Posted on 05/03/2007 11:39:32 AM PDT by Reagan Man
He has never called for the deportation of all illegal immigrants, but Lou Dobbs believes the U.S. could pull off such a feat if it really wanted to. The CNN anchor, whose stance against illegal immigration has helped raise his ratings but also fueled criticism, speaks to Lesley Stahl for a profile to be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday, May 6 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Dobbs is against amnesty programs for illegal immigrants and the president's guest worker proposal, so Stahl wonders whether Dobbs thinks the government could deport all illegal immigrants. "I've never called for their deportation,"says Dobbs. "But at the same time, when this president and open-borders, illegal-alien-amnesty advocates say, 'You can't deport them,' my answer is, 'You want to bet?' because this is the United States. I think this country can do anything it sets its mind to," he tells Stahl.
The former host of "Moneyline" for over 20 years, a business program on CNN, Dobbs has transformed himself into a purveyor of "News, debate and opinion" in the words used to introduce his current CNN program, "Lou Dobbs Tonight." The debate is often about illegal immigration. He is a believer in curtailing illegal immigrants' access to some social services. "I happen to think that it is necessary, given the fact that the federal government won't control immigration and won't control our borders," Dobbs tells Stahl. Dobbs says he's not for shutting off medical services, but illegal immigrants' use of other entitlements and the public schools is problematic. "Going to food stamps Ð should taxpayers be paying for food stamps? Should taxpayers be burdened with schools that are overcrowded?" Dobbs asks. "[Taxpayers'] children, therefore, are being denied education. Those are very serious issues," he says.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus accused Dobbs of being anti-Hispanic for these types of views. "I was asked if I'd ever eaten a taco before, for God's sake," says Dobbs, who has been married to a Mexican-American for 25 years. Hispanics have called for his job and Dobbs finds such criticism ironic because he grew up on a small farm and picked crops alongside migrants. "I am probably one of the few people in the debate who actually has [worked with migrants]. I've got the greatest respect for those folks," he tells Stahl.
Dobbs' opinions are a main feature of his nightly program, behavior that would exclude him from the classic definition of journalist as an objective reporter. Nevertheless, he still considers himself a journalist. Here's his opinion on that: "The idea that a reporter should be disqualified because he or she actually cares, actually isn't neutral about the well-being of the country and its people, that's absurd," he tells Stahl.
Developing...
“Start with Lou Dobbs..It has been a fact that he is a life long registered Republican. “Google” is your friend..deal with it!!”
Lou announced this past week on national TV he is an independent, so you deal with it.
“I won’t wait around for your apology.”
LOL!!! What makes you think I am going to apologize?
NEVER!!!
Dream on.
I don't know what your problem is with me, but it's clear you can't tell friends from foes..
Don't ever post to me again..ever.
sw
I do not understand their demands of rights that are not theirs to demand
yet the leftist media supports it- and the pols here do nothing
we must never agree to a National ID or a required State ID
You’re wrong again.
I’m a great admirer of Lou. He is the only one that says the things the way they really are. No sugar coating. He gives both sides a good whipping.
For that reason, I also admire Glenn Beck for whipping both sides. And for the record, he also announced this week he is an independent. And for the record, I’m conservative who at this point I have come to loath George Bush.
Yes I know...
It’s beyond reason isn’t it?
LORDY, SW, someone calling you an illegal sympathizer has me rolling on the floor! obvious mango tree man doesn’t know you at ALL!!! LOL! Craig, you simply MUST apologize to SW for that. nothing could be further than the truth, it is so ludicrous.
I am one of Lou Dobbs biggest fans..the same with Glenn Beck. And as far as Bush is concerned, his pandering to the Illegals has greatly disappointed me (that's the nicest thing I can say without getting bounced)..
So, please.. let's forget about this unfortunate little tiff, and know we ARE on the same side.
PEACE...sw
I'm glad someone noticed I am passionately against Illegals, CIF and amnesty. Lord knows, I've been fighting against Illegals for years..
I'm not expecting an apology anymore..I just NEED to clear my name as an Illegal lover...that hurt..:(
sw
Required to do what?
Drive a car? Identify yourself? Take out a loan? Open a bank account?
There are a lot of times in life that we are going to reasonably be required to identify ourselves.
It doesn't matter if the Id is National or a State Id.
It isn't the Id itself that is the problem. It is when an Id is required, and if the data gained by checking an Id is tracked and for what purposes.
It's far too late to say we must never agree to such an Id. We've been effectively required to have one for as long as I can remember.
You might as well be saying that we must never agree to pay taxes.
Are you planning on cutting up your driver's license, closing your bank accounts, cutting up your credit cards, paying off all your loans, disconnecting your home from any public services, and living under the radar?
You don't really need to provide an Id to pay taxes, as long as they are paid.
My wonderful Grandfather was always fond of saying..."Can't never could do anything."
Did he also say that a job could be done without taking the actions needed to accomplish the job?
If Lou was on FOXNews and said this, the left would be demanding the whole network be shut down. Since it’s CNN, they just want to censor Lou. I wouldn’t be suprised if he got fired, but a better idea would be to trade geraldo to CNN and bring lou to FOX. I’m not crazy about lou, but getting rid of geraldo would be a big improvement.
Trust me...if the penalties are made sufficiently large nothing more would be needed. The employers and landlords themselves would conduct their own background checks (a practice already not without precedent).
Can't never could do nothin'!
Traffic has increased since then.
All that is needed to move 15.0 million additional passengers is a 2% increase in normal lift capacity. All illegal aliens could be deported quite easily.
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