The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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Not much time today... way too many meetings, conference calls and the like. Our editorial meeting was delayed by two factors: my concurrent conversation with Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton about their relief efforts, and the breaking news that first appeared in our computer system as a sketchy bulletin: "shots fired on board plane at Miami International Airport."Our control room waited for me to finish the interview with both Presidents (while they gathered more information), and then we did a special report on the network on what was known then. The facts, briefly, point to the first discharge of a weapon in the hands of the Federal Air Marshals who now fly on a good number of flights each day. While sometimes (to travelers who know what to look for) they can be a painfully obvious presence on flights, especially the NY-DC-NY shuttles, that may be part of the idea. In this case, witnesses say there was some sort of mention of a bomb or similar device in his carry-on bag prior to the shooting, which reportedly took place in the jetway. We're now being told he was a 44-year-old American, and there was never any concrete indication of an actual bomb. I'm aware much of this may become moot by airtime tonight as we learn still more. (Editor's note: follow the latest developments here.)
Elsewhere in the broadcast tonight, what some have called the "polite" or even "cool" reception the President got today during his speech to the Council on Foreign Relations meeting in Washington. The body language between the President and Council head Richard Haas (a veteran of both Bush administrations) was certainly the stuff of great interest to the Beltway crowd watching the live feed. David Gregory will handle that topic for us tonight. We'll air portions of my interview with 41 and 42, as they're now known in numeric shorthand, and Andrea Mitchell has an interesting look at Condoleezza Rice tonight. And Kevin Tibbles, as advertised, will tell us what's wrong with the Pearl Harbor Memorial... among the most solemn places on earth.
And while I've withheld the names to protect the innocent, today I'll close with the text from two e-mails we received yesterday. One has to do with how we often have to pay the bills around here. The other... and you know who you are... is a rather likely cat enthusiast, who sees a pro-dog slant in our journalistic decision-making. I have chosen not to share this with a particular and beloved member of our household, who at age 12 should be able to enjoy the autumn of her life without reading such venom.
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"This evening, while having dessert, a commercial for MUCUS was aired! Come on, we do not need that kind of reminder while having dinner! Put that into a late show schedule as you do with other, er, sensitive subjects, will ya? Geez!"
"Dogs dogs dogs. So sick of dogs. Small-brained, lower species, scavenger animals is all they are. Yet SOOOOOO much is made of these instinct-driven, butt-sniffing, subservient beasts. Dogs are so stupid, they don't even know they've been neutered. They'll mindlessly latch on to anyone who gives them food, even Saddam Hussein. Yet NBC News thinks dogs are practically Jesus Christ." ================================================================
Just an idea of what we put up with around here. Rest assured, however: of all the e-mails we received yesterday, all but these two dealt with substantive issues. People need to blow off some steam every once in a while, I guess.
Back to journalism: we sure hope you'll join us tonight. And a reminder: if you're not able to catch us during our primary airing on the NBC television network, remember you can now watch the entire broadcast online and on-demand, after 10 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Pacific at Nightly.MSNBC.com.
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Tonight's promoted story
The actions by the Air Marshals in Miami have to be commended. In those situations, there is absolutely no time to hesitate. Had the gentleman making the threats actually been carrying a bomb, the lives of everyone onboard and in the immediate vicinity could have been taken in a split-second. At the time they acted, the Marshals did exactly what they were trained to do. They neutralized the threat. It is unfortunate that a man lost his life, but let's not forget that the Marshals will also have to live with the knowledge that he was unarmed when he was shot.
Leslie Anderson, Farmingville, NY (Sent Dec 8, 2005 2:17:56 PM)
The shooting of the man on a flight to Miami is but another example of American travesty. Because of the lies and cover-ups of our current Administration, everybody thinks it's okay to lie. Nobody heard that man say he had a bomb, so why lie about it unless you have something to hide? Let's face it -- we've become recklessly obsessed with the ideal of protecting Americans and their freedom, and just as in all other pretexts of 'protection,' the people who get the shorter stick are always people of color.
Linda Anderson, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Sent Dec 8, 2005 1:59:55 PM)
I appreciate the time that NBC news gives to animals. Dogs especially play an important role in our lives...think K9 cops, search and rescue, think 9/11. Think about pet therapy in hospitals and rest homes. The list goes on. I know you say that people need to blow off steam...but people need to lighten up too.
Also - pertaining to the Miami Airport shooting. Any death is tragic, but...looks like the system worked. Gives me a little more faith in flying.
David - Olathe, KS (Sent Dec 8, 2005 9:23:35 AM)
The higher-up in the tree of evolution, the more refined one is expected to be. Why is this e-mailer-so called " big-brained, higher species" barking unnecessarily? Dogs do not do that!
Brian may I request you to avoid posting such mails. It really, really hurts to even know, that people can criticize “voiceless creatures.”
This being the holiday season, I am just reminded of “All creatures big and small…..”
Swetha, Chennai (Sent Dec 8, 2005 3:05:04 AM)
I am stunned that the passengers on the American flight upon which the man was shot today were forced to exit the planes with their hands on their heads like common criminals. What kind of a world are we in? These people had nothing to do with this man's actions? This is the story that won't be covered but should be.
Jenna Peterson (Sent Dec 7, 2005 8:48:47 PM)
Pertaining to the shooting at the miami Airport. If reports are true and the man was raving about having a bomb then I think the Marshal did what would be expected in shooting the man. He may have been mentally ill but what if he wasn't. I am sure the Marshal will get plenty of grief from the public followed by the powers that be, but say the situation was reversed and the man did not shoot this"terrorist" and a bomb went off killing innocent bystanders. It is a damned if you do damned if you don't situation. But when someone is screaming that they are going to set off a bomb, better safe than sorry. 1 life vs multiple lifes. We don't want to learn this lesson the hard way.
Leya Brice, Clarksville, AR (Sent Dec 7, 2005 7:52:24 PM)
I saw you on the Sunday Morning show, I was pleased to hear about your blogging and appreciate the time you must give to it. I have never read a blog before, but think I will become a daily reader. Maybe most importantly at the end of a long day of teaching it is nice to hear both the seriousness & sillyness of life. Thank you for a hardy laugh. Your comment on dogs & cats was a very nice way of ending the blog. And by the way we are very big animal lovers, with both cats & dogs who have no earthly idea that they are either one.
Cathy Stanford, Yukon, Oklahoma (Sent Dec 7, 2005 7:10:35 PM)
All animals have value, beginning with the human animal all the way down to whatever lies at the bottom of the animal kingdom. What bothers me the most about people who speak ill of any creature is how little it takes to set them off.
Maureen Boutwell, Ozark, AL (Sent Dec 7, 2005 6:54:47 PM)
When I see news of victims of Hurricane Katrina having to bunk in with relatives I'm reminded of a children's book describing how a little boy finds his "space" in an overcrowded apartment. It's called Evan's Corner and is described on Amazon. Maybe you could do some kind of feature on the similarities.
Jaycee (Sent Dec 7, 2005 6:03:58 PM)
Ok, I'm not a big fan of dogs. Don't hate them or even dislike them. I have friends that have dogs and love them dearly. Me? I am a cat person and have always owned cats. But the person who posted the anti-dog piece needs to realize that dogs do play a vital role in human life - both as friends and workers. Ever hear of a seeing eye cat? Drug sniffing cat? Me either.
Michael Masciopinto, Houston, Texas (Sent Dec 7, 2005 4:44:41 PM)
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