Perhaps, given his unshakeable conviction that the "War" in Iraq is such a noble and urgent crusade - and that the sacrifice of so many of our valiant (truly they are) young citizens is something we should be proud of (as we grieve their maimings & deaths) - our oh, so courageous ("Bring it on"...) and, of course, brave, Decider-in-Chief would have the courage of his convictions, and have his own draft-age daughters walk point on the first two platoons of the "Surge" into Baghdad...... just, you know, like, to show us he really means it, and that his family is like, you know, willing to like, sacrifice their kids too. You know.....

Now, see ... what really frustrates me about those who choose to share their cell-phone conversations with me is the fact that, once they reel me in with the really juicy details, either their battery goes toes up, or the line they are standing in moves on, or they walk away -- leaving me dangling and practically dying of curiosity about the end of their conversation/drama ... just how rude and inconsiderate is that? :-)

Interesting to hear about the online journalism practices of a "real" journalist--many of the rest of us , who don't have journalism degrees or audiences as wide as MSNBC (although we hope we will one day) spend our blogging lives dancing over the line between journalism and journaling and then back again.

We may spell check (most of the time) and fact-check (often, but not always), but bloggers blog for all reasons. To explore issues and subjects outside their areas of professional expertise and to augment their professional or social lives. It's a remarkable medium that puts publishing in the hands of the people. But jury's still kind of out as to whether all blogging (or even blogging in general) can reasonably be considered journalism.

It's a great idea (and arguably, the ideal "blogtopia") to insist on the same technical standards as for the NY Times page one, but it's unrealistic, given the informal, instantaneous nature of the medium and bloggers' lack of traditional training.

December 13, 2006: This afternoon I had a chance to view your blog which is superb. I also watched the news and I felt that I was living in New York. Keep up the good work.

Ramanathan Menon

I would like to let you know how much I appreciate your blog. It allows us to see a glimpse of the hard work you put in to your job, and how seriously you take it. Rather than a “talking head,” we see a dedicated, responsible, and humorous individual – someone with concerns very much like our own. I also see how it can be a valuable tool for you. It allows you to add post scripts to your reporting and gives viewers a chance to weigh in, make suggestions, etc. I’m sure you will discover many more benefits in the years to come.

Most of all, though, I’m amazed that you find time in your busy schedule to post – and always without grammar or spelling errors!

One minor note: Whenever I look at the graphic, I want to tell you to sit up straight or you’ll get a backache. (Must be a mom thing.)

Thanks for sharing with us!

Nice to know you read the blogs as for me I'm not sure I would put some things on my daily life it might be boring. Now I do remember the Cashews you had taken from you on the flight most likely because I love cashews. I know it's hard with so much going on to please and up date all that's happening. But NBC Nightly news is the best of today. My daughter told me each person thinks their topic is important so you can only give what the majority think. That's why she suggested I go on your web site to full in the other information I was looking for. Oh to be young again. My grades would have been all a if only I had a calculator, computer and Google. Those Sat's would have been a breeze. Brian I do use spell check so if anything is spelled wrong it's not my fault it's the computers.