| Author | Message | ||
     Jimidan |
"Imus hires attorney, will likely sue CBS Published: 5/3/07, 9:00 AM EDT Former radio talk show host Don Imus has hired one of the country's top trial lawyers to sue CBS Radio following his dismissal last month for making racial and sexual on-air comments about members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Attorney Martin Garbus told CNN Wednesday that he has agreed to represent Imus in a wrongful breach of contract suit against his former employer. Garbus would not disclose when he was retained by Imus but said he plans to file an action against CBS in the near future. Calls made to Imus by CNN were not returned. A CBS spokesman declined comment. Imus had $40 million remaining on a multiyear contact that began in 2006 and included a clause that CBS wanted him to be "irreverent" and "controversial," according to CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who was shown part of the contract. "Company (CBS Radio) acknowledges that Artist's (Imus') services to be rendered hereunder are of a unique, extraordinary, irreverent, intellectual, topical, controversial and personal character and that programs of the same general type and nature containing these components are desired by Company and are consistent with Company rules and policies." Toobin said the legal issues in the Imus case are simple: "Did Imus breach his contract by saying what he did about the Rutgers basketball team?" CBS dismissed Imus on April 12, eight days after he called the Rutgers players "nappy-headed 'hos" on his radio show, "Imus in the Morning." "What stands out in the contract is he is supposed to be controversial and irreverent. That's what his statement about the Rutgers basketball team was," Toobin said. "How is CBS going to argue that what he said was so controversial and so offensive that it isn't what they asked for in the contract?" © 2007 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved." | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
This could be interesting! I'd love to see some of the knee jerk reactions by corporate America get backed down a notch or two. About the only thing that will cause that to happen is losing millions in a lawsuit. What he said was wrong, but not unexpected in the historical content of his show. They wouldn't suddenly let Howard Stern go because he was tickling prostitutes on air. People in this country do not have a RIGHT not to be offended. You don't like what someone says, tough. | ||
| Stealthxb |
HAHA... Interesting. I was not a listener nor do I believe in superfluous lawsuits. But I think they may be on to something here. People in this country do not have a RIGHT not to be offended. Well stated. | ||
| Naustin |
Imus had been making similar remarks for years, and was doing exactly what CBS hired him to do. Imus has every right to sue them for the rest of his contract. There are lots of racists in this country, its CBS's fault for putting him on the air and telling him to be controversial. They should bear the cost of the fallout. | ||
| Jaimec |
Anybody who says Imus is racist doesn't know Imus. Actions speak louder than words, and Imus has raised MILLIONS of dollars for charities that benefit ALL races, religions and nationalities. If you have a terminally ill child, he is the best friend you could ever have. Ditto for injured veterans. On the other hand, the hypocrisy of a bonafide racist like Al Sharpton know no bounds. I believe the people of Dutchess County, NY, Williamsburg, NY and one Stephen Pagones are STILL waiting for their apologies from that loud-mouthed bigot. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Jamiec, That is very insensitive of you. You KNOW Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson can not be racist. Only white people are racist. | ||
| Naustin |
Oh, I suppose you know Imus personally? The guy can donate as much money to charity as he wants - that doesn't change those innate opinions in the deep dark corners of his mind. He might try to cover it up or mask it with humor, but now and then we get a glimpse of his true self, as we did though the comment he made. Racism can be subtle and come in many different shades, it can be an undercurrent that is barely perceptible at times. People who you have had respect for can suddenly reveal their deepest feelings in a moment of anger, or unguarded intimacy, or simply by mistake - and you will suddenly see them for what they are. Imus may not be an evil person. He's not all bad, and he's done a great amount of good work in his life. The guy is a vegetarian, won't eat meat because he and his wife feel strongly about animal rights. Yet, he has a record of statements that are racially derogatory. You could say he was just doing his job. But, A person who gives up meat for animal rights is a person who can give things up for his own sense of morality, and I think Imus must harbor some degree of racism to keep making those comments, or he simply would have found a different line of work. (Message edited by naustin on May 03, 2007) | ||
| Jaimec |
No, but every indication of every person I've met who HAS dealt with Imus on a personal level has told me the man is color blind. He's grumpy and gruff, but NOT a racist. No way, no how. The children who go to his ranch are all races, both sexes. The veterans he's helped are also all races. His radio schtick is just that: a schtick. It's satire, designed to make us look at ourselves. As someone else said: You are not guaranteed a right to never be offended. If he offends you, turn the dial and don't listen. The hypocrisy of having his career abruptly ended due to the actions of a slimeball like Sharpton knows no bounds. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Has anyone listened to O&A lately? Holy crap! What is said and played there makes anything that Imus could say pale in comparison. Why are they not removed from the air? Two reasons: 1) People tune into them to hear these kinds of statements. They expect it. They are hired to be "controversial". So was Imus. 2) They are apolitical at best and liberal at worst. They pose no threat to the liberal establishment. Liberalism is ok with racism, hatred, sexism, homophobia, pedophilia, pollution, etc. as long as the purveyors of the negative behavior are positive to the overall liberal agenda. | ||
| Jaimec |
Imus was one of the FEW "Fair and Balanced" personalities on the air. His guests ranged from Al Franken on the left to Ann Coulter on the right. I am a liberal Democrat and I am ashamed that MOST of the people who stuck by him through this ordeal were those on the right (with the notable exceptions of James Carville and Paul Begala). For some reason, the liberal establishment seems to think they need to suck up to Sharpton and his ilk. I used to say that Al Sharpton is to the Democrats what Ann Coulter is to the Republicans... but I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to Ms. Coulter because, as far as I know, she's never incited race riots that resulted in the deaths of innocents. Sharpton has. The sooner we eject this reprehensible jackass from our ranks, the better. In fact, you know how to get rid of Al Sharpton? Turn off the TV camera!! I'm sick and tired of people using the term "Liberal" as if it's the root of all evil. We have our whack jobs to be sure, but nut jobs are on ALL wavelengths of the political spectrum. (Message edited by jaimec on May 03, 2007) | ||
| Stealthxb |
Imus is an idiot. From what I can tell those girls either have extensions or use lye. | ||
| Xbullet |
Imus is an idiot. From what I can tell those girls either have extensions or use lye.  by the way...Stealth and I have a similar problem. both our bikes are down and we have to exercise our brains with political debate and humor to keep sane in the interim. | ||
| Jaimec |
If you need political discourse to keep sane then it's already too late. My recommendation is to grab a boatload of dollar bills and head down to the local topless bar. It'll help keep things in perspective... |
