Hi Brian,

I'll be watching tonight like every other night. I just want to know why the moderators haven't been able to post all the comments from last Wed. and the days following? If they have time to post three,four, and sometimes five comments from one person, someone up there in NYC should be able to get rid of the back logs.

Anyway, just wanted to be able to say hello and look forward to your broadcast. I welcomed you back on Mon., but it may take til your next return from vacation to get it posted. If that happens, let me go ahead and welcome you back from your vacation you might take in the Spring. Merry Xmas too.

Dear Brian,

I've been recording the broadcast all week.  I've seen bits and pieces, but I've got a lot of catching up to do...  I look forward to your report on today's aviation mishap, knowing - as we all do - what strong opinions you have on the air travel experience.  One really does take one's life in one's hands...

@ RE fans - I have a good link for you:

http://www.rtdna.org/pages/awards/2009-edward-r.-murrow-awards-dinner/2009-edward-r.-murrow-awards-dinner-coverage.php

@ Celine - Thanks for the Afghanistan wrap-up!  It's not easy to come by a print edition of the NYT where I live, and I just can't get into reading it online; it seems so wrong!  (But, I guess I'll have to get over it.)

Laurel

Marines in Manhattan? I hope they were doing Reconnaissance. :-)

I'm not responding to the Not So Far Away story but to the lead story about the NW flight that overshot Minneapolis. That the crew managed to spend more than an hour out of radio contact and fly right past their destination sounds too much like 9/11 with, apparently, the same response by ATC...none. Forget what the crew was or wasn't doing. What was the Air Force doing??

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Another fine broadcast this evening. How wonderful you were able to address around 100 Marines back from being overseas serving their country soe bravely. Also, how extra special you hosted 6 Marine Colonels and and Army Lt. Colonel who is on the battlefield in Afghanistan. They are all so brave and dedicated to serving their country and one hopes someday they will all be able to return home.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Mr.Costello about the flight that missed its desitination and lost radio contact for an hour an an half. One has difficulty understanding how the flight crew could become so involved in an argument over airline policy that they could miss the destination. Fortunately, they did regain contact and fly back to the Minneapolis Airport, but the passengers certainly must have been unhappy with the delay. Hopefully, the investigation of the recorders and tapes will help find out what exactly happened in the cockpit.

The report from Mr.Bazell concerning the swine flu outbreak showed how colleges and universities are definitely having many ill students with the swine flu. It is staggering that 95 college campuses have cases of swine flu, but with so many students in close quarters it is not surprising. Also, as stated in the report many students have travelled and may bring back the symptoms of swine flu to the campuses. At least no deaths have been reported. As in the report by Mara Schiavocampo one cannot be too complacent about these outbreaks and try to remain vigilant about remaining healthy.

The report by Anne Thompson in the series,"A Women's Nation" showed how men and women in the workplace see things differently and must learn to communicate their ideas to be understood. Women do think outloud and men see the bottom-line and their must be an adjustment to bring both ideas together. It is good many companies give flexible hours to women with families because this is a crucial incentive to balancing work and family. With confidence one can achieve great things.

The "Making A Difference" segment by Mr.Tibbles was very nice and it showed how one charity is thriving due to the help of a local business. The business owner of the bicycle shop asking for people to donate their old bikes so they can be fixed up to help the Center of Hope Charity which donates bicyles to people in need is a wonderful idea. The charity almost had to close, but with the help of the local business they could keep open. Such a great thing to do and giving people freedom to go where they need to go. Good Piece!

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. 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

Hi again Brian,

I liked the promo you did for your upcoming broadcast tonight. Every time you can get out from behind that desk, it gives the Nightly News a refreshing look. I'd like to see you do the broadcast the way you, Chuck Todd, and Richard Engel did a few mo. ago, standing up. But some viewers had to become professional set designers all of a sudden, complaining about the clock being wrong, etc.

I bet you those pilots really have something to argue about now. If you see this blog, pilots, this is a good place to argue, debate, and disagree. I don't think any of us have been arrested yet, for doing that. We all cross the line sometimes though, well most of us.

Brian, it's really hard to believe that men and women are still having debates such as in the 'Woman's Nation" segments. How many yrs. ago was it that all of those books came out like " Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus?" I personally think it's devisive. And it causes men and women to constantly play those inequality cards. Why can't we move on down the line a little and discuss issues on how we're all human beings yet still have a miscommunication problem between the different races? We've never taken a real close look at how some races are being left behind in the dust. How many segments have you done lately on the plight of American Indians? I believe one in the last six mo.-- about the American Indian students who learned quite a lot from their baseball coach. And are you going to get in touch with Georgina Lightning to receive a copy of her film "Older Than America" and possibly have an interview with her about the Christian Indian Schools from the late 1800's - early 1900's? We can watch an interview about a rediculous documentary on black women's hair but we can't have documentaries hear and there about American Indian children. That wouldn't be a funny segment(though some would probably laugh.) I can enjoy a good laugh like anyone else, but not at the expense of others, as in black women , white people and dogs being abused. I suppose it's still in vogue though. Sorry to go there again Brian. But that's what I'm going to send you for Xmas, "Older Than America", and I hope you'll have time to watch it.

The "Making A Difference" segment was another great one. It's a shame that people have to walk or ride a bike to work. But I would choose a bike over walking any day. The guys at the bike shop should be proud of themselves. It's easy to see how Willie and the other recipients of the bikes were so grateful. I wish them all well.

You certainly are sporting those nice purple ties--my favorite color. The cut of your suits are nice too. I noticed that, when you were sitting on the edge of the desk during your promo. I think female viewers can appreciate such simple acts.

I hope you have a good night and I'm glad you enjoyed your day with the Marines. See you tomorrow evening.
Have a nice upcoming weekend too.

Brian,
I was able to get on the Website this
evening around ten and thought your
broadcast was terrific.  

The airplane story was riveting and
hope you have an update Friday night --
and the Afghanistan earthquake as well

Phyllis

Regarding the news segment on climate change: Why do fewer people believe accelerated global warming is real/is an issue? Along with the economic bias, a confluence of factors, like an ongoing misinformation campaign by certain industry/political groups, some cold regional weather (AKA fluctuation within the trend), and an apparent lack of scientific literacy on the issue.

Example: Several people with whom I've conversed seem to think global warming means temperatures rocketing upward on every spot of the planet, unmodulated by shorter-term natural variability. In reality, it means an increase in global mean temperature over time (vs. a 30 year baseline average), with potentially disproportionate regional effects. The overall trend being a very long-term commitment. A bit more nuanced, wouldn't you say?

Then of course, there's the fact that much of the extra heat from global warming ends up in the oceans (so "thermal inertia" delays the full atmospheric effect), and the rate of heat exchange between the oceans and atmosphere varies on annual to decadal timescales. This allows people, even in the media, to pick a year like 1998 (biased to the upside by a strong "el niño") to support "warming has stopped" innuendo:
http://climateprogress.org/2009/10/13/the-bbc-hudson-what-happened-to-global-warming-hottest-decade-in-recorded-history/

But despite it all, the averages have remained anomalous, even following the lowest "solar minimum" in decades, and at least two ocean cycles being in their cool phases. The global-scale trend (still pretty much in it's infancy) is more important than the short-term variability: http://understandit.ml1.net/

Hi brian:

Another great broadcast tonight. Thank you for sharing your experience with the Marines yesterday and the 6 colonels today.  I am sure you were entranced with the stories they have to tell about fighting these wars. What brave, heros they are.

The actions of the crew on flight 188 to Minneapolis is shocking and very, very disturbing.  So many people's lives were entrusted to them and the end result could have been catastrophic.  I know there is an investigation going on by the NTSB but to hear that the crew was involved in a heated discussion and possibly some were sleeping, and not paying attention to the flight is horrifying.  I know this flight did end safely, thank God.  I am anxious to hear the findings from the investigation, what changes can be made to end this sort of behaviour, and what will happen to these crew members as well as others who may do the same thing.

People will complain about anything.  I know that it is not all that we wanted but the government is at least starting to find a way to stop these excessive rates of pay and bonuses to major CEO's.  Cutting salaries is at least a start and that is better than nothing at all.

I am sure you and your wife, like us with kids in college right now, are concerned about the numbers associated with the Swine Flu.  It is dissapointing to hear some of the kids on the report say that they are not really bothered by it and really are not changing a lot of their social habits.  This flu is deadly and this vaccine is so important to the future of our kids.  I pray out son will be able to get the vaccine and soon.  I hope college students take another look at these reports and make some very necessary changes in their lives.

I feel for the Border Patrol agents.  They have so much to deal with each day above ground and now to find that they also have drug smuggling underground from Mexico to Arizona is frustrating.  They are spread so thin now, adding this to their plate is just putting so much more stress on the situtation.  I hope somehow, someone can come up with an idea to thwart this problem and help the officers fight this battle.

People, look around, look at the strange weather all of us all over this Country are experiencing and tell me there is no global warming.  We need to get smart before it is too late.

The cash for clunkers program was a great inspiration for the Center Of Hope "Bikes For Work" program.  The idea was a good one from the start for people in need of cars and now so many people's lives are better because of the bikes that are being supplied to them.  Great story.

Enjoy the rest of your eveing and hopefully we will be lucky enough to have you end our week with us tomorrow.

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