NPR fires Juan Williams for Muslim remarks on Fox

reply to post by Curiousisall


I wanted to say BFFT is not a bad guy, honestly he is a decent man.

I am going to think about my question and how to word it.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

So, FOX News is "fair and balanced", so deserve your business... I see.

You're willing to boycott a liberally-slanted media, but not a conservatively-slanted one... That's exactly what I thought.

But you (purposely?) leave out the key point - NPR gets public funding and Fox News does not.

THAT is the issue.

Otherwise, it would just be about free speech and how political correctness tries to deny free speech.

Originally posted by bigfatfurrytexan
Not only have you expressed an opinion, but you have used your opinion to call other members bigots. Pull the splinters out of the back of your hands, nailing yourself to the cross isn't going to convince people that you are participating in civil discourse.

Who did I call a bigot? When? Where? Quote it. Let's address it.

You continue to portray Mr. Williams statements in a light that they should not be portrayed in. He made mention of his feelings on the matter, then used that as a launch point to discuss how bigotry is STILL not the right way to act, despite your feelings.

I have done no such thing. I acknowledged everything he said in the context he said it in. I clearly stated that he was telling Bill NOT TO BE SO BIGOTED. I think you are reading someone else's posts. I am addressing in particular his ONE SENTENCE THAT I FEEL WAS A STUPID THING TO SAY.

I am still waiting for any one person to explain to me what was NOT stupid about it.

If your opinion stopped with you, rather than mischaracterizing what Williams said, or calling other members bigots, there would be no complaint. THAT is civil discourse.

So just making things up is what you consider discourse?

Where did I call anyone a bigot?
Where did I mischaracterize anything?

I think you are still just upset because I pointed out that Bill Clinton and Obama are not the same person to you.

reply to post by Curiousisall

I am still waiting for any one person to explain to me what was NOT stupid about it.

It could be stupid to have voiced his opinion on TV, I guess,

You have your opinion, and he has one, we all have opinions, I guess he is fearful when it come to boarding planes with people dressed as Muslims.



I don't think there is anything else I can add to this topic.

The fact that Juan makes statements of personal opinion, makes me question his reporting on NPR.

As far as his actual statements, they were totally ignorant - not because he's stereotyping Muslims. Let's think about the irrationality of his statement. THink about the 9/11 hijackers, the Nigeria Kid, and Richard Reid. All dressed in what kind of clothes?

So, we could all get our panties in a twist the next time we see a Sikh with a turban or a young Arab woman in a Dolphins jersey and a hijab (a real image I saw walking through my Florida college campus on Wednesday). OR>>>> We could be further irrational and strip-search every Trinidadian with a suspicious can of curry. (Sarcasm)


NPR is not overly liberal. There's nothing particularly liberal about telling the news. A cursory search into NPR info shows a propensity to use conservative think tanks as sources just under two to one over liberal think tanks.

For those of you who do not listen to NPR, I would recommend that you find out the diversity in programming they have before you jump on some "liberal media bias" bandwagon. And that really goes especially for those of you who - reiterating - don't listen to it.

Let's get real people, Osama is not going to pull out the prayer rug on a transatlantic flight.

That being said, I fully agree with their stance that a news reporter or analyst should not be a news maker. Let's face it, Fox is opinion on opinion paid for by opinion. You cannot disagree with that any more than you could with MSNBC being opinion. NPR at least has some semblance of objectivity and keeps the subjectivity separate, not conflating the two like the major cable networks.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


I have no problem with him expressing his opinion. I also do not think it was stupid to do it on tv. When was the last time you got $2 Million to get fired? That is a pretty slick move in my book.

All I am saying. ALL I am saying is this.

Of all the Muslim terrorist to be a threat on an airplane in the entire history of the US, how many of them were wearing "traditional Muslim garb?" I know the answer. I personally feel Juan knows that answer too. If he does not, then he is just ignorant for making that statement. I guess I can refine my opinion to that he may just be ignorant.

It just makes no sense to me to be afraid of some particular type of clothing that has not been in any way related to terrorist attacks.

Here is the kicker, and I hope BFFT is sitting down for this. Had he said "boarding a plane and seeing men that appear to be middle eastern makes me nervous" I would agree.

reply to post by Curiousisall

Here is the kicker, and I hope BFFT is sitting down for this. Had he said "boarind a plane and seeing men that appear to be middle eastern makes me nervous" I would agree.

oooooooooh, I see thanks for the clarification.

Originally posted by Sphota
As far as his actual statements, they were totally ignorant - not because he's stereotyping Muslims. Let's think about the irrationality of his statement. THink about the 9/11 hijackers, the Nigeria Kid, and Richard Reid. All dressed in what kind of clothes?

So, we could all get our panties in a twist the next time we see a Sikh with a turban or a young Arab woman in a Dolphins jersey and a hijab (a real image I saw walking through my Florida college campus on Wednesday). OR>>>> We could be further irrational and strip-search every Trinidadian with a suspicious can of curry. (Sarcasm)

THANK YOU.

That is exactly my point. It makes no sense to be worried about "Muslim garb" and not just because that was never actually even defined, but because it does not help assess any real threats. If the people getting upset with me for thinking this was so stupid feel that strongly, then make Juan's case for him. Just tell me what is rational about fearing "traditional Muslim garb."

Please, anyone. BFFT? Got an answer for me? I am asking nicely.

Originally posted by Sphota
The fact that Juan makes statements of personal opinion, makes me question his reporting on NPR.

If that bothers you, the list of others working for ALL the MSM outlets that also need to be fired - or at least have their "reporting" questioned - would be quite long.



That's really the problem with so-called news reporting these days. Where are Walter Cronkite and his contemporaries when we really need them?

NPR should have just ignored it. They have gotten way more bad press because of this than if they would have just forgot about it. It what's on everyone's mind anyway. But if I was on that show I would have something WAY more politically incorrect. I would have said Muslims don't frighten me when I see them on a plane because they weren't the ones who attacked us on 9-11.

I'm with Mr. Williams. I fly back and forth to the Middle East regularly. And i admit, i'm nervous everytime until my plane is back on the ground.

If you saw security procedures at some of these overseas airports, you'd be nervous too. There are some airports where if the line is too long for the x-ray machines, locals will simply walk around them and continue on their way to the irflight. Usually the guys manning the security area's are too busy texting their girlfriends or boyfriends to notice.

For him to get fired for voicing a personal opinion, one that is shared by more people than they care to admit, is BS.

I'm shocked! ATS is usually ahead of the curve. Soros donates 1.8 million to NPR and Juan is fired. Do the math. He also is pumping money into Media Matters for them attempting to silence Conservative Spokespeople. CAIR is just the tip of the iceberg.

I seldom agree with Juan but I respect him. He is an honest person from what I've seen and heard from him. All he actually said was that when people get on an airplane in full Muslim Garb it gives him second thoughts. I contend any American who says they don't react the same is a damn liar.

The true issue here is Free Speech however. Clearly this is screaming Free Speech only applies to select individuals who happen to agree with NPR's openly Far Left management or who please George Soros and his extreme one world government and progressive views.

Everyone here who voted for George Soros raise your hand Nobody right? So why is he slowly buying more and more control of our system and attempting to silence speech at every turn? Even worse he just threw the Democrats under the Bus but they keep their hands out doing his bidding. He is so far Left he can no longer even identify with the Party of the Left.

Free Speech is the reason we are free. When it goes, its all over. I wonder how many will let their own insane political bias blind them to the fact we are being stripped of Free Speech and a Free Press. Why is it OK for one Party to control publicly funded Radio? Why is it OK for Soros to use money to determine who is on NPR or to use his money to launch a smear campaign against Commentators who don't agree with his agenda?

Since Juan said nothing wrong this thread is great to expose the people who are so Partisan truth no longer matters to them. Sometimes its helpful to sort out the haters and bigots to know who they are. I completely disagree with Juan Williams politics, but being sane, I'm taking his side fully. I've sent dozens of emails this morning which I know will generate many, many more complaints to NPR for denying Free Speech. I never thought I'd be doing that for a Left Wing person like Williams but this man I respect. He's an old school Democrat and therefore an honest decent man.

If you folks care at all about free speech you should be sickened by this. This is where the rubber meets the road and we find out who the phonies are. Does CAIR control us and decide who gets to say what? Does Soros? Do you want the right to say whatever you want without fear? If you care stop pretending this is about a harmless comment about how an American reacts to Muslims in obvious Muslim dress on an airplane and realize this is about Free Speech.

One can only hope that both sides win and Free Speech continues. It's impossible to ignore the fact powerful money men from one side are attempting to silence the other. ATS will be one of the first places silenced if this is not stopped. Those of you siding with Soros and CAIR may be poking yourself in the eye by supporting those who want to take away your right to Free Speech as well. You don't think they have their eye on sites like this? Take the blinders off. Free Speech is not a Partisan issue. When only one side has a voice, we all loose.

Originally posted by Blaine91555
I'm shocked! ATS is usually ahead of the curve. Soros donates 1.8 million to NPR and Juan is fired. Do the math. He also is pumping money into Media Matters for them attempting to silence Conservative Spokespeople. CAIR is just the tip of the iceberg.

Agreed.

I pointed all this out back on page 4 of this thread, but not many others seem to have made the connections.

reply to post by Blaine91555

ATS will be one of the first places silenced if this is not stopped.

I have mentioned this a few times on the forum as well,

I think it is called cutting off your nose to spite your own face.

reply to post by Curiousisall

Here is the kicker, and I hope BFFT is sitting down for this. Had he said "boarind a plane and seeing men that appear to be middle eastern makes me nervous" I would agree.

If that is the gist of your intended comments, then that is completely agreed.

I think he used the "traditional Muslim garb" more as an appositive, or a linguistic prop. People in "traditional Muslim garb" do not concern me in the slightest.

Regarding this:

Originally posted by Curiousisall

Who did I call a bigot? When? Where? Quote it. Let's address it.

You are absolutely correct. I mistook you for another poster from earlier in the thread. My apologies.

reply to post by MikeNice81


That is what he is been called, even by the media, the second biggest share holder of Media corps, why because the number of shares are a shaddy business, after Muldock posted the shares sold, the actual number was bigger, but he have the right to hold to names of the holders as anonymous for protection just like the governemnt doesn't have to tell the voters in the US all the specific individuals in other nations that has bought into US debt with personal wealth.

maybe murdoch and soros are aliens!

fighting it out on this planet!




way cool!

let alone what that means and says about all the rest of us.

reply to post by centurion1211


I'm really glad to see support from both sides for Williams all over the place this morning. I think it's finally sinking in to more people what is really going on.

There are plenty of sensible posts on this thread but it's the insane Partisan crap that gets me going. Perhaps going a little to strong in my case

Free Speech is the only thing that stands between us and Tyranny. I feel so strongly about it I'm more than willing to stand up for people I don't agree with from any side when anyone suggest shutting them up.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


It really worries me that soon we may not have a voice like we have here or anywhere for that matter. I see Free Speech as the glue that has held us together.

We will never all agree on issues, but we should all fight for the right to disagree openly and without fear of loosing our jobs or being punished.

There was a clip of a focus group on Foxnews this morning where both those from the Right and Left said this was wrong and is a Free Speech issue. That should give us all hope.

I think we are reaching a tipping point where people are waking up to the fact that Partisanship and Political Correctness are slowly stripping us of what makes us free.

I'm rambling agian, sorry

- steps off soapbox and heads to the kitchen looking for some lunch -

Originally posted by fooks
maybe murdoch and soros are aliens!

fighting it out on this planet!

Absolutely appropriate and on topic!