Letters to the Editor
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An American Problem
Thank you, Joe. Mine was one of the stomachs that turned upon hearing Tom Oliphant declare with baited breath his sickening "solidarity, forever pal" statement. Along with Oliphant are his peers, the other "respected" journalists like David Gregory, Frank Rich, Maureen Dowd etc. who have yet to come forward and take any responsibility for being part of the problem which is ultmately not about Imus, but America and its numerous unsolved social and economic problems. These journalists and politicans who, as regular guests, served as enablers who gave credibility to what would otherwise be just another schlocky and offensive show. Imus provided them with a place to self-promote and yammer on about their books, their political views etc. Everyone benefited, including the networks, the sponsors and Imus himself. In the final analysis, none of this has anything to do with the First Amendment, or freedom of speech, but with the rather quaint concept of ethical behavior. The Imus show was but one of many places in tv land where locker room talk is acceptable, where meanspiritedness and cruelty is considered humorous and a misogynistic, racist and homophobic host is able to spew forth with what many viewers themselves more than likely agree. Getting rid of Imus might be the beginning of a seachange in the media and the culture, but I for one, am not holding my breath.