Should we "defund" NPR?

[LiberalPrincess]

How can you call Juan "bigoted"? He defended Muslims for the ENTIRE segment!
He spoke briefly about his feelings. Which many, many, Americans agree with him. Are all that agree with him bigots too?

ETA- Did you see the segment at all?

Yes, I saw the segment, many of us prefer to use facts rather than just making assumptions. And just because he defended Muslims does not mean his personal views aren't bigoted. Anyone that admits a fear of an entire group of people based on appearances is expressing bigoted sentiments. And the fact that many Americans "agree" with him, doesn't make it any less so. Do I understand the fear? Sure, but that doesn't change what it is.

 

[OceanAnnie]

And, again, your assumptions are far off base. There are many other meanings of the word liberal than just political ones. If you can't have a discussion based on facts and solely rely on false assumptions, why bother? And trying to assume knowledge based on a user name is simply ridiculous. And I think I will rely on the actual facts from a study about the NPR sources rather than your memory of tuning in, lol.

Why are my observations "assumptions" and your observations "truth"? I find that very interesting. I stated I have listened and that's not good enough for you. I don't know the meaning of "liberal". I don't understand? That's rich. Really it is.

You can't have a meaningful discussion because you can't entertain there are ideas that aren't in alignment with yours.

Why did you choose the name, "Liberal Princess" if you don't identify with it?

Circle talk.

How can you call Juan "bigoted"? He defended Muslims for the ENTIRE segment!
He spoke briefly about his feelings. Which many, many, Americans agree with him. Are all that agree with him bigots too?

ETA- Did you see the segment at all?

Back to the OP, did you see the segment?

 

[DawnCt1]

Yes, I saw the segment, many of us prefer to use facts rather than just making assumptions. And just because he defended Muslims does not mean his personal views aren't bigoted. Anyone that admits a fear of an entire group of people based on appearances is expressing bigoted sentiments. And the fact that many Americans "agree" with him, doesn't make it any less so. Do I understand the fear? Sure, but that doesn't change what it is.

And what about her comments; "Black people with afros and dashikis?" Stereotype much?

 

[OceanAnnie]

Yes, I saw the segment, many of us prefer to use facts rather than just making assumptions. And just because he defended Muslims does not mean his personal views aren't bigoted. Anyone that admits a fear of an entire group of people based on appearances is expressing bigoted sentiments. And the fact that many Americans "agree" with him, doesn't make it any less so. Do I understand the fear? Sure, but that doesn't change what it is.

What of the people that declared Jihad on us? They don't wear signs. That wasn't retracted.

Are we to forget they blend in with our society and are out to kill us? It's a justifiable fear.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

I certainly think that a public funded entity should display some consistency. I think that if an entity is desired, it should be funded by those that use the product. The fact that Nina Totenberg and Cokie Roberts were never fired, demonstrates a large degree of inconsistency. Juan Williams has served NPR with distinction for ten years. I rarely ever agree with an opinion that he has expressed, but he has done so in an articulate, kind manner. I think that the disparaging comments made by Schiller have exposed NPR to damages. I don't think they need another dime of our taxpayer money.

Wait, if you don't listen to NPR how can you possibly know that he served with distinction? How do you know if he was articulate or kind? The main inconsistency I see here is in your posts. Do you listen to NPR with any regularity or not? Simple question.

 

[DawnCt1]

One has to wonder if their recent donation of $1.8 million dollars from a rather notorious source has anything to do with this decision.

 

[sbell111]

Except it was not in her venue. Do you agree with her slanderous comment that he should discuss his "feelings with his psychiatrist?" Was that over the line?

I don't believe that it was over the line.

He explained his feelings which most everyone would agree are not based on reality. After all, he fears over one and a half billion people because less than a thousandth of one percent of them might be terrorists? He should definitely go see a psychiatrist to try to get over his irrational fear.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

What of the people that declared Jihad on us? They don't wear signs. That wasn't retracted.

Are we to forget they blend in with our society and are out to kill us? It's a justifiable fear.

So, should I have an innate fear of all white people and talk about my fears of seeing white faces near buildings because of Timothy McVeigh? As a Jew, if I were a news commentator, would it be okay if I talked about a fear of all Germans?

What you call a justifiable fear does not change the bigotry of the statement.

 

[sbell111]

FOX would be the only one left, since they are the most watched news network

This still isn't true.

 

[DawnCt1]

I don't believe that it was over the line.

He explained his feelings which most everyone would agree are not based on reality. After all, he fears over one and a half billion people because less than a thousandth of a percent of them migt be terrorists? He should definitely go see a psychiatrist to try to get over his irrational fear.

If she were sincerely concerned about the state of his mental health, then being the compassionate person she believes herself to be, she should have offered him his five sessions of counseling. I am sure that NPR has an EAP program. Most corporations do.

 

[OceanAnnie]

So, should I have an innate fear of all white people and talk about my fears of seeing white faces near buildings because of Timothy McVeigh? As a Jew, if I were a news commentator, would it be okay if I talked about a fear of all Germans?

What you call a justifiable fear does not change the bigotry of the statement.

You take things out of context. There was a concentrated attack on our country by the extremists. The extremists are still plotting. What makes the statement that they are plotting to kill us and fear is a natural instinct bigoted?

PC run amok.

 

[penn19]

I don't know if he should discuss his feelings with his psychiatrist. My wife and I actually had a conversation yesterday about reactions based on appearance. When is a feeling like the one he described due to a biased attitude, and when is it a survival instinct?

This. I would be lying if I told you that if I got on a plane and I saw someone dressed in traditional (or non-traditional, really) Muslim garb I wouldn't be concerned. I would. There. I said it. I try to go with my gut feeling, instinct. Is that a racist statement? Yep, I'm sure it is, but I bet the people that were on the planes heading into the World Trade Center were thinking the same thing.

 

[shortbun]

As someone who actually contributes to NPR and the local station that's public radio here, I say NO. What are we going to listen to, rap or the Rolling Stones again? How are we going to live without Prarie Home Companion or Frick and Frack? Answer me THAT Dawn!

 

[DawnCt1]

So, should I have an innate fear of all white people and talk about my fears of seeing white faces near buildings because of Timothy McVeigh? As a Jew, if I were a news commentator, would it be okay if I talked about a fear of all Germans?

What you call a justifiable fear does not change the bigotry of the statement.

Again, when a particular group continues to be the main perpetrators of terrorism in the world, people will be continue to be fearful.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Why are my observations "assumptions" and your observations "truth"? I find that very interesting. I stated I have listened and that's not good enough for you. I don't know the meaning of "liberal". I don't understand? That's rich. Really it is.

You can't have a meaningful discussion because you can't entertain there are ideas that aren't in alignment with yours.

Why did you choose the name, "Liberal Princess" if you don't identify with it?

Circle talk.

Gee, could it be because I posted actual facts from a watchdog report and you mention what you had "heard" with no references or possibly verifiable data? Yep, that's it.

As for liberal? Try looking up the word. I get that you think it only means a part of the political spectrum - but you would still be wrong. People can be liberal with ideas, liberal with money, liberal in religion, liberal in their sexuality, it can mean free, generous -- the list goes on. Try breaking out of the box!

 

[DawnCt1]

This still isn't true.

Actually it is the most watch cable news network. Not everyone has cable.

 

[sbell111]

Juan Williams has served NPR with distinction for ten years.

Actually, NPR has received loads of complaints related to his previous behavior and statements that he made on Fox News. That was the reason that they requested that Fox News to stop identifying him as an NPR employee. Unfortunately, that alone did not provide enough distance between NPR and his personal views.

 

[DawnCt1]

As someone who actually contributes to NPR and the local station that's public radio here, I say NO. What are we going to listen to, rap or the Rolling Stones again? How are we going to live without Prarie Home Companion or Frick and Frack? Answer me THAT Dawn!

I don't deny NPR's right to exist. Let it survive on private contributions or sell air time. Let it survive without taxpayer dollars. And buy an Ipod!

 

[sbell111]

Then why didn't they fire him a long time ago?

The only thing that firing him sooner would change is that Dawn would have created this thread some time ago.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Gee, could it be because I posted actual facts from a watchdog report and you mention what you had "heard" with no references or possibly verifiable data? Yep, that's it.

As for liberal? Try looking up the word. I get that you think it only means a part of the political spectrum - but you would still be wrong. People can be liberal with ideas, liberal with money, liberal in religion, liberal in their sexuality, it can mean free, generous -- the list goes on. Try breaking out of the box!

I don't need references. This isn't a dissertation. Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean I'm wrong. I have an opinion based on experience and you have .. a.. report. And that makes your "right"? Okay.

Oh, I know the word liberal. No need to be elitist.