where's the tipping point?

The issue with Don Imus serves to illustrate a good point. We tend to turn a blind eye to divisive issues until they hit critical mass, and then we express "outrage!" over the straw that served to break the camels back.

"From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent," said CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves, in announcing the decision.

What about all the other comments made over the years? What about the comments made by Rush L. on a regular basis? Why does it have to come to this before we express our outrage. At this point, it seems a little false and frankly, a little silly. When it is common place for "shock jocks" to make a living insulting and demeaning others, why do we have to wait until someone finally says - Hey, it's not right, before we take action? And why, when it finally happens, do we act so surprised that it happened? Really, you do not have to look far to hear this same kind of vitriolic diatribe. It is commonplace on drivetime radio in the big markets.

I am all about freedom of speech, don't get me wrong. And I know where the dial is on my radio and I control (to some degree) what I listen to. What I am really pointing out more than anything is the absurdity of the advertisers response on this. They watch the ratings and public response, and when and if they deem it a PR issue, they suddenly become aghast. How silly does that sound when said that way? But that is exactly what is happening in front of our eyes on this very issue. If it was so very bad, they would have come out against it immediately and the firing would have been over and done by now. They would not have to wait until they see the economic effect. But then, that's what it's really about, isn't it?