Friday, October 22, 2010

Juan Williams Deserves Our Respect and Other Stuff

"Who Watches The Watchmen?"

That was the caption to Alan Moore's 12 issue maxi series "Watchmen". The premise being who is monitoring those self appointed guardians, those all too powerful supermen? It seems the question ought to be posed to those who insist on their "objective" journalistic bona fides. Posed all the more when their credibility in their assertion is placed in doubt. I have never fully believed in the notion of objective journalism, but at least there are in principal firmly established guidelines to determine individual professionalism in its field. Juan Williams, clearly professes a liberal point of view, but has not in his expressing those views compromised his credentials. The same cannot be said for his now former overseers at NPR.

As a conservative I have always had a high regard for Juan Williams. Yes, it is possible for a conservative to respect a liberal. Surprised? You shouldn't be. We hear from so many corners that we need more civility, that the conversation, the dialogue is too coarse. We hear this incessant whining from the professional "objectives", all the while insisting that they have had no role in degrading public discourse. Any keen observer sees through their hypocrisy and vain presumptions. Juan Williams is the opposite.If your surprised that so many conservatives are defending Juan Williams you should consider this: WE respect Juan Williams because he always respected us. He engaged conservatism with liberalism in a thoughtful,intelligent,reasoned manner that did not degenerate into name calling.

Juan Williams wasn't fired by NPR for what he said. He was fired because he actually ENGAGED IN A CIVILIZED DIALOGUE WITH PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE DISAGREED. The Horror! The Temerity! GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Imagine, a liberal journalist with honest,objective credentials living up to expectations? Is that the Four Horsemen I see on the distant horizon?

There have been a smattering of criticism from the left, but not professional journalists. Brian Williams? Katie Couric? Diane Sawyer? I can hear the crickets. Silence speaks volumes.

This latest dramatic episode is telling. It exposes the fraud that is modern journalism. Juan Williams is a model for how we should comport ourselves. He has eloquently defended his views with passion,grace and dignity befitting the better angels of human nature.

Now, a word or two about NPR as I crack my knuckles. Who the fuck is running that joint anyway? The CEO when asked about the firing suggested Juan consult his psychiatrist. Wow, the Chief Executive Officer of taxpayer supported NPR suggesting the black man she fired might need therapy. Amazing. Oh, by the way,  not only did she suggest that Juan, an African American might be crazy, but in firing him she fired the only African American on the NPR payroll as a correspondent. That's right. NPR, as a metaphor just fired the Last Mohican and kicked him to the curb. How is it that a network that holds itself up as a model of progressive virtue, a champion of civil rights and social justice could only have one (now zero) African American correspondents? Does NPR know it's the 21st Century? Probably not. After all they're in radio.

Lest we forget, there is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. George Soros. He just gave one million dollars to that purveyor of left wing filth called Media Matters. And he just gave 1.8 million dollars to guess who? NPR!
He wants them to hire 100 correspondents with the money. Geez, this donation just happened to correspond to the firing of Juan Williams. Oh and Media Matters in now trying to get Mara Liasson fired from NPR because she does some commentating on FOX NEWS! This new line of assault upon Mara Liasson represents a declaration of war. George Soros and his minions at Media Matters and now NPR have decided that dissent is evidence of intolerance and engaging anyone in its exercise is collaboration. Collaborators always get it for the worse. They wanted Juan Williams gone for being civil. They edited his comments and the axe fell.

George Soros and Media Matters and NPR have decided (or sold out) that they will not suffer dissent. Juan Williams was the first to walk the plank. In the end this is bigger than Juan Williams. This is the opening salvo in a conflict to define Free Speech and a Free Press. NPR has made its choice. It has decided to use a Free Press as a vehicle to limit its reach. Limited, that is by its narrow definition. NPR has made a deal that reeks with the odor of sulphur.

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