Nightly Nativism and Lou Dobbs

[izzybeans]

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060828/eviatar

The fact that a man like this is taking up some other issues tells me that awareness of election fraud is spreading, however...

snips

On May 1 the nationwide boycott billed as "A Day Without Immigrants" was all over the evening news. ABC's World News Tonight reported that "more than a million people took to the streets in thirty cities," part of "a new wave of protests against legislation that would increase the penalties for being in the US illegally." On CBS, "they left their jobs and took to the streets to show us what America would be like without millions of immigrant workers." On Fox, "illegal immigrants and their allies took to streets across America...in an effort to show their economic importance to the country."

But on CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, it was a different story. "Hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens and their supporters today failed in their attempt to shut down most of our cities to support amnesty for all illegal aliens," the network's 6 pm news anchor reported that evening. Dobbs elaborated in his online column: "It is no accident that they chose May 1 as their day of demonstration and boycott. It is the worldwide day of commemorative demonstrations by various socialist, communist and even anarchic organizations.... No matter which flag demonstrators and protesters carry today, their leadership is showing its true colors to all who will see."

You might expect that sort of McCarthyesque description from Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh or some other famously right-wing provocateur on Fox or talk-radio. But Lou Dobbs, on CNN? These days, the network once pilloried by conservatives as a leading voice of the "liberal media" is offering an expansive platform to the nation's leading spokesman for anti-immigration hardliners. Night after night, under the rousing headline "Broken Borders," the distinguished-looking 61-year-old instructs his growing audience that illegal immigrants import deadly diseases, rampant crime and international terrorism; they live off welfare, destroy public schools and burden hospitals; what's more, most haven't even learned to speak English. Add that they're foot soldiers sent by the Mexican government to "reconquer" the Southwest, and by the end of the hour, we have seen the enemy--and he's a Spanish-speaking immigrant. Despite the grave threat, Dobbs declares, our lawmakers are doing nothing about it. Thus Dobbs branded the recent bipartisan Senate reform bill, designed to allow more immigrants to work here legally while also securing the borders, "The Amnesty Agenda"--a "pathetic sham" that would make a "mockery" of the American people.

CONTINUED BELOW
Dobbs's hysteria and jingoism are now notorious. He's been ridiculed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show for calling for the abolition of "ethnocentric" holidays that involve waving other nations' flags (thus eliminating St. Patrick's Day); by Andy Borowitz, who wrote in Newsweek that President Bush had decided to move Dobbs to the Mexican border instead of 6,000 National Guard troops; and by the hosts of a Los Angeles radio show, who recently offered a cash prize to the first illegal immigrant mother to name her baby Lou Dobbs.

[matcom]

1. K&R

my feelings about Dobbs are already well known

[joemurphy]

2. Lou's fanbase here at DU should read this article.

It might serve to temper their views of this "Champion of the Middle Class".

[Cobalt Violet]

3. And of course CNN is the only channel on TV.

:sarcasm:

[izzybeans]

4. ?

[w4rma]

5. Dobbs is exactly correct about that Senate bill.

It rewards breaking the law. It adds more "guest workers"/"indentured servants" to the cap. It is bad law all around. *Enforce* the existing laws.

[izzybeans]

8. maybe he's changed since I quit watching. Using the members of the

CCC and their information on his show to prove his point was it for me.

[DTinAZ]

15. Please nix the bumpersticker

I have a problem with the use of the "Sore Loserman" bumper sticker image in your sig. That item was part of the right-wing's successful attempt at stealing the 2000 election. The bumper sticker was created by a Republican who voted for Bush, and after giving out some free ones to get some exposure, they were sold for $5 each, surely making a LOT of money for this guy, who claimed that proceeds were benefitting some anonymous "soup kitchen" which he refused to identify (he probably has a powerboat named "Soup Kitchen").

I understand that you're using it to ridicule Lieberman's actions surrounding his recent primary loss, but unfortunately, the sentiment of the original sticker was pointed equally at Gore, so I respectfully request that you find another way to bash Lieberman. Sorry if my sense of humor is lacking, but those bumper stickers were a visual assault in the Fall of 2000, and I think they should be relegated to their (miniscule) place in history and not brought back out, especially by progressives.

DT

[w4rma]

34. No.

It will stay until LIE is defeated in November of this year or until he drops out.

1) As a reminder that the Rethugs (who he is allying with) stole the election from Gore and him in 2000.
2) The same people that had the emotional response in support of this slogan, back then, will hopefully have the same exact emotional response and support it again. It is these very same people who LIE is courting his votes from.

[DTinAZ]

40. it's offensive

Using the rethug bumper sticker doesn't help your cause in any manner, but it *does* offend some on our side. Take a stroll through the comments on this page at FireDogLake:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/07/03/sore-loserman/

(to save time, you can search the page for "Loserman")

and here's a link to an extended freeper discussion about who really made up the play on words in the first place:

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a2ce4915704.htm

The slogan seems to have been made up by freepers, so perhap you'd at least put some sort of explanatory text above or below the graphic if you're going to continue using it. Calling him "LIE" or "Loserman" isn't offensive, but the "Sore" part refers to Al Gore and he doesn't deserve it.

DT

[fasttense]

6. I watch Lou Dobbs every night.

I do not agree with everything he says. I do not believe this article is an accurate portrayal of his opinions on illegals. But I must say since I have been watching him, that I have come to view the illegal immigration problem as just another one of those issues that can only be solved by a humane and careful legislature of which we have not seen in the last six years.

Make no mistake, illegal immigration is a problem. Aside from the obvious security risk of a porous border, the flood of illegal immigrants indirectly or directly causes wages of low skill workers to fall and increases the cost of public medical, educational and social support for the underpaid. Crime is frequently associated with their trafficking. Big business is not held accountable for failing to follow laws for hiring them making sure to attract even more illegal workers.

But all these issues could reasonably, fairly and humanely be addressed with a congress who was in touch with the people instead of catering to the whims of big business. The first logical thing to do is get control of the borders. I don't believe a wall is the answer because people have been getting around walls for thousands of years. But some kind of control needs to be exercised over the border. Then a humane and reasonable assessment of the current illegal population needs to be completed. I'm not for amnesty but shipping millions of people out of the US is not the answer either. It is not humane and not fair to millions who have lived, worked and contributed to this society. There is a middle ground but our congress is woefully lacking in the motivation to find that ground. They seem more interested in obtaining cheap labor for corporations then in addressing the social problems caused by their push for cheap labor. They tout temporary worker, visa programs as solutions all the while knowing that these programs only bring in more permanent illegal workers or create an indentured servitude class of workers.

Currently illegals, and immigrants in general, are used as a political tool to win points over opponents. Both the Democratic party and the repub party are to blame. But mostly the repub party has to take credit for this mess. They are the ones in control of the legislative, executive and most of the legislative branches of government. They have been in control for the last six years. It was while they were in control that this problem was ignored, aggravated and politicized. But just like everything a repub does, they say they will address the issue then do nothing about it. Repubs stir up racist hate to bring in votes then willfully ignore the issue. If we had a legislative branch of government that we could trust to consider all sides of the problem then act on it in a reasonable and comprehensive manner we would not be having this discussion right now.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xchrom]

7. dobbs is a republican using one of americas two favorite tools.

if it isn't racism -- it's immigration.

those will always light a bon fire some where.

[w4rma]

9. Prove that he votes Rethug anymore.

Republicans avoid, like the plague, covering the issues that Dobbs covers.

Quit assuming that every white buisnessman that you see is a Republican.

[xchrom]

11. did i say anything about ''every white buisnessman''?

[w4rma]

12. C'mon, that's what you are thinking.

You're thinking how can this old white big name founder of a major news organization and stock market guru be anything But a Republican right?

Even though he slams what Rethugs have been doing, on his show, better than almost anyone else has on the TV, you still can't get past this stereotype, right?

He just *has* to be a Rethug? Democrats are supposed to be for "open borders" and "a world without nations" (or is that "free" trade and the WTO?), right? Wrong. In fact about 80% of Americans oppose illegal immigration and fast tracking citizenship for illegals over law abiding immigrants: That's a heck of a lot of Democrats.

[xchrom]

14. buwhahahaha -- that's not what i was thinking --

but thanks for showing your ass.

i've never been a dobbs fan --

and racism and anti-immigration fever is a fact of american political history whether you like it or not.

[w4rma]

16. So then why do you make such assumptions?

Btw, I think it is very disgenuous for you to be talking about "immigration" when the topic is "illegal immigration". It is illegal immigration that is being opposed. There is no debate at all over legal immigration so why do you try to make that the issue unless you don't really believe that you can truly defend breaking the law to get into the country?

And it's no where close to being racist to work to prevent **illegal** immigration.

In fact, I think it's racist to **support** illegal immigration since all you are doing is bringing folks over here to work as near-slaves for a while.

[xchrom]

18. what do you want? -- here in cali -- food is rotting

by the ton because there are no workers this year.

they are predicting -- and it's already happening -- quite the large spike in food prices.

and cali isn't the only state with this problem.

and all immigrants -- irish, italian whatever have experienced the back hand of american largesse -- like the one you support.

you want to believe that i support something i don't.

that doesn't alter the fact that immigration and racism are siames twins in the historic america scene.

[w4rma]

21. There you go again. Equating immigration with illegal immigration.

You support "free" trade also, don't you? So that those brown people can work in sweat shops overseas. I don't see any difference between importing people outside of the law to America and outsourcing jobs to sweatshops.

That is racist, imho. Those jobs will be filled legally when the wages offered are to a point where an American can live on them.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[w4rma]

29. Then how can you support one form, but not the other?

You support **Illegal** immigration and oppose "free" trade.

**Illegal** immigration and outsourcing/"free" trade accomplish the same things: exploitation of labor. cheap labor. driving down wages. They are the same and it is the same people (in some cases specifically the same people), just in different locations, being exploited for cheap labor.

[Bill McBlueState]

13. this is a good read

*And* Dobbs' politics aside, I don't understand the way some people idolize their favorite TV news stars. Guys like Dobbs get paid to be opinionated.

He's nobody's hero.

[Mr_Spock]

17. Another one of these

I think Lou is terrible on this topic, but he's the only one in America who talks to outsourcing and other very important issues that others wont. He tears the RW money elitists like Forbes a new ass hole and is not afraid to speak out against the idiocies of Bushco.

But since he doesn't pass the purity test (he's far from perfect), he get's to be bashed here regularly by those nannies who know what's best for all of us - the same one's who will bash me for expressing a more reasonable perspective on Lou.

[EFerrari]

23. I hope you don't mind if I side with Stewart, Borowitz and the nannies

at The Nation.

lol

And, he is by no means the "only one in America" who speaks to outsourcing.



He, like McCain, cultivates "maverick" drag. Whatever.

[Mr_Spock]

25. No problem here

I'm just saying he has been quoted in a positive light hundreds of times here on DU. I can not blanket condemn someone who has been a good attack dog on the Republican machine so often in the past.

I have already stated that he is horrible on the immigration issue.

[EFerrari]

33. Andy Borowitz is a national treadure, no matter who he's nailing.

:)

Bush Lowers Expectations on Iraq to Moderate Fiasco

Revises 'Mission Accomplished' to 'Mission Impossible'

Perhaps in response to the steady drumbeat of bad news coming out of Iraq, President George W. Bush today attempted to lower expectations about the situation there, telling reporters at a White House briefing that the best-case scenario for Iraq is now "a moderate fiasco."

Mr. Bush acknowledged some errors in judgment about the war, including posing in front of a banner that said "Mission Accomplished" when it should have said "Mission Impossible."

But he lashed out at critics who called the invasion of Iraq a total fiasco, saying, "If we continue to make progress at the rate we are going, we will have a moderate fiasco on our hands."

http://www.borowitzreport.com/

[NNN0LHI]

27. His talking about outsourcing is what you admire about Dobbs?

http://www.cjrdaily.org/behind_the_news/the_two_faces_of_lou_dobbs.php

The Two Faces of Lou Dobbs

Jun. 17, 2004 - 11:57 AM


<snip>Dobbs devoted a column in the March issue to touting the prospects of the Minnesota-based Toro Company, which makes outdoor landscaping-maintenance equipment. He told subscribers that Toro was a "long-term wealth-builder," and praised Toro's "formal code of ethics, something I think is sorely needed at more of America's companies," and its "...exemplary corporate governance structure, which aligns the interests of shareholders, employees, and customers." He concluded his interview with Toro CEO Kendrick Melrose by frankly telling him, "I like the way you treat your shareholders, employees, and customers."

One wonders whether Dobbs' admiration extends to Toro's 2002 decision to move 15% of its workforce -- about 800 jobs -- to Juarez, Mexico. Indeed, CEO Kendrick Melrose might be interested to know that Toro appears on Dobbs' own list of companies that are "exporting America."

And Toro is not alone. Of the 14 companies Dobbs has highlighted for investors since starting his newsletter last year, eight appear on his CNN website as companies that outsource jobs.

Greenpoint Financial is another company that's received conflicting treatment from Dobbs. CEO Tom Johnson enjoyed the Dobbs interview treatment in June 2003. Dobbs promised readers, "I think you'll find Tom's comments and the way he runs his business thought-provoking and insightful."

Apparently one of the "thought-provoking and insightful" methods that Dobbs was referring to was not the 2002 decision by Greenpoint to export much of its mortgage and customer-service operations to Bangalore, India, a move that produced significant savings, but that cost 150 U.S. workers their jobs. Greenpoint Mortgage, a subsidiary of Greenpoint Financial, appears on Dobbs' list of outsourcers.

[w4rma]

30. Their stock will go up and he knows it. That is why he recommends it.

However, he is working to change the law so that companies cannot legally do such things.

[NNN0LHI]

51. Are we reading the same page?

<snip>Dobbs devoted a column in the March issue to touting the prospects of the Minnesota-based Toro Company, which makes outdoor landscaping-maintenance equipment. He told subscribers that Toro was a "long-term wealth-builder," and praised Toro's "formal code of ethics, something I think is sorely needed at more of America's companies," and its "...exemplary corporate governance structure, which aligns the interests of shareholders, employees, and customers." He concluded his interview with Toro CEO Kendrick Melrose by frankly telling him, "I like the way you treat your shareholders, employees, and customers."

One wonders whether Dobbs' admiration extends to Toro's 2002 decision to move 15% of its workforce -- about 800 jobs -- to Juarez, Mexico. Indeed, CEO Kendrick Melrose might be interested to know that Toro appears on Dobbs' own list of companies that are "exporting America."

And Toro is not alone. Of the 14 companies Dobbs has highlighted for investors since starting his newsletter last year, eight appear on his CNN website as companies that outsource jobs.

Greenpoint Financial is another company that's received conflicting treatment from Dobbs. CEO Tom Johnson enjoyed the Dobbs interview treatment in June 2003. Dobbs promised readers, "I think you'll find Tom's comments and the way he runs his business thought-provoking and insightful."

Apparently one of the "thought-provoking and insightful" methods that Dobbs was referring to was not the 2002 decision by Greenpoint to export much of its mortgage and customer-service operations to Bangalore, India, a move that produced significant savings, but that cost 150 U.S. workers their jobs. Greenpoint Mortgage, a subsidiary of Greenpoint Financial, appears on Dobbs' list of outsourcers.



And Dobbs writes all this tripe because he hates outsourcing and wants to change the laws to stop something he is making money off of? Sounds kind of like a heroin dealer complaining about lax drug enforcement in his community to me?

[Mr_Spock]

31. I loved his "Outsourcing America" segments - mentioned to my VP

as she proceeded to ship all but a dozen engineering jobs to Asia. Lou was the ONLY one spending time on this critical issue of sending our job - now including our high-tech professional jobs - to Asia and other low-wage countries.

I'm sure it's impossible to praise a company these days without having there be some hypocrisy involved, surely you realize how pervasive the outsourcing phenomenon is.

I didn't see many people here touting his list of companies that were outsourcing jobs back in 2004. I had him put my company on that list - it didn't stop them from shipping my entire engineering department to Asia though. At least I had one person in the media who wasn't caught up in the latest white-girl killing.

Sometimes we must be pragmatic when it comes to the media. I have yet to find a "perfect source" for information.

[izzybeans]

36. NO disrespect to Dobbs supporters on outsourcing issue

This was no blanket condemnation. However the underlying theme in this weeks Nation seemed to point towards the contradictions that are on display in his show night in/night out. Such as him championing the working man and turning around and attacking May day as if he were McCarthy. Or the massive divide of his audience which is split between working class progressives and working class racists. One group likes his anti-bush/anti-corporate rant the other likes his anti-immigrant rants (or illegal immigrant rants). The idea that its just about "illegals" when he or his staff interviews members of hate groups as if they were experts and then uses their graphics to prove his points, is another case in point-sources in the article.

You should read the other articles in this issue on the subject because there is a broader critique to be made. Namely it is counterproductive to attack fellow workers because they are mexican. They are being exploited just as we are. Working folks need to be uniting beyond color, nation, and faith. Otherwise critiques of the way our economy works are empty and do nothing but reverberate the already existing ethnocentric and nationalist tensions. Underneath those fictions everyone wants stability at the least and happiness at most. The world economy destroys that for many. So much so that we drop bombs in the name of capital and millions are willing to leave house and home to travel thousands of miles to become indentured servants. But the Nation does not go that far. It's just documenting the rising "white nationalism" that is making some strange bedfellows at the moment. And the article does nothing more than point that out. That is all. No one is being called a racist on this board, and I'm not sure even Dobbs is being called a racist in the article. Personally I think he's just a gasbag with a grasp of only part of the larger picture, but that's just my opinion. There is nothing that he or I can do about our greivances with this economy so long as there is this ethnic tension in between and he castigates working class movements at socialist and anarchic.

The key to understanding any social drama is from the perspective of the actors. There is a great book documenting this current wave (in the context of the 90s) of immigration called "Magical Urbanism" by Mike Davis. It's interesting and worthwhile. And it actually takes the time to talk to these "illegals".

[Mr_Spock]

42. I suppose any neutral news anchor with an opinion will have this "issue"

They are actually supposed to present a balanced view on all topics - when they do this they are accused of being hypocrites by either or both sides. A good news (with opinion) person will know they are doing a good job if they are attacked equally from both sides. The man is not a genius, nor are his views on immigration very impartial or fair. My issue is with the folks who take the fair criticism which you are providing to the next level - it is all but inevitable as there are people who cannot STAND to have any disagreement on ANY issue when it comes to their news sources. That's fine with me. I boycott Faux news because they are clearly biased heavily to the right IMHO (I call them Pravda), but I really can't jibe the daily "I love XXXX RW talk host cause he bashed so-and-so", followed the next day by "That XXXXX is a racist RW gasbag". I go to neither extreme - I merely compliment the good reporting, and send email complaints about the bad reporting. The way some try to cajole (by using terribly negative rhetoric) DUers into hating a certain person because they do is the expected result of this type of post. I am not specifically criticizing you when I say "not another one of these" - I am criticizing the expected result of such a post - this sort of post ends up with a lot of flaming in them. I suppose it's more of a DU issue as the article is simply stating a viewpoint and not condemning all Lou Dobbs watchers.

[izzybeans]

46. I didn't expect some of the back and forth. But I suppose tis

the nature of the beast.

[EFerrari]

47. That's really interesting. I think I'd like to read that. And as far

as white nationalism, couldn't agree more.

[izzybeans]

50. It is a book whose focus is more well rounded than that.

It sidesteps or predates the latest round of well organized opposition. But I remember it hitting a number of points that carry with me. I need to reread it since it has been a while but...am confident its worth your time.

[EFerrari]

54. I think I'll go amazon around and see. Thanks.

:)

[izzybeans]

60. no problem.

[xchrom]

62. you and me both.

[EFerrari]

65. Hey, kid. I think we better buckle up.

Take good care. :)

[xchrom]

66. ain't it the truth.

:toast:

[KoKo]

64. Nice post, "izzybeans." Contradictions....

From your post:


This was no blanket condemnation. However the underlying theme in this weeks Nation seemed to point towards the contradictions that are on display in his show night in/night out. Such as him championing the working man and turning around and attacking May day as if he were McCarthy. Or the massive divide of his audience which is split between working class progressives and working class racists. One group likes his anti-bush/anti-corporate rant the other likes his anti-immigrant rants (or illegal immigrant rants). The idea that its just about "illegals" when he or his staff interviews members of hate groups as if they were experts and then uses their graphics to prove his points, is another case in point-sources in the article.

[izzybeans]

67. Well the operative word being "however".

He does have the middle class thing down. That selection was the other half of the contradiction.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. Dobbs is a "respectable" racist.

Not in the least hesitant about tying in the peaceful demonstrators with "socialist, communists, and even(gasp) anarchic organiztions. Not to mention that the evil brown bogeyman imports disease, drugs, crime, and uses "our" hospitals, schools, and social services.

Anyone for "welfare queens", the "yellow menace", and the ever fearful "outside agitators"?

But, he wears a suit and tie instead of the more traditional white sheets.

[EFerrari]

24. White sheets add 15 lbs on camera.

:rofl:

[Mr_Spock]

32. Oh, dear

:rofl:

[xchrom]

63. ...

:spray:

[DTinAZ]

20. the enemy of my enemy...

...is NOT necessarily my friend. While progressive/liberal-minded people might appreciate Dobbs' outspokenness on things like outsourcing, they should perhaps take a closer look at the whole man.

For example, you might take a look at this from the Southern Poverty Law Center:

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=589

or browse through the links on the Lou Dobbs page at Media Matters:

http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/people/loudobbs

DT

[QuestionAll...]

26. Dobbs calls this admin 'insane' and bush a 'liar'.

good enough for me to like him.

take what you can get.

and he's on e-voting machines.


People are just too damn purist and picky -
nobody is perfect, ya know.

and btw, I do not consider Lou a rascist, so don't call me one, k?

(not talking to OP, - just a general thing to all here)

We need about 146 more Lous around in the media.

[Mr_Spock]

28. Be prepared to be attacked & called a "supporter of Republicans"

...by those who throw a hissy-fit when someone is not immediately hurling invectives when the word "racist" is mentioned.

[EFerrari]

35. Supporter of Republicans!

:rofl:

[Mr_Spock]

39. :P

Stop having fun!

:P

[QuestionAll...]

43. heh, coming from you, sfexpat, I'll take that with a smile.

seeing as I likeyou and all.

but really, has it been confirmed that Lou is a repug. Thot there was talk here that he was more of an 'independent' guy lately. Not that it matters to me - I'm trying not to get into the black/white pure good/pure evil mode, re: Dems and Repugs. We all put our skirts on one leg at a time.

what I mean is, I'm sure there are a lot of Consersatives that don;t really deserve the shit flinging they get, and vice versy of courser.

[EFerrari]

45. I don't watch him so just about anyone here knows more about it

than I do. But, the way he talked about immigration was disgusting.

Thom Hartmann talks about immigration and although I disagree with him, I respect his opinion. :)

[QuestionAll...]

49. I know this has been said hundreds of times better than I could...

btw, it's 'illegal' immigration Lou rants on about.

which makes sense to me in the world we currently live in. Sure, borderlessness sounds great, sharing is wonderful and everyone deserves to support their families. but we know that's not the world we live in, we live in commodities, and people are one such thing. The top cream always benefits by the hardships of the bottomers.

that is what Lou's message is - take the corporations to task for hiring illegals and whittling down the standard of living for everyone lower and middle class in the meantime. Outsourcing and 'freetrade' (gawd I hate that euphemism!) that the corps have been allowed, pirating the world, has a Lot to do with desperation of people overunning the borders. Flooding markets in third world countries with subsidized american food stuffs, for one. Takes the little farmer out of business, little farmer has to have his children work in megacorp sweatshops instead.

Bah. Naomi Kliens No Logo addresses this all very well.

but most important, in these terrier days, the porous borders Lou rants about is absolutely opposed to 'homeland security', if there's such a thing. It's so ridiculous.

We are all being taken for ride because we have emotions, the top cream only think profit - cold hard cash from blood and misery of us all. Borderless.

[EFerrari]

53. Well, if that were his message, I'd disagree but I could respect that.

Check out the OP for the kind of scurrilous language that punctuated his immigration segments.

For all I know, his producers had him do that on purpose to generate buzz. I'm in the entertainment industry and such a calculation wouldn't suprise me.

But, the thing is, for some of us, it's not just a matter of shading or semantics -- or, ratings. It's bigotry that we or our families or friends have to deal with every day in some form.

Put another way, I'd rather have every undocumented workers deported with respect than what we have now: a large population of workers who our commentators encourage the rest of us to revile for economic but ALSO racial reasons. Why isn't the economic argument enough, one might wonder?

Our government here is encouraging hatred in many forms. It gives them lots of handles they can use to manipulate. Maybe America has always been like this. I don't know any more.

[QuestionAll...]

55. not sure, but I think Lou is his own boss.

and decides himself what airs.

could explain why he can call bush a liar and the administration insane.

[EFerrari]

57. You'd think so -- but have you listened to, say, Olbermann talk

about his producers in a playful way? There is quite a bit of negotiation that goes on behind the scenes.

A LOT! :)

[QuestionAll...]

59. no doubt.

that's why I think Lou is the producer as well.

this is CNN afterall, and Dobbs is an oddity sticking out like a sore thumb.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. I bet Dobbs has an illegal immigrant housekeeper.

The guy strikes me as an enormous flaming hypocrite.

[NNN0LHI]

38. Guests on Lou Dobbs Tonight overwhelmingly are right wing or Republicans

http://mediamatters.org/items/200603270002

Summary: A Media Matters study of guests on CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight shows that far more Republican and conservative guests have appeared on the show during the first two months of 2006 than have Democratic or progressive guests.

During January and February 2006, Media Matters tallied the guests who appeared on Lou Dobbs Tonight. Each guest was coded as either Democrat, Republican, conservative, progressive, or neutral (nonpartisan or centrist). This designation was the result of a particular guest's general partisan affiliation or ideological orientation. We employed the same methodology as with the two previous studies mentioned above.

Among appearances by ideologically identifiable guests in January, 53 percent were Republicans/conservatives, compared with 47 percent who were Democratics/progressives. However, this small advantage exploded into right-wing dominance in February: 67 percent of the ideologically identifiable guests were Republicans/conservatives, while only 33 percent of those guests were Democrats/progressives.

Republicans also dominated Lou Dobbs Tonight guests with respect to elected and administration officials, as well as guests who identified with a political party. Among elected and administration officials who appeared on the show, 70 percent were Republicans, while only 27 percent were Democrats. Further, 63 percent of guests who were identified with a political party were Republican, while only 37 percent were Democrats.

[Mr_Spock]

41. That was one of the things I always like about his show

He'd invite the RW gasbags on and tear them a new one! I used to always dread when he had a Dem or left-leaning guest on because I knew it was time for a Democrat to get torn apart. I always preferred that he had more Republicans as they most often would get the worst of the deal :D

[QuestionAll...]

44. that how I look at it as well.

if lou has a bone to pick, better he gnarl away at a repug, I say. ;)

[NNN0LHI]

48. Yea, he really ripped into Ann Coulter didn't he?

Tore her limb from limb.

Did you enjoy that show a lot?

:eyes:

Don

[Mr_Spock]

52. He looked as foolish as all the other white men who interviewed her

What is it about her that these guy are afraid of anyway - is she intimidating in person?

I won't argue with the fact that there will always be individual cases where a tough-nosed reporter will cave to the pressure of the moment, and I know he agrees with some of the "old fasioned" Republicans - a few of whom still exist. Heck, I even respect the old-school Republicans at this point - compared to Bushco & the neocon cabal behind him, they were downright respectable!

[NNN0LHI]

58. I don't think it had anything to do with Dobbs being white or male

He acted the exact same way last time he had Tom Tancredo on. Like a 16 year old kid out on his first date. Dobbs acts the same way every time Tancredo is on his show. Seen it with my own eyes.

Don

[EFerrari]

68. You know what I don't get? I don't get why anyone expects

ENTERTAINERS to have stuff like ethics, let alone, party loyalty.

They are playing an effen part that has nothing to do with reality.

It's just creepy that anyone can be fooled into thinking otherwirse.

[Elwood P Dowd]

56. On the other hand,

I've seen him tear into the likes of David Dreier, James Glassman, John Fund, and other repukes.

[QuestionAll...]

61. ann coulter means nothing to me.

yes, I was dissapointed by Lou in that interview. Many people in my personal life 'dissapoint' me sometimes too, and I them.

but will not discount his good work because of one crazy ununderstoodishness.

coulter is not more important than the issues Dobbs brings up front and in your face.