CBS "Mystified" by Dan Rather's "Bizarre Allegations", Files Motion to Dismiss
MORE
NYTV
Today, in New York Supreme Court, in response to Dan Rather's civil lawsuit, CBS filed a lengthy 30-page motion to dismiss the case.
CBS executives also released a statement today, noting that they are "mystified" by Rather's "bizarre allegations" but will "vigorously" defend themselves in court if need be.
"Dan Rather is one of the most important figures in the history of broadcast journalism, and for more than 40 years was one of our most valued colleagues," CBS said in the statement. "That is why we at CBS are mystified and saddened by the baseless and self-serving allegations and distortions of fact raised in his lawsuit."
"Today we are filing a motion to dismiss," added the statement. "If we are required to proceed beyond this point, we will defend the case vigorously and demonstrate that the lawsuit is wholly without merit, and that the bizarre allegations by Mr. Rather are untrue."
UPDATE: In the motion, CBS lawyers argue that Mr. Rather's lawsuit is a "thinly-disguised" defamation suit and therefore is time-barred because of a one-year statute of limitations. To wit: They point out that the last "allegedly wrongful act" took place on June, 16 2006, and that Mr. Rather did not file suit until September 19, 2007, roughly 15 months later.
Furthermore, CBS lawyers argue that Mr. Rather's actions are motivated not by any wrongful actions on the part of the defendants but, instead, by Mr. Rather's desire to stay in the limelight.
"This lawsuit is a regrettable attempt by plaintiff Dan Rather to remain in the public eye, and to settle old scores and perceived slights, based on an array of far-fetched allegations," the lawyers write.
"The Complaint is predicated on allegations of a bizarre 'scheme' extending from the White House to an array of CBS executives including Sumner Redstone, CBS's Executive Chairman, Leslie Moonves, CBS's Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew Heyward, formerly president of CBS News, all of whom, according to Rather, colluded to harm Rather's reputation and keep him off the air," add CBS lawyers. "Of course, there was no such nefarious scheme, and Rather's allegations bear no resemblance to reality. CBS and its executives are not now, and never have been, out to get Dan Rather."
Dan Rather could say that ice cream doesn't melt on the surface of the sun and I would believe it over any CBS Network lawyer, administrator or CEO rebuttal statement. In fact, I would find it an exercise in futility to so much as listen to their rebuttal.
Dan Blather is infamous for concocting conspiracy theories.
It would be great if the suit moves forward and plays out in parallel with the 2008 campaign. Of course, mainstream media coverage may be less than diligent.
OK, I confess - I'm Dan Rather and I'm trying to pimp this story a bit. Hey, if Nixon could make a comeback in '68, certainly I can pull it off in '08!
Dan Rather should apply at the Communist News Network (CNN). He lied,and got caught.....Dan should bow his head in shame.I'm sorry if he did that the flaming liberals might think he's praying.
Hey Republican and proud: Here's a clue - the Cold War is over. Maybe you haven't heard, since Fox is coming up on 20 years late in reporting it. God bless America!
So whats he worried about he has a job with the terrorist loving Mark Cuban. The two of them can bring down the USA and the soldiers together.
Doub it is actually Dan Rather posting anonymously
Rathers attorney claimed that he was one of the most trusted reporters for natural disasters and CBS had no business getting rid of him. During hurricane andrew Rather announced that the killer storm had passed through southeast Florida and is heading straight for Ft. Myers FL... if you haven't left Ft. Myers yet it is too late. Rathers comments terrified many people including my 74 year old mother who thought she was ready to die. The storm passed 70 miles south of Ft. Myers and we barely got a strong breeze. Rathers sensationalism was reckless.
Hey Brennan: Just the two of them, all by themselves? Wow, they must be more powerful than the whole Communist News Network!
You should change your name to 'Idiot and proud'.
Dan Rather is a buffoon. That he is regarded as "one of the most important figures in the history of broadcast journalism" demonstrates the low standards of the craft.
No one's out to get you, Dan. No one cares. You were a useful idiot and you got used like the tool you were. Live with your own choices and give up the blame game. Now be a man and suck it up. You've got no one to blame but yourself.
Uh-oh. Drudge has linked the story, so here come all the mouthbreathing halfwit Republicans...
If it wasn't for fox news You wouldn't know what ta hell was going on.
A flamer that mentions the word war, That's strange. But were not at war now? Sadam used WMD against the kurds in the 80's. But he learned his lesson and destroyed all those nasty WMD's HaHaHa.... That may be your tail...but I sit on mine....
Don't be an idiot "parsons". Dan is a dishonest pcs of S@#@t.
He lied and tried to get away with it and got BUSTED. They should flog his liberal arse.
Ahmen to that Fox Fan
CBS: Live by the nutbar, die by the nutbar...
Dan the robot... Writers post text on tela-prompter. Dan read text.... watch Dan Read...
JOEL FROM PALM BEACH
SAD TO SEE A ONCE RESPECTED NEWSMAN FALL TO LIAR AND HASBEEN STATUS.
HE USUALLY TOLD THE TRUTH, AS HE SAW IT, BUT HIS ZEAL TO DISS MR. BUSH WAS HIS UNDOING.
TOO BAD HE HAS FALLEN SO FAR-BUT HE BROUGHT IT ON HIMSELF. NO SYMPATHY FOR THIS BUM.
JOEL FROM PALM BEACH
SAD TO SEE A ONCE RESPECTED NEWSMAN FALL TO LIAR AND HASBEEN STATUS.
HE USUALLY TOLD THE TRUTH, AS HE SAW IT, BUT HIS ZEAL TO DISS MR. BUSH WAS HIS UNDOING.
TOO BAD HE HAS FALLEN SO FAR-BUT HE BROUGHT IT ON HIMSELF. NO SYMPATHY FOR THIS BUM.
if ever there was a more self absorbed media news reader, they have not yet appeared. Blather is opinionated and got caught concocting stories to nail his long term hate with the Bushes.
He is a joke.
Rather seems to be backsliding to that day when he was kidnapped off the streets of NYC, by "someone" who kept asking him, "What's the Frequency, Dan?" If you really think CBS brass would collude with the White House against Rather, then perhaps you need to get your frequency re-tuned big time.
For 2 weeks in September 04, Rather went on the offensive each night to millions of viewers, telling the world to "trust him and move along", all the while he was participating in numerous emergency management meetings at CBS which, to any reasonably awake 7th grader, had concluded that the memos were fakes.
At some point, it became a cover-up. That is, Dan knew he was telling an untruth, and was doing so hoping that it would save embarassment to him and his team.
30 years ago, Dan, you could have waited them all out. But with the "internets" and such, your cover-up became the story.
You became Nixon.
And your malice as the active participant in the cover up is your legacy.
Schoolbooks 25 years from now will refer to Watergate and Rathergate. Congratulations.
What's the Frequency Kenneth?
I am sure that Dan Rather believes everyone is out to get him. Being that he is "famous", most people write it off as a quirk. If he wasn't famous, they would likely have him on medications.
How ironic; if this goes to trial CBS will now have to prove the story was bogus.
Everything Rather said about Bush was true. CBS bowed to the right-wing smear machine.
Everything Rather said about Bush was true. CBS bowed to the right-wing smear machine.
He dropped a false story into the news right before a Presidental election without a chance of rebuttal. In this same election FL. was declared for Gore against the exit poll data and was not reversed until after the voting centers were closed in West FL.
Now he wants to re-write the record by betting a friendly Democratic administration will support another grab for power.
When all the news networks say the same thing every night you have to wonder, is it really news?
Thank God for Fox and Rush Limbaugh.
Drudge sold out.