Posted on 09/14/2004 7:16:41 PM PDT by Checkers
It appears likely that CBS News based a blockbuster report on George W. Bush's National Guard service on faked documents. If so, either through negligence or malfeasance, it has attempted to perpetuate a gross fraud on the American public. In its defenses aired so far, it has been evasive and downright misleading. Needless to say, this is not the work of a reputable news division. The strategy that now makes most sense from the perspective of the selfish interests of those responsible at CBS is to batten down the hatches and hope the document flap blows over and is eventually just chalked up as a "controversial report," instead of dealing seriously on air with the doubts and retracting and apologizing if — as appears likely at this point — the evidence shows the documents to be forgeries.
This strategy cannot be tolerated by the broader political and journalistic community. Until CBS cleans its own house, it cannot be considered just another news organization, in good journalistic standing. Which brings us to the presidential debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates has scheduled a debate on foreign policy for October 13 at Arizona State University. The moderator the commission has seen fit to anoint for this encounter is Bob Schieffer of CBS News.
In other words, one of the greatest gifts in terms of exposure and responsibility in the fall campaign is being handed to a representative of the CBS News division. This cannot stand, and Republicans in particular ought to scream about this choice, given the evident disregard CBS has for fairness and accuracy.
Schieffer should be replaced by someone from some other organization. This is not to say that Schieffer himself is not a decent guy or a professional, nor it is to suggest that he personally had any role in the National Guard story. But the CBS controversy is about more than one stubborn icon, Dan Rather. The credibility of the entirety of CBS News is at stake. If outsiders are being stonewalled, it is up to insiders who care about the reputation of CBS to step up — insiders like Schieffer.
In the meantime, getting bumped from the moderator role would just be the price Bob Schieffer pays for being affiliated with an increasingly disreputable and discredited news organization.
Hehe. Might as well up the ante.
Amen!
Scheiffer out, Hume in!
Schieffer out, Hume in!
Schieffer out, Hume in!
Double post due to server error message saying the reply did not post!
BUMP!
Which brings us to the presidential debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates has scheduled a debate on foreign policy for October 13 at Arizona State University. The moderator the commission has seen fit to anoint for this encounter is Bob Schieffer of CBS News.
See BS's Schieffer is a long-time Dem shill.
I have no problem with him as a moderator as long as B-1 Bob Dornan is also chosen.
I like this.
ANyone have the Email addy of the Commission on Presidential Debates? Who are they anyway?
"Me, me, me, me, me, pick me, pick me" -- Tom Brokaw
I say let the guy ask some questions... Bush can always return fire with "Are you sure the documents you are holding in your hand aren't forgeries?"... ;)
Its over Johnnie.
Look! Clinton is a chaiman!
Co-Chairmen (with my links to the #1 google result for each name)
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
http://www.americangaming.org/About/bios/bio_fahrenkopf.cfm
Paul G. Kirk, Jr.
http://www.thehartford.com/governance/directors/kirk.html
Honorary Co-Chairmen
Gerald R. Ford
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
William J. Clinton
Board of Directors
Howard Buffett
Rep. Jennifer Dunn
Antonia Hernandez
Caroline Kennedy
Newton N. Minow
Dorothy Ridings
H. Patrick Swygert
Executive Director
Janet H. Brown
If folks want to call the Committee on Presidential Debates to actively follow up on Schieffer being removed from the debates, the number they can call is (202) 872-1020.
Even I know this guy is as left as they go.
lET'S HOPE bUSH'S DEBATE TEAM GETS RID OF sHIEFFER AND GETS hUME INSTEAD.
CBS is unfit to have a Washington Bureau.
CBS is unfit to have anybody from Washington on any of their Sunday programs.
CBS is unfit to broadcast election coverage - their intentions are suspect.
CBS is a propaganda arm.
So how do we get Hume in???
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