Posted on 09/25/2004 8:48:15 AM PDT by GeneD
Filed at 11:17 a.m. ET
NEW YORK (AP) -- CBS News has shelved a ``60 Minutes'' report on the rationale for war in Iraq because it would be ``inappropriate'' to air it so close to the presidential election, the network said on Saturday.
The report on weapons of mass destruction was set to air on Sept. 8 but was put off in favor of a story on President Bush's National Guard service. The Guard story was discredited because it relied on documents impugning Bush's service that were apparently fake.
CBS News spokeswoman Kelli Edwards would not elaborate on why the timing of the Iraq report was considered inappropriate.
The report, with Ed Bradley as the correspondent, has long been in the works. Originally scheduled for June, it was first put off because of new developments, Edwards said.
CBS said no other reports on the presidential election have been affected.
The network last week appointed former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and retired Associated Press chief executive Louis Boccardi to investigate what went wrong with the National Guard report and recommend changes.
The controversy has put CBS News officials squarely on the fire line, particularly anchor Dan Rather, who narrated the National Guard report.
Meanwhile, the network announced that Rather would anchor the network's coverage of all three presidential debates, starting Sept. 30.
Exactly.
Airing a story that accused Bush of using forged documents would be an unmitigated disaster for CBS.
Huh? The Iraq war is one of the bigger foreign policy issues, if not the biggest one, in this election campaign. And CBS is asserting that airing a story that discusses the rationale for entering that theatre is inappropriate?
That makes absolutely no sense. As a voter, and I think most voters would agree, an objective review of the justification of how and why the USA recently got into Iraq (with the objective of replacing the government led by Saddam Hussein) would facilitate evaluation of GWB as president.
Oh, I see. The report isn't objective. Well, nice of CBS to telegraph that factoid. Hey!! CBS!! We already knew you to be irredeemably biased. Go ahead and run with it!
Actually this is great news. After the latest CBS bias adventure, Dan will very carefully attempt to stay unbiased knowing the world and his bosses will be scrutinizing every word..
Well, now Dan is really getting protection from CBS -- NARRATED
Do they really think this is going to fly?
Another c BS hit piece loaded with Ratherisms against President Bush has been cancelled.
I wonder how much impact Freepers had on that Rather filled bs being cancelled.
Little Jeremiah has a great suggestion on how Freepers can really kiss off ole Blather. We develop a lexicon where Rather replaces lies, liar etc..
Rathering Lexicon by Little Jeremiah
"I think it really needs to be added to the American lexicon.
"to Rather - to lie shamelessly, baldly, even though the lie (based often on jealously and hatred, and to achieve one's selfish aims) is obviously a sham. To lie to further one's goals, often at the detriment of others who are the objects of the slanderous lie.
"Rathering - to make a habit of such lies.
"a Rather - one who lies pathologically."
Thanks but I'd "Rather" not!
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
Inappropriate? Or were they concerned that the pyjamahadeen would expose yet more forgeries and blunders?
You might be interested in Little Jeremiah's use of the new lexicon, Rather.
Rathering Lexicon by Little Jeremiah
"I think it really needs to be added to the American lexicon.
"to Rather - to lie shamelessly, baldly, even though the lie (based often on jealously and hatred, and to achieve one's selfish aims) is obviously a sham. To lie to further one's goals, often at the detriment of others who are the objects of the slanderous lie.
"Rathering - to make a habit of such lies.
"a Rather - one who lies pathologically."
"Rathering - to make a habit of such lies.
"a Rather - one who lies pathologically."
Major Bump.
I'd add: "See also, Clinton, DemocRATS, Moore."
Great lexicon!
Cool, CBS will get a 0 Neilson (sp?) share. Wonderful.
Meanwhile, the network announced that Rather would anchor the network's coverage of all three presidential debates, starting Sept. 30.
Very nice I'm sure.
Question, will he be wearing his Bozo the Clown nose?
Don't the campaigns have a say in who moderates the debates?
Not really. That's decided by the Presidential Debate commision.
I think the order to bag this story came down from Sumner Redstone.
Thanks, Sumner. I'm now happy to accept your endorsement of President Bush, and will overlook your large donations to the Kerry campaign.
Everyone is entitled to a change of heart.
Lets stick to Rather for now since it is a hot topic.
Nothing like using his own name to symbolize him as liar.
Remember how GW used a$$hole to label and mute Adam Clymer.
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