A strong argument could be made that Dan Rather appearing on any Fox News channel program equals some sort of anti-CBS Evening News With Katie Couric fireworks. It is, to be sure, in the interests of Fox News to have a former network anchor-competitor trash his former employer. Parallel to that, it is in the interests of Dan Rather to promote his little HDNet show Dan Rather Presents anywhere that lets him. The problem is that Rather's Fox appearances are becoming all too predictable. On June 12, Dan Rather went on Your Word with Neil Cavuto and tore into Les Moonves with guest host David Asman. Earlier this week, Rather returned to Cavuto -- ending a detente -- and blasted the CBS-Thriller morale boosting calisthenics. From Rush and Molly of the Daily News:

''Dan Rather's former colleagues at CBS think the ex-anchor is being used by his former foes at Fox. 'The Fox people invite him on to promote his HD Net shows,' observes one CBS insider. 'But, once he's on the air, they mostly ask him what's wrong with Katie Couric and the Evening News. And he gives them what they want. These are the same people who mocked him when he was flaming out at CBS. They're toying with him.'''