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Kiley Lyons, San Diego, CA — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:16:57 GMT

Aren't Bush's leadership and critical decision-making skills similar to regurgitating a bad joke?

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Jayne Phillips, Fayetteville, North Carolina — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:35:11 GMT

Brian williams mentioned the offense of Merry Christmas due to other religion. I am a born american citizen. Merry Christmas should stay. I am not going to change Merry Christmas just to adjust to someone else's religion. They moved to the United States from where ever.

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Steven, Indiana — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:08:45 GMT

As I posted to all my friends this year....

Left/Right Holiday Greetings...

To All My Democrat Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Something all Americans should take into consideration this holiday season. May God bless our troops!!!

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Geno Taylor — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:25:29 GMT

It's ironic that a man who is a joke as President, only knows one joke.

And it's not even funny.

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Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:39:23 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I think it is just a coincidence that a "floating cross" appeared behind Time Magazine's Rick Stengel during the broadcast last evening as well as the Christmas ad by Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee. I agree with you that people sometimes just see what they want to see. With regards to the quotes concerning the silverware at the White House I really enjoyed reading all of them. I thought it was funny that President Bush kept picking upon David Gregory to return any "missing silverware" he may have taken. Now on to the broadcast. The report about Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani's recent visit to the hospital only shows how stressful campaigning can be for a person. He has experienced health problems and needs to take proper care of himself. No matter who one wants to vote for in the election one does hope that all the candidates are well. Health and family are most important. The report called a "War on Christmas" was humorous and a little frustrating. Years ago there was no discussion of what to call the tree decorated with lights and ornaments. Now it seems to be the subject of debate. Even the placing of a manger scene is questioned at a city hall office. Whatever one wishes to celebrate embrace the symbol of your special holiday because it is supposed to be a joyous time of year for everyone. No matter what your faith decorate with your beautiful displays, spend time with family and friends,eat,drink and be merry. Pray for peace and goodwill towards men. That is most important. Hopefully it will be a peaceful and properous new year of 2008. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

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John Pastier, San Jose CA — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:35:45 GMT

George, I think the real threat to the silverware is The Resident.

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Jane DeMarco — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:38:58 GMT

Dull mind. What do you expect?

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Erik Explinez — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:45:02 GMT

The silverware joke comes from Woody Allen's Sleeper (1973). Although completed before the Watergate scandal broke, the movie predicted Nixon's humiliation and resignation. I wonder how "Mr. 28% approval" likes being compared to Nixon?

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Dan Dickson, Germantown, MD — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:02:32 GMT

Brian,
thank you on the piece: war on Christmas. Chritmas is the day that christians celebrate Christ birthday. that is the very esence of Christmas. Alot of people celebrate Christmas without celebrating Christ.

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Dan Conley, Chicago,IL — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:20:15 GMT

At least he stopped talking about the yellow rug in the Oval Office.

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Rue Rogers, Lake Malaprop, Minn. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:48:51 GMT

Why do Christians so often phrase things in terms of war? Why is it a war on Christmas? Why do so many reporters/journalists fall into this usage? Maybe your favorite retailing website is doing its part not to commercialize Christmas.

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Rusty Fuller — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:58:35 GMT

Hello, I am very upset with the way Christmas is being labeled. I don't know where the happy holiday came from. but I am very affended of the saying Happy Holiday. What Holiday are we celebrating ? I think it is Christmas , I will say Merry Christmas , because it has always been Merry Christmas.
Lets keep Christmas for our kids,and us old folks This is still America.
I detest the saying of Happy Holidays.
Ok one more thing , are the companies that people work for , are telling the emploees to say Happy Holiday instead of Merry Christmas?
You know you can say Merry Christmas and enjoy your Holiday.

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Slim Valleta — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:57:20 GMT

You know, Bush is the worst president ever, that's a fact. But I don't mind if he reuses that time-honored joke, its actually appropriate at all times, because even honest people visiting the White House are tempted to steal the forks as souvenirs. Most will only be there once, and they will not have heard the president, Bush or someone else, bring up the silverware pilfering. So its funny.
If you go to an office Christmas party, and someone makes a remark about getting drunk and boinkin' the secretary, yeah, its old, but its still funny IF YOU'RE THERE. Outside observers won't find it as funny.

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Kathleen, Colorado Springs — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:14:07 GMT

I'm an atheist and have no problem seeing Christmas trees/decorations and having people wish me Merry Christmas. I do get a bit tired of all the holiday stuff at this time of the year, but it doesn't offend me. Atheists who get their panties twisted about this gives the rest of us a bad name.

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figgypuddin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:46:02 GMT

A joke is recycled just by him still showing up.

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Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:49:51 GMT

Brian something has got to be in the water or the air because this argument over Christmas vs. Holiday is sick. Notice all this happen in the pass 7 years as it was never a problem before 2001. I say American should pay more attention to what the government is doing and be grateful we're alive and still free.

I saw Huckabee's video and yes it was a slick set up. Now as for the book self with no books was a nice trick. I guess Rev. Huckabee thinks people will believe anything their told. I say trust your eyes. The ad was for the Religious vote, another Karl Rove plan.

Rudy's wife did the best she could making his hospital visit sound unimportant. Not a good sign but then again Rudy is dropping in the polls now that his secrets are coming out.

I read Mitt Romney is now selling the story his Dad March with Martin Luther King. Mitt said he watched his Dad March but it was never on TV and Mitt was in France at the time. Plus it wasn't a March it was a speech at a high school in Detroit. Mitt's Dad's name would have been published, at the same time Mitt's Dad didn't allow Blacks in his Church. I guess it's that bad for Mitt that he has to lie to get the Black vote by using Martin Luther King.

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Newton Minnow — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:54:11 GMT

You have persuaded me that it was not MEANT to be a big, giant cross floating over self described "Christian Leader" Huckabee's shoulder. Any more than it was MEANT to be a giant head of Brian Williams floating over Jon Stewart's shoulder on The Daily Show. I now see that, in both cases, they just filmed the subject without any regard whatsoever to the appearance of the set or what happened to be visible on screen.

Oh, and congratulations on your newly redesigned set, which opened on October 22, 2007 after months of construction:

http://mediaanswers.blogspot.com/2007/10/nbc-nightly-news-big-debut-of-new-set.html

I certainly hope it achieved the look NBC was going for. Down to every last detail.

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Jack Decker, Lebanon Junction, Ky. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:07:51 GMT

How many jokes do you think a guy can remember?

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Sheila, Exeter, CA — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:37:48 GMT

If the 'cross' wasn't deliberate, then why is Huckabee to the right and not centered in the frame...Obviously they wanted people to see the 'cross'...

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greg, chandler, az — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:39:29 GMT

brian, one of these nights, as a john williams fan, can you let america know who wrote the music at the end of the broadcast. i know i keep talking about him, but honestly, williams, you, and brokaw are my heroes.

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Suzanne Aldrich, Fremont, Calif. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:13:03 GMT

Ironic how Bush is joking about "stealing the silverware" when his administration so thoroughly looted America.

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marilyn devlin, calgary, alberta, canada — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:33:24 GMT

I used to like and respect David Gregory - NOT ANY MORE. David Gregory kisses Georgie Bush's ass. Americans are screwed. Goodbye. A Canadian viewer -Marilyn Devlin in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (proud to be Canadian).

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Drew Leifheit, Budapest, Hungary — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:51:11 GMT

Should we be surprised at the President's recycling activities? Somebody wake me when it's over.

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Fred Stebbins — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:54:01 GMT

george bush is an imbecile.

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J F Magin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:11:08 GMT

Having a super'd ( or "suped" ) image in the back ground is a little different from having a random geometric framing that is a part of the set piece. Perhaps the cameraman was just following his thirds rule and that's the way the shot worked.

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Aspara Gust — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:12:38 GMT

Haha. Poor David Gregory. He seems to be the butt of many of Bush's jokes. Republicans seem to want to be Ronald Reagan; Bush even goes as far as stealing his jokes... and then he reuses them... ad nauseam... not unlike your typical comedian. Seriously, Bush really missed his calling.
Speaking of comedians, now that we know The Daily Show will be returning 2 weeks from Monday, will we be seeing more 'giant head' anytime soon?

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Cathexis, Raliegh, NC — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:10:23 GMT

Jokes about petty theft ...

Sounds as if Bush is "projecting."

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yasmin, Birmingham, UK — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:54:14 GMT

Hi Brian

I laughed at the " Dont take the silverware " quotes, funny.....

I understand there's a debate about Xmas & " Happy Holidays". Unfortunately the same thing is happening in the UK. We used to get an Xmas flex credit on our work time. Now our employer states we have to call it a " Celebration credit ".!!!. Political correctness gone a bit too far.

Even though I'm a muslim our family celebrate Xmas as a tradition. In our religion Jesus Christ (peace be upon him ) is a respected prophet. We don't know the exact date of his birth. However we celebrate Xmas for the children. And we can get halal turkey. ( halal is when the meat is prepared in the Islamic way).

So i'll sign off by saying " Have a Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year"

If you dont celebrate xmas then i'll say "Seasons Greetings"

yasmin
in memory of Charlie Rocket
http://www.myspace.com/132501307

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g.eglesias'pennsylvania — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:58:17 GMT

I think Marilyn from Alberta, Canada is right -- David Gregory does kiss Bush's a$$. So sad to kiss the a$$ of an imbecile.

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Kenneth DeBacker, Denver, CO — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:12:41 GMT

The Huckabee political advertisement was vetted by his media managers and the candidate himself. Everything in a political ad is there for maximum effect. The "floating cross" was placed there because it sent a specific visual message to a voting bloc meaning that he wants them to identify with. If it was by "accident" then the media consultants should be fired for incompetency by Huckabee. Nothing should "just happen" in a political advertisement for a presidential candidate.

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Jerome [Rawtruth] Edens Philadelphia,Pa 19141 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:14:40 GMT

Dear Brian.
.i know what the world want to hear and won't except. that is the real truth, the rawtruth.
Thursday night you talk a little about religion and chrismas. The truth is God condemm's chrismas Mr. Brian.Get your real so call religious experts and as them to explain Jeremiah;10, them explain Exodus;20 verse#1,and then explain jeremiah;31 verses# 31,32,33,34... Mr. Brian I'm not a christain but i can read and understand what was written. It's a difference when it said that man said it, and a big difference when it's clear that GOD said it. we follow more of what man said than what GOD said... read it for your self and see. But as alway's you will find reason to doubt what GOD say's and believe what man say's because man has written it....

Your's Truly and cordailly Jerome [Rawtruth] Edens

p.s You don't have to keep it private,because i have nothing to hide....267-226-7294....

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Stella — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:05:30 GMT

Ms. Jayne Phillips, we didn't move here from "where ever", we were here first and got "christianity" forced down our throats, mighty bloody & cruel I might add. So tired of Christians thinking they are superior to all others. Please. And FYI, maybe you all should say "MAY God Bless America" rather than demanding it from Him with "God Bless America". Maybe He will be nicer to the USA.

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Dave, Tn — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:15:42 GMT

Huckabee is what would happen if Dan Rather, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton were involved in some kind of laboratory accident.

Speaking of repeated jokes try listing how many times the Clintons have claimed "I didn't know" when their cult got busted for something.

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Stephanie Umbro, Maine — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:38:54 GMT

I'm a day late & dollar short; been too busy with "holiday" stuff to read the blog! Must add my two cents:

I'm a Christian. I prefer "Merry Christmas". However, I'm not offended by "Happy Holidays". Did anyone stop to look at the calendar & see how many different holidays there are in December? Hanukkah, Boxing Day, Kwanza, the Muslim holy dad whose name slips my mind right now .... and those are just the ones I remember off the top of my head!

So, before I get so busy I don't get back to the blog in time, I want to wish Brian, Andy, the Nightly News team, and all their families a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, everything in between, and safe traveling! (My sister & niece flew in from Michigan yesterday, and her luggage stayed in Cleveland. We're going to have fun chasing it down!)

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George Myers, Bronx, NY — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:42:48 GMT

My grandmother, Margaret Gregory, was a nanny to the caretaker at the Statue of Liberty (the world's first electrically lit lighthouse - Snapple) and five of her sons served in WWII (a sixth perished wheelchair bound from polio, in an elevator accident, in NYC, before my father, youngest of eleven, shipped to Italy) and I take exception to the President singling Mr. Gregory for his pandering, even if a "mafia of professors" in Edinburgh, Scotland share the Gregory surname. Born as I was on St. Gregory's Day, I object.

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Vivian Peters — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:43:33 GMT

Clinton is gonna clean the clocks of the republicans. Just you wait and see! It will be all about Happy Holidays, and you "Christmas First" fanatics will be able to do little about it.

Gee, the idea of including everyone whether or not they are Christian does not seem so terrible to me. It is the Christmas spirit, isn't it?

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Cassandra, Sioux Falls, SD — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:56:05 GMT

For heaven's sake people!

Where do you think the word "holiday" comes from?
Hint: hol(y)day

Ignorance joins forces with self-righteousness, and wages war on...what, exactly?

Happy holidays to each and every one of you; whether you like it or not. :D

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Dave, Tn — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:43:44 GMT

Oh my God (of your choice, or none at all) Hillary plans on passing some sort of Universal Happy Holidays Law?

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Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:53:42 GMT

No need for comedy shows with the topic of Christmas vs. Holiday and the cross that was and wasn't. No wonder our country is in a mess. I couldn't stop laughing at the comments all are great. We have so many problems and debt in the US. Our Government has been taken by the enemy as Vet's are homeless, millions lose their homes, children have no health care, seniors are robbed by Medicaid, Blackwater commits fraud and still gets paid and is given more contracts to do nothing, Mitt is adding to the Civil Rights movement to get votes and the in your face menu the White House has as millions of Americans will not eat this Christmas/Holiday. What an example for the World to see just how smart Americans really are no wonder we will never have to be attacked again we're destroying our country ourselves.

Like most Americans I wish all a Merry Christmas and for those who don't believe in God, I wish you a Happy Holiday to all.

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Clifford M, Topeka, KS — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:20:56 GMT

Does anyone out there realize that "Happy Holidays" doesn't just include Christmas. New Years, Chanukah, & Kwanza are also included.

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Dennis Reed, Austin, TX — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:33:19 GMT

To anyone noticing that President Bush keeps telling jokes about people stealing the silverware, here is a clue: Bush is going to steal the White House silverware when he leaves office.

About the "War" on Christmas, I think it is just great that we don't have any real news or even REAL WARS to talk about. It's nice that everything is going so well in the United States that people have nothing better to do than to concoct fake wars and fake outrage just to gain political support.

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valarie mcbride — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:52:42 GMT

I love NBC news.I have watched for 45 years.I saw the piece about people who were offended by the "christmas tree". We celebrate the birth of Christ.we don't want a holiday tree.It all sounds so strange.I will not say happy holidays.Merry Christmas to all the NBC family.I am a certified bleach blonde,bottled water carrying,flag waving,proud american women.God bless our service people.My prayers are with them and there families.I'm dissappointed in americans who aren't proud enough of their faith.All the whiney liberals can take their "holiday trees" and "happy holidays" and shove them up their 'holiday" chimmneys.God bless them and merry christmas.

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Dewey Quong, Reno, NV — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:06:26 GMT

You forgot Bush's other famous line: STAY THE COURSE.

I guess he will continue to use the same joke until he gets it right.

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julian, Nashville, TN — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:17:52 GMT

To All My Democrat Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Something all Americans should take into consideration this holiday season. May God bless our troops!!!
Steven, Indiana (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 7:08 PM)

and that little bit of stupidity has been used almost as much the idiot king's stupid, boring joke. educate yourself.

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StanWatson, Charleston, SC — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:52:05 GMT

I'm athiest and a left-leaning Independent voter, so I probably don't agree with Huckabee on too much. But I gotta say that that I love watching this guy's sheer political skill and creative "awesomeness", and this ad is just another example. By sticking a floating cross in his Christmas ad, he got himself at least $10 million of free air time, solidified his base, and got buttloads of people talking about him during the run-up week to Christmas when we should have been thinking about other stuff. Whoever came up with that ad is utterly brilliant, and just made themself a political ad/marketing legend.

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James, Mesa, AZ — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:15:46 GMT

See that smirk on Bush's face? That is because he knows that the REAL joke is being played on America, SUCKERS!!

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Frank Adair — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:28:20 GMT

I don't have to believe Clemens. I'm not asking him! and I don't care! He gave me a lot of thrills in a sport I dearly love. The rules were/are vague about steroids. You can't take away my sports heroes because they did all they could to play the best!

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Fedup with the Religious Right and the GOP — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:28:40 GMT

God save us from these smug and STUPID Republicans who really do think there's a "war on Christmas" because some people choose to make room for other religious and secular observances this time of year with "Happy Holidays."

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Kenji, Vancouver, BC — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:38:39 GMT

Indiana Steven: "To All My Democrat Friends..."

What are Democrat Friends, anyway? Are they anything like Republic Fools?

Seriously, I would like someone to do a statistical breakdown of members of congress who regularly attend church, are still on their first or second marriage, and have served in the military. From what I have seen to date, but spread out over different surveys, "Democratics" outnumber "Republics" by more than two to one in these areas. And yet who does most of the moral lecturing?

Please, take one whiff of Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limberger if you don't see what I'm getting at, "friend". Happy Kwanza, and hope you get your cuntry back some day.

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Mike Parker — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:44:33 GMT

Hi, Brian,
I've been watching NBC News since John Cameron Swayze talked to my parents each night and I find you a continuation of that great line of NBC Anchors.

However, I wonder if anyone writing these comments lambasting our clown President ever notices the "Biometrics" push by DOJ...you know "bigger, better, faster" as some bureacrat bloviated speaking of the desire to spot whomever, whenever, and tell their employer if they run afoul of the law(!).

This government does not take sarcasm kindly...witness Cheney having a man arrested who politely told Mr Undisclosed Location of his opp to the Iraq War while in a shopping mall.

Don't these folks worry that they'll end up on an enemies list or be investigated by federal authorities? They should worry, in my opinion.

As for George the election stealer, I recall fondly the words of John Nance Garner (he was talking about the job of VP, but I apply them to our insipidly stupid President) "Ain't worth a pitcher of warm spit."

I wonder how much longer we will be able to exdpress our opinions of our royal majesties and when it will become a "Homeland Security Matter" when one demeans the President?

Any thoughts on that?

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Mr.Murder(One Raider Nation) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:03:27 GMT

GWB, stick a fork in 'em, he's done...

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g.eglesias'pennsylvania — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:41:24 GMT

I usually agree with Jackie--she usually writes good stuff. I don't completely agree that Americans are destroying our country ourselves. The Bush Administration, "and the people like him," are destroying our country.

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candace Flanagan charlotte nc — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:56:32 GMT

How do I get an autograph photo of Brian williams for my mother-in-law???

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Stella Perez, Tracy, California — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:09:34 GMT

Dear Brian Williams, I travel for a living and when I'm unable to watch your newscast, I feel out of the world/home news. Thank you for your excellent reporting, your sense of humor, your straight-forward manner. Thank you so much! By the way, you're so easy on the eye!! Stella Perez