Couple this with pressure on their sponsors... and I think we know how this will turn out.
Sir:
Because of your continuing support of Dan Rather and CBS news, I am writing to inform you I am cancelling my American Express account, cutting my gold card in half, and will attempt to dissuade anyone I know from obtaining a card from you in the future. This comes in response to CBS's presentation of forged documents in an attempt to influence the outcome of an election due to Rather's obvious agenda and their subsequent refusal to retract the story. Even CBS's pathetic attempt to respin some credibility on the story does not bother you. This is serious business. Fraud, if you will; something that should bother a credit card company.
You continue to advertise with them. I will continue to make you a product I do not use.
signature
Sir:
Because of your continuing support of Dan Rather and CBS news, I am writing to inform you I am cancelling my American Express account, cutting my gold card in half, and will attempt to dissuade anyone I know from obtaining a card from you in the future. This comes in response to CBS's presentation of forged documents in an attempt to influence the outcome of an election due to Rather's obvious agenda and their subsequent refusal to retract the story. Even CBS's pathetic attempt to respin some credibility on the story does not bother you. This is serious business. Fraud, if you will; something that should bother a credit card company.
You continue to advertise with them. I will continue to make you a product I do not use.
signature
The sponsors may not be willing to pay for much more than this in the future.
Bu-bye Dan!
I would not be so sure.
Dan Rather is a "brand" product. He's more than just a name. Think Coke, Mickey Mouse, Maytag, GM, Ford.
When people think of SeeBS, they think of Dan Rather, at least the people who still watch the networks.
Don't you think Viacom would have tossed Dan out the door a long time ago if it was an easy "brand" to replace?
Rather won't be easy to replace.
The real question Viacom is asking thenmselves is: Do we lose more share by dumping Dan or riding out the storm?
Besides the pressure from sponsors we need to get the affiliates to presure them. This can be done by writing to the affiliate and forcing the affiliate to place the letter in their public record for license renewal.
I posted the following atand Freepers should consider doing similar contacts to the affiliates: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1217588/posts
Affiliate name, address, etc
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 Rather’s now seemingly falsified military documents, and a complete record of [your cbs affiliate name] 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 [your cbs affiliate name] 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
I did my part this a.m. with e-mails...will follow through with my wallet from now on. Most definitely, the pressure hasn't yet begun from their sponsors...perhaps within a week it just might, lol.