I’ve been very upset all day. I awoke to the news that a good dear friend of mine had been summarily fired from a part-time job that she holds.
Did I hear this through an e-mail? Or via a phone call? No… I heard it on the news on the radio. Later, I read it on Slate, on the Huffington Post and the Washington Post, as well as myriad other media outlets.
This is so offensive to Lisa, as she’s being told that she can’t exercise her right to free speech on her own time. Regardless of her politics or mine, no one deserves to be treated this way.
Meg,
ReplyDeleteThis disturbs me so much. I have heard so many instances where people's personal beliefs, in their own time, impact on their work time. Is she going to take them on? It's time someone did. How dare they! It's time this level of control stopped. I am so angry, I was under the impression that the constitution encouraged freedom of speech and thought, I guess I was wrong!
Di
x
I agree with Yonks. Very disturbing to say the least. But what surprises me (and maybe it shouldn't), is that your friend was fired from NPR of all places!!! I'd expect this kind of treatment from a Fox station but not NPR. I, too, hope she fights this.
ReplyDelete~Jules
This is abominable!!!! And SHAMEFUL!!!! Take the bastards to court and FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!
ReplyDeleteMeg I am so sorry to hear this and how dare they! When you think of all of the horrid things you hear on television...I am just aghast, NPR of all institutions.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I had heard the news, of course, and was outraged before I knew she was your friend. Now I'm even more so! The long-held tradition in news is that newscasters don't broadcast their political views. Barbara Walters is a fine example of that. However, your friend is NOT a newscaster! (Neither are 90% of those on Fox, but that's a whole other debate) This isn't the first time NPR has made such a bonehead decision, but by golly, it needs to be their last! Plus they need to reconsider this and bring her back.
ReplyDeleteI want to encourage those who disagree with the decision to contact NPR and protest it.
NPR could lose monetary support over this and well they should!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think we had all heard of this. I truly believe that this is why the Occupy Wall Street movement has been so powerful and persuasive (and hopefully will continue to exert a huge impact on the powers that be). Unfortunately, I fear that there will be many more sacrificial lambs before this amazing movement begins to bare fruit. We all need to become very very angry and propelled to action. Mary
ReplyDeleteThis absolutely infuriates me-NPR has again made it very difficult to justify continued funding- How many times can they shoot themselves in the foot before they become too lame to stay a viable entity.
ReplyDeleteI am appalled that someone should have their free speech violated by an employer. We are not enemies if we have different political opinions. Instead we should discuss our point of view. Maddie
ReplyDeleteDidnt they do this to someone else last year as well? Not to mention Juan Williams(whom I could never stand) for conservative opinions a few years ago. Perhaps the problem is that state supported media is never truly free press, much as NPR has its good points. They're terrified of losing funding from conservative congress, and so now lose funding from their base instead. I hope Lisa Simeone quickly is picked up by someone else, as I enjoyed her programs.
ReplyDeletePerhaps your friend did not recall the NPR statement of ethics. It is posted on line-- to be google(ed) you know this word google already existed( spelled Differently) but unless they do some serious edumacation that it is a trademark and not to use it like Xerox a copy, my nose is running I need a Kleenex but I am using a generic tissue...I need some zz to make sense
ReplyDeleteThat;s outrageous. I can't wait to ask my employment law friend, Andy, what he thinks. I love Lise Simeone was one of my favoriet NPR people.
ReplyDeleteThey have fired people for conservative thoughts also. It may bother all of you because she is your friend or you agree with her but I don't see the difference. How would they have handled a high profile employee that was rallying at a Tea Party function? I am sure NPR doesn't have a conservative employee so it is a mute question. I think they should leave everyone alone but when they treat conservatives or Tea Party people the way they do, they need to be consistent.
ReplyDeleteWell, I may actually have an ounce of respect for NPR after reading this. Anyone who would openly associate themselves with folks who take human excrement into banks and rape young women OUGHT to be fired.
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