People

By Guy D. Garcia

The thing has never been a snap to get right. Walter Cronkite liked to end his nightly broadcast with the avuncular "That's the way it is." The current network anchors have all been settling for run-of-the-mouth good-nights or see-you-tomorrows. But this month CBS's Dan Rather started signing off with the exhortation "Courage," and the last word on his lips suddenly became the first thing on everyone's mind. To some it sounded intrusive, even bossy, the sort of thing an earnest, not very close friend might say uneasily to end a chance meeting. A CBS spokesperson responds, " 'Courage' is a word Dan likes a lot and feels comfortable with. He often uses it to sign letters and end conversations." Well okay, it's better than "Your humble and obedient servant." Will Rather have the courage of his valediction? CBS says he has not yet decided whether to stick with it. Might he consider something different, maybe a little less portentous? How about "Rosebud"?