Forum Post: Comment on Juan Williams' Dissent from Fox News (and encourage him to push forward)
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 22, 2011, 12:44 a.m. EST by universalestudiante
(9)
from Chicago, IL
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Many people have seen this clip by now. http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/20/372959/chris-wallace-interrupts-juan-williams-to-stop-him-from-defending-99-percent-movement/
This is the former NPR reporter who was fired for making a comment on Fox News -- something to the effect of an an endorsement of "Islam-o-phobia"(albiet snipped out of context by the wonderful FOX News crew). FOX News instantly hired him [edit: onto a full-time position to the tune of $2 million] after NPR fired him, apparently to endorse the idea that it's perfectly legit for Americans to harbor reactionary fear against Muslims based on religion --- and that in any event this was "free expression," and an exchange of ideas that no "fair and balanced" news source out to punish.
For a while, it seemed like Mr. Williams not only took the $ 2 million dollar bait -- he went out of his way to justify it. In his own words: "I was fired for telling the truth." Williams has since insisted that this whole time, he's just been trying to encourage a fair dialogue between different-minded people in the U.S. Therefore, he took a $2 million dollar job from Fox News immediately after being canned by NPR for the Muslim comments, etc. (The Daily Show has been all over this one...)
Just the other day, however, Mr. Williams showed some signs of life re: his commitment to the "free expression" / "fair and balanced" memes. On live TV, he said that most people in America agreed with the "basic tenants" of OWS, namely that there is income inequality and something needs to be done to be done to reign in an out of control financial sector. He was promptly shut down and silenced by a Fox anchor (surprise, surprise).
My point is simply this: here is a wonderful opportunity to expose Fox News for lying on an international stage. I suggest everyone take a couple minutes and comment on Mr. Williams' follow-up piece to his comments on Fox News.
It can be found here: http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/juan-williams/194743-two-thanksgiving-tables-show-the-political-divide (as you can see, FOX viewers are getting their money's worth in the comments below...) Tell Mr. Williams to keep up the pressure.
I know this is hardly a novel idea from an ideological perspective. But consider the practical consequences. Maybe... just maybe... Mr. Williams will prove to have the strength to call out Fox News on more of the classic right-wing lies it re-enforces daily. Maybe he'll stir up a real controversy or lawsuit that makes national headlines. Such consequences could be enormous.
If you're inspired, please comment. http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/juan-williams/194743-two-thanksgiving-tables-show-the-political-divide
Show this guy that more than a handful of real Americans have at least half a brain left. Maybe it will compel him to make a scene on a national stage!
Just letting you know, I'm reading the articles and I'll probably comment at the Hill.
Thanks for posting and don't let the naysayers get you down.
Juan Williams was on the FOX News payroll for years before he was fired by NPR.
You seem to want to rewrite history.
Juan Williams worked on FOX at the same time as NPR. When NPR fired him FOX hired him in a permanent position rather than the sometimes position he had.
FOX doesn't have just a conservative few if you ever watch it. Don't base your opinion on what everyone tells you. Williams and Beckle are two examples that prove FOX is balanced. They always have two sides when there is a discussion.
Just where has FOX lied? Don't point out links from the Hill or Huffington. They are on the left so of course their opinion is biased. YOU prove it by posting links FROM FOX.
BTW have you ever watched FOX? It's really good DURING the day. Nightime is just drama and Rush-like. Even I don't watch it. During the day you get a lot better anchors and guests. Try it.......You might learn a thing or two
[Removed]
typical left-wing racist rant from a condescending left wing racist.
I'll adopt George W. Bush's response to this accusation. You can call me just about anything... but don't call me a racist. That's a horrible thing to say to anyone, and it is completely unjustified.
"I'll adopt George W. Bush's response to this accusation."
why in the world would you do that?
"You can call me just about anything... but don't call me a racist"
don't be a racist and I wont call you a racist, you racist.