Would you walk away from your employment?

By now, you have likely heard that’s what Lou Dobbs has done, abruptly quitting his post at CNN, which has been his TV home for most of the past 30 years.

During his on-air announcement last week, uncharacteristically, Dobbs refrained from clearly specifying what he plans to do next.

But, what Dobbs did say conveys a clear idea of what he wants to do, why he could not do it at CNN, and more subtly points to the unholy effects of the growing alliance between government controllers and sectors of the so-called main stream media.

Here’s the essence of Dobb’s message:

“Some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving, as well as to contribute positively to a better understanding of the great issues of our day, and to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible.”

Constructive problem-solving; that makes sense. Insight and understanding of the significant public issues of our time; that makes sense, too. And do that using direct, clear and honest language; that also makes sense. So, what’s wrong with this picture?

Dobb’s pointed right to it with his opening words:

“Over the past six months, it’s become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and affecting all of us.”

In other words, the pressure that started to increase during the 2008 campaign had been stepped up significantly by the new administration in Washington. It appears the pressure has been too much for the top brass at CNN to handle. So, they folded. CNN capitulated to the Washington controllers.

Now, as part of the publicity spin, the top brass continue efforts to hide behind the specious statement of wanting to position CNN as the “neutral” news organization among the spectrum of cable news competitors in between MSNBC on the left and Fox News on the right.

Here’s what sandwiched Lou Dobbs:

CNN wanted to steer Dobbs’ program into bland general reporting. Top brass wanted him to stay away from controversial issues, the very issues that are most important to America’s citizens.

The difficulties started several years back when Dobbs had the unmitigated gall to call for closing the borders as one important step in stopping non-citizens from illegally entering the United States.

Dobbs wanted to continue to analyze and evaluate all public issues, educate and inform his viewers and spell out what he viewed as being the best solution for all Americans. But, that didn’t fit CNN’s definition of neutral.

Industry insiders say that it got to the breaking point during the summer when Dobbs continued to give airtime to those Americans who dared to ask questions about Barack Obama’s place of birth.

One unidentified TV insider said “Lou was polluting the CNN brand.”

The reality is exactly the opposite. Advocating for truth never pollutes. Lou Dobbs was the lone breath of fresh air on the CNN program schedule. Now he is gone.

In his way, CNN President Jonathan Klein admitted as much in his statement released following the Dobbs announcement: “For decades, Lou fearlessly and tirelessly pursued some of the most important and complex stories of our time, often well ahead of the pack. With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere.”

If Dobbs decides to do the same thing he has been doing but unleashed somewhere else, we will all win.

If he decides to raise the bar and seek public office we will all win, perhaps, all the more.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications, a professional member of the National Speakers Association and founder of Citizens For Change. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.NET or 877.RichSpeaks.