Bye, bye, Lou; "Hooray", Felicia

Good Riddance Lou Dobbs

Commentary By Felicia Persaud

CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Nov. 13, 2009: In a surprise move this week, CNN`s Lou Dobbs announced he was departing the network and the 7 p.m. time slot. Can somebody say `hooray` please?

Dobbs had used his slot on CNN to preach an anti-immigrant rhetoric of hate and venom that got under the skin of many immigrants and advocates but was celebrated by many right wingers anxious over the browning of America.

Following tremendous pressure from advocates, including the Latino community, those of us who have for so long expressed anger at the bias and unbalanced reporting coming from Dobbs, can celebrate.

CNN it seems has yielded to the pressure from so many, including the over 25,000 Color Of Change persons who signed a petition that called for the removal of the unbalanced anchor from a network that touts balance in news reporting.

One cannot dismiss the power of advocacy and pressure, especially when that action was measured simply by the switching off of CNN during the Dobbs hate hour. CNN saw its numbers drop significantly during this prime time spot and it no doubt helped put the nail in the coffin of Mr. Dobbs. That coupled with Dobbs` claim that someone annoyed with his point of view, shot at his house recently, must have helped to make the decision. Or is there more to the sudden resignation? An `illegal alien` perhaps in Mr. Dobbs` closet?

Whatever it is, I like many other are happy and relieved. Now it`s over to John King, who will undoubtedly bring a refreshing change in reporting to the hour. As CNN president Jon Klein, said in a statement yesterday,

"The program will reflect what CNN is all about: straight facts from our anchors and the widest range of opinions from across the political spectrum." Did Klein miss that fact all these years or is he suddenly waking up from a Dobbs sleeping pill?

As for Dobbs, speculation is rife as to what he will do next. Will he go to Fox where he will fit right in and add to the bunch of racist, nut wingers there?; or perhaps he will resume his space site and continue his pursuit of aliens, both legal and illegal? Stay tuned.