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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The news today concerning the Alaska oil pipeline took everyone by surprise. Tonight we will look at both cause and effect. Bottom line: get ready to pay more for gas. A lot of the "cease-fire" talk this weekend might have been wishful thinking. The fighting in the Middle East, if anything, seems to be on the cusp of another escalation. Our correspondents are in place to cover it again tonight. David Gregory will again look at what the Bush administration can do. We have an interesting investigation into the cigarette industry, a look at the trials and troubles of the Tour de France winner, and we'll close the broadcast on a story that got the attention of so many of us parents of teenagers this morning. This was how the AP put it:
No names, of course, but this morning's discussion of this story, between and among those of us with kids... and those on our staff who don't have kids... was an eye-opener. Hopefully, John Larson will reflect that in his piece tonight.
THANKS, I THINK
So many people e-mailed us to call our attention to a glaring grammatical error in our broadcast recently -- I feel compelled to explain myself. It was a few broadcasts ago, a perfectly innocuous item about Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast "reverting back" to French Fries and French Toast in the cafeteria on Capitol Hill. Obviously "reverting back" is redundantly redundant. The item was actually in play while we were on the air, and was being shortened while I was in the middle of another item. It was the only item in the half hour that I had not written or copy-edited before air (we weren't sure we'd have time to get it in) and it went by in a flash, before I could realize our error. But a whole lot of you did. I never mind hearing from you on grammar issues -- the language is suffering badly these days -- and we don't want to contribute to that, however (in this case) inadvertently.
ONE YEAR LATER...
Peter Jennings has been gone a year. While all of us have our own reasons for remembering Peter, and while we all have our own thoughts on his legacy and career, we were all in agreement after he died -- that the best way to remember him would be to stay true to the reporting that was most important to him. It was certainly the pledge made by his colleagues and friends at ABC News -- it was mentioned more than once at his Memorial Service on that sad day at Carnegie Hall. I reflected on it today and realized the following: In the year since Peter has died, we have not let up a bit on foreign news coverage... not as a part of any organized homage to Peter, but because the world has given us a steady stream of news to cover. A lot of it has followed the horribly violent plot lines that Peter chronicled during his life. I often reflect on the last time I saw him in the field: We were both awaiting a C-130 transport flight out of Baghdad. It was the day after an aircraft full of British soldiers had been shot down on takeoff from the very same runway we used that day. Of course, the last thing we would have talked about was the palpable uneasiness everyone felt about flying (even the veteran cockpit crew of my transport flight to Kuwait City admitted to butterflies on takeoff, but only after we had landed safely in Kuwait) and instead we talked about the just-concluded elections and the prospects for the future in Iraq. Peter died not knowing what would happen there. I write this not knowing what will happen there. I think about Peter often, and I think about his wife Kayce and his two children. We know he is part of the DNA over at ABC News, where Charlie Gibson carries on a great tradition, while leading a staff still recovering from a loss we just cannot fathom. The world remains a dangerous and endlessly interesting place, just as Peter left it.
We hope you will join us for our broadcast tonight.
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INTERN(AL) AFFAIRS: GREG MARX
4/27/07 One week ago the price of gasoline in SE
Michigan was $2.65/Gal. Seven days later. It is now $2.99/Gal. That is a 34 Cent/Gal.increase in one week. The price of crude oil is not the reason. The greed opf the oil companies and the gasoline dealers is How can the public defend itself?
Frank Albright, Michigan (Sent Apr 27, 2007 9:49:57 PM)
I have found NBC News holds a place of integrity...
I have many comments about so many issues you have
reported..My system has been down for so long...When I have all my thoughts together to express...I will be responding on so many issues...One thing Brian..I missed what you were wearing yesterday..So funny...So there you have it....they only see you....but never here you....our wonderful world never ceases to amaze me.......Thank You ...
patrice......chicago, il (Sent Aug 10, 2006 4:43:39 AM)
I distincty remember reading that the oil comming from Alaska was not "sweet crude" as what is in the middle east. Further, that the crude was such a poor quality it could only be used as "bunker oil"! The prime buyer was Japan. I can't believe that this oil is being sold in the USA as oil refined into gasoline!
Am I wrong? If I am not then BP oil is selling the people of the USA a lot of BULL, just to run up the price of gasoline.
Frank Albright, Michigan (Sent Aug 9, 2006 8:03:26 PM)
you look great--you ooze style. i like the trifocals myself--looking pretty fine on the daily show. and you aren't old and i'm pretty sure you didn't interview LINCOLN--he would've told me. keep up the great look and work.
crystalcantwell:naples, fl (Sent Aug 9, 2006 7:12:49 PM)
Brian,
You are forgiven for your small grammatical goof. It's nice to know that there are still so many who can recognize such a mistake, considering how horribly the English language is being treated these days.
According to a report from MSNBC, if the American Literacy Council has anything to do about it, the way words are spelled in this country is going to take a tragic turn for the worse. As one who learned how to spell and speak the old-fashioned way (sans phonetics, and I do very well most of the time, thank you very much), I can only hope that there are still enough citizens out there who care enough about proper spelling to make sure this doesn't happen!!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13716134/
It's hard to believe that it has been a year since Peter Jennings left us. May he continue to rest in peace.
To you and everyone there at NBC Nightly News -- Have a lovely week!!!
Cyrena, Vicksburg, Mississippi (Sent Aug 8, 2006 10:32:50 PM)
Regarding sexually active teens and the music they listen to: Hogwash! In my opinion and in my personal experience, it is not the music, TV, movies or any other media-based influence that causes this behavior. It is lack of proper parental supervision, attention and interaction. As a young teen in the 80's I was a huge Prince fan, among other controversial artists; Prince wrote some of the raunchiest lyrics at that time. That doesn't mean I carried out everything he sang about - in fact, it was not until many years later that I made the conscious decision to have sex at all. If the child is brought up in a loving, open-minded and intelligent atmosphere where real world events and issues are openly discussed, they are not going to base such decisions only on the music they hear. It all goes back to people not wanting to take responsibility for themselves or their kids. Hey, how did the kids get those iPods? How many parents can name the bands their kids like? How many parents really care what their kids are listening to and are actively discussing it and making an effort to know it? They're too busy and too detached, period.
Mich Sullivan (Sent Aug 8, 2006 12:54:09 PM)
Regarding raunchy music and music videos: They can't be all that's contributing to earlier and earlier sexual activity among today's youth.
What about raunchy movies and TV shows, raunchy video games, raunchy books and magazines, raunchy fashions, raunchy toys and games, even raunchy commercials? The only solution for this would be to clean up ALL of pop culture with a return to family-friendly themes.
Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Aug 8, 2006 7:59:59 AM)
Brian,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Peter Jennings. Indeed, I was looking forward to what you would have to say about him, on this day.
The pristine and incomparable Peter Jennings was a journalist who felt the pain of people around the world. I sure miss him. His magnificent and mellifluous voice, now silent!
With regard to the Middle East crisis: Please ask Richard Engel if there is a sense among the people, that Hezbollah is more helpful to them and will they in-fact end up electing Hezbollah to power in their next election (just like the Palestinians). If the international community delays in acting then theoretically there is a possibility for this to happen even now. The country can simply declare an emergency, dissolve the present government, hold elections, and end up with results that most of the world would not prefer. If this happens how can the world then ask Hezbollah to disarm, for they would be in-charge of the Lebanese army, is it not? How would Israel react to having Hamas in power at one side of their border and Hezbollah in power at the other end?
Whatever it is, there is enough going on in the region to keep Richard Engel busy at least for 5-8 years. A fascinating career choice and perfect timing!
Swetha, Chennai, India (Sent Aug 8, 2006 5:11:08 AM)
Brian--look into the connection between the shut down by BP on Sunday and vote on Saturday in the state legislature regarding the natural gas pipeline contract that is being pushed through by our govenor which the legislature is trying to correct. If the breakdown of the pipeline is so massive why wasn't it picked-up a long time ago?? It amazingly coincidental that these two events happened at the same time.
Maureen, Anchorage, Alaska (Sent Aug 7, 2006 9:03:16 PM)
Just wanted to say I enjoy the blog and appreciate the extra time you and the others put into posting on Daily Nightly. Plus the airline tavel stories brought a smile to one of those days when there is not much to laugh about. News coverage and jokes...who knew? Of course, as a divorce lawyer, I appreciate needing to find some humor in the business of the day.
LBS, Charlotte, NC (Sent Aug 7, 2006 8:55:10 PM)
Mr. Williams,
I shall never forget the day Peter Jennings explained to his viewers that he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Those words hit like a bag of concrete had been hurled at my stomach. And that horrible day, one year ago...who can forget? Flashbacks recalling many of his specific segments, comments, laughter and sadness continue to pop into my mind.
Please know Mr. Williams, Peter lives on in you in so many ways: style, professionalism, compassion, integrity, honesty, graciousness, commitment, etc. No one will contest that Peter is looking down from heaven, very proud to see you continue his legacy of excellence. What a wonderful way to honor his memory.
E. Charles Struan, Portland, Oregon (Sent Aug 7, 2006 7:25:38 PM)
Just saw the broadcast, nice work as ever.
I studied popular music for my media degree this year and I think the study you mentioned doesn't say that much.
I mean, I don't think music is the sole source from which people make up their own minds about sex. Its their background, friends, family, TV, internet etc.
Put it this way: Current Hot 100 #1 "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland is seen in a negative light (still think it's a great song though), yet The Rolling Stones can perform the half-show on Super Bowl XL live to millions of families worldwide singing "Start Me Up" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
Sex has been in pop music right back to Elvis and perhaps it is technophobia which is making parents panic - because they don't understand how these gadgets work, they worry.
Scotland has one of (if not, the highest) teenage pregancy rate in Europe - while R&B is popular here, you still need to consider indie, metal, pop, dance etc which get heavy rotations too.
I've no idea why its the case here, but I'll bet it can't just be music. Depends on the person.
David Campbell, Linwood, Renfrewshire, Scotland (Sent Aug 7, 2006 7:11:51 PM)
Ok, I watched evening news and saw your investigative report and hard-hitting questions asked of folks working for big tobacco. Then I saw the bit about Floyd Landis and your question of what would he have to say. Answer: nothing important. But since last Friday, when the report was released, you have said nothing about Rep. John Conyers' report citing at least 26 instances where George Bush may have broken the law. So, why don't you ask George Bush some hard-hitting questions about that? Why don't you ask John Conyers some hard-hitting questions about where he got his information? I think that's news...but apparently the "news" does not.
jeanie in jax fl (Sent Aug 7, 2006 7:08:34 PM)
Unbelievable is all I can say about your coverage this evening on the Alaskan pipeline. All you could muster was the cost of gas?
How much oil? Where did it go? Is it leaking under ground? "An in-depth story on smoking"?, really, is that what you see as the news?
Geezze!...I have just watched your news program for the last time, in all or part.
davy wink, farmington hills, MI (Sent Aug 7, 2006 6:45:01 PM)
People always blamed "Heavy Metal" for corrupting teens but I'll tell you “Pop music” promotes sex and partying far more than metal ever did. It’s about time they got theirs!! Metal (along the lines of classic Ozzy, Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, etc) are actual far more about positive social change than people ever dared to realize. They address topics that are worth screaming about - such as war, drug addiction, pornography, corruption, environmental and child abuse! If you don't believe me, I’ll refer you to the album Chemical Wedding by Bruce Dickinson and songs like clay-footed soldures of the title track about environmentalism! Or, the album by Widowmaker “Stand By For Pain.” If these aren’t issues worth raising your voice and screaming about, I don’t know what is!
Author Chris Eldridge (Sent Aug 7, 2006 6:37:07 PM)
Brain:
What a truly nice person you are to remenber Peter Jennings in this way. I always say I am an NBC watcher. Somehow I have become a Brian Williams watcher, mostly due to your Blog.
Thanks for being you!
Nancy, Skokie, Ill (Sent Aug 7, 2006 6:27:16 PM)
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