Dobbs falsely asserted that Obama advocated bilingualism "while discussing the issue of illegal immigration"
SUMMARY: CNN's Lou Dobbs asserted that in his July 8 remarks, Sen. Barack Obama was "out telling people to have their children not learn languages -- foreign languages, but specifically, while discussing the issue of illegal immigration, tells them they've got to learn Spanish." In fact, Obama was responding to a question about education and bilingualism, not "illegal immigration," and at no point in his remarks did he mention "illegal immigration."
On the July 11 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, host Lou Dobbs falsely asserted that in his July 8 remarks, Sen. Barack Obama was "out telling people to have their children not learn languages -- foreign languages, but specifically, while discussing the issue of illegal immigration, tells them they've got to learn Spanish." In fact, Obama was responding to a question about education and bilingualism, not "illegal immigration," and while Obama did reference "immigrants," at no point in his July 8 remarks did he mention "illegal immigration."
Obama's comments came during a question-and-answer session following a speech he gave in Powder Springs, Georgia, on the economy. According to a Congressional Quarterly transcript of the event, an audience member asked the following question about education and bilingualism, not "illegal immigration":
My question is, can there be a universal dropout age established? Let me go further with that. Here in Georgia, a student can drop out of school at 16, but you have to be 18 to enter into a legal contract, and you have to be 21 to drink. At 16, I'm not sure that a person understands the importance of education. And it's essential for them to be able to have the careers that they need to support their families when they're older. Additionally, I think that there should be a push more for our citizens to become bilingual here in America.
After addressing the first part of the question, Obama responded to the remark about bilingualism, in part, by asserting that "immigrants should learn English," but he did not mention "illegal immigration":
[N]ow, the second point you made is also excellent. We live in a global economy. And, you know, I don't understand when people are going around worrying about, "We need to have English- only." They want to pass a law, "We want English-only."
Now, I agree that immigrants should learn English. I agree with that. But understand this. Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English -- they'll learn English -- you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about, how can your child become bilingual? We should have every child speaking more than one language.
You know, it's embarrassing -- it's embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe, and all we can say, "Merci beaucoup." Right?
You know, no, I'm serious about this. We should understand that our young people, if you have a foreign language, that is a powerful tool to get a job. You are so much more employable. You can be part of international business. So we should be emphasizing foreign languages in our schools from an early age, because children will actually learn a foreign language easier when they're 5, or 6, or 7 than when they're 46, like me.
From the July 11 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:
DOBBS: This ad will be running in three states, we're told by the McCain campaign, with large Hispanic populations: Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Senator Obama is sparing no effort to pander to the illegal alien lobby himself. These two candidates working very hard to outdo one another in the pander-rama.
One example: Senator Obama's declaration this week that Americans should be sure their children speak Spanish. Obama today did what most candidates do when faced with a backlash and voter outrage: He issued a so-called clarification that stretches broadly the meaning of what he said and truth itself.
OBAMA [video clip]: I said something the other day down in Georgia, and the Republicans jumped on this. I said, you know, absolutely, immigrants need to learn English, but we also need to learn foreign languages.
DOBBS: Well, actually what the senator was, make sure your children learn Spanish. That's what he said, and he also said that he gets embarrassed that Americans go abroad and can't speak the language of the countries in which they're traveling. Well, the senator's explanation doesn't do much to straighten out the record. And as you just heard, the senator talked only about the need for children to learn foreign languages today, we -- not, as he said yesterday, be sure that your children learn Spanish.
We should note that both Senator Obama and Senator McCain this week will -- well, they're not through pandering. They will be addressing a pro-amnesty group, the National Council of La Raza.
[...]
ED ROLLINS (Republican strategist): So, it was a week of blunders, and I think part of it is that both of these people are trying to cover bigger bases than they had to.
ROBERT ZIMMERMAN (Democratic strategist): I think it's a valid point in this, especially regarding Obama's position on FISA, which I strongly disagree with, or his position on illegal immigration. But the point here is, both of them are going to get caught up in this game of gotcha, and the trick is not for them to be on the defensive. And that will be interesting to see how they --
DOBBS: Wait, wait, wait. May I say, Robert, they're no longer in the game of gotcha. The national news media is awakening to the fact that we have two very flawed candidates running for president of the United States. Even the national media that is so in the tank for Obama -- and now realizes you've got a man out telling people to have their children not learn languages -- foreign languages, but specifically, while discussing the issue of illegal immigration, tells them they've got to learn Spanish. I mean, the man -- this is ridiculous, what we're watching these two people do.
And it is no longer a case of journalism or even commentary.
These pay-per-any view talk jocks just say anything they are told. I have to really wonder if they even read or listen to what the candidates say. They rely on interns and rumor mongers to supply them info. In the case of Dobbs, I think he is getting angrier by the day because of his "diminishing capacity" in the world of media. He has become a joke. Yes, Senor Lou, you.
He hates Mexicans.
On Friday, he even tried to blame the salmonella outbreak on "the ingredients in Mexican food"
Talk about a stretch--- like onions, tomatoes, and peppers ain't used in anything else.
Well of course when Dobbs hears anything relating to a foreign language he just assumes it's all about illegal immigrants, and no explanation can possibly dispel the notion.
What an idiot.
His best pal, Phil Gramm, has so much as said so by telling us voters we live in some kind of a mental depression. Imagine if Ted Kennedy ( or any democrat ) had said that. And McCain actually believes we voters are going to bite into his explanation that only McCain speak for McCain. Sure didn't use the same yardstick when endless discussion of rev Wright's relation to Mr Obama was explored.
I guess the when people are in a "mental recession", they cling to their bankbooks and Wall Street Journal to get them thru the tough times.
Personally, this new thing concerning Spanish, etc., can be easily corrected by teaching everyone Latin,(Brother Victoria would be so proud of me) or let's really get cerebral and bring back Sanskrit.
Of course Dobbs' first language seems to be the writings on caves walls. How else could he be so misunderstood? :>)
I'm seeing a trend here whereby the conservative *news* pundits are equating Obama's and McSame's actions. The message to voters being that if you can paint them both as pandering idiots, you may as well flip a coin to pick the next prez. That's the only way McSame would have a chance mr. L. l
You nailled it, L.
here's the new script:
1) There's really not much difference between the two on most issues,
2) Obama looks like he might be kind of a flip-flopper. Can his supporters even trust him?
so,
3) Why take a chance?
And it will probably work.
I don't know what Dobbs does in his spare time, but maybe stepping out in the real world and coexist with the rest of the population without the benefit of producers carrying water for him might be an enlightening experience for this guy.
Is it an endrophin rush in his head everytime the word illegal imigrants passes though? All those fears and hopes cascading though his nural circuits? Probably way off base here, but I wonder if the spacific illegal immigrants that he is focused on have entered his sexual fanticies.....yet.
Whatta way to live. Still lucrative I spose.
See Tex is wondering the threads again. Solon where are you?
I guess I'm behind the times.
I didn't know Merriam-Webster had redefined "enlightening" to mean mind-numbingly stupid and puerile.
I gotta laugh at how Lou Dobbs refers to the candidates as flawed but completely drops the ball on this when all he has to do is report the facts .
It doesn't seem that complicated to me . Why can't these lunitics get this right .
Wow, we could use an entire web site just dedicated to this crank. Has Dobbs lost his mind? Neither candidate stands for his crazy positions because they INDEFENSIBLE!
BTW, I LOVED hearing Dobbs try to speak negatively about the MSM! How can a commentator from CNN not include himself in the MSM? What a joke ...
How would someone like Dobbs suggest that the US compete on the world global stage if our citizens and students cannot do business in languages other than just English? We will now have to insist that China, Korea and South America convert all business dealings to English only.
"They arrogantly think they are in charge, and if any other country wants to play ball, they will learn english and bow to our authority or else. I wonder how well that thought process works when you kick everyone else out of the "club"?"
Reference Rome, fall of.
The rest of the world was with US on 9/12/2001. But then our President turned the world against US by trying to prove that they were "with US or against US." From that point forward, the war to bring down America started. The battlefield has been money and their main objective is our economy..sort of what Bin Laden suggested. War on Terror..hell, we are at war with the rest of the world or should I say the rest of the world is at war with US. Does anyone truly believe that Europe, our allies, would despair if we are forced to our knees?
America is not what it was in the past. We are not seen as taking the high road. We are now considered the same as eveyone else. It is the responsibilty of the people to inform our government that WE are US. And WE will take back our beloved country. Then, "they" may accept US for what it has always espoused.
This November is the most important election in Americas' history due to the fact that we are spiraling down a one way road. WE need to return to American values. And money grabbers like Dobbs could've had tremendous input to help out but instead became what WE shouldn't be.
MMFA and you liberals are an absolute joke!
Obama brought up "IMMIGRANTS" here saying 'they'll learn English' (by the way -- what proof, of that does he have.)
And then says we should worry about our kids learning Spanish. Are a majority of the illegal immigrants speaking Russian? Italian?
Plus, MMFA's deceptive headline here makes it sound like Obama is not advocating bilingualism. Which he obviously is.
But really, all you need to know about this latest Obama gaffe is that once again Americans ARE the problem. That thinking just isn't going to play well with the voters.
"Obama brought up "IMMIGRANTS" here saying 'they'll learn English' (by the way -- what proof, of that does he have.) And then says we should worry about our kids learning Spanish. Are a majority of the illegal immigrants speaking Russian? Italian?"
What about the majority of the legal immigrants? Besides, he also talked about how we can't speak French when we visit France. He talked about being bilingual in general, not just Spanish specifically.
"Plus, MMFA's deceptive headline here makes it sound like Obama is not advocating bilingualism. Which he obviously is."
It's not deceptive if you can understand what you read. It's about advocating bilingualism "while discussing illegal immigration". There was no discussion of illegal immigration. If it was just about the "bilingualism" part, the title would be cut off after that word.
"But really, all you need to know about this latest Obama gaffe is that once again Americans ARE the problem. That thinking just isn't going to play well with the voters."
How is saying that we need to learn other languages to help ourselves in the global marketplace suggesting that "Americans are the problem"? Why don't you try reading the full speech before you talk?
Obama dare not use the term "illegal". The topic of "illegal" immigration will NEVER come up from his company because he knows no such term. He is no different then the other cronnies in congress. We are goverened by a one party system and are screwed unless we revolt (revolution). That is just one mans opinion, and I stand behind it.
"Plus, MMFA's deceptive headline here makes it sound like Obama is not advocating bilingualism. Which he obviously is."
Yes, obviously he is. The mystery is why in world would you find that so objectionable? Your inability to comprehend the headline clearly signals that you haven't even mastered English yet, so I think the only explanation for your stance against bilingualism is is just simple-minded anti-intellectualism/anti-education.
If you read what he said, you'll find that your particular linguistic pursuits are in accord with his sentiments. I'll help:
Note that while there is a singular "Spanish" reference, there are multiple references to foreign languages in general. Also note the reference to French. There's nothing about the global economy or international business that specifies Spanish. You can get a better job knowing French or Chinese. You can go to France and know how to say more than "Merci beaucoup". That's the sort of thing he's talking about, regardless of the specific language.
There are areas in the states where you could ONLY get employed if you speak spanish. SO, when one knows this, and IS fueld by Illegal Immigration, what he said can be taken two ways.
1. he is pandering to the spanish speaking illegals
2. he is sincere.
I feel it is a combo of both.
I used to speak fluent spanish. It is a shame I habe forgoten most of it, I admit.
How is "Now, I agree that immigrants should learn English. I agree with that." pandering to Spanish-speaking illegals?
I said it above.
Of course it does not make sense at all. I bet this is one of those "long life liberals/democrats" who have never voted for a Republican but will vote for McCain because Obama is too bad to be considered.
I caught Michael Medved the other day ranting about this, and it is amazing how these guys are twisting Obama's words. I remember Medved saying something like "look, Spanish is not a dying language, so it not as if it will die or become extinct" (paraphrasing him) AS IF someone had said anything of that sort!
As a first generation immigrant coming from Mexico, I for sure want my 8 months daughter to learn at least English and Spanish. It is sad to see 2nd and 3rd generations lose their ancestor's language as it is really an advantage not only in terms of jobs, but also in terms of opening a new world by better knowing where you (or your parents) came from, and embracing the best of both cultures.I already speak Chinese, English and French and I don't think that I need to learn Spanish just to live in the United States.- zamfir273114
Oh my god, imagine having to learn Spanish!!
If you learned all the others, what's wrong with one more? You got something against Mexicans to be so tied up about it (answer = yes.)
BTW, most kids here already do learn a little Spanish in school. So what's the problem, righties?
The Obama speech linked by MMFA is rife with classic populism yet Dobbs, the fraud that he is, has to obscure the message by injecting his nativist ideology and eliminationist rhetoric. He is
What Dobbs is doing is similar to what the conjobs do here. The cons here feel the public sentiment turning against their destructive Randian-objectivist economics. So, they pull out every socialist allusion at their disposal.