He didn't say, so I will--Brian will be on The Daily Show tonight. Should be fun, as it always is when he and Jon Stewart mix it up!

Anna--me thinks you are a--as my mother used to say about me--water rat! Snorkeling in St. John, swimming and diving your favorite Olympic sports. The evidence is mounting up! Did you enjoy your vacation?

Hello regulars all--

Dear Brian,

Enjoy your few days home in NYC!  I look forward to seeing you tonight on The Daily Show.  

I see that your Yankees have acquired Pudge Rodriguez, and that Griffey, Jr. is going to the ChiSox.  I wish the Orioles could lure a marquee player.  It just hasn't been the same since Cal retired.  My true wish is that A-Rod, Griffey, Jr., and The Big Unit would all return to Seattle, and lead the Mariners to a world championship.  I can dream.  Anyway, my focus this weekend will be on Canton, Ohio, and this year's class in the Hall of Fame.  Two very deserving inductees enter this year - former Redskins Darrell Green and Art Monk, both class acts.

To Jackie:  I'm glad your house is okay, after Tuesday's earthquake.  Contessa Brewer interviewed a woman from Riverside, and I thought of you.

And Matt:  My sister and her family are in San Diego County.  She and my niece "napped" through the earthquake (napping at noontime?!) but my brother-in-law was at work, and he felt it.

Finally, is it just me, or does anyone else want to adopt that whopper of a 44 lb. "stray" cat from New Jersey?!  What a cutie!  And the latest report is that his owner turned him loose when her house was foreclosed upon.  

Sending lots of love to Georgia, California, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Parts Unknown (welcome back, girl!), and California Again!  XOXO

And helloooooooooooooooooo Beijing!  

Hi Brian,

As long as we are discussing the pronunciation of states, here's another one to add to the list!  
Pronunciation of Oregon:  it's Oregon not Or E Gon.
Thank you Brian for all your hardwork.  Glad to have you back at the desk.  

PS  I know that you know how to say that state so it's more for the rest of the world.  

Mr. Williams,
You just went to a commercial and there are only 8 minutes left in your news cast. Not a word yet on the decision of Judge Bates regarding the Miers and Bolton and Rove subpoena to appear before Congress. We really need a hard-working press, Mr. Williams. As President Bush once said, when his approval rating was near 70%, "you're either with us, or you're against us." Which are you NBC?

Hi Brian. Welcome home (if even briefly).
I saw the story this evening about Exxon-Mobil's record profits. I feel dumb because I don't understand- if the cost of "raw materials" (crude oil) is going up for oil companies, how can they be making so much money?  They claim they are just "passing on the higher costs" to us...but that should be a net of zero? Right?  Maybe someone could explain that to us "business 101" types?
Thanks!
 -Rick

The president is in Maine visiting his parents and siblings.  Anyone want to join the circus up here?  Protesters will be everywhere in Kennebunkport, and driving the locals nuts.  The president isn't expected to make any public appearances so the protesters will be protesting... to the locals.  Naturally, the local media is making a big deal of it, as it could be the last time he comes here as president.  I went to  K'port when I was a teenager when #41 was president.  The place was a zoo!  I know locals will be pleased once the spotlight goes away... again.  

Awesome story for anyone's 91st birthday.  That's cool!  And who said the president was out of touch... (toothy smile)

Women serving in the military deserve respect: meaning the military should be taking accusations of harassment and rape need to be taken seriously.  Why do the men in the ranks think they can get away with this?  Because they can - and do.  The Army should be ashamed of itself.  This is just as important as integration of the forces.  

Glad your team is taking time to get its bearings.  They are to be commended for making it look as if sitting (or standing) in front of the camera every night is easy, Brian.  Kudos to them, and hope they get enough rest for China!

to continue on with lnp's earlier post: Manny Ramirez has been traded to the LA Dodges.  This member of Red Sox nation says:  GOOD RIDDANCE!  He might be a good baseball player, but he's got to learn to keep his mouth shut and JUST play ball!  At least he'll be in L.A. where lots of the high and mighty of Hollywood hang out.  His opinions should fit in better there!

I am so pleased to read that Luke Russert will do youth reporting for the conventions.  I still feel that NBC should put him in his dad's place on Meet the Press.  This would be a tribute to Tim and an honor for Luke to continue his dad's reporting.  What do you say NBC?  Prove yourself in this most honorable decision and I know Luke would be proud to take over.  

Did anybody notice the announcement of the new "youth reporter" for NBC/MSNBC? What an excellent idea. To top it off, they named someone that we're all now familiar with. If you watched Meet the Press you've heard his name mentioned a time or two. OK OK, I'll quit teasing, it's Luke Russert. It's almost an I told you so.. I remember many many blog comments hoping that, given how remarkable he was when his father passed that he would consider a career in broadcasting. I wish you all the best Luke. (Brian, you be just as firm with him as you would any cub.. he expects it, and so would his Dad)

Laurel, that's the neatest way of saying hello any of us have ever come up with..

SO sorry for you Brian as you were very nice till you got into ben with Abana, so a lot of us will not watch you any more, by

Dear Brian:

I generally love your broadcast, but on your report today on Exxon Mobile's record quarterly profits, it would have been fairer if the report included the amount of taxes paid by Exxon Mobile.  If you add together the Company's federal income taxes, sales taxes and international taxes paid in this same quarter they reported the 11.6+ billion in net income, you would find they paid in excess of $30 billion in taxes, nearly 3 times their net income.  If that information was also provided to the everyday people interviewed for the piece, and if they were also told that the Company's profits were less than 10% of their total quarterly revenues, then maybe the reactions wouldn't have been so negative.  At least the American public would have had a more complete picture and context for the reported record numbers. It's easy to make the oil companies look to be the bad guys in this current market.  It's seems the networks find it harder to at least be fair in how they present it.  Please know that I do not directly own any Exxon Mobile stock or any other oil company, unless they are part of any pension fund investments of my employer or of any holdings in mutual funds I own (and I don't know because I don't own any oil industry specific funds).  Thanks for reading.
Steve Schoeneman

@ Celine:

You are too much!    We got back from a joyful, blissful happy vacation complete with 4 happy nights at the Westin in St. John and 4 happy nights at the Ritz in St. Thomas.   Life was great!
   
We flew home Sunday.   Later that night I started hearing strange noices coming from my attic.  

(Note to the blog ladies:  Husband snoring and denied hearing anything.  Tells wife she is hearing things.  Thinks wife is nuts. Advised me sex would take away all the attic noises. (That was a long short!) Husband thinks he needs to call AC man in the morning.)  

About 3 AM after demanding a check by husband, he soon learned that RATS had made a nest in the attic while we were on vacation.  

If you really knew me you would know I am a neat and cleanliness guru.     I should be selling mops and some cleaning products on QVC right along side Billy Mays.  

Just mentioning the word RAT (ie: water rat) seems ironic.    And, yes, I love the sea!   I feel happy and peaceful in the ocean.   There is nothing more wonderful than to see a large tuna or grouper, a shark, a dolphin, an otter, a sea turtle or a sea lion up close and personal.    The experiences have been both thrilling and remarkable.

@ Brian:  You commented previously that we all have motherly thoughts toward Richard.  Let me give you some sisterly advice.  Please rest up.   Since your trips abroad, the death of Tim and the illness of your Dad you have been running yourself like crazy.  Please get some rest this weekend before your trip to China and take care of yourself.  Listen to Mrs. W.

Bests to all including Terry my exterminator!    

Hey Brian Williams...when will you read off some newsvine questions and where do we send them to is it nightly@nbcuni.com???? I don't know

Good Evening Mr.Williams, I hope this gets posted. I have made alot of posts about Richard in the past several days and I just hope the rest of them came through to you. And get posted. Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast this evening! Wearing a beautiful blue shirt again! Richard's report about the no access to websites for foreign journalists shows how China is making alot of restrictions during these Olympic games. So many journalists covering the games and to have a firewall to the internet for them can be a problem. Although the journalist Richard was sitting with seemed to get around the code and be able to access websites. He just changed to setting and it worked for him. Richard asked if maybe the journalists were whining alittle and the man basically stated they were to a point. The restrictions Richard mentioned about no pajamas, no white socks with black shoes, only three colors to be worn really exhibits how China wants to have the world see them in the best light. Which I can understand fully. Some of the rules appear to be more like basic common sense, yet they still want to make sure everyone looks good. The hostesses want you to really feel welcome. Great report as always Richard!! Always Stay Safe! Careful of the air Richard! Breathe Safe!
On another note the report showing violence is down ion Iraq is really good news. Yet even with only a small number of soldiers lost it is still too many. God Bless all our brave troops. And hearing the tours of duty are going to be shortened to 12 months seems to be good news too. Hopefully, all can return home soon.
The report by Mr.Bazell about the pill that mimics exercise seems unbelievable. As Mr.Bazell said it needs to be tested in people before any real results can be made.
Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Wonderful to see you Richard! Stay Safe Always! Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe Richard!
Anna-As you might recall Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games in 1996. I have alot of memories of seeing certain events. And many Olympic pins! For me especially it was Women's Team Gymnastics.
XOXO

Brian, how can we get the message across to Obama and McCain that we want discussion of the pressing issues facing our country, not personal attacks and nonsense rhetoric?  The situation is disgusting and discouraging.  

Brian,
I nearly chocked on my macaroni and cheese when I heard you report the quarterly profits for Exxon Mobil tonight - nearly 12 BILLION dollars?  Incredible!  Meanwhile, the rest of us anxiously watch our dwindling pennies!

Thanks to Mark Potter for spotlighting ways to prevent melanoma.  A survivor for 10 years now, I am especially mindful that a good dermatologist can make all the difference!  Prayers for a full recovery go to George Lewis, I hope that he has a lovely time dancing at his daughter's upcoming wedding.

Last, a word of thanks to all the people of NBC News and NBC Sports who are about to embark on the coverage of these Olympic games from Beijing.  Few people realize the countless hours of planning, research and effort that go into broadcasting an event like this.  To you and your team, thanks in advance for the work you will do to bring us all the news each day from China.  

Mr. Williams,

As long as we are bringing up pronunciations, back last year during the California fires, you did a segment in Rancho Bernardo and Poway. You pronounced Poway as Po-way. It is in fact, POW-ay, like the sound effects of the old batman shows. I can guarantee you that the pronunciation is never up for debate amongst locals. I have always wanted to bring that up to you, especially after your Nevada crisis. And a side note, us locals are called Powegians (POW-ee-jins). With that said, I bet the idea of the names of some areas around Beijing must keep you up at night.

Dear Brian,
Thanks so much to you and Andrea Mitchell for tonight's segment on  McCain's negative and untruthful ad campaign. My wife and I saw earlier in the day how on MSNBC Andrea tried to get McCain campaign co-manager Rick Davis to admit that he was helping his candidate turn away from his promise to run a respectable campaign based on the issues.

Hi Brian
I'm glad Luke will be covering the convention his Dad would be proud.

Nice to hear there's water on Mars, now let's hope Mars doesn't invite Earth look what we've done hear on Earth. Yes those little green men.  Now I believe their are other life forms as God has all this space.

It all makes since now as to why the rush to impeach Bill Clinton for having an affair. In 1998 gas was 1.27 per gallon. In comes the Texas oil companies and the Middle East Leaders. Jeb Bush said he gave his brother Florida and we thought that was funny. He knew Bush/Cheney had to get in office by any means necessary. To much investment had been put in the plan. Oil Companies would get richer and the plan was to rob Iraq of their oil. Bush said when the US controlled Iraq the US oil would be cheap. Alot of people played a part in the scam and others got kick backs. Now one Quarter left and the shareholders want as much as they can get before the scam is over.

Now to that Obama/McCain attacks. We have serious problems and we need a serious person to hand them. Now the childish jealousy ads and race card comments do nothing to help with our problems. Now that we know there might be life on other planets I hope their not having this race problem. Now let's think about America. Obama knows his roots most people don't. Obama is some ways is America, a white Mother and Black Father. Looks like he's America rolled in to one person.

Now to think that Senator Stevens is the only Law Maker lying and committing crimes using his position is just crazy. Speaker Pelosi has more proof to Impeach Bush then we had against Nixon but she just wants to pray for him. Now I know every criminal in jail wish Pelosi was their Judge, the jails would be empty but their be alot of people praying.

Brian I couldn't stop laughing when the White House said the DOJ officials who lied cheated and broke the law, because they didn't have adult supervision. With that as an answer it shows why this country is in the trouble we're in.

I really didn't know Black people could tan until my daughter took me to Hawaii.

I heard about the attacks on female soldiers in 2003 so this is old news. That was one of the reasons I prayed almost every minute of the day as that was my biggest fear. God listened and protected my daughter and I feel blessed.

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

I just saw you Brian in The Daily Show. I can't stop laughing and I love watching you makes jokes and say Jersey. Yes Brian Middletown is good but Asbury is great smile.

I dare you to report the taxes Exxon/Mobil paid last quarter. You could also include the income taxes paid by their employees.
TALK TO DEMOCRATS
IN LANGUAGE THEY
UNDERSTAND..... DRILL OR DIE!!

Brian and Steve Capus -

I was so pleased to see the announcement that Luke Russert will continue in the family tradition and become an NBC correspondent.

Anyone who saw him during the darkest days of his young life could tell that this young man is mature beyond his years - probably because he was home-schooled in politics and the media by one of best in the business.

Now that there will still be a Russert on NBC, please ask Brokaw to consider staying longer as the Meet the Press host - OK?

Joan

I notice the emphasis of 'big profits for the oil companies[Exxon]' but you neglect to mention as a percentage of its income, the profit is only 8 percent, where profits made by many other types of companies and the US government tax on gas is twice that. How selective of you to just report a big number. Its a very big company.

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