Dear Brian, The person who posted and asked CNN and NBC had two different answers about the Supreme Court ruling on Gay Marriage,  NBC and CNN both reported the same thing, `California Supreme Court rejects Gay Marriage Ban.  Court says it's Unconsitutional, "and so do I.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Welcome to a rainy night in Georgia! It is a pleasure to have you here, but I am very sorry it is raining here in Atlanta. We do so need the rain though so we can't complain too much. Our lakes need to come back to full pool and so far Lake Lanier hasn't quite filled up completely. I am glad you are here honoring 35 living Medal of Honor recipients. These men are always to be honored and saluted for their brave service to our country. Regarding the damaged buildings in downtown Atlanta it is very evident in certain areas. I was in downtown Atlanta last week and saw much of the windows boarded up with wood. It will take a while to repair all the damage.
Anyway, it is great to have you here in Atlanta,Georgia. Sorry again for the weather being rainy. Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to you and to all!
PS-I wish Richard had come with you! Maybe next time. Oh well!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie and Stephanie!
Hi to all the great ladies of this blog!
Be well always!

Dear Brian,

You're in Atlanta?  That's Lisa McNeil territory!  

I CAN'T WAIT to hear about the Bush/Obama controversy!  Leave it to our president to evoke one of the most evil regimes in world history, while celebrating the statehood of a people that were directly affected by that evil regime - all so he could take a cheap, political swipe at the Democratic presidential campaign.  

I enjoyed your interview with Senator Clinton.  I watched the complete version online.  I thought you were very fair.  It was so refreshing to watch a conversation that did not degenerate into the "gotcha" style of journalism that is so prevalent these days.  Later in the evening, I watched a separate interview that Wolf Blitzer conducted with Senator Clinton for The Situation Room.  (It was rebroadcast on Anderson Cooper 360.)  I felt it was a very fair interview, as well.  Senator Clinton is not the Lady MacBeth so many people seem to believe she is.  But, I am biased, I guess.

I fell asleep early last night, before I even programmed the VCR to record Conan.  (Yes, I still own a VCR!)  Thanks to Lisa McNeil for reminding us that we could watch your appearance online.  Claudia, since you didn't stay up, either, here's the link:

http://www.nbc.com/Late_Night_with_Conan_O'Brien/index.shtml#

I thought the interview was pretty funny.  Was that your Nightly News script in hand?  

Jackie:  I can't wait to hear about your Jet Blue experience, whenever you make your trip!  Amtrak will surely miss you.

Lots of love to Lisa, Jackie, and Stephanie!
Hello to Celine, Claudia, and Anna!
Good luck on all your studies, Matt!  I'm sure you'll be glad for the semester to be over, if it isn't already.

XOXO

Had Richard Engel come with you to Atlanta no misery that mother nature could come up with would stop our intrepid Lisa McNeil from being at the location of the broadcast --- your loss Brian!

Where was VP Cheney when we needed a (lame) duck shot down?  That's about the only thing that would have prevented President Bush from opening mouth inserting foot up to his knee with his out and out stupid comment relating to (sweetie) Senator Obama.  (wonder how the senator would like being called sweetie all the time?)  

Hotlanta (or hotandwetlanta)-

I travel too much for work I guess, but when I'm in Atlanta I try to go to Gladys Knight and Ron Winans Chicken & Waffles on Peachtree. You should give them a try while you're there.

Best

Hi Brian
Yes the Supreme Court voted in favor of same sex marriage. I know what it was like when I didn't have Civil Rights so I'm all for all Americans having equal Rights. Governor Arnie will veto the ruling per orders of the Republican Party. No worries it will be put on the Nov. voters ballot and then it will be law.

Now for the news:
"Italian judge rules Berlusconi will be called to testify in CIA kidnapping case" and Whistle-Blower points to Target List in US attack on Palestine Hotel and Bush's comment about the Democrats and Obama. Bush was just sucking up to Isreal and the World remembers the powerful action of Kennedy vs Khrushchev.  Now Isreal says they were give the land by God, yet it's only their 60th Anniversary  and I'm 61 years old. I still have a problem with that as I wasn't born when God gave Isreal the land.  

Brian you did a great interview with Hillary. I told you she's a driver and strong woman but she has the soft side too. Sandra Day O'Connor and Hillary Clinton are role models to all woman who dare to dream and never quit.

Best to my friends Lisa, Laural, Stephanie, Claudia, Anne and Matt.

See you at the same time and same place 6:30pm

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Good to see you in Atlanta and great to have you here for the Medal of Honor recipients gala and dinner. I just want to mention the first building shown with all the windows missing is called the Peachtree Plaza and has a restaurant at the top that revolves slowly so patrons can see the city. The building is round so each pane of glass is curved and has to be specially made for the building. The smaller cylinder attached has a glass elevator inside so for people who don't like heights it may not be for them because it is around 73 stories high. I have been to the top and once you get there it is nice to see the view. Hopefully all the damaged will be repaired nicely, but it will take some time.
On another note the report by Ian Williams concerning the terrible earthquake in China simply is heartbreaking to see. All the collapsed buildings is so awful and the parents waiting by the school is also heartbreaking. It is so very good when they find someone alive though because it does give hope for more to be found. It is just unimaginable to see. I hope more survivors are found.
Finally, the piece about Mr. Del Toro, the Iraq war veteran who was severely wounded by a roadside bomb and his son was truly inspirational. He endured so much and then having 97 surgeries is simply heartbreaking. I am very happy he pulled through and his son is a great inspiration to him. They love eachother so much. Therapy is a great help to these soldiers returning home, but the love from family members and especially a child is just priceless. Very nice piece this evening! Thank you for the broadcast this evening Mr.Williams! You will make a great emcee for the Medal of Honor recipients Gala Dinner this evening. Enjoy your Atlanta evening and some southern food and hospitality! Saw you on the local news too! Peace to you and to all!

PS-Next time bring Richard with you! Ha!Ha!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie and Stephanie!
Hi to all the great ladies of the blog!
Be well Always!

Mr. Williams,

Thanks for taking the time to do some vining today. I can't imagine how many questions have been sent since your last video. Its funny that someone brought up the question about the different prices of gas in other countries, as I recently did a piece on that on my amateur blog. I found out that it is over $8.00 U.S. in both Germany and the UK, and a staggering $9.00 in the Netherlands. This is mostly due to the significantly high taxes on gas in those countries. Its amazing that we complain so much about the price of gas, when it doesn't even come close to what other people are paying around the world. Thanks for the link to Ron Allen's piece, it was very informative and interesting to see things go on behind the scenes that are not likely to be televised. I know this Farm Bill is getting and will get more attention as the months go by, as it should with its major role in the economy. So did nightly news follow you down there to the Medal of Honor ceremony? I would imagine its a lot cheaper to call in Lester Holt or Ann Curry and stay in New York or somewhere closer. Anyways, looking forward the broadcast tonight, and that piece on California and the gay marriage court ruling.

First, I wanted to thank you for talking about MS as well as addressing the impact it has on people’s lives.  Although it is great that auto-immune diseases are being discussed, it is a shame that the focus frequently has been on a specific gender (women).  Although this disease does affect women more often then men, I believe this is a missed opportunity to shed light on how MS impacts EVERYONE living with it.  Furthermore, men tend to shy away from medical examinations and yearly health-checks, so when we only highlight the effect of MS on women, we perpetuate the idea that men’s health is less important than women’s health.  Thanks for talking about MS, but I think it would be more helpful in the future for the focus to be more gender-neutral, that way we highlight the real importance: a cure for everyone with MS.

Brian, saw the short segment showing the guv of NY putting his chin on the table to sign a piece of paper.  Had the sound off so did not know what he was signing.  He coulda used a magnifying glass or some other visual aid to help him.  He makes the most negative example of blindness.  I am not bashing the guy, just stating facts.

Brian-Your story tonight about President Bush's comments to the parliament of Israel is exactly the reason I don't watch The Evening News any more-you just aren't fair and want Obama elected president.  You showed the comment of President Bush, got Obama's response and that of Clinton, both of whom daily "trash" the Bush Administration on Iraq and foreign policy.  And, you had comments of Senators Biden, Kerry and Speaker Pelosi, all regulars in the "trashing" of President Bush (personally and his administation.  But, you forgot to mention Senator Lieberman (2004 nominee of the Democratic Party ! ), who said: "President Bush got it exactly right today when he warned about the threat of Iran and its terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.  It is imperative that we reject the flawed and naive thinking that denies or dismisses the words of extremists and terrorists when they shout "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," and holds that-if only we were to sit down and negotiate with these killers-they would cease to threaten us.  It is critical to our national security that our commander-in-chief is able to distinguish between America's friends and America's enemies, and not confuse the two."  If you were more fair and balanced, I would be able to watch the only network news program in my hometown.

When are you going to report on the propaganda spewed by you and the unobjective Bush/Rumsfeld/Pentagon retired generals.  What a farce.  Why do you hate our country Brian?  Fess up and be a real reporter.

Just got to my computer after a long day and a very fun night!   Anyway I went to the blog and learned Brian was in Atlanta and thought.....oh this is good! Lisa will be camping out by the NBC satellite trucks looking for Brian and Richard!   What fun?

It would have been great fun for you to see live television.   It is fun to watch.   One night in DC I camped out at one of my favorite buildings just to watch some the anchors deliver live news.  I got to met some anchors for PBS, the BBC, CNN and even Aljazeera.   Let's just say the Aljazeera anchor was the most interesting and he was shocked I knew who he was and we will leave it at that.  I think he thought most American women didn't know where the Middle East was located.    

Lisa, the thing that many folks don't realize is the amount of makeup the anchors wear.    You would see these folks packed in makeup and makeup artists coming over and patting their necks due to all the heat from the lighting etc.    So if you do ever see Richard on the streets of Atlanta during broadcast time don't be surprised if he is caked in makeup for the show! It's part of the requirements.

I will be the first to say I missed the broadcast of the news the last 2 nights and Conan.  Thanks to Laurel for the link.   Brian you did well!

Bests to all and prayers to the families of Burma and China!  It is hard to believe the week went so fast!

Thanks for the link Laurel. Snowflakes and milk!

I shall quote the late great Molly Ivins on the President " George W Bush was born with a silver foot in his mouth"  He sure proved that today!.

Jackie, flying really isn't that bad, unless you have to do as much of it as Brian does. The best tip I got the last time I flew was don't even bother with the plastic bag and worrying about how many ozs in the bottle, just pick up what you need when you get there.Use it up and don't bother to bring it home.
I got lucky and had a very helpful TSA agent find me a chair when I had trouble getting my shoes back on. Age does have it's privileges.

One last note so you can all laugh at me.. I spent an hour and half tonight at a forum for local candidates,
and suddenly realized that I couldn't vote for any of them! Some weren't in my district, the rest were Republicans, and NM has closed primaries. Such is this politcal season I guess.  

Matt-- I hope you are as successful in those exams I'm sure you just took as you are in getting your questions answered on Newsvine! You did it again! Congratulations!! Keep on asking!

And hello to all the "usual suspects"!

Brian it must be a truly humbling experience to stand in a room with such greatness. Please pass on my gratitude to the hero's that have sacrificed so much for our freedoms!

Mr. Williams,
You are still covering up your part in the propagandizing of the American public in the run up to the Iraq war.  One way or another, you will come clean.  Either on your own show in your own words or answering questions under oath in front of a hostile congress.  You really are a disgrace to journalism covering up for yourself so shamelessly.  By any definition of the word, you have committed treason against this country and you will be held to account.  Not even GE can get away with this kind of immoral behavior.

On the 14 May broadcast Dennis Ouaid was seen presenting his medical error story before a congressional committee.  At the conclusion Brian said  that 7,000 medical errors occur each year.  This is not the whole story. The JAMA [1998;279:1200-1205] posted a study conducted by Dr. Pomeranz, MD, et.al which concluded that ADR's accounted for 106,000 deaths in hospitals each year. This was followed up by a studies posted in JAMA [2003;289:1107-1116; and 1154 -1156]. The Gurwitz study estimated that as many as 180,000 ADE's which are life-threatening or fatal occur each year in out-patient facilities.  Dr. Classen, MD stated in his article in JAMA [2003;289:1154-1156]"It is time to move beyond the illusion of medication safety to face the difficult reality of acknowledging the significant risk that medications pose to patients ans implementing strategies to reduce it."  These numbers are quite impressive to say the least.  As a Viet Nam era vet I saw the country go crazy and demand an enr to the conflict because we lost about 50,000 soldiers over 10 years.  Apparently our medical system has far exceeded that number every year.  Where is the outcry, the news reports the congressional hearings??

Military commentator Joe Galloway is always worth reading.  Here he is on the generals as "message multipliers" scandal:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/galloway/story/37225.html

Brian, I really hope you get around to addressing this on air and addressing it more fully on your blog.  Americans really need a better understanding of how we got into Iraq, how the war in Iraq was represented to us.  

This is not just of historical interest, we may yet end up going to war in Iran.  As the say once bitten, twice shy. Many Americans are hungry to understand how we were bitten so we can avoid it next time.

@ Lisa and Atlanta News Junkies:

Richard will be LIVE promoting his book on June 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Jimmy Carter Library in Atlanta.     The Carter Library is just amazing.  

Admission is FREE.

Ooopps...here's the link on the book tour...

http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/events/

I'm wondering when, if ever, NBC News will acknowledge that it was bamboozled by its so-called military experts who were in fact nothing but shills for the Pentagon. Your very tepid defense of this indefensible practice was not sufficient.

Guys, I think we really have to give up on the analyst story.  Why would anyone expect NBC to own up to participating in the Pentagon's propaganda program when the anchors and hosts have yet to admit to their journalistic and ethical failures in the pre-invasion coverage?

What's changed since 2002-3?  You've still got the self-appointed inquisitor of TV news, Tim Russert, demanding pledges from Democrats on behalf of GE, while lobbing softballs at the Bush Administration and repeating Republican talking points.

And Chris Matthews is still obsessed with Bill Clinton's sex life and which candidate is a man's man.  Hint:  Democrats aren't real men, unless they're women, and in that case they're insufferable ("I hate her....").

And now there's Brian, who listens to Limbaugh every day, has nominated Peggy Noonan for a Pulitzer and assures us that NBC would never offer propaganda to the public as the proof that it didn't.  If Brian were running for president, Tim would be lobbing softballs at him and Chris would be celebrating his broad shoulders and his "sunny nobility".  In case anyone's forgotten, what did Chris call Al Gore in 2000?  Wasn't it "bathtub ring"?  In view of the past 8 years, NBC should be proud.

So get over it, guys.  Apart from its entertainment value, the real world at NBC, and for Brian, is just a TV show.

Please stop calling Brian a journalist. He's a news reader, and a damn fine one at that! And a head of hair to die for! Like butta! Have teleprompter will travel.

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