As someone who has watched Don Imus on MSNBC countless times over the years, and read up on the racist remarks of his co hosts (Norm Coleman's cousin Sid Rosenberg) and Imus himself, I have to defend the guy. He has apologized, and recognized his mistake, and asked for forgiveness.
I like Imus's show, its kind of like listening your grandpa talk. I am a big Howard Stern fan, but he says more racist things on his show every day than Imus says in a year. I don't get bothered, its just extemperous talk, by people who aren't exactly brain surgeons. I like Imus because, I like hearing old curmudgeons and their cynical viewpoints on the world. I don't know why, but its funny to me. He also gives good interviews with newmakers.
Is Imus racist? Sure. But he does not want to be racist. Its a disease that afflicted the 20th century, and will be weeded out through posterity. Let us not underestimate the longevity of this disease. Here is IMUS, a guy with a great heart (Read about his ranch) but he still has some demons that many of our people raised in the 20th century cannot exorcise completely. The guy has a great show on television, and the point of his show is discussion, and sometimes that is not politically correct. Or even correct in any context. But don't silence him for being an idiot.