By meh

October 31, 2010 7:42 PM | Link to this

um, where are the comments on the front page on DDN….are they gone because of the upcoming election? Or gone for good since they never moderated them.

By irishguy

October 26, 2010 11:10 AM | Link to this

Well Page Turner, I guess you’ve never seen Mr Williams on Fox. He’s been a regular on O’Reilly for sometime and offers the Liberal viewpoint on Special Report as well. I imagine he appears on other shows as well, but those are the only shows I ever catch on FNC.

By Page Turner

October 26, 2010 10:06 AM | Link to this

Thanks for reinforcing my point, Irish. Aside from embarassment to NPR, does Juan Williams have anything to offer?

By irishguy

October 26, 2010 6:18 AM | Link to this

Just pointing out the double standard at npr is worth at least a million bucks. Mr Williams is bringing his new found celebrity to FNC as well. The publicity seems to show Fox in a positive way and npr in a negative way.

By Page Turner

October 24, 2010 10:11 AM | Link to this

What does Juan Williams bring that’s worth $2 million to Fox News? Other than embarassment to NPR, that is.

By just me

October 23, 2010 10:54 AM | Link to this

People are so entangled in misunderstood semantics these days that our better logic has flown the coop. Faith, by its nature, can beckon a straight jacket or wings it seems. (I, myself, seem to lose a feather every day

By Raoul

October 23, 2010 10:28 AM | Link to this

I regard this whole episode as maybe the first shot in the war against PC, and it’s about time. There are a lot of Americans who are nervous at airports. There are extremists plotting daily to bring harm to Americans. They are almost all Muslims. The NPR knows this, yet somehow it’s not allowed to be mentioned, presumaby so as not to offend Muslims. So let’s get straight exactly who is allowed to be offended by the progressives that run NPR, and other media outlets. Here is my list: white males, Christians, Catholics, Tea Party members, conservatives, Republicans, Fox News, Fox News watchers, big corporation execs, and certain members of the military. That’s my list of folks that we are allowed to offend. Can anyone else think of any others so we can get it straightened out? While we are at it, let’s go back to pre-PC days and offend whoever the hell we want. That way, the true haters will be exposed and marginalized, instead of hiding under a PC blanket. The good intentions of political correctness have backfired, and there is now more divisiveness because of it.

By TRS

October 23, 2010 10:24 AM | Link to this

I had the same questions insider - not sure what the deal is. Just a personal view - but the DDN seemed to be trying to operate its blogs and comments on the cheap. They started out decently and monitored comments but then it went downhill. Updates became infrequent on the opinion page, if you look today, there are posts that have been there for several days. When someone reported an abuse, they’d wipe out the entire comments section - the list goes on. The DDN is a product for which they need to serve their customers. If they can’t do the blog business right and serve those customers, perhaps they shouldn’t do it at all. That being said, Vic does it right and these comments are not referring to his blog.

By Insider

October 22, 2010 11:51 AM | Link to this

E-mails filter spam. Why would DDN not have such a filter for online ad/spam comments? How could that possibly be the reason for pulling the posts? Again, Vick, does a good job. (I was truly joking with the previous “ASAP” part in my last post, Vick) Re reader comments being gone: there are multiple options for readers to express opinions online if they so choose.

By TRS

October 22, 2010 12:47 AM | Link to this

Williams was not expressing his opinion - he was stating something he felt. Besides, there are many instances of other NPR reporters expressing their opiniond over the years, particularly Nina Totenberg. This has little to do with contract and alot to do with looking for a reason to fire Williams based on PC pressure from a Muslim advocacy group and proabably Soros’ group who has declared war on anyone who disagrees with him.

By irishguy

October 21, 2010 10:24 PM | Link to this

Here’s a portion of Mr Williams statement: “Well, now that I no longer work for NPR let me give you my opinion. This is an outrageous violation of journalistic standards and ethics by management that has no use for a diversity of opinion, ideas or a diversity of staff (I was the only black male on the air). This is evidence of one-party rule and one sided thinking at NPR that leads to enforced ideology, speech and writing. It leads to people, especially journalists, being sent to the gulag for raising the wrong questions and displaying independence of thought”.

By irishguy

October 21, 2010 10:17 PM | Link to this

Vick, don’t your NPR pals believe in the First Amendment any longer? Looks like Ms Schiller thinks Political Correctness trumps it. I always thought Mr Williams was a pretty even handed fellow. I’d imagine a sizable majority of Americans would agree with his statement.

By Important Distinction

October 21, 2010 9:34 PM | Link to this

If you read the memo from NPR, you’ll note that he was fired not because of the content of what he said, but because, as an NPR news analyst, he was not supposed to be publicizing his personal opinions. The note implies that was part of his contract. He violated his contract; he was fired. What’s more, they note he has done this before and has been warned about it. I think it’s less about politics and his specific words in this instance and more about NPR’s effort to appear non-biased. This is just the straw that broke the camel’s back.

By TRS

October 21, 2010 8:14 PM | Link to this

To my conservative brethren - lets cut the paranoia about posts, please? If you read the last subject on this blog (Farmville) you would find that the DDN pulled the ability to post because they were getting bombed with spam. Anyone who used the site knows that to be true. Vick runs a great blog and what he says you can trust, soooo, let him rake the leaves will ya?

By Insider

October 21, 2010 5:30 PM | Link to this

I walked about my back yard, too. We have lots of walnut trees outback so the critters like that. Some people are quickly disturbed by attire that seems different than what they consider their accepted ‘norm’ but actually, a ‘terrorist’ would probably dress to blend, wouldn’t they. I mean, they wouldn’t want to attract attention. I don’t care much what people wear as long as they’re covered and don’t stink too much (not big on heavy cologne.) Imagination is a powerful thing. Airport security, working properly, should alleviate most “couture paranoia.” You’re doing an admirable job there, Vick, with the moderating. Please post me ASAP.

By Doubt if they Post His One

October 21, 2010 4:25 PM | Link to this

Can anyone out there name 1 Conservative Talk show host on NPR? Anybody? You might say the same thing about FOX with Liberal hosts, but there is a VERY important difference. NPR is funded by the taxpayers, while FOX is not. NPR should lose every dime of their funding from the Taxpayers, unless they hire 50% of their Talk Show hosts from the Conservative base. The Liberal wackos are certainly not getting a balanced education. NPR has NO business presenting a one sided Liberal agenda. The Private Sector should ALWAYS be allowed to do whatever they want. They are market driven. Does anyone really wonder why NPR can not survive as a real business without Government subsidies? The TOP TEN radio shows in America all have Conservative hosts! How dare the Democrats and the Liberals continue to try and suppress the will of MOST Americans! Send the illegals home … .repeal Obamacare … . toss Kagan and Sotomayor off the Supreme Court … and throw that dingbat California Judge who tried to overrule “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” off the bench as far as you can throw her. The AMERICAN people have spoke loud and clear! Quit subsidizing lazy loons!

By TRS

October 21, 2010 4:23 PM | Link to this

I agree in general with Mike’s comments. This is political correctness run amuck. I would also agree it will be used to demonstrate NPR’s agenda because they do have one. Funny, when Fox News CEO Murdoch contributes to a conserative cause, it is automatically assumed neutrality is compromised; however, when George Soros contributes 1.8M to NPR through his Open Societies Foundation, its perfectly benign.

By victor mickunas

October 21, 2010 4:19 PM | Link to this

Dear commenters, when you make comments they don’t always post right away. This is a moderated blog. After I read your comments I can post them. I’m not here to censor comments. I’m here to approve them and post them OR in some cases where comments are simply too offensive I will choose to not post them. I have posted every comment on this topic (so far). When I don’t post them right away it is usually because I haven’t actually read them yet. I was out raking leaves this afternoon, watching the squirrels gather their nuts, etc. That’s why your comments are often posted in batches after I have had a chance to check them out-the weather was too nice today to be sitting at my computer-thank you.

By dale1

October 21, 2010 3:53 PM | Link to this

NPR does have a liberal agenda which is okay except it is government funded. Fox has a conservative agenda but at least mentions two sides unlike the other news outlets.

By Thinking The Norm

October 21, 2010 3:31 PM | Link to this

NPR over-reacted. Williams merely said what goes thru most minds when you see that on a plane.Same holds true when around thug outfits worn by young kids. Seems our freedom of speech is constantly curtailed by the same politically correct proponents who have self-appointed themselves guardians. And yes, I’ll still be thinking the same when this goes away.

By lmj

October 21, 2010 2:51 PM | Link to this

Just a few days ago, I read that NPR was forbidding its employees from attending either Jon Stewart’s or Stephen Colbert’s Rallies next weekend. It appears that if you are employed by them you are not to have an opinion?

By Squirrellygirl

October 21, 2010 2:50 PM | Link to this

None of my comments are appearing here. Why does that not surprise me? DDN is a left wing radical newspaper. NPR is a communist radio station. Juan is a liberal who forgot he wasn’t allowed to express his opinions. I hope Fox News hires him. At least he’s honest!

By Squirrellygirl

October 21, 2010 2:49 PM | Link to this

Only left wing radical nuts are allowed to express their opinions and feelings. George Soros who has collapsed other country’s money systems is trying to collapse ours, and he donated money to NRS and mediamatters yesterday, reported by Glenn Beck on Fox. Yeah, we’re getting ready to watch our govt close down Fox News. This is just like Chavez who closed down his opposing media. Now Chavez has taken over everything and people can’t get food. We’re next! Good for Juan for speaking his mind!

By Squirrellygirl

October 21, 2010 2:46 PM | Link to this

My comments won’t be posted if DDN doesn’t agree with them. Since I’m a conservative, my comments probably won’t appear. Fox News should hire Juan. He’s an honest man who expressed his feelings when he sees Muslims dressed in Muslim gear yelling “praise to Alla” and that’s what they did before they took over planes and drove them into buildings!

By paul

October 21, 2010 2:45 PM | Link to this

Democrats/Liberals Censor anything they don’t agree with by either crying “racism”, “social injustice” and now by firing an employee. However, you Will notice Democrats Trashing Catholics, Jews, Italians, Southerners, white Males, Tea Partiers, ..in other words, anyone they don’t agree with. TAXPAYERS, FIRE NPR! OUR GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP SUBSIDIZING CENSORSHIP AND TAKING AWAY OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

By Squirrellygirl

October 21, 2010 2:43 PM | Link to this

George Soros donated money to NPR and Mediamatters yesterday. He’s the one that collapsed several money systems, and is trying to collapse ours. Fox News has been a leader in fair and balanced news reporting since everyone knows the rest of our news media is left wing biased. Juan said it would scare him to see people dressed in Muslim garb because he remembers 9/11. It WAS Muslims that bombed our twin towers. Yes they were radicals, but they WERE Muslims. The rest of the Muslims wouldn’t denounce the actions of the radicals, so is that their way of endorsing what those terrorists did on 9/11? I think it is. This is not racist when someone expresses how they feel, it is an opinion. An opinion is something a person expresses, and this is how Juan felt. I would get off the plane if I saw the same thing, just sayin’. Carmichael was the first to use the slogan “black power” yet that isn’t considered racist. It WAS MUSLIMS that bombed the twin towers. I didn’t say all of them did it, but who of them is renouncing it? I hope Fox News hires Juan. He’s a respectable guy, and I like the way he handles himself. I don’t always agree with his liberal views, but I think he is honest. Honesty is disappearing and we need more people like him. How can you fight if you don’t recognize the enemy? This political correctness crap will be cause the death of this country if we let it.

By db

October 21, 2010 1:54 PM | Link to this

i’m very disappointed in npr, whatever happened to freedom of speech?

By Mike

October 21, 2010 1:21 PM | Link to this

I have mixed feelings about this, but I generally think that NPR overreacted. It would have been much more beneficial if NPR had used his comments as a springboard for discussion. Possibly devoting a program or segment to having Williams on to discuss what he said and allow him to elaborate while having a variety of other viewpoints on as well. As it stands, it will just be played to the hilt on the other network on which he appears, FOX News, as somehow being further evidence that NPR has some kind of “extreme agenda” that does not allow for differing opinions to be expressed. And how ironic that charge would be coming from Murdoch’s Tea Party supporting empire. This is simply poor judgment on NPR’s part. Not as bad as their unceremonious dismissal of Bob Edwards. But still a bad decision.