Pres. Bush should not address false charges based on forgeries.
If pressed, he should simply say, "I don't address forgeries and fabrications."
"Reich: 'Pres. Bush did you refuse to report as ordered for your flight physical?'"
Ans: "I don't adress forgeries and fabrications."
Until CBS produces the ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, there will ALWAYS be sufficient fact to prove forgery & fabrication to the satisfaction of fair minds. Anyone can do anything with photocopiers, scanners, photoshop, powerpoint, and Word.
Very cogent point on strategy.
Actually, the behavior of CBS in responding tonight, even though in their heart of hearts they KNOW they are cornered by this uncontrollable beast called the "NEW MEDIA" that uncomfortably democratizes the flow of mass information, betrays their nervous constitution. No doubt the top thinkers and strategists at CBS are working furiously on two "battlefronts"....first, rushing to get all the details of what they themselves must know they will eventually have to admit was a bogus fraud, and two, trying to find a way to cloud the subject and "escape the kill zone."
CBS' tactics are not altogether different from those posed by our adversaries at the negotiating table who perpetrate classic psy-war tactics and Sun-Tzu-like military motions.
Case-in-point, our dealing with the stonewalling North Koreans and when our negotiators obtain incontrovertible evidence against them, and more importantly, what specific gamesmanship tactics the DPRK historically tend to employ when under intense pressure or caught in a lie. The parallels abound, indeed.
The US side may ask once again on the main issue, but the North will reply with something like "Yes, of course, you will have the answer from us later and in due time (CBS: "if we come across contradictory information we will certainly report it."), but before answering I want to know who have drawn the line?"
By-and-large Free Republic and our wider allies are doing an excellent job, researchers are correct and well-advised in their mercilessly pummeling Dan Rather and CBS without let up. We have gotten to Mr. Rather's psyche, as you can actually see it in his eyes and hear it in his battle-fatigued, shocked voice tonight. So much is at stake for this man. His career and reputation. But for us, the Republic.
My advice to everyone: We are on a roll tonight, unprecedented in American presidential campaign or journalistic history. Keep focused, keep hitting hard and fast, don't give up, completely rout them from their post, don't cede a single inch. Visual Dan Rather fired and CBS-TV out of the news business. Act. Achieve.