Sorry, mg, if I misunderstood what you meant when you said But if we stifle this particular type of freedom of speech,.... in the post to which I was responding. I generally understand accusations that free speech is being stifled to be a first amendment issue.

Art Brooks, thank you for sharing your cogent and informative perspective on this thread.

pdq, I followed the news articles and commentary, the NPR management statements, and Juan Williams comments before forming an opinion. It seems pretty clear to me that Williams was not fired because of the opinions he held, but because he expressed personal opinions one too many times in violation of the NPR code of ethics. I am also aware that many other people on this thread have said the same thing, and it appears your mind is closed to taking in that realization.

I also agree that NPR management handled the firing poorly from a PR standpoint. One should never fire anyone over the telephone or via e-mail. I bet NPR management is also talking about how poorly they handled this personnel matter. I have been impressed with the impartial reporting on NPR news programs regarding what Mr. Williams said on Fox, and the NPR management response.