Dear Mr. Holt,

How are you today? :) Senator Kennedy not only endorsed my book Environmental Practices (now in its 8th edition) but also sent my emergency preparedness ideas to the Department of Homeland Security.  You probably can guess why I am writing you here at this critical time.  Here we are again, not more than three years after Hurricane Katrina with a major Hurricane now heading to the most densely populated off-shore oil center in the US and potentially to the Huston TX area... a city I'm told has far lower building codes for such events than FL.

In my work on this topic directly for over 10 years, I see a very direct need--as you know-- for MUCH larger, combined municipal/emergency centers with rooftop landing pads, lower-level accomodations for relief workers, ration-distribution areas, and vehicle bays able to hold semi-rigs and national guard trucks loaded with supplies.  I also call for newer military-derived armored and amphibious rescue vehicles able to go out and save people literally within the eye wall of a major hurricane.  This is simply what I do and my unique perspective has allowed me to see potential solutions that most either do not or don't feel the need for.  I call for major heavy and medium lift helicopters to be purchased on a civilian level... not just small Coast Guard choppers that are barely able to rescue four to ten people from a stricken fishing yacht.  I call for dedicated disaster relief aircraft carriers and civilian homes with eight bunk beds in a private room able to handle the influx of evacuees or displaced residents who've lost their homes (along the notion that we all need to be 'our brother's keeper').  My homes are ultra efficient with work-at-home shops and offices, not just for the environment, but for energy crisis's and disasters that leave us without power.  

I ask you to PLEASE, take a fair and honest evaluation of this material to help people prepare and cope for what is happening all too often.  These are concrete ideas that may help this nation cope with ever increasing disasters compared to the less than half-hearted efforts during Katrina!!

The sky may not always be falling but Katrina and Rita sure showed it can spin awfully damn fast!

Sincerely,
Christopher Eldridge
August 30th, 2008  

I saw earlier today that the FEMA director passed along incorrect information regarding the force of the hurricane.  Luckily, it appears he erred on the side of caution, saying it was a category 5, before the National Hurricane Center corrected him, saying the system (for now) remained a category 4 storm.

At the same time, these sorts of crossed communications among government agencies are somewhat disheartening as everyone braces themselves and prays to avoid a repeat of Katrina.

Dear Lester,

Thank you so much to Ron Mott and NBC for last night's update on Hurricane Katrina victims.  I remember very well that little boy whom Campbell Brown originally interviewed.  He is wise beyond his years.  It looks like Louisiana and Mississippi may be devastated again.  How tragic, after all the rebuilding they've attempted thus far.

I watched Maria Bartiromo's profile of Governor Palin on CNBC, as Brian recommended.  I'm sorry to say it came off as nothing more than a fluff piece.  I realize the governor had not yet been pronounced the VP candidate at the time the interview was conducted, but where was the critical eye?  I found nothing particularly revelatory; instead, we were treated to an hour-long mantra on how hardworking and patriotic Ms. Palin's family is, and on her belief that we can drill ANWaR, and still be environmentally responsible.  What about any of that constitutes news?

See you at 6:30.  I hope you're not truncated by sports!

Many X's and O's to Lisa, Jackie (You go, girl!), Stephanie, Celine, Claudia, Anna, and Matt.  

Lester,

Have a VERY safe trip down there.  Hopefully, this will be a different experience than that of 3 years ago.

Lester, Don and the rest of the NBC family. Thank you for your Hurricane updates and please be safe.
I am glad to see that New Orleans and FEMA has got it's act together this time around. I am just sorry those people where ever they are have to go through this again.  

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A fine broadcast this evening. First of all Hurricane Gustav appears to be a massive storm and seeing it head towards very warm waters is not good news for the Gulf Coast. The report by Mr.Potter showed the evacuation process is going well and all the people getting on the buses and trains heading away from the storms path will be safe and sound. The traffic on the highways looked jammed packed, but at least people are getting a head start and will be out of harms way. I agree with one resident saying one can't do much by staying because one cannot control mother nature. It is good businesses are closing early and the supplies are getting to the region.
The report by Mr.Morrow from the Weather Channel really stated that Monday would be the day Hurricane Gustav would make landfall and hearing that it could stall does bring to mind major flooding. I really hope the levees hold strong to the storm.
The report by Mr.Teague did show residents do feel better about the effort made by the officials because the preparations are much more coordinated.
I hope everything and everyone is okay after the storm passes.
On another note this approaching storm will have an effect on the Republican National Convention. I do agree with Senator McCain that having a celebration while the Gulf Coast is battered by a storm would not be appropriate. I'm sure both parties are watching intently to this storm.
Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Holt. See you on Sunday for Weekend Today. Peace to you and to all!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always! Almost your Birthday Stephanie! Woo!Hoo!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! I miss you! I hope you have a report soon!
XOXO

Am happy to hear the city of New Orleans is well prepared for the hurricane so we don't have to hear from NBC for three years what a bad job Fema did three years ago. It was so nice hearing from the people of Alaska about what a great person Ms. Palin is. Any good news on the nightly news, is indeed a pleasure!!!

I have never been so excited about a Vice President in my life. Sarah Palin is amazing, and is a lot better then Hilary Clinton will ever be. Finally a woman in politics who is NOT a feminist and knows what her role as a woman is..

McCain-Palin 08= Amazing!

Lester, I watched the report today about how
switching from an SUV to a car may be more costly to a consumer. I am afraid this report was very misleading and included false savings calculations.  The report relied primarily on a comparison between the amount of the loss on the sale of the SUV and added that to the cost of the Honda to calculate these estimates. However, the loss has occurred not because of the sale of the SUV but rather based on the SUV's depreciation. In other words, whether she sells the SUV or not, the loss has already occurred. Therefore, adding the loss to the cost of the new Honda does not increase the cost of the Honda.  As a result, the consumer saves by buying a Honda since he or she saves in gas mileage and the Honda still has lower future rate of depreciation than the SUV.  

Moreover, even the cost of the Honda is irrelevant. What if instead of buying a Honda, the consumer instead buys a $100,000 car that has also the same gas mileage as the Honda. If $100,000 is the true value of the car and the car has a much lower depreciation cost than the SUV, the gas savings will still be there.  

With the knowledge learned from Katrina there is still going to be peopling unaware. Keesler AB in Mississippi is not allowing people to evacuate. To add to the trouble these service members are not trained to ride out 100+mph storms in regular office buildings. Now to top it off the base is being opened to the public for safety. If you remember Keesler after Katrina; will there be one after this Gastauv? There New Commanding Officer should be immediately relieved of his duties. This could be the new American tragedy. I have friends there now and they feel the new command has decided certian death for their families, the community and themselves.  why it's this news?

Why do you bother with blogs when the only ones you print are full of a bunch of fluff for NBC. Maybe if you would read and display negative remarks, others would realize how bias and un-newsworthy nbc really is and get news from others who are fair. What was the purpose of reporting that clip about Sarah Palin coming in second to some un-known singer in her beauty contest? Is that all the gossip/negative news you could find??? Sad, sad, and more sad

Why do you bother with blogs when the only ones you print are full of a bunch of fluff for NBC. Maybe if you would read and display negative remarks, others would realize how bias and un-newsworthy nbc really is and get news from others who are fair. What was the purpose of reporting that clip about Sarah Palin coming in second to some un-known singer in her beauty contest? Is that all the gossip/negative news you could find??? Sad, sad, and more sad

Hello Lester

Regarding the selection of Gov.Sarah Palin, I looked at her listing on Wikipedia on Friday and saw that her "Religion" was listed as Assemblies of God.  (A fellowship, not a denomination, in their terms.)  This is a church where "speaking in tongues" has not been uncommon. That's her business.

Today, I looked at the same Wikipedia link, and her Religion had been changed.  This time it only says "Christian" with no explanation for the change.

She can worship any way she wants, but with all the examination of Mormon church on the chance that Gov. Romney might have been the candidate, what's with the sudden shift away from Assemblies of God for Gov. Palin?

Did someone think that takling about her church's practices would be distracting, so they made a quiet substitution?  Was it done by a McCain operative?  I know Wikipedia can be updated or modified easily. The question is was it done for someone's version of accuracy or for tactical political motives?

I'm not writing to have this published - as much as I am so someone at NBC News is aware of this little item.  Could it be the tip of an iceberg?  

There is absolutely to much going on in the news cycle Lester.Obama's speech would still be run if not for all the other things happening right now.I saw K. Olbermann on Friday with Michael Moore,when he said theres definately a G-D in heaven that a Katrina-like event might occur during the republican convention.He came off kind of unsavory,I know what his meaning was, but I'm sure it was misunderstood.I just watched an underground video about how 911 was really done,if only one item in the expose was true,then the powers that be have committed unimaginable crimes in the name of big oil.Our electorate is so poorly informed,not because of the media,but peoples understanding that if the mistakes of our past are not learned from and corrected our democracy is surely in peril.Gov.Palin is just the opposite of what senator Clinton represents,why McCain thinks the PUMA's will vote for him because of her is beyond me.I'd give up my first social security disability check,in 3 yrs.if I'm lucky,to here what Tim Russert would say about the Governess.I truely miss his vivacious commentary,and fair and thoughtful insight.I must comment on the coverage of Stephanie Tubbs-Jones memmorial service,Lester you probably had the pleasure of talking with or meeting her.On C-span President & Senator Clinton paid their respects with great love & sorrow,you want the measure of peoples inner most being.Take a look at them at a time of sorrow or the loss of a close friend or loved one.See how their loss takes away that thin layer of vanier of superficiallity.You can say all you want about the Clinton's but you know they have heart. lastly I want to give Chris Matthews my personal condolences,with Tim,Tony Snow and Stephanie he's had a few friends leave this world suddenly and I know he feels it.And Chris I know Stephanie would want you to run for US Senate.I hate to think that a storm named Gustav,and it's outcome will decide who will be elected President in Nov. Not an act of terrorism but an act of G-D.

It seems Mother Nature takes no prisoners
and all the people in New Orleans will be
in my prayers and you also as you leave for
New Orleans after the Broadcast.

Phyllis Kunz

I've been watching the media coverage of the election this year and I must say I am convinced that equal or fair coverage is not being given to the Republican Party. Why would you ask if Cindy McCain is slamming Michelle Obama by saying she is proud of her country? Why wouldn't you shame Michelle Obama for saying she isn't? The liberal media is turning my stomach. John McCain is a good man and his running mate Sarah McCain is a breath of fresh air. Truthfully, it comes down to this. They are ALL just talk until they are elected and proved themselves. I believe Obama will move this country to a socialist society. I am voting for McCain. Wake up America, your choice is good change or bad. I'm voting for what I feel is the good.

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