NPR Ends Analyst’s Contract After Comments on Muslims (Juan Williams)

New York Times ^ | October 20, 2010

[La Lydia]

NPR has terminated its contract with Juan Williams, one of its senior news analysts, after he made comments about Muslims on the Fox News Channel. NPR said in a statement that it gave Mr. Williams notice of his termination on Wednesday night. The move came after Mr. Williams, who is also a Fox News political analyst, appeared on the “The O’Reilly Factor” on Monday. On the show, the host, Bill O’Reilly, asked him to respond to the notion that the United States was facing a “Muslim dilemma.” Mr. O’Reilly said, “The cold truth is that in the world today jihad, aided and abetted by some Muslim nations, is the biggest threat on the planet.”

Mr. Williams said he concurred with Mr. O’Reilly.

He continued: “I mean, look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the 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.”

Mr. Williams also made reference to the Pakistani immigrant who pleaded guilty this month to trying to plant a car bomb in Times Square. “He said the war with Muslims, America’s war is just beginning, first drop of blood. I don’t think there’s any way to get away from these facts,” Mr. Williams said.

NPR said in its statement that the remarks “were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.”

The public radio organization said it thanked him for many years of service. Mr. Williams did not immediately respond on Wednesday night to an e-mail seeking comment...

[OrangeHoof]

I’ll bet NPR has wanted to do this for years and just needed the right moment to fire a senior African-American without looking racist or biased against those who dare to go on Fox News. I don’t think the action is about Islam. It’s about firing a black man while not looking like racists to their liberal buddies.

[Enchante]

Yes, I’m sure that the NPR apparatchiks have been longing to do this for ages — Juan is very liberal but not always politically correct, and for the agitprop Stalinists of NPR it must have been very tough to stomach all his appearances on FOX News shows, even if he did present generally liberal tendencies.

[haircutter]

OK Juan...time to write a book on what has happened to you regarding NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO...expose them for what they are and you will have a #1 best seller..

get busy buddy...I'll pre-order right now!!!!!

[haircutter]

“Ironically, he will prob remain a liberal”

I believe he has a very Conservative, Republican son. I believe I heard that on the Fox News Panel a long time ago.

[MestaMachine]

OBAMA, ISLAM, AND THE HARD LEFT

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2519664/posts

The unabashed and absolute truth.

[Kellis91789]

Nonsense. That would look like WE are censoring free speech.

We just need to quietly insert new management that will enforce scrupulously fair presentation of issues. We WANT more outlets where people can get factually correct accounts of news. Why would we want to eliminate a far-left source when we can legally turn it into an actual unbiased news source ?

[Elle Bee]

another liberal gets mugged

.

[bayouranger]

Law suit?

[Elle Bee]

remember the "Reverend" Jessie Jackson saying that when he hears black men walking up behind him on the street at night he gets nervous?

Was he talking about Himeytown or was than any urban environment?

.

[BBell]

One reason I believe Juan is a pro American liberal is that he is an immigrant from Panama. I've met many Americans who could be construed as "african-american" but do not see themselves as that because they consider themselves Americans first as they have immigrated here from Countries that are less than par so they can have a better life here and they actually love it here. They can work hard, 24 7 if necessary, and live like a King.

[plangent]

Now, I’m only to #94, so someone may have already posted this, but here is the Jessee Jackson quote from:

“There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery. Then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved.... After all we have been through. Just to think we can’t walk down our own streets, how humiliating.” (Nov 27, 1993)

[nutmeg]

In other News...

George Soros just publicly gave NPR 1 million dollars to “buy journalists” and today released a press statement that the only way to shut up Glenn Beck is to attack (boycott, etc.) Fox News.

So it follows that the regular NPR people showing up on Fox have their days numbered. It just has to be done gradually so as to not get the attention of the lib sheep.

Hmmm... you may be onto something there, Daniel...

[Karliner]

True. I think it's time for EVERYONE to speak our piece loud and clear like Claxon horns vibrating all over the United States. There is nary a soul I know that like this PC crud but out of politeness they're held their tongues to get along. But they're really PUSHED us into a corner. I for one will not stand for being pushed into any corner nor deal with the PC baloney to get along; screw them. I thought the Obama beer summit was bad but he set an example, then Holder was bad with Negro( Reid's word not mine) Panthers, then the judges start playing with Islamic sharia law, then the danged Ground Zero mosque and a hundred other things a few days ago The View( don't watch but saw the replays) now Juan William's and I heard him.

It has begun...and Arizona being judged by the UN?

He's about as middle of the road as you can get. If he's feardul of muscums THAT NEVER CONDEMN THEIR OWN RELIGION then there is no such thing in that cult as a moderate Muzcum. So what's the point of firing him? Is he supposed to apologize for speaking his fears? Heck I'm wary of walking down areas of certain streets because thre's gang members( shhh they are not white) and crack heads.

It's time we back up thoose thatare taking the heat and getting kicked. I will not PULL anymore punches. In fact I have this funny feeling i want to push some other folks into a corner a few times, maybe even wear some nasty T- shirts. Call it Halloween as a sort of lame excuse at first but never stop! Yep, I'm sick of this madness.

Remember do as PClosii and the rest of them do and everything will be okay

BECAUSE OBAMA SAYS SO AND HE DA MAN! He entitled

Don't tread on US( We the people, that love our CREATOR

[BuckyKat]

Juan seems like a really nice guy who’s hung around the NPR types too long. Maybe he’ll see the light now.

[Hunton Peck]

NPR said in its statement that the remarks “were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices...."

Translation: He told the truth.

[hoosiermama]

Wonder if he has any grounds to sue them? Now that would be an interesting discovery! GOt a feeling Jaun would know where the bodies are buried at NPR. This could get very interesting.

[xtinct]

Seems like Juan Williams 1st Amendment rights are being trampled on by NPR.

But it's typical of liberal organizations based on first hand experience with liberal universities.

It always amazes me that liberals are consistently out of touch with reality.

[MichaelP]

If he’d made the remark about Christians, he would’ve gotten a promotion

Ain't that the truth!

Mike

[Carley]

Every now and then Juan speaks the truth and then he doubles down on stupid.

It’s always been clear that he has puppeteers who do not appreciate the truth from any source at all, let alone someone they consider as their own.

Do you think Obamao will call NPR on the carpet, say they acted stupidly when the fired Juan and insist on a beer summit?

[Right Wing Assault]

It will be interesting to see who among his colleagues in the media jumps to his defense.