But Rather Still Has a Job at 60 Minutes II

Color me shocked, but C^BS has fired four people over Ra^therGate. Danno wasn't one of them. Here's my favorite quote from the story, though:

"The combination of a new 60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network’s news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles," the report said.

(Emphasis mine) Yet:

The timing of the story prompted charges of political bias against CBS News.

While the panel found that some actions taken by CBS News encouraged such suspicions, “the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 Minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content.”

(Emphasis mine.)

Right. There's a "zealous belief in the truth of the segment" by the producer and the anchor, and it comes out "during a tight and hotly contested presidential race," yet the panel "cannot conclude" that the "zealous belief" pushing the story was "a political agenda."

I'm surprised they found justification to fire anyone, then.

But, I have to admit, it was more than I expected.

UPDATE: I just heard on ABC radio news that the report "found no evidence" of a political agenda. That's not what I read. "We cannot conclude" is not equivalent to "no evidence of."

Further update: You've GOT to check out Ravenwood's discovery. LOL funny.