"I may disagree with what you say but I will defend unto death your right to say it!"
- Voltaire, aka François Marie Arouet (1694-1778), a French philosopher and author

I certainly don't condone racial remarks and innuendos, and this is not the first time Imus has crossed the bad taste line in my view - but hasn't he got the right to? Haven’t we all? And isn't it the right of Al Sharpton and every other citizen of this country to change the channel or turn off the radio and not listen to such programs? Yes to both questions. Then why aren't they turning the other cheek and going about their business? Why isn't Al Sharpton encouraging his oh-so-offended hordes not to listen to shock jocks thereby causing their ratings to plummet? Isn't that sending the message? Or does he hunger for the media exposure he gets as a racist hatchet-man? (Whoops! Is "hordes" a racist term? Good thing I’m self-employed!)

I don't recall Mel Gibson facing anything but ridicule for his anti-semitic rhetoric. The Jewish community didn't demand that the movie industry stop doing business with Gibson, nor did they form a protest march surrounding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences demanding they remove his movies from the nominations list. And I don't recall a message going out to the world not to buy Jimmy Carter's book which is filled with anti-semitism and cheap shots at the State of Israel. And, wasn’t Mr. Sharpton guilty of racist remarks himself when he allegedly used the term Hymie world. I don’t recall any of us Hymies calling out for his demise for using the H word.

Does the black community have the exclusive on racism? Is it only racist when the words are directed at African-Americans? Where in the world did those people get the idea that they have the monopoly on racism? They threw my people into burning ovens - ALIVE - and slaughtered them by the millions! And hasn't the law nonetheless allowed the American Nazi Party to demonstrate and spread their sickening hate all over this country even when they targeted areas with large Jewish populations?

Sharpton and Jackson need to grow up and stop playing racist policemen. America gives you the right to be a racist, (does it not?), as long as you don't violate any laws while you're expressing your own bigotry. American’s have the right to express their views in bad taste and offensive comments, and those who are offended can turn their heads, turn off their TV’s and radios, and go about their business, or, respond in kind. That’s what the First Amendment is all about.

Fact is, what's going on here really isn't about racism. The Sharpton's of the world would have us all believe that it is, but it’s not. The real issue here is far more important than racism - freedom of speech is at stake. In this country you have the right to express bigotry within the boundaries of existing laws. But look out! Here comes the only group in America that can say the "N" word and get away with it - on the air, on the tube, in the streets - everywhere! For that matter, here comes the only group that sits back and anxiously waits to pounce on anyone who crosses the line so they can further their own agendas.

Sharpton said no one should profit from racist remarks. Doesn’t Sharpton profit from so-called racist remarks every time the media splashes him all over the tube? Doesn't it further his favorite charity (himself) every time he has an excuse to raise his voice and point his finger at some fool's careless use of the English language? That satisfies my definition of profiting. Now that I think about it, had he and his Reverend friend not brought Imus’ remarks to the attention of the media, nobody would have been offended.

And, is what Imus said, in fact, racist? Isn't the hair on many of the heads of men and women of color, in fact, commonly described as nappy? Aren't these the same women that are constantly referred to as hoes in just about every piece of music the black community puts out these days? Why aren't the hoes complaining? Are only black people allowed to use nappy, hoes and the "N" word? Are we still allowed to say kinky and frizzy? Please Mr. Sharpton, give us a list of what we can and can’t say!!!

If African-America wants the "N" word to disappear from the face of the Earth, why do they keep using it?

Oh, and pardon me. I certainly don't mean to handicap the stand-up comedy of Chris Rock and other black comedians, but someone should tell these guys that they can't have it both ways.

If every group in America were to behave in this fashion every time someone from the media crossed the line into bad taste, the business of the day, all that America would have time for, would be punishing all the fools throwing those awful sticks and stones. Sharpton and his cronies really need to get over themselves.

Imus should have played some rap music with black artists depicting the nappy-heads as hoes and using the "N" word every other verse as an example of the black community’s own bad taste and racism. He should never have apologized and humbled himself, begging forgiveness. He should have defended his right to say the same things the black community has said and continues to say every day of the week 24/7!

If I was Imus I would retract my apology: “After reviewing black music and black stand-up comedy, I retract my apology and reserve the right to use the same words in the same context so often used by African-Americans." That’s what he should have told them!

But I do agree with Mr. Sharpton in one regard. Imus should definitely not have spoken those words. He should have sung them! Then he could have responded to Sharpton by saying that he reserves the same right as America’s rappers - to express his artistic views!

I have every respect for the black community, and, as a Jew, hate bigotry and racism as much as anyone, but listen up. If you want it to stop, if you want to put an end to racial slurs - then you stop it too, and stop wasting America's time. Are you feeling me bro? Do you know what I’m sayin’? We've got far more important issues in the world than name calling and promoting the agendas of political opportunists! Sticks and stones may break our bones but terrorists mean to kill us! Na na na na na na brother...