HI Brian:

Thanks for the suggestion on Great Lake Swimmers.  Will have to check it out this weekend.  Can't wait for your interview with Tony Dekker.

See you on your broadcast tonight

Dear Brian,

Please don't spend too much time on Governor Sanford.  I am already disappointed that NBC and MSNBC count themselves among the news outlets that have found it necessary to make public the Governor's e-mails to the Argentine woman.  None of that was meant for public consumption, and all it does is further embarrass Mr. Sanford's wife and kids, who already have enough to deal with.  If Mark Potter reads any of that crap aloud again, I think I will barf.

On a much more dignified note, here is my favorite quote of the day:

“Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels.” Jaclyn Smith  

R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett.  She suffered so much, and so bravely.  My heart goes out to her family and friends.

Laurel

Hi Brian-
I watch you each night and read your blog quite frequently.  I just wanted to let you know that the PS22 choir featured on your website should be the ending note for your broadcast on Friday.  From a fellow music lover these kids are just so heartwarming and sound wonderful. Mr. B. deserves appreciation for what he has done and his passion with his students is wonderful.  Kuddos to all for this wonderful presentation and inturpitation of music.

I listen to some more of the tunes today DJ Brian not bad.
What a day it was today. Iran's President is jealous of President Obama. Farrah Fawcett passed away and Justice Thomas is proving why he was never qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice. Now I'm a sucker for a good love story so I hope Mark Sanford and Maria find their way to each other. His marriage has been over and without love he will never get it back. I'm left with only one questions who's next?

Now if the Law Makers had followed the direction of our President it would not have given the Iran President something to lie about. Now it's smart of Iran to use the idiot words of the Republican Law Makers to twist the story and even lie. Iranian have respect for Obama and this isn't good for the Iran President or their Supreme Leader. It was good for them when Bush was President.

I heard Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital. He is always attacked on all sides but his concerts are sold out and his music last forever. Funny how he was found not guilty for molestation yet that's the first comment made about Michael. People can be so cruel and hurtful while demanding of you.

Oh Brian I loved the video of the kids singing my song Viva La Vida and yes I know every word I just can't carry a tune.

Have a great day all

Mr Williams,
  I am actually listening to Great Lake Swimmers right now they have quickly become one of my favourtie work soundtracks. thank you for the intial reccomendation And now the follow up interview. Of all the places i ever thought i would get music nightly news was never one
On a side note i also really enjoyed the music selection for the white house special

Hey, NBC showed up on my DTV box again!  However, I wasn't quite sure that I tuned in to NBC.  I felt like I was watching Entertainment Tonight.  I do not want to diminish today's losses in the entertainment industry, but outside of their immediate families, I don't see how Fawcett and Jackson dying is more important than the crisis in Iran, or our pending troop pullout in Iraq, or the Supreme Court ruling.  Yes, the two are icons and entertainment is more important in times of distress, but other news stories are more important to life and liberty of this nation and others.  I'm already yawning about all the Michael Jackson coverage and its only just begun.  That said, Jackson's death brings to mind the night that Princess Diana died and the first thought that came to my mind: his children.  My heart goes out to them on this worst day of their young lives.

Or this important story: Maine saw sun today; it was really scary with all that bright light but it was wonderful!  

Hi Brian and Lester,

It was disturbing and sad to hear about Michael Jackson. No matter what a person thought about his personal life, he was amazingly talented. I remember growing up with the songs he recorded with his brothers, even "Ben."

At first I had heard about Farrah Fawcett. She was another iconic figure. All the girls ahead of us in high school wanted a hair style like hers, and then we wanted what they wanted. Farrah was a beautiful person. I don't know that a lot of people remember her in "the Burning Bed." I barely remember it but was suprised by her great acting. She was very talented too.

I hope that psycho of a president in Iran holds his breath until Pres. Obama apologizes. I had read that Mr. Mousavi was on house arrest but I hope it's not true. And I think eventually that Iranians will have everything all countries deserve; freedom being top of the list.

From the state polls here, most people would rather Gov. Sanford step down. It's not just about the affair. It's about the stimulus money. And as I wrote before, we wanted it. Now we have it, thanks to the citizens of this great state sticking together.
But that "family Values" politican crap is getting old. It seems to be a weekly version of "the devil made me do it." Extremism at it's finest.

Brian and Lester, I hope you have a great evening and we'll watch the specials about Michael and Farrah tonight and see you tomorrow night.

Vicki

"It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving their fellow men , the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui."
                                     Helen Keller

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A very sad day today with the deaths of Farrah Fawcett at the age of 62years old and the surprising death of Michael Jackson at the age of 50years old. Both were tremendous icons for generations of people. The death if Farrah Fawcett was not totally surprising because of her long tough battle with cancer, yet it is so very sad and tragic. She was a great icon as a model and actress making her mark in advertisments and the breakout role of "Jill Monroe" on Charlie's Angels". Known for her wonderful feathered hair which many young girls wanted to make their hair look like was never out of the spotlight. Her documentary showing erh struggles with cancer was heartbreaking and one could see her being so very strong in fighting the disease. So very tearful to see her son Redmond visiting her for the last time not able to be by her side when she passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by many people.

The sudden passing away of Michael Jackson at the the age of 50years old is very surprising. Dying of cardiac arrest at the hospital leaves many people in shock.
The report by Mr.Alexander about his life revealed how he became such a big star as a child and rose quickly to huge fame around the world. The "Thriller' album was a tremendous hit and I recall seeing the videos over and over again. He did have many troubles in his life and really transforming himself over time. It is terrible he has passed away so soon in his life because he certainly had much talent. It is a tragic loss for the whole Jackson family and my thoughts and prayers got out to them.

On another note the crisis in Iran continues with accusations by President Ahmadinejad the United States is meddling, meanwhile Mousavi is not backing down. I hope for the innocent people of the region peace comes very soon and the violent attacks cease.

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Thank you for the link to "Great Lake Swimmers"! The music sounded great on the link! Thank You! 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! Nice to see you at the Washington Bureau!
XOXO

I always thought you were a newsman.  After tonights broadcast I think you are aspiring to be Mary Hart's co-host.

What a shock about Michael Jackson. I remember in 1967 I saw the Jackson 5 when they won the amateur talent contest at the Apollo. I watched him for all these years and saw the pain that he was dealing with. At his lowest point even when the US didn't want he the Saudi's helped him. Michael gave my his heart but many wanted his destroyed. God just took back a gift he allowed us to share and Michael is now at peace. All the fights over his money will continue but Michael came in this World with nothing and leaves with nothing.

Brian, I was out all day from morning to evening today to spend a day with friends at the New River just outside of Blacksburg, and I heard just as we were leaving about Farrah Fawcett's passing, and was obviously filled with sorrow over the loss of such a wonderful woman. Then, not long after, my mom was telling me Michael Jackson was in a coma, and then in no time she called me and told me that he had died. I am still in complete shock over it, and so sad both Farrah and Michael have both passed so soon...on the very same day. It's just absolutely unbelievable. You all did a wonderful job reporting on both Michael and Farrah tonight. I was very glad to see the time you gave to both of them, and I think it's so nice both Michael and Farrah will be dedicated together on Dateline tomorrow night.

I can't help thinking of how just yesterday Ed McMahon passed away, and every American of the older generation remembered growing up to Ed on the Tonight Show, and shared their memory of him. And now two more generations are doing just the same. As much as Michael was loved, and the icon he's always been, it makes me so sad that he died at this time--with the way so many people think of him with what's been going on with him in recent years--right before he was planning his comeback. Just such sad news..


Thank you for all your reporting tonight, I look forward to your interview with The Great Lake Swimmers leader. They are a great band, and I love their "Everything Is Moving So Fast". Thanks again for sharing it with us.

Take care.
Night,
-Cary

What about the king of pop Brian?

Dear Brian, I have been watching you for years and just love your news approach, as it is always respectful and humane. Tonight, I felt that you could have not used the word "dead" so numerously to describe Michael Jackson's death along with Farrah's. It was a hard pill to swallaw and using such
blatant words as "dead" made it that much harder to take in. I expect you from this point on to use more sensitive words as you have always done on prior news pieces.  Thank you for all the hard work and being receptive to suggestions! Keep it up!

Hi Brian

Great blog and broadcast tonight despite the shocking tragedy of the death of Micheal and Farrah. It was so good to see Lester with you and listen to your thoughts on these two icons.  What a shock to hear of Michael Jackson's sudden death.  His musical talents were supurb and he was a master at his craft. His unusual, odd, and eccentric live style led to a very bizzare life but he was a masterful entertainer and will forever be an icon of pop music.  He was truly the "King of Pop".  He death reminded me of when Elvis died.  The news sent shock waves throughout the world and a large void was felt in the music world.  Tonight it is happening again. He will never be forgotten. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends.   We also lost Farrah.  I remember her as one of Charlie's Angels and as a friend of mine said, she is now with the angels.  Her death was not as shocking as that of Michael because we new of her serious battle with cancer but nonetheless she will be missed and we all feel for her family and friends.

I was truly happy to hear that the Supreme Court took steps to limit what a school can do to children especially when it comes to strip searches.  The new limits hopefully will protect students from having to be put through this humiliating process.  I know that some states, including here in California, have already banned strip searches and I hope other states will now take steps to do the same.

How absolutely absurd for Iran's leader to demand an apology from President Obama for anything at all.  This man created all that is happening in Iran and needs to step up and take the responsibility for it, not blame other for his horrible leadership.

Govenor Sanford is facing some serious problems with his future political career.  The people of the State of South Carolina have a right to be upset and question his juddgment.  To just take off for 5 days in a shroud of secrecy, no one knowing where he was, staff being told lies and to not say anything and to desert his state is very serious.  The fiasco he has created in his private life is his own businness and that of his family.  But to just up and desert his responsibilities to the people of his State shows such bad judgment on his part and may lead to his constituents asking for his resignation. I am not sure what he did can consititute impeachment but his own party is hinting at the possibility of it.

Brian, your broadcast was wonderful tonight.  Thank you for the awesome remembrances of Farrah and Michaal.  I'll look forward to your blog tomorrow and your broadcast.  

O'h by the way, great tie tonight.

Have a wonderful evening  

Thanks for the heads up on Great Lake Swimmers Brian. There's a little bit of a Neil Young feel to their music.  My personal favorite is There is a Light.

After the rememberences for Michael, which are already fried out, are there not any hungry journalists out there, somewhere, that are on Jackson's overdose of narcotics by his private in house doc who has now repotedly has fled the country?
Wasnt murder but certainly manslaughter charges and revocation of his license is warranted for extreme malfeasence. Jacksons passing has cost alot of jobs to instantly evaporate.

MJ's pedo problems aside, can you imagine having an entire industry looking to you to lay the golden eggs to justify their very existence, to give them a JOB? Myself, Elvis, the Beatles, Einstein, Bell and Edison are among the few who know that feeling. If the people MJ encountered in music were anything like the parasites in the banking, computer, photography and medical technology fields; having maggots feed on his dead body must be a relief.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):