Friday, January 7, 2011

NPR and journalism.........who can ever trust them?

Ellen Weiss, the NPR executive who fired news analyst Juan Williams by phone in October, resigned Thursday just as NPR's Board of Directors released recommendations based on an independent review of the incident. NPR released two statements Thursday, both the board's recommendations and news about Weiss's departure. And each statement mentions the other. Still, NPR spokeswoman Anna Christopher told The Cutline that "these are two distinct pieces of news."

I think that's pretty odd.  Their story seems to be that Ellen Weiss (who's been at NPR since 1982) didn't resign BECAUSE a board "released recommendations"  but she did fire Juan Williams in a horrid way, a board made a 'recommendation or two' and she resigned..."two distinct pieces of news,"  according to NPR.  How does ANYBODY believe this type of company?  

HERE is the whole article, not much more information there, but you get the drift.  By the way, NPR's Vivian Schiller is staying though she said Juan Williams should talk to his psychiatrist.   She got no 2010 bonus, but she keeps her job.  She probably told Weiss to fire him, too, as Weiss's superior, but I can't make that claim, obviously.  Ms Schiller apologized...but NOT to Juan Williams.   Nina Totenberg's still at NPR though she said Jesse Helms and his grandchildren should get AIDS, but...........that didn't seem to upset Schiller, who says: "..... she has no problem with people taking controversial positions, but that such opinions should not come from NPR reporters or news analysts. Williams, Schiller said, is a news analyst, not a commentator or column."

It's difficult to understand that people can trust the npr brand and constantly insult FOX (which had the good sense to hire Williams as yet another liberal contributor).
z

43 comments:

Always On Watch said...

NPR's Vivian Schiller is staying though she said Juan Williams should talk to his psychiatrist.

She's a qualified mental-health expert?

Chuck said...

I think the only thing left is to start the process of defunding them.

Ducky's here said...

Constantly talking about an organizations bias says as much about the commenter as the organization. No?

Anonymous said...

Schiller's neck isn't that secure. Her turn will come eventually.

The Duck probably is hanging crepe & in mourning for them today.

Silvrlady

Sam Huntington said...

There is no surprise here. The primary qualification for working at NPR is hating America.

BB-Idaho said...

NPR was substantially defunded during the Reagan administration. Since I
don't care for talk radio, rap and rock, I listen in my truck (ever hear 'Car Talk?) Funding? ..see the
list of corporate sponsors and donors.

FrogBurger said...

I tried to listen to NPR a few times but I really can't take their shows. Feels like I'm with a bunch of intellectuals who are masturbating their brains all the time and are proud of the mere fact they're trying to think and overcomplicate things.

It's as though they have to speak in a certain way to sound intelligent and deep. It gets on my nerves.

FrogBurger said...

She's a qualified mental-health expert?

They think they are. They are experts in everything. From science to literature to psychology to economics. People at NPR know it all. That's how it feels when you listen to them.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

I'm wondering what constitutional purpose federal funding of NPR serves. Anyone?

Anonymous said...

BB, I adore Click & Clack! I get them in the car (I live in the extreme hinterlands) on Sat. morning. They are the best excuse I know for driving at that time. Did you ever see their performance at Carnegie Hall on 60 minutes years ago? It was hysterical, especially when the nun came up on the stage. They prove there are at least rational people in
Mass.

Silvrlady

FrogBurger said...

I'm wondering what constitutional purpose federal funding of NPR serves. Anyone?

Easy answer. It's in line with:
- General welfare. Makes people smarter hence they feel better.
- Freedom of speech. People need to be smarter (our kind of smart) to be allowed to speak
- Commerce clause. Just because the commerce clause is great to allow whatever we leftist like.

How's that?

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Frogburger,

Your imitation of the prospective leftist response is missing the requisite exasperated sound of whiny mouth-breathing and slurping back drool. Perhaps it doesn't display well in written form. :)

The actual answer is there is no constitutional purpose for federal funding of NPR.

Anonymous said...

The commentary on NPR is quieter, more erudite, and less appealing to emotionality than RUSH, GLENN, SAVAGE, HANNITY, INGRAHAM. It is also more polite to interviewees than O'REILLY, who is a bully and a boor.

HOWEVER, the commentary on NPR tends to be supercilious and snide. It's as though everyone on their panel shows were "in" on something the general public couldn't possibly understand.

SO, while rightwing talk radio may be BOORISH and lacking in subtlety, it's opposite, NPR, is decidedly SNOBBISH, CONCEITED, ARROGANT and so CLOSED-MINDED it's a wonder their commentators don't suffocate from lack of oxygen in their brains.

Mockery, snideness, condescension, and inability or unwillingness to show respect for those with whom you disagree are all signs of intellectual inadequacy.

Though their styles of delivery differ greatly, BOTH sides display these undesirable characteristics a lot.

It's easier to mock, scorn, deride, rudely interrupt and shout over one's opponents than it is to refute them calmly with well chosen facts and sincere, heartfelt analysis.

Look at the difference between someone like Anthony Weiner or Charles Schumer and someone like Paul Ryan or Lamar Alexander, and you can't help but see exactly what I mean. Weiner's performance on Hannity last night is a classic example of rudeness, aggressive mockery and hyper-emotionality run amok.

The bias at NPR is so obvious and so thick you could cut it with a knife. That NPR receives funds from TAXPAYERS is particularly galling. Right wing talk radio is every bit as biased in another direction, BUT at least it does not PRETEND to be "objective."

NPR's claims to serve the interests of truth and justice when in fact it is appallingly smug, intolerant, pointedly unfair, sarcastic and self-righteous. That makes NPR one of the most dishonest forces abroad.

Rightwing Talk Radio may be loud, abrasive and at times vulgar, cheap and obvious, BUT at least it's not DISHONEST about its intentions.

Still an honest person ought to acknowledge that there's a lot of room for improvement in ALL venues of public discourse.

~ FreeThinke

FrogBurger said...

GREAT comment FT.

It's because the lefty intelligentsia doesn't have a key value: COURAGE.

Courage of admitting their opinion and agenda and courage of accepting the consequences of the agenda.

Courage of living up to their principles and the moral they're trying to impose on the people.

Courage of admitting they're wrong when the RESULTS show they're wrong

Z said...

AOW, amazing, isn't it. And then not to apologize to Williams?

Chuck, fingers crossed.

Ducky...what?

Mustang, so true...

Anonymous; it's hard for leftwingers to see their heroes exposed.

BB- the hypocrisy is hilarious. A friend's daughter is very leftwing and was going on and on about how wonderful npr is and I finally said "How would YOU like it if Hannity got public funding for HIS show?" Shut her right up.

FB, that's the left..smug and sure. it's finally backfiring.

Beamish, as I said, they sure wouldn't be happy with Hannity publicly funded.

SilvrLady, are they on npr?

Sam, I think you're right..that's what appeals to their listeners.

FT, I agree with most of what you said. I saw Weiner, too, and never cease to be astonished at his smug sarcasm and nastiness...he's a REAL piece of work, isn't he.
Yes, people think that if you talk low and deeply, you're BRIGHT! As IF.

Anonymous said...

Z, they are on the Pub. Radio channel. When NPR 'news' or the Praire Home man, a raving liberal, show up I turn it off.

Believe it or not, Click & Clack are 2 car mechanics with a garage & great senses of humor who graduated from MIT!!! Where I live they are on from 9-10 Sat. mornings. Tom & Ray Magliozzi. They also occasionally give 'marital' advice (!?!?), tongue in cheek, since there are some exes somewhere.

Silvrlady

Anonymous said...

Car Talk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Show|Hosts|Click and...|ReferencesCar Talk is a radio talk show broadcast weekly on National Public Radio stations throughout the United States and elsewhere. Its subjects are automobiles and repair, and it often takes...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Talk - Cached


Silvrlady

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Mockery, snideness, condescension, and inability or unwillingness to show respect for those with whom you disagree are all signs of intellectual inadequacy.

On the other hand, Verne Troyer shouldn't get in the ring with Randy Couture and expect not to get thrashed anymore than a Ron Paul supporter should reasonably expect to fare well in a discussion of geopolitics with, well, anybody who's never smoked crack.

BB-Idaho said...

1.5% of NPR funds derive from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, the other 98.5% coming from donors and sponsors(see list link, my comment above) like McDonalds, many of the 27 million weekly listeners, numerous
corporations....and Fox
Network!! Cutting fed funding will save the taxpayers roughly $6 million (and lower y'alls
blood pressure)

Z said...

so, BB, how would you like to know $10 of your money was going to Hannity or Limbaugh?
Just wondering..thanks

Anonymous said...

NPR isn't journalism, or news. It's newsspeak and doublethink.

A propaganda wing of the left, pure and simple, and we pay for it. End of story.

Orwell's rolling over in his grave as we speak!

Pris

FrogBurger said...

Cutting fed funding will save the taxpayers roughly $6 million (and lower y'alls
blood pressure)


It still is 6 million.

In a household that goes bankrupt, there's no small saving. It's like not wanting to get rid of the cable bill.

It's not necessary to survive. It can be cut.

But leftist are like babies. They can't make the tough and rational decisions.

Plus what's the real cost of those 6 million if you include the borrowing for it?

Too much to ask to a lefty who can't look at things straight.

BB-Idaho said...

Oh, I wouldn't waste even a penny on Hannity/Limbaugh
(Sean signed a $100 million
five year contract and Rush
landed a $400 million eight year contract with
ClearChannel Network)..that is why I agree NPR should give up the $6 million in fed grants. They would continue to prosper and
you could save your $10!
..and we would all be happy. Fair enough?
..then we can take up the
BBC!

Scotty said...

I oppose any federal funds going to any news media outlet. And, I’ll gladly take that 10 bux! With my senior rate at Golden Corral I’ll get a GREAT meal!

FrogBurger said...

BB, argument is very weak.

BB acronyms fit you well. Bebe.

Ducky's here said...

Mustang's upset because NPR aired a show on Robert E.Lee that absolutely, once and for all, destroyed the idea that slavery was not the main reason for succession.

Also showed him as a general that had no compunction about letting his troops be slaughtered.

Now when a broadcaster tries to pull something like that on a fringe rightie who "knows history"(at least his own version) well it has to go.

News exists to promulgate right wing dogma. Since they are in possession of revealed truth why would anyone want to hear an opposing opinion?

FrogBurger said...

Mustang's upset because NPR aired a show on Robert E.Lee that absolutely, once and for all, destroyed the idea that slavery was not the main reason for sEccession.

You said "Main reason". It's very different from the only reason.

Trekkie4Ever said...

I think Juan Williams is probably grateful that he is no longer with NPR and will be able to express himself however he feels without any kind of reprimand on FOX.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

NPR aired a show on Robert E.Lee that absolutely, once and for all, destroyed the idea that slavery was not the main reason for succession.

No argument there. The primary dispute of left-wing Democrats then, as now, was with the Constitution, which was written will the intent of ending slavery.

Also showed him as a general that had no compunction about letting his troops be slaughtered.

Well, golly. Democrats at war. Only thing less competent are Soviets at war.

Now when a broadcaster tries to pull something like that on a fringe rightie who "knows history"(at least his own version) well it has to go.

Never mind that Lee was having severe medical problems (a heart attack) during the battle of Gettysburg, didn't have up-to-date reconnaissance on Union positions (because Stuart's cavalry missed a rendezvous with command). Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg was days away from entering Washington DC out of Pennsylvania from the north. This after quite a free reign of marching all over the North without even mild resistance from the local populations, while Lincoln was shelling New York City with artillery trying to draft people to go fight.

Do you really think you know history, you moron?

News exists to promulgate right wing dogma. Since they are in possession of revealed truth why would anyone want to hear an opposing opinion?

News exists to report the specifics of events without regard to who's reputation it helps or hurts.

No one is in possession of revealed truth, however in political discussions it should always be taken under advisement that there has never in history been a leftist who was not an imbecile.

Brooke said...

National Propagandist Radio.

'Nuff said.

I love watching Beamish school Ducky on the Civil War, although I imagine Beamish must be sick to death of repeating himself to Ducky by now.

FrogBurger said...

Brooke, even my lefty teachers in France taught me that the civil war was not just about slavery. Much easier to teach when your analysis is not fogged by white guilt.

Z said...

Beamish, PLEEEEASE. Ducky hears it on NPR and it's gospel. Get over it, he's not changing.

Z said...

Anonymous..same to you and your deleted comment.

Anonymous said...

"Mockery, snideness, condescension, and inability or unwillingness to show respect for those with whom you disagree are all signs of intellectual inadequacy.


Hell with you....the truth is now an item that you decide? You in the land of friuits and elected nut scumbags just refuse to see what a joke you've become. You're...."offended"! Buy what? The truth?

You're an acronym of what a fruitful, productive place populated by productive people once where. You are...now...a big slum. Just like Detroit...maybe prettier.

You silly , immature, inadequate cretins called Californians...just can't take the truth that your state is an example of complete chaos and anarchy?

That you have given over the rule of law to illegal scum that now...for all intents and purposes rule / govern your empire?

That you cannot fathom the fact that sanity is an item that no longer exists in the bear state?

Have you no idea what has happened to you? Hey...screw your great beaches...screw your nifty sunsets...your state in a national joke.....unlike New Jersey used to be...at least they're making an attempt to face reality.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Yeah Z,

You're a big poopy head coz you live in California. ;)

This is what I meant by Verne Troyer vs. Randy Couture.

You ring the bell of an "anonymous" Ron Paul supporter and the collective leftist stupid just flows right out of them.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Beamish, PLEEEEASE. Ducky hears it on NPR and it's gospel. Get over it, he's not changing.

Of course not. No one with the capacity for rational thought becomes a leftist.

Thus, we have Ducky equating "news" with "opinion."

Thus, we have Ducky equating NPR with "the opposing opinion."

At least Ducky, unlike Ron Paul supporters, acknowledges that he's a leftist.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Froggie, for your kind words.

It's good to know someone who's interested in what others have to say, and not merely eager to shower the boards with cynical pronouncements tinged with ridicule and contempt.

An old saying: "We learn more about Peter from what he says about Paul than we learn about Paul." Ducky said it more directly. I respect his opinion even though I disagree with his approach probably 90% of the time.

~ FreeThinke

Anonymous said...

What happened to the civility thread?


I guess it became uncivil, eh?


Unfortunately, that happens.

"If there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other it is the principle of free thought – not free thought for those that agree with us, but freedom for the thought that we hate."

Oliver W. Holmes (1841-1935)

I civility, however, does no qualify as "thought," does it?

Good night.

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

Get off your cross, FeebThinky. Someone needs the wood.

Z said...

sometimes I get REAL tired of being lectured here for the content of others' comments. And it's always anonymous.....how civil, how courageous

(((Thought Criminal))) said...

How feeble-thinky.

As if not signing his "work" makes his IP address go away.

MathewK said...

I'm surprised anyone even listens to them.

Anonymous said...

People often listen to NPR just to get away from all the shouting, screaming, snarling, howling, and thumping on commercial radio. [NPR must put velvet socks over all its microphones, then broadcast with the bass tuned way up!]

What those people MISS, however, is the constant assault on the right with politely disparaging commentary peppered with sly innuendo and sometimes even faint praise. It's treacherous and offensive, unless you're a Marxicrat.

Also, there are still a few people left who sincerely enjoy classical music, and in most areas NPR is the only venue left where you can hear Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, et al. and good Jazz as well.

I love the music but despise the commentary, so I just turn it off when the news comes on. I was so happy to learn the other day that that filthy leftist pig, Daniel Schorr, finally went to his reward. (That means he croaked in case you didn't know.)

Schorr was one of the many leftist termites who've been busy chewing up the foundation of our God-given Constitutionally-guaranteed liberties for many decades. He and Marvin Kalb, David Susskind, Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and their ilk.

So radio listeners seem to have a choice between profound leftist bias on NPR or aggressive bad taste elsewhere. [Not that I don't enjoy bad taste when it comes from a master like Michael Savage -- I DO, because Savage is on the RIGHT side of most issues. He's outrageous, but certainly no worse than the soft-spoken serpents at NPR.]

Either way US citizens are given a poor choice. Our culture has definitely lost its way.

~ FreeThinke