Huckabee calls on Congress to cut NPR funding
(CNN) - In the wake of NPR's firing of contributor Juan Williams over comments about Muslims, Mike Huckabee is calling on the next Congress to cut the radio network's funding when it convenes next year.
"NPR has discredited itself as a forum for free speech and a protection of the First Amendment rights of all and has solidified itself as the purveyor of politically correct pabulum and protector of views that lean left," Huckabee said in a statement provided to CNN.
Williams told Fox News host Bill O'Reilly on Monday that he gets "worried" and "nervous" on flights when he sees people wearing "Muslim garb." NPR terminated Williams' contract on Wednesday evening.
Huckabee said he "will no longer accept interview requests from NPR as long as they are going to practice a form of censorship, and since NPR is funded with public funds, it is a form of censorship."
"It is time for the taxpayers to start making cuts to federal spending, and I encourage the new Congress to start with NPR," he said.
NPR says federal funding comprises less than 2 percent of its budget, with most of its financial support coming from station fees, sponsorships and grants.
Like Williams, the former Arkansas governor is also a contributor to the Fox News channel.
Huckabee called Williams "refreshingly honest and candid," adding: "There isn't a more honest and fair-minded person in journalism."
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This guy needs to be LEFT in his pulpit!!! Way to much religion in government. NPR the pwerenial target of teabagging wing nutys. Leave it the heck alone!!! I dont threaten his Fox he can just let mine be if that is possible.
What is it with Republicans thinking the government pays for everything?
Seriously, NPR just ended it's bi-annual fund raising drive.
Somebody tell me that this guy
didn't just come to that realization !
NPR has been slanted far left for
over twenty years for Pete's sake.
Great revelation you gave us Huskster !
Tolerated intolerance. It's a wonder why the rest of the world hates America. I mean, we have nothing but positive views of other cultures and definitely do not single out ethnicities as violent and extreme. That would be something Iran or Israel would do. But not the US. Just like Fox propaganda channel, we are completely fair and balanced. (Sarcasm needs a font, maybe backwards italics)
There are literally thousands of media options today. The government has no business funding one particular outlet. Defund NPR.
There is no Constitutional mandate for public radio, public television, or any such activities. Were NPR only $100 per year, it would be a good thing to eliminate from the budget The firing of Juan Williams is not very surprising. What is surprising is that the taxpayers of the U.S. continue to tolerate paying for the occasionally subtle, usually blatant, bias of such programs as "Morning Sedition" and "All Things Confounded". Personally, I will miss programs such as "My Word" but I have no right to compel you to pay taxes to entertain me. Cut NPR totally, as soon as possible.
In other news, Mike Huckibee is trying to out-Palin other Republicans, as he tries to jockey for the 2012 Republican nomination.
Another GOP with no brain...
The Federal government only supplies 2% of NPR's funding. However, NPR licenses its programming to the hundreds of NPR affiliate stations across the United States. These stations receive federal funding. It's pork the congress delivers to them. The stations then send that money to NPR for the rights to broadcast Morning Edition or All Things Considered.
You cannot just focus on the funds sent to NPR. You have to focus on the funds sent to NPR affiliate stations.
The Juan Williams firing was a disgrace.
The media is dead…….
If NPR wishes not to employ a a journalist who has no problem negatively profiling a whole religion based on "clothing" that many people around the world wear. Effective fanning the flames of " muslim terrorist" propaganda of o'reilly they don't have to. His statements tarnished any inference of impartiality on his part when reporting on such matters for NPR therefore he was fired . End of story.
Defund NPR. Change it to Soros Socialist Radio.
It shouldn't be a surprise that NPR let Juan Williams go over his comments. As far as the left is concern, anything that remotely touches the "muslim" religion will be viewed negatively. If anything, Mr. Williams' comment is honest and reflects his own point of view, not the NPR. For them to terminate his contract because of his comment shows how far left the NPR has grown. Are we at a point where no one can express their view without being judged by the far left? I may not agree with Juan William on everything, but I consider him to be a very fair and honest man. I have watched him on Fox many times and he doesn't hesitate to disagree with Fox News' hosts on various topics.
Open your eyes America. Down the road that Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and Frank are trying to take us lie tyranny and enslavement under their socialist "utopia"
Of course, Huckabee would want NPR funding to be cut. What a surprise!
Let's also quit subsidizing churches with all of their tax exemptions. At least limit it to eliminate subsidies to mega-churches with large broadcasting budgets and corporate jets. That is business, even if it may have some religious value. Make them open their books if they want a free ride.
Take their "2 percent" – or whatever it actually is – from them...it's a bigoted outfit, and needs to be exposed as one!
As a conservative, I respect Williams because he is articulate and thoughtful...even if I disagree with his conclusions. The left eat their own.
NPR has always been a far left tilted organization. Since they also feel censorship is their right, all Federal funding should be pulled.
Huck's problem, like all those religious right wingers, is moderate, objective news organizations like NPR. There is no left or right with NPR and that is the worst possible scenario for a republican news outlet like FOX.
Its a shame when someone tells the truth they are fired.Most people feel that way about this issue and alot of otherissue but wont be honest because of public opinion.
I watch (ed) Juan every Sunday on the weekly news shows. I used to consider him too liberal for my personal taste, but he speaks with conviction, so I respect him.
Good on you, Juan, and onyou Mr. Huckabee. There is plenty of room in our system of morals that allow us to speak freely and not be subjected to forced silence.
FOX News just lost a very loyal viewer.
They should have had all public funding stopped years ago. Now this is just too much. NPR needs to admit publicly that they are an arm the left wing propaganda, and practice censorship.
Really? NPR is the last refuge of true News. Ofcourse he wants to cut funding because he works for FOX News yeah that is really a truthful Network. What a Jerk!!! This man wants to lead us back to Leave it to Beaver Times!! Yes Dear what ever you say! This isn't Mad Med it is the 21st fn Century. Unreal!!!
How are they any different from Faux? Huckabee never calls out anyone on that station....