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Stephanie Umbro, Maine — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:04:19 GMT

I guarantee you that I am not obese because of the cake & ice cream I consume on my birthdays! Cupcakes verses cantaloupe? How could there even be a question? Any fruit other than cantaloupe, please!

This major research & announcement of obesity and cancer has me wondering how long it will take before social policing will have any foods other than fruits & vegetables banned from human consumption. They did it alcohol, howbeit not all that successful, and they're doing it with tobacco. As with any vice, telling people to STOP isn't going to work. Are we really ready to take on that war? I don't think so. Some days a brownie is just a brownie; other days, it can be so much more than even a ban of brownies.

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Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:25:43 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I would like to say that you and Mr.Russert did a fantastic job moderating the Democratic Debates from Drexel University last evening. You and Mr.Russert covered the questioning very well. I must say Mr.Russert does a great job at questioning and strikes right back if the answer the candidate gives is not quite what he is asking in the question. I think it was the best one yet in all the ones that have aired. Great Job! Now with regards to your hosting Saturday Night Live this Saturday. I think you will do a great job and I am really looking forward to seeing you host. I am glad you decided to do it. It is funny that your first rehearsal for the show is on Halloween. Have fun Mr.Williams! Now on to the broadcast. Regarding the report by Andrea Mitchell about the Democratic Debate, the other candidates did go after Hillary Clinton alot and as shown in the report Senator Edwards did often. When one candidate says another is not trustworthy or accuses them of doubletalk it brings to mind the fact that most candidates do switch viewpoints in the course of time or say one thing than do the opposite later. When the voters elect a person into office we hope they will do the best job possible and basically we are putting our trust in them to make the right decisions. I certainly hope that after all these endless debates are over that our country elects the best person possible. That person has a big "mess to clean up" I wish that person luck. The reaction of the State Department Diplomats being ordered to Iraq was upsetting. It is a tumultuous region and explosions do hit the Green Zone. I don't understand the order being if they don't go to Iraq they are forced out, but maybe the work they are supposed to do in the region will be beneficial. I admire all the people of the military who serve and the brave journalists who report from there. (Especially my favorite journalist). Finally, I think the "Kids Now" segment about banning cupcakes from being served at school birthday parties is ridiculous. Why not have both the fruit and the cupcakes. I know the fruit is better for them, but one cupcake is not bad. Sometimes I think we are taking all the fun out of being a child. Let them be kids. They will have enough to deal with as adults. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Again, have fun at rehearsal for Saturday Night Live!! Peace to all!

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Nancy Kolger, Richmond, Indiana — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:43:00 GMT

I find it interesting that on Halloween night (tonight, Oct. 31) while children are running up and down the street collecting their gobs of trick or treat candy that on the Nightly News was the segment on "Cupcakes be banned from schools"! Ok what about Halloween night with a "Big round of all kinds of Sugar" being handed out to the children?!?

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Brad Evans, Charlotte, NC — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:20:26 GMT

Looking forward to seeing the best in the news business make me laugh on my favorite program. I have followed you since the early days when you did The News with Brian Williams on MSNBC, and I must say this will be must see tv for me on Saturday Night. Good Luck, I know you will be well prepared.

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Dot, Illinois — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:20:54 GMT

Mr. Williams:

I was not able to watch the newcast this PM but did watch the debate on my computer this afternoon. I think you performed,what I think must be a very thankless assignment, very well. I know I am in the minority but I thought Senator Clinton handled herself rather well and I did not think the comments from Senators Obama and Edwards should have been construed to be "picking on her."

My only very minor critism of the program was that some of the candidates did not have an opportunity to answer as many questions as the front runners. I realize that the rebuttal requirement gave Senator Clinton more time to speak, but I would have liked to have heard more from Senators Biden and Dodd. But, as I said that did not take away from the overall quality of your work.

Have fun rehearsing for SNL and stay safe.

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David Peach — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:27:56 GMT

Mr. Williams,
I'm so frustrated of how you conduct the debate last night. It was very obvious you favored Obama. Why not be fair to all the candidates. Very frustrating!Is this the politics Media wants to adapt?

I am an avid viewer of your Nightly news and so with MSNBC , but now with second thought.

This goes too with mr. Russert.

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David Peach — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:37:00 GMT

Mr. Williams,

Did Obama live up to your expectations and the rest of your co-talk hosts?

Most of the times, we have to face the truth!

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David Peach — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:31:31 GMT

Dear Mr. Williams & Mr. Russert,

One worth reading is the Telegraph article by Editor Ami Eden entitled: Edwards' Double Talk on Iran and an article in Washington Post on Taking Money on Lobbyists addressing to Edwards and Obama.

Clarity and truthfulness is what media must embrace - always!

Thank you for your time.
Thank you.

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Michael Hoeft — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:03:19 GMT

Mr. Williams,
I've always thought of you as a straight shooter, but why recently has your broadcasts taken a one-line, negative outlook on our economy. Last night, for instance, there were the continuing segments on the mortgage "meltdown" -- despite the vast majority of Americans are paying their mortgages on time, but left out the fact that the economy just grew by nearly 4% for the quarter just ending! Please present some balance when reporting. Thanks.

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Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:34:19 GMT

Hi Brian -

I'm so glad that you are getting a chance to host SNL - I think it will be a breeze for you, particularly if you can use some of your own 'material' like a clever aside or remarks.

Most of us will be busy with our clocks - it's Fall Back night, you know - and then there will be those who will have to set their alarms for 11:30PM because they usually are asleep at that time.

Although I am sick of so many debates, apparently you and Tim brought out something in the group that you moderated on Tuesday night - replays for days.

Your friend and our native son, 'Barney' Barnum will be speaking tonight here in Cheshire to welcome the Wall that Heals that was escorted here on Tuesday Morning accompanied by over 400 motorcyclists from all over New England - now that was a sight to behold and to hear. Flags all the way down Route 10, school children and many of us lined the path armed with flags from a generous Ed Bowman to wave them through.

(This Mom was proud to have her son be one of the riders - most of whom took time off from work for the event.)

'The Wall that Heals' event has been in the works for over two years and is sponsored by the Cheshire High School Class of Mr. Zingarella who has taught Social Studies there for over 30 years. The Wall will be here through Sunday.

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Marty Davis — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:30:22 GMT

Edwin Newman, one of my heroes, got to host Saturday Night Live because of his biting wit and intellect. The author of "Strictly Speaking" and "A Civil Tongue" anchored the Today newsbreaks. Mr. Newman should be read by every journalism student. I was a TV anchor in the 1970s when I sent Mr. Newman, a harsh critic of English misuse, a wire copy story about how two "unmasked men" robbed a bank. Ed did a commentary on Today based on my offering. Wondering what masks certain people would wear. I've got it somewhere.
Marty Davis, chickaboomer.com

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Kevin Toner, Indianapolis, Indiana — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:31:30 GMT

Hi Brian. I'm really looking forward to your appearance on SNL. Your past cameos and your appearances on The Daily Show and Late Night With Conan have been terrific. You're certainly well-equipped for hosting this week.
Entertainment aside, I've been disappointed with NBC News coverage of the presidential race in recent months. So much coverage is devoted to what I call "the horse race", i.e., relative success or failure in fundraising, polling results, commentators judging how well candidates performed in the debates. Very little air time is devoted to the substance of the candidates' positions. Every so often we hear that a candidate announced a new proposal or a multi-step plan to address an important social issue, but we never hear the substance.
This is a critically important election next year. Big media really needs to do a better job playing their part in campaign reform. I have complete faith that you are up to that task, too.
All the best

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Lisa Leahy, North Attleboro, MA — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:54:55 GMT

After watching your “KIDS NOW” news segment on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, regarding kids and cupcakes, I felt compelled to write this letter. In our town we had to deal with this issue also when the news wellness plan was being instituted. There was great debate and parents did not want their child to lose out on any potential fun. For a while, it looked like the town was going to back down and continue to allow birthday parties to be in the class. In the long run, it was decided to go through with the policy.

As a parent of a child with severe food allergies, I look at this from a totally different perspective. I know that these wellness plans have been instituted to help combat our growing obesity problem, but for me it was a beacon of hope that I would not have to deal with angry parents on a daily basis regarding my child’s health issues. Food allergies are growing at alarming rates and people do not seem to realize this. For kids with food allergies a party at school can be a very alarming, depressing activity. If there are 25 kids in a class and everyone has a birthday party, plus you add in all the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.), that is at least 29 days that my daughter has to sit in the corner and not participate. My child is not an isolated case…on her soccer team there are 15 children and 6 of them have life-threatening allergies. From my experience, the children are wonderful and more than willing to adapt, it is the parents that cannot see beyond their selfish concerns. My daughter is in a peanut-free classroom and I am the room mother. However, she also has life-threatening allergies to tree nuts, carrots, cucumbers, apples, bananas and soy. Parents try to accommodate her, but the cross-contamination problem is a big issue. I just cannot take the risk and allow her to eat something that someone else has made, no matter how good their intentions. I have also offered to make birthday cupcakes for all the kids on their birthdays, but parents do not want this either. My child should not be made to feel that it is her fault that everyone else is missing out on the fun.

I have heard the argument that is should be handled on an individual basis and this can work, but it leads to confusion on the part of parents, students and administrators. Personnel come and go, but this problem is not going to go away. If there is a strict policy, this topic will not be constantly brought up and the children will not feel that it is their fault, the rules are just the rules. Since this policy has been in effect, my daughter can just be a kid, not the “food allergy kid”.

When you send your child to public school, there are realities that you have to deal with and that is that your child will be going to school with kids that have medical and behavior issues. This is the reality of the situation and by law my child has every right to be there. I completely understand that our Amanda lives in a world where there is food everywhere and she needs to learn to live with it. However, elementary school kids are not allowed to carry their own epi-pens, so until she is allowed the means to take care of herself, it is the schools responsibility. What a lesson in empathy this could be for the kids. Wouldn’t a parent feel horrible, if their child came home and said, “I killed my friend today.” This is the reality of the situation. In public schools, we graduate kids who cannot read, there are kids with diabetes, food allergies, obesity problems and attention problems, shouldn’t we be focusing on these? We are at war and lawmakers are trying to set up bills regarding cupcakes in the classroom, does this seem odd to anyone else but me? I am dumbfounded, when I see news segments like this, because there are so many reasons, why this is a good idea and only one why it is not.

“Because I want it, is not a good enough reason”

Lisa Leahy
ltleahy@verizon.net

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Joyce Wiswell — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:56:23 GMT

Good luck Brian -- I will be watching!

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Jason, Birmingham, AL — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:37:54 GMT

I just got through reading your "Daily Nightly" entry from Wednesday, October 31st about your chance to host SNL this coming Saturday night, and I had a question I was hoping you might take the time to answer in an upcoming blog.

Since it's almost impossible to pick up on tone in an e-mail/post, I just want to say before I ask the question that there isn't hostility or criticism behind this question. I really am just interested and curious, and that's the motivation for the question. Having said that. . .

Brian, given your role, responsibility, job, as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, how do you decide what "entertainment-type" events you should do? I think (always leaving open the possibility of being wrong) you are the first anchor of one of the so-called "Big Three" network newscasts who's done something like hosting SNL, and I just wonder how you came to conclusion to go ahead with it. When you do things like this, do you worry that it will hurt your credibility, or do you think that you and the viewers are able to seperate Brian Williams, the journalist from Brian Williams, the personality?

Again, just want to make sure it's clear that there is nothing but curioustiy behind this, and by the way, I realize that you don't have any obligation to me or anyone else to give reasons or justify your decision, but if you feel comfortable giving some insight, I'd be fascinated to hear your thought process on it.

Thanks, Brian.

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Brian Graves, Harriman, TN — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:42:53 GMT

Finally, you really get to let your sense of humor shine..I hope you realize that you not only follow distinguished newsmen such as Ron Nessen and Edwin Newman in showing their lighter side...Remember when the female morning anchors showed up on "Murphy Brown"? And, most memorable, the legendary Walter Cronkite's turn on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"?
Brian....have fun. You work hard reporting on difficult times...and we watch and admire. I look forward to having a great Saturday night laughing at you....and, most importantly...with you. I am a little jealous, though...I just wish they'd ask one smalltown newspaper reporter to do the same.

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T. Jewitt, Tampa, FL. — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:43:41 GMT

Mr. Williams,

I watch your show nightly and have a question to you about the recent reduction to the rates given by the Federal Government.

When the rates are lowered so the banks and lenders can buy there money at lower rates in an effort to spark the economy, I am wondering why they are not returning that benefit to the people by lowering the borrowers rates. They seem to keep the difference for themselves. This acts like a free loan to the lenders to bail them out for there error in making bad loans. I feel the tax payers are getting the shaft again.

I have been in the lending business for a long time and think that the rate are low, but I do not feel that the action is working for the people to benefit. When the government wants to spark the economy by lowering the buy rate to the lenders, they are intern suppose to lower the rates. I have been following this trend and it does not seem to be happening in this fashion.

It is a great idea and I feel it would spark the economy and restore jobs that have been lost. If the rates were lowered I feel that you would see more people buying homes and refinancing there high rates. It would be a win win for everybody!

Please advise me where I may be wrong.

Thank you for your time

Sincerely,

T. Jewitt

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g.eglesiasnepa — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:08:50 GMT

Hi Brian Williams: SNL is one of my favorite shows ever. I even like the re-runs. I can't wait to see you Host Saturday Night. DO you think they should get Hillary to Host sometime?? I think she would do a great job.

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Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:48:55 GMT

Brian Brian it was good to see that Americans are now paying attention. Hillary was attacked by all sides even by the commentators but she was still standing at the end. She got it from all sides but qualification for the job was on her side. I was glad to see that Americans saw this and now she's doing much much better. I was thinking of what the current female President of Argentina thought of how only one candidate is attacked while others who are men group together. At lease your debate showed young woman the struggles they will have even if they qualify they will have to deal with the men grouping together against them. Thank goodness woman stood their ground or we wouldn't have woman Astronauts, Law Makers, Journalist or any other professional careers that woman have now. We have some of the smartest young woman in college right now and I know their parents want them to be what ever they chose to be in the career of life. At lease the World can see what American Woman's Rights really mean and Karen Hughes was selling a lie on the US being the leader of that cause. At lease the Republican candidates see how helpful it can be by bringing down the Democratic candidates and make them turn on the front runner. Problem is the GOP doesn't have a candidate that knows anything about what's going on right now even with the props that are handed to them. Rudy has legal problems, Mitt is all over the place with fake information and Thompson is putting people to sleep. I guess McCain is it. But please don't do the attack thing with the GOP candidates it wouldn't be fair their already weak.

I like cup cakes and the story is over the top. I remember as a kid when my parents said not to do something it always made me what it would be like if I did it. Now for all those families having children eat the right foods and not what we call junk food or bad food. I say this most young people going to college never drank but once they finished with college they have tasted alcohol, wonder why. That happen during the wars as men who had always thought African Americans were bad found out when you are in a field and the only one there to save your life is the one different then you, you learn the truth that God man made the same but he just liked color so each one had a different shade but still the same.

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Jason, Birmingham, AL — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:47:05 GMT

Hey Brian Graves, thanks for reminding us all about Cronkite's cameo on Mary Tyler Moore. I had completely forgotten about that! Funny stuff.

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Sue — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:15:50 GMT

I’m a long time watcher of NBC news. I spent years with Tom and now with you, Brian. In fact, as I wait for my husband to get home each night, I eat dinner with you, Brian, and I’ve come to trust you and, yes, to rely on you for an objective look at the night’s stories. Tuesday night’s debate was an abomination, not really because of you, but because of your colleague Tim Russert. I have felt for years that his bias against the Clintons, especially Hillary, was a little hard to take. After watching his performance at the debate and how he battered her time after time, with NO SUCH treatment evident for the other candidates, I just can’t watch him EVER AGAIN. His gross prejudice against the Democratic party in general, and Hillary Clinton in particular, makes it impossible to trust anything he ever has to say again. I’m really disgusted with him.

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Divya Nagananda, LA,California — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 08:37:48 GMT

Hey Brian,
The Nightly news is so interesting thanks to you. Tuned in to SNL on the 3rd coz you were anchoring it, great job I must say, my husband & I thoroughly enjoyed it, nice to see not so grim side of you which we usually do!Though the Mr.Obama stole a bit of your thunder...

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Francis M. Embrey, Ashland, VA — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:40:19 GMT

Mr. Williams and I use the term Mr. out of great respect for you. I have watched you since your days on MSNBC and let me state that I don't believe theat they could have followed Mr. Brokaw with anyone better. Although I have seen signs of your humor in the past I thought you did a fantastic job on SNL which I fully expected. You above all the other anchors are the most trustworthy, honest and sincere. You bring the news to me each evening and I truly thank you for that.

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Roy, Canada — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:43:32 GMT

Hi Brian,

I thought you did an excellent job hosting SNL! I was thinking you looked a bit like Pierce Brosnan, so the Bond type spoof near the end really got me laughing. Cheers from Canada!

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Erica, Manteo, NC — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:09:59 GMT

I was in Biloxi the night you hosted SNL. Normally I am asleep that time of night, but who can sleep at the Beau Rivage. Anyway, I came to SNL by chance and I was floored. I know you were out of your element, but you really held your own. You were very believable in each skit. I am VERY impressed. I'd say you could make a living as an actor (should your day job fall through).