Posted on 09/12/2004 5:32:19 AM PDT by nikos1121
When asked what is the most important part of any news story, Joseph Pulitzer replied, "Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy."
I've always thought that whether it's selling newspapers, a documentary, a speech to the Rotary Club, or used cars, if you want to have viewers tomorrow try deceit, if you want to have viewers ten years from tomorrow, try honesty.
I have read about as much as anyone on the subject of the Bush National Guard memos. In fact, starting today I'll stop the reading. The excellent discussions and technical research presented here and now in several major news sources leaves very little doubt in my mind, that the memos are fakes. In fact, when you weigh the evidence it comes down very very heavy on the side that believes the memos are fakes.
More troubling to me is the fact that a major network, CBS, one that I grew up respecting, is appearing more and more like a tabloid. To put this in simple terms, consider this. CBS based this important story on:
1. Three memos from an un-named source 2. Written by a deceased person 3. That are photocopies and not originals
This alone should have raised red flags. I mean, we're not talking about a story for the STAR or the National Enquirer here, we're talking about CBS NEWS. Is this their new standard of excellence? Is this the kind of reporting that we can now expect on the CBS EVENING NEWS and 60 MINUTES?
I'm not a journalist, but I can tell you that if I had spent years in school training to be one, or years on the job as one, and I found myself in a department at some newspaper or TV station where this was going on, I would say to myself "Something is really wrong here." Maybe I might even get a ping of emotion and say, "it's time to speak up or shut up."
Which brings me to the purpose of this posting. I ask:
IS THERE ANYONE AT CBS, ANYONE WITH ANY INTEGRITY AND COURAGE, WHO WILL COME FORTH AND SAY, "COLLEAGUES, SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THIS IS NOT THE STANDARD OF TV JOURNALISM THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW. THESE MEMOS ARE "POSSIBLY" FAKE AND THE WAY THEY WERE REVIEWED AND PRODUCED IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO US AND THREATENS TO UNDERMINE THE WORK THAT WE ALL TRY TO DO. WE SHOULD RESPOND TO THOSE OUT THERE WHO ARE RAISING CONCERNS AND INVESTIGATE THIS MORE FULLY AND IF THE PREPONDERENCE OF EVIDENCE IS THAT THEY ARE FAKE, THEN WE SHOULD RETRACT OUR SUPPORT OF THEM."
IS THERE NOT ONE YOUNG REPORTER THERE AT CBS WHO IS TROUBLED BY THIS? IS THERE NOT ONE WHO WILL COME FORTH, KNOWING THAT THEY MAY LOSE THEIR JOB FOR DOING SO, TO SAY "THIS IS WRONG AND I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF A DEPARTMENT THAT OPERATES THIS WAY."
It is inconceivable to me, that no one at CBS News, (including people like Morris Schafer, Mike Wallace, etc etc.) had doubts on the validity of these memos. I can only assume that no one wanted to go up against Rather or maybe they figured that if given enough rope Rather would hang himself. Either way, this is clearly a crossroads for CBS and the people working there.
Where is that one reporter at CBS with some moral courage? I'm waiting to hear form you.
Nick A. Vlachos
Actually, I did see him doing exactly that the other night. I think it must have been on an FNC show.
I think public opinion of media in general puts their honesty BELOW that of used car dealers. Still, there are plenty of suckers who buy cars from used car salesmen, and plenty of suckers who believe media reports.
Did anyone see the 1970s memo yesterday that someone found from Dan Rather about Watergate, Leslie Stahl etc and posted here? In his memo he says deep throat is Diane Sawyer? Anyone see that yesterday. That memos paints the picture of the man then and now.
nick
"Does anyone know if Kerry -- who admits to entering Saigon even though under orders not to do so -- ever met Rather in Vietnam?"
I'm sure they met afterwards and struck up a close friendship.
nick
What about plain old COMPETENCE. If they are going to whore themselves out to a political party fielding a losing candidate, the least they can do is manage to forge documents without anachronisms and inconsistencies that make them obvious frauds. If they are going to flush whatever credibility they had left down the drain, at least do so with an attention to detail that would at least give the propaganda some legs.
Lie. And lie big, CBS. It's what we now expect of you. But for goodness sakes, at least get good at it.
Good question...
No.
"INTEGRITY AND COURAGE?
What about plain old COMPETENCE. If they are going to whore themselves out to a political party fielding a losing candidate, the least they can do is manage to forge documents without anachronisms and inconsistencies that make them obvious frauds. If they are going to flush whatever credibility they had left down the drain, at least do so with an attention to detail that would at least give the propaganda some legs.
Lie. And lie big, CBS. It's what we now expect of you. But for goodness sakes, at least get good at it."
You're right. Even in the forgery they are mediocre. They are "bad news" all the way around.
nick
Andy Rooney ?
Is this a trick question?
Boy, isn't that the truth!
And that hogwash about watching "because we need to learn what the enemy is up to", is just that, hogwash.
Has anyone else noticed how bad Kerry, Gore, and now Rather are looking these days? I mean physically. Worse of all is Theresa. Bush in contrast couldn't look better.
If Kerry can't take the pressure of a campaign, how is going to stand up to the slings and arrows of the presidency?
nick
As for the original question...NO.
No.Just thinking about his old typewriter and see if he comes to Rathers rescue.
"Where is that one reporter at CBS with some moral courage? I'm waiting to hear from you"
tick tick tick tick tick (crickets chirping)
It's been a long time since Peggy Noonan wrote radio commenatry for Dan. But she may have a good idea.
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