I would like your staff to research the number of athletes representing other countries who were educated in, trained by, and competed for American Universities?  Then they compete and win medals for their homeland.
I think your viewers would be interested.  Another example of how grest this country is!  It is American diplomacy at it's finest!  

Good day Mr. Brian!
This is the night in Moscow hot weather
moon is like bleu dique
http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/38/yspenka527.2c/0_17ccd_b2a3cd3e_L.jpg

I am really always glad to see your eyes
its pretty amasing to have opportunity for discussion
with journalists.

Best wishes to you

Helen

Hi Brian I'm blogging from Cape May N.J.
I'm so tired of waiting on Obama. Good news is my daughter an Obama supporter is on the list for that text  message of who he picked. Now it wouldn't do me any good as I have no idea how to text or even read that stuff the kids send on my cell phone they gave me.

I was proud of the Americans who won gold medals and proud of those to tried.

see you at 6:30

Best as always to my friends Lisa, Laurel, Stephanie, Claudia, Celine, Anna and Matt

Brian,
   Why have you & the rest of the major national media "dodged" the following story? Is journalism dead at NBC?

Deception on infant protection bill haunts Obama
Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 8/22/2008 6:00:00 AM
Barack Obama continues to be dogged by claims that he is misleading people about his past opposition to a bill in the Illinois legislature protecting babies who survived late-term abortions.

New audio reveals that while arguing against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) in the Illinois Senate in 2002, state lawmaker Obama suggested two doctors tending to a baby who survived a botched abortion would be too much of a burden to the child's mother.

"And that essentially adding an additional doctor -- who then has to be called in an emergency situation to come in and make these assessments -- is really designed simply to burden the original decision of the woman and the physician to induce labor and perform an abortion," he stated.

Jill Stanek is an Illinois pro-life activist and columnist who has written extensively about Obama's record on abortion. She says the Democratic presidential hopeful "definitely does not have one iota of concern" for the baby.

"He only cares about the doctors, making sure they get enough sleep -- and the mom, making sure that even though her pregnancy is terminated, that she can have the dead baby that she wanted," says Stanek. "So that's apparently his goal with abortion."



Obama has claimed that he opposed the Illinois infant protection bill because it threatened Roe v. Wade and that he would have supported it if it had included language identical to the federal bill. However, the bill did contain language identical to the federal measure -- and Obama still opposed it.

Last week the pro-life group National Right to Life produced legislative records it claimed proved Obama had "blatantly misrepresented" his opposition to BAIPA. After Senator Obama returned from his Hawaiian vacation, his campaign finally admitted the two bills contained identical language.

Stanek says Obama owes her and National Right to Life an apology for accusing them of lying about his record. "He misrepresented for four years the fact that he had voted the way that he did," she says. "As recently as Saturday night, he was denying that what was true was true."

Columnist Brian Fitzpatrick notes that major media outlets have virtually ignored the fact that the Obama campaign admitted he has misled the public on the matter since 2004.

Barack Obama pretty knows how to manipulate the media. It's now Saturday morning (00:05 am) in my country and Obama didn't announced his VP pick. He is keeping the excitement pretty high. It's getting now pretty boring in the process. Barack Obama can manipulate the media better than a John McCain. Who's now the professional politician - Obama or McCain?

Looking forward to the broadcast.

Brian,

Well, I guess there's not much time to enjoy your own bed, comfy and HOME.  At the end of this week, isn't it weird to think that just two days ago, you were in a different country?  a different culture?  and now, you're "home"?  Travel is kind of weird like that.

Continued successful travels and one of these days, you may get that long awaited sleep in your own bed.  Be safe and have a great weekend.  (I hope you get your time clock back.)

Hi Brian:

It was good to see you on Larry King promotioning "Stand Up to Cancer."  It's on my calendar.

You asked Larry to answer telephones and he agreed.  Any luck getting Richard Engel and David Gregory to answer the phones?   You may attract a younger audience.    

Friday bests to all!

Hi Brian,

Equestrian events coverage was pretty lame.  With so many riders and horse enthusiasts out there, would it be possible to cover these activities and profile some riders and their horses?  I found the coverage exceptionally disappointing.  No real continuity to it and certainly not front and center.  NBC did a great job on swimming, beach volleyball, etc. though.  

I wish most people could appreciate how much work and sweat it takes to get a horse to Beijing or any world competition.  Thanks for allowing me to vent.  

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Great broadcast this evening! You have certainly travelled alot this week and now it is off to Denver. My goodness! I hope you can get some real res between all the coverage. You are doing a fine job! Now on to the broadcast. First of all it is always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast! Wearing a great blue shirt! Always handsome! I saw him on the Today Show this morning and now on Nightly News! Yeah! Richard's report about the age of the Chinese gymnasts really calls to question how old these gymnasts. The one gymnast featured who was posing for pictures with her teammates really does not look the age of 16years old. In Richard's report it was stated that in 2005-2007 she was born in 1994 which would make her only 14years old. The same on the 2006 roster, now last week the information was taken off the website. It is suspicious and the International Gymnastics Federation should look at the documents because everyone should play by the rules. Time will tell what will happen. Another great report Richard! Stay Safe and Well!
On another note the report by Mr.Yang concerning the target date for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq shows some promise. It has been a very long 5 1/2 years and it is good to hear that perhaps combat troops might be withdrawing by next summer and may more troops out in 2011. President Bush seems less resistant now to a "target date" so to speak and maybe after his hour long conversation with Prime Minister Maliki things might change for the better. If improving security continues and the people of the region feel safer then progress is being made. It was nice to see people outside and even painting. Hopefully, peace will become the norm.
The report by Mr.Sanders from Florida on Tropical Storm Fay showed just how incredible the amounts of rain have been poured onto this State. Hearing that 33" of rain have fallen at around 3" an hour is staggering numbers. This storm seems to be moving back and forth over Florida and dumping more and more rain. Then is goes to the Panhandle of Florida and on toward Louisiana. It would be nice to have some of this rain for Lake Lanier here in the northern part of Georgia. It is really needed!
Also, that freight train fire in Luther, Oklahoma was frightening and looked like a bomb went off. I have never seen such a huge fire and I'm sure the heat was extremely intense. Good to know the conductor got out okay.
The report by Mr.Holt on the United State  Synchronized Swim Team exhibits how hard those woman have to work to make those routines look great. The drills, practice on the mat and treading water for long periods of practice certainly shows these woman are amazing athletes. Great job Ladies!
Your report on Tony Perkins working at CCTV was really nice. He has made quite an impression on that station. So many viewers!
Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Now off to Denver! Finding out who Senator Obama will choose for his running mate.
Always wonderful to see you Richard! Great reporting as always!
Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! Great Reporting! Always Handsome!
XOXO

Brian, the fact that you wrote anything at all tonight tells me two things: one, this blog means that much to you and the team, and two, I hope you get to use your frequent flier miles ON YOURSELF for PERSONAL pursuits!  

Congrats to Sen. Obama for keeping the veep choice quiet!  There are such true surprises in life, and this will be one of them.  Note to Jackie: you go right along and hope and wait for Hilary's announcement.  Without hope, where would we be?  (I am personally hoping he'll choose Michael Phelps!  lol)

Shame on China if they have violated the child Olympic rules.  If they have violated the rules, does that mean their medals are taken away?

Any date for a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq - even if it is a goal and not solid - is a good sign.  Mr. Bush may not want to talk about it, but the fact that he is sends a good message to me, this being a president who doesn't change his mind (at least in public) no matter what, nor does he admit he might have made a mistake (at least in public).  You can't work to the ending if you don't know where the end is.  At least you can move a date once you have a date.  The fact that a date is now spoken this close to Bush's presidency's end isn't lost on him, nor is the timing in the election.  

Side bar on the airline discussion of yesterday: my pilot brother-in-law (Continental organization) has been informed he's being furloughed in October.  Obviously this is devastating news to he and my sister, and no less reassuring to her family here in Maine.  

and, last but not least... adding to lnp's comment about elmo's comment: without us die hard regulars, the blog would not be nearly as informative, entertaining, or educational.  We all add something to the "news of the day" as selected by the NBC team, whether we approve or don't approve of the selection, the order, or something else.  This blog has turned out, at least to me, to be a pulse on America's heartbeat because we each come from so many walks of life, and by our posts, we let each other know that we come from many different backgrounds and nationalities.  It's what makes America so rich and bountiful, and I am grateful to be but a small part of this daily conversation.  Not only do we get insight in to what Americans are thinking, but we have a few regulars from other countries who post here too.  It's wonderful!  It's why I choose to be a regular.  

What did you mean when you said "all is forgiven" to Lester Holt in the broadcast tonight?

Good to see the broadcast tonight!

I hope the gymnast age issue clears up for the ladies team.  Our women have worked to hard and fairly.  Personally, I hate a cheater!

As far as the piece on CCTV, I have watched their broadcasts traveling around America.   My cable programming does not carry the channel.  I affectionately call it Chamber of Commerce TV (CCTV).

Everything is wonderful in China.  The economy is great, smog is great, business is booming, the children are well and the sex life is amazing for all Chinese.  Let's just say CCTV is a little thick!

Stephanie, I will ditto your comments.   So intelligent Americans want to send good cheer to each other and not be Debbie Downers and Sad Sams.  Who is that hurting?  

Weekend bests to all!

The great thing about the built-up suspense is that the news networks (MSNBC, CNN, Fox News) will get high ratings tonight and tomorrow morning.

Now finally I can go to bed (it's now 3:45 am, Saturday) and can watch the announcement on the afternoon (German time).

Brian--could you please offer a clarification about your Thursday blog, in which you repeatedly praise the virtues of United Airlines?  Were you rewarding United for all the ad dollars they've paid to NBC over the years, or were you simply making a pitch for their future ad dollars?  Did United pay you for what you wrote about them, or give you any other type of compensation?  It's a fair question, and I'd appreciate an answer.

I would NEVER give my cell phone # to a political campaign.  That would be the same as giving it to a telemarketer.  Now they have permission to drive you nuts.  Hopefully they will tell you to punch 4 to opt out of future messages.

"They said they would rather be outlaws a year in Sherwood Forest than President of the United States forever."   The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Was it me or did the segment on Greece actually show a topless woman's breast?

I can't believe how much of barak's speech was read or summarized live.  It appeared that Keith was going to just give the whole speech.  And then the other idiots started summarizing it which is no better.

Talk about it all you want. Read the whole thing on air. BUT after Barak gives HIS speech for the first time.

I am sure it was not released early for them to do this.

It ruins the initial impact of Barak giving it!

They reduced the potential impact of his speech!  It looked very unprofessional.

Can't believe they couldn't find something else to discuss before hand.

I believe Keith and MSNBC needs to publicly apologize to Barak Obama, the Democratic Party, and the American People.

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