by Paul Schingle

Created on: August 01, 2009   Last Updated: August 02, 2009

While the notion of Katie Couric dumbing down the news may very well be accurate, Dan Rather should not be among those who is casting stones. I happen to think that, in his prime, Dan Rather was a pretty good reporter. I also happen to think Katie Couric is an embarassment to herself, CBS and the news industry as a whole. But, let's face it. With the whole "doctored-up" documents on George W. thing still pretty fresh in everybody's mind, Dan Rather is just not in a position to speak negatively of other reporters-whether what he says is true or not. Right now, credibility is not Dan Rather's strong suit.

As is often the case with helium, answering this question could very well hinge on how it is interpreted. If, by "right" the question means "accurate" then one could fairly easily answer for the other side. However, if one was to interpret the word "right" to mean "just" then it's hard to defend Dan Rather. If I'm Dan Rather, I'm hanging pretty low for a while (and I mean a long while) before questioning other reporters and their style.

False documentation to prove a point is a pretty serious offense in journalism. Rather can't just expect to bounce back from it in a matter of moments. And, to my mind, the worst thing he can do is point fingers at others. For many, this just dredges up memories of his own past transgressions. Think before you speak, Dan.

Now, on the issue of George W. Bush essentially "hiding" in the Air National Guard, unable to produce positive evidence as to where he was during an eight-month stretch, and basically, doing everything he could to keep out of Viet Nam, I have no doubt of that. His daddy was an important Texas congressman, who could easily have pulled strings.

Everything about the whole situation just smells of a spoiled little rich kid getting out of active duty because of connections. But, none of this excuses Dan Rather for having used forged documents to make the president look bad. That particular president had no problems making himself look bad every time he opened his mouth. But, in the world of journalism, what Dan Rather did was inexcusable. Period.

On the issue of Katie Couric dumbing down the news, I have no argument. I mean, look at the history. She used to co-host the "Today" show, for crying out loud. No one takes those early morning "news" programs seriously. She giggles and essentially looks foolish any time she tries to read the news.

To steal a line from an old Don Henly song, "She can tell you about the plane crash, with a gleam in her eye." Yes, there is no doubt, Katie Couric dumbs down the news. Dan Rather just isn't the one who should be pointing it out.

Is Dan Rather right to accuse Katie Couric of dumbing down and tarting up the news? Because of my interpretation of the question, I'd have to say no. By "right," I'm taking it to mean "...does Dan Rather have the right..." and with his past, he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

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