NPR's Juan Williams Axed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MTI · #1 10-21-2010, 02:41 PM

NPR's Own Coverage Over Termination of News Analyst

'Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on a plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.'

Honus · #2 10-21-2010, 02:52 PM

Huge mistake by NPR, for two reasons:

1. There was nothing wrong with what Williams said. It was an honest statement of his feelings.

2. They will never hear the end of it. Sean and Rush probably couldn't believe their luck when NPR fired him.

JollyRoger · #3 10-21-2010, 02:52 PM

I heard Jews did the same thing to Hitler. Or was it Negroes to David Duke, I just don't remember.

Honus · #4 10-21-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

I heard Jews did the same thing to Hitler. Or was it Negroes to David Duke, I just don't remember.

Excellent.

pj67coll · #5 10-21-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honus

Huge mistake by NPR, for two reasons:

1. There was nothing wrong with what Williams said.

Sure there was. It indicated he might have some kind of issue with muslims. STRENG VERBOTEN!

Quote:

It was an honest statement of his feelings.

Honesty is not acceptable. Only political correctness.

Quote:

2. They will never hear the end of it. Sean and Rush probably couldn't believe their luck when NPR fired him.

Unfortunately probably true.

- Peter.

MTI · #6 10-21-2010, 03:21 PM

How dissimilar was Willam's termination from that of CNN's Sanchez? Helen Thomas?

I don't see it as a "freedom of speech" issue in a Constitutional context since there was no government action and there is no "freedom of speech" in the private sector arena.

JollyRoger · #7 10-21-2010, 03:27 PM

Well, that might be true for private corporations, but while I agree with firing Williams, he may have freedom of speech grounds that one would not have if fired from a private concern. I think the real problem with Williams was the perception that his opinions could be bought for a price, and that he was no longer objective enough for the largely politically neutral NPR. He often seemed to be saying one thing when on one channel, and something completely different on the other. Reminds me of an old joke about why do rats leave a dumpster when a lawyer is thrown in, the punchline being that even rats have ethical standards - the same is true of journalists.

benhogan · #8 10-21-2010, 03:45 PM

Well, they shouldn't have axed him that question in the first place!

When you axe a question, don't fire the guy because you didn't like the way he axed it back after you axed him.

MTI · #9 10-21-2010, 03:52 PM

William's fear of Muslims, Thomas and Sanchez' view of Jews, or even Jimmy the Greek's opinions about black athletes. . . no government agency violated their right to be "honest" or "stupid" as the case may be.

aklim · #10 10-21-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

How dissimilar was Willam's termination from that of CNN's Sanchez? Helen Thomas?

I don't see it as a "freedom of speech" issue in a Constitutional context since there was no government action and there is no "freedom of speech" in the private sector arena.

Does NPR take govt money in any way, shape or form or does it operate solely on contributions only?

t walgamuth · #11 10-21-2010, 04:24 PM

NPR does get public funds, I believe.

MTI · #12 10-21-2010, 04:28 PM

I don't know the exact figure, but I believe it's approximately 10% comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

75Sv1 · #13 10-21-2010, 04:28 PM

I've seen Juan Williams on the Fox News Hour on Sunday for the past few or so years. He is usually the loan left view on the panel. I rarely agree with his views, but sometimes do. I do believe he states an honest answer to what ever the question is. I think both sides are getting to PC, or narrowed in their viewpoint.
I work with many internationals were I work. Today I noticed one of the women wearing a headscarf in a meeting. I wasn't in the meeting. Yesterday, it was a turban. I don't see any problem with it. I would worry if the face is fully covered though.
Also, as to Jimmy the Greek, I think I have heard simluar statements by black host. They didn't recieve the boot.
Tom

aklim · #14 10-21-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

NPR does get public funds, I believe.

Not that they could do much. Keep him and be tolerant of his ideas like they are supposed to be and the left base would get pissed and the right would heckle them. Dump him and at least only the right would heckle them.

They take public money so that makes them a target. Being that they are a left wing organization, we can tell how the right is going to react. Had they been a right wing organization, we also can see how the left will react. Somebody will make political hay out of a mess,