Don Imus is an idiot. He made a stupid, hurtful, insulting statement about a group of girls who never did one thing to hurt him, offend him…these girls had probably never even heard of him before his remarks. But I’m so sick of the story. It’s been going on for days and days, with no end in sight, it seems. But that’s not what really makes me sick. I think Mr. Imus’ rights have also been infringed upon.
What? You might say, with shock, horror and revulsion in your voice. How can you say something so shocking, horrifying and revolting? Here’s why…It’s a little thing called The First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Last time I checked, I think Mr. Imus qualified as a member of the press. And the press clings to this amendment as their life-force. I don’t hear any calls for their heads when they make derogatory remarks about the President of our nation. And they make some pretty awful statements about him. But the constitution is clear.
Was Imus an idiot? Yes. Does he need to be firmly reminded of the stirring and powerful and true words of the Declaration of Independence?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men (and women) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Yes, he does need a strong reminder. But we need to support and defend our constitution with everything we’ve got. The First Amendment says nothing about freedom of speech only when it’s concurrent with popular opinion.
I believe that Don Imus had as much right to voice his stupidity as Martin Luther King had to orate his fantastic, powerful “I have a dream…” speech.
The moral of the story? Watch what you say…it will certainly come back to haunt you. Oh, and treat others as you would have them treat you. It doesn’t say like them, agree with them, or promote them.
Just put the shoe on the other foot before you stick it in your mouth.
I agree that Imus is an idiot. I would never listen to him. But his former boss is a hypocrite. The definition of a “shock jock” is that they are paid to shock people. Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson are also hypocrites. It is ok for black rappers to say racist and sexist things, but not a white man. You have hit the nail on the head.