Dear Brian,

Just two things tonight:

1) Sharon Stone is an idiot.  

2) Could you please just save us all the effort and post Richard Engel's book tour appearances on this blog?  It would save us a lot of time and energy.  Just a request.  No pressure.  I just assumed you'd have the inside scoop.

P.S. - Lots of love to Lisa, Jackie, Stephanie, Celine, Claudia, Anna, and Matt.  Ladies, enjoy your reading; I'll be joining you in a couple of days.  Also, Stephanie and Anna - what the heck is shelfari.com?  XOXO

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Well, I must say three Charity Dinners in three nights. You are a busy,busy person! I hope it has been enjoyable. The airlines certainly are taking the pleasure out of flying and now they only offer basic fluids. Very frustrating. Price of gas and jet fuel really need to come down or nobody is going anywhere. I hope things get better soon! Looking forward to the broadcast. 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!
By the way my Richard book arrived today!

I'm not so sure that 1/2 c can of cola counts as a basic fluid!

Laurel, pass the salt shaker will you please? I just finished reading the last batch of posts on the last Brian thread. They aren't going to fold their tents and take the battle to where it belongs are they?

Jackie, thank you for the kind words.

Lisa, since I posted so late last night it's still 6 days ( and for those who wonder why I seem to be a day ahead, I'm counting the way a friend I use to work with counted, today doesn't count because you've already gotten up and got dressed, so the day is already shot!)

As one who'll be flying on US Airways this coming Monday June 2nd - make my liquid a double.

OK--2 people off-line reading! Soon Brian will have only drive-by's posting!

Actually I'm juggling Richard and trips into NYC--and it may be just as well--Richard's book is getting me steamed. First, we should have been, and most of us were, scared to death for him & the others at the Baghdad bureau. Second--what's going to come out of this, I think, is that some way has to be found to let the viewing public know more of what the correspondents know at the time. And no, Brian, it's not for the 22 mins of NN, but Chris Matthews is on in the background as I write, yelling about politics endlessly and the world is going to hell in a hand basket. No, Chris, I'm not faulting you. I think I'm saying cable news needs to get a little more like the Newshour, at least on one touted program. PBS has the coverage, but the networks have the reporters and the foreign bureaus. I'll continue reading, ruminating, and try to reach some valid, do-able conclusion and write then for discussion--which might be next month. Meantime, I'm going to ruminate on a much belated birthday dinner in NYC--Belgian cafe: frisee salad, mussels in white wine and garlic, french fries (of course--it's Belgian--I'll forego the mayo) all washed down with good Belgian beer! I'm starved. Last night Radio City for "discussion" between John Edwards & Rudy Giuliani. Refereed, er, moderated by Tim Russert. Actually the crowd was what needed to be controlled. Rudy almost got hooted off the stage--by his home town crowd mind you. Tim kept gesturing with his hand for the crowd to calm down. Edwards at one point said he thought it would be boring, but "This is fun!" Tim tell you about it Brian??!!

I think "we the people" have had it. Do the pols hear us??!!

Off to the city & FOOD!!!

Laurel: shelfari.com is a place to digitally store your bookcase!  You type in the book ISBN numbers and you add it to your shelf and then you can put your shelf on your website or blog and/or join discussion groups with other readers who have the same books as you do.  Very cool!  Check it out!  (very funny signature, Laurel!)

I'll be back after supper & the NN....

Dear Brian Williams

You are a fine newsman, but I have made the choice to go with ABC news and Charlie Gibson. Watching ABC news, one not only gets the news, but possible solutions that viewers can get to help solve national problems. Watching your broadcast is like being at a very sad funeral.  I'm sorry.

Oh no!   Even the regulars are fired up!  Wow!

Laurel:  Please consider setting your Google Alerts to Richard Engel and the name of his book.  This will help you be less frustrated.  If I find ANYTHING I will let you know.

I found a WGN Radio appearance on June 6.  I am not sure if this announcer is syndicated.  Maybe someone will know.

http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=147&Itemid=

Celine:  I got my book at 3 PM and put it down for dinner and Nightly. Yes, I am a little fired up too.

Brian:  Thanks for the story tonight from Baghdad.  We are all suffering from this hate in the world.   Once again it is the women who ban together and try to make the best of it!  My heart and mind are in prayer for the "good, loving and kind" people around the world!   We must stop the hate and violence.

Bests to all!

What a victory for the polygamist children! I agree the state should intervene when abuse is taking place, but I have always had the feeling that, in this case, it was simply because of their parents' religious views.  That was the central concern for me all along.  I hope that the damage to the removed children isn't permanent.  

What is it about Bush insiders leaving the circle and then writing tell-alls?  I can't help but ask the same question so many others have: if it was so bad, why did they stay so long?  At this rate I'm going to have to drive to Portland & see if I can get this book at the library!

I still have a packet of airline pretzels floating around.  Maybe I should donate them to the airplane museum if it exists?  Your comment about still allowing seats on the plane made me spit my soup - but a welcome diversion from the drama going on down my street: the cops & hostage negotiators are surrounding one of the neighbor's homes because he's threatening to kill his family. The news crews are now arriving.  It could be a long night here in my corner of Maine....

Oh, here's my Shelf at Shelfari...
http://www.shelfari.com/stephanieau/shelf

Be well fellow bloggers!  Hope your night is less eventful as mine might end up being...

Hi Brian and my girlfriends
Only in America can a criminal get a best seller. Scotty lied for so long and covered up the fake Iraq War, WMD's, Attorney firings, US recession, torture of innocent kidnapped prisoners, sending thousands of soldiers to lie based on lies and putting a covert CIA agent and her children in fear for the rest of their lives.  Yes Scott's book is a best seller but some due this back in 2000 before Scott got the job.  I look forward to more White House criminals releasing their books of half truths. At lease Jason Leopold has  been proven correct as the Media didn't bother to follow up. Yes Libby trial was tampered with by the White House and AG Gonzales. Look for the Seal vs Seal case to be open and you'll see the indictment of Karl Christian Rove.
I guess we're showing the youth it pays to be a criminal in the US Government. Powell's half truth book should be coming out soon. Powell knowingly lied to the UN and to our soldiers. He was in on the plan and help over 4000 plus soldier lose their lives based on lies.

As for me I'm buying Richard Engel's book and not the trash written by the criminal White House employees.  I refuse to support a criminal like Scott McClellan. Plus Richard's book is about honest facts and will help educate us on the Middle East. I wish the NBC staff would send Richard's book to John Kerry.  John Kerry thinks President Ahmadinejad rules and makes the decisions in Iran, someone should tell him it's the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who rules Iran, oh and tell McCain and Obama too.

Good to see New York will allow Gays to marry and give them their civil rights. Gov. Paterson is the man.

I look forward to more White House insiders spilling their guts for a buck. Karl Rove's rap sheet is getting longer and longer. No don't expect to hear reporters ( they know who they are ) that they are no longer White House insiders.  I just got finished looking at Scott McClellan's speaking and Q/A at the Press Conferences.  It's all on tape no need to buy the book.  I expect we'll hear about the 9/11 set up too.  How does American face up to the fact they were lied to by the US Government for 7 years?  If Pelosi doesn't start Impeachment Hearings it will show she's part of the current White House Crime Team. Crime and Criminals come in every sex, color, religion, and political Party.


See you same time same place 6:30pm

Brian I saw your report on the Pod thing yesterday.

Good Evening, Another fine broadcast this evening. The report by Mr.Colt from Baghdad about the widows of Iraq was very moving and sad. It is so very difficult for the innocent civilians to endure this violence everyday and I feel badly for all the wives and mothers who have lost husbands and children as a result of this violence. The woman featured in the piece was married to a man just running a bakery with their sons and they weren't hurting anyone. He was managing a bakery not causing problems and they did not deserve to perish in that brutal bombing. The women seem to be keeping busy with household activities, but one can see and hear their sorrow and pain. Too many innocent people have suffered because of this conflict and I really wish for everyones sake that peace would come for that region. Yet, it appears it will take a very, very long time. The report concerning the military and the rise in suicides was so terrible and heartbreaking to hear. The stress our brave military is under is incredible and the multiple tours in the region drain them mentally and physically. I realize they are well trained, but this is far too long a time. I hope someday they can return home to thier families and maybe this chaotic region will be at peace. Finally, on another note the airlines taking away even snacks seems ridiculous. I liked the comment you made about the seats still being in the plane. At least we can still sit in a chair and not be relegated to sitting on the floor of the aircraft. Makes one just want to stay home. Anyway, thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Enjoy your charity dinner this evening. 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!

Why the daily coverage of gasoline and the airlines?  Do you not have any investigative reporters?  Why is the news mostly the same subjects covered every single night?  What percentage of your viewership don't already know these news items before they tune in?  

If a camping ground is completely sold out for the summer, despite your latest gas price story,then the fact that the camping ground is sold out is certainly not "unbelievable" as you say.  It is in fact believable, but that your featured narrative was incorrect.

Good to see you run the chimp story.  Afterall if the mind of a chimp can operate machinery, then is it too much of a leap that they don a purple tie and anchor the news?  If there wasn't an anchor then couldn't they hire three or more investigative journalists?

Brian,

Its time for the entire NBC News Crew to get in a room and watch how people in the news business are suppose to do their jobs.

You know, like the reporters at McClatchy did.

Watch Bill Moyers show titled:  Buying The War

         http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/btw/watch.html

Dear Brian Williams:  I have always hated those pretzels, cookies, peanuts and other junk they serve on flights.  And their meals are even worse.  To me there is nothing worse than stomack problems at 3000 ft.

Nice to see the children being returned to their parents in Texas.

I was wondering if the removal of the children was legal when children protective services couldn't produce the original caller.  With all the technology we have today that can find the exact location of a caller within minutes of the call why they had all the problems in tracking down the caller.  And why did the authorities hedged and hummed when questioned about the original caller.

The world is disintegrating, our country is being run into the ground by a bunch of idiots, and you're seriously concerned about the lack of nuts on the airlines???

I think we'd better start worrying about the plethora of nuts in Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Williams:

I hope that you, NBC News, and the rest of the general mainstream info-news more honestly examine and explain to America your own participation in the run up to the tragic war and occupation in Iraq. You use of, and subsequent defense of the use of clearly partisan and conflicted ex military generals as supposedly independent military analysts is dishonest. You ought to tell your viewers exactly what other roles these men were playing and what functions they were likely serving as they discussed the reasons for war in 2002 and 2003, and thereafter, and who they were doing it for.
Until you do so there will be a veil of lies hanging in front of your face as you read the news.

The hatchet job NBC Nightly News did on Scott McClellan tonight proved once again that the corporate media will go to any lengths to cover up their complicity in GOP lies.

The clip of McClellan trashing Richard Clarke should remind everyone that Clarke turned out to be telling nothing but the truth, and the White House trashed Clarke for it just like they are doing to McClellan. The clip of Dan Bartlett pretending he's upset to learn Scott ever had misgivings  was ridiculous.  How in the world could McClellan have raised any doubt with the fascists in the White House who were fully aware of their lies and their evil? McClellan would have been fired and trashed.  Why wasn't Dan Bartlett asked about whether McClellan would have been treated differently from every other critic?

Instead of promoting White House attempts to destroy McClellan's credibility, why didn't NBC spend some time trying to get some details of McClellan's accusations? Which media sources were manipulated? How and when? One big question McClellan could answer is about the White House's constant mingling of 9/11 and Iraq in sentences.  Bush denies they ever tried to imply Iraq was involved in 9/11. I'd like Scott to reveal whether he was asked to mingle Iraq and 9/11.  That would be news, and the truth would bring closure to those of us who in frustration and anger watched Bush get away with deceiving America.

Jessica Yellin confessed today that she felt pressured from senior producers at MSNBC to slant her reports. Wasn't she in the Washington Bureau? Who were her senior producers?  Doesn't Russert have a management role there?  I wrote in my post last night that the truth will keep coming out. It is. Why not get out ahead of it now? Loyalty?

The most revolting part of David Gregory's report tonight was the insinuations that by coming forward McClellan was disloyal. McClellan's first loyalty should be to the American people. If he was disloyal it was when he helped Bush lie. Gregory not only used  loyalty questions attributed to the White House.  Gregory observed on his own, "The debate on this book is so heated because it raises a fundamental question."  Gregory goes on to ask, "Is a memoir like this important for history, or is it an unforgivable act of betrayal?
Of course the truth is important to history. Gregory wonders if the book is an act of betrayal because Gregory is part of the clique compose of the White House, big corporations, and network personalities.  Gregory sees only the value free us versus them type view Bush has.  McClellan's revelations were an unforgivable act of betrayal to the clique. For more evidence of the way insiders are handling this, look at the caption for the web video of Gregory's report. "Bush Bashing Memoir."  That's how NBC insiders see it.

Hello Brian:
I love your program.  My husband and I are some of your most loyal fans.  We live in Tucson, AZ.  We both have commented that we would sure like to see you and NBC give the University of Arizona some credit for the Phoenix Mars Lander.  You might want to link to the University of Arizona's page phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu.  Peter Smith is from our university.  We Tucsonans and U of A. alumni are wildly estatic about our involvement. Please do something on our participation.  

Thanks, Brian for the humor.  Yes, we are pleased to know that the airlines are keeping the seats in the planes--for now.  Dola, Spokane, WA

Many thanks to Brian Williams. He is the best anchor on television today! I had a good chuckle at the airline story tonight. Brian has an awesome sense of humor. I loved his appearance on SNL. BW - you da man!

Hello Mr. Williams.  I was very interested to hear some of the comments Scott McClellan made during his appearance on the Today Show regarding the Main Stream Media's complicity in selling the Iraq War to the American People.  This is very serious business. It deserves as much attention as any other story you may run.  Thousands of our own soldiers have died, many more maimed for life.  And for what, WMDs, mushroom clouds, bringing democracy and freedom to the Iraqi people, cheaper gas?  How many more lies must we suffer before those who have power and a conscience take courage and tell the truth?  How many more Americans must die and for that matter, how many more Iragis? Why should the Iragi people suffer so terribly because we lost a few thousand people in a terroist attack?  When the major news organizations basically give a green light to militarism and taylor broadcasts to hide the truth and consequences; blood and body bags are on the hands of all who refuse to utter a word.  The result of course of an obiedient media is a fascist state.  Please say you are not a fascist Mr. Williams. And thank-you (if it is right to attribute this to you) for admiting you got calls frequently from the Pentagon after nightly broadcasts prior to the war; commenting on your coverage.  The citizens of a functioning democracy depend upon an independent media to keep them adequately informed to make important and good decisions for present and future concerns.  The news media's involvement with selling the war to the American people must come out soon and fully before you lose all credibilty. And please, if the President is speaking, please run a ticker tape line underneath explaining just how many times he has lied to us concerning any number of issues.  Please do your duty to inform correctly and intelligently and not just speak up for power and privelege.  Thank-you

Where did NBC ever get the idea that people are buying more Spam because it is cheap and they want to save money.  Here in Hawaii, almost everyone eats "Spam Musubi" and "Chicken Musubi". And, our local papers ran a story this week saying Spam is becoming more popular because people have been introduced to the way we prepare it here and they like it. In other words, our local food cultural has spread to the mainland USA and has popularized the use of Spam. Think about it....Yes, its cheap, but I don't care how cheap it is, I don't like to eat it, howeve; the "upper-class" students I teach want SPAM MUSUBI for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Whatever happened to the Fourth Estate Brian?  You and the rest of the establishment media were supposed to help the masses watch and keep our political leaders in check, NOT CHEERLEAD FOR THE Administration.  You were supposed to report the unbiased truth, not spout propaganda! I saw your lame repsonse on the Today Show about the media's coverage in the run-up to Iraq. You should be ashamed to call yourself a "journalist"!!!!!  The blood of 4000 American GI's is on your hands!!!!!  

Excellent coverage of the ongoing deterioration of American life, Brian. You appear to put as much effort into this infotainment blog as NBC news puts into actual journalistic news coverage.

Loved the comment about the airlines leaving the seats in for now.  Don't give them any ideas.  Next they will figure out a way to basically take a packed NYC subway car and have it fly.  You know the kind of packed I refer to, a Friday night in the summer in rush hour, no air conditioning on the car, no reason to be concerned that you don't have anything to hold onto because you're so wedged in there like clowns in a volkswagon.  Won't that make for a great 6 hour flight?

Hi Brian -

Since a lot of posters are just chatting these days, here's my question for you (and Douglas).

Where do you stand on the Joba situation?  Are you glad he is going to start or were you happy with him leading into Mariano?

Joan

Why does the Today Show (a supposed NBC news program)try to create outrage over stupid comments by a bubble-headed celebrity (Sharon Stone), rather than letting us focus our outrage on more appropriate targets, like the empty suits and cowboy hats running the show (into the ground) in D.C., as well as those of you in the MSM, who would rather we pay more attention to the foibles of celebrities than to what's really happening in the world that matters? Get a clue, folks!

I'm a committed viewer of NN, but a moment in last night's broadcast touched me more than any in a very long time. It was Ned Colt's kindness to the Iraqi widow when he told her it was nice to see her smile, that she had a pretty smile. A wonderful moment in an otherwise grim story. Thank you.

Pretzels?  What about shark attacks?

Jeez, I want to be a Professional American Journalist when I grow up (I'm only 58).

Stephaine, Your bookshelf was fascinating, what a wide range. But do tell how the drama down the street ended, no fair leaving us hanging. I hope the cops were able to end it well.

A comment on why Scotty stayed, from a somewhat personal perspective. I recently left a job that for many years I loved, for various reasons it started going bad the last year or so, but I hung on. Why? In large part because I hoped it would get better, I got that feeling from McClellan last night on Obermann. He truly believed in Bush, and hoped it would get better. Hindsight is so  often better than foresight.  

For the last year or so with the election season being such a buzz in the news, it seems like every evening someone has something offensive and has caused an uproar within their election.  For example, Obama's pastor relations, Former President Bill Clinton, and so on.  I am not saying I am for or against Senator Obama, but it amazes me no primetime media news like NBC, ABC, or CBS has really pointed out the issue regarding Obama and does not publicy say the pledge of allegiance, he dosen't place his hand over his heart when there is the allegiance or national anthem is being played, and if asked about it (which is usually in the tinest bits of news if ever), its like hes explaining like its no big deal - like someone expressing why they dosen't like a certain type of food.  I remember when I was a child, a man was almost arrested because he wouldn't stand and respect the playing of the national anthem at a national baseball game.  I understand this country stands for freedom and respecting differences of opinion.  However, doesn't it bother anybody including the media that this potential President Candidate does recognize the importance of our National Anthem (historic background, representation, etc.)?  Let's say Senator Obama did become the President, isn't it going to look bad at international events (UN, Olympics, etc.) when our own President won't even put his hand on his own heart and even say along the Pledge of Alliegence...doesn't that bother anyone??? Or is our country only electing the person whose raised the most money, that this doesn't matter??? I'm not sure if I'm just confused, suprised, or actually insulted.

How about having McClellan's father on some time. He has an interesting book that came out in 2003.  Blood, Money & Power: How LBJ Killed JFK. An interview with him on Olberman's show could be comedy gold. Democrats always have a way of telling off on themselves by what they accuse others of doing. ie the Republicans are all racist and sexist. Gee surprise surprise what have we learned in the last year?

Throw all the bums out and replace them with a new party of wounded vets.

Brian,
I hope you're also reading your comments here, since it's a way for your public to communicate with you.

Toward the stated aim of this blog (to provide a window into the editorial process), I was hoping you could elaborate on some of the specific questions that got you "in trouble" with the current administration to which you refered yesterday in the run-up to the Iraq war.  

What were some of those questions and with whom did you get in trouble?  

How did they let you know that you were in trouble with the administration?

Did your editors support you?

I do not have anything to say but thought I would stick my head in to check out the mood.

Well????????????

It still Hot in here.  Maybe hotter than yesterday.

However it's hotter outside too.  92 degrees today.

Think I will go outside and cool off again.

Everybody have a good and safe weekend.
Praying for the folks that were hurt in the crane accident.

I told my daughter at 6:30 that I had to end our phone call because I wanted to watch "The News" (for us there is nothing but NBC.)  During the broadcast I called her back and said, "This is why I love Brian Williams...." and I recounted to her his comment that when flying we may no longer get snacks, but for now the seats would remain in the airplanes."  What a great line and how typical of why I love, and hate to miss the Nightly News.

NBC's Brian Williams interviews former NBC anchor Tom Brokow on NBC in order to have Brokow exculpate the press, including NBC, from any suggestion that the press was a “war enabler.”

If NBC did not act as a "war enabler," it certainly, with that piece, enabled poor standards of journalism.

Hi Laurel:

This one is for you!   (I am starting to sound like Manilow!)
 
S & S finally updated Richard's appearances.   Looks like two more events in WA state.

http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?pid=586790&tab=1&app=appearances

Friday Bests to All!  

Wow, did Scottie call you out or what?  It must be true or you would have reported on your military analysists by now.  Tell me, does the WH fax the news to you or do they email it?  Are you still afraid of Republicans or are you one of them now?  What other stories are you covering up?  When congress calls you to testify, will you site executive privilege?  Can we believe ANYTHING you say at this point?  No.

Does NBC ever report any good news?? You start every broadcast with nothing but doom and gloom pointed right toward the White House. We all know NBC is the most Liberal station so why do you continue to promote it? That interview by Engle and Pres. Bush was so very rude and inappropriate. If you are so fed-up with America and blab continually about how bad off we are, maybe you could move to Italy or Canada with Susan S and Tim Robbins.

Greetings,

I find your evening broadcasts to be very interesting and informative.  Your continuing stories on how the energy costs are affecting us, the viewers are interesting, but, I would like to see some stories on how the energy costs are affecting our politicians, executives and the other well to do people in this country.  Are they cutting back or continuing business as usual with their gas guzzlers and yachts and such?  The fuel used by the presidential candidates alone in the past year or so could have sent a lot of working people to their jobs for many months.

Dave Donner

I am appalled at the Hillary bashing by the media.  This lady ran such a race that Obama did not know he was the winner until the LAST primary.  Who will stand up for her?  What will her 18,000,000 followers do?
Question:  If he could BEARLY beat Hilliary, how will he beat McCain?   Hmmmm
She kept up the good fight when every but her 18,000,000 told her to continue.
When was the race over?  I guess when the media said it was.
What really surprises me are the women in the media.  They follow the same role as in business.  When they get on the top, they cannot find it in themselves to pull for another female.  They become so "male".  Ladies, pull your cat claws in on Hillary.
Who is going to vote for Obama?  Who would Hillary bring?  Where will the 18,000,000 go?
It better not be a MAN.
Obama does not speak for the same people as Hillary.  If I go to court.....I want Hillary at my table.  She will fight to the bloody death.   And, guess what, she is smart.
Count up what she had done
I don't know of ANYTHING Obama has done

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