By Felix Flores
LatinaLista — “When this man talks bad about immigrants, he can never show it on paper, or show anything else that proves what he says,” said Rosa Rosales, national president of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens). “It’s clear that they are nothing but lies, and the worst part is that people begin to believe them.”
In his surprise departure statement, broadcast last Wednesday evening, Dobbs said, “some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and remain involved in the great issues of our day.”
These are the kinds of comments Rosales and other Hispanic civil rights activists will hopefully no longer have to worry about being perpetuated through a cable news network like CNN.
Lou Dobbs resigned from CNN as news anchor from his nightly 7 p.m. EST time slot, after a 27-year career. He was best known for his controversial comments concerning what he considered “the major issues of our time,” including the growth of America’s middle class, the creation of more jobs, healthcare, immigration policy, the environment, climate change, and military involvement in Afghani- stan and Iraq.
In his surprise departure state- ment, broadcast last Wednesday evening, Dobbs said, “some lead- ers in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and remain involved in the great issues of our day.”
As surprised as many may be, there are many more who are elated that he is stepping down from such a high pedestal that he has been us- ing to promote negativity.
“CNN should not allow this individual to continue promoting hate,” commented Antonia Castañeda, a member of MALCS (Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social). “It’s not that we are against CNN because it’s a good source of information, but we just don’t want Dobbs.”
It has not been reported that Dobbs will be leaving the media arena forever, just that he is leaving his options open. He has made one point clear, however, he does not plan on leaving the public arena.
In fact, there have been rumors surfacing that Dobbs plans on running for office, but those who protest his televised opinions might consider that a major step backwards in this nation’s quest for absolute civil rights and unbiased mass media.
“Lou Dobbs’ resignation from CNN is an important step forward in restoring greater fairness, accuracy and balance on CNN and cable news,” said Janet MurguÃa, president and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. “We hope this resignation begins to undo the climate of intolerance fostered against the Latino community, restore journalistic integrity to the CNN brand, and bring civility and truth back to the immigration debate.”
The NCLR has long since been raising concerns about Dobbs’ gross distortions, misrepresentations and straight-up falsehoods through its Wave of Hope campaign and the recently established Drop Dobbs Coalition.
The former CNN anchor has even tried stirring up trouble with President Obama supporters, saying their elected president was not born in the United States. Jon Klein, network president at CNN reportedly suggested that he cool his jets, but he was never fired for his sharp opinions.
