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Wolfowitz Finds New Position for Imus

Following his successful placement of his friend, Shaha Riza, World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz undertook the task of finding a new job for radio host Don Imus. Mr. Imus' contracts with NBC and CBS had recently been terminated and he was in need for a new platform for his message.

Taking advantage of his connections with the U.S. government, Mr. Wolfowitz has successfully placed Mr. Imus in a major position with the Voice of America. This newly created position will feature Mr. Imus in a daily news program to be called "Imus to the World" While the format has not been completely designed as yet, the program is expected to include interviews with politicians, celebrities, and TV pundits, as well as American country music.

The Imus program will be simulcast on radio and TV.

While details have not been released, the contract negotiated by Mr. Wolfowitz is said
to be by far the most lucrative for any Voice of America employee. The content of one provision has been made public: Mr. Imus is required to direct his offensive language only to enemies of the U.S., such as islamists, and to bureaucrats employed by the World Bank.

IMUS REVISITED

As - let's hope - the furor and unrelenting coverage of the Imus affair dies down, let me add a parting thought to those expressed earlier. I still think that the firings amount to overkill, as stated:

"And when generals and other high officials get away with reprimands or less for such actions as permitting Abu Ghraib or lying about Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman or Iraq's connection to 9/11 or nuclear materials, cancellation of Imus in the Morning would be overkill."

Yes, Imus' remark was reprehensible and deserved some punishment. However, it was obviously not serious. Just think of the result if Imus had stopped to think and had disowned and apologized a few moments after utterance. No firestorm, no terminations. It would be clear that Imus is not a bigot or racist.

However I do understand the terminations, although they would have been more sincere and pristine if done right away instead of after pressure from advertisers and the usual preachers, as well as those genuinely offended. It is just a shame that there will be so much collateral damage, to charities, to millions of viewers, and to the public good by removal of a voice that constantly attacked political and other wrongdoers

IMUS - ENOUGH ALREADY

Don Imus is now challenging the Trent Lott record for number of apologies. He has apologized daily on his show and in conversations with Al Sharpton and many others.
With the media paying undue and hyped attention to this story, his opportunities to apologize will be endless.

Imus needed to acknowledge his guilt for his thoughtless, reprehensible remark, but other than that, his sincere apology should be to the Rutgers basketball players whom he gratuitously insulted. We don't know what he may have done with respect to them or to Rutgers, but scholarship or other funds might not be a bad idea.

Those who know Don Imus, such as Tom Oliphant, are supportive since they know that he is in no way racist. That does not excuse the remark, but it certainly justifies forgiveness.

To put the matter in perspective, remember that a large part of his shtick is the cutting remark, often a bit offensive. He trades insults with his guests and attacks injustice with relentless criticism. Although close to the line, his comments are not really serious, such as when he called Governor Bill Richardson a "fat sissy" and the New York Knicks "chest-thumping pimps". Also, Imus constantly refers to Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld as "war criminals", although here he may be serious.

None of this excuses his Rutgers remark and, as Imus has said, he has been "humiliated". A two week suspension may be appropriate but cancellation of his program would not. His show is usually entertaining, it supports good charitable work, and it provides thoughtful, strong comment on political and other events by Imus and his
intelligent, influential guests.

And when generals and other high officials get away with reprimands or less for such actions as permitting Abu Ghraib or lying about Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman or Iraq's connection to 9/11 or nuclear materials, cancellation of Imus in the Morning would be overkill.

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BUSH SENDING PELOSI TO DARFUR

President Bush has approved White House plans to send Speaker Nanci Pelosi on a foreign policy mission to the troubled region of Darfur. The administration spokesman noted that Pelosi's recent success in carrying the administration's message to Syria had prompted this move.

Speaker Pelosi is expected to meet with leaders of the janjaweed and other rebel groups and tell them that we don't like what they are doing. The President stated that
Ms. Pelosi is to stay as long as she needs to drive home this message.