Dobbs vs. Spitzer Redux: Dobbs Apologizes for Calling Harvard Law School Alum an “Idiot’

From Immigration Daily (www.ilw.com):

“Recently, CNN’s Lou Dobbs apologized to NY Gov. Spitzer for using inappropriate language when referring to him. “I’m the idiot … Governor, I apologize for calling you one. Your policies are idiotic. But I have to apologize for calling you an idiot” (for the full story, see here). While Mr. Dobbs has apologized for his use of one inappropriate term, he and other anti-immigrationists continue to use inordinately strong language when referring to their opponents. It is clear that the anti-immigrationists’ emotions are running strong but too much emotion in a debate can cloud it. In public discourse, especially over something which is very controversial, cool-headedness and the use of calm language is necessary to find a middle ground. It is naive for either side on immigration to believe that the other will somehow just vanish, a middle ground will be crucial for both sides to reach for and find. Two sides can play the verbal assault game, and if left unchecked, a war of words can escalate into blows. A start towards civil discourse would be when CNN stops Mr. Dobbs’s pollution of the airwaves.”

KJ