A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...09-23-04....Rathergate -- the gift that just keeps on giving

JohnHuang2, Aquamarine, Billie | JohnHuang2

[Aquamarine]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Rathergate -- the gift that just keeps on giving

by JohnHuang2

Surfing the Internet in my pajamas recently, I noticed a new rumor making the rounds. Something about this biggie anchor getting duped by fake documents. Now, if the documents are not what we were led to believe, I'd like to break that story. I'd like to break the story that an iceberg sank the Titanic, but, like the sinking Dantanic, some pajama guy scooped me on that one too.

Taking water in deep water out of sight of land, the crew of the CBS Dantanic, unable to plug a massive hole in their story, sent a massive distress signal Monday, claiming they were victims of accurate documents which were fake but still stood by the thrust of the story revealed in the fake documents as very solid. (New CBS motto: 'Trust us, we get it half right'. Or, 'Sixty half-truths in 60 Minutes'. 'We won't totally mislead you'. 'If we get tripped up, we let you know in 12 or 13 days, or when Bloggers smoke us out'. 'Even our questionable documents are accurate'.) CBS says an Unimpeachable Source misled them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The admission comes exactly 10 Ice Ages after the initial "60 Minutes" airing of documents purportedly generated on a Vietnam-era typewriter with awesome computing power by Bush's computer geek squadron commander who didn't type or keep personal files and was a big Bill Gates fan. The Unimpeachable Source, grassy-knoller Bill Burkett, says he once happened to see Bush's service record files in a trash can with 'FORTUNE SON BUSH HAS BEEN A-WALL!' scrawled on top and says he once happened to be passing by the office of a general yelling, 'COVER UP BUSH'S TERRIBLE SERVICE RECORD OR I'LL SHIP YOU TO PANAMA TO CONTRACT A DISABLING DISEASE!' and says he once happened to overhear a Bush aide order the Texas National Guard to shred all files stamped with 'BUSH IS A DESSERTER!!'.

Then, in '97, came the clincher, a terrible moment seared in his memory, says Burkett. An aide to then governor Bush walked up to him and told him: 'You must improperly alter Bush's service record and delete any embarrassing info -- THAT'S AN ORDER!' Burkett refused, so, as punishment, he was shipped to Panama to contract a disabling disease, says Burkett. Dan Rather says this proves Burkett had no ax to grind, although, in February, Burkett retracted his story, telling the Houston Chronicle that his allegation of Bush shipping him to Panama "was not accurate." This made Burkett an Unimpeachable Source. Rather now admits he and Burkett, who has a history of being an unimpeachable nut, have known each other for 30 years but Rather says he had no idea Burkett was a nut. In an August commentary for Online Journal, Burkett crowed that he had "reassembled" Bush's service record. To do this, Burkett used a special technique called Reconstructing Repressed Document Memory for documents plagued with Repressed Memory Syndrome.

Burkett now denies having forgery relations with those accurate documents and claimed the source was fellow ex-Guardsman George Conn. Then Burkett admitted that was a lie and that the source of the accurate documents or forgeries was Lucy Ramirez whom no one has been able to locate. Burkett insists the documents are real but has no way of proving it. Then he admitted that was a lie and that he burned the originals. So when Unimpeachable Burkett says, 'I didn't forge anything', Dan says you can take it to the bank.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The CBS network, retracting the fake memos but not the story strongly backed up by the fake memos, insists questions raised in the fake documents have not been answered. CBS says that, though the documents can not be authenticated, the story has been authenticated because of the documents. The Docu-
ments Malfunctioned but not the story. Interviewed on a local CBS Affiliate in New York on Monday, Rather said the core of the story is genuine and that the only thing which remains questionable is the evidence. The memos, the heart of CBS's case that Bush is unfit for command, explosively reveal that Bush is a son of wealth (Bush could've picked less wealthy parents to be born to) and so he got special treatment by a colonel who wasn't even at the Guard at the time who pressured Bush's commander to 'sugar-coat' Bush skipping a flight physical he didn't need to take because he'd already been transferred to Alabama to work on a political campaign. (The question, 'Did Bush or didn't Bush attend that unnecessary flight physical 32 years ago?' is one that has the nation deeply shaken, I'm sure.)

Rather said mistakes were made. "It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition without fear or favoritism." It was in good faith that Rather forgot to nail down the source of the memos, forgot to nail down the chain of custody, forgot to check for forgeries, forgot to check for antique Microsoft typewriters, forgot to listen to document experts, and forgot that Bill Burkett is a rabid Democrat with a long history of attacking Bush, which means Burkett must be working for . . . Karl Rove! (See Tom Shales @ Washington Post and Maureen Dowd.) In fairness, Dowdy says she gives little credence to 'Rove did it!' conspiracy theories so she devotes 90% of column space to 'Rove did it!' conspiracy theories.

Network president Andrew Heyward ordered an "independent review of the process by which the report was prepared and broadcast to determine what actions need to be taken." (The report should be ready the day after the elections.)

Rather says if anybody lied to the public, it was Burkett, not he, and if anybody screwed up royally it was producer Mary Mapes, not Rather, who only runs the place. Now, in the spirit of trying to carry on the CBS tradition of not playing favorites, we learn that Mapes contacted Kerry's chief campaign spokesman Joe Lockhart to get him to call Burkett who wouldn't give Mapes the accurate documents unless Lockhart gave Burkett a call so Burkett could give him the heads-up on what's going down with the documents. Lockhart admits he called because he couldn't wait to get campaign advice from some nobody from Texas, so the whole thing was all so very innocent. Burkett was so enthralled telling Lockhart how to run the Kerry campaign that he forgot to mention the memos, so the subject never came up. So here we have Cleland, Burkett, Lockhart, Cahill, Mapes -- nope, no collaboration here at all.

My gut says this is only the beginning. Each day hereon will bring a new revelation, more damaging than the one before. One thing's for sure: With the Clinton A-Team of Carville, Begala, Lockhart, McCurry aboard, the Kerrytanic is taking water and sinking fast. By Election Day, the ship will have sunk. Hillary! will then say, Mission Accomplished. Get set -- the manure is about to hit the fan.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-20-04 Military Monday 09-21-04...Voices of Our Presidents (rerun) 09-22-04...Canine Helpers (re-run)

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[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh dandelion, yes. I WILL join you in prayer for your little girl.

You have my word.

I'd like to ask YOU to do the same for MY "little" girl.............................I don't know the particulars with yours but the bottom line is, both of them have walked away from the Lord.

And that's NOT a good place to be.

[dandelion]

Well now. It appears you and I have been sent to each other, to help each other. You are praying for me, and I am praying for you - and we are both praying to the God who gave us these girls.

These, our children. God knows even better than we do what it is they need, and He gave us to them. You are God's hand to your daughter, and to all those with her.

God hears us; I hold your hand in prayer. We are not alone in the dark - and since the two of us have gathered together, God is in our midst.

Heal our children. Help our babies, Father. Guide them now, in Jesus name, as You told me to pray.

We love You. You gave us these, our children...

[Brad’s Gramma]

And He loves them, more than even we can.

Incredible, isn't it? It hurts to watch an adult "child" walk away....

[dandelion]

They may walk away - but God still walks with them.

---pat pat--- (tears)

[The Mayor]

September 23, 2004

Who Gets The Love?

Read: Luke 15:11-32

Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. —Luke 15:31

Bible In One Year: Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2

---

A sociologist was writing a book about the difficulties of growing up in a large family, so he interviewed the mother of 13 children. After several questions, he asked, "Do you think all children deserve the full, impartial love and attention of a mother?"

"Of course," said the mother.

"Well, which of your children do you love the most?" he asked, hoping to catch her in a contradiction.

She answered, "The one who is sick until he gets well, and the one who is away until he gets home."

That mother's response reminds me of the shepherd who left 99 sheep to seek the one that was lost (Luke 15:4), the woman who searched for the one coin (v.8), and the father who threw a party when his wayward son returned (vv.22-24).

The religious leaders of Jesus' day resented the way He gave so much attention to sinners (vv.1-2). So He told those stories to emphasize God's love for people who are lost in sin. God has more than enough love to go around. Besides, those who are "well" and are not "lost" experience the Father's love as fully as those to whom He gives special attention (v.31).

Father, forgive us for feeling slighted when You shower Your love on needy sinners. Help us to see how needy we are and to abide in Your boundless love. —Mart De Haan

The One who made the heavens,
Who died on Calvary,
Rejoices with His angels
When sinners are set free. —Fasick

God loves every one of us as if there were but one of us to love. —Augustine

[xp38]

Good Morning Aquamarine...Love the doggie pic. As for nighties lingerie and other non pajama apparel...there are many divisions in the Vast Right Wing Pajama Party.

[dutchess]

John...EXCELLENT essay! BRAVO!!!!! (think we should send a link to CBS!)

Aqua. The illustrations are perfect...I hadn't seen the male/female pj people graphic before...did you do that???? Its great! As is the greeting! A+ lovely sistah. (and yes...I'm in my pj's!)

[The Mayor]

My gut says this is only the beginning. Each day hereon will bring a new revelation, more damaging than the one before.

I beleive your gut is absolutley correct. Now Lockhart is tied in and they are all doing a dance...

This will be interesting to watch play out now that a special team is in to investigate..

Nice Pledge Aqua!

[Aquamarine]

I am so touched by your words here and have joined you all in prayer for your children and their struggles in this world.

[Aquamarine]

What a wonderful message today. This answered some questions for me.

[Aquamarine]

Ah, you noticed the doggie pic. Was searching for a teddy bear in pajamas when I found the lil dog in pj's, never know what you're gonna find when you Google. :)

[Aquamarine]

Good morning (((Dutchess)))

Aqua. The illustrations are perfect...I hadn't seen the male/female pj people graphic before...did you do that???? Its great!

I found that graphic at Linda Eddy's site. Think it's her new and improved version of the Pajama People. Great work Linda!

[Aquamarine]

Glad you liked what I did with the picture of the young woman in the cowboy hat that you posted the other day. Want you to keep that one to use on Mondays if you want it.

[lonestar]

You made a wise choice with pup in pj's!

Weinie

[MeekOneGOP]

My gut says this is only the beginning. Each day hereon will bring a new revelation, more damaging than the one before. One thing's for sure: With the Clinton A-Team of Carville, Begala, Lockhart, McCurry aboard, the Kerrytanic is taking water and sinking fast. By Election Day, the ship will have sunk. Hillary! will then say, Mission Accomplished. Get set -- the manure is about to hit the fan.

hahaaaa! Good essay, John ! As usual. Thanks.

[Aquamarine]

lol

Been trying to think of how I could put some pajama's on a picture of Daisy Mae.

[Aquamarine]

Mornin Meekie.
The next month is going to be so interesting for the campaign.

[Aquamarine]

God Bless Our Military ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation's leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.....................nephew ValerieUSA................2 sons Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................activve duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty StarCMC.........brother Atomic Conspiracy............half-brother....niece....nephew TexKat......son.....and stepson ODC-GIRL............active duty cookcounty................son Donaeus..............nephew thumperusn...........active duty katykelly..................son Notwithstanding.....active duty Lakeside................two sons Q6-God and twin brother...active duty cjk................active duty philman_36...........2 nephews Veloxherc.................active duty WVNan................friend's son mrstank...............husband Conspiracy Guy........two nephews eaglesiniowa...............son jamaly............brother in law

Pippin.......niece, loved one, .............nephew and fiancee Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa................husband, brother Hostel....................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat........nephew and cousin Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend Diver Dave.......niece, nephew deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel..................niece dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn...............2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.................son kimmie7..............brother Spruce..............daughter visualops.................cousin Dubya...................nephew SunflowerGal..........grandson AF_Blue.............active duty RoseBear...........cousin's husband Redhead....step granddaughter and her fiance RepubMommy.................brother Alouette..................son american_ranger..............son auboy..................cousin spotbus1..................husband

[Billie]

Excellent! You two did another great job with this essay! It's too hard to pick a favorite line - even a favorite paragraph - but it had me laughing from the beginning to the end, as usual!

Aqua, what a beautiful job with the pledge!

[Billie]

Jumping in here to say Good Morning, cyborg. :)