I am a big fan of "Integrity Matters" by Jim Bracher in The Salinas Californian. After reading the Sept. 22 column, I must comment.

Bracher is correct: The issue brought to light with CBS and the forged National Guard documents has everything to do with integrity. However, he didn't go far enough.

Though Bracher graciously calls for "responsible journalism in preference to salacious entertainment," this debacle was not salacious entertainment. You can't equivocate Dan Rather's integrity malfunction to Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. It is clear from the details that CBS activities bear no resemblance to responsible journalism. It is blatant, biased influence-peddling. CBS has abandoned any role in objective, responsible news reporting and deserves the disrespect warranted by such repulsive behavior. Equally unfortunate is how widespread biased news reporting has become -- just read the New York Times.

But there is good news in all this. Most Americans see such bias for what it is and will judge for themselves. They will judge Rather and CBS along with the important issues they so foolishly tried to influence.

Lacy Edwards

Pleasanton

Originally published Thursday, September 30, 2004