Monday, January 31, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.31.05

Good afternoon . . .

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) collapsed while giving a speech at a chamber of commerce meeting in upstate New York.

Before beginning her speech Clinton complained of a stomach flu that she and several members of her staff caught during a weekend strategy retreat.

The 57 year old Clinton recovered quickly and was seen leaving the venue on her own. Clinton resumed her schedule after the incident. My Way News

The next chairman of the Democratic National Committee is likely to be Howard Dean. The former Vermont governor and failed Presidential nominee received support today from the majority state democratic leaders.

"If all of our members vote for him, that will be half of what he needs to win the chairman's job," said Mark Brewer, chairman of the Association of State Democratic Chairs.

By voting to support Dean the state leaders ignored a recommendation by the executive committee to support Democratic activist Donnie Fowler.

Dean already had the endorsements of about 50 DNC members including 5 chairs. He needs a majority of 447 votes to become the leader of the Democratic Party. The election will be held February 12. AP Wire | 01/31/2005 | State Democrats back Dean for DNC post

A Federal judge decided today that Guantanamo terrorist detainees have the same 5th Amendment Rights as US citizens.

U.S. District Judge Joyce Hens Green rules that the detainees can challenge their confinement and found the military tribunals are unconstitutional.

This decision contradicts other court rulings and is likely to head to the Supreme Court for clarification. The Bush Administration and Justice Department are looking at the decision before deciding their next move. My Way News

In a scene more like a circus or rock concert, the child molestation trial of Michael Jackson began today with the first round of jury selection. The cirrus atmosphere outside did not detract from the serious nature of the proceedings inside the Santa Rosa courtroom.

A jury pool of 750 will be screened and questioned in Judge Rodney Melville's court over the next month or so. The trial could take at least six months and many observers say it may take over a year.

Judge Melville noted that jury duty is part of the price you pay for democracy. My Way News

The 3 CBS executives that were asked to resign have not. Josh Howard, Mary Murphy, and Betsy West were all asked by CBS officials to resign in the wake of the report on Rathergate.

While all have stopped coming to the office, speculation is that they have retained attorneys and are anticipating filing wrongful termination suits following severance negotiations with the network.

Still working at CBS is Dan Rather and Andrew Heyward who should have been dismissed or asked to resign for their part in Rathergate. More on this and some other interesting items on TKS on National Review Online. TKS on National Review Online

If events warrant more in the Evening Update.


Morning Briefing - 1.31.05

Good morning . . .

The big news continues to be the Iraqi elections. The President, other administration officials, and Iraqi officials are calling it a big success. Much bigger than expected. The hard job will be to form a stable and viable government to write an Iraqi Constitution and elect a permanent government next December.

The job will be made harder by insurgents in Iraq and Democrats in the US. Several Democrats including John Kerry and Ted Kennedy still believe it was a mistake and the elections should not be "overhyped."

On Sunday's 'Meet the Press' Kerry said, "It is hard to say that something is legitimate when whole portions of the country can't vote and doesn't vote." So, Senator let me understand this. According to you, the war in Iraq is illegitimate. The election in Iraq is illegitimate. Do you stand for anything?


Just days before the President's State of the Union Address, Democrat leaders are out in force criticizing the speech and Bush policies.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi plan to give speeches that will demand an exit strategy from Iraq and to caution the President on any changes to Social Security.

Insiders say that the President's speech to be given on Wednesday will talk about Iraq but will focus on Social Security changes. The President has proposed legislation that will allow a small portion of Social Security taxes may be used by taxpayers to create private savings accounts. Democrats are opposed to any changes in Social Security and would prefer the system to go bankrupt in 2020.
FOXNews.com - Politics - Reid to Call for Iraq Exit Strategy

Jury selection will begin today in the molestation trial of Michael Jackson. In an attempt to sway the jury pool or anyone else who would listen, Jackson placed on his website a rambling statement about his innocence. Jackson said that the trial would prove him innocent and vindicate him. Jackson also said that the leaked information is false. The information to is grand jury transcripts that brought forth the indictments against Jackson. It is unlikely that it is false.

In a earlier statement Jackson dared Santa Barbara Prosecutor Tom Sneeden to prosecute the case himself. During other pre-trial hearings Jackson glared at Sneeden while the prosecutor presented evidence to the judge.

Jackson will be in court today as jury selection begins. Jury selection according to sources could take a month with the trial lasting over a year.

On Friday the judge in the case ruled adult material found on the Jackson ranch could be introduced into evidence. According to court papers at least one of the magazines has both Jackson's and the victim's fingerprints on it. The court has ruled that the material may not be referred to as "pornographic."
My Way News

More in the Afternoon Update.

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Weekend Briefing - 1.30.05

The Iraqi elections appear to be a bigger success than most pundits thought.

Reports are saying that many areas had at least a 50% turnout and some areas as high as 80%.

Threats of a "bloodbath" by insurgents failed to materialize. There were some incidents involving homicide bombers that killed over 30 people.

While the election looks like a success, liberals, led by John Kerry, are still saying that the elections are not the story. That unless Iraq is secure there can be no forward movement. Senator Kerry obviously underestimates the bravery or interest in democracy of the Iraqi people.

Yahoo! News - Bush Declares Iraq Election a Success

More tomorrow in the Morning Briefing.

Friday, January 28, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.28.05

Good Afternoon . . .

Edward Cox, a son-in-law of the late Prsident Nixon is considering a run at the Senate seat held by Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

Cox a partner in a New York law firm says that he has some interest but is currently "testing the waters."

You can bet that a Cox run would have Hillary and her cohorts aligning Cox with the problems in the Nixon White House.
Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Nixon Son-In-Law May Challenge Clinton

This weekend the big story will be the Iraqi elections. If events warrant there will be a Weekend Briefing on Sunday.

Morning Briefing - 1.28.05

Good morning . . .

Propagandist filmmaker Michael Moore is getting no respect these days from the Hollywood elite. He was shut out of the Golden Globe Awards because the Foreign Press Association does not have a category for documentaries. Moore was snubbed by the Motion Picture Academy for an Oscar nomination. Moore decided not to put up his fictional documentary in the documentary category.

Now the Writers Guild of America that added a category for documentary writing has also snubbed Moore and his film 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' I guess the critics were correct, the film was bad, really bad.
News

Even before a plan to change or save Social Security is presented to Congress it is being blasted by Democrats.

On Thursday the Democratic National Committee launched a fund-raising scheme and scare tactics that it hope will derail the President's plan before it becomes a plan.

The President is expected to use the Feb. 2nd State of the Union Address to encourage a Republican Congress to pass legislation that will change the Social Security system to allow taxpayers to invest a portion of their tax dollars in private accounts. Dems Hope to Cash in by Blasting Bush's Social Security Reforms -- 01/27/2005

The FCC and the Bush Administration have dropped a bid to loosen media ownership rules. In proposed rulemaking, the Commission wanted to allow a single company to own newspaper and broadcast outlets in the same markets plus allow a single company to own more tv and radio stations in the same market. For the most part that is already happening. In large markets, like Chicago, Infinity Broadcasting, Emmis Broadcasting, and Clear Channel own a majority of stations in the market.

The decision of the FCC was based on a deadline to appeal a ruling by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. The FCC had until Monday to appeal a ruling that blocks the proposed rules.

While the FCC will not appeal the ruling, the National Association of Broadcasters and the Tribune Company plan to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. Without the administration's assistance, the Court is unlikely to hear the case.
Yahoo! News - Bush Won't Appeal Media Ownership Rules

More in the Afternoon Update.

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.27.05

Good Afternoon . . .

There is an interesting picture on the DrudgeReport showing Michael Jackson with a clenched fist. The story under the photo explains how Jackson "dares" Tom Sheddon, Santa Barbara County Prosecutor, to actually prosecute the case against Jackson. In a related story Jackson apologist Gerald Rivera is telling anyone who will listen to the aging reporter that Jackson is innocent and everybody should watch the trial to see the evidence fall apart.

Remember, Rivera also supports the innocence of OJ Simpson. An interview taped with Rivera is scheduled to air on FoxNews this Friday. Looks like some low ratings for FoxNews.

What may turn out to be a futile and ridiculous, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are sponsoring The Stop Government Propaganda Bill. If passed, the bill would state, "Funds appropriated to an Executive branch agency may not be used for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States unless authorized by law."

I wonder if these means that all those public service announcements on tobacco, drugs, clean water, the National Parks, and other purposes would be outlawed under this act?

This is one bill that is unlikely to see a committee meeting and will never see the light of the Senate floor. Sens. to Introduce 'Stop Government Propaganda Act'

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) is proposing a one year tax hike on those individuals who earn more than $100,000 per year. When was the last time a short-term tax ever stayed short-term. It looks like Daniels is on his way to be a one-term governor and as a resident of Indiana, I am looking for a new place to live. No, I do not make anywhere near the minimum for the tax hike, but who knows when a tax hike is passed for everyone.
FOXNews.com - Politics - Indiana GOP Governor Proposes Tax Hike

Check out TKS on National Review Online for some interesting items. TKS on National Review Online

For the second week in a row I am not posting a link to Ann Coulter's column. This week Coulter's column un-celebrates the 32nd Anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision. I find her anti-abortion comments to be wholly inappropriate.

Sunday's 'Meet the Press' will likely have its lowest ratings. The guest, failed Presidential candidate John Kerry. Why, Tim, why? Kerry really has nothing more to say.

More tomorrow in the Morning Briefing.

Morning Briefing - 1.27.05

Good day . . .

Today's Morning Briefing is a bit later than usual. A commuter crash yesterday sent me scrambling for software, restore discs, and aspirin. Everything is almost back to normal. There are still several software applications to load, but the essentials are back in service.

Wednesday morning a commuter train in Los Angeles ws involved in a horrific accident. The cause was a suicidal man who parked his SUV on heavily traveled tracks. At the last moment he jumped out of the vehicle, but left the SUV sitting on the tracks. The result 11 dead and 100s injured.

Today Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley announced that 10 counts of murder will be filed against Juan Manual Alvarez. Cooley said that the charges will include "special circumstances." The addition of "special circumstances to the charges will make Alvarez eligible for the death penalty.
The New York Times > National > Suspect in Train Crash Is Charged With Multiple Murder Counts

During the last election, I often asked why Senators John Kerry and John Edwards continued to receive their salary from the US Senate. Neither Kerry nor Edwards attended many, if any, Senate session or committee meetings for the bulk of 2004.

According to the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) there is an obscure Federal statute that requires members of Congress to forfeit their salary if they are absent except in cases of personal or family illness.

An NTU review of Congressional attendance records shows that from January 2003 to the October 2004 recess, John Kerry missed 146 days of votes without being granted leave, the NTU study shows. His total salary overpayment was $90,932.68.

Sen. John Edwards, Kerry's running mate, compiled 102 days of unexcused absences during that period, for an overpayment of $63,543.16, NTU said.

Edwards and Kerry are at the top of a list that includes other presidential hopefuls.

It is time to pay up.
Politicians Flouting 'No Work, No Pay' Rule, Taxpayer Group Says -- 01/27/2005

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice moved into her new office at Foggy Bottom today. It was Rice's first day on the job following confirmation by the Senate.
'History Is Calling Us,' Rice Tells State Department -- 01/27/2005

More in the Afternoon Update.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.26.05

For the second time this month a member of the media has admitted accepting money in exchange for positive comments on Bush Administration policy.

Two week ago radio talk show host Armstrong Williams made public that his company had accepted a Department of Education contract for $240,000. As part of that agreement, Williams would talk positively about the "No Child Left Behind" bill.

Yesterday syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher disclosed that she had received a $21,500 contract from the Health and Human Services Department to help create materials to promote the departments $300 million initiative to promote marriage.

At his press conference today, President Bush order his Cabinet heads not to hire columnists to promote the Administration's agenda.

"All our Cabinet secretaries must realize that we will not be paying commentators to advance our agenda. Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet," Bush said at a news conference.
Yahoo! News - Bush Orders an End to Hiring Columnists

Condoleeza Rice was easily confirmed by the Senate te be President Bush's new Secretary of State.

The 85-13 vote seems contrary to the rancour caused by several Senate Democrats at the confirmation hearings and Senate floor debate. Led by probable presidential candidate Barbara Boxer the vote on Rice was delayed for several days.

Rice will be sworn into tonight and begin working in Foggy Bottom on Thursday. Rice, 50, will be the first African-American female to hold the post.
Yahoo! News - Senate Confirms Rice As Secretary of State

The Senate Judiciary Committee today confirmed the nomination of Alberto Gonzales as the next Attorney General. The 10-8 votes was on strict party lines.

This sets up a heated debate when the nomination heads to the Senate floor next week. My Way News

TKS on National Review Online has some interesting items. TKS on National Review Online

More tomorrow in the Morning Briefing.

Morning Briefing - 1.26.05

Good morning . . .

The Senate reconvenes today to consider the nomination of Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State. While confirmation is assured, the Democrats have used the debate to criticize Rice and the Bush Administration for every problem in foreign affairs.

Led by far-left wing liberal Barbara Boxer the Democrats are also using the hearings and debate on Rice as a rallying cry for fundraising efforts for the 2006 mid-term elections. In the past week Boxer has sent two fundraising emails and letters to democratic supporters.

It is just another example of the Democrats saying anything and everything to regain any power. It also doesn't matter that the information is true or not.
Dems Accused of Turning 'Obstructionism' Into Fund-Raising Appeal -- 01/26/2005

The Democrats harsh criticism of Rice is not going unnoticed by black Democrats. Black Democrats Don't Like Senate's Treatment of Rice -- 01/26/2005

Failed Democrat Presidential candidate John Kerry is beginning his second run for the presidency. Kerry is traveling around the country trying to stir up support for child health care.

Neither the proposal or how to pay for it are new. Kerry proposes to pay for it by raising taxes on "wealthy" Americans and small business owners earning $200,000.

Senator those proposals are out of touch with the American people. Yes, child health care is good and noble, but a tax increase to pay for it is not.
Boston.com / News / Nation / Washington / Kerry proposes health coverage for all children

Finally, today is the anniversary of the death in 1910 of Thomas Crapper. Although the flush toilet was invented before Crapper marketed a similar device, he is widely recognized for its invention. History of Thomas Crapper - Plumber, Entrepreneur & By Royal Appointment.

More in the Afternoon Update.


Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Afternoon Update

Good afternoon . . .

The US Senate set aside none hours of debate on the nomination of Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State.

Democrats decided to use this time to criticize Rice and the Bush Administration over the war in Iraq and intelligence problems before the war.

Led by Sens. Kennedy, Byrd, Biden, and Boxer the Democrats are attempting to Rice accountable for virtually every mistake made in the war with Iraq. One senator has go so far as to call Rice a liar.

Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) said, "I don't like impugning anyone's integrity, but I really don't like being lied to repeatedly, flagrantly, intentionally." You might remember Sen. Dayton. He is the Minnesota Senator who decided to close his office in Washington for two extra weeks before Christmas. The reason . . . the high threat level in the nation's Capitol.

Well, Senator the threat level is the same now as when you left town like a scared rabbit. Perhaps, you should go back to your bomb shelter in Minnesota and wait for peace.
Yahoo! News - Democrats Call Rice Liar, Bush Apologist

A Swift Boat veteran has decided to run for Sen. John Kerry's seat in 2008.

Jerome Corsi, co-author of 'Unfit for Command' announced that he will attempt to unseat the liberal Democrat in the most liberal state un the country.

Corsi a resident of New Jersey said he will become a resident of Massachusetts and enter politics.

Corsi told the Boston Herald that he would like to run as a Republican, but will run as an independent if the party does not support him.
WorldNetDaily: Swiftvet author wants Kerry's Senate seat

Ted Turner has never been known for his quiet ways, speech or demeanor. This week he proved that he may have also lost his mind.

Turner spoke at the National Association of Television Program Executive said that Fox News is an arm of the Bush Administration and its popularity is similar to Hitler's before World War II.

Obviously Ted is still bitter over losing his network and his former network losing ratings to Fox News.

In 1996 Turner apologized to the Anti-Defamation League after comparing Rupert Murdock to Hitler. Looks like another apology is in its way. Ted Turner: Fox News Like Hitler

More tomorrow in the Morning Briefing.

Morning Briefing - 1.25.05

Good Morning . . .

Last night's 'Tonight Show' did a heart-warming and sincere tribute to the late Johnny Carson. Jay Leno performed a somber yet fitting tribute to the King of Late Night. Guests included long-time sidekick Ed McMahon and comedians Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, and Drew Carey. Rickles and Newhart appeared more than 100 times during Carson's 30 year tenure as host of the longest running late night talk show. Carey made his first network appearance on 'The Tonight Show." Yahoo! News - 'Tonight Show' Pays Tribute to Carson

The nominations for the upcoming Oscar Awards were announced early this morning. The Howard Hughes biopic "The Aviator" walked away with eleven nominations including Best Picture and acting nominations for Leonard DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, and Alan Alda. 'Aviator' director Martin Scorsese also received a nomination in the directing category.

Other films nominated for Best Picture included 'Million Dollar Baby,' 'Ray,' 'Sideways,' and 'Finding Neverland.'

Two films of note received no nominations. Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ' was snubbed by Oscar voters as it was by Golden Globe voters. Michael Moore's propaganda film 'Farenheit 9/11' did not receive any nominations after Moore pulled the film from the documentary category.
Yahoo! News - 'Aviator' Gets 11 Academy Award Nods

There was another celebration last Thursday that received little coverage by the mainstream liberal media. Vietnam Veterans gathered for a reception last Thursday to celebrate the defeat of John Kerry. Jerome Corsi co-author of "Unfit for Command' said, "The whole Swift Boat effort was organized not to re-elect George Bush but to defeat John Kerry."

Under a banner that proclaimed "Kerry Lied, Good Men Died," the coalition of veterans groups including the Swift Boat veterans, POWs, and other military groups, declared their mission accomplished.
Vietnam Veterans Celebrate Kerry's Election Defeat -- 01/21/2005

Five Kerry-Edwards campaign workers in Wisconsin including the sons of two prominent Democrats were charged Monday with the election day tire slashing of 25 get-out-and-vote vehicles rented by Republicans.

Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann announced the felony charges in a rare news conference. If convicted the individuals charged could receive a 3 1/2 year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.
JS Online: 5 charged in GOP tire slashings

In other election news from Milwaukee, the addresses of over 1200 voters have been found to be invalid including many cases in which the voter could not be found at all. JS Online: Over 1,200 voters� addresses found invalid

More in the Afternoon Update.

Monday, January 24, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.24.05

A central figure in the Watergate scandal has died.

Rose Mary Woods a secretary to President Richard Nixon died Sunday at a nursing home in Ohio. Woods always claimed that she was responsible for accidentally erasing 18 1/2 minutes from a Watergate tape made in the Oval Office.

The erased portion is said to be the key that answers the questions, "What did the President know and when did he know it?"
Rose Mary Woods, Nixon's Secretary, Dead at 87 - Elites TV - Your Elite News Source

Is 60 Minutes and CBS at it again. 60 Minutes report Lesley Stahl may be preparing a story of the possible legal problems of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Stahl and her crew stormed a news conference DeLay was hosting about Tsunami relief efforts.

Stahl continually tried to disrupt the news conference with questions about Ronnie Earle, the Democratic Travis County District Attorney. Earle is investigating a Texas political action committee with ties to DeLay.

DeLay told Stahl that the press conference was about helping the children in Southeast Asia. Stahl's inappropriate questions continued and DeLay cancelled the press conference.

Stahl repeatedly explained to reporters that she can ask any question she wants anytime and that she was a part of '60 Minutes Sunday' not the show that trashed the President.

Trash is trash Lesley and you and your crew demonstrated that.
DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2005�

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is, generally, a soft-spoken politician. That may be one of the reasons that remarks made by Frist at the beginning of Congress received little notice.

Now, many confirmations and new bills are coming before the Senate that may cause Democrats to wake up and take notice.

A few conservative colleagues are interpreting Frist Jan. 4 remarks to mean that Rule 22, which establishes ground rules for filibusters is not in effect for the new session. There is, however, some uncertainty. So, it remains unclear whether all filibusters could be dispensed with with a mere majority vote or unanimous consent request.

As the confirmation votes come to the floor this week, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Frist aims nuke at the Dems

As always, some interesting items from TKS on National Review Online. TKS on National Review Online

If events warrant, more in the Evening Update.

Morning Briefing - 1.24.05

Good Morning . . .

The weekend was full of snow. From Chicago eastward feet of snow fell. Air travel was and continues to be disrupted from the east coats which causes delays and cancellations across the country. Tragedy TV did its part to scare people with reports of 30 - 50 inches of snow. In reality NYC got a little over a foot and Boston is digging out from about 2 feet of snow.

One of the icons of television died over the weekend. The King of Late Night Johnny Carson died Sunday in his California home. He was 79.

A native of Nebraska, Carson did not invent late night television, but is credited with making it a place entertainers wanted to be seen.

There have been many imitators of Carson's show and style, but no one has yet been welcomed into more bedrooms.
My Way News

If there is any doubt that Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is running for President, her recent statements make it almost a certainty.

Speaking at a gathering at Brandeis University, Clinton said that Republican leadership is lacking resolve and leadership. She blames the Bush Administration for a lost national energy policy and gaps in health care. Clinton forgot that Democrats in the Senate defeated any measure on those issues.
Sen. Clinton decries leadership lacking resolve, inspiration

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has a new role as a victim. On CNN's 'Late Edition" Boxer claimed that Condoleeza Rice turned and attached her during Rice's confirmation hearings last week.

The far right liberal continued to question the national security advisors honesty. "I gave Dr. Rice many opportunities to address specific issues. Instead, she said I was impugning her integrity," Boxer said.

Sorry Senator that just doesn't wash. Everybody who was watching televised coverage of the hearings or highlights from the hearings saw you continually attack Rice. While you did not use the word liar, you implied with each comment and each statement. The only things that you are a victim of is your own rhetoric. Sen. Boxer takes victim role after hearing for Rice - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - January 24, 2005:

The Supreme Court this morning refused to reinstate a Florida law passed to keep a severely brain-damaged woman hooked to a feeding tube.

Known as Terri's Law, the Florida Supreme Court struck down the law as unconstitutional last fall. The Supreme Court was the last hope for state leaders including Governor Jeb Bush who defended the law a the long running dispute on the fate of Terri Schiavo.

The Supreme Court did not comment on rejecting the appeal from Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Yahoo! News - Fla. Loses Appeal in Terri Schiavo Case

Speculation, like snow, is swirling around Washington since Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist swore in President Bush last Thursday. The frail looking jurist who continues to recover from chemotherapy and radiation therapy for thyroid cancer gave the oath of office to the President in a strong voice, but his movements around the podium were slow and measured.

Should Rehnquist decide to retire, it will not be until the end of the current session. This will prevent several 4-4 ties and allow the White House to select his replacement.

If the White House goes inside the Court for a replacement it is likely to be Justice Antonin Scalia. Known for his sharp tongue, Justice Scalia would have an easier time winning confirmation. Other sources say the President could also appoint Justice Clarence Thomas to the high post. Thomas' confirmation would be highly partisan and acrimonious. It would be another rematch for Thomas against Sens. Kennedy and Biden. Both Senators are strong detractors and critics of Justice Thomas.
Yahoo! News - Rehnquist Spurs Talk of Court Vacancy

More in the Afternoon Update.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.21.05

Good Afternoon . . .

FCC Chairman Michael Powell is stepping down from the job he has held for four years. During his tenure he has supported more and more deregulation of the telecommunications industry while, at the same time, levying the largest fines in history for indecency on the airwaves.

Powell, the some of Colin Powell, told the President he would leave in March. No successor has been made. Under FCC rules Powell's successor must be a Republican.
My Way News

NBC Universal Television Group President Jeff Zucker says that the CBS story on Bush's National Guard service could not happen at NBC. Zucker was speaking at the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles.

Zucker was surprised that CBS did not have any of the safeguards that are in place at NBC since their own scandal involving NBC Dateline. While Tom Brokaw and his successor, Brian Williams, are very liberal, they would not have the motivation or vindictiveness of Mary Mapes or Dan Rather.

The report on Rathergate failed to mention that Mapes had been working on this story and other anti-Bush stories since he ran for governor of Texas. Rather was embarrassed on air by former President George HW Bush and has held a negative attitude toward anyone in the Bush family.
Broadcasting & Cable: The Business of Television

Speaking of Rathergate, the 3 CBS News executives that were asked to resign have failed to do so. Josh Howard, Mary Murphy, and Betsy West were still working at CBS as of Wednesday. None could be reached for comment.

Speculation is that remain on the job while pursuing legal action against CBS.

Attorneys know that you do not ask a question in court unless you know the answer. Perhaps Dan Rather should have learned that lesson during the Inauguration festivities on CBS.

Historian Joseph Ellis said that there could be scandals that imperil President Bush's second term. Ellis said that As a "a lame duck...the press is really out to get you. And they can get you if they want to get you. And they're going to go after him. You can already start to see it. And what the press defines as a scandal becomes a scandal."

A confused Rather quickly changed the subject.
Media Research Center

If events warrant, more in the Weekend Briefing or Monday in the Morning Briefing. Have a great weekend.

Morning Briefing - 1.21.05

Good morning . .

The Inauguration is over and it is now time to get to work on the programs and themes of the President's speech. It was a good speech and set forth an agenda with very high goals and expectations. Let's hope that much of the Bush plan will get through a highly partisan Congress.

During all the ceremony yesterday, Democrats took time out to bash President Bush through campaign emails and letters. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) sent campaign materials to supporters claiming to block any proposal from the President that they find is to "extreme." Remember, Pelosi and Schumer thought that tax cuts were extreme. It is going to be a long hard fight to get reform and important legislation through the Democrats.

From USA Today, there is a report that for the first time the IRS will allow anyone who uses their website to file tax returns online for FREE. In the past the free filing program was restricted by age, income level, and other guidelines.

This year thanks to the three companies that sell tax preparation software, the service through the IRS website is free.

The US Supreme Court Justices will meet behind closed doors today to discuss whether to hear arguments in the Terri Schiavo case. Schiavo is the brain-disabled Florida woman whose right to live is at the center of an ongoing battle in Florida Courts. WorldNetDaily: Terri Schiavo's case at Supreme Court

Voters in many states are prohibited from crossing party lines to vote in primary elections. That is the issue of a case heard Wednesday at the Supreme Court. Justices heard arguments based on First Amendment Rights to Oklahoma's system by the Libertarian Party. The Party wants to open the primaries to all registered voters in an attempt to attract more members.

Oklahoma is one of twenty-four states with closed or semi-closed primaries. Systems like Oklahoma allow political party members or independents to cast ballots. The Supreme Court has already said that states cannot force political parties to take votes from people registered in other parties.

The case is Clingman v. Beaver, 04-37.
Yahoo! News - Supreme Court Weighs Primary-Election Case

Looking for corrections, retractions, or clarifications from North American media? Here is a website for you, www.RegretTheError.com

I will not be posting a link to Ann Coulter's column this week. I did not find it interesting or coherent.

More in the Afternoon Update.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.19.05

Good Afternoon . . .

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 16-2 to confirm the nomination of Condoleeza Rice as the next Secretary of State. When confirmed by the full Senate, Rice will become the first African-American woman to hold that post.

The only senators voting against Rice were Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and, as some describe him, a bitter John Kerry (D-MA). The nomination was expected to go to the full Senate Thursday.

Democrats, however, have announced they want to delay the confirmation vote until next week. A spokesperson for minority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said that several senators, not members of the committee, would like to be heard on the nomination. Is it possible that Boxer, Kerry, and a few poorly chosen Democrats will attempt to filibuster the nomination? Stay tuned.
Yahoo! News - Democrats to Delay Rice Confirmation Vote

Two Supreme Court Justices denied an emergency appeal from a California atheist to stop prayers from being said at the Presidential Inauguration Thursday.

First,Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and then Justice John Paul Stevens denied the appeal of Michael Newdow.

Rehnquist issued his order which also requested that Rehnquist recuse himself from the appeal without comment. Following the denial, Newdow immediately filed the injunction with Stevens who also denied the appeal.
Yahoo! News - Atheist Loses Bids to Stop Inaugural Prayers

The biggest story tomorrow will be the Inauguration of President Bush for a second term. If there are any other interesting items, you will see them here in the Morning Briefing or Afternoon Update.

Morning Briefing - 1.19.05

Good morning . . .

There was a problem with blogspot yesterday afternoon and I was unable to post the Afternoon Update.

Senator Barbara Boxer is trying to make a name for herself. She is becoming the self-proclaimed "attack dog" of the Senate Democrats.

her failed attempt to disrupt the Electoral Vote count has been followed by her attacks on Condoleeza Rice. Rice is the nominee to replace Colin Powell as Secretary of State. In hearings yesterday and continuing this morning, Boxer is constantly saying that Rice is inconsistent and unwilling to take responsibility for mistakes made by the Bush Administration.

Rice has asked the Senator Boxer not to "impune my integrity." Nevertheless, Boxer continues with quotes out of context and her liberal rant. Boxer must be taking lessons from Ted Kennedy (D-MA).

Inspite of the bickering and chiding on the part of Democrats, Rice is expected to be confirmed with most Democrats voting for confirmation.
ABC News: Rice Challenged to Admit Bush Mistakes

Liberal financier George Soros failed in his bid to defeat President Bush in the November election.

Now a conservative group has filed a 41-page complaint against Soros with the Federal Election Commission. The National Legal and Policy Center says that Soros failed to disclose a series of expeditures stemming from his October 2004 speaking tour to several swing states to defeat the President.
Liberal Financier Accused of Violating Federal Election Law -- 01/19/2005

CBS President Leslie Moonves made his first public statement about the future of CBS News since the release of the report on Rathergate.

Speaking to reporters yesterday Moonves said that there could be substantial changes and a restructure of the Evening News. Some of the changes may nbe a switch to a multi-anchor, multi-city newscast, as well as, using Comedy Central's John Stewart as part of the mix. Moonves admitted that nothing has been decided.

When asked about if Dan Rather's leaving the anchor chair had anything to do with the 60 Minutes story or the report on Rathergate, Moonves said, " have to believe that it probably did. He had to believe that the report would come out and it would not be good."

Moonves continued his support for CBS News President Andrew Heyward.

Moonves also has a bit of a conflict of interest in any decision regarding CBS News. His wife is Early Show anchor and reporter Joie Chen.
Liberal Financier Accused of Violating Federal Election Law -- 01/19/2005

Here is a review of activity at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Yahoo! News - Supreme Court Developments on Tuesday

Interesting items can always be found on TKS at the National Review Online. TKS on National Review Online

More in the Afternoon Update.

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Morning Briefing - 1.18.05

Good Morning . . .

The confirmation hearings on the nomination of Condoleeza Rice for Secretary of State are underway. In an opening statement Rice said, "the time for diplomacy is now." Democrats are certain to ask hard and partisan questions about Rice's role in the decision to go to war with Iraq among other issues.

Rice is expected to be confirmed with little difficulty. The difficulty may be once she is confirmed. Speculation is career diplomats in the Sate Department do not like Rice's management style.
CNSNews.com -- News This Hour

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a request from a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay on the legality of military tribunals for terrorism suspects held at the Navy base in Cuba.
Yahoo! News - Supreme Court Won't Rule on Guantanamo Tribunals

In another case the Supreme Court declined to consider whether a police officer may take blood from a drunk driving suspect without a warrant.
Yahoo! News - High Court Declines Drinking Test Case

Just moments ago the Supreme Court declined to review the case of an Air Force lieutenant's criminal conviction for having sex with a 15 year old boy. The officer contends he was protected by a previous court ruling overturning Florida's statutes that criminalized gay sex.
Yahoo! News - High Court Won't Review Gay Soldier Case

'Jane Roe' the plaintiff in the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade.

Norma McCorvey has been working since 2003 to reopen the case based on changes in the law and new scientific research that makes the decision "no longer just."

At a news conference today, McCorvey will ask the Court to overturn the decision or hold a trial based on the merits.
WorldNetDaily: 'Jane Roe' appeals to Supreme Court

More in the Afternoon Update.

Monday, January 17, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.17.05

Good Afternoon . . .

The ink is barely dry on the report on Rathergate and CBS News is returning to its old ways and its old bias.

Sunday's Face the Nation devoted the entire hour to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and his perennial liberal agenda. Kennedy repeated most of his National Press Club speech (without the slurring) and blamed the Bush Administration for everything wrong in the world. For the umpteenth time, Kennedy said, "Iraq is the President's Vietnam."

The White House offered to send Communications Director Dan Bartlett, but CBS said, "no thanks." So much for mending fences with the White House.

CBS News and the executives at CBS and Viacom fail to recognize the problem. You would think the report on Rathergate would wake them up. No, CBS News will continue with its agenda and little can be done to stop it.
Media Research Center Home Page - 1/17/2005 4:28:27 PM

John Kerry chose not to contest the results of the 2004 Election. He looked at the numbers and realized that there was no way to win or to draw out the election like Al Gore did in 2000.

Now the junior senator from Massachusetts is whining about the number of votes that were not counted across the country. In an address at the Martin Luther King Day breakfast in Boston Kerry said, "thousands of people were suppressed in the effort to vote.''

Where were you in November Senator? That was the time to whine and complain, not now.
News

More in the Morning Briefing.

Morning Briefing - 1.17.05

Good morning . .

It was a relatively slow news weekend. Ted Kennedy, sounding much like the Ted Kennedy of old (slurred speech and all) was on Meet the Press reiterating is inane speech at the National Press Club.

Saturday night the elite of Hollywood presented a Tsunami Relief Concert similar to the concert after the 9/11 terrorist attack. I did not watch and, as noted before, I will not give to this project. In fact, by holding this event the Hollywood elite have forgotten those in peril and in danger in thier own backyard. The weather in California has been terrible with flooding, unexpected snow, dams leaking, but the Hollywood elite doesn't seem to care about their neighbors. Where is the massive fundraising for California, Utah, Ohio, and other states pounded by thus year's winter weather. It is no where and the Hollywood elite don't care. Why? They figure that US tax dollars, not from them, will pay for all the disasters here. It is all very hypocritical.

While the report on Rathergate told CBS they need to revise and restructure their news division, it is apparently not going to happen. CBS is actively courting NBC diva Katie Couric to replace Dan Rather. Couric is not a journalist nor has true journalism stature or credentials. She is, primarily, a cheerleader for liberal causes and the Democratic Party. If CBS thinks that she will help their image or credibility, they are wrong.

Would somebody please tell Leslie Moonves that he needs to close the current news division and hire people from Fox who understand the news and journalistic ethics. Katie Couric is NOT the answer.

If CBS were to select Couric, the black eye network would have to wait 16 months for Couric's contract to end at NBC. CBS could install a "caretaker" anchor until Couric was available. By that time NO ONE will be watching CBS News.
TIME.com: Goodbye, Dan. Hello, Katie? -- Jan. 24, 2005

Airbus, Boeing chief rival in the airliner business, will unveil it newest airliner this week. The A380 will be the largest jetliner. It will be able to haul 550 passengers on two passenger decks. Its size will require airports that accept the jumboliner to reconfigure gates and jetways to accommodate multiple exits.

More will be known about the capability of the new Airbus in March when it begins test flights. It is scheduled to go into service in 2006 and currently has firm orders for 139 planes.

Boeing, on the other hand, will be using plastics in the manufacture of its latest plane the "dreamLiner" scheduled to begin flights in 2008.

The Airbus A380 is substantially overbudget, but receives most of its funding from European governments. Boeing has to rely strictly on contracts for sold planes for its revenue.
Yahoo! News - Airbus to Unveil Largest Passenger Jet

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist is planning to deliver the oath of office to President Bush on Thursday. The ailing Chief Justice toured the Inauguration site on Thursday.

Rehnquist is recovery from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for his thyroid cancer. While he has not been present at the Court since October, Rehnquist has been working at his Virginia home and participates in many of the Court's decisions.
Yahoo! News - Rehnquist Preparing for Inaugural Duties

More in the Afternoon Update.

Friday, January 14, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.14.05

Good Afternoon . . .

The US District Court in Washington DC has denied a request by a California atheist to stop the recital of prayers during the Inauguration set for Jan. 20.

Michael Newdow sued to have the recital of prayers by any member of the clergy or invited guests during the inauguration. Newdow claims that it violates the constitutional requirement of church-state separation.

US District Judge John Bates said that the practice is a well-established historical pattern of short prayers or religious references during presidential inaugurations. The judge further noted that this last minute challenge, "is not likely to serve the public interest."

Newdow has also sued to have "under God" taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance and to remove prayer for sessions of Congress.

US News Article | Reuters.com

The Michael Jackson case has taken several turns this week. Earlier this week the prosecuted moved to have records of Jackson's history of sexual molestation of young boys included in the case. The motion was made under a 1995 California law that allows evidence of a pattern admissible in sexual; molestation cases. That law was passed in part because of Jackson's molestation complaint in 1993. Jackson eventually payed the young boy $20 million for his silence.

The judge has yet to rule on the motion.

Last night on ABC, Cynthia McFadden presented a segment that included testimony from the Grand Jury that indicted Jackson on sexual molestation and conspiracy charges. The Jackson defense team has objected to the leaked material and claim that Jackson will be acquitted at trial.
The Lompoc Record - Serving the Lompoc Valley

The past few days have seen story after story about Prince Harry wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume ball. While this shows extreme bad case, it doesn't deserve the coverage it is getting in the US. Frankly it is a parental matter more than a matter of state. It is unlikely that Harry would ever become king.

Nevertheless, Prince Charles is not happy. He's not happy with the coverage of a stupid "prank." The Price of Whales will not force Prince Harry to visit Auschwitz or make a TV apology. He is trying to shelter him from further public scrutiny.

The lack of action by the Royal Family risks more public criticism.


Have a good weekend.

Morning Briefing - 1.14.05

Good Morning . . .

The LA Times, a bastion of liberal thought, published an op-ed piece by former CBS News President Van Gordon Sauter. Sauter was President of CBS News for the first half of the 1980's. Until recently, Sauter was the chairman of the California Boxing Commission.

Sauter writes that he stopped watching CBS News a long time ago die to its "unremitting liberal orientation."

Sauter notes that the problems at CBS News include "it has no credibility. And no audience, no morale, no long-term emblematic anchorperson and no cohesive management structure."

Sauter writes that the problems at CBS News may be indicative of partisan news agencies and the public has grown not to trust the media.

Sauter believes that Leslie Moonves can restructure the News Division, but only if CBS and the other networks begin to offer nonpartisan, objective news.
What's Ailing CBS News? Let's Make a Not-So-Little List

Last week talk show host Armstrong Williams announced that his marketing and PR firm had received $240,000 from the Department of Education to promote the 'No Child Left Behind Act.'

Williams' company created PR materials to promote the Bush Administration's centerpiece on education. For his part, Williams talked about the Act with various government officials on his talk show. Democrats and others are strongly criticizing the Administration and the FCC is looking into the payment.

Well, hold on, it seems that paying someone to actively promote something is nothing new. The failed Presidential campaign of Howard Dean now admits that it payed to political blogs to favorably promote his campaign on the Internet.

The partisan Democratic political bloggers who were hired by the Dean campaign were Jerome Armstrong, who publishes the blog MyDD, and Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, who publishes DailyKos. Each of the sites received $3,000 a month for three months. The owners of the sites said they were supporting Dean before the payment.

A spokesperson for the DNC Chair candidate said that there was nothing unethical about the payments since both blogs disclosed their connection between themselves and the campaign.
WSJ.com - Dean Campaign Made Payments To Two Bloggers

TKS (formerly the Kerry Spot) on National Review has some interesting items about Rathergate and other political activity.
TKS on National Review Online

Here is this week's column by Ann Coulter. It contains her take of Rathergate and the Report. HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE :: Liar, Liar, Now You're Fired by Ann Coulter

Normally, I reserve my media comment for national media or specific programs, but there was a story locally in Chicago that needs mentioning.

On Wednesday night there was a natural gas explosion at a local mall on the Southwest side of Chicago just miles from Midway Airport. The blast was so strong that 20 cars were destroyed and the hole was 100 feet wide and 25 feet deep. Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities. The cause is still under investigation.

The reporting on the story was terrible, especially on Channel 5, the NBC owned station. Initial reports were done on the phone because the explosion happened within an hour and a half of the 10PM news and crews were just arriving at the scene.

The live reports from reports Done Lemmon and Amy Jacobson demonstrated the problem with local news and reporters that can only read from a teleprompter.

While Jacobson did an ok job from a local hospital, Lemmon should be fired for is incomprehensible description of the scene, On no fewer than 10 occasions he used the word "huge" to describe the hole, the scene, the explosion, and the number of injured. Actually, there were only about two dozen people injured. The Ford City Mall, where the expolsion happened in the parking lot, is a rather large mall and there were probably hundreds of people at the mall before the explosion.

Lemmon, nevertheless, carried on and began talking faster and faster and faster to the point he was no longer intelligible. In addition to his very poor reporting, Lemmon wore a knit cap that made him look like OJ Simpson on a night in June 1994.

All in all, the coverage by Channel 5 was amateurish. There is no excuse for such uninteresting and unintelligent reporting even on a live breaking story. Lemmon should be relegated to the 5 AM news instead of the 5PM news and not be allowed report live from the field ever again.

There should be a decision today from the judge hearing the case filed by an atheist to have prayer stopped at the Inauguration. If that decision comes down as expected or there are any other interesting events, you'll find it in the Afternoon Update.

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Morning Briefing - 1.13.05

Good Morning . . .

Wednesday's Supreme Court decision that made sentencing guidelines advisory instead of mandatory has created concern and activity in the Senate.

Justice Stephen Bryer said in the opinion that it was up to Congress to create legislation that would pass constitutional muster for sentencing guidelines. Senate Republicans are feeling a sense of urgency to craft a legislative solution. Democrats, as usual, want caution and to protect criminals more than the general public.

Assistant Attorney General Christopher Wray said, "To the extent that the guidelines are now advisory, the risk increases that sentences across the country will become widely inconsistent." The original intent of mandatory sentence guidelines was to ensure that sentences would be consistent.

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued on a brief statement that the ruling had "major implications for America's legal system." What that actually means and what will happen in the judiciary committee are uncertain.

Obstructionist senators Leahy (D-VT) and Kennedy (D-MA) urge caution. That usually means they want the Senate to do nothing.
Yahoo! News - Senator expected to act fast on rules

Judges in thousands of cases nationwide were waiting for the Supreme Court decision before ruling on sentences. One convicted felon's attorneys are also looking at yesterday's ruling.

Martha's Stewart's legal team are looking at the ruling to study the implications for reducing Stewart's confinement. If anything, the judge in the case may review the sentence to increase it.
Yahoo! News - Report: Stewart Lawyers Eye Court Ruling

The new Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels is making moves that will not endear him to labor unions throughout the state and country. Daniels has cancelled union contracts and collective bargaining agreements with state workers. Under Indiana law each governor must sign an executive order to grant state workers collective bargaining rights. Daniels has chosen not to sign such an order.

Daniels also announced that those union contracts that expire in 2007 will not be re-negotiated.

While several labor organizations believe this is a wrong move by the new Governor, it will allow the state to fire employees who fail to do their job.

Republican Governor Nixes Collective Bargaining for State Employees -- 01/13/2005
Northwest Indiana News: nwitimes.com

Although the State of Washington has inaugurated a new Governor, the election and its aftermath may not be over.

The GOP has filed a suit to have a Court require a re-vote in the contested gubernatorial election. The suit points out inconsistencies such as more votes in King County than registered voters, the number of votes from dead people and felons, uncounted military votes, and, at least, 1,000 votes that do not match registered voters.

Democrats say that the GOP does not have a case under the high level of scrutiny required for a re-election. Both sides agree that the case will end up in the state's Supreme Court.
WorldNetDaily: Washington governor sworn in after 'orange' rally
More in the Afternoon Update.
Republican Governor Nixes Collective Bargaining for State Employees -- 01/13/2005

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Morning Briefing - 1.12.05

Good morning . . .

The reaction to the report on Rathergate is quite interesting. While giving the story a little play on the evening news, CNN, NBC, and ABC virtually ignored the story on their morning shows. The Today show relegated the story to a 15-second reader well into the program.

MSNBC and Fox are the only networks, thus far, that have interviewed at length media analysts and consultants. Bill O'Reilly, however, continues to defend Rather as a victim. Very strange indeed.

Dan Rather has issues a statement to CBS News colleagues. In the memo Rather is more concerned about the firing of his co-conspirators than his role in the debacle. Rather accepts no culpability for his role in the destruction of CBS News' credibility.
Rather responds
MSNBC - The 'Media Party' is over
Morning Shows Give Short Shrift to CBS Hoax -- 01/11/2005 - Media Research Center - Media Reality Check

Has anyone noticed the proliferation of airline ads on the Internet? Since Delta announced its reduction in fares, banner ads for airlines including Delta and Southwest have been dominant for several days.

A Supreme Court ruling issued in the last hour has struck down some of the provisions of the Federal sentencing guidelines. The guidelines were developed to provide consistent sentencing to those convicted of Federal crimes. Every crime from embezzlement to drug dealing to fraud were covered by the guidelines.

The 5-4 ruling was a blow to the Justice Department who has defended the guidelines that apply to thousands of criminal defendants. Thousands of sentences have been on hold pending the outcome of today's ruling.

In essence the Court said that the rules could not be mandatory, but only advisory to passing sentence on a defendant. According to the Court the judges were giving out sentences based on information that was not presented to the jury at trial. These included past crimes and other evidence not available to the jury.

By using the guidelines in an advisory capacity, the Court said that it would be up to the Appeals Courts to decide whether the sentence is reasonable.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the opinion and said that Congress could enact " national legislature is equipped to devise and install, long-term, the sentencing system compatible with the Constitution that Congress judges best for the federal system of justice."
Yahoo! News - Supreme Court: Sentencing Rules Not Mandatory

While this is no surprise, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean is officially running to become the Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
CNN.com - Dean�announces bid for DNC chair - Jan 11, 2005

A former Federal Prosecutor and Clinton nemesis was named as President Bush's newest nominee for the Secretary of Homeland Security position.

Michael Chertoff a long time Federal Prosecutor and chief counsel of the Whitewater Investigation was named as the President's new choice for the post. The nomination was made in the wake of the Bernard Kerik debacle and resignation of current Homeland Security boss Tom Ridge.

Since Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) sits on the committee that will review the nomination, it will be an interesting hearing.
Chertoff Named as Homeland Security Nominee

More in the Afternoon Update.

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

EXTRA: Report on the Report

REVIEWING THE REPORT

The long-awaited report on what has been called Rathergate has been released. The document comprising 234 pages is thorough and does a good job of documenting the Panel’s findings. Parts of the document are so detailed that to repeat them here is just a waste of your time and mine. The complete document can be found on the CBS News website.

There are, however, some interesting findings, as well as, a glimpse into the inner workings of CBS News and 60 Minutes Wednesday in particular. The overall tone of the document tries to show Mary Mapes, producer of the segment, the “bad guy.” That it was he reputation and experience at CBS News that enabled her to avoid many of the checks and balances normally associated with a high quality news organization. Many CBS staffers described the activity surrounding the segment and the coverup and defense of the sgement that is described as a “perfect storm.” The Panel seemed to understand the “perfect storm” analogy, but criticized CBS News and 60 Minures Wednesday staff for allowing the “perfect storm” to occur.

The Panel; described the problems with the segment as “myopic zeal” to “crash” (rush into production) the segment. The Panel noted that their original focus was the Killian documents, but the reporting and production of the segment were a larger problem.

The Panel notes the areas of problems and failures.

The most serious defects in the reporting and production of the September 8 Segment
were:

1. The failure to obtain clear authentication of any of the Killian documents from any
document examiner;

2. The false statement in the September 8 Segment that an expert had authenticated the Killian documents when all he had done was authenticate one signature from one
document used in the Segment;

3. The failure of 60 Minutes Wednesday management to scrutinize the publicly available, and at times controversial, background of the source of the documents, retired Texas Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Bill Burkett;

4. The failure to find and interview the individual who was understood at the outset to be Lieutenant Colonel Burkett’s source of the Killian documents, and thus to establish the chain of custody;

5. The failure to establish a basis for the statement in the Segment that the documents “were taken from Colonel Killian’s personal files”;

6. The failure to develop adequate corroboration to support the statements in the Killian documents and to carefully compare the Killian documents to official TexANG records, which would have identified, at a minimum, notable inconsistencies in content and format;

7. The failure to interview a range of former National Guardsmen who served with Lieutenant Colonel Killian and who had different perspectives about the documents;

8. The misleading impression conveyed in the Segment that Lieutenant Strong had authenticated the content of the documents when he did not have the personal knowledge to do so;

9. The failure to have a vetting process capable of dealing effectively with the production speed, significance and sensitivity of the Segment; and

10. The telephone call prior to the Segment’s airing by the producer of the Segment to a senior campaign official of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry - a clear
conflict of interest - that created the appearance of a political bias.

The Panel also pointed out that while there were problems with the production and reporting of the segment, the response to criticism and the coverup were equally troubling. The Panel calls this part of the investigation The Aftermath.

Among the more egregious shortcomings during
the Aftermath were:

1. The strident defense of the September 8 Segment by CBS News without adequately probing whether any of the questions raised had merit;

2. Allowing many of the same individuals who produced and vetted the by-then controversial September 8 Segment to also produce the follow-up news reports defending the Segment;

3. The inaccurate press statements issued by CBS News after the broadcast of the Segment that the source of the documents was “unimpeachable” and that experts had vouched for their authenticity;

4. The misleading stories defending the Segment that aired on the CBS Evening News after September 8 despite strong and multiple indications of serious flaws;

5. The efforts by 60 Minutes Wednesday to find additional document examiners who would vouch for the authenticity of the documents instead of identifying the best examiners available regardless of whether they would support this position; and

6. Preparing news stories that sought to support the Segment, instead of providing accurate and balanced coverage of a raging controversy.

One part of the Aftermath was the eventual “apology” by Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News. The Panel was troubled by the content of the apology especially the part concerning the source of the documents. In the “apology” Rather said that Burkett had “changed” the source of th documents and it could not be verified. The Panels notes that its is confused by that statement noting that 60 Minutes Wednesday had not attempted to verify any source.

Rather told the Panel that he did not agree with the apology, but made the apology and granted the interview to WCBS in New York to support CBS and CBS News. He told the Panel that he continues to believe that the documents and their content are correct. The Panel finds this troubling.

The Panel also criticizes 60 Minutes Wednesday executives for allow Mary Mapes to contact the Kerry campaign at the insistence of Burkett. The story that Mapes tells about the contact contradicts statements by John Howard, Executive Producer, Betsy West, Sr. VP, and Mary Murphy, Senior Producer. It also conflicts somewhat with the recollection of Joe Lockhart of the Kerry campaign.

While the Panel was unable to resolve the conflicts in the statements or whether Mapes had received permission to call Lockhart, the Panel finds any contact inappropriate.

There is much more in the document that you can read for yourself. It is almost like a novel with all the little plot twists, lies, and, yes, videotape.

The conclusion of the Panel are interesting. While it find the segment to be unfair and not balanced, it does not believe that it was part of a political agenda. The Panel, in my estimation, failed to grasp the role of Mapes and Rather in the development of this story over a period of years. Mapes had first looked into the President Guard Service when he ran for Governor of Texas. She continued on this “crusade” during the 2000 Election, and, obviously, in the 2004 election. Her “myopic zeal” was intended to change the course of the election. If this does not embody a political agenda, then the Kerry campaign was not running for office.

I believe the Panel was correct in finding that Mapes was the motivating force behind the segment. Unfortunately, they place little responsibility on Dan Rather. Rather had worked with Mapes on this story for more than five years. He was also willing and eager to change the course of the election. He is equally as culpable as Mapes for the tone and tenor of the segment and the failure of Mapes and her 60 Minutes Wednesday colleagues to prepare a fair and balanced segment. This failure and Rather's complicity in it should have earned him a dismissal or resignation. It did not.

Of the four individuals ousted by CBS News only Mapes was fired. The others, Josh Howard, Mary Murphy, and Betsy West were asked to resign. Dan Rather and Andrew Heyward, CBS News President, were spared any punishment.

According to reports, Heyward was spared reassignment, resignation, or dismissal because he told Betsy West to investigate the story thoroughly before it aired. The timing of that request was hours before the segment was aired. West, for some reason, chose not to follow this directive and did not use her position to postpone or cancel the segment. I agree that West should have been dismissed.

There is also no doubt that Josh Howard and Mary Murphy were culpable for their failure to properly supervise Mary Mapes and the segment. As noted earlier, Mapes’ reputation, experience, and long-standing relationship with Dan Rather more than likely intimidated a production team that had just joined the program. The September 8th show was the first with segments from the new production team. While that is no excuse for poor judgement and leadership, it does explain, in part, how Mapes “railroaded” the sgement into production.

Following the release of the report, CBS President Leslie Moonves, issue a statement that, in part, demonstrated what CBS News will do to prevent this type of reporting in the future.

Moonves' statement reads, in part:
"The Panel finds that the report was "crashed" -- rushed onto the air -- to beat the perceived competition, and it further says "the fact is that basic journalistic steps were not carried out in a manner consistent with accurate and fair reporting, leading to countless misstatements and omissions." Indeed, there were lapses every step of the way -- in the reporting and the vetting of the segment and in the reaction of CBS News in the aftermath of the report.

"As far as the question of reporting is concerned, the bottom line is that much of the September 8th broadcast was wrong, incomplete, or unfair. The Panel found that the producer of the segment, Mary Mapes, ignored information that cast doubt on the story she had set out to report -- that President Bush had received special treatment more than 30 years ago, getting into the Guard ahead of many other applicants, and had done so to avoid service in Vietnam. As the Panel found, statements made by sources were ignored, as were notes in Mapes' own files.

"Most troubling, however, are the Panel's findings regarding Mapes' ongoing contention, later proven to be false, that the documents used in the story were authenticated and had been obtained from a "rock-solid" source who had established, in retrospect, a questionable chain of custody for them. The Panel also found that Mapes presented half-truths as facts to those with whom she worked. And they trusted her, relied on her impressive reputation and proven track record, and did not hold her to the high standards of accountability that have always been the backbone of CBS News reporting."

The panel recommended, and Moonves agreed to appoint, a new Senior Vice President of Standards and Special Projects, a job that will report directly to the President of CBS News. Moonves named Linda Mason, a long-time CBS producer and executive producer, to the position.

CBS also promised to make some other changes:
"If the validity of information presented in a segment comes under a significant challenge, such as occurred with the 60 Minutes Wednesday segment, reporting on the challenge will not be left entirely in the hands of those who created the segment at issue. Instead, an additional team, led by someone not involved in the original segment, will be assigned to take the lead in the coverage.

"In sensitive stories relying on sources who cannot be identified on the air, senior management must, when appropriate, know not just the name of the source, but all relevant background that would assist in editorial news decisions. Difficulties in this regard should be reviewed with the Standards Executive.

"CBS News management must make it clear to all personnel that competitive pressure alone cannot be allowed to prompt the airing of a story. As the Panel points out, it would have been better to "lose" the story on the disputed memos to a competitor than to air it short of vetting to the highest standards of fairness and accuracy.

"Correspondents, producers and associate producers must disclose to the executive producer and senior producers all relevant information unearthed in reporting the story, both supporting and challenging the segment's findings.

"On primetime broadcasts, all on-camera interviews done for a segment, whether or not aired, should be reviewed by the person assigned script review responsibility to ensure that the segment presents fairly and accurately what was said in the interviews and is not contradicted by interviews which do not appear in the finished segment.

"CBS News producers and management will work closely with the CBS Communications area to ensure that all information provided to the department and then disseminated to the public is fair and accurate.

"CBS News management should require correspondents to regularly and fully participate to the maximum extent possible in the preparation, vetting and pre-broadcast screening of stories. Management should review instances where the press of other responsibilities does not permit this and make any appropriate changes to the production and vetting structure to take account of reality."

Will all these changes help CBS News regain its credibility? Only, in part, the Aftermath did more than the segment to severely damage the credibility of CBS News and the 60 Minutes franchise. For the near future political figures and others involved in controversial issues will, more than likely, shy away from CBS reporters and producers.

Will CBS News survive? Yes, but it will (and should) be a very different organization.

Moonves did make a comment that seems to contradict statements of Dan Rather. Rather said when he announced his retirement from the anchor chair, that the ongoing investigation into the segment had “nothing” to do with his “retirement” from the CBS Evening News.

Moonves has a slightly different take on the subject. In his statement, Moonves suggested that leaving the anchor chair was a part of the changes required at CBS News. He said that given Rather’s decision to leave the anchor chair in March, “we believe any further action would be inappropriate.”

What’s next? Reports are that morale at CBS News is at an all time low. It should be. The organization proved it could not produce a fair and appropriate segment on a controversial issue. It did, however, demonstrate that, if forced to, it would hold accountable lower level individuals responsible for the failure.

Morning Briefing - 1.11.05

Good morning . . .

The report released on Rathergate has produced a flurry of activity and, for the most part, a lack of serious analysis by the media. As I scanned the dial last evening, only Fox News did any serious reporting and concluded that the Panel wrongly concluded that there was no political bias. There will be more on Rathergate in a special report later today.

There was plenty of activity at the Supreme Court yesterday. With an agenda that includes several hot issues, the Court has decided not to hear several controversial issues that will more than likely appear on the Court's doorstep later.

Among cases the Court declined to review is an appeal of the conviction of former US Rep. James Trafficant, and the ban on gay adoption in Florida.

In the latter case, a gay advocacy group, Lambda Legal said that the case "deserves to be heard." The 1977 which is the first state law to ban gay adoption says in part, "No person eligible to adopt under this statute may adopt if that person is a homosexual."
Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Challenge to Ban on Homosexual Adoption -- 01/10/2005

More in the Afternoon Update.

Monday, January 10, 2005

Afternoon Update

Good Afternoon . . .

I have spent the better part of the day reading and analyzing the report on Rathergate. It does make some interesting reading. There is likely to be a SPECIAL REPORT from Check This Out tomorrow or Wednesday about the report and my analysis.

One thing that does stand out is that the producer of the segment, Mary Mapes, is singled out by the Panel as the bad guy. A cursory reading of the documents shows discrepancies and inconsistencies in her statements to other CBS staffers and the Panel.

One other interesting note, Dan Rather is taking tonight off. I guess he couldn't "handle the truth." Again, my cursory reading has Dan Rather out of touch with the story and Mapes. Rather, on the other hand, told the Panel he was very involved. Who do you believe?

Rathergate is not the first media scandal. Here is a link to a story on other media scandals.
My Way News

Prosecutirs in the Michael Jackson Case want the jury, once inpaneled, to hear testimony or depositions from 7 other boys who have been linked to Jackson sexually in press reports or other public and private accusations.

While Jakcson has not been charged with any of the other allegations. Prosecutors say it shows a pattern of behavior and should be admitted under a 1995 California law that allows testimony of other relevant acts that could be considered sex crimes.

Obviously, the defense will object to this or any other testimony that corroborates Jackson's behavior with underage boys.
ABC News: Jackson Prosecutors Want Jurors to Hear About Seven Other Boys

The Kerry Spot on National Review has several comments and thoughts about the Rathergate Report. TKS on National Review Online

More tomorrow

The Morning Briefing - 1.10.05

Good morning . . .

The weekend providing little if any news. There were plenty of tsunami stories and storm stories from the West Coast, but little else of substance. I did notice, however, that tragedy and scare TV locally and nationally gave more time to the tsunami story than weather problems in the US. On Chicago stations the tsunami story received 7 to 12 minutes of time, the West Coast storms 2 to 3 minutes. I guess tragedy TV can relate more to big waves than 19 FEET of snow.

There is, however BIG News today that is just breaking. The long-awaited report on Rathergate has been released and CBS is taking action.

Four CBS staffers have been fired for their role in the creation of the story of President Bush's National Guard Service that aired on 60 Minutes Wednesday. The report says that "myopic zeal" led to the creation and airing of the now discredited story.

The network fired Mary Mapes, producer of the story, Josh Howard, the executive Producer of 60 Minutes Wednesday, Howard's chief deputy, Mary Murphy, and Senior Vice President Betsy West. The network did not, however, take any action against CBS News President Andrew Heyward nor any further action against Dan Rather.

CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said that Rather's (weak) apology and retirement from the anchor desk did not warrant any further action from the network.

The independent investigators - former Attorney General Richard Thornberg and Louis Biccardi, retired CEO of the Associated Press - could find no evidence of a political agenda driving the story. Obviously, the investigators were not aware of Mary Mapes' four year journey to get George Bush. Or did they just ignore that fact.

The report noted that the rush to break the story led to a report that was neither fair nor balanced and violated most CBS ethics and journalistic standards. Yet, there is no action against Heyward or Rather. CBS noted that no action would be taken against Heyward since he "explicitly urged caution."

The report further noted that the "strident defense" of the story by Rather, Heyward, and others compounded the damage done to CBS News's credibility. Again, the defense of the story by Heyward should be enough for action against him.

One of the staffers that was terminated by CBS, Betsy West, is a minor player in the Rathergate scenario. According to the report she was asked by Josh Howard to investigate the credibility of the memos, but failed to do so. When you consider her role compared to Rather and Heyward, you have to wonder why CBS has decided not to move against them.

So, far there is no information about changes recommended by the investigators or what CBS and CBS News will do to prevent "myopic zeal" in the future.

My guess nothing.
Yahoo! News - CBS Fires Four Staffers After Memo Probe
CBS News | CBS Ousts 4 For Bush Guard Story | January 10, 2005�11:02:25

The Supreme Court opens a new session today with many important cases on its agenda. Over the next several months the court will be hearing cases on prison terms, internet file-swapping, and drug patents.

The session will begin without Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Rehnquist is still recovering from treatment for thyroid cancer. The Chief Justice will be working from his home in Virginia, as well as, his office in the Court building. No announcement has been made about when Rehnquist will return to the bench.

The Court also announced today that it will not be hearing a case filed by former Presidential candidate Ralph Nader. The Court turned down Nader's appeal of a decision from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The PA Court upheld a lower court ruling blocking 6,000 signatures on Nader petitions. The court said that the while the signatures may have been from eligible voters, PA law says that signatures on a petition must be from registered voters.
Yahoo! News - High Court Declines Hear Nader's Case

For more stories on upcoming cases at the Supreme Court, follow the link below.
Yahoo! News - Politics - Supreme Court

I will be reading the CBS report into Rathergate. So, there may not be an Afternoon Update.

Friday, January 07, 2005

Afternoon Update - 1.7.05

The former finance director for Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign has been indicted on charges of causing false campaign finance reports to be filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The indictment of David Rosen stems from a fund-arising gala for Clinton in August 2000. The junior senator from New York was still first lady at the time.

The four counts of the indictment charge Rosen with knowingly provide false documents to the Commission that overstated contributions to Clinton and understating costs of the events.

If convicted, Rosen could receive 5 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count.

It is likely that Senator Clinton and her husband were aware of the false reports and approved them
wnbc.com - Politics - Hillary Clinton's Campaign Finance Director Indicted

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) may not be a very good Senator, but she is branching out into acting.

The AP is publishing pictures of the liberal Democrat crying as she joined the objection to the Electoral Vote in Ohio.

There is nothing more phony than a phony and Senator you are one of the biggest phonies in politics.
Yahoo! News - Top Stories Photos - AP

The airline price war is heating up. Earlier this week Delta announced a dramatic cut in fares along with the elimination of Saturday night stays. The Atlanta based airline also announced a top fare of $599.

American Airlines quickly followed suit, but did not set a fare cap.

Now other airlines including United, Continental, US Airways, and Northwest are announcing similar price and rules restructuring.

The reduction in fares and other changes are in response to the growth of low fare airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue.
Northwest, US Airways, United and American are all now matching or coming close to matching Delta's 50 percent fare cuts in competing markets

If events warrant, more in the Evening Update or Weekend Briefing.

Morning Briefing - 1.7.05

Good morning . .

The flurry of activity on Capitol Hill on Thursday demonstrated the inability of the media to adequately cover important events and the liberal democrats inability to make sense.

As noted in yesterday's Afternoon Update, House Democrats showed a lack of understanding of the election process. At one point, nearly every Constitutional Amendment was mentioned as covering elections. While there may be some Amendments that would cover some aspects of a Federal election, elections are the responsibility of the individual states. The House wants Federal guidelines to cover elections. Can you imagine the huge bureaucracy needed to run elections? Can you imagine the huge cost for this new Federal Agency? Who will pay? You and I. But the saving grace is Congress will not be able to pass that kind of legislation, the President would probably veto that bill, and the Courts would eventually find the law to be unconstitutional on states rights grounds.

The Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General turned into a partisan squabble and grandstanding by liberal Democrats. Sens, Kennedy, Schumer, Biden, et al did nothing to forward the nomination or the Democratic agenda. They did, however, demonstrate that the obstructionist policy of the past is the policy of the future. In fact, Sen. Kennedy continued to ask for more time because he was making too many speeches and asking too few questions. For some reason, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) allowed the senior Senator from Massachusetts more time. During one round of questions, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) used his entire time to make a speech. No questions, just speech making. Chairman Specter decided to make a little joke of it saying that Sen. Biden might use the time before the next round to formulate a question.

Before becoming the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) said that he would support Bush nominees and the Patriot Act. During yesterday's hearing Specter questioned the value of the Patriot Act. So, much for support for the Patriot Act. Is it too late to remove Specter as chairman?

The most disturbing aspect of yesterday's Congressional activity was the number of Representative and Senators that failed to vote on the objection to the Ohio Electoral vote. 25% of Senators and 30% of House members did not vote. Commentators on CSPAN suggested that the members had left town early. Congress does not reconvene until after the Inauguration. So, members of Congress work three days and then have two weeks off. What a job

The atheist who sued to have "under God" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance because he did not want his daughter exposed to religion has filed another suit in Federal Court.

Michael Newdow has filed suit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia saying that the use of prayer at the Inauguration is unconstitutional.

Newdow filed a similar suit in the 9th District in San Francisco, but the suit was dismissed because Newdow did not suffer and "specific injury." Although dismissed by one Court, it did not prevent Newdow from filing a similar case in another Federal District. A hearing is set for Jan. 14.
Las Vegas SUN: Atheist Sues to Thwart Inauguration Prayer

More in the Afternoon Update.

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Evening Update

The murder conviction of a Texas mother was overturned by an appeals court Thursday.

The court rules that evidence presented by the prosecution psychiatrist was wrong and could have unduly influenced the jury. The psychiatrist, Dr. Park Dietz, said that Yates had gotten the idea to murder her children from an episode of 'Law and Order.' The episode described by Dietz showed a case similar to Yates', Attorneys for both sides later learned that no such episode existed.

The ruling could result in a new trial for Yates, but prosecutors are planning to appeal the ruling and reinstate the conviction and sentence.
Yahoo! News - Andrea Yates' Murder Conviction Overturned

Here is a link to this week's column by Ann Coulter.
HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE :: Liberals Love America Like O.J. Loved Nicole by Ann Coulter