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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Tonight the fires in California have our attention. And if it's true, as investigators suspect, that this fire was arson, someone has blood on their hands. The fire exploded in size and intensity today, and we have two correspondents now on the ground covering the story. We'll also check in on the dirt being thrown prior to the election, and Tom Brokaw will report from California on the turnaround mounted by the Governor. We will also have our regular Friday evening "Making a Difference" report.
LETTERS TO THE BLOG
To the fan of Eisenhower who wrote in: while I can't address the political point you made, the General is always top of mind whenever I visit Walter Reed, as I did yesterday: I think of the time Ike spent there, and I think of his dramatic death scene -- and it makes the planned demolition of the facility a sad event to contemplate.
I noted there was a letter from someone (who lacked the courage to use his/her own name) that criticized Richard Engel for calling himself "basically a pacifist" in the Washington Post profile by Howard Kurtz that was published yesterday. The letter asked if Richard could be "trusted" to be "around American troops." It's a comment that I'm afraid sums up what's happened to our discourse these days (the practice, dormant for 60 years or so, of raising vague or overt questions about the patriotism of those you don't like), and rather than answering it myself, (and after having read a related comment on a political Web site last night), I've asked Jack Jacobs to respond, at the bottom of this posting. Jack is one of our NBC military analysts, but more important for the purpose of this discussion, he is one of 111 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. I sit on the board of the Medal of Honor Foundation, and have come to know Jack as one of this nation's truly extraordinary citizens. I'll let his comments speak for themselves.
BRUSH WITH GREATNESS
I've waited 24 hours, so this differs from Gawker Stalker, but I witnessed a great New York scene while stopped at a light at 49th and Park Ave. in Manhattan yesterday. Former Treasury Secretary John Snow crossed the intersection carrying a canvas tote bag. What made it great was the schoolboy-like reaction of two older and very staid-looking business types -- who passed Snow on the sidewalk feigning nonchalance -- and then wheeled around the very instant he passed by them, bursting out into spasms of delighted recognition. This was a rock star sighting for these guys -- they had just spotted a man who just months ago was 5th in line to the presidency -- and it clearly made their day.
Have a good weekend. On Monday, I'll be anchoring the 1 p.m. EDT hour on MSNBC, as they devote the entire day to political coverage. Remember to turn your clocks back. We hope you will join us for our Friday night broadcast.
GUEST BLOG FROM JACK JACOBS, COL., U.S. ARMY (RET.)
RECIPIENT, CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
While nobody is bereft of opinions and even biases, these don't preclude delivering balanced reports. One could argue persuasively that journalism isn't even a profession: no objective standards of performance, no meaningful peer review, and no centralized enforcement. Plumbers, electricians and even taxi drivers all meet the criteria... but not journalists. Nevertheless, one doesn't have to be a member of a recognized profession to be a recognized professional. Richard is a professional.
If Richard Engel is a pacifist, it's news to me, and it certainly doesn't surface in his reporting. I can't recall a single report he's filed that would betray a bias against soldiers or what they are trying to accomplish in the fight against terror.
Furthermore, an opposition to war doesn't disqualify one from reporting accurately about war, any more than being a capitalist would disqualify a reporter from filing an unbiased report about communism. If that were the case, we would have had nothing useful out of Moscow from Western journalists for more than 70 years.
Finally, if there is an implication, no matter how subtle, that pacifism precludes patriotism, let me offer just one example to the contrary. Last year, a friend of mine of 40 years, a pacifist, passed away. Although he was excused from serving in World War II because of his beliefs, he loved this country and volunteered to be a combat medic. His name was Desmond Doss, and for his heroic battlefield gallantry in saving the lives of his comrades under fire, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
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10 Days and Counting
BTW, "Dewclaw" (that's sweet - it really is) I'm glad you neocon apologists are learning my name. A real man and a real patriot would want it that way.
Lee Steele Mountain View, CA (Sent Oct 30, 2006 1:35:10 PM)
Brian,
I think you spoke for many of us when you brought up the comments questioning Richard Engel's patriotism. Thanks for the follow-up Brian; I have much respect for Richard Engel for being over in the Middle East.
Jack Jacobs comments were right on, I especially like the point raised that "pacifism does not preclude patriotism"
pacifism-the doctrine that all violence is unjustifyable
patriotism-Love of country and the willingness to sacrifice for it
Col. Jacobs elegantly demonstrated how the two ideals can co-exist in the example of his friend, Desmond Doss.
To those that try to post on this blog while using vulgar language, I dare you to keep the nasty words and harrassing statements out of your posts. You will find that your comments get posted after all. Then you'll have to address your REAL anger issues. But, that'll be a good thing.
Tiffany, Beijing (Sent Oct 29, 2006 9:58:41 PM)
Rob, sorry for the confusion. I thought I was being clear and sarcastic. Thanks for the clarification.
Dewey Quong, Reno, NV (Sent Oct 29, 2006 1:58:28 AM)
Hi all -- The Daily Nightly isn't going anywhere. Dewey was just trying to make a point. And Dewclaw, if you keep your comments clean and don't personally attack others, I will always post them. You'll notice your last was edited slightly to eliminate a vulgar reference. We really do encourage all sorts of voices in this blog.
Rob Merrill, Daily Nightly editor (Sent Oct 28, 2006 5:40:36 PM)
Is what Dewey said true, about the pending demise of the Daily Nightly? I hope not...
Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Oct 28, 2006 2:27:43 PM)
War on Terror? Why don't we have a war on fear, despair, confusion and other negative emotions?
(Sent Oct 28, 2006 1:41:15 PM)
Please don't let anyone destroy "Daily Nightly".
I read it every day and I would miss it.
Keep on keepin' on.
Ezby
Ezby, Princeton, IL (Sent Oct 28, 2006 1:12:12 PM)
There seems to be a pattern here: Lynn Cheney to CNN, Bill O'Reilly to Letterman, and now the National Review about Richard Engel. They question patriotism by asking, "Do you want America to win?" Or "is he fit to be with our troops?" This is the behavior of nations at times of great insecurity and desperate nationalism: the USSR before it fell apart, Nazi Germany, and the US in the McCarthy era. It won't work here anymore. It's over.
Mary, PA (Sent Oct 28, 2006 11:20:15 AM)
A true journalist reports what he or she has seen in the field or gained from researching a particular topic. Mr. Engel has risked his life a number of times to report on events in the Middle East during the last few years. In any of those reports, his personal feeling have never appeared as far as I have seen. We have a lot of journalists, soldiers, and citizens over there in harms way, some by choice and others by chance or duty. Like it or not, we are over there now, and we need to work as Americans to support the efforts of our citizens who are over there everyday and work on a real plan to get them home and out of harms way. We need to expend our time and enregy on that solution.
Mark (Sent Oct 28, 2006 11:16:42 AM)
~I noted there was a letter from someone (who lacked the courage to use his/her own name) that criticized Richard Engel for calling himself "basically a pacifist"~
Probably took as much courage as not posting two comments from me (or almost anyone else with a rightist tilt) on two different threads. I've noticed a huge amount of postings from the DailyKos Krowd you have perma-camped on Daily Nightly... guess that freedom of speech thing only swings Lee Steele's way (We get it. You hate Bush. You were a veteran. So was I. Big whoop. Give it a rest, already.)... or Olivia Burdon Whatever's way (I'm impressed that you can even tie a thread about California Red Headed Thrushes to New Orleans. Obsessed much?)... or dear Jackie Rawlings way(thanks for telling us for the ten trillionth time how Bush has caused every malady on the planet.)
~Since many of us, myself included, have disparaged Bush from time to time~
BWAHAHAHAHA! Dewey, that is ALL you do 24/7 here.
Well, if Daily Nightly does go the way of the doodoo, Dewey... you and your like minded brethren (You too, Brain and Rob... no fair trying to act all nuetral while keeping divergent opinions off your sacred board.) can all troop back to your second home, MoveOn.org.
Dewclaw, Loveland, Colorado (Sent Oct 28, 2006 1:58:31 AM)
Brain,
You always stand up for those around you - interns, co-workers…. It simply shows how much you care. It was indeed a fitting reply to the anonymous e-mailer, who questioned Richard’s trustworthiness around the troops. Hope such people understand that, to disagree with some of what one’s government does and patriotism are NOT “mutually exclusive”.
Swetha (Sent Oct 28, 2006 1:22:37 AM)
Desmond Doss was a great American and a humble servant. I was able to meet him 2 years ago at a youth gathering and his story of lifelong service is a wonderful legacy for any young man or woman to follow. I share the religious beliefs that caused Doss to abstain from carrying a gun. I can totally agree with Col. Jacobs: you can be a pacifist and patriotic, too.
Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Oct 28, 2006 12:15:51 AM)
"the pending demise of the Daily Nightly ??" Is it going away sometime soon ?? I sure hope not...
(Sent Oct 27, 2006 10:43:43 PM)
Thank you Col. Jacobs. Thank you for acknowledging that one can question the war but still support the troops and can be a pacifist and still be a patriot. Thank you.
Bruce Hammond, Port Saint Lucie, Fl (Sent Oct 27, 2006 8:56:39 PM)
OK this'll be a long one, maybe it won't get censored!I for one hope the blog stays here but I wish NBC would lighten up on censorship. YOU GO DIXIE CHICKS! I don't know, All the news that's fit to air seems to be getting more and more subjective to me. But, You can't blame the messenger... I like Brian, I think he's funny...he had the nerve that few have had to go on Sat. Night Live and be funny! Funny is good Brian! I know you're married but hey... do you know any funny, smart over 40 guys you can fix me up with??? Re: the CA fires... I have no sympathy for the idiots who start these fires. 1/2 of them start by people throwing cigarette butts, still lit out of their cars. Heeelllooo... hot burning ash, no humidity, dry grass everywhere! Do ya think you might start a fire? My friend was evacuated from her ranch with her horses in a recent fire. I lived in CA for 3 years. I've watched fires get within 20 acres of my place and it's no picnic trying to decide "should I stay or should I go" and what about the horses and dogs and birds who are also part of the family? If I leave, what will I come back to? Whoever started this one has a price on his head for sure. I hope someone turns him in. My heart goes out to the families of the firefighters. Those guys are awesome! NONE braver than the firefighters on this planet.
Leora, Raleigh, NC (Sent Oct 27, 2006 8:12:41 PM)
If Richard Engel is anything, he is brave to the point of being couragous. Being willing to go to Iraq, Lebanon, and whereever else the bullets are flying. Those that would call him a pacifist will not be the service men and women that he has reported on.
Bert Bell (Sent Oct 27, 2006 6:49:28 PM)
Thank you, Col Jacobs, for a breath of common sense. I served, but it does not escape me that it might take more courage to refuse to go to a war you believe is morally wrong, or for the reason that war itself is morally wrong.
Lee Steele (Sent Oct 27, 2006 6:06:59 PM)
I am so sad to see the pending demise of the Daily Nightly.
The Weinstein Co. released a press release saying that NBC refused to air ads for the "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" documentary. The press release goes on to say the ads were refused because the spot includes material that "disparages President Bush."
Since many of us, myself included, have disparaged Bush from time to time, I feel that it won't take long for the powers that be running NBC to take notice of the comments and have our disparaging Bush comments won't be aired and/or deleted. Once that happens then the Daily Nightly will be history.
Brian, Rob and other NBC news people: just what is the official NBC policy regarding ads that disparage Bush and comments on the Daily Nightly that also disparages Bush?
Dewey Quong, Reno, NV (Sent Oct 27, 2006 5:27:27 PM)
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