Hi Lester
I wish everyone a happy 4th but remember we have come full circle as the US was formed because King George served Taxation without representation and now we have Dictator George W. Bush. I guess we really didn't learn.

Rest in peace Jesse Helms as he answers to God for his life.  Good news is God loves all his children regardless of race, creed or color. Heaven must be an interesting place.

Laural: I'm still on vacation and using my daughter's lab top as we travel. I will be returning to NYC in Aug. I'm now in Washington DC and wearing my Hillary shirt with Nightly News hat. smile

Anne: I'll be on vacation until mid Sept. just visiting my kids. Yes I will stop by Juniors Cheesecake and I'll let you know what I think.

Lester I listen to Obama speak about Iraq and he was clear on his statement but it seems the other reporters want to change it as well as the GOP. He hasn't changed his view from the answer he gave our Tim Russert during the debate.  Now what is changing is the rest of the World Leaders have left the US out of any meeting or deals. I guess the Bush Legacy will be his visit to the Olympics and that's it. He could also add his visit to Africa when he was dancing with friends but that's it.

Soldiers are now given more time in Iraq and can't come home. I guess with those who support the Bush/Cheney mission of the Iraq invasion but wont let their sons/daughters join the military. Wise move as now even those soldiers who have done their time are forced to stay in the Military. Now all you need is a ribbon on your car that says " Support Our Troops" , no need to actually serve in the Military let others do it or just don't let current soldiers out.

To my friends Lisa, Laural, Stephanie, Claudia, Anne and Matt as well as all the other bloggers on this site and the NBC Staff  Have a safe and happy 4th of July

Happy 232nd birthday to all! And may we have many more!

Phyllis Kunz-- don't you do any such thing! We're all news junkies--welcome to the crew!!

The same to Derek from CA, who seems to be another new "regular" and whose posts I always find interesting!

Josh--  my sympathies--moving has to be one of everyone's least favorite things! Bet you're glad it's over!

Anna-- Did you see the "Emma" DVD is on sale at B&N this week? So is "Chocolat" one of my favorite black hat/white hat movies. And yes, I watched Prof. Brown and thought it was an excellent show. I went to his cable news show when Brian left cable to "transition" to NN. Aaron Brown looks good with white hair!

Thanks for the links Laurel. I thought that review of Richard's book was very good. It's a tough book to review--it doesn't fit the mold.

Read over the posts--everyone is asking for issues, policy--policy, issues. Is anyone listening at 30 Rock?

Hello and take care to all the "usual suspects" whose numbers are growing!!! Good weekend all!  

Good Evening Mr.Holt, Happy July Fourth Holiday to you and your family! You are always working so hard to fill in for others on their time off. Looking forward to Mr.Maceda's report with the Third Infantry Division and the fact Alpha company is spending a third July 4th in Iraq. They certainly have experienced so much during their tours of duty I really hope someday they can come home for good. Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Holt. Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Celine,Claudia,Anna and Matt!
Happy Fourth of July to all of you!
Be Well Always!
XOXO

Any reason why racist,hypocrite Helms' illegitimate black daughter wasn't mentioned in your newscast?  May he roast in, begins with h, and rhymes with smell, but the devil would be afraid that he'd take over...

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A fine July Fourth broadcast! First of all the report by Mr.Maceda concerning the Alpha Company Third Infantry who originally entered Baghdad and fought off Hussein's military and stormed the palaces showed how dedicated these soldiers are to their mission and their country. It is a different Iraq than the first time these soldiers entered the city. They have fought off the Mahdi militia and drove them from the area continuing to reassure the people door to door of safety. They have fought so many brutal battles and are still fighting, yet one wonders for how long until they can come home. So many tours of duty and such a strain on them and the families. I agree with the one soldier who hoped he wouldn't be there still in five years or so. May they all spend the next Fourth of July home safe and sound. And may peace befall the region. On another note it was great to see the smiling faces of the rescued hostages from Columbia. Certainly a positive outcome to a very long ordeal.
Finally, In relation to the piece by Mr.Taibbi concerning how July Fourth was celebrated around our nation, I just want to say that I attended I huge parade in the town where my mother lives here in Georgia and it is the largest parade in the State. I watched as every person from the area from neighborhoods, church groups, bands, floats etc.. and of course and most important the war veterans who always receive alot of cheers seemed to capture the American spirit. I believe it was the largest crowd on record to attend. Enjoyed by all! The celebrations shown on the broadcast looked great too! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Happy Fourth of July to you and your family! And to everyone at NBC! And of course a special Happy Fourth of July to Richard!!! Stay Safe as Always! Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,and Matt!
Happy Fourth of July to all of You!
Be Well Always!
XOXO

The story on Jesse Helms just glosses over his overt racism and bigotry. His entire carreer was built on it. He was hired as a commentator to attack desegregation. He voted against the Voting Rights Act. He was also bigoted against Jews as well, always calling for a Christian United States (just as the KKK did). I can't believe your story on Helms just barely mentions race, and does it so lightly it gives no picture of the deep seated racism of Helms.

I heard Martin Savidge report on the Thursday Nightly News that "both critics and supporters agree, Jesse Helms led the rise of the modern conservative movement."  This is just SHOCKINGLY bad reporting;  I can only conclude that NBC Nightly News is either staffed by complete morons, or dedicated to smearing true conservatives.  Yes, Jesse Helms was a racist, an isolationist, and intolerant of any divergence from his own view of christian morality; none of those things make him a "modern conservative",  unless you want to equate conservatism with the "Christian Right" (an equivalence which is false and misleading).  Many men could accurately be labelled as "leaders of the modern conservatism movement."  Names like Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley, and Ronald Reagan all spring to mind.  And while some would like to characterize certain of Goldwater's stands, like his opposition to the public accomodation provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as "racist", a more nuanced examination of his opposition will show that it was based not on racism, but on a bona fide belief that the act tread upon constitutional protected interests of freedom of association, under the First Amendment.  And the Christian Right has never defined the "modern conservative movement" -- the Christian Right just happened to have found common cause with true conservatives over the abortion issue after Roe v. Wade;  while the Christian Right opposed abortion under any circumstances based upon their own moral principles, true conservatives were a mixed group on the policy issue of abortion, but of a single mind that the Supreme Court had overstepped its Constitutional authority in usurping this issue from the democratic realm.  The reporting on Jesse Helms, and labeling him as a "leader of the modern conservative movement" is simply more evidence that the Mainstream Media in general, and NBC News in particular, simply cannot be trusted for accurate news.

Jesse Helms was an example of everything that was wrong with the American experience for an entire life cycle of minorities and their children who bear those scars in their memories today. I don't care how pricipled he or anyone thought he was. He was a racist pig who used the power of his position to enforce his racist views upon African Americans, and the less fortunate peoples of American society. North Carolina can finally breathe a sigh of relief, and get on the road to recovery now.

I don't normally watch your news program, but did on July 4.  Just wondering why when you talk about Jesse Helms you say "Staunch" conservative, but when you talk about Barack H. Obama you don't say "staunch" liberal which he is.

Jesse Helms led a more interesting and productive life than anyone at any network news or cable news station on the planet. That also may include any congressman or senator, icluding Hillary, Obama and Kennedy.

Any reason why racist,hypocrite Helms' illegitimate black daughter wasn't mentioned in your newscast?
Kim Grant, Rockville, MD (Sent Friday, July 04, 2008 7:15 PM)

As far as I see it this reporter did his homework.
The illegitimate black daughter your speaking of ( Essie Mae Washington-Williams) is that of Strom Thurman and not Jesse Helms according to what I've read from other web sites.... Better get your what begins with S and finish with HIT together before someone comes down on you with a slander suit......                

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