Rather-Gate Fallout

So now we finally see the consequences of CBS News reliance on forged documents for a story about Bush's National Guard service.

I really have no sympathy for those fired. They screwed up bad - real bad. However, what gets lost in the hubbub is the fact that while they relied on forged documents to support their claim, the claim was true. Bush did get preferential treatment to get into the guard. He did skip a mandated physical and was put on the "not eligible to fly" list. He was MIA for a year.

The fact is, he was just your typical son of a wealthy and powerful man, and got himself out of going to Vietnam. I really can't say I blame him, however by trying to pretend like he was some hot shot fighter pilot who fairly got into the Guard, and who performed all his duties as required, he's a hypocrite and a liar.

The issue is perception. Republican's would have you believe that since the documents were forged, the claim was false. That's simply bad logic. That was the damage that CBS did. The American public bought it.

It's amazing to me that in this day and age of mass communications, it's still possible to put patently false information into the mainstream, and people buy it. For example, more than 50% of the American public thinks Saddam had something to do with the attacks on 9/11. That notion has been completely debunked by the 9/11 Commission. However during the election Dick Cheney went around saying it was so. The press didn't call him on it, the American public bought it, and eventually it became "conventional wisdom".

That is the fault of the American public, and that is the fault of the press, who seem too cowardly to say to the President, "you're lying".

So, in the end, not only does Bush get a free pass for skipping Vietnam, and shirking guard duties (Cheney got 5 deferments), but John Kerry was painted as a traitor and liar by the Swift Boat Vets. How is that for spinning bullshit? The Republican's are so effective at spinning that they not only made Bush out to be some sort of war hero, but made the genuine war hero, Kerry, out to be some sort of Jane Fonda.

And more than half the American public bought it all.. Sad...