While I'm not a big fan of shock jocks like Don Imus, I found the whole controversy last year over the offensive comments he made about the Rutgers University women's basketball team a bit ridiculous. Was what he said on air stupid? Of course. Do I think he's a racist? Not really. It's in the job description of such radio personalities to make shocking and edgy remarks. I certainly don't believe it was right for the station to cave into the political pressure and ax the man. In my opinion, it should be left up to his listeners to decide such issues. I'm a firm believer in free speech, and regardless of whether or not I find his remarks insensitive or offensive, I wouldn't call for his removal from the air waves. If everyone were like me, he wouldn't have a job, since I don't listen to such garbage.

Earlier today, Imus stuck his foot in his mouth yet again. The latest incident occurred during a report about professional football player Adam "Pacman" Jones, who has recently been reinstated by the NFL after a few run-ins with the law. Imus asked, "What color is he?" When informed the man was African American, Imus responded with, "Well there you go. Now we know."

It seems a bit strange that a radio personality, who should be up on most goings-on in the press, wouldn't know more about such a highly publicized individual, but that's a bit beside the point. Of course now, another sh*t storm is brewing around the shock jock. Imus has defended his comments as not being racist, but merely implying that Jones was being signaled out because of his color.

Either way, I could care less. If this whole episode spirals into the same press frenzy that happened the last time he made a stupid comment, I just have to wonder: Don't we have more important issues with which to whip the public into a frenzy, and provide sound bites for religious and political figures like Al Sharpton? Racism and bigotry exist, and no amount of social engineering is likely to change that reality. I detest prejudice, small minded idiots as much as the next person, but this is ridiculous.

When there is no longer a market for bigoted commentators, then they will cease to exist. Until then, people should be free to stick their foot in their mouth if they feel a desire to do so, and I should be free to ignore them -- or call them what the are. Let the market decide if they have a platform for their bigotry -- not political pressure.