I've got Dan Rather's final sign-off from the anchor desk at the CBS Evening News for your perusal.
Surprisingly, Dan sounded rather erudite and philosophical in his final monologue.
"We've shared a lot in the 24 years we've been meeting here each evening. And before I say good night this night, I need to say thank you. Thank you to the thousands of wonderful professionals of CBS News, past and present, with whom it's been my honor to work over these years. And a deeply felt thanks to all of you who have let us into your homes night after night. It has been a privilege and one never taken lightly.I'm suitably impressed. Posted by mhking at March 9, 2005 08:35 PM"Not long after I first came to the anchor chair, I briefly signed off using the word 'courage.' I want to return to it now, in a different way, to a nation still nursing a broken heart for what happened here in 2001, and especially to those who found themselves closest to the events of September 11th. To our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in dangerous places. To those who have endured the tsunami, and to all who have suffered natural disasters and who must now find the will to rebuild. To the oppressed and to those whose lot it is to struggle in financial hardship or in failing health. To my fellow journalists in places where reporting the truth means risking all. And to each of you, courage. For the CBS Evening News, Dan
Rather reporting. Good night."
What would take "courage" is an apology to Dubya.
Posted by: Scooter at March 10, 2005 09:15 PM"Courage."
It's a wonderful sentiment. But doesn't it underscore the problem? That Dan is a fighter, not a reporter? An advocate, not dispassionate? A crusader, not an observer?
A passion to get to the Truth is both praiseworthy and inspiring. But when that passion inspires you to slacken your own standards (two sources - at least - before you tell a story), wouldn't Political Agenda allow itself to look to you like Journalistic Courage?
Posted by: Tuning Spork at March 12, 2005 12:01 AM