a reporter on Wash. Journal this a.m. was defending O'Riley

[donsu]

was working on my latest project so didn't stop to write down his name. he works for NPR and Fox, and comments on Fox. (what a combination).

he is a black man and I only make note of that fact because he was defending O'R.'s black restaurant business.

he was practically begging us to understand that O'R really, really, isn't a racist.

interesting to find him on W.J. this a.m.

[EFerrari]

1. Juan Williams. n/t

[Mountainman]

2. I don't like O'Reilly but if you hear the total discussion he had it doesn't

sound racist at all. Most of the reporting was about the snippets that were heard. I thing Media Matters has the whole discussion. Listen to it and you might not think it was a racist thing.

[yardwork]

3. I read the transcript and I thought it was incredibly racist.

[Virginia Dare]

10. I thought it was appallingly racist..

if he hadn't said "I couldn't get over the fact", then maybe I may have bought that, but I doubt it.

[Luminous Animal]

11. O'Reilly can try to spin this all he wants

but this is why his comments are racist.

"And I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship"

The above exhibits his complete surprise that African-Americans are people, too! And not only that, they are civilized... just like white people!

"There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea.' You know, I mean, everybody was -- it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all."

Furthermore, he thinks that if more African Americans would stop listening to the Sharptons and Jacksons of the community (who, by logical extension are NOT like white people), they'd be successful... just like white people!

"I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They're getting away from the Sharptons and the Jacksons and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture. They're just trying to figure it out. 'Look, I can make it. If I work hard and get educated, I can make it."

[Jack from Charlotte]

12. I agree. I think this is much worse than the Imus comments.....

Imus' were much more off hand, smart ass like they did on that show toward lots of people.... These Oraly comments give insight to his thought process. He's essentially, thinking out loud.

I felt he was very, very close to saying.... "These African-American people are almost like .... normal.... people.

[baldguy]

13. His comments were racist.

He wasn't being sarcastic, or deliberately obtuse. He was genuinely surprised at behavior of the restaurant patrons - that acted like civilized adult humans. Its exactly the same as being surprise a Jew would take offense if you told him he must be good at handling money. "What?!? It was a COMPLIMENT!"

Yeah, right.

[Mountainman]

14. No he was not surprised at anything.

[Luminous Animal]

15. Then why couldn't he "get over the fact"

Not being able to "get over the fact" is expressing surprise.

[Mountainman]

23. Did you hear the part where he talked about the concerts?

He was saying that among most African Americans there is no difference in the way they act compared to Whites but that the African American image most White people at least white kids get is the rap/gangster image. That even some of the rappers grew up as middle class kids but have to act like ghetto kids.

He wasn't shocked that the people at the restaurant were normal he was saying they were not like the rap/gangster image some White people have of African Americans.

I think we sometimes need the conservative boogie men as much and the right needs the liberal boogie men.

[Luminous Animal]

24. You are purposely ignoring O'Reilly's own words.

He directly and unambiguously pronounced that he, himself, could not get over the fact. He did not say that most white America would be surprised.

[Mountainman]

25. I heard the entire interview! Geez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not ignoring anything.

Did you here the entire interview or just the clips in the news stories?

[Richard Steele]

17. Heard it all- it was jaw-droppingly RACIST. "Context" didn't change a thing. nm

[DangerDave921]

4. Juan Williams?

I think Bill O' was making a point that white america has a misconception of black culture. I don't think BO was saying that HE himself was shocked that the diners at the restaurant were so civil. That would be just too stupid a thing to say on national radio.

Al Sharpton has also come out in defense of BO. That tells you something.

[donsu]

6. is there a link to what Al said? please and thank you

nt

[BlooInBloo]

7. Sure. Ooops - misread - nevermind.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/oreilly-luther-king-by-digby-billo-is.html

[DangerDave921]

16. Sure

I googled "O'Reilly Racist" and it was one of the first articles up there. Can't remember the actual byline.

[Luminous Animal]

18. Al did not defend O'Reilly

Enter Sharpton, who was beamed in from Louisiana where he’s been trying to peacefully resolve the powder keg Jena 6 conflict. Sharpton admitted he had not heard the tape and was going to refrain from commenting on O’Reilly’s alleged racial remarks until he did so. And although he did concede that the written accounts of his dinner date with O’Reilly were “disturbing and surprising,” Sharpton was quick to add that he and O’Reilly had dined in Harlem many times and that he had never heard him say anything “offensive.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21010613/

[Luminous Animal]

20. Bill O'Reilly is too stupid..

He did say he himself was shocked. Direct quote:

"And I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship"

[VLC]

5. It's O'Reilly.

[Catherine Vincent]

8. Yeah, that was Juan Williams of Fox.

In defense of Billo (as Olberman calls him :) ), I would agree with Juan's explanation. He WAS talking to him, so I would think Juan is the one that can put this situation to rest. But Billo shouldn't have that perception of rappers just because that is what's on their videos. And he should have thought twice about how he said it. You think he would have realized how that would come out. I heard Billo has been talking about this situation on his show since it was reported. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised he said it that way on purpose.

[glarius]

9. Here's a direct quote from O'Reilly.....does this sound racist to you?....

"I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship." O'Reilly added: "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea.' "

The italics are mine, but sheeesh. That sure sounds racist to me!

[DefenseLawyer]

19. When someone says something is good

"even though it is run by blacks" that is racist. It may not be "mean spirited" like "I hate black people", but it is racist. Props to Juan for earning his paycheck from Fox.

[donsu]

22. that's what I thought - how much money went into his pocket

how soon did they get the spot on Wash. J.

[spanone]

21. it's only racist if a democrat says it

:sarcasm: