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...
We need to get more liberals/democrats on our side of this issue. 1. Unions should be against this amnesty/lax immigration issue because they lower the pay scales and take away good jobs. 2. Enviros should be against this because once they come here, these immigrants have many more children than they would back home, thus increasing the world population growth. They also buy more houses, consume more goods, etc., than they were doing where they came from.
sw
Some state legislatures are making a show of fighting it. Some are denying it is a requirement despite the fact that it clearly is. I suspect that is the usual liberal political posturing. The usual lies they spout and their constituency for some reason believes.
No state is going to actually follow through and have their driver's license no longer accepted for any federal purpose, such as boarding an airplane.
What they have managed to do is delay its implementation for several more years, and even then it will be up to eight more years for the drivers licenses that had already been issued to expire and be replaced in some states.
The act even requires that applicants for Ids provide a SSN which is verified to make sure it matches the applicant. I'm personally opposed to that particular part of the act. That should be the responsibility of the Social Security Administration when people apply for a job. They shouldn't be shifting the responsibility on to the states just because the Social Security Administration hasn't been doing their job.
Combine the illegal immigrant problem with the airport security problem, and we are heading towards the day when we will be required to carry a National ID or Internal Passport.
We as a society have developed a reflexive opposition to a National Id. In practicality if probable cause exists, our government should have the authority to require that we identify ourselves. I'm less convinced about Terry Stops, but the Supreme Court has ruled that they are Constitutional.
It doesn't really matter if the Id is State issued or if it's federally issued.
What we really need to fight against is how that Id might be used.
The real question is do you want the government to be able to track you wherever you go without having probable cause?
Should the government have unfettered access to airline reservation and passenger lists? Since Ids are required, the passenger lists could also uniquely identify each passenger rather than just be a list of names as well.
How about passenger lists for trains and buses? Some liberal legislators have suggested requiring Id for trains, and even major bus routes.
How about requiring an Id to purchase gasoline and having the government be able to track that as well.
It seems to me that these are the real threats to our freedom that the idea of a National Id represents to most, not the Id itself. It seems like fighting against a national Id itself is a bit misdirected since a National Id would infringe on our rights no more or no less than State Ids do.
What we don't want is our government tracking the every move of its citizens and prohibiting freedom of travel without probable cause. It seems to me that many of those loudly opposing a National Id have lost sight of that.
Works for me! Ship ‘em all out.
Dobb’s commentary on Clinton got me later watching his show. He was one of the few who made good comments on the mess.
I have considerable background on this subject. I have been involved with projects regarding illegal entry into this country. First there are at least 20 million illegal people in the country (It maybe as high as 30 million). In any area that has crops to harvest you can find them. Most of the illegals are from Latin America. They are present even in the smallest towns in the South East. There are 2 central issues. One is the inherent unfairness to allowing illegals to stay in the country when millions and I mean millions wait 5, 10, 15 years to get into the USA. They fill out all of the paper work, which is considerable, wait in line (often many hours), provide health checks and pay the fees. (The Left care little about fairness if it does not agree with their agenda).
The second is the using of the social services. Some say the crime is the third. Some of the ideas presented here are not reflecting on the reality of the problem.
First stop allowing the use of our social services. Here in California it is required by law to provide them to illegals. A Federal law could over rule it.
The laws are in place; just enforce them by funding them. It is like the seat-belt laws. Have the press attend each deportation and the word will get out. After a year of this they will begin to leave on their own
Build the fence across the entire Mexican border.
Increase the security personal at the border.
Impose a prison work gang sentence on illegals who are caught the second time.
What a moron is the person who wants to make it a felony for housing or hiring an illegal. Once again let me say you can get a false ID for $50.
As long as people think they will have a better life you will not stop it but the above suggestions will bring it down.
Since about 1920 there has always been illegals in the country. It is Now an issue because of the costs and we are being run over by people not invited in.
Also, I will never agree to a National ID card.
There was a modern industrialized country of about 50 million which had no problem deporting about eight million people in the twentieth century.
Also, if there are more than 10 illegals, comprising more than 20% of the lowest-paid workers, then the presumption should be that the employer knew, regardless of the fake IDs they showed
OPERATION WETBACK II/2007
Calling on ANY politician of either party
or persuasion to save our US culture & deport!
PS John McCain want to be Pres. FORGET IT!!!!
Clean up your house in Arizona FIRST!!!
He should be President. Right now.
pinnnnnng!!!
ANSWER : Far less than 260 millin pissed off people can and will make!
First we’ve got to arrest Congress, the president and the Supreme Court. Then and only then will we see your suggestions made law.
“demanding their rights”
You mean demanding rights which are NOT theirs to demand....
“When a government creates harsh laws that are not commensurate to the crimes it breeds contempt. That is why a just law builds support”
The illegal aliens have contempt for our laws, and who cares? The laws are written for American citizens and illegal aliens break them willy nilly, because they have no respect for our country or our laws. Their hate for us has nothing to do with the supposed harseness of our laws, but a inbred desire to have their lazy selves supported by American citizens while they laugh about the situation and demand even more...
“Lou Dobbs is a self-proclaimed life-long Republican who is disillusioned with Out-sourcing and Illegal immigration.”
Wrong.
He is an independent. So quit making accusations about which you know nothing. And there is nothing wrong being a conservative.
If you love illegal aliens, why do you continue to live in my country and not live in their country?
For your wakeup call, Lou has been married to a Mexican for 25 years and worked shoulder to shoulder with Mexicans in fields when he was young.
I live in Panama because of job opportunities. I am saying this before you start pointing fingers.
He is an independent. So quit making accusations about which you know nothing. And there is nothing wrong being a conservative. If you love illegal aliens, why do you continue to live in my country and not live in their country?"
WTH?? Excuse me, but it it YOU who are making "accusations about which you know nothing about".
Start with Lou Dobbs..It has been a fact that he is a life long registered Republican. "Google" is your friend..deal with it!!
Next..(and speaking of being wrong)...YOU ARE OFF BASE..telling me off about loving "illegal aliens".
If I were to lose it, I'd tell you exactly what I think about your ignorant false accusations.
Instead, I challenge you to find ONE single post on FR that makes me an Illegal Sympathizer.
You'll find thousands that support just the opposite.
I won't wait around for your apology..
sw
Lou Come to Farmers Branch!
Good tagline!
That would like creat 12 million new jobs now?
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