Rather bows out tonight, a vet of TV's ups, downs [Free Republic credited]

Seattle Times ^ | March 9, 2005 | by Kay McFadden

[Jim Robinson]

In January, the conservative and widely respected Heritage Foundation held a panel discussion called "Rather is Retiring: Is the Blogosphere the New Media Establishment?"

It was a moment to take stock. Significant trends have swept America in a few short years: the rise of the political right, the proliferation of Internet use and a growing grass-roots challenge to information supplied by the mainstream media.

~snip~

Rather's career embodies the rise and fall of TV news and the culture it has represented for the past four decades — a culture now besieged on every front by political, technological and economic forces unimagined in 1963.

~snip~

The ensuing decade would be a great one for television journalism. News-division heads and young Turks like Rather were unafraid to confront and show to viewers the ugly side of authority. TV was every bit as bold as print — and its impact greater. Yet later, many people came to see this period of media triumph as its undoing. While the news rose in prestige and influence, its popularity among average citizens began to decline in polls. Along the way were sown the seeds of a perceived bias and arrogance.

During this period, Rather thrived. He also became identified with liberal values that some thought affected his judgment and that over the years made him a target for media critics — none more zealous than the new, politically motivated generation of bloggers.

In part thanks to them, Rather will exit his evening newscast under mixed skies. His role in the story known as "Memogate" on the Wednesday edition of "60 Minutes" puts an asterisk next to more than 40 years of often stellar coverage, from John F. Kennedy's assassination to Abu Ghraib.

~snip~

[Arrowhead1952]

[Arrowhead1952]

I pulled a good one basil. I quit reading when I saw this:

Weaned on FDR

Next time, I'll finish the article. I thought the rest was something entrely different.

[jslade]

Linda, Most excellent......as always.

[jslade]

Their daughter Robin, who is active in environmental and political affairs, and her son Andy live in Austin.

Must of been a turkey baster conception!

[MeekOneGOP]

Oh, yeah! That one is perfect for this thread.

[basil]

I could get into that!!!

However, since he's still going to be doing 60 minutes, it's going to be hard to pinpoint when he will be back.

[Kevin OMalley]

That sounds like a great party. We're gonna add Soup Du Journalism, Fact Checker Spaghetti with biased meatballs, Dinosaur LSM stew, White House Texas Chili, and Viking KittyFish with Troll Sauce.

[leadhead]

Fact Checker Spaghetti with biased meatballs

Do the meatballs have to be formed with a left slant, on the bias?

[injin]

Dan Rather said one very true thing tonite , on his last broadcast as anchor : " 9/11 , you will remember this date
as long as you live"
He's right , I sure will.....

May all of us never forget .

[nutmeg]

"Bloggers such as freerepublic.com and powerline.com were first to expose the shoddy journalism."

Well, I guess we're all "bloggers" now. In any event, a great big THANK YOU to all at FR who contributed to Dan Blather's demise! That includes you both - JimRob and JohnRob. Thank you for everything you do for us at FR. :o)

nutmeg & zelig

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[Victoria Delsoul]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Rather, 73, is returning to full-time reporting for CBS’s “60 Minutes” broadcasts.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7137959/?GT1=6305

[fatima]

We will get him there too.

[Grampa Dave]

Excellent! A great night for Free Republic and Freedom from the BS from the MSM posing as news.

The link below provided by GeorgiaYankee is a great one minute summation of that famous night up to tonight re Rather.

http://hometown.aol.com/cfitva/RatherUnbelievable.wmv

[DollyCali]

Good thread bumpidy bump.

Thanks Jim. I watched the last broadcast. I actually watch next to NO TV & did not even know where to find him. I don't have cable & the last two times the TV was on for anything other than DVD movies was for Oscars (I know, I know) and the World Series.

i recall when he first took over for Walter.. Was a college student & liked his Preppy look. I was at the MID point politically. Had gone to the inauguration (big time worker) for LBJ.. but voted for Nixon.. I thought Cronkite was another dad. I didn't understand bias, lack of integrity.. in media or in education.

College did a lot of good for me but it also did a lot of harm. I am grateful to you & to FRee Republic for helping to put it all together..

I have enjoyed the contributions from all.. esp Dave's "funnies"...

Night all - fighting a thing of the flesh & need some more rest

[Matchett-PI]

bttt!

[John Lenin]

I'll get you my little pretties ...

[Kevin OMalley]

Do the meatballs have to be formed with a left slant, on the bias?

I don't know yet. But we decided to add TANG & Vodka as an additional adult beverage. We might call it Better Truths. Thanks for the start on the great menu.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

FR conservative loyalists plugged away at their keyboards during the recount, organizing protests outside the Naval Observatory, protests in Florida.

Even more importantly, it was freepers watching TV who sounded the alarm about the Dems meeting in secret to count votes, causing other freepers to quickly gather to storm that room in Palm Beach and prevent it. That was a key event.

The MSM later called them an unruly mob who intimidated the Dems. Crooks need intimidating.