CBS has struck back against Dan Rather's lawsuit alleging the network made him a scapegoat for his discredited Air National Guard story about President Bush shortly before Election Day 2004.

The network filed a 30-page motion in New York Supreme Court Thursday to dismiss the case claiming it was "mystified and saddened by the baseless and self-serving allegations and distortions of fact raised in his lawsuit."

As reported by the New York Observer (h/t Charles Johnson, emphasis added throughout):

"Dan Rather is one of the most important figures in the history of broadcast journalism, and for more than 40 years was one of our most valued colleagues," CBS said in the statement. "That is why we at CBS are mystified and saddened by the baseless and self-serving allegations and distortions of fact raised in his lawsuit."

"Today we are filing a motion to dismiss," added the statement. "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."

Maybe even better, CBS questioned Rather's motives for the suit: