Dan Rather mulling CBS lawsuit

Reuters ^ | 7/13/06 | Paul J. Gough

[LdSentinal]

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather says he has considered filing a lawsuit against the network where he had worked for 44 years.

Appearing Wednesday night on CNN's "Larry King Live," Rather paused after a question from King and then said he wouldn't talk about whether he would file a lawsuit against CBS. But he acknowledged, "I can't say that I've never thought about it."

It wasn't clear from the interview what Rather considered to be possible grounds for a lawsuit.

A CBS spokesman commented late Wednesday after the interview, saying, "CBS believes that it has dealt with Dan's departure in a completely fair, equitable and honest way, and we wish him nothing but the best." CBS declined further comment.

Rather said that he brought up several times while at CBS that, after his departure from the anchor desk and assignment as a "60 Minutes" correspondent, the network wasn't living up to its end of his contract. CBS has said that with the many "60 Minutes" correspondents, there weren't enough assignments for him.

Rather said that he had never been told what led to his departure from CBS. He said he wasn't sure whether it was related to the aftermath of the "60 Minutes Wednesday" story on President Bush's military career that relied in part on unsubstantiated documents.

"They handled it in a curious way," Rather told King about the circumstances surrounding his departure. "I wish I knew the whole story, I wish I had an opportunity to say, 'Hey, what's happening? It's Dan, you know me."'

He also said that he had never heard from the head of the corporation or the head of the news division. Rather didn't mention in Wednesday's interview that the day after CBS announced he had left the network, he went to lunch with CBS News president Sean McManus. McManus is said to have explained to Rather that it was McManus's decision and that there wasn't enough work on "60 Minutes" to suit Rather.

Rather wouldn't directly answer former colleague Mike Wallace, who questioned his behavior after the "Memogate" scandal that led to the firing of producer Mary Mapes and the forced resignation of four other CBS employees. Wallace and others, including several in the CBS old guard, said Rather should have resigned.

"They have to answer for themselves for the times in the past when things might not have gone right," Rather said.

As for the September 2004 "60 Minutes Wednesday" report on President Bush, Rather said that CBS had been the victim of forces that wanted to attack the weakest part of the story.

"Do I believe the truth of the story? Absolutely," Rather said.

[Scarchin]

I was just going to ask where the popcorn eating icon is! LOL

[xzins]

I can't stand either of 'em, so, "Go Dan, Go!"

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

It probably didn't help Rather by his answer to the question "What's is the frequency Kenneth?" with "fake but accurate." That's probably why the guy kept beating him.

[FreedomPoster]

Sums it up perfectly.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Wiliam Tager was the guy.

" August 31, 1994, Tager shot and killed Campbell Theron Montgomery, a technician employed by NBC, outside of the stage of the Today show."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tager

[Peach]

I've not heard one attorney interviewed on television or radio who didn't say with a smirk and laugh that the Plame lawsuit is just ridiculous.

[M Kehoe]

Thanks for the proper date.

5.56mm

[nopardons]

Neither have I! As a matter of fact, all I've heard is a whole LOT of ridicule and laughter.

[blam]

How many millions each year did they pay this clown?

[nikos1121]

DAn Rather, what a loser..

[Chode]

OH yeah... now THERE'S a nuisance law suit if there ever was one. GO-RATher-GO... GO-RATher-GO... GO-RATher-GO

[TheLion]

Dan, want to get back at CBS?....write an article or column about how the media deliberately distorts news to help the Democrat/liberal cause. That would zing them!

[Chode]

JUST DAMN... BUCKHEAD!!!

now i need a new kb and monitor. tooooo funny!!! 8^)

[demkicker]

Ah, come on Dan, you know you want to do it. Sue SeeBS and air all the dirty laundry out for everyone once and for all. I've got the clothespin ready for my nose and the popcorn ready!

[Westlander]

My blind, diabetic black lab regularly fell asleep during his broadcast. That 'in depth' reporting was awesome. But than again it may have been my forgetfullnes on giving her insulin.

[MindBender26]

He's not really as barking mad as he was. There was a time when if Tom Bentag was not at his side, he was catatonic. He would go to DC embassy row parties and stand in the corner, facing into the corner, all by himself for an hour or two.

Now, he will do anything, anything at all, to self promote. It is like Hubert Humphrey. Hubert would board a flight from DC to Minneapolis and proceed to shake hands with EVERYONE on the flight, including the stews, pilots and his wife Muriel!

Would say to every one "Hi there. Hubert Humphrey. Proud as punch to meet you." (Maybe 160 times!)

Now Dan is a has been, he knows it, and can't stand it.

Remember, there are two kinds of Texans. East Texans are like J.R. Ewing. Sneaky, conniving, full of braggadocio, what we used to call "All hat and no cattle."

West Texans are quiet men of few words. They act rather than talk about it. The Prez is a very typical West Texan.

Dan Rather is very much an East Texan.

[MindBender26]

He's not really as barking mad as he was. There was a time when if Tom Bentag was not at his side, he was catatonic. He would go to DC embassy row parties and stand in the corner, facing into the corner, all by himself for an hour or two.

Now, he will do anything, anything at all, to self promote. It is like Hubert Humphrey. Hubert would board a flight from DC to Minneapolis and proceed to shake hands with EVERYONE on the flight, including the stews, pilots and his wife Muriel!

Would say to every one "Hi there. Hubert Humphrey. Proud as punch to meet you." (Maybe 160 times!)

Now Dan is a has been, he knows it, and can't stand it.

Remember, there are two kinds of Texans. East Texans are like J.R. Ewing. Sneaky, conniving, full of braggadocio, what we used to call "All hat and no cattle."

West Texans are quiet men of few words. They act rather than talk about it. The Prez is a very typical West Texan.

Dan Rather is very much an East Texan.

[prairiebreeze]

It's an annoying thread that finds me actually supporting CBS.

:^)

[WorkingClassFilth]

I love it when RATs feed on each other.

[prairiebreeze]

I'm certain he has, Buckhead. LOL!