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Back to Earth

Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2009 4:10 PM by Ian Sager
Filed Under:

By Lester Holt, NBC News anchor

Welcome back to the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis. It was great to see them finally make it safely back home – albeit to an alternate landing site in California – after weather in Florida extended their mission for a few extra days. 

If you were watching the Sunday talk shows today, you know that the guessing game over the next Supreme Court justice is about to kick into high gear. In the interview he gave to C-SPAN this weekend, President Obama painted a fairly detailed picture of the kind of person he plans to name to replace Justice David Souter on the bench. Many have taken that picture to be a woman. NBC's Mike Viqueira will tell us what we know about the expected timing of the President's pick, and the ideological battle lines already being drawn between the right and left.

Leaving the TODAY studio this morning I noticed a police officer on 5th Avenue waving-over drivers who did not have their seat belts on. You've may have seen something similar in your community this weekend. On the newscast tonight, NBC's Tom Costello will tell us what's behind a nationwide seat belt crackdown underway this holiday weekend.

Finally, as I write this, it is evening in Great Britain, where television viewers are watching Susan Boyle's return to the stage on the program "Britain's Got Talent."  She's the self-described "spinster" whose surprising performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables earned her international acclaim and turned her into a must-see internet sensation. We've asked Dawna Friesen in our London bureau to come on the program tonight to tell us how her follow up performance went.

Thanks for checking in, I hope you can join us tonight for the Sunday edition of NBC Nightly News.

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Hi Lester,

Hope you're having a great Memorial Day weekend. I'll be able to watch you tonight. I'm so glad the shuttle has been able to return.

My mom and I were going to take a guick ride, (two and a half hrs.) to Cherokee Indian Reservation, N.C.
to see family and friends. But it was soggy there too, and July fourth weekend will be coming up soon. They will be having a huge Pow Wow with people coming from all over the country. But our area here, Greenville, is having a hot air balloon festival this weekend where people come from all over the country. I could see two balloons from my kitchen window yesterday evening.

Lester, Memorial Day: there were and are alot of american indians who have served in the military. They are known for making up a big percentage in all wars.

Also, I'm going to write Brian about this topic. Do you know of a reporter/journalist who has covered the conditions in tribes and/or reservations lately? Things are extremely tough all over the country. There aren't alot of jobs on or near a reservation.

Anyway, I'll be watching tonight and checking out your tie for myself. I see that Phyllis got the scoop on the one last night. But have a great week in case I don't get to write again. Well have a great week whether I do or not.

Bye Lester,

Vicki

P.S. way to go Jeter, and yes you too A-Rod!!
I hope Susan Boyle goes on to sing before
the queen.  She is so gifted  Her singing
awes me.

Have a good Memorial Day weekend, Lester.

Phyllis
Hi Lester,

I've never really understood why people don't buckle up. It's srictly enforced here as it should be everywhere. It does save lives and kids do watch what adults do and don't do. So if there's no other reason. And I really wish people with children in the car would stay off the cell phone.

I believe that Pres. Obama will make the right choice on the nominee for supreme court justice. And I don't care if it's a man or woman as long as it's the best person. But it will probably be blocked by republicans. I hope it doesn't take forever though.

The report from Miquel in Calif.,(you're a great asset to NBC, Miquel) is disturbing in that people, whether gay or staight should have to ask someone's permission to be married. I don't believe that straight people do.In fact, some of us should have said, "Not no, but hell no!", and I'm not talking about me, well not today anyway.

Lester, I'm digressing here. Let's see: Susan Boyle was great as usual. She's going to make it one way or another.

Lester your tie,(octagon), and striped shirt, and beautiful gray suit! You've outdone Brian. You are an 11 not a 10, so tell Brian, it's on now! May the best tie win! Now maybe, you can slowly make your way into paisley or swiss polka dot for the summer? But we won't rush it. Keep up the good work.
In fact, call Brian and tell him to take the whole week off. But you need a rest. So maybe we'll see you tomorrow night.

I'll be here either way. Have a nice evening, Lester.

Vicki
Good Evening Mr.Holt, A great broadcast this evening. First of all the report by Ian Williams from Pakistan concerning the help for the refugees diplaced by the conflict with the taliban. The students at the all girls school in Islamabad are really doing all they can possibly do to send aid to the displaced families. It is so difficult to see children suffering and scrambling for anything they can find. The families having to leave all their possessions behind is terrible and some have received nothing. It is good some people have opened their homes and other schools opened the doors to refugees for shelter. The school girls understand very well the plight of the refugees and the things the taliban want to destroy. Hopefully, someday these people will be able to live in peace. It is so very unfair for innocent people to be caught in the middle of the conflict. Peace needs to come soon.

On another note the report by Mr.Aspell about the security breach at the palace was incredible. It is scary these two reporters were able to get by the guards and see the Queen's cars and royal carriage. Very embarassing for the royals and simply unacceptable. It seems though from Mr.Aspell's report that uninvited guests have shown up many times, but I would believe this might be the last time. The chauffuer who took the bribe in understandably suspended.

Great to see the space shuttle Atlantis making a safe landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Good Job!

The piece by Christina Brown about the "Vets for Vets" program was very moving and certainly provides much support for veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Being able to open up about what they experienced and begin the healing process is a positive thing. So many veterans are having difficulty coping after returning from the front lines and this support group will help them in the recovery. Sooner or later all will feel better it takes time and alot of love and support. God Bless All the Brave Men and Women of the Military!

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Hope you are able enjpy the holiday weekend with your family! 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,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
XOXO
Lester thanks for saying, "We want you on that wall....we neeed you on that wall."
Too many Americans are unaware of that need.
I don't know how else to say it but to
say it:  You are the force with NBC.
No offense to the others who are excellent.
A powerful broadcast, Lester.
Phyllis
The first 5 minutes of your newscast  of 5-24-09 were a loss in my opinion.  Suppositions and guesses about the Supreme Court when the entire rest of the world had news.  How about sticking to the news?
Brian / Lester,

Bob Bazell wrote a blog on May 19, about the 47 million yr. old fossil and the hype surrounding it. As I commented then, it's irresponsible for the History Channel to be promoting it as "the missing link ?" I saw the clip today of the show that's airing tonight at 9m.p.(est) on History Channel. God, I couldn't believe the hype in just that thirty second promo. But I'm going to watch it for quite a few reasons. It is a big deal,and another reason is that I want to see just how much hype goes into it. But I don't think I'll have as much respect for the History Channel as I once did. It all depends on whether or not they allow the find to be debated.

I just wanted to let people know that it's airing tonight.

Have a good day, and I'll see one of you for the evening news. (Mon.)

Vicki
Hi Lester:

Nice to see you this AM looking as well as ever! You have to love, love Ann.  She is a brillant and brave soul.  I am always inspired by her work especially in the DRC.   For any other fans/followers, Ann is on Twitter @anncurry.   She is keeping everyone up to date even in Iran.  It is wonderful!

I love her setiments on her Twitter page  --"Journalism is an act of faith in the future."

Keep the faith and peace and love to all!  
I love her sentiments too:  "Journalism is an act of
faith in the future."  And I totally agree with her.
I studied Journalism for a year or so, and it paid
off in many ways.  Keep the faith!!!
Phyllis


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