Hi, Brian.

Thanks for taking the time on such a busy day to write to the blog. It took me a few minutes after hearing about the earthquakes to realize you folks are there! Thanks for letting us know immediately through Twitter  that you and the crew were alright. It's unbelievable how eventful things have been in the region since you all arrived. You've all been handling it very well, from what I've seen, but I'll be happy when you're all back here in the states.

Of  course, you've got to love those Flip video cameras. From capturing a quick touchdown at a ball game, or filming an earthquake in Afghanistan – they always come in handy (and in great quality too).

We'll all definitely be joining you soon. Looking forward to another terrifically composed broadcast tonight.

Wishing all of you safety,
-Cary

I was in Afghanistan a year ago, working on an Army contract at Bagram AB.  The Afghani's I met were some of the most sincere people I've ever met, and I can't help but feel sorry for so many of them that live in such horrible conditions.  I bought many carpets when I was there and built a good friendship with my carpet dealer over tea and exchanged stories.  They're very hard workers and at least last year, some of the Afghani's, including one Afghan Army Cpt, were very happy that the US was there, and it's really sad for me to see how badly the situation has deteriorated in less than a year.

Great reporting from Afghanistan from everyone that is over there!  Loved the shots from Bagram!  Keep it safe!

Brian,
Great coverage from Kabul.

It is distressing that things have
deteriorated in the last six months
in Afganistan and we have lost the
hearts of these good people.  Also
distressing is that the fight has
moved into downtown Kabul.

I feel bad for the women in that country,
that they feel like nothing; invisible
perhaps.  Their condition is unacceptable.
And they need our help.

I appreciated the story on Pakistan
also as my husband's cousin is an
architect and has built a hospital
in the region.

It was interesting how close Hilliary
Clinton came to being vice-president.
President Obama was right:  "There
would have been more than two in
the relationship." as reported by
David Gregory.

And an earthquake topped it off!!!  A
Red-Letter Day if I am using that
expression correctly. Thanks for the
info on you blog about this earthquake.

Take care,
Phyllis

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Another fine broadcast this evening. Enjoyed all your web only videos Mr.Williams. I am really happy you remained safe during the earthquake because with all that is going on in the region an earthquake is not needed at all. it was horrible to see the burned and bullet ridden guest house during your time with contractor Chris Turner. He was certainly brave in fighting off the taliban with his own AK-47 while trying to protect the other people. You have been doing some great reporting from the region Mr.Williams. Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast this evening. Please Keep Extra Safe Always Richard. Now on to the broadcast. Richard's experience with covering both the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan since as you stated Mr.Williams Richard has covered the wars since the first shots were fired making him a true veteran of the wars and region. As Richard stated there is a "game changer" with the taliban moving into the city and causing these attacks. Making it extremely difficult to have access to the streets. The taliban and al-qaeda are working more together than eight years ago making them more similar than different. Outposts like in the Korengal Valley could not be needed if the stategy changes and there is no point to keeping them open. There is no need for food giveaways because there are fewer people and it is needed more in the cities.
A very tumultuous region as one prays for some sort of peace for the civilians.
Excellent Reporting As Always Richard!
Mr.Williams- your time with Chris Turner showing you the burnt out guest house showed hopw horrible the bombings. Mr.Turner bringing you all around the building and even his room where he said there was nothing much left to salvage. It was staggering and disturbing to hear him say he security is deteriorating and that he thinks the time of trying to win hearts and minds of the Afghan people has been lost. Also, him saying that Kabul is not as safe anymore because of the taliban is frightening,yet he loves the region and the people. It was nice to hear him say he feels privileged to have nice Afghan friends.

The report by Adrienne Mong about the women of Afghanistan was heartbreaking and tragic. The life is extremely tough for these women being forced into marriages at such a young age to men so very much older than them. The abuse to these women by their husbands was sickening to hear. So many wounding themselves to escape the abuse. It is heartwrenching and terribly tragic.
Seeing President Obama at Dover Air Force Base saluting the return of 18 fallen US soldiers was touching and heartbreaking especially for the families of the fallen soldiers. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the military families.

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast! You both have been doing some excellent reporting this week! 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! YOU ALWAYS DO EXCELLENT REPORTING FROM THIS REGION. THE BEST JOURNALIST COVERING THESE CONFLICTS SINCE THE BEGINNING. (Always love the smile!)
STAY EXTRA,EXTRA SAFE AND WELL MR.WILLIAMS!
XOXO

Hi Brian,

You gave us another broadcast so amazing that I can't even think of words to describe it. The background in the night sky was breathtaking. It's sad that the most beautiful places on Earth are sometimes ravaged by war, and some in the name of religion at that.
And the way you look in Aghanistan is really more like the way I picture you, a journalist, even though you're the best anchor.
Chris Turner is definitely a true hero. He's given me a different perspective of private contractors. It's sad that he lost all of his personal belongings. It's good to see that he wasn't injured though. And it's sad that the U.N. employees were killed. Hopefully it has stabilized regarding that part of the many situations going on.
Those "tough guys" running Pakistan don't seem to like Hillary's straight talk. I hope she stays safe, and Andrea too.
It was so painful to see the young girls in the burn unit--being forced to marry at such a young age and feeling the need to burn themselves. There wouldn't be much hope in that situation so I'm definitely not blaming them. It was sad to see one die, but then good to see the other one doing much better.
It was a very informative conversation between Richard and you. It does make more sense to concentrate on protecting large areas where the citizens are. I don't understand the logic of placing the troops in a remote region where they're so easily targeted. You'd think the military leaders wouldn't have even come up with that strategy. I hope the troops can get some reinforcement soon but with strategies that are going to save their lives.
If war wasn't enough, but to have earthquakes is really so much terror to take in. It must be a routine environment for the Afghan people and it's sad to see that the people are probably not wanting help from the military anymore. I think it got to that point in Vietnam, Iraq and now there.

Brian, stay safe and try to get some rest. The time difference must be hard on a body. Hopefully you can take a vacation when you get home. My husband and I will see you tomorrow evening. BTW, I found a great book to send you. For anyone looking for great books at low prices for Christmas gifts, check this out:
http://www.edwardrhamilton.com/

I just wanted to say that seeing some of your news clips really helped me to feel closed to my husband!!  he is stationed at Bagram Air base.  It is so hard being apart but being able to see the base, even though it was so little, it soem strange way made me feel close to him..... Thank you and please remain safe.

Air Force Wife

yes it happened at 10:15 pm and I did feel it in Mazar e Sharif but it was weak.

Good evening (or morning), Brian.

Another terrific broadcast tonight, as you report from Kabul Afghanistan. You all have had quite an eventful week in the region, and as you describe it as “just another day in Afghanistan”, I sure hope for the sake of everyone that that will be it for this week and for a long time.

Adrienne Mong's report on Afghan girls was just heartbreaking, but it's also important that stories like these aren't being ignored. As an American girl/woman, seeing stories like these make you so grateful to have been born and to live in this great country, but at the same time make you feel helpless and want to do something for these people. Something needs to be done. An important report from Adrienne Mong.

It was wonderful to see you and Richard Engel together for tonight's report. Another one of his fantastic in-depth looks into what's going on over there. A very good question and interesting answer to what the difference now is between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

A moving report this morning that President Obama had gone last night to Afghanistan to pay his respects and honor the fallen soldiers, and that he stayed so late before coming back to the White House. It shows that he knows exactly what this decision of sending more troops to Afghanistan means. I hope ultimately what the decision is will be the best for everyone. Either way it goes, it won't be easy.

Hilary Clinton is certainly a strong woman who isn't afraid to say what she thinks. I'm not exactly sure what to think of her remarks at this point, but it sure was interesting. Great seeing Andrea Mitchell on the broadcast. A very interesting look from the two of you at both sides of the story.

You all have been doing some extraordinary reporting this week! It has been great staying connected with you from Afghanistan, and we look forward to seeing you back here in the states very soon.

Tonight our DVR is now getting ready to catch fire on a busy night in good TV: Game two of the World Series (go Yankees!), VA Tech Hokies back on the field tonight, and of course the greatest comedy lineup in TV history. I now wish we had two DVRs! After last night's loss for the Yankees, I hope tonight's a turnaround. Good luck to the boys in pinstripes, from the city of dreams!

Thinking of all of you, and all of our military watching the World Series together – I hope someone goes to sleep happy with tonight's win.

To all of you out there: Goodnight, and stay extra safe!

-Cary

Glad to see everyone is ok during the earthquake. It's common out here in California. Excellent report on Kabul as I know soldiers who are still there. I don't believe any country can win the hearts and mines by buying people are giving them. Now I do believe the US as well as the World should help Afghanistan and others by giving them seeds for planeting and teaching them how to do for themselves. With no resources and finishing what is given the people will only look for more and the Afghanistan Government will never stop the corruption and help the citizens. The Plan Bush/Cheney had would never allow the US to ever leave and always have the Afghanistan people depending on handouts by the US. Look at Iraq as they have had a Government sit up by the US and as the date comes for the US soldiers to leave they start having bombings. First we hear it's all Al Quada now it's all about the Taliban. One has to wonder why the then Governor Bush invited the Taliban as his guest to the United States? As we even start hearing from those who were insiders for 8 years now they have tell all books.

Nothing do about the unemployment extention as the GOP is busy working on more important matters. Good to see a Health Care Plan from Pelosi still waiting for Republicans Health Care Plan. I was glad to hear South Carolina Govenor Sanford approved the unemployment for those who have been waiting for so long. As many who refused help for their citizens now I see those same Govenor are accepting the help.

For years we were told seeing caskets and the pictures of our dead soldiers would be bad for Americans as the President didn't feel we needed to see so much death. I remember for years we we not even allow to see the soldiers come home and no way did President Bush honor 4,345 died soldiers who came home in caskets all hours of day and night. I hope President Obama takes note that we don't want to lose any more of our soldiers and Afghanistan/Iraq have to stand up on their own.

Reading many comments some want to continue the mission as set out by Bush/Cheney and continue spending money we don't have and allowing soldiers to continue to be on Foreign soil as occupents of Afghanistan/Iraq. General McChrystal is using the Bush/Cheney policy will was done in Iraq and didn't work but doing the same thing expecting different results is insanity isn't it?

I'm glad we got to see Richard and that's a real relief to Lisa and all of us that he's safe.  At one point Kabul was safe but things change in a minute in Iraq. Now I guess the plan is to push the US to stay in Iraq is to focus on these bombing and continue giving money as their Government Leaders do nothing to stop it. Smart move as we have a new President who is more focused on the needs of the American people and our well being.

Stay safe and my best to all the regulars

Hi Brian:

6.0 well even here in California that size will get our attention.  It's a very scary feeling when it happens and lasts for more than 5 seconds.  I am not sure what more there is that you can experience while there, You've had explosions, gun battles, fires, bombs and now an earth quake.  I know all your bloggers keep saying please stay safe and again so do I.

I too felt the quake last night around 2220 hours in my "home" here in Kabul.  I have never been in an earthquake before now, so I was unsure about what was happening until it dawned on me that, "Hey, I'm in Afghanistan, ANYTHING is possible". Not hearing any explosions or machinery confirmed it for me.  Just a little shaking of my wall lockers is all, enough to let me know what it was though.

We cannot emphasize enough, Brian, PLEASE BE SAFE.
Can I revisit “Wait..Wait..?”
What was it like having a sitting President, Clinton, giving you a buzz at home?
“Making pasta” -  How cute, SWEET.
Last night, we listened, again, to “BriTunes.”
The Seeds’ “Can’t Seem To Make You Mine” has a Beatles sound and is such a cool song. Lyrics are deep.

On a more serious note:
After seeing NBC’s week-long footage from Afghanistan, one thing is very clear:
President Bush did not think, did not weigh the consequences and all options.

Brian,
I  hope David, Ann, Lester gives
details on the South Carolina attorney
general found in grave yard with call
girl.

Which brings to mind  "Wuthering Heights"
where Heathcliffe dug up Catherine
from her grave, one of my favorite
classics.

Phyllis

Brian please tell Chris that his ex and his sons are worried and relieved that he is doing OK. He has lost much in his life but he knows his family- both mom and dad in KC and his other family are supporting him. He has always wanted to break into the media and man oh man what a way to do it!  He has always been a weapons man and has had an uncanny sense of when to react to violence.  Please give him our support!

Thanks for the report on the Kabul Orphanage. I've been wanting to help the Afgan orphans but didn't know how to help until I saw your report tonight. Now I have helped in a small way. I plan to give more as soon as I can.
Keep up the great reporting Brian and especially Richard. I'm praying for his safe return. Jim

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