WP, Shales: "Dan Rather is a free man....We shall not see his like again."

[DeepModem Mom]

CBS to Rather: Good Night, And Good Luck
By Tom Shales
Wednesday, June 21, 2006; Page C01


The official end of a TV news anchor era: From left, NBC's Tom Brokaw, CBS's Dan Rather and ABC's Peter Jennings in 2004. (By Gregory Bull -- Associated Press)

Dan Rather is a free man. After an appropriately acrimonious final round of legal wrangling, his 44 years with CBS News came to an end yesterday -- or will come to an end today. Or will end Friday. There's a bit of confusion on that point.

Those who have followed the awkward exit of Rather from his position first as anchor of the "CBS Evening News" last year, then as a CBS News employee this year, often ask a simple question: How could a network for which Rather has done so much and served so loyally treat him so shabbily as the curtain falls?

Some think there is a strange personal grudge against Rather by CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves, who was quoted diplomatically in a CBS news release yesterday as saying of Rather, "The unique mark he has left on his craft is indelible." Others think there is intense pressure on CBS News President Sean McManus to clear Rather and all remnants of him from the premises in preparation for the arrival of Katie Couric, the former "Today" show host who will anchor the "Evening News" this fall and has a growing reputation in the business as the neediest diva on the block.

An explanation from one of Rather's many supporters inside the company: "We're dealing with a bunch of classic idiots."...

***

He was and remains a living legend in the business he loves, and the bumpy years that ended his CBS run cannot change that. One of Rather's former bosses, Sir Howard Stringer (now president of Sony Corp.), used to marvel that when he'd walk down the street with Rather, the anchor had a magnetic effect on people -- real people, who would come up to him to shake his hand or express a grievance or offer words of admiration....(W)atching the farewell report last night, one couldn't help thinking: We shall not see his like again. Ever. Because the domain he dominated is one of the things he is taking with him....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062001637.html

[Virginia Dare]

1. I just have a feeling...

we haven't heard the last from Dan Rather. He's got some stories to tell, and I believe he will tell them eventually.

[Warpy]

2. I hope Rather has a book in him

because I'm sure he is in a position to blow the lid off the whole infotainment as news business.

Of course, he'll have to have a lot of pictures in it to get the average schmuck to read it.

[bigscott]

3. i cannot wait to see KKKatie

fall on her face - she could never hope to CARRY DR's shoes - never mind FILL them!

[Sadie5]

4. Katie is a boot licker

for the GOP who sold out to the highest bidder. The public adored Rather and most will never believe in the forged paper incident, myself included. Katie will flop for her boot licking role in this. There will be a price to pay for her quick rise to fame.

[lutefisk]

5. She compromises her principles for personal gain

In other words, she's a:

http://www.answers.com/topic/whore

[Warpy]

6. She'll do OK as a paid propagandist

if she can manage to shed that perky girl next door persona that has worked so well for her on the Today Show. She's long outgrown it, and shedding it is overdue. Trying to do hard propaganda on the evening news will force the issue.

Either she allows herself to grow up, or she'll be out in record time.

[1monster]

7. He's already written a couple. One, THE CAMERA NEVER BLINKS,

traced his career to the mid seventies, I think.

I'm sure he has another one. And it should be a real dilly.

[LibDemAlways]

8. I, too, am waiting for the book.

I hope he kicks some serious ass, takes no prisoners, and explains, in detail, what it was like working for an organization that went over to the dark side and required him to either become a propagandist for the Bush Crime Family or face expulsion.