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NPR - the new ACORN
Author: BobR
Date: 10/22/2010 12:49:05
Can you imagine the uproar from the Republican community if a news analyst for NPR said he was nervous and worried when he saw Christians at federal buildings (because of Timothy McVeigh) (or abortion clinics for that matter)? The foaming at the mouth outrage, rending of garments and tearing of hair would be biblical (no pun intended). Considering how they went after ACORN, a group dedicated to helping and empowering the helpless and powerless, we can expect the same with NPR. Why? Because they fired a news analyst for saying that seeing Muslims at airports made him nervous and worried.
First of all, ignore the racism of the remarks and focus on the stupidity. Does anyone really think terrorists committed to hijacking a plane are going to show up at the airport in robes and turbans? The hijackers of 9/11 did not. The "shoe bomber" did not. The "underwear bomber" did not.
Secondly - the remark IS racist, which is disappointing coming from someone with his background and stature. He wasn't talking about white or black Muslims in "western" dress. He was talking about Arabs in traditional Arab garb.
It should come as no surprise then, that Juan Williams was hired by none other than FAUX News less than 24 hours after he was let go by NPR. It should also be no surprise that conservative pundits are attacking NPR with the same furor with which they went after ACORN:
I have a conservative friend who is also posting this YouTube clip:
For perspective on that clip, Jesse Helms was against any AIDS research, saying the disease resulted from 'unnatural' and 'disgusting' homosexual behavior, and that "There is not one single case of AIDS in this country that cannot be traced in origin to sodomy". In this way, Jesse Helms was willing to condemn 10% of the American population to death. Nina Totenberg's comment (unlike Juan Williams) was referencing one single person, not an entire ethnic population and/or religion. She also was not a news analyst. From the original link:
One can assume in advance that that sort of subtlety will be lost on the right-wingers.
Finally - amid all the calls for the government to "de-fund" NPR, the reality is that - unlike ACORN - it would make very little difference; they only get about 2 to 3% of their budget from Federal sources:
It would be the small local stations that lose if it is defunded, since they get about 10% of their operating budgets from federal grants. Is this one news commentator really that important that parents are willing to give up Sesame Street for their kids?
First of all, ignore the racism of the remarks and focus on the stupidity. Does anyone really think terrorists committed to hijacking a plane are going to show up at the airport in robes and turbans? The hijackers of 9/11 did not. The "shoe bomber" did not. The "underwear bomber" did not.
Secondly - the remark IS racist, which is disappointing coming from someone with his background and stature. He wasn't talking about white or black Muslims in "western" dress. He was talking about Arabs in traditional Arab garb.
It should come as no surprise then, that Juan Williams was hired by none other than FAUX News less than 24 hours after he was let go by NPR. It should also be no surprise that conservative pundits are attacking NPR with the same furor with which they went after ACORN:
Former Arkansas governor and current Fox News personality Mike Huckabee declared Thursday that he is boycotting NPR over its decision.
"While I have often enjoyed appearing on NPR programs and have been treated fairly and objectively, I will no longer accept interview requests from NPR as long as they are going to practice a form of censorship, and since NPR is funded with public funds, it IS a form of censorship," Huckabee said in a statement, who also called for the broadcaster to be defunded.
In a Facebook posting, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin called on Congress to defund the broadcaster. Williams was fired "for merely speaking frankly about the very real threat this country faces from radical Islam," she asserted.
"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," she added.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich said Congress "should investigate NPR and consider cutting off its money," and added that Williams' firing was "a total act of censorship."
I have a conservative friend who is also posting this YouTube clip:
For perspective on that clip, Jesse Helms was against any AIDS research, saying the disease resulted from 'unnatural' and 'disgusting' homosexual behavior, and that "There is not one single case of AIDS in this country that cannot be traced in origin to sodomy". In this way, Jesse Helms was willing to condemn 10% of the American population to death. Nina Totenberg's comment (unlike Juan Williams) was referencing one single person, not an entire ethnic population and/or religion. She also was not a news analyst. From the original link:
NPR CEO Vivian Schiller responded to Williams' claims, arguing that Williams broke company rules for reporters by voicing opinions he would not voice as an NPR reporter.A critical distinction has been lost in this debate. NPR News analysts have a distinctive role and set of responsibilities. This is a very different role than that of a commentator or columnist. News analysts may not take personal public positions on controversial issues; doing so undermines their credibility as analysts, and that's what’s happened in this situation. As you all well know, we offer views of all kinds on your air every day, but those views are expressed by those we interview — not our reporters and analysts.
One can assume in advance that that sort of subtlety will be lost on the right-wingers.
Finally - amid all the calls for the government to "de-fund" NPR, the reality is that - unlike ACORN - it would make very little difference; they only get about 2 to 3% of their budget from Federal sources:
It would be the small local stations that lose if it is defunded, since they get about 10% of their operating budgets from federal grants. Is this one news commentator really that important that parents are willing to give up Sesame Street for their kids?
