oneplanetmikey

One of my favourite television journalists is former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather.  Mr Rather, you may remember, was forced to resign two years ago by network chiefs after 60 Minutes broadcast a story about George Bush Jr., that was later found to have use falsified documents. 

Mr Rather is now suing his former employer for $USD 70 million, citing breach of contract.  There must be quite a bit of that going on as here in Australia the sublime Mary Kostakidis is suing SBS for breach of contract as well.  

In his filed claim, Rather states that CBS attempted to tarnish his reputation to pacify an aggrieved White House. 

All in all, it was an inglorious exit for one of America’s best, and most hated journalists.    Hated, because Dan Rather appears to be a card carrying liberal, and the Christian right in the US has problems with ‘difference’.  There are even websites exposing his liberal bias.

But I like Dan.  I like him because he is on the left, and has a deft turn of phrase, such as these examples from election nights gone by;

“The election is closer than Lassie and Timmy,”

“Keep in mind they are teetotally meetmortally convinced they have Ohio won.”

But who here in Australia is worth liking on commercial televison?  Nobody. 

It is worth noting that here in Australia on election night, we will have Mel and Kochie  presenting Seven’s converage.  It is also worth nothing that 6.30 is when the US network news bulletins are screened, while here in Australia we have Tracey Grimashaw and Anna Cretin presenting their nightly bucket of shit. 

Australian journalists have let themselves down.  Australian journalists have let the country down.  Australian journalists are, mostly, used-car salesman selling us lemons.  Thank God for The 7.30 Report and Lateline.

You know what?  I am as mad as hell, and I am glad I don’t wantch anymore.