Posted on 09/16/2004 2:37:20 AM PDT by JSteff
We have all been concerned with how to make the Dan Rather/CBS thing stick and get more public attention. There has been many recomendations to call the advertisers of our local stations or to contact CBS directly. My recommendation is to get all the affiliates to carry the ball for us. Us FCC rules to force them to take action and do the investigating for us... or force CBS to come clean.
Below is a sample partially taken from a post in this thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1217172/posts by OneLoyalAmerican
I don't write as well as many others but the text of the contact to the affiliates is below. Doing something like this might serve to give numerous benefits to FR, the American TV viewers, and the Bush campaign. It might also put a bunch of heat under CBS and Dan Rather.
Remember, the affiliates must put something like this in their records to be reviewed at license renewal time.
Dear Sirs:
Given that CBS has not promptly and publicly retracted apparent false testimony and documents about the President of the United States, while our country is at war, and while our soldiers are in harm's way; it is now apparent possible falsehoods included in CBS network news programs broadcast by your station, [your cbs affiliate name}, are not in the public interest.
It appears that [your cbs affiliate name} by not issuing a statement of disagreement with CBS Network and Dan Rather, is allowing a possible falsehood to be propagated in a potential effort propagandize and defraud the public, or by omission is allowing such falsehoods as presented by the CBS Network and Dan Rather to continue as fact. Dan Rather has said in different ways in several broadcasts over the years on many subjects "even the possibility that there are improprieties warrants further serious investigation." In this case I agree with Mr. Rather.
Now that there is significant doubt as to the authenticity of the documents (potentially forgeries of government documents) shown, and questionable statements made by persons then presented by CBS (including Dan Rather and other CBS personnel), I feel it is in the public interest that this issue be given highest priority by your station. Since CBS, CBS spokespeople, and particularly Dan Rather have stalled and evaded on multiple questions about the documents and persons interviewed I feel it is incumbent upon [your cbs affiliate name} as the local affiliate to properly and independently verify the veracity the documents, witnesses, and statements made. Since the possibility that the "evidence" presented to date is deliberately false I believe not investigating the aforementioned material and persons would be a betrayal of the local public trust [your cbs affiliate name]
Therefore, Dan Rathers now seemingly falsified military documents, and a complete record of WHP 21's independent investigative efforts into this manner should be made part of it's operating record. Also if such items are shown to be falsehoods, forgeries, deceptive presentations, or deliberate fraud then WHP 21's positive, corrective actions - or lack there-of must be considered when [your cbs affiliate name] license is up for renewal.
I therefore respectfully request prompt attention to this matter with the investigation and findings along with this letter be included in the stations permanent public file particularly for review at the next license renewal cycle.
CC: Roy Stewart Chief, Office of Broadcast License Policy Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Roy.Stewart@fcc.gov
It's just a thought, but it might be best to send such a letter to the stations' counsel by snail-mail -- perhaps even by registered mail. Know what I mean?
...with cc to the appropriate station execs by first class mail.
The thing to do is two pronged. First everyone start emailing the local stations, radio and TV that carry CBS news and demand thay stop carrying them or they will stop listening to the station, second stop watching or listening to any CBS station for any reason.
Not only are the documents forged, but the important points made in them are clear fabrications. Specifically, the two important points, harped on endlessly by CBS and the other liberal media, are:
1. Bush disobeyed a direct order of his commanding officer. The memo states that Bush is ordered to appear for a physical on May 15. Bush did not do so, and the media concludes that Bush disobeyed the order, and so was insubordinate. There is only one problem: It did not happen. Other pilots point out that pilots were not ordered to appear for a physical. The deadline for the physical was established by Air Force rules, and was the pilot's birthday. The pilot was required by rule to appear for a physical every year on or before his birthday. Bush's birthday was July 6, so it would not have been appropriate to order him to appear for a physical on May 15. Of course, Bush never appeared for a July 6 physical either, but that's because he had already transferred out of the Texas Air National Guard by that time. The obvious conclusion is that the part of the memo which orders Bush to appear for a physical is a fabrication.
2. Bush's commanding officer was asked to sugar coat Bush's record and give him a rating even though Bush was absent. In the memos, Killian expresses consternation that he is being asked to rate Bush even though Bush was absent. The implication which is drawn by the media is that Bush's performance was substandard. The implication drawn by the Democrats is that Bush was AWOL. However, that aspect of the memos is also a clear fabrication. The reaons is that Killian had no reason to be consternated by Bush's absence because Killian himself had already signed an order (which is clearly authentic, and looks completely different from the forged orders), which authorized Bush to transfer out of the Texas Air National Guard to the Alabama National Guard. So why would he now be upset that Bush was not there? It makes no sense, and was obviously a fabrication by the forger.
Dan Rather's insistence that the orders may be fake but the information is trues is itself obviously a lie. This whole episode really is worse than Watergate. It's like Watergate with a complicit media. In Watergate, most of the people went to jail because they lied to investigators or to Congress. As in Watergate, I think we need an investigation by the DOJ and by Congress, though I would suggest that we wait until after the election to get it going in earnest. No sense in risking a liberal backlash at this point in time.
Outstanding! Just emailed and I'm now drafting on my letter head a hard copy to be certified mail today. Sent to KYW-TV in Philly. Now working on Wilmington DE.
Just mailed
Your post is correct but I think that addressing them only serves to keep their lie in the media and potentially drawing off concentration on the documents and statements by supposed "experts".
Your post is correct but I think that addressing them only serves to keep their lie in the media and potentially drawing off concentration on the documents and statements by supposed "experts".
Yes those things need to be done but the letter would need to be in their public record for consideration at time fo license renewal. That is where we get the most leverage.
Yes those things need to be done but the letter would need to be in their public record for consideration at time fo license renewal. That is where we get the most leverage.
It was an obvious shot at CBS corporate even though it was showing at a little after midnight..
Outstanding effort.
The letter was revised and faxed to Mr Jack Dempsey station manager of WJHL TV, the CBS affiliate in Johnson City TN with cc: FCC by mail.
No that's a terrible idea and changes the topic. The issue at hand is to get CBS to admit their henious error or their complicity in the matter then to force them to reveal their source(s).
Going after Dannyboy makes this a personal and a partisan matter that only muddies the waters. Exposure of the story and the truth in this matter will be more than enough to do a number on the stonewalling partisan (Rather).
But going after him directly only makes us look bad.
"But going after him directly only makes us look bad."
I don't think it does and even so my letter does not address just Dan.
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