Dan Rather is a MAN ...

[annxburns]

... and a real reporter. He lived through Vietnam, Nixon, Watergate, Iran-Contra. He is a REAL reporter. He knows how to verify fact and check sources. He knows his job is not access or ratings but the truth.

It is a SAD day in America when CNN, FOX and the Whorington Post take the word of Drudge and internet conspiracy theorists over 60 minutes.

But today, Dan calmly looked into the camera and rescued his profession from the baldly sleazy and slavishly RW echo chamber the cable news whores, talk radio partisans, and internet tabloid fodder have turned it into.

He showed the value of old-fashioned reporting and truth.

My new hero. And someone I trust. Unfortunately, now there are very few like him left.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. CBS stands out in the pack and I hope that his successor....

will be as good as he is.

[calimary]

5. While we still have him, make sure you THANK him!

He showed true courage and patriotism tonight. Stood up to the bullies, and he's standing up to even more of the really hateful ones even as we speak, judging from the horrendous shit-mail he must be getting right now from angry freepers. SEND HIM A THANK-YOU NOTE!!! It's RICHLY deserved and VERY WELL earned!

[e-mail]

[Meshuga]

19. Done! n/t

[cthrumatrix]

26. Brokaw and Jeninngs are a shame

[2Design]

2. and Arnold is a girlie man

[librechik]

3. Dan Rather is THE Man n/t

[David Dunham]

4. Please e-mail CBS to thank them: [e-mail]

Dan Rather still has guts.

[annxburns]

6. Done. He deserves our thanks.

I loved how he calmly pointed out that the WH wasn't answering any of the questions.

CNN, hang your head in shame. Who will protect those who fight and die for us? Who will tell them the truth? Not you. You are too busy trying to book an administration official for Late Edition.

[K. F. Gibbons]

7. Well said, On the Money!!!!!!!!

[libhill]

8. From the coonskin hat

on the top of ol' Dan, to the sole of his rawhide shoes, was the rippinest, roarinest, fightingest man, the media whores ever knew.

[tabasco]

12. LMAO

LMAO

[libhill]

14. Actually

I think that was a TV ditty about Daniel Boone - but it shore 'nuff could apply to Dandy Dan Rather now, ya think?

[pacalo]

20. It was...& I was just humming it in my mind to your words. :)

[Bluzmann57]

9. Ok if Rather says something favorable about bush tomorrow

will you still say that? This question is directed not only at you, but every DUer. It seems like whenever a reporter says something unfavorable about bush, they are wonderful but god forbid they should say anything at all favorable about bush, cheney or anybody in the administration. Now I personally have absolutely nothing positive to say about bush, and I'm glad that someone has enough guts to finally talk about this AWOL story. But there has to be fairness. If bush ever does anything right, it should be reported on, as well as when Kerry is right or wrong. Real fair and balanced, not Republican or Democrat. Down the middle.

[libhill]

16. As for me

I'll play the "fair and balanced" game when I see the repukes playing it. And so far, they ain't showin' me chit.

[murielm99]

17. Yes.

If he says something favorable about * that is the truth, I will.

Even Nixon, crooked as he was, had his good points. As lousy a President as he was, so did Reagan.

How many people have knuckled under to *, within hours of making valid, legitimate criticisms? Only Clarke, and so far, Rather, have stood by their words.

Look at the real issues here, not the partisan ones. Our media has become a right wing echo chamber. Instead of addressing the real issues, Bush's cronies attack the messenger every time.

We are not talking about Bush's AWOL here, or his lousy character. We at DU have known these things for a long time.

We are addressing the lack of journalistic integrity that exists today.

Rather just may have attained Edward R. Murrow stature. Time will tell.

[murielm99]

10. I first heard Rather's voice from Dallas, on November 22, 1963.

He had a stronger Texas accent then, but his, at least, was genuine.

His calm professionalism was apparent even then, as I watched the ambulance door close on my President for the last time.

The meanest boy in my school put his head down on the desk and cried.

This evening, we all witnessed something that may prove to be just as historic. Dan Rather stood up to thuggery and told the truth.

[libhill]

25. So,

we'll hear no more comments about Dan RatherNot.

[necso]

11. Today, at least, he is acting like a Man.

Perhaps he recognizes the significance of the moment and will continue to do so.

Perhaps he will even recognize that this is the moment for him to make a place in history for himself as something other than just another one of the Glitterati.

I certainly hope so... And I believe that he has it in him.

Stand strong and defiant, Mr Rather! Stand a giant among these media pygmies!

[A_Possum]

13. Rather and Kerry

are both men who have tried to live up to the best ideals and standards of this country. Both have lived long enough and fought hard enough to make mistakes, make enemies and see things they never thought they'd see again. They have both led full lives, made exceptional contributions to this nation, and weathered storm after storm. No, every single thing they've done has not been perfect. Nitpickers can find quibbles, but there are always nitpickers and naysayers.

John Kerry and Dan Rather have reported for duty, over and over again, in the face of the enemies of truth.

This country is fortunate to have them both.

[Stew225]

15. If you haven't already, please email Dan. eom

[Catch22Dem]

18. Done (n/t)

[kwolf68]

21. My email to him

Mr. Rather

Thank you and God Bless you for giving me hope that journalistic credibility still exists in America.

I have often said that had Upton Sinclair been working for CNN or most other news networks that we would still be eating rat droppings. It appears that News Shows have become entertainment fodder and opinion showcases for ideological gasbags.

I will be the first to admit that I am a Democrat, but I don’t want a media that lies about the Republicans and hides the dirty shenanigans of my party. That does my party and our nation a disservice.

I merely long for objective, thought-out, and poignant investigate journalism. I believe journalists are one of the most important things in a Democracy. It’s not a coincidence that tyrannical dictatorships end free press. I was starting to believe we had no free press.

Thankfully, CBS continues to hold the mission of journalism in the highest esteem. I respect your service to our nation, to our way of life, and to our Democracy. You’re the best.

With deepest regards,
xxx

[Guaranteed]

23. Beautiful letter.

I'm jealous. :)

[chiburb]

24. Beautifully written. my thanks to you...

:toast:

[kwolf68]

27. Thanks all

Let's let him know we are out there and his service is respectfed and recognized.

I tried to keep the letter as non-partisan as possible, short and to the point, without an overt reference to the story he broke this evening. He's a smart man...he'll know what its about.

My original major in college way back in 1991 was Journalism. I wasn't cut out for it, but my respect for the profression knows no bounds...however, my disdain for the perversion of it doesn't either.

[David Zephyr]

29. Good Letter, Kwolf68

I sent my own.

I don't believe that Upton would have ever worked for CNN. Not one day.

[DemoTex]

22. Ironically, a September 1961 hurricane put Rather on the map.

It was Hurricane Carla and Rather's reports from Galveston, Texas, caught the eye of the network people. I have always noted a deep respect when Rather reports on a hurricane.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0762055.html

[zestfolly]

28. Bump

:kick: