Juan Williams Has Been Fired

[bonnie]

Juan Williams Fired at NPR for Muslim Remarks on Fox News

Juan Williams has been fired as news analyst at National Public Radio after comments he made Monday about Muslims.

Williams, in the latest of his many visits to "The O'Reilly Factor" Monday was discussing Bill O'Reilly's latest self-created dust-up, when he stated "Muslims killed us on 9/11" on "The View" a week ago, spurring a brief walkoff by two of its hosts.

"Where am I going wrong here, Juan?" O'Reilly asked asked Williams.

"I'm not a bigot," answered Williams, in a phrase that unfurled red flags right away. "But when I get on a plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."

On Tuesday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement that said "NPR should address the fact that one of its news analysts seems to believe that all airline passengers who are perceived to be Muslim can legitimately be viewed as security threats."

NPR late Wednesday agreed, saying in a statement that Williams' spoken fears "were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR."

The firing started another firestorm among conservatives, who believe the right to bigotry is somehow found in the Constitution. And it will free up Williams to spend all of his time at Fox News.

[John317]

Guess it's wrong now to tell the truth about what you think and feel.

This is one reason I don't accept "political correctness." For me truth comes before anyone's idea of what people "ought to say" or "ought to think."

If NPR would fire Juan Williams for saying what he did, it's evidence to me that they put their ideology first. That makes me wonder what other truths they're unwilling to say. Even a jounalist for NPR should have the right to say what's unpopular without being fired from his job.

[bonnie]

Guess it's wrong now to tell the truth about what you think and feel.

This is one reason I don't accept "political correctness." For me truth comes before anyone's idea of what people "ought to say" or "ought to think."

If NPR would fire Juan Williams for saying what he did, it's evidence to me that they put their ideology first. That makes me wonder what other truths they're unwilling to say. Even a jounalist for NPR should have the right to say what's unpopular without being fired from his job.

There is no right to have a honest opinion about a person that is considered a minority.Leading those that are protected from anything except a positive opinion is Islam

[phkrause]

Guess it's wrong now to tell the truth about what you think and feel.

This is one reason I don't accept "political correctness." For me truth comes before anyone's idea of what people "ought to say" or "ought to think."

If NPR would fire Juan Williams for saying what he did, it's evidence to me that they put their ideology first. That makes me wonder what other truths they're unwilling to say. Even a jounalist for NPR should have the right to say what's unpopular without being fired from his job.

Good points John, but he's not the first. Back a number of years ago Jimmy the Greek was fired for saying what was also a truth about African American Athletes, which was a biological fact if I'm not mistaken. There are a few that made racial slurs and were fired which was the correct thing to do. I do believe the way Juan Williams said what he said was not a firerable(sp) offense. The Imus said what he said was definitely firerable, that was a racial slur. I don't believe thats what JW had in mind. I think O'Reilly didn't need to say it the way he said what he said. Its like saying Germans killed the Jews. Having said that, I agree with you, I would say honesty should come before being PC.

[lazarus]

So if Williams had said that about white people it wouldn't have been a problem? What Williams said simply revealed his prejudice. Fortunately, some media organizations still hold their staff accountable. I think he's spent too much time at Fox.

[bonnie]

So if Williams had said that about white people it wouldn't have been a problem? What Williams said simple revealed his prejudice. Fortunately, some media organizations still hold their staff accountable. I think he's spent too much time at Fox.

If the circumstances were the same and whites had killed 3,000 people I would expect people to be uneasy.At best uneasy,if not aprehensive. If confronted with a few whites among muslims in the same circumstances,after the death of so many, and conrinued attempts by same,I would not have had a problem whatsoever with someone saying what Juan Williams said

[olger]

There will be fallout over this,

g

[bonnie]

There will be fallout over this,

g

You think so? If Juan Williams had said it about another race or religion I could agree with you.

You have to live on another planet if you feel you can say anything except the most positive concerning muslims.

Jessie Jackson had said as bad or worse and no biggy,

Jessie Jackosn said if he was in a urban area and heard footsteps behind him he would feel a sense of relief if he saw two white men behind him than two black men.

[John317]

I agree with you, pk.

With respect to the biological facts that Jimmy the Greek was fired over, I learned those same facts while taking a class in black history from a black teacher who was a member of the Black Panther Party. I have a wonderful history book written by a highly respected black American historian-- John Hope Franklin-- which says the very same thing.

One of the problems with ideology and political correctness is that people are fired or otherwise punished for telling the truth simply because they are not considered in the right group to be able to tell a particular truth. That seems prejudicial to me somehow.

[John317]

So if Williams had said that about white people it wouldn't have been a problem?

I think if the situation was switched so that whites had done what Muslims did, I would have no problem at all with his saying that he was afraid of whites who were acting certain ways under certain conditions.

My main concern is that people not be punished or fired for telling what they perceive to be the truth, even if someone (or a large segment of the population) doesn't like it.

[Dr. Shane]

What Williams said simple revealed his prejudice... I think he's spent too much time at Fox.

Indeed, Williams wasn't fired for what he said. He was fired because he has spent too much time at FOX.

What Williams said was that he gets nervous when he is on a plane and Muslims come on dressed in garb. Not much different than Jesse Jackson saying that he feels a sense of relief when he hears footsteps at night and discovers it is a white man. These are prejudices - no doubt. These men are simply being honest about how deep-seated these prejudices are. Williams clarified his point by saying most Muslims are extremists. His point is that the extremists are so extreme that they cast a shadow on the moderate Muslims. Who can deny that as being true?

[Dr. Shane]

So if Williams had said that about white people it wouldn't have been a problem?

Let's say that some white UN peace keeping forces in an African nation spend two years raping a village's women before they are discovered and brought to justice. Would it be understandable for women in that village to always view white men with suspicion afterward?

[John317]

These men are simply being honest about how deep-seated these prejudices are. Williams clarified his point by saying most Muslims are extremists. His point is that the extremists are so extreme that they cast a shadow on the moderate Muslims. Who can deny that as being true?

I'm sure you meant most Muslims are not extremists, and I agree with Williams on that point. I don't think anyone is implying that all Muslims should be punished or held responsible or be blamed for what those extremists did.

But I do think it's important to allow people the freedom to be honest about their prejudices. The alternative is to have a lot of people claiming or talking like they have no prejudices when they actually have many of them. I think talking about our prejudices and being honest about them helps us get beyond them, whereas if people are told not to express them, they don't even face their prejudices and others won't talk honestly to them about their prejudices.

I'm all for honesty even if it results in my being "offended" or getting my feelings hurt. It's part of life. You can't hide from the fact that people are different and have prejudices.

[olger]

Guys..

Prejudice is a healthy human emotion. If you walk into a room and there is a tiger in the room, you get out FAST !!!!!!! You don't stop and ask, "is this particular tiger hungry - just because other tigers act a certain way doesn't mean this one will.." No, you get out of there.

[bonnie]

Guys..

Prejudice is a healthy human emotion. If you walk into a room and there is a tiger in the room, you get out FAST !!!!!!! You don't stop and ask, "is this particular tiger hungry - just because other tigers act a certain way doesn't mean this one will.." No, you get out of there.

Not every reaction is prejudice or hate

I am initially from northern MN. I can go thru a Indian reservation from two different directions,or I can take another route to get to my home town.If you have at least half a brain cell you take the other route. Especially at night. A flat tire and you can be in serious physical trouble. There is no way I would go thru the reservation.Does that mean I hate/fear all Indians.No,just means I have a well developed sense of self preservation. There are also Amish communities. I would never give a thought to be in danger dealing with them in case of car trouble. There are reasons for the differences. It is not prejudice.

We have a large muslim community in Mpls.Would I go into their area ,esepcially at night?Not on your life.The fact that I would say that concerning muslims indicates I am prejudice or speaking from hatred. The reason is far more simple.It is not safe.And yes we have area's that are predominently white that are unsafe.Mostly welfare recipients. The fact most are on welfare and that is stated will spell hatred and bigotry on my part to some

My brother had a black employee. He noticed him and another employee in their pickup long past break. He opened their door and he almost got high on the grass they were smoking.He fired both and ordered them to leave immediately.Didn't take long and he was served papers informing him he was being sued for discrimination.

The day in court his attorney cautioned him against saying anything unless ordered to. In the end my brother won the suit. According to the attorney the only reason he did is the other fired employee was white. It probably wouldn't surprise to many to know my brother was a little gun shy in hiring black employees after that.Prejudice just because he didn't like the color of their skin? No,his black employee had shown him a good reason to be cautious.

There is never any recognition that that the person of color,different religion or a legal or illegal immigrant has caused and continues to cause many of their own problems.What many label as prejudice is nothing more than some lessons learned the hard way.

Recognizing that not all of a certain group/religion etc is not guilty goes only so far.Sometimes it is more common sense to keep a respectful distance

[lazarus]

So if Williams had said that about white people it wouldn't have been a problem?

The only reason why you all think it OK is because you all would have said the same thing. Seems like prejudice is OK when its prejudice you like. What everybody seems to be saying is if there is even the slightest justification its OK.

Of course Sanchez shouldn't have been fired right?

[bonnie]

Originally Posted By: lazarus

So if Williams had said that about white people it wouldn't have been a problem?

The only reason why you all think it OK is because you all would have said the same thing. Seems like prejudice is OK when its prejudice you like. What everybody seems to be saying is if there is even the slightest justification its OK.

Of course Sanchez shouldn't have been fired right?

I did not hear a lot about Sanchez but what I did it sounds like he deserved to be fired.

It seems like everything is prejudice to you. Was Jessie Jackson being racist when he said worse that Juan Williams?

Would it be racism if I would not drive thru the Indian reservation at night? Anyone around here would tell you it would be just plain stupid. That doesn't mean I hate or fear all Indians.

I would not even consider going thru the muslim community alone or at night.Not because I hate and fear all muslims,but because their actions towards white people is well known.

The muslims that live in our town would not cause any fear or hatred for most part,until you would be in the trailer park area. Then you need enough brains not to get into a compromised position.

Can you understand why my brother would be a little gun shy about hiring a minority. He certainly hired minroities after that but was very careful.Was that prejudice or what experience taught him?

[lazarus]

Racist's can always can always give reasons for their actions.

[Dr. Shane]

Let's say that some white UN peace keeping forces in an African nation spend two years raping a village's women before they are discovered and brought to justice. Would it be understandable for women in that village to always view white men with suspicion afterward?

This is not a hypothetical. White UN workers did spend their time in an African village raping women. Is it understandable that the women in that village would thereafter view white men with suspicion?

[bonnie]

Racist's can always can always give reasons for their actions.

Are you saying there isn't a valid reason,especially one based in experience to be cautious?

Can you tell me what the problem is with Jessie Jackson?

"There is nothing more painful for me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start to think about robbery and then look around and see it's somebody white and feel relieved. How humiliating." THE REV. JESSE JACKSON, NOV. 27, 1993

Could it be that regardless of the skin color of Jessie Jackson experience had taught him to be careful

[Tom Wetmore]

And if enough of us share the feeling we must be right... Right?

The mob had their reasons for the lynching. That shared feeling made it feel like the right thing to do...

Juan Williams added fuel to a fire that NPR seeks to quell.

[bonnie]

And if enough of us share the feeling we must be right... Right?

The mob had their reasons for the lynching. That shared feeling made it feel like the right thing to do...

Juan Williams added fuel to a fire that NPR seeks to quell.

I must have missed that part of your post that called Jessie Jackson a racist. Or maybe because of his skin color he can't be.

It would be interesting to watch you put your money where your mouth is if you knew the history concerning the indian reservation here. I am sure you would encourage your wife to travel that area alone and to approach someone for help.

Or maybe have a couple of employee's smoking grass in a conference vehicle and not have the slightest concern relating to the confiscation laws concerning drug use.Sounds to me like you would encourage the conference to keep at least the black employee on.Wouldn't want...And if enough of us share the feeling we must be right... Right? going on.

[Dr. Shane]

And if enough of us share the feeling we must be right... Right?

[lazarus]

I must have missed that part of your post that called Jessie Jackson a racist. Or maybe because of his skin color he can't be.

Ahem!! Google Juan Williams, he's black!

You're not making sense.

[lazarus]

I did not hear a lot about Sanchez but what I did it sounds like he deserved to be fired.

Why? He was speaking from his experience. He is wary of elitist Jews. He's had negative experiences with them. Clearly, you agree that he should be fired becasue you don't buy his brand buy you support Juan Williams' brand.