The 'Last Press Conference'

Peter Bates, Pound Ridge, New York — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:05:28 GMT

Brian:

Enough history - rather understand your views on where we are today. Reflecting so often on our history while entertaining does not help us decipher todays complicated and unusual circumstances.

The 'Last Press Conference'

yasmin, birmingham. UK — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:43:54 GMT

Hey Brian

Thanks for that. Sounds like Nixon was getting a bit stressed out....& he just let it rip.... Maybe that's what was good for him. ( You might not agress - I just sometimes see things a bit differently).

yasmin
in memory of Charlie Rocket (ex SNLer)
http://www.myspace.com/132501307

The 'Last Press Conference'

Lisa McNeil,Alparetta,Georgia — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:17:05 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Thank you again for the history lesson from you and Andy Franklin. Richard Nixon certainly was determined to reinvent himself. That "last press conference" was a turning point for Mr.Nixon and his political future. I wonder if he had decided not to walk into that press room and speak to the reporters would the outcome of his political career have been the same. Now on to the broadcast. Always great to see Richard on the broadcast. Richard's report from Pakistan showing the students joining the protests against Musharraf looked very scary. When Richard was explaining that the police fired tear gas towards the protestors it exhibits how serious this situation is becoming in this region. Bhutto is saying there will be a million people at a rally on Friday against Musharraf. One only hopes the rally will not cause a violent retaliation. She certainly is determined to make changes for the people of Pakistan and bring peace for the people. Musharraf doesn't seem to be willing to give up his power. One hopes the outcome will be peace and not more violence for the people. Another fine, brave and heroic report from Richard. Again I say he is a fine journalist and I always admire his determination and bravery. Stay safe Richard always! On another note Mr.Russert's poll numbers for the candidates brings to mind as you stated Mr.Williams that we still have a year to go before the election. I hope we are not too burned out by then from all the debates, poll numbers, caucases,etc... May the best person win. Finally, I always enjoy the segment about the Medal of Honor recipient. Due to breaking local news I didn't see it on your broadcast. But I did read the posting of one Col. Jack Jacobs speaking with Ted Rubin, two Medal of Honor recipients. Very brave men who should always be honored for their service. Ted Rubin certainly survived the horrors of war and fought hard against the enemy. We salute each of them. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Stay safe Richard! Peace to all!

The 'Last Press Conference'

Ginny McLain-Tate, Knoxville, TN — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:18:16 GMT

I have always "liked" Brian Williams on the news, but I thought SNL was really desperate to have a news anchor as host. Talk about exceeding expectations! Brian was better than most superstars I've seen on SNL over the past 30 (yes 30) years. He didn't totally read que cards and demonstrated true acting ability. I was really impressed and now will not miss a Nightly News -- count me a FAN! By the way, at 54, this is my first "fan letter." Saved for a news anchor -- guess that defines Baby Boomer.

The 'Last Press Conference'

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:01:58 GMT

Brian with all the problems in Pakistan right now I wonder how the people there feel about an American President giving orders to their current President. Does President Bush rule Pakistan too. With all the chaos in Pakistan let's hope Al Qaeda doesn't come in and take control. How does President Bush get to tell another President what to do, maybe Charvez was right Bush wants to rule the World. As the American people are suffering Bush/Cheney are taking care of the 2 per cent who are rich.

Brian I'm confused about the report you gave on birth control pills. 35 years ago I was told not to take birth control pills to long, to get off them and let my body get back to normal. Now I hear the same thing today yet our Government is giving birth control pills to junior high school students. Something is turn with this picture or has the pharmaceutical companies taken over.

In a way you can't blame investors and foreign countries from pulling out of the US economy. We have stolen from our own people and lied to millions. Why would anyone believe we're honest. More people are losing their homes and jobs. I know the numbers are fixed to look good but the facts show in the people who are struggling. The stock market will continue to fall until we get a new honest President.

The 'Last Press Conference'

Bob Wood, Pensacola, FL — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:36:22 GMT

Frankly, I couldn't care less about those damn celebrities or this two year long "campaign". The so-called "campaign" serves no other purpose than to provide hours upon hours of talking head programming for the 24/7 "news" channels when Paris Hilton is not driving without a license and Britney Spears is not cutting her hair off.
What I want you to do is to answer a question.
The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday publicly held U.S. debt breached $9 trillion this week for the first time ever, just five weeks after Congress had raised the statutory borrowing limit.
At the end of September, Bush signed a measure to increase the debt limit ceiling to $9.815 trillion from $8.965 trillion, allowing the government to keep issuing debt.
The increase in the debt limit is the fifth since Bush took office in January 2001. The U.S. debt stood at about $5.6 trillion at the start of his presidency.
In approving the debt limit increase, Congressional lawmakers said the $850 billion increase should be large enough to allow the government to continue borrowing into 2009.

Now, with that in mind, can someone explain how we can keep expanding the debt at the same time the devaluation of the dollar is making the Chinamen and others less willing to buy US treasury bills?
In other words, how in the hell can we keep borrowing when our creditors aint wanting to buy our debt no more?
Let's cut the crap with all this celebrity horserace nonsense and start talking about what matters.
Otherwise I put you in the same category as Bill O'Reilly whose priority is reporting that Rosie O'Donnell is going to be the downfall of America.
Aren't you better than that? Then show me.

The 'Last Press Conference'

Joyce, Royal Oak, MI — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:15:00 GMT

I love the history lessons. Keep 'em coming, and thanks.

The 'Last Press Conference'

Ann Arbor, Michigan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:09:38 GMT

That was interesting. I was born in '68 and am a politial junkie. It compells me to read more about Nixon...sounds like he was a bugger.

Thanks.

The 'Last Press Conference'

Janet Bailey, Richmond, VA — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:29:13 GMT

A most wonderful history lesson, and I will repay you with a quick English lesson.

In reference to paragraph one, you would not say, "that got I thinking...," so you would not say, "that got my colleague Andy Franklin and I thinking...."

Brian, Brian, you let me down.

The 'Last Press Conference'

Phil Neldon, Twinsburg, OH — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:50:01 GMT

Briann,I have enjoyed and watched NBC Nightly News programs since the days of John Cameron Swayze and have been a lifetime watcher of NBC News and news programs.

I recently find that your women correspondants seem to be overly smiling before being announced, during their reporting segments and after their reports. It appears to me that they must be taking
delight in reporting our country's distressful news, or about our American family's loosing their homes, or the falling value of our homes during this time of mortgage / bank problems and or stock market
issues.

Personally, I find it very offensive that "only" your female reporters feel that they must "smile" incessantly or at the very least appear to smirk, while reporting distrubing news or a crises in the "home mortgage" arena or some other news that an average American family would not relish in hearing about this particular news commentary.

I don't think it is necessary to smile like this. Ms. Burnett on the Sunday night news segment was nearly smiling during her entire segment. Your Washington correspondent Ms. Kelly O'donnel smiles at disturbing world events like she was reporting an ice cream social on the white house lawn.

Have some empathy for the people that you are reporting about. It is not funny or worth smiling about when you are reporting a misery that people will pay more for gas, heating, less money in their pockets or that parents have a problem with toys with lead that have come from China.

If you continue this type of reporting, I will have lost all faith in your company for being empathetic, sympathetic and caring.... as you personally try so hard to portray.

P Neldon
Ohio