James Dobson resigns as Focus on the Family chairman.
By on Feb 27th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
James Dobson resigns as Focus on the Family chairman.
Today, James Dobson told Focus on the Family’s 950 employees that he was stepping down as chairman of the organization he founded more than three decades ago. The move is part of “a succession plan” to relinquish control over the group. Dobson will, however, “continue to host Focus on the Family’s flagship radio program, write a monthly newsletter and speak out on moral issues.” The group has been suffering from financial troubles after spending $600,000 to defeat marriage equality in California, recently laying off approximately 150 staffers.
Update Steve Benen looks at Dobson's legacy: "Few modern figures on the political scene hate quite as many people, with quite as much intensity, as James Dobson. Gays, minority faiths, the First Amendment, Girl Scouts, SpongeBob Squarepants ... if you don't think, act, or believe as Dobson does, you're an enemy. (One of my personal favorites is when Dobson insisted that gay marriage 'will destroy the Earth.' He wasn't kidding.)"
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Thank God! I’ve wanted Gobstun to remove his “focus” from MY family for decades. May he res in pieces.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:44 pmSteve Benen looks at Dobson’s legacy: “Few modern figures on the political scene hate quite as many people, with quite as much intensity, as James Dobson. Gays, minority faiths, the First Amendment, Girl Scouts, SpongeBob Squarepants…
You left off recalcitrant dachshunds.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pmI can sleep at night knowing that Dobson considers me his enemy. if he were to consider me his friend, then I would need to blow my brains out.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:48 pmNow Dobbie can focus all his attentions on being the house elf…
February 27th, 2009 at 2:50 pmTo be rid of one self-righteous preacher of hatred and intolerance is good news.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:52 pmApparently the economic disaster has a welcome result on Focus.
When the $$$$ MONEY $$$ dries up, all the maggots scurry back into their damp well-lined underground lairs
February 27th, 2009 at 2:55 pmI believe it’s more of a secession plan than “a succession plan”. These high rolling evangelical leaders show their true colors when the money starts drying up. Contradictory to their teachings, they have no desire whatsoever to live poorly.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:57 pmYay for SpongeBob! Another money grubber bites the dust.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:57 pmI understand that the real reason for the Dob-goblin’s retirement is so he can focus on curing Ted Haggard…
February 27th, 2009 at 3:00 pmThaat such a hate-filled, despicable person should be admired by a chunk of the US populace…such a sad commentary on our times.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:00 pmI’d like to congratulate Mr. Dobson on being the only wingnut leader I know of to ever make it far enough in his career to step down from his leadership position without being forced out by a personal or public scandal.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pmi’ve got to say, seriously, when my kids were little, early 80s, the local radio station carried his one minute spots – helpful advice on home and family… he made sense back then…
‘course i didn’t dig any deeper than that… or maybe his paranoia caught up with him…
but i used to enjoy his words and appreciated the advice…
February 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pmactually, i don’t remember that he was even pushing religion with it… if so, i surely would’ve turned it off.
“continue to host Focus on the Family’s flagship radio program, write a monthly newsletter and speak out on moral issues.”
out to make the “big bucks” with speaking engagements…
February 27th, 2009 at 3:06 pmspewing the hate but leaving the organization unscathed…
I see a big fat FoxSnooze contract in his future. His rant-fest is bound to give Flush Limpballs and Little Seanie Vanity a run for their money.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:07 pmI really like Benen’s point, which I make time to time myself. It applies to the entire conservative movement, which hates most of America.
Who do they hate? Let’s start the list:
February 27th, 2009 at 3:14 pm- Gays
- minority faiths
- the First Amendment
- environmentalists
- union members
- womens’ rights advocates
- civil rights supporters
- community organizers
- workers seeking family-supporting wages
-?
You know darn good and well that he won’t be away from the media for very long. He’s an habitual scab-picker who can’t leave his sores alone. I agree with torn, he’ll be on Fox within a month.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:14 pmRumor has it that he and Ted Haggard are dating
February 27th, 2009 at 3:16 pmNow if he’d just resign himself as a messenger from god, we’d have something.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:16 pmJames Dobson resigns as Focus on the Family chairman and says he will be part of the “I blow goats for Jesus” Foundation.
Well, I guess he doesn’t hate Goats….LOL.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:16 pmOT: Jindal’s Katrina Tale Was False.
Surprise, surprise.
Dunno if this has come out yet, but couldn’t resist. I now return you to your TP post about dachshund-beater Dobson….
February 27th, 2009 at 3:16 pmDobson didn’t step down, Jesus and his dad fired him! Either that or his job got outsourced. Didn’t FotF just lay off a large percentage of its workforce?
In any case, what’s with the TeleFelon Evangelistas and their obsessions with fictional characters? First Fallwell with his Tinky Winky fixation, then Dobson’s fear of Sponge Bob.
Cowards and Bigots and Idiots, oh my!
PEACE
February 27th, 2009 at 3:22 pmHe’ll be spending more time in Darryl’s backyard.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:23 pmWow, judging from some of the comments on this board I have to rethink my misconception that liberal democrats were the party of “tolerance.”
Seems that most of you are filled with more hatred than any conservative i’ve ever met.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:24 pmMcWars Says:
He’ll be spending more time in Darryl’s backyard.
For an Evangelical, Darryl sure seems to support the FLDS lifestyle. It must be that Michael Landon fetish.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:27 pmMcWars, are you sure it’s “yard”?
February 27th, 2009 at 3:27 pmoh yes 24, go to that bastion of tolerance, Free Republic…they’re so tolerant and loving of people whom they do not consider “normal…”
February 27th, 2009 at 3:27 pmDaddy D is stepping down? Good. Usually, when the head of one of these organizations steps down, the organization goes into decline. No better outcome could be hoped for than for FOTF to shut its doors forever.
So, don’t let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya, D!
February 27th, 2009 at 3:28 pmHi Tim43!
February 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pmStraw man alert aisle 24. Please ignore as consumption of items in that aisle are bad for your health.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:30 pm24. Tim43 Says: Wow, judging from some of the comments on this board I have to rethink my misconception that liberal democrats were the party of “tolerance.” Seems that most of you are filled with more hatred than any conservative i’ve ever met.
“Tolerance” doesn’t mean putting up with hate and racism. It explains why the conservatives attract the murderous nuts…they share your density.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pmHey Tim43…. let someone talk about you in the worst terms, question your basic humanity, your life, your values, your patriotism, etc. and see if you can be very “tolerant”.
Dobson is not just someone speaking his mind, he has actively worked against the civil and human rights of a great many people. His organization has used lies and deceit in such campaigns. He regularly accuses gays and lesbians of the worst, most disgusting things.
I will not “tolerate” such a person, who has NOTHING POSITIVE to contribute to society.
Yeah… and I agree with #27. Check out the Freepers and then come back and tell me how hateful we liberals are.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pmTim43, if you are going to comment on every one of your misconceptions, then you should start your own blog site. Tolerance is a virtue when it relates to accepting an individual person’s right to differ in matters of personal choice. Tolerance is a vice when it relates to accepting a person’s using that difference to deny someone else their rights. We progressives know the virtue from the vice. If you were more tolerant and open-minded you might learn from us.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:32 pmBobby Jingles’ staff has been forced to retract his fabricated story of the other night. He must still be in Disneyland.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pmThere is something fishy going on here. The new fear-leader is a retired AF general. I’ve googled him and can’t find anything accept he hung around the air force academy being all christian.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:42 pmDobson is too clever to step down without a bigger, badder spot in the national media. His motive will surface soon…these people don’t do anything unless it lines their pocket and gives them power.
Tim43 says; He would like to join the “I blow goats for Jesus” Foundation.
Still laughing at this one.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pmTim43 wants Americans to accept these freedom haters the same way the Jews “tolerated” Hitler. To quote the great Bugs Bunny, “What a idjit. What a MAROON!”</strong
February 27th, 2009 at 3:48 pmIt used to be thought that exposing these cave dwellers for what they are was the only way to get rid of them. But, I guess that the quickest way is to catch them in a sex scandal or separate them from their money. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR REICH WING HATRED!!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to pull a John Kerry on the last part of #37. I missed reducing the “bold” after the quote.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:50 pm2009 is already turning out to be a good year. First Bush the Incompetent finally, mercifully leaves office, and now James “hates Everyone” Dobson is stepping down as head of Focus on the (Straight White Christian only) Family. The vileness this man spread over the years is at once enraging and saddening. I feel sorry for him, slightly, dedicating his entire existence to fighting so-called “evils” when he could have used his power and influence to bring about genuine, positive change in people’s lives. Instead, he spent his life (and will continue to, it seems) ranting about such evils as gay marriage, the First Amendment and Spongebob Squarepants.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:51 pmIf one were to visualize Dobson’s inner child, I imagine it’d look a lot like Gollum.
Big ’80’s flashback for me on this one. This thread is like the Jim & Tammy Faye news was. Now we talk about investigating Gitmo/Torture/Rendition- It was Iran Contra ca.’89 (at the end of my college days). Economic matters more dire than in decades – it all started clicking for me with the announcement that employment #’s were the worst since ‘82 (high school days for me)
There’s no good reason to have repeated all this crap. I guess I have to blame the kids I grew up with – who failed to pay attention to anything political until a silver-spooned, clay-tongued huckster from TX came a-knockin on their door for votes in ‘99. Since many of them had to turn to religion to kick their bad habits, the stage was set for the ruin we’ve witnessed since and now enjoy.
Everybody,teach your kids just how badly cocked up things get when R’s get their way.
Religious folks – teach your kids that a cross lapel pin and a bumperfish are not necessarily ironclad guarantees of honesty and integrity.
Nice work, class of ‘84(mine). Don’t expect me at the Reunion come August.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:53 pmMarie Says:
Bobby Jingles’ staff has been forced to retract his fabricated story of the other night. He must still be in Disneyland.
Yeah, they were forced to retract it since 2/3’s of the speech came from Shirley Temple movies. The Grand Old Party just ain’t what it used to be…or what America needs.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:58 pmUS will not attend UN conference on racism
February 27th, 2009 at 3:58 pmReuters – ?1 hour ago?
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will not attend a United Nations conference on racism that critics say will be a forum to criticize Israel and will no longer attend planning sessions for it, a US official said on Friday.
US won’t participate in UN racism conference International Herald Tribune
…unless the outcome document is changed to drop all references to Israel and the defamation of religion. …
US will not attend UN conference on racism TVNZ
Washington Times – Jewish Telegraphic Agency – Washington Post Blogs – Ha’aretz
all 113 news articles
http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&ncl=dFlUGUqvgrLIX1ML2lzrTXHQ5YqFM&topic=h
Seems that most of you are filled with more hatred than any conservative i’ve ever met.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
By “hatred” we lefties hate bigotry, while conservatives are filled with less hate for bigotry.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:12 pmGod does answer prayer.
I’m wondering if there’s a scandal afoot…like a Jeff Gannon in the wings waiting for the next edition of the Enquirer to come out.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:14 pmWait a minute, do you really think Dobson will give up his throne for some follower for no reason? I smell a hooker in the woodwork.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:16 pmGirl Scouts? What does Dobson hate about the Girl Scouts?
February 27th, 2009 at 4:18 pmJames Dobson resigns as Fascist on the Family chairman.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pmBeing from Colorado, I always find it spooky to drive through Colorado Springs and feel all that weird Reich-Wing Fascio-Xtion energy flowing about like moonbats from Hell.
We finally get rid of Teddy Boy Haggard and now we can kiss Dobson’s fat arse good-bye.
Progress, slow, but progress at last.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:37 pmWasn’t this the jackass who was all over the purple teletubbie?
February 27th, 2009 at 4:44 pmLibert Lover, that they have the v thingy…
February 27th, 2009 at 4:44 pmWhat? No Mission Accomplished banner?
February 27th, 2009 at 4:54 pmRUCerious — LOL
February 27th, 2009 at 5:03 pmRuC — I thought maybe they tossed his cookies. But then again, that’s the way the cookie crumbles….
February 27th, 2009 at 5:05 pmDobson’s magazine issued a scathing attack on the Girl Scouts in 1994, insisting they had “lost their way,” after the group made a religious oath optional for membership. He added that the Girl Scouts are “pushing a philosophy – a philosophy that includes humanism and radical feminism.”
Oh, The Horror! The Horror! ;)
February 27th, 2009 at 5:15 pmThere is no evidence that James Dobson is resigning due to an upcoming homosexual/illegal drug/pedophilia scandal. He is resigning in order to spend more time with his family, despite their wishes.
February 27th, 2009 at 5:17 pmshoeless Says: He is resigning in order to spend more time with his family, despite their wishes.
Since even test tubes can have families…
February 27th, 2009 at 5:25 pmHe’s resigning to spend more time with his family, in the shower.
February 27th, 2009 at 5:25 pmI guess he’s leaving to “focus on his family”…
February 27th, 2009 at 5:52 pmGood riddence! We need to see more of the same with the rest of the rightwing crazies. Retire, die and just begone!
February 27th, 2009 at 5:55 pmI wonder which happened he got cought in bed with a dead preteen girl or a live pre teen boy hahahaah just couldnt help myself
February 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pmAre you sure he didn’t just mis-spell “reigns”?
February 27th, 2009 at 7:00 pmDobson: “I Want To Cure Ted Haggard of Being Gay But Don’t Have Time, It ‘Could Take Four or Five Years’”
Looks like he’ll have the time now.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:10 pmBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
February 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pmGo see your buddy Ted……………
February 27th, 2009 at 7:52 pmI’m missing something here. If this were a part of a “succession plan” I would think that he would have a presser which said who is taking his place or the proceedure to be used to determine the next head.
For him just to leave doesn’t sound right.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:46 pmGreat. Now pick up the Luger.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:17 pmGood BYE
February 27th, 2009 at 11:51 pmMy favorite Dobson story is from when he was in the Opie and Anthony show talking about Lucky Louie and Louis CK got Dobson to admit that he hadn’t seen the show. He trashed it based on what others told him.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:17 amI suspect the REAL story will follow shortly. These POS’es don’t just “retire” for the hell of it — they are usually caught boffing some studly young (gay) man.
Note: it’ OK to boff a studly young female – you know…driving the devil out of her…but that doesn’t require you to resign. Only gay boys.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:13 amOh great, I guess that gives the dick more time to beat his dog.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:55 pmTim43 Says:
Wow, judging from some of the comments on this board I have to rethink my misconception that liberal democrats were the party of “tolerance.”
Seems that most of you are filled with more hatred than any conservative i’ve ever met.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
You are a liar Timmeh. You have always been a liar. No one on the left spews the hatred of Coulter or Savage. THEY are your spokesmorons. Why do you come here to lie and attack us. You are far too stupid to make an actual point. Far to pathetic to engage in actual discourse. Do you ONLY come to show how stupid and ridiculous you are? I guess if being a liar and a fool is your thing then you are a success
March 1st, 2009 at 4:17 amI’ll give Dobson this he really believes what he says (unlike Fred Phelps Pat Robertson etc.) I don’t think he’s a bad guy he’s just misguided.
March 1st, 2009 at 4:39 pmWow It is so nice to know that the left is everything they claim so proudly. Oh I mean you guys are so open minded and tolerant. I am sure glad your comments are not anything like that mean spirited James Dobson that you all are so affectively talking about in your comments. But I guess open mindedness and tolerance is only expected and demanded depending on your political and moral beliefs.
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