Another week and Don Imus is still in the news. Even the senseless killings in Virginia can’t push Imus-talk off the airwaves. The sad shame of the affair is focusing the matter on Imus. We should more correctly rivet our attention on Al “Charlatan” Sharpton. Imagine, one of the most divisive race-baiters in modern history is now elevated as the arbiter of what is accepted speech. Could the country and culture ever descend into a darker Orwellian Animal Farm? I am afraid it can and will when Al Sharpton decides what gets the national imprimatur for decency.

A quick glance into Al Sharpton’s past puts perspective on Don Imus as but a foolish and aging radio has-been when compared to the horrific aftermath of Sharpton’s words during the so-called reverend’s career. Don Imus’ words were offensive to all people of common civility. Al Sharpton’s words of hatred have literally destroyed lives.

Last week, during Sharpton’s media orgy, I was puzzled why no reporter asked him about his role in the Tawana Brawley hoax of 1987, which ruined the reputations and lives of several innocent men. Or the Crown Heights deadly riots? Or the Freddy’s Fashion Mart slaughter?

Just to refresh our tired memory: Twana Brawley, a 15 year-old black girl from Wappingers Falls, New York, claimed she was kidnapped and repeatedly raped by a group of white men during the course of several days, one of whom she said had a badge. Even as her claim was falling apart (a grand jury later determined that the charges were completely fabricated) Sharpton continued to single out Steven Pagones, a young prosecutor, implicating him as one of the abductors. Sharpton went on the national TV and radio circuit, taunting Pagones. “If we’re lying, sue us, so we can . . . prove you did it.” Pagones did just that, and won a $345,000 judgment against Sharpton for slander and defamation. Sharpton has yet to pay a dollar or offer an apology to Pagones or his family.

Moving right along to 1991, we have Sharpton’s hand helping to incite the deadly Crown Heights riots in Brooklyn. During a funeral motorcade, a Hasidic Jewish driver accidentally hit and killed Gavin Cato, a 7-year-old black boy. Anti-Semitic riots quickly followed. At the boy’s funeral, Sharpton assailed the “diamond merchants” – barely disguised codespeak for Jews – who are responsible for “the blood of innocent babies.”

He helped organize hundreds of raging followers to storm through the Jewish neighborhood, chanting, “No justice, no peace.” During the march, Yankel Rosenbaum, an Australian rabbinical student, was surrounded by a mob shouting, “Kill the Jews!” and was then stabbed to death by one of Sharpton’s marchers.

And then there’s Sharpton’s role in the 1995 Freddy’s Fashion Mart fire and shooting, which left seven dead. After the United House of Prayer – a black-controlled landlord with considerable real estate in Harlen – raised the rent on Freddy’s Fashion Mart, Freddy’s Jewish proprietor subsequently hiked the rent on his subtenant, a black-owned music store, to help defray the higher costs.

When friction broke out between Freddy’s owner and the music store, Sharpton entered the fray with taunts of racial hatred. “We will not stand by,” he threatened, “and allow them to move this brother, so that some white interloper can expand his business.” Picket lines by Sharpton’s National Action Network taunted Freddy’s customers and became increasingly hostile. Those entering the store were cursed at, spat upon and called “Uncle Toms.” Some shouted, “Burn down the Jew store!” Sharpton’s colleague Morris Powell is quoted in several accounts saying, “We’re going to see that this cracker suffers.” Later, one of the protesters burst into the store, shot four employees, and set the building on fire. Seven perished in the blaze.

This is the Al Sharpton who sat before CBS network president Leslie Moonves last week and castigated Don Imus for 1.5 seconds of stupidity. This is the Al Sharpton who built a career on hate mongering and who now sits at the head table with the Democratic Party. The media court him. Politicians pander to him. And the bill collectors unsuccessfully chase him.

Al Sharpton is the Svengali of the new millennium in a $2000 suit.