Speak Out: Was NPR Right to Fire Juan Williams

Posted by voyager on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 3:15 PM:

"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." So said Juan Williams on Fox News where he also has a contract to do commentary.

NPR claims Williams violated their "ethical" and "journalistic" standards.

What do you think?

Replies (50)

  • Obama called NPR and said all that apologizing he did was now wasted. I'm glad to see the fallout on this one. PC is getting old and CAIR can kiss my big ol' but. Hope they lose their funding.

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 3:23 PM
  • NPR (or any other media outlet) has ethical and journalistic standards?

    Now that's Funny Friday!!

    -- Posted by FreedomFadingFast on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 3:23 PM
  • I think he said it like it is. The same thoughts cross my mind when I see a bunch of foriegners and hear them jabbering amongst themselves in any public venue.

    I don't know what they paid him at Fox to be a token liberal before, but now I hear he has a 2 million per year contract with Fox.

    Smart guy!

    I also see nowhere in the constitution where public funding should go to the press.

    -- Posted by Old John on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 3:44 PM
  • An employer can fire you for almost any reason they wish. There is no free speech protection in the workplace.

    Your odds of dying on the way to the airport versus on the plane (by crash alone) are literally on a magnitude of millions greater.

    You are more likely to be randomly struck by lightning - twice - than to be involved in a terrorist attack, worldwide, at any point in your entire life.

    Unfortunately for Mr. Williams, his ridiculous xenophobic fears got him canned.

    -- Posted by FriendO on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 4:04 PM
  • Liberals are always the first to throw the man of color under the bus while touting equal rights for minorities.

    -- Posted by Old John on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 4:29 PM
  • Your odds of dying on the way to the airport versus on the plane (by crash alone) are literally on a magnitude of millions greater.

    Posted by FriendO on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 4:04 PM

    So what's your point?

    The odds of a muslim blowing up a plane are a magnitude of million times greater than a non muslim blowing up a plane.

    -- Posted by FreedomFadingFast on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 4:45 PM
  • I am glad Fox News took advantage of this and signed him on to a nice lengthy contract! Kudos to Fox.

    -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 4:54 PM
  • Personally, I like honesty in a person. You see it so rarely.

    -- Posted by 2times2 on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 5:19 PM
  • Where were you cry babies when Helen Thomas, one of the greatest JOURNALISTS of all time, got he same treatment as did Juan Williams.

    -- Posted by Enemy of the State on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 5:10 PM

    I almost fell in the floor laughing. Helen the troll? At one time she might have been good but in the last ten years she began to think she was making policy. I loved it when GW moved her to the back of the room.

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 6:33 PM
  • The free market at work and the "Rightees"/Faux News are complaining about it! I thought at my age I would never be surprised again!!!! ;)

    -- Posted by D49F11 on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 6:41 PM
  • The free market at work and the "Rightees"/Faux News are complaining about it! I thought at my age I would never be surprised again!!!! ;)

    -- Posted by D49F11 on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 6:44 PM
  • "The odds of a muslim blowing up a plane are a magnitude of million times greater than a non muslim blowing up a plane."

    And your odds of a white-trash Republican "militiaman" blowing up a Federal building are a million times greater...see how this game goes on forever?

    And maybe a comet will plow through your house. The things people worry about in life is astounding.

    -- Posted by FriendO on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 6:54 PM
  • Right you are Enemy. Even worse for Helen Thomas, she didn't even say her personal opinion on a network show like Williams did. She was recorded in her free time and posted on You Tube. But like she quoted later, she touched the third rail when she offended Israel.

    Many of you are saying, good, she should be fired, and that is your right. But be very careful when you condone this. Are you willing to lose your livelihood if your beliefs about any thing are recorded and posted on the net?

    The surveillance grid on the public is getting tighter and more intrusive all the time. We are being monitored as never before. Satellites can monitor everything we do. Cell phone and CCTV cameras are ubiquitous. Moreover, what ever you say can be heard by someone even if your cell phone is turned off. ( This is a 2006 article so the technology is more advance now ) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003474824_bugs130.html

    Again, if you applaud when someone is punished for their speech, don't complain when you are punished for yours.

    -- Posted by Thought Criminal on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 7:10 PM
  • Enemy of the State wrote:

    "Where were you cry babies when Helen Thomas, one of the greatest JOURNALISTS of all time, got he same treatment as did Juan Williams...

    ...Hypocrites all!"

    Not really. All Mr. Williams did was expressed his own sense of unease at seeing people traveling on airlines in Muslim garb. Is that different than saying one gets a sense of unease at seeing a black person with his pants down below his groin getting on the bus, or at seeing a Bible-Thumper preaching loudly in the tube tunnel?

    Ms. Thomas, a supposedly unbiased reporter/journalist, was expressing a clear policy postion by saying that Jewish people needed to 'get the Hell out of Palestine'. Surely even you, despite your hatred for all things Israel, can see that there is a difference. Had she merely said that she, personally, feels uneasy when a person sits beside her on the bus with a prayer shawl and skull cap, she would probably still be taking up space in the White House press corps.

    -- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 7:53 PM
  • NPR was looking for an excuse and thought this would be the 'one.' There are times I agree with Williams and other times I would mute hime out rather then listen to the rhetoric he would spew. King of like how I scroll past some people because they are the most intolerant, hateful people that spew garbage better placed in a landfill then written on paper. Oh but they are the most tolerant people in the world. (Oh sarcasm is so sweet!)

    -- Posted by LiveAnotherDay on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 8:17 PM
  • Liveanotherday, Could you pick out Madaline Albright and Helen Thomas from a line up that you saw in one of your more exotic dreams? :)

    -- Posted by Old John on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 8:25 PM
  • The free market at work and the "Rightees"/Faux News are complaining about it! I thought at my age I would never be surprised again!!!! ;)

    -- Posted by D49F11 on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 6:44 PM

    What are you now, about 15? The conservatives are only pointing out the hypocracy of the left wing media.

    Williams was a liberal and the way it was handled have folks from the right and left criticizing the way he was fired. If this gets public funding cut off for NPR, it will be worth it all the way around.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 9:22 PM
  • Nope!

    -- Posted by vietnamvet on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 9:47 PM
  • "Williams was a liberal"

    No.

    -- Posted by FriendO on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 9:57 PM
  • NPR is a publicly funded entity. The 'free market' hardly has anything to do with it.

    -- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 9:59 PM
  • "Williams was a liberal"

    No.

    -- Posted by FriendO on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 9:57 PM

    Yes

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 10:04 PM
  • He absolutely was, perhaps less so since he found how vicious the left can be when you don't toe the mark on the party talking points.

    FriendO, I thought you were going to take a year off.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 10:26 PM
  • The Democrats are good at throwing their own under the bus.

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 10:51 PM
  • Regret,

    I have an idea those that think Williams was not a liberal, never knew who he was before yesterday.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 11:31 PM
  • Juan Williams signed a $2 million, 3 year contract to be on Fox to express his opinions. And to join the Fox cast of entertainment characters that includes Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, Palin, Gingrich, etc. Why would NPR not let him go, and why would Williams complain about it? I also believe I heard that NPR has contractual prohibitions concerning their employees expressing opinions on other networks.

    What is the big deal? As for public funding, NPR gets about 2% of their financing from the government, the bulk comes from listeners directly.

    If Williams is able to provide a modicum of balance to Fox, which currently is as "fair and balanced" as Rush Limbaugh, it would be a good thing. Unfortunately, I do not believe that this is what Fox executives had in mind, possibly they just wanted to add diversity to their stable of like-minded political performers.

    This appeared to be a simple contractual issue, having absolutely nothing at all to do with "political correctness" or "under the bus throwing."

    -- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 5:35 AM
  • I "believe I heard" a goblin under my bed? :)

    What is the big deal? If it's only 2%, it wont be missed when defunded.

    Other folks at NPR have thrown out personal opinions from outside NPR and that was not a problem. Williams was villified due to his association with Fox.

    I seldom agree with his take on the issues. His purpose at Fox, I think was to make the point of fair and balanced by demonstrating the liberal victim viewpoint rather than intelligent input.

    $2million.. Good for him. Maybe he can command the respect of Fox to have his own time slot and do a show on his own terms with more freedom of expression top his liking.

    -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 6:11 AM
  • Juan Williams signed a $2 million, 3 year contract to be on Fox to express his opinions. And to join the Fox cast of entertainment characters that includes Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, Palin, Gingrich, etc. Why would NPR not let him go, and why would Williams complain about it? I also believe I heard that NPR has contractual prohibitions concerning their employees expressing opinions on other networks What is the big deal?

    -- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 5:35 AM

    You almost got it right Common!

    Except that Williams was fired.... and THEN signed a contract with Fox. Not signed a contract and was fired because of it as you stated.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 9:52 AM
  • FOX is paying a liberal 2 million dollars - WOW. That is what I believe, don't you?

    -- Posted by concerned4all on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 10:58 AM
  • I believe what Fox pays Williams is their business, don't you?

    Wish I could command that kind of salary, don't you?

    However if the decision brings more money into Fox than it pays out, I think it was a good decision, don't you?

    I think it brings out class envy in some, don't you?

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 12:36 PM
  • Whatever you think Wheels, is what I think. 'Cause whatever you believe/think HAS to be the correct and only way. I believe I have this correct to your way of thinking too - it's only class envy when it appies to a a liberal - at least that is when you bring it up. Don't you?

    -- Posted by concerned4all on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 12:59 PM
  • Juan Williams is a liberal, and I do not care what he makes, neither should you as long as what he is doing is legal.

    PS: Williams has many times expressed opinions that I totally disagree with. Actually more so than those I do agree with.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 1:04 PM
  • Fox needs at least one commentator left when everyone else has to quit to run in the Republican presidential primary.

    -- Posted by FriendO on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:08 PM
  • There you go FriendO, displaying your intelligence and understanding of the situation for the rest of us poor uninformed souls again!

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:15 PM
  • Thank you Wheels for pointing out when I should care (because that's how you see it). And you are correct, the main point to be made was how much Juan was making - not WHO was paying or for WHAT.

    I believe (and I'm sure you feel the same way) that NPR had the right to fire an employee for whatever they want (because it is their business to maintain established standards). Don't you? I think the howling would be bigger if they had fired a "real" conservatinve. Don't you? Still, and I think you'll agree, there seems to be a lot of howling(on FOX)about a poor 'ol liberal. Don't you?

    -- Posted by concerned4all on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:31 PM
  • Yes FriendO, you should just leave that to Wheels.

    -- Posted by concerned4all on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:34 PM
  • Liveanotherday, Could you pick out Madaline Albright and Helen Thomas from a line up that you saw in one of your more exotic dreams? :)

    -- Posted by Old John on Fri, Oct 22, 2010, at 8:25 PM

    Excuse me???? Just exactly what does this comment mean or have to do with my comment?

    Or perhaps YOU don't think I have no right to an opinion. For your information, yes, I do know who both of those women are but that has nothing to do with Juan Williams being fired from NPR. I guess you have taken lessons from Congress who are experts at adding amendments that are not connected with the bill nor do they make sense being added to it.

    -- Posted by LiveAnotherDay on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:43 PM
  • Good comments Nil.

    -- Posted by concerned4all on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:44 PM
  • "There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery -- then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved." Jesse Jackson

    -- Posted by Red_Rhino on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 2:59 PM
  • LiveAnotherDay. Good question. Sometimes I confuse myself. I think I addressed the wrong person on the wrong thread. You are correct in your response, "YOU don't think I got no right to an opinion", for I do think you have right to an opinion. Please forgive my err.

    -- Posted by Old John on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 4:26 PM
  • True, Williams remarks were not brilliant by any means. But other NPR personel have said much worse. So in my opinion they simply used it as an excuse to get rid of someone who was not politically correct enough.

    I feel the taxpayers should quit subsidizing NPR. We should not be funding them in any amount.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 6:16 PM
  • Wheels

    Are you getting ready to roll up the campsite and split?

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 8:54 PM
  • Regret,

    Unfortunately no. My wife won't leave until after Christmas because of the grandkids, and because she enjoys seeing me half frozen to death!

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 9:41 PM
  • Maybe they can convert Mr. williams to the "right" way of thinking.LOL!!

    -- Posted by agape on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 10:00 PM
  • Unfortunately no. My wife won't leave until after Christmas because of the grandkids, and because she enjoys seeing me half frozen to death!

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Oct 23, 2010, at 9:41 PM

    I dont blame her. You can suffer a couple more months. It beats her being mad that long.

    -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 1:09 AM
  • When Mr. Williams signed a contract is totally immaterial. He was already appearing on Fox before he was let go.

    How long do does anyone think Glenn Beck would last on Fox if he started making appearances on any other network and commenting on what a good job President Obama's administration is doing in getting the country out of the Bush recession?

    -- Posted by commonsensematters on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 5:25 AM
  • Thanks Old John. Forgotten.

    -- Posted by LiveAnotherDay on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 8:27 AM
  • Ike,

    I assure you I do not listen to NPR, and will damned sure support with letters to congressmen/women the removal of all funding from NPR. I never did agree with the government having their own news channel.

    Smacks too much of government control of speech, you know, like in the Socialistic countries of the world.

    Let Soros buy NPR.

    -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 11:23 AM
  • It is time for NPR to stop receiving federal funds.

    -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 1:00 PM
  • I don't listen either - cut funding.

    -- Posted by concerned4all on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 1:35 PM
  • Hell just froze over. We agree on something.

    -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Sun, Oct 24, 2010, at 3:14 PM

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