HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Apr. 16, 2007 Nobody can miss the hoopla regarding the insensitive statement made by Don Imus about the women from Rutger's. Nor can they smooth it over it appears. Prior to his firing advertisers were pulling ads as a show of unity against his words. Per the media circus is seemed everyone was weighing in against Imus. I am not defending his words per sae. I am defending his rights. My question is; of the many who called for Don Imus firing was there anyone to consider his freedom to speak regardless of his ill choice of words? I am listening, but I do not hear anyone coming forward on this topic. Don Imus was not the first person to ever place his foot squarely into his mouth because of word selection or inappropriate word selection. Rest assured he will not be the last. There is no disputing it was not the best choice of words, but he has since apologized and been forgiven by those women he singled out in that comment. In the spirit of peace, freedom, and understanding has not everyone tied to that comment suffered enough? Is it not time to move on and begin healing instead of pouring salt into the open wound? I say quit beating the bad dog. He knows he was bad. We need to give Don Imus a second chance. People are human and thus err. Some more than others. It is what we learn from that err that enlightens us and leaves us open to the future. I think Don Imus learnt a tremendous lesson from speaking those words and will never speak again without considering who he may hurt with words ill cast. Does firing him make us whole again? Or render those words unspoken? Is there someone out there who is perfect and has never spoken a wrong or misleading statement? As with any crimes let the punishment fit the encroachment. For when we begin to decide who and how people can and should speak we erode their freedoms set forth in the Constitution of the United States of America. Articles 1 and 14 of the United States Constitution afford us the right to freely express opinions, ideas, and information without restricting content. We can beg to differ with those opinions, ideas, and information. However, disallowing that freedom is the beginning of the end in my humble opinion. The only shortfalls with this freedom come in the gray area of threats to public safety or public interest. Don Imus posed no such threats from my perspective. I invite the media and the world to give Don Imus a second chance to prove that he is worthy of offering his opinions, ideas, and information in a judicious fashion. I believe he has served the air waves well in his lengthy career as a radio jock talk show host. One may not enjoy his style. Or his temperament. Or even him personally. And that is your choice. The operative word here being choice! It is these very freedoms and choices regarding speech that have been handed down through history via the United States Constitution that allow you to change the channel and refuse to tune in or just say no more to Don Imus. But what would life be like without that choice? Consider that alternative. ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. She has just been accepted into Doctoral College and will begin that three year journey in the fall of 2006. She plans to write her dissertation on "The Economic Feasibility and Sustainability of Alternative Fuel Sources". Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She is joint founder of the Apalachicola Yacht Club (AYC) and holds the post of secretary/treasurer. For the AYC she drafted the Constitution and Bylaws outlining membership rules, regulations, and guidelines. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
