About last night

Posted: Friday, March 28, 2008 4:23 PM by Barbara Raab

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

Having lost more than one family member to cancer, the segment/interview we aired with Senator Specter was something I found so meaningful to work on -- I was so gratified today to see the viewer response was largely the same. Thanks for enjoying it as much as I did working on it.

I want to slip off into the weekend having called your attention to several things -- several of them under one umbrella. Our friends at Slate have a confluence of riches posted on their site at this moment: the excerpted feature on "The New Censorship," the Hillary Clinton campaign watch they've set up, and a great slide show on the life and extraordinary works of Edward Hopper.

The blindingly smart George Packer has done a great bit of satiric writing on the state of this campaign, and Josh Green (who has some history with the Clinton campaign) is out to prove that religion can, I guess, cut both ways.

This current national "discussion" we're having argues, I believe, for watching the superb "John Adams" series on HBO. Each frame of it is a lesson in how issues like religion were dealt with by the Framers.

Image: TIME, Interracial wedding We've also uncovered an incredible Time magazine cover story from 1967 -- about the union of two people, shocking in its time -- and related to a present-day storyline.

One last thing: bravo to the TSA for recognizing a clear and present danger to aviation safety. Sheesh.

My thanks to Skip for his post to this blog (see yesterday's comments) -- about the nicest kind to recieve in this line of work. Now I'm off to answer some questions from Newsvine folks, and to start that weekend I mentioned. I hope you all have a safe and restful weekend, unless you have other plans! We'lll see you back here Monday night. My friend Hoda Kotb is filling in for my buddy Lester this weekend, so do try to join her both nights.

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Comments

Didn't get chance to post yesterday, your interview with Senator Specter was a truly humanitarian piece. Your introduction to the segment (and I'm paraphrasing) of most everyone has been touched by cancer either losing a loved one, a survivor, knowing someone, or the worst of all currently battling it, made me stop and think. I can remember not that many years ago where it was rare to hear of cancer of course then again it wasn't really talked about that much. Have we made progress in that now it is not kept so hidden anymore? or is it just that cancers of all kinds are becoming more common?

The TSA earned the right to wear the dunce cap all by themselves this week. I shudder to think what these genius individuals thought that the passenger could possibly use her breasts and nipple rings for weapons. Then again though they confirm the absurdity of the whole situation by allowing her to keep the belly button piercing. I wonder would they have done the same thing to a man with a penis piercing? What idiots and to think they walk amongst us.

Have a great weekend Brian and all the "regular bloggers" (you know who you are) :)

Amanda - Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 5:18 PM)

Read the TSA story you linked us to.... All I have to say is, OMG! I have no words.

Off to the Brokaw lecture!

Happy Friday!

All the best to my friends Lisa, Jackie, and Stephanie!

lnp, leonardtown, maryland, usa (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 5:18 PM)

Hi Brian yes it's still early but I'll be watching later.

I read the news posted and this one struck me as odd.
Attorney general vows corruption crackdown now we see he can start at the White House as an Aide misused money and then go to the Pentagon were a 22 year old was given a 300 million dollar contract to funnel money. Looks like the Attorney General isn't interested in some corruption taking place right in his own backyard and in the White House.

This Presidential race is getting interesting. Word is that Connie Rice would like to be McCain's VP, I guess to get the Black and Hispanic vote. Now that would be interesting as Obama looks like Richards might be his VP. Rice who only becomes Black on an as needed bases and Richards didn't get as many Hispanic votes as Hillary did. But since the race card is being played anything could happen. I see this going to a write in vote winner if any of the above takes place. What's interesting is with all this talk about race the Times photo of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Smith in 1967 seems to make you think what has gone so wrong in 41 years. As for me and my world I think Orlando Bloom is DDG and my favorite music artist is James Blunt, really don't care what anyone thinks.

See you at 6:30 pm Hugs to Lisa, Laural and Stephanie

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 6:47 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Another fine broadcast this evening. Regarding the report concerning Basra, Iraq and the constant fighting happening in the region, it just seems to never end and I just wish these people would cease shooting at eachother. The Iraqi forces cannot take over enough of the area to combat the Shiite militia and judging from the 1/4 or less of Basra they control it appears the miltia are overcoming them. Our brave US troops are brought deeper and deeper into this conflict of groups and I really wish there could be a peaceful end so that instead of being caught in violence they could consentrate on rebuilding and peace. The "Making a Difference" segment I enjoyed very much because it reminded me the importance of learning to save money and take care of it for the future. This woman who began this curriculum to teach students how to handle money is vital. My mother who was an economics major in college taught me how to save and handle my accounts and it certainly helped me a great deal. Very good piece! I hope you have a safe and restful weekend Mr.Williams! I will see you on Monday evening! Peace to all!

Hi Laurel, Jackie and Stephanie! Be well always! I hope you enjoyed the lecture by Mr.Brokaw Laurel!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 7:21 PM)

Great blog, great links, paticularly the Clintonometer at Slate. Relating to the Time cover from '67 the story tonight on Senator Obama's parents was great. If more people watched it maybe these rumors he is a Muslim would fade, and it might give some people a better perspective on the Reverend Wright issue. NBC News is clearly the best.

Jeff (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 7:47 PM)

Brian, the Time article about the interracial couple really caught my eye. I am in a loving, enduring, and fruitful interracial marriage of 19 great years with two great chilren, but that is not why I a writing this note. I can distinctly remember an episode from my chidhood in rural Appalachia aroundthe time that article appeared. My father, a high school football coach then,was well known for his extensive involvement for mentoring and shaping his young charges off the field as well as on. One early fall weekend he invited a well known professional footall player to come to our home, spend the weekend with us, meet his players, and generally have a good session of football and character building. His entry into our small town was less that welcoming unfortunately. As he and his wife drove through the town square on their way to our home, he was catcalled and slurred at a pretty brutal clip. I remember the look on my father's face as he learned of the ugly episode, and at that moment I realized what bigotry really meant. I've made it a mission since then to do my part to uncover the subtle undercurrent of ignorant language and exchange it for meaningful, beneficial discourse.

Sherri, Charleston WV (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 8:31 PM)

May I please have the title of the book during the feature " Fighting Financial Illiteracy ".

Robert Hill, Santa Rosa, CA. (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 10:50 PM)

Good show tonight. It was interesting to see Senator Obama's family. I understand why he seems like he's looking for who he is. He spent his youth in Indonesia. He then attended Punahou School, formerly known as Oahu College, is a private, co-educational, nonsectarian college preparatory school located in Honolulu. At the time it was 1967 yes just 3 years after the Civil Rights Bill had passed yet Obama didn't have to worry because as he said he was raised by his White grandparents. I do understand why he went to the Chicago inter City and to the Black Church. He was searching for what it was like to be a Black man in the United States as he really didn't know or had he ever experienced it. I still think he hasn't really found out yet.

Connie Rice was given a job and messed up with 9/11. Then given the job as Secretary of State and messed up again. Who in their right mine would make her VP. As for race, well as Connie Rice watched the Katrina victims on the screen at Times Square and then continued shopping it shows what she thinks of Black people. Connie wanted a job at Stanford University after Bush's term is over but they had to turn her down because of the out cry. So like other Bush employees she to will be looking for employment.

Back to square one in Iraq. The Iraq soldiers are part of the so called enemy now here we go again as the US troops are put in the middle of this Civil War. Interesting how when the US had a Civil War no one came in to resolve it. One might think this is all about War Profiteering from the Bush Administration as the mission charges so often.

I do agree that Obama and Hillary are running a long race. But I wondered when the Media said McCain was finished and picked up the support for Rudy then Thompson as in the end McCain won. Why can't Hillary give the people the right to vote and why is it that she should stop, she might end up like McCain a winner. As for the Senior Democrats like Leahy and others well look it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize they have a vested interest in Obama getting in. Most of they old guys know their days are numbered and looking for a weak President to take advantage of. Kerry and Kennedy jumped in fast to place a steak for a position. Richards wasn't something as right now he's doesn't have anything. Showing a black/while ad of McCain makes a person remember how old he is, they should change it to a color ad. My daughter asked me about it and I told her it was when we didn't have color TV.

Have a great weekend all and specially Lisa, Laural and Stephanie.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:42 PM)

Brian, why exactly did you decide to open Thursday's broadcast with the news about a possible link between suicide and the asthma drug Singulair? Was this potentially devastating story about Singulair (manufactured by Merck) aired in the leadoff spot as a favor to your pals at GlaxoSmithKline (competitors of Merck), who regularly sponsor segments of your show? Your acceptance of GSK sponsorship money opens you up to that question.

And speaking of Thursday's broadcast, you signed off by saying, "So much to say, so little time." If you have so little time, why do you waste so much of it on items that have little or no news value? How about leaving the celebrity stuff to Extra and Entertainment Tonight? (Obviously, I don't mean Bono--he should be on the news every night.) And please spare us the lifestyle stories and cuddly animals and present more actual news. Until you do that, you have no right to complain about how little time you have. Remember that for many viewers, the evening newscast is their sole source of information about the nation and the world. As such, you have an obligation to the viewers to present as much actual news as possible.

Norman Charles, NYC (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 7:19 AM)

Your segment on rising college costs provided no explanation -- NONE -- of WHY those costs are going up so sharply. Bottom line: we know something is going on but we have no idea why that is. A very poor bit of coverage, all too typical of TV news, unfortunately.

H. O'Hara (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 9:20 AM)

To Whom It May Concern:
I’m not even sure anyone will read this or give a damn, however I watched the story on Hillary Clinton this evening on the Nightly News and found it interesting. I probably won’t vote for her, but the story was good, and Andrea Mitchell did her usual good job. However, and I’m sure you figured something was coming, and it is this. Mitchell should have used a different phrase to end her story. Instead of saying something about , “the fight of her life,” she could have found another analogy.

For when I watched the broadcast, I was sitting in my living room next to a hospital bed upon which a woman, my wife Joan Wigen, who is “in the fight for her life” after a twelve year battle with cancer was also watching it, if not very attentively. It is also a battle that she is not likely to win despite the fight she has put up for 12 years.

All Hillary has at stake is the possibility of a different job for a few years. It is not the fight of her life, nor is it the fight for her life. Perhaps Andrea should put away the hyperbole handbook when it comes to reporting on politicians.

Sincerely,

Bob Kallberg, Bismarck, ND (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 10:09 AM)

About last night Mr. Williams: I was stunned when I heard you state during your piece on the Feds loaning of money to banks, etc., that "it's not taxpayers' money".

In a typical liberal spin regarding our Government's financial endeavors, you made it sound as if it was no big deal (what the Feds are loaning) because it is not our money anyway. If it is not our money, whose money is it?

The question is obviously rhetorical, and you are obviously incorrect. What is the Feds, is ours. I sense you wish it was the other way around, but it is not. This is our Country, not the Federal Governments’!

Dave Alan (Sent Saturday, March 29, 2008 12:24 PM)

Obama is related to President George Bush and Vice president Dick Cheney,so how does Obama think he can make a change in the White House, as President? is Carl Rove, writting his campaign speechs. like he did for George Bush?

Trimble Piqua, Ohio (Sent Sunday, March 30, 2008 5:08 PM)

Finally got around to reading the links you provided, Brian. As someone who's followed the media's evolution since 9/11, I found the back story to the NYT's decision to break the wiretaping story to be fascinating. My favorite of your links, however, was George Packer. It might be satire, but I think he's got the truth of this particular news cycle! I surly have no idea how you find the time to keep up with all these other news links but thanks for sharing them - and for the staff that I imagine help you collect them.

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine (Sent Sunday, March 30, 2008 8:57 PM)

Dear Brian,

I love your blog. You have introduced me to many great articles, pieces of art and music, for which I am very grateful. I had already viewed the wonderful slide show on Hopper's work on Slate when I found it mentioned in your blog. If you like Hopper you must do whatever you can to see the collection that is currently at the Art Institute in Chicago. I spent a couple of hours there in February and had to tear myself away. Many of the pictures absolutely brought tears to my eyes. I hope you can find the time to view it.

Keep up the good work, both on the nightly news and the blog.

Jeanette Meyer, Kalamazoo, MI (Sent Monday, March 31, 2008 3:58 PM)

Brian Williams
I wish you would drop all those repeated GOOD EVENING to everybody !

Suzanne Coates (Sent Monday, March 31, 2008 4:55 PM)

What a fascinating article on the marriage of Peggy Rusk and Guy Smith. Are they still married?

Kathleen Tobkin, Orange, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:17 AM)

Here in Ohio people are wondering how they are going to put food on the table and gas in their car. Your putting Suzy Ormond on to talk about stocks and bonds and 401 ks was like a slap in the face. We need advice from someone who knows real survivial.

Mary Lowery--Elyria, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:06 AM)

Dear Mr. Williams: I make it a point to watch your broadcast daily. I am happy you anchor the NBC News. However, yesterday I was disappointed that no mention was made of the fact that 3/31 was a holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez. He was hero to the Hispanic Migrant workers throughout the Southwest and we still use his slogan "Si Se Puede" as Mr. Obama has used it throughout his campaign. It was very disappointing to many of us as it seems the East coast sees no importance to his heroic man who struggled so much to bring better working conditions and better pay to field workers whose efforts put food on our tables.

The best to you but please don't forget the Hispanic population. Many of us are American born and reared and somehow we get lost in the shuffle with the immigration problem.

Yolanda Luna, Fresno, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 5:00 PM)

Brian: You are one of the best and I look forward to watching your news show. This is why I was so disappointd on Monday, when after interviewing Suze Orman, you decided to plug her book. I expect to see advertising during commercials, not during the news portion of the show. Thanks for listening.

Jess Miller, Indian River, MI (Sent Wednesday, April 02, 2008 1:03 AM)

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