Lou Dobbs Has No Prayer On This One

The following appeared in this column from Lou Dobbs at CNN today…

The separation of church and state in this country is narrowing. And it is the church, not the state that is encroaching. Our Constitution protects religion from the intrusion or coercion of the state. But we have precious little protection against the political adventurism of all manner of churches and religious organizations.

Gee, Lou, I would venture to say that you’re…oh, I don’t know…maybe 20 YEARS LATE AT LEAST with that observation!

The entire conservative ascendancy in this country which has left its sadly indelible imprint on practically every area of our lives since The Hallowed Days Of Morning In America Under The Sainted Ronnie R ^TM is owed to the unholy merging of government and faith as interpreted by people who, for the most part, are intolerant fundamentalist zealots (and more than a few racists also). Of the many ways that that has been made manifest, the latest is the pervasive influence of Pat Robertson’s Regent University throughout the U.S. Justice Department.

But why does Lou care about this now, you ask? Well, as our Titan of Self-Importance tell us…

The nation's religious leaders seem hell-bent on ignoring the separation of church and state when it comes to the politically charged issue of illegal immigration. A new coalition called Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Wednesday will begin lobbying lawmakers with a new advertising and direct mail campaign on behalf of amnesty for illegal aliens.

The Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners Magazine put it this way: "If given the choice on this issue between Jesus and Lou Dobbs, I choose my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ."

Praise Jesus, it’s green cards and HB-1’s all around. Hallelujah! And to support his claim, Dobbs offers this…

A Zogby poll last year asked churchgoers if they supported the House bill that would make illegal aliens return home and reduce future illegal immigration by securing the border and performing checks on illegal employers. Seventy-five percent of Protestants responded that was a good or very good idea, 77 percent of born-again Christians also agreed, and 66 percent of Catholics also backed tougher enforcement measures.

As far as I’m concerned, Atrios thoroughly refuted Dobbs on that one with this post from last December, citing numerous polls from last year also.

Way to be timely and cutting edge on this one, Lou. I can hardly wait for your follow-up report on the end of the disco era.

Update: At least Lou isn't in the same league as this other truly pathetic offering from his network (meant to get to this earlier).