You seem to act like it though.
I don't see 'hatred of free speech' anywhere in this post....
Let's recap:
1. Imus is a jerk.
2. His ranch/home based charity is being investigated.
3. He should have been pulled long ago based on lack of talent and socialization.
4. He has been given a pass by the left, presumably because he generally beats up on conservatives.
5. Nevertheless, he has never avoided racist comments.
6. Free speech HAS taken a hit but the man's employer DOES have every right to fire him.
7. Major issue is that this LOOKS like Obamasama and the book-end reverends won out - if only because of the timing.
8. Yes, rosie should be next but she won't be next (unless she 'resigns' on her own following some back room negotiations).
9. Yes, Rush was fired for far less and conservatives in general are held to different criteria.
10. Yes, the motive for firing was loss of sponsorship regardless of WHAT partisan observers might prefer to believe.
I could go on but my main point is that this was OK as business but it sucks culturally and politically in many ways. To many of us it is marginally comforting in other ways - like seeing Imus brought up short.
Just maybe we should stop treating each other like having a slightly different perspective is tantamount to drowning puppies.