NPR correct to cut ties with Juan Williams

NPR has fired senior news analyst Juan Williams, who also appears as a commentator on Fox News, for comments about Muslims that Williams made in an appearance with Bill O’Reilly.

As Fox News reported it:

“I mean, look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country,” Williams told host Bill O’Reilly during a discussion on the dilemma between fighting jihadists and fears about average Muslims.

“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’re identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous,” Williams said.

The truth is that as a commentator and analyst, Williams has been skating on his reputation for a long time, and the ice was getting thin. He had already given NPR cause for concern with previous statements on Fox, such as the time he inexplicably described Michelle Obama as “Stokely Carmichael in a designer dress.”

His denials of bigotry aside, Williams’ remarks this week validated a stereotype of all Muslims as terrorists just as a similar comment about black people — “When I get on a bus, if I see black people, I get worried, I get nervous” — validates a perception about black people as criminals.

There is no qualitative difference between the two stances. A very small percentage of black people are criminals, and a much much smaller percentage of Muslims are terrorists. But once you start defining the much larger group by the activities of that much smaller subset, you start down a very bad road.

NPR, in other words, acted appropriately.

Of course, that’s not how the incident is being taken by some on the right, where Williams is in the process of being sainted. At Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government site, the headline is “Screw Free Speech, NPR Fires Juan Williams for Muslim Remarks.” Williams’ fellow Fox News contributor, Sarah Palin, just tweeted to the effect that “NPR defends 1st Amendment Right, but will fire u if u exercise it. Juan Williams: u got taste of Left’s hypocrisy, they screwed up firing you.”

That’s nonsense. The First Amendment guarantees each of us the right to say whatever we wish, free of government interference. However, it does not guarantee us the right to be paid by NPR or anybody else to say whatever we wish. It certainly does not mean that we are free to make bigoted remarks on national television and be guaranteed a paycheck.

After James O’Keefe, the conservative guerrilla filmmaker and Breitbart’s one-time protege, launched a bizarre “seduction” of a CNN reporter recently, Breitbart cut him loose, calling O’Keefe’s antics “patently gross and offensive.” He wasn’t violating O’Keefe’s right to free speech by doing so, he was holding him accountable.

That’s all NPR has done with Williams.

1,025 comments Add your comment

CP

October 21st, 2010
1:33 pm

Groups of blacks in ghetto garb are scary, Muslims in robes on planes are scary, white guys in robes and pointed hats are scary…….associations develop from real incidences…..does’n't matter if it was just one incident, it is part of history and will only die out over a period of time without such incidences occurring and fade into humor and then forgotten.

Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 21st, 2010
1:34 pm

Dear jm @ 1:18, here in South Florida 89.7 is all classical music all the time – no NPR. Nice to drive to work with pleasant music. My favorite station is WCLV in Cleveland, OH, similarly great music and no NPR. We cannot expect Atlanta to be so progressive as Cleveland or South Florida. I once did a calculation, and of my 16 waking hours – 5 AM until 9 PM, WABE plays music exactly 8 hours – the rest is leftist chatter.

DebbieDoRight

October 21st, 2010
1:34 pm

Do any of these yahoos actually know what the First Amendment says

No, but they’re “strict” Constitutionalists though…….. :roll:

Del:Here we have a well respected journalist who happens to be a liberal and an African American thrown under the bus by the left wing NPR. The far left just won’t tolerate someone making a common sense comment that clashes with their common lack of common sense perspectives even if it’s is one of their own.

I refuse to believe that you can’t see the big picture here. What is it about “you” people (Righties), that you can’t think for yourselves? What he did was wrong. Period. It has nothing to do with political correctness but everything to do with his “supposedly” being a journalist and therefore subject to certain types of behavior while on television or in the public eye. I’m sure his contract specifically spelled out the types of behavior(s) that were acceptable to his employers (NPR) and just because he was on Faux News didn’t mean that he would be exempt from it. Come on how hard is that to see? A policeman, for instance, can not be seen at a KKK rally or a New Black Panther Rally as a participant — his job demands that he has to maintain a certain level of behavior even when he ’s not on the job.

I thought you guys were all about personal responsibility. What happened?

Chris Salzmann

October 21st, 2010
1:36 pm

JohnnyReb October 21st, 2010 1:22 pm SAID:Del@1:14 – the View thing with O’Reilly was spontaneuous, but not the Wiliams firing. There are Soros funded Progressive organizations such as the Tides Foundation and Media Matters who all have the Social Justice objective. They don’t like America and intend to “fundamentally change” it. That sounds familar,,eh? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What’s wrong with social justice? Isn’t Christianity all about social justice? You think the fact that the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer and a huge income equality gap is a great thing? Survival of the fittest and the Law of the Jungle is the way to go? That’s very “Christian” of you. A few examples:

Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Proverbs 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Del

October 21st, 2010
1:36 pm

“I wouldn’t be caught dead watching that screech show”

I share that opinion of The View, however, it was hard for anyone to miss all of the clips.

Billybob

October 21st, 2010
1:36 pm

McCool,
Perfect liberal ‘teachable moment’ for you sir. If you knew anything about the Tides Foundation and their stated objectives, you would have a different view. Liberal, you, change the topic to Glenn Beck(whom the far left hates and brands every ism in the book). You marginalize so you don’t have to make a comment on something you don’t want to talk about. It is so easy to dissect you, but this template is loosing the day, and liberal PC is on its way out. It’s time TO ACTUALLY DEAL WITH THINGS INSTEAD OF BRANDING PEOPLE AN _ISM AND SWEEPING THINGS UNDER THE RUG!!! All libs please keep talking!!!

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
1:37 pm

“I thought you guys were all about personal responsibility. What happened?”

They never were, it’s all a smoke screen.

casual observer

October 21st, 2010
1:40 pm

Enter your comments hereST SINCE 9/11. What is the common theme here?

9/11/2001 USA Shanksville, PA 40 0 Forty passengers are killed after Islamic radicals hijack the plane in an attempt to steer it into the U.S. Capitol building.
9/11/2001 USA New York, NY 2772 251 Islamic hijackers steer two planes packed with fuel and passengers into the World Trade Center, killing hundreds on impact and eventually killing thousands when the towers collapsed. At least 200 are seriously injured.
3/19/2002 USA Tuscon, AZ 1 0 A 60-year-old man is gunned down by Muslim snipers on a golf course.
5/27/2002 USA Denton, TX 1 0 Muslim snipers kill a man as he works in his yard.
7/4/2002 USA Los Angeles, CA 2 0 Muslim man pulls out a gun at the counter of an Israeli airline and kills two people.
9/5/2002 USA Clinton, MD 1 0 A 55-year-old pizzaria owner is shot six times in the back by Muslims at close range.
9/21/2002 USA Montgomery, AL 1 1 Muslim snipers shoot two women, killing one.
9/23/2002 USA Baton Rouge, LA 1 0 A Korean mother is shot in the back by Muslim snipers.
10/2/2002 USA Wheaton, MD 1 0 Muslim snipers gun down a program analyst in a store parking lot.
10/3/2002 USA Montgomery County, MD 5 0 Muslim snipers kill three men and two women in separate attacks over a 15-hour period.
10/9/2002 USA Manassas, VA 1 1 A man is killed by Muslim snipers while pumping gas two days after a 13-year-old is wounded by the same team.
10/11/2002 USA Fredericksburg, VA 1 0 Another man is killed by Muslim snipers while pumping gas.
10/14/2002 USA Arlington, VA 1 0 A woman is killed by Muslim snipers in a Home Depot parking lot.
10/22/2002 USA Aspen Hill, MD 1 0 A bus driver is killed by Muslim snipers.
8/6/2003 USA Houston, TX 1 0 After undergoing a religious revival, a Saudi college student slashes the throat of a Jewish student with a 4″ butterfly knife, nearly decapitating the young man.
12/2/2003 USA Chicago, IL 1 0 A Muslim doctor deliberately allows a Jewish patient to die from an easily treatable condition.
4/13/2004 USA Raleigh, NC 1 4 A Muslim man runs down five strangers with a car.
4/15/2004 USA Scottsville, NY 1 2 In an honor killing, a Muslim father kills his wife and attacks his two daughters with a knife and hammer because he feared that they had been sexually molested.
6/16/2006 USA Baltimore, MD 1 0 A 62-year-old Jewish moviegoer is shot to death by a Muslim gunman in an unprovoked terror attack.
6/25/2006 USA Denver, CO 1 5 Saying that it was ‘Allah’s choice’, a Muslim shoots four of his co-workers and a police officer.
7/28/2006 USA Seattle, WA 1 5 An ‘angry’ Muslim-American uses a young girl as hostage to enter a local Jewish center, where he shoots six women, one of whom dies.
10/6/2006 USA Louisville, KY 4 1 In an ‘honor’ attack, a Muslim man rapes and beats his estranged wife, leaving her for dead, then savagely murders their four children.
2/13/2007 USA Salt Lake City, UT 5 4 A Muslim immigrant goes on a shooting rampage at a mall, targeting people buying Valentine’s Day cards at a gift shop and killing five.
1/1/2008 USA Irving, TX 2 0 A Muslim immigrant shoots his two daughters to death on concerns about their ‘Western’ lifestyle.
7/6/2008 USA Jonesboro, GA 1 0 A devout Muslim strangles his 25-year-old daughter in an honor killing.
2/12/2009 USA Buffalo, NY 1 0 The founder of a Muslim TV station beheads his wife in the hallway for seeking a divorce.
6/1/2009 USA Little Rock, AR 1 1 A Muslim with ‘religious motives’ shoots a local soldier to death inside a recruiting center.
11/2/2009 USA Glendale, AZ 1 1 A woman dies from injuries suffered when her father runs her down with a car for being too ‘Westernized.’ (10-20-09)
11/5/2009 USA Ft. Hood, TX 13 31 A Muslim psychiatrist guns down thirteen unarmed soldiers after proclaiming that ‘Muslims should stand up and fight.”

(3,308 killed by Muslims in America in 65 terror attacks)

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
1:41 pm

BilyBob, by all means, get back under your bed and cover your eyes cause the EVIL Tides Foundation is lookin’ for ya!

Boooh!

You have duct tape and canned beans under that bed? I’m tellin’ you, the end is near!

RB from Gwinnett

October 21st, 2010
1:41 pm

CP, good point. I wonder if a bunch of black people can honestly say they would be just fine if they walked on a plane and there were several guys in white robes with pointy hats.

jm

October 21st, 2010
1:41 pm

Ragnar – I like a good bit of NPR. Car Talk, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. I can tolerate the bias just like a can tolerate Rush and Boortz. I find them all entertaining.

That said, I wish I could pick when I get to listen to classical, and when I get to listen to the “news” stuff. Instead, the radio nazis here choose for you. Actually, as far as I can tell, it’s classical all but 6 hours of the day (6-9am and 4-7pm NPR).

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
1:41 pm

casual observer,

And how many people have been killed by Christians in America since 9/11?

MW

October 21st, 2010
1:42 pm

I shudder when I’m on a plane with anyone that’s not lily white. I just know they’re going to hijack the plane and kill us all.

@@

October 21st, 2010
1:43 pm

Am I the only person who suspects The View’s walk-off was pre-planned? I caught a side glimpse of Whoopi’s expression on the tape. It was almost a smirk, but then I like Whoopi as does Bill O’Reilly.

Some of the exchanges I’ve seen between him and her are among the most civil. A mutual respect, if you will.

Behar????

ICK!!!!!

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
1:43 pm

RB,

Way to compare Muslims to the KKK there — good job.

AmVet

October 21st, 2010
1:44 pm

What is the common theme here?

They are all:

Psychopaths?

Sociopaths?

Homicide Bombers?

Misanthropes?

Is that what you’re after, co?

Billybob

October 21st, 2010
1:45 pm

Salzman,
Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Jesus was talking about the individual helping others. There has been no other country in the world who has more ‘giving’ individuals than the U.S.. What you prescribe to is ‘ruling class elitists’ taking from me, that which I would give to others, and using it how they see fit. You need to wake up…..Social justice, as ordered by gov’t officals, is re-distribution/socialism…whatever you want to call it. That will not fly in the United States of America!!!

AmVet

October 21st, 2010
1:45 pm

Only the most ignorant white trash actually posits that somebody wearing the garb of the middle east is equivalent to wearing KKK garments…

jm

October 21st, 2010
1:46 pm

casual observer – looks like 2005 was an “off year” for these guys….

Were they busy watching Saddam Hussein Trials? Hard to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trials_of_Saddam_Hussein

Chris Salzmann

October 21st, 2010
1:46 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout October 21st, 2010 1:25 pm SAID:Chris thinks Juan Williams is a bigot and a racist, and he’s calling the RIGHT loony?Another victim of public education, no doubt.

Chris says: Read Jay’s example. So you think that saying that “3 Black guys got on the train and that scares me because most Blacks are criminals” is not okay but saying that “3 obvious Muslims are getting on the plane and that scares me because most Muslims are terrorists” is okay? Obviously, I got a pretty good education since I learned to read…………….unlike you. Home schooled, I presume?

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
1:46 pm

The common theme there is that Casual Observer doesn’t keep a list of every christian that kills a non-christian or every white that kills a non-white

G

October 21st, 2010
1:48 pm

The only reason why Juan Williams was fired from NPR is because he was on Fox when he stated his feelings, and we all know how the Obama adminstration feels about Fox. Somehow I never did see Jay or Cynthia, or the Whitehouse all “wee-wee’d up” about Harry Reid and his “articulate” comments about Barack Obama.

GC

October 21st, 2010
1:49 pm

Only white people should be allowed in the USA.

Billybob

October 21st, 2010
1:49 pm

McCool,
Liberalism 101…..when you can’t engage on issues change the subject or demean, make fun of, etc.
Keep talking like this…..makes it easy for me.

@@

October 21st, 2010
1:49 pm

I adore children, but, for me, terror on a plane is when their ears are hurting.

J. Gravelle

October 21st, 2010
1:50 pm

Juan Williams’ edginess probably isn’t only limited to Muslims. He likely fears Caucasians in certain situations as well (as do I):
http://gravelle.us/content/juans-bitten-twice-shy
though I doubt he’d lose his job for saying so.

The fact of the matter is that, in certain situations, certain ethnicities DO fit profiles that justify, at the very LEAST, nervousness:
http://www.dailyscoff.com/?p=2891

Liberals, as everyone knows, can NOT be racists. But I understand (as does anybody who’s ever HEARD public radio) that NPR can’t have commentators go around speaking their OWN mind, either…

-jjg

Del

October 21st, 2010
1:51 pm

DDR,

If you’ve listened to Juan Williams in his debates with those of conservative persuasion he always has and I have seen him often, articulated the liberal view on most topics. He’s done so with courtesy, class as well as respect for those with whom he disagrees. His firing just once again illustrates the narrow minded hypocrisy on the left. Why is it that many of you on the left have this “lemming” mentality where you can’t accept any view that’s outside your ideology even the slightest little bit without overreaction? Certainly, Mr. Williams only transgression was to perhaps have been only a little bit outside the left’s party line. I don’t think the punishment fit the crime.

Normal

October 21st, 2010
1:51 pm

“It is time to pull all government funding from NPR………………………NOW!!!”

That is an incredibly inane statement.

[...] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Jay Bookman: His denials of bigotry aside, Williams’ remarks this week validated a stereotype of all Muslims as terrorists just as a similar comment about black people — 'When I get on a bus, if I see black people, I get worried, I get nervous' — validates a perception about black people as criminals. There is no qualitative difference between the two stances. A very small percentage of black people are criminals, and a much much smaller percentage of Muslims are terrorists. But once you start defining the much larger group by the activities of that much smaller subset, you start down a very bad road. NPR, in other words, acted appropriately." [...]

Chris Salzmann

October 21st, 2010
1:52 pm

Billybob October 21st, 2010 1:45 pm SAID: Salzman, Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Jesus was talking about the individual helping others. There has been no other country in the world who has more ‘giving’ individuals than the U.S.. What you prescribe to is ‘ruling class elitists’ taking from me, that which I would give to others, and using it how they see fit. You need to wake up…..Social justice, as ordered by gov’t officals, is re-distribution/socialism…whatever you want to call it. That will not fly in the United States of America!!!

_________________________________________________________________________

Chris says: So lets see, when marginal taxes on the rich during the 50s, 60s and 70s (the good old days, right?) were 90%, 70% and 60%, then that was okay? I assume that because I don’t recall your ilk calling us a “socialist” country then? Do yourself a BIG favor and look up the definition of socialism first. You obviously don’t even know what it means, let alone ever experienced it. No wonder you call yourself “Billybob”. It suits you.

Mirror, Mirror

October 21st, 2010
1:52 pm

I think the whole crew on The View were aware of Colbert’s plan to walk off. It was all staged.

DebbieDoRight

October 21st, 2010
1:52 pm

jm: B. Jay, how would you describe the terrorists that attacked us on 9/11, using ONE word other than “terrorists”.

Dead?

joey: But if you said: “When I see a group of white people dressed in business garb I get nervous and worry what they might do.” Would that threaten your job?

Chris Rock circa 1998 – “You know, l was just in my hotel, a little while ago, on my way here…and l got in the elevator, right? l’m getting in the elevator…and these two high-school white boys try to get on with me…and l just dove off. l said, ”Y’all ain’t killing me!”l am scared of young white boys.

lf you white and under 21 l am running for the hills. What the he11 is wrong with these white kids shooting up the school? They don’t even wait till afternoon either. Killing people in the morning. That ain’t right.

The Trenchcoat Mafia. ”No one will play with us.”We have no friends. We’re the Trenchcoat Mafia.

”Hey, l saw the yearbook pictures. lt was six of them. l didn’t have six friends in high school.l don’t got six friends now. Sh###t, that’s three-on-three with a half court. What the hell is wrong with these kids?

l got people telling me, ”Come on, Chris. Come up to a school. Talk to the kids.” l’m like, ”F#$$3k the kids! ”Do you got a vest? Maybe l’ll think about it.

”Everybody wants to know what the kids was listening to. What kind of music was they listening to? Or what kind of movies was they watching? Who gives a f#### what they was watching? Whatever happened to crazy? What happened to crazy? What, you can’t be crazy no more? Did we eliminate ”crazy” from the dictionary? F# the records. F# the movies. Crazy!

CP

October 21st, 2010
1:54 pm

AMVET you have too much time on your hands.

Rather Be Working

October 21st, 2010
1:56 pm

Why is it that many of you on the left have this “lemming” mentality where you can’t accept any view that’s outside your ideology even the slightest little bit without overreaction? Certainly, Mr. Williams only transgression was to perhaps have been only a little bit outside the left’s party line. I don’t think the punishment fit the crime.

I know what you mean.

Jay

October 21st, 2010
1:57 pm

Sarah Palin’s latest tweet on the subject:

“Juan Williams: Going Rogue. NPR should receive NO fed tax dollars if it operates as intolerant, private radio.”

That’s right, it’s NPR that’s intolerant here. Sheez.

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
1:57 pm

Crap, now we can’t eat celery.

professional skeptic

October 21st, 2010
1:57 pm

Once again: Freedom of speech does not equal freedom from the consequences of flapping your trap.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
1:59 pm

BillyBob, I seriously doubt anything comes easily for you.

Del

October 21st, 2010
2:00 pm

casual observer,

The liberal left believes that if you’re nice to your enemies and collaborate with them, they won’t kill you.

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:00 pm

I know every liberal has thought and said this:

“if I see people who are carrying Tea Party signs and I think, you know, they’re identifying themselves first and foremost as Tea Partiers, I get worried. I get nervous”

“They might take my entitlements away. They might change laws in America. They are racist and against the NAACP. They hate Obama because he’s black. They might push to fix the deficit. They might cut government spending that helps me.”

oooooooooooo- Tea Party. Scary!!!! Happy Halloween…..

(maybe I’ll go to San Fran and dress up as a Tea Partier for Halloween)

Heaven forbid people admit when they think other people are a little…. scary….. >:)

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:01 pm

Del,

Since when do you get to speak for the liberal left and what “they” believe? Speak for yourself, not for others.

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:01 pm

Jay, as NPR states, government funding is a small % of their budget. Why not just end it for pete’s sake?

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
2:01 pm

NPR is an employer. If I go on TV and start flapping my trap like a scaredy bigot I would think my employer might want to fire me too.

Billybob

October 21st, 2010
2:02 pm

Salzmann,
Let’s see, you changed the subject of my comment to you, you insult my intelligence, and then you make fun of my name. You hit the trifecta of Liberalism 101….Great job! I hear Soros has just funded 100 new NPR reporters and you seem like a good fit to head the ’social justice division’. Keep talking sir, it’s fun!

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:03 pm

jm,

“Why not just end it for pete’s sake?”

Why not end ALL tax dollars to businesses for pete’s sake? Do you actually use your brain for anything other than breathing?

SW

October 21st, 2010
2:03 pm

White people are the only intelligent group.

DebbieDoRight

October 21st, 2010
2:05 pm

casual observer you forgot one:

Timothy McVeigh Terrorist – On April 19, 1995 McVeigh blew up the OKC Federal Bldg. The explosion killed 168 people and 450 were injured. Nineteen of the victims were small children and babies in the day care center on the second floor of the building.

McVeigh, in one fell swoop killed and injured more people than terrorists of 9/11. LEST YE FORGET.

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:05 pm

“It’s not a bigoted statement. In fact, in the course of this conversation with Bill O’Reilly, I said we have an obligation as Americans to be careful to protect the constitutional rights of everyone in our country and to make sure that we don’t have any outbreak of bigotry.”–Juan Williams

Kinda sad. Juan is all about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone and NPR?

Selectively so. You’re either with ‘em or agin ‘em…no personal views will be tolerated.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
2:06 pm

No, here you go:

“if I see people who are carrying Tea Party signs and I think, you know, they’re identifying themselves first and foremost as Tea Partiers, I get worried. I get nervous”

“They might be planning to blow up a federal building…after they take their Geritol. They might demand the federal guvmint keep it’s hands off their medicare. They are racist only like freedom of religion when it’s their religion that is free. They hate Obama because he’s black. They act like they might push to fix the deficit but they are sooo dumb they will call for tax breaks in the next breath. They might cut government spending that helps all of us – but don’t touch military spending…or social security – you know, the programs that actually cost alot.”

DebbieDoRight

October 21st, 2010
2:07 pm

one more thing….

10/9/2002 USA Manassas, VA 1 1 A man is killed by Muslim snipers while pumping gas two days after a 13-year-old is wounded by the same team.

The Lee Boyd Malvo, sniper, is NOT nor never have been a muslim. He calls himself a christian.

jt

October 21st, 2010
2:07 pm

* NPR correct to cut ties with Juan Williams

Yea POLITICALLY correct.

Anton Goryunov writes from Moscow: It is time to examine the phenomenon of political correctness. Or rather, the hell it originated from.Political correctness, in its most advanced and destructive form, dates back to post revolutionary Russia, when under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks – i.e. communists – who had seized power in a coup in October 1917, decided that it would be better if they start courting all sorts of vested interests and minority groups to get them on their side
Women, who demanded that females should be exactly the same as males, even in their appearance, were elevated by the Bolsheviks to the status of heroes. Equal rights for women was a huge thing in the 1920s communist Russia.
The most amazing thing in 1920s Russia was that hardened criminals were propelled by political correctness into ‘victims of social injustice’, who were supposedly mistreated under the Tsar.
It was also considered PC to attack classical art and classical literature and replace it with some modern rubbish that was supposed to reflect the multicultural diversity of Russia that had about 150 different nationalities living within its boundaries.
Promiscuity replaced marriage as the preferred way of life. And eventually multiculturalism, that cultural genocide, raised its many ugly heads, like some giant Hydra.

Its Deja vu all over again.

Rally to Restore Juan's Sanity

October 21st, 2010
2:07 pm

Billybob

October 21st, 2010
2:08 pm

Fin,
Only dissecting you sir….

Granny Godzilla

October 21st, 2010
2:09 pm

‘Bout damn time.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

Salzman, go easy on BillyBob. he’s on the verge of a mental breakdown.

I’m sure if the election results aren’t perfect for the Republicans we will read about him going bat$#it crazy and causing problems.

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

Here’s my list of scary people I keep a closer eye on:

Gangbangers riding around rough neighborhoods late at night (although I’ve gotten good at avoiding these in the first place).
Muslim folks NOT dressed like Muslims (like in a suit), but acting nervous (sweating profusely, that sort of thing).
White (or any color) folks carrying sidearms and / or automatic weapons in public.
Dick Cheney when carrying a shotgun.
Joe Biden when talking.

That about covers it. No wait, this guy is definitely scary.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/features/article_1517606.php/In-Pictures-Riots-in-Greece?page=10

Chris Salzmann

October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

Billybob October 21st, 2010 2:02 pm SAID: Salzmann, Let’s see, you changed the subject of my comment to you, you insult my intelligence, and then you make fun of my name. You hit the trifecta of Liberalism 101….Great job! I hear Soros has just funded 100 new NPR reporters and you seem like a good fit to head the ’social justice division’. Keep talking sir, it’s fun!

CHRIS SAYS: Change the subject? Its you who brought up the “socialism” charge. We had FAR FAR HIGHER taxes in the past and no one heard even the smallest cry of “socialism” from ANYONE but now its suddenly a huge issue although our taxes currently are at a HISTORICAL LOW. Why’s that? What changed recently? The answer’s pretty obvious isn’t it?

JohnnyReb

October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

Chris@1:36 – sorry for the tardy reply. I’m trying to sneak in a little work between blogging. re, Social Justice.

I don’t agree comparing Christianity to Social Justice. In fact, my opinion is that Social Justice is anti-Christian. Social Justice, when successful, produces an outcome that would not occur under Equal Justice. Equal Justice is Christian and American.

Groups like the Tides Foundation and Media Matters are really about destroying Capitalism. Capitalism has produced thus far the most successful outcome in all of human history. It’s not perfect, but there is nothing better. Socialism has never succeeded.

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

Taking a personal inventory, I’m a fan of Whoopi, Juan Williams and Dr. Charles LaMont Hill…all left…all black.

Geez! I’ve been called an intolerant bigot by jay’s leftist. True or false?

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:11 pm

“Geez! I’ve been called an intolerant bigot by jay’s leftist. True or false?”

False.

Del

October 21st, 2010
2:11 pm

Bosch,

I think you should crawl back under your bed with your puppies and chill some. You seem to take the blog a little too serious at times.

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:11 pm

Bosch – you’re not too bright. I won’t enlighten you on the idea of “independent media”. Research it yourself.

AmVet

October 21st, 2010
2:13 pm

AMVET you have too much time on your hands.

Coming from someone who reads and responds to my posts?

Very strange…

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:14 pm

Del,

It was an honest question, since when do you speak for the liberal left?

radiowxman

October 21st, 2010
2:14 pm

Juan should have just said “it was a botched joke,” and all would be forgiven.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
2:15 pm

NPR gets no allocation from Corporation for Public Boadcasting. Zero. We are a private 501(c)3. We’ve had journalists call up and ask what department of the government we report to. That’s laughable. Have you listened to our shows? We do apply for competitive grants from the likes of the Ford Foundation and the Knight Foundation. As a result, some money from CPB does come to us when we win grants.

from Bosch’s link above

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:16 pm

Bosch:

False. I’m not a bigot or False…jay’s leftists have never called me intolerant or a bigot.

I know how you operate. You called me a b*tch once, but that’s not the same thing.

AmVet

October 21st, 2010
2:16 pm

reb, on redaction seems in order.

Equal Justice is Christian, atheist, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and American.

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:16 pm

jm,

Why are you calling for all of NPR’s funding to be pulled then? Why not pull all tax dollars from all companies if you feel that strongly? It’s easy to say, “oh, you’re not so bright” and change the subject, or you could answer the question.

carlosgvv

October 21st, 2010
2:16 pm

Jesse Jackson commented once that on hearing footsteps behind him on a street he was releived to see it was a white person and not a black one. Does that make him a racist? Juan William’s comments about Muslims on planes is just plain common sense these days. To much political correctness is no indication of intelligence or compentence.

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

Bosch – “Q: How healthy are you?”

I thought the interviewer was worried she hadn’t had a brain scan recently…

Rally to Restore Juan's Sanity

October 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

@@,

Please don’t demean yourself in such a manner.

Van Jones

October 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

“Williams’ remarks this week validated a stereotype of all Muslims as terrorists…”
WRONG! Probability says they are more likely to try to take down the plane but you are trying to speak in absolutes. Maybe for dramatic effect?

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:17 pm

Bosch – I’m not asking for all their funding to get pulled. Just the gov’t part. And for the record, I do advocate for pulling corporate subsidies, both on this blog and with my political contributions.

DebbieDoRight

October 21st, 2010
2:18 pm

Del: His firing just once again illustrates the narrow minded hypocrisy on the left. Why is it that many of you on the left have this “lemming” mentality where you can’t accept any view that’s outside your ideology even the slightest little bit without overreaction? Certainly, Mr. Williams only transgression was to perhaps have been only a little bit outside the left’s party line. I don’t think the punishment fit the crime.

Mr. Williams did in fact use his right to free speech, brilliantly I might add. Then his employer, NPR, used their right to fire his azz. Brilliantly, I might add…….

Rally to Restore Juan's Sanity

October 21st, 2010
2:20 pm

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:20 pm

Bosch is rude, impolite, and not a good person…. shocker….

Midori

October 21st, 2010
2:21 pm

Williams essentially violated his contract. Can any one of you ignorant wingnut apologists wrap your tiny, hate filled and hypocritic minds around that?

From NPR:

“First, a critical distinction has been lost in this debate. NPR News analysts have a distinctive role and set of responsibilities. This is a very different role than that of a commentator or columnist. News analysts may not take personal public positions on controversial issues; doing so undermines their credibility as analysts, and that’s what’s happened in this situation. As you all well know, we offer views of all kinds on your air every day, but those views are expressed by those we interview – not our reporters and analysts.

Second, this isn’t the first time we have had serious concerns about some of Juan’s public comments. Despite many conversations and warnings over the years, Juan has continued to violate this principal (sic).

Third, these specific comments (and others made in the past), are inconsistent with NPR’s ethics code, which applies to all journalists (including contracted analysts):

“In appearing on TV or other media . . . NPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as an NPR journalist. They should not participate in shows . . . that encourage punditry and speculation rather than fact-based analysis.”

More fundamentally, “In appearing on TV or other media including electronic Web-based forums, NPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as an NPR journalist.”

Unfortunately, Juan’s comments on Fox violated our standards as well as our values and offended many in doing so.

We’re profoundly sorry that this happened during fundraising week. Juan’s comments were made Monday night and we did not feel it would be responsible to delay this action.

This was a tough decision and we appreciate your support.”

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:21 pm

Rally:

Please don’t demean yourself in such a manner.

Huh?

Del

October 21st, 2010
2:23 pm

DDR,

I think it’s fair to say that Juan Williams career will continue along just fine and perhaps even get a boost from this action. NPR on the other hand may suffer a bit in their ratings as a result.

Billybob

October 21st, 2010
2:23 pm

Chris,
You brought up social justice premise, which IS gov’t re-distribution/socialism. I discussed what Jesus thought, which you brought up. This is typcial…..and waste of time to re-hash. You’ve done what I said you would do…which is avoid discussing my initial point….maybe you could tutor Finn.
Finn,
Name calling and assertions of mental problems. I think you are ready for Lib 101: Day 2. good luck, and keep talking!!!!

Rally to Restore Juan's Sanity

October 21st, 2010
2:23 pm

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
2:24 pm

Rally, that’s an interesting post. Fox News personnel taking part and trying to invoke action at a political rally.

NPR announced a week ago that none of it’s staff were allowed to participate in the Stewart/Colbert rallies.

Who is unbiased? Are they still the liberal left media?

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:24 pm

“NPR on the other hand may suffer a bit in their ratings as a result.”

Oh please, really? NPR’s been the whipping boy for years for wingnuts, and they do fine. Dream on.

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:25 pm

jt,

“That is un-acceptable.”

Oh please, @@ yearns to be the victim, I’m just giving her what she wants.

Finn McCool

October 21st, 2010
2:26 pm

excellent post, Midori

Some conservatives just hate the idea of REAL unbiased news sources.

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:26 pm

Bosch:

in order for that question to be true, then every person who blogs here who is considered a “leftist” would have had to call you an intolerant bigot.

Are you now speaking on behalf of all jay’s leftists or are you one among many of jay’s leftists who is easily offended by my comment. Rarely do jay’s other leftist complain about my accusations.

Just you, sweetie.

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:28 pm

Bosch stinks. Smelly socks, smelly brain. Beans for lunch Bosch?

Disgusted

October 21st, 2010
2:28 pm

Anyhow, Juan was a clean, articulate black man…..for a lefty.

Way to reveal how you really feel, jt. I suppose in your mind most black men are dirty and inarticulate.

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:28 pm

Bosch called me a b*tch twice?

Gee, I must’ve overlooked the second attack.

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:29 pm

“Are you now speaking on behalf of all jay’s leftists”

That’s one giant leap.

“Rarely do jay’s other leftist complain about my accusations.”

Because no one really ever pays any attention to you.

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:30 pm

jm,

Next are you going to call me a doo doo head? :roll:

Do you need some attention too?

Del

October 21st, 2010
2:30 pm

Um, thought personal name calling was off limits on this blog.

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:31 pm

Disgusted:

Joe Biden discovered a “clean, articulate black man” in Barack Obama.

How does HE really feel?

jm

October 21st, 2010
2:31 pm

Bosch is doing a splendid job contributing to the debate around here…..

“Because no one really ever pays any attention to you.”

Bosch, I want a fact check on this. Can you please provide a link?

Peadawg

October 21st, 2010
2:32 pm

“bigot”

Ah, the new card of today. You don’t agree with, you’re a bigot. First racist, now bigot. You liberals got anything else?

@@

October 21st, 2010
2:33 pm

Bosch:

You now know that no one, NO ONE pays attention to me?

My gawd, you are all knowing!!!!????!!!!

JohnnyReb

October 21st, 2010
2:34 pm

AMVet@2:16 – Social Justice forceably takes from one man his posssessions or a portion thereof and gives it to another. And/or creates situations that handicap or puts one individual at a disadvantage in what should be a purely competitive situation. Social Justice creates discrimination. There is nothing Christian about Social Justice. The poor cling to the Democratic Party who gives them handouts instead of the Republican who would provide them a means for becoming independent.

Bosch

October 21st, 2010
2:35 pm

@@,

Now, you’re misquoting me — do you comprehend the word “really” in this context?

“Because no one really ever pays any attention to you”

I read the blog, I know who responds to who.