Don Imus is, under no fault but his own, in some pretty hot water. And deservedly so, because any professional media voice would know better than to make such outlandish, hurtful remarks about, of all things, a college women's basketball team. After 30 years of what many would call a respectable radio career, Mr. Imus will now be known solely for his infamous five seconds of last week's broadcast.
What a shame he would ever think such words should be said either publicly or privately. What a shame his career is (let's face it) forever scarred. What a shame his apologies and past good deeds aren't enough to show America he isn't as bad as his sound clip makes him out to be.
I'm not defending his recent comments. Hearing him say such words makes little sense to me, and this outcome is, without a doubt, what he deserves.
But Imus' demise does however beg the question: How is it that a man with such a heralded career and charitable history gets panned while other particular media voices get away with hateful slander on a weekly, if not daily, basis? Does Imus fall professionally because he admits he's wrong in his statements - because he admits shame rather than refusing apology?
Writers such as Ann Coulter have made a career out of venomous, hateful words - what she labels "schoolyard taunts." Yet, where some such as Imus fall, Coulter continues to advertise her opinions to an ever-growing audience. Don't think that her recent comments about Edwards will be career-shattering. They're no different than her past 10 years of writing.
Perhaps she survives simply because she doesn't ridicule groups of black female athletes playing a sport for no pay. Maybe that's why she's a national best selling writer, sought-after public speaker, and (it kills me to admit this) top syndicated columnist.
Imus is out. Is Coulter really that untouchable? Her political tap-dancing never ceases to amaze me.
