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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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A brief rundown of the calendar leading to this moment: a two-hour meeting with producers; a meeting with the division president; a meeting with Jane Arraf, our visiting veteran Bagdhad correspondent (who will be joining us on the air tonight); a videotaped interview in my office for an hour-long documentary MSNBC is producing; a telephone interview for a trade publication; and other events too minor to mention. In short, a thoroughly busy Friday, capped off by a flight to Atlanta right after the broadcast, where I will be moderating several panel discussions tomorrow at the Carter Center -- which I understand is being broadcast live on C-SPAN. Now, to matters much more important: the news we're reporting on for tonight.
FROM SPACE
The front-page story in both today's New York Times and Washington Post told a story reminiscent of the "atmospherics" of the Cold War era in this country: the Chinese had pulled off a first -- blasting a satellite out of space from a ground station. While scientists, space specialists and others in the trade might know much more than we civilians, it was viewed and analyzed as a major statement (at minimum) and an unwelcome weaponization of space (at most). The central question: how is our world a safer place because of this?
Also tonight, what one cable network was calling "Nancy Pelosi's OWN State of the Union" -- and what a White House spokeswoman called a "soundbite war" underway in Washington. At this moment, Bernie Kerik is on Fox looking concerned, and just said, "For some reason, we don't have the resolve we had in World War I and World War II."
Additionally, tonight we measure the achievements of the new Democratic management in the House based on the expectations and predictions of the "first 100 hours."
If you haven't seen the pictures of the weather in Europe, please tune in if only for that -- Dawna Friesen will have our report. Also tonight: the great Saints of New Orleans and the great things they've done for that city...and our "Making A Difference" segment tonight -- it's a winner.
We all wish you a good and safe weekend. We hope you can join us for our broadcast tonight, and hope additionally to see you on Monday evening. Thanks for joining us this past week.
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In support of Bangor's ban
Thanks for mentioning the Carter Conference. It was a great opportunity to get inside the head of a former head of state. Mr. Williams did a wonderful job moderating an incredible lineup of political stars and entertained the crowd with little known facts about his internship at the Carter White House. It really made a great opportunity for us students at UGA and we thank Mr. Williams and all of the panelists for their wonderful insights.
Thanks again for the coverage (and the autograph)
Jordan Stepp, Athens, Georgia (Sent Jan 26, 2007 5:16:56 PM)
Brian,
I echo Ms. Chapman's gratitude for suggesting the C-SPAN coverage of proceedings from The Carter Center, and for airing the Project Linus report in Friday's Making a Difference segment.
Like a great book you can't put down, I found myself glued to every minute of Carter Center discussions.
The candid views of this most esteemed collection of moderators, speakers, and attendees provided a wonderful synopsis of key issues addressed during The Carter Years. I am grateful you were invited to participate is such an awe inspiring meeting...(as an aside, was there a lot of purelling?)
Best wishes as this week unfolds.....
J. Freedman, Portland, Oregon (Sent Jan 22, 2007 11:51:08 AM)
Brian -
Two Thank Yous:
First for featuring Project Linus on your Making a Difference segment. It's my only charity and I feel it's very worthwhile. - I made 15 afghans last year for PL.
Second for mentioning the Carter Center symposium on CSPAN. I watched it all (except the couple of hours here where falling trees caused a power outage), but I'm sure CSPAN will be re-running it soon. I was interested to hear the recollections of the major players of that time - I particularly enjoyed Howard Baker. On January 20, 1977 I was living in Plantation Florida, watching the inauguration on TV and watching my native Floridian neighbors run outdoors to touch the snow that was falling - most of them had never seen snow.
Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT (Sent Jan 21, 2007 11:52:58 AM)
Brian, what has happened to you? In the months following Katrina, you seemed to have undergone an ephiphany and remembered what real journalism is. The public, myself included, responded with enthusiasm. Now your reports are sounding increasingly like White House and Pentagon press releases - and you don't even seem to bother to read them through and question them before pawning them on on the public...like the erroneous global warming statement from NOAA's meteorologist a few weeks back. If you'd asked even fundamental questions, you'd have known (for ex.)there's a BIG difference between climatology and meteorology (some meteorology programs barely touch on climate!). And that the body of research from CLIMATOLOGISTS on this issue is huge and growing. Yet you chose to present just one "party-approved" view and to underscore it with your own comments. The later "update" was too little too late.
The US and world are at a critical point - it is a time for courageous voices and men and women of conscience. It's not a time for journalists like you to roll over and play dead or - worse! - roll over and wait for the Bush administration to scratch your stomach.
Dave Adam (Sent Jan 21, 2007 10:05:20 AM)
Great broadcast Friday night; the "Making A Difference" segment was simply beautiful (definitely one of my favorites). Thank you for a heart-warming end to the week.
Alexis, Redlands, CA (Sent Jan 20, 2007 11:01:01 PM)
Thanks so much for Martin Savidge's wonderful report on the Saints and the therapeutic, spirit-lifting effect they've been having on New Orleans and her people. I may live in Bear country but I've one thing to say---GO SAINTS!
Olivia, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Jan 20, 2007 2:02:09 PM)
As a fellow knitter, I really enjoyed your "Making a Difference" piece tonight! There's nothing more wonderful than the feeling you get when you make something with your own hands knowing that it will provide comfort to a child who is ill. Very inspiring piece!
Jolene R., St. Joseph, MI (Sent Jan 19, 2007 11:31:41 PM)
Brian,just a thanks for that Making a Difference segment tonight. It has been on of those 60 hour weeks for me, I've seen you only on the Web, haven't been home in time to see the broadcast all week! I was tired, and more than a bit sorry for myself, and that clip snapped me right out of it!
Claudia Anderson Farmington NM (Sent Jan 19, 2007 10:43:44 PM)
Fifty years from now China will rule the world. And we will look back and wonder why we were wasting time and money fighting a ragtag bunch of religious zealots in the Middle East, and why we allowed WalMart to send billions to China in the name of greed.
Jack, Scottsdale, AZ (Sent Jan 19, 2007 9:50:47 PM)
Goodness gracious Brian, how do you do it? You news hounds are busy as beavers.
Constructive criticism. Ease off on the thanks to reporters. We all know they are overpaid and shouldn't be profusely thanked. Disdn't you pick that up from Jin Jensen?
Dick Cannon, Old Bridge, NJ (Sent Jan 19, 2007 8:28:01 PM)
I am in Mexico and trying to get the nightly news with Brian. I guess you don't offer it, as all I get is small re-runs of past nights. I find you web page confusing and hard to use. Any help you can offer?
(Sent Jan 19, 2007 6:41:24 PM)
Yes the weather was pretty huge. From the ceiling of Berlin's new central station, a part flew down, luckily no one was hurt. Many houses were destroyed because of Hurricane-3-winds (120 mph) on the Brocken (mountain in central Germany).
That China destroyed a satellite of its own isn't news today, the news came out 3 days ago.
And that "100-hours-plan" of Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic fellowmen is only a term of dramatizing how bad the situation the country is in. The US is not in a bad position in the world. George W. Bush did a good job keeping the US on top of all economic benchmarks (high GDP, low inflation, low energy costs in comparison to other countries). So the 100-h-plan is only therefore there that Pelosi and consorts can say they did something in their legislature period when the 2008 Presidential election is on. Pure actionism.
Marc Schulz, Delitzsch, Germany (Sent Jan 19, 2007 6:27:54 PM)
If my team, the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS!!!!! weren't in the running this weekend, I'd be cheering on the Saints because that city needs something BIG to cheer about! I hope the Saints make the Super Bowl... as long as the Patriots can still win the Big Game!
Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Jan 19, 2007 6:26:32 PM)
Mention of the Carter Center always brings up a commendation for the effort of the former president, especially (ESPECIALLY) for his new book. President Carter seems to be the only U.S. citizen with the courage to see how one-sided we’ve been towards Israel vs. the Palestinians. There ARE two sides to every story and the Israeli’s side is none too pretty either. Until we have the courage to see things the way they are as opposed to how we’d like them to be, no lasting peace will every be possible.
A similar and quite telling opinion could be made of the Chinese anti-satellite test. No, the world is certainly not safer when a super power ups the anti as they have done, but that's exactly what the U.S. itself has been doing with its implementation of its own "star wars" initiative and its dismissal of the landmark Salt II treaty, which President Carter enacted.
And, of course, another commendation is very much in order for the first 100 hours of this new congress. Taxing big oil! Ethics reform! Cutting college tuition interest rates IN HALF! Raising the minimum wage! I can live with this! Keep it coming!
Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA (Sent Jan 19, 2007 5:52:10 PM)
Hope you all will cheer for the boys in black and gold this weekend. GO SAINTS!
Elizabeth, New Orleans, LA (Sent Jan 19, 2007 5:44:29 PM)
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