More on the Imus feud

Mayor Patricia Blanchette feels Don Imus does not deserve special recognition due to her lack of knowledge concerning his charity work and what she deems is his reputation. Our question: What is her rationale concerning the Bangor firefighters? Charity begins at home, mayor. The Richard Brown family Brewer

I wish to correct the misinformation Larry Doughty is sending to the public in his letter of July 24. Re: “If only we had the Joshua Chamberlain statue here in Brewer, we would do a bang-up job for Imus. Not only a Brewer T-shirt, but a ride in on the underground railroad from the Penobscot.”

When the Gen. Chamberlain statue arrives it will do so under the protection of the Brewer Historical Society, not the city, leaving Doughty without the authority to order or place the T-shirt. In spite of the society’s efforts, Rep. Richard Campbell and Brian Higgins, working under much criticism to save the Holyoke house and underground railroad artifacts, lost an important piece of history to future generations. With the destruction of the house, consequently, the railroad is no longer functioning.

However, a ride out of Brewer on a rail could possibly be arranged. Tickets would be available on request to those who continue to demostrate a lack of sensitivity toward civic-minded citizens working to preserve our city’s proud heritage with dignity. Wilma Anders Brewer

I can’t believe anyone, with any brains, could think a visit from Imus could benefit Bangor. The only benefit derived from this would be the station; the Shriners are beneficial. Imus would be detrimental to the people of Bangor, and Maine. Once you let him it, you have to deal with what he does (almost like a cancer except here you have a choice). I can’t believe this is an issue. Can people seriously be considering a welcome for this individual? If you let it happen you deserve whatever you get. Marge Gersbach Glen Cove

Perhaps the saddest thing about the Imus T-shirt fiasco has been what it illustrates about the state of business and media in contemporary America. The people who own WWMJ are good and decent; privately, they have done a lot for the community. But in this case, when they say they want to provide a service to the community by bringing Imus here to promote Bangor, what they are really doing is pandering for their own profit.

That they broadcast such dreck, while claiming to perform a public service by giving the audience what it wants, shows how competitive the radio market has become and how low otherwise good people will stoop in pursuit of money. That the vulgar commodity they are promoting is not quite so vile as Howard Stern does not enoble their endeavor. The Imus promotion is a blatant publicity stunt to promote the audience and profits of WWMJ, and the philanthropic benefits to a local charity is perfume to cover the stink.

That the likes of Imus, Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Marlin Maddoux, and the dreck they peddle are popular does not speak well for the intellect and sense of common decency of a large part of the American public. And pandering to it is no more a public service than promoting tobacco or other drugs for profit, and it probably does more harm to society and the body politic.

WWMJ spokespersons may cluck their tongues and waggle their fingers and call their critics illiberal prudes, but Imus’ popularity and their pandering does not make him less vile or hateful in a country in which we have quite enough incivility, vulgarity, and hatred without radio stations promoting it for profit and trying to pass it off as “all in good fun” and “a community service.”

WWMJ has probably already got most of the benefit it wanted — the audience it seeks to temporarily boost its ratings and advertising rates. It should be satisfied at its successful, if shameless, promotion, and have the decency to cancel the proposed visit of the I-Man. C.A.A. Storer Ellsworth

If I were a smart reporter, I would fuel the flames of this feud with Imus for two reasons. One, to highlight my town; two, fame and fortune. Prior to yesterday, who in New Mexico heard of your paper or accessed your Web site? Harold Davis Albuquerque, N.M.