Why Is Taxpayer Money Supporting National Public Radio ?

Yesterday, Big Journalism reported that National Public Radio (NPR) had terminated its contract with Juan Williams.  Juan Williams is a new analyst who frequently appears on Fox News Shows such as Special Report and Fox News Sunday.  He recently made an appearance on the Bill O'Reilly Show and commented on the worldwide threat of Islamic terrorism.

According to the article:

"NPR said in its statement that the remarks "were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.""

The conversation on the O'Reilly show was as follows:

"... On the show, the host, Bill O'Reilly, asked him to respond to the notion that the United States was facing a "Muslim dilemma." Mr. O'Reilly said, "The cold truth is that in the world today jihad, aided and abetted by some Muslim nations, is the biggest threat on the planet."

"Mr. Williams said he concurred with Mr. O'Reilly.

"He continued: "I mean, 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."

"Mr. Williams also made reference to the Pakistani immigrant who pleaded guilty this month to trying to plant a car bomb in Times Square. "He said the war with Muslims, America's war is just beginning, first drop of blood. I don't think there's any way to get away from these facts," Mr. Williams said."

If an American newsman can be fired from a taxpayer-funded radio and television station for speaking honestly about Islamic terrorism, is it any wonder that moderate Muslims are afraid to speak out?  I probably disagree with at least ninety percent of everything Juan Williams has ever said on Special Report, but I respect him as a thinking man who is honest about what he thinks.  It is totally ridiculous that NPR fired him for being honest about something they refuse to see.