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jane, somewhere america — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:22:48 GMT

i think it's interesting that all these allegations are coming out now about larry craig. several years ago when i was a student at boise state university one of my professors talked about larry craig being gay. for once and all gay americans stand up for who you are if you want equal rights in this country.

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Lynn G., Minneapolis, MN — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:32:38 GMT

Welcome back, Brian, and thank you for the 2 year update on NOLA. Maybe we should stop trying to fight Mother Nature; if it's a hurricane prone city, maybe moving out is the better option. It's hard to understand this.

On the other hand, the bridge reconstruction bids are due in soon here in Minneapolis, and they say we'll have a new bridge by the end of next year. Can't come soon enough; the traffic jams are awful and will stay that way till the new bridge is built; yes they added lanes to I94, but then there is no shoulder left, so when cars break down (like one did yesterday during rush hour), everything backs up for another 10 miles or so. Right now, I'd settle for one of those bridges the military builds on a temporary basis to get tanks across rivers.

I will be listening today with interest about the heat wave out West; I hope everyone there is OK! Thanks for the update on Justice Marshall; it's a lovely tribute.

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Marc Schulz, Delitzsch, Germany — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:50:34 GMT

Found it interesting about the coining of the term "hotline" An excerpt from the 2006 Mindset of the Beloit College: "A "hotline" is a consumer service rather than a phone used to avoid accidental nuclear war." How times have changed.

I surely will have fun to watch the NN netcast via video podcast tomorrow morning in Germany.

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Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:07:07 GMT

What's the difference in what Senator Craig did from what Senator Vitter did. If there's no problem keeping Vitter why not keep Craig. This looks to be normal for some GOP officials. If this continues we'll lose most of the Republican party. As for Craig well it was the ring that sealed his guilt.

So much history today on both sides of the race issues. 1957 Strom's famous speech to continue racism and let the south raise again. I really didn't understand that man. But he did love and supported his black daughter all his life. Now as for Justice Marshall if he and many others black and white hadn't stood up for civil rights I wouldn't be writing on this blog. I thought we came a long way in betting our past until Bush/Cheney took office and Senator Lott brought back the old plan. Thank Goodness the young people are so together they don't deal with racism unless their taught.

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Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:19:03 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, It was awesome to see Richard back in the studio with you on the broadcast! His story of the Kurdistan region seems promising for the people and it is nice to know they are building a shopping mall, airports and other businesses to separate themselves from the violence. Having checkpoints and their own security shows great independence from the rest of the region. Those trenches Richard walked through were quite impressive and no doubt serve the purpose. Those people are proving that with determination and hard work they can prosper without as much of a threat of violence. Another great report by Richard Engel. He can come by your studio anytime! With regards to the memory of Princess Diana and the tragic car crash in that tunnel in Paris it is hard to believe it has been ten years. But on a personal note it is not hard for me to remember because my mother took me to Paris from August 28th to September 8th 1997. It was my first trip to Paris and the only time I have visited that city. Tonight we were on a dinner cruise on the Seine and did not turn on a television until the next day. But I recall what we experienced and what we saw the next day and I will never forget it. She will always be remembered as "The Peoples Princess" and her sons Prince William and Prince Harry are fine young men who are doing very good work. It is tragic that she cannot see how they turned out, but perhaps is looking down from heaven and smiling. Anyway, an eventful week in anniversaries for events. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Thank you Richard for your great report! (Always enjoy seeing him on the broadcast!) Keep safe as always Richard! Peace to all!

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Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:27:11 GMT

Brian -
Everytime I see a politician 'fall from grace' I am reminded of that great line from 'Moonstruck' spoken by Vincent Gardena who played "Loretta's" father - the role played by Cher. He said 'Always tell the truth, Loretta, they find out anyway'.

It's hard to believe any politician these days, most of them equivocate and blur any hard lines about their position on issues from Iraq to dog-fighting. The last plain speaker who made it in politics was Harry Truman and he got to the Oval Office by mistake.

It's almost funny, those of us who work at home with a computer can find out almost anything by searching on our computers while politicians/candidates seem almost proud about their lack of computer knowledge or use. They need to move into this century of communications.

The whole country has already heard the tape of Senator Craig and the policeman, yet he clings to office. We've got to wonder why????

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Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:27:12 GMT

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Ann Green, Greenbrier, TN — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:38:18 GMT

Please get a current photo of Fred Thompson, he no longer looks like the photo you showed tonight.
thanks for the Katrina coverage, keep it coming.

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Don Lamprecht — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:10:16 GMT

Your story tonight about the American Airlines flight delay was very confusing. In your story you said the plane was taken back to the gate because a woman wanted to get off the plane after she was frightened by several men speaking arabic. But then you said everyone was taken off the flight and sent on the next day. This was confusing. As atated, it created anger amoung the listerners towards the woman. It is obvious that just that woman should have been taken off the plane. Your story created more questions than answers. Was that your goal? Was this really a news story? Did you hope to show the nation how well homeland security responds to citizens comments? Or did you hope that people will ignore suspicious behaviour on an airplane, for fear of being critized on the national news?

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Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:05:58 GMT

Brian I was glad you showed Diana. I learned so much from her and her sons should know their mother will never be forgotten. She lived like the rest of us with problems and ups/downs of life but she was truly one of God's angels because she touched the heard of millions all over the world.

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Dot, Illinois — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:46:13 GMT

Your story on Senator Clinton returning money from her campaign is just further evidence that politics in this country is a mess. Instead of trying to find solutions to the problems our country faces, candidates have to concentrate their efforts on raising the enormous sums of money needed to run for election.

Because of this overriding need for funds, campaigning now begins almost 2 years before the election. By the time November gets here, many of us are so tired of the barrage of TV ads (many negative--some downright vicious) that we are inclined to vote for the person we dislike the least, rather than the person we like the most. No wonder, then, that so many people get frustrated and decide not to vote at all. And, no sooner is someone elected than they have to worry about raising money to be re-elected!

Perhaps candidates need to be Mirandized because during the long campaign, they can be sure that anything they say can, and will be used against them by their opposition. So, they play it safe and speak in generalities and vague idealistic terms, trying always not to say anthing that might offend voters and/or potential donors, and the average voter finds out little about what they would do if elected.

Countries in Europe seem to be able to elect new officials within a few months after a vacancy occurs. With TV ads and the Internet, I think that would be enough time for candidates in the US to campaign as well.

With individual states moving primaries earlier and earlier in the year, will we soon be at the stage of having a continuous, on-going campaign for the Presidency?

What a mess!