Good Evening Mr.Williams, Happy President's Day! It seems hard to imagine a newsroom as quiet as a library, but I guess everyone is concentrating on receiving the correspodent's reports and writing information for the newscast. I suppose that coffee can be very beneficial during this time. Many changes occur, but you always pull together a great newscast. Try not to make too much noise right when you walk into the newsroom Mr.Williams. You might startle them too much! HA! HA! Anyway, looking forward to a great newscast. Peace to all!
(I like what you said in the posting, "Ask not what Nightly News can do for you, ask what you can do for Nightly News." I always watch your broadcast and I post my comment on your "Daily Nightly" postings. I feel very connected to your broadcast. Thank you for the fine job!)    

Good evening. Enjoy the broadcast. Even though I get informed through-out the day, I still flip the tv on @ 6:30 for the "Nightly News". A pattern ingrained in me from when dad had Huntley/Brinkley on when I was growing up. Enjoy your style.   One little observation though, I just can not warm up to Michael Douglas as the voice. He's a great actor, but just not the right guy this job.  Maybe the weekend guy. Somebody with a deeper, voice of God type, sound.
Just one guy's thought.  Thanks, Barry

Obama and Hillary are sending their foreign policy folks to Damascus Syria. Any word on what kind of a deal they're planning on cutting? Who will be sold out for "peace in their time"? Lebanon, Israel, the people of Iran, or Iraq? Us? BTW the Clinton Cult is just silly accusing Obama of lifting lines. No democrat has said anything new in 40 years.

What, specifically, was irresponsible about the reporting on the JFK story? Not asking for names/networks...just curious what was said.

It's early out here in California but I can't stop laughing after reading this posting. Brian it's sad to see the reported story about what they found in Texas involving the JFK murder. Now you know your old when you remember Oswald never knew Ruby. All the information that has come out clearly shows the US and covert operatives hired by the US killed our President. Yes even the CIA and FBI played their part. What is so amazing is Senator Specter give the Harry Potter magic story that the American brought hook line and sinker.  I think that report should have been given when all the baby boomers are die and gone that way someone just might believe it.

I'll be watching you tonight Mr. Brian Bond yes I remembered. Our Nightly News anchor Bond, Brian Bond 008.

If our students are ranked 24th in math in the world. And we don't know how to teach them has anyone asked the countries ranked 1-10 how they teach their kids?
just a thought.

Regarding the discussion about who first said the words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."...Before anyone claims foul, best to go look at Thomas Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence...second paragraph.  I'd think these thought would be free to be used by anyone, so what's the beef?

As of this evening's broadcast, I will stop watching the Nightly News - I have been a loyal viewer for many decades.  I wrote and complained about one of Lee Cowen's earlier reports on the campaign in which the Obama slogan was prominently displayed while he was on camera; the pattern has continued with tonight's report "A Misstep for Obama?"  I object to the free "air-time" this gives one candidate at the expense of another and it suggests other motives as well.  I will switch to another network's news coverage in hopes of finding one with a more balanced perspective on this important election.

I heard the report about math scores and how we are 15th among other nations.  Please share with us what other nations are doing to keep their math scores high.  We worry about the basics but I understand in other countries children rely on calculators at a much younger age, giving them time to master more concepts at younger ages.  

Brain,

After missing the mark a few times last week, I was worried that would continue into this week with you leading the broadcast with the latest Obama/Clinton dust up about accusations of plagiarism; instead of following what the cable news networks have been doing on the story (sensationalizing and making it more dramatic) you took a step back and looked at the history of political speeches and how ideas that one politician has can quickly be picked up by other politicians, and thereby showing how petty the accusation by the Clinton campaign really is.

The entire broadcast was very solid and put together very well (I guess those quite reading room moments before hand really work), the stories flowed perfectly and the transitions from to the other were clever (i.e. Lincoln’s get away house to the JFK story).  Also I should mention that pause you did before the story of abuse of sick animals was a wise move, yesterday I was watching another news show during dinner and they didn’t take that moment to warn about the graphic nature of the video.  This is why I watch your program; the broadcast is just done well.  

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Very interesting broadcast this evening and very informative as always. Now on to the broadcast. The report concerning Kosovo declaring independence from Serbia certainly showed stark contrasts in reactions. The people of Kosovo are firing off fireworks and dancing all night in the streets whereas the people of Serbia are showing fury. It will be a tense situation in that region for some time. Time will tell the outcome. The report by Mr.Costello from Ridgewood,NJ (home to one of our regular bloggers) exhibits mainly how two ways of teaching arithmetic seem to be at odds. I learned the old way with adding columns of numbers, long division, times tables etc. There were no calculators back when I was in elementary school only later when I entered high school. Sometimes i think people rely too much on a calculator or computer to do the math for them. The example Mr. Costello showed on the blackboard looked much more complicated in the new method than the old method. Whatever the outcome of which method is used I hope these children will do well in arithmetic and later be able to balance there checkbooks in adulthood. The In Depth report by Mr.Fletcher from Uganda was very moving because of the hardships these two young girls experienced at such a young age. Now with the help of the United States these two young girls will be able to lead healthy and happy lives. There is some good work being done to help these children and I hope more and more can have positive futures ahead of them. Finally, I enjoyed the report about the restoration of the Lincoln getaway where he retreated to do some of his work. It is wonderful this home is now back to looking like when Lincoln was there. Also, it is good to hear that Former First Lady Nancy Reagan is recovering from her fall at her home. I wish her a speedy recovery! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

Regarding the fuss over which method is best for teaching math, it seems the simple solution would be to check how the number one country does it and go with it.

Dear Mr. Williams
Just concurring with the person from Columbus, OH, which is the same question that my 50+ wife asked.  What are the top 5 countries doing or is that a way to obvious "fuzzy" question?

I was just wondering what museum that the papers that were found in the Dallas courthouse were being donated to and if they unlike what is in the National Archives will be made available to the public? I would like to see a follow up on this story .

I was just wondering what museum that the papers that were found in the Dallas courthouse were being donated to and if they unlike what is in the National Archives will be made available to the public? I would like to see a follow up on this story .

Let students experiment with alternative methods in addition to the main curriculum not in place of it. Alternative algorithms are best taught when the student has a firm grasp of actual mathematic theory, otherwise it is just another shortcut with no understanding. We can all push a button or turn a crank but to understand should be the real goal.

Has anyone yet mentioned this?: JFK's famous quote, "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country," was taken from Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., who said (way back in 1884) “It is now the moment ... to recall what our country has done for each of us, and to ask ourselves what we can do for our country in return.” Does that mean that JFK was a plagiarizer?

Brian dump the tie it hurt my eyes.
Yes words are often used by others but so far nothing of substance is said. A person can't get a job, save their home from foreclosure or buy food with just a great speech no matter who gives it.

Brian I saw alot of Obama signs when President Bush visited Africa. Maybe the people thought Obama was coming to visit, but Bush showed up. Now as for the President rule for no sex before marriage and sex education well the United States doesn't follow that rule as we see. How many people have you reported like Brad/Angie, Jodie Foster, Halle Berry and so many more even Britney's sister. I guess it's good to order other people to follow the advice but the US is exempt.  That seems to be why most people don't do as their ordered when you never bother to talk to them but just give out orders if they want the money.  To bad the President isn't spending the money for condoms and aids drugs to save lives. But I guess that's to much like making sense.

I got to see Ann Curry's interview and all I could say " You go girl".  She asked the right questions each time even if she got a stupid answer. It was one of the best interviews and best questions asked I've heard from a reporter in a long, long time.  Ok Brian I still remember your short interview with Senator Obama.  I did notice neither Connie Rice or President Bush spoke about the video that Senator Obama was to make for the people of his Dad's hometown of Kenya.

Brian, I have to agree with Barry Youngblood -- Michael's voice doesn't have the power needed; he sounds a bit nasal.  On the subject of quotes: Mr Obama used Martin Luther's "I have a dream" and apparently no comments were made about that.  We enjoy your newscasts, striped ties and all!

Thanks for reporting about the "math wars" around the country.  I live in Washington State and, as you mentioned, the great math debate is alive and well in Washington State.  

In my children's district, "reform" math has been in the elementary school since my 15-year-old sophomore was in Kindergarten.  The elementary students are learning so few basics that they falter when they hit middle school and are taught out of a traditional math textbook for the first time in their school careers.  Then, they figure out what they are doing and their Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL - a statewide assessment test) pass rates are heads and shoulders above other districts using reform math curricula.  

Just last year, our district got on the reform math bandwagon and we now have watered-down math through geometry.  Over 700 parents signed a petition asking our school board to adopt a more blended middle school curriculum but it did no good.

The frustrating part about the situation for parents is that switching to a reform curriculum is illogical.  When the WASL scores from 95% of the districts around the state using reform middle school curricula show pass rates of 15-60% and the district using the traditional curriculum is 65-75%, it causes parents to wonder if the district's goal is to lower the pass rate (even though they claimed they HAD to switch to reform curricula to increase the pass rate).  In approximately 100 districts using the core curriculum that was chosen for our middle school students (CMP/CMP2), only 4 districts had higher 7th grade math WASL pass rates.  One of the districts is Bellevue which sinks millions of dollars into their math program to supplement it and ensure teachers get through all the material throughout the school year.  Our district, on the other hand, must cut $2.3 million from the budget this summer.  If a curriculum requires excessive amounts of teacher training (like reform curricula) and oodles of supplementing (like reform curricula--which doesn't get done because there is no time), it isn't a good curriculum.

Unfortunately, the people who set the nation in the direction of reform math (the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for one) refuse to acknowledge that their reform curricula are handicapping students in math instead of helping them.  I have a 15-year-old who never learned long-division.  Why?  Because it isn't a Washington State standard and she never had a teacher who required her to learn it (nor taught it to her).  If you don't think that's a handicap, try figuring out your gas mileage after filling up your car at the gas station without doing long division.

What I find amusing is the press amplification of the garbage spewed out by the Clinton's PR machine which is filling the public discourse with a flood of negativity.

The distorted characterization of Barack Obama's supporters is borne out of genuine fear that they (The Clintons)  may actually lose.  It illustrates one of the core features of the 28 year run of Clinton/Carvel/Bush/Rove politics. Politicians in power need to get the political arena as slimy as possible. This depresses the voter turn out, leaving the hard core on each side slugging it out. They are terrified of throngs of new voters joining the process, so they denigrate and marginalize them. Make no mistake, this will have an effect. Some new comers will do an about face and call a pox on all politics.

In slime-based politics, the winner scurries off to consolidate power and plan for the next showdown. It's not that slimers don't understand that governance in a democratic country takes consensus and inclusion, it's that they are not running to govern. The Clintons are running for Bush's job which was formerly Bill's job. If they win it, they have no use for consensus and dialog. They have great use, however, for getting even and settling old grudges- in order to prime the pump for the next contest.

Obama is running for a different job. It's a job which many Americans want someone to fill, that of a leader who is, simply put, a leader. We are not under illusions about a rosy world showing up the next day.

We pay attention to the revolving door mess of Washington and the lobbyists who pay for politicians and call the shots. And we know the difference between what we have been burdened with in the past and what Obama is offering. We are not willing to accept more of the same. The slimy politics of the Clinton/Bush oligarchy will end or at least recede, if Obama is elected.

The press on the other hand loves the slime. Slime sells their product. They hasten to take every microscopic detail slipped into the conversation by the Clintons, amplify it and debate it as though it had credence. Hopefully we can get past the onslaught, but it will not be easy. Old habits die hard.

Al, ask Willard Scott if he can find someone who voted for President Wilson on his next Smucker's Segment... then find out who this 111 year old man has voted for since then... That would be incredible.  There must be someone out there, someone, anyone?  Possible... it's possible.  Not possible?  Betcha it is, Willard.

Hi Brian- I was watching Monday nights broadcast of the girls who no longer have HIV--just one question-How can they be cured from HIV there?-But we are informed there is no cure--Please help us understand this, we're just a little puzzled as how this is happening

Hi Brian -

I really think that Hillary should name Bill now as her running mate - that's what he is and will always be no matter what happens.

I wonder how many voters would go for that ticket.

The temperature in our office on Monday was about 80 degrees, so I smiled when you spoke about your studio feeling "like the Philippines" during the promo on WNBC-TV.  They can land a craft on Mars but controlling an HVAC system is impossible.

Misery loves company.  

Mr Williams,
Regarding fuzzy math.  I think the way children are taught math these days is ridiculous.  I even have to read the directions 2-3 times before I can figure out how to help my child and to me that is a disgrace.  In my day we did not have such a fast paced day at school and not all children can keep up with it.  Lets face it, when these children are grown up they will all use a calculator like we do and all this math they are taught is out the window.  Maybe children should be placed in a classroom according to their ability to learn at a level they can deal with.  I am all for the basic math and as a child gets older their choice of academics will better serve them.

Not so long ago Hillary Clinton lifted a phrase from one of Bill Clinton's speeches.  It's on the MSNBC website.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15609023/wid/1191577s/

Could i salute your staff in the eyes of anchor
you are relly smart is it the rule that americains
are very lovely as for us russians new amricain president in the figure of Obama is something
original and special i apprciated today's article
in your blog about his wife with deep background in law a chocolate couple

Brian Williams: I was very disappointed in your reporting last night when the Nightly News alleged a "misstep" on Barack Obama's part for using words originally spoken by Deval Patrick. Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of another person's words/ideas; clearly, Deval Patrick authorized Obama to use these words. I agree with Obama that it would have been helpful, and better, for him to have credited Patrick in the speech. But let's be clear, repeating the words and ideas with permission is different than doing it without permission. Regarding NBC News and the media generally, it seems to me you have more than an obligation to report what the Clinton camp is saying and what the Obama camp responds. You have an obligation to exercise editorial judgment. One might have thought such judgment would lead you to immediately contact Deval Patrick to determine if his words were used without authorization, before reporting that this was a case of plagiarism. At some point, the media has to step up and take some responsibility and stop simply reporting "both sides of the story." Indeed, I think this is the type of thing--the "gotcha" school of journalism--that our democracy needs to move beyond. You and NBC News should be doing your part, not holding us back.

I am so pleased to see how many comments were generated by the reform math vs. traditional math teaching methods.  As Ms. Lisa from the great state of Georgia noted, I do live in Ridgewood, NJ where Mr. Costello reported.  The math issue here has been an explosive one.  The Ridgewood school system has an acting superintendent because last year when a new superintendent was named he withdrew his acceptance in less than one week.  Why?  The outraged reaction of many parents to learning that he was/is a proponent of the reform math method.  There are parents here who are teaching their children on their or through utilizing traditional methods.  I dare say this may be creating additional confusion for the students.

My mother was an elementary school math teacher for many years (not in Ridgewood) and was the ultimate traditionalist in teaching math.  Her students were not allowed to use calculators, they had to show ALL of their work for how they got their answers and things like fractions, percents and word problems were mandatory.

She taught them the value of money in several different ways; from how to make change using the least number of bills & coins and how to avoid getting lots of pennies (coins)/bills in change by the money given to a cashier.  One of the "favorite" projects was where the students had to "find" a job in the classifieds and based on the salary develop a monthly budget including negotiating rent with their parents, food, clothing, insurance, car, entertainment etc.  It was always an eye opening project for the kids when they realized how much of their money would be taken out for taxes.  Was amazing how cheap they could be.

I agree with many of the other posters that a better effort needs to be made in teaching the American children.  Unfortunately it is not only in math but all subjects.

The Texas Connection is the best book on the JFK assassination as far as I'm concerned.  I agree with Bush 41s endorsement of McCain.  Race and gender shouldn't be an issue in politics and the Democrat's emphasis on such couldn't be more wrong.  Fletcher's story seems like a good and heartfelt one.  I saw the Indianapolis time trials so, I have some sense of how exciting the Daytona 500 must be, though I've never been there.  Let me finish by wishing you the best on tonights broadcast, Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams

I am a firefighter from upstate NY, (Albany County) the City of Cohoes. I am a registerd Democrat and in Albany County if you want or need anything it has always been necessary to be a Democrat.

When the Clintons decided to move to NY, previous to the President leaving office I wondered why, there must be something up; and there was. Soon Senator Moynihan announces his retirement and Hillary throws her name in the ring (she must be great at chess) that was part of the plan all along, she is Carpetbaggar.

Yes she won an election on her own, but the NY democratic machine has pushed her along, and the whole time as Senator her sights have been set on running for President. I could not wait to vote against her in the Primary, even though she carried the state and I believe she started out thinking she would walk right in to the nomination. I am pleased that Senator Obama is making her work and she is not just taking the Democratic nomination.

What bothers me is since her husband was president I belive she thought she should be president. I would like to see the cycle of handing off of the baton broken, four years with Bush the Father, eight years with Bill Clinton, eight years with Bush the son and now a possible Hillary Clinton for eight years; I am sure Jeb Bush is waiting in the wings for his turn.

This is exactly the cycle, Washington people keeping a hold on the White House. It is a breath of fresh air to see an outsider like Obama squeezing the regular crowd,I like his message and that he is making the American people feel they have a part in the process.

I have a good feeling about this country right now, and it is amazing that politics is what is making me feel that way; in 1980 when I was 20 I felt the same way and that came from a hockey team.

Using the words of other people in a speech will not change my mind about how I feel; For the first time in a long time I am excited about the process. Hillary and her crowd crying plagirism only shows how powerfull words can be, perhaps she should cry again and hope crocodiles will not find out, so they cry foul.

Yes, the people are excited abut the political process and for longer than it would have been if Senator Obama had not been around;after Super Tuesday Hillary would have peen annointed. This also makes me happy for Governor Huckabee doing the smae thing for Republicans.

I am plesed with the country that we are at a point where a black mand and a woman are running for president; I thought Barbra Jordon would have been a great candidate twenty years ago (God rest her sole).

With any luck this mess can be over shortly without the Clintons trying to undermine the convention. I have voted Republican before and if Hillary Clinton is the nominee I will do so again.

This country is in rough shape, being attacked from many and all sides. Our economy is a shame, our friends can do without us and when South American dictators can threaten to undermine our existence we are at an all time low. The Canadian border is troubled and difficult where at one time it was the largest unguarded border in the world.

In ending I am saying this, I never getan exit poll after voting. I am College educated with a Civil Service job, I am retired from the Reserve forces of the military, My wife and I own a home and she works as a nurse.We struggle to get our daughter through college, make payments buy groceries and take a vacation. I want to see some change take place in Washington and soon, before The United States is a former military and economic super power and future history books talk about us as what we used to be.

Thank you for your attention and I apologize for the long windedness. Your news and the view yor present is a pleasure to view each night, it is amazing when people speak about the news being one sided I do not feel this is true for you and the NBC News team.

Tim Russert is great on Sunday Mornings also.

Jim Fennen

I watch your show every evening, and always look forward to hearing about the Presidental race. All though, my views of who I am going to vote for still a little "iffy". But, I guess if I had to make a choice, and he was running, I would diffently vote for Tim Russett.Wouldn't he make a great president???            

Delete the "Race and gender shouldn't be an issue in politics and the Democrat's emphasis on such couldn't be more wrong" words in my previous posting to this story, NBC.

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