Sad state(s)

Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008 4:05 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under: Brian Williams

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

It is tempting for the media -- for all of us -- to move on after the news story that dominated our coverage for much of last week: the Midwest flooding. But the saddest image of the day might just be the weather radar over that region right now (more rain) and the predictions that rivers have yet to crest from last week. They don't need this.

We have quite a broadcast planned for you tonight, now that we're back after the Easter Weekend. Tonight, Nightly News is offered with limited commercial interruption -- a very simple equation: fewer commercials, more news. We'll try to put our extra time to good use. Something tells me politics will come up.

We're glad to have you with us.

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Comments

A 5th Grader sent us troops in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm that following postcard: "What's Saddam Hussein backwards? It's Insane Mad Das!" I got the card, read it, and chuckled over it. Here's a joke to that kid to return the chuckle: What's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad backwards? It's dajeniDAMha duomHAM or Dam Pig for short! Full circle, kid! Send those jokes to the troops in Iraq, NBC! They could use them after reaching the 4,000 deaths mark!

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 4:16 PM)

Dear NN team,

I hope you will cover the prelude and happening as well as the aftermath of the Olympic Games in Beijing with such a high journalistic standard, that you are able to criticize China for its action against the Tibetans. I know NBC Universal is the highest contributor worldwide in terms of broadcast rights money towards the International Olympic Committee. So you shouldn't be afraid to cover the negative side of China's ascendance in world politics in the wake of the Olympic Games, because I witnessed that NBC is covering China always with a more positive view rather than with a negative.

My prayers also go with the 4,000 killed American troops and their remaining families in the United States.

I hope that the mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, is getting a hard sentence, because he gives Detroit, a city torn by unemployment and economic downturn, a bad reputation when he is involved in a sex scandal.

Marc Schulz, Delitzsch, Germany (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 5:24 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend. I agree with you that the Midwest section of the country does not need more rain. After seeing the images this weekend and hearing about Mr. Hartle's home being damaged by the flood waters I hope the rains cease very soon. Also, a terrible milestone of 4,000 fallen soldiers due to the war over that last five years. I really hope peace befalls this region soon, but I sometimes lose hope. Yet, I can't give up thinking this region can try to give some normalcy of living to the people in their country. In the meantime God Bless all our brave military and keep them safe. Looking forward to the limited commercial interruption broadcast this evening. And thank you so much for your posting on Friday paying tribute to Richard. Most wonderful journalist and person! Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:08 PM)

"Limited commercial (and political) interruption".... Hats off to MSNBC. Good move.

Jim Dowson (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:40 PM)

I just saw the news story on the Monday, 3/24, nightly news about reaching the 4,000 killed milestone. Please don't forget the thousands that are returning home severely injured. I have a cousin that lost both legs, partial use of one hand and his eyesight. He survived Iraq but at the young age of 20 his life will never be what it could have been. Thank you.

Melissa Howard, Orlando, FL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:41 PM)

Since I cannot find where else to email this, I thought I'd put it here. Mr. Williams, you need to move away from your American-centric thinking when reporting the news. Tonight you said that the War in Iraq is now longer than World War II. That is not correct. Yes, it is longer than "American involvement" (had you said that you would be fine), but WW II began September 3, 1939 with the declaration of war by the UK and France, and ended in August 1945 with the surrender of Japan. That's over five years, sir.

Jim W, Dayton, Ohio (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 6:53 PM)

I am amazed that you read the quote from the Politico, Mr. Williams. It seems that men just need to show how Hillary just can't be the elected candidate regardless of what she has won. If Obama wins, it's only because men don't want Hillary in, not because they want Obama in, because if Obama becomes the Democratic candidate, McCain will win; the press simply continues to be biased toward Hillary Clinton. While Tim Russert's bias doesn't surprise me, your bias does, Mr. Williams. The press continues to discount Hillary's wins in all important primaries such as Ohio and Texas, while continuing to overpraise Obama for caucus wins.....and if she wins Ohio and Indiana, I guess you all will quickly forget and find a way to discount those wins as well. Wonder how you'll be able to avoid it if she wins the Presidency....oh I guess you'll have four years of being able to beat her up everyday....

Sally (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:02 PM)

Dear Mr. Williams,
I just saw the segment on vaccines. You missed the part where the parents are opposed not only to the preservatives used but the combination of types -- up to 8 combined in one injection! It's a lot for an infant and perhaps creates a toxic condition. As a mother whose daughter is working with autistic children and who has a dear friend who has been a professional pediatric nurse all her life I can tell you it's been drummed into the me that it's the "cocktail" effect that most concerns them, the number and type of vaccines combined. I think this was an important part of the issue that was left out and perhaps warrants more research.
Thanks for the read.
Sincerely yours,
Kiki Day
P.S. LIMITED COMMERCIAL BROADCAST IS HEAVEN! THANKS!

Kiki Day, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:02 PM)

I love your limited commercial show tonight. I immediately went back to Fidelity which I have not used for a number of years. Thanks.
Roger

Roger Dublin Ga (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:02 PM)

Thanks for the limited interruption... good program made better... thanks.

John Mullins (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:02 PM)

OK, Brian, you asked for out thoughts on the ommercial-limited or commercial-free newscast...truthfully, I don't like commercials and never pay any attention to them. But on the other hand, we need commercial breaks so we can visit the bathroom.

Marvin Hill, Westminster, SC (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:04 PM)

The new format, sans commercials, kept me from switching to cnn. Keep it up.

Freddy Vang, Columbia, SC (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:04 PM)

On his broadcast, Mr. Williams stated that those who died in Bagdad all volunteered. Maybe he should qualify that statement to say that some volunteered for the National Guard and were called up by President Bush, some for several tours. Not all volunteered for duty in Iraq nor were happy to serve there.

Leon Magill (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:04 PM)

["Limited commercial (and political) interruption".... Hats off to MSNBC. Good move."] I add "Ditto to Mr. Dowson's comments ------ I might even state, "Thank You-thank you-thank you!"

sL Mustain, Tallahassee, FL (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:05 PM)

Why in the world would you think that I would want to listen to a commercial when I can listen to Brian.
I am not sure why you are asking that question.

Lee Bradshaw (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:05 PM)

Marvin Hill, Westminster, SC (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:06 PM)

I really enjoyed tonight's format with fewer commercials. Iwould like to add that I thoroughly enjoy watching your program. I really enjoy the fact that you try to find the positive points and end things on more of a happier note. Please keep up the great work!

Niccole Richardson, St Louis, MO (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:07 PM)

Always pleased to see limited commercials during Nightly News, but, by all of my clocks including my computer whose time is set automatically by Microsoft, the broadcast ended at 6:58 pm on the east coast. My math may not be perfect but that appears to leave some time on the table that went for hmmm commercials.

4000 American troops killed in Iraq is purely a tragedy of epic proportions. My cousin's stepson leaves this coming Sunday for his 5th, yes FIFTH, tour in Iraq. WHY are there no limits on how many deployments to the war zone our troops must face? And no, he did not volunteer to go this time or the last time.

On a separate topic, I am beginning to believe that I must watch too much of the NBC news programs including Nightly News, The Today Show & the Weekend Today Show. With so amny things going on both in this country and the world, I am stunned at how many times I am seeing repeats of the same segment. Can anyone explain that? When I can start to recite the commentary it is NOT a good thing. I don't want to start changing the channel. Help!

Amanda - Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:07 PM)

Loved the limited commercials - always pharmaceutical in content...nice to see Fidelity!

and to Jim - although you are correct (technically)...we all know this war will continue (far longer than 5 years) as long as the REAL reason is oil. When we no longer have dependency...we can break the vicious cycle

Shannon Fagan (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:09 PM)

Y E S !!! Limited interuption is just great. You are an excellent anchor who is supported by a cast of seasoned reporters. High fives for the team.

Howard Luick, Minnesota (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:10 PM)

Mr. Williams, I enjoy watching your news broadcast with limited commercials. Commercials are so tedious to watch that we generally record your show and watch it with a 15 minute delay and fast forward through the commercials. If you keep the commercials short, we may even be tempted to watch your show live!

Thanks. Hanne Merry

Hanne Merry, Annapolis MD (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:10 PM)

Yes, yes -- your nightly news with fewer commercials is the best!! I gained so much more of the comment by not drifting off during the commercials and coming back after the "grabber" intros to new news segments.

Jo, Huntingdon Valley, PA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:11 PM)

I think the U.S. should boycott the Beijing Olympics. China's human rights record has long been appalling, but their recent actions in Tibet take the term, "sickening," to a whole new level. As Speaker of the House, I don't think Nancy Pelosi has been terribly impressive, but I could not agree more with the statements she made after her meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Thank you, again, for your story last Friday night on the woman with hydrocephalus. I just wanted to clarify part of the post I wrote on Friday's blog....

The medication my mother was taking that is known to cause "Parkinson's-like" tremors was not prescribed by one of her regular physicians. It was initially prescribed by the neurologist at the rehab hospital, and was increased to a "hefty dose" by a consulting physician at the nursing home in which she was placed for continued therapy. One of my mother's regular physicians began the process of weaning her off the drug. Unfortunately, I attributed the difficulty she was having in walking to the medication, when it was actually being caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The other symptoms I was observing - short-term memory loss, confusion, aphasia - can be caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI) from which she was also suffering.

One important thing I learned, during all the stays at hospitals, rehabs, and nursing homes, is that the physician that knows your loved one the best will likely have the least role in his/her care. Physicians that are meeting your loved one for the first time will make crucial changes in treatments and medications. Nursing homes assign a physician to your loved one, upon entry. If his/her regular physician does not have privileges to practice there, you are stuck with what you get. You can take your family member to outpatient appointments, but the nursing home physician is under no obligation to follow the regular physician's recommendations. An exception to this rule might be if your family member sees a specialist in an area with which the nursing home physician is not expert.

The list of nursing home physicians is comprised of a sampling of your area's local doctors. Some of them make rounds once a week, some once a month, some every three months. Remember, many of them also make rounds at your local hospital, in addition to seeing patients in their private practices.

I learned all of this on the fly. It was a horrible, gut-wrenching baptism by fire that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. If you are ever unfortunate enough to be in a similar position, educate yourself, and ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE.

Remember, these types of brain injuries and other grievous wounds are what our war veterans and their families are thrust into dealing with. Can you imagine what they must be going through? My heart goes out to them.

Thank you for letting me share my experience.

P.S. - XOXO for Lisa, Ms. Jackie, and Stephanie, too!

lnp, leonardtown, maryland, usa (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:11 PM)

Mr Williams and staff: thank you for the limited advertisement scheme. I have waited decades for some such sign of good sense.

George G. Harper, Grand Rapids, Michigan (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:12 PM)

Bravo! I enjoyed your broadcast tonight with limited commercial interruptions. My husband and I will continue viewing your broadcast over the competition because of this programming change.
It was quite refreshing not to be bombarded with annoying adverstising during your program and to be able to concentrate the news you reported. While I can appreciate that it is advertising that pays the bills and keeps programming on the air, limiting the commercials was a refreshing change of pace. Keep it up!!

Debbie Wesselman, Florence, KY (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:13 PM)

Heard yesterday that we reached 4,000 soldiers lost. Today came word that another Maine son was lost near Baghdad on Friday. He was 22 & his name is Tyler Smith.

I'm making preparations to take my very first plane trip in a couple months, so your story about the airline pilot's gun going off..... I suppose that's just one of the oddities of being at work these days; he just happens to be a pilot. Should I be worried? :) (Yes, I know flying is safer than driving and yes, I really have never been on a plane before; not even a little one! I prefer to drive because I love being on the road. I just don't want to waste so much time on the road when I could be visiting with my sister and niece. Then again... a ticket might be just as expensive as gas & tolls to drive from Maine to Michigan!)

Ha! I didn't even notice less commercials until you mentioned it at the end of the broadcast, Brian, so my answer is: yes, you used the extra time well! The story about the 4,000 dead was most touching. My heart goes out to all their loved ones.

I am worried about friends in Missouri. Haven't heard from them since early last week. Flooding is one of those disasters that takes forever to get here and then forever to leave. Its one of those that sneaks up on you and you don't realize its a disaster until its too late.

Wishing my fellow blog friends a safe and productive week! Blessings!

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:15 PM)

Great job reporting the news. I love the idea of limited commercials. Many folks don't realize how much of the air time is taken up by commercials as compared to the earlier years of tv programs! I don't think I am exaggerating that last week an hour show I was trying to watch was actually 45 mns of commercials!

My comment is about tonight's story about childhood vaccinations. I was surprised with the statistic that showed a larger than expected proportion of children who were vaccinated but who came down with the measles anyway.

Debbie Smith, Ohio

Debbie Smith, Belpre, OH (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:19 PM)

We like the limited commercials and longer news stories ..... thanks much - keep up he good job Brian Williams - you are #1 in our home !!

Fred and Ruby Barck, Vermilion, Ohio (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:19 PM)

I read the blogs posted here on a daily basis, however this is the first time I have made my own contribution. The move to limited commercial interruption is a great idea, and equally so is the voice that introduces the program. It would be nice to hear this resonant voice every evening. I watch every evening as stories are covered around the world, sometimes smiling, sometimes awestruck with stories about the weather, and sometimes getting choked up (and angry) as I did this evening with the story about the 4,000+ lives lost serving in that horrible war. Thank you for top quality reporting.

Helen Austin, Pittsfield, MA (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:20 PM)

The "Hook" to the story on the 4,000th fatality in Iraq was the fact that this war has gone on longer than WWII. That was my prediction before Bush decided to persue his folly. The question now is...Can "WE" exit from this mess and regain respect in the international opinion.

James Cullen, Valparaiso, IND (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:22 PM)

Good evening, I can't believe you're taking away our commercials. How or when am I supposed to go to the bathroom or grab a snack. Next thing you know you will want us to know even more about what's going on in the world and make us even madder. I really rely on those drug commercials to scare the crap out of me, and get a little excited over the penile dysfuction ads, oh my. Please for god sake bring our commercials back,(I'm getting hungry).

Jim Willard, Townsend,Ma (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:24 PM)

I like the concept of limited commercial time. The nightly news seemed to flow better and was easier to follow. This concept should be applied to evening entertainment programing. It seems the greatest number of commercials are placed in the last half hour of a one hour program. We are hooked on the program and are awaiting the outcome but must endure a series of three to four minute commercial breaks interrupted by twwo to three minutes of programe before another two to three minutes of commercial time. The greatest coomercial interruption is is just before the programe ends. Three minutes of commercial time and two minutes of story ending. Sometimes we have lost site of what the story is about. But-bills must be paid.

Thomas F. Keane, Jr. (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:24 PM)

Mr. Williams and staff - I do enjoy the limited commercial interruption. Thanks to Fidelity for this sponsorship. Did Michael Douglas have the night off? or is he being replaced as the voice of the opening? My husband and I enjoy the broadcast very much here in the east and my Mom doesn't miss the broadcast in Arizona. Your work is appreciated.

Jill Solomito, Terryville, CT (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:28 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I really like th limited commercial interruption broadcast. One thing I did notice at the beginning of the broadcast was the voice announcer was not Mr.Douglas. Now maybe because it was the limited interruption broadcast the different voice was used, but it did sound nice. Now on to the broadcast. The report concerning the terrible milestone of 4,000 fallen soldiers during the years of this war was heartbreaking to hear. Even though General Petraeus is planning on reducing the number of brigades by the end of July it still is doesn't erase the horrible loss of so many brave men and women of our military. Too many innocent people have suffered and the number of Iraqi civilians killed is staggering. One really hopes that a peaceful resolution can be found soon. The report by Mr.Taibbi on the homefront of the families dealing with the loss of a loved one was simply so heartbreaking. Hearing Mrs.Scates speak about her husband William Daniel Scates who was killed was touching and makes one see that each soldier lost is not just a number, but a precious human being and we should always honor our fallen soldiers. It was touching to see the daughter going through her scrapbook of pictures showing her father. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who have lost loved ones in the war. I truly hope that peace comes very soon for everyone. On another note the report by Ian Williams concerning the Chinese and the protests occurring during the ceremony of the lighting of the Olympic torch makes one wonder as to how the Beijing Olympics are to play out. I hope for the sake of the athletes and everyone else involved that things go smoothly when the time comes for the games to begin. Finally, I would say that a limited commercial interruption broadcast is very good because you certainly covered many reports. Very good broadcast Mr.Williams! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:32 PM)

THANK YOU MSNBC! No commercials, I love it! It's so much better to be able to focus on the news. In my opinion, commercials have slowly compromised the integrity of the news broadcast hour. It's kind of hard to shift your mind from the news to dog food and weight-loss junk and then shift back to a story about the war, etc..

Here's an idea....contain all of the commercials until the end of the broadcast.....just list the names of the sponsors and their respective website. If we want information about the product, we'll check it out at the store or on the web.

And Brian, by the way, you are by far the best nightly news reporter at the 5P hour!

Louise Thomas, Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:33 PM)

At Last! your nightly show improved at least 90% with few commercials!
I watch you every night. Keep up the intelligence!.

Mary F. O'Brien (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:37 PM)

Hello Mister Williams

I always enjoy your coverage of world mews and I wanted to make sure to post my vote for more "Limited Interruptions" broadcasts

Thank You

Frank Glancy, Miami, Fla. (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:38 PM)

Do you too care nothing about the Democratic voters of Florida and Michigan? Have you never researched caucuses and how they do not necessarily represent the popular will and have you forgotten what happened in Texas, where Senator Clinton won the popular vote decisively but lost the caucuses, which are unfriendly to the disabled and those too poor to take off of work to attend? Are you on Senator Obama's payroll or did you just decide on your own to become NBC Obama News?

Please be responsible and acknowledge that the Democratic Primaries are basically tied (Senator Clinton is ahead in the popular vote if you count Florida and Michigan; Senator Obama was not on the ballot in Michigan, but he and Senator Edwards led a campaign to cast votes that wouldn't count for Senator Clinton there and he actually had television ads in Florida). There is no reason that Hillary Clinton should get out of the presidential race. The Obama Campaign is trying to drive her out before Pennsylvania because they're frightened about what will happen there. And what about your tacky, tacky story distorting Senator Clinton's misremembering something on the cuff that she documented carefully (and accurately) in her book. If you want to analyze the candidates' candor, why don't you examine pp. 195-208 of Obama's THE AUDACITY OF HOPE. Study those pages in the context of his varying accounts about his relationship with religion and then explain your definition of candor.

Last but not least, consider this: Senator Daschle, a man I admire, has proven to be a loser and now I have a clearer understanding of why. He seems to have forgotten that our Presidents are in fact elected by the Electoral College and not by the methods of the Democratic primaries. And look at the predictive map at http://www.electoral-vote.com, which was scarily accurate in 2004 (its prediction accuracy ranged from 92% to 98%); look at what it predicts for this year's election, which yes Senator Daschle, will be decided by the Electoral College. Electoral Vote predicts that in an Obama-McCain race, electoral votes will be Obama 231, McCain 292, Ties 15, while in a Clinton-McCain race, electoral votes will be electoral votes will be Clinton 268, McCain 246, Ties 24. The Obama Campaign knows this and their only option is to try and drive Senator Clinton from the race.

Please REPORT the issues and be more balanced. You've become embarrassing, and it's sad to see it.

Martha Nell Smith (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:41 PM)

Mr. Williams,

I very much enjoyed less commercials and more news. My day is full and I love to catch up with you at the end of the work day, thank you for valueing my time more than the advertising dollars.

I also would like follow up on the Walter Reed story from a year ago. I presume improvements must have been made, otherwise there would have been an ugly story..still doesn't journalism tell both sides of a story?

I'm proud of our service members. Parents should be proud and not discouraged by all the loud ugly talk against the war, their children are true heroes. I will stand a bit taller and hold my head up high when I hear our national anthem because patriotism has not yet been erased in our younger generations.

Again, I too really enjoy your program and your team of investigative reporters.

Tom Inglis (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:43 PM)

If Andrea Mitchell was on Hillary Clinton's plane in Bosnia, why didn't she break the story that the sniper fire never happened? Why did she have to wait until the blogs circulated the video? Surely Ms. Mitchell didn't need the video to know the truth. Did she not remember, or was she afraid we wouldn't take her word for it? Or does she believe it's not her job to say what she saw with her own eyes?

Merle, Edison NJ (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:50 PM)

Wow, the fewer commercials are such a welcome change. I cannot begin to compliment you enough. What I am almost embarassed to admit, is that I get my news from your show and the some times the PBS news that follow. I don't have time to read the newspaper and therefore could label myself "out of touch" I DEPEND on 'You' to be objective and and as thorough as absolutely possible. For example: my cousin is living/working in Kenya. When I saw him yesterday, I was embarassed to confess that I was unaware of the status of the civil war that was taking place. I asked, "has it ended or has it been low on the 'sensational' list for the media?".
My son with a master's degree and working in research has informed be that the only news that can be used as a reliable source is the New York Times. I don't mean this as an insult, and his point is that the goal of TV news is to not only to report news, but also to entertain and sell commercial time/make money. And if that means sensationalism and 'soppy' dog stories - so be it.
To summarize, Mr. Williams, please help keep me informed as much as possible. And I love Tim Russert. He is just so cool, intelligent and funny and he can get in some of the neatest polical sarcasim with a twinkle in his eye. He reminds me of a living 'political cartoon'.
Keep up the good work. Did I mention the commercials seem more offensive during the news. Especially when that's about all I watch during the course of the day.
Thank-you.

Mary Beth Gorman, Palmetto, Florida (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:50 PM)

Dear Brian;
Tonight's newscast with limited commercial interuption was a breath of fresh air from the duluge we have been bombarded with from the Prescription Drug companies.I am a retired physician and can remember when it was either unethical or illegal to advertise prescription drugs on redia or TV. Does this really improve the health of our citizens? or does it add to the financial costs of health care delivery and to the financial well being of the networks? PLEASE continue the limited commercial format, and try do imform the public as to how much drug companies are spending on this and other forms of advertising, and how it affects their health care insurance premiums. Thanks for listening.

John Urban MD Stonington CT (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:51 PM)

Dear Mr.Williams,
Thank you for doing a great job reading the news. When you shared the news of the 4000th soldier lost in Iraq you do it with grace.
What I liked about tonights news and limited commercials was you had more time to do stories that were interesting i.e. Arizona State University, new programs for student finding ways to protect the enviroment. Limited commercials allows the viewers to focus on the news and allows you to tell us more stories. Choosing the right news stories must be difficult since there are so many to tell.
Your show is one of the few shows on TV I actually look forward to viewing! Thank you for a great job!

Diana Lentz, Kernersville, North Carolina (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:54 PM)

Brian, As an avid and faithful viewer of the NBC nightly news I must say that tonight news on the war in Iraq's benchmark was no surprise to me. Sadly there are thousands of families mourning the loss of their loved ones who gave their lives for the love and freedom of our country. But, did you also know that right here in America their is another loss of young lives that goes unreported daily? Teen driver deaths! Since the invasion of Iraq in March of 2003 we have lost 4000 American soldiers, but did you know that in the same time frame we have lost ten times that many 15 to 19 year old teen drivers right here in America on our roads? These kids were not killed by IUD's or road side bombs, but for the most part they killed themselves due to inexperience and many other distractions or foolishness while driving. Trust me when I say, that neither numbers are acceptable but America needs to wake up to the other killer of our young people. As American's we need to protect our children, our troops and our teens! I know your doing a story tomorrow night (Tuesday March 25th)on teen drivers, please include these hard facts! Go to NTSB for numbers, or come to me, Bruce Murakami, www.safeteendriver.org for more info. I educate teen drivers because I care.

Bruce Murakami (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 7:56 PM)

Brain

Love your work but sometimes you news people make me crazy. Yes it is tragic that 4000 military personnel who volunteered to protect and defend this country have died in an unpopular war. Can we not report a little perspective? How many men died in the first four years of the very unpopular Vietnam War that a Democrat got us into? How many men died during WWII?

On another note….there is a website out there devoted to reporting and cataloging the ties you wear each night. While that is somewhat disturbing I just wanted to add….I like your ties and I have a somewhat vast selection of stripped ties myself!

Look forward to tomorrow’s newscast.

Glynn, Arlington,TX (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 8:01 PM)

Brian, I enjoy your newscasts, especially without the commercials. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones in Iraq. Also, to the thousands who came home physically and emotionally wounded. Please check out the website ivaw.org...there are so many who aren't getting the support they need when they return from war. Keep up the excellent reporting and please keep the war a central part of your broadcasting. So many people are not in tuned...when soldiers get killed the newspaper reports are not front page news anymore and that is sad.

jo (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 8:08 PM)

Brian: Less commercials means more news. I'm all for that! Thanks. Was it just me, or did I notice a different "voice" announcing your program tonight?

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 8:20 PM)

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Sad state(s)

Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008 4:05 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under: Brian Williams

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Sad state(s)

Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008 4:05 PM by Barbara Raab Filed Under: Brian Williams

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Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008 4:05 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under: Brian Williams