To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man's life.
T. S. Eliot
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Juan Williams Termination by NPR: THUMBS DOWN!
Liberal Fox News contributor and NPR news analyst Juan Williams was fired over remarks made on the O'Reilly Factor Monday; Bill O'Reilly, for the umpteenth time, was reviewing his recent controversial book-plugging appearance on The View, when he linked Muslims (versus religious fanatics) with the 9/11 atrocities. Juan Williams, in fact, strenuously objected (as I have) to O'Reilly's use of religious identity versus 'terrorists' (Bill O'Reilly scoffs at the distinction as if it's political correctness gone amuck, but he is in a state of denial). But he does, early in the segment, admit at times when he flies on business and sees people identifying themselves more as a Muslim than an American, he gets nervous, something that reflects his own reaction to the events of 9/11.
Certain Muslim American activists took exception to Mr. William's expression of anxiety and demanded his termination. NPR fired Williams today, giving a typical bureaucratic/legalistic rationalization of William's termination, insisting it really had nothing to do with this incident, he had been repeatedly counseled, that what he said undermined his position as a news analyst, etc.; but the dishonorable NPR CEO, Vivian Schiller, made the thinly-veiled reality clear when she suggested earlier today that Juan Williams should discuss his anxiety with his psychiatrist or publicist; she later issued the obligatory apology, but unlike Williams, who was expressing the validity of his own feelings in the aftermath, Ms. Schiller had intentionally insulted someone whom has worked honorably at NPR for a decade. It was a clear violation of civility.
Other conservatives are calling for the end of subsidies to NPR; I've made my philosophy clear on issues like this. The press should be independent in fact and appearance from the government. A government subsidy violates that standard; we already have a vibrant free press and Internet.
One final note: I object in particular to reactions like Leor Maizel's, claiming that conservatives are applying double standards on objecting to the unjust, immoral, unconscionable firing (my wording) versus reactions to the Helen Thomas and Shirley Sherrod terminations. The issue was not whether, as a Lebanese American, Helen Thomas felt anxious in the presence of a Jew or Israeli , or whether Shirley Sherrod felt uncomfortable in dealing with whites after the murder of her father by white racists. Helen was espousing an ideological position against Israel; Shirley Sherrod had admitted to making decisions not based on professionalism, but on abusing her authority. My personal take is that even in the present, Shirley Sherrod seemed to relish having put this condescending white farmer in his place. Should she have been fired? Probably not, because she was not working for the government when this incident happened, although I think that working for the federal government is a privilege, not a right. If I had heard the story before her hiring, I probably would never have hired her.
Mormons Stripped From Scout Leadership Over Religious Differences? THUMBS DOWN!
The Supreme Court rightly ruled that voluntary associations like the Boy Scouts have the right to make their own rules of eligibility for leadership and membership. The Stokes near Charlotte, NC enrolled their 6- and 8-year-old sons in Cub Scouts pack affiliated with a Presbyterian church (Christ Covenant) and volunteered to be leaders. The local organization leadership was initially thrilled with their applications--until they noticed the religious affiliation of the family (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) They then rejected the applications although they were okay with the boys staying.
I am Catholic, not Mormon, and I have some theological differences with the Mormon faith. But as a former Boy Scout, I was taught to revere God and country. There was nothing doctrinal about reverence to God; in fact, I didn't know the religious affiliation of most fellow Scouts. I respect and honor those whom believe in God, abide by their faith and morals, and cherish the institution of family, values shared by Catholics and Mormons, whatever doctrinal differences; I feel the same way about Protestants, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and others. For this local affiliate to apply arbitrary criteria is, in my personal opinion, un-American and contrary to our heritage of religious tolerance. I hope the national leadership takes notice of these unconscionable criteria and takes action, up to and including revocation of the pack's charter, if necessary.
One of the reasons I'm mentioning this story is because Mitt Romney, a superb leader, former governor, and business executive, has come under fire, particularly by evangelical conservatives include Mike Huckabee, over his Mormon faith. I want to make it clear that I have no reservations about my willingness to support Mitt Romney, regardless of his personal faith, and I think the vast majority of the American people feel the same way. (Some 53% of the American people voted for Obama despite Rev. Jeremiah Wright as Obama's 20-year pastor; I'm sure most of Mitt Romney's clerical leaders love their country.)
Political Humor
A few originals:
- Jimmy McMillan, NY gubernatorial candidate for "The Rent Is Too Damn High" party, apparently doesn't pay rent himself. But Democratic nominee NY State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo figures that he has the experience angle on dealing with the New York legislature....
- Rand Paul (R-TN) is deeply insulted that Jack Conway is using a 30-year-old college prank involving an Aqua Buddha to question his religious faith. (Never mind there are more salient issues like 14.8 million Americans unemployed and a $1.3T deficit to discuss...) Kentucky State Attorney General Jack Conway doesn't believe the statute of limitations applies to college pranks, and as an experienced lawyer, he really does appreciate the reliability and value of hearsay involving a single, anonymous source. (I'm not sure, but Dan Rather may not agree that Jack Conway qualifies to be a news reporter...) Perhaps the Rand Paul campaign is checking into rumors Jack Conway gave wedgies or pulled guys' pants down back in his schooldays and questioning whether that constitutes a latent form of homosexuality...
On a more serious note, Rand: you honestly thought, despite your dad's many years as a Congressman and Presidential candidate, that politics wasn't nasty? Just take McCain: in 2000, there were rumors in South Carolina (where display of the Confederate flag seems to be a perpetual issue) that John McCain's foreign-born dark-skinned adopted daughter was really his love child from a black mistress; in 2008, there were rumors, published in the New York Times, that McCain had had an affair with a female lobbyist.
There are some suggestions that Rand Paul is pushing this because the attack ad has backfired on Conway. But I would have handled the situation differently; I may have said something like, "College kids often do stupid things on spring break or partying. But then they graduate, get a job, marry and have families of their own. I honestly don't remember the details of a lot of things I did 30 years ago; I'm sure I probably made some mistakes I wouldn't want my own teenage sons to repeat, but I'm not the same person I was then: I have a family and responsibilities. What we need to do is address the serious problems confronting America, not chasing after spurious 30-year-old allegations."
Musical Interlude: The "British Invasion" of the 1960s Series
Petula Clark, "My Love" (along with "Downtown", which I covered before this series, a personal favorite)
