Good riddance to Rather (Thomas Sowell)

Townhall.com ^ | March 11, 2005 | Thomas Sowell

[Hatteras]

"He probably didn't set out to tell a lie then any more than he did when he relied on forged documents to try to "get" President Bush on the eve of last year's election."

This is where conservative pundits blow it. Of course Dan Rather set out to tell a lie. Dan Rather did set out to get George Bush. If you believe otherwise, you've been taken for a fool. As always, Sowell, like most conservative pundits, is trying to throw Rather and the Leftists a little bone here. A sure sign of a crack in the armor that the Leftists will always take advantage of.

[G.Mason]

"I did not read Sowell's statement as a defense of Rather. I saw it as saying this with your eyes rolling up, sort of sarcastic in nature."

I did not indicate that Sowell defended Rather and I am fully aware that a nationally syndicated columnist cannot hurl flamming faggots in his columns as I do, here on FR.

The simple fact is that there is no "probably didn't set out to tell a lie" about this sordid episode.

No, Sowell drafted an excellent piece.

[Old Grumpy]

Excellent article.

[arasina]

Well said, Thomas Sowell. (as usual) Dan Rather's descent from his anchor throne is much like Bill Clinton's downward slide in the presidency. Both were 'contrived' persona; both were caught lying to the American people; both got to 'stay in office' thanks to friends in the DNC; both will have their biggest lies as their legacy no matter how they try to rewrite their history of 'working so hard for so many years'.

[The Great Yazoo]

I am fully aware that a nationally syndicated columnist cannot hurl flaming faggots in his columns as I do, here on FR.

Among those who write nationally syndicated columns, what Professor Sowell does is tantamount to hurling flaming faggots!

Thanks (and keeping faggots (that kind, anyway) coming!

[Tax-chick]

Thomas Sowell is America's greatest living intellectual!

[gridlock]

Of course Rather set out to tell a lie (in the 1991 starving kids story). This was a premeditated attempt to get the president.

Actually, I will give him a small amount of credit and say that he probably lied because he wanted to effect policy. No doubt Rather thought federal spending for food aid to children should have been increased back in 1991. If a lie is necessary to advance that position, then it is an acceptable lie.

Of couse, the day Bill Clinton came into office, all those emaciated children turned into fat, giggling butterballs...

[Tom Bombadil]

Thanks for the post, I really enjoy Sowell.

The way Dan Rather and CBS News tried to stonewall and brazen out the forged document scandal suggests that they didn't realize the extent to which their monopoly was gone.

Still setting up ambushes, but now they don't own the turf and don't realize it. There was no good exit from the Forged document ambush site.

George Custer was another arrogant slob who didn't own the turf and hadn't realized his position.

Adding token conservatives does tell us that they are starting to look over their shoulder.

[No Truce With Kings]

"Zeal is not bias and bias is not zeal, regardless of what spin is being put out in the media about Dan Rather."

Best line in the whole thing.

[The Great Yazoo]

Last line in Post 25 should be:

Thanks (and keep faggots (that kind, anyway)) coming!

Sorry!

[GraceCoolidge]

I read the "he did not mean to tell a lie" in a different way. I thought Professor Sowell was indicating that Dan Rather's bias is so ingrained and reflexive, that Dan Rather doesn't even recognize a blatant lie, so long as it serves his agenda. In other words, Rather wasn't intending to lie (although he was lying), he truly believed in his statements. The bias is so ingrained that it can't even be recognized by liberals; their entire world view has simply become twisted. When you think about Dan Rather saying Bill Clinton was an honest man, because you can be an honest person and "lie about any number of things," I think Prof. Sowell's point has merit.

[The Great Yazoo]

Dr. Sowell is ... totally un-recognized by the left.

Thank God there are (a few) intellectuals out there whose central aspiration is not to be recognized by the left.

[BibChr]

Rat awn.

[G.Mason]

You are most kind. ;)

[Ditto]

There was also the "Wall Within" CBS Special where Dan interviewed 5 "Vietnam vets" who told him they were all screwed up because of what the government made them do in Vietnam. Dan never bothered to check their records and when shown evidence that none of these guys ever served in combat, he chose to ignore the evidence and "stand by his story".

It was nothing but a shot at all Vets, painting them as druggies, losers and crazed killers. It fit the left wing anti-military line and Dan was more than glad to spread the lies for them.

[sport]

I agree with Thomas.

[bandleader]

He is absolutely BRILLIANT!When Dr.Walter Williams was guest-hosting for ElRushbo(last week),Dr.Sowell made mincemeat of The Left(as per usual)!!

[Tallguy]

With the honorable discharge on Kerry's own web site dated during the Carter administration, years after his service ended, why no zeal to find out if this was one of the less than honorable discharges retroactively raised to the status of "honorable" under Jimmy Carter's amnesty programs? Wouldn't that be quite a story?

Not holding my breath on that one...

[bandleader]

ThankYou for the background on this BRILLIANT man!

[PGalt]

"Zeal is not bias and bias is not zeal, regardless of what spin is being put out in the media about Dan Rather."

Best line in the whole thing.

Exactly

...regardless of what spin...

Liars lying for liars. The "spin" really doesn't stop here. Definitions are the guardians of reason and logic.

A nugget inside an outstanding article.