(Obama's) a nice person, he's very articulate this is what's been used against him, but he couldn't sell watermelons if it, you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic. Dan Rather More Quotes by Dan Rather More Quotes From Dan Rather There was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tires around peoples' necks if they dis-sented. And in some ways the fear is that you will be necklaced here, you will have a flaming tire of lack of patriotism put around your neck. Now it is that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions... And again, I am humbled to say, I do not except myself from this criticism. Dan Rather tough-questions criticism people Writing is the rock on which everything is built. Dan Rather built rocks writing I've tried everything. I can say to you with confidence, I know a fair amount about LSD. I've never been a social user of any of these things, but my curiosity has carried me into a lot of interesting areas. Dan Rather confidence curiosity interesting It's a legitimate point to debate. But it's part of the reality. It's happening, but it's also true they (looters) are in the distinct minority. I think there's a hero on every street corner in New Orleans, and I think the reporting has shown that. I think the balance has been there. Dan Rather hero reality thinking Covering the civil-rights movement was a mind- and eye-opener for me. Houston was a segregated society, as was Texas as a whole - some of it by law, a lot of it by fear and tradition. But there was no violence where I lived, and if there was hate, it was either concealed from me or I just didn't recognize it. Dan Rather hate eye rights If frogs had side pockets, they'd carry hand guns. Dan Rather pockets gun hands What separated Ed Murrow from the rest of the pack was courage. Dan Rather packs This much we know: Journalism is not a precise science. It's, on its best day, is a crude art. We make mistakes; I make mistakes. With more than 50 years as a journalist, I have at least had the opportunity to blow more stories, make more mistakes than maybe anybody in television. Dan Rather blow mistake art They may have turned this up, whether you had the Paula Jones case or not. But again maybe not, but again that's like if a frog had side pockets he'd probably wear a handgun. Dan Rather frogs pockets may The great lesson my mother and father gave me was almost invisible. It was a strong sense of being rooted. Dan Rather strong mother father There is no doubt that the way journalism worked when I was growing up and getting started has changed forever. Dan Rather growing-up doubt forever I respect and empathize with reporters and editors who must compete in today's environment. And I know full well that when I've been covering campaigns, which I still do, I've made my mistakes and have been far from perfect. Dan Rather editors perfect mistake From the streets of Cairo and the Arab Spring, to Occupy Wall Street, from the busy political calendar to the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, social media was not only sharing the news but driving it. Dan Rather japan wall spring I'm part of nobody's world except Brezhnev's. Dan Rather brezhnev world I quote the late Ed Murow. ... He said: 'Look, people listen to me when they want an eyewitness account. 'They think I'm a pretty good reporter. But when it comes to my opinions, mine are not worth anymore than the guy at the end of the bar.' And I believe that about myself. Dan Rather believe people thinking Those of you watching and listening, get a cup of coffee or a spot of tea and join us back here in just a few moments. Dan Rather coffee listening tea Journalism is less addictive than communism. Dan Rather journalism communism Journalism is not a precise science, it's a crude art Dan Rather crude journalism art In dealing with the press, do yourself a favor, stick with one of three responses: (a) I know and I can tell you; (b) I know and I can't tell you; (c) I don't know. Dan Rather favors three sticks We may see Michael Jackson's baby before we know the final outcome of this race for the House of Representatives tonight. Dan Rather race house baby