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:: MAX BLACK ::

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." --C.S. Lewis

"The Swiss pocket knife of conservative thought on the web..." - Eli Kardrakian

"Bookmark Max and dump your subscription to the newspaper; if you don't have a birdcage you really don't need it anyway..." - Shirley St. James

:: Saturday, September 11, 2004 ::

60 Minutes 'Research Methodology' Exposed

Ed Morrisey has uncovered some interesting correspondence from a 60 Minutes producer "trolling" for disgruntled military and their families. This is a very revealing window into how CBS shamelessly concocts their 'reportage' to suit their political agenda. In view of the Rather scandal, one would think 60 Minutes had learned their lesson but--no way--they're still at it.

It's obvious the way the following cattle-call is worded how 60 Minutes would craft this piece. It's also notable how it would magically key with the now discredited 'Rathergate' story leading one to surmise the producers are conspiring to stack their reportage against the administration in the weeks before the election. I suppose there's nothing really new in all of this--everybody knows CBS is just a shill for the Kerry campaign--it's just compelling to see the Blogosphere exposing the fraud days and even weeks before this slimy attack is probably intended to air. Here's the email from 60 Minutes producer Leslie Cockburn with an introduction by the Captain:

According to this post, Cockburn's objective approach to CBS News investigations are displayed for all to see in an e-mail sent to Lessin's organization, the anti-war Military Families Speak Out. Cockburn starts with a belief and rather than test the hypothesis honestly, Cockburn trolls for only that testimony which will support the CBS position:

As per our conversation, I am producing a 60 Minutes piece (with Kroft) which addresses the following:

In light of our recently passed 416 billion dollar defense appropriations bill, I am disturbed to hear stories of lack of the most basic supplies among the troops in Iraq.

These include out of date weapons, lack of radios, inadequate water supplies, problems with vests, humvees, troops forced to purchase their own equipment etc. I would like to hear from any family who knows of such problems. I am particularly interested in shortages within the last few months.

I am also interested in maintenance problems...backlogs of repairs on
vehicles and helicopters that may put troops in danger.

In looking at the stories from the field, I am trying to determine whether the Guard is experiencing more difficulties than other forces and also whether these problems continue regardless of promises to fix them.

If any of the families have documentary evidence of problems, photos from the field , home videos and letters etc, I am of course interested.

my [sic] email is LCCockburn@aol.com. (I am based in Washington DC. 202 342 9488)

Many thanks,

Leslie

[emphasis mine -ed.]

Surprise surprise--Bush is screwing the very same National Guard that he joined to avoid the serving in Vietnam--what an odd coincidence...very odd indeed.

Draw your own conclusions.

:: Max 2:44 PM [+] ::
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