1. Fact or Definition
The issue in this news cast is regarding the statements made by Don Imus about the Rutgers women's basketball team. The actual argument being made by the news cast is bringing into question wether or not Don Imus is being punished correctly. The issue can be seen by the audience as was the suspension a fair punishment or does it not impede heavily enough to make a difference. You can see this when Matt Lauer asks both Don Imus and Reverend Al Sharpton if this punishment is either a "slap on the wrist" or a forgivable offense.
2. Comparison/Contrast
Don Imus directly compairs his "comedic comment" to that of accidental gunfire. He continues to claim that the comment i as a direct attack on anyone and that it was intended to be a comedic statement that should be seen as an accident since it was not personal. Attempting to make the case that because it was an accident that he should not be viewed as horrible criminal.
3. Cause and Consequences
The issue has been caused by the acts of Don Imus's repeated bashing of certain people of the community. The idea that Reverend Al Sharpton proposes is that Don should be fired because of the "unhealthy" comments that he has historically made because it is unfit for Americans. Eventually the spreading of these words could cause serious damage to the citizens of the United States by helping to carry on these outrages statements.
4. Value, Worth
Don Imus attempts to defend himself by pointing out his acts of good character and asks for people to stop dwelling on his "stupid idiotic mistake". He claims that he is a good and better man by showing what he has contributed to the community and that he was just being stupid trying to make his pun.
5. Policy
Reverend Al Sharpton believe that Don Imus must be made an example of and fired for his blatant use of the public airwaves, but forgiven because of his mistake. By allowing this use of airwaves to continue there will be more possible lawsuits just waiting to get their chance as more broadcasters have a slip of the tongue.
6. Standing/Jurisdiction
Both Don Imus and Reverend Al Sharpton believe that someone should be allowed to decide one way or another about the use of the air waves. Reverend Al Sharpton brings up the point that it should be the marketplace, or the audiences of the airwaves. By allowing listeners to directly influence what is being aired on the radio, it gives power to was is allowed to be stated regardless of the speakers meaning. By allowing the audience to control this aspect of what is right and wrong to state on the air is a fair and safe measure of how to handle this argument.
