Good evening and happy Friday, David!

I had no class this morning because our professor was out for a second time this week with the flu. I'm not sure if it's the regular seasonal flu, or the H1N1 virus. As a student it's nice not having class in the morning, but of course I hope she recovers soon. The news we've been hearing of the H1N1 virus has been very unsettling and awful, and I look forward to your correspondent Robert Bazell making sense of all of it for us.

Since I had no class this morning, I had the choice of either sleeping in, or getting up for the Today show. I chose the latter, and I'm glad I did. It was great seeing you this morning, but I wonder how you did since that Dodgers game went on so late! It was also an interesting interview with the Heene family. I still don't know what exactly to think at this point, but what a poor little boy. Wonder what made him so sick this morning.

And how cold were Al and Meredith this morning! Haha – you have my sympathy, and support for the Dodgers. Pretty nice of me as a Yankees fan – but I'd really love to see a Yankees vs Dodgers world series! Plus, I love Joe Torre! – and that'd be very interesting to watch.

Look forward to seeing you soon, David! I hope all of you have a great weekend. Good luck, and go Dodgers!

-Cary

Hi David:

Great to see you again in for Brian!      I am just not "buying" the parents on this balloon thing.   Something is not right the parents especially with all the interviews and media coverage and the fact he called the FAA before he called 911.   What's up with that?  

Then of course the situation with Meredith this AM made me pause and think the child is so upset about the lying that it is making him ill.

Take care!

I see nothing wrong with an Interracial
marriage.  Love conquers all.  If I am
not mistaken Moses' wife was black,
and that was in the book of Genesis,
and, hey, this is 2009.  As for the
children of such a marriage suffering,
it's a tough world out there for
all kids.  More importantly, to me,
this is a marriage that God would honor.

Good Evening Mr.Gregory, Great to see you this evening filling in for Mr.Williams. Another fine broadcast this evening. First of all the report by Mr.Bazell concerning the swine flu vaccine. Hearing that 10-12 million fewe doses will be available by the end of October is alarming to many especially parents because so many children have been ill with the virus. The flu has impacted children the most and the number of deaths is so very tragic. With 41 States with outbreaks and doctor visits rising the arrival of the vaccine needs to be soon. Hopefully, it will be available very soon.

The report of high waves of violence in Pakistan is disturbing showing the increase of the taliban attacks. Hearing of another 11 people killed because of a suicide bomber is again very tragic.
The loss if 4 more American soldiers in Afghanistan due to a roadside bomb is extremely sad and tragic. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families.

On another note the report by Mr.Seidel about the Autumn storms showed some unusual winrty storms for mid-October. The 5 to 8 inches of snowall in some States along with snow covered pumpkins and mums seems alittle early in the season. Alot cooler temperatures too on many States.

The "Making A Difference" segment by Mr.Allen was especially nice this evening. The 18yr old who has battled cancer and legally blind is truly doing fine work to help others. Raising money for the Ronald McDonald House by saving all those soda tabs is great! He understands what the parents and children are going through and this house really helps them through the tough times. It was wonderful he made cupcakes for the 35th Anniversary if the house. he certainly has raised much money and has a really big heart.
Nice Piece!

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Gregory. We will look for Mr.Williams on Monday! Even though it would be nice to see him a day early! See you on Meet the Press! 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

David--Obviously, you didn't get the memo stating that all Nightly News anchors are required to refer to the H1N1 virus as "Swine Flu" (you did so on the air, but not on your blog).  Remember--whenever there is a choice, always use the scarier and more sensationalistic term for a disease.

It was obscene that Nightly News led off Thursday's broadcast with a four-minute-and-fifty-second story about the little boy who may or may not have been hiding in his father's helium balloon.  This story deserved thirty seconds at most:  The balloon became untethered and took off, the six-year-old boy may have been inside it, and as it turns out, he was safe and sound, hiding in his attic.  End of story.  But not for Nightly News.  They stretched it out to almost five minutes, using two different correspondents.  Of course, no regular viewer should be surprised by this.  It is the Nightly News policy to emphasize the sensationalistic at the expense of real news.  Interestingly, the runaway balloon story was also the lead on many of the celebrity gossip shows.  The Nightly News producers are obviously striving to make their show more and more like Extra.  In fact, I'm surprised that Mario Lopez wasn't asked to sit in for Brian Williams this week.  Also on Thursday's broadcast there was a "news story" about holiday airfares.  Tom Costello took two minutes and fifteen seconds to say what could have been said in twenty seconds:  Airfares are not going to go down before the end of the year, so don't wait to book flights.  That's the whole story.  And then there was Thursday's three minute promotional story for next week's "A Woman's Nation" series.  Three minutes to tell us all about what we would be seeing next week.  All together, the runaway balloon story, the airfare story and the "Woman's Nation" promo took up more than ten minutes of valuable news time.  That's more than 40% of the entire broadcast.  And that's shameful.  Wasn't there any real news to report?

David,

The balloon is never seen closeup. I wonder if there is anyway the child could have gotten into the balloon. And even if he could wouldn't the bottom bulge with his weight?

I am frustrated that in a time when the H1N1 vaccine roll out is still in the beginning stages money takes precedence over those with legitimate health issues and those most at risk.  BP in Ferndale has offered the H1N1 vaccine to all its employees, most of whom are male and not in the high risk group in anyway.  I'm pregnant with severe asthma and a teacher in Ferndale School District and I can't get the vaccine to save my live.  I also have a 2 year old child who I can’t get vaccinated.  I've called all the clinics and none have the vaccine yet and the health department has cancelled it's clinics until the vaccine becomes available.  Why are the makers of the vaccine selling to large companies instead of providing the vaccine to those most at risk?  Does money still buy everything?  Why isn’t the CDC regulating the distribution of the vaccine more closely?    

With H1N1 sweeping through the country (affecting especially young people), is trick or treat a good idea this year? Seems like a great way to spread the flu! Only takes one infected person to be handing out candies in each area for the flu to really take off.

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