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Don Imus strikes again; Questions Pacman’s color

June 24th, 2008 by Scott Marks

Meeting of the Minds

Last year, Don Imus, was fired for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball a bunch of “nappy-headed hos.’’

The only person that came to Imus’ defense in the wake of the scandal was Howard Stern who suggested that his arch rival not only refuse to apologize, but that he tell all his detractors to ‘f’ off because he was only making a joke.

Instead, Imus cried like a baby to anyone that would listen. MSNBC was the first to cancel their simulcast of Imus In The Morning. The next day, CBS radio canceled his syndicated show, effective immediately. Late last year Imus returned to the airwaves on ABC Radio and RFD-TV.

This morning, an exchange with sportscaster Warren Wolf produced another racially charged crack. In hopes that people might forget his record of multiple arrests in recent years, suspended professional football player Adam “Pacman’’ Jones asked that people stop referring to him by his nickname.

Mr. Imus queried, “What color is he?’’

“He’s African-American,’’ Mr. Wolf responded.

“Well, there you go,’’ Mr. Imus said. “Now we know.’’

What’s all the fuss about? Isn’t Pacman yellow?

According to the New York Times, “Asked in an e-mail message what he was trying to convey, Mr. Imus wrote: ‘I meant he was being picked on because he’s black.’’ He added that Dick Gregory, a veteran comedian and activist who is black, would be a guest on his show on Tuesday, to discuss the death of George Carlin. ‘We’ll see what he thinks,’’ Mr. Imus wrote. ‘I mean…come on!’’’

In an instant, Al Sharpton’s beeper went off prompting the professional media whore to write:

“It has been reported to me that statements were made by Mr. Imus this morning and National Action Network has monitored his show since his return. I find the inference of his remark disturbing because it plays into stereotypes. Any use of stereotypes is always counterproductive. We will determine in the next day or so whether or not his remark warrants direct action on our part as we did in April of last year.”

Would Al Sharpton have jumped down Imus’ throat had he made Polish or Jew jokes? Aren’t we all God’s children, Al? If anything, Sharpton is equally racist for making a career out of only coming to the defense of African Americans.

Everything I know about Imus has been filtered through Howard Stern. Out of blind loyalty to The King of All Media, I have never heard one word of Imus’ radio show. While scanning the television dial I’d stop on MSNBC long enough to have a cheap laugh at his fossilized remains.

Is Dom Imus racist? You bet, but I don’t formulate my opinion on the basis of his past two highly publicized blunders. Once again I yield to the power of Stern who revels in retelling Imus’ righteous indignation when he called WNBC employee Janie the Cleaning Lady the ‘n’ word. Howard’s sidekick Robin Quivers also accused Imus of calling her a “n” to her face when she worked with him.

The guy undoubtedly has anger issues and racist leanings, but getting punished for these two instances is similar to John Wayne winning his Oscar for True Grit: Right person, wrong time. In his latest tirade, the only thin Imus is guilty of is unbridled stupidity. Yes, it’s a comedy show, but given the problems in his recent past, he shouldn’t use the word “black” even when describing licorice.

Ms. Pacman declined Emulsion Compulsion’s request for an interview.

The “Nappy-Headed Hos” Incident

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