FOR THE RECORD: CBS Memos Controversy on Free Republic

Free Republic ^ | September 18, 2004

[Howlin]

In the interest of the historical importance of things that happened on this forum last week and, most importantly, to try to provide and document an accurate record of exactly what happened here on the evening of September 8, 2004, and the following morning, I have compiled a listing of ALL of the postings that occurred on Free Republic concerning CBS and Dan Rather 60 Minutes show from 8:00 PM EDT on Thurdsay, September 8, 2004, up until about 9:00 AM EDT on the morning of Friday, September 9, 2004, when the rest of the internet "caught up."

I am posting this thread for two reason.

First, to document the facts as we all know them to be -- and to try to put to rest the dubious claims that have been made concerning exactly how this all came about and exactly who "brought" it about.

Perhaps I am doing this to try to set the record straight, so as no one else will believe we are anything other than who we are: a bunch of really cool people (in Freeperware) from all across this country and from all walks of life with a passion for this country and for the truth who are lucky enough to know a man like Jim Robinson who decided to make this his life's work and give us all a place to rant/vent/question/opine/whine/relish the events that go on about us.

And, secondly, to remind everybody that even though Buckhead, TankerKC, and myself are the names mentioned in the blogs and articles concerning that night, it was, as it always is here on Free Republic, many, many posters; numerous questions were raised BEFORE the famous post #47.

And if I might add this: in my humble opinion, it was Free Republic at its best; I'm proud to be among you.

[MEG33]

Gone but not forgotten!

[BreitbartSentMe]

Pinging for the historical record. We can all say, we were there when the old media died....

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Nicely done Howlin.....ya got class lady!

[Prov3456]

Yes, thank you for compiling everything in one place. A great read, as well as a great reference.

Thanks also to all the super sleuths. America owes you one!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Rememberances from September 9, 2004. Everyone remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing:

"From Fresno, California, the flash, apparently official, the MSM died at 10:59 p.m. Central Standard time, 11:59 Eastern Standard time, some 38 minutes ago." "

(wiping a tear)

[A Citizen Reporter]

Yes, particularly when you consider pacocat's remarks in the context of this from the Washington Post, tomorrow:

"White House communications director Dan Bartlett had agreed to talk to "60 Minutes," but only on condition that the CBS program provide copies of what were being billed as newly unearthed memos indicating that President Bush had received preferential treatment in the National Guard. The papers were hand-delivered at 7:45 a.m. CBS correspondent John Roberts, filling in for Rather, sat down with Bartlett at 11:15.

Half an hour later, Roberts called "60 Minutes" producer Mary Mapes with word that Bartlett was not challenging the authenticity of the documents. Mapes told her bosses, who were so relieved that they cut from Rather's story an interview with a handwriting expert who had examined the memos."

For the rest of the story

[Bryan]

Buckhead is now an instant celebrity. The Los Angeles Times has found out his IRL identity and they've painted him as some sort of Republican Party operative. The unasked question is, "How did he know so quickly that they were fakes -- unless he forged them himself?"

Of course, the left-wing freaks -- at certain talkboards I won't mention by name -- have grabbed that and they're running with it.

[Howlin]

Let them.

We know what happened.

[deadhead]

Excellent work, Howlin. Bookmarked. I am proud to be a Freeper.

[Travis McGee]

Thank you Howlin!

[Mike Fieschko]

IMHO, someone needs to make sure this gets done every single time FR does something like this in the future.

Occasions when FR has Scooped Old Media (vanity thread listing). On my links page.

[skinkinthegrass]

Thanks, Howlin, BucKhead, tankerKC, Jim Robinson & FR :))

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[mtntop3]

"Thanks for the front row seats to history, Howlin. And this will be in the history books."

Well said.

[EaglesUpForever]

Thanks! Excellent recap. You must be a pretty clever "Republican operative" to have created all those IDs that talk back and forth so cleverly. :-)

[Psycho_Bunny]

[Howlin]

My next ED is Sybil. :-)

[Salvation]

Wow! That was a lot of work!

[baseballmom]

Thanks Howlin, for putting it all into one spot. Y'all done good.

[Congressman Billybob]

Nice job of collecting the FreeRepublic original comments on all threads. (I notice you excluded all the moose, cheese and sister references. Would take too long to explain all that to the outside world.) You helped to make it happen, my friend.

Congressman Billybob

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