IMUS IS BACK!!!

Picture courtesy of MSNBC

I’ll say it again, IMUS IS BACK!!!

I am so freaking glad that Don Imus is coming back on the air! If you have ever had that grumpy old fart grandfather like figure that takes no crap then that is Don Imus in the nutshell. Past guests of his such as Senators, Congressmen, Governors, and Presidential Candidates have suffered the grumpy old man with his blunt and direct approach. God help you if you called in and the Iman was having a problem breathing.

Bernie, Charles, put the damn burial shovels away and grab that hammer and start pulling the nails out of the Iman’s coffin. Somebody find out where his teenage wife Deirdre is and tell her the Keg Fest is over. She has to push the wheel chair up close to the microphone and wipe his mouth when the spittle from his rant of bitching out a United States Senator goes just a little to far.

Over at the Washington Post they have this to say about Don Imus settlement with CBS Radio…

Imus Settles With CBS; Next, a Comeback?

By PAT MILTON
The Associated Press
Tuesday, August 14, 2007; 6:18 PM

NEW YORK -- Don Imus overcame a major obstacle Tuesday in his widely expected comeback bid, reaching a settlement with his former employer that allows him to return to the airwaves at a new station four months after he made a sexist and racist remark about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

Imus and CBS Radio agreed to a settlement that pre-empts the fired radio personality's threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS, the company and Imus' attorney said in a statement Tuesday.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Just before his dismissal, Imus signed a five-year, $40 million contract with CBS.

The announcement essentially makes Imus a free agent, and broadcast industry experts say he will be back on the air soon enough.

"I've been comparing this to a divorce, now both parties are able to move on," said Tom Taylor of radio-info.com, a sounding board for news and information about the radio industry.

Where Imus might land next is still up in the air.

A person familiar the situation told The Associated Press that Imus has had informal talks with several broadcasters, including WABC in New York, about a possible comeback. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks, and it is unclear how serious the discussions were _ given the fact that Imus' CBS contract was still under dispute. - Washington Post

Apparently, the righteous Al Sharpton thinks that he played a large part in Don Imus being fired by CBS Radio. Somebody needs to tell the Reverend that his ego isn’t big enough to span the Hudson river. Al Sharpton had as much to do with the firing of Don Imus as you or I do when stuck in traffic and screaming at a red light to turn to green.

There is only one person responsible for Don Imus losing his job at CBS Radio and that was Don Imus. Then again, the woman he insulted at Rutgers chose to forgive him so in the Christian world that is supposed to end it. I still think Don Imus is a shock jock but I like his format and his interview skills with the people that flock to him. I’ll be listening to his broadcast in the morning drive and laughing all the way to work. What will you be doing?

Welcome back to the airwaves I-Man! Now get off your lazy cranky butt and start entertaining my sorry hard working butt. Your damn vacation is over and it is time to talk to the nine million loyal listeners you once had.

Charles, Bernie, keep them shovels at the ready. We might need them soon if he screws up again.

Papamoka

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Here comes Imus…

Picture courtesy of MSNBC

Coming to a morning radio broadcast near you soon could be the evil wit and forever cranky voice of one Don Imus formerly of CBS Radio and WFAN of New York. Then again he could just be retiring with a hefty bonus package to leave CBS Radio alone. Since I can’t picture the later then I would speculate that he just might be on the air waves soon.

Over at the Boston Herald they have the latest and greatest on the broadcasting future of Don Imus…

Settlement nearing in Imus, CBS talks
By Associated Press
Friday, July 27, 2007 - Updated: 05:28 PM EST

NEW YORK - The legal struggle between Don Imus and CBS Radio is nearing a settlement that would preempt the dismissed DJ’s threatened $120 million breach of contract suit against his former employer, a person familiar with the case said Friday.

While neither Imus’ attorney nor CBS Radio would comment on any aspect of the case, the person _ speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity _ said the two sides were in the process of reaching an agreement.

It was unclear if a deal would return Imus to the airwaves, where he starred for 40 years before his April firing after directing a sexist, racial insult at the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

The possible settlement, first reported Friday in the New York Post, was the latest indication that the Hall of Fame broadcaster’s dramatic broadcasting demise could be reversed. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who spearheaded the "Fire Imus" movement, said last week that he would not oppose the 67-year-old DJ’s return to radio. - Boston Herald

Just for giggles and based on this story in the Herald I would bet money on Imus returning to the radio in a heartbeat. If he were to retire and give up the shock jock status it would go against every bone in his body. I honestly can not picture him walking away from it if there is a way for him to reclaim his microphone and head set.

If Imus was going to retire he would have unleashed the $140 million dollar lawsuit on CBS and left it at that. He didn’t and he could have within days of his being fired. That my friends is what a great lawyer like Martin Garbus does in the background to keep his client and CBS Radio out of court.

Papamoka

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Imus and CBS go to War!

Don Imus of the former Imus in the Morning radio show is taking on the oppressors of freedom of speech over at CBS Radio and packing some heat with a top notch legal shooter from New York. This is where the road travels when it comes to the shock jock that was loved for the revenue he could bring in to CBS Radio and the definition of a contract meets the judge.

This fan of Imus supports the fight for what is right and if the man had a contract for $40 million then CBS Radio was making ten times that much off of him or would not have signed a five year deal. There are no “But, or what if’s” in a legal contract. As I have said before in this blog, Don Imus is not a fool and the lawyers he hired to review his contract when he signed it were probably smarter than the CBS Radio lawyers that drew it up.

Over at CNN Money they have this to say…

Imus won't go quietly

The talk show host has hired a top First Amendment lawyer, and an unusual clause in his contract could give him a $40 million payday, writes Fortune's Tim Arango.

By Tim Arango, Fortune writer
May 2 2007: 12:48 PM EDT

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Don Imus, the tousled and acerbic radio host whose racial remarks engendered a media storm that triggered a swift upending of his career, is not going away quietly even if the imbroglio has all but disappeared from the national conversation in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre.

For Imus, who made a career out of operating in the murky space between sophomoric humor and high-brow political talk, there is the little matter of about $40 million left on his contract with CBS Radio - whose boss Les Moonves fired the shock jock on April 12. CBS' lawyers contend Imus was fired for cause and not owed the rest of the money.

But Imus has hired one of the nation's premiere First Amendment attorneys, and the two sides are gearing up for a legal showdown that could turn on how language in his contract that encouraged the radio host to be irreverent and engage in character attacks is interpreted, according to one person who has read the contract.

The language, according to this source, was part of a five-year contract that went into effect in 2006 and that paid Imus close to $10 million a year. It stipulates that Imus be given a warning before being fired for doing what he made a career out of - making off-color jokes. The source described it as a "dog has one- bite clause." A lawsuit could be filed within a month, this person predicted.

A CBS spokesman declined comment, and Imus, through his attorney, also declined an interview. – CNN Money

Tough bastards like Don Imus simply do not fade away because Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson beat the hell out of his bosses at CBS Radio. The network hired him because he is and was always the ultimate controversial entertainer and they ran like school girls when threatened by a couple of bullies. They can run all they want but they can not hide from the fact that they were the ones that signed on the dotted line to put the mouth of Don Imus on the airwave for $40 million bucks over the next five years! The firing of Don Imus was political correctness gone wrong to the ultimate power mathematically and somehow it is okay? It isn’t okay with me.

If the people he insulted had the mercy in their hearts to forgive him when he begged and pleaded for just that then the situation was resolved. In the days of the Salem Witch trials, once you were labeled a Witch you were guilty till they burned you death. Only then was your soul cleansed. If that is America today then we as a nation have something bigger to worry about than a shock jock with idiotic off the cuff racist remarks. Then again we in the media and blogosphere burned, hanged, electrocuted and sentenced to death Don Imus already.

There are so many people out there today in the public spot light that are just out right liars to themselves and to the people and yet they can do no wrong. No matter what mistakes any of us have made it is understandable to hope and pray that your mistakes did not hurt another person. If they did, then Rehab is the easy way out for mega media stars but Imus didn’t do that. He faced his comments and apologized profusely. He did it from his heart and that was not good enough for CBS Radio or his detractors. It was good enough for me and I’m sure that Mr. Imus is comfortable with the forgiveness of the young ladies of Rutgers. As for his battle with CBS Radio…

Go for the jugular I-Man! Go for the jugular!

Papamoka

Cross posted at Bring It On!

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Imus in the Morning returns…

Picture courtesy of CBS News...

With the forgiveness of the Rutgers Girls Basketball Team being given to Don Imus there comes with it a fresh start. Or at the least that is how it should be. With MSNBC and CBS Radio pulling the plug on the Imus in the Morning show it basically buried Don Imus at the demands of the few. Mind you the Rutgers Girls Basketball Team never demanded that Don Imus be fired. Were his comments disgusting and racist, you can bet your last dollar on that fact. Was he remorseful and begging for forgiveness? Yes! Was the moronic and defacing comment hurtful and wrong? Yes! Was CBS Radio and Les Moonves wrong when he caved in to Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in firing Don Imus? Yes, he ultimately told all of Don Imus fans to bugger off as the Brits like to say!

What about all the listeners that have supported the Imus in the Morning show through the years by buying the products his radio networks and affiliates sold? Do the listeners of the Imus in the morning show have a voice in this discussion? Apparently, we do not and that is very wrong. I for one will vote my disapproval with MSNBC and CBS Radio with my wallet. If they choose not to forgive Don Imus as the Rutgers Girls Basketball Team did then I choose not to support them and their advertisers. Over at the Boston Herald they had this little piece on not supporting the networks decision…

Small Calif. radio station to air the ’Best of Imus’ next week in defiance of Don Imus’ firing

By Associated PressFriday, April 13, 2007 - Updated: 12:20 PM

ESTSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - A small radio station intends to run the ”Best of Imus” next week in defiance of Don Imus’ firing.

Fred Lundgren, chairman of 1,400-watt KCAA (1050 AM), said the station would start the series Monday with the program that wound up getting Imus cashiered.

”I’m not going to let networks dictate to me who I run on my station,” said Lundgren.

The station, which has broadcast the shock jock’s morning show since 2003, also plans to air mostly supportive listener mail and e-mail reacting to the controversy.

The station can be heard in communities east and south of Los Angeles. The Imus material also will be available on the station’s Web site at www.kcaaradio.com Monday.

Calls late Thursday to Westwood One Inc., which syndicated Imus’ morning program, were not immediately returned.

Lundgren said the motive for broadcasting the Imus reruns is in part financial.

”I hate to say it, but without Imus, we’re pretty much toast,” said Lundgren, adding: ”What Imus did was deplorable, inexcusable, but it shouldn’t end the career of a man who has done so much good. This is an overreaction beyond anything I’ve ever seen in radio.” – Boston Herald

I fully support the decision of the young ladies from Rutgers that were the point of this racist comment. I fully support the decision of these same young ladies to offer forgiveness. That is the most admirable act I have witnessed in my entire life. They are the spirit of America that is lost on the horizon to many of our nation’s melting pot society. This is one group of very brave young woman that have taken the higher road and chose to forgive rather than to divide. That my friend is what pure class looks like no matter what angle you choose to view it from.



As a long time listener of the Imus in the Morning Show I support the actions of the radio station in California for flipping the bird to the corporate networks. You have to realistically look at the big picture and see that Don Imus is not just one man. He was the source for many families paychecks across America with his rash remarks to politicians and celebrities that people loved to hear. Don Imus was never afraid to tell anyone what he thought on any issue and perhaps that was his downfall. What about all the families working for small stations that simulcast his show? Are they at the mercy of Al Sharpton? With the never ending callous reactions from this man of the cloth there will be thousands of families across America without a paycheck to put food on the table. How is the Prime Rib in New York Reverend Sharpton?

Al Sharpton made it clear Friday that he is “Big Brother” from the George Orwell book and he will be burning the books and radio show host, and television broadcasters at the stake to make sure that we are stead fast in our nations compliance and ve vill comply mine Fuhrer! NOT!!!

Racism does not know or reside in only one racial group in America but it is a double edged sword that cuts both ways. Not one American is totally innocent of not having this horrible human trait. Much like anger, we can confront it and deal with it face to face. Don Imus choose the path that was very honorable to talk with the people he wronged and was forgiven by the people that he needed it from. His first mistake was talking to Al Sharpton but you can never take back a stupid mistake. That point was made very clear by MSNBC and CBS Radio.

Can Al Sharpton say the same? I don’t think so. Al Sharpton loves the attention of issues like this but he does not realize or even comprehend the double edge sword effect that racism is not just about one race against the other but cuts back with the same swiftness. Hate of race has no place in America Reverend and you are the first to cry wolf. We don't hear to many heart felt apologies from the self proclaimed righteous Reverend though do we? That doesn't sell in the media even when you know you are wrong.

We as a people need to keep this discussion moving forward and get it out into the light to learn from it. This isn't just about African Americans. This about America and we need to end this idiocy that is so very wrong. We as a people need to know that your families history is not as important to America as to what you as an individual can be for your nation. That is the beauty of America because we can all discuss this and paint it as the monster that we do not want to ever see again. We as a nation of Americans can rise above this and be better for it. My brother is my keeper and I am the defender of my brother. You are an American and need to voice that first.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. That message never gets old for me. What about you?

God Bless the young ladies of Rutgers for rising above this crap. They are the true Americans hear.

Papamoka

Others talking about this issue…

Molten Thought
Legal Right

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Don Imus Exits Stage Left…

CBS has fired Don Imus from its radio network. Was this the answer that people wanted from the Imus and Rutgers Girls Basketball controversy? Firing Imus isn’t going to make racism go away in America. All this action will do is put racism back in the closet where it really should not be. America needs to confront this ugly monster and deal with it.

CBS fires Don Imus from radio show

After racist remark, legendary broadcaster couldn't escape growing protest

Updated: 2:48 p.m. PT April 12, 2007

NEW YORK - CBS fired Don Imus from his radio program Thursday, the finale to a stunning fall for one of the nation’s most prominent broadcasters.

Imus initially was given a two-week suspension for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air last week, but outrage continued to grow and advertisers bolted from his CBS radio show and its MSNBC simulcast.

“There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society,” CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in announcing the decision. “That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision.”

Rutgers women’s basketball team spokeswoman Stacey Brann said the team did not have an immediate comment on Imus’ firing.

Time Magazine once named the cantankerous broadcaster as one of the 25 Most Influential People in America, and he was a member of the National Broadcaster Hall of Fame. – MSNBC

If we are serious about ending racism then let’s fire all of the people in public entertainment venues regardless of race for using anything deemed racist. Then we can have a book burning… I mean Rap Artist CD Burning event for all the supposed music that is over the top racist. Comedians, they can be very racist in their acts, any type of comic personality should be burned at the stake like the good old days and the Salem Witch Trials. Journalist of the nation should be very careful what you print now because the Al Sharpton’s of this world are watching you very closely. This list can go on and on if America is truly serious about wiping racism from the face of our nation.

I’ve been asking myself if I’m happy that Don Imus is now gone and I’m having trouble answering that very question. I’m glad that the chance for Imus anyway to ever utter such a stupid and racist comment can’t happen again on the national airwaves. Then again I’m thinking that firing him sends the wrong message when the man has gone beyond all logical reason to ask for forgiveness for his stupidity. Can his sincerity be questioned when it comes to this matter?

I would want to hear from the Rutgers young ladies he accosted with his comments after their private meeting. If they forgive him can the rest of the nation as well? If they do not believe his sincerity then his firing is justified.

So what is a political junkie like me supposed to do to find out what the real thoughts are of our politicians and main stream media guests of the former Imus in the Morning show supposed to do for a realistic fix? No more Joe Biden, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson, Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, Fineman, Tom Rich, Jeff Greenfield, Brian Williams, Bob Schiefer, Mike Wallace, Chris Wallace, Kurt Vonnegut, Authors of many great books and the list just goes on and on…

What do you think about this issue? Should Don Imus have been fired by CBS Radio?

Papamoka

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