CBS fires Imus

On Wednesday, even before advertisers began fleeing Don Imus' shows on CBS Radio and MSNBC, I wrote:

The only thing that will keep Imus from saying offensive things on the air is for him to be taken off the air. The only thing that will make that happen is for the corporate media entities which employ him to realize that it will cost them more money to keep him than to get rid of him. Pressure on the companies who advertise with those entities is the only thing that will get Don Imus off the air.

First, MSNBC ended the Imus simulcast, after Procter & Gamble, Staples, and other companies yanked their advertising from the news network.

Now, CBS has pulled the plug on Imus' radio show, "effective immediately, on a permanent basis."

"From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent," said CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves, in announcing the decision.

"Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society -- all races, economic groups, men and women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation and our many other constituencies."