In Defense of Don Imus

I don't like what he said. What he said was horrible, it was abominable, it deserves punishment, but it's a human mistake.

When I first heard what Imus said, my first response was; "Oh my God, did he really say that, that doesn't sound like something he would say."

Imus, unlike other controversial people like Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, does not have malice toward people for illogical, irrational reasons. Whenever Imus has taken aim at somebody before, it was usually over disagreement over an issue (such as his attacks on Congressman Joe Barton of Texas over the Combating Autism Act.) This is really the first time that I can think of where Imus made a mean remark for no reason.

For all the good Don Imus does, one mistake should not cost him his job and career. We all make mistakes, ones we are truly sorry for. Luckily, we are in a situation where we can be easily forgiven by those around us. We cannot expect those in the public eye to be flawless and perfect. They too will make mistakes, they too will say things they shouldn't say or do things they shouldn't do.

While I agree that Imus' remarks were horrendous, we need to accept his apology and let the man off the hook with a warning.

NBC and CBS have decided to suspend Imus' show for two weeks, which seems fair. I'm sure his rating will take a hit and if those offended wish to boycott him, then go right ahead, but I don't think it's gotten to the point where Imus deserves to see his career come to an end.

If we start asking for the heads of every person in the media who say something offensive once, there wouldn't be anyone left, and there wouldn't be any radio broadcasters, because they would all be too scared to go on air.

Really, we all say offensive stuff we don't mean. Imus is human, he's sorry, he's being punished, time to let him off the hook.