Juan Williams: I'm not a bigot. NPR: Yes you are

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a cop out.

I didn't write that post, but it is a question that has asked too much for you to just say it is a cop out. There is no immediate logic that explains why an all-loving and all-powerful God needed to create a world in which evil occurs. I can perhaps understand that evil among people is the necessary consequence of endowing humans with free will, but that does not explain natural disasters, childhood disease, etc.

I understand that there are thoughtful responses to what I just wrote. But, and I say this as a lifelong Christian, "cop out" is what I hear from Christians who know there must be an explanation but who don't have the answer themselves.

Forget this post. I thought "Cop Out" was the responding to the earlier post, not the response "judgement".

[jsteele]

Glen Greenwald just pointed out a very interesting link that is relevant to the discussion of Juan Williams. It illustrates perfectly how far Williams has drifted from his roots.

https://www.msu.edu/course/psy/442/cialec4.htm

Back in 1986, Richard Cohen wrote a column in the Washington Post describing how a jewelry store used a buzzer system to allow entry to the store. The system was being used to exclude young black males because they were considered most likely to commit a robbery. Cohen defended the practice. Here is how Juan Williams responded:

"Common sense becomes racism when skin color becomes a formula for figuring out who is a danger to me."

Substitute "skin color" with "religion" or "style of dress" and you see why many of us think that the Williams of 1986 would condemn the Williams of today.

Williams also pointed out that "Racism is a lazy man's substitute for using good judgment." I couldn't agree more Mr. Williams, which is exactly why I question your judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Forget this post. I thought "Cop Out" was the responding to the earlier post, not the response "judgement".

I wrote both the "what's he waiting for?" and "cop out" posts, and several others, but not the rambling religious ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and really who are you to say I can't lower somebody into a woodchipper.... or to abort any potential human.... or incinerate people . You and your God can kiss pergy.

Keep moving, nothing to see here. Anybody who would post this is a troll.

The discussion about whether evil exists because we have free will is interesting, BTW. As is the debate about why disasters occur. But perhaps not on the Juan Williams thread, and not in response to a troll who thinks glib snark is a substitute for actual thought.

[Anonymous]

The only thing that Juan Williams said that was idiotic was implying that those dressed in Muslim garb would be apt to blow up a plane. Note to Juan: if they are going to blow the plane, they aren't doing it in Muslim garb. But definitely watch out for that guy with the unbroken-in Yankees cap, fanny pack, and sweating in the seat.

[Anonymous]

He said he feels a moment of fear, not that he endorses then using a buzzer to not allow religiously garbed Muslims on planes. Sharing a thought and endorsing an action ( based on that thought) are two entirely different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He said he feels a moment of fear, not that he endorses then using a buzzer to not allow religiously garbed Muslims on planes. Sharing a thought and endorsing an action ( based on that thought) are two entirely different things.

Normally I would agree with you but the problem with his statement is that he didn't stop and say, gee, I know that that fear is crazy. He let it sit there without saying that he should know better than to assume than a woman in hijab is automatically a terrorist. If you're going to say things like this on national television, you have to clarify whether you think these fears are justified or not. He should know better.

[Anonymous]

And take Cokie Roberts with you.

[Anonymous]

Like it or not, Juan Williams, FAHE that he is, does have the right of free speech even if you, I, or Joe Blow don't agree with him. I, for one, want to keep my free speech and I'm not going to deny it to Williams even though I agree with nothing he has said in the last two decades.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Like it or not, Juan Williams, FAHE that he is, does have the right of free speech even if you, I, or Joe Blow don't agree with him. I, for one, want to keep my free speech and I'm not going to deny it to Williams even though I agree with nothing he has said in the last two decades.

Nobody disputes is right to say things. I just dispute his right to a salary and a microphone with which to say them. NPR doesn't allow me to come on periodically to express my views. Does that mean they are censoring me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like it or not, Juan Williams, FAHE that he is, does have the right of free speech even if you, I, or Joe Blow don't agree with him. I, for one, want to keep my free speech and I'm not going to deny it to Williams even though I agree with nothing he has said in the last two decades.

I don't agree with what NPR did. But it is not a free speech issue. He doesn't have a right to his job at NPR, and his commentary elsewhere is material to his position as a journalist with them. Plenty of people get fired for what they say or do outside of work, if it affects their role at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like it or not, Juan Williams, FAHE that he is, does have the right of free speech even if you, I, or Joe Blow don't agree with him. I, for one, want to keep my free speech and I'm not going to deny it to Williams even though I agree with nothing he has said in the last two decades.

Maybe I'm a purist, but didn't he exercise his freedom of speech without legal ramifications? Did I miss the news that he was hauled off to jail or put under house arrest for his comments?

Free speech means the government cannot censor your speech. It does not mean you don't have any consequences when you open your mouth and let some stupid shot spill out. Go tell your employers that you think they're a bunch of assholes and corporate whores and then come back and let us know how that works out for you.

[Anonymous]

Oops, "shot" should be "shit".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My problem with Williams is that what he said isn't news and isn't political analysis. It's just verbal diarrhea about how Muslims are scary. More than enough to say "thanks and goodbye."

Strange that Nina Totenberg didn't get the same treatment. Of course, her diarrhea was directed at innocent conservatives so who cares, right?