Time for us to attack CBS

[59millionmorons]

CBS has officially died as a honest news network.

CBS News said yesterday that it had postponed a "60 Minutes" segment that questioned Bush administration rationales for going to war in Iraq.

The announcement, in a statement by a spokeswoman, was issued four days after the network acknowledged that it could not prove the authenticity of documents it used to raise new questions about President Bush's Vietnam-era military service.

The Iraq segment had been ready for broadcast on Sept. 8, CBS said, but was bumped at the last minute for the segment on Mr. Bush's National Guard service. The Guard segment was considered a highly competitive report, one that other journalists were pursuing.

CBS said last night that the report on the war would not run before Nov. 2.

"We now believe it would be inappropriate to air the report so close to the presidential election," the spokeswoman, Kelli Edwards, said in a statement.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/25/politics/campaign/25cbs.html

[clonebot]

1. ...

W T F.

[Paradise]

2. OMG! :( n/t

[unfrigginreal]

3. No, we should attack all other media outlets and complain

that they are not covering right-wing bias that CBS is showing by refusing to air anything critical of Bush. They all covered the "CBS biased for Kerry" angle and now it's their duty to cover the "CBS bias for Bush" angle.

It would at least make the public aware that there are some damaging things to be revealed about Bush that are not coming to light.

[spooky3]

10. The bigger issue is the right-wing bias of most of the REST of the media.

I don't disagree with your point but just think it seems wrong to urge them to attack CBS for a smaller transgression when they are guilty of FAR WORSE.

[unfrigginreal]

16. I know this probably doesn't make much sense...

but I figured by having the other outlets attack CBS for withholding damaging stories to Bush, it would help CBS's image with a public that's been forcefed the "CBS is out to get Bush" line. I see it as a win-win situation, get some credibility back to CBS and make everyone aware that there's some negative things that they haven't been told about Bush. Possibly create a clamor for the info that CBS is sitting on.

[SayitAintSo]

17. Good point ... need some possible good news with the latest ....

Unbelievable ... Trifecta ? I pray karma deals the Bush/Rove machine what they truly deserve. Despicable...

[DemBones DemBones]

4. Yes, CBS bumped the story about Bush* basing war on forged documents

(about Saddam trying to buy yellowcake uranium in Niger) . . .
to run the story based on forged documents (about Bush avoiding war in TANG.)

The irony is overwhelming.

[Nimrod]

5. In-f***ing-appropriate?!?

::curses wildly:: I suppose it makes sense that anything that gives the public vital information would NOW be considered inappropriate.

They must be afraid of another $550,000 fine for JJ's other boob. They were given a warning, and they caved.

[StClone]

6. The Pigs have uprooted the Apple Tree

Hungry pigs learned that if they rub up against an apple tree in the pasture they'd be rewarded with falling apples. As more pigs learned the trick, more pushed at the tree. Eventually the pigs gathered around the base of the tree pushed so hard the tree started to lean. The swine tugged at the branches, tore at the roots and the tree went over dropping the few remaining apples. In subsequent years a few pigs would gather and lament how there once was a great tree with sweet apples but its trunk was too weak and tipped over.

[asjr]

7. CBS turned tail and ran. I thought for a while that network

news maintained their independence. Has CBS caved in? Yes, and that is what we should pound them with. Inappropriateness never won a battle. This is far more important than TANG. CBS can only retain its image of being unbiased by going ahead and showing it. I am totally fed up with the American media. There are more traitors on cable news than are in this entire nation.

[napi21]

19. None of us have seen the report that was pre-empted.

Considering the admission they had to make on the TANG docs, they would have to have undisputable evidence in this second report to have any credibility at all! You're being too hard on CBS. I think they are still the best out of a bad group, but they have to protect their own interests by being absolutely SURE the next time, or there won't be a next time for them.

[Dying Eagle]

8. **Sigh**

Where are the Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of the 21st century. Will any reporter ever have the balls to report the truth again??

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. They have all been intimidated into submission

The Free Press is dead.

At least we have the madness of the Internet to try to get the truth out to people. But with all the noise and a media that has put DU on ignore, it's an uphill battle. But we can still win, one mind at a time. That's why sites like this and the alternative press are so important right now. People are finding out what's really going on because of us and there are more of us every day.

[SoCalDemocrat]

11. Pressure CBS to run it

Someone get us the links, lets start pressuring CBS to air that story!

Inappropriate to air it!

Holy crap, it would be inappropriate not to! They can't let Bush get away with it!

[Kingshakabobo]

12. My letter. For what it's worth. :(

You have got to be kidding me!

How can you, in good conscience, decide to hold back a story critical of George Bush's handling of intelligence? Intelligence that he used to lead us to war in Iraq!! So what if you made a mistake on the TANG memos? You have acknowledged your mistake now move on! Young men and women are dying over there every day and the public has a right to know how we were misled.

If you have a story critical of the administration you have an obligation to run it regardless of election timing. Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean you have to become a cheerleader for Bush and only do stories favorable to him.

You have an obligation to the public. Now, stop licking your wounds, grow a backbone and get back in the game. As a twenty year plus viewer, I can forgive a mistake but I will never forgive cowardice in the face of ANY administration.

[SoCalDemocrat]

13. list the email addy's

Give us links so we an send more emails. This needs to be aired before the elections!

[SayitAintSo]

18. Good letter...... n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

14. Sumner Redstone supported Kerry, now suddenly Bush; CBS now silenced,

beaten into submission like the rest of our press. Karl, as per his stated political op, fucked CBS, and Rather, like they have never been fucked before. If this cabal is not stopped -- soon -- our Constitution is not worth the paper it's written on, and the country as we've known it is lost.

See my sig line.

[nolabels]

15. Well now I can boycott or ignore ALL US corporate news sources

Good bye :hi: CBS, didn't really think you were on the ball anyway, guess we kind of knew how the money lays down.

[juslikagrzly]

20. My email - all should send one

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,

[59millionmorons]

21. Email CBS-link provided here.

[e-mail]