Who Punk'd Dan Rather?

The JunkYard Blog looks at who might have given the forged TANG documents to CBS. It is an interesting list, but is, IMHO, too narrowly focused on political motives. Just for grins here are my additions to it:

1. A conman. MOTIVE: The pure thrill of the game plus possible monetary gain. Did CBS pay someone as a consultant to get the documents? Are there more documents ready for sale to less scrupulous news outlets eager to get in on this story?

2. A disgruntled CBS staffer. MOTIVE: Embarrass Dan Rather; point out decline in news standards at the network; show the detrimental impact of budget cuts on the news division.

3. Tabloid reporter. MOTIVE: Demonstrate that the gap between "real news" and tabloid news is pretty much imaginary.

4. Blogger. MOTIVE: Hits. (We really need to get the guys at Powerline under oath.) Discredit the mainstream media. (Mission accomplished.)