Free Speech and False Accusations

Another interesting news day. On one hand, we have:

MSNBC Drops Don Imus Simulcast April 12, 2007 - 3:33am By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) - MSNBC said Wednesday it will drop its simulcast of the "Imus in the Morning" radio program, responding to growing outrage about the radio host's racial slur against the Rutgers women's basketball team. (WTOP)

On the other hand, we have:

Prosecutors Drop Charges in Duke Case April 12, 2007 - 3:16am By AARON BEARD Associated Press Writer RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Nearly a year after calling the rape accusations he and two Duke lacrosse teammates faced nothing but "fantastic lies," David Evans again stood before the cameras and proclaimed his innocence. This time, there was no room for doubt. (WTOP)

So, what do these two cases have in common? On the surface, not much, but unless you have been living under a rock for a couple of years, they are very much connected to each other.

Now I am not going to apologize for what Imus said. Frankly, he is no better than Rush or Sharpton or Stern or any of the other so-called talking heads out there, but this is America and he is entitled to say anything he wants. If it does not violate the FCC regulations, then the repercussions of his statements are simply those of the public arena and he is getting an earful from those that think they know better.

What is important here is the deafening silence we are hearing from these so-called black leaders that are currently leading the charge against what Imus said and not doing their own apologizing for almost single handedly destroying the college careers and possibly impacting the lives of three young white men who were falsely accused of rape more than a year ago.

Calling someone a "nappy-headed ho" is derogatory, but frankly ranks up there with calling them stinky. School yard silliness at best and as someone pointed out, these girls call each other names much worse than that in the locker room. It is free speech and as was said in the movie "The American President" America is advanced citizenship... It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. Yes, he should be slapped upside the head, but that really should be the end of it.

Acting as judge, jury and executioner when there has not even been a solid criminal investigation is another matter altogether and is at the very least libelous and it is certainly more deserving of someone saying "I am sorry." Of course, I do not expect that to ever happen. And that is the sad part about race relations in the United States. What is more depressing is it is not the first time that the so-called black leaders have ridden in on their mighty horses and pontificated at the top of their holy voices and been wrong. This just happens to be the latest example of it. So, to Mr. Sharpton, and Mr. Jackson, and the rest, when you have a moment to breath between roasts, how about saying "we were wrong and we apologize." But do not expect it to be accepted. Nor, should it be.