NPR fires Williams over Muslim fears

Late last night, NPR fired senior news analyst Juan Williams. On Fox News’ “The O’Reilly Factor,” where he also contributes, there was a discussion about something that had happened on “The View” the previous week. Apparently Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar flipped out when guest O’Reilly said that “Muslims” had perpetrated the terrorist attacks on 9/11. They walked off the set in disgust.



So O’Reilly asks his panel about it and well, Williams’ comments didn’t sit well with NPR. The early reports of this news story are likely to be straight news. Here’s Brian Stelter at The New York Times:

The move came after Mr. Williams, who is also a Fox News political analyst, appeared on the “The O’Reilly Factor” on Monday. 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.

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 write-up is great and even includes a bit of analysis, although perhaps Williams’ statement about addressing reality should also have been mentioned:

I think, look, political correctness can lead to some kind of paralysis where you don’t address reality.

Certainly NPR hadn’t been happy with him for a while, reprimanding him, as The Times notes, for mentioning his actual title (senior news analyst, NPR) outside of NPR. This may have been the excuse they needed to get rid of him.

Speaking of reality, Williams did not get in trouble for attempting to tie Timothy McVeigh’s irreligious terrorism to Christianity. In fact, NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik tweeted:

Williams also warned Fox host Bill O’Reilly agst blaming all Muslims for “extremists,” saying Christians shouldn’t be blamed for Tim McVeigh

It is true that Christians shouldn’t be blamed for McVeigh. Mostly that’s because McVeigh didn’t consider himself a Christian — self-identifying instead as agnostic. It’s a common error, but an error none-the-less. Apparently Folkenflik and many other media bigwigs, such as Newsweek editor Jon Meacham, are unaware of this basic fact. In fact, NPR’s Michel Martin was the last big media type to tar Christians with the Timothy McVeigh terrorism. Perhaps when NPR does its next round of sensitivity training, the network’s leaders might encourage their journalists to get their facts straight on that one.

Anyway, what do you think we’ll see in next-day stories? I assume most newsrooms have their series of Muslim response stories lined up already.

What else? A newsroom-wide polygraph to ensure that newsrooms are free of anyone who worries about Muslim terrorism on planes? A look at some of the hate speech that NPR approves of? An honest discussion of the role religion plays in Muslim terrorism? A collection of denunciations of Williams? A discussion of whether NPR’s status as a taxpayer-funded entity plays a role in Williams’ firing? A discussion of when it’s inappropriate to reveal fears? Somehow I think we might see a few “history of bias against Muslim”-type stories. All I hope for is a solid fashion-based discussion of “Muslim garb.” Well, that and a good treatment of stigma and its use and overuse in reining in bigotry.

The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg weighed in with a look at recent firings of journalists Helen Thomas and CNN’s Octavia Nasr. He wonders if media outlets aren’t getting too touchy in some cases.

No, not Helen’s. He says it appears that Williams was fired for no particularly good reason. He looks at the reality of travel-related violence committed or attempted by Muslim men in recent years. He points out, however, that the terrorists aren’t known for dressing in “Muslim garb.”

These last two statements seem to be a good avenue for further discussion in a news story. Why don’t you throw out your story suggestions. What are the important religion angles to include in this story? Extra points for how to make those “Muslim response to Williams” stories less predictable.

GR

Lucy’s Revenge Closes in on $10K, Breaks 300 Miles in Alzheimer’s Fundraising Effort

Mississippi Paddler asks East Mississippi health care officials and residents for help.


Flora, MS. October 19, 2010—Keith Plunkett, Mississippi paddler and organizer of Lucy’s Revenge, has paddled over 300 miles in the yearlong effort to raise money for and awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease on Mississippi waterways. Joining a group of eight other kayakers on October 16, Plunkett launched from Bell Fontaine Point in Ocean Springs in route across the Mississippi Sound to Horn Island. Plunkett says he was driven to paddle a few extra miles while out on the island in order to be sure he met the 300-mile mark by the time the group may landfall to end the trip.

“South Coast Paddling Company and Mississippi Gulf Coast residents have been a huge help to the project on the coast and I wanted to be sure and hit this milestone there,” said Plunkett. “The Horn Island trip was a South Coast Paddling sponsored trip, so they did all the planning. I hadn’t mapped it before hand, and I wanted to be sure I got the mileage in.”

With that worry in mind, Plunkett awoke on the west end of Horn Island on Sunday morning and decided to put in a few extra miles before joining back up with the group. Paddling south of the island to Buoy 1 at Dog Keys Pass, he added an extra 6.6 miles, and had some unexpected but welcome company on the way back to the island.

“The first buoy is a little over 3 miles south of the island out into the open Gulf,” said Plunkett. “It was a little nerve wracking to look back and see Horn Island as a little speck behind me. I felt pretty small and vulnerable out there. But on the way back I got an escort from about 8 to 10 bottlenose dolphin, and that helped calm my nerves. They are beautiful animals.”

When Plunkett landed again at Bell Fontaine Point on Sunday afternoon he had logged another 29.5 miles bringing his totals for the project to 305.8.

The Flora resident began kayaking just over a year ago and says he wasn’t around the water much as a child, but is growing more confident in his paddling ability every day.

“In mid-July I thought I had reached the far reaches of my distance for a weekend paddling trip when Sharon and I floated a 45 mile trip on the Wolf River. Less than two months later we kayaked over 86 miles from Shubuta to Leaksville on the Chickasawhay River. About a week ago, I paddled in the Ninth Annual Phatwater Challenge on the Mississippi River. On that trip I managed to paddle nearly the same mileage that had taken me a full three days only three months earlier, and I did it in less than 6 hours. My ability and confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.”

Plunkett kicked off a yearlong effort to paddle over 600 miles of Mississippi waterways in July on the Gulf Coast. A goal he says he now expects to exceed by the projects end date in June 2011. He began focusing on waterways in the East Mississippi Region in September, but due to drought conditions and interest from other parts of the state he’s not done as much in the area as hoped.

“East Mississippi has many of the jewels of our state’s paddling waterways,” he said. “I really need some more help from East Mississippi, and some sponsors to step forward. This disease knows no boundaries. I know there are people and caregivers there that need the support, and I want to be there.”

So far, Plunkett has been on the coastal waterways of Old Fort Bayou, Davis Bayou, Wolf River, Escatawpa River and the Pascagoula River. He has paddled sections of the Pearl River, Strong River and Mississippi River. He and wife Sharon also completed an 86-mile trip on the Chickasawhay River in East Mississippi on Labor Day Weekend. Plunkett has raised $8,600 for the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association since July while paddling through 14 Mississippi counties.

Stories, videos, and photos are posted to the website, http://www.lucysrevenge.com/ . General Donations and Sponsorship Opportunities links on the website connect donors directly to the Alzheimer’s Association website.

The project is named in memory of Plunkett’s Grandmother, Lucy Plunkett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s before succumbing to the disease in 1993. The matriarch of the Plunkett family reared six children, and oversaw the upbringing of 9 grandchildren. She was a housewife and an active member of her church and the rural community of Little Yazoo in Yazoo County.

Alderman-at-large resigns from Madison board

Madison Alderman-at-large Lisa Clingan-Smith has resigned after 17 years in her elected position.
Clingan-Smith submitted her resignation to Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler and the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday. Clingan-Smith is starting work Nov. 1 with the Mississippi Public Service Commission in a federally funded position.

Under the federal Hatch Act, Clingan-Smith said she can not serve in her elected capacity while on the federal payroll as a special staff chief for the PSC.

“Had it not been for her strong convictions and dedication and love for community, always voting for the people, we wouldn’t see the Madison we have today,” Butler said in saluting Clingan-Smith, the longest serving member of the current board.

“I thank her for her courageous 17 years of service,” the mayor said.


Read More: MCH

What is Madison County trying to buy from Lobbyist Seale?

Madison County Supervisors underhandedness reached another milestone on Monday morning. In a 4-1 vote the Supes decided to give more taxpayer money to lobbyist Steve Seale. Like so many of the county engineering projects approved at the meetings, the issue was not on Monday's board agenda and no details were available on a proposed contract or Seale's performance objectives.

Seale will now receive an additional $2500 per month to lobby at the State level to add to the $75,000 a year he already skims and scams from county taxpayers with Board President Tim Johnson's help. Much like Johnson's engineering buddy Rudy Warnock, Seale doesn't have to provide a plan or proof that what he is doing is getting results for Madison County.

In fact, Seale publicly berated Congressman Gregg Harper's stance on no new earmarks during a Supervisor's meeting just a few months ago. How effective can he be lobbying if he publicly bites that hand? At the least, Seale's public temperament is unprofessional. At the worst, it is costing the Madison County taxpayer; both in the salary he takes home, and in the reputation he gives the county with such ill-advised tirades.

It is important to remember the following words when dealing with federal officials:

"Our Congressional delegation is very sensitive to the level of support (or opposition) offered by public officials and the community."

That is a very good statement. Who made it?

Steve Seale, that's who. In a extremely long comment posted on the Madison County Journal website right after he had another temper tantrum lashing out at Supervisor DI Smith during a board meeting in January:

A lobbyist for the Board of Supervisors publicly berated District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith on Monday over Madison County's lobbying strategy.

The lobbyist, C. Stevens Seale, had given the Board of Supervisors a year-end update, touting $4.5 million in federal funds earmarked for three Madison County projects, when he began berating Smith as he tried to comment.

Following a nearly 15 minute report, Smith tried to make a comment about Lake Harbour Drive, but was interrupted and harsly scolded by Seale.

"I know exactly what you're trying to do Supervisor Smith," Seale said. "And I'll say publicly I'm offended by the fact you did that."

Seale said he felt Smith was questioning his role in obtaining the funds when other county agencies like the Madison County Foundation and municipalities like the city of Ridgeland had also worked to lobby for the same projects.

You see, Mr. Seale is unstable both in public AND on the internet.

There is also the recent very public argument Seale tried to start with Tom Dawson, co-author of Kings of Tort with blogger Alan Lange, during a Stennis Institute luncheon earlier in the year over whether Dawson was unethically cashing in on the Scruggs case by writing the book. The Stennis Lucheon, for those who are unaware, is a monthly meeting of political figures AND the MEDIA. The fact that Seale would jump so quickly to show how offended he was in front of a statewide media shows a real lack of judgement.

But, so do statements like this:

"I think the Legislature needs to look at Madison County as a whole instead of us being split among four Senate districts," he said. "We're hoping the Legislature can create one Senate district and more House districts so we're not split with 20 percent (of a legislator's district) here and there."

The Legislature will be working on redistricting in 2011. But, why would the county want to pay a lobbyist who supports diluting our voters representation in the State Senate? Could it be added job security for someone? Right now, Madison County residents have four Senators. That's four votes, four advocates. Working to trade that strength into a weakness is either boneheaded, or an attempt at something worse.

You would think that with a salary in excess of $45K, our Supervisors could manage to do the lobbying themselves. When you add in the Madison County Foundation, MCEDA, and the Madison County Business League, why the hell are we paying anybody, especially someone as unstable as Seale, to lobby for Madison County?

Here's a few articles that ran on the move to pay Seale more money:

Madison Co. lobbyist paid $75K annually to lobby Washington


Madison County has expanded the duties of its lobbyist to include presenting local issues to the Mississippi Legislature.

The Clarion-Ledger reports that the board of supervisors voted 4-1 Monday for a six-month contract for Jackson lawyer Steve Seale to push for local issues before state officials. He has been paid $75,000 annually to lobby in Washington, D.C.

Seale, a former member of the state Senate, will get $2,500 a month to lobby the Legislature.

Board President Tim Johnson, also a former state senator, says Seale will be Madison County’s “eyes and ears” at the state Capitol on a variety of county-related issues and also legislative redistricting.

MBJ
 
 

Madison Co. expands lobbyist's job
 
October 19, 2010

Madison County has hired its federal lobbyist to advocate for its interests at the Mississippi Legislature.

The board agreed to a six-month contract for Jackson lawyer Steve Seale to push for local issues before state officials. On a 4-1 vote Monday, the board voted to pay Seale a monthly retaining fee of $2,500 for in-state lobbying efforts. He is paid $75,000 annually to lobby in Washington, D.C.

"I know there will be people asking why spend that money, but we think it's money well spent if it protects Madison County when issues come up at the state Legislature," board President Tim Johnson said.

Seale will operate as Madison County's "eyes and ears" at the state Capitol, Johnson said, on a variety of county-related issues but especially with legislative redistricting.

"I think the Legislature needs to look at Madison County as a whole instead of us being split among four Senate districts," he said. "We're hoping the Legislature can create one Senate district and more House districts so we're not split with 20 percent (of a legislator's district) here and there."

Currently, Madison County is divided among four Senate districts and eight House districts. The Legislature is charged with redistricting legislative boundaries next spring.

Seale told the board he can look out for the county's interests in several areas that will be issues in the Legislature -budget, eminent domain and infrastructure.

Board attorney Eric Hamer said the supervisors needed a new contract with Seale because state lobbying efforts are outside the scope of his yearly, federal lobbying contract. "He has helped us on several state issues that he hasn't been compensated for," Hamer said.

Supervisor D.I. Smith said he voted against the six-month contract for Seale because the issue was not on Monday's board agenda and no details were available on a proposed contract or Seale's performance objectives.

CL

Lobbyists: Who represents whom?


October 21, 2010

The Madison County Board of Supervisors has hired one of its lobbyists - it has two - to expand his duties to advocate the county's interests in the Legislature. The county pays lobbyist Steve Seale $75,000 to handle federal lobbying. He will now be paid a monthly retaining fee of $2,500 for the added state duties.

Seale, an attorney and former state senator, is a good lobbyist. This is not to criticize him. He will represent the county well.

However, elected officials should not have to hire lobbyists to lobby other elected officials. Where are Madison legislators? Why do they need "lobbying?"

Many other counties and cities hire lobbyists. It is all the new craze. But it is a waste of money.

Voters might want to ask Madison supervisors why they can't seem to find the state Capitol. A hint: It's that big domed building in Jackson where all the lobbyists hang out.

CL