Sadly, I find myself in complete agreement with our friends on the right when they say that Dan Rather has simply got to go. That said, though, I can't help but wonder where these high-minded defenders of journalistic purity were just a few short years ago, when conservative darling John Stossel was forced to issue an on-air apology for presenting phony scientific test results on ABC's 20/20.

As you can see if you follow the links above, the issues raised were virtually identical to those in the Rather case: A reporter with a reputation for political advocacy was caught red-handed using trumped-up evidence on a network newsmagazine, and he then compounded his sin by refusing to acknowledge it immediately. Strangely, though, I don't remember hearing any calls for Mr. Stossel's head from the folks who are now (rightly) demanding Gunga Dan's.

Hmmm. Apparent evidence of a conservative double standard. Whodathunkit, huh?

UPDATE: Of course, it's not too late for conservatives to avoid the charge of hypocrisy here. After all, Mr. Stossel is still employed by ABC News -- and it's not as if there's a statute of limitations on bad journalism.

ANOTHER UPDATE: An emailer asks if I really want to see Stossel fired for a five-year-old mistake, and the honest answer to that question is ... no, I guess I don't. Then again, I also don't spend my free time composing stirring blog posts on the transcendent importance of moral clarity in American public life. . . .

NOTE: Edited slightly for style on Jan. 19.