I’ve referenced the different treatment of both in previous threads. What Slutterman did was far worse than Imus.
But it doesn't seem to matter. Does it.
I agree. Imus was speaking spontaneously, and got carried away. What he said was incredible crass, but he seemed genuinely sorrow, and did his best to make amends. He still got fired.
Letterman, oth, delivered a prepared joke. He had plenty of time to consider the disgusting nature of the remark, and went right ahead. Later, he gave a smarmy non-apology which was almost as crass as his original remark. He will probably get a new contract out of the deal.