As you prepare for this evening's newscast, I might suggest a little less crisis-mode, and perhaps a little more "this is what is going to happen" mode.  We really aren't in the mood for "chicken little." Generally enjoy your newscast, even if the news is shortened by features..
I remember Yankee Stadium when it was renovated in the 1970's when I lived in NYC while working for your competitor on West 66th St.
cheers

Brian,
Hate to say it, but aren't you and those in your business at your salary level in part to blame for the way it is at the ol' ball game now? You can afford to sit in the air conditioned boxes....so provide the demand for those seats. You take your kids...causing a generation of offspring to expect those amenities and consider them normal. It's related to how we got in this financial mess....the expectation of luxury.
Am glad to see you posting the honest feelings of honest viewers.
Thank you.

Glad to know we are not the only ones crying about Yankee stadium.  

Are you and son heading over to get some seats and every and anything else they are selling?

Jackie, hope you are having fun!

Laurel, thanks for the links but I still don't understand the ice cream correlation.  Did I miss something on the link?

I thought I would link some humor from the New Yorker.

http://www.newyorker.com/humor

Bests to all in the most precarious time in US history!   Fasten your seat belts, the best is yet to come!

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Nice to see you this evening for the broadcast. First of all it is very sad to have Yankee Stadium torn down to build another new stadium. Yankee Stadium held such legendary memories for everyone who attended the games and was a huge fan of the team. It must have been extrememly moving to see all the legendery players come out onto the field. Fine, they are building a new stadium, but it will never be the same.
On another note it was very tragic the terror attack at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad,Pakistan. Such destruction and so many innocent lives lost.I think Ann Curry did a fantastic job covering the news of the attack over the weekend. She was very brave to get so close to the area where it happened. Thank You Ann for a great job! Stay Safe and Well!
Finally, I just want to mention there is a gas shortage going on here in Georgia and many stations do not have any gas for customers. Some stations do have gas and the lines can be very long. Yet, I mangaged to find one that had gas and was able to fill up the my car's gas tank. I was happy. And so were the people behind me waiting to use the pump when I was done. Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. 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! See You Soon on Nightly News! I hope you win lots of News Emmys Tonight!
XOXO  

Brian -

Glad someone else laments the loss of the game itself at the cost of corporate greed.

Joan

Brian,
The skit Saturday night live did on Todd Palin was wrong.  The Palin children should not be subjected to that, even if the point of the skit was to show  how out of touch the New Times reporters are with the rest of the country. In my view the Palin family is owed an apology.
Greg Danker

Brian -

Weren't we supposed to get most of our money back from the Iraq War via oil from Iraq?  We can kiss the trillion dollars goodbye once they go to the banks.  Do our leaders think we are that ignorant?

700 Billion Bail Out, well,I believe they must get Iraq to rebuild with the billions that are put away in our markets first,then free up what the tax payers are footing to rebuild, if not, then the US must take the producing oil refinerys revenues of that concord country to rebuild our markets...sounds fare

Brian,I would like you to ask one of your helpers what does this bail out do for us in forclosure.

Brian,I'm not a computer person but i don't know how to get in touch with you.I would like to know what the bail out will do for us in forclosure.thank you

I hate the Yankees as good as any resident in Red Sox Nation, but I must agree: tearing down Yankee Stadium is just EVIL.  

I still don't support the government bailout of the financial system and will not change my mind.  I am so passionate about this issue that the candidate to support this will NOT get my vote.  As it sounds like both Obama and McCain think this is a good idea, though they might support the details, I guess I will write myself in as my vote!  

I am guessing that Ann Curry's full interview with President Zardari will be found online?  I haven't had time to look but that's one I want to see!

I have yet to see the new $5 bill.  The $10 is OK; I don't use many $20s, but the penny?  I don't really "collect" coins, but I have collected each U.S. quarter, the golden dollar coins, the new nickle, and a $1 coin with JFK on it that my dad kept.  I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the new penny backs.  I'd much rather give a penny for Abe's thoughts on this economy!  

Hi everyone!  I'm supposed to bring RE's book back today and I totally forgot!  I've also got to finish reading it....

Brian, on tonights broadcast, the segment on taxes, The middle class was stated as those with less that 66,000 dollars annual income per Obama.  During his interveiw with the reverand in CA Obama stated rich was more than 250,000.  That leaves alot of ground between 66,000 and 250,000 dollars.  My household income is just north of 100,000 dollars a year, and is a figure that I beleive will be considered rich in a Obama presidency.  Just what does Obama's and McCains plan say for that income level.  I can tell you I am what I call the middle of middle class, and most certain do not consider myself rich and feel I pay to much in taxes already.  

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening. First of all the report by Ann Curry from Islamabad, Pakistan showed how terrorist groups can cause so much death and destruction with all these terrible attacks. It is not surprising a top taliban commander claimed responsibility for the attack and who was also linked to the assasination of Benazir Bhutto. Hearing President Zadari speak with Ann Curry after the attack proves he is really not capable on his own to go after these terror groups. Presumably, President Zadari stating they will stand and fight the terrorists, but has not really gone after any of them aggresively. Or at least the preceding government did not go after as aggresively as they should. Too many US Troops have been lost because of the fighting at the borders which are not patrolled well. So many lives lost in the attack over the weekend. Hopefully, someday these terror groups will not exist, but it takes a long time.
On another note as you stated only 43 more days to go until election day. I wish sometimes it would come sooner.
The report by Mr.Pete Williams about Henry Paulson was very interesting and it shows how much power this man has regarding the economy. The amount of $700 billion for the bailout is extremely staggering and one wonders if this will actually work. Judging from the description of him it seems he certainly is an intense individual and will persist greatly to work on problems. Time will tell if this plan will help the economy.
Finally, the report by Mr.Lewis about the changes to the penny. The four designs of the pennies were really nice from the log cabin, Lincoln as a young man, Lincoln as a legislator and the picture of the US Capital being built. Good choices by the artists. Another change to our precious US Currency.
Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Safe travels to Texas for Tuesday. 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! Again,I hope you win lots of News Emmys tonight!
XOXO  

Did not hear one word tonight about Palin having a crowd of 60,000 in Fla. If Obama had a crowd of 10,000 it would have been the top story. Did not hear a word about Kernall hacking into Palin's email. Had it been Obama, it would have been the second lead in story. NBC allowing SNL to do that skit Sat. night was a disgrace to all involved and if you had any decentcy, someone would apologise.

Mr. Williams.
A little less skewed on the politics would be nice. The piece on the tax plans for Obama and McCain was misleading. You did not show apples to apples but apples to oranges. You only discussed how Obama would decrease taxes for the middle class and increase corporate taxes. You did not show how corporate tax increase leads to fewer jobs and the cost of the increase in corporate tax being passed on to the consumer. If you looked at this objectively, you would see that you did not show McCain's whole plan -you only showed how he would cut taxes for the highest 1% never discussing what happens to the rest of the country and how maintaining corporate competition increases the US economy and gives us more money in our pockets in the long run. I had given you all the benefit of the doubt after the  convention scandal but it is obvious that you do not intend to be fair and unbiased. Sadly, NBC news has succumbed to the pressures of personal opinion and network bosses. Please start showing the complete story- otherwise it is no longer news-just commentary and I will no longer have a nightly news home.
Sincerely,
Amy Anderson

Greg Danker I took it more as a slap at the NYT. There's been so much garbage launched from New York at the Palins it's hard to be sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if the NYT hadn't already run with one of those nutroots rumors just as bad. The skit could have been funnier if the whole staff had decide to fly to Alaska. Then have the company jet hi-jacked and flown into the NYT building while some kook was scaling the outside trying to draw attention to global warming (himself really). Then cut away to Brain Williams at his news desk scrabbling to put on his flag pin. Camera fires up and he says "Today We're all...... ah hell even I can't sell this one to America" Then have Olberman trying to push Brain from his seat saying "I can sell it!! I can sell it!!"

I was truly amazed to see that your story on the new penny came between the pictures of Obama and McCain.  It made it look like you were comparing Obama with Lincoln.  Same poor start;  same stint in the Illinois legislature; maybe the presidency too.  How coincidental that your nightly newscast uses these tactics just to make a pitch for Obama.  I don't particularly like having Obama forced down my throat every night.  Yes McCain is a senior citizen, but so am I and I resent the way the media portrays those who are not young.  

Hey Brian,

I enjoyed the part tonite where you showed us examples of how our taxes would differ if Obama wins vs. if McCain wins.  I personally like the options Obama offers but what if all of the big Corporations that are no longer getting big tax breaks decide to relocate to other countries where the tax breaks are better, won't we be worse off in the long run?  I wish I had a crystal ball to see into the future~

It was cool all the old photos you showed from Yankee Stadium, and all the events that have been held there besides sports.  It's sad to see it go.

To Laurel, thanks for the RE links, I learned a lot about him, and that photo was great!  Does he ever take a bad picture?  I don't think so...

Bye ya'll~

During tonights broadcast, the presidential hopefulls positions on taxes were presented.  It was stated that those 66,000 dollars and less were considered the middle class.  During the interview Obama participated in with the reverend in CA he stated the you were rich if a person made more than 250,000.  That being said, where does the middle class end in Obama's tax plan.  The presentations made have left a very gray area which spans 190,000 dollars.  I consider myself to be the middle of the middle class and and have an income between the 2 numbers that have been presented.  During a future broadcst could you cover the tax plan for individuals presented by Obama and McCain in 100,000 to 150,000 dollar range.  The hot button issue for my vote is Taxes.  Who will lower my tax bill or raise it the least will earn my vote.  

I think you missed the real stories.
#1 Reported June? 2 hedge funds earn $20B betting on the collapse of the housing market. Who made the other $80B? Wouldn't it be something (crime)if some benefactors were/are connected to the imploding financial institutions?
#2 Aren't we (taxpayers)now buying the same junk paper the financial instutions just bought back so their management wouldn't go to jail for selling worthless instruments?
GO get'em tiger.

Red Sox fan here, however, where would the Red Sox be if not for the Yankees? Just another ho-hum team.

McCain good taste in cars!  A few too many for me but........

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/09/22/atlanta.gas.crunch/index.html

Lisa, sorry for the gas shortage!  Why was RE in Atlanta?

Bests to All!

Since we're talking baseball, the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine of the 1970's was the best modern day pre-steroid baseball team.

Rose, Griffey Sr., Morgan, Bench, Perez, Foster, Concepcion and Geronimo were outstanding. What a line-up.

The best team of the old-timers era was the Yankees  Murderer's Row. The 1920's, when people dressed up to see a ballgame and double headers were commonplace.

The best all-around player of all time. Henry Aaron, pure and simple. Take it to the bank.

What did Steve Leisman say?  It sounded like "we were close to 'bankalyzing' this country".  What was this mystery word????  I've listened to it several times and I still cannot determine what he said........  Can anyone help?

People from Canada are called Canadians.  Likewise for Mexicans, British, Iraqis, Japanese etc.  Yet Americans are constantly referred to as "The American People" by the media and legislature.  Why is that?  You sound silly!  We are Americans!  (and proud of it)

Brian-

Congratulations on NN's two Emmys. I was especially pleased to read Bob Bazell's "Wounds of War" won one. I thought that series he did was outstanding. Apparently the Emmy committee felt that way too! Congratulations Bob! Well deserved!

Laurel-- A million thanks for the link to Richard's presentation in Atlanta. I just spent the hour watching it and was pleased to hear some of the points I am interested in addressed. God bless the web! Lisa-- that must have been a really fascinating day! Lucky you!

Anna-- yes you did miss the Carvel reference. It was on the first page. BTW-- I was at the Met Museum the other day and found a great sale on a boxed set of all 6 Jane Austen novels in the museum store. The neat thing is the books are only 4 x 6 inches, with fairly large print. I have a one volume set of all her works but it is large, heavy and you need a magnifying glass to read it. I read her in bed at night, so the little light-weight books are a real treat. I am delighted -- and the box is permanently residing on the shelf of my night table! Happy escapism!

Hello to all the usual suspects and do take care--

Good points, the negative tax implications of Obama's proposal does risk doing even more damage by causing more job cuts, less expansion and an overall bad effect on our economy. As NBC has proven a definite allegiance to Obama and his liberal crowd, the network needs to start telling things in a more honest and upright tone.

Editor/Brian,
A good historic piece that you aired on the new penny; however, nowhere in the entire price did you mention how the penny is costing U.S. taxpayers more than a penny to make nowadays, and how the removal of the penny from circulation and from our monetary system would save taxpayers billions overe the coming years. Do we still have the half-cent? Of course not, but it is not worth anything anymore. Its production was stopped many years ago. Why continue making the penny? What a tremendous waste. The nickel should even be getting ready to go on the chopping block (and round everything to the quarter).

I feel most of the media are in the tank with Obama and sometimes feel like you have a little more class. I would like to see McCain be given the same respect you all give to Obama. The media has made this a black and white issue- age issue- and no one in the media has what it takes to speak the truth because of fear they will be call a racist. Brian I know you could address this so both sides are treated equally or does the network not allow you to do that?

Mr. Williams. In your reporting, one question has not been answered. Perhaps you or your people can find out. It has been proposed the government buys up the bad paper and debt and the taxpayers pay for it. I have listened carefully to the upside of this, which implies the government will sell off the debts and recoup their money, if not profit from it. That sounds wonderful. BUT. What about those who are footing the bill? The taxpayers? What's in it for us? Our so called contribution to this bailout --- is it returned to us with interest for the time the government needs it?

Brian Williams:  Your credibility is in question??  You state that the bail out is twice the cost of the Iraq war---NOT at all true!!  The Iraq war is costing something like three trillion dollars.  Check the facts!!!

Let me get something straight - Nightly News shows clips of Rep. Shays, Rep. Frank & Sen. Schumer (all democrats) and this is journalism? Pres. Bush (17 times) wanted legislation on his desk for reform of the finance industry. Congress stalled (who did and why?). Rep. Frank was on the take, Jamie Gorelick was on the take and you show clips only of the guilty parties trying to push the blame on somebody (anybody) else. Mr. Williams, you are too good an anchor to be buffaloed by the bias of the news media, so you must be complicit. This is a sad day.

I'd just like to weigh in on the whole bailout discussion.  My position will not be a popular one among certain classes.  I agree, to a certain degree, with what has happened to this point with Lehman, AIG, and others.  My disagreement comes with the bailout of the lending industry.  These institutions made loans and decisions with full knowledge of the risk involved and it was done to net a profit.  It is not the fault of the average taxpayer that their business practices were risky and produced the opposite effect.  Yet, if this bailout proposal passes, it is the average taxpayer that will foot the bill.  I can say for myself, I cannot easily afford to pay more than I am currently and I'm sure most Americans in households like mine where the combined annual income is below $100,000 cannot either.  I'm also reasonably certain, if the bailout passes, the ones that we see benefit will not be our neighbors that are being foreclosed on.  Rather, it will be those with millions at stake.  We all know history repeats itself, yet few are willing to learn from it.  I believe that those businesses and agencies that compromised their principles and business practices and made the loans, knowing they would not be repaid, should be the ones to bear the costs.  I am aware that the country would likely fall right into a recession.  But, I am also skeptical of the ability of the country to recover fully without having gone through the cycle.  If we take the position of continuing to bail out company after company and industry after industry, the cycle will not complete.  We will only continue to put out fires until we reach the point of recession - thereby throwing good money after bad.  I was wise enough not to get into a position with a mortgage that I could not afford.  Why should I have to pay the price for those who were not as cautious?

Experts say that the government's enormous plan to relieve Wall Street banks of their bad investments has a decent chance of stabilizing home prices, at least in theory. By buying troubled mortgage debt from major banks under the bailout plan, the government can help make more money available to borrowers - and hopefully at lower interest rates.

What is the real reason that the companies that made these “bad” loans and investments (and their high paid executives) cannot be held responsible?

Instead of buying the $700 billion in toxic assets clogging the financial system, why don’t we take that money and make it directly available to upstanding US Citizens at low interest to finance homes and business. These future “good” loans are a much better investment for the taxpayer. Let the stock price of bad of companies that made bad decisions drop like a rock. That is the basic principle of our free market economy.

Brian,
On tonight's broadcast, Sept. 23, 2008 regarding your interview with the president of Georgia, I found your style condescending and disrespectful. Just to remind you, you are just a journalist compared to someone in his position and yet he was the one who was respectful and engaging! Is it the American superiority complex that drive journalist like you to appear as if you can do his job? I would like to see how you would react and make decisions against the Russians when they are invading your country. I can't understand why any high ranking officials would want to be interviewed by you when you are so condescending and disrespectful. There is a way to ask difficult questions without the appearance of being arrogant! That you were, arrogant and disrespectful. He is the president of Georgia, if you don't respect him personally, his presidency requires and demands respect! His country was invaded and all you did was put him down with the manner you asked your questions.  Do Americans think that Georgia's problem with the Russians is exclusively their problem? Russians are very active in Venezuela and Bolivia, they are in our door steps and with the way you disrespected the President of Georgia, you gave the Russians more ammunition to be more aggressive! It was a real turn off. Thankfully there are other news stations I can watch instead of you!

Brian,

I am finding the current financial crisis confusing.  If you listen to what the news media, in general, are saying and what the two presidential candidates are saying, is that this current crisis is the fault of federal government.  However, the reality is that the banking, investment, insurance, and mortgage industries are more under the control of the state government economic policies and controls not the Federal Government.  It would be interesting to compare the color (red or blue) of the state governments for those states that are most impacted by this crisis.  This may provide some insight if the white house and congress should be blue or red to effectively deal with this crisis and restore use back to a healthier free enterprise economy.

It's time for the taxpayers to get a break instead of corporate America. Marc Conti's comment hit it on the head.

Brian,

When you have the opportunity, please ask the following question of each of the candidates.

How do you square your religious beliefs with the statements that you are making and that your campaign is distributing?

Honestly, I don't kow how they sleep at night.

Regards,

Ken

Bailout?  Is the government borrowing less than 36% of it's annual income? If not, they don't qualify for the loan either!  hehe

the georgian president is extremely intelligent something we are not used to, as is ahmenijad, if you actually listen to his words objectively and don't just cut and paste whatever few words you would like to take out of context, a rove tactic....

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