02:40:15 pm, Categories: News, Daily blather, Politics, Bush administration, Scandals, Idiotarians & Idiots, Media bias
According to this Washington Post article, CBS is beating Dan Rather like a rented mule.
CBS executives have decided there is no future role at the network for Dan Rather, making it certain that the man who sat in the anchor chair for 24 years will depart by this fall.
These executives recognize Rather’s contributions over four decades and are not trying to boot him because of the controversy surrounding his botched story on President Bush and the National Guard, say network sources who declined to be named while discussing a sensitive personnel matter. But the executives concluded there was no room for Rather at “60 Minutes,” particularly with incoming anchor Katie Couric planning to report a half-dozen stories a year and the hiring of CNN’s Anderson Cooper as a part-time contributor.
This is absurd. If you look at who contributes to 60 Minutes, the main difference between Couric and Rather would seem to be Dan’s age and experience. But that can’t be the reason Rather’s being dumped because most contributors to 60 Minutes (Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, Lesley Stahl, Andy Rooney, and Mike Wallace) are 65 or older and none of them have been forced out to make room for perky Katie and Anderson. So it’s not age and experience, hmmm.
Could it be that they haven’t screwed up in a big way and left CBS open to unanswerable criticisms of liberal bias? That’s my guess as to why Dan is being so publicly humiliated after 44 years of service:
In place of the swagger that had served him so well throughout his 44-year career at CBS News was an obvious sadness that his tenure at the network was ticking down to an inglorious end. Mr. Rather complained that since stepping down as anchor of the ” CBS Evening News” last year, in the aftermath of a reporting scandal, he had been ill used as a correspondent on “60 Minutes” and had been given virtually nothing at all to do for the previous six weeks.
If you have forgotten the particulars behind Rathergate, drop by LittleGreenFootballs and check out Charles Johnson’s proof that the memo broadcast by 60 Minutes 2 was a forgery.
So that’s what’s really behind Dan Rather’s downfall at CBS, here’s what we’ve learned from his fall from grace:
So when Dan Rather and Mary Mapes were caught in the act trying to swing the 2004 election in John Kerry’s favor by broadcasting a story based on phony documents, they had to claim that the documents were valid, no matter how conclusive the evidence was that they were forgeries. Ordinarily they might have gotten away with the lies, but the blogosphere kept the story alive in spite of the MSM’s attempts to ignore it. (It helped that the evidence was so compelling that nobody with two synapses to rub together could believe they were authentic.)
There’s a saying about infidelity “when caught red-handed, deny, deny, deny.” When the trap you’re in is such that you can’t even tell the truth, denial is the only option left. Mary Mapes’s explanation as to why the 60 Minutes letters weren’t forgeries is a perfect example:
They claimed that CBS used forged documents and they repeated that lie so often that it stuck. The mainstream media picked it up, repeating bloggers’ criticisms without making any serious effort to investigate the story. But then that would have required real legwork, something that very few were willing to do on this subject.
As for document analysis, it is a mind-numbing and arcane discipline, an imperfect undertaking reserved for courtroom use, not for headlines or Internet political battles. Document analysis is certainly not meant to be done at 11 o’clock at night by someone with no training or experience sitting in front of a glowing computer nursing a grudge and spoiling for a fight. But that’s precisely how the right’s attack against Dan Rather and CBS News was launched.
That first anonymous analyst (who turned out to be a Republican activist lawyer) raised questions about the memo using only a single shot of a faxed document digitally transmitted to his computer screen. Those kinds of transmissions radically change the way a document looks. His analysis was worthless.
Neither Mapes or Rather are stupid (just bitterly partisan) and they know they look foolish by maintaining that the docs were legit. But the alternative is to confirm people’s suspicions by admitting they tried using suspect documents to harm President Bush’s chances for reelection, which would have been a calamity for CBS (Americans won’t tolerate a news organization trying to subvert an election). Not to mention what Congress might have done to CBS the next time broadcast licenses were up for renewal (election meddling does not qualify as broadcasting in the public interest).
So there you have it, Dan can’t tell the truth because he’d never work for an MSM news organization again, and being dissed by CBS has got to tarnish his reputation, so another job in the mainstream media is even more unlikely. He might land something with a liberal cable channel like MSNBC, but he’s used to having millions of viewers and everybody with cable watches Fox News, so what’s left?
Well, he could always try blogging. Working with the pajama-clad minions of the blogosphere could be a refreshing change, but after years in the MSM, I doubt he’d enjoy the relentless fact-checking scrutiny. You never know, he might fit right in!
Tags: blog | weblog | politics | journalists | rathergate | liberal bias | liberals | scandals | miserable failure
Drudge’s breaking news is the headline “DEMS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO WIN BACK CONGRESS.”
It’s a few years late – better late than never, right? – but the Democrats are finally ready to state what they think are the most important issues facing us and what they intend to do about them if they gain control of Congress in November.
I clicked the link and after waiting a while for the crush on the Dem’s servers to ease, read the plan.
And I’m stunned. Here is what comprises their plan for “A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA":
Very good plan…for a pre-9/11 election! What the heck is wrong with the Dem leadership that they ignored the Global War on Terror?
They do know there’s a war on because today 149 Democrats voted against a resolution “Declaring that the United States will prevail in the Global War on Terror, the struggle to protect freedom from the terrorist adversary.”
The resolution passed anyway of course, because Republicans don’t have to appease a crazy anti-war fringe, so they can assert that the U.S. will win the GWoT without fearing a backlash from their base.
On the same day as that shameful vote, the Dem leadership releases “A New Direction for America” that doesn’t even mention the GWoT or conflict in Iraq. Forget “stuck on stupid” the Democrats are “intent on immolation!”
I predicted months ago, back when things looked black for the GOP, that the Republicans wouldn’t lose control of Congress this election cycle, but what with the continuing displays of incompetence by Pelosi and Reid when it comes to national security issues, it doesn’t look like such a risky bet now.
You know, sometimes never is better than late!
Tags: blog | weblog | politics | democrats | republicans | the left | liberals | conservatives | gop
10:26:51 pm, Categories: News, Daily blather, War on Terror, Historic events, Politics, Bush administration
Three weeks after Memorial Day, here are my impressions and some photos of what turned out to be a rare combination of gorgeous weather, uncrowded monuments, and surprise appearances by President Bush in his motorcade and by 600 servicemen and women freshly returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I arrived at the Federal Center SW Metro Station at 10am intending to quickly tour the U.S. Botanic Garden, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court building, and then sprint five blocks to see the Memorial Day Parade which was starting at noon. While heading to the Botanic Garden, I was passed by a convoy carrying troops to the parade, which reinforced my desire to hurry so I could watch it from the beginning and see the jet flyover.
Did I mention that it was hot? Ninety degrees but with a deceptively cooling breeze that made you forget you were frying inside. In my rush to get to started in the morning, I’d forgotten to bring bottled water and a hat. Actually, I remembered both as I was driving away but – because I’m half hispanic and tan quickly and partly because I grew up in the scorching Los Angeles summers – decided they wouldn’t be needed. A mistake I paid for later.
As I approached the Botanic Garden’s Conservatory, I could see the ceiling fans turning lazily and the term “greenhouse effect” came to mind. I had no desire to swelter in a muggy super-sized terrarium so I gave it a miss. Definitely better to visit it in the Fall. I did get some pics of the Bartholdi Park grounds across the street from the Conservatory, however. The Bartholdi Fountain (designed by the same chap who sculpted the Statue of Liberty) was one of the first monuments in the city of Washington to be brightly illuminated at night.
The next stop was the Library of Congress, which was closed. So I took pics of the gilded (23 1/2 carat gold leaf) Torch of Learning and the Neptune Fountain on the west front of the library as I moved on to the Supreme Court building.
The court building was closed too, but that turned out to be a lucky break. The ornate bronze doors at the west entrance which depict historic scenes in the development of the law are recessed into the walls when the court is open, which makes it difficult to get photos.
Sixteen marble columns support the portico and on the architrave above is incised, “Equal Justice Under Law. I’m a sucker for marble columns (my favorite building is the Parthenon) so I took lots of pics.
On my way out, I noticed a few protesters setting up at the foot of the steps. They were pro-life (anti-abortion?) activists who had taped their mouths shut with red strips of tape upon which the word “LIFE” was written. (While they stood mutely facing the main entrance waiting for the media to notice them, at least one was listening to an iPod.)
As I was snapping pictures of them, one lad obligingly raised his arms, assuming a dramatic pose of renunciation. Totally staged shot, he must have thought I worked for the mainstream media.
Walking away, I saw the protest organizer (his mouth wasn’t taped shut) being interviewed by a local TV reporter, so I guess the taped-mouth-to-get-attention ploy worked as planned. Personally, I wish all protesters used the same strategy…it would make for a much quieter world.
A lot more time had passed than expected and drums were rumbling in the distance as I got to the Capitol. I had maybe 15 minutes to get to the parade or I’d miss the flyover.
Command decision: I would pass on the parade and head to the Washington Monument after seeing the Capitol Building. On my way, I’d swing by the parade route and see what I could. It was disappointing because I’d miss seeing the troops welcomed home.
The Capitol was under construction as were most of the attractions I’d hoped to visit (The Mall, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, grounds around The White House, and the Supreme Court building all had construction barriers erected).
Took a bunch of photos and was heading toward The Mall when I noticed soldiers and sailors forming up a block away. I sauntered over and sure enough, it was the troops from Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom staging for their part in the parade!
I hung around taking photos of them as they waited for their cue to join the parade. Since the press wasn’t there to publicize the event, I took more than a hundred pics thinking that someone who couldn’t get to the parade might view the images on flickr and see a loved one in the ranks.
After the parade, I hustled down The Mall (stopping to buy bottles of Gatorade and water) to the Washington Monument, The White House and Lincoln Memorial.
If you look closely at the pics of The White House, you’ll notice a bunch of SUVs lined up in front. I figured President Bush was going traveling but didn’t have time to wait for him to leave. Minutes later as I was waiting to cross the street to the Lincoln Memorial, the president’s motorcade came barreling down the street so fast I just managed to snap a couple shots.
Thence to the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II Veterans Memorials.
The Vietnam Memorial was thronged with people reading the names inscribed on the black panels, leaving mementos, and having pencil rubbings made.
At the Korean War Memorial, two buglers played “Taps.” The first trumpeter rendered it flawlessly, the second player was so overcome with emotion that he barely finished the bugle call. It was a beautifully solemn ceremony.
I also visited the World War I memorial, which – tucked in behind trees as it is and being much smaller than the ornate WWII memorial – must be the loneliest monument on The Mall.
It was getting late in the day so I headed back up The Mall to the Smithsonian Metro Station. On the way, I started feeling lightheaded and had to sit down for a while. I’m pretty sure it was incipient sunstroke from not drinking enough and walking around bareheaded all day.
It was a perfect way to spend Memorial Day, but I regret not getting to Arlington Cemetery. Next year for sure.
Tags: blog | weblog | memorial day | patriotism | armed_forces
60 leading international climate change experts have written an open letter to Stephen Harper, Canada’s new Conservative prime minister, urging him to “examine the scientific foundation of the federal government’s climate-change plans. This would be entirely consistent with your recent commitment to conduct a review of the Kyoto Protocol.”
Observational evidence does not support today’s computer climate models, so there is little reason to trust model predictions of the future. Yet this is precisely what the United Nations did in creating and promoting Kyoto and still does in the alarmist forecasts on which Canada’s climate policies are based. Even if the climate models were realistic, the environmental impact of Canada delaying implementation of Kyoto or other greenhouse-gas reduction schemes, pending completion of consultations, would be insignificant. Directing your government to convene balanced, open hearings as soon as possible would be a most prudent and responsible course of action.
While the confident pronouncements of scientifically unqualified environmental groups may provide for sensational headlines, they are no basis for mature policy formulation. The study of global climate change is, as you have said, an “emerging science,” one that is perhaps the most complex ever tackled. It may be many years yet before we properly understand the Earth’s climate system. Nevertheless, significant advances have been made since the protocol was created, many of which are taking us away from a concern about increasing greenhouse gases. If, back in the mid-1990s, we knew what we know today about climate, Kyoto would almost certainly not exist, because we would have concluded it was not necessary.
We appreciate the difficulty any government has formulating sensible science-based policy when the loudest voices always seem to be pushing in the opposite direction. However, by convening open, unbiased consultations, Canadians will be permitted to hear from experts on both sides of the debate in the climate-science community. When the public comes to understand that there is no “consensus” among climate scientists about the relative importance of the various causes of global climate change, the government will be in a far better position to develop plans that reflect reality and so benefit both the environment and the economy.
“Climate change is real” is a meaningless phrase used repeatedly by activists to convince the public that a climate catastrophe is looming and humanity is the cause. Neither of these fears is justified. Global climate changes all the time due to natural causes and the human impact still remains impossible to distinguish from this natural “noise.” The new Canadian government’s commitment to reducing air, land and water pollution is commendable, but allocating funds to “stopping climate change” would be irrational. We need to continue intensive research into the real causes of climate change and help our most vulnerable citizens adapt to whatever nature throws at us next.
[Emphasis mine.]
You can review the letter and the list of scientists who signed it here.
Tags: blog | weblog | global warming | science | climate change | junk science
According to this article in The Christian Science Monitor, the U.S. economy continues to hum along brightly:
The US economy isn’t just producing jobs these days, it’s also producing good jobs. Alongside the ads for jobs handling a cash register or a spatula are these new opportunities:
- In St. Louis, AFB International is enlisting both technicians, paid $30,000 to $40,000, and PhD scientists, offered $80,000 to $100,000, in its quest for the perfect pet food.
- In Delaware, Honeywell plans to hire people at $40,000 to $100,000 to work in a data-storage center.
- In southern California, some of the latest openings involve working on the railroad, for $35,000 to $70,000 a year. Union Pacific plans to add 2,000 employees altogether.
These reports in the past month symbolize a welcome trend during an economic expansion that at first offered only tepid job gains, both in quantity and quality.
This good news about the breadth of job creation comes against a backdrop of labor-market anxiety that has persisted despite the economy’s solid overall footing. Competition from imported goods, the threat of outsourcing services abroad, and a controversial influx of illegal laborers are just some of the forces that make many workers worried about their future.
Creating good jobs - the kinds that can keep American living standards rising - appears likely to remain a challenge. But the current employment picture at least indicates movement in a positive direction.
“We’re creating lots of all kinds of jobs, across many industries, occupations, and pay scales,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. But he adds: “If your skill sets are rusty, or at the low end of the skill range, you’re going to have a tougher time.”
The economy added 211,000 jobs in March, according to a Labor Department report Friday - a solid showing about on par with expectations. The unemployment rate fell a notch, to 4.7 percent.
…
Management and professional occupations are employing 1.2 million more people this month than a year ago - or about 1 in 3 new jobs in America. This is the highest-paying of five broad categories tracked by the Labor Department. Not all of them are CEOs or engineers, but the median paycheck for full-time workers in this category is $937 a week, far above the US median of $651.The construction industry continues to hammer out more than its share of new jobs. It accounts for about 6.4 percent of US jobs, but has provided 14.4 percent of the past year’s job growth. The quality of construction jobs is mixed - often offering higher hourly pay than the US median but with lower benefits.
Even the manufacturing sector, which has long offered blue-collar workers a measure of middle-class prosperity, appears to be stabilizing after a period of heavy job losses. Despite downsizing in the automotive industry, 175,000 more people are employed in production occupations today than a year ago.
Thank you, Mr. President!
blog | weblog | economics | bush administration | politics
Ah, you knew I was kidding! France’s Jacques Chirac folded like the Maginot Line: “Canceling a law on youth employment that fueled nationwide unrest and raising questions about France’s ability to reform rigid labor laws in a globalized world.” [baltimoresun.com]
Unions declared victory, but energized students decided to go ahead with a “day of action” Tuesday to try to knock down other measures – designed to reduce the 22 percent unemployment rate among youths – that are viewed as threatening coveted job protections.
Only in a Socialist country could cutting unemployment be seen as a threat to jobs!
In an announcement that amounted to a humiliating admission of defeat, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said on nationwide TV that the contested measure would be replaced.
If you haven’t been paying attention, Dominique (who happens to be a man, name notwithstanding) tried to reform labor laws so that companies hiring workers under the age of 26 would have the ability to fire those workers in the first two years of employment.
Even such minor changes proved too much to bear for French students who took to the streets in a successful bid to make sure they’ll never have to earn a paycheck. It’s a shameful situation, but that’s what Socialism does to people.
In fact, when you consider France’s confiscatory tax policy, it’s easy to understand why 23 percent (50 percent in some Muslim-heavy suburbs) of French youth would rather stay lotus eaters:
[The] heart of the French problem is a statist-run socialist economy that is massively overtaxed and overregulated. France’s public government sector, for instance, accounts for more than 50 percent of GDP. In other words, private business in France is in the minority.
France’s top personal tax rate is 48 percent, with a VAT tax of nearly 20 percent. So that means French laborers face a combined 68 percent tax rate on consumption and investment. No wonder France has created less than 3 million jobs over the past 20 years, compared to 31 million in the United States. Economic growth in “cowboy capitalist” America has exceeded that of France’s worker paradise by nearly 50 percent.
[Source: Larry Kudlow of National Review Online, via CBS News.]
Jacques and Dominique are missing a très grande opportunity to harness the unemployed Muslim and student youth populations:
Tags: blog | weblog | politics | france | surrender | socialism
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