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Originally Posted by Pete Yet CBS records will sign a rapper who says worse and who is not trying to crack a joke. Where is the moral courage there Leslie? |
...see, that's the larger issue. At the end of the day, you can't cry any tears over Imus. He works a high wire act in a high wire job with no net and, sometimes, people hit the floor. That said, I am wondering what the larger impact will be because Imus has, in fact, hit the floor so spectacularly and then been piled on so heavily. This thing may have long term resonance.
So, for 2008, will there be lingering awareness and impact when it comes to Hollywood, especially rap music? Will vulgar entertainment be an issue? Will Democrats, the party of 'free' this and 'free' have hypocritically put themselves in a position to put up or shut up?
It's one thing for Imus to get suspended for two weeks and do a penance. The rap world can claim artistic license that has SOME limits, just not on them. It is another to give him, Imus, what may amount to a professional death sentence for rather light words compared to the flat out hatred and violence of mainstream rap.
Sponsors have raised the bar as to what they can or cannot justify to their stock holders. This may do some lasting good. Or harm depending on our own personal hypocrisy level.