Apparently they cry about the "right to privacy" only when it suits them...
The 'mission' of the investigation, or at least one aspect of it, was to determine whether or not it revealed a 'political bias.' In that regard, the investigation was short-sighted, and did not include a body of evidence (easilly obtained on the internet or specifically at Rather Biased.com), that would clearly show political bias on the parts of both Rather and Mapes. Bloggers could supply at no cost.
The conduct of the investigation plastered over the deception used to vet or not vet the so-called experts. And to put a finer point on this, to 'shop' around for experts, yet to not apply their particular expertise in offering an opinion. Example: using a handwriting expert to vet the authenticity of documents that were clearly TYPED using WORD.
The concept of timing, and its relevance in this investigation. The fact (i.e., evidence) that the story was timed to extract MAXIMUM political damage at the same time President Bush's opponent was sinking in the polls from SwiftBoat ads that were clearly damaging. Clear and compelling.
Having taken the path of a (NEWS STORY)more easily verified and factual regarding Kerry would have been the easier path. We all know reporters to be a lazy class, yet this time they went with their 'hearts.'
In other words, CBS knew that Kerry was a phony, yet they chose the 'cheap and dirty route' to try and smear Bush with forged documents, despite significant evidence his opponent had made fraudulent claims, and was the author the same reports in which he was erroneosly awarded possibly all his medals.
This is obviously a classic case of media out of control and on a biased agenda.
The bolgesphere exists in the first part as a fact-checker, but also as the provider of perspective. And that perspective conclusively points to CBS and its colleagues, CNN, and others, as agents of the left.
Nuff said.