Brian-

I look forward, as I do each night these days, to reports from both Richard and Martin from the mid-east. They are doing excellent work over there.

There is more bad news: the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe has now spead across the entire country and is expected to get worse due to flooding from the seasonal rains. Of course, according to Mugabe, the epidemic was over a month ago.

To politics and history junkies: go see Frost/Nixon. It superb and totally absorbing. Frank Langella is unbelievably believable as Nixon. When I saw it the audience applauded at the end. How often do you see that these days? Indicative of just how good it is.

Re: New Orleans/Katrina. Tonight "Frontline" on PBS is showing "The Old Man and the Storm" -- film about New Orleans trying to recover. It features the struggles of an 82 year-old man trying to rebuild in the 9th Ward. Saw an extensive clip on Friday's NewsHour and it's going to be terrific!

Have you all checked out Brian being taught to play the cello by Yo-yo Ma? Priceless! As is the cello he was playing which scared him to death as it would any of us! Daily Nightly Dec. archives-see 12/26. Fun! (Yeah, I know -- not for you Brian!)

Thanks for the Onion link -- it was fun!

Take care and Happy New Year to all the usual suspects!

Oh, my God, that Onion parody is a hoot! Thanks for sharing it Brian, a great humerous break with so much difficult news in the world.

I was deeply concerned by the presentation of news relating to the war in Gaza. You showed lots of film about civilian casualties. But you never put the situation into context. Why is Israel in Gaza? Because for the past many years, Hamas terrorists have been shooting missiles into Israel's towns and cities, because Hamas publicly states its goal of destroying Israel, because Hamas plants its weapons and fighters in hospitals and mosques and among the civilian population. Your news report totally ignores the munitions and tunnels and vicious anti-Israel propaganda and daily missile attacks against Israel. Your news coverage is exactly what Hamas wants. By focusing on Palestinian casualties, you give Hamas a free ride and turn them into a sympathetic group that deserves world support. There is no doubt that the people in Gaza are suffering terribly; but why don't you point the blame squarely at Hamas where it rightly belongs. You seem to think it is politically correct to condemn Israel and to shed pity on the Palestinians. Perhaps you can find the courage and fairness to at least put the situation in proper context, and to actually refer to Hamas as terrorists of the worst sort.

Hi Brian,

so long for corporate boosterism. You mentioned that you were not a fan of it. I bet you dream every night of Steve Jobs and his amazing inventions.

You shouldn't preach water when you drink wine.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A great broadcast this evening! Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast and beginning the broadcast even better! PLEASE EXTRA SAFE RICHARD!! Richard's report showed how the civilians of Gaza are certainly suffering the most and the loss of life is staggering. The UN school being hit with mortars as well as the health clinic is horrible to see. All the people scrambling for safety amidst all the rubble is awful. The retaliation by the Israeli soldiers in defense of Hamas firing on them first happens in a war zone, but children being the casualties is just terrible because they are just innocent victims of this conflict. As Richard was told overeaction doesn't seem to be excuse and nobody is confirming or denying ehat happened. As Richard said people do not feel safe in the schools and really don't know where to go for safety.
Excellent Reporting Richard as Always!! PLEASE STAY EXTRA SAFE!!

The report by Mr.Fletcher about the human toll at the hospital was heartbreaking. All the operations with a continuous flow of wounded is overwhelming to the doctor and his staff. With no medicine, equipment and other things it seems hopeless to attempt to help people, but they really do try and do all they can to save people. It was good he saved the young boy, but hearing his mother died is devastating to tell the rest of the family. So many children hurt or killed and I agree with the doctor, that is the worst part of the whole situation. So very sad and one just feels to reach out and try to help. I do hope help comes to them soon, but the fighting must stop. Only time will tell.
Excellent Reporting Mr.Fletcher! PLEASE STAY EXTRA SAFE!!

On another note certainly some wild weather around the country. So much rain, snow ice and wind. Everywhere one travels some new weather problems.


The report by Chris Jansing about the pelicans around the California coast being sick and and some dying is really a mystery. Seeing them exhausted and unable to move was sad and hopefully the scientists will find the answer to the problem. It is good there is a continuing rescue mission happening and perhaps more can be saved.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams! Excellent Reporting Richard! Excellent Reporting Mr.Fletcher! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra Safe and Well Richard! Enjoyed seeing you this morning on Today and Morning Joe! As well as Rachel Maddow's show last night! Great reporting!
XOXO

Hi Celine and Brian:

Glad you are both happy and well.  Celine thanks for the link about Mr. Gettridge.  It is a good video.  

Thanks Brian for the link on the Onion.   I don't think I could type fast enough.

To second dear Lisa's remarks, STAY SAFE RICHARD AND MARTIN!

Bests to all in 2009!

Brian,

I am glad there is someone that looks at the Onion like myself.   I am an avid fan just like many college students.  I would recommend them to anyone that can take a joke and needs a little relief from the hard news.

Hey Brian,  Welcome back!  Glad to see you, the onion link was hilarious, thanks for sharing!  I was in shock earlier after watching the news on all the children casualities in Gaza, literally crying while watching the news and then there is the ever striking Richard Engel reporting (you'd think I'd know how to spell his name right, but I am never sure )btw, does he look great in a black shirt or what?  Anyways, this is just too terrible to believe, I feel terrible for all the people in Gaza and that poor Dr. who is there trying to help them, he needs major reinforcements - where is Dr's without Borders?  Can't they help?  They have got to get all the civilians out of Gaza right away, it's just awful.  Wish we could help them in someway~airlift 911?

Good Evening Mr.Williams,I just wanted to say one more thing and thank you for the onion link on the new Apple computer. It was fun to watch! Such Technology!
With regards to the situation in Gaza with all the children suffering and the hospital in such desperate need of assistance one wishes there was something one could do to help. Hopefully, some way there can be!
As I always say I think Richard's reporting has been excellent! ( Always Handsome in any color shirt!)
PLEASE STAY EXTRA SAFE RICHARD!!

Thank you for the excellent reporting Richard!! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra Safe and Well Richard!! Always Great to See You!
XOXO


 

Brian,

Enjoyed your broadcast, as always!  NBC is the leading news agency as far as I am concerned.

But shame on the children in Congress picking up their bat and going home because they don't want to play with Burris.  It's politics as usual.  But wasn't one of our first lessons to play nice in the sandbox, no matter our differences.  Evidently those in the Senate have forgotten their upbringing.  And that's just sad.

Who doesn't love The Onion?  Funny stuff.

Speaking of funny... My 2 year old let me turn the TV away from Noggin just long enough to catch you on the Bonnie Hunt show.  She then was asking about the funny people on TV because I was laughing so much.  (Apparently she was less amused than I was.)  I think your wife might have stolen the show, though.  What a great bit at the beginning!  

The humor is a nice diversion from the news of the day, but it's hard to escape the images from Gaza.  The images from inside the hospital are just heart wrenching.  It's terrible that so many of the victims of this conflict are innocents. One has to wonder whether Israel is weighing the cost of innocent lives against taking blind shots at suspected Hamas militants.  

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