Press Conference - Rep. Hilda Solis (CA-32)

http://www.mediamattersaction.org/fearandloathing
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First elected in 2000, Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis is serving her fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. She represents California's 32nd Congressional District, which includes portions of East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Prior to her election to Congress, Solis served eight years in the California state legislature. In August 2000, Solis became the first woman to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her pioneering work on environmental justice issues in California. In 2003, she became the first Latina appointed to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Washington, D.C. -- Media Matters Action Network today released "Fear and Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News," a special report documenting the rhetoric surrounding illegal immigration heard almost daily on influential cable news channels. The report exposes how cable news overflows not only with vitriol regarding immigration, but also with a series of myths that feed viewers' unfounded resentments and fears. Leading the charge are CNN's Lou Dobbs, CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck, and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, all of whom have played major roles in creating this anti-immigrant hysteria.

"This report shows in startling detail how Dobbs, Beck, and O'Reilly serve up a steady diet of fear, anger, and resentment on the subject of illegal immigration," said Karl Frisch, a spokesman for Media Matters Action Network. "When they aren't demonizing undocumented immigrants with misleading claims, this trio of cable news bullies is advancing baseless urban legends and wild accusations targeting the immigrant community. CNN and Fox News need to answer for this -- failure to do so would be the height of irresponsible journalism and a disservice to the American public."

The report discusses, in detail, two types of myths regarding immigration perpetuated on cable news. The first are the largest and most common myths, such as those about crime and undocumented immigrants, and the costs of illegal immigration in social services and taxes. The second are the urban legends, such as the purported conspiracy to take back the Southwest United States for Mexico and the supposed secret plan to construct a "NAFTA Superhighway" running from Canada to Mexico.

Media Matters Action Network's analysis focuses on Dobbs, O'Reilly, and Beck. While hosts on other cable programs regularly discuss illegal immigration (particularly on Fox News, where it is a frequent topic on Hannity & Colmes and Special Report with Brit Hume), Dobbs, O'Reilly, and Beck are the key offenders.

Among the hosts, Dobbs stands out as the most guilty of this recklessly irresponsible journalism. Fully 70 percent of the 2007 episodes of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight included discussion of illegal immigration.

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• solis

[teagarden8650]

Go back to Mexico, i cant stand obama supporters.

[ConfusedAmericanCiti]

Who is the woman fooling? Anyone that has mosied into an emergency room knows that latinos don't underutilize medical facilities. Any time of day this is proved a lie.

[mrbriscoe2001]

Sorry.I just don't believe illegal immigrants "under-utilize" hospitals.That said,a hospital shouldn't send anyone away.;and Legal immigrants should be treated with respect.as should people concerned about illegal immigration.

[SoftWolfTread]

and that's why there's racial slurs all over this thread from rightwingers.

Are conservatives dishonest or just stupid?

[SoftWolfTread]

Ms. Solis rocks! The most progressive of the cabinet.

Smart, liberal and dedicated.

I have such a crush on her:)

[legaeb]

I bet Courtny is proud of you.

[Htaed1239]

It's a sad day when U.S. taxpayers are made to feel guilty when denying the funding for third-world emergency room costs.

We're the biggots! Oh that's right! Media Matters has lost all credibility and goes to show they are for the most part unnecessary.

[flyinghaymann]

Solis is lying. Mexican's breed and calve in our hospitals, at our expense. Poor Meixcans in our country have 4,5,6 and more kids, filling our schools, creating gangs, costing us taxes for police, and prisons. Mexican's are killing California, this is why they are going bankrupt. Solis & her friends are terrorist leaders of the Mexican Invasion.

[CourtneysAuntSara]

this chick is full of shit.

[JamesTCA]

Wetback bitch

[Sinead522]

Racist is a word that the Open Borders Lobby uses when they can't think of anything else, when they can't defend their position logically, because there's no logic to allowing illegal immigration.