Train Wrecks
MSNBC: "Sluts" OK, "Hos" Not

Four years before Neanderthal Don Imus got tossed by MSNBC, an on-air Michael Savage called one of his own colleagues a "slut" who "looks like she went from porno into reporting" -- and nothing happened. Don Imus, Ashleigh Banfield
Ashleigh Banfield was with MSNBC in 2003 when Savage, whom she never met, ripped her on MSNBC's airwaves. Banfield was watching live at the time and immediately went to her bosses to ask for some kind of response. She got nothing.

"I am not sure if a lot of people understand what it feels like to be publicly besmirched by your own team," Banfield told TMZ. "But then to have nothing happen, to have no consequences because of it, is doubly painful."

Imus was dropped after he referred to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." Savage was let go from MSNBC later in 2003 when he said a caller should "get AIDS and die."

Banfield, now with Court TV, says that MSNBC should be commended for not ducking the issue and for taking a stand. "I think it's an extraordinarily difficult decision that MSNBC had to make. But I do think that it's a very bold one and I think they should be applauded for not trying to sweep an issue under the carpet ... I wish they'd taken a bold stand when I was getting ripped in two on the air. " Better late than never.



Tags: ashleigh banfield, AshleighBanfield, don imus, DonImus

Reader Comments

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46. On another topic -

I really can't take listening to Banfield. She always sounds like a Valley girl, and she talks waayyyyyyyy tooooooooo much instead of allowing the true experts to speak, or answer her 2 minute long question! Uggghhhhh!!

Posted at 1:53PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Sharon R.

47. seems alot of haters here, (sharptons, jacksons) how the wheel turns, just keep sending those BLOGS, keep throwing those stones, GOOD READING

Posted at 12:42PM on Apr 12th 2007 by pattie

48. for the life of me, i can't understand why court tv hired Banfield...she just takes over...Ford can hardly get a word in....when she is on air, that is usually time for making popcorn or what ever.....as far as Imus is concerned, he is a bore...

Posted at 2:09PM on Apr 12th 2007 by mountain grandma

49. Lets not have a double standard. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have to apologise for what they said about the Duke Lacrosse Players one year ago. These two love to jump on the white race and they said some horrible things about these young men who as of yesterday was found that the evidence proved them as innocent. If Steve Capas canned Don Imus then stop putting Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson on his station until they apologise. After all, it is about what is put on the public airways and this double standard as to stop! Until this is done, I just will not watch NBC or MSNBC and urge others to do the same until equality is just that, equal!

Posted at 12:45PM on Apr 12th 2007 by homcarern

50. IMUS... JUST DIE.

Posted at 12:52PM on Apr 12th 2007 by ALB

51. This country - The world would be a better place if all the name calling & hate speech would stop - but it should be a decision individuals make for themselves to be make their points without calling people "HO's" and "HUMPS" or all the racial bigoted comments which are usually learned in the home you grow up in.

I did not care for Don Imus - I don't understand why politicians and/or intelligent book peddlers would associate with someone so rude & crude - but this seems to be what the majority of American embrace.

When Rosie O'Donnell walks onto the set of The View the audience goes nuts. When she trashes our government, the white house, the military, Donald Trump, American Idol or whoever, the audience not only applaudeds, they SCREAM with joy & they are THRILLED for her to use her crude bully type rants to throw up her hate on anyone who she disagrees with.

All you have to do is look at how Barbara Walters defends and loves Rosie to see how things have changed in our country.

Hillary Clinton asked the people to wear their anger as a badge of honor on the senate floor in the year or two before the 2004 election.

She is getting her wish. People are out of control and they are angry.

REVEREND Sharpton & REVEREND Jackson reads the same Bible I do (I think) they know God doesn't have double standards or rules for us.

When they ask the the music industry to stop naming young women as "HO's" and "HUMPS" in their music & videos then I'll know they are sincere about civil rights -

My father's title was "REVEREND" and he taught me against racism - he pointed out the injustices in 1950's - 60's - He adored MLK. He walked the walk - he did not just talk the talk.

A government cannot legislate kindness - sponsors and big money talks - it appears to me that the "some" - only some of the liberals beleive this past election has not only given them politcal power in the U.S. Congress, but they keep saying "American has spoken" and I don't believe it is good to interpet that as a good thing to degrade and belittle anyone or anything we do not like as individuals.

Right always wins in the end. I am sad that Imus is just now getting the ax - because he has been given full reigns 'FREE SPEECH' - 'FREE SPEECH' - 'FREE SPEECH' means freedom to express your opinions and should not mean to destroy a good time for a championshiop basketball team. The freedom IMUS was given over the years with no restraints, got out of hand - it is immature - it is not 'grown-up' and it will bring pain to innocent people in the end.

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Patsy

52. Sharpton and Jackson are poor communicater's. They preach hate, and ask for heads
on platers. I thought they were men of the cloth. Poor representation for anyone-
That being said, I give up! Imus shouldn't carry the weight of racism on his shoulder.
IT WAS A MISTAKE! Like no one has ever made one.

Posted at 12:58PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Teresa

53. 43# amen

Posted at 12:49PM on Apr 12th 2007 by pattie

54. I am not predjudice but even a blind person can see that this is black-white issue. Nothing is ever said if a white says this about a white or if a black, like Chris Rock calls whites crackers, etc. but let a white person say something about a black and it is a totally different story. Yes, the comment was wrong and tacky, but get over it. It happens all the time. Listen to rap music, it is fine when blacks make references to other blacks in derogatory terms but not when whites do it.

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Lori

55. 43 I totally agree with you, I have already dropped msnbc!

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 12th 2007 by april

56. Hey, I remember that guy! Wasn't he in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video???

Posted at 12:50PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Krum

57. #32 I am happy with my life
I am going to go have some chicken!!! Than get a new wig, and listen to the Al Sharpton show cuz girl you know how we hate those white people Amen to that!!!

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 12th 2007 by kdjfa

58. DUSTY, OLD, BALL-KNOCKING, MUMBLING, FROMUNDERCHEESED, RIGHT-WINGED, IDIOTIC, BLUNDERING, FAILING, STUPID, ARROGANT, BAD-BREATHED, DOLT, ON-AIR GUM CHEWING, TOOTHLESS, RETARDED, HALF-DEAD, HOPELESS, DETESTABLE, DEPENDS WEARING, EYEBROW WHACKIN', TEXAS TWIT.

AND THOSE ARE HIS GOOD QUALITIES !!!!

Posted at 12:53PM on Apr 12th 2007 by MSNBC is my new hero

59. The very long news conference that the Ruters team had was a joke! That coach went on and on and on and on and on!!! I thought she would never shut up. Some of the female players looked like they did not want to be there. I do respect the young ladies but........I do not believe that they are devestated over what Imus said. I bet they have heard that word called to them several times. At a large factory I worked at I heard the black guys shout out to the black ladies all the time that word. I have also heard the black ladies call the black guys that name. It is used openly and often in the black community. Do you hear Sharpton? Get a life you moron!

Posted at 12:54PM on Apr 12th 2007 by There I said it!

60. This is Orwellian Speak!! Don Imus has a long standing reputation of insult on his program....kAnyone who watches understands that the sarcasm and "humor" can be shocking and painful....Well get a life people...The list of insulted human beings and especially "categorized human beings is not geeting shorter" Everyone has a responsibliity to look at things as they are.....this was an over the top remark because of Race? Gender? or just simply an error from someone who gets paid to cause attention to his program. Balance this with the overwhelming and close to the surface hatred and anger expressed to also make ratings....If anyone could simply see all humanity as similar instead of characterizing by any type of differences perceived then we would be on the road to a more complete and honest appreciation for all life and peace in this world. Is it 1984.....or do we even care? Maggie

Posted at 11:01AM on May 13th 2007 by Maggie

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