First, the headlines

• Pelley is the perfect whistleblower.
• CBS speaks only money; Bari Weiss, perhaps costing money, may soon be out, too late.
• The shame of the bent knees of Stahl, et. al.  “History remembers courage. Fear only destroys everything eventually.”
• CBS News exec insults America’s intelligence.

Showing more guts than any Maga in America (including an overwhelming percentage of GOP members of Congress) Scott Pelley told off the organization formerly known as CBS News after it fired him.

Pelley is the perfect whistleblower: he can neither be dismissed nor destroyed. Pigs will be flying over the skating rinks in hell before any intelligent American takes CBS News’s word for anything over Pelley’s. And, “you’ll never work in this town again,” isn’t a realistic threat against a person whose previous compensation gives them a long runway… and whose employment chances are enhanced by any campaign the Ellison empire runs against him. Blow that whistle Scott.

The arc of history is long and bends toward justice. Hence, as of the date of this posting, the end is said to be near for the reign of Bari Weiss, the keister-kissing Trump Toady selected by Ellison and Co. to run CBS News into the MAGA ground. Apparently the billionaire boys club, isolated as they are from normal people, couldn’t imagine that anyone would notice the destruction of the venerable and trusted institution of CBS News. [1]

As if Sundance/Paramount/CBS/DJT  ever gave a WTAF about news or public service. Hah, it is to laugh. The only language these “corporate leaders” understand: Do-Re-Mi. Moolah. Shekels. Simoleons. Dead Presidents. Follow the money.

Quelle Surprise: Taking a dump on your brand lowers its value. Hence Weiss’s potential exit—now that she’s done her damage.

The American People may speak with their wallets soon. Destroy the show and you lose 9 million viewers and $206 million in revenue. I admit, that’s not a spot on the $6 billion stock loss ABC/Disney took for the Jimmy Kimmel debacle, but there’s still time. Keep an eye on your stock options. Be a shame if they went underwater.

Also, your creative community is objecting. In a few years, it will all be AI and you won’t need any humans, but until then turns out turning off the people who create your content threatens your bottom line. Your ears prick up, and you sack the scapegoat Wiess so you can continue your boot-licking ways in private. Just remember how the President treats his loyalists. Don’t be surprised when he turns on you, despite your obvious and desperate efforts to kiss up. Or when Ellison replaces you all, management included, with AI.

In The Meantime, Much Damage Is Done

Don’t get excited about micturating on Weiss’s professional grave. The cowardice of CBS management is profound, as is that of its owners. Given a choice between pleasing Trump and serving its audience, I wouldn’t give you any odds on the choice they will make.

The remaining 60 Minutes correspondents, Lesley Stahl, et. al,  bent a knee to the king, and will earn the shame that will surely follow them for the rest of their careers. As Paul McCartney said, “History remembers courage. Fear only destroys everything eventually.”

Cleary unqualified Wiess lickspittle Nick Bilton, the new executive producer, first set up a direct line to Stephen Miller for story ideas and talking points. This priority, along with the vast television production experience he shares with Weiss, would make them strong candidates to produce The Donald Trump Hour when they are not otherwise occupied with destroying 60 Minutes.

Bilton then insulted the intelligence of everyone within the sound of his disingenuous memo when he wrote, “And it should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: We will never be instructed by the ownership of the company on those stories.” What kind of fool does he take us for? How many kinds are there?

In any case, while this is the literal truth, it is not the actual truth. Ellison and his gang hired Weiss because they knew that she’d do what they wanted without being told. Thus, no fingerprints, but they still get the right-wing trash they prefer to news.

Why should CBS be any different than any other billionaire toy? The Bezos operating manual for the Washington Post (“buy it to save it, then destroy it”) is now mandatory reading for all CBS executives above the level of janitor.[2]

I will henceforth assume the first draft of any 60 Minutes story more political than cute puppies will consist of Trump talking points and that the selection and editing of stories will be intended to please His Royal Highness.

See also An Open Letter To CBS Management

Footnotes

[1] As President Trump never imagined Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz

[2] The janitors were excluded because they were too smart to fall for this stuff.