Mark Steyn: CBS defense of Rather hints at bigger story (FR and Buckhead mentioned)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | September 19, 2004 | BY MARK STEYN

[Pokey78]

Thanks!

[Slings and Arrows]

[MeekOneGOP]

There you are! I was wondering if you were okay .....

[Happygal]

Steyn is fabulous!

[js1138]

I have to believe that when Ben Barnes signed up for this mission, he was told that Dan Rather had the story nailed cold. Oddly enough, if Mapes at CBS had had the sense to ask for copies of the "originals" (code word for "please change the font and resubmit") then CBS would still be defending the documents, and Bush would be off balance.

Now, of course, Burkette is obliterated, and everyone associated with his rant is discredited -- Barnes, Michael Moore, the DNC, CBS -- everyone.

[mrustow]

Thanks for the ping, Pokey!

[Pokey78]

Been gone for over a week. q, the mad excerpter, beat me to the next Steyn column.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...once they admit the documents are fake, they can no longer claim ''journalistic ethics'' as an excuse to protect their source. There's no legal or First Amendment protection afforded to a man who peddles a fraud."

Excellent point...I can't see Dan Rather-Biased and CBS perpetuating this FRaud fer all that much longer!! They've already become a laughing stock, and the ridicule will rightfully continue well beyond their finally admitting the error of their ways. No way they can hold out until November, but I'd almost like to see them try!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mr. Mojo]

Whatever other lessons are drawn from this, we ought at least to acknowledge that the privileged position accorded to ''official'' media and the restrictions placed on the citizenry by McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform are wholly unwarranted.

Hear hear!

[Mo1]

So why aren't they? The only reasonable conclusion is that the source -- or trail of sources -- is even more incriminating than the fake documents. Why else would Heyward and Rather allow the CBS news division to commit slow, public suicide?

I'd say that's a pretty good bet

[alwaysconservative]

Thanks for the ping, Pokey!

[alwaysconservative]

I totally agree: the "source" of the forged documents is even more radioactive than the documents themselves. It is either the sKerry campaign, the DNC, or the Shrillary cadre. Don't you think it is one of these?

[MeekOneGOP]

q, the mad excerpter, beat me to the next Steyn column.

haha! Well, he outta Quid doin' dat !!

[Ironclad]

Best write-up so far.

[Mo1]

IMO .. I think they all played a roll .. what exactly it was, I'm not sure

Maybe the media/press will do follow ups and investigate this further

[cyncooper]

I noticed Susan Ostrich on Fox yesterday. She was quite subdued and almost sounded pro-Bush. I think sumthin's up.

I missed Estrich but posted the same thing about seeing Joe Trippi on Hardball last night. A few other freepers confirmed my report of his tone and demeanor and we had the same idea; sumthin's up.

I said I think he knew an investigation was coming and coming quick.

[cyncooper]

But has that question ever been asked?

Yes, immediately when Rather presented his story many wondered who it was that claimed to have Killian's "personal file" and how they came to possess it. The family then said he kept no such thing and it would have been completely against the way he operated.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Osage Orange]

During an interview with Bill Oh Really.. Dan Rather was asked if he thought Bill Clinton was an honest man....He said, "Yes, I think he is an honest man. You can lie about certain things, and still be an honest man."

Enough said........

[irv]

Thanks for the ping. The only thing more fun than watching Dan Rather flush himself away, is reading Steyn's skewering of said flushing.