I agree that Americans should know what's going on in the rest of the world, but I can understand why most of us don't really care.

I'm sitting here at work, listening to talk swirl about our company closing and all of us being out of work.   It's not just a rumor, there's fact to back it up and it will likely happen (sooner rather then later).  

I was laid off from another job just 18 months ago (that job was outsourced to China) and am just starting to get back on my feet.  Facing unemployment yet again (before I've had time to build back up my emergency fund) has me scared to death.  

Frankly, problems in the Middle East are the least of my worries right now.  

You should make the Israeli war game story one of the opening stories in tonight's newscast.  People may be more concerned about the economy but if Israel or Iran starts saber-rattling or makes moves with their military it will have a ripple effect across the entire Middle East; not only with our stand in Iraq but with friends and foes alike.

Why isn't the American public more concerned about what happens in the rest of the world?  We live in a global society where what happens elsewhere affects us also:  an crop freeze in South America means higher orange and orange juice prices, higher coffee prices, etc., weeks later.  A freeze today means you stock up on o.j. concentrate and buy an extra can or two of coffee before the prices goes up tomorrow.

Bad/good conditions elsewhere on the globe will, at some point, affect you here at home.  Now is not the time to ignore the rest of the world.

Hi Ann
I'll be watching Brian on Sunday as he is the best choice for Meet the Press. I suggest NBC look for someone new for Meet the Press as no one could replace Tim. As for the list of now possible host David, Andrea and Chris would only bring the show down. I'll glad God us a memory I can see Tim when ever I choose to.

Now as for Israel possibility of bombing Iran well let's say it's nothing but wishful thinking. Yes the US gave Israel Nukes but Russia and the rest of the Middle East will protect Iran. Bush/Cheney are now weak and known liars without friends so look for the United Nations to add this illegal attack to the crimes of the US as is the War Crime charges.  I guess it's not news because the US and Israel will be bombed in retaliation and if we thought 9/11 was bad we haven't seen anything yet if we do go along with this crime.

Scott McClellan's testimony was nothing new and just proved the Plame Leak was ordered from the top.

To Thomas Newham, Missouri: I totally agree with your comment on Hillary. I to will not be pushed or ordered to vote for the DNC's choice for the Democratic Party without Hillary as VP to clean up the Freshman Senator Obama's non experience. I look forward to see what the Obama/Clinton team has to say as both tour.

I loved visiting New York yesterday. The best to my friends Lisa, Laural, Stephanie, Claudia, Anne and Matt

Way to go Ann, tell it like it is, encore, encore!
Will any men in the room PLEASE stand up.

Good Evening Ann, Nice to see you again this evening. You are doing a wonderful job! I must say with all that is going on with our economy one should be concerned with what is happening in the rest of the world particularly the Middle East. Israeli airstrikes on Iran would have effect the United States. Time will tell with this situation. Looking forward to the broadcast Ann! Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Celine,Claudia,Anna and Matt!
Thank you Anna for the information on Richard's question and answer! You are the best! I will have to submit!
Be Well Always!
XOXO
 

"I worry news organizations are sensing that as Americans become increasingly self focused, struggling with worries about the economy, we are less interested in the troubles of the world."?? This America is more concerned with voting nightly for American Idol than voting in local, state, and federal elections. This country is void of leadership and deeply in trouble, regardless what the Israeli's do.

Please, enough with Russert coverage its been damn near 12 days ! You wouldnt go on this long had an ordinary person died. This is pathetic; whats next an all Russert channel ?

Good Evening Ann, A fine broadcast this evening. I always enjoy seeing you on the broadcasts! First of all the report from the Pentagon concerning the manuevers by Israel for possible airstrikes on Iran was disturbing and could have drastic effects on the Middle East region and the United States. Hearing what correspondent Ali Arouzi was saying about a cleric speaking of a dangerous and serious blow certainly sounds threatening. The effect it would have on the US troops in Iraq and the possible wave of terrorism it could cause would be devastating. The price of gas doubling or tripling is really troubling for everyone. I truly hope it does not come to pass that airstrikes hit Iran. It would make reaching a peaceful resolution in the region extremely difficult if not impossible. The civilians of the region and everyone involved in the region has suffered enough. I hope peace becomes the norm. On another note the report by Mr.Brokaw about Senator Obama's hometown and home he lived in Chicago was very nice. It is truly historic to have him as the nominee for the Democratic Party for President. Finally, the "Making A Difference" segment about Mr.Russert and his charitable work for the Boys and Girls Club was simply inspirational and so moving. Mr.Russert made a real difference in those young people's lives and that young man wanting to become a journalist and teaching others was great to see. It shows how one person can have such a positive effect on another person. This young man has accomplished so much in his life and he had a wonderful mentor. Mr.Russert touched so many lives and inspired so many people. He was truly a great man. One should always try to find a way to lift up another person because it means so much. Thank you for the broadcast Ann. You always do a wonderful job! Have a lovely weekend! Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Celine,Claudia,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always!
XOXO

I care what's going on in the rest of the world.  I did before 9/11 too, but it wasn't until then that I realized how egotistical America really is because more of us don't pay attention to world events.  

So good to see you on the broadcast tonight - which I got to watch.  The suffering going on in the Midwest half makes me wonder why someone would live next to such a large river.  But as Kevin Tibbles reported, it would seem that we did to the Mississippi what we did to New Orleans: created a man-made disaster which wouldn't have existed if we had left the water where it was.  My heart goes out to those being devastated.  

FYI readers - have you seen Tim Russert on the cover of this week's People?   Thanks for highlighting his philanthropy tonight.  

Did I hear that Brian will be on Meet the Press this Sunday?  THAT will look really weird on my TV.  

Happy weekend regular readers & all those passing through!

Hi Ann Curry, It was nice to see you again on Nightly News.  The situation with Israel and Iran is very scary to say the least.  And the fact that it made oil prices rise by three or four dollars a barrel makes me wonder how people will be able to afford to heat their homes this winter.  And also your story about people shopping in .99 cent stores for food was ALSO very SCARY.  I don't know how the .99 cent stores in NYC or Los Angeles are, but in my area they are not too good in the food dept.  Especially the canned and bottled stuff.  Some of them have experation dates that are a decade old.  But anyway, I always watch Meet the Press on Sundays, and I can't wait to see how Brian Williams does on the show.  But you did a fabulous job on Nightly News.  We love you and keep up the good work.  p.s have a great weekend.

Hi Ann. I'm always happy to see you as an anchor. You are finally coming into your own. You're great. as for the mess in the Middle East, of course if Israel does attack Iran, we're there too. It's a losing battle for the US, I'm afraid. We're committed to stand with Israel, and most of those countries hate us anyway, so there isn't anyway we can win. As for you Ann, keep up the good work.

Those who give from the heart don't need thanks or recognition for what they do. Tim was a person who just did what was needed and some he helped never knew it was from him. Tim is an example of who we can all learn from and hope to be. God was watching.

Ann in N.C. CT.:  I'm standing up.  This is a Brian Williams and Richard from Iraq love blog.  Ann did a great job tonight.  But please, leave this to the the groupies.

Hello everyone--  I think I detect signs of regaining a bit of normalcy--the regulars are checking on each other. What a terrible week. Did anyone else cry--or am I the only old softie whose eyes have just now stopped burning? That memorial service was so beautiful--but so heart wrenching. I gave up and put the Kleenex box on my lap and half a box later, the service was over. It is beyond me how those on stage kept their composure. And as for Luke Russert--what incredible class and courage!

Thanks to NBC and the Russert family for sharing their tributes to Tim and grief over his loss with us. They understood we were all one gigantic mourning family this past week.

We all have to pick up and go on and I see a renewed sense of mission on the NBC news networks. MSNBC anchors are not putting up with any spin from guests or interviewees. And Ann made me chuckle saying whether we want to or not--we should know about world affairs. Go Ann! Sunday on MTP, I'm sure Brian will lead a vigorous discussion about the Constitution with Senators Biden and Graham.

Then it will be good to have him back on Monday--so the return to normalcy can continue. There is comfort in resuming routine.

Anna--  Thank you again for the info on Richard. I'll revisit thoughts and notes on Iraq and the mid-east this weekend and submit something. It should be very interesting especially in light of today's news of Israel's military exercises/rehearsals possibly pointed toward Iran. The world does go on!

Hope the "usual suspects" are all OK. Take care and enjoy your weekend.

Ann, I understand why Americans have become more concerned with the domestic issues, than the International situation. This is understandable because it becomes for many an issue of gas in their tanks, and food on their tables. These are basic needs for survival. The bigger picture however is precisely the point you make, that what is going on in the Middle East directly affects our domestic condition. May I add that the need for uncoditional diplomacy and discussions WITH U.N. VERIFICATION (without appeasment) with Iran's nuclear program is a MUST before military options are excercised. Russia and China will not stand idle as the U.S. and Israel flex additional military might in that region. An attack on Iran could very likely spark a devastating and tragic entry to world instability, war and genocide. I detest Iran's politcal stance, however I also remember that old verse : sticks and stones... and so should our leaders whether THEY want to know it or not.

Interesting, Ann.  In your Thursday post, you said that if NBC is searching for clarity over the direction in which the news division should go, the executives should ask themselves "What would Tim Russert do?"  Good idea.

*Tim Russert would not allow the weekend edition of Nightly News to be regularly pre-empted by sporting events simply because sports can generate higher ratings than news (as was the case with last weekend's golf tournament).  While Russert was an avid sports fan, I certainly believe that he understood the value and importance of a regularly-scheduled newscast.

*Tim Russert would not clog each night's newscast with three-minute stories about one family or one senior citizen trying to make ends meet or deal with an illness.  Unlike the current NBC News producers who strive to make Nightly News more like "Dateline" or "Today", Russert would recognize the difference between a newscast and a news magazine show.

*Tim Russert would insist that Brian Williams (and all NBC correspondents) conduct interviews with the same tenacity that Russert himself always employed.  There is a stark difference between Russert's take-no-prisoners interviews and Williams's puff-piece tea-chats.

*Tim Russert would insist that each night, NBC News must present the most newsworthy stories from around the country and around the world, regardless of how "popular" those stories might be.  He would not allow Nightly News to pander to the tastes of viewers who are turned off by stories from far away places with funny-sounding names.  Zimbabwe would take precedence over Bono; Sri Lanka would take precedence over Knut the polar bear.  In other words, news would once again take precedence over ratings.  On "The Daily Show" last Tuesday, Lara Logan (the Chief Foreign Correspondent for CBS News) told Jon Stewart that, "If I were to watch the news that you're hearing in the United States, I'd just blow my brains out 'cause it would drive me nuts."  Amen, sister.

*Tim Russert would not allow portions of Nightly News (or the entire broadcast) to be sold off to any company that could cough up a few million bucks.  By the way, it was shameless and exploitative of NBC News to allow GlaxoSmithKline to sponsor Friday's "Making A Difference" segment about Russert.  NBC actually took sponsorship money for a story about Russert's charitable activities!  That is the definition of sick irony.  So tell me, NBC:  How many pieces of silver did GSK pay you to sponsor that story?  Did you donate any of that GSK money to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington?  

Ann, I think we all know what Tim Russert would do.  And I think we also know that going forward, as in the past, NBC News isn't going to be guided by Russert's moral compass.

Hi Ann, I have been a big fan of yours for years. I would love to see either you or someone from nbc news address at least some of the following.


Subj: IOWA Flood


Where are all of the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods?

Where is all the media asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved the problem? Asking where the FEMA trucks (and trailers) are?

Why isn't the Federal Government relocating Iowa people to free hotels in Chicago?

When will Spike Lee say that the Federal Government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines?

Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chicks?

Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes and big screen television sets?

When will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a "vanilla" Iowa, because that's the way God wants it?

Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of cannibalism?

Where are the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural people?

How come in 2 weeks, you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?  

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