Sarah Palin calls for Congress to defund NPR over Juan Williams’ firing

Daily Caller ^ | 10/21/10 | Caroline May -

[American Dream 246]

In the wake of National Public Radio firing Juan Williams for comments he made about Muslims on “The O’Reilly Factor,” Sarah Palin took to her Facebook page Thursday afternoon to call for NPR’s defunding.

“National Public Radio is a public institution that directly or indirectly exists because the taxpayers fund it,” she wrote. “And what do we, the taxpayers, get for this? We get to witness Juan Williams being fired from NPR for merely speaking frankly about the very real threat this country faces from radical Islam.”

Palin acknowledged Williams’ past criticism of her, but asserted her devotion to free speech and the need for open and honest debate.

“Are we not allowed to say that Muslim terrorists have killed thousands of Americans and continue to plot the deaths of thousands more? Are we not allowed to say that there are Muslim states that aid and abet these fanatics? Are we not allowed to even debate the role that radical Islam plays in inciting this violence?” she posted.

Palin went on to write that it is now up to Congress to take away NPR’s funding and for President Obama to take notice and speak out.

“President Obama should make clear his commitment to free and honest discussion of the jihadist threat in our public debates – and Congress should make clear that unless NPR provides that public service, not one more dime,” she wrote.

[American Dream 246]

At a time when our country is dangerously in debt and looking for areas of federal spending to cut, I think we’ve found a good candidate for defunding. National Public Radio is a public institution that directly or indirectly exists because the taxpayers fund it. And what do we, the taxpayers, get for this? We get to witness Juan Williams being fired from NPR for merely speaking frankly about the very real threat this country faces from radical Islam.

We have to have an honest discussion about the jihadist threat. Are we not allowed to say that Muslim terrorists have killed thousands of Americans and continue to plot the deaths of thousands more? Are we not allowed to say that there are Muslim states that aid and abet these fanatics? Are we not allowed to even debate the role that radical Islam plays in inciting this violence?

I don’t expect Juan Williams to support me (he’s said some tough things about me in the past) – but I will always support his right and the right of all Americans to speak honestly about the threats this country faces. And for Juan, speaking honestly about these issues isn’t just his right, it’s his job. Up until yesterday, he was doing that job at NPR. Firing him is their loss.

If NPR is unable to tolerate an honest debate about an issue as important as Islamic terrorism, then it’s time for “National Public Radio” to become “National Private Radio.” It’s time for Congress to defund this organization.

NPR says its mission is “to create a more informed public,” but by stifling debate on these issues, NPR is doing exactly the opposite. President Obama should make clear his commitment to free and honest discussion of the jihadist threat in our public debates – and Congress should make clear that unless NPR provides that public service, not one more dime.

Mr. President, what say you?

- Sarah Palin

[chickadee]

I love it - Sarah ups the ante. This should bring the recent donation by George Soros out of shadows and into the spotlight.

[library user]

Wouldn’t it be a bitch for the Dem’s if we won both the House and Senate and totally defended NPR within the first six months of taking back control?

[Jane Long]

Good for Sarah. Keep up the tweaks and living rent free in lib land.

[albie]

Is it at all possible that a new conservative leaning congress would consider getting the ball rolling on defunding these Marxists?

[fantom]

Nationalen Publikum Radio

[ColdOne]

I bet the DU are busy folks on this one?

[AU72]

The liberal bozos are loading liberal congressional democrats with more bricks to carry prior to election.

[ZX12R]

God this is great! NPR is so revealed because of this. I'm lovin it more than McDonalds. This story and idea needs to be hammered hard over and over, until NPR is dead, dead, dead.

[newfreep]

Sarah “not letting a crisis go to waste” - I love it!!!!

[chickadee]

*** Is it at all possible that a new conservative leaning congress would consider getting the ball rolling on defunding these Marxists? ***

Only if the Maine Twins pass away in their sleep, McCrazy of AZ is finally institutionalized and Lindsey Gramnesty resigns.

[1035rep]

bttt

[eleni121]

Thanks Sarah-—defund Natl Socialist Pubic radio now!

While we are at it - defund any and all govt funded media incl. RFE— it’s become a joke - and the TV and education arms of govt media.

If Soros and other radleftites want media outlets they can compete with everybody else in the market driven sector.

[ilovesarah2012]

And maybe they could defund ACORN as well. And a lot of departments. We can dream.

[napscoordinator]

I wish she would have announced this before Huckster. I can’t believe that Huckster even mentioned such a thing due to his liberal financial policies. Surprises happen everyday, but Sarah still should have been first out of the gate on this.

[chickadee]

*** Sarah “not letting a crisis go to waste” - I love it!!!! ***

Sarah and Rush trying to warn weenies Boehner and McConnell that much is expected of them and that they will be monitored. I think Rush is still ticked off about the Class of ‘94 and how easily the ruling class co-opted them.

[Loud Mime]

NPR is a partisan station - - it discourages free speech.

As such, it should NOT receive government funding.

Let it prove its worth in the open market.....if it can.

[ilovesarah2012]

AMEN!

[Red Badger]

DEFENDED?...............

[avacado]

"I don’t expect Juan Williams to support me (he’s said some tough things about me in the past)"

I like Sarah Palin a lot but she needs to lose this constant cat-fight victim stuff.