His firing, of course. Moreover, he's entitled to his feelings and entitled to tell of them. Do you think that those who dare not publish cartoons of Mohammed are not similarly fearful?
Hi Jonathan: It is also worth noting that NPR took no action against Nina Totenberg back in 1995 when she suggested on PBS that it would be just if Jesse Helms would "get AIDS from a transfusion, or one of his grandchildren will get it." I was no fan of Helms, but that's a terrible thing to say about anyone -- and Juan Williams said nothing bad about Muslims; he merely told how he felt. It seems to me you're either in favor of free speech or you're not. NPR clearly is only in favor of approved speech.
I agree Frank. I just wasn't certain which side you were taking.
I'm puzzled and saddened at the recent (well it appears so to me at least) use of "offense" as justification for the limitation of speech - by both the Right and the Left. Free speech appears a less sacrosanct, and more partisan, concept than we like to acknowledge - at least in its application.
Frank, a sincere question:
ReplyDeleteWhat do you find disgraceful? His firing or his fear of sharing a common space with Muslims?
Regards,
His firing, of course. Moreover, he's entitled to his feelings and entitled to tell of them. Do you think that those who dare not publish cartoons of Mohammed are not similarly fearful?
ReplyDeleteHi Jonathan:
ReplyDeleteIt is also worth noting that NPR took no action against Nina Totenberg back in 1995 when she suggested on PBS that it would be just if Jesse Helms would "get AIDS from a transfusion, or one of his grandchildren will get it." I was no fan of Helms, but that's a terrible thing to say about anyone -- and Juan Williams said nothing bad about Muslims; he merely told how he felt. It seems to me you're either in favor of free speech or you're not. NPR clearly is only in favor of approved speech.
I agree Frank. I just wasn't certain which side you were taking.
ReplyDeleteI'm puzzled and saddened at the recent (well it appears so to me at least) use of "offense" as justification for the limitation of speech - by both the Right and the Left. Free speech appears a less sacrosanct, and more partisan, concept than we like to acknowledge - at least in its application.
Regards,
I'm with you, Jonathan. Let's keep it sacrosanct.
ReplyDelete