washingtonpost.com
I respect Williams quite a bit, and enjoy his counter points on a number of commentary shows on Fox. He sort of put his foot in his mouth, but he was just being honest, and he was on a commentary show when he said it. Call me a conspirist, but I think NPR was just looking for an excuse. Their loss I guess.
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SWGB
Arrogance is not a desirable thing. When you crash you crash really hard.
Yeah, but you can always blame it on the other party that had power before you.
SoWal Expert
I have no idea why he got fired. the article I gave was an opinion which I found interesting (from another African American working at NPR), but certainly not definitive. Your link truly says nothing about the reason for the firing.
Sometimes a person just needs firing. Sometimes its not a popular thing to do. I don't know if it was the right decision by NPR, but I would bet there are many reasons behind it.
And it is still the most diverse, interesting, and credible media source out there, which is why our fund drive check will go in the mail this morning.
margarita brocolia
I have no idea why he got fired. the article I gave was an opinion which I found interesting (from another African American working at NPR), but certainly not definitive. Your link truly says nothing about the reason for the firing.Bingo!
Sometimes a person just needs firing. Sometimes its not a popular thing to do. I don't know if it was the right decision by NPR, but I would bet there are many reasons behind it.
And it is still the most diverse, interesting, and credible media source out there, which is why our fund drive check will go in the mail this morning..
We listened to "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" on our 45 min. drive to the Dallas Arboretum yesterday and both remarked how that made the drive so much nicer, having something so entertaining to listen to. There have been many times I've sat in the driveway to finish the end of Diane Rehm Show or Car Talk. Their list of programming is stellar imo.
Thanks Jenny for spurring me to open the checkbook AGAIN!
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Beach Fanatic
Bingo!
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We listened to "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" on our 45 min. drive to the Dallas Arboretum yesterday and both remarked how that made the drive so much nicer, having something so entertaining to listen to. There have been many times I've sat in the driveway to finish the end of Diane Rehm Show or Car Talk. Their list of programming is stellar imo.
Thanks Jenny for spurring me to open the checkbook AGAIN!
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Yeah, me too. Rita, NPR has a whole CD Collection of Driveway Moments...or something like that. I got it for my son a few years ago for Christmas. It was for all those stories you had to sit in the driveway and listen to the end...great gift. I often wish I had one of those devices that would record the radio. the same way I record television programs...it's so frustrating to arrive at my destination and have to get out of the car for an appointment before the program ends.http://shop.npr.org/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_in=all&search_str=driveway&x=14&y=4
Edited
Moderator
...and to really stir the pot...
Williams has already been signed to a 2 million dollar contract by Fox to be a contributing editor / author!
Williams has already been signed to a 2 million dollar contract by Fox to be a contributing editor / author!
Beach Fanatic
NPR CEO Vivian Schiller Apologizes Over Juan Williams' Firing
He was explicitly and repeatedly asked to respect NPR's standards and to avoid expressing strong personal opinions on controversial subjects in public settings, as that is inconsistent with his role as an NPR news analyst," she wrote. "After this latest incident, we felt compelled to act."
"The process that followed the decision was unfortunate -- including not meeting with Juan Williams in person -- and I take full responsibility for that," she wrote.
Edited
SoWal Expert
...and to really stir the pot...
Williams has already been signed to a 2 million dollar contract by Fox to be a contributing editor / author!
Of course this is the least surprising development of the whole situation!
:roll:
Beach Fanatic
She only apologized after employees feared the immediate backlash. They're programming is so good they don't need federal dollars. Let them compete in the marketplace - succeed or fail like any other normal business.
Banned
NPR has higher standards than most news organizations. I don't see what's the big deal. There a plenty of liberal commentators who would never make it on NPR who I listen to nonetheless. People like Olbermann, Maddow, Chris Matthews, Lawrence O'Donnell. Schiller was right, it's between Juan and his shrink. I'm not interested in what makes Juan tick, what frightens him, or if the color yellow makes him sad etc. . For the record, when I hear banjo music, I paddle faster. I've never donated to NPR before, but I will now.
SoWal Expert
NPR is not a line item in the federal budget or directly funded - but it does indirectly receive federal funds, because it does get grant money from some taxpayer funded programs.
Juan said NPR was looking for an excuse to fire him - he gave them one AND created a mini-scandal to get himself publicity and something for Faux to squawk about. Win-win.
Juan said NPR was looking for an excuse to fire him - he gave them one AND created a mini-scandal to get himself publicity and something for Faux to squawk about. Win-win.
margarita brocolia
Yeah, me too. Rita, NPR has a whole CD Collection of Driveway Moments...or something like that. I got it for my son a few years ago for Christmas. It was for all those stories you had to sit in the driveway and listen to the end...great gift. I often wish I had one of those devices that would record the radio. the same way I record television programs...it's so frustrating to arrive at my destination and have to get out of the car for an appointment before the program ends.NPR Shop.
Thanks. This looks like a great Christmas gift. One down..........
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margarita brocolia
Beach Fanatic
Classy??? She didn't apologize to Juan Williams. She apologized to her stations for improperly handling the incident. Yeah, classy. If this is her idea of how to be a CEO, she is the one who ought to be fired.
SoWal Expert
1) Employee is not following the rules.
2) Employee is specifically told on multiple occasions that his behavior is not okay and should not be repeated.
3) Employee violates rules again.
4) Employee is fired.
5) Employee pitches a public fit and brings much negative attention to the company. Boss who fires him is severely criticized.
6) Problem employee immediately takes new job w/ the company who helped cause the problem, and still continues to cause a stink.
7) Boss publicly apologizes to the remaining employees/affiliated companies who suffered as a result and takes blame for not handling the matter better.
What did I miss?
IMO he got fired for a legitimate reason and a pattern of bad behavior, and I am tired of that not being an okay thing.
You don't do your job or you don't follow the rules, you get canned.
2) Employee is specifically told on multiple occasions that his behavior is not okay and should not be repeated.
3) Employee violates rules again.
4) Employee is fired.
5) Employee pitches a public fit and brings much negative attention to the company. Boss who fires him is severely criticized.
6) Problem employee immediately takes new job w/ the company who helped cause the problem, and still continues to cause a stink.
7) Boss publicly apologizes to the remaining employees/affiliated companies who suffered as a result and takes blame for not handling the matter better.
What did I miss?
IMO he got fired for a legitimate reason and a pattern of bad behavior, and I am tired of that not being an okay thing.
You don't do your job or you don't follow the rules, you get canned.
Beach Fanatic
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classy
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I agree; and I can even forgive her for her "clumsy" way of firing him. Over the last few months, maybe years, I have heard him on various occasions push his comments to the very edge of what I thought was editorially okay from an NPR analyst...I can just imagine her that day: " I've had enough--that's it--he's out of here." Having been in that very same position with an employee, I can totally relate. And, I still believe he knew exactly what he was doing; what the consequences would be; and played it to his benefit.
Interesting that we have not heard him apologize for going beyond the pale...
Enough already. He had a choice to make and he made it. And he's right where he wanted to be.
Edited
SoWal Guide
NPR has higher standards than most news organizations. I don't see what's the big deal. There a plenty of liberal commentators who would never make it on NPR who I listen to nonetheless. People like Olbermann, Maddow, Chris Matthews, Lawrence O'Donnell. Schiller was right, it's between Juan and his shrink. I'm not interested in what makes Juan tick, what frightens him, or if the color yellow makes him sad etc. . For the record, when I hear banjo music, I paddle faster. I've never donated to NPR before, but I will now.
now that's funny as hail.
I don't care about what makes Juan tick. But I am a believer in NPR's integrity. I'm convinced they had to let him go.
thank you for donating to NPR.
Beach Fanatic
Was he not a commentator, someone who would normally give his opinion? I think NPR was wrong, but obviously he was an at will employee. So much for freedom of expression.
Beach Fanatic
Was he not a commentator, someone who would normally give his opinion? I think NPR was wrong, but obviously he was an at will employee. So much for freedom of expression.It would appear that "freedom of expression" only applies if you are expressing it from the left. Of all the analysts on NPR, only one is considered Conservative. So you all watch and listen to NPR all you wish. Just don't use any of my tax dollars, or in this case, cents, doing it.
SoWal Expert
"Freedom of expression" or "freedom of speech" does NOT mean there will not be consequences for what you say (or that you aren't completely wrong).
It means you can say it.
Not that you should, not that it is a good career move, not that you are right, not that you won't be criticized, and not that you can just blithely say whatever the hell you want and whine when it comes back to bite you in the arse.
It means you can say it.
Not that you should, not that it is a good career move, not that you are right, not that you won't be criticized, and not that you can just blithely say whatever the hell you want and whine when it comes back to bite you in the arse.
Beach Fanatic
all reputable news organizations have editorial parameters. Williams obviously violated those of NPR and he was fully aware of the fact that he was doing it. He was warned; he chose to ignore the warning--the CEO used her authority to make a change.
His "freedom of expression "has only been curtailed by one organization. He is free to say whatever he wants in another venue.
Never doubt that the head of Fox News will utilize the same authority if, in his opinion, the circumstances demand it.
His "freedom of expression "has only been curtailed by one organization. He is free to say whatever he wants in another venue.
Never doubt that the head of Fox News will utilize the same authority if, in his opinion, the circumstances demand it.
Beach Fanatic
"Freedom of expression" or "freedom of speech" does NOT mean there will not be consequences for what you say (or that you aren't completely wrong).For 2 million, someone can "bite me in the arse" anytime.
It means you can say it.
Not that you should, not that it is a good career move, not that you are right, not that you won't be criticized, and not that you can just blithely say whatever the hell you want and whine when it comes back to bite you in the arse.
Admin
I listen to NPR in the car. Other than 30Aradio and Seabreeze it's the only thing worth owning a radio for. I can hardly ever remember hearing Juan - must be because I tune out the politics. Mostly what I listen to are the entertainment shows.
The interview with Keith Richards on Fresh Air last night was priceless. Alone worth more than the fraction of a penny a year I'm funding through taxes.
Thank goodness for some real discussion - marketplace money, sceince friday, tech nation, etc... This American Life is one of the best shows I've ever heard. Got a problem with Prairie Home Companion?
Please - let's not kill every tiny last bit of culture and enlightenment in America because of a few knuckleheads.
Besides - the whole thing was probably orchestrated through his agent and had an agreement for the new job before the firing.
The interview with Keith Richards on Fresh Air last night was priceless. Alone worth more than the fraction of a penny a year I'm funding through taxes.
Thank goodness for some real discussion - marketplace money, sceince friday, tech nation, etc... This American Life is one of the best shows I've ever heard. Got a problem with Prairie Home Companion?
Please - let's not kill every tiny last bit of culture and enlightenment in America because of a few knuckleheads.
Besides - the whole thing was probably orchestrated through his agent and had an agreement for the new job before the firing.
Beach Fanatic
Exactly.
SoWal Expert
For 2 million, someone can "bite me in the arse" anytime.
Yeah - that contract goes a long way in making me feel zero pity for ol' Juan.
SoWal Expert
Exactly.
Double exactly.
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