Chances are many of you were as angered and disgusted as I was by Don Imus's comments. I believe strongly that even protected speech has consequences. We can help send a message that racist/sexist cant like this is not acceptable by pressuring advertisers to not support Imus.

Two of Imus's advertisers, Staples and Bigelow Teas, have already suspened their advertising. To encourage them to make these suspensions permanent, I have written to thank these companies and ask them not to resume advertising with Imus in the future. If you would like to do similarly, you can click on the links below:

http://www.bigelowtea.com/contact/

http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/help/contact/other_quest.html

I understand that Imus is a jerk who can say what he likes. People have suggested that we should just ignore him. I disagree. I don't feel Imus's comments should go unanswered. I look at my young daughter and shudder at the thought that no matter what she becomes, she could be reduced to the most base racist and sexual stereotypes and the country will accept it as business as usual. I won't accept it and I hope others won't either.

To Tim in Auckland, institutional racismis a vital problem, but it is only moments like this when it becomes visible to most white people. Hate speech should be met with more speech (and economic boycotts/pressure).

It is clear that no matter how many faux apologies he issues, Don Imus simply does not get it. Even as he repeats the non-apology of if-people-are-offended variety, he demonstrates that he clearly does not understand that he did anything wrong.

The Time today reports:

Today he said that the phrases he used “originated in the black community. ... I may be a white man, but I know that these young women and young black women all through that society are demeaned and degraded by their own black men and that they are called that name.”

Really? That's the excuse? Because some black people call other black people bad names within the community, he can reduce a group of outstanding young women to the lowest stereotype of their community? Would a husband accept that explanation from someone who insulted your wife? Hey! Wives are insulted all the time by men who are their own husbands. You're a man. Therefore you have no right to be upset that I've just insulted your wife.

He should be boycotted. His sponsors should be boycotted. His guests should be boycotted and his employers as well. Let us speak with a strong voice that while this is clearly protected speech, we the American public have higher standards than this and we will not support those who tolerate those who do.

In Buffalo, in all social circles, playoff beards are perfectly acceptable. Half the male population put away their razors on Easter Sunday and now don't have to shave again until the Sabres either win the Cup or are eliminated. Your boss can't complain, because, c'mon man, it's a playoff beard! And he probably has one as well.

Last year, by the time they were eliminated, it was incredible to see the preponderance of beards at the supermarket or gas station and of course even more so at the arena or in a bar.

There's been an ongoing debate about what women could do to join the movement. On the one hand, there are women who want to show their support for the team but are divided about how to do it; pigtails for two months? Sabres colors at all times? On the other hand, there are the refusniks: wives/girlfriends who are anti-beard and who vow to grow their leg/underarm hair out in protest until their husbands/boyfriends shave and stop rubbing their faces raw.

Go Sabres.