As the MRC’s Tim Graham noted earlier today, Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales provided conservatives with quite a laugh when he asserted in Wednesday’s edition of the paper that "even critics of Rather" would have to admit the man has firm "integrity." Appearing on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe," he went even further. According to Shales, Rather’s comments about Katie Couric "tart[ing]" up the news couldn’t have been sexist, because "liberals, so called, don't go around calling women names like that."
Does the name Don Imus ring any bells? "Morning Joe," with host Joe Scarborough, even airs in the exact same time slot, on the same network. How quickly people forget.
Tom Shales has been a long-time defender of Rather and often rhapsodizes about how smart he is.
A transcript of the exchange, which aired at 7:17am on June 13, follows:
Joe Scarborough: "Obviously, your story this morning was about Dan Rather. You know, Dan came on this show and we really didn't think twice about what he was saying. I mean, he talked about the ‘Today' show ethos. He talked about dumbing down the news, but we didn't take that so much as a personal attack against Katie as we did against what Rome Hartman and some of the people over at CBS tried to do when she first came on. What's your take? Do you think– You talked to Dan yesterday. Dan apologetic? Does he think– Do you think he was out of line?"
Tom Shales: "No. I mean, the word tarting is what just– It's too bad he used it because now people can say, ‘Oh, he's a sexist. He was talking about Katie's gender.’ And he wouldn't be that dumb, I mean, or impolitic. He has been called for years, he's been called a liberal by the right-wing. So, liberals, so called, don't go around calling women names like that. It was just an unfortunate choice of adjectives. And it was a cute phrase. I am sure he thought, dumbing down, tarting up. But he is very sincere. I mean, I think he thinks that TV news is going downhill. And of course, it has been for about 50 years."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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Words have meaning...Or so th
June 13, 2007 - 14:21 ET by TruthMongerWords have meaning...
Or so they told Trent Lott:)...
According to Shales, Rather
June 13, 2007 - 14:28 ET by general companyAccording to Shales, Rather’s comments about Katie Couric "tarting" up the news couldn’t have been sexist, because "liberals, so called, don't go around calling women names like that."
Cool, so what you are admitting is Rather is a liberal, thanks for the confirmation. Keep talking about it, we are all ears!!Liberal or Conservative
June 13, 2007 - 14:33 ET by kbworkmanWait, liberals don't talk like that? Then The Dan is a conservative??? But he can't be. They said he is a liberal and liberals don't... I'm so confused!!!
Whatever, I still don't like/trust him. So there.He has been called for years,
June 13, 2007 - 14:29 ET by mikejHe has been called for years, he's been called a liberal by the right-wing. So, liberals, so called, don't go around calling women names like that.
So is Shales calling himself a right winger or calling Rather a liberal? The way he worded the phrase it has to be one or the other.
BTW Shales, saying liberals don't use names like that? Then please enlighten us on Ted Rall.
"...liberals...don't go
June 13, 2007 - 14:37 ET by Jonn Lilyea"...liberals...don't go around calling women names like that".
Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Condi Rice and Katherine Harris might have contrary information regarding that quote.
This goes right along with th
June 13, 2007 - 14:52 ET by mattmThis goes right along with the twisted Liberal attitude that only Conservatives can be bigoted. They really believe they are superior human beings...it's actually quite pathological. But it explains alot...
Tarting?
June 13, 2007 - 15:05 ET by kbworkmanI found some definitions of tart.
tart (tärt)
n.
1.
a. A pastry shell with shallow sides, no top crust, and any of various fillings.
b. Chiefly British A pie.
2.
a. A prostitute.
b. A woman considered to be sexually promiscuous.
tr.v. tart·ed, tart·ing, tarts Chiefly British
To dress up or make fancy in a tawdry, garish way. Often used with up.
Since Rather didn't seem to be talking about pastery I think he was calling her a bad name,
Shame on you Don Imus, see what you started?
When we had the Molester-i
June 13, 2007 - 15:09 ET by MidAmericaWhen we had the Molester-in-Chief as president his administration and the MSM routinely called his victims/accusers trailer trash and bimbos.
It's strange to me that you w
June 13, 2007 - 15:12 ET by LeonIt's strange to me that you would call a man involved in a consensual sexual relationship with a grown woman a molestor.
Hell, it's strange to me that
June 13, 2007 - 15:14 ET by sarcasmoHell, it's strange to me that you'd call his relationship with Juanita Broaddrick "consensual."
JMR
hehe
June 13, 2007 - 15:43 ET by E4PukeZingggggggggg
I think poor Leon was referri
June 13, 2007 - 15:44 ET by Del DolemonteI think poor Leon was referring to Clinton's sexually exploitive relationship with a subordinate Federal employee-something that people like Leon (and the National Organization of Women) gave Bubbah a pass on.
If a sitting Republican President had done the same thing, of course, Leon and NOW would demand that he be taken out behind the barn and shot, preferably in the groin area.
Keep up the good work, Leon. You're great entertainment!
Yeah, you're right, but som
June 13, 2007 - 15:50 ET by sarcasmoYeah, you're right, but sometimes when one comes that low & slow over the plate I simply can't help myself...(I'll try to do something about it, maybe bite my lip, next time.)
JMR
baseball??
June 13, 2007 - 15:57 ET by E4Pukeso when you saw he wrote that you heard the crack of a home run in your head?
Is Bill Clinton in Syria ???
June 13, 2007 - 16:04 ET by LionKingIs Bill Clinton in Syria? The US Embassy in Syria issued this warning.
I wonder what Juanita Broderi
June 13, 2007 - 16:48 ET by mattmI wonder what Juanita Broderick or Kathleen Willey would say...
See: All the President's Victims
Tom Shales looks like a real
June 13, 2007 - 15:18 ET by AntiMediaTom Shales looks like a real ladies man.
He looks like a character out
June 13, 2007 - 17:18 ET by Mica the MagnificentHe looks like a character out of the "Little Rascals."
MTM, LOL!
June 13, 2007 - 18:55 ET by AntiMediaMTM,
LOL!
Hey Tom, forget it, Rather is
June 13, 2007 - 15:58 ET by CapitalismRulesHey Tom, forget it, Rather is done. He fouled up big time and he just keeps on trying to save his butt any way he can. Like all big media folks, his head has reached critical mass to the point where he thinks that he is God, stop trying to justify his stupidity.
A PS on blocking the ads----
June 13, 2007 - 18:57 ET by misterbillA PS on blocking the ads----you will still get extra line spaces between the posts, but it's a heckuva lot better than looking at the ads.
PPSAnd it doesn't 'stall' whe
June 13, 2007 - 19:13 ET byPPS
And it doesn't 'stall' when nyou're moving about, so all in all thanks MB
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.