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Rather Uses Casket Video to Denounce Policy Barring Such Viewing
MRC ^ | 6:10am EST, Thursday January 13, 2005 | BrentBaker

Posted on 01/13/2005 6:40:29 AM PST by fight_truth_decay

Dan Rather decided on Wednesday night to turn, the return of the bodies of Louisiana National Guardsmen killed in Iraq, into an opportunity to take a shot at the Bush administration for not allowing pictures of caskets arriving at military bases, a policy, he did not note, which matches that of the Clinton administration.

Rather led the CBS Evening News with how "by Pentagon design, the American people have rarely been allowed to see what was seen today -- a homecoming. Flag-draped caskets of six American soldiers were flown to Louisiana where the National Guard chose to ignore Pentagon policy and salute their sacrifice in a public ceremony."

Rather teased the January 12 CBS Evening News: "Tonight, as U.S. casualties in Iraq mount, a rare sight today: Cameras capture the homecoming of some of America's fallen heroes."

Rather opened his broadcast, over video of flag-draped caskets: "Good evening. In nearly two years of war in Iraq, 1,353 U.S. servicemen and women have given their lives. In all that time, by Pentagon design, the American people have rarely been allowed to see what was seen today -- a homecoming. Flag-draped caskets of six American soldiers were flown to Louisiana where the National Guard chose to ignore Pentagon policy and salute their sacrifice in a public ceremony."

Viewers then saw a full story from CBS's Jim Acosta.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Louisiana; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: caskets; cbs; danrather; iraq; leftistmedia; louisiana; mediabias; nationalguard; pc; politicalcorrectness
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To: capt. norm

They keep repeating their mistakes because they think the way to get their viewers back is by repeatedly telling them, "you people are stupid!!! Listen to us you bunch of idiots!!!"


21 posted on 01/13/2005 7:13:10 AM PST by FlipWilson
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To: fight_truth_decay

A little man desperately grasping at his last chance to make a big difference.


22 posted on 01/13/2005 7:15:23 AM PST by anton
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To: capt. norm
How many viewers do they have to lose before they start catching on?

Their advertising cost during news is now 1/10th of a successful prime time show. I believe it is $50,000. I posted it somewhere here a few days ago.

23 posted on 01/13/2005 7:15:43 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: fight_truth_decay

Dan would use one of those caskets for his news desk, if he thought he would place the Administration in a bad light.


24 posted on 01/13/2005 7:16:48 AM PST by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: speed_addiction

Praying a mighty and glorious host of angels all around our President AMEN


25 posted on 01/13/2005 7:17:16 AM PST by GrannyAnnie (as right as I can be)
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To: nikos1121

perhaps a catchier phrase such as..

i've been danratherred.

dan-rath'-erred: verb 1. to be let go to cover the incompetent missteps taken by a superior. 2. using one's influence to overturn the will of a majority of people. 3. forcing technicians named kenneth to check amplitudes of transmission.

teeman


26 posted on 01/13/2005 7:21:48 AM PST by teeman8r
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To: speed_addiction
There are two groups of people that are unaware that their remaining existence depends on the presumption that George Bush finishes his second term.

The Islamic faith and liberals are a heartbeat away from 72 p.o.ed Virginians...

27 posted on 01/13/2005 7:22:15 AM PST by jonascord (What is better than the wind at 6 O'Clock on the 600 yard line?)
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To: Breyean; capt. norm

Report Drives Ratings Down, But Financial Effect Is Minimal

By Frank Ahrens
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 11, 2005; Page A09

A report detailing "serious and fundamental deficiencies" in a CBS News report of a disputed story involving President Bush's National Guard service has already caused damage to third-place CBS "Evening News" ratings, driving down its appeal to advertisers.

However, the findings have had little financial impact on CBS's parent, entertainment giant Viacom Inc., blunted by the small part CBS News plays in the media conglomerate's disparate holdings and the popularity of the CBS Television Network, which is the highest-rated
Yesterday, CBS released the results of a three-month investigation into the Sept. 8 "60 Minutes Wednesday" (formerly, "60 Minutes II") broadcast, in which "Evening News" anchor Dan Rather reported that President Bush received favorable treatment while serving in the National Guard during the Vietnam War. The story was found to have been based on falsified documents, though CBS defended its evidence for some time, and it has resulted in four firings.

For nearly a decade, Rather's "Evening News" has languished in third place in the ratings, following ABC and NBC, whose "Nightly News" broadcast typically has been the top-rated, helmed by Tom Brokaw until he stepped down last year. In the weeks following the Sept. 8 report, ratings for CBS's evening newscast dipped and then flattened out, said Leslie Moonves, Viacom co-president.

The drop in ratings meant that CBS "Evening News" and other CBS News programs had to give advertisers more commercial time to make up for lost audience numbers that are guaranteed in contracts, said John Rash, a television advertising buyer with Campbell Mithun. And it couldn't have come at a worse time, Rash said.

"The irony is the report aired on '60 Minutes II,' and yet with Dan Rather being the public personification of the problem, its effect has been most noticeable on the 'CBS Evening News,' " Rash said. "They have not been able to regain much traction and most importantly have lost a key opportunity to erode NBC's ratings lead in the wake of Tom Brokaw's departure."

For the last week of 2004, NBC's "Nightly News" was seen in an average of 8.4 million households, with ABC's "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings" second at 7.7 million households and CBS's "Evening News" at 6 million households, according to Nielsen Media Research.

A 30-second ad on a network evening news broadcast typically costs about $50,000, one-tenth of what a 30-second commercial can go for on a top-rated entertainment program, such as CBS's "CSI."

"The [overall] economic hit was not a great one," Moonves said. " 'The Early Show' and the news magazines make more money than the evening news."

Ad revenue from the "Evening News" accounts for only about 10 percent of the total revenue of the CBS News division, Moonves said.

Viacom -- which also owns Paramount Studios and theme parks, Infinity Broadcasting's 200 radio stations, an outdoor advertising division, 39 CBS and UPN television stations, the CBS and UPN networks and several cable channels, such as MTV and Nickelodeon -- reported $16.2 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2004.

The television division -- which includes advertising sold on CBS News as well as on shows on the CBS and UPN networks -- accounted for $6.3 billion of the sum, or about 39 percent. The 39-station television group is among the most profitable of Viacom properties

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64343-2005Jan10.html


28 posted on 01/13/2005 7:27:08 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: teeman8r

perhaps a catchier phrase such as..

"i've been danratherred.

dan-rath'-erred: verb 1. to be let go to cover the incompetent missteps taken by a superior. 2. using one's influence to overturn the will of a majority of people. 3. forcing technicians named kenneth to check amplitudes of transmission. "

Yes, this is good. We should spread this around and get it into the lexicon. Kind of like "Lewinskied."

nick


29 posted on 01/13/2005 7:27:35 AM PST by nikos1121
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To: fight_truth_decay

Rather Uses Casket Film to Illustrate Fate of His Credibility


30 posted on 01/13/2005 7:30:33 AM PST by kittymyrib
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To: Breyean

Actually, this trifecta (NBC,CBS,ABC)could be considered a monopoly - like the oil cartel.

Even worse - might it be identified as a conspiracy? - They are paid by the same people to promote the same propaganda to the detriment of the USA.

Calling Homeland Security.


31 posted on 01/13/2005 7:37:56 AM PST by highflight (from a distance - buzzards might appear as eagles.)
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To: fight_truth_decay

I am a proud father of a "Louisiana Tiger" (256 BCT LaNG). Every night after I have prayed for the saftey of my son and his fellow soldiers, I ask God that I be allowed to live long enough to urinate on Rather's grave.


32 posted on 01/13/2005 7:39:35 AM PST by ijcr (Age and treachery will always overcome youth and ability.)
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To: nikos1121

I prefer dan rather syndrome, then I can say anything and it does not matter if it has a truth value or not, and say "oh well, I am on meds for dan rather syndrome" and get away with it. heck I may get a handicapped sticker and park close to the grocery store!


33 posted on 01/13/2005 7:44:06 AM PST by mamalujo (no one appreciates my moodiness)
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To: mamalujo

i like that!!!

nikos


34 posted on 01/13/2005 7:58:39 AM PST by nikos1121
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To: ijcr

What a great concept.

Perhaps some of us old fogeys should begin donations to a urine bank - if Drather outlasts us - we can have a crop sprayer on standby for a post mortem pee misting.

Kindest thoughts and gratitude to your son, and to you for raising a patriot.


35 posted on 01/13/2005 8:10:20 AM PST by highflight (from a distance - buzzards might appear as eagles.)
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To: fight_truth_decay

Doesn't mention that it's the same policy as the Clinton administration. Figures.

In addition, Clinton backed Islamic terrorism.

Gore gave condolences, telling families their loved ones had died in service to the UN.

SeeBS is right.


36 posted on 01/13/2005 8:13:26 AM PST by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on January 13, 2005)
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To: highflight
Dan Rather is consumed with hatred - time to take him off the air.

Not quite employed - not quite fired - not quite right.

LOL... It's a keeper!

37 posted on 01/13/2005 10:17:03 AM PST by RJL
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To: fight_truth_decay
an opportunity to take a shot at the Bush administration for not allowing pictures of caskets arriving at military bases, a policy, he did not note, which matches that of the Clinton administration.

So much for the CBS pledge to the White House last week, to be fair and balanced in the future.

I guess everyone knew the pledge was total CBS right from the start anyway.

38 posted on 01/13/2005 10:22:49 AM PST by RJL
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To: RJL

Glad you enjoyed it - I was inspired ;)


39 posted on 01/13/2005 10:24:44 AM PST by highflight (from a distance - buzzards might appear as eagles.)
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To: fight_truth_decay; All

"not showing caskets ... matches that of the Clinton administration"

The reason Clinton didn't want photos of the caskets being shown was because Clinton didn't want to be held responsible for the DEATHS OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS - WHICH HE CAUSED with his ILLEGAL WARS IN BOSNIA AND KOSOVO.

Of course the dems forget that it was Clinton who instituted that rule - no pictures of caskets .. and instead - as usual - do their typical "projection" garbage and try to blame the rule on Bush.


40 posted on 01/13/2005 10:28:17 AM PST by CyberAnt (Where are the dem supporters? - try the trash cans in back of the abortion clinics.)
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