Should we "defund" NPR?

[We_Love_Disney]

No, let's just all keep silent and pretend that none of us, ever, ever, ever would be the teeniest bit nervous if we saw a group of Muslims on the plane with us. Sorry, I have to call B.S. on that.

 

[MissFitt]

I haven't read the whole thread, so perhaps this has been addressed, but I have to roll my eyes every time I hear someone say we need to have "an honest discussion on race matters in this country."

Ummmm......No, we don't. Because the "honest" discussion only runs ONE way. If you are on the "wrong" side and say the "wrong" thing, you'll find yourself unemployed and possibly villified. We can only "honestly" discuss it if we say PC things. The Juan Williams matter just illustrates that.

He only said what most Americans probably feel on a gut level. I did not feel the same way when I saw Muslims on a plane the day BEFORE 9/11 as I would have the day AFTER 9/11 and for very good reason. He didn't say he became nervous when he saw Muslims anyplace, anytime. He mentioned it in the context of air travel, and considering the 9/11 attacks, the fear is understandable. We still retain basic instincts to protect ourselves. He was HONESTLY owning up to a less than PC feeling when he sees a group of Muslims on a plane. How can we address that fear if we won't even admit it out loud?

No, let's just all keep silent and pretend that none of us, ever, ever, ever would be the teeniest bit nervous if we saw a group of Muslims on the plane with us. Sorry, I have to call B.S. on that.

How would you know a Muslim if you saw them on a plane? Do they have a particular look or do you make an assumption that a person is a certain religion because of the color of their skin? How would you differentiate the "Muslim" from a Buddist or a Sikh or a Hindu? Is it because they are in their "Muslim garb" We all know that the Saudi nationals that took over those flights on 9/11/01 we not wearing anything noticably different than anyone else on those flights -- and certainly NOT "Muslim garb". Do you also not keep silent when you see someone in priestly attire near a playground? Stereotypes can be dangerous.

 

[No.17CherryTreeLane]

I haven't read the whole thread, so perhaps this has been addressed, but I have to roll my eyes every time I hear someone say we need to have "an honest discussion on race matters in this country."

Ummmm......No, we don't. Because the "honest" discussion only runs ONE way. If you are on the "wrong" side and say the "wrong" thing, you'll find yourself unemployed and possibly villified. We can only "honestly" discuss it if we say PC things. The Juan Williams matter just illustrates that.

He only said what most Americans probably feel on a gut level. I did not feel the same way when I saw Muslims on a plane the day BEFORE 9/11 as I would have the day AFTER 9/11 and for very good reason. He didn't say he became nervous when he saw Muslims anyplace, anytime. He mentioned it in the context of air travel, and considering the 9/11 attacks, the fear is understandable. We still retain basic instincts to protect ourselves. He was HONESTLY owning up to a less than PC feeling when he sees a group of Muslims on a plane. How can we address that fear if we won't even admit it out loud?

No, let's just all keep silent and pretend that none of us, ever, ever, ever would be the teeniest bit nervous if we saw a group of Muslims on the plane with us. Sorry, I have to call B.S. on that.

Perfectly said.

Juan Williams simply revealed a very personal fear...the nervousness and worry he feels in a very specific context. He didn't say the fear was reasonable, that he was proud of it, or that everyone should share that fear. He suggested that we must be free to talk about these fears in order to overcome them - what a strange and wonderful idea!

 

[wtccheermom]

No, I do not describe Juan as "Liberal". I listed to him when he hosted "Talk of the Nation" 10+ years ago and he has become more and more Conservative as the years go by.

He must have seen the error of his ways!!!

 

[Guy Incognito]

NPR can apply for grants from the 'Corporation for Public Broadcasting' to fund special projects, but that $$$ isn't included in their operating budget. So the only way for the gov't to "de-fund" NPR would be to cut tax dollars going to the CPB, which would have a bigger impact on other various small broadcasting stations around the country (none of which had any hand in the firing of Juan Williams).

The bulk of NPRs budget comes from station programming fees and sponsorships. If you want to "de-fund" NPR, the best way to do that is find out who buys ad time on there, and boycott them instead until they pull their $$$; but I really doubt enough people are going to care that much to put that much effort into it.

 

[sbell111]

Perfectly said.

Juan Williams simply revealed a very personal fear...the nervousness and worry he feels in a very specific context. He didn't say the fear was reasonable, that he was proud of it, or that everyone should share that fear. He suggested that we must be free to talk about these fears in order to overcome them - what a strange and wonderful idea!

If his fear isn't reasonable, perhaps he should see a psychiatrist about it.

 

[HOGFAN]

yes

 

[BellvilleDad]

And your point on funding? There are any number of "things" my tax dollars are used for that disappoint me, or that I flat out do not agree with. Doesn't stop the use of those dollars. It's the give and take in society that keeps things on an even keel.

Stats don't necessarily support your statement either. You are aware that there is a very concerted (and quite successful) movement to have Fox News taken off the air, yes? It's not the choice of many people who are looking for information.

They were successful?!? It must've happened after 8:00 am, 'cause I was watching Fox & Friends this morning.

 

[wtccheermom]

If his fear isn't reasonable, perhaps he should see a psychiatrist about it.

maybe he should just get an emotional support dog for when he is flying

 

[TeresaNJ]

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/21/cable-news-ratings-for-wednesday-october-20-2010/69135

Live + Same Day Cable News Daily Ratings for October 20, 2010
P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,275,000 viewers
CNN – 324,000 viewers
MSNBC – 455,000 viewers
CNBC – 210,000 viewers
HLN – 279,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 2,689,000 viewers
CNN – 568,000 viewers
MSNBC –1,029,000 viewers
CNBC – 384,000 viewers
HLN – 505,000 viewers
25-54 Total Day
FNC –351,000 viewers
CNN –81,000 viewers
MSNBC – 148,000 viewers
CNBC – 69,000 viewers
HLN – 113,000 viewers

25-54 Prime Time
FNC – 683,000 viewers
CNN – 136,000 viewers
MSNBC –289,000 viewers
CNBC – 176,000 viewers
HLN – 131,000 viewers

35-64 Total Day
FNC – 616,000 viewers
CNN – 132,000 viewers
MSNBC – 234,000 viewers
CNBC – 111,000 viewers
HLN – 141,000 viewers

35-64 Prime Time
FNC – 1,252,000 viewers
CNN – 218,000 viewers
MSNBC –513,000 viewers
CNBC – 212,000 viewers
HLN –242,000 viewers

Morning programs (6:00AM-9:00AM) P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
FOX & Friends- 1,072,000 viewers (374,000) (586,000)
American Morning- 178,000 viewers (63,000) (95,000)
Morning Joe- 427,000 viewers (134,000) (239,000)
Squawk Box- 155,000 viewers (60,000) (110,000)
Morning Express w/ Meade- 314,000 viewers (174,000) (181,000)

5PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Glenn Beck – 2,056,000 viewers (617,000) (1,007,000)
Situation Room—372,000 viewers (88,000) (139,000)
Hardball w/ C. Matthews – 570,000 viewers (153,000) (183,000)
Fast Money– 217,000 viewers (a scratch w/37,000) (86,000)
Showbiz Tonight — 169,000 viewers (66,000) (68,000)

6PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Special Report w/ Bret Baier – 1,899,000 viewers (448,000) (846,000)
Situation Room—349,000 viewers (82,000) (149,000)
Ed Show —692,000 viewers (179,000) (301,000)
Mad Money — 143,000 viewers (55,000) (69,000)
Prime News – 198,000 viewers (58,000) (118,000)

7PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The Fox Report w/ Shep – 1,840,000 viewers (413,000) (880,000)
John King USA– 310,000 viewers (74,000) (125,000)
Hardball w/ C. Matthews – 514,000 viewers (163,000) (245,000)
Kudlow Report– 127,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 43,000) (64,000)
Trading the Globe– a scratch w/122,000 viewers (a scratch w/ 49,000) (61,000)
Issues – 450,000 viewers (167,000) (261,000)

8PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor– 3,493,000 viewers (863,000) (1,663,000)
Parker/Spitzer –375,000 viewers (95,000) (147,000)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann – 1,169,000 viewers (299,000) (555,000)
Marijuana Inc. – 348,000 viewers (152,000) (154,000)
Nancy Grace – 711,000 viewers (198,000) (316,000)

9 PM – P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Hannity–2,402,000 viewers (608,000) (1,142,000)
Larry King Live —694,000 viewers (154,000) (238,000)
Rachel Maddow Show —1,062,000 viewers (328,000) (559,000)
Remington Under Fire – 450,000 viewers (223,000) (292,000)
Joy Behar – 492,000 viewers (92,000) (213,000)

10 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
On the Record w/ Greta—2,156,000 viewers (579,000) (934,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 — 635,000 viewers (160,000) (268,000)
Last Word w/ L. O’Donnell– 850,000 viewers (237,000) (425,000)
Remington Under Fire – 354,000 viewers (155,000) (191,000)
Nancy Grace –346,000 viewers (108,000) (208,000)

11 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor – 1,403,000 viewers (467,000) (665,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 – 404,000 viewers (120,000) (196,000)
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann —564,000 viewers (219,000) (338,000)
Mad Money – a scratch w/105,000 viewers (69,000) (81,000)
Showbiz Tonight– 279,000 viewers (124,000) (171,000)

-

 

[Geoff_M]

Ironic, no?!?!?:

Reading between the lines of Juan’s statement and those of NPR officials, it’s apparent that NPR was moved to fire Juan because he irritates so many people in its audience. An interesting contrast: while many NPR listeners apparently could not stomach that Williams also appeared on Fox News. But it doesn’t seem that any perceptible number of Fox News viewers had any complaints that Williams also worked for NPR. The Fox audience seems to be more tolerant of diversity than the NPR audience.

 

[Basil of Baker St]

How would you know a Muslim if you saw them on a plane? Do they have a particular look or do you make an assumption that a person is a certain religion because of the color of their skin? How would you differentiate the "Muslim" from a Buddist or a Sikh or a Hindu? Is it because they are in their "Muslim garb" We all know that the Saudi nationals that took over those flights on 9/11/01 we not wearing anything noticably different than anyone else on those flights -- and certainly NOT "Muslim garb". Do you also not keep silent when you see someone in priestly attire near a playground? Stereotypes can be dangerous.

You know what is more dangerous than stereotypes? Terrorists.

 

[MissFitt]

Ironic, no?!?!?:

Next time perhaps you shouldn't hide that you got this from the Washington Examiner.

Taken from SourceWatch.org

The Examiner's editorial page is heavily conservative; it is headed by Mark Tapscott, with American Spectator senior editor Quin Hillyer serving as its associate editor. The paper's national political coverage, which also appears in Examiner papers in Baltimore and San Francisco, was previously headed by Bill Sammon, a former Washington Times reporter who has written several books praising George W. Bush. (Sammon is now the deputy managing editor for Fox News Channel's Washington bureau.) Chris Stirewalt, who has been described as "a true conservative voice", is the Examiner's political editor. Mary Katherine Ham, former managing editor of the conservative Townhall.com, briefly served as the Examiner's online editor for a few months in 2008 before joining the Weekly Standard. Matthew Sheffield, executive editor of the Media Research Center blog NewsBusters, is in charge of the Examiner's website. Byron York, formerly of National Review, joined the paper in February 2009.

Next time, don't hide your bias.

 

[MissFitt]

You know what is more dangerous than stereotypes? Terrorists.

and ignorance!

 

[Holly]

Fox is sensationalist, doom and gloom entertainment television, and since studies show that people prefer bad news, it shouldn't surprise anyone that their ratings are so high.

Anyone who has seen Glenn Beck's theatrics knows what I'm talking about.

 

[Geoff_M]

Next time perhaps you shouldn't hide that you got this from the Washington Examiner.

Wow, that's the first time I've been accused of "hiding" a source when I provided a direct link to the source!

 

[DawnCt1]

You know what is more dangerous than stereotypes? Terrorists.

 

[DawnCt1]

Fox is sensationalist, doom and gloom entertainment television, and since studies show that people prefer bad news, it shouldn't surprise anyone that their ratings are so high.

Anyone who has seen Glenn Beck's theatrics knows what I'm talking about.

Glenn Beck is not a journalist. He is a commentator. He deals with opinion.

 

[MissFitt]

Wow, that's the first time I've been accused of "hiding" a source when I provided a direct link to the source!

Look at the post -- there is no indication in the quoted material that the source is the Washington Examiner.

 

[Disnydad]

Public broadcasting should have been defunded years ago.