I don’t know the answer to any of those questions. Heck, I don’t even really know if Don Imus should have been fired. I think so, but this isn’t a guy who suddenly came up with a slur like this one. He’s been doing it for years and just about every author, politician, TV personality and celebrity in America acted like Imus was their best buddy. Heck, John McCain wants to be President and he’s tone deaf enough to brag about going back on Imus’ show after the dust settled (and obviously before finding out that there wouldn’t be a show to return to).
I suppose one of the morals of this story is that when the media machine sets its sights on someone, that someone is pretty much finished. I don’t even think Imus can move into satellite radio, a place where plenty of foul-mouthed shock jocks wind up. With XM and Sirius planning to merge, the satellite radio industry needs all kinds of governmental approvals. You think any politician is going to sign off on a big merger if the merging companies feature Don Imus?
No, Mr. Imus is pretty much caput. Maybe he can retire to his palatial residence at his ranch for sick kids and ride horses and wear his big ol’ hat to his heart’s content, riding off into the sunset literally and figuratively.
After the media is through chewing Imus up and spitting him out, it’ll retreat for awhile until it finds another hapless prey. Then it’ll all start up again and we can watch in amazement as someone who seemed invincible comes crashing down in a fiery mess.
Like it or not, it’s become the American way.