1. As a Democrat who never watches Fox - I'm embarrassed to say that I agree with Sean Hannity for the first time in my life.

If someone is Afro-American, I have no problem with them cracking Afro-American jokes. If someone is a woman who has been a victim of sexual violence and wants (for some unknown reason) to crack jokes about sexual violence, I have no problem (though she might). If someone is gay, and wants to crack gay jokes, I have no problem. etc etc The point: if you have been on the receiving end of hate and choose to take the hate terms and turn them around into something that helps you survive in a hostile environment - then, in my opinion only, go for it.

However, I do have a real problem when a heterosexual man decides for women which sexual violence jokes a woman should or should not (in their opinion) find funny. I have a problem when a white cracks jokes about Afro- Americans and decides what should or should not be funny to Afro- Americans, and vice versa. I have a problem when a man or woman of any race who is not gay or lesbian decides for gay or lesbians what they should or should not find funny.

The point is that someone cracking an "inside" joke about themselves works to destroy hate. An outsider to a group cracking the same joke is making a decision for another group about what the outsider (usually someone who is part of the group that has caused the butt of the joke problems) thinks they should find funny. The outsider, as opposed to destroying hate, is, like a Michael Richards or Ann Coulter, propagating hate. This is not my original idea, it was originally the opinion of a commenter named Richter that I agree with.

We have never been a nation more divided since the civil war. Comedy can be used to make the world a better place by adding a laugh to whatever insults the comedian himself or herself may have been subject to. However, when the comedian presumes to have the authority to determine what should or should not be funny to a victimized group the comedian does not belong to, it usually just ends up adding to the hate. The same thing goes for the minority group comedian who hurls back hate jokes against the majority - it just adds to the hate.

This is one of the many reasons I stopped participating in the Dinesh D'Souza blog. One of the favorite topics, besides relentlessly plugging his latest book, appeared to me to be the attempt to stir up race wars or morality wars about gays just to up the number of comments to his blog.

Comedians on the air can basically crack whatever jokes they want - but I think its a good sign when society in general says to the marketplace that jokes which promote hate will not be tolerated.

Comments which promote violence against government officials or promote violent insurrection are prosecutable criminal offenses for a good reason, because they promote total anarchy. While anti-PC jokes coming from the wrong source shouldn't be crimes, I see nothing wrong with the marketplace saying we don't want to support your station if you support hate.

Unregulated satellite radio is an exception. The subscriber knows in advance that its "no holds barred" regardless of the consequences and chooses to pay money to hear that. Once again, its the marketplace talking. If you want to pay to hear hate, then you certainly have a right to do that - and that is why you are paying extra to hear it. Richards, Imus, Ann Coulter, etc. all have a home waiting at Sirius, as they should.

Phil at 4:20AM on May 18th 2007

2. I am a woman and a Democrat - so I'm sure Sean Hannity will be surprised to know that I do agree with him and actually have appreciated his support of Don Imus in this ugly incident. The "victim" in all this was Don Imus. All he did was crack a stupid joke. It was not racist or mean spirited - it was an attempt at humor. Let's be serious and stop all the vicitimization. The graceful women of Rutger's will hardly be "scarred for life!". IF they are...they certainly do not do themselves justice as they march off into the real world after graduation. Because as a woman, I've been in the Corporate world for over 15 years and, honey, you hear a lot worse sometimes than what Don IMus said...you have to be tough and lead by example. I for one, loved Don Imus' show and sense of humor. Those attacking him most loudly either have an agenda (the good Reverands) or never listend to Don IMus's show at all...so have no idea of what context he would use and how he made fun of society at large (some of the ways youth refer to each other and particularly African Americans and "slang" they use...should really check themselves here prior to calling Don Imus a racist)...Don reflected our society. So for all the high and mighty who were "outraged" - take a look at our current society and what passes as entertainment. TAke a look one Friday or Saturday nght at the music videos on BET (more recently referred to as "art" in defense against Imus's comment) and you will not believe your eyes. The women are hardly dressed and gyrating like they have to dance to obtain their next meal. The men refer to the women as far far worse than whatever Imus said. So, before condemning the poor I-Man, certain communities and also the entire society needs to look within at who is "guilty" and who is an "innocent victim". I think we would all have an enlightening moment.

I hope to see Imus return to the airwaves soon...because for those who didn't know it...he was the only thing worth listening to in the Morning...and the ONLY one who could make me laugh. Social satire has been a comedic tool for centuries....let's not lose our sense of humor now, America...because we really need it. If we send all the comedians home...we will then have a serious and humorless society of victims. I dont' think that is point here....Imus can certainly curb his dialogue - as long as the boundary is for everyone...and not just a white guy.

Come back soon, I-Man. Thanks Sean for debating Al on this issue...so important to all of our rights.

cyndilu9 at 7:46PM on May 20th 2007

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Mike at 8:33AM on May 18th 2007