From the CBS report:
The Panel does not find a basis to accuse those who investigated, produced, vetted or aired the Segment of having a political bias. The Panel does note, however, that on such a politically charged story, coming in the midst of a presidential campaign in which military service records had become an issue, there was a need for meticulous care to avoid any suggestion of an agenda at work. The Panel does not believe that the appropriate level of care to avoid the appearance of political motivation was used in connection with this story.
and this, an August 31 email from to Ms. Mapes from Michael Smith, a producer working with her:
Today I am going to send the following hypothetical scenario to a reliable, trustable editor friend of mine…
What if there was a person who might have some information that could possibly change the momentum of an election but we needed to get an ASAP book deal to help get us the information? What kinds of turnaround payment schedules are possible, keeping in mind that the book probably could not make it out until after the election.
(emphasis added)
Now just who the hell do they think they are kidding?
[Update:Note the correction – the email was to Mapes from her assistant, not from her.]
Here’s a comment I posted over on Roger Simon’s site earlier today:
Roger,
Do these folks actually get paid for all this smoozing and distorting the facts? Don’t they realize the important significance of the Blogos here to independently fact check what in the past has been the MSM’S sole perogative as to what the news is?
Mapes and Rather were “outed” for running a story that was an attack piece on President Bush (doesn’t mater who you were rooting). They wanted to believe this so badly, they ignored all the red flags along the way. This is what makes con games so successful. The marks want to believe and lose their common sense. The only thing is that they got caught with their hands “red handed” in cookie jar and exposed their true motives.
[…]
The important lesson is the emergence of a new medium of human thought that has the power to transcend political boundaries and filtering of editoral and congolomerate boardrooms. This medium is almost free and does not have to pander for readers and audiences by senstationalizing the news which inherently causes it to be out of proportion and perspective.
[…]
Now here’s my challenge to the Blogos. Here’s a much bigger story that needs to be reported to the American people and let them decide what is the truth and/or fiction.
[…]
In my book this is nothing more than premeditated murder. Oh well what do I know?
OK bloggers go and prove me wrong
[…]
The MSM is sitting on this big story.
RLS Link
Read HSPIG – Commentary
WOC discussion
Ron Wright
http://www.hspig.org
The word “bias” occurs 13 times in the report, in interesting uses each time. More useful statistical facts about the report here.