Should Rather Apologize to W?

[Jimbo]

CBS has finally admitted that their National Guard story was based on forged documents. Dan Rather has issued a statement admitting it, and (sort of) apologizing for what happened. But he didn't directly issue an apology to the man most harmed by the fraud, President Bush. Should he have?

Here's the text of Rather's statement, from Drudge:

Last week, amid increasing questions about the authenticity of documents used in support of a 60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY story about President Bush's time in the Texas Air National Guard, CBS News vowed to re-examine the documents in question—and their source—vigorously. And we promised that we would let the American public know what this examination turned up, whatever the outcome.

Now, after extensive additional interviews, I no longer have the confidence in these documents that would allow us to continue vouching for them journalistically. I find we have been misled on the key question of how our source for the documents came into possession of these papers. That, combined with some of the questions that have been raised in public and in the press, leads me to a point where—if I knew then what I know now—I would not have gone ahead with the story as it was aired, and I certainly would not have used the documents in question.

But we did use the documents. We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry. It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.

Please know that nothing is more important to us than people's trust in our ability and our commitment to report fairly and truthfully.

 

[Laz]

He will do that when pigs fly!

 

[disney4us2002]

I have absolutely zero respect for DR. I voted no only because there is not a chance, imo, that any apology he offered Pres Bush would be even the tiniest bit sincere. As for his statement, I'm afraid it's too little, too late. I'm done with him and CBS news.

 

[Mermaid02]

I voted yes, but he should REALLY apologize to the citizens of the United States for trying to manipulate the results of our election in November.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Originally posted by disney4us2002
there is not a chance, imo, that any apology he offered Pres Bush would be even the tiniest bit sincere.

My sentiments exactly. In fact, I present to Dan Rather and CBS News a spot on my anatomy upon which the sun does not shine for them to kiss.

 

[snarfer1]

I personally will not watch any CBS 'news' program until Dan Rather leaves (natural or un-natural causes are acceptable).

I have written to CBS, and I am writing to sponsers of my concern of DR's personal agenda in trying to influence the election.

I urge other concerned citizens to do the same.

I even stopped listening to WCBS 880AM (My news radio ) until something significant happens.

-Tony

 

[dmadman43]

 

[piratesmate]

I voted "No" because he wouldn't mean it anyway.

 

[shortbun]

When Bush starts apologizing for all his mistakes....well,
it's just not going to happen. Rather has apologized in general.
It's more than we'll ever get from Bush for his lies.

FYI, I don't even like CBS but they are crying all the way to the
bank from you guys boycotting them. I prefer NBC. What are
you guys watching these days? Fox?

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by shortbun
When Bush starts apologizing for all his mistakes....well,
it's just not going to happen. Rather has apologized in general.
It's more than we'll ever get from Bush for his lies.

How predictable was that.

Of course, the difference here being the Rather and CBS were PROVEN to be lying.

 

[HisEllyNelly]

Originally posted by shortbun
When Bush starts apologizing for all his mistakes....well,
it's just not going to happen. Rather has apologized in general.
It's more than we'll ever get from Bush for his lies.

 

[Jimbo]

I votes yes, and I can't help but think that this is the beginning of the end for network news. I'm sure it was never a big money maker for the big networks, but it was worth a lot of prestige.

But the networks are all corporately owned now, and CBS at least doesn't look so prestigious. I just wonder how much longer the owning corporations will put up with the whole concept. There's so many other options out there, it seems like it's only a matter of time before the networks give it up.

 

[Peter Pirate]

And if you believe the Secretary (who disproves the memos as not typed by her) then you also know that what she further says (the information IS accurate) proves bush is lying about his so called service...Or do you only believe half of what she says?

 

[brittsmum1998]

A little OT but is OHIO one of the states that Kerry pulled his commercials from yet? Just curious (really I am)

 

[disney4us2002]

No Peter, I don't. I think it's absurd that CBS only interviewed and aired one side. Are you aware that every known authentic TANG paper signed by Killian reports he felt Bush was a good pilot and was viewed positively? Are you aware that other pilots who flew with Bush in TX also report that he was well-liked? Are you aware that retired Colonel Staudt stated he absolutely did not have contact with anyone on Bush's behalf and accepted him into the TANG because he had those qualities valued in pilots? Are you aware that Killian's surviving family state Killian expressed good feelings about Bush?

You think we should believe what only one side says but totally disregard the other? Give me a break.

CBS went into this with a pre-determined agenda and set out to prove it at any cost. The facts don't prove their story. The end.

The only question remaining is whether this will lead back to the Kerry campaign.

 

[disney4us2002]

Brittsmom, according to NYTimes, Kerry is doing little to no advertising in the following swing states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia. I'm afraid Ohio is still a big state for advertising for both campaigns.

I'm in MD which is not in question (most likely due to huge population of Baltimore city) but annoyed as much of the state's counties will vote Republican but not enough to overcome Baltimore City and Prince George's county. I see way too many anti-Bush commercials. Although we still see several swift boat commercials.

 

[snarfer1]

Originally posted by disney4us2002
No Peter, I don't. I think it's absurd that CBS only interviewed and aired one side. Are you aware that every known authentic TANG paper signed by Killian reports he felt Bush was a good pilot and was viewed positively? Are you aware that other pilots who flew with Bush in TX also report that he was well-liked? Are you aware that retired Colonel Staudt stated he absolutely did not have contact with anyone on Bush's behalf and accepted him into the TANG because he had those qualities valued in pilots? Are you aware that Killian's surviving family state Killian expressed good feelings about Bush?

You think we should believe what only one side says but totally disregard the other? Give me a break.

CBS went into this with a pre-determined agenda and set out to prove it at any cost. The facts don't prove their story. The end.

The only question remaining is whether this will lead back to the Kerry campaign.

The only question remaining is WHEN this will lead back to the Kerry campaign.

 

[Kendra17]

Has anyone noticed that the anti-Bush crowd's posts sound angrier and angrier as the days go by? Is this confidence or fear on their part?

Yes, of course Rather should apologize, but I certainly don't expect him to.

 

[GoldenGate]

Since when has Chickenhawk-in-Chief ever told the truth since he has been in office?

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2004/09/20/hsorensen.DTL

 

[robinb]

I think the current apology from CBS is sufficient. If Fox News had to apologize to President Clinton for all the lies they spread about him, they would have needed a direct line!