Juan Williams v. Helen Thomas - Double Standard?

So, Juan Williams is fired for saying that he fears for his life when he gets on a plane with someone in Muslim garb. Many websites are abuzz applauding NPR for taking swift action. How is it ok to have a journalist with such biased views? Right? Well, let's now back track a few months to the Helen Thomas affair. The same websites were appalled that a journalist was not allowed to express her opinion -- thus highlighting the double standard when it comes to Israel ... and Jews. Reprehensible comments about Jews, often times based on erroneous information and sometimes even lies, are lauded as protected by First Amendment rights. But, expressing an opinion about Muslims, equally as reprehensible is seen as biased. Should they not be treated the same?