Mea (Sort of) Culpa

CBS confessed, in a fashion. CBS admits they never should have relied on the memos--but claim to have been duped. They also claim Dan Rather apologized; Rather's statement says:

We made a mistake in judgment, and for that I am sorry. It was an error that was made, however, in good faith and in the spirit of trying to carry on a CBS News tradition of investigative reporting without fear or favoritism.

Translation:

1. CBS and Rather are blaming the source to exculpate themselves.


2. CBS continues to shield the ultimate source. They admit that Bill Burkett gave them the memos, but aren't disclosing Burkett's supposed source.


3. This isn't isolated bias by CBS--even the network satellite news gathering trucks are decorated with anti-Bush slogans, and Charles Johnson has the pictures to prove it.


4. CBS proposes nothing to prevent similar falsehoods in the future, says Hugh Hewitt:

   Rather's statement is a pathetic attempt to save face, a limited, modified hang-out," a contingent apology that contains nothing of remorse or any promise of reform much less of resignation.

   Any reporter--Rather included--would demand more, were the liar a Republican official.


5. I expect lawsuits in CBS's future, either by the Killian family or by Walter Staudt--whom CBS defamed without even bothering to interview.

So Ra^therGate is over. I still predict multiple victims: CBS, Rather himself and John Kerry. I couldn't be more happy.