Why Saddam Let Dan Rather Be His Mouthpiece

NewsMax.com ^ | 2/26/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

So why did Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein choose CBS tycoon Dan Rather to be his propaganda tool? Rather claims it was because of "hard work and luck." Here's the truth: Fanatical Bush-hater Ramsey Clark, a force in the pro-Saddam appeasement movement, set it up.

Thus reports the Associated Press.

Clark, of course, was attorney general to the disastrous Lyndon Johnson, who pursued that really popular Democrat war in Vietnam.

Clark has even visited his pal Saddam in Iraq.

Useful Idiot

In giving Saddam a propaganda platform to spout his self-serving rhetoric, Rather handed him a nationwide audience for his attempt to play the victim during the Iraqi-controlled interview.

In a three-hour interview sure to delight the hearts of anti-American protesters the world over, Rather played the role of useful idiot as Saddam took advantage of CBS’s willingness to allow him to play the peace-loving victim of U.S. aggression, who seems to be echoing Rodney King’s plea "Why can’t we just get along."

According to CBS, Saddam told Rather: "I am ready to conduct a direct dialogue - a debate - with your president. I will say what I want and he will say what he wants. … This will be an opportunity for him, if he's committed to war, this will be an opportunity to convince the world. … "This is something proposed in earnest. Out of my respect for the people of the United States and my respect for the people of Iraq and the people of the world. I call for this because war is not a joke."

"As leaders," Saddam said in his invitation to Bush, "why don't we use this opportunity?"

As presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer noted: "This is not about a debate. This is about disarmament and complying with the world's instructions that Iraq disarm."

CBS refused to tell NewsMax more about the arrangements of the interview. If it was on the Iraqi’s initiative, Rather and CBS are guilty of prostituting the network to serve as a loudspeaker for an enemy of the United States.

If, on the other hand, Rather did seek the interview, his network is equally at fault in pursuing an opportunity to play useful idiots.

What About Adolf's Point of View?

Would Rather have interviewed Adolf Hitler just before the U.S. went to war with him, giving him an opportunity to tell his side of the story?

Adding insult to injury, it now appears that the taping was conducted under the direction of the Iraqis, because CBS admitted Tuesday that Iraqi officials had control of the tapes and were delaying their release.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Dan Rather/CBS
Media Bias
Saddam Hussein/Iraq

[geedee]

Why Saddam Let Dan Rather Be His Mouthpiece

Because Peter Jennings was unavailable . . . he was double-dating with Yasser Arafat.

[joesnuffy]

Because no running media dog gets down on all fours like Rather

[formercalifornian]

Should have gone with ABC maybe:

ABC News issued a report yesterday on Saddam's troubled psychological background. Saddam's "difficult childhood leads to 'wounded self,' — a fragile personality who is very sensitive to perceived slights," ABC said.

From Washington Times story

[Russell Scott]

The U.N., the liberal media, and Saddam. All being taken to the woodshed because we finally have a President who is willing to take on the bullies and liars of the world. Its so easy (relatively speaking) to defeat evil when you just stand up to it, and ignore what other people think.

[skeeter]

Would Rather have interviewed Adolf Hitler just before the U.S. went to war with him, giving him an opportunity to tell his side of the story?

Unless the sitting president was a republican, not a chance.

[JeeperFreeper]

I hope Saddam and his editors use Blather's tactics against him to make a fool out of him. ( I know, I know.. Blather needs little help to look stoopid)

[weegee]

This is a sweeps period ratings trick. See BS needs to boost ratings and this is when the advertising figures are determined.

It's as much a media sham as the "Will they protest at the Grammys" stunt.

Rather is a useful idiot who hangs around with dictators of the world (who happen to have "open elections" yet no opposition candidates).

Danny boy was not this kind with the Bush presidents.

Lord Haw Haw met with Hitler but it didn't mean that we should trust a word he said.

[ricpic]

Danny boy: Excuse me mister Saddam sir, it has been reported by that nice mister Blix that Iraq...er, excuse me sir, your personal possession, has some missiles, just a few sir, that...er exceed the UN's...er, suggestions sir, for flight capabilities...begginyerpardonsir.

His Husseiness: Meesiles?! We ain't got no steenkin' meesiles!!

Danny boy: Oh..........okay. And thank you sir. Thank you. Your graciousness.

[Schnucki]

Why Saddam Let Dan Rather Be His Mouthpiece

Talk about innuendo! ;)

What some people will do for dinner, a movie and some ratings. :D

[Cardenas]

PERHAPS RATHER USED HIS CLOSE FRIENDSHIP WITH FIDEL CASTRO, WHO AS A LONG TIME PARTNER OF SADDAM IN TERRORISM, COULD HAVE ARRANGED THE DEAL.

[upchuck]

Why Saddam Let Dan Rather Be His Mouthpiece

Because Blather is an arrogant egomaniac (sometimes just simply called, correctly, an a$$hole) and the Commie Broadcasting System is right at the end of an important rating period. That's why!