How long will it be before Myanmar will be Myanmar and not Myanmar, the former Burma?  Unless the mishandling of the disaster forces the military junta out and you call it Burma, the former Myanmar.

Our country, the United States of America, does not recognize the Junta and Myanmar. As far as we are concerned, the country is still called Burma.

Dear NN,

that tragedies in Myanmar and China which have unfolded in the last weeks were really tough to watch as a colleague of yours from your German broadcast partner ZDF, Antonia Rados, reported on that horrible story in Myanmar last week - from inside the country - it struck me because that human suffering and the denial of the government of Myanmar to let aid in the country showed how brutal a dictatorship can devastate an entire nation.

Also I hope that in the wake of the Chinese earthquake that there will be as much assistance as possible to that country. I hope that the dam will hold so water won't spill in the destructed cities.

I hope that tomorrow night there will be a huge win for Hillary Clinton, so the nomination will be going into the convention in Denver, so there will be a "Showdown in the Rockies".

If you can speak German, there is an online special of the German equivalent of the Time Magazine, called "Der Spiegel" where there's on the left side of the webpage a "Kandidatomat" (Candidatomat), where you can insert your political view and afterwards it tells who is your most fitting candidate to vote for. It's pretty interesting and it's on the following page: http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,k-7064,00.html

NBC "News" gets their backsides kicked by the White House (and rightly so) in an email to NBC - for deceiving the American public in an interview with President Bush:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080519-4.html


Steve Capus
President, NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112



Mr. Capus:

          This e-mail is to formally request that NBC Nightly News and The Today Show air for their viewers President Bush's actual answer to correspondent Richard Engel's question about Iran policy and "appeasement," rather than the deceptively edited version of the President's answer that was aired last night on the Nightly News and this morning on The Today Show.

          In the interview, Engel asked the President:  "You said that negotiating with Iran is pointless, and then you went further. You said that it was appeasement. Were you referring to Senator Barack Obama?"

The President responded: "You know, my policies haven't changed, but evidently the political calendar has. People need to read the speech. You didn't get it exactly right, either. What I said was is that we need to take the words of people seriously. And when, you know, a leader of Iran says that they want to destroy Israel, you've got to take those words seriously. And if you don't take them seriously, then it harkens back to a day when we didn't take other words seriously. It was fitting that I talked about not taking the words of Adolf Hitler seriously on the floor of the Knesset. But I also talked about the need to defend Israel, the need to not negotiate with the likes of al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas. And the need to make sure Iran doesn't get a nuclear weapon."

          This answer makes clear: (1). The President's remarks before the Knesset were not different from past policy statements, but are now being looked at through a political prism,    (2).  Corrects the inaccurate premise of Engel's question by putting the "appeasement" line in the proper context of taking the words of leaders seriously, not "negotiating with Iran," (3).  Restates the U.S.'s long-standing policy positions against negotiating with al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas, and not allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Engel's immediate follow-up question was, "Repeatedly you've talked about Iran and that you don't want to see Iran develop a nuclear weapon.  How far away do you think Iran is from developing a nuclear capability?"

The President replied, "You know, Richard, I don't want to speculate – and there's a lot of speculation.  But one thing is for certain – we need to prevent them from learning how to enrich uranium.  And I have made it clear to the Iranians that there is a seat at the table for them if they would verifiably suspend their enrichment.  And if not, we'll continue to rally the world to isolate them."

This response reiterates another long-standing policy, which is that if Iran verifiably suspends its uranium enrichment program the U.S. government would engage in talks with the Iranian government.

NBC's selective editing of the President's response is clearly intended to give viewers the impression that he agreed with Engel's characterization of his remarks when he explicitly challenged it.  Furthermore, omitted the references to al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas and ignored the clarifying point in the President's follow-up response that U.S. policy is to require Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment program before coming to the table, not that "negotiating with Iran is pointless" and amounts to "appeasement."

          This deceitful editing to further a media-manufactured storyline is utterly misleading and irresponsible and I hereby request in the interest of fairness and accuracy that the network air the President's responses to both initial questions in full on the two programs that used the excerpts.

          As long as I am making this formal request, please allow me to take this opportunity to ask if your network has reconsidered its position that Iraq is in the midst of a civil war, especially in light of the fact that the unity government in Baghdad recently rooted out illegal, extremist groups in Basra and reclaimed the port there for the people of Iraq, among other significant signs of progress.

          On November 27, 2006, NBC News made a decision to no longer just cover the news in Iraq, but to make an analytical and editorial judgment that Iraq was in a civil war.  As you know, both the United States government and the Government of Iraq disputed your account at that time.   As Matt Lauer said that morning on The Today Show: "We should mention, we didn't just wake up on a Monday morning and say, 'Let's call this a civil war.' This took careful deliberation.'"  

I noticed that around September of 2007, your network quietly stopped referring to conditions in Iraq as a "civil war."  Is it still NBC News's carefully deliberated opinion that Iraq is in the midst of a civil war? If not, will the network publicly declare that the civil war has ended, or that it was wrong to declare it in the first place?

Lastly, when the Commerce Department on April 30 released the GDP numbers for the first quarter of 2007, Brian Williams reported it this way:  "If you go by the government number, the figure that came out today stops just short of the official declaration of a recession."

The GDP estimate was a positive 0.6% for the first quarter.  Slow growth, but growth nonetheless.  This followed a slow but growing fourth quarter in 2007.  Consequently, even if the first quarter GDP estimate had been negative, it still would not have signaled a recession – neither by the unofficial rule-of-thumb of two consecutive quarters of negative growth, nor the more robust definition by the National Bureau of Economic Research (the group that officially marks the beginnings and ends of business cycles).  

Furthermore, never in our nation's history have we characterized economic conditions as a "recession" with unemployment so low – in fact, when this rate of unemployment was eventually reached in the 1990s, it was hailed as the sign of a strong economy.  This rate of unemployment is lower than the average of the past three decades.

Are there numbers besides the "government number" to go by?  Is there reason to believe "the government number" is suspect?  How does the release of positive economic growth for two consecutive quarters, albeit limited, stop "just short of the official declaration of a recession"?

          Mr. Capus, I'm sure you don't want people to conclude that there is really no distinction between the "news" as reported on NBC and the "opinion" as reported on MSNBC, despite the increasing blurring of those lines. I welcome your response to this letter, and hope it is one that reassures your broadcast network's viewers that blatantly partisan talk show hosts like Christopher Matthews and Keith Olbermann at MSNBC don't hold editorial sway over the NBC network news division.



          Sincerely,
          Ed Gillespie
          Counselor to the President

Mr. Engels' interview of President Bush was well done, per usual for Mr. Engel.  Mr. Gillespie just isn't used to someone actually calling the President out and following up.  I have watched Mr. Engel for several years now and am always impressed by the quality of his reporting.  Great job Mr. Engel, if one of the Presidents' appeasers is upset, you must have touched a nerve.

I hope that Mr. Williams addresses the statement from the White House on tonight's broadcast.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, I just want to say that I think Richard did a fabulous job interviewing President Bush and if one wants to view the entire interview it can be watched on msnbc.com. It was most interesting! He asked tough questions and knows more about that region than anyone. Great job Richard! Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to you and to all!

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

OmG I read Gillespie's lttr. to Capus...how much propaganda by act or omission do you give the viewer each nite, Brian...MSM liberal, salacious blather, pander to the Blacks, Mexicans liberals...it won't work Brian...you see, we now have many sources for info...you have been marginalized to nothing...give your earnings to Katrina, Brian...what a joke that was! :)

What a poor excuse of explanining the White House's comment on tonights (5/19) nightly news on the letter to NBC.  Brian, you just seemed to "brush it off" as being insignificant.  It's easy to see the bias with this type of interpretation of what the President was saying.

No Matter how you put it you can't fix stupid and this president surely takes rhe cake.

Brian and nbc nightly news...

Was a big fan of Brian Williams. NJ guy who has done well but the newscast is so Liberal...can not watch any more.The interview last night with our president was a discrace....no matter what you think of him He is still the president
NBC Nightly news is a Liberal nightmare....so left wing....

Thank God for NBC News.   You are the only news organization that understands what freedom really means.  At a time when other cowered, NBC was the first to allow the voice of millions of Americans silenced by the tyranny of silent censorship to be given voice.  Fifty years from now, NBC News and the likes of Keith Olbermann will be looked at in the way that we now look to CBS News in its glory days with Murrow and Cronkite.

For all of those that say that have turned from NBC because it has refused to be intimidated I tell you this: I know of at least a dozen people that I have personally addicted to MSNBC and your fine journalism (and your ratings have increased...),

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, OR OF THE PRESS; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Keep up the excellent work and God bless.

If NBC Nightly News is annoying the White House, then they are doing their job.  It's interesting to read posts critical of NBC and Mr. Williams for "liberal bias" that ignore that we have a President and administration that repeatedly lie to the American Public. Case in point during his interview the President references the terrorists that killed 3,000 Americans on our soil. Simple fact, and no one can argure with that. But then we get the same lies that somehow our invasion of Iraq has some connection to that attack.
Is this not spininng the truth for political end?

NBC News responds to The White House letter:

"Richard Engel's interview with President Bush has been available, unedited, in its entirety, for the past day, on our website. Our reporting accurately reflects the interview. Just as the White House does not participate in the editorial process at the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal or USA Today, NBC News, as part of a free press in a free society, makes its own editorial decisions."

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbc/wh_vs_nbc_nbc_news_response_85170.asp#more

I'm glad some still remember what living in a free country means...

Mr. Williams, I have, up until tonight, been a fan of NBC News.  Even after your news show slighted Sen. John McCain, I gave you the benefit of the doubt.  However, YOU GOT IT WRONG!  Mr. Ingles is not only an idiot but he also needs to educate himself on the issue at hand!  NBC did the normal manipulative job of putting their liberal spin on the issue.  Maybe on of these days, Mr. Ingles and perhaps you, will quit hiding behind the news camera, put on working clothes and spend time living amongst men and women who truly understand the threats against our Nation.  Thanks for showing your true colors. I will now watch CBS.      

On the subject of ethics in journalism - NBC thinks that if they simply ignore the elephant in the room (their own liberal bias) then no one else will notice either.

They could not be more mistaken.

They could not be more in danger of permanently destroying their own credibility.

Brian - You made merely a whisp of a reference about the White House's "strongly worded" protest about the Engel interview with the President. By not even mentioning what the protest concerns, you conveyed to your viewers - probably with some forethought - both arrogance and apathy. This kind of message to the president of NBC News is extraordinary in its length and intensity. The pooh-pooh coverage you gave it during a few seconds on this evening's newscast - referring us to your website - sent a loud and clear message to both the White House and your viewers: "We couldn't care less." This type of one-sidedness is increasingly transparent and unprofessional.

Thank you NBC and Brian Williams!  George Bush (I can't find anything but contempt for this person) is living in a fantasy world like Nero fiddling while Rome burns and it won't be soon enough that we are rid of him and his group.  Real people are suffering because of his actions and it will take a long time to recover.

Oh no here we go again.   Media bias, does it never end? In lieu of people making there own mind up at home, they hit the blogs and tell folks how awful they are.    Good grief!  Isn't there enough hate in the world than posting all this again and again?  By Friday it will be Engelgate!

Richard Engel was a little fired up last night and it was a "WOW!" interview but there was no new news that everyone did not already know about.  

(I try to be fair and honest in my assessments and to Richard something was off about you and the interview.  Were you rushed?  Was there bad karma before the interview?  Were you late? Was the President late? You interjected and interrupted the President twice! I don't think I have ever seen a journalist interrupt the President!  I had to re-run that video to make sure I heard it right!)

(Regulars please don't throw tomatoes at me they are too expensive right now!)

My gut was that Richard was rushed and put in a few opinions based on what he has been hearing at home and abroad.  The full interview has been on-line now for more than 24 hours.  See it for yourselves.

Monday night bests to all!  

I would like to commend Richard Engel both for his truely heroic work in covering the Iraq war and for his courageous interview with President Bush. Here is a man who has risked life and limb in order to bring the news home to the American public, and who drew on that experience in framing his questions. Asking tough questions to those in power is exactly what journalists in a democratic society are supposed to do (but too often fail to do). President Bush isn't a King and we are not his subjects! Thank you, Richard Engel.  

It's funny to read how some people think that it is perfectly OK for the NBC Nightly News to lie to the American people - and try to justify it by alleging that the President lied about Iraq.

Pitiful liberals.

Watching the segment on Obama & McCain and that other annoying personna. What a hoot!
McCain now has a "new" policy, asking for anyone with harmful background that would embarrass the Senator to go away. So now McCain is driving his own bus and the "Straight Talk Express" has become the "Who In The Hell Is Gonna Change My Depends Now" tour.
There is absolutely no difference between:
Poop in a suit
Poop in a purse
Or Poop in a Depends
Amerika will vote for whomever scares them the least as per your show and all the others
Do as you're told, Amerika
YOU - are food eaters
They - are rulers of mankind
Except for Cheney - he is one of the lizard people

Brian...
I was disappointed with your response regarding the White House accusation of bias in your reporting. You essentially said "If you want to see everything, go search the web". Let's be honest. The majority of your your viewers can't/won't go surfing for 'everything'. So, whatever biases you might (unintentionally, I assume) transmit during your broadcast will be assumed to be fact rather than opinion. I know, as a professional journalist, that this is not your intention. It is, however, time to be more sensitive to what you transmit to your viewers. Many are willing to 'hang their hat' on what you say. Therefore, what you say should not bias your audience, regarless of what is on MSNBC.

Hello Brian, I just watched the full interview Richard Engle had with the President. Richard has been in the war torn area for several years and his knowledge of what is going on over there can't compare with "surveys".  I thought his interview was excellent.

Good Evening Mr.Williams,Another fine broadcast as usual. The video from China during the time when the earthquake hit brought chills. It was terrible watching how buildings collapsed and seeing people trapped. It was heartwrenching seeing those poor children trapped in the building crying for help. The rescuers were doing their utmost to save people and bring them to safety. It shows the power of mother nature and how quickly things can change. Very tough to watch, but it shows how the West Coast or anywhere that is prone to an earthquake needs to prepare or at least try to do their best to be ready in such a situation. I hope that more people are found alive because time is of the essence.
On another note I am glad you brought up Richard's interview with President Bush. I think Richard did a fine job and one can view the full interview as you stated on msnbc.com. Excellent job by Richard!!!
Regarding the prices of gas it was interesting to learn the different prices around the world. I hope somehow it comes down in the country though because it is very high. Finally, the report from Mr.Savidge about the Morehouse graduate Joshua Packwood was very nice. There is a nice piece written about him in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. Great inspiration to many people. Nice piece! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to you and to all!

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

With regard to the price of gas per gallon in other countries, I think it should also be taken into consideration that the dollar is stronger in Europe and cars are more fuel efficient.  I think there may also be more use of public transportation though I am not sure.  Could you continue the segment to include how much residents of other countries spend per mile, per week, etc.?  I am curious to see if we still come out ahead.
Thank you, and thank NBC for its nightly news.

Please tell the truth about our gas prices, when comparing the US to other countries.  It seems we were to feel relieved that we are not paying as much as the European countries.  We have friends in England.  They tell us that 82% of the price of fuel goes to taxes.  In this country much of the excess price is going into the pockets of the oil companies.  Other countries have public transportation as an alternative.  Our government looked the other way as automotive companies sold us big gas guzzlers, when in fact they should have been requiring higher mileage on all vehicles.  Tell the rest of the story, for more balanced reporting.

Hi Brian -

Just a brief note about tonight's Morehouse segment.  I loved it, it made me cry and proud.

I have a family that is historically WASP, but my generation of siblings adopted several Vietnamese and Korean babies and integrated us.  It was the best thing that could have happened to us - and we've all grown in our color-blind extended family.  

Every child a blessing.

Joan

PS -
Will you do the now 'traditional' Brian noontime News on MSNBC tomorrow??  I hope so.

Ed Gillespie is absolutely right on and I am so glad that he responded.  I grew up watching NBC News...but I continue to be amazed at the difference in reporting now.  It used to be that the viewer had no idea where the reporter stood on an issue, especially the anchor.  It was just the facts.  Bias has now become an artform.  The emphasis of one word, a pause, a raise of an eyebrow...delivery has become snide, sarcastic and disrespectful. I noticed a stark and abrupt difference in the reporting at NBC News after the tragic death of David Bloom.  It is almost as though the reporting became vengeful and you all as a group had made a pact to take this administration down.  

NBC's airing of Engle's interview with the president was completely misleading. Richard Engle was extremely rude towards him. It was disgraceful.

Why do you keep mentioning the high price of gasoline in places like England, The Netherlands, or France, Italy or Germany but you neglect to inform the American people that in those countries the people do not have to pay for hospitalization, doctors, or pharmaceuticals.  Further, even higher education is paid by the governments.  You deceive the American people.

RE:  Ed Gillespie Counselor to the President

Wow nice spin. Fact Richard Engel lived in Iraq and has Iraq friends. Fact Richard not only tells the truth he shows the truth to the viewers. Fact for all the bull Bush said he forgot to say Prescott Bush was working closely with Hitler for profit. Now as for this being Bush's policy one only need to remember he gets the news like every American from the newspaper/TV. Bush isn't running the country he's the puppet. Now the questions should have gone to the big business friends in the back room and Dick Cheney. More Gates doesn't even get the inside information.  As for Iran getting a Nuclear Weapon one could ask why Isreal and Pakistan have Nuclear Weapons. Don't you ever go after Richard Engel as he is the ONLY Foreign news reporter who has told the truth from day one. We know the White House set up the Propaganda Department and has been feeding lies to the Media and Public.  We also saw how well the White House did with ABC and CBS who continue to spread the lies. Yes old news Fox News is Bush News.  So that your propaganda commit and put it in the trash were garbage goes.  We know what the truth is and we know George W. Bush aka Boy who cried Wolf is full of it. Iran just proved their smarter and wiser then the US President/Vice President. To prove my point stop for gas and look at the price.  The illegal invasions were to control oil in Iraq/Afghanistan, it didn't work because the Middle East played the White House like a piano.  Notice the drop in the value of a dollar and how even at the this time the US is in a recession. As for the speech at the Israeli Parliament it was the joke of the World Leader listening to a 5 year old Bush give advice to adults. Yes we read the Foreign news reports and their very different then the Pentagon Propaganda give to Americans. It's when the truth comes out we see the Foreign Media had it right every time. So move on and spread your lies on ABC, CBS or Fox News site were you belong.

An American and proud of it!
Jackie Rawlings

I watch the TV news "shows" and occassionally even believe some it...thanksfully we have other sources of "real" news.  Our anchor "Stars" have become so self-important that they have forgotten how to respect those in authority - what a disgrace.

the edited interview is just another example of the liberal bias of which nbc news excels.  what a better country we would have if nbc could report the news instead of pushing a political agenda..

I was not aware of the Engel's interview.  I just knew from tonight's short non-news snippet from Mr. Williams regarding "the White House and an Engel interview and you can catch the interview on my blog"--that THAT was not a news story or at least it was one fourth of a story.  I was so confused by this UNFINISHED piece of news that I had to go to the trouble of finding NBC News online and somehow go through hoops to find an email address to NBC producers regarding their "incomplete/mistake" of a story.  Of course there was no email address to producers or even to your news staff (unlike another station who welcomes feedback)just this "self-indulgent blog" that lo and behold in it's depths has this incredible letter from The Office of the Press Secretary:  Go Ed Gillespie!!
I'm so proud of the White House for putting the "facts" down on this lowly sight.  
I haven't seen the interview but I know Richard Engle and he is a fear monger. He covered the war too long in one direction (down) and he is unable to lift his head up as a result.  
That NBC encourages him is backstreet journalism--To To Mr. Williams and NBC--tomorrow night perhaps you could complete the "unfinished" communique meant for just a few ears--(that you left for a million listeners) and explain about exactly what that White House letter said and show the incorrectly edited interview.  Wow! Inuendo's on the national news...Perhaps it is time to declare a civil war on our own soil.  Too bad.... (the sober community vs. the world of dysfunction)

Keith Oberman is taking down nbc and msnbc.  How can you and Tim Russert allow him his childish and baseless antics each night.  Does nobody at either network have the guts to tell this guy to wise up?  He is hateful and hate-filled.  I have watched nbc and msnbc for the last time until he is gone.  Guess lots of others feel that way since his ratings and most of yours are in the basement.  Wise up.

I am writing in this post, because I am very disappointed at the direction NBC News is heading. Since Olberman has become denominate at  MCNBC, it's as if his agenda and views have slowly been infecting the quality of NBC nightly news. The interview with President Bush is a perfect example, to edit a President's words, and even if you don't agree with this President any President to edit their words to a degree that it alters the meaning of them, is uncalled for and alarming. What, you didn't have 20 seconds of precious air time to allow for his whole answer to the question to be aired, and the answer to that is no, so the only motivate I can take away from it is that you wanted the viewer to come away with President Bush's interview with a opinion that could only be concluded by editing and presenting the interview at certain way, and to this viewer that is not how I want to get my news, I don't want a news origination to come to a conclusion, then edit the facts to fit their views, sorry that reminds me to much how I assume information is provided in Russia, or China or Cuba for my tastes, it's sad because I enjoyed watching Brain Williams.    

NBC News:

I do have to agree with some of the comments above that what you said on Nightly news, was almost like a "brush off" of the letter.

I would like you to answer the white house's questions above. As it was mentioned on the broadcast that we can watch the whole interview on the website; there are still very pertinente questions that you should answer in this blog or on NBC NEWS.

However, in other blog posts I have defended that you don't respond/read to this blog, but this time it needs to be addressed. When you recieve a letter from the White House, no matter who the president is, you must take time to reflect on the question(In essence they are "calling out" the news devision at NBC).

NBC News, to me has always been my #1 place for news, with the collapse of ABC news nationaly and localy, I will continue to watch NBC/MSNBC, however don't just shrug of that letter.

Thank You,
Michael Bucciferro

NBC has reached a new low with the interview with our President. President of all in the United States of America.  I have now switched to watching only Fox News. Enough of the LIBERAL NBC news media.

Well done NBC and in particular Richard Engel!  Mr. Bush (and it would appear Mr. Gillespie) are unacustomed to confrontation and follow up questions as to this administration's policies, conduct and lack of accountability (what about the emails Mr. Gillespie?).  When not able to orchestrate its message in front of a preapproved and vettted audience, the president comes accross as vacuous, evasive, uninformed and just plan pugnacious.  Engel's interview went a long way to demonstrate Bush's inability to answer direct questions and Gillespie's letter complaining about the interview is oh so telling.  Go back then to Fox News where you will get softball questions from Brit Hume.  The rest of America will continue to watch NBC News and Mr. Engel for thier unbiased news.  

Oh and get over Olberman's opinions people.  Change the channel back to O'Reilly if you don't like what you hear.

On the FLDS case in Texas, I am not totally sure of the total number of abuse cases Texas has been able to prove if any. At any rate I would like to hear just how many young girls in the state of Texas under the age of 16 gave birth in 2007, and so far in 2008. Pre sixteen birth does happen and we don't condone this but it does happen, even in our great society and at all levels of wealth. If
texas is going to continue on this path I sure hope they are prepared to answer such questions. I doubt they would be willing to tell the truth about this subject. I ddo not believe the FLDS parrishiners are all that bad and if they are and the proof is there then its time to proceed with the business of proving it. I believe the people of Texas and the people of the United States have the right to know that this isn't just a wild goose chase. GET ON WITH THE PROOF OR GET OUT.

NBC is three for three in the fantastic department for the last couple of days. Allowing Richard Engel to interview Bush was ingenious. Richard faced death for years in Iraq and he's not intimidated by a punk bully like George W Bush.

Bush and his followers believe they can continue their international drunken belligerent foreign policy because they can just call anybody who points out its failures a coward or appeaser or un-American.  For years that worked but this time when Bush called Obama an appeaser the Democrats stood up to Bush and McCain. Richard Engel followed up with good questions.

Like all punk bullies, Bush can't handle it when he gets hit back.  He's lashing out and trying to bully NBC into backing down.  He's whining about Keith Olberman even though Bush shovels propaganda down a big chute to the right wing media. Bush thinks he can lie his way out like he always does with the ridiculous claim that appeasement means taking threats seriously and he wasn't talking about negotiating. Fact is, the White House knows its looking bad and that's why they are trying to blame NBC.

The third and best thing NBC did was informing the public about Bush's attempts to bully the network. We know from the Scooter Libby trial that the White House repeatedly contacted NBC to skew coverage more in their favor.  Brian wrote on his blog that he often took calls from the  White House and the Pentagon over Iraq reports. What gives the White House the idea that they can get away with bullying the press like that? The best thing NBC can do about it is report every one of the White House's attempts to twist the facts to the public.

Keep up the great work!

*** ALSO****

How in the world do these critics of NBC on here get the idea that their support for intimidation of the media makes them more patriotic than those who believe in the core American value of a free press?

Very disappointed that it was necessary to promote Richard Engle's career at the expense of the president of the United States.  Even if he is being groomed as the next nightly news anchor it doesn't give him or Bryan the right to edit the interview to appear that Richard can "take on" the president and come out ahead.  It was very disrespectful, although not completley surprising considering the continued path to the "left" that NBC continues to travel.

Hi Brian --

I hate to interrupt all the chatter about Richard's interview, but thought I'd ask on behalf of all blog readers when the broadcast will air its annual commencement piece? I read David McCullough's speech at BC today and it made me think of it.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/by_peter_schwor.html

Now that I can't just pull the tape and watch at work, I figure I better be sure to set the TiVo.

Thanks!

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Everyone has the right to express their opinion and I am only expressing my own opinion. But I think Richard is the only foreign journalist to report the truth about what is happening in that region. I am a huge fan of Richard and I admire his reporting very much. He has sacrificed and spent so much time with the Iraqi people and has been embedded with the brave US troops many times. He did an awesome job interviewing President Bush and knows his subject matter greatly. This is only Monday and I think things will be better by Friday. There is too much tension in the world anyway. NO reason for an "Engelgate". Thank you Richard for your continuously great reporting!
Peace to you and to all!

Regarding the report on gasoline prices around the world.......how irresponsible to report gasoline at $9.00+ in Europe without reporting that most of that price goes to taxes to cover free health insurance that we do not get in the U.S. for gasoline at $4.00 per gallon.  Do you really think your audience is that naive?

I applaud R. Engle and his interview w/ President Bush.  Bush is the President and deserves to be asked tough questions.  I think some people perceive the questions to be 'from the left' because few reporters have the nerve to stand up to this guy.  It is truly American to challenge the government and our elected officials.  It's not about left or right; it's about asking a question and getting an answer from the person who is leading our country.  Bush needs to be asked if he thinks negotiating with Iran amounts to appeasement.   Bush needs to be asked what his policy thoughts are on the Middle East and what his successor will likely deal with.  I think it's unpatriotic to not ask questions about these issues that are shaping history.  I have always thought B. Williams and R. Engle have done excellent jobs reporting the news.  Keep it coming.  

Regarding the report on gasoline prices around the world.......how irresponsible to report gasoline at $9.00+ in Europe without reporting that most of that price goes to taxes to cover free health insurance that we do not get in the U.S. for gasoline at $4.00 per gallon.  Do you really think your audience is that naive?

WAKE UP CALL TO THE WHITE HOUSE!  HAVE YOU NOT BEEN WATCHING NBC'S COVERAGE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY? WHERE DID YOU EVER GET THE IDEA THAT THEY REPORT ANYTHING UNBIASED, ACCURATELY, AND FAIR?  THE OUTRAGEOUS PANDERING OF OBAMA THROUGHOUT THIS PRIMARY HAS TAKEN "JOURNALISM" TO AN ALL TIME LOW.  I AM A DEMOCRAT; HOWEVER, I THINK I WILL BE HAPPY TO SEE THE MEDIA FAIL IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO WRITE HISTORY. OBAMA WILL NEVER BE ELECTED IN NOVEMBER.  IF NBC WOULD TAKE A BREAK FROM THEIR CLOSE MINDED TIRADE THEY WOULD FIND WHAT THE VOTERS ARE SAYING.  SADLY, ALL YOUR POWER AND INFLUENCE REGISTERS VERY LOW WITH REAL LIFE FOLKS.     SHAME ON YOU. YOU CALL YOURSELVES JOURNALISTS...

Thanks to Richard Engle. It had to be hard with the knowledge and history he has in Iraq to do this interview and stay so professional. Clearly Mr. Bush is upset at any questioning. A rather odd sniffing in shows his extreme discomfort (unless there is a serious nasal problem we don't know about).  Democracy, young or otherwise, in Iraq is laughable. Their middle class has fled the terrorists who have taken over amidst the chaos America created. In such neighboring country as Jordan and Syria the middle class of Iraq is losing their money, their dignity, and their hope.  I am a registered republican who did not vote for Mr. Bush, and who will be changing to Democratic Party and voting for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.  Mr Bush has led us to disgrace at best, and into distain of every foreign power out there, large or small.  We are defintely in more danger now than we ever were.  IF Mr. Bush is correct in his belief that the next great struggle of the free world is against radical Islam, then he has empowered the very thing he fears.

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