Hi Brian
Yes it's been some day. First Gonzo was a puppet as I remember. I just read up on Hunter Thompson interesting.

The Supreme Court will continue to bring back our pass. I guess the gunman at the college and high schools are free to get guns. We wont need terrorist to kill Americans, now Americans are free to buy guns and kill each other.

I saw some the hearings with Addington and Yoo today. These two guys made it much easier for the United Nations to charge the Bush Administration with War Crimes. When Foreign Countries use the Bush Torture Policy on Americans we'll know just how the Afghanistan and Iraq people felt. Bush/Cheney make Saddam seem like a mild Dictator.

Those good old Clinton years of a strong Stock Market and balanced budget. Americans got lazy and have forgotten the years of plenty. Now I bet the Stock Market will drop to 10,000 soon. Smart investors will buy Foreign Stocks as the US is going down hill fast. Look at the reports of the Billions of tax payers dollars wasted, stole and lost by the current Administration. Our troops are left with nothing while the Pentagon and White House just give money to friends and bribes. Law Makers use any excuse to say why they can't do anything as they to line their pockets. This is an example of a total corrupt Government.

We can't get a new President fast enough for me, each day get worse.

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

Not to pick on a great American company, and I realize that the globalized market has made things way more complex than in the "old days."  But didn't GM get itself into similar trouble during the '73 energy crisis, making enormous gas-guzzling cars in the face of a colossal fuel shortage, thus wrecking their market, and forcing them to rush a fleet of fuel-efficient, but under-designed, cars into service?  This is where we got such great names in automotive history as the Omni, the Fiesta, and the Chevette, no?

Yes, today's GM is getting more fuel efficient, and they're planning for the future with cool flexing concept cars like the Volt.  But look at the current state of Chevy's "gas-friendly to gas-free" campaign.  The flagship hybrid car they've put on the market is the Tahoe, which weighs in at somewhere between 5 and 6 thousand pounds, and achieves an abysmal 21-22 miles per gallon.  That's worse than a lot of family sedans, and Chevy's made it the poster child of their campaign for better fuel economy.

Apologies to any hardworking, goodhearted GM workers in the audience.  But if I had $50,000 to plunk down on a new car, while gas was $4.50 a gallon and rising, I doubt it would be that one.  It's not particularly green, so it's not an environmentalist's machine.  And if I had enough liquidity to be price-shopping cars in the $50,000 range, I'd probably be less concerned with gas prices anyhow, so why go hybrid?

Of course GM's problems are much more complex than one car.  They've had trouble recruiting engineers recently, partly because America's not producing as many as it used to.  And, as I said, the global market makes their lives über-complex, even if it's not without its opportunities.  But I can't help fixating on that thing. Who are they hoping is going to buy it?

Today, 60 years ago, the Berlin Airlift was created. As a German I am proud to thank the Americans for supporting and sustaining my capital city, so that it could survive for one year during a blockade of the Soviets during the Cold War after a frightening World War II that ended 1948 three years earlier.

So for WWII, I also thank Chuck Dryden, for liberating my home country, Germany, from the evil Nazis.

It's not good for a country where people have a right to own guns because there are to much examples where people abused weapons (Littleton, Virginia Tech or in Germany Erfurt [Germany's Littleton]). Weapons and guns should only be a privilege of the Army.

Goldman Sachs, the company that gave us the idea of 100$ oil and now eyes a forecast of 200$ should put out a "sell" for itself to free us from their evil capitalist analysts which destroy employment and economic power.

But the "sell" for GM should give attention to GM to not continue its current form of operation. GM should sell Hummer and all that gas-guzzling brands which hurt the enviroment and the wallets of the people and the company itself, because it costs a lot of money to produce a Hummer H3. Also an H3 isn't bought today because of high fuel prices, foreseen by Goldman Sachs.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all that is an interesting headline on the Reuters News Agency page. Always something new to learn in the scientific world. Certainly a troubled economy with oil hitting another record and the gas prices getting higher each day. Filling up ones gas tank is not a pleasant task when one watches the gage and then looks at the price. I hope things get better soon.
On another note that has nothing to do with this post I just want to say that I didn't mean to offend anyone by writing all in capitals about Richard. I am really, really sorry. I admire Richard very much and I always want to show great support to him because I think he does an awesome job. He is just the best and NBC is very fortunate to have him. Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to you and to all!
Again, I apologize for offending anyone.

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

 

Dear Brian,

I was disappointed by the Supreme Court's ruling against the D.C. handgun ban, but not surprised.  For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone needs a handgun. If you want to shoot Bambi or Thumper for your dinner table, a shotgun should be a sufficiently lethal weapon.  I haven't met a hunter yet who brings a Glock to the woods or the briar patch.  I'm not sure that the D.C. handgun ban prevented that much violence, as most handguns used in the commission of crimes are not obtained through legal avenues, but it may have prevented some children from being accidentally shot to death while playing with irresponsibly stored weapons, or it may have prevented homicidal estranged spouses from having another tool with which to murder or maim their exes.  I honestly don't believe the Framers were referring to handguns when they wrote the Second Amendment.  And, unlike Justice Scalia, I believe that the Constitution IS a living document.  If we were meant to continue living 18th-century style (with citizen militias, who were given the right to bear arms) then why are we not still composing our thoughts by candlelight, or using a chamberpot for a toilet?  Anyway, I'm sure the NRA is thrilled.

On a completely different note....  After being gone for a few days, I have only now caught up with the more recent posts.  As has become the standard, there were a few snarky comments directed at some of the "regulars," of which I am one.  What I would say in response to the negativity is that, for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would want to trample on another person for the simple "crime" of expressing joy.  

Good night Lisa, Jackie, Stephanie, Celine, Claudia, Anna, Matt, and John Boy Walton.  XOXO

Mr. Williams
Please consider a in depth story on the FISA bill, the founders of this great country created the 4th amendment for a reason and to see this administration trash our constitution in the name of security is a disgrace. Was Edward R. Murrow so out of line to question Senator Joseph McCarthy? Please show the facts of this bill that essentially says to the citizens of the United States that in the name of security, civil rights will be suspended.

I thank you for allowing my to speak my voice.

rick ap

Brian, with life seemly so miserable here on earth, what matter does it make to find plausible life on Mars?  Shall we spread our misery to the Martians?  

Laurel, I'm with you on both your opinions.  I'm glad to hear the Supreme Court's opinion on the 2nd amendment; I simply am not sure I agree with it.  If you love life, then why own a gun?  A gun's only purpose is to kill.  More and more often, a gun's owner ends up being the victim of its bullets during the commission of a crime.   The paralegal in me is giddy over the significance of this ruling, but the citizen in me is displeased.  Simply put, I'm torn!

I do not understand how weight-loss surgery can be used as a front-line treatment of diabetes.  Obesity is a symptom of something.  Food is the problem.  Having surgery that helps you drop the weight doesn't "cure" the reason why the patient got so heavy in the beginning.  This just gives the diabetic the opportunity to gain the weight back - with more complications.  I've seen this first hand with friends.   I am leery about this new "treatment".

Adding to my fury tonight: servicemen and women who are loosing their homes while on active duty.  It's simply EVIL to foreclose on their homes.  They are fighting for our country and freedom; the freedom that these mortgage holders are using to further injure their families.  I know not every one of these people are good at managing money, but if being in the service is impacting their money flow and causing them to loose their homes, that is simply inconceivable to me.

Aw, Winter is so super cute!  You go, girl!  She seems so happy and glad to have her prosthetic fin!  It's awesome that what's working for her is now helping humans with their prosthetics.  Thanks for sharing a great story!

Have a great evening everyone!  Special hellos to Laurel, Lisa, Jackie, Claudia, Celine, Anna and Matt!

Good Evening Mr.Williams, I will say that with all the bad news happening it can sometimes be hard to find happy stories, but the piece about "Winter" a dolphin with a "new" tail proved there are great things happening in the world. Now on to the broadcast. The report on the economy certainly wasn't positive with oil reaching $139.94 a barrel and the Dow falling hard. It will take a long time to recover because people are really struggling with the costs of everything. I hope there is a turn for the better soon. The report from Mr.Sanders about military families facing foreclosure was simply not fair. They are serving our country bravely and with much dedication and this is the news they receive. Moving frequently forces them into these situations and they need all the support they can get. I felt so bad for the couple featured in the piece because not only is he fighting in Iraq, but she is battling cancer and it is just infair for this to happen. At least there is an attempt at working out something to help them, but so many are faced with losing everything. Something really needs to be done to provide assistance for these families. Finally, the "What Works" segment by Mr.Potter about "Winter" the dolphin and her "new" tail was truly inspirational. The idea for the "sleeve" proves to help in movement tremendously The serviceman who lost both legs in Iraq seems to be benefitting and not having any pain. Also the little girl is finding much inspiration from "Winter" and be able to improve her life. A very nice piece! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to you and to all!

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

Tonight's tie: purple with silver sparkles ... lose a bet, Brian?

I'm always delighted to see the rare art feature on the Nightly News, so thank you for featuring the waterfalls tonight. But . . . I'm very disappointed that the artist wasn't credited with the work. The least you could have done was mention his name: Olafur Eliasson. Artists are unsung heroes in our culture--helping us look at everyday things (like the Brooklyn Bridge) in different ways. I wish you would have given him credit.

  I would like to know when NBC became part of Fox news. The story, tonight, about offshore oil drilling smacks of puppeteer retoric for the Bush administration. Why would we want to let big oil drill offshore when they have 48 million acres on dry land leased from the government that has gone undeveloped? I don't want to take a trip to Florida and see off shore drilling rigs that sit vulnerably in the path of hurricanes. This report seemed to condone the Bush regime in their plans to expand drilling offshore. I call them a regime because that is what your program called the government of North Korea later in the program. Offshore drilling should be a last resort for oil. The impact on the environment could be catastrophic. Why not give us back the Alaskan oil that we ship overseas because of profit margins. That was supposed to be the end all for our country until the oil industry found that they could make more money by selling it to Japan and the Far East. Food for thought.

Brian,
Thanks for your comment about Luke Russert's appearance on Larry King Live last night.  The apple sure didn't fall far from the tree, did it? His dad must be watching a tv somewhere and beaming from ear to ear.  What a son!  I hope that NBC, in its great wisdom, finds a way to keep Luke "in the family," as the youth are going to be an important constituency in the November election. Maybe Mr. Capus reads your blog from time to time?

While not a regular poster on this blog, I am a regular reader, and enjoy seeing the exchange between those who visit and express their opinions here so frequently.  I applaud all those who chime in regularly and offer their opinions.

Brian, I always appreciate the way you and your team try to bring us something new and different on the broadcast, not the same-old, same old every night (last night's story on the kazoo factory, for example).  In that vein, I liked your tie tonight.  

Keep up the great work!
Kathy in Florida

P.S.  To Lisa - the regulars appreciate your enthusiasm for Richard Engel (and I consider myself among this group). Keep doing your thing, just like Richard should keep (carefully and safely) doing his thing. We are all better for it.  

Brian-

I am still amazed at how little attention your news organization has devoted to the destruction left behind by the flooding in Eastern Iowa. Cedar Rapids and Iowa City were hit hard - thousands of people have been displaced. And yet, very little attention is being paid to the fact that an American city was hit hard by a natural disaster.

You covered the fact that the government dropped the ball in New Orleans after Katrina. You, Mr. Williams, have dropped the ball in reporting this story.

This is just a thought that I feel is realy kind of funny when you think about it. When ever you report the news and the talk is about the high cost of a barrel of oil or the high cost we pay at the pump, the high cost of food,and of course the bad housing market. Well when you talk about these things you most always follow up with the numbers on the stock market.Some times you will show the closing bell being rung. Now if the stock market is down by 300 points, why are all tose people standing there claping and smiling like all is good in the world. Who are those people, and why are they so happy? Thank you for your time.

Lisa, I should remember  what emoticons are for, except for the drive-by poster, all of us were teasing, it was sort of nice to be able to see your enthusiam after the last few weeks. Besides, you had a point, Richard is very good at his job, and the more mentoring he gets the better.

Look at this way.. I once got chastised for liking Brian's ties... haven't mentioned them in months, now everyone else is bringing it up.

Marc, I know much of the world agrees with you about guns, I often wish it were like that here BUT (it's an important but hence the caps :>) our Founders saw fit to include it in the Bill of Rights. The ruling today reflected the way most people in America read that Amendment. You might have noticed that neither of our Presidential candidates disagreed with the ruling. To do so would have been political suicide.

Got home late tonight, I'm off to watch the netcast. Sparkles? Really???
,

Dear Brian,
This criticism comes from a news organization that refused to cover ANY OTHER STORY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH OR MARS on the day Tim Russert died. While I respect Mr. Russert and his work, I was aghast that your news program would ditch all other stories for wall-to-wall coverage of his death. I'm certain he would think this was horribly excessive. He never acted like he was bigger than the day's events. This was almost self-worshiping on NBC's part.  A special on MSNBC-- sure.  The lead story on Nightly News. Why not?  But the way you covered it opened my eyes.  You all take yourselves way too seriously and the rest of us? Not so much.  Methinks the anchor doth protest too much. Besides, after 7 1/2 years of Bush, who isn't ready to try out Mars?

Josh Braun-- I read your posts yesterday with great interest.

Lack of public access to professionally produced policy analysis reports such as you describe, leaves people with the media as their source of information. I think both of us feel the media falls short in their coverage of policy and analysis of the possible outcomes of that policy. Instead of having two "analysts" endlessly speculate on the identity of the vice-presidential candidates, why not have two real analysts lay out the pros and cons of withdrawing from Iraq within a couple of years, then on another day, the pros and cons of establishing permanent military bases in a mid-eastern Arab country? And I might add, do it without screaming at each other.

What I would like to have the media help us do is the equivalent of the tool most of us were taught to use when making a difficult decision--make 2 columns on a piece of paper, label one Pro, the other Con and write down everything you can think of for and against. Then you look it all over and the decision usually becomes apparent, that is if you are honest in listing everything. What we need help with is thinking of everything--pro and con. Some of this is pretty complex and at times obscure stuff. The media and think tank types have the inside scoop on much of it and would be a big help if they would just stop with the gossip and get to the facts--at least some of the time!

With regard to serious debates, did you ever hear Sen. Biden (my favorite too, Laurel) suggest each debate be limited to one subject? We had what, 21 Democratic debates? Can you imagine how much policy would have been seriously discussed? One wonders if we would have the same candidates we have now.

Josh, is the kind of policy analysis report you speak of available to the public in any form, especially a condensed form, as I would imagine a full report would be both erudite and lengthy? And I must say, that must have been a fascinating line of work to be engaged in!

And snarky me has to wonder--are these kinds of reports available to presidents?

OK Anna--where are we having this supper??!! Did you see where an original copy of "Emma" brought a record auction price? www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25350374/

Best to all the "usual suspects"--

Mr. Williams, I can't help but think that these huge American corporations which are currently destroying our economy with their greed reflected in the gas crisis, The American auto industry's inability to face the fact that their product is completely out of touch (once again) with energy reality and complete lack of vision. The men who run these industries don't seem to care about their treason against the American economy because they already have the good life. I think that they ought to think about what happens when you turn a country into haves and have nots, lets see... revolution comes to mind, riots, and out of control crime rates. These men just might lose everything they have stolen from the American dream, including the very security this great country offers them. In my mind, they are no different than the foriegn terrorists who want to take us down. These men don't need to use IED's, they simply use greed, corporate crime, and tax loopholes. Sorry, but someone has to expose these people for what they are Corporate Terrorists. Im sure they will be grilling with their best buddy in Crawford Texas this July 4th...

Brian, I can't help but keep thinking that the supposed American corporations (Oil Companies & Auto Industry) are commiting financial treason against the American economy. Don't they care about the poor quality of life they are creating by their greed and total lack of vision. They want to enjoy the freedom and security of living in this great country, yet they are destroying it. A label comes to mind Corporate Terrorists. I'm sure they will be celebrating in Crawford this July 4th with their buddy.

I too was sorry that the name of the artist who made the waterfalls was not mentioned.

So Brian, how do you keep your optimism (Half-full) up when reporting on such glum content night after night after night?  The Supreme Court's ruling (thanks to GB's right-wing stacking) makes me sick; the smiling face of Wayne LaPierre makes me sicker.  In my city--and probably in many others--we just buried a ten-year old girl killed by a 14-year old who used the "community gun" hidden in the neighborhood.  Am I missing something about the right to bear arms? Very disappointing and disturbing.

And this North Korean consession?  Are we nuts to think we can trust that regime?  GB's announcement had his usual clueless gleeful note about it all; maybe he could invite these guys to the Crawford July 4th BBQ suggested by Derek. What more damage can he do these final interminable months? If we ever get to the point of sending a real person to Mars I have just the right candidate.

Marc If my father were still alive he'd say your more than welcomed. If the Socialist in your country had not taken the guns away from the people Hitler may not have happened. We're doing our best to prevent them from repeating that history here.  :-)

Hi Brian -

I noted with interest that Tom's first Meet the Press program will be about the Western Governors Conference - conveniently near Tom's 'office'.  Tom is going to be a great interim host as will you.

I also have an 'office' in a small room here in Central CT, but as Tom says, nowadays you can do your research anywhere with an internet hook-up. Right now I'm watching a former golfing partner from Yale play in the US Women's Open via my computer.

Hope you take some time over the weekend to see the Yankee/Mets games and I hope you remembered to send Derek a Happy Birthday wish yesterday.

Joan

@Celine.  Thanks for all the kind words!  Yes, National Academies reports are all freely available to the public.  You can find them online through the Academies' website (http://nationalacademies.org/), and at the websites of the individual academies which make up the larger organization.  These are the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine, all linked to at the URL above.

Most reports have an executive summary that distills their rather lengthy analyses.  If you want an even shorter version, the press releases put out by the Academies are generally good guides and are also available online.  Additionally, they sometimes simulcast the press conferences for major reports on the Web. And they have a news feed on their site that relates current events to recent Academies reports.

Of course, the Academies aren't the only folks who do policy analysis, and they deal mostly with questions that involve science, technology, and healthcare.  There are a lot of other bodies in Washington that generate similar reports, including the Congressional Research Service (http://opencrs.com/), and various commissions appointed by the government.  There are also professional societies, think tanks, and lobbying groups that issue policy reports.  Washington is adrift in this kind of stuff, which often can make it difficult to know what information's reliable and what's not (which in turn makes it easy for politicians to back up most any decision with *someone's* evidence).  As such, there's a sort of reputation economy in D.C., in which some sources are considered more reliable for advice than others.  Pretty much all of them issue reports freely online nowadays.

My time at the Academies was really fascinating.  As a science journalist and grad student interested in science communication, I worked in outreach, through the Academies' new museum.  So I wasn't in on the process of generating reports, but instead helped in disseminating information in older reports to the public.  I was fortunate enough, however, to get the same training curriculum in policy as the fellows who were working on those reports, which was wonderful.

As for what role the news media plays, or should play, in discussing policy, I agree with you that there would be a huge benefit to such discussions done well, and to one-topic debates. I rather wish the Sunday morning news programs would take on these sorts of tasks.  They do discuss policy to some extent - as Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden did on Meet the Press last Sunday with regard to prospective offshore drilling.  But having two people simply debate without additional context doesn't generally give much idea as to whose argument is best supported by the underlying facts, what organization or interest group's data is being presented as fact, how those figures were arrived at, whether those "facts" are reliable, or whether all the groups impacted by a decision are being considered.

I think perhaps the closest a news show has come to the ideal of which you speak may be the Ted Koppel-era Nightline, which has, since his departure, been changed by ABC News into a dramatically different show.

Full-disclosure, I was once a production intern at Nightline, so I'm insanely biased on this topic.  But this opinion long predates that experience - I went there because of my high regard for the place.  I liked the format they had. They'd present their viewers with a short documentary on the topic at hand before they cut to Koppel interviewing talking heads.  That way the audience was always given some background on the issue at hand, and the anchor could proceed with a somewhat elevated level of questioning that got more to the heart of the matter.

On cable news, by contrast, they many times cut straight to the the talking heads, who are all-too-often charged with not only giving an opinion on a topic in 30 seconds, but introducing the facts of the matter as well - all while shouting over one another.

But even on Nightline, I don't know that there was ever really the sort of in-depth policy discussion of which you speak.  It may be out there, though.

Coincidentally, I believe it was Koppel who, in his book Off Camera a few years back, suggested that there's more good television news out there than ever before.  It's just spread across a prodigious number of outlets at all odd hours of the day.  With hundreds of channels and a wide-open Internet, we now have to hunt a bit more.

And of course, some of the best information comes from places that are plagued with low ratings, which always puts networks in an awkward position.  If you give the people what they *say* they want, all too often they don't watch.  We like to sound cerebral, but too often our collective American id seems to prefer entertainment news and flashy graphics. But I digress.  I've written a tome already.  Thanks again for your kind response.  What would your ideal news program look like?

Brian,
You and the producers have put together a solid line of stories this week.  Now that I've just graduated from college, I'm looking for my first job as a general assignment reporter.  I am able to appreciate the hard work of all the Nightly News staff and look forward to watching tonight!

Global Warming

The global warming stories that have repeatedly come up in your broadcasts are indeed alarming.  I am all in favor of cleaning up the environment, mankind indeed is a poor steward.

The problem I have with various stories of how "mans" carbon emissions are heating up the planet.  I do not dispute the planet is in a warming cycle, the facts are indisputable.  The question is why?

I need someone to explain to me why on Mars, according to NASA data, the mean average temperature has risen 10 degrees Celsius in the past decade.  Mars is further from the sun than the earth.  Obviously the lack of an atmosphere on Mars enhances the effect of the sun.

The earth mean temperature has rise according to the data is .5 degrees Celsius over the past century.  The Mt Pinatubo volcano eruption emitted 10 times more pollutants, CFCs and ash than man has since the beginning of the industrial age inside of a period of a month. The hydrocarbons in oil have always been present in our environment.  Oil pools formed from ancient abundant plant life. Our planets atmosphere and oceans have done a remarkable job in absorbing the extra heat of the current sun cycle as the Mars data shows.

The question is not: "Is the world is warming?"; "the real question is why?"...

Brian,  The Polar Ice Melt story, 6/27/08, was interesting, especially in view of so many related "scientific studies".  People are noticing weather changes as they have for centuries.  I can't help but wonder if this was God's reason for placing, in the Bible, warnings such as Matthew 24:1-51(32) 2 Peter 3:10.  Warnings are only for the wise, however.  Would you post this and warn a few? Thanks,  jh

Brian,  The Polar Ice Melt story, 6/27/08, was interesting, especially in view of so many related "scientific studies".  People are noticing weather changes as they have for centuries.  I can't help but wonder if this was God's reason for placing, in the Bible, warnings such as Matthew 24:1-51(32) 2 Peter 3:10.  Warnings are only for the wise, however.  Would you post this and warn a few? Thanks,  jh

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