If it's Thursday...

lnp, leonardtown, maryland, usa — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:16:52 GMT

I'm very glad to see that Richard Engel is back, filing reports from Baghdad. I have missed the level of coverage you used to offer on the war in Iraq, as well as on the Middle East in general. I feel it has been pushed to the side, in order to cover this neverending presidential campaign. May I just say I will be sooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad when Super Tuesday has come on and gone, so that the news might -hopefully - focus on other topics. I realize Mr. Engel was taking a well-earned vacation, but NBC has a whole host of stellar correspondents who have been -mostly - languishing in the London bureau, covering the Princess Diana inquest, etc., as opposed to filling in during his absence (with the exception of Stephanie Gosk). Hopefully, he has the clout to push Iraq to the forefront once again.... I am looking forward to the superb Martin Fletcher's report on Gaza this evening.... And, please, NO MORE HEATH LEDGER coverage! That's what Access Hollywood is for. It's disrespectful to his family and to his young daughter to continue to sensationalize a death about which we know very little.... I'll tune in to the debate later this evening. Hopefully, it will be a little more civilized than the last one....

To Lisa M. - Thanks for your note from Monday night. You are too cute! Be well always.

If it's Thursday...

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:18:30 GMT

I just wanted to bring http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml and http://www.fairlds.org/ and http://www.shield-research.org/ to NBCs attention given the plethora of anti-Mormon attacks in the wake of Romney's candidacy. Fairness to the Mormons demands this.

If it's Thursday...

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:08:51 GMT

Good Evening Mr.William, I agree with Laurel in that I am very,very happy to see Richard doing reports from Baghdad. He certainly does great reporting from the Middle East and in the last few days there have been several. Big Thank you Richard!! Stay safe always Richard!! Regarding the Republican Debate this evening I will most certainly tune into it. May they all be civil and not all talk at once. Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!
To: Laurel, I'm glad you liked the comment!! Be well too!!

If it's Thursday...

Thomas Freeman, Brenham, Texas — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:12:17 GMT

Dear Brian,
Im glad to see that Richard is back as well as Tom. Since Tom stepped down what is his role at Nightly News? What are the Republican Can. views on education, the war, energy, etc. There is no clear front runner unlike the dems. I am glad the you and Tim are working hard on the debate and the coverage. Keep it up and please dont forget to report on other inportant issues that facve america. Thank you to the entire nightly news team.

If it's Thursday...

Paul - Elmira, NY — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:29:27 GMT

I echo exactly what Inp said above in his/her comments. I am very interested to learn much more about what is and is not happening in Iraq and Afganistan. Does Bagdad have reliable 24 hour electricity yet after five years? If not, why not? What is happening with Turkey? What is life like where the British once policed the streets? Is oil flowing from all the fields that were active before the war yet? If so, what level of revenues are comming into Iraq now? I know it is not popular to say so, but this war and occupation is all about oil after all and I assume comittments are being made by Condie and Bush for us to have a permanent presense to ensure their oil will always be available to the US - it is hard to argue that we don't need it for our very survival. What specific issues are being debated by the Iraq parlament? We hear they make little progress but we never hear what they are deliberating over except Suni participation. I hear we are building a huge embasy larger than Sadam's pallace, but I have never seen a picture of it, so lets see that footprint we are putting down. You can't be paying Richard Engle enough but keep trying to so he never leaves NBC.

If it's Thursday...

Marc Schulz, Delitzsch, Germany — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:48:45 GMT

There is too much coverage of the sad death of Hollywood young gun Heath Ledger. It may be sad for his family but the issue should stay in the family. Let Access Hollywood or Entertainment Tonight do their jobs, they have little work to do in times of the writers strike.

Now it's Dennis Kucinich out of the race. Now it's only a matter of time when the "undead zombie" Mike Gravel pulls out of the race for Presidential nomination.

Also Italy's Romano Prodi lost a motion of confidence in the Senate. There I say "arriverderci".

If it's Thursday...

Tricia Turner, Jacksonville, FL — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:06:40 GMT

Would someone be so bold as to ask the candidates tonight how this so called "good" tax rebate is actually going to benefit anyone? As I see it, all it does it add to the federal deficit. And how can all the candidates talk about tax cuts with a deficit the size it is now? Just for once, I'd like a real answer and not a skip around the block let me evade that, I'll cut your taxes speech.

If it's Thursday...

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:39:21 GMT

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I will say again I am looking forward to the Republican Debate this evening. You and Mr.Russert always do a fine job of moderating over the candidates. Now on to the broadcast. A very full and informative broadcast! The report concerning the stimulus package to help the economy that President Bush has decided upon may or may not be too little too late by the time these checks reach hard working Americans. A few hundred dollars could be helpful, but it depends on how people propose to use the money. Many Americans find it very difficult to save money because they have so many expenses and cannot afford to put money away. I do say that people should save as much money as possible for the future because every dollar helps. Hopefully, the economy will change for the better in the coming months. On the report by Mr.Fletcher from the border with Gaza and Egypt it was interesting seeing all those people flood into Egypt to buy all sorts of goods and animals. It appeared to be so freeing for them. One realizes it is not permanent and some kind of resolution must be decided upon, but for now the people seem to be enjoying the experience of freedom. One hopes peace will befall the region soon. Finally, regarding the report by Mr.Cowan on the schedule of the candidates and how rough it is for them, I don't know how they manage. So many stops in a multitude of States with many, many supporters and media. Of course, I wonder how you keep such a hectic schedule too Mr.Williams! Anyway, I will watch the debate this evening. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

If it's Thursday...

Donna M. Riverbank, Ca — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:30:44 GMT

Mr. Williams; I'am disabled and on SSI, married and pay our fair share of taxes. Please give me the correct information as I'm a bit confused. Some reports indicate that the disabled will not be eligeable for the tax rebate. Other's say I will. I am married and our combined income is under $45,000 per year. Will I be eligeable for the tax rebate, or as I've heard other's report I will NOT be as I'm disabled. Brian, can you clear this up for me? I think that would be a form of discrimunation, if being disabled meens I would be exempt. Brian, I look forward to your reports nightly, and know I can trust your report! Thanks....

If it's Thursday...

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:48:03 GMT

Hi Brian
Good news bad news. The Oil Companies got super big profits and the Americans get recession. Now as for that rebate check most if not all Americans will have to pay their bills with that money. If any Americans is shopping now they don't need the rebate. I would say after reviewing the economy's status it's to late for the Bush plan. I did notice no one said a word about how the US has even and buying for Iraq's to work. If Bush would give half of the employment he gave Iraq we wouldn't need the rebates.

I saw the Republican debate and it's just sad so sad.

I knew Hamas would get help for Egypt and look for Iran to help. As these countries are related to each other Family always takes care of Family. I was surprised at Isreal as they are looking to all die to get control of their land. I always thought Isreal was the chosen people of God, with their actions I see I was totally wrong. I guess I was thinking about the bible and not how they are today.

Mr. Kofi Annan showed what a great leader he is and how much his opinion is valued. He was able to get the President and the man who ran against him to sit down and talk things out to stop the violence in Kenya. Mr. Kofi Annan is an example of how honesty and respect is important as it allows a Leader to bring people together even with many problems.

If it's Thursday...

Mary Johnson, St. Peter,Mn. — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:14:56 GMT

Brian, I think it's time to stop bringing up the fact that Romney is Mormon..People really don't care, except the media keeps bringing it up!

If it's Thursday...

Christopher Burton — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:20:45 GMT

I'm hopeful that "Nightly News" will devote time to this new mess in Mississippi caused by Haley Barbour and his buddies wanting to 'divert' (read "steal") Katrina disaster money intended for actual human beings to fund port and gaming development. This is a major-league political scandal that could only occur with the tacit approval of the Bush Administration. Please, Mr. Williams, DON'T let them sweep this under the 'we know what's best for Mississippi' rug !!

If it's Thursday...

Louisiana 1976 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:56:53 GMT

Dear Brian,

In spite of the historic, tragic impact of Katrina and New Orleans' flood not only on Louisiana and Mississippi but on America as a whole, and the fact that the Bush Administration has been neglecting New Orleans' recovery, this dual disaster has very rarely come up in presidential debates.

So I am calling on NBC News to sponsor a presidential debate on these topics to be held in New Orleans this fall. This seems to be the only way this disaster and the slow recovery, which are still having traumatic effects on people in Louisiana and Mississippi, will be talked about.

Remember the way Yucca Mountain, a local issue of interest only to Nevadans, was discussed in the last Las Vegas debate, which you moderated? Katrina and the flood, which unlike Yucca Mountain, have had national importance and are still affecting Americans, should be discussed at least as well as has Yucca Mountain. And a debate in New Orleans may be the only way this will happen.

And New Orleans would be the ideal venue for the presidential nominees to discuss many other domestic campaign issues because in effect New Orleans after the flood has been the "canary in the coal mine" regarding these things: the economy, health care, the environment, civil rights, poverty, education, immigration, the elderly, children, etc.

I hope you and NBC News will give this idea serious consideration. A New Orleans debate as she is recovering would be historic, and we need a debate in New Orleans.

If it's Thursday...

Joan Chapman, Cheshire, Ct.(Brian Leetch's hometown) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:28:02 GMT

Hi Brian -

Glad you enjoyed FAU - one of my nephews teaches there - he's a marine biologist.

As I read the NY Times Editorial page this morning and saw their choices, my mind immediately said: It's time for Bloomberg.

Is it?

If it's Thursday...

Joyce Wiswell — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:30:32 GMT

I was lucky enough to visit Corregidor on a day-trip from Manila back in the 1980s. My dad had seen action there in WWII so I took lots of pictures to show him. Interesting how the earth had reclaimed all the buildings. Is it really true that the island was flat before all the bombs of the war? When I was there it was very hilly but I always wondered if that was an urban legend.

If it's Thursday...

Elizabeth, Reno, NV — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:26:20 GMT

Brian,

At the debate last night, Tim Russert (alternatively, affectionately, known on the internets at "Pumpkinhead" and "Timmeh") asked Mitt Romney whether, to save social security, he would do what Ronald Reagan did. At the end of that question, someone somewhere whispered "he raised taxes" and then Romney replied "well, I wouldn't raise taxes." The internets are abuzz with theories that someone was feeding Romney lines during the debate. Others have theorized that it was you, whispering to Russert, to clue him in that his question wasn't explicit enough.

Can you tell us what really happened?

Thanks!

If it's Thursday...

Tom Mulrine, Leesburg, VA — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:04:28 GMT

Can someone please get the hook on Chris Matthews. I stayed up after the Republican debate to hear some of the commentator's analysis. What I got was Chris referring over and over and over to Rommney's remark about Clinton alone in the White House. Hit it and quit it Chris...this country has MAJOR issues more important than Bill's excellent libido. It was obvious that Tim and the others were trying to get past it, but Chris just doesn't want to let go.
Finally, no questions on Israel - Palestine? wow.

If it's Thursday...

Josh Guerra, Portland, OR — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:58:32 GMT

Given that all comments are reviewed, I'd be willing to put money on the fact that this won't be posted.

I was disappointed with the debate last night because of the blatant disregard for Congressman Ron Paul. He's a viable candidate who's beaten Giuliani several times in state primaries and recently came in second in Nevada. Yet he is only given about 6 minutes of talking time? Where is the balanced reporting of NBC? This only reinforces the notion that the mainstream media is unreliable.

If it's Thursday...

Michelle, Pasig, Philippines — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:30:22 GMT

Hi Brian, I am a Filipino (with no cable TV) but luckily a local channel who collaborated with CIS, shows a day apart your evening news. Your segment helps me in my pronunciation of English word. I like how your team presents news and the way you deliver different emotions capture anyone's heart too.

With regards to US 2008 Decision coverage, it finally sinks in that it is not only in the Philippines that every country had such childish debates and elections funny moments. Politics has become an arena for popularity rather than focusing to its main purpose - to serve people and give the best for your constituents. To get to people's heart they will just start showing off or working when election is near. When they sat down they think only of repaying those people who help them installed in their position. Of course it no secret that they have financial backers and they let these financial backers get what they want after politicians got seated.

At the moment, even election 2010 is still far, political killings and suppression is just around. Too many people died because of power and politicians now a day are greedy.

Thank you for citing the Corregidor Island, the last fortress. I love that place too. Its serenity let's me feel peace that you cannot experience anywhere.

Thanks!

If it's Thursday...

Miguel A. Morales, Orlando, Florida — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:32:24 GMT

Hello Mr Williams: My main concern is that the candidates in both parties tend to lump all of us hispanic voters in the same mold. I would wish it were so because as a united block with the same interests in mind we would wield a significant amount of political influence. Unfortunately that's not the case. Although we share mostly a common ancestry, language and culture we are as diverse in political preferences and interests as the many countries we come from. Even people of the same country tend to view things differently depending on class status, geographical location and religion. So in a sense we are part of the political landscape with probably more diversity among us than in any other ethnic group. There are varied reasons for this reality. but that's another story. Maybe you'll have the opportunity in the near future to find out how much awareness the candidates have concerning this issue.

If it's Thursday...

Ron Joseph, Lynchburg, Virginia — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:49:31 GMT

Mr. Williams,
When you took over the Nightly News chair from Tom Brokow you promised to be fair and honest. I watched the debate on MSNBC last evening and you were a willing tool and fool of the most liberal newspaper in America. Shame upon you!!!!!!

I do not have a favorite candidate yet. I do not know for which party I will vote this year. I am an Independent. But when you set up Mr. Giuliani by quoting to him from the "liberal bible", the New York Times, I was aghast at the blatant conclusion you reached (How can you defend against that in your home town paper? How have you changed as a man since this portrait?) and you, very well understanding that the NY Times is where you and the rest of the liberal media get your marching orders for the days news, took those orders and attempted to embarrass Mr. Giuliani. It was very obvious that this was a well planned and highly scripted (and you read it very carefully)

Mr. Williams, shame upon you for the abject underhanded way in which you did your job. NO, you are not fair, don't pretend to be and your bias shown for everybody to see. Shame upon you and shame upon NBC for tolerating such.

It is obvious now that you are NOT a journalist, but instead a garbage man operating as a propagandist! I will never trust anything that emanates from your mouth again. SHAME UPON YOU, for it is people like you who have and are destroying one of the most important rights we as Americans have, a free and un-biased press. You have a taken a trusted position and have fouled and sullied it.

If it's Thursday...

Liz Katic — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:56:12 GMT

I think you should report that the Clintons Co-Chair
took Contributions from Rezko.Come On Now-You all went
out of your way to report on Obama.Lets make this fair?

If it's Thursday...

Betty Kosegi New Phila. OH — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:14:58 GMT

Mr. Williams,Its not too late to let people know that
the Clintons Co-Chair took Contributions from Rezko.
Fair is Fair-Now Lets see if you will make it so.I
doubt it.

If it's Thursday...

Katie Leoni — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:20:40 GMT

Thanks for the kind words about FAU and Boca Raton, Brian. You truly are a one of a kind broadcaster and as a young journalist myself, I have always looked up to you.