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All hell has broken loose and I'm not talking about terrorism. Terrorism has brought about a groundswell of national unity that has media bias activists scratching their heads one moment and screaming their heads off the next. Look at the madness confronting us:

• Dan Rather, formerly the Great Satan of Media Bias, poured his heart out in patriotism on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman (9/17). He was twice overcome with emotion when talking about the heroism of rescue personnel at the World Trade Center attack and reciting a verse from "America the Beautiful". As if that was not already too much to hope for, he went on to express his loyalty to President George W. Bush: "George Bush is the President. He makes the decisions, and, you know, I'm just one American, wherever he wants me to line up, just tell me where."

• The devil himself, Howard Fineman of Newsweek, has declared that Clintonism is passé (9/17). He let it be known that George W. Bush has passed the test of leadership that the past week has thrown at him and that he, too, supports the president.

• Clinton idolator, Geraldo Rivera credited President Bush with "remarkable steadiness" in handling the events of the past week (9/18).

What are we to make of these previously unimaginable events? Are these guys for real? Are they playing out some heinous liberal script? Am I crazy enough to try to answer these questions?

Yes, I'm probably crazy, but I'll try!

After careers filled with liberal media bias, this new found patriotism and support for a Republican president is a bit hard to swallow! Yet it seems heartfelt. After demanding that they correct their biased ways and provide balanced reporting, it seems rude for media bias activists to respond by shrieking, "LIAR!" at the TV screen.

A better approach would be to apply President Reagan's rule: "Trust, but verify." When formerly liberal news media personalities express agreement with conservative ideals and support for President Bush, accept it at face value. Right is right, no matter who says it. No further analysis needed.

Yet remain alert. A true change of heart lasts and so do the ideals that accompany it. Those who return to spouting a liberal, one-sided screed have had no change of heart, no conversion. Even during times of national emergency, bias is still bias and we know it when we hear it. At that point, trust ends and outrage begins.

It is important that we maintain a critical and thinking stance whenever anyone is trying to tell us what we "should" believe. (And this is exactly what is going on with news reporting and issues commentary.) When they tell you what they believe, trust that they are expressing their true beliefs. But before absorbing those beliefs as your own, verify. Do not be gullible. Do not be taken in.

Trust, but verify - as valuable now as ever.

- Peacerose, 09/24/2001