Dear Lester,

A belated Merry Christmas to you!  I always enjoy having you in the anchor chair:  I've said it numerous times, but it bears repeating - you are a total class act.  

This is a minor thing, but regarding the reporting on the coal ash sludge that has destroyed those homes in Tennessee, it's EAST Tennessee, not EASTERN Tennessee.  The only reason I know this is because my parents are from East Tennessee, and my grandmother still lives there.  It's not terribly important to the story, of course!  :)

To Lisa and Jackie:  Many thanks for the birthday wishes!  I still need to get my hands on a Carvel ice cream cake!

Lots of love and belated holiday wishes to all the usual suspects, as well as to those who haven't written in a while.  Peace be with you.  XOXO

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A really great broadcast this evening. Of course Richard was on the broadcast! Yeah!Always wonderful to see him! ( Nice Suit and Tie! Very Handsome!) First of all the tensions between India and Pakistan which are not ceasing at all since the attacks im Mumbai. Richard stating the movement of any Pakistani troops towards India causes extremely high tensions. Hearing about jets circling the area must be very ominous for the residents if the region to see. And as Richard stated the army is not allowed to go on any vacation at the moment. Hopefully, the United States government officials acting as a mediator between the two sides could possibly prevent any more attacks, but that is definitely not a guarantee. Always a great report Richard! Wonderful to see you!
On another note the report by Margaret Brennan concerning the retail sales today showed how stores are offering very deep discounts to lure customers to their stores for sales. Looking at all the percentage declines in the report it will be tough to reach any profit, although people seem to be spending more because of the deep discounts. Time will tell at the end of the year.
The report by Ian Williams from China about the children who survived the earthquake and are going back to school was heartbreaking. The little boy who was caught between his desk and cement only to be pulled out by his mother and the little girl who lost her mother in the quake showed how strong these children can be, but also it will take some time to heal completely from all they experienced and the loss of so many of their school mates as well as parents. It is so very sad to hear their accounts of what happened to them. The teachers are helping them and trying to make them come out of their shell to be positive. It is so very hard and I hope they all continue on a positive road to recovery.

The "Making A Difference" segment by Mr.Williams speaking to YoYo Ma was so very inspirational. He is really doing something wonderful with this "Silk Road Project". All the musicians sharing their talent with others is so uplifting. It was interesting learning all about the different parts of the cello and where it was made around the world. Such a great talent!
Excellent piece!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Have a great weekend! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! Great to see you tonight!
XOXO
 

It's always good to see you fill in for
Brian Williams.

The Christmas Eve massacre was too shocking,
too incredulous, too everything. That a
divorce could make a man snap and kill  all those people is beyond my comprehension and under-
standing.

The story about President Bush and the
pardon revoke did not surprise me as he
always does the unexpected and that impresses
me.  I read the president now believes the
case should rest with the pardon attorney.

Music connects us all!!!
my comprehension.

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright, ours was certainly white!

What a magnificent Christmas present to the regulars of this blog, I refer to the performance of Yo Yo Ma.
There was so little good news this evening that I came over here looking for a Making a Difference piece, or at least something cheerful..... What a find I made!

I shall not say much about the piece with Brian, except to say that I hope he doesn't give up his day job. (Regulars, it is not to be missed ! I laughed til I almost cried)

To all my friends.. I hope the season has blessed you so far, and that the new year brings us wonderful things to share here.

does anyone know the name of the song & the composer that Y0-Yo Ma played friday night, Dec. 26,  with Brian Williams?

You know, the sales we've seen don't really entice me or my wife -- lots of clothes or home furnishings that we don't want or need, and nothing really spectacular in the electronics departments.  We went shopping today to let the girls spend some of their Christmas gift money, but didn't bite on anything ourselves.

We had a very nice Christmas, and while we didn't cut to the bone, we didn't go as overboard as we used to. Our comment after seeing glowing smiles on our daughters' faces yesterday was that we don't need to go back to our former level of spending, even when the economy improves.

Lester is anyone covering the current President? Looks like the Media is following Obama 24/7 yet it's as if we don't have a President and we're waiting for Jan. 20th.

Lester let us know if you got any electoric toys this you for Christmas.

Interesting comments from Rep. Peter King who has messed up in the pass 8 years and helped get us in this mess. Makes since he would want Caroline Kenneedy out because King for years has wanted Schumer or Clinton's seat in the Senate. Now I think JoLo is a success and a proud example as she never stop supporting her neiborhood. Caroline has continued to work hard for New York without headlines or Media. Now she was right about John John laughing as he was pushed to run for Office.

Lester you forgot to tell your viewers Senator Joe Biden's puppies name is Champ.

I love Yo-Yo Ma's music and thanks for the information. Obama/Biden did good inviting him to play.

Have a great evening all

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

The after Christmas sales were very tempting but as a single mother I have to remember that the New Year is not just a holiday but also the day before my mortgage is due.  I am holding on to our home for dear life and pray that 2009 will be a better year for us.  My youngest is graduating from high school in 2009 and I will be graduating from college the following year.  I pray that the job market will be welcoming to both of us.  

Lester,

You are always dynamic and totally mesmerizing
but last night you were especially so  I
was glued to the TV.  Santa must have been
very good to you.

Phyllis

dear brian, this has got to be one of those watershed moments for you.  it was among the most heartfelt interviews i have seen you give.  yoyo's inspirational work is america at it's best. thank you.  i hope, if i understood correctly, the silk road project will play sometime at the inauguaration.  what an example for and from the world for all americans- that obama truly is the leader of the free world.
the history of his cello was astounding- 1733?  i hope you will broadcast more of his work that day.

Lester, I have enjoyed you weekend shows for sometime now. You don't add the usual left leaning ideas to news as do most of NBC reporters. I usually watch FoxNews during the week. With satelite I have many choices. But your weekend programs have the others beat hands down. Keep up the great work.

I BOUGHT A NEW TV FOR 2009 CHANGE OVER TO DIGITAL, I WOULD DO MORE IF OBAMA WILL GIVE US OUR TAX DOLLARS BACK IN OUR POCKETS INSTEAD OF GOVERMENT POCKETS COZ THE PEOPLE ARE THE ONE THAT KEEP THIS ECONOMY GOING IF WE AIN'T SPENDING WE ARE IN A RESSION , AND $4 DOLLAR GAS PUT US THERE ALSO AND THE DOUBLE WHAMIE WITH THE SUB-PRIME MESS IT WILL TAKE GIVING PEOPLE $6000. THEN THEY CAN BUY CARS AND PUT AUTO WORKERS BACK TO WORK OR FLY SO THE AIRLINES ARE NOT NEXT ASKING FOR A BAIL OUT .... AND SO ON !!!

Mr. Holt,
I think there is such a thing as a deal too good
to consider seriously.  If it sounds too good to be
true it usually is. I listened to my mother when she
thought I did not.

I have learned so much from your Blogg this past
year and wish you the best in 2009 as well as
all the usual suspects at NBC.

Now I must get away from the computer to polish
the silver and get that novel written.

Godspeed, Mr. Holt.

Mr. Holt:

I tuned in to the President's Farewell Address
last night on NBC with Brian Williams.

It was an awesome speech, absolutely awesome.

"A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from
embracing."

A time for War; a time for Peace."

I wish President Bush and his family the very best.
( did not see Mr. William's Blog for this posting,
so I am logging on to your's and hope there is no
problem.

What about that airplane landing. The pilot is a
hero.  Mayor Bloomberg said it sounded like something
out of movie because you couldn't believe it because
the ending was too good to be true.  So I'll have
to eat my words about when something sounds too
good to be true it is.
Phyllis

With everybody going to the movies now because of
the economy woes this story about the airplane
would made a terrific movie with the Hollywood
ending.  If. there is such a thing as a deal being
too good to pass up is an existential question.
I really don't know.  I suppose you would not know
unless you were in that situation, which is called
"situtation ethics."

As for President Obama's "gaffe" about bowling and
Olympics on JaY Leno last night I emphasize with
the president.  Many years ago on a Church Bowling
League and came in last and won the booby prize,
a plaque which said, "Next time try horse shoes."
My mother in law thought it was funny but not my
father in law who asked, "Is that the best you can
do?"

Well, yeah.

Have a nice day, Lester!!

Phyllis

Lester,
Thank goodness for your recommendation of Suze Orman's
2009 ACTION PLAN.  Beginning April 1, there will
be no fairy tale ending for credit card users.
The book is real help and hopefully I'll break
even.  And who knows?  With my screenplay/novel
there may be a fairy tale ending. I am an eternal
optimist with selective memory.  Phyllis

It bears repeating, Lester.  Music connects us
all.  I have only one thing to say, sign me up.
Phyllis

THE RESCUE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS ALSO HAD A
HOLLYWOOD ENDING.   A HERO, TRUE, BUT PRESIDENT
OBAMA SHOULD BE GIVEN CREDIT AS WELL.  OUR
COUNTRY IS SO POLARIZED ACCORDING TO CAL THOMAS
THAT PRES. OBAMA IS NOT GIVEN CREDIT FOR THIS
RESSCUE WHICH HE DESERVES AS THEN-PRESIDENT BUSH
WAS NOT GIVEN CREDIT FOR THE TOPPLE OF SADDAM.
OUR COUNTRY NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER BEFORE IT IS TOO
LATE. ALL GOOD MEN SHOULD COME TO THE AID OF THEIR
COUNTRY.  PHYLLIS

In a book I read that, "we are conditioned to think
that if if seems to good to be  true it is but
actually that is not the case, which was encouraging.
and uplifting.  And it did me good to reread my
previous email.  I'll try not to be so hard on
Pres. Obama.  "All good men," I typed a thousand
times when I was learning to type and I never forgot
it and how true  it is today, "All good men should
come to the aid of their country" Phyllis Have a
nice evening, Lester!!!

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