CBS Says Dan Rather Is Nuts

CBS says it takes an absence from reality to take Dan Rather’s lawsuit against CBS seriously that he was dismissed in a widespread conspiracy to cover up for Bush among CBS’ liberal management.

In CBS’s response to New York’s Supreme Court, the network says as much:

"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."

CBS also says,

"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."

I’d love to be Mike Wallace showing up at Dan Rather’s door to ask a few questions, but I’m sure that CBS’ lawyers can do an admirable job of exposing the Rather sham.

The Silicon Alley Insider, a NY digital business blog, comments: “The company took the predictable stance: Dan Rather was once a great man and a valued colleague. It's too bad he has since gone insane.”

See this summary, to refresh on the saga of Rather’s unwinding.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS leaves out the juicy quotes from CBS. So much for fraternal nuttiness.

Friday morning update:
The New York Times, also, doesn’t find space for CBS’ quotes, no surprise there, but entertainment’s Variety recognizes a looney Rather script.