Posted on 09/20/2004 8:54:24 AM PDT by TheGeezer
Edited on 09/20/2004 9:07:32 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Update by moderator:
EXCLUSIVE
STATEMENT FROM DAN RATHER:
Last week, amid increasing questions about the authenticity of documents used in support of a 60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY story about President Bush's time in the Texas Air National Guard, CBS News vowed to re-examine the documents in question—and their source—vigorously. And we promised that we would let the American public know what this examination turned up, whatever the outcome.
Now, after extensive additional interviews, I no longer have the confidence in these documents that would allow us to continue vouching for them journalistically. I find we have been misled on the key question of how our source for the documents came into possession of these papers. That, combined with some of the questions that have been raised in public and in the press, leads me to a point where—if I knew then what I know now—I would not have gone ahead with the story as it was aired, and I certainly would not have used the documents in question.
But we did use the documents. We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry. It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.
Please know that nothing is more important to us than people's trust in our ability and our commitment to report fairly and truthfully.
Perhaps CBS will air that interview with Burkett, have him admit he provided, them, and have him offer some gobbledy gook about "reconstructing" or some such garbage and that will a lame prong in trying to cover themselves.
It won't work.
What Rather really means to say is "we don't need the documents anymore because the pathetic old hag secretary with her unsubstantiated gossip did more damage than the forged documents did, therefore we accomplished what we set out to do in the first place. Mission of trashing the president - accomplished!
Wow! An apology!
Interesting. After reading this a bit I see he hasn't backtracked fully. According to this, the documents source is in question not the documents themselves. They apparently are still valid docs', just the source is in question.
Heck, I'd like to see subpoenae all around. But I won't hold my breath.
"trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism."
That really bothered me too. Speaking of DNC shills and blatant coverups.
Wow, Rush always hits the meat of the matter.
I had not even noticed the lack of anger. Did notice the lack of apology to the President of the United States for trying to affect a presidential election with false documents.
The Kerry campaign must be involved. If it were only Burkett or even Cleland they could give up the source.
Wow! Warp speed for an independent review. CBS' news department heads are really movers and shakers.
**CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.**
OK, CBS, let's call for ALL of Kerry's military records and do a thorough job there too! LOL! (I know -- I am dreaming.)
yeah,I'll bet she enjoyed being Limo'd,the first-class(or private jet)seats,not to mention the suite at The Plaza!!!She'd say just about ANYTHING after that!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yea, for about 10 seconds before they went into the "round file" (trash can).
You got it exactly. Considering that they willfully disregarded anyone who might have raised a red flag on their story, this was not (and was never intended to be) a real news story.
It was a calculated character assassination, timed to do maximum damage with just days before a presidential election with the intention of bringing down the President.
It's an all new low for newtwork news and could very well be the end of CBS news.
There I fixed it
..fear or favoritism...
What a lie. Haven't seen any reports on the Swiftees from Mr. Dan Rather. Seems that all we see from Dan is anti-Bush. Wonder why.
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