Why is everyone so surprised at the slow responce of our government when it comes to getting the Amaricans out of Lebanon. Look how they performed during and after Katrina

I commend you on your coverage last night of the poor woman who was trying to call her husband, only to have his phone ring next to his body - all shown on the tv screne. That really put the war and the death that the Hezbollah are raining down on northern Israel in perspective. It took me several moments to grasp the meaning of it. What a horrible situation these people have to endure! Israel is only acting to protect its citizens now, since the Lebanese army and the UN peace keeping force have not been able to keep the border region out of the hands of the terrorists. It is a very sad and deadly situation.

I salute all of the news crews and their teams. If those of you who condemn Brian for being one sided - simply switch the channel and you'll see many newscasts originating from Lebanon also, with perhaps other opinions and views. War is hell - always and especially for the innocent - it is never the innocent who play these games of power and hatred. If this is how Israel choose to take a stand - so be it. They have been masters of patience. Theirs is not an axe to grind with the Lebanese people - but the Hezbollah who control them also. Perhaps we should all take a stand and pray for a speedy, safe resolution to this horrific situation - and honor those who choose to bring us the news - at great risk - and the armed forces who protect them and us - at ever corner of the world, every day. And so it is!

its funny how the reporters are driving around in armored vehicles and israeli friends of mine who live in northern israel are driving around in their regular cars, going to work and going shopping.

The pictures and video say a thousand words.The more you are able to show the better.It helps everyone understand the situation better. Good Luck to you and your staff and watch out for those Katyusha .

After 50 + years, death only come in one shade we all should be ashamed, this is not about 2 young men, take the led tell the true story... (REM 27 years on active diuty in the military...

Why do we support is Israel in the first place? Saying they are a democracy is not true with the way they treat the palistinians.

If any other country was doing what Isreal was we would be stopping them by force. Instead we arm them so they can kill more people and say it is justified.

Don't wonder why we have radical arabs. All you have to do is look at pictures of what we(WESTERNERS)do everyday to their homes and children and the concept of radical isn't so far fetched.

I love the comment from "Jesus" down below. That is very true. Why is it that the news we see is always so pessimistic towards the future? Why is it that it's always so focused towards the American view? Oh yeah, because the FCC is practically owned by the Republican Party and their neo facist ideals.

Brian'
Keep up the good work in the field....how about doing some pieces on the various power cliques in the whole middle eastern region....we need to know who the players are and their stated objectives.

Hello Brian,

Sometimes I am torn on the role of the news media in situations like this. I am afraid that seeing too much information makes us numb. But, I also enjoy information overload at times. I admire your dedication to your profession – not a lot of people would be where you are right now in this time of conflict.

I appreciate the Biblical reference in your blog. It showed your knowledge and respect for the history of that region. Many Christians I have talked to feel attached to or invested in this conflict because of where it is taking place and what it all may mean. Your reference briefly put our thoughts into words.

Keep up the good work and please be safe. God Bless.

Israel is doing the work of the world. These terrorists don't just hate Israel they hate the Western World. They would commit horrible acts of terror given the chance to Europe, the United States and frankly to anybody who does not have their beliefs. So for those who are saying negative things about Israel, apologize and say Thank you for doing what is just and what is right. Terrorists only understand force, appeasement fails time and time again.

Chris Berryhill said "90% of the 237+ killed thus far were innocent civilians who had nothing to do with Hezbollah"

Where did you get that information?
What's the definition of "innocent civilians"?
If someone hides rockets in their basement is that an "innocent civilian"?

Come on, we sit here in the good Old US of A and pass judgement on people that have 9/11 happen to them every week (or month). If the Hizbollah would have crossed the border to Iraq, killed and kidnapped US soliders you better believe that Lebanon would have been the Bush Memorial Parking Lot by now and a lot more then 300 people would have died.
The Lebanese government, which is civil and democratic, no doubt about that, and I believe truly wants to be left alone, would have taken care of Hizbollah themselves this could all be averted.
Heck, all they had to do was go to Washington and say "we need $n million to fight terrorism" they would have gotten it.
Don't forget, Israel is doing our dirty job for us as they have been doing for years.
We should have flattened Lebanon (the whole country) after Hizbollah killed 300 Marines on a peace keeping mission.

Dear Brian,
Please stay safe on your mission. Those of us here in New Orleans will never forget how you stood up for us when the nation was complaining of Katrina fatigue, despite the fact that many of us are still suffering and trying to come to terms with our losses to this very day. We sure don't need any more casulaties. Also, I think if you read these comments that you'll see the nation is very concerned with hearing both sides of the story in Middle East and would appreciate an even-handed delivery. You have the strength, intelligence, and courage to deliver just that. And thank you for keeping me in stitches on "Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me."

On the comment of the Lebanese prime minister being afraid. Only a fool is not afraid of something. Fear keeps us alive.

Jon from Washington -- those pictures are truly unthinkable and, as a parent, beyond heartwrenching. But, to be balanced, where are the links to photos showing the two Israeli children killed today by Hezbollah rockets or where are links to web pages showing images of mangled innocent men, woman and children murdered by Palestinian CHILDREN wrapped in explosives? Just curious if those deaths as important as the ones you felt compelled to show us today?

I believe that the reasonable response from Israel is and should be acceptable. How many years have this Hizbulla been antagonizing and taunting the small towns and villages of Israel, and now that Hizbulla has taken the aggressor step and attacked, killed and captured military personnel after crossing an international accepted boarder, rocket attacked etc this small nation that has only itself to depend on because no nation is willing to stand with the 5 million Israel's against the arab world that has in excess of 100 million people.
Why shouldn't these blood thirsty under acheiving people use their resources to make peace, grow food and have stable industrial nation that can support and educate their population and establish themselves a productive people rather than taking children and using them in the name of Alla as human bombs.
Shame and disgrace on these terrorists for using their own people as human shields and not having the courage to face the reality of life.
What gives them the right to impose on the western world their prejudicial values on the north american continent. If they are that convinced of their beliefs, them stay in your home country and make it a better place and country to be envied and copied not a killing ground because they do not work, do not create do not achieve except in the field of destruction.

Brian
You are doing a great job. Keep driving around with the Israeli army reporting on the terror being felt by people in Northern Israel. Why don't you go to Beirut and report from there while Israeli aircraft are bombing residential neighborhoods all through Lebanon.

Brian,
Thanks for the excellent reporting, and my prayers are with you and your team that you will remain safe.
Perhaps the NBC news team could address something that irks me and many of the people I talk to about the current situation. I am very well aware that the situation in the Israeli/Lebanon region is an active scene of violence and death. I just read the story on MSNBC.com that related the 'official' report of over 300 Lebanonese deaths. Israelis are also suffering their own casualties and deaths. Now, with this in mind, the diplomatic world is obviously doing their best to find a solution. Here, in the United States, the despute takes on its own conundrum with the political machine in Washington D.C. For the past five years the Bush administration has operated under the stance of 'Taking the Fighting to "Them"' The administration has been critisized for this numerous times. Even when the operation in Iraq was initially supported from both sides of the isle in the US Capitol, it was later decided by many the Bush Administration had taken the 'American Cowboy' image too far. It was a 'reckless' decision to start a war that we 'could not win.' And, now with tensions at an all time high, when the administration decides to not take drastic measures and to let the diplomatic process proceed in the United Nations, Bush and his team are scathingly critisized for not doing "enough." Please allow me to censor the cliche: Da[rn]ed if you do, da[ar]ned if you don't. Quite frankly I am surprised that the media has not made light of this situation. Put yourself in the position of the administration, regardless of your political ideology, 'What is the correct thing to do?!' This is a dangerous situation not only for the Middle East but also for our domestic political system. Where is the line to be drawn when it comes to taking shots at an unpopular president and an unpopular administration? Perhaps this would make a good report, and perhaps, yes perhaps, it might turn on some lightbulbs in the minds of the many hypocritical figures that operate within our government.

I totally agree with a readers comments that Israel has every right to defend itself if what they're defending is theirs to begin with. If you've been kicked out of your home, abused, humiliated over and over again and to top it all of, portrayed as the aggressor in the world media, you would turn into a terrorist too. Palestinians have every right to fight for their land, and if your argument is that the ground reality is different now and that they should just accept the might of the Israeli army, then I would say to you that if tanks/bombs/military strength etc is the only solution to this issue then just let the Palestinians fight for what they believe is right. It doesnt matter if you're right or wrong to begin with so why not just let force decide who wins and who losses. If they (Palestinians) are not willing to accept the "ground reality", does that make them terrorists? Were the American Indian's terrorists?. Dont forget Israel was formed by committing genocide against the Palestinian population that lived in the land and many acts of terrorism including bombing the British soldiers. So before anyone of you condemn the Lebanese or Palestinians please remember that it is their land that is occupied not Israel's. They are the ones living in refugee camps without a right to return, not Israelis. I wish there could be some compromise between the Israelis and the Palestinians but it doesnt look like thats going to happen. To much hatred and anger between the two sides. Israel wont give back what they think is their God given land and Palestinians wont settle for anything less.

I believe that the Lebanon is suffering more than it should. I do not believe that there is a justification for this pain and suffering. How does Isreal justrify his attaques againsT THE CHRISTIANS' LEBANESE if he is fighting only HEZBOLAH?
Please Brian, you are such a great journalist. You should covert every side. i AHVE THE IMPRESSION THAT LEBANESE SUFFERING IS NOT WORTH OF YOUR COVERAGE.

Hey Brian,
I was quite impressed last night to see you out in the middle of the action. I think the MSNBC and NBC news teams do a wonderful job of going everywhere. This morning, I saw Anne Curry in Beirut, Wow!
Please be safe, our thoughts and prayers are with you, and the rest of the teams.

Brian,
I watched Tom before and now you every day. Although the topics may vary and be onsided or not, the reporting you do is absolutely fantastic. Great work, and keep safe when you go through these dangerous areas.

what israel has proven to the world is if you are having a problem with a neighboring country, you better have the same firepower as your enemy or else you will wind up like lebanon

The Yankees win last evening was a mircle of sorts and so the biblical reference was not entirely out of context. War is horrible, period. There are rarely any winners at the end of the day and while I understand and respect the Israeli response, it does not change the fact that innocent bystanders are being murdered for the crime of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Both sides should back down and let the peace-keepers have an opportunity to negotiate a reasonable settlement...........enough lives have been lost.

Brian - shame on you for looking up sports news on the NY Times site instead of MSNBC!