CBS Cancels '60 Minutes' Story on Rationale for War

[cal04]

CBS News has shelved a "60 Minutes" report on the rationale for war in Iraq because it would be "inappropriate" to air it so close to the presidential election, the network said on Saturday.

The report on weapons of mass destruction was set to air on Sept. 8 but was put off in favor of a story on President Bush's National Guard service. The Guard story was discredited because it relied on documents impugning Bush's service that were apparently fake.

CBS News spokeswoman Kelli Edwards would not elaborate on why the timing of the Iraq report was considered inappropriate.

The report, with Ed Bradley as the correspondent, has long been in the works. Originally scheduled for June, it was first put off because of new developments, Edwards said.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBMY9NWJZD.html

[enough]

1. Mission accomplished.

CBS out of the game for the duration of the election season.

Of COURSE it would be "inappropriate" to discuss the issue of how and why the nation was taken into war during a presidential election. Somebody might learn something.

[Radical Activist]

2. current issues are inappropriate during an election but 30 year old

issues are just fine? WTF

[rlev1223]

36. Sent this to CBS

It is precisely because it is close to the Presidential election that a truthful story bearing on the recent conduct of the incumbent (or the challenger) should be aired. It would be shameful to suppress it.


(This won't change anything, but silence just encourages them.)

[soothsayer]

3. pu$$ies n/t

[featherman]

4. Now I have heard everything

No, we cannot present a program on the issue of the false premises for going to war in Iraq because it is "too close to the election". God help us, it may even affect voters attitudes about the election. No news outlet would want something like that!!! (What a strange world).

[liberal_in_GA]

5. Can we protest this? Or encourage them to change

their minds? This is just fucking ridiculous.

[cal04]

7. With Redstone voting for Bush, I'd say we should

try, maybe by getting a pettion or sending email to CBS, but I still think something is very fishy starting from the show of the documents and everything leading up to this statement
Maybe someone should be investigating other people at CBS

[DeepModem Mom]

14. According to fundrace.org, Redstone was a maxed-out Kerry contributor...

and supporter, until now. They've caved, they're scared of what will happen to them if Bush wins, they've been threatened by the FCC -- something.

[cal04]

20. If this is true, I can't believe CBS would be that stupid

trusting this ONE expert. I still think something BIG is missing from all this.

CBS delays a well-documented report on the forged documents regarding Niger "Yellow Cake" Uranium in favor of a story based on documents verified only by one expert, the same expert who "verified" the authenticity of the Vincent Foster suicide note (three other experts later proved it was a fraud, as did the author of this website) . This "goof" by CBS has allowed Bush to totally sidestep the issue of his missing year in the National Guard.

And now, rather than re-establish their credibility with the fake uranium documents story, they shelve the story until after the election?

To me, it seems BOTH moves by CBS are designed to help President Bush. And there was no mistake with the National Guard memo story, it was INTENDED to be discredited all along, to make the memo the story rather than Bush's service.
(taken from What Really Happened site)

[Steffan]

38. Unfortunately, the NG doesn't work that way....

Bush didn't have to serve a set amount of time, he just had to accumulate 300 points (1 day of drill = 1 point) over the course of six years. At the time he got out, he had more than 950, easily three times as many points as he needed.

He was also serving as a pilot for a plane the Air Force was phasing out. They were more than happy to put him in a non-flying slot, since that freed up a flying slot for a pilot that would be flying in their rotation. They were also more than happy to let him go early, since he wasn't flying for them any more.

It happens all the time when RL gets in the way of National Guard service, even now. It was far easier back then because they were winding down from the war and they had far too many pilots for the available slots.

:shrug:

[vetwife]

8. Send the media like CNN a spinning top with a note !

[Wind Dancer]

6. Don't ya just love our liberal media and free press?

This is scary, they have silenced the journalists. Dan Rather was set up so this story wouldn't air, imo.

[Ready4Change]

9. Another Free Media voice is silenced.

EOM.

[Bluebear]

35. Precisely.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. As Rove says, he has fucked CBS and Rather as they have never...

been fucked before. And they are now cowed into submission, just like the rest of our press.

See my sig line.

[Bleacher Creature]

11. You've got to be kidding me

I was about to write some sort of profound message about how serious of a story this is and how this can't shouldn't be influenced by any bs scandal . . but the more I write the more I'm at a loss for words.

This is just freaking unbelievable!

[gratuitous]

12. Facts are now political things

And a full and fair airing of the corrupt Bush administration's ever-shifting rationales for killing thousands of people and squandering billions of dollars is "inappropriate."

Thank you, CBS, for your slipshod stewardship of the public airwaves. You have been granted a license for an incredibly lucrative public possession, the broadcast airwaves, but instead of using that license to serve the public, you have decided that the political needs of the incumbent outweigh your obligation to the people who granted you that license.

I'd like your broadcast license back, please. NOW.

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. I provided them with a list of stories they could air instead:

my favorite was the direct feed of FoxNews.

[Generator]

30. Perfect subject line!

I get fed up even watching NOW on PBS. Listening to them discuss how * is considered a straight talking leader by most Americans. All I can do is flip away or scream at the TV, "that's because you let him get away with everything, question nothing,and don't do the job of journalism, which is ASKING QUESTIONS to those in power." Without asking the questions, and verifying the answers you aren't a journalist.

There is no journalism left in America except for a few on the web and independent media.

[mzmolly]

15. Time to email 60 minutes!

:grr:

[gauguin57]

16. Would the rationale for war story have included PNAC?

When is someone in the MSM going to tell the truth to the American people? "Nightline" did it in March 2003 ... but we need it to come out AGAIN ... so people go into the voting booth armed with KNOWLEDGE!

[gauguin57]

17. I'm stunned that Bradley doesn't threaten to quit over this.

He should friggin' quit. Because you know it's the powers that be, not the journalists themselves, who are making this decision. And now that Don Hewitt isn't in power anymore, the reporters don't have that strong advocate for their work.

[annabanana]

18. Contact CBS here: INAPPROPRIATE!?!?!

CBS News
524 W. 57 St., New York, NY 10019
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]


CBS Evening News with Dan Rather: [e-mail]

The Early Show: [e-mail]
60 Minutes II: [e-mail]
48 Hours: [e-mail]
Face The Nation: [e-mail]

[Bimini_Twisted]

24. The Voice Mail box is full, Go figure Nazi Fucks!!

[SoCalDemocrat]

34. I emailed them

We truly need to make this a massive letter writing campaign. Have everyone you know send a letter demanding they air this piece!

[robbedvoter]

19. Before the war, it was inappropriate because of...911?

They didn't discuss the obvious lies then either.
Now they say that any truth unfavorable to W is to be kept out. The New Democrasy - Iraq style.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

21. Un fucking believable

.

[AnIndependentTexan]

22. Every DU'er read this thread clearly

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=897089&mesg_id=897089

[Nordic]

23. THIS is THE MOST DISTURBING story I have ever read about our country

It is not hyperbole to say that this is THE MOST distressing thing that has happened in our country since ...... well, since I don't know when.

This is the onset of fascism. This is the onset of depotism.

This is the beginning of the end of democracy. Right here.

[Generator]

31. I think you are right

Listen, I've heard those on DU say, even if "Bush was caught raping and killing on camera, 40% would still vote for him."

Well, CBS wouldn't air it because it would be political and influence an election.

Well, that's the reason for politics, to decide who you give the power to-who is representing you.

Without the information there is no informed choice. FASICSM indeed.

[AmerDem]

25. This sucks...It's time to write in

I'm actually pissed at this point. I wrote these bastards praising them for standing up to these criminal fucktards and now they pull this. It's time for them to hear the other end of my loud mouth!

[Eric J in MN]

26. The story is like a bad joke, a satire. But it's real.

It's amazing how much damageBush has done to America.

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. Intimidation worked.

I cannot believe CBS cowered to the RW AGAIN! Yeah, let's wait until the election is over to show people the truth. :grr: Damn! Since when is FREE SPEECH inappropriate? They cowered because they KNEW the RW would pile on the rhetoric even MORE since the Rather story. Chicken shits.

[juslikagrzly]

28. My email, sent this morning

edited to remove ID


From:
Date: Sat Sep 25, 2004 9:53:04 AM US/Central
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Decision not to air Niger forgeries story

I have been a staunch supporter of CBS, and especially Dan Rather, for the courage and commitment to ethical and investigative journalism consistently shown by your network. However, I am extremely disappointed that the executives at CBS have caved in to the pressure exerted by the neoconservative administration and decided to delay (forever?) airing the story on the Niger/Plame forgery case. Our country is facing one of the biggest crises in its history, and the media's refusal to risk ratings and profits by telling the American people the truth is at the heart of this crisis. CBS appeared to be a beacon of light in this foggy mess we call the American press. Apparently, I was wrong.

I implore you, CBS, DO NOT compromise your integrity. Air this story before the Nov. 2 election. The people have the right to know!

Sincerely,

[gollygee]

29. Here's my email

Are you seriously not airing an important news story that people need to hear to be truly informed for our election because you don't want to influence the election? You don't influence the election but knowledge and ignorance can and do. You have chosen to allow ignorance to influence this election instead of knowledge. That is a sad road for a news program to take.

[Borgnine]

32. And now Rove's 'Memogate' has achieved its primary purpose.

CBS has been the only true vocal critic of this misadministration in the mainstream news media. By creating an air of "liberal bias" with the superscript bullshit, CBS is now treading carefully and won't dare attack Dubya Kong for the rest of the year.

Goddamn you, Rove.

[savistocate]

42. If a State news CH were to be run from this WH

it wld resemble where CBS is going with this decision, burying
a news report that may influence, inform voters.

So much of broadcast news has backed up these shifting rationales, repeated a pretense that getting Saddam Hussein is an equivalence to capturing Osama bin Laden.

CBS until this held up some level of reporting honesty.

Any flood of e-mail critical of Dan Rather accepting memos that
turn out to be forged, cannot be taken to reflect the public at large..or media's obligation to reporting facts We all have seen, in addition, forged and fabricated 'evidence' by the administration--presented to the Congress, the public..the U.N.
###
Another email to CBS

[Bluebear]

33. Hello, fascism, how ya doin'. Sit right back and get comfortable.

This is truly the beginning of the end of this glorious experiment in democracy. Strike that, it began four years ago. It's now taken seed and showing its fruit.

[MODemocrat]

37. I think CBS is too chicken to run the Iraq report

Trust me, if there was something pertaining to John Kerry, they would run it regardless of the time-frame. I'm just about ready to give up and quit watching CBS completely. I wasn't happy because Dan Rather apologized to George Bush, and I wasn't happy with all the harping they did about President Clinton. They have lost most of their credibility. :argh: :thumbsdown:

[Nordic]

39. why isn't this the biggest fucking story in America right now?

Censorship just arrived. Our free press is now officially dead.

And nobody seems to be noticing, or caring.

We are FUCKED. But nobody's telling us we are fucked, so nobody knows.

These are sad and terrible times.

Soon the grass will have grown completely over our heads, and everybody will think "hm, I didn't SEE it actually growing. Kinda sneaked up on us, didn't it?"

[atre]

40. If CBS cancelled for that reason, they don't understand their role

The role of the media is not to not rock the boat. The role is to report the truth, regardless of how rocky things get!

[Carolinian]

41. Maybe it's best coming from Kerry in the debates? My email to CBS:

CBS, thank you for getting me to switch from cable news and rediscover Dan Rather. Whew! I feel like I survived a train wreck…all that screaming hate and fear. From now on FOX, CNN, MSNBC (except Keith Olberman who is just too sexy to pass up) and ABC are no longer welcome in my home. My new mantra: “I’d rather hear it from Rather.”