Craft Beer Radio

My two cents. Don Imus was only ever vaguely relevant in two markets, New York and Boston, middle-aged males. He was on a few different stations here in LA and he could never get 1% of the market share (The fact that the LA Times printed six articles about him in one day is more proof that they're a lousy paper and they don't connect with their readers).

His joke was offensive and it takes a bigot to think of something like that, however he should not have been fired for it. There are several reasons. The first is free speech. His right to be an idiot gives me the right to be an idiot, or what someone might consider an idiot. The other problem I have is why now? He spent 50 years saying horrible things about all kinds of people. Is it okay to make prejudiced comments about Jews, Latinos, gays, etc but it's not okay to do the same thing to African Americans? The week after Imus was fired, morning DJ's at his old station in NY "interviewed" a band, and by interviewed I mean they made fun of the gay bassist and called him a bitch until the band walked out. The program director said they were just goofing around. So gay bashing is fine, but African Americans are off limits?

As for the apology, Jay Mohr made the same point as Greg. Once you start apologizing, it's as if you're wounded, and everybody pounces. It would've been refreshing to hear Imus say, "Look, I just don't like black people. It's a thing with me."

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." -- Voltaire

Time to blind taste you guys; Greg's reaction to the Oaked AB was interesting but it would've been far more interesting to hear his reaction not knowing what it was.

A-B vs. InBev seems bizarre and illegal ...
Session beers are a segment that's far too lacking and I'm glad you guys want a few more in the market. Dunno if you guys have been catching Lew Bryson's stuff on the dearth of sessionables and, if not, you ought to.

Re: health of beer. "Accept beer for what it is and don't try to make it into something ... it's not" is the same language we've heard from people railing against people like you guys. Point is, drinking beer is not bad for you. It's far far far better than many other things generally considered "okay" for you (diet soda?! processed soup product?!). Studies have shown that there are certain health benefits which, I would suggest, mean you should feel alright about drinking it and enjoying it for its flavor. Of course, morbidly obese folks consuming nothing but buttery rich sauces could share in your argument: "food's for enjoying complex flavors and not to keep you alive." Honestly, I think your wholesale dismissal of the idea of beer's healthful attributes is short-sighted and embarrassing.

Re: Imus. I'll get behind Larry Wilmore (The Daily Show's 'senior black correspendent'): "instead of apologizing Mr. Imus probably 'should have said, "You know, it's hard out here for a pimp." Or something like that. Say something really funny.'"

That's plenty of posting for me; better leave some space for other folks.