The following is my thoughts on something that's happened in the world or in my life. I will try and update this as much as possible, but it all depends on how inspired I am. If you'd like to contribute, send your column, name, e-mail address (unless you know me already), and a pic (if possible) to dkreal1980@hotmail.com and I'll post it here.

Firing Imus Wrong Solution

Free speech took another blow this past week with the firing of Don Imus, first from his simulast-television show, then from his radio program, which he had been hosting for over 30 years.

Now before everyone gets all bent out of shape, keep in mind that I'm not condoning what Imus said about the Rutgers basketball team following the NCAA tournament. I certainly think what he said was wrong and should never have been mentioned on the air.

I do not think he should have been fired.

He didn't say anything that was in violation of on-air standards. It was offensive, but it wasn't illegal. It was an opinion aired on a comedy morning show that was taken too far by those who found it offensive, in particular the African-American community. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were all over this one, but one lingering problem sticks with me.

There were white women on the basketball team and in every press conference and interview, they were shoved off to the side, almost completely unheard of. There were also very few prominent women who spoke up about this, and no, I don't consider Oprah very prominent.

The basic truth behind it all is if a woman had made the comments about a men's team, if a black man had made the comments about a team that was mostly white, this wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have heard one word. The fact that it was an older white man speaking about a team that was mostly black is what drove this controversy.

It speaks to a larger issue that's permeating throughout the country, the fact that free speech is being thrown under the bus. It's no longer enough for people to just turn off the radio, tv, or close their web browser when they hear or see something offensive to them. No, it becomes a personal crusade to remove the offensive content and individual(s) behind it. There are watchdog groups all over the country who solely exist to try and remove anything offensive they see or hear on our airwaves.

The ironic thing about it, all these people want the offensive material removed, but want to make sure everyone hears what they say. In other words, it's okay for them to say what they want, but not okay for someone else if it offends them.

If every program that offended me in some way was to be removed from the airwaves, there wouldn't be a whole lot for us to watch and listen to anymore. I find Rush Limbaugh offensive, but I don't want him taken off the air. He gives his opinion and I don't have to listen, just change the station if he's on. I don't like Jim Rome much either. You don't hear me campaigning for his removal.

The thing that's always made this country great was the freedoms we had. Well, those freedoms are slowly being challenged and taken away from us. It's only a matter of time before other radio shows are attacked and other talk show hosts, many of whom have been on the air for decades, will find themselves looking for a new employer.

I'm not defending Imus. What he said was wrong. He should not have been fired for it though.

The only question that remains is, "who's next?"