I'm glad NPR fired Juan Williams

Scruffy wrote: [
Are you saying that NPR should have kept Williams in their employ, even though he said such hateful things about a religion? I don't view that as Political Correctness, that's just ignorance on Williams part.

I'm sorry that you feel trepidation when you board a plane that has people dressed in their muslim garb. Do you really have such little faith in the TSA and the screening process?

Finally, Fox is not fair & balanced - you can't be both at the same time. I've noticed many people can't really discern the difference between being fair and being balanced. One can make a fair assessment of an argument on a particular subject without being balanced. Likewise, someone can be balanced in their presentation of a subject without being fair.

A fair news organization would be quick to point out the flaws in an argument being presented; problem is, when a journalist on CNN or NPR tries to do this, they are accused of having a 'liberal bias', which is of course, patently absurd. It's because these legitimate news organizations used to be fair by being skeptical, asking penetrating questions, and calling people on their lies and distortions. Problem is, conservatives would prefer not to deal with those pesky inquiries, because they so easily and effectively poke holes in their plans and make their agenda more difficult to sell.

So they push for a balanced portrayal of the news instead. This allows conservatives to lie and distort, present half-truths as fact, spin current events and policy ruthlessly and without shame. Balanced coverage lets the lies sit, which of course, favors the liar, and not the audience who desires truthful coverage. As long as an "opposing" side is presented, a balanced portrayal of the news only means that two diametrically opposed sides have to be shown. No exploration, no inquiry, no skepticism, no real journalism, nothing of substance is involved or necessary. It’s truly a sickening trend, but shows the depth of success conservatives have had of de-fanging the media for the simply purpose of pursuing their own nefarious agenda. Lie and call the media “liberal”, create a significant stigma around the term “liberal” in the media, make those
journalists who pursue FAIR reporting fear being branded a member of the “liberal media” as a result of their fair reporting and investigating, until most journalists resort to BALANCED reporting because it’s less likely to be as easily mislabeled as “liberal”, totally disbanding the concept of fairness (and accuracy) altogether for a diluted and bland form of sensationalistic "balanced" reporting more conducive to fabricating and perpetuating propaganda and lies. Much of the so-called 'liberal media' has kow-towed to this probably only subconsciously. They censor themselves by not digging too deep, not asking the tough questions for fear of losing access, reporting the Bush administration mantras as news, unquestioned, unfettered.

Balanced, but not Fair.

This is exactly what Juan was referring to when he said PC thought leads to paralysis. In this example it has led to paralysis of the brain stem.

Scruffy wrote:
I'm sorry that you feel trepidation when you board a plane that has people dressed in their muslim garb. Do you really have such little faith in the TSA and the screening process?

yes so little faith. i grew up in the hispanic and black neighborhoods where you looked at everybody carefully cuz you never knew who was going to hijack you, even white people.

so yes on a plane i have a tendency to consider anyone suspect if they do or say anything unusual. dress has something to do with it. if i showed up sporting gang colors or even forget the gang colors but walked in like a toughie with spiked hair, a persona i prefer, you think people wouldn't be scared of me and have some thoughts about what i might be all about?

scruffy i will make sure to sit next to you next time i am on a plane ok?

Achmed, did you steal that avatar from Nimbysis' bio?
Shame on you!!

Pineguy so nicely gave us a link to the NPR Ombudsman's article on the subject. Obviously, you haven't read it or choose to ignore it.

So now the race card has been played. Brit Hume on Fox News is claiming that race played a factor in Williams getting the axe.

Not having fear of being a co-passenger on a plane with bearded Arabs in MidEastern garb is being pretty openminded. So openminded, in fact, that you brains have fallen out!

Scruffy:

You mounted a hell of a defense for the Drive-By media. It is a shame that they can't defend themselves. The problem is whether or not you will ever admit it, is that they are more than left leaning, they are in the tank for Obama and if it wasn't for there being in the tank, he most likely wouldn't have even been elected. Their ratings have dropped into the basement as a result. You just won't give up with the Liberal spin on things will you. It's a shame you put all that effort into a losing cause.

Something the Dog Said wrote:

Grady wrote:

netdude wrote: Not sure weather he deserved to be fired or not for this incident... he was reprimanded a few times during is tenure for sexual harassment and that may have weighed in on their decision.

That being said, ANYBODY who feels fear when they see someone in muslim garb is flat out a coward.... sorry, you should maybe go have your head examined or maybe just got to your mommy's house and have her dig out your old security blanket... go home... cower in the corner in the fetal position and suck your thumb and never fly again.

Do you have a valid source or is this just an attempt to paint a black man as evil?
Juan never used the term “scared” or "fear" he used the term “worried or nervous” big difference.
Juan wasn’t on NPR when he made those statements so how does NPR have any right to fire him? I hope he sues big time. It’s time to wean NPR from the federal dole.

NPR is a private employer and is able to legally fire any employee as long as it is not in violation of the law or of his contract. NPR is not on the public dole. It receives no direct federal funding. The taxpayer does fund the CPB which may issue grants to individual stations who in turn may subscribe to NPR programming. NPR is funded by its subscriptions, but the majority of its funding is by large corporations and by endowments such as the Kroc (McDonalds).

Fox News actually receives more in direct federal funding than does NPR, such as military recruitment advertising. Perhaps we should be seeking a ban on federal funding for Fox News.

NPR receives government grant money, Fox sells advertising. Do you not understand the difference? And maybe NPR was within their right to fire Williams, but it was still wrong. He wasn't on NPR when he made those statements, he was on different network representing only Juan Williams. I hope he sues their ass off. I also hope the feds deny any future grants.

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...

She probably fired the poor guy because he said, "I miss Bush."

Imagine if Juan worked for LooneyJerk, he would be fired because he said, "I get nervous when I see a woman walk into the men's bathroom."

I want to take a moment to salute the libs who have the honesty and integrity to stand against censorship and for free speech.