HEADS WILL ROLL (See BS)

New York Post ^ | 9/24/04 | DON KAPLAN and MICHAEL STARR

[kattracks]

September 24, 2004 -- An outside investigation into Dan Rather's bogus National Guard documents story will take only "a few weeks" — not months — and the head of CBS's parent company said get ready for heads to roll. Sumner Redstone, chairman and chief executive of Viacom, spoke for the first time yesterday about the scandal.

The investigation is "appropriate — and the consequences will be appropriate," Redstone told the business magazine Forbes at a conference in Hong Kong.

As network officials were privately informing reporters they would like to get to the bottom of the scandal before the November election, one of the two investigators appointed this week — former Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh — was himself becoming an issue.

Rather — whose botched Sept. 8 report on President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the Texas National Guard sparked the controversy — is reportedly upset at the appointment of Thornburgh, a Republican who served as attorney general under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Yesterday, one of Rather's distinguished former colleagues, Marvin Kalb, defended Thornburgh's integrity.

"He was always a decent and honorable colleague," Kalb said.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

I ver5y much want the guys that went on stage with Kerry at his convention interviewed by the press about "Unfit for Command". Why won't they talk to the press.

Also, why is Kerry getting a pass from the press about his military records. Kerry needs to sign Form 180, Bush did!

[battlegearboat]

It seems Rather wanted Daniel Shore instead.

[snuffy smiff]

this is great-dannyboy ain't no fellow politician, therefore his (dem mascot) is grass in Thornburgh's lawnmower...

even his resignation may not save his sorry, worthless hide...

[orangelobster]

My prediction is that Mapes will get the sack. Rather will get a good scolding, but will be kept on. They will probably hire a co-head of the division with Heyward - probably with a conservative bent. There's a small chance that Heyward will get the boot a la Howell Raines.

[snuffy smiff]

and since when did ANY lib know a thing about decency and honor???

[SeniorMoment]

Remember this FreeRepublic blast from the past headline?

"Couric on Kerry's "Lying, Crooked" Remark: "Republicans (yes, Republicans) Will Have to be Careful"
The Today Show"

Who the hell is lying and crooked now??

[M. Thatcher]

network officials were privately informing reporters they would like to get to the bottom of the scandal before the November election

WTF? Why on earth? CBS isn't a political entity. Um, is it?

[Rocky]

We need to know who created the memos and who sent them to Burkett.

It's nice to see Dan and Mary in hot water. No two people deserve it more for their "politics dressed as journalism" but that is not enough. Heyward deserves the boot, as well. And John Roberts has not done himself proud by trying to say that the Bush Administration blessed those memos, when they were actually only allowed to see them 3-4 hours before the story aired.

But who started this mess?

[tiki]

What you said but that the SeeBS ratings keep tumbling too.

[DC Bound]

"Rather on Monday apologized on his nightly news program for the "60 Minutes" report, which was based on a late officer's "memos" that CBS has admitted could not be authenticated. Since then, sources at CBS have said that the segment's producer, "60 Minutes" veteran Mary Mapes, had misled her bosses about the reliability of the documents' source."

Mapes takes the fall along with Burkett. Gunga Dan was just too trusting.

Anybody remember enough about Thornburg to know if he'll play along with the dems or shoot straight?

[sevry]

Also, why is Kerry getting a pass from the press

For the same reason that Thornburgh and the AP guy are getting reading to whitewash the whole thing. They still think that talk radio and the internet and etc can't concentrate for very long - short attention span. They feel invincible. Some day, that won't be true.

[namvetcav]

While I think it's important to know who forged the memos and that bias gets exposed and the dims get hurt as much as possible, CBS owners and executives can have a legitimate professional objective. For 12 days, CBS defended the forgery in ways that were either moronic or childishly dishonest. That's worse than immoral, that's a blunder. Management can't tolerate that level of unprofessional conduct. People that hurt the business must be fired or management will loose real authority. Even if you love Mary Mapes's politics, you want producers who will do a better job of hurting George W and the nasty Republicans. This is "play-for-keeps", no slack, meet your deadlines, and 800 kids want your job territory. Managers need to punish employees when outcomes like this occur even if public firing isn't opportune, you want lots of suffering and career damage to take place. Serious money is at stake and this is no charitable calling.

[AmericanVictory]

It is unlikely that that would be the result because the two in charge will be aware that that will not stop the audience rating slide.

[Lancey Howard]

Yesterday, one of Rather's distinguished former colleagues, Marvin Kalb, defended Thornburgh's integrity. "He was always a decent and honorable colleague," Kalb said.

I don't think I understand this part.

[Tempest]

With this news and the sudden revelation by Sumner and GWB. Something tells me that the verdict is already in and that this "internal investigation" is only a formality.

[DustyMoment]

Actions speak louder than words.

I doubt that Redstone will carry out his "promise" that "heads will roll".

IMO, the only head that will roll will likely be someone equivalent to the mailroom attendant at SeeBS. Mapes will probably keep her job (only "transferred" to a different division - which means she will be permanently taken off the Bush-Guard story) as will Rather.

But, God help the mailroom attendant - because Sumner Redstone sure as heck won't. He needs a scapegoat.

[monday]

"I doubt that Redstone will carry out his "promise" that "heads will roll".

Actually he didn't promise "heads will roll", he just said the consequences would be "appropriate". I have no idea how the Post took that to mean heads would roll. I suspect you are right, although I hope Mapes gets fired at the very least.

[danamco]

What about the deep throat now that Lockhart was demanding to get the documents from Bill Burkett, according to HIS statement???
Clearly a real RatherGate is unfolding!!!

[Future Useless Eater]

>>I very much want the guys that went on stage with Kerry at his convention interviewed by the press about "Unfit for Command". Why won't they talk to the press.


....um, because some of them might forget their lines?


>>Also, why is Kerry getting a pass from the press about his military records. Kerry needs to sign Form 180, Bush did!

Thanks, is that for sure? I heard some liberal pukes saying
he won't sign his 180. were they just spinning?