White Christmas?

Posted: Sunday, December 23, 2007 3:56 PM by Sam Singal

By Lester Holt, NBC News anchor

Good afternoon from New York, where at 53 degrees it hardly feels like Christmas. Those wishing for a white Christmas however may think twice after seeing the misery snow is causing across the upper midwest this weekend. Thousands are without power, there have been numerous car accidents, and severe travel disruptions. Here in the east the rain is snarling air traffic with delays at New York's JFK airport running 4 hours. Many people are finding it especially difficult to reach their holiday destinations, and we'll have the very latest on our newscast tonight.

This will be the fifth Christmas in which American troops will be marking the holiday in Iraq. Tonight we will talk to retired Army General Barry McCaffrey who has just returned from Iraq with a surprisingly upbeat and positive report. The General, who has been a vocal critic of the handling of the war will be with me live to explain his new outlook.

We've got an eye opening report from Lisa Myers reminding us that not all hospitals are created equal. She'll tell us why some hospitals have actually been forced to call 911 during medical emergencies.

From South Africa I'll share the story of a great invention that's turning child's play into a source of clean water in a place that desperately needs it.

I hope you'll join us tonight for NBC Nightly News.

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Comments

Lester,
In this season of reflection and gratitude, I wanted to thank you for your superb reporting of the news on the weekends. I watch you on the weekend mornings also. Thank you for your professionalism. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Be safe.

cynthia, north carolina (Sent Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:00 PM)

Hi Lester
It's not as cold out here on the East Coast as I expected. Now I heard General McCraffrey's comments and respectfully disagree. I only get information from the troops and not the one's who want to make the White House look good. We lost 5 soldiers yesterday I don't call that success. I lost faith in the Generals as we see so many of them working not for the troops but the White House. Gates and Petraus have shown under oath they will support and even say what makes the GOP look good. The picture you showed of the Iraq families having fun looked just as it did before we illegally invaded it. Iran is why things are going better in Iraq not the US. You have noticed how all the Middle East Countries are working together and even the Iran President is invited to Iraq. So let's not think anyone is buying what the White House is selling now.

As for the candidates. McCain lost when he sold his soul to Bush with the hug. Now I wonder with Illinois in so much debt and crime why their Senator Obama is more interested in getting the White House then helping the people of his State. He hasn't voted on many bills and is asking Americans to vote on faith that he will learn on the job. I just spoke to a friend who said she didn't buy the book Oprah was endorsing and she's not buying her on voting for Obama. I hope Mitt would just stop trying to lie his way out of the lie he told about Martin Luther King.

I came home to New Jersey to see sub prime is causing more suffering just as we have in California.
The plan worked for 7 years as the new laws put in place by the Bush Administration open the flood gates for crime and greed. The good news is Goldman Sachs was in on the plan and will now hold a monopoly as other well known companies fall. I was so up set by the NSA only to find out they weren't listen to Americans it was businesses that were being eavesdropped on as to make a take over. Dick Cheney was smart to set it up while using terrorist as the excuse.

In January Americans will see that their charged card bill is taxed more and others will see if they still have a job. I guess if the Law Makers succeed in kicking out the immigrant tax paying workings their jobs can be filled by Americans even those with a college education. What person would want to come to the US to work knowing how the US treats people. Now what will be interesting is how American born children are kicked out of the country they were born. Who's next on the list. The White House might but in the new Bush Constitution that all Americans who's family came from another country could be asked to leave the US. Looks like the Indians will be the only ones left on this land. Good news for Mexico they can get California back.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:08 PM)

I really appreciated all the news stories this evening, especially the upbeat, positive report
from Gen. McCaffery.

And I am quoting from a gentlemen in Africa who said , "I'm beginning to think we can change the
world, and it's exciting." Exciting, indeed.

Your reporting, as always, was top-notch.

Phyllis Kunz Louisville, Ky. (Sent Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:09 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Holt, I just want to say thank you for your hard work on Weekend Today and Nightly News. I wish you could have Christmas Eve off and Christmas Day. You work so very hard and I appreciate you efforts. Now on to the broadcast. The weather certainly seems to be causing much havoc in the country. Seeing all those pictures from the Mid-Section of the country looks terrible. Down here in Georgia we received a little rain this morning and are expected to get more rain on Christmas Day. That would be a very nice present. Although I think we will end the year as the driest ever. I hope we have alot of rain soon it would help the drought ridden states so very much. On another note the report from Stephanie Gosk about the reduction in violence in Baghdad looked promising. It doesn't seem possible that this is the fifth Christmas for our troops being in Iraq. The report showed people having picnics and children playing which appeared to be a positive scene. And it certainly it positive. Yet it is due to the terror groups moving to other provinces and the cease fire by al-Sadr's army militia. It seems the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds will always be struggling for power and fighting eachother. The troops are doing a magnificent job in the areas because the violence has dropped. Hearing from General McCaffrey was very interesting and he did state an upbeat assessment of the progress. He stated Ramadi which was once very violent is relatively secure. Yet he said that Maliki's government is dysfunctional which is very true. That government really needs to take more control of their situation. So much struggle and turmoil between the different groups. Maybe in the near future they will find a way to live in that country peacefully by finding some common ground. It is going to take a long time. The innocent civilians deserve to live in a peaceful nation. I hope that happens for them. Finally, the "Making a Difference" segement was inspirational as always. It is wonderful those children were helped by other children to receive clean drinking water. Water is life for every living thing. Nothing and nobody should be without it ever. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Holt. As I have said before a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family!! Peace to all!!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:27 PM)

"No al-Quaeda in Iraq" now. That will blow
their minds!!!

Merry CHristmas!!!

Phyllis Kunz (Sent Monday, December 24, 2007 9:19 AM)

I especially enjoyed the news story on
Queen Elizabeth. She came to the Kentucky Derby
last year, which was an honor and a thrill.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Holt

Phyllis Kunz (Sent Monday, December 24, 2007 10:56 AM)

Merry Christmas, Lester. I see you are doing double duty again today as you have all weekend. I hope you get some special time with your family. It's always godo to see you in the anchor chair. And on the Today Show (which I never watch as I am usually at work then). It was great to see you and Ann. Ann is truly a special lady. Such charisma. She just makes me smile.

Happy Holidays to all. It's a beautiful sunny 78 here in Southern CA and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Ali, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, December 24, 2007 3:03 PM)

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