Posted by chicagomedia.org on June 24, 2008 at 12:32:42:
Imus: I Was Being Sarcastic
Calling the furor over his latest controversial comments "ridiculous," ABC RADIO NETWORKS and CITADEL Talk WABC-A/NEW YORK syndicated morning host DON IMUS said TUESDAY morning that he was making a "sarcastic point" with his remark about DALLAS COWBOYS cornerback ADAM "PACMAN" JONES. "What people should be outraged about," said IMUS, "is that they arrest blacks for no reason. I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once."
On MONDAY's show, during a report by sports anchor WARNER WOLF on JONES' request to be known by his given name rather than his nickname so that the public should not associate him with his legal troubles, IMUS asked WOLF "What color is he?" When WOLF informed IMUS that JONES is African-American, IMUS said "There you go. Now we know." IMUS said that the remark was sarcastic and that if it were to be meant literally, "How insane would I have to be? What would I be thinking?"
For his part, JONES, whose run-ins with the law have resulted in his suspension from the NFL, told the DALLAS MORNING NEWS that "I'm truly upset about the comments. Obviously Mr. IMUS has problems with African-Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him."
(All Access)