20-Sep-2004: Judgment Day for CBS

[J-Mann]

The format really is the heart of the story, regardless of CBS attempts to steer us otherwise.  They're trying to get us to believe a story that was presented with false evidence.  If they continue to pursue Bush's Guard records, it's very obvious that they're trying to cover their own mistake.  They should drop it: we're all tired of hearing about 1968-1972.  

Here's why I focus on the format: If an archaeologist told me that he'd found the lost histories of the Emperor Claudius, I'd be tremendously excited. If he presented me with those histories, and they were scribbled on the back of a child's menu from Sirloin Stockade, I would instantly lose faith in the content of what was written. The format would have told me that the content was junk. Likewise, the forged format of the CBS documents precludes us from focusing on any potential content.

Besides, questions about Bush's service have been floating around for years now.  Don't you think we've all made up our minds to either support or oppose him already?  Dan Rather-biased digging up an old story isn't going to change my vote.

[J-Mann]

The format really is the heart of the story, regardless of CBS attempts to steer us otherwise.  They're trying to get us to believe a story that was presented with false evidence.  If they continue to pursue Bush's Guard records, it's very obvious that they're trying to cover their own mistake.  They should drop it: we're all tired of hearing about 1968-1972.  

Here's why I focus on the format: If an archaeologist told me that he'd found the lost histories of the Emperor Claudius, I'd be tremendously excited. If he presented me with those histories, and they were scribbled on the back of a child's menu from Sirloin Stockade, I would instantly lose faith in the content of what was written. The format would have told me that the content was junk. Likewise, the forged format of the CBS documents precludes us from focusing on any potential content.

Besides, questions about Bush's service have been floating around for years now.  Don't you think we've all made up our minds to either support or oppose him already?  Dan Rather-biased digging up an old story isn't going to change my vote.

But what if Claudius' secretary said the information was accurate? i

If she wasn't senile by now, I'd think about it...

[J-Mann]

The only “news” is that someone, with contacts to the Kerry Campaign, committed a felony by forging government documents.  That forgery was used  by a major network in an attempt to bring down the office of the President of the United States during a time of war.  

Exactly.  Bush's service in the Guard isn't a new story, nor was it all that damning, anyway.  If it's proven that CBS was a knowing contributor to attempts to influence an election, THAT's a big story.

And anyway, Claudius didn't have a secretary...