CBS 'Statement' at 3:30 PM est (Update: 5 PM EDT, according to Hannity) (placing bets)

MSNBC

[blogblogginaway]

so MSNBC just reported

[Rockitz]

Dan must be in the middle of some serious McGreevying...

I don't thing "I am a forgering American" is going to play as well as "I am a gay American."

[KnutCase]

That huge trade at 3:56 p.m. probably took place when Dan asked permission from the suits to go to the bathroom. Instead he rushed to a phone to call his broker and unload his shares before the you-know-what hits the fan and Viacom stock takes a dive tomorrow. Could be true. Wouldn't be insider trading, would it? Paging Martha Stewart.....white courtesy phone.

[Loyalist]

CBS has reduced itself to bullying a little old lady into going along with them, just like a boiler-room telemarketer selling worthless mining stocks.

[sionnsar]

"Fire Dept. has been called to bring the jaws of life."
and the fire department says that in this case they'd just as soon try out the jaws of death.

I'd be happy with The Cone of Silence.

[NewJerseyJoe]

Announcement! Dan Rather is taking leave from CBS News to be a contestant on the next Survivor

[AmericanInTokyo]

[Bob J]

[Lijahsbubbe]

"I never thought I'd shake an old lady that way..."

[RandallFlagg]

C'mon, Dan! I gotta get to work!

[EternalHope]

OK, time to state the obvious: There will be no statement issued prior to this evening's news.

Given the prep time needed, will Dan be reading the news tonight?

And... What will he choose to read?

Freepers on the East Coast, please keep us informed!

[renotse]

word from a DUbious source is " Michael Dobbs of the Washington Post just told Lester Holt on MSNBC that CBS has flown the 86 year old secretary to New York"

[Congressman Billybob]

On this discussion of "potential liability" per the suits and lawyers, I dope it out this way: Once CBS admits that the memos are fakes (and I don't think they can avoid that, now), then they are open to being sued. Now, Bush would have the brains not to sue. But some people could and would do so.

At that point, under SEC regulations, Viacom (corporate parent) would have to report under "potential liabilities" the probable outcome of such suits. Admittedly, the amounts will be small -- low seven figures, max. But NOT reporting that is a felony, that the SEC will prosecute against the suits and lawyers.

Also, Viacom stock prices have been steadily dropping for a week. Suits and lawyers pay attention to that, also.

Bottom line: the delay today means some kind of confession by CBS. The only big question is whether Rather's head will be displayed on a platter when the announcement eventually comes. Maybe they are letting Dan save his resignation announcement for tonight's Evening News. If so, will Rather pull a Howard Beale? I'd pay cash money to see that.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "Time to Talk about the 2008 Election"

If you haven't already joined the anti-CFR effort, please click here.

[Petronski]

Hannity's insider: "CBS will continue as before. No change."

[Gucho]

"Now that Smith & Wesson has their 50 cal pistol out, I'd say Clint owes us a Dirty Harry sequel."

I agree....always a classic movie from Clint.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Hannity just rattled off the scuttelbutt from his "sources". Basically a stonewall combined with a challenge to Bush.

[hope]

LOL!

[AZamericonnie]

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

[Calvin Locke]

Well then, they are certainly living up to their reputation.

I wonder if the suits realize that this is just adding to the well-deserved trashing of their "news" division?

They can't even get the time (maybe even the day) of an announced annoucement right.

And they wonder why CBS "news" pulls less than half the viewers of the competitor directly ahead of them.

[mwl1]

Insider at CBS to his secretary: If my boss calls while I'm at lunch, get his name!

[Loyalist]

Maybe they are letting Dan save his resignation announcement for tonight's Evening News. If so, will Rather pull a Howard Beale?

Maybe he'll pull an R. Budd Dwyer instead.