He definitely wasn't an NPR employee. WEMU is licensed to and owned by the University. I didn't think NPR had any O&Os, in any case.

The WEMU Web site tells their side of the story:

However, the decision to remove the program was a simple decision because there was a clear violation of policy that would not be remedied in the future. The host's employment was not terminated for his support of the current war in Iraq
...
It is the obligation of staff to broadcast those items which are included in the station's official schedule. Not only were the newscasts not broadcast during the program, but also listeners were encouraged to watch Fox News in place of listening to NPR news.

WEMU.org

Seems pretty straighforward to me.

One other point: Sounds like you're spoiled working in commercial radio--"get a board operator to simply flip his mic off". Small stations, especially educational ones, usually run combo--the announcer runs his own board. Years ago I worked at both kinds, and I remember it well.

--Robert