Dan Rather bowed out of CBS after serving 44 years as a reporter and (since 1981) an important news anchor. Dan Rather was a reporters reporter whom Ive admired greatly. But I also believe that he would be still anchoring his news desk today (June 2006) if he could only rein in his political impulses. Those were the same liberal impulses that led him to challenge on-air President Richard Nixon in 1974, Vice President George H. W. Bush in 1998, and influenced him to approve the broadcast of a false document on President George W. Bushs military background in 2004. I believe Rather is made from the same straight-arrow mold as Edward Murrow who did not believe that a reporters main duty was just reporting whatever might be happening out there. The Murrow School believed (and still believes) that a journalist is also a public advocate of just causes, an advocate who acts on behalf of the people. I think that applies to Dan Rather as well. Rathers coverage of the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan, many hurricanes, 9-11 tragedy, space shuttle disasters, his interviews with many world leaders, and his countless great segments on 60 Minutes and 48 Hours will always be remembered as the best examples of American journalism in the 20th Century. I understand Rather is now joining forces with Dallas Mavericks owner billionaire Mark Cuban for an HDNet project. Im getting ready to enjoy the resurgence and renaissance of Dan Rather as the wise old counsel and ace liberal commentator on the brand new High Definition TV platform. I wish him well. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
