CBS'S BIG BLUNDER? (Credits Free Republic)

New York Post ^ | 9/10/04 | JOHN PODHORETZ

[kattracks]

September 10, 2004 -- THE populist revolu tion against the so- called mainstream media continues. Yesterday, the citizen journalists who produce blogs on the Internet — and their engaged readers — engaged in the wholesale exposure of what appears to be a presidential-year dirty trick against George W. Bush. What the bloggers and their audiences did was call into profound question the authenticity of four documents proudly trumpeted by CBS News in a much-heralded investigative report on Wednesday night's edition of "60 Minutes" about the president's National Guard service in the early 1970s.

These were "previously unseen documents . . . obtained by '60 Minutes,' " the network bragged Wednesday night on its Web site. Their author, supposedly, was Bush's squadron commander, Jerry Killian, who died 20 years ago.

They "include a memorandum from May 1972," CBS reports, "where Killian writes that Lt. Bush called him to talk about 'how he can get out of coming to drill from now through November.' " A document dated "18 August 1973" complains that Killian is being asked to "sugar coat" Bush's record. "I'm having trouble running interference and doing my job," the document says.

Liberals went wild with glee about the story, especially after the onslaught on John Kerry's Vietnam record by his fellow Swift-boat veterans.

Kevin Drum, the most talented of the left-wing bloggers, wrote: "This story is a perfect demonstration of the difference between the Swift-boat controversy and the National Guard controversy. Both are tales from long ago and both are related to Vietnam, but . . . in the National Guard case, practically every new piece of documentary evidence provides additional confirmation that the charges against Bush are true."

[snip]The Minneapolis lawyers who run powerlineblog.com were on the case early. Two of the blog's readers directed their attention to a note left on an Internet bulletin board on the freerepublic.com Web site, the 47th posting on the topic there. Post No. 47 pointed out that there was something off about these documents from the 1970s: The spacing between the letters and the words was proportional, and only a few IBM electric typewriters could achieve that effect back then.

Excerpt

[self_evident]

Or even a call very late on November 2 from the White House.

Given the topic, shouldn't we get someone who does a good Bush impersonation to call him?

[Howlin]

To: Republicus2001

It takes a lot of cash to smash two jets, don't you think? Can you say Osama bin-Laden?

89 posted on 09/11/2001 9:08:58 AM EDT by HalfIrish

[HalfIrish]

It takes a lot of cash to smash two jets, don't you think? Can you say Osama bin-Laden?

[P-Marlowe]

I wonder if CBS stock will nosedive tomorrow? Anyone who hangs on to their stock after today is crazy. CBS' credibiliy is in the tank and I hope they never recover.

The King (CBS) is dead. Long live the (FR) King.

[Cosmo]

I'm saving that thread for my kids. Just need to start having some.Sadly, Mrs. Cosmo is sleeping.

[Howlin]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1211457/posts

[nutmeg]

I nominate Buckhead (Post 47) for Freeper of the Year!

I second that nomination! Buckhead... Mega-KUDOS for your fine work. :-)

[Hugin]

The populist revolu tion against the media continues.

The dominant media is so far to the left of mainstream America, so it hardly seems right to call them "mainstream" anymore. I hereby suggest all Freepers refer to them as the Leftstream Media from now on. I am.

[Grampa Dave]

Howlin needs a special Free Republic Jersey with 47 on the front and back.

[GailA]

When are cBS and danny boy going on national TV and say the are SORRY to President Bush? danny boy should do it on his nightly news tonight.

[RandallFlagg]

And, printed on magnetic paper, a carefully thrown one could hit the sides of a bus at about thirty feet and stick.

[ladyinred]

Wow, this is sooo cool! Way to go freepers! I was reading that thread last night amazed at the talented researchers we have here.

[Howlin]

Poor, stupid Kevin Drum.

[Political Junkie Too]

Post #47 will be forever know as "Deep-Font"

That phrase absolutely HAS to get out there. That sums it all up in a way that hits the MSM where it hurts.

-PJ

[Howlin]

Thanks, matt; but didn't you contribute to some threads, too?

[Kozak]

TankerKC posted at 7:20pm while the show was still on that the memo did not look kosher. I think his was the first to do so.

[SunkenCiv]

Dan Rather probably had nothing to do with this particular fiasco, but he needs to be retired anyway. And heads should roll at CBS over this See BS story on 60m2.

George W. Bush will be reelected by a margin of at least ten per cent

[Jenya]

How did this wonderful post #47 get to the attention of the media?

Congratulations Buckeye. That was a bullseye!

[Mjaye]

"Deep Font" it is, I love it!!!

[JackelopeBreeder]

Do we know each other from Hovey, CRC, and the Hump?

[Yaelle]

ROFL! You mean a POOR Bush impression!!