Letters to the Editor
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Let's wait and see
Mr. Blumenthal suggests that Mr. Rather "will certainly establish beyond reasonable doubt that George W. Bush never completed his required service in the Texas Air National Guard."
Ok...I'll want to see this...I've been waiting for someone to prove this beyond reasonable doubt since the allegation came up. But so far, no one has. I had thought Mr. Rather had done so until this farce occurred.
Further, the story says "Rather's suit will seek to demonstrate that the documents used in his "60 Minutes II" piece were not inauthentic and that he and his producers acted responsibly in presenting them and the information they contained -- and that that information is true. Indeed, no credible source has refuted the essential facts of the story."
Ok...true they have not been proven inauthentic...but neither have they been proven authentic. I thought that was the crux of the problem...that they could not be authenticated. Further, as I understand it, while no credible source has refuted the essential facts of the story, no credible source has proven the facts of the story either. Remember that when allegations are made, the burden of proof is on those MAKING the allegations.
Hence the firing of Mr. Rather. So if Mr. Rather DOES have evidence suggesting he was correct after all, not ONLY should he win his lawsuit but CBS should have to rehire him or at the very least pay him backpay from the time of his firing to date.
Should be interesting to see if Mr. Rather can deliver the goods.