Don Imus says he was making a 'sarcastic point'

NEW YORK (AP) - Don Imus said Tuesday morning on his radio show that he was trying to "make a sarcastic point" with his latest on-air remarks about race, but that they had been misunderstood.
Imus resurrected his radio career six months ago with a pledge to mend the wounds caused by a racist and sexist comment he made about a women's basketball team.

On Tuesday he said he was following the spirit of that promise by calling attention to the unfair treatment of blacks—in this case the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones.

"What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason," Imus said Tuesday. "I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once."

He called the flurry of criticism surrounding the comments "ridiculous" and said that his program's cast is now more diverse than ever—and includes a black producer and two black co-hosts, a man and a woman.

"How insane would I have to be? What would I be thinking?" Imus wondered aloud.

The latest comments by Imus to come under scrutiny were aired on Monday's broadcast. During a conversation about Jones' run-ins with the law, Imus asked, "What color is he?" Sports announcer Warner Wolf said Jones—formerly known as Pacman—is "African-American." Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."

The on-air exchange came months after Imus' return to work on a new show on WABC-AM following his firing from MSNBC and CBS Radio for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."

When he returned to work, Imus gave a lengthy on-air apology and pledged to use his new show to foster an open dialogue on race relations.

Co-host Karith Foster, who is black, came to Imus' defense during Tuesday's broadcast, saying, "People who interpret what you said as racist clearly didn't hear the whole thing, and they don't know who you are and what the program is about—and they obviously haven't been listening."

Jones told The Dallas Morning News in Tuesday editions that he's upset by Imus' comments and plans to pray for the radio host.

"I'm truly upset about the comments," Jones said. "Obviously Mr. Imus has problems with African-Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him."

WABC and Citadel Broadcasting Corp. Vice President Phil Boyce said Monday that it was unlikely the broadcasters would take disciplinary action against Imus.

Um, yeah... So he is trying to play off his most recent statement as "sarcastic" and "mis-understood"... I don't buy it...

Maybe it was out of context, maybe not. But Imus, when I listened to him a few years back, was an equal-opportunity attacher -- he insulted everyone, from his brother, best friend, and all races and ethnicities.

Actually, I disagree with his statement "I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once." BS -- some people have a well-deserved rap sheet several feet long and earned every conviction. I know someone like that very well.

I agree that Imus pulls no punches with anyone without respect to race. Maybe the sarcastic point he was trying to make was relative to packman jones actually being a common criminal and there were people/callers claiming that he was a victim of racial profiling. I didn't listen to the broadcast but it does seem logical.

I'll agree with the both of you that he - IMO - is crude beyond - well, he just reminds me of a mean dirty old man. But, he - also IMO - is a biggot! I think he meant to say exactly what he said & meant it exactly the way most people are taking it...

I'm not commenting on whatever Imus said, but I'd like to blanket Hagerstown and Washington County and West Virginia and the country: why can't you be sensitive to race issues? What makes you so angry that you say things like, "get over it?" Why do you have a problem with being thoughtful and subsequently tactful, at least? Billions of people aren't massively delusional.

Just because you, personally, think of race relations with an open mind for an hour of political discussion with your friend doesn't make you thoughtful, by the way.

You can be old-school, steadfast and/or hardcore all you want, but seniority is irrelevent in life.


Imus looks likes he's had a nose job. SORRY! But that's just how I feel and that's how I was raised. I don't care what the kids say these days, it's just ridiculous. He's obviously screaming for attention and just not getting enough of it. The people that listen to him are obviously out of touch.

Because I'm white, and if people call me cracker I'm not offended.

Do you crack the whip upon the backs of slaves? Many white people have. Ya might be cracker if...

Funny I never received a spam/joke email about that.

Heck, I didn't know that's where cracker came from

Will I ever get it? If I'm white?

Someone at work today was mad at being called the c word. You choose to be offended by it. It wouldn't bother me if someone wanted to call me a name, it just shows they are childish. Whether or not there is history tied to the word is irrelevant, the person calling the name is childish and you should be above it and ignore it. Though again I'm white so I guess I can't understand.

it might be racist for y'all to have not considered, "cracker," to be anything more than a saltine cracker. Like "they" couldn't come up with anything better than you are white and plain as a chalky piece of minimal food?

Considering that there are so many stupid names for blacks, (porch monkey comes to mind very easily [i]for some reason[/i

I've never associated "porch monkey" with any race. I always thought porch monkeys were groups of people who hang out in town on the front stoop, and sometimes the sidewalk, on hot days because they don't have A/C and don't wanna be inside. I never really considered the origin of the "monkey" part, except that maybe when you see them there are often kids in the group, and they may be dangling from the metal railing on the stoop. Am I the only one that never associated this with an ethnicity?

Considering that there are so many stupid names for blacks, (porch monkey comes to mind very easily for some reason), it might be racist for y'all to have not considered, "cracker," to be anything more than a saltine cracker. Like "they" couldn't come up with anything better than you are white and plain as a chalky piece of minimal food?

That's the point! You FEEL like you've had enough of race talks, but you don't get it.

Sorry, I dont know my Sambo's from other racial derrogatory terms....

They are all insensitive at the least and offensive and hateful.

Actually, I can't help but to laugh most of the time I hear/see the terms Sambo or Buckwheat or Toms (uncle tom) because of the way I've seen these terms used and from whom. I guess it could be offensive and hateful but honestly these terms are often used by certain minorities describing minority political figures who kiss up and suck up to advance their own political agenda's. Oh yeah and in standup comedy acts. Hilarious.

So if I were to call Mayor Bob a Sambo I wouldn't be too far out of line?...........................J/K Bob The day before a holiday is always bash the mayor day

Actually, I can't help but to laugh most of the time I hear/see the terms Sambo or Buckwheat or Toms (uncle tom) because of the way I've seen these terms used and from whom. I guess it could be offensive and hateful but honestly these terms are often used by certain minorities describing minority political figures who kiss up and suck up to advance their own political agenda's. Oh yeah and in standup comedy acts. Hilarious.

If these terms are so offensive, why are they permitted and used in comedy routines? This puzzles me.

Because free speech hasn't been taken away yet? Although when Michael Richards used it in his comedy routine, people didn't find it so funny.

It just depends on the audience. The Michael Richards "rant" is an example of someone who didn't know his audience, that and the hostile manner in his delivery.

You bring up a valid question Mr. Burrs. If these terms are so offensive, why are they permitted and used in comedy routines? This puzzles me.

Guess it also depends on who's using the language and how. I couldn't get away with a comedy routine that constantly referred to women as B's but the comedian Monique or Ellen D. sure can and get rich doing it.

I don't think Ellen D. ever referred to women as B's in her comedy routine. In fact, I think she has always made it a point to never even use a swear word. At least, that's what I've always heard - that she won't even swear in her routines and as far as I've always seen, that is true.

As for Monique..... I could see that.

Why is that? Chris Rock makes millions calling his own "brothers and sisters" deragatory names. I don't get it.

I've never associated "porch monkey" with any race. I always thought porch monkeys were groups of people who hang out in town on the front stoop, and sometimes the sidewalk, on hot days because they don't have A/C and don't wanna be inside. I never really considered the origin of the "monkey" part, except that maybe when you see them there are often kids in the group, and they may be dangling from the metal railing on the stoop. Am I the only one that never associated this with an ethnicity?

Apparently, Heather, you don't get it either, or you got too much of it, because your cracker origin was wrong, too.

Were you drunk when you posted this?