I've Changed My Mind on Dan Rather

[Screaming Eagle Red Leg]

When this story first broke, I bought into the theory that Rather was "duped" or "had," as opposed to him having intentionally used forged documents. Now, with about 10 days of evidence to work with, I believe that the totality of the evidence is that Rather knew the documents were forged. He was told by at least two experts that the documents were suspect and at least one told him to definitely not use the docs, plus a host of other evidence that was availible to him.

Consider this: If the same quanity and quality of evidence existed AGAINST President Bush, would Rather have any trouble concluding that Bush had acted intentionally? The answer is OF COURSE NOT!

Why should Rather be given more of a chance?

[sauropod]

All you have to do is watch the video today of Rather dissing a Fox reporter.

Q.E.D.

[Always Right]

Consider this: If the same quanity and quality of evidence existed AGAINST President Bush, would Rather have any trouble concluding that Bush had acted intentionally? The answer is OF COURSE NOT!

The quality of evidense the SBVT presented was vastly superior, but CBS not only discounted it, but has declared it false.

[EggsAckley]

Welcome to Free Republic.

[Neets]

What's with all the dern vanities lately from these ???

[DameAutour]

I'm coming around to the same conclusion that you have. I knew within days of the scandal that CBS hadn't done all that they could to properly vet these documents. But now with the testimony of their experts, I think it is clear that CBS knew the documents were bad, and used them anyway.

However, I'm not sure if it is Dan Rather or Mary Mapes who is most complicit. The Washington Post had an article where it appeared CBS is trying to lay all the blame on her.

[EggsAckley]

I don't know. It seems that newbies are rushing in here with their ever-so-important vanities. Some are trolls. It's wise to keep an eye on them until they prove they are legitimate. That's why I welcome them. It's code for "Hey look everyone, it's a newbie."

~</;o)

[beyond the sea]

I believe that the totality of the evidence is that Rather knew the documents were forged.

You're right! He's evil but he's not stupid. He knew!

[MindBender26]

Even if he relied on producers early on, he certainly knew within 24 hours of the cast that there were serious problems.

I know Dan. He is not dumb, but when that little adrenalin rush starts, he loses all control.

He, like Nixon, sees himself being above all this, and above all of us.

Being a newscaster requires many things; A good appearance, a decent speaking voice, a bit of a flair for the dramatic, (more than many people realize) great writing skills, and most of all, superb judgment.

Walter was a liberal too, but he has more judgment and common sense in his pinkie than Dan can muster for an entire newscast.

Dan just doesn't understand, or at least chose to obey the journalistic "law:" Report the story, but never be the story!

Get the story fast, get it all, but most of all, get it right!

I always knew I was cutting it right down the middle and putting in no personal opinion into a controversial story when I got the same amount of hate mail from both sides of an issue!

Dan just doesn't understand that.

[EGPWS]

Why should Rather be given more of a chance?

Because of his self proclaimed status as an elitist. (proclaimed through his actions throughout the years)

[MEG33]

Although the broherhood of journalists has largely declared the documents a fraud..not one had conceded Rather would knowingly perpetrate a fraud on we peons...

Blind determination to get Bush blinded Rather to reality..or blind determination to get Bush no matter what..So the docs were a bit iffy..no one will notice?

His blind arrogance is the reason he is in this mess.
His snide comment to the Fox reporter was the latest example.

[MEG33]

brotherhood.

[PhiKapMom]

Glad to know that I am not the only one noticing. The other day there were three vanities in a row and had to wonder about all three!

I like the idea of welcoming someone and then keep track! :)

[trashcanbred]

Now I know why so many "welcomed" me on my first post. Instead of being real friendly you were all tagging me as a potential "seminar poster".

I think they do the same on the democratunderground except they say "Bienvenu Comrade".

Please by all means keep your eye on me if u think I am some sort of gypsy liberal.

[EggsAckley]

Yeah, I like using the code. And they really think I'm being hospitable. Heheheh.

[igoramus987]

Rather didn't get duped. The longer he can stonewall, the longer he can air hit pieces on Bush.

All 4 of CBS's document examiners:

1. Emily Will of North Carolina, one of the experts CBS had asked to examine the memos, sent Mapes an e-mail outlining her concerns over discrepancies in Killian's signature. She also phoned CBS and raised more questions about whether the typography in the memos existed in 1972 and differences with other military documents. "They looked like trouble to me," Will said.

Linda James, a document examiner who lives near Mapes, was raising similar questions. The two memos she looked at "had problems," James recalled telling CBS, and she could not rule out that they had been "produced on a computer."

Document analyst Marcel Matley flew from California to New York, and Rather interviewed him on Labor Day, Sept. 6 -- footage that would end up on the cutting-room floor. But Matley limited his examination to Killian's signature, which he believed was probably valid, but not certain -- the lowest endorsement he offers. Because the memos were copies, Matley said in a recent interview, "there's no way that I, as a document expert, can authenticate them. . . . I can't say either way from my expertise, the narrow, narrow little field of my expertise." (link)

2. James J. Pierce said on 9/16, that he was still "in the middle of studying them... CBS is wrong, CBS is wrong". (link)

[EggsAckley]

Well, since I haven't seen you do anything untoward, I guess you're doing fine. It's better than screaming "who are you and what are you doing here?". A good number of newbies ARE legit and we don't want to scare them away.

But, better safe than sorry, you know?

[MEG33]

Not I...I meant it..I lurked for years, snuck in under the radar and have never posted a vanity..here's a helpful link to a welcome thread...plus valuable info.

.http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1213304/posts
"You all need to read this"
Admin Lecture Series ^ | 9-11-04 | Friendly Neighborhood Mods

[Eastbound]

"Rather didn't get duped. The longer he can stonewall, the longer he can air hit pieces on Bush."

Exactly right! The memos were just the kick-off. Followed by a 527 ad, an interview with Kitty what's her face and her drug hit piece book (all hearsay) and probably another hit piece by D'rather demanding Bush to resign for dis-obeying a direct order to scrub the barracks with his toothbrush 30 years ago.

The D's and CBS got big bucks invested in this episodic upramp hit on Bush and Rather is plunging ahead, keeping his earplugs in to silence the roar of the canons. He probably knows he's toast but is determined to finish his 'mission' and will wear it as a badge of honor when he gets his pink slip.

[Squire Eaton]

Dan's liberal bias has been very obvious ever since his Viet Nam Reporting days and then his tour in the White House Press Corps. I was never madder at a reporter than I was at one white house press room briefing when Mr. Rathers refused to address President Nixon by his correct title. He did not stay on White House Press Corps long after that. It's definately time for him to be flushed.

Squire Eaton