In responding to George Mercer's letter on Sept. 23, in which he criticized editor Steve Bouser's criticism of so-called newsmen Lou Dobbs and Bill O'Reilly, let me offer support to the Bouser side.

What frustrates the Bousers and me is that a Lou Dobbs delivers news and offers his opinion in the next breath. Heresy. And they all seem to be doing it. Most of Fox's and MSNBC's boys are clearly opinion merchants.

After that, it gets confusing, and it's disappointing that the fine news organizations like CNN or NBC (see CNBC) allow it. CNN founder Ted Turner would never have allowed it.

When Bouser writes an editorial or column, it's clearly labeled "opinion." Readers who see "leanings" on the news pages (here and elsewhere), in fact, want the news to serve their leanings. To call Lou Dobbs "fair and balanced" is, well, way, way out of bounds.

Modern news organizations are blurring the lines between news and opinion for ratings. Mainstream consumers are missing this point.

Bouser gets it and runs his news organization accordingly.

Scott Bigelow

Pembroke