Bush cherry picks Juan Williams for an interview and NPR refuses
By John Amato Tuesday Sep 25, 2007 8:50pm
Very nice...There's a big reason why Bush chose Williams for an interview instead of who NPR wanted. Cheney used this technique for Meet the Press and made Russert look like a fool. It's called " Controlling the Message!"
Ellen Weiss, NPR's vice president for news, said she "felt strongly" that "the White House shouldn't be selecting the person." She said NPR told Bush's press secretary, Dana Perino, that "we're grateful for the opportunity to talk to the president but we wanted to determine who did the interview." When the White House said the offer could not be transferred to one of NPR's program hosts, Weiss took a pass.
Notice in the Kurtz piece he never talks about Williams being O'Reilly's chief apologist, but rather prints only his opinions that would seem to make him a good choice for the interview. Here's Williams comparing David Letterman to John Wayne Gacy, the clown killer, because he called BillO out and said "I have the feeling that about 60 percent of what you say is crap". (h/t MM for the video) I wish Juan stood up all the time like he does against Kristol on FNS.
Download | play Download | play Williams discussing Letterman
Download | play Download | play Letterman on O'Reilly
Dan Froomkin has his opinion and it's a good one.
How much control should the White House have over who gets to interview President Bush? Specifically, should Bush be able to dictate which journalists at which outlets he talks to?----Given how meticulously the White House picks and grooms Bush's audiences to avoid any unpleasantness, it should come as no surprise that the press office is very careful about who gets to interview Bush.---
Somewhat tellingly, Williams served as Bill O'Reilly's sympathetic foil during the Fox News anchor's bizarre quasi-racist rant last week about his visit to a black restaurant and his observation that, to his apparent surprise, the patrons weren't running around screaming like addled rappers.
Would other news organizations allow the White House to determine who on their staffs would be allowed to interview the president? Would any responsible newspaper accept such conditions? I hardly think so.
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Bush is shit.
Come on. Juan Williams has always been one of the Republicans' favorite kind of people- the Black man who lets the White man's words come out of his mouth, the ever-ready apologist for the vile Beltway "wisdom" who can be portrayed as a liberal because of the color of his skin.
He has made his decision, like Tweety and Blitzer, like Tucker and , well, everybody on TV news except Keith Olbermann, to keep his big house etc. and the devil take the rest of us.
He reminds me of my Uncle Tom. Really he does. No bull he does.
Remember all the town hall meetings Clinton had with the American people? When was the last time Boy King George had a town hall meeting with his subjects? Chimperor only meets with hand picked audiences, and only when he has too.
...Chimperor doesn't like mingling with the little people.
I hate doing this on any thread--but of great importance tonight is NBC/MSNBC is apoligizing to that dizzy congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (?)from Tenn., for the interview with David Schuster. I am really pissed. Go to www.TVNewswer. click on and then go over to the right hand column for Fishbowl DC, click on and the story reveals itself. Call NBC/MSNBC tomorrow and ask for the new head of MSNBC's office.
Re: Juan Williams, a waste of space--thank God, at least NPR stood up to the WH.
If Bush could push a button and have everyone who disagrees with him die a horrible linguring death, he would. He would grin while doing it.
Where is Armstrong Williams when we need him, i heard he doing discount these days.....
Juan's trying to hold on to that paycheck, regardless of whether or not he likes wearing the "House Negro" tag. Ugh
Good of them to refuse the interview, I'm only afraid that they wanted a right wing shill like Neil Conan, Mara Liasson or Cokie Roberts. Can you just imagine the softballs?
Well, Bush is willing to be flexible.
How about Britt Hume?
is this really a surprise? I had assumed they did this all along anyways, and by default they had by shutting out some news outlets with access to Bush?Cheney while granting it to The Sinclair group, WSJ and Faux.
Second choice - Alan Colmes.
There was a time in the distant past when NPR reporters did not also have major gigs with the commercial media too. Now there are all too many who do, and it brings their allegiances and objectivity into question way too often for me. I find the shift most noticeable in the case of Cokie Roberts, who has become much more biased in her "reporting." Juan Williams falls into the same boat. I don't trust his reporting to either provide depth or breadth.
I usually agree with Froomkin, but this statement boggles the mind:
The obvious answer to the first question is yes, without a doubt. We've been seeing this repeatedly for the last six years. The answer to the second question depends upon whether or not you think there are any responsible newspapers left.
sconset @ 6:
Poor old Marsha. If she really did work closely with the families of the fallen, she could have retaliated with the real name of the most recent casualty from her district. Stupid t**t.
"..O'Reilly fired back last night on his Fox News show -- with Williams at his side. Here's a video clip. Williams to O'Reilly: "They want to shut you up. They want to shut up anybody that has an honest discussion about race. . . . They want to marginalize you, Bill, they want to shut you up. . . ."
Uh,no Juan-they want Bill to come to terms with and apologize for,his own witless ignorance.In the "some of my best friends are black" equation,YOU Juan,are Bill's best friend.
Which upon reflection,is the perfect role for you.
Good for NPR, refusing the cherry-picked interviewer. I would love to hear Dubya interviewed my Diane Rehm. She does the best two hours daily in broadcast news and information, and she doesn't let her guests get away with not answering questions.
It'll never happen.
interviewed by Diane Rehm.
What could possibly be learned by interviewing Bush?
Isn't that kinda like paying him to speak after he retires? I mean, why would someone do such a thing?
On the Letterman clip, did Billo actually say "M-One-Six" in reference to the British agency "MI6"? Doesn't anyone vet him on these factoids he likes to randomly pop out in his blatant attempts to sound erudite?
BTW, I used to feel compassion for Juan Williams. However, he has sold his soul for the filthy lucre that seems to be the raison d'être of the Right.
Sigh... Why can't we impeach Bush and Cheney? ... and Gonzales? ...and Rice and Rumsfeld?!?! To me, impeachment of this criminal cabal is far, far more important than poor, pathetic, preening Billo.
Juan Williams. The definition of "sell-out". He used to sound halfway intelligent on NPR about 10 years ago, but now he's just pathetic. NPR (Nice Polite Republicans) has gone corporate-neo-con now as well...don't get me started on Cokie Roberts or Mara Liasson...ugh...
xoites defends Constitution @ 7:
Although in all fairness...
Remember that Twilight Zone episode where everyone in town has to scrape and bow before that little boy or else risk being sent to the "cornfield"?
If I could send the entire GOP to that cornfield...
I think Bill Moyers would be the only reasonable choice for a Bush interview. If Bill Clinton can take on Murdock pawn closet case Chris Wallace, Bush should be willing to go on with Moyers.
Question:would any other news organization allow the white house determine who is allowed to interview the president?
Answer :just tune into any propaganda conference with the president and golly gee he picks who, in fact may question him.I guess the free press can't think of any way to randomly pick questioners in the white house press room.That would be demeaning to our leader
Juan's a shill. Period.
xoites: you write what I try to say 99% of the time. So right. I mean 'correct'.
Curtilingus @ 20:
Excellent point. All the guy does is get petulant when asked a tough question that throws him off his talking points.
pinkobait @ 24:
That episode is the perfect analogy for how the press has rolled over for Bush and his cronies.
You know, I went to an Irish funeral the other day and was surprised that a drunken fist-fight didn't break out. Huh.
O'Reilly is a real piece of work.
C&L is covering my pet peeves today. First, the Fox-lite Toady Show with Matt Lauer. Now, it's the conservative NPR. People's thinking NPR is liberal is a kind of mass hypnosis. Listen to Talk of the Nation. It's wall-to-wall Republican propaganda. And the man whose ego can be seen from space, Scott Simon, is another who makes believe we're lucky to have Bush as president. Simon also gets all nostalgic and ooky for Richard Nixon. Tom Ashbrook does a very conservative call-in show in Boston. NPR's been banging the drum from the beginning for the invasion, the occupation, the embedded journalists, the eternal fake war. Love Terry Gross, though. And Wait, Wait. And KCRW podcasts. The rest is dreck.
Juan says Billo's being on Letterman waslike being invited by John Wayne Gacy?
I thought it was more like that French movie "The Dinner Guest" when these people each invited an idiot to a dinner party so they could make fun of them all night...
nice cries of "Uncle tom" and "House Negro," wheres the "oreo" or other thinly veiled racist quips? Juan williams calls out the conservatives every day on fox news, its a shame he doesnt act "black" enough for the likes of C&L's most likely almost all white audience. (you do realize that having an expectation as to how a black person should act or think is inherently racist right?)
About billo and his rants...
I don't have a problem with this particular rant of his and I think it isn't an issue to push for us progressives. What he was doing was talking to his base .. which happen to be made up largely of racists. To me he says 'hey racists in the audience, open your eyes - people of color aren't all bad apples". You have to start a discussion somewhere. So I'm with Juan on this.
raker @ #32
Makes me long for Michael Krasney from San Francisco's KQED or Larry Bentsky from Berkeley's KPFA...
Williams is the Clarence Thomas of NPR, a sell out who lives for the favors of White Conservatives by legitimizing their positions by uncritically restating their talking points.
Even the White House knows he's a gutless suck up.
I've been teetering about Juan Williams for a while now but finding out that he's a defender of O'Reilly tips his bus over int the abyss of suck-up journalists. I honestly think that the big reason the GOP has dominated politically over he last 30 years is because the damn journalists want to be famous and they want to hang out with the rich and powerful people they cover - with backside kisses. I can handle anybody who's not willing to be channeled into a well-worn political rut but if you want to claim the iconoclast laurel crown, championing the likes of Bill O'Reilly ain't going to help. William's toga is so poorly draped that is ass is free to the wind. Juan, at least suck up to somebody with a brain!
And I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who can't abide Neil Conan. Pisses me off, I haven't been able to listen to
Talk of the Nation since he took over. AndMara Liason lost my confidence when she joined up with the GOP during Clinton's impeachment.
If it wasn't for the Friday News Roundup on Friday morning and Garrison Keilor and the Car Talk guys, NPR would be in danger of losing my pledge money. Hell, Keilor is the only NPR person who you can depend on to not be sucked in by the GOP. Okay, maybe the Whattaya Know guy too..
Milo
John Witherspoon @ 34:
Dude. You picked out 2 comments out of almost 40 on this thread. Nothing like painting with a broad brush. Bottom line. The man is a shill. Period!
The very fact that Bush wanted Wiliams and wouldn't budge should tell you all you need to know about Williams.
Juan Williams is really annoying. He interviewed Colin Powell some time ago and gave him a free pass. I really disliked him when he did Talk of the Nation during the Florida recount. I haven't read "Eyes on the Prize," but I loved the program on PBS. I was surprised to find out that he wrote the companion book for the series. He is extremely frustrating...and, I may be mistaken, but I think he wrote some real favorable stuff about Clarence Thomas during the Anita Hill hearings. He's a poor excuse for a journalist. No wonder Bush has cherry-picked him. Now if Tavis Smiley interviewed Bush...oh well, it will never happen.
The coward picks his audience:
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/shared-blogs/ajc/luckovich/entries/20...
From www.answers.com/topic/juan-williams:
"When Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas was defending sexual harassment charges in 1995, Williams was supportive of him in his writings and on television. He also defended Thomas when Williams appeared on Crossfire as a co-host to Pat Buchanan. But Williams found himself the subject of news stories and facing verbal sexual harassment charges from female Post employees. The charges resulted in disciplinary actions and an apology from Williams."
John Witherspoon @ 34:
Maybe you prefer the more politically correct: Mr. Williams is a black man supporting the policies of a political party, the GOP, which pro actively undermines the interests of the African American at large in exchange of an easy monetary reward. So Mr.
The president of the United States is accountable to the American people -- who are his employers and who pay his salary BTW -- and as such it is part of his job to answer questions from both the media and private citizens whether he likes it or not. This fucktard must think he is the King of the confederacy, because not only does he refuse any sort of non-preapproved interview, he even wants to bring his own house Negro to ask questions only deemed appropriated by the king in advance.
And then like clock work, we get the merry guys who get their panties all twisted in fake indignation when the sad truth is pointed out, so they go out of their way to build yet another massive straw man argument while trying to hide their intellectual dishonesty behind the canard of racism.
And then it dawns on me... Watching this MO happen over and over again helps me understand why and how we ended up in this race to the bottom downward spiral.
Keep it up idiots, we are almost right over the drain, a couple more circles around it and we will be fully flushed.
Mr. Williams is a house negro not because he fails to do something ("act black" whatever that is), he is an Uncle Tom because he does a very specific thing: shill for his masters.
Juan Williams, Kirsten Powers and Laura Schwartz are horrible. Fox "liberals" are always ready to take a dive
jr @ 45:
Two words: allen colmes.
Gawd, if I live to be a hundred (not quite half way there . . . yet), I hope I NEVER live through another presidency where such pains are taken to keep a petulant, overgrown-boy-leader from the slightest inkling of a disapproving voice or a dissenting view. What an utter embarrassment that the handlers of this Administration take such excruciating painst to prevent GWB from being exposed to any soul who disagrees with him.
Mr. Williams should not have his contract renewed at NPR, what a pathetic lapdog for Fox News to banty about, their Clarence Thomas of the staff. Good for NPR's management, the softballs Williams lobs will put one to sleep, completely spineless.
George Bush should speak at Tehran University like his Islamic counterpart.
"Mr. Williams is a house negro not because he fails to do something (”act black” whatever that is), he is an Uncle Tom because he does a very specific thing: shill for his masters."
Uh, you are just plain wrong. Juan Williams is the most liberal voice on fox. Sure that isn't saying a whole lot, but if you look thru the vids on this site which feature Juan, the vast majority are of him shooting down republicans on fox. Essentially you are saying that because he is black he has to be a democrat, which is inherently racist. If I called Obama an uncle tom because he shills for the DNC, thereby shilling for his white "masters", I would be racist. The fact is political discourse in nuanced. Lambasting everyone in the media who doesn't agree with your viewpoint all the time makes you a bigoted fanatic.
a guy @ 46:
Fox "liberals" are to the left as white "black face" actors are to the African American community.
Snowball @ 30:
Scary though huh Snowball?Bush is that creepy little boy...*cue the twilight zone music*
Why the hell would it be a surprise to anyone, why Bush insisted on Juan, to interview?
It is very clear to black America why he would want a safe negro to speak to him about black issues, especially in today's climate.
Juan is not going to make that segment of white America uncomfortable as 90% of black America of today would not mind doing for them and nor would he want to raise up and slap the hate out of them so I would say that Juan is a safe bet for the Bush bigots of today.
John Witherspoon @ 50:
Thanks for proving my point about the straw man argument... I never claimed that African Americans need be Democrats. Is like claiming that since I said that Jews who belong to the Nazi party were in fact siding with people who were pro active in "undermining" the interest of the jewish community. That is a simple fact, however how you get to twist that to put words in my mount by claiming that all Jews have/must be communist is not only beyond laughable, but as I claim earlier... intellectually dishonest (so thanks for proving that point also).
The shiniest part of a feces is still that: shit. Pointing that out is not biased. The fact that does not fit with your agenda is your problem, but please don't waste your time insulting my intelligence trying to convince me about the nutritive qualities of shinny shit.
Can you construct anything that is not intellectually dishonest and has to resort to the canard of racism as if that sort of makes your point any more valid? Your approach is fucking weak other wise...
The most liberal voice on Fox still cashes their paycheck. Kudos to PBS.
Mr. Williams has often revealed a couple traits:
He fights back, but limply. Hoards of facts are at his disposal to make his points, and yet he seems to not know what google is.
When he dares make a point and is confronted, he generally chuckles and ends the debate. Anything thrown in his face will distract him.
In short: Juan Williams is a very good Fox News reporter.
NRP Under Fire For Not Accepting Bush Choice Williams As Interviewer
A journalistic bro-ha-ha has broken out — one that would never have arisen just a few years ago. Slowly, yet inexorably, a basic journalistic tenet has been weakened…but not destroyed.
At issue: whether NPR showed political bias, arroganc...
NRP Under Fire For Not Accepting Bush Choice Williams As Interviewer
A journalistic bro-ha-ha has broken out — one that would never have arisen just a few years ago. Slowly, yet inexorably, a basic journalistic tenet has been weakened…but not destroyed.
At issue: whether NPR showed political bias, arroganc...
Mugsy @ 31:
I can't help dissolving into laughter at such stupefying comedy.
How ironic for a man to take himself so seriously only to act the simpleton.
Personally, I'd like to see Amy Goodman of Democracy now get the gig...
but Terry Gross would do an excellent job as well. Some real journalism might just get made then.
Not at all surprising...again. This administration is so full of liars and traitors, they absolutely do NOT want to be challenged in the open. They are like lurking rats who refuse to be brought out in the daylight.
I have gained a bit more respect for Juan recently, but he still has a looooong way to go before I would consider him anything more than a "slow learner" to the poison of this neocon fascism we are faced with today. He's not THERE yet. Give him a few more gun battles with the goons at the propaganda network and he may get in touch with reality enough to be trusted.
Proof that Juan Williams is a douche.
"Williams said yesterday he was 'stunned' by NPR's decision. 'It makes no sense to me. President Bush has never given an interview in which he focused on race. . . . I was stunned by the decision to turn their backs on him and to turn their backs on me".
Stunned? Williams is a well paid Tom, but he's not stupid.
He should move to Hollywood if he wants to play act without insulting people's intelligence.
I wonder what would happen if Bush were introduced by a US university president as a "ruthless maniac who is responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people".
Would Toby Keith attack him and say "he's disrrrespecting arrrrr pres'nit"?
O'Reilly on Letterman:
"M one six"
It's M I 6!
I for idiot!
JM @ 18:
Rehm = good??? Please. She lobs softballs with the best of them.
(City Paper did a great takedown of her years ago but they don't seem to have it online.)
Who would I like to see interview George Bush (mostly non-American):
- Steven Colbert (he'd trip him into some absolute absurdest trap) - but after the White House press corps presentation, you know he's not in the WH rolodex.
- Jon Snow (UK Channel 4)
- Jeremy Paxman (BBC Newsnight)
- Naomi Klein
- Any of the "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" cast from the CBC - but Rick Mercer or Mary Walsh would be the best
- Rex Murphy from the CBC
- Ashleigh Banfield
- Amy Goodman
- A redux with that Irish interviewer...she was tough
I know I have heard it before but cannot remember the details. Please, someone, refresh my memory as to why O'lieley is wrong when he lays the burdain for the Iraq war on the intelligence failures of the CIA, British Intelligence, Israeli Intelligence, Etc. I know that the Neo Cons wanted to take down Sadam as of the late 90's. This is written in PNAC's website (at least last time I looked it was, about a year ago). I know that Bush Jr. had a vendetta to fill because Iraqi secret police made a try on his father's life in Kuwait. I know there is a lot of oil in the mideast. ETC., ETC., ETC.... There are plenty of reasons why Bush would go into Iraq apart from "WMD's". This is all circumstantial. What I want to hear is a destruction of O'liely's EXCUSE for why Bush went into Iraq based on weapons of mass destruction. You see, I, like Letterman, do not have the command of the facts enough to shoot O'Liely down. Obviously, the David Letterman Show is not the place for this to happen and David Letterman is not the person to do it (he admits such). But, Letterman, as I, knows enough to know that Bill O'Reilley is full of Sh-t. At least 60%. So I am pleading with somebody with command of the facts to shred O'Reilley's lame defense of Bush-as-victim of poor intelligence. Let us hear the details of the Downing Street Memos, reciently released info form the former leader of Spain, etc. A link to a relevant article would suffice if you do not want to take it on. Why is O'Reilley full of it when he says this. Thank you.
A couple of years ago I was in a rental car in DC listening to Christian Right Radio in sick fascination, as I often do on business trips. To my surprise, there was Juan Williams doing a advertising spot promoting "Concerned Women Today", the daily screed of Concerned Women for America. I suspect he recorded it when he went on the show to promote one of his books, but man, what a shock. I've never thought the same of him since I heard him extoll the virtues of Beverly LaHaye.
My quite alot of this O Rielly feller of late.
Could it be that his ratings have made it from the toilet flush to the sewage treatment plant?
I saw Juan Williams at the Bloody Sunday March in Selma back in the spring. He looked painfully out of his element and very much alone in a crowd of thousands that had just crossed over the Edmund Pettis Bridge. I asked my husband if that was Juan Cole just to be an asshole. Not very charitable on my part, but I really wish the guy would grow some cajones, lasso some courage...something! He didn't seem to have a camera crew or anything...like he was just there to participate. I credit him that. Attendance. It was overall quite a thing to participate in.
What's really sad, and underreported, is that NPR has asked for 7 years for an interview with Bush and they've refused. Pretty pathetic.
Kudos to NPR for choosing integrity. And Frankly, I could really care less what Bush has to say. He's an A-hole and an idiot.
In that clip where Juan Williams is on "The Factor" and coming to BO's defense, he said (paraphrasing closely) that's like inviting someone into your home and when you get there you discover it's John Wayne Gacy (!!). That immediately brought to mind Columbia's/Bollinger's invitation to Ahmadenijad and his subsequent not-so-diplomatic introduction of the guy. Was Williams outraged by that, I wonder? Bill O isn't a journalist (although he wants people to think he is) and Letterman is a showman who hosts an entertainment program, and is known for giving some of his guest a bit of a rough time. Columbia is an institution of higher learning where people can debate international relations and foreign policy and nuclear arms and so forth. And Ahmadenijad may be quite a loon, and a distinctly undemocratic one at that (as I think he is), but he is nonetheless the prez of Iran. If you're gonna invite the guy to speak/discuss things at your school, at least give him a plain, neutral intro, no???
a guy @ 29:
It's a waste of airwaves. Can't they find some South Park re-runs and cancel the president? He's not going to say anything new, just look at the camera and tell us about bloodthirsty terra-iss; hide your children. And Letterman is ever the statesman; 60% was VERY generous.
Bill @ 65:
Yeah. Great journalistic stuff.
Juan Williams is certifiable.
I'm not impressed with NPR, because every single time I tune in NPR is propagandizing for the fascists. Without fail.
This is a good sign. The press is beginning to recognize that Bush is a "lame duck" president. Poor boy Bush, no one wants to listen to what he says anymore. It's getting more difficult for boy Bush to find an audience.
Juan Williams is a disgrace to journalism. His softball fawning interview of Bush was pathetic. He so much wants to be one of the 6 or 7 figured Kool Kids in the Beltway he's willing to grovel.
The only reason to pay any attention to mainstream press is to catch the official line (lie).
...
Tavis Smiley would be a great interviewer
BillO knows by now that he gets ambushed on Letterman, and rightly so, because BillO does the same to innocent interviewees who just want to be heard. I would like to see Letterman cut Bill's mike...
Good for NPR for refusing to let the White House pick their lapdog for the interview! Next step: recognize that if your reporter is too partisan to handle an interview in an impartial and professional manner, maybe he ought to go work someplace else...
John Witherspoon @ 50:
Heh,..that's like saying you're proud to be the tallest midget
I have not read all the comments above, but maby cherry picking Juan is a good sign. Maby Bush and his advisors have realized that the president can only look silly giving cred to BOR or Hannity or any other obviously right wing neocon crazy.
Does the White House also control who the President can play with after work is over, or is that still Laura's responsibility?
Juan Williams is the newest of Bushit's Field Negroes.
I am new to the US. I was always told that the people from the Left were "caring, understanding and progressive". But all that I have read here from this Left have been spewing hate, rancor and vitriol. This is not the action of people who care or understand is it? Is this new or progressive?
Akira @ 88:
Because WE, as opposed to the Democratic "leaders" know that you have to fight fire with fire.
I just wish the media would replay Bush's interview with Tim Russert early on in this war. Bush was breathtakingly juvenile and stupid in the interview. I watched the early version because it was edited to be shown at a later time.
The MSM should also revisit some of Bush's early press conferences. He makes a sane person shudder to the core with his banality and plain stupidity.
We saw Clinton hug Monica a hundred times a day for three years. We didn't see Reagan shake his finger at the camera and claim that we did not sell weapons to our enemies over and over and we certainly don't see Bush's lies over and over.
Revisionist history used to take some time to establish. Now, it is instant revisionism.
Akira @ 88:
"I am new to the US. I was always told that the people from the Left were “caring, understanding and progressive”. But all that I have read here from this Left have been spewing hate, rancor and vitriol. This is not the action of people who care or understand is it? Is this new or progressive?"
This is reminiscent of a rouse played on the right that passion and reason are mutually exclusive within an individual.
The facts are simple: the overwhelming majority of this country wants the war in Iraq ended, and we elected people who have the power to end the war. Instead, they are all thumbing their noses at us while our sons and daughters are dying - dying depsite the people's unequivical instructions that the war is to stop.
What should we do now that our only recourse (i.e., the electroral process) has failed? Continue asking politely that our will be followed so people can remark on how wonderfully civl we all are?
Anger is warranted, and we are appropriately angry.
(I do question whether Juan is getting a little more than his fair share of anger in this thread. however!)
Akira,
The fact that you are new to America explains your lack of understanding of the frustration and fear about the direction of our country that has sparked the "hate, rancor and vitriol" that you see.
You completely missed the Republican's attack of Bill Clinton and the destruction of the healthy economy and budget that Clinton provided us. You missed the arc of lies that led us into this disastrous, illegal war in Iraq. America used to take pride in the statement, "America will never be the first to start a war". Now, under Bush, "Pre-emptive War" is our national directive.
Most Progressives are humanist and caring.... that said, the embers of anger are building and people are finding their strident voices. I, for one, am glad to see the stuporous fog lifting and people speaking truth to power. Even if that truth is couch in terms of anger.
Screw juan williams!!!
Any black man that votes republithug doesn't deserve to be black. He should be painted white so we all know what he truely is.
Punk ass sell-out.
Like Hillery choosing Baba Walters to be the news person to discuss the problems she and Bill had over Monica?
Given NPR's staff, I think the Prez wanted someone who spoke English to interview him.
Juan Williams is the newest of Bushit’s Field Negroes.
You mean "House Negroes" don't you? Cause I am a Field Negro and I take exception to being classified with the likes of this Lawn Jockey.
Poor, poor Uncle Juan!
Poncho@ 92
"Like Hillery choosing Baba Walters to be the news person to discuss the problems she and Bill had over Monica?"
1. That was discussing a marital problem, not that state of the nation. When it's a personal matter (or at least should be), I think it makes a little more sense to choose the interviewer.
2. Barbara Walters does not work for NPR, in case your trying to ply the liberal media bias nonsense.
"Given NPR’s staff, I think the Prez wanted someone who spoke English to interview him."
Ahh - a little xenophobia thrown in for flavor. Nice touch......
Brandon Wolner @ 93:
Here's the last comment Brandon Wolner left on this site:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/16/emmy-awards-sally-field-censore...
Note that he is apparently a conservative Republican. Now he's leaving comments that his wingnut friends can point to and say, "See? Those liberals are racists!"
Amuzon @ 98:
I did the same thing you believe you did with me. I pointed out the problem with sally faking it.
Thanks for being on top of things.
Juan Williams is a tool and a hack, as is Alan Colmes.
This is clearly an attempt at Republican damage control regarding the African-American vote. After the leading Republican prez candidates snubbed the black college debate and suffered the fallout, the head Republican attempts to be seen talking to a black man, but one who will be cordial and won't ask any difficult questions.
Necadawg @ 3:
You mean, Uncle JUAN
Curtilingus @ 20:
Well, more people might learn just how far America has fallen
that a guy like Bush can be elected President.
On the other hand ....
Juancho Panza @ 94:
I could not resist this one, to say that my grand child would be a step up to Bush, because she can't even talk yet, but speaks better english then Bush
Actually a couple of points. One, do people notice how Juan constantly refers to Bill O' as "Mr. O'Reilly" and "sir." You never hear the other pundits so formal--what's up with that? Second, Juan has really transformed recently. When he initially started off on the "fair and balanced" debate team opposite host Brit Hume, he was at least somewhat reasonable. These days he's just a walking contradiction and just a puppet for Fox News.
Frybread @ 1:
wow. these comments are weak and ill-founded. Juan Williams is a great promoter of civil equality. of course, it is so hip by now to down pres. bush. down w/ the establishment. haha, yeah it's so GROOVY to rebel against the institution. gag.
Brandon Wolner @ 93:
Do you know how ignorant you sound. first of all, learn how to spell "truly". Second of all, you have just contributed to an incorrect stereotype by associating all African Americans with the Democratic Party. To indicate that someone does not deserve to be of a certain race because of how they vote is unbelievably racist. Congratulations igno.
You people are hysterical. Truely hysterical. If GWB were one-tenths as bad as you all say, you'd have all been taken out back and shot years ago.
You profess 'tolerance' but are far more intolerant than anyone else - your 'tolerance' only goes so far as someone agrees perfectly with you. You profess 'diversity' but allow not one hit of intellectual diversity - your 'diversity' only goes so far as someone's skin color but excludes the least hint of independent thought (and for any minority person who does think independently, your racism far exceeds any other group).
Quintessential hypocites, the lot of you.
It isn't so much that Juan is a so-called "Uncle Tom", as it is that he is agrees with the President's views, yet at the same time, being in the demographic that they would like to tap. He is essentially being used by the White House Administration - and it is very clear because they PICKED HIM to do the interview. They know his views and they know he is safe.
So, the travesty is not that he is black, the travesty is that the Administration wants to control who asks the questions. That, in it of itself tells you there is nothing to learn by the interview - unless all you want to learn is Bush's message rather than true journalism with integrity that would never let that occur.
Juan Williams loses his integrity as a journalist when he chooses to be a pawn for the Administration. To me, he is just a Republican talking head on Fox. I have no idea why NPR still keeps him. His integrity has been compromised, just like all the whites, blacks, latinos, or any other color of person that would allow themselves to be "picked" and used to create "a message" rather than real journalism piece.
Quite honestly, I haven't seen any true journalism in a long long time. The deal is that you are cut off if you ask the wrong questions. They are all essentially "afraid" to ask questions. So, what we get is garbage. They all want to get and keep the information for their next book. Sad, really.
def guru @ 108:
What does that have to do with commenting on this article? I think you trick yourself into thinking that we are all in agreement. This is the internet, anyone can comment. So, grouping us together as "the lot of you" is the kind of "independent thought" that you speak about? Very funny, indeed. err.
And since you are not commenting on the article, let me make a comment to you - Let's face it, there are hypocrites in the world, and you - along with the other intolerant posters - are one of them.
Believe me, GWB is more than 1/10th as bad as you might think. Sorry you haven't been watching the wealth disparity widen, or the killings in Iraq, or the biggest spending President of our times, the largest government of our times, and the one of the Administration who says that "deficits don't count", all the while of borrowing money from China to fund our War, losing billions of dollars by shipping large quantities of cash to Iraq, losing hundreds of thousands of weapons - completely missing, and let's not get into the impossible corruption.
Never underestimate the power of reducing the income of the poor so they only think about their own survival. Never underestimate the power of labeling protesters as "nuts" on the news, and never underestimate the power of large companies that control the message on TV. Couple that with trying to cut funding on educational programs. You get a stupid population obsessed with E! or stars and celebrity. Reduce our in-depth knowledge and complicate the governmental process so much that no one has time for more than a sound bite.
This system sucks, and simply allowing the President to continue this "plan" is far more ridiculous that the irate bunch posting here. If you can get people to not believe in dinosaurs (evolution), then you can make them do, or not do, anything.
I think the people here are sick of it. Rage comes out when you feel out of control. Protest and you get treated like a crazy hippie troop hater. The news cast will find the most outrageous nut jobs and run with it. No one wants to hear the truth. Quite brilliant, really.
I find it interesting that as this administration nears the end of its disastrous time in office, Bush is reduced to "asking" to appear on programs.
Why is it that whenever a black man is not a democrat, he MUST be an Uncle Tom? Can't a black man have an opinion that varies from the Democratic party?
To view the rebuttal of Juan Williams and Bill O’Reilly in regards to comments made by CNN, go to thirdrailradio.com
Molly captures the pulse of the C&L forums, but misses the important point that even if Juan doesn't always serve the interests of C&L, that does not make him a shill for the enemy; he could support the vast majority of C&L ideas - but not all, and by engaging in dialogue with conservatives he may win some over, expose others to new ideas, and change the terms of debate. C&L recently hosted a clip showing Juan scoring big time against Hume and Wallace on Fox, so the proposed argument of this article is either weak, narrow or short-sighted.
Leading one's political agenda serves an important role, but there must be a middle ground where things get done, otherwise there would be a political agenda civil war. When solutions are needed, rage works against you by alienating those with savvy and persuasion. Vent, but realize rage hurts your long term goals, and do not dwell in darkness.
Brandon Wolner @ 99:
How about everyone not ever mentioning Brandon Wolner's name again, and not ever responding to his comments? He crawls onto various websites he doesn't agree with just to derail the debate and get attention. He trots out the same comments and links, as if he actually thinks no one has ever heard of these talking points before. He thrives on the attention and on being a pest. Just ignore him and don't mention his name again.
This guy pretending to be "Brandon Wolner" is a well known spoofer. He also calls himself Quigon, Brian Johnson and BJ Richardson - these last 2 are likely stolen nyms as well. For the last 15 years he has routinely lost arguments in sports newsgroups and his way of dealing with it is to spoof the person who won the argument. The real "Branden Wolner" made him look foolish 12 years ago and he is still spoofing him to this day. He's mentally unstable. Best off to ignore him.
Molly
You are factually mistaken. While the income gap may well be increasing, the poor are not doing worse. They are doing better than ever. It is just that the rich are doing better at a faster clip.
If things are going good, the proficient will do better quicker. When things are going bad, the poor get screwed soonest. The only way to eliminate disparities is to level off the top, which will hurt everyone (the poor will be hurt the most).
Rage away all you want, but perhaps you ought to just grow up a bit. And then you can refocus on something that might actually lead to helping the poor.
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