Leave Imus Alone

Yes, he said something stupid. Yes he insulted all the women on the basketball team, and yes he did so using language that really has no place in every day discourse. I haven't been listening to Imus since I moved away from Connecticut, but I'd wager he does something like that every day. Seeing the line has to be difficult, and occasionally crossing it a likely occupational hazard.

But really why does anyone care? If you listen frequently you probably can make the assessment that he isn't a bigot or a moron. He is a provocateur, and he says such things because they get a reaction, because they are funny, and when he's on because they are both. We ought to understand what is hate and what is stand up, and that stand up is a critique of life. Do I believe in the moment he's that high minded or that cynical? No. Do I think as a person he's one or the other? Yes, and I would lean toward high minded if forced to choose.

But really, why do we care? This isn't someone that sets policy of any kind. This isn't someone that was elected because we thought he was one kind of person who turns out to be another kind of person. This isn't someone children look up to and emulate (at least not normal children). It's just a guy on the radio. If you are a basketball player at Rutgers and someone says something crass and thoughtless about you on the radio, in the midst of a report detailing your achievement are you disappointed? Maybe, but should it have any lasting effect on you? I'd like to think it wouldn't.

Clearly there was a poor choice made here. I think the man stood up and took responsibility and apologized for any harm done, and I believe him. I don't think for one minute he intended to cause any distress to the women on the team or appear to be culturally out of step (if anything it was a lame attempt at trying to mimic being part of a group he clearly isn't). For someone with something like 40 years of experience, he ought to get the benefit of the doubt.

If we're going to get after people, we ought to put that energy toward people that either are in a position to change policy, seriously influence others, or even worse actually believe what they are saying. You can say many things about Don Imus, but I really don't think you could seriously apply any of those three.