by Michael Collins

Created on: April 11, 2008

Don Imus: a man who made a poor decision to make fun of a group of people by performing a terrible, stereotypical impression of a "nappy headed ho." The man has all the wit and sophistication of Beavis and/or Butthead. But since when did we forbid people with bad taste or despicable opinions from voicing them?

There is no question that Don Imus should be "allowed" back on the air, but one should surely be asking exactly what that means: allowed? By whom? To quote Ayn Rand, "The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me?" If there's a radio station that wants to see Don Imus back on the air, that is willing to overlook or forgive a momentary lack of judgement, then that station is free to do so - even if Imus was to scream about full-blown genocide. The right to freedom of speech, and the right to own property, should protect such (thankfully) minority views. Alas, the existence of the FCC precludes those basic rights, but since we're arguing in hypotheticals, we might as well go whole-hog, eh?

It should be clarified, though - the argument that Don Imus should be free to express his views on air (or in print, or on the internet) should not be taken as an argument that he MUST be allowed back on the air. Imus's former employers were obviously concerned enough about his ill-considered remarks that they were perfectly willing to incur the cost of lost Imus fans than risk losing those who found his comments distasteful. This is, in keeping with the right to own property and the right to free speech as mentioned above, perfectly acceptable - even admirable. If one does not agree with the views of someone, they should be free to disassociate themselves from that person. Just because he has something to say does not compel anyone to assist him in saying it. You have the right to free speech, but not the right to an audience.

Don Imus should be so lucky to have found a new home - but this shouldn't be a problem for him, considering his past record of controversy and out-right despicable behaviour is what got him a job to be canned form in the first place.

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