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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.

For example, CBS-TV tonight, 10 September 2004, kicks into full-force the clever and age-old tactic of "REDIRECT FOCUS"

When the North Korean negotiators (and by extension here, CBS' tacticians and Dan Rather) refuse to answer questions or appear to try and change the focus of the negotiation, this is classified as redirect focus. After the US representative side (i.e. the good side against CBS in this case) answers the North Korean rep's questions, the NORTH KOREAN REP. HAS A "FEW QUESTIONS OF OUR OWN" (CBS articulated its four or so 'questions' on George Bush which they will not abandon). The US side simply asks for the North to respond, such as the US bringing up a North Korean border violation in relation to the West Sea Boundary, and the North replies with something like "So, you repeatedly relate that the West Sea Boundary Line be discussed between the North and the South (in CBS's case, "you constantly harp on IBM Selectric's "th", and signatures and fonts"), but before answering your question, I hope to ask YOU questions. I want to know who have drawn the Northern Limit Line, US Commander or South Korean Military?"

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?"

They will go through this charade many times, constantly changing the subject and causing frustration with the US side. Here is the COUNTER STRATEGY that the US applies to the North Koreans, and which Independent Bloggers, New Media Researchers, Conservative Freepers and talk show hosts should employ toward a similar mindset opponent:

REMAIN FOCUSED. DO NOT ALLOW THE OPPONENT (NORTH KOREA; CBS-TV/DAN RATHER) TO SIDETRACK YOU. YOU MAY INSIST ON AN ANSWER BUT OFTEN THIS EVOLVES INTO A CIRCULAR TEST OF WILLS. CALMLY BUT FIRMLY AND IF NECESSARY, STRONGLY REQUEST THE OPPONENTS RETURN TO THE ISSUE INITIALLY DISCUSSED (FORGERIES!!). OPPONENTS DO OFTEN INSULT TO TEST HOT BUTTONS, OR PROBE THE KNOWLEDGE ON THE PART OF THEIR ADVERSARY, AND THUS DESTROY 'FOCUS'. REMAIN CALM AND POINT OUT THEIR TACTIC.

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.