Paul Begala Speaks on Behalf of Imus

Political science at Georgetown, appearing there said that friends stand by friends, he says that he has a Ph.D. in damage control from Bill Clinton University; Imus maintained that he didn't need a "come to Jesus moment." Imus did emphasize the comedic and satirical moment; he backgrounded himself somewhat by saying that while on Al Sharpton's radio show Sharpton commented that he believed Imus who does work with inner city children in supporting movements to assist them.

Begala said that at least "as we say in Texas, you ain't peein' on my boots and tellin' me it's rainin'." Imus reported that he deeply regretted disturbing their season, that he would ask for forgiveness from them; that he knew that this took place in the midst of a fast paced program, a comedic exchange that got out of hand. Begala made the point that Trent Lott has taken place, that in moving forward we need to consider a couple of rules: 1) Only attack big people - Begala talked about H.L. Mencken's axiom about attacking those who are big enough to handle the attack. That Imus usually does go after big targets as one of the reasons that Begala listened to the show.

2) Never attack based on an immutable characteristic - it never works, to attack on something like race; as a characteristic, Begala said that he associated with it in that he should have talked with Imus about that prior to this incident. Begala said that as a third point this is bringing conversation into a world that normally doesn't use it.

Begala said that all his comments come from a place of reconciliation, Begala commented that as a Catholic he comes from the stance of "love the sinner, hate the sin." The notion that we are able to do this - Imus said that the real unfairness here was the kids and the harm that came to them through this incident. He further commented that he intended to go meet with the young women of the team and that they would see what takes place beyond that, but overall he and everyone else who knows him would say that he isn't a racist at all.

In the context of life, this is an incident between a radio listening audiences, the individuals commented upon in the midst of a radio shock jocks show, and the various acting commentators, which followed on, as this article is. Alan Dershowitz in "Shouting Fire," commented about the American experiment this way: "The difficult issue- of morality, legality, and practicality - is how to devise an acceptable process for resolving such conflicts in a pluralistic democracy commented to balancing the preferences of the majority against the rights of minorities." [Dershowitz, 2002]

James Carville said his experience is that even in the midst of all this, Imus should get some sleep, because it was Carville's experience that if a person didn't get their sleep they get cranky. Imus and Carville in discussing the ages of the athlete's commented upon the fact that they are approximately the same age as the young people who come to Imus's ranch as part of his enrichment program for young people. Carville said that what counted was the fact that Imus isn't running from his elevated responsibility to handle this - that Imus is being held to a different standard than rappers or musicians on words.