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'It's like the Berlin wall...'

Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:52 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under:

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

That is how one of our producers described the pictures from Gaza today. The story in Gaza changed in a fundamental way today. We'll have coverage of that, the markets, politics, and health. We'll also have the reporting of Tom Brokaw and Ann Curry -- in the same broadcast.

All of my elective time is taken up by prepping for Thursday's GOP debate -- I leave for Florida after the broadcast tonight, and Tim Russert and I will meet up there tomorrow for a final prep session or two before tomorrow night's broadcast.

The Heath Ledger story is so very sad -- I'm seeing huge interest in it on the web today, and not all facets of the early reporting have proven to be accurate.

It's not too early to tell you about a great segment we've slated for tomorrow night: how do the candidates do it? Long days, motel rooms, bad food, endless airplane hops and handshakes. Sometimes its a wonder they get two words in a row right. And when they DON'T, you can bet we'll be all over it.

We also have some great web material on kids and the internet, nuns and our green planet, and more on Ann Curry's emotional reporting from tonight. We're happy to have you with us tonight...and we'll look for you from Florida tomorrow evening.

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How can a producer from NBC News compare the fall of the Berlin Wall with the destruction of a part of border of an unrecognized territory (Gaza) with Egypt. The Berlin Wall ended the largest rift in political history of whole mankind, the rift between the West and the East and reconciled a cold war-torn Germany (Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic). It ended 40 years of tyranny by some eastern-controlled functionaires of a cruel party (SED).

How can a producer from an internationally acclaimed news organization like NBC News can compare the historical importance of the Fall of the Berlin Wall with the happening of an explosion at a border-crossing in the Middle East ???

Marc Schulz, Delitzsch, Germany (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:12 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all have a safe trip to Florida in order to moderate the Republican Debates with Mr.Russert. It should prove to be an interesting one. Yet, I do hope they all don't talk at once and start attacking eachother or you and Mr.Russert will have to give some of them. I look forward to the debate. Now on to the broadcast. The report by Mr.Manyon from Gaza where the wall to the border to Egypt has been torn down showed the struggle of people just trying to survive and the need to feel freedom. The people crossing over the wall or just jumping over to enter Egypt in order get food and fuel while the soldiers allowed them to pass was interesting and one hopes these people will feel the "taste of freedom" and live in peace. On another note the new Iraq national flag certainly marks a change from the rule of Saddam Hussein and might possibly represent a better future for the region. But it will take a long time. Regarding Ann Curry's piece about the priest who is talking to people from the Ukraine villages on what they witnessed during the holocaust was very heartwreching and sad to hear. The images they all spoke about concerning how people were gathered into mass graves and killed was just horrifying and the treatment of children and adults too. These accounts from these people must never be forgotten and this priest is doing some fine research. I think his grandfather would be moved to tears. Very touching piece from Ann Curry. She does excellent work! On one final other note it has been a wild few days for the market. Hopefully, the news will become more positive and less erratic. Take each day at a time. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. See you in Florida tomorrow evening. Peace to all!  

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:34 PM)

My name is Dale Huot from Arundel, Maine.  I just have to let you know that Ann Curry is a "keeper".  I am an Executive Vice President of a local community bank.  I faithfully watch the morning news while getting ready to go to the office, as well as in the evening, when I get home.  When I know that Ann Curry is going to be on I do everything possible to watch her.  She has so much compassion for the people she interviews.  It is truly genuine and it shows in her face and voice.  Her interview this evening was so emotional.  I hope you're paying her well.  So soooo deserves it.

Dale Huot

Dale Huot, Arundel, ME (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 7:54 PM)

Dear Mr. Williams:

In your report tonight on the breach of the border fence between Gaza and Egypt, your introduction described it as a "crisis." Yet the ITN report (which was also shown on the Newshour) showed no situation which could be viewed as a "crisis," unless that would be the view of the Israeli government.

In fact, the ITN piece showed people shopping, walking around, and "breathing free" as at least one of the Gazans stated. There was no rioting, looting, or violence. Please explain to your viewers how the word "crisis" found its way into your script.

Sincerely,
Gary W. Moody
Franklin, IN

(PS - "crisis" or "Berlin Wall"?)

Gary W. Moody, Franklin, IN (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 8:12 PM)

Brian,

As you and Tim prepare for the Florida GOP debates, it may be time to take a real hard look at the election process before us.  After all, this has to be the most public, and quite frankly, the longest public job interview there is.  While we celebrate the diversity our candidates on both sides of the aisle (it is hard to escape coverage that doesn't include some note to one candidate’s race, another’s gender, and lest we forget religion), one should be reminded that in any other job interview this focus, under U.S. employment law, is illegal.  As we have seen in many elections, it is not always the most qualified who wins; without disparaging any of the brave men who have served and served with an unending loyalty to the beliefs on which this country was founded.  As we head into Super Tuesday and beyond, it would be refreshing to see how the qualifications of the candidates meet the job being presented.  To paraphrase Senator Edwards, there are other candidates in this race.  Each candidate, whether Democrat or Republic, brings a unique quality and perspective to this process; these should be part of a whole picture, not the whole picture.  What qualifications does each have to be president?  Based on what has been presented in the media, I could be president, as I’m well spoken, look pleasant on camera, and understand that a 5 second sound bite is king.  We are no longer in high school, the prom king and queen will not do.  The challenges ahead require a leader who has had to defend their principles and beliefs with a true sense of civic duty and understand that there are no easy solutions.  I would like you to cover that, and then maybe we can finally choose a capable leader instead of the prom king or queen.

Christine Gerhardt, Falls Church, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 8:54 PM)

Brian, Julian Manyon's brilliant insight in his Gaza report tonight: "What will Israel do next?" speaks to the quality of NBC news and character of its managing news editor. The onus really is on Israel, isn't it?. I guess to alleviate the suffering of the victimized Palestinians, doe-eyed kids, standing there with candles, in the dark, (great footage, pictorial, y'know, like Caravaggio, or an ad for the Christian Children's Fund), the Israelis should just....well they should just die, as the missiles come raining into their cities. Great pics last evening of the missiles BTW.

Hmmm, come to think of it.., I wonder what Hamas will do next -- or the Palestinian gangs, aka in NBC-Orwellian-speak, the militants? Nah, as Emily LaTela used to say on the old SNL: Never Mind.  

And NBC wonders why people are abandoning network news. The unexamined moral equivalence formula in voice-over and the pictorials that are deeply biased, you don't have to be a semiotician to see it -- great combo. S'long NBC -- here we  come Charlie.

(We will truly Miss Ann Curry -- if the powers that be at NBC ever achieve sentience and replace you Brain, we will scoot right back. Brian, you can go on a scavenger hunt in your retirement and search for your moral compass. Appearances on Letterman won't do the humanizing.)

bob sackamana, new jersey (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:07 PM)

Hello Brian,
re your debate prep for Thursday, will someone finally ask Mr. Romney about the difference between his "economic turnaround" rhetoric and actual record as Governor of MA?  See the MassInc study on MA job creation, economy, and people fleeing MA "in droves" to seek jobs. Check with Andrew Sum, Professor of  Economics at Northeastern University, or see the Yahoo article:  "Mitt Romney's economic record questioned".

The facts are MA job growth was #48 in the nation, only behind LA and MI in terms of poor growth. (With no auto industry or hurricane to blame for it) Real wages rose one lousy dollar.  MA was also third most in people leaving the state. He ran in MA on a jobs platform, but did not deliver as Governor. How can he now claim success, and ability to grow jobs?  

If the blame is placed on a MA Democratic legislature, how will he make progress with a Democratic Congress in today's environment?  And, by the way, most voters don't understand the difference between Private Equity and Venture Capitalists either - one makes money by buying control, slashing jobs and selling off the pieces, the other by investing. One gets tired of glib deflections serving as good answers. Hope this helps you and the FL voters get to reality.  I believe you will see the value in these questions being answered.

Ma Voter (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:17 PM)

I complained about your tabloid-y Heath Ledger coverage last night and I'm back tonight to give you kudos for a dignified report on this story tonight.   Thank you for stepping away from the sensational stuff and only reporting the facts.

Kathleen, Colorado Springs CO (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:55 PM)

As long as we are on the subject of the Middle East, Martin Fletcher has posted a gripping piece from Nablus on the West Bank about Palestinian terrorists that surprised and wowed me. It is on the World Blog which you can access by clicking on the logo in the upper right of this page.

Martin, you never cease to amaze me! Wow!

Celine, JC-NJ (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:00 PM)

I'm surprized that no-one from NBC or any of the other networks news shows haven't announced the end of the war in Iraq. For the past several days the war in Iraq hasn't been mentioned; not once. So the war must be over. Am I wrong in assuming this? Some junkie two-bit actor dies from a drug overdose and  gets more air and news time than our troops. Maybe if you don't talk about the war it will just go away and people will forget it. Looks like NBC is doing one great friggin job at that.

Michael Pasquale, Jr. Lynn, MA (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 10:48 PM)

It seems that the general population does not have their priorities straight, many are more concerned with lives of celebrities than the real problems we face as a country.  Here in the U.S., we could kill two birds with one stone.  We could easily fix this economic recession by enforcing the laws on (illegal)immigration, mainly from the South.  This flood of cheap labor is hurting the U.S. economy, and only a fraction of the money they are paid stays in the U.S.  We lose millions if not billions of dollars a year that is being sent south of our border.  We would not be in the economical situation that we are in if that money was being put back into circulation here.  We should tax money being wired out of the country, its a start. The government needs to start enforcing the laws that are in existence concerning (illegal) immigration instead of trying to make all these illegals become U.S. citizens with one pass of a pen.  The law of anchor babies needs to be abolished as well as free health care for them.  Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, let's stop the flow of illegal immigration (cheap labor force), and then we'll have Americans spending U.S. currency here in the U.S. were it should be.
  And finally, English has to be OFFICIAL language of the U.S.  
Thanks for your time, but we have to do something now.

Concerned U.S. Citizen, Every town in America (Sent Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:19 PM)

Please! Please! Please! Ask all GOP candidates if elected what changes (if any) to Bushs foreign policy would they make.

Vivian Ervin (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:09 AM)

"It's Like the Berlin Wall" = typical lazy reporting, and is a textbook case of why people are abandoning the mainstream media for blogs.

Why, YEARS after the IDF left Gaza, was a wall separating Gaza and EGYPT still standing, and why did it require Hamas sappers working AT NIGHT to bring it down?

IDF helicopters have destroyed the Egyptian and/or Hamas bulldozers sent to destroy it?  Or maybe Egypt had prevented its destruction?

If your reporter knows, he isn't telling, but he sure implied it was Israel's doing.

Jack, NY, NY (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 12:21 PM)

You mentioned that only 2% of the aging (over 65) population in the US has had the Shingles Vaccine. Want to know why?  Medicare won't pay for it.  I had the vaccine and it was very expensive but after watching my husband suffer with it I knew I didn't want to have Shingles so I was willing to pay for it myself.  First of all I can't believe the price and secondly, why won't Medicare help share the cost?  They are letting down our Senior Citizens in a big way these days.

Roz Porter, Sunset, SC 29685 (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:00 PM)

For Mitt Romney:

Do you agree or disagree that McCain/Feingold represents that money = free speech, and if so, how are Average Americans able to compete in the costly bidding process of huge corporate and special interests?????
Thank You,
Deborah Aldinger

Deborah Aldinger, Belleville, PA 17004 (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:50 PM)

I never miss Nightly News.
Grat question(s) for debate: What and when is yor plan for resolving entitlement train wrecks of social secuity and medicare. With an emphasis on specifics of actions and timetables.
Thanks,
R Seslar

R Seslar Denver NC (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:38 PM)

We are having a Candle Light Vigil in Honor of Jennifer Nicole Lowe, Monday, January 28, 2008 at 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN, City County Building, between 4PM and 9 PM. Come out and show your support!!
She was mauled to death by Charles Lee Smallwood's 5 pitbulls on November 12, 2007, he hasnt spent 1 minute in jail and there are so many conflicts to his story of what happened, his whereabouts, etc... The Knox County Sherriff's Department really dropped the ball in her case. We will not rest until Justice is served.

Visit:

www.myspace.com/jenniferlowefoundation

Uncle James

jamesmariopipes@yahoo.com

James Pipes, Clinton, TN (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:57 PM)

Hi Brian,
Here's a question to ask at the debate that ties all the issues together:
"Our middle class has run out of spending money and can borrow no more. Middle class incomes have remained static while living costs have skyrocketed. College education is now a rich family's luxury; our jobs are being lost overseas; all while the concept of 'saving' has all but dissapeared.  It seems the rich are geting richer, the poor are poorer, and the middle class is dissapearing. First, do you agree that these things are true?  Do you believe that the middle class is forgotten by our politicians?  And thirdly, will your presidency make these issues the primary focus of your administration - above continued international and military endevours?
 

Jeffrey Drake (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 4:02 PM)

Regarding the story on the wall between Gaza and Egypt being torn down, the word "siege" was used to describe Israel's actions in closing its borders due to the ceaseless onslaught of rockets being fired into Israel from that area. I think the use of the word "siege" was highly prejudicial toward Israel and not exactly factual. I also believe that the situation in Gaza should have had a bit more backstory to explain why Israel has closed its borders with Gaza; also, the border between Gaza and Egypt is closed due to the smuggling of arms and materials to manufacture rockets to be shot into Israel.
The news can be skewered to reflect bias and should not be. Much reporting on the Palestinian conflict with Israel has a subtle and often not so subtle bias toward Israel.

Steven Cyzner, Austin Texas (Sent Thursday, January 24, 2008 11:08 PM)

Berlin Wall? Israel is the only Nation asked to return land it has won.  If any "people" started sending rockets daily into America or any other country The Whole World would cry out! They put the block aids up to protect the people from "hate taught Palestians" who would rather war than do something constructive Like stopping Hamas from sending the Rockets and Suicide bombers over in the first place. Start reporting The whole story NBC! A Palestian came over yesterday and stabbed 4 students while trying to kid-nap them. Wake Up and Defend Israel's Right to defend itself!

Chandra Richmond, Virginia (Sent Friday, January 25, 2008 10:50 AM)

Dear Mr. Williams:

Despite my question on Wednesday, which was also emailed to your staff, your broadcast on Thursday again used the word "crisis" in the report on the Gaza-Egypt border situation. In fact you went so far as to have a graphic that said BORDER CRISIS.

Again, as with the previous day's report, there was no indication of a "crisis." Again, I assumed you were merely parroting the opinion of the AmeroIsraeli authorities, with no basis in reality. Being one with a background in broadcast journalism, I was inspired to call your office. To make a long story short, I was subjected to a series of rude incidents by some juvenile members of your staff. My opinion of your organization has therefore reached a new low, to say the least.

By Friday, with some teargas wafting around Rafah, there was an indication of a "crisis" a-brewing. Still, I think that your erroneous over-application of the term, and applying it to a population in search of food and freedom, versus the Israel-and-US-led blockade, was an extremely poor choice. Your credibility suffers thereby.

Gary W. Moody, Franklin, IN (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 2:42 PM)

Berlin Wall? What you will call wall between Mexico and USA?
Friendship wall or Amigo Protection wall.

Ralph (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:49 PM)

Thanks for keeping Tucker in MSNBC, now I can stop watching MSNBC forever, less time waste.
Please stop insulting woman, I can understand you guy don't like either your mother or wife or daughter, but we woman are also human.

Martha (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 11:07 PM)

Dear Mr. Williams:

It would be churlish of me, after my previous criticisms (thanks for posting them), not to acknowledge the improvement in tonight's coverage of the Gaza-Egypt situation. Oddly, I don't recall Saturday's version... But tonight, although there has been some violence, the graphic had been changed to "On the Line." Better late than never, I guess, even with the increased tension between the Egyptians and Palestinians. I hope that your producers will be mindful of their choice of words.

By the way, I agree with the Berlin Wall analogy. The people of Gaza will be free someday. And I'm looking forward to the day when the Apartheid Wall on the eastern side of Palestine is also toppled. And the one around Bethlehem. And when all such atrocities are dismantled, forever.

Sincerely,
Gary W. Moody

PS: LOVED Lester Holt's Smart Car report!

Gary W. Moody, Franklin, IN (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:49 PM)

Brian,

Sorry to see that you did not make it to the candle light vigil in honor of my beautiful niece Jennifer Nicole Lowe, we know you are a very busy man. We lit a candle for you, in your absence. After the vigil we met with Lumpy Lambert, one of our "commissioners" he wanted to know what we thought of the new county wide ordinances passed this evening Jan, 28, 2008 here in the Knox City-County Bldg. We said a prayer, we cried and lit candles, 77 days ago, the pain is not fair, still I felt very little satisfaction with the proceedings of the new ordinances. If the idea is to save lives then they are failing those in our society that have little decision in where they live, children of the dangerous dog owner for one, their friends and people that work and live within this dangerous dog's environment. They need to require a liability insurance minumum on owners of dangerous dogs, along with a muzzle clause that while the "dangerous animal is in the presence of any other human being other than the owner a muzzel is required to be in place on the animal as to not cause bodily injury to anyone." When a human life is lost in such a tragic and brutal way as Jennifer Nicole Lowe's was there should be accountability on all levels that failed to protect Jennifer from animals that were deemed "dangerous" by the Young-Williams Animal Center, yet allowed the Owner of these animals, Charles Lee Smallwood and Jonathan Bradley Elliott to let them run loose, without leashes or muzzles just 3 days prior to Jennifer's untimely death in the front yard at 11308 Sam Lee Road, Knoxville, TN. Perhaps responsibility is shared by the police that were delayed, causing their response time to wait to over 29 minutes, the entire time Jennifer is fighting 2 to 5 pitbulls (3 were "5-month-old-puupies") in a fight she was losing the entire time, "while they filled up with gas..." Where was the owner of the dangerous dogs, A closer look at his time-line just doesn't add up and neither does other facts that he claims in news interviews.   Well we will be at the Rockwood city meeting on February 18, 2008 where we will hold a vigil in her honor to let people know her story and give a voice to the voiceless when it comes to dangerous dogs and innocent lives and where resposibility belongs when these animals destroy and take away human lives.

Sincerely,

Uncle James, Clinton, TN

James Pipes (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 4:12 PM)

I am curious about your reasons for the story on Tuesday night's news about Senator Obama and Mr. Rizko.  It is far from new news.  I saw a report with the same content on ABC over a week ago.  I could not help but wonder if the timing of Mr. Obama's recent positive stories (SC win, Kennedy endorsement) might have presented an opportunity to shape some opinions.  It wasn't the story; it was the timing that seemed suspicious to me.

Martin Manuel (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:19 PM)

yes, I was wondering about the same thing. it looks as if the news are building some momentum before coming out big on Mr. Ritzo and Senator Obama's relationship. My guess would be that they are waiting for the trial to be pronouced so they can go postal on trying to bust Senator Obama (once he wins over Senator Clinton).

ForObama, NY, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 4:22 PM)



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