appearance on Imus' show at one time and his comment that he would not have ever returned, Keith also stated that he did not want to air his reason then, however he chose to make that sly remark last night when along with everone else, taking a poke at the wounded Imus,seemed to be his opportunity to tell that bit of information. I thought Keith was a classier guy than that. I certainly hope he never makes any major gaffes in his lifetime. I am not a fan of Imus, however, I was a fan of Keith.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116839Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:29:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116839AImus' comments are appauling and he should be fired...end of story. Anything less is unacceptable.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116843Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:07:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116843Barbara Dietrich, St Peters, MOOK, Everyone take a deep breath! You know if we keep going, adults won't have comedy as an escape and release from all the stress and terrible travesties ( war, homelessness, starving people, debt...) going on in this country. We all read jokes that are far more disturbing. I love edgy comedy yet some comedians, e-mails, songs, that are far more disturbing. I watch the Imus show almost every morning and have listened to Imus for years. Not anything that went on last Wednesday, was any different than any other show, but their joking went to far over the line. If any of you are a real Imus Show follower, and I was listening when that took place, it was normal banter, until the statement went to far. I am not saying it is right, I am saying the Imus program has always been edgy and funny. So why is this so different? I find it very hard to believe that a true fan of this show found it anything other than pushing the envelope. Imus and the rest of the Imus show team say much worse to each other or other's that come on the show. I can turn on one of the HBO channels and watch a movie, then the next thing I know there are naked people going having sex. Now it is my choice to watch it or turn the channel. That is cable, you hear well-respected News Anchors using language you won't hear on other stations. You have your personal preferences as what you watch, and what you listen to. But I do know this, Imus is not this racist so many are jumping on their own little soapbox. If you are that PC, then you are not a fan of the Imus show. If you are a true fan of the show, then again you know that Imus is a good man, has for many years done wonderful deeds for many and especially children of all color, gender etc...! NOT AT ALL IN HIS DEFENSE, how many of you ever said " You People"? I was watching and Sharpton tried to jump on that. We have all said that and it was that simple. It is going to be that we are going to loose our comedians, musicians, even the jokes we share via e-mail. If by now if we can not laugh at ourselves, others and it not be made out to be more than it was intended. The only ones that Imus needs to express his clearly obvious, sincere regret and embarrassment to are the young woman affected by his joking around that went to far. That is far as this should have went, Imus Show is edgy, and has not been a PC show. So you are watching the wrong show or you have read or heard about it second hand and weighing in on the snippets only and some are using it as a political weapon, like the WMD's, to fuel a joke gone bad. So leave it to Don Imus and the young women referred to. You may want to look at what is underneath that soapbox you are standing on. This was a sports report, had nothing to do with politics'. Here you want to jump on a soapbox and get outraged start here. I think we are a country in mourning. All of our senses and feelings are raw. We are tired, frightened, confused, angry, lonely and many more emotions than we know how to deal with. We have a "war" going on half way around the world in 2 countries that we have lost 3289 (DOD), last I read was reported was of a 21 Year old male only being in Iraq for 1 and1/2 months. There are 26,188 that is being reported (DOD) as wounded, yet there are 205,000 from Iraq and Afghanistan currently in the Military Medical System (V.A.). In the 50 months we have been in Iraq, the lowest U.S. military number of deaths per month is 20 (2/04) and the highest being 137 (11/04). In the last 28 months and 10 days since that horrible number of lost troops we have lost 2025 (DOD) more. In the first 10 days of this month of April we have already lost 41, 42 with the 21 year old I just read about. That is not to mention the wounded which is not listed per month, just the 26,188 as above. So now we know we are not in Iraq fighting because of imminent threat of a mushroom cloud, WMD, Hussein and Bin Laden and September 11th, 2001. We know we remain there to fix what was broken. We know there is a Civil War and we know OUR Troops are right there in the middle of. I have not even talked about Afghanistan where the Taliban is about to resurface in a big way. We are sending in more troops, too many without any desert training. We have carriers in the Persian Gulf fueling tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Why are we in Iraq? But hey lets talk about Don Imus, Britney Spears, Anna Nichole (RIP), the way the Brits handled their kidnapping, and the rest of the horror like this. We even have Presidential Candidates starting out early…hmmm! 25, 26 million for the 1st quarter. That is insane. We have 2 Wars going, we have a failed Medical System, we have New Orleans that needs to STILL be rebuilt, how are those levees! We have people having their homes foreclosed on because of bad loans, rates, and inflated property values. We already have million plus homeless. Now remember census shows that 1 out of 3 are Vietnam Veterans. We have a multitude of issues both at the Federal and Sate Level that needs OUR attention. Then we have Bush, Rove, Cheney, Gonzales to many to mention. The Patriot Act vs the United States Constitution. We have people that degrade the widows of September 11, 2001. We have grieving Mothers, Fathers, Wives, children and grandparents from September 11th and from the 2 Wars. All that can be discussed is that a rough, edgy broadcaster went to far. Who is clearly taking responsibility for his comments that most saw on youtube or heard or read about. Oh and don't forget today you can find out who the daddy of Anna Nichols baby is. Just maybe it is time that people take a long deep breath, close your eyes and remember where you were September 11. 2001. Remember how you felt. You were not Republican, you were not a Democrat! You were a full blooded AMERICAN that day. Now keep that feeling and look around at what is really going on in this country. What do you see? Do you see a country that is divided and needs to be healed? Ask yourself why, write it down. Keep those feelings and continue to listen to the MEDIA. Now pay attention to what you are not HEARING ABOUT! WHY? God Bless You All and God Bless this Great Country. Last but by far least, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS and bring them home to us and their Loving Families. Barbara Dietrich http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116855Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:25:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116855Tru M., Cleveland, OhioJeff, it's too bad you didn't hear Keith on Dan Patrick's show on ESPN Radion yesterday. Dan got Keith to give some pretty honest answers about how he feels about the Imus situation. You have to admit, he's in a bind here. What would YOU do if one of your coworkers said something completely inappropriate on the job and others were calling for him to be fired? Would it be your place to be among those calling for his firing, or are you better off expressing your dislike of what he said while leaving it up to management as to whether to fire him or not? If he were not working for the same company as you, but for a rival, it would be a whole lot easier to say "He should be fired." And that's exactly the position Keith is in. I think he's handled the situation well by making it clear that he has as little to do with Imus as possible and does not approve at all of what he said without joining the chorus of people calling for his head. Because he's just not in a position where doing that kind of thing is either prudent or necessary, for him. And it's actually quite a mature stance, considering that Imus has never treated Keith himself with the same courtesy, and has frequently ridiculed him on Imus's own show. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116865Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:34:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116865Paul ErsteinWhile I think that Don Imus's suspension is fair, and I certainly think CBS and MSNBC had the obligation and right to say to everybody that Imus had crossed the line, I also think that Don's charitable work record should also be noted and appreciated. He has been much more than just a shock jock for many years. He has proven to be a champion for sick children and our brave soldiers. He is not a simple, "black and white" person, and I know in my heart, that the only true rightful judge of people, the Almighty God in heaven, recognizes all of Don's activites, just as he judges, and forgives us all. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116873Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:42:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116873Kitty Haugh,Waynesboro,Penna.If Don Imus had made fun of a predominatly white basketball team-the comments would have gotten laughs-but not media attention as is happening now. He's a good person,has done alot for children of all colors.Get a grip-this is a comedy/talk show-his viewers get it!!!! http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116880Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:48:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116880Butch Lord Martinez Ga. Jane Fonda comits treason and apoligizes and all is well I Man makes a bad statment and is murdered by all the liberals that use freedom of speech to spue their poisionhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#116977Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:34:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:116977Colleen, Southern UtahI happen to agree with Mr. McCoy, Imus definitely should have been named "Worst person in the World". Of course, I've never cared for the crass SOB and can't stand to watch him. In fact, I rate him right up there with Billo so I may just be biased.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#117098Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:44:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:117098Fred Carter Newport News, VASuppose Imus had call jewish girls kikes, or denied the holocaust. Anyone who called Gwen Ifill a "cleaning woman" should have been gone in a flash. Rev. Fred Carterhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#117938Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:19:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:117938MDS, Camdenton, MOI am not sure what all the fuss is about. what Imus said may have been a racial. when i watch TV and see comedians like Eddie Murphy and others say worse things, nothing is ever said about that.I think that the reaction of Rev Jackson is racist because a black person can talk like that and a white person cant. What happen to freedom of speech? http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#119138Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:53:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:119138ShirlI agree with Paul Erstine, he said it well! I also have faith in Dan Abrams and MSNBC. One thing forgotten is Al Sharpton is fake and looks for something to jump on to call attention to himself!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#119250Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:57:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:119250ShirlYou can take and say anything and it becomes racial if the person who wants to make it racial!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#119347Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:59:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:119347Terry Ballard, Merrick, New YorkI followed Jean's experience of thinking Imus' show was a total waste of time and then somehow getting hooked. He really is a nasty old curmudgeon, but he's often fun to watch. I had to turn off the TV yesterday when he launched into a rant about how much good he does with sick children. He is, however, human and prone to horrible mistakes as we all are. Even Jessie Jackson who made a vicious anti-semitic slur years ago, and Reverend Al who helped with a highly questionable kidnap story. They should welcome Imus to the club of the fallible and move on. Keith's handling of the story was right on the money.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#119887Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:14:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:119887Victor21We've become a society of panty-wasted, thin-skinned wimps! Don Imus is on the air everyday...LIVE! The man is going to goof up or have a lapse in judgement every one in a while. The Reverends Sharpton & Jackson are looking for the tallest tree to lynch Mr. Imus and we're standing back and watching it all happen. Mr. Imus's efforts and contributions to charity are well documented. He cannot and should not be put in the same category as the other recent PC offenders(you know who I'm talking about). Perhaps we should re-surface the Rev. Jackson's "hymie" remarks and punish him for his insensitivity and fire hime from his "so-called church." If Don Imus is the biggest issue that the Reverends Sharpton & Jackson have to be up in arms about instead of being concerned with the many socio-economic problems that the black community faces on a daily basis, then I guess thing must be OK. Or, perhaps it's another golden opportunity for them to get some "face-time" in the national media. The whole thing just stinks to the high heaven. As I have said, we've become a society of panty-wasted, thin-skinned wimps. And we're going to stand back and watch and not do or say a single thing. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#120040Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:19:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:120040C A, Tuscaloosa, ALKeith: I'll bet some of the Iraqis pictured at the toppling of the statute of Saddam are some of the same Iraqis acting as insurgents today taking pot shots at the American service personnel who provided them the freedom and opportunity to topple the statute. People live in a world of immediate gratification and will do whatever satisfies them in the short term. The Iraqis got a buzz toppling Saddams statute. But after the excitement of the day ended it no longer satisfied their chaotic lives. They then realized that their miserable lives were made even more chaotic due to this invasion. So now they have found a new purpose to satisfy their need for immediate gratification and to keep their misery in check. Turn on the Americans. Chaos is self-perpetuating and if you are standing near the bounderies you will become a target of that chaos. Stability, securiity and peace takes work. It is easier for a person or a group of people to claim victimization and to seek rectification then it is to accept accountability and rely on oneself to achieve that which is desired. Whether in Iraq or with any people sharing a common feature blaming others is so much easier then pulling oneself up by the boot straps and working hard to ensure a successful future. The people of Iraq will not understand or accept this until they can replace their current chosen purpose (resenting American occupation) with a purpose of rebuilding their country. They will continue to wallow in a world of victimization until they no longer have the Americans there to blame for their plight, right or wrong. It is time to leave Iraq. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#120290Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:26:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:120290scott henderson nvThe Imus thing is all about money and advertising. Hell I didn't even know the Honorable Reverend Al Sharpton had a radio show until this little mishap. Didn’t Sharpton have some rather unkind things to say about the Jewish people? I guess only politically correct minorities are protected.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#120329Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:27:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:120329Serious MoonlightRe:Romney, the thing that came to my mind was the "upper class twit" competition skit from Monty Python, where the armed twits attempt to shoot small (dead) animals that are tied up to stakes. It's on YouTube and funny as heck. As for Imus, not funny--a total non sequitur.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#120515Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:32:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:120515Chantal NoisinI don’t understand why MSNBC does not fire Imus. So many Caucasian males have come to Imus’s defense; it makes me question their authenticity. These men need to walk in these young ladies shoes. If those same Caucasian men’s daughter had been called “bleach blond hoe”, on national TV, would they still defend Imus? If any man calls “YOUR” daughter a whore, is it okay to defend him? Yes, perhaps Imus has a good heart and he may be a good person; however, If the president of MSNBC’s daughter had been called a “Hoe”, would THIS employee still have a job? The fact that these young ladies are not YOUR daughter’s, should not discount the insult that was directed at them, by a reputable national news organization. 1. His comment is a direct insult to all young ladies of every ethnic group. Why is a girl’s athletic team being associated with a brothel? How does someone connect the dots of young ladies participating in sporting event with a word that is associated with sexual activities? Even ladies who are in the “business”, who are “professionals”, do not want to be called whores. How can we as a society, take lightly, someone who calls young college students whores? 2. His comment about the young lady’s hair is just another confirmation that if you don’t have straight hair, you just don’t measure up. In reference to the “Comb” test that was implemented in South Africa, it seems that this is Imus’s standard of hair approval. Why is he discussing the young athlete’s hair, in the first place? It’s no wonder; so many young ladies are concerned about having a “bad hair day”, depending on the weather conditions. It’s another confirmation that a “bad hair day” is really associated with non-straight hair. 3. In reference to the team. How do the young ladies on the team continue to bond when someone goes on National TV and divides the “nappy-haired girl from the straight-haired girls”? 4. His defense that “black wrappers” and “black men” use this language to describe black girls is disgusting. These young girls have worked very hard to GET OUT of that environment of insults, only to be reminded on national TV, that despite their accomplishment, they are still “nappy-haired hoe”. 5. A national television show should NOT promote or become an offensive ghetto environment. 6. A national television show should have positive, upbeat comments towards all young college students who are doing something constructive with their lives and who are representing their respective college with honor. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#121168Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:53:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:121168R Roger BeckSorry, folks, racism is racism; end of story. So-called 'shock jocks' pander to the worst in all of us. A two-week suspension for Imus wasn't a slap on the wrist, it was a slap on the pinkie for Imus. He'll take a two-week vacation (unpaid) but he won't learn a thing. MSNBC and CBS should suspend him for 6 months. Now THAT would get the point across. Considering that Imus has made these type of racist remarks before, he needs a real 'time out' to consider his deplorable actions.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#121434Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:03:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:121434C A, Tuscaloosa, ALIt is amazing to me how anyone could call for the serious penailization of another for words they themselves at one time have expresed or thoughts they themselves have had. Perhaps not of the same exact nature as Imus but with some form of predjudice or malice behind the expression or thought. No one in here is inncocent. It is also amazing to me that some would suggest it is ok to express prejudicial remarks or have predjudicial thoughts because those from another group or race have also used derogatory remarks or had derogatory thoughts. No one in here is innocent of that. Racism and predjudice is a character flaw of mankind, all mankind, and will not be rectified until we stop the judging, look within ourselves, and determine the best way for us to rid ourselves of predjudice. Imus has to do the same for himself. All this judging and blame, who is right, who is wrong, gives me a headache and makes me want to shout "stop it". Stop it Imus, stop it Al Sharpton, stop it Caucasions, stop it African Americans, stop it Hispanics, stop it bloggers, just "stop it". The more you argue about predjudice and try to determine who is right and who is wrong the worse you make it. The more we encourage talk of differences in this manner the worse we make it. Accept that all people are human beings first (just like you, just like me). And when we can do that then we will be mature enough to celebrate differences. You, do that for yourself, and stop telling others how they need to do it for themselves. Each of us has to find our own way on how to learn to accept and respect others no matter the differences. I'll be damned if I would place myself on the chopping block as Imus did when appearing on the Al Sharpton program. If I make an error in expression or thought that offends someone I will deal directly with my own flaws and directly with the people I have offended (not the race or group or anyone who claims to represent the same). I would go straight to the Rutgers players I have offended, apologize and seek their help by getting to know them as people and to rid myself of my predjudies. They are the ones who I owe an explanation. Not anyone else. Not Al Sharpton, not anyone here, no one else. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#122124Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:29:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:122124Lisa, NYC, NYKeith: Please keep on the story about Regent's law school and the Republicans' insidious efforts to place hundreds of their graduates into the Justice Department, where they can subvert the work that the Department was designed to do. This is a huge story, which the mainstream media has overlooked. It will have much bigger implications for Americans than will Imus's racial slur. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#122408Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:39:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:122408Catherine, Peachtree City, GAFIRE IMUS NOW!!!!! If Olbermann or Brian Williams or Matt Lauer spewed the same filth, they'd already be gone. Imus' contention that African Americans do the same is not mitigating. Two wrongs never made a right. The Rutgers coach is right, we have lost sight of the young women we should be celebrating, and holding up as an example to girls everywhere. FIRE IMUS NOW!!! You don't need friends like that, there are plenty of funny out-of-work radio personalities who would be thrilled to have a shot at Imus' job. Hold an on-air audition to replace him, and watch your ratings go through the roof.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#122963Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:03:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:122963DCohn, Cleveland,OHPeople are attacking Imus and not realizing that they sound just as bad. Whether your race, religion or sex,relax. I know this is the hottest topic since Anna Nicole and Trump wrestling Mr. McMann from the WWF, this is a man well known for also being a shock jock. I used to listen to Howard Stern and decided I could not take it any more. It doesnt matter what you look like, there are always going to be people who feel the need to attack, make fun of and demean you .It goes all the way to newsman and journalists. Look at Bill O', he goes off at the drop of a coin. He did so with Geraldo and anyone else who disagrees with him. Tell me how professional he is. Mr Imus does some great work with kids, the punishment fits the crime. He professes he will change, the proof is in the pudding. The nice thing is we have a venue of public tv and radio we also have a choice whether to tune in or not. It is nice KO does not play into power trips and I dont think he is cut from ths same cloth as certain people either. Thank goodness! We as humans, need to be a little more gentler and kinder to people. Sounding off and calling this man names and who says what on various tv shows is just pouring gasoline on a fire. Eventually everyone gets burned.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#123115Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:09:37 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:123115Karlheinz CarnahanI can't understand the big fuss over Imus's comment.Rev Sharpton just needs to attract more attention to himself and his "supposed"cause for the black race.This racial thing is getting way out of hand too.It seems that whites are the only ones to be available to be the brunt of jokes.Remember Eddie Murphy,Richard Prior,any non-white comedian?I'm seeing if you're not white you can say anything,if you are,you have to watch what you say.Whatever happened to equal rights?It sure looks to be getting one sided.I'm not saying this comment was right but look who it came from.An independant equal oppertunity jokester.Get off Imus and grow up!He is a great American and doesn't deserve to be dragged through the mud by over sensative-one sided-onlookers.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#123694Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:33:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:123694Sally Sharp-PaulsenKeith-- I've been describing you to those who haven't seen you as the Ed Murrow of our times, a newscaster we've needed in the wasteland of American culture for a long time. One of the many reasons I watch your show religiously is that unlike Imus and Billo and the rest of the hate-spewing talking heads, I've only ever seen you go after the rich,the powerful--not the poor, the vulnerable and powerless. Please keep on like you have been!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#124094Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:49:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:124094Tsalagi, Black, MO.Had this been a "White" basketball team, nothing would have ever been said nor done about the I man's comment. Seem's to me the White's of this country can be called every thing in the book by Black's and that is ok but if a white person says anything to them or about them, they instantly play the Black card. I'm sick of it. I had never been a racist, but with all the bashing and give me attitude coming from the "Black's", I am becoming one. Until people of all colors grow up and take responsiblity for their own lives and realize skin color has nothing to do with who we are but what lies underneath the skin and what we do with it, is what counts. As for the so called preacher "Al", get a life and mind your own business and stop sticking it in every where. YOU are nothing but a "s--t" disturber and in NO WAY does the title Reverend go with you. You are not someone to be reverenced!!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#124531Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:06:21 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:124531Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaNow everyone, with everything that's going on in the world, enough Imus. I believe enough has been dedicated on this blog, and we should move on with critical issues facing our country, i.e. Iraq, our civil liberties being bombed by George W. Bush, Congress and their fight to hold the moron in the White House accountable, etc. etc. Come on everyone, this "IS" our future!! Let's "Move.On" - Pamhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#124677Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:11:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:124677Jean Sanders Fort Myers, FloridaI just had the pleasure of watching an incredible group of young women and their coach from Rutgers. They were very impressive and will forever change my opinion of what I perceived women who played basketball to be, and I am not talking about race. There are no accidents and this has turned out to be a very important moment in time indeed. In no way does this excuse Don, but let's take a moment and reflect on the dignity, honor and courage we were able to witness from these ladies. Had this incident not occured, we may never have had the opportunity to see what a class act these women are. This is a moment they can take with them for the rest of their lives. In life, we can not always help what others may say or do, but we can choose how we respond to the situation. All of these women can forever hold their heads up high and should be able to look back at this time with great pride. When looking from this perspective, Don Imus becomes rather insignificant. There is no excuse for his comments, but to be fair, he insults everyone! For goodness sake, here we have a man the calls the Vice President of the United States "pork chop butt". In my heart of hearts, I do not think he intended the hurt he inflicted on these young women with his racist remarks. I think Amy summed it up best when she said that "he is an equal opportunity offender."http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#124679Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:11:49 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:124679C A, Tuscaloosa, ALBarbara-St.Peters, Mo: Very nice post Barbara. Your list of very important issues facing this country is impressive and right on. And when it gets down to the wire on many issues Americans eventually do what is necessary I suppose to meet he challenges facing this country. But keep in mind that the American people are a soap opera society. They might be more interested in what happens tomorrow on Days of Our Lives then the fact we might lose another 21 year old in Iraq. The popularity and attention getters as Anna Nichole, Brittney Spears shaving her head, who wins American Idol and the like show that Americans are in need of something they think is new and exciting to stimulate their daily lives which are often the same humdrum boring routines day in and day out. Americans also have a short attention span. Iraq has been going on for years now and people are losing interest in seeing the chaos every night on the evening news. Then you have the thousands whose lives are not personally connected to Iraq on a daily basis or who watch the conflict play out from a distance as they do not have a loved one participating in the fighting there. This all seems harsh I know but it is true. All the American people want is a decent way to make a living, to be able to go home at the end of the day and have a good laugh, and give themselves some time to turn off the brain to anything that causes them more stress and sleepless nights. Television itself is a prime example of how the American society functions. Most households have two or more televisions that go on early in the morning and stay on until bedtime. It is a device that allows people to idle down giving others the opening to do their entertaining and thinking for them. It is a society that has become so complex that just making it through each day has become a challenge. You were correct in suggesting Americans take a deep breadth. It should be followed by a review of their priorities and and whether or not they really want to place Anna Nichole or American Idol on the same level of importance and attention as the 21 year old who loses his life in Iraq. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#125060Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:26:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:125060Victoria Sutherland, Kerrville, TexasI somehow feel demeaned at having to watch Don Imus apologize to the likes of Al Sharpton - this must be a bad dream? Sharpton is now the epitome of all that is honest & true in America? I'm getting in the fetal position & pulling the covers over my head - and we wonder how we got where we are today in this country...............help!!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#125500Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:43:22 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:125500Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaKEITH!! Thank you for your following preview of tonight's show!! "President Bush on Tuesday invited Democrats to discuss their standoff over a War-spending bill, but he made clear he would not change his position opposing Troop withdrawals. The White House bluntly said the meeting would not be a negotiation." We can now move on from Imus, as I believe everyone who could possible have weighed in on his comments have, thus we can move on to issues, which are literally taking the lives of so many innocent human beings!! Ok, so that I further understand the complete irrationality of George W. Bush, he wants to a.) Meet with Congress to discuss the war spending Bill, but b.) Prior to this meeting, he has stated he will not budge on his veto threat should there be ties to benchmarks, time tables or troop withdrawals. I guess he would be willing to reconsider his “veto” for such important things like when the soldiers can change their underwear, when he soldiers can brush their teeth, and let us not forget, when they have permission to use the bathroom!! Yes, once again, George W. Bush is extending his “hands of arrogance”. To say he defies any and all logic is the largest understatement any person could make. Again, George W. Bush can kiss my ass!! http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#125536Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:45:02 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:125536Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaHouston Burnside, Jr., La Mesa, CA - "Pam" will always "strike" when comments are factually incorrect, fascist, written by individuals' minus brains cells who lack the ability to put together a debate or an intelligent argument or those who defend George W. Bush by stating “it’s really all Bill Clinton’s fault!! NO!! These people should never be allowed to escape the "reality" of their ill-informed, fascist comments or brainless and ludicrous comments. I will always call them their crap!! Frankly, that's what got this country in the mess it's in now!! Not until President Bill Clinton FINALLY, via the Fox News Network’s “preemptive "attack on him", which the far more intelligent former president blasted Chris, and made him appear utterly idiotic, did someone finally have the guts to speak the truth and attack George W. Bush for his complete failure in the eight months prior to 9/11!! His then nearly "FIVE-YEAR PASS" for his absolute malfunction of a presidency during this eight-month-period of his Administration came to an immediate and screeching halt – courtesy of the brilliance of President Bill Clinton. Shown all over the world - and over and over again as it should have been, George W. Bush was exposed for the incompetent and deplorable excuse for the “president” he was!! At least President Clinton didn't stoop as low as to point out during the course of his first eight months in office, five of those months were spent “vacationing” in Crawford. President Clinton showed more class than me, as I would have gone for the jugular!! So, “Houston”, we have NO problem understanding where I stand!! Thanks to the brilliant President Clinton!! Thank you, "Houston".... http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#125565Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:46:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:125565Steve, Bronx, New YorkRemember when CBS news stood for integrity, and honest, and great reportage? What has become of THAT CBS? The Ed Murrows, Douglas Edwards, Robert Trouts and the like? This would have been a side bar back when CBS was respectable. The "racist" double standard that CBS is supporting has to end. I agree that Mr Imus' remarks were insenstive and worthy of an apology and some form of punishment. Two weeks off the air is more than sufficient. What troubles me is that ,when any white person in media makes this kind of mistake, the minority community refuses to accept any mea culpas. They insist that as the injured party THEY make the judgement. When, however, the person who makes the mistake is a minority, no one but a minority is allowed to question the person or pass judgement. There are no two bigger profits of the racist double standard than Jess Jackson and Al Sharpton. Jesse Jackson referred to New York as Hymietown a racial invitive against the Jewish population of New York. There has never been an apology. Never been any punishment. Indeed, during the pinnacle of the Crown Heights debacle Sharpton referred to Jews as diamond merchants. Jess Jackson criticized Judge Clarence Thomas as being worse than the KKK for the judge's views on affirmatiove action. Two alleged men of God spewing forth such hatred does not lead to the healing they profess to be for. know that The Rev Calvin Butts stands at the pulpit of The Abysinnian Baptist church and decries racism. He is eloquent and I have always seen him as a man determined to represent the decency of the God he preaches about. Sharpton and Jackson though do not appear to have a regular spiritual pulpit they stand at. The only pulpit they stand at is for self aggrandizement. It has never helped black people and I personally think Dr. King would have been appalled by them. Sean McManus and the people of CBS should take the high road and stop giving air time to ALL racist behavior whether white or black. Race relations do not need to be further polarized by two men who only appear to further their own standings in keeping racial tensions alive. It is appalling that CBS continue to support these men by giving them air time that could be better served by stories of people who have worked hard to mitigate racial tensions. Report fairly or not at all Mr McManus. am suggesting that we start a chain letter to Sean McManus President of CBS News and Sports villifying him personally for the media double standard and demanding HIS resignation. I also want to see the head of CBS records, and any record company that allows the words *** and ho's to be heard on their label, resign. This language has infected children of all color and if it continues we will have a nation of adults (in a few years) that have no respect for themselves OR others. How has the use of the words *** and ho's by rap "artists" enriched minority community. One standarf for All. Demand the resignantion of Sean McManus by emailing CBS. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#125600Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:47:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:125600Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaC A - Right on!! Brilliant - that's all I can say!! WOW!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126010Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:05:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126010Don Taylor, Phoenix ArizonaWho are they? What kind of diminished intellectual capacity does it take to listen to Talk Radio Hosts/Shock Jocks, the likes of Imus, Limbaugh, Stern, King, Liddy and more? These people are like growers of mushrooms feeding on and encouraging paranoia. I am reminded of perverts and peep shows. Would the audience be as large or would the Jocks be so insensitive if they were exposed to the bright lights of television?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126057Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:08:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126057Barb G, Albany NYwell, i've been thinking about this all day, and i still believe that the first amendment allows everybody to say anything................but then there is civility and prudence. i just read Gwen's op-ed, and Al Rokers, and frankly, its time for I-Man to go back to the ranch and stay there. he was funny in the 70s. he made fun of presidents, evangelists, commercials, bob dylan... all famous people, and well, if you're famous, you gotta take it. but gwen wasn't famous [yet] when he called her a cleaning lady, and the rutgers team are just kids. maybe it is time to pull the plug on ya Imus -- you've been a closet racist all along. any women and people of color should boycott his show, and if asked, should not appear on his show, and before too long, they wont have to fire him. he will just go away. Go away, I-man. and take ALL the trash talkers with you.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126076Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:09:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126076Gil Amaral-- Westerly, RIPLEASE! I am going to get sick. As a nation, we make heroes out of life's losers(Howard Stern, Don Imus) and we glorify the king's and queens of smut and female degredation(Snoop Dog, 50 cent etc.) on MTV and then when it is convenient,our social conscious explodes comically when the posers like Sharpton who are known to hang with these purveyors of racism and smut call for rightous indignation. The women of Rutgers should be upset, and to show they mean business, they should go to their respective dorms and throw out all of their favorite itunes and CD's that created this vulgar language and culture of sexist garbage(I will stake my life that each one possesses the music that glorifies this lifestyle). If you mean business, then live it! Plain and simple. We are such phonies...http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126682Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:37:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126682S. Anderson, Dallas, TexasFIRE IMUS NOW!!!!! He was a jerk before, but this is beyond jerk. This was a clearly a racist remark from a racist. Those words and thoughts are NOT FUNNY they are cruel and racist! I am a white female, but I feel the pain of this insult ... two week suspension is a joke. I love MSNBC, but if Imus remains it clearly shows MSNBC has to pander to the "fools" out there that actually tune in to this listen to this jerk. Maybe you could try to raise the quality of your programs and aim higher than the "S..." that comes out of Imas' mouth. I am also disappointed in the blogs supporting Imas. The blindness to his clear disrespect for women and blacks is also beyond belief. Why can't you find another intelligent human like Olbermann, who has a brain and can actually articulate on a level beyond grade school to replace him. Not the "stupid hick" that Imas has always been and always will be. I stopped watching MSNBC a long time ago, avoiding this "clearly apparent fool"! http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126737Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:39:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126737Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaOkay, I'll try to "Move.On" again to more important issues facing our world!! KEITH!! Thank you for your following preview of tonight's show!! "President Bush on Tuesday invited Democrats to discuss their standoff over a War-spending bill, but he made clear he would not change his position opposing Troop withdrawals. The White House bluntly said the meeting would not be a negotiation." We can now move on from Imus, as I believe everyone who could possibly have weighed in on his comments have; thus we can move on to issues, which are literally taking the lives of so many innocent human beings!! Ok, so that I further understand the complete irrationality of George W. Bush, he wants to a.) Meet with Congress to discuss the war spending Bill, but b.) Prior to this meeting, he has stated he will not budge on his veto threat should there be ties to benchmarks, time tables or troop withdrawals. I guess he would be willing to reconsider his “veto” for such important things like when the soldiers can change their underwear, when he soldiers can brush their teeth, and let us not forget, when they have permission to use the bathroom!! Yes, once again, George W. Bush is extending his “hands of arrogance”. To say he defies any and all logic is the largest understatement any person could make. Again, George W. Bush can kiss my ass!! http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126833Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:44:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126833Maria, Bradenton FLRegarding the Imus kerfluffle: First, I'm really struggling here with the comments from white people, all outraged and somehow suggesting that in *this* society, black people critcizing/poking fun at each other as a form of entertainment is somehow equivalent to a white person making an ugly racist sexist remark on national media. The misogynistic rappers aside, people, we still live in a very racist society...which is apparent to me by all the defense of Imus's disgusting comment as "Well, that's what they call each other!" It's not the same thing. Not at all. The same thing would be a national media figure OF COLOR saying something equally offensive about a group of white women, while on the job in front of a mic. The only instance of that I can think of that comes close would be Jackson's slur on Jews, which was actually a private remark. OTOH, Imus has apologized, and he's been put on "time out" by CBS, and I believe the old crank will think twice now before he speaks, which he should. I hope he's apologized directly to the Rutgers team. They really deserve it. Now, what about that war? And climate change? And the economy? http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#126976Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:52:52 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:126976Lucille, W. Collingswood, NJImus = toxic racism + sexist pollution. People talk about all the good he does for sick kids, well I wouldn't want him around my kids! His words speek louder than his actions! He should be firedhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#127643Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:31:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:127643Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaGil Amaral-- Westerly, RI - How dare you make comments like this? You know NONE of these young women personally!! It is comments like these, racist and bigoted that is at the root of evil!! You have NO idea what type of music they listen to, or for matter, what they eat for lunch!! You, Gil Amaral, need a lifetime membership at Los Angeles' "Museum of Tolerance". Your horrid comments are appalling!! I won't waste any more time on this subject, or on anyone who would be so insensitive to further "fuel the fire". Let it go, as this is between Imus and these young women. They will meet and hopefully, will act much more mature than what your comments represent!!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#127816Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:41:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:127816PatIt appears that the line we would never dream of crossing has gone with the wind. What happened to standards? Listen to the radio, watch tv, read blogs, listen to our politicians - it's become awful. What about crime in the inner cities. Hate and disrespect are everywhere. Sharpton, Jackson, Imus - you almost have to wonder if the inmates are indeed running the asylum. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#129438Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:07:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:129438Lamont WilliamsBeing a blackman myself I think everyone is blowing it out of context looking at how he said it and how he used the words you can tell he wasn't talking about a race so Al Sharpton and others is wrong he was comparing the women of the Rutgers team and the Tenn team and how they look different, for before they made the comment it was said they "look rough" not black women look rough and then Imus said yeah " nappy headed hoes" bad joke but not racist for he was strictly speaking of a particular group the Rutgers basketball team if it was a blackman that made the joke it would have still been of poor taste but not blown out of portion like it is.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#129564Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:52:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:129564Jack,Philadelphia,PAKeith..You are the boldest man in broadcast journalism today. Your statements regarding Bush and the hollow ground [re: 9/11] were the most unbiased, sincere and honest statements I've heard in over the airwaves in over a decade. I saw this post in response to the entire IMUS situation left anonymously by someone in response to Allen's blog. If anyone has the guts to read this on the air..you are the only hope. Personally it took me right back to the Fab FIve at Michigan when street was allowed blantantly into amatuer athletics. I also think it could bring about a great discussion about the TRUTH. [QUOTE] Mr. Allen, If you want to know what to tell your young girl with tightly curled hair when she asks why people are looking at her like that, tell her the truth. Tell her it’s because all anyone sees from the black community anymore are thugs. How can you ignore Rappers and their entourage, street gangs on every other corner in every major city in America, professional athletes who look, act and roll like street gangs, and yes both male and female amateur athletes from respected major universities who look and act and talk like common street thugs. Have you ever watched the NBA, listened to a Rap song, watched a movie, watched a TV show like Def comedy Jam or read a news paper? Your problem is NOT that a white radio host put all of those bad influences into words. Your problem is that those bad images are coming from the black community. Your problem in NOT that a white radio show pointed out that a woman’s basketball team looked rough like a common street gang. Your problem is that numerous respected major universities have basketball teams that actually look, act and talk like common street thugs. People within the black community like Bill Cosby and John Ridley among others have spoken out against this thug culture bombardment to only be ridiculed and have their work boycotted by the black community. The best I can put it is if you look like a thug, act like a thug and speak like a thug then you should expect to be treated like a thug. The fact that being treated like thugs spills over to people who don’t deserve it is one of the consequences of the popular thug culture that Bill and John are attempting to fight. John Ridley puts it like this: (Quote) In the forty years since the Deal was brokered, since the Voting Rights Act was signed, there have been successes for blacks. But there are still too many blacks in prison, too many kids aggrandizing the thug life, and way too many African-Americans doing far too little with the opportunities others earned for them. If we as a race could win the centuries-long war against institutionalized racism, why is it that so many of us cannot secure the advantage after decades of freedom? That which retards us is the worst of "us," those who disdain actual ascendancy gained by way of intellectual expansion and physical toil—who instead value the posture of an "urban," a "street," a "real" existence, no matter that such a culture threatens to render them extinct. [END OF QUOTE] Would you consider reading this on the air?http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#129641Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:20:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:129641Grulg, Topeka VTI think Imus was dead wrong and incredibly stupid in what he said, I think he's def. genuinely embarrassed, I think he's actually a decent person who can do more good than harm by being back on the air but chagrined afterwards. Sharpton to me=Tawona Brawley, zero credibility. I can't wait for the lords of public decency to give us the next 80 hours of non-stop Britney/Anna Nicole coverage.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#129758Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:14:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:129758C A, Tuscaloosa, ALJack-Philly: Nice piece Jack. Gives people a lot to think about. I am re-reading for a third time. I agree with the "act like a thug (which might include speak like a thug) be treated like a thug". I have a harder time with "look like a thug". Appearances do not necessarily provide a picture of the heart and we have to be very careful not to prejudge someone on their appearance. I know some teens that if you spotted them crossing the street in your direction in the manner they were dressed, their tatoos and the manner in which they wear their hair you might define them as thugs. But I know them to be well mannered law abiding kids who are good students, do volunteer work at nursing homes and who help build homes for people in low income neighborhoods. Your piece is well written, but we need to be careful not to prejudge someone based on appearance alone. And that is where a lot of predjudice can be found. Predjudice that is not based on one's behavior, but rather on one's outside appearance. That is wrong. If we constantly call young people thugs based on appearance alone they just might begin to believe they are thugs and follow with thug behavior. It's called living up to others expectations. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#130030Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:02:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130030Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, CaliforniaC A - A very inspiring and thoughtful response to Jack. You are correct in that "judging a book by its cover" is never correct, and can cause great harm. Thank you C A, as your words always make me think and I sit in awe of you so many times....http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#130081Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:56:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130081Brian Davis, Dell Rapids, SDPlease tell Keith Olberman and his producers and his writers that every time they feel the urge to call the "Occupation in Iraq" the "War in Iraq" to resist the temptation. It is not a war. It is an occupation. Call it what is is. Do not rail against spin while being beguiled into chanting the administration's mantra several times daily. Some believe that if you say an untrue thing often enough, people just end up excepting it. Not me. And nor should you. Stop it. It is not a war. It is an occupation. Call it what it is or else consider getting into the fake news business. I hope you can correct this error, I love the show. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#130136Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:51:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130136Spartacuz Rajah Pheral,Minneapolis,Mn.as i'v said to many others....all of this would be nil....if the world would just realize.....that everybody in the world are just light skin'd black people.....http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#130379Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:47:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130379GreggThe important difference between what Imus said and what some people pass off as rap lyrics is Imus' targets were real people, not someone made up for a song. These are real young women. They became his target. With rap music if you don't like it don't listen to it. Should much of that crap be banned? Absolutely. But if people would stop buying it, it would cease to exist. Imus used his very public platform to insult a group of young women that he doesn't even know. Sad really.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#130938Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:06:33 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:130938Jenny Thomas,Breckenridge,TexasKeith;Please don't join the media vigilante group that is out to hang Don Imus from the nearest tree. I'm an almost 75 yr. old white Tx woman.I start my day with Imus-sometimes I could slap him silly but hey-it gets the blood circulating.I end my day with Countdown and I don't always agree with you either but you always give me something to think about.I'm really sick of all the Imus bashing.Jennyhttp://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#131247Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:38:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131247Susan Gibbons, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania With all the dreck being said about Imus by the media in defense of the Rutgers women I have to ask where was the positive news about the team before this happened. Did Sharpton or Jackson even know who Virginia Stringer was? There was some news on the sports stations..and in the back of the papers. The outrage by the media is misplaced. Listen to what Coach Stringer said and is saying. Imus is not the problem. There is something bigger here. I hope she is refering to the cultural decline in this country and the promotion of bad behavior by the media who puts stories about Brittany on the front page and women of distinction like the Rutgers women on the back page. Imus is not the problem, he is a symptom. And those who want him fired and to vanish are in denial and do not want to open up this cultural decline for discussion. The coach gets it. I wish the media would. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#131609Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:13:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131609Ted Lingenheld, Raleigh, NCKeith, The only TV I bother to watch every day (besides MLB baseball) is Imus in the a.m. and Countdown in the p.m. My wife's and my daily ritual is to sit down for dinner watching you take the DC and other reactionary clowns to task, all with your trademark sarcasm and insight. Last night in your coverage of the Imus story you implied that you had been "reined in" by MSNBC management and would have more to say after he meets with the Rutgers women's team. You left the impression with us that you might even consider a "Special Comments" segment, and the tone of your reportage indicated you might let the hammer fall on Imus. If this is your game plan, please come to your senses before aligning yourself with all the media hype-ocrites and those who make a good living from the "outrage industry" by waiting to wail in the media about the transgressions, real or perceived, of others. Imus blew it on this one, big time. We all can see that. But anyone who does not place his contributions to humankind on the "scale" against this incident is more eager to punish than to permit him to learn from his error in judgment, and contribute to the national discourse on race in a productive way. If he's fired, he'll only go to XM satellite radio and most of us will lost touch. If he, indeed, delivers what he is promising, I dare say that he will contribute more to the national race climate than Al (Tawana) Sharpton, or Jesse (Hymie) Jetstream have combined to add in decades. Let's hold Imus accountable, but no more so than the so-called black leadership who have watched, from a more front row seat than most, the education system fail their community, and the "thug culture", with its continual references to "hos" and "bitches" predominate among black youth. Imus, with his incomparable ability to rally movers and shakers to get things done, will commit to this cause and produce meaningful and positive change. Please use your crystal ball on this one, and don't knee jerk a response to echo the party line of those without perspective who are calling for his removal from the airwaves. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#131831Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:35:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131831JW, ChicagoBarbara Dietrich, St Peters, MO, You have to read this book - Nemesis, by Chalmers Johnson. It will help you focus your frustration. CA & Pam too.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#131870Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:39:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:131870Kathryn Lanthier, Ft. Thomas, KYThis Imus mess is about power - how absolute power corrupts. He said it himself the other day. He has so much power. He is not the least bit sorry. Did any of you watch this morning? This is not about freedom of speech. That argument would not stand up in a middle school debate. All the regulars who frequent his world, are trying to justify how they could collude with someone with such poor judgement. ( they were trying to sell books, articles and campaigns) He has "black friends"? I have not heard one of them call....We don't need Imus to teach us about race relations. I do believe him when he says he is not racisit or sexist. He can't see it in himself. He really can't. He and his wife think it is ok that he publically calls her the "Green HO" Just because these folks fund raise does that make it ok? Everytime he opens his mouth it gets worse! Its time for he in his wife to retire off to the ranch and green and clean their mouths! BRAVO Keith for passing on the Imus world. You sir, are a class act. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#132174Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:09:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:132174S H, Houston Tx.Jack,Philadelphia,PA - This is what's wrong with your argument, you are looking at people and passing judgment with out them ever saying a word, that in it self presents major flaws. Since most people on here are crying about a double standard lets evaluate that. Whites do say and make fun on black and for the most part black say nothing for fear of hearing the so called "race card" so they stay silent. Black comedians do it and so do whites have you ever watched comic view? This was not Imus first offense or even his first apology it was simply the last straw, and for those who say he in a equal opportunity offender, does that mean blacks should stay quiet? No it don't, and if another group wanted to then that's there right. Next how do you know that the people who are upset aren't people who have not been fighting rappers and others for the same thing? do you really think the media show you every thing that is happening in the Black community? you do realize that not all black people think the same? talk the same or enjoy the same music. Lastly should we assume that all bald whites are skin heads or if you see a person not dresses nice that they are trailer trash or maybe that someone in a truck with a flag is a gun toting redneck? no that would be absurd just the same as your argument. My advice for you would be to get to know a person before you judge them, better yet don't judge any one unless you want to be your self.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#133436Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:20:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133436Angela, Birmingham, ALI do not know why MSNBC has put up with Imus this long. I tried to watch a couple of years ago and I was appalled at the vicious attacks that he made against MSNBC's on-air talent - particularly Contessa Brewer. I just could not believe that MSNBC would allow him to sit there, in MSNBC's own studios and insult their employees. Imus says the comments about the Rutgers players were made in the context of a joke. Newsflash - it ain't funny. It's just mean and stupid. Just like a lot of what passes as humor on that program. They make vile attacks about the personal appearance of others. Hello, do these guys not own mirrors??? Lets see - there's wheezy, whiny, dried-up, scrawny Imus. There's Chuck with the really unnatural looking hair dye job. And Bernard - he's just supremely ugly - inside and out. He instigates much of the offensive "humor." I was watching one morning when he used the f-word on the air. I don't think Imus should be fired. It's been rather entertaining to watch his forced insincere apologies over and over again. Much more entertaining than his brand of humor. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#133514Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:29:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133514C A, Tuscaloosa, AlS H, Houston: good points. J W, Chicago: I'll read the book you suggest if you will agree to just read a book.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#133576Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:37:36 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:133576C A, Tuscaloosa, ALJ W-Chicago: I may have to apologize to you. Thought you were being facetious about the book but realize you were making an honest and helpful suggestion. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135128Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:47:53 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135128Lana Boldt, Ft. Wayne, INSo, now I 'get it'. We don't have 'freedom of speech'. We don't have to respect anyone's right to make a statement...even if we disagree with the content. "Religious" leaders, such as Sharpton, do not have forgiveness on their agenda. Any ethnic group can call itself 'names', but no one else can. And, I suppose then, that diversity is no longer allowed. What, exactly, do we stand for? http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135131Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:48:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135131Ceci, CTI am of race so mixed that the only thing that I have not been called is a 'honkey'. My daughter - nappy headed - I might add - and I routinely watch Imus. My nominee for worst person in the world is Steve Capas - is that his name? To bow to pressure in these circumstances is ridiculous. We understand that Imus' words were awful - but why is O'Reilly still on the air? If Jesse Jackson is representing a rainbow, where do I and the millions that are denigrated by the Hannities, O'Reillys, Limbaughs,Becks and Coulters of the world fit into Mr. jackson's spectrum? THis was a ridiculous decision following a ridiculous week. I feel for the females, but at the same time, Imus should have been left to meet them and see what came of it. I, and the 4 blacks in my household have turned off MSNBC - we are going to try and watch you at 8 - but who the hell knows. I'm disgusted. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135136Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:48:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135136Tim Boyle, North Port,FLIt's funny how this Imus thing happened a week ago and now that advertisers are threatening to leave, NBC's news chief has decided to stop airing the Imus show. I am not a fan of the Imus show but from what I've seen of it this is just the kind of show it is and that's what the people that like it watch it for. I've heard him say some pretty awful things about people that I like and thought it outrageous but didn't want him hung for it. I plan on doing my own protest. I won't be buying from any of the companies that threatened to pull advertising from MSNBC. I know it won't hurt them but it will give me satisfaction. Come on Steve Capus admit it, it's because of the money and not your desire for any moral high standards in the news division.http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135508Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:33:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135508Frank Toloson, Baltimore, MarylandOk, is Sharpton going to call Dave Chappel and Chris Rock to tell them that there is a time slot open on MSNBC for a REVERSE DESCRIMINATION MORNING SHOW. When is the last time you heard the media use " REVERSE DESCRIMINATION " ? I just wish that Al and Jesse would organize an attack on the WAR CRIMINALS IN WASHINGTON DC. There is a rainbow of kids whose mothers were not able to say goodbye to their children because of egos' and money. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135672Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:58:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135672Chris, PittsburghGive me a break! I've been hearing how devastated the Rutgers women basketball players were by Imus' comments. Being called names is not devastating; devastating is being a child with terminal cancer. Unfortunately Imus will no longer be able to offer the same support to these sick children because the Rutgers women basketball players are just SO devastated. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135774Thu, 12 Apr 2007 01:14:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135774Melissa, Washington, PABy firing Don Imus, MSNBC will avoid offending the black community. It will not avoid offending those who recognize the double standard the network has in its treatment of blacks versus other races. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#135890Thu, 12 Apr 2007 01:34:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:135890Christian, Ellwood City, PAKeith, I have been a big fan of your show, particularly because of your willingness to speak out against the Bush administration and injustices in our society. However, because you contributed to the removal of Don Imus and boasted about it on your show, I will no longer be watching. Because of you and others like you Imus has lost his platform to help children with serious diseases. But I guess in your mind name calling is a greater injustice. http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#144873Fri, 13 Apr 2007 03:06:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:144873Maggie M, Miami, FloridaWho is organizing a Support Don Imus program on t.v. or radio? Surely he is now the one in need of defenders and I'm sure that sooner or later Sharpton or Jackson will find a way to support Don if there is more publicity involved. I sure won't support any candidate or issue that those two "holier than thou" media hogs support or the products that allow them to continue, either. And where are all the politicians and authors who couldn't wait to get on Imus' show? I don't see them lined up with a kind word more like a "No Comment" just in case Imus is back on the air and they need the publicity!http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/09/116622.aspx#172869Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:48:19 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:172869Don Nicol, Penhook, VAI've learned, from the Imus incident, a very important lesson: Words mean more than deeds, that words are more important than actions. I've learned that from Harold Ford, Jr., Barack Obama, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and all of the pundits, authors, religious leaders, and reporters who appeared on the Imus show. Yes sir, that's a very important lesson to remember. Let's see now, I need to create a context for that. If I slur you but then fly you across the country at my expense for cancer treatment, the slur is more important. I think I got it. Thanks to all of you for your help.