DOBBSWATCH

Oh the irony here is really nice. Dobbs, who rails every night about unlawfully present immigrants who have violated US immigrations, seems to have no problem with defending convicted felons where he happens to dislike the law that led to their punishment. I'm talking about his campaign to free two Border Patrol officers convicted by a jury for shooting an unarmed fleeing Mexican. Salon.com reviews the case. And Dobbs is coming under fire from a hate crimes monitoring group.

Comments

[Lou Dobbss]

Yeah .. I am famous I am rich ..Who cares about immigration

[Another Voice]

Please save me the father figure pep talk you know nothing about me. Off course i understand that it is about money and that CNN is trying to beat FOX on the ratings. People have the right to their own opinions that is why we choose forums like this to express ours.

The race card is played by him every night on his broadcast when he makes immigrants to be terrorist, well fair suckers and criminals. The fact that his broadcast focuses on people based on their national origin is consider a discrimination act. you never hear him beating on anyone but the Mexicans EVER. So please you claim to watch him every night be a bit objective.

I obviously have better things to do than give that guy ratings an any of my important time, life is too short to waste time on that idiot or you. ces't la vie

[Anonymous]

"The mere fact that you have spent time posting messages here defending this idiot is beyond anyone."

I'm not defending Lou Dobb's positions on immigration - I'll leave that up to him. I am defending people's right to voice their oppinions without being labeled racist. Lou Dobbs has found a format that makes money for CNN. It's not about race, it's about $$$. If you want to find something to be offended about, how about the fact that the media is not what it use to be when it comes to reporting news?

You're obviously young and misguided. You have much growing to do. Your use of the race card may play well in this blog, but in the real world you would appear rather silly.

Next time you are watching the news and some big bossomed woman in a tight skirt and skanky makeup is reporting the latest Paris Hilton gossip, I want you to think about what I just said. Oh, and change the channel.

[Another Voice]

Dude don't you get it that is why people read an contribute important information in this blog. Because the common agreement is that the immigration system is broken and does not help anyone. Not the immigrants, not the government and not the business community. But people like Lou Dobbs do not contribute to a solution do add to inflame the issues and spends countless hours of air time attacking immigrants rather that the broken system. You want to make him out to be like someone who's opinion is important is ridiculous. The mere fact that you have spent time posting messages here defending this idiot is beyond anyone.

[Anonymous]

"Anonymous, don't just read the headlines. Ill make it easy for you, and Ill just make you read the first link: "

I didn't realize Chris Simcox was arrested for carrying a firearm while on "patrol" on federal lands. That is troubling.

The reason I like Lou Dobbs isn't because he harps on immigration - as that subject gets old to me. He also talks about real issues impacting real people. He is one of the few talking about economic issues.

It doesn't make him always right, but most programs fail to even mention the subject. If other newscasts would report on issues other than Paris Hilton and the latest scandals involving "celebutards" - and focus on issues impacting regular people - I don't think Lou Dobbs would have a platform.

The immigration issue was buried for 20 years. Why does the government always wait for something to become a crises before the do something about it?

Had we implemented workplace enforcement in the 80s, we wouldn't be where we are today. If the newscasters were doing their jobs instead of marketing products, we would have acted before it became a crises. There is such a bias in the media - usually on the side of corporations - that we can't believe half of what we hear.

I'm not some anti-business lunatic. In fact, just got back from the Chamber of Commerce event. But we need institutions in this society we can rely upon to be a source of truth. Not always tote the political or corporate line.

I wonder what other crises are festering right now and we just aren't aware of it. New Orleans was already destroyed...what could be next?

[Another voice]

Anonymous just go back and re- read the postings on your Lou Dobbs points. I am tired of answering your stupid postings over an over. Just beacuse you are stubburn does not mean you are right. Not sure that knowing my age is going to clear things up for you perhaps you should drink some Drano and it will unclog that thik head of yours.

[Dream Act guy]

Anonymous, don't just read the headlines. Ill make it easy for you, and Ill just make you read the first link:

SPLC Intelligence Report: Broken Borders
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=589

The problem that SPLC has with Dobbs isn't that he's racist, which is arguable; its that his show fans the flames of anti-immigrant hatred through his stomach churning rhetoric and biased reporting.

[Anonymous]

Another Voice - seriously man, how old are you?

[Another voice]

OOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH go cry to mama!!!!!! Yeah keep telling your self that that you are middle on Lou Dobbs. He is probablly your mentor and hero. May be you should go cry to him!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

"Anonymous your response must mean that finally someone shut you up and put you in your place "

Hey, don't get too excited. I have always thought Dobbs needs to focus on more issues and that it makes his shown the same over and over again.

The problem with you is that you see everyone in two dimensions. If they don't support open borders and amnesty for all, they must be racists. Most people are in the middle on the immigration issue. Most people want to control the problem, oppose outright deportation of everyone, and want a reasonable response. I'm somewhere near the middle on this. I think the word might be Progressive Democrat ;-)

Then there are the extremes. There is one extreme that says deport them all, and there is another extreme that says anything goes.

Congratulations Another Voice, you are in the "anything goes" extreme.

[Another voice]

Anonymous your response must mean that finally someone shut you up and put you in your place good I am glad it was me. I took this one for the team guys!!!!!

"Dobbs has covered immigration in nearly every broadcast over the last two years. IF he was balanced, you should be able to point to a single story - find me just ONE!! "

I never said he was balanced. I said he does have opposing views on his show. He doesn't treat the opposition the same and is unfair, but they do get a chance to voice their oppinion.

If you want me to say that he focuses too much on this issue - well I agree. I Tivo his show and skip through the immigration issues because it's the same thing over and over again. I pay attention when the H-1b is discussed, and trade/offshoring - but that impacts me directly. I can watch a one hour Lou Dobbs show in about 20 minutes.

The question wasn't if he harps on immigration too much. The "racist" card was pulled and I don't think that is justified. If you don't enjoy his program you have the option of not watching. Or you can skip through the parts you don't enjoy, like I do. But I get so tired of people calling others racists and all the ad homimen attacks.

If you must pull the racist card, like I said before you better have your ducks in a row.

I think the reason Dobbs harps on immigration is simple. It's the same reason Rush Limbaugh harps on liberals. It is ENTERTAINMENT!!! It is designed to get people to watch. His ratings are up, so it must be working.

Personally, I think if he doesn't mix it up a bit and broaden his issues his ratings will go down. People can only talk about a single subject for so long until they have enough of it.

I don't think the problem is Lou Dobbs alone. I think the problem is that news programs have too much punditry and not enough reporting of facts. It all started with Faux News Channel. News has been in decline ever since.

[Greg Siskind]

Dobbs has covered immigration in nearly every broadcast over the last two years. IF he was balanced, you should be able to point to a single story - find me just ONE!! - that can be described as supporting the view that any immigrants are helping the country. You'll find not one story, trust me.

[Anonymous]

Another Voice -> more like Another Troll.

[Another voice]

Anonymous: "I think there needs to be a path to legalization (call it amnesty if you must). But I think some people should be excluded. For example - people who came since the debate began knowing that we wish them to not come here illegally - hoping to get on the amnesty wagon. And then of course convicted criminals."

Your Daddy Lou Dobbs does not think this at all. You are the one claiming that his show gives you both sides of the story. Show me in what instance and please on the topic of Immigration.

Anonymous: "We need less people like you who refuse to think critically about complex issues. You are quite simply put wreckless with your words." Free Speach allows me to let you know what I think about you, your postings and your way of thinking. Ohhh and by the way you do not debate complex issues nor give good arguments EVER in your postings. You just try to sell the Lou Dobbs agenda and nobody is buying!!!!

Anonymous: "Where is the smoking gun that Dobbs is a racist - or has said something overtly racist? Show me that." If nightly Immigrant bashing and twisting the truth in his one sided arguments does not make him a racist. You need to get the download on racisim that shows how much you actually THINK about this isssue when you try to debate with people. You really showcase your IQ. I am sure people in this Blog will respect your point of view more from now on.

I stand by my previous comments in regards to your person.

Anonymous:"The real solution to this is workplace enforcement. If that isn't accomplished history will just repeat itself."

That is what CIR was supossed to do and your Daddy Lou Dobbs and his camp were not on Board with this because it called it Amnesty for Law breakers. They are down with the round them up and send them back agenda.

Anonymous: "Now enter the clowns. Anyone who doesn't want to open borders and to grant absolute amnesty to EVERYONE must be a racist. Right?" CIR was suposed to have an orderly set of rules for future Immigrants. Your Daddy Lou Dobbs was not having that one either.

[Anonymous]

Dream Act Guy - the articles claim he was wrong on reporting. Some say he focuses too much on the immigration issue. Being wrong and focusing on a single issue are one thing.

The allegation was racism. I don't have time to hunt down everything Dobbs said. People are tossing around the racist word so you have the obligation to prove it. Otherwise, you're just shooting off your mouth.

Where is the smoking gun that Dobbs is a racist - or has said something overtly racist? Show me that.

[Anonymous]

"TEN FREAKING YEARS ! 2 LABOR CERTIFICATIONS LATER !!! AND MY 485 APPROVED TODAY !!!
WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOLY CRAP !"

I bet this guy gets a better paying job within the year. You have more options with a GC.

[Dream Act guy]

Anonymous, a simple Google search yielded these results.

From the Southern Poverty Law Center:

SPLC Intelligence Report: Broken Record
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=589

Errors and Extremist Sources on Lou Dobbs Tonight
http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?sid=94

Spreading Hysteria
http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?aid=267

Anti-Immigration Movement: Using Hate Groups Materials, Dobbs Slams Illegal Immigration
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=639

E-Mails SPLC Received from Dobbs' Supporters
http://www.splcenter.org/news/item.jsp?sid=95

Here's some backup material from Media Matters and Working for Change:

Media Matters
http://mediamatters.org/items/200605250015

Working for Change
http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=20893

[Limbo]

"STRIVE won't pass in its current form but assuming the pros make their voice heard some of the non-controversial provisions will make it in a pared down version!"

Dang, let's hope so. The current immigration system is like legalized torture for most of us. I think most of us are desperate to see at least some kind of light at the end of the tunnel.

Here is a message from the trackitt forums which pretty well sums it up:

"TEN FREAKING YEARS ! 2 LABOR CERTIFICATIONS LATER !!! AND MY 485 APPROVED TODAY !!!
WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOLY CRAP !"

[Anonymous]

"Oh come on Anonymous - I don't think you even believe that Geraldo having a KKK member is the same thing. "

I don't know what specific guest he is talking about so I don't know for sure. The only group that comes to mind is the Minutemen. I wouldn't put them up there with the KKK if that is the case. They certainly aren't ethnocentric - they have members of all races.

Oh, he did have another group that calls itself "The Race" - or at least that's what it translates to. One might be inclined to think that is a racist group. They are certainly ethno-centric. They swear they aren't racists if you go to their website, but come on - their name is "The Race".

[USC]

"to November 2009"

Oops, I meant November 2008

[USC]

Limbo:

"I was just wondering if you could give us a straw man summary of the strive act?"

Greg had done a summary of this a while back. The link is below:

http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/files/section_by_section_summary_of_the_strive_act_of_2007.pdf

My understanding is that Congresswoman Lofgren wants to have some kind of immigration reform pass the House prior to November 2009. She is holding hearings to see how much support she can garner from across the aisle for the various provisions. STRIVE won't pass in its current form but assuming the pros make their voice heard some of the non-controversial provisions will make it in a pared down version!

[Greg Siskind]

Oh come on Anonymous - I don't think you even believe that Geraldo having a KKK member is the same thing. Geraldo would have a person like that on to challenge their views. I'll bet the farm (not the one that moved to Mexico), that Dobbs had such a person on to bolster his views. Transcripts are available at CNN.com, Dream Act guy, if you happen to do the research on this one.

[Anonymous]

Dream act guy - give me a link please. And what was the context?

I can remember Heraldo Rivera having KKK members on his show - it was for spectacle and people watched keenly as they fought the Black Panthers on stage. Just because they were on the show doesn't mean he supported their views.

If you are going to call someone a racist - you better have your ducks in a row.

[Dream Act guy]

The Southern Poverty Law Center listed the instances when Dobbs hosted members of white power/hate groups on his show.

Be informed before you post.

"stupid stuff why don't you erase yourself from the world bro we need less people like you here."

We need less people like you who refuse to think critically about complex issues. You are quite simply put wreckless with your words.

"He only talks about what is in agreement with his immigrant bashing agenda. "

As a matter of fact, I don't agree with Dobbs on this issue. I believe that guarding the borders won't do much to solve illegal immigration. And I don't think it is practical to deport millions of people.

I think there needs to be a path to legalization (call it amnesty if you must). But I think some people should be excluded. For example - people who came since the debate began knowing that we wish them to not come here illegally - hoping to get on the amnesty wagon. And then of course convicted criminals.

The real solution to this is workplace enforcement. If that isn't accomplished history will just repeat itself.

Now enter the clowns. Anyone who doesn't want to open borders and to grant absolute amnesty to EVERYONE must be a racist. Right?

[Anonymous]

"Anonymous - If you were a long time reader of this blog, you would see numerous examples of Dobbs' stepping in it. I'd suggest you browse the archives before issuing your regular challenges. "

It's one thing to be wrong and biased on issues - journalists and pundits often are. It's quite another to impune somebody as racist.

Do you believe Dobbs to be a racist and that he deserves to be lumped with racists - or do you simply believe that he is wrong on the facts?

Let's not mince words here.

[Another voice]

Here comes this guy anonymous with more stupidity and none sense. Lou Dobbs NEVER gives both sides of the story on his show. He only talks about what is in agreement with his immigrant bashing agenda. But I am not surpise since you always seem to be in agreement with him may you are him and that is why you came up with that clever nick for the blog "Anonymous" you are freakying anoying always answering stupid stuff why don't you erase yourself from the world bro we need less people like you here.

[Greg Siskind]

Anonymous - If you were a long time reader of this blog, you would see numerous examples of Dobbs' stepping in it. I'd suggest you browse the archives before issuing your regular challenges.

[Anonymous]

He must really hate latinos!!!

Wait - his wife is a latina. Oh, and the border agents are also of latino descent.

You can call him protectionist and a hawk on immigration - I doubt he would disagree. But putting him on a hatewatch website is going too far. He has had all sides on his show. Obviously he has his views, but I doubt he is hateful and I challenge you to find specific and proven evidence to support such claims.

What bothers me is when people pull that card every chance they get. You really diminish your credibility when you cry wolf all the time. I don't think you should even print such claims on your blog because they border on slander.

[Legal and waiting]

TX, yes, I think CNN has drastically reduced the quality of their programming. How about Nancy Grace, the queen for gore? I was stuck in a small airport a couple of weeks ago, and CNN was the only channel on TV. After 15 minutes of Nancy, people managed to drag furniture from all over the waiting room, stuck it up, and get to the TV to reduce volume. Nobody could stomach her.

[TX]

CNN used to be a credible news source, what happened to them? I am a fan of Anderson Cooper 360, but the fact that this same news organization employes Lou Dobbs is turning me away from even credible journalists like Cooper and now I refuse to even watch CNN.

[Another voice]

On a second note on this guy Lou Dobbs he has an article on CNN where he twisted and got things way out of context in regards to a statement made by the Mexican president in regards to migrants and the prosecution of them by the US government this past sunday. This guy has a miss-information campaign and CNN never bothers to get the record streight because is considered his opinion and not news from facts. Anyway the article and real statement may still be posted in NY Times and the twisted version on CNN.com.

[Another voice]

I know this guy wants to free these people that were already convicted by a court of law based on evidence. I read somewhere that some Senators were promoting a Presidential pardon for these guys. Then again we are talking about Lou Dobbs the biggest hypocrat on TV, good talent CNN.

[Limbo]

USC,

I was just wondering if you could give us a straw man summary of the strive act? I just don't have time to go through it. If anyone knows the key points and can share them, that would be appreciated. I know it has a 10 year exception for schedule A, but don't know much else.