Specific beefs are spelled out on the dropdobbs.com site. For the last three years, Dobbs, the once respected financial journalist, has been attacking immigration reform efforts, and more specifically Mexico. He has declared Mexico an “enemy” of the U.S., an eager supplier of drugs to this nation, and the brains behind the "reconquista" plot to regain control of places like Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California.More recently, a completely unhinged Dobbs has aligned himself with the "birther" nuts, demanding President Obama's birth certificate, and alleging a nefarious Obama plot to turn control of this country to shadowy "czars."
Dobbs is simply nuts. Boycotts, however, are not the way to go. Dobbs has the right to say whatever he wants on the air.
The coalition, which includes National Council of La Raza, National Puerto Rico Coalition, MediaMatters for America, Hispanic Institute, Netroots Nation, Southern Poverty Law Center and Reform Immigration for America, has every right to boycott the show and tell their supporters not to buy the products of companies that advertise on "Lou Dobbs Tonight." Both sides share the freedom of expression.
Boycotts are ineffective. They can turn the target into a martyr figure, one being unfairly persecuted by zealots on the right or left. Truth and debate are the best ways to cut Loony Lou down to size. Here’s a good beginning: Lou claims an invasion of illegal aliens is threatening the nation’s health. What is the threat? It’s leprosy. Note to Lou: this blogger rides the New York City subway at least five days a week. It's jam packed with people from all over the world. I haven't detected any sign of leprosy yet, but will keep my eyes open.
Dobbs is spinning or has spun out of control. The same can be said about Rush Limbaugh, who this week advocated segregated school buses for white and black kids. The white kid bus, suggested Limbaugh, will be fitted with bars to protect it against attacks by the black kids.
Is Limbaugh feeling heat from Beck, the current right-winger star of the moment? Who knows?
Who cares?