Hi Brian I read Chuck's website and yes as usual I gave a comment and support. He'll do well and I'll keep an eye on him.

Now to the Republican Budget that doesn't exist. No surprise with 14 pages no numbers as even Congressman Eric Cantor was at the Britney Spears Circus Tour the night before and didn't have time for a budget. We go on 6th Beatle Peter Orszag's website for up dates everyday. A friend asked us can anyone name a former US Budget Director?  No one could, this is the first time all the US Cabinet appointees have website to report directly to the American People. President Obama brought out the Jetson Age with that Town Hall coverage. Just think our grandparents had the radio then came the generation of the TV and now it's the World Wide Web, what's next flying cars?

I read the story of the fireman who saved the little boy as Spiderman. Ok I cried but that's just me. Children sometimes relate better to the cartoon heros then people. We can all remember as children who are favorite cartoon hero was as for me she was Wonder Woman. I use to tell my Dad I would use the belt of truth against my sister. I'm glad it worked out well for the little boy and his hero.

see you same time same place
All have a great and safe weekend

A must-do tonight.
A little something on the legendary Irving R. Levine.
As a former NBC News guy, I remember doing "elements for Irving" as a kid producer. What a sweet, nice person. RIP.

Dear Brian,

I can't deal with any bad news today, okay?  It's been a rough week.  Music is my medicine.  Right now, I'm chillin' to "Word Up" by Cameo.  :-)  May I recommend "On a Clear Night" by Missy Higgins?  I bought the album because I really like her single, "Where I Stood".  Her vocals are like a blend of The Sundays and A Fine Frenzy.  You'd like it, I imagine.

Happy Friday.

Lots of love to the usuals.  XOXO

I cannot believe you didn't have a tribute to Mr. Irving R. Levine.  He was a true reporter, a scholar, and an all around good person.  He will be truly missed - his ability to explain economics in easy to understand language is needed more than ever today. My deepest condolences to the Levine family on their loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi, Brian! Thank you for the post this evening. Just getting in from "Grocery Shopping Friday", just in time for the broadcast. I will be sure to check out the links you've posted above.

I'm very sorry to hear there's a loss in your NBC family.


See you in about a minute!

Thank you for the weekend wishes, I hope you have a great weekend as well!

Thanks for the broadcast in advanced.

Take good care,
-Cary



Have a happy weekend take care, everyone out there at NBC and beyond.

I pray for those in the path of the Red River.  I know someone in Fargo who is watching all this water rise and is still feeling "safe".  She's also taking in pets that otherwise aren't allowed in shelters.  We need to send this water to the Southeast!

So Pres. Obama wants to "prevent" the Taliban from returning to Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Am I the only one thinking that this is an impossible dream?  I can handle the driving them out part, but this an area of the world that has seen its fair share of terrorists coming and going for centuries.  This plan seems too ambitious to me.

I am sorry that I don't recall ever seeing Mr. Levine on NBC until today.  How could I have missed that bow tie?  

I had read about the police stop on MSNBC earlier this week and yes, I was angry when I read it.  I feel for the officers who go through thousands of those stops in a career and the judgment they need to exercise, but unfortunately, this one is going to haunt this officer.  

I love the concept of "conscientious developers".  I hope there are more developers like this in the country.  What a great story!  Thanks so much for sharing it.  

Brian,

  I just finished watching the story on the growing number of homeless in our country. It breaks my heart that the majority of Americans take what we have for granted, we can't live without our cell phones and our WiFi, while right next store there are people with no place to go. Poverty is not something confined to far off countries. Thank you for this story.

  The coverage on the Olympics bothered me. I don't really know why...it is hardly a world crisis, or an issue that affects me personally. I just like tradition, and the Olympic relay has simply always been there. It is such a majestic, symbolic tradition, and keeping it domestic seems to minimize its grandeur.

   Obama's address on Afghanistan made me smile. I feel as though for the first time our troops fighting that war are receiving the help and attention that they need. The mission has been reiterated, and the focus brought back to defeating terrorism once and for all.

  Making a Difference always adds a nice end to a broadcast. After seeing constant coverage on the CEO's of major corporations and their selfish ambitions, and the incredible amount of financial trouble our country is in, it is so wonderful to be reminded that we live in a great country where people are still willing to reach out of their comfort zone to help their neighbor.

   Wonderful broadcast tonight!

                   God Bless,
                       Lissa  

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A great broadcast this evening. Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast! I have missed seeing him on Nightly News so I was excited to see him as always. PLEASE STAY EXTRA SAFE RICHARD!! Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Richard from Kabul, Afghanistan spoke of a mission to defeat al-Qaeda and the Taliban, but of course it will certainly take some time. As Richard stated there are still many rusted out tanks and other vehicles all around the area from the previous conflict and it seems it is being use for specific projects such as building bridges. Taking ownership of the war because for years there has been no clear mission it appears there will be some building of a democracy and accomplish something good in the end. I hope the sending of more troops abd the extra troops to train the security forces is helpful and gives positive results to ridding the region of al-qaeda and the taliban. Time is of the essence.
Excellent reporting as always Richard!
PLEASE STAY EXTRA SAFE ALWAYS!

On another note the report by Mr.Tibbles from Fargo,ND gave some grim news of how desperate the situation has become due to the rising waters. People having to leave their houses and all their belongings behind is heartbreaking and I hope everyone is able to find safe places to be this weekend. All those sandbags piled so high was incredible and those people worked tirelessly to build them. My thoughts go out to all those affected by the flooding and I hope all are safe.

The report by Pete Williams about the NFL player who was stopped by the officer for running a red light just makes one so angry. he was rushing to the hospital with his wife to be beside her dying mother and it is inexcusable for the officer to not use common sense and some level of sensitivity to allow him and his wife into the hospital. It is very tragic that she died without them by her side. Just plain tragic.

So very sad to learn of the passing of Irving R. Levine. I do remember seeing him on NBC Nightly News and the Today Show giving reports when I was growing up. I always thought he had a distinctive voice and I could always recognize it. Excellent reporter giving 45years to NBC. He will be missed.

The "Making A Difference" segment was great again and this time from Baltimore,Maryland. The piece by Mr.Taibbi about the father and son refurbishing the old building into apartments, office space and many other things for teachers was wonderful to see. The project seems to have made a hit with teachers who can't wait to move into their new living space. They have done a marvelous job! Great Piece!

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams! Have a wonderful weekend! Great to see you Richard! 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! Excellent Reporting As Always!
XOXO

In response to the story about the the daughter and son in-law racing to the hospital to see dying mother (in-law).I would like to say this...all parties are to blame,yet more so,the daughter and in-law...why?
Well,they could have called their local police station to alert them of their intentions,and could have been met enroute to hospital by escort...and  the officer should have had some compassion...yet is not entirely to blame,for he is doing his job for someone running a red light.The officer needs more pr skills,and the 'victims' need more common sense and respect for the laws...no matter what their background is.Let this be a lesson in respect for the law and common sense,for all this could have been avoided,and in no way should anyone be reprimanded,when all was necessary...,was a phone call.  Please feel free to air my response to this story in your next nightly news broadcast,as I am a very avid watcher,as was my father,before his passing in 1990.I am very astounded by the lack of common sense that has plagued this world,especially when it comes to race.We are all equal,yet lack the necessary common sense to do what is right.May God have mercy on us all,and especially onto those who should know better,yet let the fury of the moment at hand cloud their judgement to use common sense.    

A heartfelt thanks for your piece on the late Irving R. Levine. Back in the sixties (my college days) my roomies and I would gather round the TV EVERY NIGHT hoping to get some economic reporting from the man in the bow tie.

He was both informative and a delight to watch.We all will miss him terribly.

I have so enjoyed your newscast lately…it is completely refreshing to end the news with a positive feeling as opposed to be completely depressed about everything.   Makes me feel like all is not lost and as cliché as it sounds, that there is hope and good people all around us.  I will continue to watch your broadcast (and feel good about it).  

Hi Brian,
I'm always glad to see Richard Engel's reports.He has to be the most dedicated reporter I've ever seen.
My brother is returning to Iraq soon.With everything going on in the world,it seems as if  people forget that there still is a war.
Thanks for continuing the "Making a Difference"segments.I see how much just a little effort goes a long way.
I'm also very proud of Chris Jansing and the work she continues to do in Calif.

Vickie
S.C.

As a concern American citizens, I am really
exhilarated that NBC/MSNBC crew are innovative
when it comes to reporting the hypocritical and
corrupt side of members in our governmental
system.  
The public should now wake up and evaluate the power of votes and ask themselves why they elected
those leaders, who should be setting great
examples for the the general public, but instead
abuses the power which was bestowed to them in public office.  The story covered by NBC on those in
office, who received the bail-out money was an excellent approach to humiliate those top government officials.  Great work! A job well done!  I sincerely hope that this sort of reporting is just the
beginning to restore the country moral standing
and clear the way for an honest contribution to
a new era for media reporting.

Good Evening, Brian!

Great broadcast tonight! And great posts by all the viewers as well. A lot was covered tonight, and I couldn't agree more with what most of the viewers have already said. So much of tonight's broadcast has me thinking, I'm not even sure where to start. Which is a good thing. It's amazing how much you can cover in a 30 minute broadcast, very well done!

Your link to an article on msnbc.com about a Fireman in Thai who dressed up as Spiderman to rescue an autistic boy is very special. Someone who would go to the trouble of that to make a little boy feel comfortable and safe is really a pretty remarkable person. I hadn't run into that this week, so thank you for sharing it!

Earlier today I found a "Miracle taken from a Tragety" I'd like to share with you if you haven't already come by it: http://bit.ly/9YWPV




Again, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for this week's broadcasts!

See you on Monday,
Take Care!
-Cary

I sent this by e-mail but will add to the blog.  With regards to the story about the Dallas police department - I am appalled at the attitude of the news media.  This officer was doing his job!!!!!  He was trying to protect the community he has sworn to protect.  The football player ran a red light - I am pretty sure that's against the law.  He should have been stopped!!!  If this was such an emergency, he could have called ahead and asked for a police escort or something.  If this had been any "normal" citizen - and not a celebrity - the officer wouldn't have been criticized.  But people like this football player expect special treatment and think they don't have to obey the laws the rest of us do.  I'm going to be calling the Dallas Police Department next week and suggest that they get off this officer's case!  What would have happened if the football player had killed someone else on the road by running the red light?  He was in the wrong and should suck it up like a man and next time, plan a little better.  His dying relative didn't just get admitted five minutes before this event.  It's too bad that she died so quickly - but the police officer shouldn't be crucified for doing his job.  As the mother of a San Diego police officer - we need to support the police when they are doing their jobs!!

I hope that your package of reporting does not include destroying the lives of people who do something stupid.  Your report and display of the cop who stopped the guy racing to the hospital to be with his dying mother was sad.  What gives you the right to elevate a stupid act to one that is likely to cripple the guy for life who did the stupid act.  Try to have a better sensibility about the negative impacts of your so-called need-to-know doctrine.  BS!  There is not, was not, and never will be my need-to-know that the picture of the man, in this case a cop, who did this stupid act.  Shame on NBC for shaming this petty act over national TV.  I will know longer watch NBC News for it seems to be the only way I can condemn your stupid act of stupidity!!!

Hey Brian,

Maybe you should have been commending Officer Powell of the Dallas Police Department tonight for doing his job and upholding the law, and using your program to show how stupid the Chief of Police in Dallas is for humiliating that officer !  How would you be feeling tonight if your family was going through that light and was broadsided and killed by this VIOLATOR.

Officer Powell was doing his job and the NFL Player was wrong. This is quite black and white. Now Officer Powell is ridiculed and put on leave. This is exactly why we have a breakdown in civility and rampant lawlessness in our country - which is furthered encouraged by your carelessness in the reporting of the story . This is why officers are afraid to effectively do their job as they have been trained to do - and related-ly why we now have four dead officers in Oakland - because the Police are brow-beattened and afraid to protect themselves and the citizens of this country.

Maybe to satisfy your liberal leanings we should put big stickers on all NFL Players cars so the police in the future know they are above the law, and any law they break is ok ... maybe we can find a similar sticker for all others that your liberal leanings deem appropriate to be above us all and the law, as well.

I just watched your evening news and found it hard to believe that you didn't feature the world-wide attended funeral of 4 Oakland police officers killed by a paroled violent criminal. Instead you trashed a white officer who had done his job in stopping a couple who had run a red light. Know how many people are killed by red-light runners each year?  

I'll never watch your "evening news" again.  You are a sorry excuse for "journalists".  Your liberal bias is sickening.

D.E.

Brian,

What's wrong with you news people? A governor, two U.S. senators, police officers from around the U.S. and Canada, 21,000 citizens and the entire Oakland, California, police department attend the public service at the Oracle arena (overflow crowd into the Oakland Coliseum) for four police officers killed in the line of duty last Saturday and it doesn't get a 30 second mention during your broadcast. Shameful.

Brian & Chuck
Yall were telling me to get some sound! That yall wanted me to hear what you had to say. What is happening is I have to reboot my computer everytime, and then maybe I'll get sound.  Maybe I won't.  Brian, I realize this stuff is deep.  That is because it is so unbalanced- 'know me' when I can't know you, but I think everything you do is perfect. I think so*
and OK
tesa

Tonight, Friday, in the middle of your usual well-written and tightly produced broadcast, I suddenly found myself confounded by advertising-posing-as-news.  

Has it really become part of Nightly News' purpose to advertise fuller reports on NBC's cable news stations?  That half report about the family battling debt collection tactics -- that report that left the story's resolution unknown, only to be seen on cable or computer -- was simply out of place in a broadcast of full news stories.  The sudden edit to close the report seemed like a mistake.  It was almost comic.  Like the "world ends at ten, details at eleven" jokes.  I hope this is not where the Nightly News is heading.  

Content is everything.  Print newspapers failed to grasp this and gave readers reason to stop buying papers by cutting content instead of working doubly hard to create new and interesting content.  Please don't allow Nightly News to become a half-hour of cliff-hanger advertisements for other programs.  

Brian,
Time for some real feedback: It was a great question for Trivial Pursuit, but why did you feel we needed to remember that the Red River runs from south to north? Your news window is far too small to waste. Which brings me to a bigger concern. Yes, we enjoy positive news, but there is no way you can justify using valuable news time for "Making A Difference" every evening. I have the same problem when NBC panders to pharmaceutical sponsors with a nightly medical "break through." Continue shrinking the amount of hard news and analysis and you'll go the way of the major newspapers. Then we'll only have talk radio to keep us up to date. You are too good a journalist not to struggle with questions of balance in your coverage. Did I miss the story on the dispute inside the White House over Obama's Afgan strategy? And where was the story Friday on the GOP budget alternative? Please skip the fads and give us more analysis. Have a good week.

Dear Brian Williams, If you, Katie Couric and Charles Gibson will each lend a hundred thousand dollars to ten homeless heads of households currently living in any tent city you choose to pay for their salaries I will give each of them their own house, free and clear, and give you your money back. I'll do it in public and take a salary of $1.00 for myself. Of course if you don't do it I want you to stop talking about or reporting on the plight of the homeless and joblessness in America because having read this it will be you that is personally responsible for their circumstance not improving. Tom Canavan The Benefactor Project.com

unbelievable!!!..the foofball player that was pulled over for running a red light got what he deserved..a ticket. how would you feel if it was your mother in law that was t-boned by an out of control driver who wants to say their last good byes?

I'm not suprised that you made the choice to highlight the police stop in Dallas instead of mentioning the funeral of four cops in Oakland, attended by over 20,000 people including two senators, the governor, and the former gov and mayor.  Perhaps the cop in Dallas should have just trusted the red light runner and hope he doesn't have a 9 mm.

I watched NBC Nightly tonight hoping to see the thousands of police officers from across the country who came to pay their respects to the 4 Oakland police officers killed in the line of duty.  Once again, the news jumped on a story of officer misconduct, but no mention of these fine officers who were simply doing their jobs and now won't be coming home to their families.  Shame on you for not even mentioning their sacrifice.  

Hey Brian,

Loved the link you posted about the fireman dressing up as Spiderman to save the little boy w/ autism, what a great idea!  How cool is that, for everyone involved....this world needs more imaginative people like that.  

I really enjoyed seeing Richard on the news last night, I am late writing this, and we didn't get the national news tonite where I live, it was the local 6:00 news still showing at 6:30 and I had to watch another station!  I kinda felt guilty:-) Anyways, I just wanted to say that he looked kinda peaked, like he had a headache or something, and I hope you are doing ok, Richard and aren't sick or anything.....I don't know if you read these posts or not, it would be cool if you did...but you are always so cool under pressure and here you are in these most dangerous of places, even thou it looks scary, it seems like you are enjoying yourself and having fun, so that is good.

Another great Friday piece, loved the Making a Difference segment, what a great story and how imspiring!  I hope other cities can use that as a model for their communities too.  Baltimore is an awesome town!

Hope everyone has a great weekend, we need some sun, here, it has been raining for days......  

Brian - Many of us, sad to say, are only watching your nightly broadcast and/or PBS these days for news coverage.  Other than Andrea Mitchell, David Shuster and Keith Olbermann, MSNBC is lost during the day and in the evening. We're passing along your name to friends as one of the last few real journalists still around (Chuck Todd is learning and doing real well, too).  Thank you for keeping your coverage fresh and unbiased.  Now, if you have any control at all within the NBC chambers over Meet the Press - please get someone to replace David Gregory.  Not only was he not a suitable substitute for our dear Tim Russert, but he is getting worse.  His "gotcha," biased, and spiteful so-called journalism is amateurish at best.  Today, for gosh sakes, he interviewed John McCain - not that I watched.  Nobody but nobody I know is interested in what John McCain has to say - I think we showed that in the last election.  He is anachronistic and really needs to step aside.  Until he does, can you not bring in someone with current views who is looking toward the future with some real answers?  I hate to be unkind, but in this case may I mention when I see McCain I think old, broken, used-up ideas.  And I'm in my 60s not my 40s!  Thank you for reading this.

HI Brian

Thank you so much for another great broadcast.  I don't know how you do it but you can always make us want more.  I wish you were on for more than 30 minutes.  As usuan I came away from this braodcast hopeful and happy.  I know that there is so much heartache in this world right now but each night when you are in the "Making A Difference" segment you make us feel so good.  I come away with knowing that each and everyone of us can make a difference if we would only try.  I do know that many people here in California have done so many wonderful things to help those in need and we are still try to do more.  I thank you for this segment and I truly hope you continue with it for a long time to come.  

I too read the piece on the "Spiderman" hero.  What a great story.  Thanks for sharing it.

I too was very upset about the NFL player and the officer who definitely did not use much common sense.  It was tragic that they were not able to be there to say goodby because the officer was using bad judgment.  In defense of officers, they do have a very rough job.  My family is made up of a lot of police officers from Captains to patrol officers and they too believe this was just a very bad judgment call on the officer's part.

I truly enjoy each and every news broadcast you do.  You are truly the best in the business.  

Hope you had a great weekend and can't wait for tonights broadcast

 

Hi Brian,
 It's always great to see Richard Engel.My brother   will be returning to Iraq soon.I don't think he's had the pleasure of meeting Richard,but I know that Richard makes a difference in alot of people's lives.
I've never seen anyone as dedicated to their job.When Richard returns,I hope NBC News has a long celebreation with him and can air it on your program so we all can watch.
Have a great weekend.

Vickie

Hello Brian,
     I'm not writing you to toot my own horn but to put an idea out there.
   I bought my house 7 years ago still paying its a modest home in a lower middle class neighborhood. One of the first things i did was plant a plum tree in the front yard sence them i've planted 4 pear trees and 2 peach trees in my front yard and 2 apple trees in the back yard last year my neighbors and passers by got to eat plums and peaches for 2-3 months in the  summer. Its been easy 20-30 dollars for a tree and 6-8 dollars for a bag of dirt.
    I got the idea from an oldtimer who said this was a common practice in days goen by but i only see an occcational crab apple tree these days, i encourage everyone to help themselves and there is allways plenty left for me and mine.

Hi Brian,
  I watch you nightly.  I am concerned that tonight you are either stressed or exhausted???  You do not look like yourself.  Take care of yourself!

Hi Brian,  

I'm having a friend of mine send you a note. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy watching you on the news every evening and I look forward to your news cast.  Your ties that you wear are striking and I always look forward to seeing the tie that you choose to wear.

It is so refreshing to hear your segment everynight on the "good things" people are doing.  I've always thought if the media focused more on the positve things going on in the world, there would eventually be less negative things to report.

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