INDC Journal reports on several breaking news items regarding the collusion between the Kerry campaign and CBS News producer Mary Mapes. Apparently, CBS was not only lying about the "unimpeachability" of their source -- a serial crank with an axe to grind against the TANG -- but was ALSO lying when they claimed that "journalistic ethics" prevented them from revealing their source.
It now comes out that CBS had no problem revealing Mr. Burkett and his "information" to at least one senior member (Joe Lockhart) of the Kerry campaign, even before their initial broadcast. A second campaign member (Former Senator and official Bush-campaign victim Max Cleland) also was contacted by Burkett. Which of course leaves any claim of "confidentiality" and "newsman's shield" in total tatters. What remains to be seen is how coincidental the Favorite Son ad campaign that featured the CBS 60 Minutes II charges was, given the close co-operation between the CBS producer and the Kerry campaign.
Somebody know McCain-Feingold well enough to know if the 60 Minutes II broadcast could be an illegal corporate advertisement? And given that the connections were hidden, whether it violates further disclosure statutes? Are CBS's owned & operated licenses in danger? Where does the 1st Amendment enter?
Seems to me that we've still just seen the tip of the iceberg, just that the iceberg got much, much larger. And now we know why they stalled. What did Dan Rather know, and when did he know it? Someone should subpoena CBS internal emails.