Rather Defends CBS Over Memos on Bush (Howard Kurtz, 9/11/04)

[IndianaGreen]

Rather Defends CBS Over Memos on Bush

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 11, 2004; Page A07

The Dallas Morning News cast fresh doubt on the documents by reporting last night that the officer named in one memo as exerting pressure to "sugarcoat" Bush's military record was discharged a year and a half before the memo was written. The paper cited a military record showing that Col. Walter "Buck" Staudt was honorably discharged on March 1, 1972, while the memo cited by CBS as showing that Staudt was interfering with evaluations of Bush was dated Aug. 18, 1973.

<snip>

Asked if he was troubled by the handwriting and document analysts who say some of the typography and spacing did not exist in the early 1970s, Rather said he could not rule out the possibility of a hoax but sees no need for an internal inquiry.

Some CBS employees, who asked not to be identified while questioning their bosses' actions, expressed concern that the network had issued only a terse statement Thursday, when the authenticity of the documents was first questioned and until yesterday had refused to name any of the experts it had consulted or provide an on-the-record spokesman. One staff member, who has examined the documents but did not work on the "60 Minutes" piece, saw potential problems with them: "There's a lot of sentiment that we should do an internal investigation."

"The first rule of public relations is to get all the bad news out right away," said Tobe Berkovitz, associate dean of Boston University's College of Communication. "It looks like CBS News has made some serious errors here, and if so, they should plead nolo contendere and not do the perp walk later."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12809-2004Sep10.html

[Melodybe]

1. This is bull shit! Fuck the WP I will never click on one of their articles

again.

From here on out it is nothing but TDS and Online, the media whores can kiss my ass.

I am giving up on them.

[Born Free]

11. if you don't like the message discredit the messenger

Another bush team tactic, if the message is not good discredit the messengers and the media whores will run with the bush teams propaganda every time..I love to see it when the media whores are then called "liberal" after they spent so much time doing the bush teams work of spreading propaganda to confuse the politically ignorant they depend on for votes.

[0rganism]

2. Wow, the media is really intent on manufacturing the "forgery story" now

This isn't going away.

I hate to say it, but CBS News and Dan Rather are going down on this one. True or not, there is a full-on campaign to mold public perception and Dan Rather is simply outgunned, going up against 5 opposing networks.

The new insiders are all ready to go, to replace Rather's bunch if and when he's drummed out of there. Who are they? Easy: "CBS employees, who asked not to be identified". They're the ones bucking for the payoff.

Berkowitz is 100% right: "It looks like CBS News has made some serious errors here", and perception is the name of the game. The top dogs are going to cut bait, and leave Rather swinging in the breeze, to mix a few metaphors. This round goes to Karl Rove.

[shrub chipper]

3. and the fact is that NO ONE is questioning the

contents of the memos.

This is a sad say for a free press.

It really looks like the memos are the story, not their contents.

[LynnTheDem]

4. Welcome

To the Soviet States of America.

[0rganism]

9. The contents are far too damning to be discussed openly in the press...

...not because they themselves are the whole story, but because, combined with material no one has ever claimed to be forged, they paint a picture of a coward, a shirker, a freeloader, a true upper-class twit of the first order.

THAT is the story that the "free press" will do anything it can to suppress. It's the story of a lifetime, it puts Shakespeare to shame, and the allegedly "liberal" media won't go near it.

Too bad we all have to pay in blood for their treasonous pact of silence.

[fearnobush]

6. Not just yet, CBS could be withholding solid proof to create this

forgery frenzy. Heat up the debate, then wham - smack down the conspiracy theory with solid proof. I can't see any other reason why a billion dollar media giant would destroy itself. Seriously folks - why would CBS destroy itself? Yes, it is possible that Rove conducted a brilliant scam on CBS by leaking fake docs to them, but seriously. This is POTUS CBS is taking on.

[IndianaGreen]

7. CBS has gotten egg on its face before

Remember the Tailwind scandal in which CBS broadcast a story about the US using poison gas in Vietnam? CBS executives first defended the veracity of their sources, only to find out later the story was a total fabrication.

[looking glass]

18. Tailwind was a CNN story

The Tailwind hoax was on CNN, and it was a rotten smear job from start to finish.

Jeff Greenfield managed to survive it by pretending that he was new to the network.

Peter Arnette claimed that he just narrated it.

So they threw April Oliver to the wolves - she deserved it, but the other two deserved it a lot more. There is absolutely no accountability for truth in the media.

[saracat]

5. I am seriously beginning to hate everyone.

Fuck them all.I don't know how to keep optimistic, but I will try. I really want vengence on these bastards who have completely corrupted this country.We need a revolution!We need a democracy!

[tjdee]

16. Oh LOL, I passed that point awhile ago!

I got better, but I had to stay away from "news" for awhile.

[love_conquers_all]

23. Let it go.

I registered today just to post this to you because I can see that you are hurting. We are all hurting, but you can find solace with Our Lord.

Today, of all days, you need to let go of the hatred. Spend some time reflecting over the events of 9/11/2001. It will help you re-prioritize and focus on the truly important things in life.
Prayer will help you regain optimism. I'm praying for you Sara.

[saracat]

30. Thank you, I appreciate that.But I think the only thing that

feel better is for the Lord to smite Bush out of the WH with a lightening rod up his butt!And take the media with him.(or most of it.Dan Rather, Keith Olberman and a few others are OK)

[True_Blue]

8. We don't need typewriter experts

Bush was A.W.O.L!!!! He was suspended from flying for failing to take a physical.

Bush cannot produce any credible evidence to show that he EVER even showed up for duty in Alabama.

[moondust]

10. Doesn't matter if he was active duty or not.

He got out and still lives in Texas. He is still called "Colonel". In all likelihood he still uses the PX and commissary, still plays golf on base with "the boys", still comes around the old unit once in a while to see how things are going and meet the new guys, still serves unofficially as a "senior advisor"/mentor, still does his politicking, and still maintains ties with the civilians who supported him in the military and possibly in business after he got out.

What does active duty status have to do with anything?

[oasis]

12. Howie Kurtz, hosts CNN's "Reliable Sources" but shills for the Bush

regime on the side. Hey, Kurtz gets a paycheck from CNN and Bill O'Rielly has been saying nice things about the Washington Post lately.

[annabanana]

13. What does "active duty" have to do with the "sugarcoat" request?

From where I sit it's completely irrelevant. ALL of these favors are "extra-military". That's the whole point!!

sheesh

[Spazito]

15. Doesn't his wife work for the repubs or for a firm affiliated with the...

repubs? I thought I read that on DU before.

[KoKo]

21. She has her own PR Firm in DC and helped Ahhhnold get elected in CA..

Kurtz is a media whore. You can see him still listed on the old MWO site... Most of the WaPo is on the "dark side." Sad but true. Dana Milbank and a couple of others try...but the tone of the paper is pro-Bush/Rove...and they are sneaky about it...Ugh...

[Spazito]

25. Thanks!

Kurtz always struck me as a jerk, his Reliable Sources show is a joke, imo. He defends the media his show is touted as criticizing, the epitome of hypocrisy.

[blm]

14. Washington Post, abetting the Bush Crime Family for over 30 years.

I feel sorry for the real reporters there who have to watch the Bush loyalists get away with destroying democracy.

[GOPAgainstGW]

17. Interesting-WP Tends to be Pro-Demo in slant BUT Pro Bush Family!!

Hell the Washington Post has written some very damaging articles exposing the Enron frauds and more particularly the massive criminal grand jury investigation of Bush "War Dog" House Majority Leader Tom DeLay who could easily be looking at prison.

The WP is too steps close to exposing the Bush Family-Enron massive corruption scandal.

HOWEVER, the last two weeks it seems like the WP has turned on the Kerry-Edwards campaign for unknown reasons. I/we know the WP and some of their people, and have been surprised by their Pro-Bush slant the last two weeks.

The Bush Family D.C./Texas Mafia is extremely powerful, maybe they got to the WP somehow recently.

------------------------------
Beltway and Texas Republicans
Against Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc.
------------------------------
"Insider’s News”, Vol 1 - Kerry-Edwards Campaign Doing Well
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x748458
“Insider’s News” Vol 1.1 - Great Anti-Bush Sites
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x756409

[blm]

20. Woodward is a Bush family loyalist. Whenever the paper gets too close

to something that hurts the Bushes, Woodward runs interference.

Woodward became wealthy and famous on Watergate. The story was most certainly supplied by GHWBush who wanted the way cleared for his expected run in 1980. Nixon's unreliable mental state would be too costly for him, so it was decided to throw him over.

Woodward was a Naval Intelligence officer. He was at the Post FOUR MONTHS when the story was given to him.

Woodward could never find anything that Bush did wrong in IranContra or BCCI or Iraqgate. He said on LKL that Enron was a nonstory.

Some may want to believe it's mere coincidence, but, I am not a coincidence theorist. Not when it comes to the Bushes.

[GOPAgainstGW]

28. Hey excellent post!!, OK, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHT TO THIS?

as to Bob Woodward's recent book "Plan of Attack"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/074325547X/qid=1094918358/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-3891719-9199146?v=glance&s=books

It made Bush and his Administration not only look like total criminal idiots, but criminal charges should be brought and Bush-Cheney both impeached. However, Woodward’s book did make Bush look “the over his head victim”, surrounded by people with insanely bad advice, like President Reagan.

So why did Woodward write the book, heavily promote it on the talk shows, and then the GOP put Woodward’s book as recommended reading on their website back when it came out!

Thanks for your thoughts and clarity on this matter.

N.K.R.

[blm]

31. Typical of Woodward's style. Bush always comes out clean at the end

and made to appear forthright and sincere in his own deliberations when he is just as criminal, if not more so, than those who surround him.

Woodward makes sure there is some fire with his smoke, but never enough to actually harm the dictatortot.

[saracat]

29. And Bob Graham's brother was the owner of the Post..

Katheine Graham was his sister in law.I believe they are still connected to it. Bob Graham is obviously not a Bush fan,Carl Bernstein is the most outspoken Bush hater you will ever see.How do you explain that? In debated Woodward is not as passionte as Bernsyien but he usually agrees, though somewhat drly. His portrait of Bush in Plan Of Attack wasn't really flattering.The WH tried to spin it as pro bush but it wasn't.

[blm]

32. But, we're talking Woodward.

His book never really addressed Bush directly for his criminal decisions. Bush always ended up in the end as above the dirt generated by his underlings. They intend to make him as innocently underserved by those around him as Ronald Reagan. Alot of people will buy it.

I don't. He's a slicker than shit criminal with never a true Christian thought in his evil mind.

[saracat]

34. But you started out with the WP. My point is . I don't think the Graham

and Bernstein influence would let Woodward "stop" them when they hit "too" close.And Woodward often does more damage by "inference". I f He flat out accused Bush of criminal acts, not only would the book have been buried by the WH but he would be denied access and not be in a position to do more investigation.The way things are lining up , it is possible the WH would permanently silence him and there wouldn't be even inference written.

[blm]

35. The Grahams aren't completely innocent. They give certain reporters too

much leeway. Like Sue Schmidt. Steno Sue was completely in bed with Ken Starr and no amount of complaining from readers could sway that situation.

Bob Graham has nothing to do with how his nephew runs the Post. Just know that the Post made megabucks with Bush's education bill because they also publish the test guide books that are used.

Bernstein is completely toothless at this stage.

[IndianaGreen]

36. I wouldn't be surprised if Poppy Bush was Deep Throat

How come Carl Bernstein is seldom on TV while Woodward is a media darling?

[blm]

37. I have no doubt whatsoever, that Poppy is Deep Throat.

And I also don't believe that Woodward will ever tell that truth. They likely have someone already lined up to take that blame. Bush's operate in the dark.

[TacticalPeek]

38. "Woodward became wealthy and famous on Watergate."

Several years ago, PBS did a show called "Who Will Tell the People?", featuring William Greider, based on his book of the same name. It was really a great production, the premise being that democracy is waning in America, with increasing control in the hands of lobbyists, SIG's, power elite, etc.

Interviewing Woodward about some of this, Greider leads him right up to the point where Woodward has implicitly agreed that he, Woodward, is now a member of the power elite, and no longer able to "tell the people". The look on Bob's face, his uncomfortable silence - well, it is 'special' television.

Which reminds me, I'd love to see more William Greider on he airwaves. His effectiveness probably keeps him blacklisted by simpering, bushco boot-licking producers.




" Everyone's values are defined by what they will tolerate when it is done to others. "
William Greider, journalist and author


http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Greider/William_Greider.html

[annxburns]

19. Email Howie the Boston Globe Story ...

and tell him to stop taking talking points from his republican consultant wife ...

[e-mail]

[surfermaw]

22. Cry Babies

Didn't you know this would happen, Dan Rather knows what he is doing and he will come out on top.

Remember the Rather & Nixon thing when the republicans turned on old Dan then a young man trying to make it to the top, they didn't stop him then and they can't stop him now, he told you the truth, the only reporter with enough guts to tell the story. He also told you Gore won Florida which was the truth, and some day will be in out history books, the only thing I wish is that he would stuck by the story and facts gathered by CBS that Gore was actually the winner.

Bless you Dan, go after the dogs.

Watch out you doubters, this is going to make CBS number one ... I am about ready to give up my dish and go back to Rather ,Tom and Peter. That is where the truth is...Take it form this old lady that saw a young reporter stand up to Nixon, when old Nixon tried to bring a young man down that was reporting to the Nation the truth.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

24. The "Whorington Post" strikes again.

The late Katherine Graham was their Chief "Media Whore".

The WaPo is crap!!!

:grr:

[Dr Fate]

26. Bush needs to have a press conference & clear all this up....

...we just needs to be asked what is true in these Docs. & what he thinks is not true...

[unfrigginreal]

27. Screw Kurtz

to be honest about it,even though I believe the docs to be authentic, I'm not as interested in the truth of the matter as I am in slinging shit at the Bush campaign. Was Bush hurt by his association with the swift boat liars? No.

I hope our folks push the CBS charges.

[Chomskyite]

33. You can always count on Kurtz

. . . to give you the Republican view on the media, and usually he's about two days behind the news cycle.