It's been more than 12 days since the Times' published its story on the military analysts, but NBC News has yet to mention it on-air or account for its actions.

The clock keeps ticking, Brian:

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ed.leedle/news/


Your credibility is ticking away with it.

What McCain said about war for oil wasn't exactly clear... However I think this war goes well beyond mere oil...  To me, the US wasn't trying to prevent an Iraqi civil war, they were HOPING FOR ONE in order to create the vital instablitiy they need to give them the excuse to both stay there permenantly and to accuse Iraqi neighbors of insurgency!  This war always intended as a much broader war with Iran...  END OF STORY! Furthermore, to tear down all policing controls in a country known for its severe sectarian tentions and let the population essentially "kill itself" was a war crime all its own.  150K troops isn't even enough to fill two college football stadiums let alone secure a country the size of California.  Yeah... and McCain's surge will work eventually only because by the time the next president takes office the Iraqi people will have either been killed, dismembered or moved off.  Go figure... So I say it was NOT just a war for oil, but a religious war diligently planned and waged by the Far Far right!

Please consider this for your reading of on-air e-mails... the public has every right to know!

Mr. Williams,

I would be interested to see the discussion between you and the West Point cadets, just to see what their take on all of it is. I don't think this kind of topic will ever see closure, at least not from the perspective of the majority of the newer posters on here. It must be hard knowing that colleagues you are used to seeing on a regular basis are in the line of fire. Do news reporters/ journalists of NBC get paid extra for going out there? I imagine its safer to be around a journalist in war time than anyone else though, as I have read your stories about being in the middle east. Im getting used to the fact that so many more people are posting on here these days, though I have a feeling that the amount will dwindle in the near future, but I guess the opposite could just as easily happen.

To Mrs. Ross,

I don't know how you expect a news anchor to single handedly change the war in Iraq, since I imagine you feel it hasn't seemed to work for at least the past 8 years as well. I certainly can understand your frustrations. To suggest that someone who supports a media personality therefore must support the war in Iraq is, I believe, a big leap. Its your right to criticize anyone, just as it is my right to support anyone. Because I support someone that you don't agree with or like doesn't mean I am wrong, does it? I happened to see twice the "sum total of amazingly" negative comments than those of "groupie-like" support on this blog recently. I think there are multiple sides to this war, and that it is unfair to break it down into a just a few main topics or causes. But that is just my opinion.

Okay, Brian, you've made it perfectly clear:  you have absolutely no intention of addressing the questions raised by the many new contributors to your blog.  It's good to know that that in your view it's "always good" to have such debate, despite the fact that you decline to debate anyone, and with the apparent understanding that the corporate media is right, despite its failures of the past few years, and that the lunatic leftists who have descended on your blog are of course wrong.

So let's forget the analyst scandal for the moment.  Why not answer a few simple questions about NBC's news coverage which have easy quantitative measurements and are not ideological at heart.

1) Over the course of the last 6 years, how many minutes have you or NBC devoted to the views of Iraqis not associated with the American military or the Bush administration?

2) how many minutes have you devoted to the subject of war profiteering by American corporations and outright fraud in Iraq contracting?

3) how many minutes have you devoted to the attempt by the Bush administration to privatize the Iraqi oil industry, a move overwhelmingly opposed by Iraqi citizens?

And since we don't want to forget domestic policy:

4) how many minutes have you devoted to President Bush's claim that he is not bound by American courts or American law in his treatment of declared enemy combatants, American or foreign?

5) how many minutes have you devoted to President Bush's practice of declaring himself not bound by provisions of legislation he signs into law ("signing statements)?

And finally,

6) how many minutes have you devoted to the view, widely held beyond our borders, that the U.S. presents the most serious threat to world peace today?

Any of the above would seem to have more pressing urgency than Obama's pastor, Hillary's hair, John Edwards' hair, or a nude photo shoot.

I look forward to your answers.

Brian, those Generals that flack for the Bush administration are responsible for Afghanistan going to hell in a hand basket.If you had non boosters on the air early on your reporter wouldn't be in danger and your reporter that died in that tank in Iraq would still be alive. The blood is on the presses hands

Hi Brian
Looks like Americans are now paying attention and they know we're been hoodwinked by the Bush Administration for the pass 7 years. Let's hope now Americans are willing to pick a President that works for the American People this time.

Have a great weekend Lisa, Laural and Stephanie and all the bloggers and Nightly News staff

It's important to know what's really happening with our troops. What's strange is how Law Makers all say they support our troops but don't give them what they need. When a vote comes to the floor for something that will help our soldiers the same Law Makers vote against it.  I know McCain can't remember so he's excused.

I read about the Rezko case in Illinois and all the Elected Officials who are part of the Crime Wave. Now I wasn't surprised that the criminals wanted Patrick Fitzgerald fired. With such few honest DOJ lawyers left it makes since. This case has so many top names it should be made into a movie. In some ways it's like the Mafia as Rezko sent garbage bags of money to the Governor. Thank goodness the trash man didn't get that bag.

I don't want Congress' health care plan. I'll keep paying for my own health insurance if I can get their car lease plan. Wahooo free gas, free car, free registration.

http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=111843@wcbs.dayport.com

How many retired Generals are on Soros' payroll?

Hi Brian; Why can't the American Troops burn these opium fields,stop the harvest which will stop sale of drug's, and profits to to wrong people.

While I agree with many of the political ideas expressed by some of the new contributors to this blog, I don't care for their accusatory, mean-spirited tone, or the personal attacks.  I prefer to hear from Lisa, Laural, Stephanie, and Jackie (whoever those people are...I'm still trying to figure that out).

The silence on the military analysts story is deafening. Brian, will you be making any further statements on the subject? Does NBC News have the guts to report on this story? The response so far... shameful.

Thanks for the video piece with the Marines under fire. Amazingly I spotted my Nephew LCPL Michael C. Ertle twice in the video.  It was a very strange feeling to see him in the video.  Jim Maceda, if you are still with 1st BN 6th Marines, please tell him that his whole family saw him and his friend, and that we called his friends Mom to alert her about the video.  I also put the video on my www.nevisblog.com website for him to view.
Thanks, Mike

Good evening Brian. I am writing this from Charleston SC where I am attending the 20th reunion of the USS Allen M. Sumner DD692. This is my first reunion with the group and it is truly amazing listening to some of the men who served onboard her during WWII. Their stories are inspiring to say the least. As I told you several weeks ago one of the most important things for me to do was to visit the new MOH Museum onboard the USS Yorktown. I did that today and it is not only breathtaking it is extremely inspiring as well. All during my tour of the museum I felt as though I was on holowed ground much as I feel when visiting Arlington Cemetary and the tombs of he Unknowns. By the way your name came up several times from the people that work on board the Yorktown and I might add they speak your name with great respect and reverence. I would recommend that everyone visiting the Charleston area pay a visit to Patriots Point. While visiting there were several school groups there as well. It was very hearting to witness just how quiet and respectful each and every student represented themselves. If all the young people act in this manner then there should be no doubt that our geat country is going to be in good hands for the next several decades.
Thank you again Brian for all that you do for all of us.
Frank Embrey

After tonight's broadcast, I am once again reminded why I am glad I do not live in the Midwest.  My heart goes out to those injured by tornadoes.  

Thank you for Chris Jansen's report on those struggling on fixed incomes.  I am on disability, so I totally understand and empathize with those who are in similar situations.  I am grateful that so far, I'm holding on by a prayer and a thread, and I'm thankful that my disability isn't permanent.  My heart wanted to break and it did cry a bit to hear the heart wrenching stories in that story.

Please send Jim Meceda my earnest thank-yous for going to Afghanistan and sharing stories from that war.  The stories and pictures from there are harrowing.  I must also take this moment to thank the marines and other service members who are serving in this largely forgotten conflict.  I can't quite convey how much I appreciate these men and women volunteering to put their lives on the line for ME.  That is so humbling to me.  I also can't thank them without thanking their families for serving too, as they expend so much of themselves along with their loved ones.  

Matt, it is so refreshing to hear such wise words coming from someone as "young" as you.  (I use that term lightly.) When there are so many of your generation being jerks and giving the entire generation a bad name, you are a shining example of the good that can be found.  

Speaking of a few bad apples making everyone in the group look bad.... I still find it amusing that the newer bloggers here feel that it is Brian's job to respond to every news story and current event, even when it has to do with his organization.  Yes, debate is good; I appreciate and welcome it.  The sharpness and bitterness I can do without.  There is a constructive way of going about dissent and debate that feels like its lacking these days, whether here in the blog or out on the street.  

About your favorite subject of infrastructure, Brian... I will mention that now that the flood water is receding in Northern Maine, the two major bridges that connect Maine and New Brunswick are still closed and there are serious concerns that the bridges might be closed for awhile while repairs are made.  The water was high enough to lap over the roadways of the bridges in Fort Kent & Madawaska.  As you might expect, that's igniting debates of old structures and such, but with all that water and debris floating down river (including houses), how could even a new bridge survive that?  

Have a great weekend everyone!  Special hellos to Lisa, Laurel, Jackie, Anna, and Matt!

Thank you Matt

formerly ladytechie, New Mexico

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I would like to say that Mr.Maceda does excellent work and I definitely would commend him for his fine reporting embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan. I was unable to see the live Nightly News broadcast this evening, but I viewed Mr.Maceda's report on the video and it truly showed how the Taliban are relentless in fighting back the troops. Seeing and hearing Mr.Maceda report amidst the gunfire was scary and this shows how dangerous this region. The growing of heroin is funding the Taliban and upon hearing in the report that 90% of the worlds heroin comes from that region and provides the funding for the insurgency is extremely disturbing. The Marines are fighting a huge battle against the Taliban and it seems endless. I hope someday that peace will come to the region and these insurgent groups didn't exist because that would be a real victory. Please stay safe Mr.Maceda! God Bless all our brave US troops!
On another note I will say it has been a very heavily commented week on the Daily Nightly and many have voiced their opinions. I think everyone has the right to voice his or her opinion whether others agree or not with statements made by that person. I just want to say that I think Mr.Williams does a fine job at anchoring the Nightly News every evening. He comes into our homes on our televisions and reports of the days events. There are many news stories about unhappy things right now for instance the economy- gas prices, home buying and selling, food  prices, then the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which seem to be endless and I pray for a peaceful end to it all, extreme weather in many States, terrible infrastructure in cities across our nation, health care, etc... Then whether one views this as good or bad is up to the person, but the long election process on the road to the conventions and election day of a new President. This can be exciting for some or frustrating for others depending on your viewpoint. Now Mr.Williams does his best to cover all these stories and really has no control over why things occur in the world. He is a Managing Editor and Anchor of Nightly News, but more importantly he is a person not just an anchor.  Even though I have never met Mr.Williams I really enjoy reading his Daily Nightly postings and what he shares with the viewers. I feel I have learned alot about him and I appreciate his sharing and appreciation of his commenters. I think he seems like a very nice man with a fine family. I want to thank him for his fine work and all the correspondents of NBC News. They all do great work! Thank you Mr.Williams! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Relax! Rest!
Enjoy! And I hope next week everything might be alittle calmer and nicer! It does pay to be nice! Lets try! Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie and Stephanie!
Be well Ladies!

johnd, In point of fact all those stories have been covered. But please, given that list you should have edited your post a bit better. Phrased as they were all of your questions are "ideological at heart."

Now I happen to agree with much of that ideology, but frankly, I've got news for you, Bush isn't on the ticket, McCain is. Stop complaining about the past and how it was covered, and go make some phone calls to Indiana or North Carolina. Better yet, check out your Congressional race and see if there is a decent progressive or liberal you can help get into Congress.

bjr, those are all just regular posters, Lisa never has a bad thing to say about anyone, and almost always posts a short summary of the broadcast with very balanced commentary. (Also the biggest Richard Engle fan among us..)
Stephine is from Maine, and always fills us in on the North East point of view.
Jackie is the Hillary supporter among us, tho very respectful of others who support Obama.
Jackie and I are the baby boomers of this crowd and I in particular am wont to tell the youngun's what it was like back in the day.
Almost left out Laurel, who sometimes posts as lnp for convience sake. She's the thoughtful one, often asking the rest of us if we're ok when the news is in our own back yard. Hopefully you saw her spirited defense of the regular posters here yesterday.
Matt is our youngest regular and is responsible (in a good way) for the fact that many of us add our age, which surprisingly I've found to add some richness to the posts, sort of gives you an idea where the poster is coming from.

Now it's Friday, the trolls have had their fun, and if the thoughtful ones would care to join us we will have you if you behave. Be aware that we respect one another, that we stick (more or less) to the header topic or comment on the broadcasts. We can and do discuss everything from the price of rice to California wild fires. There's a lot to cover in 22 min. and we make the most of it.

Formerly ladytechie New Mexico

@ Matt, 20:  You are a voice of reason for (young) America!  I can tell your parents have raised you right!  

A safe and happy weekend to all!

I've lost quite a bit of respect for you, Mr. Williams, in your glossing over the profit motive of your generals in their support of the war, a war represented--on your shift--quite dishonestly, in my opinion. I'll await your full disclosure.

Hi Matt,

You said, "I don't know how you expect a news anchor to single handedly change the war in Iraq."  Matt, it is not possible for BW to change anything singlehandedly except his own reporting, though I don't "expect" it at all.  Why not?  He will not question the members of his own country club.  He's too darn rich to be in the position he's in--as are all the TV talking heads.  No viewer will ever get the political truths necessary to be a good citizen from TV news, because the goal of television is to keep the status quo, keep the corporations making money, and pacify audiences with neverending titillations and political pablum.  And that's when TV is at its best!  At its worst, the talking heads lead the cheerleading for one war after another, wars that will boost their stock portfolios at the expense of the lives of some of their viewers' children.

My point in posting here was to administer a bracing challenge to those who admire and enable BW to deliver propaganda that only hurts themselves, their military-age children, and the reputation of this country around the world.  Wake up, think a little more critically, and don't believe for a moment that BW reads your cooing comments here!

You said, "I certainly can understand your frustrations." No, Matt, I don't think you got it, at all.  It frustrates me to read comments from people who are clearly acting against their own best interests, by supporting this and other deceivers who masquerade as journalists.

Mr Williams,
For years I have watched the news about various War stories from around the world on NBC but none with quite the impact of when you see your own sons company being fired on. Although we haven't seen our son yet we have seen some of his friends and know that he is not far off.
  It adds a whole new meaning to the war story this time around when we get to see what our son is seeing.
  We have met many of the men from the Alpha company and your colleage Jim Maceda is in good hands, these are Marines that Love God, America, their families and the Corp.
   Although we are afraid for them, we are so proud of them for their tremendous accomplishments. Please let Jim know that their families are watching and are very proud.  Thanks so much for the great coverage.. we are grateful.
           Paul W
          Plant City, Florida

As we just passed the five year anniversary of the mission accomplished photo op, this would be a great time for NBC News to do a report on the administration's manipulation of the press.  

You could start with a discussion of the banner moment five years ago and them move on to more recent things like the pentagon propaganda program involving the generals.  

Just as your own reporter was under fire, so are the troops every day.  It's time NBC News reported on how we got to this situation.

US troops are in harm's way, and our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan both face serious problems and the possibility of long-term failure because the war in both theaters was incompetently persued.

Rather than report on the mistakes and allow the "sunlight" of democracy to work, Mr. Williams and all the networks relied on a clique of supposedly independent retired generals - who turn out to have been enlisted in a "psychological warfare" operation run out of the Pentagon.

You won't hear Mr. Williams, or any other major news outlet, discuss this.

I hope your silence is the silence of shame, Mr. Williams.  There is something you can do about it -- man up:  come out, admit the mistake, talk about why it happened.

Americans - and alot of other people - are dying.

Your silence doesn't help.

Thank you for your Friday stories on Thoroughbred race horses, elderly people living on fixed incomes and the Texas high school students who are learning about physics and math by building rockets.  Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, a spokesman for Robert Mugabe's sham-democratic government released "official" election results claiming that the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, did not win an outright majority and thus must engage in a runoff election with Mugabe.  You did not mention this.  In fact, you have not mentioned Zimbabwe in weeks.  But at least I know all about Thoroughbred race horses, fixed-income seniors and rocket-firing students.  Well done.  Keep up the good work.  

Sadly, those three stories (which comprised the entire second half of Friday's broadcast) were completely devoid of any news content.  Just think of all the actual news you could have brought us in the time it took you to tell those stories.  And by the way, are we supposed to pretend that we don't know that the story on Thorougbreds was nothing more than a 2:20 commercial for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, which is being broadcast--surprise--on NBC?

And thank you so much, Brian, for your Thursday story about the Home Depot executives who talk in weaselly corporate double-speak to avoid using words like "layoffs", "downsizing" or "store closings".  Meanwhile, several minutes later, you told us all about the guests who will be appearing on this Sunday's edition of "Meet The Press".  You referred to this as a "programming note", rather than as a shameless plug for an NBC show.  Just another example of weaselly corporate double-speak.

"We discussed the debate underway on our blog -- and my belief that this kind of an exchange is always a good thing."

That's grand Brian, but no "exchange" is going on.  You and NBC are simply ignoring a major news story, because it puts you and NBC in a very unkind light.

The analyst outrage is a perfect illustration, a test case made to order, of what's wrong with the media in American today.  When the news organizations which shape the national mood and opinion ARE the story, as they increasingly are these days, the story simply doesn't get told and the news doesn't get reported.

"Shame" is not quite the right word, and neither is "malfeasance".  But both are a good start.

Anyone who wants to know what's wrong with America, why we live in a bubble of misinformation and myth, why most Americans are astonishingly ignorant of the basic facts of the world, need look no further than the smiling handsome empty face of Brian Williams and the employer behind him.  Brian may well be a babe in the wood, and uncomprehending -- his brief protestation of innocence a few days ago does suggest a certain incapacity.  But you can be sure GE knows exactly what's it's doing, in putting him in that anchor chair.

Lovely world for some, isn't it?  But how about the people who actually have to live in this world, without an annual $10 million income?

How long until you shut down the comments here?  

I know you guys don't like criticism.

Dear Brian you now spent another straight day with your generals under fire and I hope we will not see tonight what you have gone through because last nights show was harrowing not just because I knew my good friend Brian was again under fire and I always thought you know your way around a battlefield and so do you friends the generals that's why you should stick with them closer perhaps they can come to the studio and help you and you marines and I also could come and I promise you the marines would love me because I look just like Marilyn and we could sing the national anthem together and everybody would forget what a good thin dthis debate is and wouldn't you like that Brian?

Still silence from Williams...Weak.
For Stephanie:  We don't want responses from BW about every news story.  But it would seem appropriate, for him to respond to stories that directly call him and his news team and station into question.  Especially in this case in which details have come to light which seem to indicate his participation in propagandizing our nation into war.  Have you read the times piece yet?  Glen Greenwald's work?  These are not rabid leftist ravings, but rather well documented and gravely serious issues.  It would seem most appropriate to answer such accusations since they go to the heart of his and this station's credibility.  If they do not address said issue, anything they say is now duly considered suspect.  Thank you.
But then again, if you didn't know that already, you really haven't been paying attention.  All the corporate news stations have been worthless as a source of information for a long time.  Good at propaganda and vapid pop culture pieces tho.

14 days now, and still the Nightly News continues to ignore the NY Times Pentagon>media propaganda exposé and NBC's complicitness in the story.

Forget the analyst scandal for a just a moment.  Can you imagine the uproar on Fox News and among the media punditocracy if one of the 3 network anchors ventured to praise and commend an op ed written by a Democratic speechwriter and operative, who asserts that Obama personifies all the grand American values, and that all McCain personifies is the bitterness and greed of Corporate America?

Imagine the charges of liberal bias, the demands for resignation, the thundering "see, we told you so's!, the media is a pack of Reds", this is definitive proof we can't trust the news networks, how can this man (or woman) fairly cover the 2008 election, having expressed such biased preferences, etc.

Now turn the situation around, which is what we have with Brian Williams and Peggy Noonan -- John McCain represents everything good in American, and Obama sees everything through the distorted filter of racial grievances.  And Brian just loves it, he wants everyone to curl up with this op-end and savor it at goodly length.  And where's the outrage, the calls for resignation?

This is the great advantage for NBC of living in a culture without a free media....

Liberal media....  What a joke!

"Frankly, I've got news for you, Bush isn't on the ticket, McCain is. Stop complaining about the past and how it was covered....."  formerly ladytechie

Huh?  Where have you been?  The argument here isn't over the presidential election.  It's NBC coverage of the news and the world.  Bush is still the president.  He's still appending "signing statements" to legislation he signs.  He's still threatening to bomb Iran.  He's still torturing people.  He's still pursuing a disaster foreign policy, and a disastrous conduct of a war.

And we're still relying on NBC to tell us the truth about the world -- unless you happen to own your own news bureau.

This is about the news, not the president.

As for "all" of those issues I listed being covered -- who are kidding?  How many NBC viewers knows ANYTHING about those subjects -- compared say, to the price of John Edwards' haircut or Obama's pastor?

Nightly News with Lester Holt will not be seen on most east coast NBC stations because of the Kentucky Derby tonight

I usually read through this blog and a few of the comments, usually the ones from the 'regulars'. I very rarely leave comments myself as i feel i have nothing of value to say. Apperantly others who do have nothing of value to say seem to think it's alright to post and continue posting.
For the last several days I keep wondering to myself why people who so obviously disagree with Brain Williams personal blog opinions as well as corporate america's news opinions keep watching nightly news or even reading this blog. It mystifies me completely. There are many news stations that i don't agree with and therefore i don't watch them, because i understand that they have nothing i will agree with and i will be enraged by their broadcasts and opinions. It would be like me reading Rush Limbaugh's blog and expecting to agree with it and then commenting about his blog..I would never do this as i already know his views and my views rarely resemeble anything similar. So I just don't understand why these new bloggers keep posting again and again when they are 'ignored' by BW and NBC. I don't call Fox News everyday to cristize the way they handle things and then act shocked and surprised when they don't address me or change their entire format because i disagree with how they run things.
If you disagree with the way NBC runs their network take it up directly with NBC not an employee of the station/ If you disagree with what Brian Williams writes in his blog stop reading it. it really is that simple. I read this blog simple because i have a school girl crush on Brian Williams thanks to the 2000 election when i stayed up all night watching the returns on MSNBC. It's also why i watch the Nightly News over ABC news which btw shows the same stories nightly does....do you harress them too?

"We discussed the debate underway on our blog -- and my belief that this kind of an exchange is always a good thing."

Exchange????  Debate????  There is no exchange or debate here.  You refuse to even mention what all these posts are about.  Let me remind you:

These posts are about the complacency of all the corporate television companies in allowing this administration and the Pentagon to manipulate the news broadcast to Americans before and during the invasion of Iraq.  If you were not aware of how deeply compromised your expert Generals were then you are now and yet you will not publicly admit to that failure.  You have broken the laws that govern public broadcasting.  You have failed to live up to minimal standards of journalism.  

You are a funny guy, clever and handsome.  Yet you fail in your responsibility to the culture you inform.  And there are lives in the balance and blood on the editing room floors.

To Claudia,

"Now it's Friday, the trolls have had their fun, and if the thoughtful ones would care to join us we will have you if you behave. Be aware that we respect one another, that we stick (more or less) to the header topic or comment on the broadcasts."

I submit that the above is a fair definition of groupthink, which is pleasant, non-challenging, and a known weakener of democracy.  Furthermore, you seem to believe you have authority to set forth rules of posting by virtue of being a regular.  To my knowledge, you are a fellow commenter only--true?  The thousand or so comments that the regulars objected to this past week had already passed muster with the moderator by the time they were posted and therefore met the standard for acceptable "behavior."

My comments don't always conform to the majority opinion.  However, minority opinions, when expressed, do tend to make people think.  Thinking isn't always pleasant.  I can't tell you how many times I've had to discard cherished opinions that don't stand up to scrutiny, and that is downright painful.  But such pains are "growing pains," and those who welcome them become smarter in the process.

I have enjoyed reading your comments.  I don't agree with all of them, obviously.  But that's okay.  You have caused me a few "growing pains," I must admit--and that's a good thing.

Ms Ross, In just what way do you percive that we are acting against our own best interests   ? I am assuming that what brought you to this forum was interest in the NYT's piece, yet I haven't see you post to that issue yet, just arch remarks about people who post here. Personal attacks, or attacks on groups of posters is not the way this forum works.

We now "get" the passion that you all feel on this issue, will you please "get" that we are offended by your characterization of us as "groupies" or unable to determine our own viewpoints. (and yes, those of us who post regularly consider a catty remark made about the group personal).

Lisa is right, it pays to be nice.

formerly ladytechie New Mexico

"We discussed the debate underway on our blog -- and my belief that this kind of an exchange is always a good thing."

I am heartened by your comments.  It is my sincere hope that this means you plan to answer whether or not you knew that Wayne Downing and Barry McCaffrey were members of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq.

It's understandable if you didn't - you can't be expected to know everything about your analysts.  It's also understandable if you did and decided it was not necessary to disclose to viewers - this is hardly the most important thing that these men have done.

I hope that you will help illuminate the full picture - always a good thing.

Checked in with Glenn Greenwald today:  he reports that neither Brian Williams or anyone from NBC has responded to his request for an interview. And of course, NBC steadfastly refuses to disclose actual and potential conflicts of interest of its news producers, editors, writers and on-air personalities (who are decidedly not journalists).

And a Williams tell:  he refers to "my friends" and "a friend" when describing supposed sources the same way McCain uses the "my friends" phrase.  The next part of the message is a lie or misrepresentation.  Thanks, Brian, for that.

Public, be warned, NBC does not provide news.  It is an agent of propaganda for GE and the White House.

D.W. Sabin--Sir, I have never believed the administration's fairy tales about the Iraq war. I was against the war before it began, am still against it, and I have a paper trail of years of objecting letters to prove it.

I did not absolve NBC and the other media outlets of responsibility in this matter.

I do think it is unfair to single out NBC and Brian Williams for criticism, as all the other TV networks are involved as well.

I did state it is reasonable to assume it will take time for the media to sort this out and the possible legal implications will add to that.

I do not believe personal attacks have any place anywhere. We are supposed to be a civilized nation.

I am, as per Elizabeth Edwards' piece, actually encouraging you to talk to the media--but in a way that gets you heard, not deleted--calmly, reasonably and clearly.

And sir, if I read you correctly, you think this country is going to hell in a hand basket. You will get no argument from me. I want to see us take it back by becoming informed and involved. As Elizabeth Edwards says, that is hard to do. But I hope you will agree--it is worth it.


Troy--I agree with Elizabeth Edwards' assessment of the problem--and I also agree with her assessment of how to solve it. You omitted one word in quoting Mrs. Edwards: "...talking CALMLY, repeatedly, constantly..."

I opened my comment saying: "With few thoughtful exceptions.." It is the tone of the commentary I object to. I will, and want to, read and thoughtfully consider the opinions of those on all sides of an issue--but I cannot abide those who ridicule others because of their position on an issue.

I cannot specifically recall what the generals said, but I can firmly state: no one ever sold me on the war or on the notion that except for the opening assault which quickly overcame Saddam's forces, it was going well. And even in the opening military action I had serious questions about the vulnerability of extended supply lines--a problem which still exists today. But then, perhaps that is all because I am a confirmed skeptic.

Again--I did not give (nor will I) NBC or the other networks a free pass. I did say--and you seem to agree--it is reasonable to assume it will take time to resolve. I will be watching.

As for viewers and readers not knowing if NBC plans to take a serious look at the report--please do as Elizabeth Edwards suggests: continue to talk calmly, repeatedly, constantly. I applaud your involvement. It does not make you annoying. Press the issue--just please keep it civil and thoughtful.

Comments consistently note GE has a dog in the military equipment race and imply the only way NBC can demonstrate its integrity is by severing its GE ties. Corporate ownership of media outlets is a thorny issue. I don't know the answer. I can only hope it can be resolved because I can easily imagine far worse owners than GE and I am realistic enough to know corporate ownership is here to stay.

I do not argue that NBC should forgo its profit--it is what type of news coverage that makes the most profit that bothers me--the tabloid stuff. I want more hard news, lots of it, and better covered news. I watch Nightly News because it does cover more hard news. And that is not just my opinion, it has been independently quantified. But it costs an enormous amount of money to maintain a news division, particularly overseas bureaus. It is so much easier and cheaper to cover car chases, and more people watch them. All the news organizations are cutting staff--the profit issue again. It does not bode well for serious news coverage. I agree totally with your last paragraph--but if we want to get there--WE--the news consumers are going to have to show our support for hard news and thus make it more profitable.

I sincerely thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my comments. I hope I have been able to clarify my position with the above.


Halbert--If you read my comments above, you will see that far from stifling discussion, I am encouraging it--so long as it is thoughtful and not vituperative. I am also encouraging citizen involvement to take back the unresponsive government we now have.

Hi Claudia,

You ask, "In just what way do you perceive that we are acting against our own best interests?"  Well, let me paraphrase what I said to Matt.  The fulsome admiration BW enjoys here enables him to continue the worst of bad journalism--lobbing softball questions at his fellow country club members, shaping the political discourse into People Magazine-worthy trivia which impacts election results in disastrous ways, remaining silent on issues that harm our reputation in the world and the health of our democracy, while delivering far too many minutes each night of bread and circuses.  And at worst, through silence or complicity, the lack of any investigation into government corruption results in viewers' children being killed or injured in wars embarked on under false pretenses.  You seriously don't get how this harms you?  (Shakes head.)  If you don't, then I doubt very much that you "'get' the passion" which has prompted so many to hold BW accountable.

It disappoints me that my criticisms of BW and television news as a whole have been, so far, lost on you.  My "arch"est remarks were reserved for the Ten Million Dollar Man.  

Your opinion on "the way this forum works" is duly noted.  I am sure the moderator is a perfectly capable arbiter of such matters.

I sincerely regret having used pejorative words to describe what seemed uncritical admiration of several posters.  The point remains, though, that those who bathe BW in positive feedback only, and defend him from his critics, are part of the problem.  They are hurting themselves and the youngest, most vulnerable, our future soldiers, when they do so.  Because of that, yes, I will remain passionate and I will goad people, if necessary, to use their critical thinking skills.

Ms Ross, First let me admit that the quote you gave was indeed a bit of a snark on my part, the very thing I accuse you of. For the tone I do apologize. However I don't think it was intended so much as a "setting of the rules" more as a reminder of what use to be considered normal behavior on any blog.

Do you accuse us of group think simply because we don't express a similar point of view to yours? Indeed, I have pointed out several times that it was critical thinking skills that allowed me to be skeptical of the military analysts in the first place.I seriously doubt that any further disclosures  of Pentagon briefings, or even of membership on committees set up to back the war would have increased my skepticism. They were Generals for Pete's sake!

For years, and I blame Karl Rove for this, it has been the fashion to demonize  or denounce or denigrate those who don't agree with us. It has been the favorite tactic of the right. One of the shining attributes of the left has been our militant demand that free speech mean just that.. free speech. The ability to hear the other side rather than scream over them. That has been sadly lacking in this debate.

I accept your apology.  

johnd, I failed to make my point I quess, It was simply this, I have yet to hear a single poster on this general's story lay the blame where the Times laid it.. Bush's administration, in the person of Rumsfield. That being said, my point was that Rumsfield is gone, and Bush is the lamest of lame ducks. Bashing the networks, and even more bashing an anchor becuase he's the anchor, even editor, is non-productive. Getting involved in the process of change is.

And yes, I do have my own news bureau, it's called the Internet. If you are relying on NBC as your only news outlet you are somewhat behind the times.  

Mr. Williams:
I've had you into my front room for years now. I base my news watching on the basis of trying to get the best objective news I can locate. I work to find news that doesn't overlook the facts to put forward a story that is lacking a look under the promoters of a story.

Needless to say, the breaking story of the lack of integrity on the part of NBC concerns me greatly. I count on you all to bring me stories I can trust. Now that trust is called into question. You, Brian, as the managing editor, must bring some credibility back by treating this military analyst situation with some importance.

Doing so may be very difficult, but it must be done. I am sure that these men who were used as military analysts are probably good men, and may have become good friends. But the point is, we, the Americans that rely on unbiased objective news to inform us about the world around us rely on you to understand the importance of maintaining your credibility.

I look forward to your story that will explain how such a situation could occur and what policies are being considered to help us, as your viewers, to actually see someone take responsibility for something that they did and make amends for it by admitting a mistake and making sure such doesBTWn't happen again.

BTW, I am a shareholder in G.E. and don't want to find that there was a connection to this.

OK, I'm a new poster brought here out of morbid curiosity.  Curious to know if a network anchor actually is accountable to the public and sadly it appears the answer is no.  Rather than a breathless recounting of one of your colleagues under fire, perhaps you could account for your lack of coverage of the military propaganda issue?  And why no coverage of the carnage in Sadr City?  Did you see that dead baby boy, buried under bricks by one of our bombs?  You should be carrying that on your stinking broadcast.

Hi Claudia,

No apology needed, though of course I am happy to receive it.    

I wasn't accusing anyone of groupthink necessarily, just warning that attempts to suppress dissent in a public forum by deeming it trolling or labeling it uncivil can lead to that unfortunate result.  Howard Zinn said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism.  It is certainly vital in maintaining a healthy democracy.  

A suggestion to you and anyone else who happens to read this--if you haven't seen it, as patriots, you owe it to yourselves to watch the documentary "Orwell Rolls in his Grave."  It explains and substantiates what happens in a democracy when the news media are bought up by supercorporations and the stories that air are determined and manipulated by those whose motives are not to inform, but to sway.  Absolutely riveting--and chilling--to watch.  It is available at Netflix.  It can be found and watched in segments at YouTube.  

I stand by my contention that regular posters here do their country and their children a disservice by defending Williams against valid criticisms.  Of course BW and NBC will avoid addressing their own egregiously biased reporting/selection of news stories.  But they need to hear that they aren't fooling everyone.

I do appreciate that NBC offers this board and appears to tolerate critical comments.  However, this board is insignificant in its impact compared to the numbers reached in the newscast.  The newscast is where change is desperately needed--and where, sadly, it will probably never occur.

Claudia writes:  "johnd, I failed to make my point I quess, It was simply this, I have yet to hear a single poster on this general's story lay the blame where the Times laid it.. Bush's administration, in the person of Rumsfield. That being said, my point was that Rumsfield is gone, and Bush is the lamest of lame ducks. Bashing the networks, and even more bashing an anchor becuase he's the anchor, even editor, is non-productive. Getting involved in the process of change is."

I'm sorry, Claudia, but I think you fail to understand, or are determined not to understand.  Governments lie all the time, that's nothing new and is to be expected.  We're talking here about news coverage, not government deception.  If it takes most of the country 5 years to figure out that Bush and Rumsfeld lied, when the evidence was available at the time but not publicized by major media, how exactly are these networks serving the public interest?

The only way of "getting involved in the process" is to demand that organizations like NBC, which has  legal mandate to serve the public interest, actually do so.  Otherwise, we'll constantly be in the position of "five years later", and some will insist that there's no point bashing the perpetrators or the networks, because it's water under the bridge....

What is it about the ongoing failures of NBC for the past 5 or 6 years, and the refusal of NBC to confront those failures, which gives you confidence that the network will report fairly and truthfully about what appears to be an upcoming Bush Administration attack on Iran?  Or on the upcoming election?  Or on any subject under the sun which may not accord with the interests of GE or the bottom line of NBC?

"And yes, I do have my own news bureau, it's called the Internet. If you are relying on NBC as your only news outlet you are somewhat behind the times."

I'm sure we both do quite well on the internet.  The trouble is, most people don't have the time, money or skills to navigate the flow of information on the 'net.  If we can believe the polls, most Americans still get their news from TV, and broadcasters have a legal and moral obligation to present the truth, not a government fiction or a party line which is agreeable to the parent company.

Again, there's one issue here, and one issue only:  the responsibility of the networks, and what happens when that trust is broken.  Rumsfeld or Bush were always liars and will continue to lie.  That's to be expected.  But it's not the issue here.

Waiting to Hear From Brian--

Brian, House members are pressing the Pentagon for propaganda investigation. Yesterday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and 40 other lawmakers (nearly 10%) sent a letter to the Pentagon’s Inspector General demanding an investigation into the department’s propaganda program, which was first revealed by The New York Times on April 20--15 days ago.



Earlier this week, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking the agency to determine whether the Pentagon’s program broke the law.

In an interview, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) said that the Bush administration had “dishonored” the military with all its “untruths.”

Brian--you are the news anchor of a network using the public airwaves. Over two weeks after this scandal broke, 10% of the House of Representatives is calling for an investigation of this issue.

Yet you have yet to mention it on air.

Do you not understand what you are doing to the little credibility that broadcast news has left? Do you not care? Are you not man enough?

Integrity? We don't need no stinking integrity!

Hi Brian,

You are still not responding to your viewers regarding the propaganda you enabled via the Pentagon 'message multiplyers'.  Please address your networks use of military analysists and why the public was not informed that they were working for the Pentagon AND various military contractors.  Why do you not respond?  What are you afraid of?  

David

Happy Birthday, Mr. Williams and many, many more!!!!

Two questions from today's (monday may 5) live chat with WashPost's Howard Kurtz:

Toronto: Hi Howard -- kudos for last Sunday's focus on the New York Times's Pentagon propaganda story. Why do you think the networks still are silent on this? The comments on Brian Williams's blog are at a boiling point -- I'm surprised NBC hasn't shut it down yet!

Howard Kurtz: I can only conclude that the networks are staying away from what would otherwise be a legitimate news story because they are embarrassed about what some of their military analysts did or don't want to give the controversy more prominence.


Savannah, Ga.: Is the story about the Pentagon connection to the media military experts getting any more traction, or is it just old news? I was really looking for some soul-searching on the part of the organizations that used them.

Howard Kurtz: You didn't miss it. It's just not there. The networks are ducking this one, big time.

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