It's disturbing to see some write on this blog that they don't want to hear any bad news...and more disturbing to see that those who deliver the news consider accommodating those requests.

We NEED TO KNOW when there is bad news. If we don't know, we can't plan accordingly. Had journalists reported on ALL of the financial elements that led to this crisis, we could have been in much better financial shape now. It doesn't serve us well for you to allow feel-good stories to displace detailed informative reports. The good-news stories can be told on programs with more time to fill. They shouldn't be competing for time on The Nightly News.

Hi Brian good to have you back. In the future could you give us a heads up on your future vacation it gets scary not to see you in your set. We have enough surprises already and as for me I worry about everything and anything these days.


Now looks like Tim is working it. Yes I know some still wont him out but  this weekend it cleared up why. I ready can't blame those who like Buffet have ownership in Wells Fargo to see Banks have to now obey the law. Many has have been getting millions of taxpayers money for almost 10 years who would want the money to stop. Law Makers get donations to campaigns to vote for Banks. After listening to President Obama this weekend I remembered something important. You know the stuff people told you but you just store it away.  Now Tim Geithner did his homework and learned from History as it worked then and will work now. In 1954 this old dude a friend of my GrandMother's showed me Govenment bonds. The paper was yellow by then. He said Americans invested in the US during the Depression to help with the recovery. When Paulson first suggested buying off the toxic loans but quickly got 700 billion and just gave it out to Banks, I wondered why. Now I understand it was to make sure the Recession got worse before Obama took office. Oct. 2008 till Jan. 20th 2009 was the largest drop in our Economy but it could have been save if in Oct. Hank Paulson did what Tim is doing now. Notice how the Stock Market went up so high because smart investors know a smart solution. I know Paul Krugman knew this would work but he's still jealous of Tim and made President Obama didn't pick him as US Treasury Secretary.

I did go on the Foreign news this weekend and there were some positive comments from people in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to the video of a new beginning. To bad the Irael President used his video to ask the Iran people to over throw their Govenment.

I read about Becky Alexander this weekend I watched her video with some friends and we agreed the White House needed to hear our voices for help to those with Usher Symdrome. We suggested someone at the White House view the video themselves I hope it helps but we'll keep at it until someone lisens.
Becky is a pretty girl and the outside but just as pretty inside, our prays are with her and others.

see you same time same place

Hey, Brian! It's great to have you back! I hope you enjoyed the long break with your family, while David Gregory and Natalie Morales sat in for you last week. While the two of them did a great job sitting in for you, you were missed by your regular viewers!


Glad to hear we should love the Making A Difference report tonight, I'm looking forward to it!

A lot happened over the weekend, and I'm wondering how it will all fit into the broadcast . . .


See you soon.

Take Care!
-Cary

Also, Happy "National Puppy Day"! --> http://bit.ly/rsuKl






-Cary

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening as always. I am very happy you were able to enjoy some time off with your family! Nice to see you back! Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Savannah Guthrie about the bank rescue plan seemed to bring good news to Wall Street which had stocks rise to 497.48 points. Yet, as President Obama stated there is still a long way to go. It did have positive effects which is one of the first good nes days for this terrible financial crisis.
On another sad note the report by Mr.Cowan concerning the plane crash in Butte,Montana was heartbreaking. So many children perished with nine of the fourteen victims being of an extended family. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families. So very tragic.

The severe weather around Rapid City,South Dakota and headed towards North Dakota looked awful with huge amounts of snow and high winds. Also, I hope all the sandbags hold out along the Red River to keep it from flooding too much. One hopes for better weather conditions very soon in those areas.

The "Making A Difference" segment by Colonel Jack Jacobs was so very nice. The rehabilitation hospital in Augusta,Georgia taking great care of wounded veterans is definitely a model for other centers around the nation. Seeing all the young soldiers working so hard to recover from being hurt and saying what wonderful care they receive it good news. All our brave men and women in uniform deserve the best care and this rehabilitation hospital is a great facility. They need nurturing and support knowing people care. And this center within the community certainly provides the support they need without the worries.
Thank You Colonel Jack Jacobs for a wonderful piece!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!

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

I echo Jackies request for at least a blog heads up when possible if you're absent, after all, the last time I recall your doing that you popped up in Afghanistan and worried us all!

Well, the Dow was interesting today wasn't it? I often feel over my head in attempting to understand all the underpinnings of the current crisis, but I do take some hope that their enthusiasm is warranted.

Best to all! I'll try to come by more often, work and time zones often mean that I don't get here in time to post!

Hi Brian:
I hope you and your family enjoyed your very short time off.  David and Natalied did a great job but you were missed and I'm glad you are back.  

As you know California is having major economic problems but the news of the stock market climb made a lot of people smile which is something you don't see much of out here lately.  

YOur "Making A Difference" segment has really got people thinking.  I have noticed a lot of people are trying do do more and more to help others that really need it.  Luckily my family is still working.  Your segment has made people realize that no matter how bad it is for you there just might be someone out there that needs your help and no matter how rough it is for you it is worse for them.  My grandson's scout den is working on ways to help those in need as well as the church groups here. I really think the segment has moved some people to get invovled in helping each other get through this.  Thanks for starting this segment.

Again, glad your back.

Sunday's Nightly News broadcast was a scant 15 minutes on the east coast because obviously golf is more important (translation: more profitable) than news.  And as if that's not bad enough, Sunday's 15-minute broadcast included four minutes of commercials.  Even more infuriating--it also included a two-and-a-half-minute story about the death of a British reality-TV personality.  NBC devoted 20% of their already-shortened east coast newscast to Jade Goody instead of airing Peter Alexander's story about his sister?  Shame on NBC.  But maybe I shouldn't complain.  Perhaps I should just be thankful for the 15-minute broadcast.  After all, the previous Sunday (3/15), there was no Nightly News at all on the east coast (again, golf was more important).  Meanwhile, I read that NBC News president Steve Capus was considering expanding Nightly News to an hour.  If NBC can't even fill a 15-minute broadcast with actual news, how can they possibly fill a full hour?  More skateboarding bulldogs?  Here's a story idea:  Instead of showing bulldogs skateboarding, how about showing them waterboarding?  I'd like to see two bulldogs waterboarding an Afghan Hound.  Maybe they'd get some good intel on the Taliban.

On March 17, Nightly News did a story about congressional outrage over the AIG bonus payments.  Several senators and representatives were shown expressing their outrage over the bonuses.  One clip showed Rep. Carolyn McCarthy saying, "We can legislate all we want.  Unfortunately, we cannot legislate morality.  And that is really a shame."  What's really a shame is that Rep. McCarthy was identified on-screen as Rep. Carolyn Maloney.  Apparently the Nightly News producers figured this was no big deal.  After all--both congresswomen share the same first name.  Their districts are just a few miles apart.  They're both 60-ish and blond.  I guess they're interchangeable as far as the Nightly News producers are concerned.  The saddest part of this mix-up is that some of the Nightly News producers probably live in McCarthy's or Maloney's district.  And this is no isolated incident.  The very next night, an on-screen graphic identified Rep. Barney Frank as Rep. Paul Kanjorski.  Barney Frank is one of the most recognizable members of the U.S. House, but Nightly News couldn't even properly identify him.  This is shameful.  But wait.  It gets better.

During the same Nightly News broadcast that contained the McCarthy-Maloney mix-up, NBC aired an unintentionally hilarious 20 second promo spot.  In this spot, the camera pans across photos of Brian Williams, Matt Lauer & Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry, Al Roker, David Gregory and Lester Holt.  Also seen are images of Pres. Obama, an American Flag, a store with a going-out-of-business sign, and a flag-draped military coffin.  The words "extraordinary" and "hope" appear on-screen.  The voice-over (read by Brian in his most earnest intonation) states, "We live in extraordinary times.  Our nation's in crisis.  And yet there's that uniquely American feeling of hope.  This is the story of our nation.  You rely on us to get it right.  Every time.  This is the tradition of NBC News."  A few minutes later (after I stopped laughing) some thoughts occurred to me.  First, does Brian understand the definition of "uniquely"?  The Scribner-Bantam English Dictionary defines it as "limited to a region, class or time".  So if hope is uniquely American, does that mean that the people of Japan, Sweden, Greece, Kenya or Latvia have no hope?  And what about Canada or Argentina?  Is hope unique to all of the Americas (both North and South), just to North America or just to the United States of America?  I'd really like to know.  But the most galling statement Brian made was "You rely on us to get it right. Every time."  Does mis-identifying two U.S. Representatives in two days constitute getting it right?  How about the constant misspelling of names by NBC News?  Arnold Schwarzenegger?  Chesley Sullenberger?  Kay Hagan?  Steven Spielberg?  Was Nightly News getting it right when they misspelled those names?  I must admit, I admire Brian's Clintonian parsing of words.  Brian didn't say that NBC actually succeeds in getting it right.  He merely said that we rely on NBC to get it right.  That's absolutely true.  It's also true that people relied on Bernie Madoff to invest their money wisely.  It doesn't mean that he actually did so.  This promo spot was hilarious, but it was also sobering, considering that it ran during the same broadcast in which Nightly News blatantly mis-identified a member of congress.  The words "extraordinary" and "hope" seem important to Nightly News.  I think it's EXTRAORDINARY that Nightly News makes these mistakes, and I HOPE they soon figure out a way to stop them.

It is incomprehensible that NBC would allow Fidelity Investments to sponsor the entire Nightly News broadcast for Tuesday, March 17. The first ten minutes of the broadcast was devoted to bashing AIG for distributing $165 million in bonuses after receiving more than $170 billion in government bailout funds. As Brian Williams introduced the AIG story, the on-screen graphic displayed the AIG logo with the word "Outrage" below it. Later, the phrase "Bonus Backlash" was shown below the AIG logo. For ten minutes, angry, unflattering comments from lawmakers, academics, journalists and people-on-the-street poured off the screen. Clearly, NBC's goal was to denigrate AIG in the harshest possible terms. But Brian Williams did not disclose that Fidelity (the broadcast's sole sponsor) and AIG are both involved in the insurance and financial services businesses. They are, in effect, direct competitors. This is from the AIG.com website: "Investment Services are offered to high-net-worth clients, and include providing advice on Institutional Investment, Mutual Funds, Private Equity Investment, Real Estate Investment and Annuities." And the Fidelity.com website clearly states that they sell insurance. Allowing Fidelity to sponsor a broadcast that bashes one of its competitors is a massive conflict of interest and a huge breach of ethical trust on the part of NBC.

Fidelity at one time held $4 billion in AIG stock (the current value may be less)--meaning that Fidelity could lose a ton of money as a result of AIG's problems. According to an on-line article in the 9/18/08 Boston Business Journal (http://www.boston.bizjournals.com/) titled "AIG Could Cost Fidelity, Wellington, MFS Billions":

"Boston’s largest money managers and their clients could face billions in losses tied to the government bailout of American International Group, as local holdings that once exceeded $9 billion have lost more than 90 percent of their value in recent weeks. Fidelity Investments held $4 billion in AIG shares — by far the largest allotment among local investment houses — as of June 30 (2008), the most recent regulatory reporting period. It is unclear whether the mutual fund giant lightened its position during the rocky two-month period that has unfolded since its last filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission." Clearly, Fidelity has a right to be furious at AIG. Did the sponsorship money that Fidelity paid NBC for the March 17 "Nightly News" influence the way in which Nightly News covered AIG? That's certainly a possibility.

There was even an article in the March 21, 2009 edition of the Fidelity.com newsletter titled "AIG massive payments to banks stoke bailout rage". Here is an excerpt: "The revelation on Sunday by American International Group Inc was another potential public relations nightmare, coming on the same weekend that the Obama administration expressed outrage over AIG's plan to pay massive bonuses to the people in the very division that destroyed the company by issuing billions of dollars in derivatives insuring risky assets....AIG, an embattled insurance giant that has received federal bailouts totaling $173 billion and is now paying $165 million in employee bonuses, is at the heart of a global financial crisis that President Barack Obama is trying to address with plans for trillions of dollars in spending. The fact that billions of dollars given to prop up giant insurer AIG were then transferred to European banks and Wall Street investment houses could raise new doubts about whether the rescue was really economically necessary. 'It doesn't to me seem fair that the American taxpayer has got to bear the 100 percent of the downside,' said Campbell Harvey, a finance professor at Duke University. (Lawrence) Summers -- speaking before the payments to banks were made public -- called the AIG bonuses 'outrageous' but said contracts must be honored, even though Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner had 'negotiated very forcefully' with AIG and done all that was 'legally permissible' to limit the payments."

So Fidelity is on record--on their own website--bashing AIG. Was it appropriate for Nightly News to allow Fidelity to sponsor a broadcast that also bashes AIG? The answer, of course, is no. At the very least, Brian Williams should have disclosed the relationship between Fidelity and AIG. It appears as if NBC took sponsorship money from Fidelity in exchange for espousing Fidelity's views on AIG. NBC would no doubt argue that Fidelity's position on AIG had no bearing whatsoever on the way Nightly News presented the story. But as a news provider, NBC must avoid not only impropriety, but even the appearance of impropriety. It was the responsibility of NBC News to avoid the perception that for a certain amount of money, Brian Williams will speak on behalf of a sponsor. In that regard, NBC failed. I think that people have higher expectations for NBC News and Brian Williams.

At least Jack Jacobs doesn't seem to have a conflict of interest issue, and doesn't seem to be a cheerleader for war, unlike some of your previous "military correspondents" (Barry McCaffrey, anyone?).

You deem the marriage of David Letterman worthy of time on The Nightly News? Brian, we've been loyal viewers of the news, but this is not newsworthy. Please don't use the time slot as a platform for whims when the public needs solid information on so many serious subjects. Our job decisions, our savings, our retirement funds, our kids college funds depend on it.

Regarding the $787B stimulus package including "more than $20B in outlays for health-information technology" (according to 3/24/09 WSJ), it would be a great disservice to the American people to run ahead with electronic health records before the privacy issues are in place. Current HIPAA laws allow sharing of information between virtually all affiliates, which are legion, and medical information is a valuable commodity.  I hope the President and HHS will not consider this an unimportant side issue to be dealt with later when any privacy protections will be too late.  A recent Humana dental authorization form reads "Once personal and health (including medical, dental and pharmacy) information is disclosed pursuant to this authorization, the recipient may redisclose it and the information may not be protected by federal and state privacy requirements."  This is one tip of the iceberg of information sharing.  Patients are signing these releases right and left, having no idea how their information is being used.  EHR will expedite the problem.  Please give more coverage to the serious issue of medical privacy and the implications of a lack thereof.  Thank you.

Hi Brian,
Well it has been awhile since I wrote. I am off work with laryngitis today....a teacher without a voice ...no good ;) It is snowing outside as that Colorado low makes its way into Winnipeg. I had a little time to write. With the Red River flowing north from Fargo and watching Fargo and Grand Forks sandbagging like crazy, like they had to in 1997, here in Winnipeg we are so lucky to have the Red River Floodway that protects the city. I am about 1 mile from the banks of the Red River and cross it every day to go to work. I watched with interest, your report on the rising Red River. I was wondering if it would make it into your broacast. It must be quite the time deciding what is newsworthy...keeping a balance between serious and light stuff. How much serious stuff can we take?
 If I can't watch the broadcast at 5:30 I try to catch it from the web-site or at the very least read the blog.
Did I tell you that I enjoyed you on Jon Stewart on February 26th? My daughter (she is 10) laughed at your joke about "Jerry" Jonas. Now one day soon, head over to the Letterman Show with a wedding gift.

Brian -  

Welcome back, yes, we all miss you when you're gone.  

I'm following the Obama government and Congressional hearings and there is one thing that is getting to me.  All cable networks (including MSNBC) want us to think they are really up to date, doing public service, etc.  BUT - why do they not really cover the hearing???  They interrupt interminably - they even have 'guests' on for another opinion.  I'm sorry, but a Congressional Hearing is not just another talk show.  It's back to CSPAN for me.

Joan

Hi Brian - I love your show, and try not to miss it. I have a question - where is the outrage over the interest rates credit card companies are allowed to charge, even if you pay the proper amount and on time. A 30% interest rate is simply theft, and will keep the average American in debt for many years to come. Growing up in New York City, I knew loan sharks who charged less interest. When is the media going to shine a light on this issue which is more problematic in this economy than ever before.

Dear Brian,
I care for my 89 yr old mother (90 on May 22, 2009)
and come hell or high water, we must watch Nightly
News, and she is content, though not happy, when you're NOT the anchor.  You have a gift to convey the good, the bad, and occasionally, the ugly and with a style that cannot be duplicated.  Thank you for your dedicated professionalism to the news and all NBC viewers.  mn

Maybe this will answer your question Art.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2008/08/civil-rights-groups-defending-predatory-lenders-priceless

Tonight when I saw it reported that Americans are to blame for the rising drug war at the border it was the last straw. Hillary says its our appetite for drugs. I can't stand it any more. Its not our fault. Its her fault along with bush and many members of the house and senate. Brian, its also your fault. If you would have been reporting on this to years ago, peoples eye's may have been opened in time to fix it. The answer is stop blaming america first. Tell your rep. that you don't care what thier party is. Finally , Brian, report the news, not your opinion of the news that benefits your party but the news that benefits your country. Be a journalist.

Earlier I tried to post a comment. I was nice and honest. Advertising response is about 5%. I see that you Brian have 18 comments. If you would have read my comment and just thought about it you could improve from the 360 or so people that think enough of you as a journalist to post a comment. Truth hurts ,I know. I'm just saying. RD.

Dear Brian,
I am thrilled you were able to spend a few days with your family in California.
We Love you out Here! I must add you have a Beautiful Family.
We were  disappointed when we scheduled a trip to the Bonnie Hunt Show on Tuesday, March 24th thinking we would be in the audience when you were her guest and then learned you had taped her show prior to that.However we are happy to see you anytime, anywhere and admire and respect you and your work.
God Bless you and your family.

Why was there no segment tonight concerning Sec Of State Clinton's confession to the Mexican Government that the US was responsible for the Drug War conditions in Mexico? When I watch Nightly News I expect to see all the Headlines covered.

Message to Mark Morgan, hey busy body, did you ever stop to think that there are those of who think it IS NEWS that Letterman EVER married, and that we might like to hear about that kind of thing, now if it were to be YOUR marriage, Mark Morgan, then I would certainly agree with you that your marriage is in fact NOT NEWS. . .

David Gregory is the managing editor?  Please. ..  That guy isn't going to be able to hang on to that Sunday morning gig that he gave to himself muchless boss Brian Williams around, the guy is such a natural FOOT IN HIS OWN MOUTH sort of guy anyway, I don't know who is running the show over there, well maybe I do but it doesn't speak too highly of that person that DG is where he is within the organization.

We have heard a lot about the problems with GM and Chrysler and what they have done wrong. When do we hear about Ford and what they have done right?

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