The two week suspension is what actually makes me think this whole unfortunate incident was a ratings ploy. If you, as his employer, believe his actios were that detrimental to your business, why not just fire him outright to save face? In Business 101 that would be called damage control. There was none here until sponsors started leaving.
Don't get me wrong here. This in no way means I advocate Imus's actions-whether his own by choice or done at the behest of others. Plainly put, it was stupid. I disagree with many on the reason for this incident; but it was wrong in and of itself. I particularly disagee with Imus at first trying to use the defense that African-American men (some, not all) disrespect, degrade, and objectify African-American women- rappers in particular.
Is he correct? Yes. Is this an excuse or a defense for his behavior? No. If Mr. Imus wanted to try to address this issue, I think he should have brought this up in another manner entirely. This has lead to the double-standard issue. Again, this should have been addressed differently. Throwing gasoline on a fire has never entinguished one, but has just made it worse. I don't think the saying "fighting fire with fire" applies here.
I hope that America can get past this blight on society. Now you know why I have such a great distaste for the subject of race; it is being perverted for purpose yet again.