I do not believe the press is guilty of the charge that it abandoned its healthy skepticism in Iraq , and I would hate to see it draw the inference from New Orleans that 'in your face' journalism is the panacea for restoring our lost credibility.

unless there's a compelling reason not to.

If I were making the decision, I imagine Charlie would anchor for another five or six years, ... they could get a 20-year ride, assuming TV news lasts another 20 years.

Al Gore Jr. acted with honor and conviction in volunteering for service in a war he despised. ... To save the seat of his father -- a political warrior in the cause of peace -- is, in my view, an act of sacrifice and high patriotism, not hypocrisy. It is also a step few born to privilege would take, regardless of their convictions. And from all accounts, Gore made a good soldier. He was well liked by peers and officers, and respected by both.

the potential to inflame is greater than the value of the piece itself.

My sense is that the network news should continue to play an important though diminished role in bringing information to people. After all, a combined audience of 29 million viewers is still many times the numbers cable is producing.