printI listened live to Lou Dobbs announce his departure from CNN after working there for 30 years. As Joseph Farah observed, this left “the network in a state of programming irrelevancy.”
For years there has been just one reason to tune in to CNN. His name was Lou Dobbs.
What makes Lou Dobbs so special is his independence and fearlessness. Dobbs clearly set his own agenda. He had no interest in the “conventional wisdom” of his industry. Dobbs thinks like a real American newsman – a throwback to an age when journalists actually believed they were watchdogs of government and asked tough questions in the interests of the people.
When virtually his entire profession and elites in all the other political and cultural institutions of our time were making excuses for allowing tens of millions of illegal aliens to occupy our country, Lou Dobbs was alone in his focus on the issue critical to America’s safety and security.
Here’s a bit more about the forces behind the purge:
Months ago, the president of CNN/U.S., Jonathan Klein, spelled out two options for Lou Dobbs, the network’s most outspoken anchor. Dobbs could vent his opinions on radio and anchor an objective newscast on television, or he could leave CNN altogether.
On Wednesday, Dobbs made his decision: He chose opinion.
Dobbs told viewers that he was resigning from his CNN job immediately. Sitting before an image of an American flag on his studio set, he said “some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day.”
He remained vague about how he would contribute “to the national conversation,” saying that he was considering “a number of options and directions.”
The synophobia, the protectionism, the populism—there was a lot to disagree about with Dobbs. But Mr. Farah is right; CNN is not much without him.
To get an idea of the kind of malicious attacks the man faced, read this drivel on the huffing post.
The drive to get rid of Dobbs, I predict, will miscarry.
“Gary Shapiro is the president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association.” In other words a government, suck up Lobbyist. I don’t know anything about Mr. Dobbs, but I know better than to listen to anyone with the name ‘association’ or ‘organization’ in their title. I don’t know Mr. Dobbs either, but if the lobbyists are against him, he’s got to be a stand up guy. Hope him the best.
1. Honest
2. Politically Correct
Pick one.
Synophobia? Ridiculous in the age of nuclear weapons. Dangerous in that it make enemies needlessly.
Protectionism? Contrary to sound economics and history. The US should be proud and glad of our soon to be lost ability to print paper in exchange for real goods and services.
Populism? Don’t get me started on how the Fed has ruined this country and the world. Who would have ever guessed that government backed systematic violation of “Thou shall not steal” and other commandments would have bad consequences? Perhaps someone who should have taken the Torah seriously? I abide no looking down the nose at people who did not set up the banking cartel and who have been its victims.
Lou Dobbs? Anyone who has the guts to speak his mind has my respect.
Lou,
Read Ilana. Though not perfect she takes my breath away with how close she is.
Having made an enemy of all the right people -LULAC, La Raza, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Wall Street Journal… and Gary Shapiro – Dobbs may now be the most well-known and best-credentialed “hater” to date. One can only hope his gig on CNN was holding him back and that he’ll now be free to go full-bore on immigration.
I was also sad to see Lou go. CNN is very weak without him. Clearly, CNN could not take the heat from the left. Does CNN support illegal immigration? Does CNN support our jobs going overseas? Does CNN not see the middle class disintegrating because of fake free trade?
I don’t have serious disagreements with Lou Dobbs. I believe he truly represented the interests of the middle class in a way that neither Republicans nor Democrats do.
I also want to remind people of his major stake in space.com. He understood the importance of a robust space program to the intellectual and economic health of the nation. At the same time we await Obama’s decision on Afghanistan, we await – far, far fewer of us – for his decision on the manned return to the Moon. We now know there is water there, allowing us to build civilizations there and eventually on Mars. This Obama decision could be more premonitory of the Nation’s future than the one about SW Asia – at least in the long-term.
Another notch down for CNN – but there are few notches left.
[Hayim is a professor of aerospace engineering.]
So, how long before he shows up on Fox?
Klein said in a statement that “Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere.” So, now CNN can continue as the lone template of objective television news? No.