1. Jeff - You REALLY hit the nail on the head with this one. I thought it looked like CBS had an agenda when a blogger here showed katie Couric's interview with the Edwards family after the announcement of Elizabeth Edwards' cancer relapse. Katie came off as judgmental, even though her actions before her own husband died from colon cancer were similar.

Now this. Fire the consultant you don't like, retain the personnel you do like - in other words try to crib from Fox so you can up the ratings from last place. First, the evening TV newscast is becomming a dinasour in the internet age, and second, with their failed attempt to copy Fox - CBS with Katie is still at the bottom of the ratings bowl. Is it money? Is it politics? Is it desperation? YES - its all three.

BTW (and Greg, I hope you're reading - as I did appreciate your best wishes) I did decide to mud wrestle a little since the two latest additions to my paraplegia pill diet seem to be working (knock on wood). In addition, since I'm an ex-lawyer and Paul over at Powerline uses litigation techniques to apologize for the all too visible Republican mess we see every day, I don't think its fair for Jeff to have to practice law for years to pick up on Paul's tactics. So, the least I can do is expose them because it only takes me a few minutes. Jeff, I'll try to keep on top of things so you can get the truth out - but I do take days off; so even though its like putting a finger in the hole in the dike, some of the putrid water will still flood in. In case your keyboard was ringing a few hours ago, I did mention your name in a positive sense in my most recent expose on Paul's latest (as of a few hours ago) mediocre blog, so you might want to take a gander at how Paul does what he does. The techniques are not endless, though varied, and if you cut and paste into a "protect myself" file, after awhile you'll have most of them.

Phil at 11:16AM on May 12th 2007

2. Batiste is a Major General, not a General, he is two ranks junior to a general. He says the President "didn't listen". Well, major general's opinions are rarely heard in the White House. There are too many of them and the all think they are Alexander the Great reborn. They are not.

Now that he is retired, he has the "courage to dissent. He should have shown that courage when he was active and might have influenced those with the President ear. All these geniuses should get the grit to speak up, when it counts.

Wally Lind at 12:51PM on May 12th 2007

3. Wally Lind writes: "Now that he is retired, he has the "courage to dissent. He should have shown that courage when he was active and might have influenced those with the President ear. All these geniuses should get the grit to speak up, when it counts."

If Bush refuses to listen to almost 250,000,000 Americans, America's Congressional majority, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, an old warhawk like Henry Kissinger who thinks this war stinks, a TINY portion of Republican Senators (but, of course, Republican talk is cheap, their voting records will be the evidence on hand in the election) and likely 98% of the world's population, what on earth makes you think he'll listen to Batiste. Plus, the latest show of Republican bravery by supposedly confronting Bush was miraculously led by four Republican senators who were specifically targeted by VoteVet ads because they are up for re-election. I'm about as convinced of Republican congressional sincerity about ending this war as I was when Bill Frist mentioned (without any following action) a windfall oil profits tax. From now till election day, the spotlight will be on the Republican track record. After all, by then we'll have had 8 years of Republican hell (either the six year do nothing Republican Congress, or the new minority Republican obstructionists.) The GOP should change its name to the Steal and Kill Party - thats how the vast majority view them already so the name might as well be in sync with the truth.

Phil at 4:00PM on May 12th 2007

4. Good one Phil!!

The party of Morals.... Yeah... Do as we say, not as we do!! Come on 2008, hurry up and get here soon!!

pb at 4:40PM on May 12th 2007

5. Rosie, Peanut & Babs are BIG FAT PIGS!

robert at 10:38PM on May 12th 2007

6. @ Wally Lind (comment 2)

Even though, "Batiste says he remains a “diehard Republican” and has no intention of wading directly into the presidential campaign a la McClellan and MacArthur. He took part in the VoteVets.org campaign, he says, because it’s a “nonpartisan group.”, he's still a traitor in your eyes, is that right, Wally???

pboyfloyd at 2:45PM on May 13th 2007

7. Commenter number two doesn't know much about what military personel can and can't do. The General could have made these comments while still in the army and been brought up on charges resulting in serious consequences. Rising to the rank of General officer is not an everyday occurance. I regard General Batiste as a true patriot, a protector our countrys interest and survival.

Don Monson at 1:27PM on May 16th 2007