Talkin' world war III blues

Lesley Jacobs, Seattle, Wash. — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:39:39 GMT

Thanks Brian, first for the great compilation of information on WWIII, but also wrapping it in a reference to Bob Dylan. I was brought up in a household with a record player and very few albums, most of them by Bob Dylan. My dad owns ever album Bob Dylan ever recorded, and we've seen him in concert numerous times. I saw him a year ago, and was impressed by how spry and lively he is. Still playing, still enjoying it, and in fact he interacts more with the audiences than he ever did in the past. I had seen a couple of shows where he played the entire set with his back to the crowd. Like you said, Thanks Bob; for the music, for keeping it relevant, and for giving us the thought provoking material for nearly 50 years.

Talkin' world war III blues

Kevin Costa — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:21:46 GMT

Brian

This post unfortunately minimizes the significance of Bush mentioning WW III, as if to say “all Presidents do it”. As you (and Andy Franklin) point out, Presidents have frequently made such allusions; however, all of them only used it in the sense of WW II being the “hot war” extension of the Cold War.

Bush using the phrase WW III means something different and ultimately, far more ominous. Earlier this week, Bush used the phrase to describe what would happen if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon. As the phrase “World War” means a war that is fought around the world by grand coalitions, using the phrase in the context of Iran implies that that Iran would be a major player in a worldwide coalition against the United States in such a war. In the Cold War, the leaders of the Soviet bloc countries were clearly allied with the Soviet Union. Our situation today is far more complicated, and using WW II analogies (“axis of evil”) or Cold War analogies (WW III) oversimplify what is going on in the Middle East today and unnecessarily raises tensions there and fears at home. It's all a little too "freewheelin'" to say the least.

Talkin' world war III blues

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:22:38 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, I must start with comment about the conclusion of the broadcast. When you were attempting to show us a preview of the new Nightly News Studio. I am so very sorry you could not get the door open Mr.Williams. How could they lock you out of all people! They better let you in on Monday evening! Can't wait to see it! Now on to the broadcast this evening. Always awesome to see Richard on the broadcast! Richard's report about the two bombings in Karachi,Pakistan which almost killed Former Prime Minister Bhutto was so very tragic. The footage of the poor people injured seriously showed how much the plot to assasinate Bhutto was intended to kill her. She seemed as Richard stated defiant and moving forward in her campaign speeches. She appears not to be undone by this attempted plot and will fight for her country's people. Another great report by Richard! Now with regards to the drought in the Southeast I can certainly relate to that crisis. I was so glad to see a few raindrops this morning, but not nearly enough to rescue our state from this drought. I really and truly hope that they stop letting so much water out of Lake Lanier. As someone said to me today, "If we only have 81 days left, what so we do after that?" We have got to receive some rain soon! Then Mr.Savidge can report some good news about this situation. Finally, I enjoyed the "Making a Difference" series from the "China Rising" series. Building all those libraries and schools for those children is certainly a blessing. Enjoyed the history lesson from Andy Franklin about the Presidents discussing the risk of a World War III. Not something one would want to happen in this day and age. I didn't realize the title of the posting was from a Bob Dylan song. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams! Stay safe Richard!! And I certainly hope you can get into the studio Monday Mr.Williams. Have a great weekend! See you Monday in the "new digs" Peace to all!

Talkin' world war III blues

Dot, Illinois — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:54:53 GMT

Good evening, Mr. Williams:

Based upon some of the posts on the First Read blog, your report on the candidacy of Ron Paul will make many people happy, because there have been complaints that the press has not been giving his effort adequate coverage.

The lights out idea seems like a good one--maybe other cities can try that. Turning off lights in rooms not in use was drilled into my thinking by my mother over 50 years ago, and it is till good advice.

Loved the story on the books for the Chinese schools. Seeing the smiling faces of those beautiful children as they were given their books, was wonderful. Made my happy just to see their joy over books (not computer games, etc.)

Looking forward to the seeing the new digs next week. Will there be a housewarming party?

Talkin' world war III blues

Jenny, It's a Secret, NJ — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:12:13 GMT

Haha well from the way things have BEEN going I wouldn't be surprised if he actually DID start ww3.

Talkin' world war III blues

Norman Charles, NYC — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 10:35:37 GMT

"The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" also contained the song "Masters Of War". Although the song was written 44 years ago, the lyrics are universal. They could easily apply to the current war and the current president and vice-president. These are some of the lyrics:

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Talkin' world war III blues

Glen Behrend — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:18:22 GMT

Thank you for the great work you do every day Brian.

I have a question.

Lately I have been seeing more and more reporting on what I would call "Scare Stories". The latest is the story about IED's here in the states, or Iran creating an international incident that could lead to "WWIII".

My question is this; Should these stories be released without having been confirmed by more than two sources? Does it seem to you that this is a bit like yelling "FIRE!" in a movie theater when someone is seen lighting a cigarette?

In other words, some of these stories seem to be obvious plants. The closer we get to the primaries, the more of these stories I see popping up. I truely think these stories should be fully investigated by third patry sources before being allowed release on the nightly news. If these stories are just that, stories, someone should be brought up on charges for allowing them into the media sphere.

The proliferation of more fear without justifiable cause could be construed as deliberate mis-information and a diliberate attempt to scare people into an alternate reality of the real world situation.

Sure, there is a lot of news that makes people worry, that is legitimate news. However, much of these stories are so obviously blown out of proportion for shock value, or maybe to serve a certain purpose, other than truth in information, and the ultimate goal of media to give people a view of the real "Reality".

Talkin' world war III blues

Glen Behrend — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:27:05 GMT

I should have added in my last question:

More children have died in swimming pools over the last ten years then terrorist attacks have killed in the last ten years.

I don't see the story on the news, and I certainly don't see the Department of Homeland Security guarding our swimming pools. So on the grand scale of things, how dangerous are these people, really?

Sometimes perspective means the difference between panic or fear, and informed caution.

Talkin' world war III blues

Joe St. George — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:23:00 GMT

Although your history lessons are nice....i still prefer the "behind the scenes insight" that this space once provided..I hope once you moved into your awesome new studio and settle in your office, we, the viewers, can get the full early and daily nightly expierence one again...

Talkin' world war III blues

JOHN NAPIERACZ-COLUMBUS,OHIO — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:21:04 GMT

i believe it is looney bin time for GWB.lest we all forget who was the only country to use a nuclear device against people at any time.mabey we should rem.who sold weapons to the taliban against the russians,also what country raved against the use of mercinarys in time of war,also what happened to the geneva convention on the treatment of prisioners?lest we all forget just exactly who is carlyle corp.?

Talkin' world war III blues

E, Texas — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:29:44 GMT

So, I'm eager to hear the story behind the story, of what happened with the locked door at the end of the newscast.

And secondly, at the very end, you are seen turning back toward the locked door. What did you do next? Do tell...

Thanks,
E

Talkin' world war III blues

crystal cantwell naples, florida — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:39:03 GMT

God, Brian, just how smart are you anyway? Do you write all these
great blogs all by yourself or do you have help? Is that a really
stupid question? i know we've both been around since A. Lincoln's
day and you have those lovely trifocals to prove it.,.but seems
like you're overly smart.

Talkin' world war III blues

Kathryn Davis, Yuma, AZ — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:51:56 GMT

First of all, why do you report such an ominous statement, made by a man just wreckless enough to follow through with it, and then discount the weight of the statement by listing other mentions of WWIII by other presidents? If the statement is serious, why discount it? If not, why report on it? The crimes this "president" has committed have been glossed over by the press too often and his total lack of accomplishment has been ignored. Whatever happened to Journalists? You remember, the ones who reported the news using facts and who asked hard questions? By the way, you should have added in you cute ending remark that the point of "Talking WWIII Blues" was that people shouldn't entertain scenarios of total destruction without the realization that your own life is just as much in jeopardy as the next guy's; it is far better to invite your fellow human into your dream of the future and by so doing, be invited into theirs.

Talkin' world war III blues

Fred Bannerman — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:30:36 GMT

Although this poem was penned over 80 years ago, the lyrics are universal. They could easily apply to the current war and the current draft dodging president and vice-president who have ordered thousands of men to their deaths, but who have never and never will put their own lives at risk for their country.

Base Details
Siegfried Sassoon

If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel,
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say—”I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die—in bed.

Online text © 1998-2007 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Counter-Attack and Other Poems | E. P. Dutton, 1918

Talkin' world war III blues

Buzz Richards, Richmond, Va. — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:01:43 GMT

Speaking of war, why do we see no stories on what the Army does each day in Iraq? It looks like they just drive up an down the road and get shot, sort of like the shooting gallary at a carnival.

Talkin' world war III blues

Bruce Ellison Millersville Md — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:51:44 GMT

So have we had enough of this idiot in the White House yet? This guy is by far the WORST prez we have ever had. His actions are irrational and incompetent.He has no clue as to what is happening in the world.And now the words "world war 3" are coming out of his stupid mouth.Let him go back to sleeping with the arabs.After all,isn"t that where him and his father got all their money from in the first place?The dixie chicks were right. He is an embarresment.