I don't really have a lot to add to the forged memo controversy, but it looks like CBS and Dan Rather are determined to go down in flames.
A half hour ago, Dan Rather went on CNN and said that he knows the Jerry Killian documents to be authentic, and knows that they are not forgeries. Therefore, he said, there will be no retraction, no correction, and -- apparently -- no investigation. The text of the interview is not yet available on CNN's site, but we'll link to it when it becomes available. ...The mainstream media thinks it's an invulnerable Death Star, but how many more proton torpedos can they take up the exhaust port?This would appear to signal the end of Rather's career. If the documents are ultimately accepted as forgeries, which seems inevitable to us, he can't survive. My guess: Rather knows that he will be retiring soon in any event, so as his last public contribution, he is doing whatever he can to elect John Kerry.
Some related quotes (just replace "battle station" and "Death Star" with "news report" and cast Dan Rather as Tarkin, the media as the Empire, and so forth):
General Tagge : What of the Rebellion? If the Rebels have obtained a complete technical reading of this station, it is possible, however unlikely, they might find a weakness and exploit it.
Darth Vader : The plans you refer to will soon be back in our hands.
Admiral Motti : Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a useless gesture, no matter what technical data they have obtained. This station is now the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest we use it.
Governor Tarkin : The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I have just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.
General Tagge : But that's impossible. How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?
Governor Tarkin : The regional governors now have direct control over their territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.
Commander #1 : We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?
Governor Tarkin : Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.
michael: have you read any chuck palahniuk?
s: Nope, but I'm googling him right now. What about him?
sorry, michael -- i just typed out a response and it was erased. an attempt to recreate: the reason i mentioned palahniuk was because i thought you might enjoy his writing, but then it occurred to me that you don't often write about your literary interests in the nature of this blog. what genres/periods/topics/authors do you enjoy? perhaps your response could be a post all its own.
to mark, price, barry and others who post regularly in michael's talk sections, i'd also like to hear about your literary musings.
morgan.
I almost feel sorry for the liberal kool-aid drinkers trying to defend this. The lead arguments right now seem to be: 1) Some machines existed at that time that could have produced that document, and 2) the whole thing was an evil RNC plot.
I'm really wondering if yesterday will be viewed by future historians as a turning point in news reporting.