Dear Lester,

Happy Last Day of the Year!  I, for one, am glad to see 2008 go!

This article in The New York Times bothers me, as did a similar one in The Washington Post many weeks ago.  Dexter Filkins and Lara Logan have both discussed how expensive it is to maintain a bureau in Baghdad, and I know all the networks are cutting back, but it just makes me kind of sad.  I guess the upside is that Richard Engel is currently Stateside, where he is safe, and has been getting way more airtime for his analysis and expertise.  And we still have the talents of the superb Martin Fletcher, Tom Aspell, and Jim Maceda on which to draw.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/business/media/29bureaus.html?_r=1&ref=media&pagewanted=all

Anyway, off my soapbox I climb.  I'm off to buy black-eyed peas for New Year's luck, if there are any left on the grocery store shelves.

Happy New Year to my blog friends Lisa, Jackie, Stephanie, Celine, Claudia, Anna, and Matt.  XOXO

P.S. - People magazine put out a year-end issue that features, among all the celebrity gossip, a tribute to our troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The young man from Viper Company, whose family Richard Engel recently spoke with, is included in the list of names.

"There is something powerfully reaffirming about looking forward"----well said, Lester. Best to you, your family, the NBC/MSNBC families for keeping us current on our world and our nation in 20008.  Happy New Year!

I join all the others as we look forward to a better year in 2009.  Happy New Year to you Mr. Holt. I look forward to seeing you tonight and the New Year. I always enjoy you on Nightly News and Weekend Today.

I've heard of how cold it's supposed to get later tonight in Manhattan. Not only will the temperature be so low, the wind will make it feel below zero. I hope everyone up there wraps up good and still has a wonderful time! Normally I would say "Wish I could be there", but no I'll just say I wish I could be there watching from a window!


Happy New Year to you Lester, and to everyone at NBC. I wish you all a blessed New Year, with all the best in 2009! May 2009 bring hope and happiness to all and a great brand new start.



-Cary

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A wonderful broadcast for this New Year's Eve! First of all seeing Amy Robach out in Times Square was great, but it sure sounds really cold. Hearing the temperatures now and then at midnight those revelers will have to be bundled up! Nice to see the different ways places around the world rung in the New Year.
On another note the report by Mr.Fletcher from the border at Gaza certainly showed the truce is not going to happen or rather did not happen. Both sides seem to be gathering their troops ready to do battle and unfortunately too many innocent people get caught in the crossfire. Seeing those children frightened by the bombs going off outside was heartbreaking. The attack on the school could have been alot worse had students been in the classroom. Thankfully they were at home. At least the rainy weather hindered air assaults on the region, but it looks as if clearing could occur. Hopefully, the fighting will cease and someday peace will come to that region. Time will tell.
The piece by Mr.Costello concerning the vaults in western Pennsylvania at Iron Mountain was really interesting. All those documents and original recordings kept in one place. I liked seeing the photographs so many historical pictures. Good Piece!

The look back at positive things of 2008 by Mr.Cowan is something we all needed to see. People reaching out to help others, great moments in sports, funny skits, puppy cam (so very cute!) and of course the young boy Nick Nelson who showed so much courage and determination.
Hopefully, 2009 will be filled with hope,peace and wonderful beautiful things! I surely hope it emcompasses all of those things!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Have A Very Happy New Year! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori and Matt!
I hope all of you have a Safe and Very Happy New Year!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! Great seeing you on Rachel Maddow's show again last night! No map though! Maybe next time! HAPPY NEW YEAR RICHARD!!
XOXO

Hi Lester
Mr. Burris forgot to tell you he was the Govenor's second choice and the first African American he asked turned him down. Fitzgerald shouldn't have a problem with the information he's gotten from Rezko and the person ID'd in the complaint as D.  

Now to Obama's possible picks to full the courts. I reallly wish someone had just listen to Obama over the year he was talking about himself and what he thinks. It's clear what kind of people Obama will pick as Judges knowing he is educated and taught US Constitutional Law is good. At lease we'll have a President that knows Law and reads books. It's a great example for the youth and even adults.

I look forward  to Obama/Biden getting advice from Americans on up coming decisions. Mitch McConnell wants to stall the growth of the US Economy, I guess he didn't get the memo Americans have taken back America.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Hi Lester:

Good to see you this morning on the Today Show.   Just returned from two parties tonight where everyone was upbeat about 2009.   One friend had a job offer this week and others are optimistic about the stock market and real estate markets.  

One even has the Obama plate in her kitchen.   She didn't vote for Obama but has been in prayer for him and wants to give him her families total support.   She and her husband are keeping the children home from school for his swearing in ceremony.   They are real nice, nice folks.  

@ Jackie:   Ms. Kitt was something else wasn't she?  That purr and those songs.  I saw her in NYC while I was on a business trip.    I introduced Ms. Kitt to my boss and he loved her.    The concert was much better than the rubber chicken banquet dinner.    

Best wishes to everyone for a prosperous and peaceful new year!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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