Hi Dan, about Benjamin Franklin, when did he become Dr. Franklin? Best wishes for a happy 2026. I just put up my new Colonial Williamsburg calendar. Thanks for all you do.
From Brandeis University's webpage: "An early and notable exception is Benjamin Franklin, who received an honorary doctorate from the University of St. Andrews in 1759 and the University of Oxford in 1762 for his scientific accomplishments, and thereafter referred to himself as “Doctor Franklin.”
Besides trying to hamstring the American press, it looks like his suing of media outlets is simply a way to gain money. I'd say earn money, but he hasn't done anything to earn any of this money.
One of the very first things authoritarians want to do when in power is to control the press. They know that, as Jefferson said, the ignorant can't disagree with the government because they don't know what the govt. is up to! Trump chose lawsuits to intimidate them because he is nothing if not the greediest son of a bitch on earth!
A democratic republic at its heart requires respectful debate on issues and responsible policy. It is only by all of us educating ourselves on the breadth of issues can we/it exist. It is with immense gratitude to the free press and honest journalism for making this possible in the United States. Keep on and happy New Year!
Thank you Dan for keeping us informed about the importance of the free press and honest journalism. You are about the only journalist that I trust to deliver the truth. So Happy New Year & looking forward to hearing your continued work in getting the real news to us🙏🏻.
“Since taking office for the second time, the president has sued ABC News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the BBC, CNN, YouTube, Meta, and X — netting more than $90 million in settlements, so far, without stepping foot in a courtroom.”
I have a question … WHAT HAPPENS TO … WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?!? All these law suits … all the news companies (let’s also include Universities!) capitulating and paying these exorbitant funds … where does it go? Who gets it? Is there a slush fund for these fees being squirreled away for his retirement?!? Millions of dollars … any other President would have been arrested, tried, found guilty of treason and shot for stealing!
Dan, I'm hoping you'll give a shout out to those brave souls who used to work in newsrooms but who now find it necessary to form non-profits to report state and local news. Without them, we would be ignorant of the workings of City Halls and County Governments everywhere. Ten such organizations in Central Florida have formed a consortium of non-profit news groups that cover state and local news in one of the fastest growing regions in the country -- and in one of the toughest states in the union. They share resources, collaborate on stories and bring a wealth of experience. They range in size from Central Florida Public Media and the Orlando Sentinel to Vox Populi and the Winter Park Voice. They operate to the highest journalistic standards. I am proud to say that early on I was one of these people, until I retired at the age of 80. Someone half my age took over my spot -- just so you know we are not all dinosaurs. I've never met a finer group with their feet on the street. Many of these organizations are supported by the Institute for Non-Profit News (INN). Check them out - they will make you so proud.
As we know, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, so speaking truth to power is an essential means to keeping the powerful in check. This administration can try to take control of the press and promote censorship, but it will be difficult to suppress our individual, collective voices. Thank you, Dan, for bringing your strong and well-honed journalistic talent to this Steady community. Your voice carries honesty, integrity and truth. The resistance and pushback are starting to accumulate. For example, I have found it extremely satisfying to see all the performers and artists who are canceling their performances at The Kennedy Center after Trump added his name to the memorial center. The leader of the dance company that canceled their New Year’s Eve performance called the decision to cancel “financially devastating but morally exhilarating.” Good to know that there are people who believe money isn’t everything. Thanks again, Dan and the Steady Team, for your voices of reason.
I know it's very hard for you to see what has become of CBS News. The term of truth and honesty is vanishing from today's journalism. Today's news coverage is becoming more controlled by corporate greed. Dan keep standing tall and telling it like it is.
Thank you Dan for your passion, commitment to fair and honest reporting, the first amendment and your flight for truth. You are a huge inspiration to all of us! Thank you!
The republic has not withstood Reagan's deregulation of capitalist privatization of government agencies and giving the oligarchs unfettered bribery capabilities.
The latest insult to my sensibility is finding avatars or renowned journalists and opinion leaders such as George Will speaking nonsense crafted by AI language models as a substitute for analysis of current events, events that have not happened in the real world. The narrative becomes obviously fake as you listen, but they waste my time as I am grappling with the attempt to correlate them with other sources, which have not reported on the same topic.
The failure of journalists has been disastrous.
Mr. Rather, thank you continuing to be the honest, steady journalist you have always been. Molly Ivins is smiling.
Hi Dan, about Benjamin Franklin, when did he become Dr. Franklin? Best wishes for a happy 2026. I just put up my new Colonial Williamsburg calendar. Thanks for all you do.
From Brandeis University's webpage: "An early and notable exception is Benjamin Franklin, who received an honorary doctorate from the University of St. Andrews in 1759 and the University of Oxford in 1762 for his scientific accomplishments, and thereafter referred to himself as “Doctor Franklin.”
Thank you so very much, Billy. I didn't know when he received those honorary degrees.
Besides trying to hamstring the American press, it looks like his suing of media outlets is simply a way to gain money. I'd say earn money, but he hasn't done anything to earn any of this money.
One of the very first things authoritarians want to do when in power is to control the press. They know that, as Jefferson said, the ignorant can't disagree with the government because they don't know what the govt. is up to! Trump chose lawsuits to intimidate them because he is nothing if not the greediest son of a bitch on earth!
A democratic republic at its heart requires respectful debate on issues and responsible policy. It is only by all of us educating ourselves on the breadth of issues can we/it exist. It is with immense gratitude to the free press and honest journalism for making this possible in the United States. Keep on and happy New Year!
Thank you Dan for keeping us informed about the importance of the free press and honest journalism. You are about the only journalist that I trust to deliver the truth. So Happy New Year & looking forward to hearing your continued work in getting the real news to us🙏🏻.
“Since taking office for the second time, the president has sued ABC News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the BBC, CNN, YouTube, Meta, and X — netting more than $90 million in settlements, so far, without stepping foot in a courtroom.”
I have a question … WHAT HAPPENS TO … WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?!? All these law suits … all the news companies (let’s also include Universities!) capitulating and paying these exorbitant funds … where does it go? Who gets it? Is there a slush fund for these fees being squirreled away for his retirement?!? Millions of dollars … any other President would have been arrested, tried, found guilty of treason and shot for stealing!
Dan, I'm hoping you'll give a shout out to those brave souls who used to work in newsrooms but who now find it necessary to form non-profits to report state and local news. Without them, we would be ignorant of the workings of City Halls and County Governments everywhere. Ten such organizations in Central Florida have formed a consortium of non-profit news groups that cover state and local news in one of the fastest growing regions in the country -- and in one of the toughest states in the union. They share resources, collaborate on stories and bring a wealth of experience. They range in size from Central Florida Public Media and the Orlando Sentinel to Vox Populi and the Winter Park Voice. They operate to the highest journalistic standards. I am proud to say that early on I was one of these people, until I retired at the age of 80. Someone half my age took over my spot -- just so you know we are not all dinosaurs. I've never met a finer group with their feet on the street. Many of these organizations are supported by the Institute for Non-Profit News (INN). Check them out - they will make you so proud.
As we know, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, so speaking truth to power is an essential means to keeping the powerful in check. This administration can try to take control of the press and promote censorship, but it will be difficult to suppress our individual, collective voices. Thank you, Dan, for bringing your strong and well-honed journalistic talent to this Steady community. Your voice carries honesty, integrity and truth. The resistance and pushback are starting to accumulate. For example, I have found it extremely satisfying to see all the performers and artists who are canceling their performances at The Kennedy Center after Trump added his name to the memorial center. The leader of the dance company that canceled their New Year’s Eve performance called the decision to cancel “financially devastating but morally exhilarating.” Good to know that there are people who believe money isn’t everything. Thanks again, Dan and the Steady Team, for your voices of reason.
I know it's very hard for you to see what has become of CBS News. The term of truth and honesty is vanishing from today's journalism. Today's news coverage is becoming more controlled by corporate greed. Dan keep standing tall and telling it like it is.
Thank you, Mr. Rather and the entire team at Steady.
Dan…from reading your autobiography and your tenure with CBS ..you are still pushing the envelope and telling it like it is…
Thank you Dan for your passion, commitment to fair and honest reporting, the first amendment and your flight for truth. You are a huge inspiration to all of us! Thank you!
The republic has not withstood Reagan's deregulation of capitalist privatization of government agencies and giving the oligarchs unfettered bribery capabilities.
The latest insult to my sensibility is finding avatars or renowned journalists and opinion leaders such as George Will speaking nonsense crafted by AI language models as a substitute for analysis of current events, events that have not happened in the real world. The narrative becomes obviously fake as you listen, but they waste my time as I am grappling with the attempt to correlate them with other sources, which have not reported on the same topic.