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CBS "Mystified" by Dan Rather's "Bizarre Allegations", Files Motion to Dismiss
The New York Observer ^ | November 15 2007 | Felix Gillette

Posted on 11/15/2007 9:05:50 PM PST by Milhous

Today, in New York Supreme Court, in response to Dan Rather's civil lawsuit, CBS filed a lengthy 30-page motion to dismiss the case.

CBS executives also released a statement today, noting that they are "mystified" by Rather's "bizarre allegations" but will "vigorously" defend themselves in court if need be.

"Dan Rather is one of the most important figures in the history of broadcast journalism, and for more than 40 years was one of our most valued colleagues," CBS said in the statement. "That is why we at CBS are mystified and saddened by the baseless and self-serving allegations and distortions of fact raised in his lawsuit."

"Today we are filing a motion to dismiss," added the statement. "If we are required to proceed beyond this point, we will defend the case vigorously and demonstrate that the lawsuit is wholly without merit, and that the bizarre allegations by Mr. Rather are untrue."

UPDATE: In the motion, CBS lawyers argue that Mr. Rather's lawsuit is a "thinly-disguised" defamation suit and therefore is time-barred because of a one-year statute of limitations. To wit: They point out that the last "allegedly wrongful act" took place on June, 16 2006, and that Mr. Rather did not file suit until September 19, 2007, roughly 15 months later.

Furthermore, CBS lawyers argue that Mr. Rather's actions are motivated not by any wrongful actions on the part of the defendants but, instead, by Mr. Rather's desire to stay in the limelight.

"This lawsuit is a regrettable attempt by plaintiff Dan Rather to remain in the public eye, and to settle old scores and perceived slights, based on an array of far-fetched allegations," the lawyers write.

"The Complaint is predicated on allegations of a bizarre 'scheme' extending from the White House to an array of CBS executives including Sumner Redstone, CBS's Executive Chairman, Leslie Moonves, CBS's Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew Heyward, formerly president of CBS News, all of whom, according to Rather, colluded to harm Rather's reputation and keep him off the air," add CBS lawyers. "Of course, there was no such nefarious scheme, and Rather's allegations bear no resemblance to reality. CBS and its executives are not now, and never have been, out to get Dan Rather."


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: blather; danrather; dinosaurdeathwatch; rather
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This lawsuit is a regrettable attempt by plaintiff Dan Rather to remain in the public eye


1 posted on 11/15/2007 9:05:53 PM PST by Milhous
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To: Milhous

Pop some popcorn, sit back and enjoy. Talk about a win/win for conservatism!


2 posted on 11/15/2007 9:08:40 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Your "dirt" on Fred is about as persuasive as a Nancy Pelosi Veteran's Day Speech)
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To: Milhous

Gotta love these little red on red spats. Hahahaha.


3 posted on 11/15/2007 9:08:45 PM PST by Parley Baer
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To: Milhous
They had no problem with wacky Dan’s methods when he was slandering the Commander in Chief. Why do they object to his methods now?
4 posted on 11/15/2007 9:10:26 PM PST by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: Milhous
"If we are required to proceed beyond this point, we will defend the case vigorously and demonstrate that the lawsuit is wholly without merit, and that the bizarre allegations by Mr. Rather are untrue."

Whoa...! Looks like CBS is playing hardball. Guess Dan and his lawyers' hope for a juicy settlement has been dashed.

5 posted on 11/15/2007 9:11:45 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Milhous

Man...when CBS knows you’re UN-HINGED, Dan, you are in Physcoville.


6 posted on 11/15/2007 9:12:06 PM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion: The Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Milhous
Dan Rather has to be hotter than a cow turd on asphalt road at high noon in West Texas heat wave during mating season.

(Dan wanted me to say that...nobody even quotes him anymore.)

7 posted on 11/15/2007 9:13:18 PM PST by Doctor Raoul (Columbia = Ayatollah U.)
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To: Milhous
"This lawsuit is a regrettable attempt by plaintiff Dan Rather to remain in the public eye, and to settle old scores and perceived slights, based on an array of far-fetched allegations," the lawyers write.

CBS News better watch out. Dan has documents that prove he's right.

8 posted on 11/15/2007 9:14:31 PM PST by Doctor Raoul (Columbia = Ayatollah U.)
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To: Ann Archy

Psychoville too...


9 posted on 11/15/2007 9:14:52 PM PST by null and void (No more Bushes/No more Clintons)
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To: Doctor Raoul

LOL!!!!


10 posted on 11/15/2007 9:15:38 PM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion: The Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Grizzled Bear
They had no problem with wacky Dan’s methods when he was slandering the Commander in Chief. Why do they object to his methods now?

Rather did decades worth of dirty work for CBS and the Democrats but now he's a washed up has-been. CBS now has fresh, (so far) untainted talent to continue Dan's and Walter's important work of getting Democrats elected and seeing America turned into the Euro-style, secular-socialist welfare state they dream about.

11 posted on 11/15/2007 9:15:40 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: Milhous

I cannot take CBS seriously. CBS should not be surprised about Rather, everything about Rather was bizarre including What’s the frequency, Kenneth?


12 posted on 11/15/2007 9:16:04 PM PST by Biblebelter
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To: Milhous

Courage CBS courage.


13 posted on 11/15/2007 9:20:53 PM PST by ILS21R
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To: Milhous
"This lawsuit is a regrettable attempt by plaintiff Dan Rather to remain in the public eye, and to settle old scores and perceived slights, based on an array of far-fetched allegations,"

Watta way to go out, Dan. Congrats. < /sarc>

14 posted on 11/15/2007 9:21:15 PM PST by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: Doctor Raoul

You humor is drier than a Georgia lake.


15 posted on 11/15/2007 9:22:50 PM PST by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Talk about a win/win for conservatism!

It's been a good week for Conservatism :)

16 posted on 11/15/2007 9:23:53 PM PST by Mr_Moonlight
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To: Doctor Raoul
CBS News better watch out. Dan has documents that prove he's right.

I think they're on the way now.


17 posted on 11/15/2007 9:24:15 PM PST by DeFault User
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To: Milhous

“mystified” by Rather’s “bizarre allegations”

My, my, talk about a day late and a dollar short. Hey CBS, how does it feel to be charged with “facts” that are “fake, but accurate”. The whole thing is almost too funny until one thinks that uninformed people still actually think they are getting unbiased news from CBS.


18 posted on 11/15/2007 9:26:27 PM PST by pepperdog
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To: Milhous; DeFault User

19 posted on 11/15/2007 9:28:01 PM PST by Lijahsbubbe
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To: Doctor Raoul

thanks for the hearty laugh!


20 posted on 11/15/2007 9:28:10 PM PST by EDINVA
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