Lowering the temperature

Posted: Sunday, October 28, 2007 5:00 PM by Sam Singal

By Lester Holt, NBC News Anchor

Good afternoon. Among the stories we'll be covering on Nightly News tonight is the growing tension between the U.S. and Iran over Iran's nuclear program, and whether the level of rhetoric from the west is beginning to amount to saber rattling. Today Mohamed El Baradei, the United Nation's nuclear watchdog called on the west to ease off the confrontational rhetoric. NBC's Kevin Corke is working that story for us.

Tensions between the west and Iran helped drive crude oil prices to a new record high on Friday. CNBC's Sharon Epperson will join me tonight to talk about how this will directly affect consumers, and the overall U.S. economy.

We're also on top of a story developing in North Carolina where a fire at a beach house occupied by college students has killed at least six people. NBC's Ron Mott will have a lot more on this.

There's some encouraging news out of Southern California. Firefighters have made good progress over the last 24 hours containing the remaining wildfires, though they are reminding everyone that a forecast for stronger winds could easily put them back on their heels. NBC's Martin Savidge will have that, along with a great story about one little girl's special expression of gratitude to the firefighters working to save her community.

In addition tonight, I'll take you off the coast of South Africa where scientists have sounded the alarm over a steady drop in the penguin population, and show you what they are doing to try and keep the animals off the endangered species list.

Thank your for clicking-on to our blog, and I hope you can join us later for NBC Nightly News.

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Comments

I am a Nightly News regular who was shocked this evening by a report that could have been caused only by the media bias I hear about, or by unprofessional editing. I would like to know which it was.
The subject was the threats by the Administration of military action against Iran which I and most of the country oppose. The progam then said that some other Republicans agree and ran a brief clip of John McCain speaking in support of sanctions. Did the editors not understand the difference between sanctions and threats of war - or was it intentionlly misleading? I need to know if I am going to continue to watch and respect Nightly News.
Thanks.
Reg

Reg Woods, Keswick, VA (Sent Sunday, October 28, 2007 7:11 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Holt, Regarding the report by Mr.Corke about the tension between the United States and Iran over the nuclear weapons program I think the last thing the United States needs is another confrontation with a Middle East country. I think the statements by Mohamed El Baradei urging Iran to cease enriching uranium is good. Military action would not be a good idea seeing as how all our troops are so involved in the battles in Iraq. The report by Mr.Aspell concerning the surge of troops has seemed to quell some violence south of Baghdad because according to the report this area was one of the deadliest. Yet,there is still so much violence elsewhere and the continuing problem of no electricity and clean drinking water. It is difficult to notice positive changes. I hope things go more in a positive direction instead of negative in the future, but this takes a long time to reach. Hearing you mention the 14th Tropical Storm named Noel made me think that would be terrific to have come here to the drought ridden south. Not so much the wind, but a good steady rain would be wonderful. Finally,the report about the penguins on the southern tip of Africa and the fact they may be becoming endangered due to several different factors. It is sad that they are losing their food supply of sardines and anchovies plus their eggs are left exposed due to them having to venture further for food. Those fiberglass nests appeared to be a good solution for the birds and they seemed to like them. I must say I like penguins and the young ones were cute. I hope they can be saved. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Holt. Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Sunday, October 28, 2007 7:22 PM)

I was appalled by the way you covered the California wildfire story solely from a Christian perspective. Martin Savidge said, "Even as they sifted through ashes in fire-ravaged communities, Southern Californians gathered to give thanks." You then showed a man singing a Christian song in a church with the words to his song clearly displayed on a screen behind him: "I believe in Jesus/I believe in the son of God/I believe he died and rose again/I believe he paid for us all." This isn't news reporting, it's proselytizing. Savidge goes on to say, "Fire destroyed the Malibu Presbyterian Church, but not the faith of its congregation. Instead, they prayed at the Malibu Performing Arts Center." (Cut to scene of Christians praying.) You then gave us an "inspirational" quote from Rev. Greg Hughes. This is the second time this week that you told us about the Malibu Presbyterian Church. In the past week, you've given more air time to Rev. Hughes than to Gov. Schwarzenegger. Other networks were quoting professors and fire fighting experts, but you offer us quotes from a preacher. Savidge ended his story by saying, "On radio, in signs and in church today in prayers, people were grateful for the firefighters that have helped them through." Wow! I would expect to see this type of reporting on "The 700 Club" or the Christian Broadcasting Network, but not on NBC. This story was completely inappropriate. You're supposed to be reporting the news, not saving souls. Give us the facts, not religious mumbo-jumbo. You continue to prove over and over that NBC stands for "National Broadcasters of Christianity".

And why do you bother to show us meaningless maps? On Saturday's story about the water shortage in the U.S., Lester Holt told us that in the next 5 years, 36 states will face water shortages. You then showed us a map with each state represented by one of seven different colors. But there was no key. We had absolutely no idea what a particular color meant in terms of the water shortage. Does dark blue mean a severe water shortage or only a moderate shortage? What does orange mean? Beats me. And on Sunday's story about Mitt Romney, Ron Allen told us that, "As Romney leads in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire, his rivals are pushing back hard." You then showed us a map of the U.S. with Iowa and N.H. in orange, and the other states in various shades of blue and gray. But again, no key was provided. Does light blue mean pro-Romney? Does dark blue mean pro-Romney? I dunno. There's no point in showing us color-coded maps if you're not going to tell us what the colors mean.

Norman Charles, NYC (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 7:16 AM)

Where was the television coverage of tens of thousands of U.S. citizens marching against the war and Bush on Saturday? Wasn't that news worth at least 30 seconds of coverage? There were ten thousand protesters on the streets of San Francisco, thousands in New York and Boston, hundreds in other cities. It would have been colorful and encouraging. People want to know where the outrage is over the disastrous decisions of this war mongering president. Well its out there, but no one sees it. I guess it is censured because the corporate-owned major networks can't show it. Could it be that their CEOs don't want to bite the neocon hands that feed them? Yes, I am cynical and disillusioned. I am often depressed at the tabloid trash that recieves way more coverage than it should, in an attempt to distract the public and numb our brains, at the expense of news that is relevant to my life. I want to know about people trying to save our democracy. I'm tired of casualty reports and news of our rights being taken away. I want to see news about people doing something to stop it. I want to see our nation up in arms against the megalomaniacal tyranny that is quietly pulling our country out from under us. Sincerely, Marcia Tibbets

Marcia Tibbets, Houston, Texas (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 1:15 PM)

Lester it's ok Connie Rice and the Bush Administration once again have it rock bottom with lies and crimes in the Middle East and have called apone Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter to clean up the mess. Yes we saw Katrina and how Bush left people to die then reached out to an honest President Bill Clinton to clean up the mess.

I do notice how the Media and reporters have nothing good to say about Bill Clinton and how Republicans blame him for everything wrong. Never letting the Clinton scandal go away. But with Iran, Russia, China and the rest of the World Leaders supporting Iran who can the US call for help Superman, Spiderman, Ghostbusters no Bill Clinton to save the day.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 2:56 PM)

I wonder how many other listeners find the program "HARDBALL" should be carrying the name "FOUL BALL". The program, following the inconceivable mess that you called a debate last night, and moderated by Chris Matthews, a completely overbearing anchorperson that would never be missed if MSNBC ever recognized his apparent "HARDBALL" style, and got rid of him. You're obviously planned script for the debate was basically to make Senator Clinton the object of all of the other candidates slings and arrows. This, to my disgust, included two of your best news anchor people snd their apparent willingness to take part in the dirty work. In all fairness a review of the debate will show how there was no "debate" at all, just questions, initiated by the moderators, in almost all cases, gave the other candidates an opening to add to the question by directing another question to Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton responded graciously thruout the two hour grind. I have now become an avid viewer of CBS.

Earl Amos, Scotts Valley, California (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 8:25 PM)

I know the lady reporting financial changes likes
her hair hanging down in her face...even her eye
lashes flick on her hair. Many of my friends have
commented about this.

Jess Milford (Sent Wednesday, October 31, 2007 11:31 PM)

CRUDE PRICES WILL RISE REGARDLESS OF TENSIONS W/ IRAN
OR NOT,ANYTIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS.! SEND THE TOMAHAWKS NOW ! THE OIL COMPANIES WILL MAKE A LARGE PROFIT EITHER WAY, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER ! IF THE PUFF FISH DECREASE IN NUMBERS,THE PRICE OF OIL & GAS WILL GO UP, SO IF WE HAVE TO PAY ANY WAY, WE SHOULD AT LEAST DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE FOR GETTING A LITTLE BANG FOR OUR TROUBLES !

CHRISTOPHER (Sent Thursday, November 01, 2007 1:31 PM)

HEY,JACKIE RAWLINGS YOU MUST BE KIDDING, BILL CLINTON
HONEST PRESIDENT, NOW WAIT A MINUTE !! '' I DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL ( CHEAT ON MY WIFE IN WHITE-HOUSE )RELATIONS W/ THAT WOMAN ( WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE CALLED BY A MAN ON NATIONAL TV ''THAT WOMAN'' )WELL MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE GETTING YOUR BLANK BLANKED IN THE OVAL OFFICE WHILE BEING PAID FOR IT BY THE TAXPAYERS IS ADULTRY & STEALING. NOT A SURPRIZE YOUR FROM CALIFORNIA.

CHRISTOPHER (Sent Thursday, November 01, 2007 1:39 PM)

Mr. Holt,
Look for things to heat up during the presidential campaign. Brian Williams will be reporting from Cleveland on Monday night and it may relate to the impeachment of V.P. Cheney and it's all about weapons of mass destruction. Kuvinich, former mayor, has long pushed for his impeachment without the backing of the Democrats. I got lucky and picked up information that last summer, in Chicago, CLINTON admitted that under his administration WMDs were sold to Saddam, and he was booed off the stage.

Phyllis Kunz, Louisville, Ky. (Sent Saturday, November 10, 2007 12:40 PM)

President Bush is coming to New Albany, Indiana this Monday where I was graduated from high school, and both Republicans and Democrats are thrilled about the president's visit. I am proud of them, Mr. Holt.
Phyllis Kunz

Phyllis Kunz, Louisville, Ky. (Sent Saturday, November 10, 2007 1:48 PM)

Correction, Mr. Holt. President Bush will be in downtown New Albany, Indiana on Tuesday. Obviously I was thinking of Mr. Williams in Cleveland on Monday.

Phyllis Kunz Louisville, Ky. (Sent Sunday, November 11, 2007 10:46 AM)

Mr. Holt,
Your story on Saddam's secrets and mass of destructions was riveting. It is not my intent to contradict the author, but I did read and it is a fact that Madeline Albright believed Saddam had WMD at the end of President Clinton's term and discussed the serious situation with Annan of the U.N. From that text it was clear to me that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq at the end of former Pres Clinton's term. Sincerely, Phyllis Kunz

Phyllis Kunz (Sent Sunday, November 11, 2007 7:06 PM)

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