The fix

lnp, 37, leonardtown, maryland, usa — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:29:31 GMT

Dear Lester,

Good to see you on the broadcast tonight. I hope you enjoyed your time off.

It looks like you are to appear on Carson Daly's show later this week. I don't know if that's a repeat episode, or a first-run; either way, I will have to tape it. In my old age, I find it more and more difficult to stay up that late!

For all the usual suspects: If you would like to see the very same RE lecture that Lisa McNeil saw in Atlanta at the Jimmy Carter Library & Museum, it's online. Here's the link:

http://www.pba.org/afn/event_list.php?featuredEvents=true

All the best to you, Lester! And I hope NBC's renewed focus on Hurricane Ike will bring that region a surge in relief efforts.

Good night, and lots of love to Lisa, Jackie, Stephanie, Celine, Claudia, Anna, and Matt. XOXO

The fix

Mike Kelly, Pleasanton, CA — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:24:28 GMT

I sure hope we aren't going to purchase any credit default swaps with our tax dollars. Also, we need Warren Buffet or someone like him to set the prices we pay. He knows how to buy at good prices.

The fix

Phyllis Kunz Louisville, Ky. — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:20:54 GMT

Mr. Holt: About the bailout, you are right --
the devil is in the details. I am optimistic
about the plan and think it will work.

Concerning the racial issue sadly there
are still racists and it's so subtle it is
insidious and therefore more evil. I cannot
predict how that will affect Sen Obama I
almost always vote the Republican ticket with
the exception of Jimmy Carter and later
regreted it. I could never warm up to Reagan
though I voted for him. I am a Bush Republican
and wish he had another term.

The Rider's Cup ended around 5:40, so I was
able to tune in this evening with you.

Ann Curry is a brave woman to be in Pakistan
now, what with all the violence. I might
take a trip to Jordon but not another
country in The Middle East. Hopefully,
President Bush will work out a peace plan
between Israel and Palestine on his watch. The
talk now is of one state

My husband is a big fan of Frank Sinatra and
enjoyed the song

Have a nice evening! I was absolutely
delighted that NBC was able to telecast
Nightly News, which was riveting, as always

Phyllis Kunz

The fix

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:23:06 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Holt, Nice to see you this evening on the broadcast. First of all the report by Ann Curry concerning the terror attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad,Pakistan showed so many horrific scenes and so much destruction. The video of the truck pulling up to the outer barrier was ominious to what was going to happen. The amount of explosives the truck carried was staggering resulting in the massive crater. With around 50 people killed and 260 injured it is so very sad all the innocent lives that were lost. The newly elected President Zadari widow of Benazir Bhutto has a huge challenge ahead of him trying to battle the insurgency of the terrorist groups. There needs to be better protection at the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan and so far that has not been achieved. This is a big challenge to the next President of the United States in Foreign Policy. Time will tell. Hopefully, someday the world be be rid of these terror groups. Too many innocent lives have been lost. Peace needs to be the norm.

On another note the recovery from Hurricane Ike is a slow attempt to get back to normal. Mr.Teague's report showed so many people have lost everything, yet they are reaching out to those who they can help in some way. Many things seem to be coming back such as grocery stores, electricity,gas and other things. Still many cannot return just yet until mid-week, yet I hope they all are able to recover soon.
The fall of Wall Street certainly has made a big effect on the businesses around that area. All the small businesses have lost much business due to all the financial institutions that closed. Many have seen profits drop and people lost jobs. I really hope there is some good news coming soon after last week's volatile time in finance.
Finally, it is so very sad to know the last game at Yankee Stadium is going to be played and then we all say farewell to a great stadium with great memories. So many legendary moments in that stadium it is so very sad to see it end. Make way for new memories at the new stadium.
Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Holt. Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! See you soon on Nightly News!
XOXO

The fix

Ron Matthews, Hollywood,CA — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:03:34 GMT

I can solve the mortgage crisis for 454 mllion. Freeze all retail and whole dale pricing for 5 years and give evert American 1 milliondollars, which first must pay debt and mortgages. DONE

The fix

P.A. Las Vegas, NV — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:29:52 GMT

Last Friday, John McCain said the Chair of "FEC" had failed the American people and should resign. Earlier in the week, he mangled SPIC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) and called it "SIPC"

If he doesn't know difference between FEC (Federal Election Commission) & SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) or any other of the acronyms associated with the economy, how can he fix economy? Why aren't you all asking this question? These are very perilous times, PLEASE ASK THE QUESTIONS the ordinary people are concerned with.
Whenever John McCain talks about the economy, it makes me nervous.

The fix

Frank Maher, Mesa, Az — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:01:57 GMT

Wall Street and Washington have shown that they have failed us.

So is is the Americans on Main Street that once again save America.

Focua on the energy transfer and concentrate on harvesting local wind energy. Even if small units only work part time it will reduce the sending of our wealth overseas (or even to Alaska)

For our schools, memorials to our Kia veterans, those awarded Purple Hearts, then to any veteran, then to voters.

we can start building them this year

The fix

L.M. Baltimore MD — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:15:00 GMT

I don't understand how the Presdient can tell the American public that this financial crisis is due
to the mortgage crisis-not due to the cost of the Irag war or the 750 million dollar embassy built in in Irag. The urgent meetings being held regarding bailing out Wall Street remind me of the urgent meetings held to discuss going to War against Irag and funding the War. We all know now how we were misled. How is this any different?

The fix

TGP, El Dorado, CA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:33:26 GMT

Dear Lester:

Have you heard the one about Senator McCain wanting to postpone this Friday's, Sept. 26th, debate so he can go back to Washington and assist with the financial crisis??? He has stopped campaigning and has also asked Senator Obama to agree to this. I have to say, "I will be very disappointed" Besides being a single mother with a morgage and making less than I was two years ago, and trying to hold on, I was looking forward to this debate, as not just "finally" hearing from both candidates and discuss issues, but as being a distraction to our countries present situation. I have not been this excited about something in this nation in a long time. I think it will be a shame if it is pushed. I also think since Senator McCain has been too busy campaining, he has not given himself enough time to perpare for this debate. Therefore, I have to ponder; is he using our financial issue to get out of something he is not prepared for??? You have to wonder...

The fix

Harry Wilson, Moreno Valley, CA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:17:30 GMT

This bail-out is miles over my head, but as a business owner I find it strange that the gov has enough money to bail-out the huge companies. But this credit crunch has hurt small business even more. Why has not one dime put into the SBA to help the people that employs 75% of the workforce? And while the gov has opened Pandora's box, Where did this 8 trillion that we are in debt come from and where did it go and when did it go.I can believe that with all the money the gov collects from us, that they would also need 8 trillion more. Who make that call? Does some one say hey Fred run up to the bank and get me a extra 80 billion for this month.

The fix

Phyllis Kunz Louisville Ky. — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:07:34 GMT

I just read that Obama's effgy found haning out on
college campus It is Bill Clinton who should be
hung out to dry. In my opinion!!!
Phyllis Kunz

The fix

Phyllis Kunz Louisville, Ky. — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:26:23 GMT

Mr. Holt,
In a previous e-mail on Main Street by Sinclair
it is satire on Main Street and Washington. I
may have written Wall Street, which no doubt,
was a Freudian Slip.

Phyllis Kunz

The fix

Phyllis Kunz Louisville Ky — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:19:18 GMT

About the $700 Billion Bailout, I was just reading
and I quote in part "No one seems quite certain
how much these assests are worth but the goverment
is betting that with time it can get a handle on
it and eventually profit."

Being the daughter of a gambler, I would place
my bet on it as well.

However, A quote from Emerson:

"But the old oracle said, "All things have two
handles; beware of the wrong one"

Phyllis Kunz

The fix

Angela Schmidt, Mission, TX — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:47:18 GMT

Here is the break down of the BailOut Money:

• $825 billion total (as of 1/15/09)
• $550 billion in new spending, described as thoughtful and carefully targeted priority investments with unprecedented accountability measures built in.
• $275 billion in tax relief ($1,000 tax cut for families, $500 tax cut for individuals through SS payroll deductions)
• $ 90 billion for infrastructure
• $ 87 billion Medicaid aid to states
• $ 79 billion school districts/public colleges to prevent cutbacks
• $ 54 billion to encourage energy production from renewable sources
• $ 41 billion for additional school funding ($14 billion for school modernizations and repairs, $13 billion for Title I, $13 billion for IDEA special education funding, $1 billion for education technology)
• $ 24 billion for "health information technology to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies" and "to provide for preventative care and to evaluate the most effective healthcare treatments."
• $ 16 billion for science/technology ($10 billion for science facilities, research, and instrumentation; $6 billion to expand broadband to rural areas)
• $ 15 billion to increase Pell grants by $500
• $ 6 billion for the ambiguous "higher education modernization."

Source: Commitee on Approprations: January 15,2009

Or you could just say about one-quarter of the entire $825 billion recovery package would be devoted to activities crucial to governors, mayors, and local school boards - making them among the plans biggest beneficiaries! I see nothing to actually stimulate the economy.