Reply #17: in summary...

[Chili]

...it was embarrassing to see Dan Rather have to apologize for a story - it leaves the impression in people's minds that Bush DID serve honorably, and we all know, as most people should, that he DIDN'T. The fact that Burkett lied to protect someone else (who?) doesn't change the fact that George Bush shirked his duty and hid behind the TANG, then went AWOL - he couldn't even do THAT with integrity. But apparently Rather had to cave in to pressure from above. It was bad.

Anyway, they interviewed Burkett, and he is adamant that the documents are still authentic. But he won't reveal his source (someone mentioned that it was Robin Rather, but I'd think Rather would've known that, Burkett set his jaw and wouldn't say, so that argues against it being her, I would think). He wasn't even really contrite about lying about it. He was pretty convincing that HE was convinced.

At the end, McClellan got on there and had the nerve to say that the apology was accepted, but that further investigation is necessary.

Jesus. And John Kerry went an entire month without any such vigor on anyone's part to restore his good name. This infuriates me, this double standard. I can't stand it.