Hi Ann interesting comment about Hitler. Now we must remember the Bush Administration and Rummy have justified torture, kidnapping and holding people without charges in the Bush Policies. One could say the same justification for the War Crimes the White House has committed.  I always believe we should look in the mirror to make sure we're not the same as those we're talking about.

As for the excuses of the high oil prices as the barrel of oil lowers, we need only to look at the big quarterly profit the Oil Company has made and there's your answer. I know more news stations are trying to explain the reasons but it's easy to figure out on our own.

I saw Obama speak today with the real Journalist even Andrea Mitchell. After watching Andrea's commit on Chris Matthews I was glad to see she misspoke about Obama speaking to fake Journalist.  Now it was refreshing to hear him say he would make the decision on Iraq not letting the General. He's right a Military General isn't concerned about the US Economy, it's the President's job to make decisions. Good point to that Iraq which has oil can start taking care of themselves. We have a 10 trillion dollar debt that the American people have to pay not the General. I do feel bad for McCain as he can't get anything right. He wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years and doesn't care what the Leaders of Iraq say. No wonder the Middle East people don't like the Bush Policies.  What would the US do if a country invaded our land and then never leave after being told to leave.  McCain will lose the election with his own words. I was glad Obama asked Republican Senator Hagel to join him as he has the Military experience.

It's nice to hear that even a Presidential candidate is being welcomed overseas as that hasn't happen in 7 years. We're moving in the right direction as we need friends to help bring World Peace. We do need a President who puts Americans first as was done with President Clinton.  I do understand why McCain wants to continue having troops in Iraq as it will help continue the War Profiteers and Contractors who are milking the US Economy while doing nothing for the money.

Smart move on the White House's part to pardon everyone who committed a crime for the White House and their illegal criminal policies. I know Cunningham, Abramoff, DeLay and other crimes will be glad they get the get out of jail card. Bush will most like pardon Cheney and himself for their War Crimes. We watched Nixon get away with his crimes and now the Bush Administration will do the same. This will show future Law Makers and Presidents that a United States President can commit crimes and get away with it.  Now the only problem is the United Nations will most likely charge the US with the War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity that have been committed over the 7 years.

Anne: I'll be going to Juniors in Aug when I visit New York City with Peaches. I'll let you know what I think.

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

Good Evening Ann, You are really working extremely hard this week and doing and excellent job! You are going to need a rest after this week! Regarding the arrest of Serbian President Radovan Karadzic, it is good the authorities finally caught him. It is frightening it took so very long to find him. I agree with your statement about the fact if these people cause these types of crimes they cannot hide forever. One prays for a world that does not have people causing such horrible crimes against humanity. It would be a better world everyone and especially the children of our future. Hopefully, it will not take too long. Looking forward to the broadcast Ann! Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Celine,Claudia,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always!
XOXO
Anna-I loved your comment about looking for video of Mr.Blue Shirt! That of course is the very first reporter I want to see on Nightly News! Always a clean, crisp blue shirt!! Yeah!
Stay Safe Always Richard!      

I know its hurricane season, but evacuating for a hurricane so early?  Seems early to me.  Stay safe, Texas!

I must agree with you, Ann.  I don't understand how Karadizic could live so openly and arrogantly for so long.  Justice is so slow...

Viagra's manufacturer funded the study that it works for some women on anti-depressants?  How suspicious does that sound?  I can just hear a SNL skit now!

Rest in peace, Ms. Getty.  You made Golden Girls funny.

Hello to all the regulars!  Hope your vaca is going well, Anna!  

Dear Ann:  I could tell you were sad when you reported the death of Estelle Getty of the Golden Girls.  She was my favorite charactor on the show, and that was the first I heard of her death.  I didn't know who was going to cry first you or me, "I think I did."  The Golden Girls was my favorite show in the 80's.  I can still see Blanche in her padded shoulder outfits, and Rose telling her airhead stories she always used to tell, and Dorthy and Ma looking at her like she was the stupidest person on earth. ha ha --I still watch the re-runs whenever I can, and I still laugh just as hard as I did the first time.  I'm sure there were other serious stories in the newscast this evening, but for some reason I can't remember them right now.  So I will just say--it was great to see you again tonight on Nightly News, and I'll see you again tomorrow night.   Thank You and Goodnight.

We're a fan of yours Ann but how you could read the intro to the Iranian basketball story without protest takes you down a notch in our estimate. Your chirpy reporter should have been asking the players how they felt about their anti American, Holocaust denying country; a country which has its women living in the 14th century and which beats and jails any protesters. The morally demented angle of the story was self-parody, and that is being kind. C'mon Ann, you know better.

Lisa, I'll be happy as long as they don't make him wear a necktie! I'd bet he's happier too.. I just realized that I always notice when Brian doesn't wear a necktie, because I always think of him with one, but I notice when Richard does, because I think he doesn't look comfortable!  It's nice knowing that Richard has safer assignments now, altho' I expect the maternal concern will continue, it's the Mid-East after all.

Jackie, I think I"m getting jealous of this trip. Washington Mall, NYC, all the places I dream to visit one day!

Ann, I am half Serbian, and I'm not really surprised that Karadzic successfully hid in plain sight. They are an intensely proud people, and would protect one of their own from outside attempts to prosecute.   Yes, despite the fact that the public hated that government.

By the time I was born Czechoslovakia had come into  existence ,yet it was made clear to me that I was a Serb. When I was in High School and asked questions about WWI I was hushed, it was not to be spoken about. Odd, but that's the way it was.

The campaign is starting to heat up here somewhere West of New Jersey. If my posting gets irregular just assume I'm in the middle of grassroots retail politics. I promise to read and keep up, even if I don't post some days. This blog is my lifeline to what the reat of the county is thinking.
Best to the whole bunch of you!

On Monday, almost every network (and most local stations) reported on a new study that shows that the drug Vytorin is no better than a placebo at lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events (including heart attack or stroke) or reducing aortic valve disease (including death related to heart failure).  Except NBC.  Nightly News did not even mention the Vytorin study.  The reasons are obvious.  Vytorin is a joint venture from Merck and Schering-Plough.  Together, those two companies represent a significant chunk of advertising revenue for NBC and the NBC Universal stations.  Merck makes such products as Fosamax, Pepcid, Propecia, Singulair, Zocor and Proscar.  Schering-Plough makes Levitra, Zetia, Afrin, Coppertone, Chlortrimeton, Claritin, Coricidin, Drixoral, Lotrimin and Nasonex.  How much advertising revenue do these two companies contribute to NBC?  A billion dollars a year?  More?  Obviously, NBC News wasn't about to jeopardize their relationship with Merck and Schering-Plough by reporting a negative story about Vytorin.

But on Tuesday, NBC was more than happy to report that Viagra (made by Pfizer) may relieve some female sexual problems caused when women take anti-depressants. Pfizer is a huge advertiser and sponsor for NBC News.  On June 9, Pfizer sponsored the entire broadcast of Nightly News, and they frequently sponsor segments of the broadcast.  It's obvious what's going on here.  Nightly News will gladly report stories that are beneficial to their heavy sponsors and advertisers.  But they make a concerted effort to ignore stories that are detrimental to their heavy advertisers.

I don't understand how any viewer can believe that NBC has the slightest bit of credibility when it comes to reporting on the pharmaceutical industry.  NBC's primary goal is making money, not reporting the news.  As such, the network makes decisions on what stories to report (and how to report them) based on the ad revenue of the stories' subjects.  I would strongly urge every Nightly News viewer to keep this in mind when watching the broadcast.

I am 68 Plus and my libdo is out of whack, so
fortunately I do not need Viagra, but pity my
poor husband as he got more than he bargained
for. Other women who have problems should not hesitate
to try Viagra because passion is the essence of
life.

Ann,
I saw the interview with Jeffery Immelt, CEO and
President of General Electric, and late this evening
I came across something interesting OnLine.  Anyway,
it was stated that Mr. Immelt replaced Jack Welch the
week after September 11.  THe 24 months after that
were NOT the fault of him or the company. I think
the writer got it right, and Mr. Immelt was
unfairly blamed.
Phyllis Kunz

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):