This much we know: Journalism is not a precise science. It's, on its best day, is a crude art. We make mistakes; I make mistakes. With more than 50 years as a journalist, I have at least had the opportunity to blow more stories, make more mistakes than maybe anybody in television.

Journalism is not a precise science, it's a crude art

I'd much rather wear out than rust out.

Ratings don't last. Good journalism does.

For years Don Imus was just - boy, he was merciless in his criticism of me. Maybe it was justified, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

Television sometimes has difficulty with depth and breadth, context and perspective, but what it does best is take you there. And this coverage took everybody there, up close and personal. You can see people hurting, you can see the response has been too slow. You almost don't need words.