The man behind Rathergate

By Rachel Tobin Ramos Atlanta Business Chronicle Updated: 7:00 p.m. ET March 13, 2005Before Dan Rather signed off March 9 after 24 years as a news anchor for CBS, conservative "netizens" already were cheering the man they believe led to the tidal wave of criticism that forced Rather to leave his post a year early: Atlanta attorney Harry W. MacDougald.

MacDougald, 46, who has been with Atlanta's Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC since 2002, was the blogger "Buckhead" who first started a cascade of criticism about a report Rather aired Sept. 8 on CBS's "60 Minutes II" about President George W. Bush's Air National Guard service.

MacDougald's initial Web posting on FreeRepublic.com, less than four hours after the Sept. 8 broadcast, said the font in the documents Rather used to show Bush had received preferential treatment in the military weren't typical of 1970s-era typewriters.

There seems to be some fascination in the press with my past conservative activities, but all that really shows is that I am a bit like Forrest Gump. I just happened to be standing there, saw something go by, and said "Hey, Look at that!" and everybody went nuts. Could have been anybody.

I love that analogy and I appreciate what you're saying. However, most momentous events in history have one person representing it, rather right or wrong. (Paul Revere, etc.) Your contribution to this event happens to be the one illuminated.

I am aware that Howlin and Pikamax and others played an important role in this. Not to mention Jim Robinson for making this forum possible. It's the drop of water contributed by all Freepers that breaks the dam and most of us will not receive any recognition.

I can understand not wanting this kind of scrutiny or attention. However, your reluctance to accept full recognition for this event only makes you more attractive as a hero, unfortunately. LOL.

And so I say, GO FORREST!.

Special recognition to Howlin and Pikamax.

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