CONGRESS BIGS NIX PROBE INTO 'RATHERGATE'

New York Post ^ | 9/16/04 | IAN BISHOP

[kattracks]

September 16, 2004 -- WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders yesterday put the kibosh on demands from a powerful House Republican for a probe into "evidence that CBS News has aided and abetted fraud" by peddling suspect documents critical of President Bush.

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, sought the investigation "given the shortness of the time between now and the election, which the apparent fraud is meant to influence."

He complained the network has declined to give the source of the documents.

But fellow Republican Joe Barton (Texas) rebuffed Cox's demand, saying an investigation "hardly seems appropriate or necessary."

Barton, who heads the House panel that oversees the telecommunications industry, said the court of public opinion will issue the best verdict.

"I do not personally believe these documents are legitimate, and it seems clear that the press and the two presidential campaigns are properly dealing with that issue," Barton said.

[guitfiddlist]

I agree pragmatically that Congress should stay out of this - because the opportunistic and unprincipled MSM would use it as sledgehammer against the GOP as a case of media repression by the "ruling powers". (snort) Yeah...I wish.

OTOH...these same GOP congressmen damn well better nix any witch hunts against Fox and other conservative-leaning media outlets - or they will be targeted by us - the New Media Viet Cong in our pajamas, as cowardly self-serving RINO's who don't have the principles nor backbone to represent us. Hear that, Barton?

[woodb01]

Criminal conduct does not have First Amendment protection. That is a legal fact.

With the exception of Judicial immunity (i.e. I am your Lord and I am above the law), there is NO protection for criminal conduct. Only judges can break the law with impunity and get away with it.

Someone should check to see the donations of these individuals to see if they have received money from CBS / Viacom...

[Old Sarge]

I needed to see that in print. A good reminder, thanks!

[dinodino]

Good. An official investigation is only going to hurt Republicans. Let the media, DNC, and Kerry Campaign all squabble amongst themselves--the mess is not worthy of comment from the Bush Administration and Rove et al. should just sit back and laugh quietly.

[mabelkitty]

I agree.
Let's let it fester first.
I don't want it to be knocked down before the real criminals are discovered.

[Old Sarge]

CBS is MAKING the issue all about Dubya not showing up, not doing his duty, while Kerry all the while got himself 3 purple hearts doing his duty in Vietnam! Can the Americans who count on the maindream media for news figure this out? I truly wonder.

This is also a good point. While we can't have C^BS annointed as a 1stAM martyr, we also allow them to continue the mind-control of The Sheep.

Because, like it or not, The Sheep don't use the Web, The Sheep don't listen to talk radio, or believe anything other than newsprint and the TV - which The Left own.

And we're all trusting The Sheep to vote for GWB in November?

[IamConservative]

"We don't need a congressional investigation."

The old Media is in the throws of detroying itself. Why would any card carrying member of the VRWC want to interrupt them?

[newzjunkey]

Barton's right on the money. Now is not the appropriate time for any sort of Congressional hearing. Should it be found out that CBS "News" *KNOWINGLY* used false documents, or aided in their creation, then appropriate action should be taken.

Overall I'd rather see Congress stay FAR away from this especially since everytime Congress tries to "fix" things with new legislation is only gets worse (Independent Counsel statute, anyone?)!

[Coop]

I agree with Barton. But I have no problem with Cox calling even more attention to the matter. :-)

[newzjunkey]

For crying out loud. If you're doing to Freep Congress, do it for something WORTHY. Freep 'em for their votes this week regarding illegal immigration: efforts to grant social security to illegals and allowing easily-forged, and readily granted, "Matricula Consular" cards to be used to open banking accounts. These are both PRO-TERRORIST / PRO-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION votes and REPUBLICANS helped make it so. Especially David Dreier of the House Rules's committee.

[airborne]

It was a nice blurb for the evening news, but not practical.

But don't worry Congressman Cox, FreeRepublic.com is on the case!

[FReepaholic]

...Barton, who heads the House panel that oversees the telecommunications industry, said the court of public opinion will issue the best verdict...

If this act violates federal election laws or other laws then Congress should investigate or the US Attorney General should indict someone.

Are we to try other law breakers in "the court of public opinion"???

[FReepaholic]

...Should it be found out that CBS "News" *KNOWINGLY* used false documents, or aided in their creation, then appropriate action should be taken...

If no one investigates (ie Congress or the Attorney General) how is this going to be "found out"?

[Drango]

I'm with Barton. The government should not stick it's nose into this. There is no "Free Press" at CBS, FOX or anywhere else if government is looking over their shoulder.

What CBS did needs to adjudicated in the court of public opinion.

[b4its2late]

Better off staying out of this and just letting the media find out who did what.

[handy]

Ask yourself this. Would the Dems have held hearings if they controlled the house and Fox had done this to Kerry?

House Republicans are acting like chickens.

CBS used forged documents to affect the outcome of a Presidential election. That's not worthy of an investigation? Come on guys, grow a backbone.

[upchuck]

Barton, who heads the House panel that oversees the telecommunications industry, said the court of public opinion will issue the best verdict.

IMHO, this is exactly the position to be taken. Cox was wrong to bring this up in the first place.

"Rathergate" has very weak legs at this point. Rather el al have been thoroughly discredited.

[handy]

Barton's right on the money. Now is not the appropriate time for any sort of Congressional hearing. Should it be found out that CBS "News" *KNOWINGLY* used false documents, or aided in their creation, then appropriate action should be taken.

Barton is dead wrong on this. Washington Post has already reported that CBS ignored warning from experts that the documents would not hold up. They *DID* *KNOWINGLY* use false documents. Why are these guys so afraid?

"When the enemy is destroying itself, stay out of the way" does not cut it. Why is this happening? Because of PRESSURE from talk radio & the blogs. So wouldn't MORE pressure (subpoena pressure) be a good thing?

[Cicero]

I agree there shouldn't be an investigation. But the Republicans should pull up their socks and refuse Democrat demands for similar investigations on the other side for which there is far less evidence that a crime has been committed.

[Rebelbase]

"However, it was totally appropriate for them to hold an investigation over Fox News and brow beat an owner of a radio station for refusing to play the Dixie Chicks."

Thanks for remembering that.