Hi Brian,

I've always suffered the stereotypes when it comes to auto racing. There's dual stereotpes embedded in my psyche. The first is of the rude, fat redneck with nothing better to do than watch Nascar all day in his trailer in a trailer park.  The second is the rich kid, looking for an outlet for his adolescent desires.  You appear to fall into neither category and have a healthy respect for the activity as pure sport.  How would you answer those stereotypes that I see so much on ESPN, in pop culture and such?

If Danica wasn't a girl would she still be the biggest star in the starting grid?

There are other drivers who have been in the sport driving since before she was born.  Where are their interviews?  Watch the race to find out and unless they are in the top 10 leaders no story.

By the way, don't you think Jeff Gordon should leave NASCAR for Indy car?  His personality seems better suited for Indy.

Dear Brian,

I am so glad NBC employs the likes of Chief Foreign Correspondent, Richard Engel.  How valuable it is to have someone who can speak knowledgeably and intelligently to our elected officials.  For those who were offended by the tone of his interview with President Bush, I say it is not the job of the Fourth Estate to act as a mouthpiece for the Administration.  If you want adulatory speech, give Ms. Dana Perrino a jingle.  I frankly didn't find the interview any more adversarial than your run-of-the-mill conference with the White House press corps.  It certainly couldn't top the glory days of Sam Donaldson vs. Ronald Reagan!  And, anyway, George Bush is not a king.  We don't have those, anymore.  He serves us.  He answers to us.  He does not have free rein.  He cannot behave recklessly in our names, and not expect to be challenged, or held accountable.  Richard Engel has lived in the Middle East for 12 years, the last 5 of those spent in Iraq.  He has been a witness to the war that is killing American and Iraqi citizens alike.  If he and other journalists were not there, from whom would you get your information?  How would you know what was happening?  Would you rely on Dick Cheney?  Don Rumsfeld?  Colin Powell?  George Tenet?  Karl Rove?  George Bush has been living in Washington, D.C. for the past 5 years of the war in Iraq.  When he visits Iraq, I dare say he does not have the same experience that Richard Engel does.  He is in and out in a day or two or less.  Yes, he does meet with the wounded.  Yes, he does meet with the bereaved.  As well he should.  The way I look at it, if you have the gonads to have your brother help you steal a national election, if you have so much confidence in yourself that you believe you should be the leader of the free world for 8 years, if you can - in good conscience - send thousands of our finest men and women to their maiming or deaths in two different countries, then you should be able to handle a few hardballs from a seasoned journalist, without engaging in embarrassingly tasteless whining (via your minions) afterwards.  And it's not unpatriotic of me to say so.  Finally, for all those who have posted their negative comments about Richard Engel - that is your prerogative, of course, but if you're going to slag him off, at least spell his name correctly!  It's Engel - not Engle, Engal, or Engles.

To all my friends:  Good night!  XOXO

How dare you discuss a 'pagoda', when real news awaits your pathetic discernment
Are you a news show....or an entertainment show?

Get with the Pentagon story...or watch your 'news'cast fade into irrelevance.
As if it isn't already there.....lol

Brian,
   I try to watch when I can, but as a fellow broadcaster, it'd not always easy to catch the nightly news.  Just wanted to say welcome to the Indianapolis-500.  And if you get a chance, stop by the TV compound and say hello!  Keep up the great work.....

Paul Stage
IMS Productions

All the best on today's and all future broadcasts.

Be sure to visit the Medal of Honor memorial on the canal.

Enjoy your visit to Indiana
Bugler Ben

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the positive coverage of Danica Patrick and our terrific race.  

Regardless of one's orientation (stock car vs. open wheel), you cannot help but feel a sense of awe the first time you enter the Speedway.  As a racing fan first, and a stock car fan second, what are your impressions of the track and of the 500 (assuming you'll stay in town for it--how can you not!)?  Hopefully you get/got the chance to take some laps in the pace car and a two-seater.

Brian, I just finished watching you from the 500 track. Today was as you know a Dreary Rainy day here in Indy. It's not always like that and I hope you get to stay here in Indy for some of the festivities as well as the Race. Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be much better days with the temps in the 70's and lower 80's as well as sunshine. I hope you can enjoy them.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Well, I'm sure you are really happy being at the Indianapolis 500 Speedway this evening since you are a great fan of auto racing. What a thrill for you to be there at the raceway for the first time. I am glad you did the broadcast from the raceway. Now on to the broadcast. The report by Janet Shamlian was nice to hear from Atlanta. It is supposed to be very nice weekend here according to the forecast so for those not travelling due to the tremendously high gas prices it will be nice weather. The report stating that people are staying home is fully understandable because of the high cost of everything. The movie theaters will make out really well as they do most Memorial Day weekends. I'm sure there will be many barbeques going on in many backyards to enjoy the holiday at home. The report from Myanmar showed how people seem to be having to do for themselves without any help from the governement. I really hope those people receive more aid soon. Finally, the "Making A Difference" interview with Danica Patrick was very nice. I liked what she said about impacting people's lives and the impression on children. Children need good role models and it seems there are fewer around, but she does seem very nice and humbled by the fact mothers are naming their daughters after her. Also, I liked your question about how it feels to be going full throttle around the track. She does make it look easy, but it definitely isn't easy and that is what makes her so good a driver. I hope she does well and I hope she wins, that would be a thrill for racing and especially for her. On another note seeing the Old Guard placing the American Flags at each grave of a fallen soldier was very moving and brings to mind the real reason for this weekend to remember are fallen soldiers and also the ones currently serving our country so bravely. God Bless all our military. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Have a wonderful weekend with your family! Peace to you and to all!

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

Hi Brian
I'm wasn't a big auto race viewer until Danica showed up. What was surprising is the men of auto racing helped her with her dream. To bad Hillary can't get that support. But most successful woman don't get recognized until they break the ceiling the hard way.  I use to see car races in Freehold New Jersey, Brian you might be to young to remember.

McCain was smart to release part of his medical history. The other part would sink him.  As for Hillary/Obama all I have to say is Chuck Todd's posting it's the bull's eye. With the country divided who would have thought the Democrats would be so dumb as to give the election away, but it seems they have. One would have hoped the Democrat Law Makers would think of what's best for the American people instead they looking out for themselves.

To my friends on the blog you know who you are. I am safe from the California Tornado's and mud slides. Yes it is happening in Riverside County but I'm no were near the problems.

I did have a laugh today when John McCain said Obama didn't serve in the Military. Now the draft ended with Vietnam had Obama been drafted he was 6 years old in 1967 as Obama was born 1961. Strange how McCain speaks up about those who didn't serve in the Military as Cheney/Bush/ and most of those pushing for illegal invasions, but it is profitable for the crooks.

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

See you Brian at 6:30pm

Welcome to Indiana Brian!  Glad you can be a part of the "Greatest Spectacle In Racing!"

Mr. Williams,

Its amazing the large and diverse amount of people you get to meet in your job. So I guess its fair to say that you went all the way to Indiana just to interview Danica Patrick. I don't know how you persuaded the rest of the crew at NBC to go with you. It's nice to see a post about something other than death and destruction these days.

Anna:
I believe you had some questions about newsvine? I never know when Mr. Williams is going to answer newsvine questions. As Mr. Williams has said before, he gets around to it when he can. You can send your questions in at newsvine.com under the nightly news group. I would have responded to you sooner but I felt that the main topics of recent posts were such that I did not feel it appropriate to comment on such an arbitrary thing in light of the numerous accounts of death and sadness.

As always, looking forward to the broadcast.

Ok, before we get all the posts about how this isn't news, it is major Americana. I have absolutely no interest in auto racing, yet I manage to know the name of the winner every year, and even try to catch a bit of the race on TV

I'd tell you to have fun Brian, but that's overstating the obvious.

Lisa 13 days

Hi Brian & everyone - I'm back home!  Was actually in South Bend, Indiana yesterday to catch my plane back to Boston.  I took Amtrak from Portland to Boston; took a plane from Logan to South Bend; had a lovely time in Chicago with sister & niece; spent time at their place in SW Michigan; drove across Michigan and through Detroit on my way to Port Huron; visited the Henry Ford Museum... caught a horrific head cold and am now so glad to be home!  Oh I could go on and on about how much better the Northeast is compared to the Midwest, even though the Midwest is a beautiful place to be.... :)  Just leads me to my comment on a particular soap box of yours, Brian: yup, our transportation infrastructure needs serious upgrades!  

Haven't seen a broadcast since I left on the 13th, but did catch your interview with Danika Patrick.  I'm not big into auto racing, but I've always loved watching the Indy Cars, as my dad called them.  Just something about the open wheel concept that appeals to me.  Danika's got a great career to be able to drive one of those - and she seems to have a heart to go along with it.  We are fortunate to have her as a role model for younger kids.

Oh gracious - how could I forget and not comment on the most "important" news story of last week?  Since I was gone I am compelled to mention: SPYGATE IS OVER.  The Patriots were punished, appropriately so, and let it go.  Sen. Spector, with all due respect, needs to take care of the serious needs of his constituents and leave the NFL alone.  We, the fans & members of New England Patriots Nation, have had enough of the naysayers out there, trashing our team.  They trashed the team before its Super Bowl wins, during its Super Bowl wins, and while the Pats did its best to give the naysayers plenty to legitimately complain about, let's get on to the next story!  I will never believe that the Patriots are the only organization who has done the spying routine; they just happen to get caught first.  I don't condone it, but its been tended to, addressed, and remedied.  I can't wait for training camp to start in a few weeks!

I finally got to hear Hillary's correct comment. Like JFK I remember the morning I heard Bobby was killed. Now he was campaigning in California and those facts wont change. As for any American talking about the assassination of either John or Bobby Kennedy or Dr. King is just plan stupid. We take a moment ever year to say a pray for each on the day each of these great Leaders was assassinated. I guess if Hillary said the sky is blue she would be wrong and asked to leave the campaign.  And the Media wonders why people say it obvious Hillary is being picked on.
My older daughter just explained to me why the our rage of Hillary's factual comment. She said because Hillary is a Clinton and she spoke about a Kennedy which is big news for an attack as part of the GOP plan.  In other words she should just not say anything as that's what is expected of American woman.  Now I seem to never hear about any of John McCain's mistakes or false statements.

I hope all have a Happy Holiday and stay safe.

Hey Brian:

What's with the foot on the windowsill during your interview with Danica....is that a guy thing?!!  Hilarious!  And by the way, Danica...you bring a WHOLE new meaning to the phrase "You GO girl"!

CBS had an interview with a hedge fund manager named Michael Masters. He blames the rise in oil prices on "a new class of speculators". I've heard that on this station too, but mostly you only show some democrat pounding an Oil Exec. (Hate Big Oil, hate rich people.) Funny thing is these "new speculators"  are state pension funds and university endowments buying up huge amounts of oil, nearly 850 million barrels more a year than they did just 5 years ago. That nearly matches the growth in Chinese demand, which is often blamed for rising crude prices.

I think we need to put the DNC on the stand and swear them in.

Hi Matt:

Thanks for the note.  I must be "dumb as a door nail" seriously because I still can figure it out.    I really hate to incovenience you but when you have a chance and school is out would you give me the steps 1, 2, 3. Do I have to be logged in as a user? Maybe the DN Moderator can tell us how to submit News Vine Questions.   Thanks Matt!  

@ All:

I did get one of my questions answered regarding the quake in China by Andrienne Mong on Friday.    I am Blogger Anna.   She did an amazing job answering some great questions.   I was glad to be part of the process.

http://adriennemong.newsvine.com/_news/2008/05/22/1506510-newsvine-qa-adrienne-mong-on-chinas-earthquake#comments

@ Lisa:   One suggestion for you and the RE book signing.   If you have a specific question for Richard write it down in a small notepad so you will not forget or get nervous.   Bring your camera!  

I remember meeting someone who I very much admire and the first thing he said to me at his book signing was....do you always talk that fast.... now say that again slowly?!

I was mortified really I was and then he had me laughing so much and it was my 2 minutes of fun.   He told me how funny I was and how I made his day and he then gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.   I had to go sit on a bench in NYC for 30 minutes to relive it.   I think that is really my only celebrity booksigning that I did get a hug from well except for Shaun Cassidy when I was about 10 or so.   Now I am really dating myself.  I can't be the only former Partridge Family fan on this blog.  

Jackie, with regards to Miss Danika Patrick,  I wonder how many little girls are going to be named Danika?   She is definately a role model for women and like you said the community has supported her.  I wonder why so many women have fled to Obama and left Hill's core base.   I can't figure that one out. Is it younger women with Obama and older women with Hillary?   I am hearing more and more about Dems sitting out if Obama gets the nomination.   You know how that goes if you don't vote, you can't complain!   Hey, don't forget too on the number of voters.  Rush Limbaugh was ENCOURAGING Republicans to cross the lines in states that they could and vote Hill.    The Republicans really wanted to have a McCain and Hill battle.   I guess plans are changing.   All of us may be crying come November.   Maybe NBC can open this blog up late on ELECTION night since so many of us will be GLUED to our sets and the internet anyway.  At least we can be hanging out late with a few blogger friends.    

Happy Weekend to All!

WE enjoyed the race yesterday from Baja. Just wanted to comment on the gas prices here. Diesel is $2.09 per gallon in Mexico. Why can't we learn something from our neighbor to the south? What are we doing wrong?
Go Danica!

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