Tales from the road

Dot, Illlinois — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:09:38 GMT

Good Evening, Mr. Williams:

There are no words to describe one's reaction to the story of the patients in the mental institution in Serbia. How can things like this go on in a civilized society? Absolutely appalling!

Hopefully your story will help bring aid to these poor people.

Stay safe.

Tales from the road

Dot, Illlinois — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:09:44 GMT

Tales from the road

Bruce Hunter, Readfield, Maine — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:19:46 GMT

Brian,

What happened to the hard hitting reporter I heard from New Orleans? You have turned into just another talking head like all the other TV reporters. You give little substance or misinformation. Take tonight, for example, the report on successful cloning of primates that brings us closer to cloning human cells. The report didn't explain the principle benefit is for cloning of stem cells that could be used to rebuild failing or damaged parts of the human body and if it is done with the cells from the diseased person, that cure will not be rejected by their body. I learned this from another news source. Instead your reporter implied that we might see a human form of "Dolly" the sheep, which is highly unlikely and not the purpose of this research.

Tales from the road

Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT. — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:21:48 GMT

Hi Brian -

"The Holidays" have already arrived here in my small town - two full aisles of Christmas goods in the local Stop & Shop. And, it isn't even Thanksgiving yet.

The recent visit of the Wall that Heals to Cheshire has sent my younger son right to the history books. Michael rode his Harley Davidson as one of over 450 motorcycle escorts as the Wall arrived down Route 10 to the Cheshire Park. He was riding for Albert Michael Prevost a pilot whose plane - with 5 other occupants - was shot down during a refueling mission over the Tonkin Sea and all were lost and never recovered. Michael - an early computer junkie - paid much more attention to Veteran's Day this year and the anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial.

Note: Our Senator Chris Dodd is now living in a house he rented in Des Moines Iowa and has enrolled his daughter in school there, following the example set by 'Lonesome Joe' Lieberman in New Hampshire. How about a piece about the Absent Senators and why this is allowed in our Congress?

Tales from the road

Bill Kelly, Hanford, Ca — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:32:53 GMT

Mr. Williams,
Please don't let Nightly News give any attention to the OJ Simpson case. If you have to, keep it to the bare minimum. You all have too much class for that.
Bill Kelly

Tales from the road

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:34:59 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Welcome Back to New York! After reading the first section of this post I am truly sorry for your plane travel problems. With regards to the bad weather I really wish I could have taken the rain off your hands because we need the rain so desperately down here in Georgia. The statement about the "service items" proves the "inanity" as you stated of the air travel situation. You deserved a meal and a beverage in my opinion. Now on to the broadcast. The "Iraq Reality Check" report by Mr. Aspell did show signs of change in the region. The man selling balloons, the barber cutting hair, the ice cream shop whose owner said that once an explosion happened right outside his store seem to be thriving now. The statistics Mr.Aspell gave in the report showed a drop in violence possibly because of the troops surge and cooperation from the Sunnis to fight Al-Qaeda. Although the electricity is limited and safe water needs to be more accessible it is positive news for the region. I hadn't given much thought to wedding ceremonies being on the rise, but it is nice so many are getting married. I hope it continues on a more peaceful path. The In Depth segment by Ann Curry was so heartwrenching. Those poor people really need to be rescued from those horrible and deplorable conditions in that institution in Serbia. Seeing those children so thin and tied to their cribs makes your heart bleed. When Ann asked how old the children were it was shocking to hear the age. At least the man now in charge admitted these are unacceptable conditions, inhumane and exhibit torture. Drastic changes need to happen for these children and adults at this facility. Finally, the homecoming of the soldier from Iraq Thomas Bourne. His sons were overjoyed to see their daddy and that is always a wonderful thing to see. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

Tales from the road

Diane Wilson, Lancaster, PA — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:43:18 GMT

I have never commented before, but the story that Ann Curry brought to us tonight from Serbia was horrific! I am disheartened that humanity has sunk to these depths of cruelty. I can't even imagine a week of lying in a crib, unable to move, read, play watch TV, or speak to another human being! This goes beyond anything I can conceive of.
Where is the United Nations? What is the point of having a so called "United Nations" when they sit around doing nothing. The most that I have observed them doing is to say, "We do not agree with what you are doing." Well, that is certainly a frightening statement.
Why should it take years to close down these horrible institutions? When I hear a story like this, I wonder about the sanity of the world in general. What can we do to help?
When problems like this exist in our world- Real problems- don't you think it's silly to spend so much air time on celebrity's like OJ Simpson, Brittany Spears and all the rest?
Thank You for bringing these atrocities to our attention.
Diane Wilson

Tales from the road

Georgette Madak — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 01:02:33 GMT

Hi Brian,
I just saw Anne Curry's Nightly News story on disabled children and adults in Serbia. I'm so glad that you both brought a glimmer of light to this disturbing issue.
Brian, you introduced the story with a remark that I hear daily, yet, I was surprised to hear it coming from you. You said that the story would be "especially disturbing to those of us with children."
Brian, we are not all blessed with children. Are childless people incapable of the same profound empathy that parents feel? Are we somehow inherently insensitive to abuse?
OK, I'm going to chalk this up to thinking that you must be very tired tonight. Thanks for your continued excellent news coverage. -Georgette Madak

Tales from the road

Stephanie Umbro, Maine — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:12:56 GMT

There really are no adequate words to describe Ann Curry's story. While it was done with her customary professionalism and warmth, I must agree with Dot: how can ANY society allow that to happen? Makes me think of my grandfather and his adamant choice not to put my Downs' syndrome aunt in an institution - in 1954 - but keep her home and treat her just like the rest of the kids. This story doesn't just pull at the heartstrings... it totally breaks them.

Very touching story of the father/son reunion. I thought it was precious that the little boy promoted his dad's rank - even as a mistake, just goes to show how larger-than-life our dads really are when we're little.

Tales from the road

Megan, Wuhan, China — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:02:00 GMT

Brian, I just wanted to let you know I download the podcast and watch every day from China. Sometimes I wonder if people get a little tired of me saying, "Well Brian Williams told me yesterday that..." I'm a fan.

m.

PS - The China Rising series was pretty good.

Tales from the road

Francis M Embrey, Ashland, Va — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:33:50 GMT

This is more directed at Georgette Madak rather than you or your news team Brian. Me thinks that Ms. Madak reads too much into your comment preceeding Anns piece which was quite disturbing. It is always sad to see that sometimes humans behave so inhumane to each other.
Frank

Tales from the road

Sanja Horvat — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:12:25 GMT

Dear Mr Williams
The story that Ann Curryu broadcast on your show on Wednesday, 11/14/07 about conditions in mental institutions in Serbia is nothing but continuation of satanization of Serbia and Serbian people.
I just won’t to let you know, that this story brought a lots of attention in Serbia yesterday. Many Serbian officials have denied the stories about children’s camps and ordered throe investigation.
Since USA is trying to give independency to Kosovo, (as a present to Albanians) there are no more stories about “ethnical cleansing or genocide” and your propaganda machine must continuo to present Serbs as an evil people
Your reporter An Curry should go to Kosovo and Metohia -sent Serbian land and show to world what Clinton’s “humanitarian bombing” brought to Serbs. They are living in ghettos in horrible conditions. Hundreds of Christian orthodox churches and cemeteries are destroyed and damaged by Muslim Albanians. Albanians who are shown as victims during Milosevic era established a narko- mafia miniature state and Muslims terrorist are freely operating there.
If you won’t to write about injustice Ann Colter should also visit hundreds of refugee’s camps in Serbia where Serbs expelled from: Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo are living. There are about 500.000 refugees in Serbia, yet Serbia is accused for ethnical cleansing.
Your broadcasting network owed apologies to Serbian people for satanization and lays told for the last 15 years. As a citizen of former Yugoslavia (I am not even Serbia) I am declaring that I will newer watch your program any more.