Keeping it 'Unreal" with Al Sharpton

Mr. Sharpton,

You equate what Don Imus said to Martha Stewart and Marv Albert who were convicted in court for misdeeds. Wow! Don Imus is now a criminal who should serve time behind bars? You are kidding yourself and the few followers you have by stating that as a lead in to your 5 points of redemption for Don Imus.

Lets take each point 1 by one and I will give you my opinion of them.

1."First, he should squarely deal with the Rutgers fiasco, not just through a cosmetic meeting as before, but by coming to terms with the women he denigrated in a concrete way.... ".

Al, Don Imus did deal with the "Rutgers Fiasco" when he received the acceptance of his apology. And he need not pay Kia Vaughn for her defamation suit because it is stupid and has no merit. And Imus would be equally stupid to fall for this kind of Grand Larceny by an unknown person. This would open the flood gates to anyone on the Rutgers team to sue. Read what the Rutgers athletic department has to say about Ms. Vaughn and you will understand.

2.

"Second, he should publicly make clear that he sees himself as an example of how we as a society have increasingly allowed the hunger for humor and the drive for ratings to make the American public immune to the casual expression of racism and sexism.

Specifically, Imus should state (if true) that he now understands what led to his termination: Americans of all races and economic levels believe we can no longer move forward as a society by taking cheap shots at women and blacks or any other group.

He was not a pariah; his removal did not undermine his free speech rights."

Al, I take exception to your words in parenthesis (If true). If true what? If Imus understands that there is a double standard in speech. That what a Black person can say a White person can't? The Jokes on you my friend. He understands more then you will ever know. And he knew well before the axe fell what was going to happen. It happened because you and fellow racist Jesse Jackson riled up the uninformed people of who Imus was, and created something out of nothing. His mistake was going on your little radio show to ask for your forgiveness. Are you not a Reverend? The penalty should have been a fine and suspension. Not to be fired by the weasels at CBS and NBC. Pariah is a big word. I think in the dictionary there is a picture of you in the description of that word. You are the black mans worst nightmare.

3.

"Third, he should pledge to refrain from attacks on innocent people who cannot defend themselves and who may not have the coping mechanisms to deal with being ridiculed on the airwaves.

It's one thing to ridicule Al Sharpton; it's another to attack young women who did nothing more than seek to achieve excellence in college athletics.

To that end, Imus and his new prospective employer, if and when one emerges, should publicly release a contract clause making clear that he will not be permitted to engage in any racist, sexist or homophobic comments (unlike a contrary clause in his last contract)".

Al, Do you think there are no stations hunting him down right now. Praying he accepts their deal? They can't wait to hire the man and his entire gang. Imus is a money making machine. Unlike you who just earns money from poor folk, who think your a leader of some righteous movement. And do you think Imus is not going to be the Imus of old when he gets on in the next few weeks? Wrong again Al. The charm of Don Imus is he calls it like he sees them. And I hope your the first one he throws under the bus. And Don Imus did not attack these young women of Rutgers. He made a stupidly worded joke. And you think the World has come to an end. Your a hypocrite. Get a real job. I see McDonald's pulled it's advertising dollars off of your Action Network site. Good for them. Who wants to eat something from McDonald's that supports a racist pariah who cannot even pronounce or say the word penance, it's not pittance. You have said that twice on two interviews on TV. Do you know the difference?

4.

"Fourth, to show that he is truly committed to turning the page in whatever new show he launches, Imus should set aside some regular weekly broadcast time to sit with an ombudsman — preferably a member of the National Association of Black Journalists or someone else of color — who will mix it up with him and critique issues of the day. No, I'm not volunteering for the job".

Al, The National Association of Black Journalists? The ones who honored the weasel Steve Capus for hiring or promoting two people of color on NBC? I doubt a 67 year old radio icon needs to repent to the likes of anyone. And I am sure you would not be his first choice if he did. Your the anti-Christ and do not belong speaking at the same level as Don Imus.

And finally your number 5.

"Fifth, Mr. Imus should encourage all corporations, including the record industry, to stop subsidizing and promoting people who engage in racist and misogynist language, even in the name of entertainment. The rules must not be different for black rappers than they are for white broadcasters".

Al, I hope your talking about the rappers who denigrate all black women every time they publish a song. Because Imus gives all people, no matter what color their skin a chance at attacking him on air. I think he even had you on once. But the last time he invited you, you chickened out. I wonder why? And as far as disrupting Mr. Imus's life you only gave him a nicely paid vacation. Who you did disrupt is the tens of millions of fans and countless new listeners waiting for him to return. Sadly they are not waiting for you.

So to end this disgusting display by you in the op-ed section of the Daily News. Why don't you just shut up and take care of the important issues in Black America.

Five Steps for Al Sharpton.

1. Pay the $360 thousand dollars you owe in losing the defamation case in the Tawana Brawley case.
2. Apologize to the Duke La Cross players who were exonerated and pronounced not guilty.

3. Take a four month Vacation and see a Doctor for "Foot in Mouth" disease.

4. Thank God you were not killed by that man when you caused a riot in New York over something that was none of your business.

5. And finally ask Martin Luther King Jr's forgiveness for faking you are the Civil Rights leader who took over when he was unfortunately killed by a deranged man. Or was it the C.I.A. Or maybe it was you?

This is my opinion. It is not written for Don Imus or anyone else. It is not copyrighted in the true sense of the word and can be reproduced by anyone for publishing anywhere. Even read on air by anyone who wishes to hear the words.

Bruce C. Van Brunt
Bradenton, FL
bcvb1949a@verizon.net