14 chapters across the catalog
A 1982 CBS News report by Dan Rather is revisited, showing that the "greenhouse effect" and predictions of Florida being flooded have been part of the media narrative for over 40 years. The archival footage features scientists warning that burning coal and oil would lead to agricultural disruption and rising sea levels. The consistency of these warnings over four decades is used to question the urgency of modern climate "emergencies."
Archival audio captures Dan Rather being physically assaulted by security on the floor of the 1968 DNC while Walter Cronkite denounces the "thugs" in charge. The hosts contrast this era of confrontational reporting with the 2024 DNC, which they claim was sanitized by the heavy use of social media influencers and strict control over dissent.
Greenhouse Effect Origins, 1982 Dan Rather Climate Report
A 1982 CBS News report featuring Dan Rather illustrates the early media focus on the "greenhouse effect" before the term "global warming" became dominant. The archival footage highlights scientific theories from 42 years ago regarding melting Antarctic ice and rising sea levels. The discussion contrasts these early 80s warnings with the "global cooling" and "new ice age" scares prevalent in mainstream media during the late 1970s.
Dan Rather Tweets, Beto O'Rourke Charlottesville Claim
Former news anchor Dan Rather and presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke continue to claim that President Trump called Nazis "fine people" in Charlottesville. This narrative persists despite transcripts showing Trump explicitly condemned neo-Nazis and white nationalists. O'Rourke used the claim to argue that the President's rhetoric leads directly to violence like the El Paso shooting.
Dan Rather, The Young Turks and Digital Media Rungs
Veteran news anchor Dan Rather joins The Young Turks on YouTube for a weekly news segment. The move is characterized as a significant step down in the media hierarchy, placing him on a "lower rung" than podcasting. The segment also clarifies the distinction between a television "station" and a "network," referencing Mark Cuban's HDNet ventures.
The hosts discuss the public conflict between Donald Trump and Fox News, specifically Megyn Kelly. Citing Dan Rather's analysis, they suggest the feud is a staged publicity stunt coordinated between Trump and Roger Ailes to boost ratings for both the candidate and the network.
Brian Williams NBC Scandal, Embellishment and Narcissism
The hosts deconstruct the credibility crisis facing NBC anchor Brian Williams following revelations of fabricated war stories in Iraq. They examine his past claims regarding Hurricane Katrina and saving a puppy, attributing his behavior to narcissistic personality disorder. A clip from an interview with Alec Baldwin is used to illustrate Williams' self-aggrandizement, while the hosts contrast his style with veteran journalist Dan Rather.
Media Reaction to Sony Hack, Political Tradecraft
The media response to the Sony hack is characterized as a frenzy involving figures like Dan Rather and Fareed Zakaria. A suggestion is made that Kim Jong-un should have invited Seth Rogen and James Franco to Pyongyang for a premiere as a masterstroke of political tradecraft. Pundits on CNN are criticized for treating the cancellation of a comedy film as a matter of dire national security.
Former news anchor Dan Rather appears on CNN to discuss ISIS as the first "social media war," comparing their propaganda techniques to those of the 1930s. Rather expresses ambivalence about the authenticity of the beheading videos and warns that "emotional knowledge" from graphic images is driving irrational foreign policy. The hosts praise Rather for subtly questioning the official narrative while criticizing his "Hitler card" comparison.
Dan Rather's CBS Exit and the Killian Documents
The hosts recount the 2004 scandal involving Dan Rather and forged documents regarding George W. Bush's National Guard service. They explain how the "superscript TH" typography in the memos proved they were created in Microsoft Word rather than a 1970s typewriter. This event led to Rather's departure from CBS and his subsequent move to HDNet.
Pope Francis, Dan Rather Ransom Commentary
Pope Francis reportedly made a personal phone call to the Foley family to offer condolences, an unusual move that drew significant media attention. Meanwhile, veteran journalist Dan Rather publicly stated that he would negotiate a ransom for any member of his team who was kidnapped, regardless of official government policy. Rather argued that loyalty to employees who take risks in the field necessitates such actions.
Osama Bin Laden, 2002 CBS News Dialysis Report
The hosts revisit a 2002 CBS News report by Dan Rather and Barry Peterson claiming Osama Bin Laden was receiving medical treatment in a Pakistani military hospital on the eve of September 11. They analyze the report as a piece of state-sponsored programming and discuss the long-standing rumors regarding Bin Laden's health and his status as a potential CIA asset.
Australian Natural Gas Project, Global Energy Reserves
A new $20 billion natural gas project has been approved on a protected island reserve in Australia. The hosts discuss global energy reserves, citing reports from Dan Rather about massive gas deposits in Russia and similar large discoveries in Louisiana that receive little media attention.
Dan Rather, HDNet and Old-Fashioned Investigative Reporting
The hosts comment on Dan Rather's current work for Mark Cuban's HDNet. They praise his expensive, old-fashioned style of investigative reporting on topics like the U.S.-Mexico border drug trade, but lament that such content has little impact because it is not picked up by the 24-hour news cycle of major networks.
