First, I want to send thanks to the editor for informing us of this. I know this is a tough day for Brian, and for family and other friends of Walter Cronkite.

Just moments ago, Ann Curry posted the following on Twitter:

Just days ago Walter Cronkite's friend Bill Harbach said he recited the poem "Sea-Fever" at his bedside.

"I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by...all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover And the quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."

Rest in peace now Mr. Cronkite.

-Cary

Thank you for streaming Walter Cronkite's funeral on your website.  I was able to listen to most of it.  From the opening strains of the Navy hymn ("Eternal Father") to the joyful closing notes of "When the Saints Go Marching In" it was a very moving service.  

Regarding the Cambridge PD and Professor Gates:  Since when is it illegal to raise one's voice at a police officer - particularly when within the confines of one's own home?  No weapon was being brandished, no violence was being threatened.  Are we no longer allowed to be disobedient, within reason?  This was a clear abuse of authority.  Placing someone under arrest is a big deal.  It is not something that should be done as a way to "put someone in his place," or to "teach him a lesson."  Police officers are supposed to keep a cool head when all around them are losing theirs - isn't that why we sometimes also refer to them as PEACE officers?  If we were each placed under arrest every time we lost our tempers, the jails and prisons would be overflowing.  Ludicrous!
   

I wish Brian Williams learn something from Mr. Cronkite. Be impartial, tell the truth and above everything if He is going to take sides should be with the people of America. It seems to me that the President of USA owns the mainstream media.

I was very disappointed with Nightly News coverage of the arrest of Professor Gates 7/23.  The emphasis was on the response to Obama's comment.  Then I turned to CBS News where the coverage centered on the problem of racial profiling and examples of it during the recent past. Without doubt, this is more to the point.  Racial profiling must be eradicated.  Obama's comment struck a nerve and outrage shared by so many African Americans.  (And by the way, I am a white woman.)  Shame on NBC for its incendiary coverage!

President Obama was dead wrong to say Sgt.Crowley acted stupidly.How is it racial profiling if the caller describes two black men with backpacks trying to force the front door? If Sgt.Crowley is such a racist cop, how is it that Wikipedia decribes him as having "desperately tried"to save the life of NBA star Reggie Lewis when he collapsed.More facts,less spin please.

To whom it may concern,

I'm having trouble listening to your newscast. When the show initially comes on the music is so loud I have to turn the volume on my television way down. Then when Mr. Williams starts to speak I have to turn the volume back up as I can't hear him speaking. This problem continues throughout the broadcast with every commercial break.



This has become very frustrating and I've noticed I don't have to deal with it when watching the other networks. I am a loyalist and have watched NBC news since the 1960's. That is why I am telling you about the problem rather than "voting with my feet" or channel selector.


Thanks,
Bob May

Hey Brian, I thought it was really cool that VA is the top state for business right now, in the US, and even better that u guys showed the State Capitol in your clip~ that's a great little park right smack dab in the middle of downtown.  It's also about 3 blocks from where I work and I try to get by there at least once a week, sometimes more...it's a great way to escape the daily grind and be in nature!  The squirrels are so friendly they come right up looking for food.  I only wish u guys could've gotten some long shots around the grounds, it's really beautiful with fountains and rose gardens:-)  Also, I wish I had gone there today, would've loved to have seen the Guv in that little white chair:-)  

Later~

Hi Brian:

Missed your blog today but it was well worth it.  I am sure the funeral for Walter Cronkite was a sad and emotional one for you.  How wonderful it was to see so many people paying respect to this wonderful man who made an impact on all our lives.  His life was an inspiration to all.  My heart went out to Andy Rooney.

Ok, President Obama should not have used the word Stupid, but it actually was stupid.  The police knew this man owned the house, he proved it with ID but they stil put him in handcuffs and arrested him.  WHY?????  I know that the racism issue is a big one still in ths Country and I know the President could have used a different word but, ok, it happened.  It is not good to keep this issue in the forefront.  It only causes more aggrivation between people.  We need to move on and work toward never letting this happen again.

OOPS!!!! So many people in government and in the religious sector getting busted for money laundering, bribery, etc in New Jersey and New York was shocking.  Human kidneys being bought and sold, how horrible is this?  How many other states is this happening in?   It will be interesting to see how this developes once the investigation is completed.  

I know bin Laden's son was killed but I am sorry I wish it was Osama himself, not his son.  We lost 4 more soldiers today, 35 so far in July. thousands since we entered this war, and so, so  many on 9-11, all because of this man and his devestating acts. I know as a good Catholic I am not supposed to feel this way but I can't help it.  Every day, because of this man, so many innocent men and women loose their lives.  It just hurts.

Good to hear that the government is really getting on the forefront to protect us from the Swine Flu with the vaccines.  I know that it will also take all of us doing our part to stay healthy by doing what the experts have told us to do such as , wash hands frequently. It's going to take all of this to hopefully keep this from an serious and deadly flu season.

It never fails, when it's just been a bad day, and the news is not the happiest, you give us a great Making A Difference" story to make us smile and tonights was a really good one.  I was fortunate to attend private school because of the efforts of my parents and their sacrifices to be able to pay for my sister and I to attend Catholic elementary and high school.  So many of our frieds did not. At one time our high school swapped students with a public high school for a week.  It really showed the difference in the education we were receiving from those in public school. This program is so wonderful.  Giving the lower income students the chance to excell by letting them attend a private school during the summer, tuition free, is such a great act.  It would be great to see this same program take off in other communitys in all States so that all children can achieve their goals.  You made another end to your broadcast a great one.

Are people nuts, you 2nd to Jon Stewart.  WRONG!!! you're the best there is.

I hope you have a wonderful evening and I will look for your blog and broadcast tomorrow.

Hi,

I am totally disapointed in the news broadcast with regards to the Gates case. Please, when being a news broadcast, please be as bias as possible and provide the american people with all of the facts. You, as 'news' representatives, are not suppose to slant one way or the other but, tonight you did. You gave this hint of a break in, in the past of professor Gates house, but did not go into more detail of this. As news representatives you could have also revealed in Cambridge in the last year there have been about 11 break-ins. The police had every right to ask questions to anyone being in that house at the time they got there. Once, ID was presented, I would have assumed things would have cooled. But they didn't. Why, we'll never know, but please as newspeople, provide an unbiased view. You did not do that tonight.
Thanks for your time.
Steve

Wednesday evening President Obama held a prime time press conference to promote his plan for Health care reform.  The last question posed to him concerned the charge laid, and susequently withdrawn, against Professor Gates.  The Thursday evening "Nightly News" started with the lead story of President Obama's reaction to the Professor Gates incident, and not the issue of healthcare for Americans.  Why the diversion of what is truly important?  Not that the incident regarding Professor Gates isn't important, but rather why latch onto the "stupidly" describer.  It was news worthy of coverage, but the main story?  I think not.  With the media creating diversions healthcare reform for Americans will be a long time coming.   I am Canadian and proud of our universal healthcare system, but am baffled by the America's hesitancy to extend healthcare to all its citizens.  Given the resources of your country, it should be a right!  

Dear Mr Williams, growing up my mother had to be home by 6:30 to see what we called "uncle walter". I really thought for years, since he sailed in Maine HE was uncle walter. On a serious side, we now watch you and anderson cooper. I have a suggestion when you close the show, good ending, but don't say I hope to see you here tomrrow, instead say I something like best wishes, be safe and end with I WILL SEE YOU HERE TOMRROW

Dear Mr. Williams,

I can only watch your broadcast on the internet.  The area I live in do not have an agreement with Dishnetwork.  So every morning I listen to the previous broadcast as I find it informative without the sensationalism....however..... I must admit to being disappointed and disturbed that you would spend the first 7 minutes talking about Obama's adjective `stupid'.  That is so not doing anything for me...its doesn't educate me, it doesn't put money in my pocket, make healthcare available to me or tell me how soon my sister will be able to get back to work.   In my opinion....I don't have all the facts...that was stupid.  Stupid is as stupid does.  I think you are better than that...it was `FOX' worthy.  
Step up and stay with news...as you say...that can make a difference.

I haven't watched Brian since the robert redford comment about oil shale and the sweet old couple who refinanced their home and blew all the money, then  couldn't pay it back.

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