Social media wrap: Juan Williams’ firing sets Twitter world alight

 

Here's how a hot media story explodes on Twitter and becomes national news: 

It erupted Wednesday night but actually began Monday, when NPR analyst and Fox News contributor Juan Williams told Bill O’Reilly: 

"I think, look, political correctness can lead to some kind of paralysis where you don’t address reality.

"I mean, look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.

"Now, I remember also that when the Times Square bomber was at court, I think this was just last week. He said the war with Muslims, America's war is just beginning, first drop of blood. I don't think there's any way to get away from these facts."

Left-leaning political organizations such as Think Progress and the Huffington Post jumped on Williams’ comments, but the story didn't gain significant traction until Wednesday, when Williams' NPR colleague and media commentator David Folkenflik tweeted:

#NPR terminates contract of longtime analyst Juan Williams for comments made on Fox News about Muslims. More to come.

The nugget was picked up by cable news blogger Johnny Dollar, and then when conservative blogger Michelle Malkin got hold of it, the story of the latest talking head to roll went stratospheric.

 -- Craig Howie

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Comments

[Danthrax]

It is sickening that such an honorable man as Juan Williams should be pilloried for simply telling the truth; for admitting to feel the same way as I'll bet 90% of Americans feel.

His comment is akin to saying that if someone gets on a plane dressed in the identifying clothing of his gang, flashing gang sign, then regardless of the racial makeup of that gang, any sane person should be nervous. So what if it's a White Supremacist gang? Be nervous! A Black gang? Be nervous! A French gang? Wait! There are French gangs?! Mock them!

The point is, what Juan said is the simple truth, and there was nothing whatsoever offensive in it. Any classic liberal would agree. Only the current batch of nut-job liberals (apparently the whole gang at NPR) is apoplectic over such truths.

[Eric S]

This sick level of Political Correctness must end. Republicans, in this election, should stand up as the party that is against this PC Gone Mad.

Note the recent Rasmussen poll that 74% of adults believe that political correctness has become a problem!

[Arab]

When I see a black guy wearing typical hip hop clothing I think he is going to mug me.

[pjm]

Should you be allowed to say what you will--no matter how how hateful or silly? Especially if these thoughts are what many us have on our minds?

Somehow I doubt it.

[Danny Ross]

If Juan Williams is not Politically Correct for NPR I cannot imagine anyone who is. Even Jesse Jackson, Sr. could admit to feeling relieved when the footsteps behind him were made by a white guy, and not a black man, without having the media go berserk. Or is it irrational to fear that a person who fits the profile of a group of people who practice political murder? Islam is an all-encompassing world view which demands that its adherents strive to make it the dominant religion-philosophy-legal system in the world, and to kill or subjugate anyone who opposes that system.

[Dee Dee]

This is truly absurd! Juan Williams is an accomplished and intelligent voice in the media. I do not always agree with his points of view, but I respect the man for his knowledge and his efforts to engage in open discussion and honest dialogue. To accuse him of bigotry toward Muslims is completely ridiculous. His words have been taken out of context.

NPR receives considerable taxpayer funding from federal, state and local governments. So, we now have a case where our Constitutionally established government is funding NPR, an organization which, by firing Williams, is thumbing its nose at the Constitutional Bill of Rights' freedoms of speech and of the press! That is plain scary!

The Tea Party members who seek to strengthen the country by returning to Constitutional values certainly now have a poster child to support their arguments!

[Michael Freed]

What hypocrites at NPR! A journalists FEELINGS are against their 'editorial policy'? They must be referring to their 'editorial feelings.'

[BGR]

This suggests Michele Malkin is the real news source people pay attention to

Not NPR, Johnny Dollar, or even the LA Times!

Wassup wit dat?

[josh]

Juan was speaking his mind and I admire him for it--but I guess in todays world you have to keep all your thoughts to yourself--You cant call it as it is or else u are crusified.

[Patti B.]

Is it ironic that someone who was talking about political correctness gone amuck was the victim of that very same thing? No, it's the way of things now, sadly.

[sharon zirn]

Juan Williams has a larger following than NPR. Juan Williams is a sophisticated, respectful, professional that has been placed on a certain someone's enemies list for saying what he believes and associating with Fox News Channel.

[Matthew]

Although the firing of Williams may have been wrong. He as well as many journalists walk the path of being journalists on the one hand and political commentators on the other. And although Williams may be being "honest" he is also honestly revealing his bigotry and in the wrong place. If he was on Charlie Rose making the comment I am sure he would not have been fired because the nature of that forum is for a personal discussion. But when he is on FOX such comments reveal bad taste, because it does not reveal a well considered perspective for a political commentator. In fact in reflects a certain lack of sensitivity to the subject. And today the issue on the table is how certain types of rhetoric can harm stir up racism. Wheather he should be fired or not is debateable but I strongly believe he does not exercise very good taste. And to say in the same breathe that he is "not" a biggot? What would have been more tasteful and acceptable would to say "I struggle with my own biggotry at times, when Muslims get on a plane I sometimes get nervous because I have the automatic biggoted assumption that all Muslims are terrorists." Such a comment would reveal self awareness, but what he said does not.

[ow]

I think judging people based on how they look is just good sense.

Most of the sexual assault in the US is committed by men. So whenever I see a dude dressed up like a guy, I immediately break into a cold sweat and figure out an exit strategy.

[Tom]

Dear Progressives:

Please read the part about "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press"

It does't say liberal media or conservative media, does it?

United States Constitution:

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Constitution allows petitioning the Goverment for redress of grievances. Constitutionally, Mr. Williams could petition the Government for a redress of being fired from a government (taxpayer funded) entity, which NPR is, for NPR violating the First Amendment.

Mr. William's petition would be based on NPR's own public statement of the rationale as to why he was fired.

Mr. Williams has too much class to do that though.