those darn CBS memos

I watched the CBS report in dispute and didn't really think it presented any new information (that I hadn't already read in that infamous Salon article). I guess it was mainstream enough to trouble the hawks, though. FAIR has released an analysis of the CBS report and findings since then.

. . . media should not lose sight of the fact that if questions about how CBS reported this story are important, it is mainly because the story itself is important. The information in the memos that Knox vouched for includes assertions that Bush was suspended from flying for refusal to obey a direct order to take a required flight physical, and for failure to perform to standards of the Texas Air National Guard. Knox also bolsters the allegation that Bush's commanding officer was under pressure to "sugar coat" Bush's records-- and that he was willing to "backdate" records to benefit Bush.

The fact that someone was able to bring these charges to CBS, even though they no longer seem to exist in Bush's official records, lends at least some credence to the very serious charge that Bush's records have been sanitized. Whether or not CBS's journalistic standards will hold up under the scrutiny they will no doubt receive in coming days, it's clear that evidence of an official cover-up of Bush's service record is a more pressing story than whatever reportorial failings Dan Rather might be guilty of.

FAIR ACTION ALERT: The Mysterious Case of the CBS Memos