I am quite familiar with Imus, listening or watching for more than 10 years. I gave up on him last year but for my own unrelated reasons. But now I am strongly sympathetic because this political correctness thing has become so powerful that one cannot discuss what needs to be said about race and racial cultures in this country. That is not to say that Imus had any agenda here. I would not particularly justify the comment in question, but I wouldn't view it as nearly so damning as it has been made out to be. It all depends upon the context. For example, Carlos Mencia, as part of a comedy routine, can confront blacks with their cultural or even physical idiosyncrasies, but Don Imus cannot kid around in similar fashion.
I figure the reason both MSNBC and CBS Radio canceled so abruptly is because they were just waiting for an excuse...Howard Stern all over again. You watch...Imus will resurface on satellite radio, making even more money. I don't know about cable or satellite TV, but that would preserve the visual content of some of the comedy skits. On the other hand, Imus is old enough to retire, is wealthy, not very healthy, and would rather be on the ranch, not in New York. But his wife will have a lot to do about what he really choses to do. The guy is big time 'whipped.
Personally, I have no tears, because Imus was very powerful politically and provided a platform for either leftists or for beating up on conservatives of various stripes. He is also too focused on his wife's stuff rather than being the randy old bastard he was before he got married.
All I care about is this bizarre enforcement of political correctness, as if blacks are so powerful politically and economically that every white man is kissing up like they truly would have no personal feelings on cultural matters. Bottom line is that Imus represented sponsors, who would all run for cover if some racial controversy started. That leaves everyone a victim to any black who wants to play the race card in response to the slightest implication that the black community is truly different than the white and in many ways that need to be changed. The truth is that blacks for the most part are preoccupied with appearing to be different. Good luck to anyone who wants to point that out.
As a matter of fact, Congress has discussed breaking up or disassociating itself from the Congressional Black Caucus. They are not comfortable with so officially hosting racial polarity among their own body. All the caucus really does is promote any form of government handout or block anything that would diminish social spending, wars for example. That's why blacks (100% of blacks in Congress) are Democratic socialists instead of Republicans.