That was no slip of the tongue by Imus

Here's an article by a black journalist who wants the black community to use the Imus affair as an opportunity to examine the way "We have allowed our youths to buy into a culture (hip hop) that has been perverted, corrupted and overtaken by prison culture."

He goes so far as to say "Imus isn't the real bad guy," and describes his remarks as a slip of the tongue.

Imus' remarks were not a slip of the tongue, but only the most recent instance in a pattern of verbal assaults against people who do not have as powerful a voice as he does. It's his way of feeding his own need to feel powerful, and it is no different than the psychology of the schoolyard bully.

It is good that American society is drawing a line here, and saying "We're not going to condone this behavior."

If there is a conversation about how hip hop culture is undermining the integrity of our society, that's great, too. But let's not use that as an excuse to let Imus off the hook.