POLITICAL CORRECTNESS FIRES JAUN WILLIAMS

There has been much discussion about how political correctness will aid in the destruction of our Nation. PC has become ridiculous in insighting racial tension, appeasing enemies and now it has cost the job of a liberal but respected new analyst well know for his years with National Public Radio and as a Fox News Analyst.

Juan Williams appeared on the Bill O'Reilly show on Fox which is not unusual since Williams is a regular each week on the show and from time to time fills in as guest host for O'Reilly. O'Reilly had Williams as a commentator in a segment discussing his visit to the daytime show The View in which much has been made over O'Reilly's statement saying Muslims flew the planes on 9/11 which prompted Whoopie Goldberg and Joy Behar to walk off the set in protest.

O'Reilly had discussed his statement as telling it like it is rather than following the PC route which denies any association with 9/11, Muslims and Islam. When O'Reilly asked Williams what he thought of his comments, Williams agreed with O'Reilly and went on to say, "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."

An honest assessment which mirrors the thoughts of many Americans. An assessment which is not accusatory in its content but expresses a concern about a problem that we as a country face everyday, that of Muslim extremists and how their action on 9/11 and other occasions have changed how our country and our people view the Muslim world and Muslims in general. Williams assessment held nothing inflammatory or bigoted, just honest and open opinion.

Not according to NPR who announced that because of his comments on the O'Reilly show Williams long standing contract with Public Radio would be immediately terminated because, "His remarks on The O'Reilly Factor this past Monday were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR."

So much for Freedom of Speech. Jaun Williams is a liberal and the majority of the time I either disagree or question his assessments and opinions in commentary on Fox News. But I also recognize that while liberal, Williams is very reasonable and is not afraid of saying what he thinks even when it goes against the usual liberal rhetoric.

NPR has shown that free speech is only a concept recognized if the speech is in line with their left leaning political agenda. Since Williams did not follow the PC attitude toward Muslims and Islam in general his opinion no longer qualified as free speech but was rather a threat to NPR agenda and their consistent leftist ideals so his contract was terminated.

This too is consistent with the Obama administration and their response to anything that is not politically correct. NPR is publicly funded and has a reputation of being the voice of the left especially when the left is in charge of the government as it is now. There is no evidence that anyone in the administration called for or even suggested that Williams be fired for his comments. NPR's liberal policy was enough in itself to cause this reaction without any specific involvement by the administration. But I am quite sure that the administration approves of the move even though Williams has been a strong defender of Obama and Obama policy.

This is just another example of PC run amok, when even someone who defends the left cannot express his opinion that differs from the left without dire consequences to follow. While I am sure Fox News will likely offer Williams a position to make up for his loss with NPR, I would hope that this uncalled for reaction by NPR will open his eyes to the ridiculous and callus actions of the left. PC is destroying our Nation and Williams has been is latest victim.

Ken Taylor