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.