Hi there kiddies. You picked a rather touchy subject but here is my opinion anyway:

A line must be drawn at some point. If you start accepting any insults aka jokes thrown at any group of people you start making discriminating remarks ok. However, I disagree with the hysteric reactions of the public - make people know what he said and let everyone decide if he wants to listen to him or not.

P.S. Ronnie, I am facing two oral exams. Although I am not afraid being questioned face to face by my professors for one hour I could need some uplifting words. Would you mind giving me your Tina Turner "Thunderdome" impression? You once imitated fabulously Turner`s sentence "Two men enter, one man leaves. Thunderdome!" I would reaaaaly love to hear this from my mp3 player before facing the exams.

Said by: Mr Noyes at April 12, 2007 02:21 AM

This guy is just struggling to remain relevant. Supposedly he's the original 'shock jock' before Howard Stern came along. He's 66 years old and has been doing his show for 30 years. His defense is that it's a comedy show and it was meant as a joke. Well, if you listen to it in context, it's just not funny. The Coultergeist was funnier calling John Edwards a faggot. (Why didn't people get this worked up about her comment? Oh yeah, the gays are the last group that it's still ok to dump on.)

The media is making way too much of this. They are using it as the new Anna Nicole Smith story to distract us from the real news.

The guy is a good guy that made some stupid comment that he shouldn't have. Either it comes from some unconcious seed of racism, or a pathetic attempt to try to be relevant in today's culture that is saturated with Hip Hop and its misogynistic lyrics. Either way, he should have known better. He should be punished, but I'm not sure what that should be. He apparently has a history of this stuff. He can redeem himself, but he shouldn't be given amnesty. I don't think the Rutgers team should forgive him, they don't owe this fool anything.

These girls are beautiful young student athletes who accomplished something remarkable. This guy was just reaching for anything to say and fell flat on his face.

His producer should definately be canned. I found his "Jiggaboo" comment to be way more offensive than Imus' "nappy headed 'ho" comment.

Anyway, who is this crypt-keeper to be commenting on other people's hair? He looks like they threw some roadkill on top of one of the melted wax figures from Raiders of the Lost Arc.

Love you guys and am looking forward to listening to today's show!

Said by: rick in San Diego at April 12, 2007 02:42 AM

Everytime Miss Ronnie is on, I laught out loud so hard! I mean it's 4am down here in México, and I almost wake my mom up!

Those chinese can't take a joke, come on! Now the australian people will be complaining because you won't go to their jelly fish infested beaches!

When you are coming up with jokes in real time, you can't keep count of how many asian jokes you make, how many black, mexican, whatever jokes you make.

The feast of fools, a pickle surprise in my ears!

Said by: Juan Jaime at April 12, 2007 04:00 AM

Don Imus was fired last night.

Said by: cristy at April 12, 2007 05:48 AM

I don't want to comment on this board, when the new FoF one is just right over the fence! What to do, what to do...

Said by: Jason at April 12, 2007 06:11 AM

I would rather people say whats on their minds no matter what instead of censoring themselves. If they are a hateful racist or hate gays, I want to know. That way I do not have to waste my time with them.

Said by: Cliff Dix(from Atlanta) at April 12, 2007 08:10 AM

Great show guys!!! Sharpton & Jackson need to go after the top 20 rap album sellers if they want to be honestly address the issue. If people don't like what Imus said they should contact the sponsors of his show. It worked on Dr. Laura and her ass was yanked from television after 1 month.

Said by: Gary T at April 12, 2007 10:11 AM

I want a fractal hairdo!

... can someone at Milio's do that?

Said by: Maia at April 12, 2007 11:22 AM

Well, as a person of asian descent (more specifically, Chinese) and having a partner who is black, I do not have any problem with anything that Ronnie says on the show... She continues to be one of my favorite personalities on the FOF. The people who had problem with what she said sounds (to me) like a bunch of drama queens bitching and moaning about something trying to get attention.

As far as the Imus situation, I don't know anything about the guy, and quite frankly, don't really care. From what I've heard (which is not much -- I try to avoid it), the problem was that he specifically picked out and commented on the ladies who are black, which causes people to take offense. The thing that gave me pause is that he actually apologized for what he had done. If it really was a joke (however offensive it was), then he hadn't the need to apologize for what he had done, but only to apologize for offending people.

Unfortunately for our society in America, it takes something like this (blowing things out of proportion) to get the people to take notice on racial discrimination in the media. Had things not blown out of proportion like this (i.e. only to contact the sponsors, etc.), nothing would have been done. It depends, of course, on who the sponsors are, and who they are trying to reach. However, think about it, the sponsors would see, that since the demographic the show was catered to is white folks (and hence their revenue source are from white folks), racial issues like this would most likely be ignored or go unnoticed by their target audience. As a result, complaints from black folks don't really mean anything.

If you think in terms of money, and since white folks tend to have more money -- so you offend a couple of black folks, who cares? They are not the ones you are making most of your money from. So the only recourse for people who are offended is to blow it out of proportion and draw negative publicity to effect change.

So, while it's a nice sentiment to say that people should go after the sponsors, it doesn't really work for racial issues. Just look at the "variety" of sitcoms or drama shows on TV. How many shows only has white actors (and no other race) as the main characters? My pet-peeve is always sitcoms like "Friends" -- how the heck they live in NYC and not have anyone but white folks on the show? Compare that with the number of shows that only has minority actors and don't have any white actor as one of main characters. Then you'll see what all the fuss is all about.

Said by: LL at April 12, 2007 01:50 PM

I think anyone who uses a racist word or saying should stop. I hope African Americans stop calling each other the "N" word. I've heard it plenty of times here in Chicago, and it's not a term of endearment from one black person to another in my book. It's just rude. Let's all start treating each other with dignity and respect.

Said by: Michael (Rogers Park) at April 12, 2007 02:59 PM

Miss Ronnie, someone was complaining about you? Welcome to fame. People will only complain if the think that you're important enough that their complaint will make an impact. So as I see it, the show's moving up! ;)

Yeah, this whole Don Imus issue is, in my opinion, irrelevant. He made a comment that he thought would be "hip and cool," but instead proved how out of touch he is with society. Hell, I didn't even know who he was untill this crap happened.

Oh, by the way, more there was an explosion in the iragi parliament today... but no one cares because some priviledged colleges students were offended (lets not even touch that they probably didn't even know who this yahoo was untill someone told them was what said).

I agree with some of the above comments that this is a dialogue that needs to continue to take place though. Let's be real people, some of our parents and grandparents were around while institutionalized segregation existed. There are alot of issues to work through still. Now lets start with Michael's suggestion and start treating each other with some common respect and dignity.

Said by: Richard at April 12, 2007 04:34 PM

Is Don Imus a bigot? Maybe.

The real question is: Where were Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when Gen. Peter Pace made his inflamatory comments about the immorality of gay people?

Are they of the belief that there are no gay African-Americans?

Hell! I'd bet that some of the girls on the basketball team are even lesbians.

Ooops! Was that a stereotype about female athletes?

Said by: John in Ely at April 12, 2007 05:13 PM

Miss Ronnie--thanks for sharing my comments!

To sum up my feelings, I'll just add that we live in a country with freedom of speech. However, that freedom does not come without consequences. Say what you like, but don't be surprised if it bites you in the ass.

That being said, I don't know why everyone cares so much about what someone else says. If someone calls me a faggot it only hurts me if I let it. Perhaps it's childish, but I try to live by the mantra, "sticks and stones can break my bones, but your words will never hurt me."

Said by: Corey at April 12, 2007 05:57 PM

Don Imus has a right to free speach. The best part about our society is that he can speak his mind. The beauty of this whole thing is that there is a "backlash". I doubt this would have been an issue in the 1950's. Public opinion now is that his speach was harmful and inappropriate. We, as a culture, have changed. We know what is not appropriate. Don Imus MUST change to continue to be a part of the media. If he gets a new show he will continue to be under srutiny for his comments. Over all, the higher good prevailed. Those that enjoy racism and racist comments must learn that their days are numbered!

Said by: Duane at April 12, 2007 09:31 PM

Fausto you brought up an interesting point re: rappers use of [sexist, homophobic] racist language. Even in the case of gangster rap, "whitey" still holds the purse strings in the form of rich white record company executives. That in itself helps to perpetuate the myth of the angry dangerous black man. Knowing that I ask who's really perpetuating racism, you know.

-B

Said by: Bully at April 12, 2007 10:28 PM

interesting show...

as for the Imus thing.. well, if you don't know by now he has been fired.

but i think people were making too big of a deal over it. what he said was wrong but the way i see it, he could have said something a lot more offensive like using the n word in it or something more degrading to women...really...i think it is kinda silly how much attention this got. i don't think he should have gotten away with saying what he did but..yeah.

Said by: Chickengirl at April 13, 2007 01:33 AM

I don't think it should be socially acceptable for anyone to make derogatory statements about a group of people. If it's not okay for me to use the n* word because I'm a white woman, then it shouldn't be okay for anyone else, regardless of their race.

Regarding Imus' comment... I am more upset that it seems to be okay for someone to call a woman a ho. That's just disrespectful and misogynistic.

For anyone who thinks that free speech as anything to do with Imus, think again. Constitutionally protected freedom of speech applies only to the relationship between the federal government and US citizens. Private entities such as Imus' employers are not bound by that rule. You can say what you want, but there will be consequences.

Said by: Anna at April 13, 2007 01:47 AM

Hey there fools,

This whole PC- thing would be funny if people did not take it so seriously. Un-pc comments mostly seem to hurt people who are personally insecure about what is being made fun of. And then mostly when the intent behind the comment is not clear. I am a white guy and have been living and loving with a sweet and beautiful black guy for over a decade now - and most liberals would faint at the distinctly un-pc comments that we jokingly make back and forth about eachother concerning issues of race. I have a fairly mixed group of friends - people from different countries and races - and jokes about these (perceived) differences have the function of building a bridge over them and forming a bond. It always comes back to the source of the comment - if a rightwinger would call me a fag, I might sue the guy, if one of my straight friends would do it, I would call him a breeder and if a gay friend would say it, I would tell him to take 'a good, long look in the mirror, okaaay?' I don't agree completely with Ms. Ronnie, in that we bear some responsibility for what we say. If we say something within (virtual) earshot of someone we may offend then we might have to explain we were JOKING even if it seems obvious from our own point of view.
And yes - the proofreading in parts of Asia is bad enough for me to believe nobody picked up on the racist slur on the couch, though I think it was more about being clueless about the connotations than about being offensive. Check out the link through my name to visit http://www.engrish.com, which shows widely distributed examples of BAD English.

Said by: Steven - Amsterdam at April 13, 2007 11:02 AM

My partner is asian and i even joke around with the same things. He seems to get really mad when I tell him he can't drive very well at all... which, really he can't. :) I joke around a lot more too.

I feel that if it's done with a light heart, why not, you know? If it was constantly hate-charged, that would be completely different.

Thanks a million for the laughs, Ronnie.

Said by: Ben at April 13, 2007 12:07 PM

im an asian, and i just laugh along when Ronnie makes jokes about us. Especially that rape joke when Ronnie said, 'how much could it hurt from an asian?' i just take everything with a pinch of salt.
you guys cheer me up everyday!

Said by: jar at April 13, 2007 12:17 PM

Ok so we have become such an incredibly sensitive society. This whole thing would be silly if it isn't so potenially dangerous. When it started the intent was to prevent people from threatening or hurting others - preventing bullies, hate speech, etc. Now if someone gets offended by a joke, a mob can ruin your livlihood. We are headed to a place where the thought police will lock you up for saying things the government or big corporations don't like.

As for Don Imus, look this is an old crow that is hardly relevant. Maybe he is a bigot, but who cares. If he should be fired, then dig a very big hole: you will need to round up Ann Coulter; Rev. Sharpton; Springer; Howard Stern... And even friends of ours that offend groups.

As for Ms. Ronnie and the Asians: I'm sure I'll get lots of hate mail about this but get over yourselves guys. Asian men and small penises is a joke as old as time. If that offends you then you need to round up every comedian on the planet. And, oh by the way, as a white guy i've heard lots of jokes about black guys being so hung and us being small. And i've been with enough guys to know that isn't true. But then i'm happy with what i have.

If you're offended by Ms. Ronnie then you are a very insecure man. Get over it. Enjoy your penis and find someone that makes you feel good.

And before you spam me, I have asian friends that are secure enough to find this funny. Oh and I knew a big ol asian man once who was mighty fine and had a nice ol big cock :)

Peace.

Drew

Said by: PoloDrew at April 13, 2007 03:17 PM

Hi guys,
Miss Ronnie. Forget about what the Mexican said about your 'insensitivity to Asians". I'm Asian and I love you and love your jokes about Asian. You always crack me up. I'm kind of sad that you don't make fun of us every now and then. I enjoy your humor because I know that you do it with love. I know there's no hatred in you towards Asians. What does he know about Asians? I'm Mexican after all.
With the Asian authoritiy vested in me, I'm hereby declare you THE friend of Asian. Victoria has been my Vietnamese queen but now you're officially our queen of Asians.
Love you. Love the guys. Keep up the good work. Keep the jokes going. Your program has brought so much laughters and joy to my life.

Said by: Daniel at April 13, 2007 08:42 PM