Martic Savige's report from New Orleans was excellent. Engel's reporting is inspiring. Keep up the great work.

Please tell Richard Engel that he is not alone in realizing the futility of war and the economic and moral costs of senseless violence which is now reflected in the civil war in Iraq. Quakers, Amish, and Catholic Franciscans over the ages have come to realize that when war goes past a year that very little is solved and that civilian casualities mean the destruction of entire families. I hope he will seek out some of these pacifist groups at least for comfort and for a sense of direction. Mary Lyons-Barrett, Lay Franciscan

I read Richard Engel's interview on the Meet the Press transcript. I would like to thank him for his dedication in reporting the truth of the conditions in Iraq for the past 4 years. I am sorry that it cost him his personal life. But, Mr. Engel deserves a lot of recognition for his truth, dedication, and integrity in his work and risking his own life in danger in the name of journalism. Thanks, Richard. You are appreciated. I look forward to the NBC News special on March 21st.

Bear with me for posting again, but doctorj had piqued my curiosity about Richard Engel's Meet the Press remarks in his proposal to get his work on Iraq broadcast. Since I'd missed Meet the Press, I read the transcript. Some of what he says does sound eerily similar to how people in New Orleans must be feeling 24/7, dealing with the war zone-like conditions that still prevail there. And I second doctorj's idea that Engel should broadcast from NOLA.

And there's something interesting I just read in the transcript of Engel's interview replies--he said the US reconstruction project has effectively failed in most of Iraq, especially Baghdad. It's time the Bush Administration stopped pouring money down the Iraq rathole and started using it at home to help rebuild New Orleans and other communities in the Gulf Region.

Not to be too facetious, but I think it would be safe to say that Mr. Richard Engel is not one of a few select people in the world who has had an "up-close view of the war." No offense to Mr. Engel, but there is thousands upon thousands of people who have an up close view of the war everyday.

Martin Savidge's piece on Mardi Gras was first-rate--thanks! I hope this second post-Katrina Mardi Gras will turn out to be a sign that New Orleans is slowly coming back in spite of the reality (including damaged houses that still look the way they did last Mardi Gras)that the tourists don't see behind all the fun, glitz, and glamour. It was good to hear in Savidge report other small signs of recovery in such areas as hard-hit Lakeview.

But here's another "canary in the coal mine" story out of New Orleans. I know that compared to the myriad of things that need to be brought back in that beleaguered city, such as the fire and police departments, the school and health-care systems, etc., this may seem minor, but it's a part of her cultural ambience which makes her America's most unique city.

The day Katrina hit and flooded New Orleanians out of their homes could turn out to be "the day the music died," at least regarding the one-of-a-kind jazz scene in that city. According to a piece last night on ABC's World News Tonight, which was on before Nightly, jazz clubs and street musicians have been fading away--even on Bourbon Street. Many artists had been displaced by flooding which destroyed their homes and instruments, and will never return. Jazz clubs are begging for tourists--the ones who've been coming to New Orleans would rather hear rock. And artists are finding less and less places where they can play.

The report didn't mention why, but I assume a lack of funding, in light of all of New Orleans' other priorities for which she's short of cash, must have something to do with it. Plans to subsidize housing for musicians are faltering. I wonder if this includes the Habitat for Humanity Musicians' Village--I hope it doesn't.

Some other countries have as a governmental department a "Ministry of Culture". I wonder why America doesn't have a "Department of Culture" as part of the President's cabinet. Such a department as this could ensure that such cultural amenities as New Orleans' jazz scene are nurtured and preserved.

To report the war, you can be on the battlefields. To really report the war intelligently, you should delve deeper into where the decisions and policies are formed and that's right a lot closer. I hope there is more interest in reporting this.

Hello Dear John,
Honestly, and I would like to call him by his first name Richard, he knows the Iraqi situation very well, and the Bush administration must listen to well-informed individuals such as Richard. He presented an idea that Mullah Muqtada would hide and US forces would go fight in the Anbar Province. Indirectly, he indicated how the Iranian mullahs are running Iraq through their Iranian-Iraqi natives such as Mullah AL Hakim who has excellent relations with the Bush administration. I agree with him that the entire course of action will not be successful, and the best strategy for the Bush administration is to leave Iraqi to the Iraqis, no to the Iranians, who can run their country better than the imperialist occupiers whose basic objective in live is to loot oil or other economic resources under the pretext of democratization and national security. Many thanks to you and to brother Richard and wish him always safe trips and stay in Iraq.

Mr. Seigenthaler, I watched your broadcast this evening and listened to your conversation with Richard Engel. First of all I would like to say it was a pleasure to see him not in that dangerous region and safe in the New York studio. I think he has done a wonderful job covering the war. He mentioned that these groups don't want to fight the Americans and really want to fight eachother for power. One dragging the other into combat, which only makes it so very hard for those innocent civilians caught in the middle. I pray for the continued safety of our military who have to endure this combat everyday. I hope they can return home soon. And I would like to say Mr Seigenthaler that at the end of the conversation I was happy to see a smile from Richard. There isn't much to smile about in that region. I agree with you that Richard has done an remarkable job and I admire him for that accomplishment. Thank you for your fine broadcast. I will continue to pray for our brave men and women of the military. Peace to all of them. Stay safe Richard on your return. Enjoy being in the United States it nice to see you here at home! Peace!

John I heard Richard this morning on Meet the Press. He is the only journalist who gives correct information. I know because my son gives me the same thing from Iraq. Richard has never been asked by the US government for correct information. The next President should give Richard a medal for the service he has given our country. He has lost so much and given so much to the families who want the honest truth about what's going on in Iraq. Richard is one of my hero's and I always tell our troops about him. Oh as for the weapons Bush said was used by Iran are really the US weapons. Now contractors are doing servicemen's jobs at 80K to 100K a year. We pay our service men/women 20,000 a year so I guess it's important for Bush to get that 2.9 Trillion dollars to cover that cost. Yes our troops are now sent to Iraq without full training or equipment. Notice the American people aren't interested in that information but they are concern about Brittney Spears hair cut or Anna Nicole baby's Daddy. Richard Hohlt did a good job for Cheney making sure that Novak's article had Plames name right. Novak gave a copy to Hohlt and Hohlt gave it to the White House. As Novak only had wife of Wilson, thanks to the White House reviewing it before it hit the press they were able to make sure the name Plame was written. I like the way some reporters are now spinning the fact that Libby lying to investigator and grand jury isn't a crime. Yes great American values is now supported by the WH and the followers that lying is not a crime. Libby lied but should go free because lying isn't a crime. The jails will be cleared out if that becomes law. No wonder Fitzgerald couldn't get an honest answer in this cover up. Everyone was lying. But the GOP thinks that the right way to run a country with lies and crimes being legal.

Tell Richard for me, when they read the paragraph he submitted to the network to get his work on Iraq broadcast, I thought it sounded just like what we feel in New Orleans. Maybe he should broadcast from NOLA next. He would feel right at home.