I'm glad NPR fired Juan Williams

LadyJazzer wrote: I manage a staff of 25 people... If one of my people were to say something that I considered totally inappropriate in the workplace, I can assure you that they would be out on the street in five minutes. (And, as a matter of fact, 18 months ago I did have one go over the line after repeated warnings... I made one phone call, and within 5 minutes, his access to the network was terminated, his door access code was terminated, and a security officer showed up, confiscated his access badge, and escorted him to the front door and warned him that if he was seen on the property again he would be prosecuted for criminal trespass...)

At least you gave repeated warnings. So far as we know, Juan Williams didn't even get one warning. And what he said was much less politically incorrect than what Don Imus said.

If you fired someone on the spot without a warning for saying exactly what Juan Williams said, you'd be just as much of a jerk as NPR is in this case. If you did that, you should be fired too (after your manager revoked the firing and gave you a warning).

Jobs are very important to people's lives. We all make mistakes on the job. Unless it's a criminal act or gross incompetance, I'd hope an employer would at least give an employee a second chance before dropping the hammer on them.

And by the way, if I had an employee repeatedly visiting and posting on message boards unrelated to the job during the workday, I'd give him/her a warning and then fire him/her if he/she kept doing it on company time.

Isn't it nice that the partners in my company backed me up 100%, and in my position I have complete autonomy to handle such matters at my discretion...

And even better that your opinion on what you would do or not do is irrelevant.

Interesting that those who are so outraged about Juan Williams was fired for disparaging Muslims were celebrating when Helen Thomas was fired for making a comment about Jews. So it must be ok to diss Muslims, but don't say a harsh word about Jews.

Apparently the key point to the Juan Williams controversy is stuck in everyone’s subconscious. He spoke of one of the biggest threats/fears that US citizens face in the future…enemies among us that we cannot recognize as enemies, until it’s too late.

We aren’t accustomed to terrorism on our own soil; at least not in a global sense. It’s nearly impossible to stop drive-by shootings. What happens when planted terrorists decide to toss bombs; or simply walk into a crowded Starbucks wearing one. No one will suspect a thing, because the perpetrator will look, dress and act just like you and me.

We are ill prepared to stop such tactics. Partly because we’re so used to our freedoms. And partly because of political correctness and the anti-profiling movement.

Juan Williams verbalized what many people think, or say among family and friends. His situation aside, we had better decide if it’s best to shut up and ignore the real threat that does exist; or join in the conversation and come up with proactive solutions that will protect us.

But do we make our decisions on irrational fears, or on actual facts. Juan Williams is fearful of someone in "Muslim" garb. The 9/11 terrorists were wearing polo shirts and chinos. The other terrorists were wearing US military uniforms, or ordinary street clothing. Should we be fearful when we see someone board a plane wearing a polo shirt? Or should we just decide that anyone who remotely looks "Muslim" is likely to be a terrorist?

Or should we stand up as proud Americans and not live in fear or irrational bigotry?

I do find Mr. Williams remarks as ironic, as it was only a generation ago that many individuals would make a similar remark about a black man walking down the street towards them.

LadyJazzer wrote: He has a First Amendment right to say whatever he likes.

He does NOT have a right to say things that his employer disapproves of. They were paying his paycheck, and you do not get to say what you like if it is considered inappropriate by your employer. (Ask Don Imus...)

""His remarks on The O'Reilly Factor this past Monday were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR," the statement read."

End of discussion...

I manage a staff of 25 people... If one of my people were to say something that I considered totally inappropriate in the workplace, I can assure you that they would be out on the street in five minutes. (And, as a matter of fact, 18 months ago I did have one go over the line after repeated warnings... I made one phone call, and within 5 minutes, his access to the network was terminated, his door access code was terminated, and a security officer showed up, confiscated his access badge, and escorted him to the front door and warned him that if he was seen on the property again he would be prosecuted for criminal trespass...)

In this case, a reporter crossed the line of what was acceptable to his employer, and within hours he signed a new contract with FauxNews for 3 years for about $2million/year... My heart bleeds for him... But his First Amendment rights weren't violated...His employment was no longer required by his employer. Game, Set, Match...

First of all, LJ, your arrogance is nauseating and obviously obscures any rationality you think you may possess i.e. you lack common horsesense!

That being said, you are so wrong. Williams did not express his opinion. He expressed his own personal feelings. Huge difference there. If he had said it was his opinion, then yes, it would mean he is trying to influence his audience. He simply expressed his own personal fear. Every thinking person, liberal and conservative alike know he was fired because of his association with Fox. In fact, Bob Bechtel (former Clinton aide and very liberal guy) said he's going to withhold his NPR contribution in honor of Williams! And what about our pal Whoopi - don't really like her or her politics but I agree with her when she said NPR got it all wrong.

It doesn't surprise me that you would fire an employee whose opinions differ from yours. Your daily posts expose just how narrow, shallow and intolerant you are of those with whom you disagree.

And please, LJ darling, do us all a favor and stop with the " (You can hear the surprise in *MY* voice...)" reply in your posts...you've used and abused the glamour out of it.

LadyJazzer wrote: Isn't it nice that the partners in my company backed me up 100%, and in my position I have complete autonomy to handle such matters at my discretion...

And even better that your opinion on what you would do or not do is irrelevant.

First, I never questioned the firing you did since you gave repeated warnings. Why are you so defensive pointing out your partners supported it? Are you proud of it or something?

And "thanks" for telling me my opinion is irrelevant on a message board in an area where we express our opinions. Was it something I said? You imply your opinion is more relevant, and you just come across as being arrogant. Otherwise, if my opinion is irrelevant, so is yours.

travelingirl wrote: First of all, LJ, your arrogance is nauseating and obviously obscures any rationality you think you may possess i.e. you lack common horsesense!

That being said, you are so wrong. Williams did not express his opinion. He expressed his own personal feelings. Huge difference there. If he had said it was his opinion, then yes, it would mean he is trying to influence his audience. He simply expressed his own personal fear. Every thinking person, liberal and conservative alike know he was fired because of his association with Fox. In fact, Bob Bechtel (former Clinton aide and very liberal guy) said he's going to withhold his NPR contribution in honor of Williams! And what about our pal Whoopi - don't really like her or her politics but I agree with her when she said NPR got it all wrong.

It doesn't surprise me that you would fire an employee whose opinions differ from yours. Your daily posts expose just how narrow, shallow and intolerant you are of those with whom you disagree.

And please, LJ darling, do us all a favor and stop with the " (You can hear the surprise in *MY* voice...)" reply in your posts...you've used and abused the glamour out of it.

It doesn't matter whether YOU think he expressed an "opinion" or his "personal feelings"... His employer, who pays his salary, felt that whatever it was he expressed on FauxNews was "inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices". Your perception of it is basically irrelevant...Unless, of course, you wish to pay his salary.

I didn't fire an employee "whose opinions differed from mine"...I fired an employee who actions made him a danger in the workplace. And since you have no idea what the hell you're talking about, I'll put it in the sh**can where it belongs.

And, "darling", I'll use whatever phrase I like, and I don't need your permission to do so.

Something the Dog Said wrote: Interesting that those who are so outraged about Juan Williams was fired for disparaging Muslims were celebrating when Helen Thomas was fired for making a comment about Jews. So it must be ok to diss Muslims, but don't say a harsh word about Jews.

Whenever someone tries to point out hypocrisy, you have to realise it works both ways.

Just guessing from your post, I assume you didn't surrport the Helen Thomas firing, but do support the Juan Williams firing? If so, you are a hypocite in the opposite way. But I'm just guessing and could be wrong.

I didn't support any of the firings. IMO, Don Imus was the most politically incorrect. But he comes from a "shock jock" background where rules aren't very well spelled out for shock jocks on the radio. Helen Thomas was next, but why fire someone with her very long history for one dumb comment (seems to me they wanted to get rid of her anyway and were looking for an excuse)? Juan Williams' comment seem the least objectionable to me. And since I didn't support firing the other two, why should we fire him? My guess is NPR was just looking for the tiniest excuse as well, since they didn't like him working on Fox (despite their denial).

LadyJazzer wrote:

travelingirl wrote: First of all, LJ, your arrogance is nauseating and obviously obscures any rationality you think you may possess i.e. you lack common horsesense!

That being said, you are so wrong. Williams did not express his opinion. He expressed his own personal feelings. Huge difference there. If he had said it was his opinion, then yes, it would mean he is trying to influence his audience. He simply expressed his own personal fear. Every thinking person, liberal and conservative alike know he was fired because of his association with Fox. In fact, Bob Bechtel (former Clinton aide and very liberal guy) said he's going to withhold his NPR contribution in honor of Williams! And what about our pal Whoopi - don't really like her or her politics but I agree with her when she said NPR got it all wrong.

It doesn't surprise me that you would fire an employee whose opinions differ from yours. Your daily posts expose just how narrow, shallow and intolerant you are of those with whom you disagree.

And please, LJ darling, do us all a favor and stop with the " (You can hear the surprise in *MY* voice...)" reply in your posts...you've used and abused the glamour out of it.

It doesn't matter whether YOU think he expressed an "opinion" or his "personal feelings"... His employer, who pays his salary, felt that whatever it was he expressed on FauxNews was "inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices". Your perception of it is basically irrelevant...Unless, of course, you wish to pay his salary.

I didn't fire an employee "whose opinions differed from mine"...I fired an employee who actions made him a danger in the workplace. And since you have no idea what the hell you're talking about, I'll put it in the sh**can where it belongs.

And, "darling", I'll use whatever phrase I like, and I don't need your permission to do so.

Listen sweetie, maybe you'll learn something...

..."thanks" for telling me my opinion is irrelevant on a message board in an area where we express our opinions. Was it something I said? You imply your opinion is more relevant, and you just come across as being arrogant. Otherwise, if my opinion is irrelevant, so is yours.

Oh wait - that's what pineinthegrass just said!