Well, we knew it wouldn’t take long. Al Sharpton has issued a statement regarding the comments of Don Imus on Monday morning’s broadcast.

“It has been reported to me that statements were made by Mr. Imus this morning and National Action Network has monitored his show since his return. I find the inference of his remark disturbing because it plays into stereotypes. Any use of stereotypes is always counterproductive. We will determine in the next day or so whether or not his remark warrants direct action on our part as we did in April of last year.”

Meanwhile, Imus has been emailing with the NY Times and tried to explain that his comments were based on the fact that black people are frequently targeted by police.

Asked in an e-mail message what he was trying to convey, Mr. Imus wrote: “I meant he was being picked on because he’s black.’’

He said that Dick Gregory, a veteran comedian and activist who is black, would be a guest on his show on Tuesday, to discuss the death of George Carlin.

“We’ll see what he thinks,’’ Imus wrote. “I mean…come on!’’