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September 20, 2004
Weasel words from L.A.M.E.
Drudge Reports the following statement from Dan Rather:
EXCLUSIVE // Mon Sep 20 2004 11:58:02 ET
STATEMENT FROM DAN RATHER:Last week, amid increasing questions about the authenticity of documents used in support of a 60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY story about President Bush's time in the Texas Air National Guard, CBS News vowed to re-examine the documents in question—and their source—vigorously. And we promised that we would let the American public know what this examination turned up, whatever the outcome.
Now, after extensive additional interviews, I no longer have the confidence in these documents that would allow us to continue vouching for them journalistically.
I find we have been misled on the key question of how our source for the documents came into possession of these papers. That, combined with some of the questions that have been raised in public and in the press, leads me to a point where—if I knew then what I know now—I would not have gone ahead with the story as it was aired, and I certainly would not have used the documents in question.But we did use the documents. We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry. It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.
Please know that nothing is more important to us than people's trust in our ability and our commitment to report fairly and truthfully.
This may have been sufficient within a day or two of the broadcast when even a one-eyed baboon could spot the forgeries. Now, more than ten days out? And Dan was misled??
Nope. Nada. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Baby, you tried to mislead your audience.
Time for a full FEC and FCC investigation. Minimally Dan and top executives in the CBS "news" division should be fired. In reality, they should be charged and fined. Though, I admit I'd enjoy seeing Dan doing jail time. Obviously this is a hell of a lot more serious than what Martha Stewart engaged in.
However, read the above weaselly statement above and notice what is obvious by its absence:
Where is Dan Rather's apology to President G.W. Bush?
Posted by Darleen at September 20, 2004 09:52 AM