Good evening Brian,

I hope you and your family, and everyone at NBC, had a great Thanksgiving yesterday.

The attacks happening in Mumbai is frightening and horrible. I don't understand why these gunmen want to take innocent people's lives for? I'm glad that you're thinking about them. I'm too.

Take care

While I won't be around to see the broadcast, I am shaking in fury over the MSNBC story about the Wal-Mart employee trampled to death in Manhattan.  If I start carrying on about the evils of commercialism in Christmas, that this is beyond unconscionable to me, I will not get on my soap box.  Few stories shock me these days, but this one did.

I hope all the regular readers, posters, and NBC family had wonderful times bonding with family and friends yesterday!

These US citizens caught up in terror attacks in India.  They are over there to make sure that their business interests of outsourcing American jobs so they can be wealther at the expense of their ex-employees who are now struggling to survive fiancially.  I guess it is karma that the outsoursers are now struggling to survive terror attacts. Maybe when they outsource US jobs, they should have to become citizan of their favored country.  Interesting to see how quick outsourcing our jobs stops then.

Hi Brian I hope you and everyone had a wonder Thanksgiving.

Nothing has changed mush in the news. Many have been talking about FDR and even Truman these days as I guess we really didn't learn for the pass.

With so many people planning on going to DC in Jan. I'm braceing for the Shock Wave of all the crimes done over the pass 8 years as more of the people involved are talking and spilling the beans. I do see a light at the end of the tunnel while following Obama's plan. It's like picking a team from all the greatest and best ball player from each position. Giving them time to work on the game plays and on Jan. 20th come out running for the championship.  Yes I love Football and Sunday I'll be watching Eli not Patton.

I wish Barbara Bush a speedy recovery and sorry her family wasn't with her during these trying times. I too wouldn't want to be alone while having surgery. I felt bad when I heard she was dropped off by her husband who came by later and she did get a call from Laura Bush which was good.  I'm afraid to go to the dentist alone let alone the hospital. I watched President Bush tell a reporter he was going to Camp David for the Holidays.

See you same time same place 6:30 pm

Dear Brian,

Happy day after Thanksgiving!  David Gregory did a great job subbing for you last night.  In fact, he successfully pulled off a "Lester Holt" - Today in the a.m., Nightly in the p.m.  I know your regular poster, Anna, must have been pleased!  

The madness in Mumbai is horrifying.  I just wanted to cry today, when I read of the thirteen year old girl who was killed in one of the hotels, along with her father.  Just as sad is the two year old boy whose father, a rabbi, and mother were killed at the Jewish center.  It's bad enough that he is now an orphan, but can you imagine what horrors he must have witnessed?  How can human beings do this to each other, much less to children?  I know it is a terror group that is taking credit for these acts, but it reminded me more of Columbine, or Virginia Tech, or the mall shootings that have taken place in recent years - maybe because the photos of the perpetrators we have seen thus far make them look like they could be your average American teenagers, albeit laden with firearms and evil intent.  Is this what monsters look like?

Please leave us with something to smile about tonight.

Hello and lots of love to the usual suspects - Lisa, Jackie, Stephanie, Celine, Claudia, Anna, and Matt.  XOXO  

Hi Brian,

the situation is indeed terrifying but won't have an impact on the Western World. There have been 10 - 12 terrorist attacks in India in the last two years - all with deadly consequences. But the last 2 weeks - with the abscence of Obama as the newsmaker, it was a slow news day and the situation in India was good for news. There have been 3 dead Germans, 3 dead Americans and many other more but there will be more terrorist strikes in India as long as there is no solution in sight in the Jammnu and Kashmir region of India. Enemy fighters from Kashmir will send more and more terrorists into India to stabilize further the largest democracy in the world (the USA is the oldest but not the largest - in terms of population). Unfortunately in Kashmir, the population in Kashmir is scarce, so have to go to the largest cities and they are outside of Kashmir, like Lucknow, Mumbai, Delhi, Jodpur, Bengalore or Ahmedabad, where there are cities of millions of inhabitants to have a maximum impact.

Also, who will you exploit next? After you exploited John F. Kennedy (in airing tapes of conversation) and now talk to FDR's grandson - all in order to spread your liberal agenda!

Maybe you will find relatives of Andrew Jackson or Grover Cleveland to justify the liberal agenda you are trying to spread.

to LNP: How on Earth you can compare Columbine, VA Tech or other school shootings with what happened in India. Those terrorists in India try to stabilize a country with a well-thought-out plan and those school snipers tried to kill innocent people with random acts of violence. Also most terrorists have been indoctrinated with hatred by a cult leader (e.g. Osama Bin Laden) and school snipers are doing it for the fun they have imitating ruthless computer games. There is no comparison between an Asian terrorist or an American school sniper.

Good Night and Good Luck from Germany.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening. First of all the horrible attacks in Mumbai,India just make me sick. The report by Mr.Neely showing the commandos landing on the rooftop and hearing the explosions was simply terrible and it didn't seem to cease at all. My heart bleeds for all the innocent victims of these attacks. The Rabbi and his wife,the father and daughter along with so many others. Hearing the accounts by the commandos of what they found within the floors of the hotels told of horrifying events. Too many innocent lives lost and it is pointless. The report by Stephanie Gosk told of more endless fighting at the Taj Hotel which isn't ending quickly. I really hope they stop these awful terrorists soon from causing anymore innocent loss of life.
The report by Mr.Taibbi about the American lives lost specifically the Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife Rivka and Alan Scherr and his daughter Naomi is just devastating to hear. It is so very sad the 2year old little boy lost both his parents because it breaks one's heart.
I hope the nightmare of violence ends soon.
On another note the report by Mr.Bazell concerning the 3-D imagery of brain scans is quite amazing medical technology. It the aneurysms can be detected with this technology so many lives can be saved. Some great research being done in medicine these days.
The interview you had with Curtis Roosevelt was most interesting about what it was like to be known as Franklin Delano Roosevelt's grandson. His insight to comparing his experience to what the Obama's will face entering the White House showed how times have changed and certainly it is very difficult with the press in these times with so much information so quickly. Maybe we do need some FDR right now. I think it is true that the President alone can do what he can do best to bring him and the people together to make a better and more peaceful world.
The "Making A Difference" segment was most nice this evening and does bring a smile. The piece by Mr.Tibbles about the soldier Carlos Barreto who was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq and now comes to the classroom of his son's elementary school to help the other children is so inspirational. Because all the children at the school have parents fighting in the wars it is good for them to see a parent return home. Great therapy for Carlos Barreto in helping him recover. Good Piece!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with you family. Have a great weekend! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna and Matt!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
XOXO

Hey Brian,
Had a nice day today.  Feeling very nervous to see you on TV.  No doubts, just nervous.  Saw a glimpse of you today and it made my whole day good and focused.  Just feeling 'not so bold' right at this moment.  I am not letting go-
        As you know!
Wow, OK- did you by chance mean 'spend some time with you'tonight.  This is really hard.  I hope I can still do that.  If you can I will listen.  I would like nothing more than to see & hear 'you'. (Glad you decided to work today).  
talk to U soon,
tesa

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I am really sad that all American media are giving cover up for Pakistan for their dirty involvement in the latest terrorist attack on India. How many evidence do American Media need to be convinced that Pakistan is a terrorist breeding country? Even your sister channel in India CNN IBN is clearly relaying the evidence Pakistan involvement in this brutal act in Bombay, India. It is shame on every American including me that America media is insulting India and its people. I don’t under stand why the American media is interviewing Pakistan diplomates? It is like police asking a thief or a robber, whether he has committed robbery or the killing. Do any one except truth out of Pakistan? Do the world and American media know that during this time of terrorist attack on India, Pakistan has opened fire on the Indian border? Two of the ships from Pakistan is held by Indian Navy. It is a shame of US media, because they are not just and one sided. Please try to be honest to yourself and to the profession. I hope there must be someone who would take the truth to the American public. Today I am ashamed to say I am a citizen of a country where the truth are suppressed just to save the so called friend (Pakistan). I believe standing with the truth is real journalism. I challenge our American media to behind the truth…. Truth alone.

Hi All:

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!   Laurel, I missed Mr. Gregory and missed the parade this year as I was over at the Army helping with Thanksgiving.  I left my home about 7AM and got home about 8PM only to get a shower and put on the PJ's and hit the bed.  

It was a great day cooking and serving meals.   It really gives you a good feeling.  I'll be a bell ringer again this year with my children.  When people see the bell being rung with a Mom and child they tend to be generous.  

Stephanie, as far as this WalMart Christmas nightmare,  you will never see me shopping on Black Friday.   I give alot of funds during the holidays to the Salvation Army and the local food bank.  My children know the real meaning of Christmas so we do a lot of events around town like the Nutcracker, the Opera and Baptist and Methodist churches do living Christmas trees.  

It gives the children a good understand that life is not about the presents we give.  Life is about the course we take.

Bests to All!

 

Brian, I just suffered through your interview with the grandson of Roosevelt.  Your ongoing love affair with the OBAMA family is totally sickening!  What little objectivity you may have had at one point in your career has been totally lost.  I try and watch several different news programs on a daily basis so I can draw my own objective viewpoint of current events.  You have been eliminated from future viewing due to your total lack of objectivity.  God help NBC NEWS!

Brian,
War, hurricanes, tornados, fires, financial meltdown and now terrorist attacks. I know we need to be informed, and you are by far the best in the business, but I wish the Nightly News could be divided into two sections: Good News and Bad News. The Bad News could start off and go from 6:30 to 6:45 with the usual referrals to the website for those who can't get enough. At 6:45 it is all good news: expanded Making a Difference, Hometown Heroes, medical breakthroughs, etc.  and a recap of all the things that went RIGHT that day. That way if we are having a really bad day we can just tune in at 6:45 and hear something that lifts our spirits a little instead of all the negative stuff. Have an entertainment reporter with out-takes from sitcoms, SNL, Leno, etc. or a resident poet or mime.
Perhaps you could expand to a full hour and hopefully still only need 15 minutes for the bad news!
Yes, I know, back to reality....
Keep up the excellent work.

Brian I remembered my GrandMother telling me about FDR and she said people loved him and trusted that he would take care of the Depression. I thought it was because he got jobs and the Economy, she told me I was wrong. She also told me the hold family would listen on the radio as FDR spoke to the American people.  Obama learned well as he's using what the Great Presidents did during simular times. Taking the American step by step along the way to recovery.
Now as for the Obama kids after watching Michelle I see no problem. Michelle is a strong woman and her lessons from her parents are common in many African American households. I totally relate to the LOOK and how you never hear the end of it when we did something bad.

As countries increase the Economy and makes deals around the World others get angry. Many countries are having personal conficts and it's not always Al Qeada. Bin Laden taught and people listened then passed on that education. The US lost 2/3 of the experienced CIA agents who left after the Valerie Plame Leak. So it will be hard to get intelligence information. The report the US gave about an attack was not NY subway it was in India.  Maybe with a new Administratiion some of the CIA agents might want to come back to work.

Have a great night

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

Dear Brian please stop trying to portray president elect Obama as a great person until he proves himself. You and other mainstream media need to get a grip and stop trying to convince all Americans that he is next FDR or Lincoln, thats a real stretch. I still like your new cast and you!

I am ashamed at the lack of outrage over the Wal Mar Mart trampling. Have we, the great consuming economy, have no shame?

Stephanie, I agree with you about the Wal-Mart story. I kept wondering who is to be held accountable for that. The sad realization is that, in the end no one will be.

I was just looking at the picture story on Mumbai. What a beautiful hotel the Taj Mahal was. Yes,how young the terrorists looked as well. I hope the investigation leads to real answers and not conspiracy theories. I consider myself pretty levelheaded, and even I wonder if the chatter earlier this week about the NY subways was meant as a distraction.

Brian, thank you for pointing out tonight that Mumbai is what I called Bombay. I had wondered about that.

None of the news is cheerful tonight, but have a good weekend anyway.      

What an interesting interview with FDR's grandson!  It appeared to be a great conversation.  I watched the full interview online, and could have kept watching if there were more available.    

Gosh, what a horrible loss in India. As I've been watching the footage of the people in India it's really sent a shock of fear for all of us straight through me. On Thanksgiving day my uncle (by marriage) Ganesh, who is from India, was with us watching the news, thankfully his family lives south of Mumbai.

I just don't understand why there are people out there in the world who would do something like this. I pray for the families of all the victims, and for when that day finally comes when we don't have to worry about things like this ever happening anymore.



Thanks Brian, I hope you have a good weekend too.
-Cary

Stephanie:  I am sure you saw the Toy R Us article.  Makes you want to stay at home and hibernate like the bears do!  

Bests to All!

I too am horrified by NBC Nightly News' coverage of the trampling death of the WalMart employee. Brian, it got nothing more than a cursory mention and then on to more important things - what the retailers can expect from Black Friday. So do I have this right? Human life means nothing next to retailer profits and by all means trample, kill and maim whoever is in the way of a "good" deal. I'm not sure which is worse - that this actually happened or how it was reported!

Hi there folks - just a heads up that the pesky "war profiteering" charge is rearing its head again for NBC.  Apparently David Barstow and Glenn Greenwald just aren't going to get over the whole unnecessary war in Iraq thing and think the honorable Gen. Barry McCaffrey ought to be kept off the air.  Oh well, don't they know that this is old news?

I have always watched NBC news, and have respected you tremendously.
Why are you neglecting to disclose the General's background? I read your April entry and appreciate your regard for the man, but what has that to do with at least dispassionately disclosing his business interests?  
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/11/30/mccaffrey/index.html

Brian,
I hope that this time you will address the serious, undisclosed  conflicts of interest, as detailed on the New York Times front page about your military analyst Barry McCaffrey and his Defense Solutions.  You are seriously harming your credibility by avoiding addressing this, and that of NBC News.  Come clean with it.

If Dan Rather could be fired for "sloppy reporting" from CBS News what should Brian Williams future be with NBC?

After reading the NYTimes story on experts for hire, my hope would be, none.

 

Brian, do you have any comments on the recent coverage of NBC's continued use of Barry McCaffrey as a military analyst without identifying his ties to defense contractors?  

Yes, he is a retired general but he is also a lobbyist for specific firms in the defense industry and should be ID'd as such.  As you indicated on this blog in the past, you feel that his conflicts of interest do not affect his commentary.  Nonetheless, your viewers should be given the information so they can form their own judgments on that score.  

See David Barstow's recent reporting on the front page of the New York Times for details:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/washington/30general.html?hp

For commentary and additional context, I recommend Greenwald:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/11/30/mccaffrey/index.html

Journalism!  viewers of your "news" program deserve to know  potential conflicts of interests when subjected to "expert opinion."  General Mcaffery may indeed be well motivated but the same could be said of psychiatrists advocating drugs for children.  An informed nation can not be so if you do not offer full disclosure.  This is most important now when so many have so obviously duped the public for private profit. Please, less corporate infotainment, more news.  Don't be just another pretty face, be a journalist!

McCaffrey should not be allowed to comment as a military analyst unless you disclose his financial relationships to defense contractors.  Thank you.

Dear Brian,
   What a diverse world we live in! Read your comments, and then muddled through the responses. Earlier this a.m. I came across some words of Mother
Teresa of Calcutta.  I thought you might appreciate my sharing it with you.  She wrote:  
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior   motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end it is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway."

Thanks for being you Brian.

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