It really is a shame. Olbermann has been doing a first-rate job in terms of his commentaries on the Bush regime. But when it comes to a couple of pet issues he seems to lose all objectivity and to devolve into a kind of mindless- and at times vitriolic- dogmatism. The other night was a good example: Lou Dobbs and illegal immigration. Dobbs has been quite vocal on two main issues: the plight of the middle-class as the result of the ascendancy of the corporatocracy and the negative effects of unregulated illegal immigration.
Olbermann sees red when illegal immigration is mentioned. A couple of nights ago he attacked Dobbs as a “racist” because of Dobbs’s view that illegal immigration presents a danger to national security and a burden on national resources. Olbermann should just come out and say that he is in favor of totally open borders because that’s the position he appears to espouse- time and time again. Why is a person a racist merely because he believes that immigration needs to be regulated for the good of all concerned? And what’s so great about letting American corporations have all the cheap labor they want regardless of the consequences? The irony is that Olbermann is head-to-head with Bush and the merchant- elite without seeming to realize it. And classifying a person as a racist for holding a position that is probably held by most Americans is really a cheap attack and totally unfair. What makes it all the more ridiculous is that Dobbs is married to a Latina lady and appears to be very positive vis-a-vis Hispanic culture. Doesn’t sound like much of a racist to anyone with a brain, now does he?
Observing Olbermann at his worst one can surmise how liberals lost the country to the far-right corporate dictatorship that has taken over. Too many liberals- and Olbermann is one of them- just turn too many people off with their mindless extremism on social issues. Throw away the pseudo-liberal textbook for once and try thinking with a degree of objectivity.
And Mr. Olbermann, now that you’ve shot off your big mouth and made a fool of yourself, be man enough to apologize to Mr. Dobbs for your inappropriate and unwarranted remarks. We know you’re a big deal now and your book is doing well and all; but don’t get too big for your breeches or you’re liable to wind up experiencing an uncomfortable descent down the ladder.
