Don't Add To Bitterness
To The Editor:

"Hymie Town" Jessie Jackson and Tawana Brawley's Al Sharpton are not people who should be leading the charge to purge [radio "shock jock" Don] Imus. With their histories they should bear witness for forgiving a wrong. Collectively, the two alleged civil rights leaders have fomented division and anger. They seem to take particular pride in inflaming conflicts for political and personal gain.

Imus took a cheap shot for a quick laugh. According to others, Imus has a history of racial, sexual and prejudicial remarks that deserve reprimand. Imus plays the dual role of shock jock and political commentator. One would hope that he had a governor on his mouth.

Imus has been a fixture on radio for years. He has managed effortlessly to be a comedian and a pundit. There are occasions when his mouth is faster than his brain. The price tag he will pay for a cheap laugh will be a lifetime of scrutiny and remorse. Yet Imus deserves to remain on the air doing what he does to the satisfaction of his listeners.

To cave into the racial bitterness and political guile of Jackson and Sharpton would be to reward provocateurs whose practices have harmed many more than [has] one joke from Imus.
Edward Horn
Baldwin, New York