I find it interesting how the issue around the racial remarks Don Imus used during his morning show has snowballed to the point that he has now lost sponsors and distributors. Using race and derogatory comments is not new for shock-jocks, but it appears something has changed in what is or is not acceptable as humor. Perhaps it is just because of changing levels of taste? Perhaps these victims of the remarks? Perhaps the language used? Perhaps the persistence of Reverend Al? Or, as I am starting to think, perhaps all of this happened because the vision of equality is starting to take hold?

It will be interesting to see what will happen with future reactions of gays, Hispanics, Asians, the disabled, women, war veterans, those at the lower end of the socioeconomic status, etc., as perhaps it may become more in-vogue to challenge inappropriate comments by shock-jocks. Whether groups have or do not have protected status, that may or may not have much significance when acid-tongued personalities kick down those who are different from them. After all, taste cannot be legislated.