Daily Kos

TANG typewriter forensic study: they're not forged

by Carla

Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 11:29:49 AM PDT

Professor David Hailey Jr, PhD of the Interactive Media Research Laboratory has published his study of the CBS/Killian memos.  Hailey conducted a forensic study of the typeface.  His conclusion?  They are indeed authentic.

CONCLUSIONS

Since current odds hold that the Bush memos are faked, the question of their authenticity turns to whether CBS should have known they were inauthentic - if, in fact, they are. In fact, there seems to be nothing in the memos that indicates they are faked. All evidence points toward a mechanical production process and away from a digital process.

Furthermore, the mechanical process seems to be consistent with typewriters used in the military at the time in question.
If I had been one of the experts advising CBS, I would have advised them that there is nothing physical in the memos implying they are not authentic. All indicators imply they are authentic. I would have told them that from my point of view, the memos are worthy of presenting to the public.

While the memos story has largely died off...it's drastically effected CBS' News division.  As you may be aware, CBS is refusing to air 60 Minutes story by Ed Bradley on Bush's deceptive case for Iraq.  They're doing so because of the memos story...and their belief that CBS' credibility is so badly damaged that they can't afford to look partisan.  Apparently saying anything negative about Bush, even in a valid news story, is partisan for CBS.

I continue to be amazed by the power of the right wing echo chamber to bring people to their knees. This "squeaky wheel" minority is exercising immense power to silence relevant and important issues...while beating the drum of such minor inanity such as the color of Kerry's tan.

Due in large part to the heroic efforts of the Kos diaries of "Hunter"..I've been of the opinion that those memos are legit.  This independent study seems to cement that belief. Unless serious pressure can be placed on CBS to stop cowering to the rightwing noise machine, I fear they're the next domino of journalism to fall.

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  •  I wonder (none / 0)

    If CBS could gather some conclusive evidence that the memos are genuine, would they at least go on the air and say, "By the way, we now know the memos were NOT faked. On with other news..."

    Could they resist the temptation to have the last word on this? I hope not.


    "Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right." - Salvor Hardin

    by Zackpunk on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 12:04:38 PM PDT

  •  The mystery is unsolved (none / 0)

    Because the media dropped the story. Did Burkett type them on an old typewriter? If so, how did Buckhead aka Harry Macdougald of Atlanta know so much about it?

    I guess the SCLM is too busy figuring out the important details of Britney's wedding/not wedding or whatever it was.

    by stilwell on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 12:16:28 PM PDT

  •  This is nice (none / 0)

    but it's too little, too late.  To waste any more news cycles on this topic would be counter-productive for Kerry.  The Repubs would just spin it as, "Look at those whiny Dems, they're still talking about those discredited memos!"  Whatever the truth may be, we can't afford to talk about it now.  Sorry if I sound grumpy because it's good news & makes me feel better about believing they were real, but I am more concerned with the countdown to the voter registration deadline and the debates.

    "So long as we have enough people in this country willing to fight for their rights, we'll be called a democracy." ~Roger Baldwin

    by spyral on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 12:30:55 PM PDT

  •  I'm confused by article (none / 0)

    It's a little unclear on how the reproduction of the Bush memo in the article was done. What model typewriter was it on? Or was it a computerized version of a typewriter font?

    At any rate, if this guy thinks he can reproduce the Bush memos on a typewrite, he should claim the reward offered.

    "Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it." - Mark Twain

    by soultaco on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 12:32:29 PM PDT

  •  More discussion on this (none / 0)

    in an earler diary here.

    by nedog on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 01:03:12 PM PDT

  •  the pdf version of the report (none / 0)

    is unavailable on that website.  Any idea why?

    Iraq is Arabic for Vietnam

    by moe99 on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 01:47:45 PM PDT

    •  That web site has been flaky (none / 0)

      for the last several days - as I have recommended it to folks they often find that the whole site is not available. Just checked and PDF was there. BTW, in doing so noticed that in the PDF it is "Towards Identifying the Physical Source" not Font as on the web. Am hoping this is not the final version and he fills in some of the gaps in his explanations such as noted above.

      Just another sucker with low self-esteem.

      by JP Stormcrow on Wed Sep 29, 2004 at 02:21:04 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  OOPS (none / 0)

    Paul at Wizbang just busted Hailey.  The good doctor is guilty of document fraud.

    by Bird Dog on Thu Sep 30, 2004 at 03:23:13 PM PDT

  •  Waste of time (none / 0)

    The good Professor took it upon himself to conduct a study using materials that he cannot verify were A) original or B) to whom they were sourced?

    Good heavens this professor is in need of guidance.  

    by Axiom on Thu Sep 30, 2004 at 03:42:58 PM PDT

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