NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams conceded on Thursday's newscast that NBC has focused on the interests of those in favor of the immigration bill as he acknowledged “a lot of people” have a different perspective. A week after the immigration bill collapsed in the Senate, NBC got around to the other side -- but that's still sooner than ABC or CBS. With "Immigration Backlash" on screen, Williams explained how “as we have covered the immigration debate here, we have heard from numerous Americans who are trying to run businesses, make money and in some cases bring in ripe crops. They've been begging lawmakers for a workable immigration solution. A lot of people think this country is letting too many people in. Tonight we hear their take on immigration.”
In the subsequent report, David Gregory narrated video from North Carolina as he relayed how “a retired schoolteacher complains the reform plan ignores the steady flow of illegal immigrants” Gregory realized that “the anger in North Carolina is being felt around the country and it has created a nearly-unprecedented grassroots movement dedicated to defeating the immigration measure.” He characterized the view as part of “an anti-immigration assault” fueled by “opponents of the immigration bill who claim it's nothing more than amnesty for law breakers." But he then cited opposition to all immigration: "The issue cuts across party lines. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 50 percent of Republicans, 41 percent of independents, and 40 percent of Democrats think immigration hurts more than it helps.”
A year ago, the June 6, 2006 NBC Nightly News ran a piece from Gregory which looked at the immigration debate through the prism of illegals in Queens: “You see a neighborhood among the most diverse in the city on the leading edge of this fight. Some are afraid. Luis Amigo owns this bodaga. Here illegally, he says he won't visit his sister anymore, fearing he'll now get stuck in Mexico.” Gregory set up “community activist” Ana Maria Archilla: “Leaving really isn't an option?” And before a minister, who didn't differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants, argued that “we would fail our forefathers if we are not doing what we are supposed to do, to welcome immigrants,” Gregory delivered this chastisement of conservatives, “There is also this appeal: Don't let today's politics change the country.” (For a full rundown, scroll down to the second half of this NewsBusters posting.)
On Monday, the MRC distributed a Media Reality Check by Rich Noyes, “TV’s Paltry, Left-Leaning Immigration News; MRC Study: After Celebrating Immigration Bill’s Debut, ABC, CBS and NBC Mostly Ignored the Debate.” Noyes noted:
The costs of illegal immigration were mentioned just twice. In his May 22 commentary on CBS’s Early Show, Lou Dobbs revealed how "Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation estimates the net cost to our government and taxpayers could be more than $2.5 trillion over the next two decades." The only network news report on the subject came May 27, when NBC Nightly News reporter Robert Bazell used a small hospital in Arizona, as a case study: "The cost of treating non-citizens forced the Copper Queen [Hospital] to close its obstetrics unit....Nation-wide, undocumented immigrants cost the nation $6 billion a year for health care."
The caveat: May 27 was a Sunday, a night when Williams does not anchor.
A transcript of the June 14 NBC Nightly News story:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: The President today appealed once again for passage of that immigration deal in Washington and while they're still talking tonight, nothing has revived it since its collapse. As we have covered the immigration debate here, we have heard from numerous Americans who are trying to run businesses, make money and in some cases bring in ripe crops. They've been begging lawmakers for a workable immigration solution. A lot of people think this country is letting too many people in. Tonight we hear their take on immigration from NBC's David Gregory.DAVID GREGORY: The rolling hills of North Carolina are nowhere near America's southern border, but even here feelings about immigration run red-hot. 64-year-old Beth Thomas, a retired schoolteacher, complains the reform plan ignores the steady flow of illegal immigrants.
BETH THOMAS: There is a way to come here through the legal channels, but just to cross our borders, break our laws is not the way to do it.
GREGORY: North Carolina has seen its Hispanic population increase almost 50 percent in five years. Many have come for construction jobs. Ray Faseola (sp?) moved to North Carolina from San Diego, where he blamed illegal immigration for overcrowding the schools. Now he says it's happening here.
RAY FASEOLA: They have to build new schools, they have to build onto the hospitals because they're taxing everything. The illegal immigrants here get it for free.
GREGORY: The anger in North Carolina is being felt around the country and it has created a nearly-unprecedented grassroots movement dedicated to defeating the immigration measure now being debated here in Washington.
LOU DOBBS ON CNN: What I am worried about is people in this government don't know what they're talking about.
RADIO TALK SHOW HOST ON KOA IN DENVER: I'm a Republican, I want tough immigration reform.
WOMAN IN TV AD: Where's the fence?
GREGORY: Fueling the fire, an anti-immigration assault. Opponents of the immigration bill who claim it's nothing more than amnesty for law breakers. The issue cuts across party lines. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 50 percent of Republicans, 41 percent of independents, and 40 percent of Democrats think immigration hurts more than it helps. Driving those numbers, say experts, the fact that illegal immigrants have moved beyond the border states to new communities.
DORIS MEISSNER, MIGRATION POLICY INSTITUTE: They're experiencing immigration in a way that is new to them. They see their communities changing, they see their schools changing and they see that very many of the people around them are here illegally.
GREGORY: A nation of immigrants divided over the question of who belongs. David Gregory, NBC News, Washington.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I have the solution to gettin
June 14, 2007 - 21:01 ET byI have the solution to getting rid of the illegal immigrants.
Ready?
Now write this down and pass it on.
Stop the hand-outs.
Yes, all the US Government has to do is stop the free hand-outs. Don't school their kids. Don't give them food stamps. Don't give them free medical care. Simply stop the hand outs and they will leave.
Didn't our mothers always tell us not to feed a stray cat?
Debra...
Debra,I have been struggling
June 14, 2007 - 21:35 ET by alamojbDebra,
I have been struggling with this thing a great deal lately. On the one hand I feel sorry for the illegals. Many are very hard workers. On the other hand what does it say about Federal Law if enough people break it, you just change the law? I think about the huge population boom that is happening because of the open borders. As far as the government giving handouts but then not even half trying to enforce the law reminds me of the whole "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Sometimes I wonder if there really is something to this NAU conspiracy.
Once in his life, every true Texan and Tejano must make a pilgrimage to the Alamo. But you better hurry, the Reconquistadores are taking it back.
You might try the Alamo
June 14, 2007 - 21:41 ET by botgYou might try the Alamo
For some reason the link is
June 14, 2007 - 21:47 ET by alamojbFor some reason the link is not taking hold in my signature line.
Once in his life, every true Texan and Tejano must make a pilgrimage to the Alamo. But you better hurry, the Reconquistadores are taking it back.
Un mas tiempo.Once in his lif
June 14, 2007 - 21:52 ET by alamojbUn mas tiempo.
Once in his life, every true Texan and Tejano must make a pilgrimage to the Alamo. But you better hurry, the Reconquistadores are taking it back.
when you linked it you also g
June 14, 2007 - 21:53 ET by botgwhen you linked it you also got newsbusters in the midst, you just need to go to the site itself copy to the web address to your clipboard come back and re-write your hyperlink with the correct address
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
alamojb,I think the thing to
June 15, 2007 - 00:10 ET byalamojb,
I think the thing to keep in mind is that the majority of them are getting hand-outs and demanding rights, which they don't have. (Many do not even want to be American.)
Debra...
Come to think of it, that wou
June 14, 2007 - 23:07 ET by mattmCome to think of it, that would be a good general rule across the board.
The Poll
June 14, 2007 - 21:02 ET by pbthinkerWhat's amazing about the poll is it shows those who thing immigration hurts the U.S., what we don't see is what the other percentages think. I would assume that a majority would not want amnesty, which seems to be the way COngress is going. How much of a rebellion is on the way?
Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Did you mean CON-gress? Ign
June 15, 2007 - 08:59 ET by pbanks7Did you mean CON-gress?
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
Criminaliens
June 14, 2007 - 21:33 ET by Six String SpiffSo, who here thinks that poll is bogus? Who thinks thise numbers are probably WAAAAAY higher?
David Gregory constantly fitting in his BIAS in everything he does. I listen to one poll, and that is the Zogby poll. They poll VOTERS. Unlike these MSSM networks who poll anybody.
I'm part of that grass roots movement. Say hello to my friend Steve Elliot at GrassFire.org. GWB ought to be ashamed of himself. When Conservatives and Liberals agree to vote something DOWN, that is very idicative of how damaging the bill would be. Wake up Dubya! Nobody is going to take you seriously on immigration until you BUILD THE DAMN FENCE! Protect our borderes first, then throw out the trash. This problem is only getting worse by the DAY. I reside in MA and the demographic is rapidly changing to unskilled, uneducated, LAZY, ignorant, RUDE, illegals. Christ, I can't even go to ANY of my fast food places that I used to go, order, pay, drive/walk away. 5 minutes TOPS. NOOOOWWW There is some spanish individual whom I can't understand asking me what I would like (I think) After repeating myself about four times (not an exaguration) I can finally go up to the window and give the establishment my hard earned money. This is the worst part. I have to count my change EVERY time because it's usually short. Then, when I inform them of their error, I get looked at like I just insulted their mother. I had one lazy piece of crap actually ROLL HER EYES when I asked for BBQ sauce! All it took was about 6 years form the time I wanted to spend my money at these places, to the time where I have been bringing my lunch. Even the ones who have jobs still have attitude big time. I work in a fairly big manufacturing area, and if you aren't spanish, you are CRAP.
Sure, lets open that borer up even wider... good grief
Six String Spiff,Actually, in
June 14, 2007 - 21:45 ET by alamojbSix String Spiff,
Actually, in my experience, being from Texas, I have trouble understanding people from MA and vice versa. And the RedNeck dialect of English is my native tounge. I can only imagine how hard it must be for a Spanish speaker. LOL
Once in his life, every true Texan and Tejano must make a pilgrimage to the Alamo. But you better hurry, the Reconquistadores are taking it back.
Yeah, weah wicked bizzah u
June 14, 2007 - 21:52 ET by Six String SpiffYeah, weah wicked bizzah up heah. :-)
I understand people from the south and West perfectly. It's people up here that say really stupid sh*t like Pizzer (Supposed to be Pizza) or idear.. They sound rediculous. They you have ebonics. In fact, I just learned not too long ago that the phrase "Pushing a Phat Whip" means driving a cool car... WOW. Diversity is wonderful...*sighs*
Go rinse at da bubblaSupreme
June 14, 2007 - 21:55 ET by botgGo rinse at da bubbla
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Bruce,We need to bid young ma
June 14, 2007 - 21:59 ET by BlondeBruce,
We need to bid young master Spiff a fond good night!
I always think of Space-man S
June 14, 2007 - 22:03 ET by botgI always think of Space-man Spiff even though it clearly says Six String Spiff
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
One in the same, Bruce.Young
June 14, 2007 - 22:11 ET by BlondeOne in the same, Bruce.
Young Spaceman Spiff chose to move on to a new name, which suits his position in life now....Six String Spiff.
We must respect that.
I, however, whenever I care to get his attention, just shout..."Hey Spiffy!"
He always answers to that....LOL.
So Calvin grew up and plays g
June 14, 2007 - 22:17 ET by botgSo Calvin grew up and plays guitar?
Spiff try some Freddie King, Bobby Bland, "Friday Night in San Francisco" (DeMeola, DuLaChia, McLaughlin)
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
botg,That's because when Spif
June 14, 2007 - 22:28 ET by Dave Rbotg,
That's because when Spiff returned to earth, he took up six-string guitar.
Wait 'till he becomes profficient on one of these.
Damn, Spiff could be the next Alex Lifeson! :-)
see that and raise you oneSup
June 14, 2007 - 22:35 ET by botgsee that and raise you one
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Excellent, gentlemen.Now, sha
June 14, 2007 - 22:42 ET by BlondeExcellent, gentlemen.
Now, shall we see if Debra dares to post anything other than treacly emoticons to a poster with more brain power?
I am sick of the church lady poseur.
Deb...are you there? (did anyone notice Monty hauled ?)
Hmmm....waiting.
I think Monty left a while ba
June 14, 2007 - 22:45 ET by botgI think Monty left a while back, he doesn't debate or even repate, just talking points and NO answers
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Blonde,Debra is probably busy
June 14, 2007 - 22:51 ET by Dave RBlonde,
Debra is probably busy putting the finishing touches on her Mitt Romney voodoo doll.
As for Monty, I thing the soup line ceases serving at midnight.
'night.
D.
Natch, Gentlemen.I'm a tad di
June 14, 2007 - 22:57 ET by BlondeNatch, Gentlemen.
I'm a tad disappointed.
Alas, no kicking trolls for me tonite.
Well,Maybe Matt will post his
June 14, 2007 - 23:00 ET by botgWell,
Maybe Matt will post his video tommorrow
Goodnight
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
I was just messing with you.
June 14, 2007 - 22:00 ET by alamojbI was just messing with you. Since we never met it probably was not nice. My apology.
Also, Thank you botg, I think I got the link right now.
Once in his life, every true Texan and Tejano must make a pilgrimage to the Alamo. But you better hurry, the Reconquistadores are taking it back.
"So, who here thinks t
June 14, 2007 - 21:59 ET by ckc1227"So, who here thinks that poll is bogus? Who thinks these numbers are probably WAAAAAY higher?"
It would have been higher if they had properly phrased the question by asking them about ILLEGAL immigration as oppossed to just immigration.
"The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 50 percent of
Republicans, 41 percent of independents, and 40 percent of Democrats
think immigration hurts more than it helps."
I live in NC, and it gets worse here everyday. Parts of this state are major distribution points for the illegal immigration network.
By the way, did anyone see Geraldo versus Michelle Malkin on O'reilly tonight? Sadly I was eating at the time as Geraldo spewed his nonsense. It was enough to almost make ME spew.
I almost felt sorry for Geraldo though, as this clearly wasn't a fair fight. His main point for allowing illegals? They commit crimes at the same rate as Americans, lol.
Geraldo Sharpton
June 15, 2007 - 01:48 ET by Cool ArrowYeah, I saw Mallkin vs Geraldo, and have the same opinion you do. She mopped the floor with him.
Here's the problem. Geraldo is positioning himself to be the Latin Al Sharpton. Typically, of course Geraldo accused Michelle of hating Mexicans. Then he says I hate Mexicans. Then he says You hate Mexicans.
Then Geraldo gets into his Nazi nonsense, and says something about looking at peepees. He's visibly aroused at this point, and is unable to calm himself down.
It would have been higher if
June 15, 2007 - 07:17 ET by BeowulfIt would have been higher if they had properly phrased the question by asking them about ILLEGAL immigration as oppossed to just immigration. -
I've said this in several other posts on this subject, but I'll go ahead and say it once again - The problem is calling it immigration. If one enters this country illegally, it's not immigration. I have no problem with immigration. It's the illegal fence-hopping that pisses me (and I believe, most other Americans), off. These people ARE NOT IMMIGRANTS. They are ILLEGAL ALIENS.
This just simply can't be easier to understand, unless one allows oneself to be diverted by the vocal advocates and the likes of Herry Reid with his incredibly BULL$HIT "Undocumented Americans" tag-line.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Beowulf
June 15, 2007 - 07:38 ET by Cool ArrowThere was no misunderstanding on the part of Michelle Mallkin or Al Sharpton Rivera.
"ILLEGAL ALIENS... NOT I
June 15, 2007 - 08:35 ET by vrwc13"ILLEGAL ALIENS... NOT IMMIGRANTS... Not Undocumented Americans" ... thank you Beowulf. Maybe if we adopt the lefts way of doing business and repeat it enough times...
Yeah, logic, reason, facts play less of a role now in the way we make decisions in America. – Al Gore
The difference is that we'd b
June 15, 2007 - 09:39 ET by BeowulfThe difference is that we'd be repeating a fact, not a catch-phrase intended to desensitize people to the issue.
Perhaps we'll all start referring to sexual deviancy as abnormal gender related behavior... Sounds better than RAPE, doesn't it, so it can't really be a bad thing...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Beowulf is inthenthitive
June 15, 2007 - 09:49 ET by Cool ArrowDon't you think you might hurt somebody's feelings for implying that any type of sexual behavior is abnormal?
Just look at the sentences given to child lovers in Vermont. Do you really think child lovers appreciate being called sexually deviant?
I think some Diversity training is in order for you.
I think you may be right, bec
June 15, 2007 - 11:04 ET by BeowulfI think you may be right, because my only response to "Don't you think you might hurt somebody's feelings for implying that any type of sexual behavior is abnormal?" is, "I couldn't really give a rat's a$$ if I offend them!"
I have to place an ad for someone to slap my hand...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Beowulf I can help
June 15, 2007 - 11:14 ET by Cool ArrowPerhaps you would like to join Mohammedanism. Our religion teaches it is acceptable to have sex with sheep. Thighing of infant girls is also acceptable.
Talk about being insensitive!
June 15, 2007 - 11:31 ET by BeowulfTalk about being insensitive! Mohammedanism implies the worship of Mohammed, which everyone knows isn't the case. Muslims may quote him, idolize him, manipulate his words ad nauseum, live in his name, die in his name, kill in his name, take offense at whatever in his name, blow themselves up and teach their children to do the same in his name, but they DO NOT worship him!
It looks like whatever wrist-slapper I finally hire will have twice the work...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Mohammedanism
June 15, 2007 - 11:39 ET by Cool ArrowYou would be wrong. The followers of Mohammed don't worship him any more than Lutherans worship Martin Luther.
Sorry if I slap like a girl.
Immigration? Who does NBC t
June 15, 2007 - 08:38 ET by Sergeant ROCKImmigration? Who does NBC think that they're foolin'? Oh, that's right.. their lefist following.
"I've said this in sev
June 15, 2007 - 12:18 ET by ckc1227"I've said this in several other posts on this subject, but I'll go ahead and say it once again - The problem is calling it immigration. If one enters this country illegally, it's not immigration."
I can live with them using "immigration" as long as they distinguish between legal and illegal when discussing the issue.
Gregory is an amazing drunk. Isn't he?
June 15, 2007 - 10:25 ET by acaiguanaGregory is an amazing drunk. Isn't he?
GREGORY: A nation of immigrants divided over the question of who belongs. David Gregory, NBC News, Washington.
He gets nearly everything wrong in the above sentence.
1. We are not a nation of imigrants. We are a nation of Americans some of who are first generation immigrants. I certainly did not immigrate. My family has been here since 1535.
2. We are not divided over who belongs here. We are divided over the idea that it is OK to break the law, enter the country without permission and then parasitically feed off its wealth.
3. The quesiton isn't who 'belongs' it is whether we can control our nation's integrity and sovereignty.
What a maroon.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Notice the blending of immigrant and illegal alien?
June 15, 2007 - 11:04 ET by c5thenThis is on purpose. The goal is to equate immigration with the illegal aliens in an attempt to paint the opponents of amnesty as bigots and racially prejudiced. It is of course false, but the campaign doesn't care.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
Legal immigrants are not th
June 15, 2007 - 13:39 ET by FlashmanLegal immigrants are not the same as foreign criminals and the MSM is being wilfully duplicitous in trying to obfuscate the distinction.