Juan Williams fired from NPR

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.

FWIW, he was a "News Analyst" for NPR. That is different from a commentator. Think Like A Journalist - A News Literacy Guide from NewsTrust.net - The Four Ds of Journalism

?News Analysis ? interpreting issues and events objectively and impersonally

I had NPR streaming this AM in my office. I didn't get to listen except for bits and pieces, but Juan Williams was a guest on Diane Rehm's show today. I bet it can be downloaded and enjoyed by anyone who cares anymore.

I had NPR streaming this AM in my office. I didn't get to listen except for bits and pieces, but Juan Williams was a guest on Diane Rehm's show today. I bet it can be downloaded and enjoyed by anyone who cares anymore.

I caught some of it. He sounded very surprised by what happened, and explained how his situation with NPR / Fox was unique, in a good way, due to his ability to participate and span the whole spectrum of politics. Maybe it wasn't so easy to balance after a while. He sounded like a really good guy. Sorry this has happened.

But, I still say that NPR protects the integrity of its programming and it should hire and fire as needed to maintain the quality it presents day after day. Freedom of expression is definitely important to the masses, but journalistic professionalism is the goal of an excellent news organization, thankfully.

I heard Juan Williams today on Diane Rheems's show, and he will fit with Fox real well. He is totally absorbed in his own importance. He doesn't seem to grasp the role of commentator/analyst, which is to analyze and tell us what he thinks about news events and the comments of newsmakers, rather than what he feels, He was suppose to be a part of a news-gathering organization, and what he feels should not be the story. He not only did not seem the least bit aware or apologetic about that, but, in grand Fox fashion, he repeatedly attacked NPR as having a very left-leaning agenda. I think NPR did the right thing, and I really understand was his boss was trying to say about this should be between him and his phychologist (and publicist). One more egomaniac making two million dollars on Fox will hardly be noticed.

As usual, Jon Stewart has a unique take:

I heard Juan Williams today on Diane Rheems's show, and he will fit with Fox real well. He is totally absorbed in his own importance. He doesn't seem to grasp the role of commentator/analyst, which is to analyze and tell us what he thinks about news events and the comments of newsmakers, rather than what he feels, He was suppose to be a part of a news-gathering organization, and what he feels should not be the story. He not only did not seem the least bit aware or apologetic about that, but, in grand Fox fashion, he repeatedly attacked NPR as having a very left-leaning agenda. I think NPR did the right thing, and I really understand was his boss was trying to say about this should be between him and his phychologist (and publicist). One more egomaniac making two million dollars on Fox will hardly be noticed.

Obviously, you were not watching O'Reilly when the event causing all this discussion occurred. I was. Juan Williams was asked by Bill O'Reilly for his OPINION. He, in good conscience, gave it. For that he was fired. Let's at least be honest. NPR wanted an excuse to get rid of him and found it, though it was handled very badly.

As usual, Jon Stewart has a unique take:

"Are you kidding me NPR? You're picking a fight with Fox News? They gave Juan Williams a $2 million contract just for you firing him! NPR? You just brought a tote bag of David Sedaris books to a knife fight."​

Hilarious! Best laugh of the day. I love Jon Stewart!

Hilarious! Best laugh of the day. I love Jon Stewart!

Juan is laughing all the way to the bank,while everyone is concerned why he was fired.I would be willing to bet he is making more$$$$ than the CEO of (N)ever (P)romote (R)epublicans.

Juan is laughing all the way to the bank,while everyone is concerned why he was fired.I would be willing to bet he is making more$$$$ than the CEO of (N)ever (P)romote (R)epublicans.

If you've read my posts you know I have been saying all along that he was laughing all the way to the bank.

NPR's purpose is not to promote republicans or anyone else...

Billy O'Reilly...."because I'm looking out for you".

Obviously, you were not watching O'Reilly when the event causing all this discussion occurred. I was. Juan Williams was asked by Bill O'Reilly for his OPINION. He, in good conscience, gave it. For that he was fired. Let's at least be honest. NPR wanted an excuse to get rid of him and found it, though it was handled very badly.

Andy: You're missing the point. A news commentator is suppose to comment on the news or the comments of newsmaker. His views of what is going on in his mind is irrevelant. This is what makes NPR significantly different than almost all other news organizations. Fox, on the other hand, thrives on it's "commentators" making news, letting their own thoughts/views/opinions dominate rather than the facts or the opinions of the real newsmakers. Did you ever wonder why in the world O'Reilly was interviewing one of their own "commentators"? Where's the news in that?

Islamophobia and Homophobia - NYTimes.com

Philanthropists need to figure out how you build lots of little bridges at the grass roots level. And they need to do it fast.

for anyone who's interested, this piece has some good points IMO and the research it mentions sounds like it's worth reading.

I found the comparison between homophobia and Islamophobia interesting - especially when they note that if someone made comments about another group like they do about Muslims, it would not be socially acceptable (like comments about Muslims sadly are).

"As Islamophobia grows, it alienates Muslims, raising the risk of homegrown terrorism ? and homegrown terrorism heightens the Islamophobia, which alienates more Muslims, and so on: a vicious circle that could carry America into the abyss. So it?s worth taking a look at why homophobia is fading; maybe the underlying dynamic is transplantable to the realm of inter-ethnic prejudice."

Not sure I agree with their assessment that acceptance of Muslims cannot follow the same pattern as acceptance of gays (which boils down to if you know one and regularly interact with one, you realize they are a person and not evil) because of how small the group is and how geographically isolated they are.

I don't think they are really that "rare", especially if people are well traveled or well read. Get outside the bubble or bubble mentality and there is a great deal of diversity.

And I loved this comment: "Note to Juan Williams: Over the past nine years about 90 million flights have taken off from American airports, and not one has been brought down by a Muslim terrorist. Even in 2001, no flights were brought down by people in ?Muslim garb.?

What's going to happen when more and more people realize that wearing a towel on your head is a good way to stay cool in the hot Florida sun?

What's going to happen when more and more people realize it's a person in the "garb."

...and what about "do-rags"? Ya know, pirates wore funny hats too...