In jest, I use "fag" in a put down type of way. The gay guys I know also use it and don't really care if I use it. They know me well enough that I'm not a gay basher. Is it right that I use it, well only in the company of my friends and those who know me. I'm a going to change it...no. Would I use that word in company that I don't know...no.

Artie uses it because basically we know who he is and he's comfortable with the listeners. Yes, it's unfortunate that he also uses it in a very deragatory type of way, but in cases of people like Sal or High Pitched Mike...hate to say it, but it's funny. But in him using the term "dying of aids" - very very wrong.

That being said. Artie is too big a part of the show to just kick him off or for him to just leave. Howard doesn't want him to go and to be blunt, a big part of the listenership feels the same way. I'm sure there was a big "off air" discussions with Howard, Artie and SIRIUS brass, and from what I gathered, that brass wasn't about to kick him off either.

Yeah, I've had guys like that work under me (I was a boss), but I kept them in check. As a matter of fact, I did fire someone who was an over the top homophobe/racist...but not because of that, but I did find a way to boot him out. But the vibe I got out of him...he was that homophobe racist. (Him being an ex-skinhead and not even bothering to get a coverup tat over his swastika...well, I'm sure you get the picture).

The way I also look at it...it's the Howard Stern Show...and it's supposed to be crass! (at times of course).