Though I've posted a few comments in months passed, this is my first Diary. This report was simply something I could not dismiss. It looks like Imus is
spewing hatred across the airwaves again.
DON IMUS: They're (the Palestinians) eating dirt and that fat pig wife of
his is living in Paris.
COLLEAGUE: They're all brainwashed, though. That's what it is. And they're
stupid, to begin with, but they're brainwashed now. Stinking animals. They
ought to drop the bomb right there, kill `em all right now...
IMUS: Well, the problem is we have (reporter) Andrea (Mitchell) there; we
don't want anything to happen to her.
COLLEAGUE: Oh, she's got to get out. Andrea, get out and then drop the bomb
and kill everybody...
COLLEAGUE: Look at this. Animals. Animals!
But wait, there's more!
This is not the first time Imus has been involved in a controversy over
anti-Arab and Islamophobic remarks. As early as 1985, he was forced to
apologize for referring to Arabs as "goat-humping weasels." (Sunday Mail,
4/21/85) He has also been criticized for using the derogatory term
"raghead." (Accuracy in Media) In a reference to the crash of an Iranian
airliner earlier this year that killed 43 passengers, Imus said, "When I
hear stories like that, I think who cares." He then stated: "Too bad it
wasn't full of Saudi Arabians." (National Iranian American Council)
I'm not one to jump on public personalities for off-the-cuff remarks, but the repeated behavior convinces me that these remarks are none too off-the-cuff. To make comments like this during live coverage of a funeral is Coulter-like.
Seriously, though, this is not an excusable offense. And we need to let Imus' employers know that. Along with those who control the airwaves of his radio show. Hopefully, all of the heightened sensitivity over at the FCC may be enough for them to get off of their asses and do something about it. But they're not going to get involved unless we tell them it's important!
bA