This past weekend at the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, Dan Rather delivered a wide-ranging speech that lasted some twenty or so minutes. Along the way, he criticized media consolidation, the corporate news environment, "message discipline," media cowardice, news-for-profit, celebrity fluff, "so-called human interest stories," sensational trials, gossip, "news you can use," partisan shouting matches, and a whole range of other journalistic sins.

"It is rare now to find a major news organization owned by an individual, someone who can say, in effect, the buck stops here," said Mr. Rather. "The more likely motto now is: The news stops with making bucks."

That last line drew much applause.