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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So, it turns out that when you open one of the "suspicious packages" that tied Boston in knots, scared millions and forced the closing of the Charles River this afternoon -- you see circuit boards, flashing lights and a video image of a cartoonish character "flipping the bird." Nice. As one Boston cop just put it, "I hope they (the hoaxers) know it's a federal offense."
LATE UPDATE: How strange to be watching CNN right now while a reporter was forced to read an apology from Turner Broadcasting -- saying these "suspicious devices" are actually part of a promotional advertising campaign for a cable show on the Cartoon Network! Post 9/11 syndrome has just hit the Bay State. Wolf just said "it looks like a major misunderstanding."
Which brings us, somehow, to Joe Biden. There is serious speculation, being advanced by serious people, that he (his campaign for president) will not be able to survive the comments published in this morning's New York Observer. That outcome, of course, would make his the shortest presidential campaign in history. Using the words "clean" and "articulate" to describe Senator Barack Obama -- not to mention his handling of Senator Clinton and former Senator Edwards -- amounted to striking a match while pumping gas. The reaction, at first, was anything but fierce. It was interesting to watch the story build as the quotes caught fire and as the various targets of his barbs huddled (in masses) to draft carefully worded statements in response. We'll take a look at (and listen to) what the senator said.
Our cavalcade on non sequiturs continues: We'll talk about the so-called Birmingham plot in the U.K., we'll look at the Iran situation, the rebuilding of Iraq (or various expensive attempts at it) and airport security.
ADDENDA AND EPHEMERA
Thanks to those who wrote saying we should have an hour. For about seven years of my life, I had an hour each night on cable to do a serious newscast, and I miss the extra time. A network evening newscast of 30 minutes in length is a constant in our lives, and nevertheless, I will keep asking for another 30. A Libby trial update: After slogging through a number of options on how best to report Tim Russert's testimony when it happens, we've come back around to this -- Kelly O'Donnell was assigned to the story because she's a solid, fair network journalist. She'll continue to report the story. While Tim is presently prohibited by the lawyers from talking with us about the case on the air (anything that would prejudice the case), once he's done with his testimony we'll have him on for a thorough live interview regarding his role and what transpired. Remember, the journalists who've found themselves swept up in the Libby trial (ours and others) don't relish that role, and certainly weren't asking for it. That they play a role means we have to report it.
Also, why is it that so many of those classic unsigned e-mail rants to the blog (this blog or any blog) WRITTEN IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS... contain so many spelling errors? Just asking.
Memo to casting directors of both "Mystic River" and "The Departed": If you tune in to this afternoon's briefing by the Boston mayor and the city's emergency service chiefs, you will hear actual Boston accents. Best accent so far in the briefing: the reporter asking if this is "some whack job" planting these suspicious packages. As the son of a man from Framingham, I can tell you there's nothing worse than a bad attempt at a Boston accent.
Back to the real news -- we hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast.
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Remembering Molly Ivins
I live in Boston and work only a few streets from one of the devices. What most Bostonians are asking is "Who gave Turner permission to do this?" Mr. Williams, you spoke about post 9/11 syndrome hitting the Bay State, but I don't agree with the comment. It is in fact a great example of how quickly our emergency teams responded to a possible threat, and the many good citizens responded by recognizing these suspicious packages. I don't think we panicked over nothing, which is what the post 9/11 syndrome implies. It was careless of Turner to leave unmarked electronic devices around major arteries. If they did in fact get permission, whoever did not notify the police or anyone in the public sector, should be fired.
Also, this is another reason why guerilla marketing needs to be enforced. To do this without permission from the city is careless. Boston has had a lot of problems with guerilla marketing, and it needs to stop. If it is in fact permitted by the city, then shame on the person who did not notify anyone.
I know other cities didn't respond to it the way we did. But I am glad our citizens have enough civic pride to really be aware of what's going on around them. It would have been a tragedy if they were not marketing devices.
Many of my friends who know I live in Boston, call and joke with me about how the police over reacted. There was absolutely no over reaction. I applaud the police for their effort to protect us.
I certainly hope the costs of all these security changes will be directed to who is responsible, Turner Broadcasting.
Oh and by the way, my accent sounds wicked awesome.
Sean C, Boston Massachusetts (Sent Jan 31, 2007 7:35:49 PM)
Brian...We would certainly be in favor of an hours worth of network news. As it is right now we get 30 minutes of local news at 5:00 and then another 30 minutes of local news at 6:00. (same station) Contrary to what they may think, the second thirty minutes is just a repeat of the first 30 minutes. Our vote would be to reduce the local news news by 30 minutes and expand your broadcast. I know that there are many sources for the news these days, but NBC's news is still the one we watch and count on for accurate reporting. Thanks
Pam, Indiana (Sent Jan 31, 2007 7:21:56 PM)
Restless leg syndrome is nothing but a scam, just like hormone replacement therapy and osteoporosis drugs. These conditions are hyped up to make money for drug companies. Thanks, Brian, for giving us the truth about Iran's non influence in the Iraqi war. Imagine if someone in the MSM had done this prior to the Iraqi invasion! We viewers want only the facts and the truth. We do not want spin or juornalists embedded with the White House. Furthermore, World News should be one hour. I need to read the BBC, Asia Times online and more to get the world news. Italy and Germany are planning to indict American CIA but no one in the 30 minute news program is talking about this. We need one hour!
sofia, NYC (Sent Jan 31, 2007 7:21:44 PM)
I can't believe that NBC Nightly News (the best of the three) lead off with Biden. How Star magazine it that? I think Iran & Iraq is more important than Biden.
Ann J Utica NY (Sent Jan 31, 2007 7:12:39 PM)
According to a statement by Turner he said that there were devices planted in 10 different cities, among them Boston, NYC, LA, Chicago, for two to three weeks.
Where are the other devices, why haven't they been found up to this point, are there people looking for them or did Turner have his people retrieve the boxes?
Nine or ten devices per city means up to 100 boxes along side bridges and in subway tunnels going unnoticed for 3 week?
Dewey Quong, Reno, NV (Sent Jan 31, 2007 7:10:19 PM)
"Restless Leg Syndrome" Drug Company Fraud at its finest! This is only one of numerous examples of drug companies, trying to invent a disease or malady, or whatever, just to sell prescription drugs.. I know first hand, as there are a number of these so called Evaluation facilities in and around Dayton, and Cincinnati Ohio who are constantly advertising for subjects upon which to test their meds.
I looked into "Restless Leg Syndrome when I first suspected the drug company scam, soon after they first started advertising their cure, and found on their website, that there was still no diagnostic criteria for the syndrome, but they would surely invent one if they couldn't find one..
Does anybody think the FDA cares one damn bit.. The government, and most of their agencies have become just another pawn for big business. If we outlaw lobbyists, we will have only begun to take the first step. THe second step is to outlaw the influence of big business laws like those of the insurance industry, who increase their fortunes daily as they seek to outlaw or make illegal situations in which they have liability or exposure.
And what about those terms like "ubiquitous irregularis"
Dick Paoliello, Xenia, Ohio (Sent Jan 31, 2007 6:56:49 PM)
Hi Rob, and thanks for your Xmas card...we sent none this year, but are very glad you did. You all seem to be in very fine fettle, which is just great.
A comment: just want to endorse the notion of a 60 minute NBC Nightly News. It would make a serious and important difference in what we hear, and how we hear it. Take care, cheers, Gail
gneale@mail.com (Sent Jan 31, 2007 6:53:55 PM)
I think that thirty minutes for evening news is okay and maybe to much time going forward. Most people are getting their news from other sources now and I think the evening news programs of the past will no longer be as important as they once were.
Don, USA (Sent Jan 31, 2007 6:48:52 PM)
Keith Olbermann will be all over this story tonight on the Boston Security Scare, with a little mocking on his show.
AC, Sacramento, CA (Sent Jan 31, 2007 5:24:26 PM)
Guess Turner Broadcasting learned nothing from the Mission Impossible III news rack thing last year, or did they? hehehehe
Bye Bye Biden it was fun while it lasted you idiot.
Dave, Tn (Sent Jan 31, 2007 5:19:39 PM)
good luck to all the soldiers and marines in that hell hole.
john p barrera (Sent Jan 31, 2007 5:08:14 PM)
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