Brian -
Didn't know you were going to be on Oprah, since I never watch it. But I do know how funny you are; always loved your appearances on "Imus in the Morning" - loved your banter with him! We all miss him very, very much, as I know you do as well.

Brian,

While your appearance on Oprah was interesting, I think it is now imperative to ask all of us as individuals an important question

I now hope I can look myself in the mirror. Like so many Americans until today had not taken any action against the war in Iraq, except angrily discussing the war every night with my wife after the news.

Understanding that you are objective and only report the news which I respect I have a request:

Could you and NBC news do a piece on the news analyzing and asking the nation why were so justifiably shocked by the horrific killings at VA. Tech; and yet 86 Americans died this month alone in Iraq including nine from the 82nd Airborne just two days ago without a similar reaction by the American Public. Has the Bush Administration been so successful at sanitizing this war in their " Joseph Goebbles" like propaganda or have we become apathetic or desensitized as to the death and wounding of these soldiers in a far away land. These are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, and yes citizens to.

I believe all of us both republican, democrat, media, and growing number of Independents in the Country Love and Respect the Veterans and all in the Military.

I just sent E Mails to both my Senators here in North Carolina, the subject being the War in Iraq and the "McCarthyism of the Republican Party. By the way I supported Bush in the last two elections. I sent a copy of the E-Mail to Senator Dole to NBC Nightly News.

Thank You

Bob Cooper

Great job at what you do Brian. You really are the voice of the people when you bring the news to us. There is so much bad news these days and I always like how you find a way to get something of good news in on your program.

I was once in the 82nd Airborne (A Co. 2/325 AIR) and the soldiers that died from there are going to be missed. They have passed with honor!
We all need to remember that NO member of our military was drafted and every soldier took it upon themselves to raise there right hand and commit there lives to this country. I am sick and tired of people mad that we are in Iraq. The fact that I want a everyone to look at is: our military is fighting to keep us safe and not fighting to overtake our goverment. What would we hear if our comanders rounded up some soldiers and tried to oust the president and make this a military run country? Outrage! I can say that I was so proud to wear the uniform and stand tall everyday to know that my mother and father could lay there heads down to rest with no worries. I can attest that if you asked many of the soldiers today they would resond the same way.
Brian and all the reporters around the would keep up the great work!!!
Also the VT video was show and that is that! There is a off button on all TV's, if you don't want to see the video PUSH IT!!!

Stephanie De Benedictis,

How articulate and productive - YOU should be on Oprah!

I'm glad I read your post - (thanks editors).

Thank you for airing the Cho multi-media manifesto. I gained valuable insight. I'm the family member of a VT graduate.

Hopefully the Russians won't find themselves going from bred lines to gas lines. I found your report to be good but it sure painted a pretty poor picture of our former adversary. It would probably take half a pages to list out what they did better than us including the equal treatment of woman and the preventions of prostitution, having a better space shuttle, space stations, the largest cargo aircraft, they fully funded many scientific programs and space exploration, had well educated students, the largest telescope until the 1990s, the first super sonic passenger jet, the best fighter jets, the largest nuclear submarines, a mobile ICBM force, the best attack helicopters, the largest swing-wing Mach 2 bombers, the best artillery…

I honestly think we make a mistake as humanity when we try to play down the achievements and capabilities of those who might disagree with us. Why would we not be equally proud to be human if they landed on the moon first? Why are we now in another race with china to the moon? Can’t we be just as proud to be human when we learn that the tallest building in the world is now in Taiwan, the longest bridge in Japan, the only operational maglev train in china??? Maybe instead of always thinking we are so great and that only we can do things, we should look around and take some inspiration from others to do better. Meanwhile the freedoms and human rights we so espoused to be the guiding principle in the world is now just as bad as the reputation the soviets had – torture, illegal invasions of sovereign countries, secret prisons, domestic spying, an “untouchable” president… Oh, how easy it is to turn a blind eye, eh?

Brain I noticed the other media stations showed the video yet attacked NBC. Now as for Americans who seem to have no problem watching the killers video in Columbine High school yet now it's an out cry. For those who attack the little clip you have I say keep you head in the sand and it will happen again if you don't find out why. American have not problem going to the movies to see horror and watch the murdered victims in Iraq or watching Saddam get hung. ABC and CBS were upset because they didn't get the breaking news. Now notice ABC didn't have any problems with Fingers Foley's sick messages. Like most serious problems in this country like the President and Vice President lying and the Attorney General lying under oath the American people see no problem. Our troops are dying in large numbers everyday not a word from the American people. Today the Tillman family said the US Military lied, a soldier said he was told to lie and Miss Lynch said she can't figure out why the Government lied. Yet Brian all the viewers are willing to deal with is complaining about a short clip video. The movie Hannibal is still number one and I wonder why watching a killer in a movie and how the case was solved yet getting to the bottom of how we can stop a mental student from killing again Americans don't want to hear of it.

What NBC showed was responsible. I saw it when Brian presented it that evening and was in no way offended. I did not watch it again on any other channel, nor did I need to. I do not think it needed to be replayed over and over again by other news organizations.

Thank you. We have to view this kind of video to be able to do something about people (kids) who need help. We all wanted to know why, just as Cho's parents did. I am glad that you only showed a bit of it and for just a short time. We keep cutting funding in schools for "extra services" like mental health, outreach programs, other than "academic" programs that this student may have responded well to which could have engaged him positively. We must pay attention to these thing; bullying, quiet, shy students who need someone to reach out to them...etc., etc. Please, let's stop burying our head in the sand and take care of the whole student at school, not just their academic progress.

Good Evening again Mr. Williams, I just wanted to add that I saw you on Lettermen last night and I thought you did a good job. I did not realize how funny you could be. It was really nice to hear you speak about your son and the baseball game. But it was humorous how you described the other team. Anyway, It was nice to see you on the show and I hope you get the chance again. Good Luck with the Democratic debates. Thank you.

I applaud your appearance on the Oprah show today and want to personally thank you for your unbiased sensitivity in reporting the contents of the package you received from such a disturbed individual. To your critics, I say hog wash!

I think it is hypocrisy to the highest degree for any news outlet, including Oprah, to criticize your decision to report the “news” with the utmost discretion as you did last week. You are truly my news source—I trust you, and I thank you!

Watching Steve Capus and Brian Williams on Oprah today, it was disappointing to see that neither seemed to realize or acknowledge what a disaster it is for all of us when our media agree to cooperate with sick, publicity-seeking killers by releasing the materials they provide.
How little or how much was aired was not the point, as Campus seemed to be claiming. How soon or how late the decision was made or when it was released was not relevant.
All that mattered was whether or not the next sick, twisted mind would be led to believe that if he acted in similar fasion, he could count on being made a star.
All in all, me thinks you both protestest too much...

I think the truth of showing the video of the killer at Va. Tech boils down to the almighty dollar. It's easy --- have a story and make the money. Don't make it look like you're trying to be helpful to society. I'd say ditto for the other networks as well. Shame on you!!!!!

I saw you on Oprah, and you made your case well. So did your boss.

Sent you an email to nightly news..
Brian,
First I want to say that I support you in airing the Cho tape...but I couldn't live with myself another moment without sending you a personal note.

I think we are ALL burying in the heads in the sand.

There is something distinctly sad and lonely in the US with our care of those with mental illness.

We can blame the guns, we can blame the Matrix, we can blame the Columbine guys, we can blame the media, we can say each school and their lack of follow-through is the cause of bad outcomes.

I believe the truth is darker than all of that...and much harder to face. While I don't know if killers are born, I certainly know they are made. Its societies (our) lack of knowledge, its our weakness to face the difficulty of what mental illness is, its our fear of social repercussions about personal rights, and its stigma and stereotyping at its most primal.

I am writing to you from a place of deep personal motivation.

I have a family member with a severe mental illness and I find our societal attitudes about the VA Tech killer frustrating and demeaning. I worry that my loved one will turn on the TV and see Geraldo throw out his illness and say, thats what Cho has.

First of all, we don't know what illness Cho has...but its obvious to me that his behavior is very consistent with someone with a severe mental illness.

I have watched my family member for years, this doesn't happen overnight, there are signs. I can tell you (pardon the emotion here) that I didn't want to acknowledge what I was seeing in my own loved every day for years. I whispered behind my hand and closed doors but didn't have the guts to step forward and demand better treatment, better care, and that the world be understanding. NOT ANYMORE!!!

1. We stigmatize mental illness to the point that noone wants to seek help...even our own family doesn't want to talk about this publicly.
2. We minimalize those with weakness...I understand why we have tried to "integrate" mental health patients back into society, but I believe we have as a country been extremely irresponsible, inept and restrained in the way we we have chosen to do this. We, meaning me, the social workers, the doctors and even the well intentioned teachers throw them to the wolves and we walk away. Would we ask our children in wheelchairs to run a mile? Yet we ask our kids with mental illness to be normal and to make normal choices. Children in schools, especially in elementary schools do not have the maturity or the wisdom to be kind and nurturing. So instead, the ill face cruelty and begin the process of separation and fragmentation early in life that only compounds itself later in life.
3. Health care for the Mental illness in this country is absurd..Don't even get me started. While they are kind, mental health workers are facing an enormous uphill battle. Why we expect that a mentally ill person would even understand the "rules" of a typical healthcare organization like precertification and network doctors and all the paperwork is way beyond me. The cost is huge and insurance is very limited. Doctors and "the system" are overwhelmed. I personally believe that we don't hospitalize because of the patient's inability to pay in many circumstances. For heaven's sake, many mentally ill are unable to hold down a regular job that offers insurance benefits...what does that leave??
4. Families are responsible for their loved one with a mental illness. But families are incredibly ill equipped to even understand a mentally ill person's behavior and you get used to the "way they are". You love them so you cannot see the extent of their illness or you are so afraid of it that you cannot acknowledge what you are seeing with you eyes and your heart. If there is no family...who is left???
5. Unlike a physical illness that you see, some types of mental illness are like a thief in the night..they steal your identity, they steal your logic and your reason, and they strip you of who you are. Because we cannot see it with our own eyes, we don't believe that its real...that the odd or unusual and in very limited cases, violent behavior is often uncontrollable. Would we tell a blind man that knocks over a table that that he is guilty? Would we blame in the same way that we point a finger at those with mental illness?

I could go on and on but I think you get the point....

My note to you today is in the hopes that you can help me communicate and drive towards a better tomorrow for everyone.
Please do a meaningful, positive story on mental illness that shows what some of the devastating diseases do to an individual. Please show us hope through medication, treatment and support networks for those of us who are scared everyday.
Please be responsible when you discuss criminal behavior..don't throw out the name of a mental illness tied to a criminal unless you know what it is. Speculating on diseases that lead to criminal activity further the stigma and fear
We need to educate ourselves on what to look for not only in our families, but in our friends, our workplaces and our schools. We need to know where we can go for help and how we can make a difference.
All of us...every last of us.. need to accept lifelong responsibility for those with mental illness....how do we do this...where do we start?

Thank you for you time and what you do every day to provide balanced and fair reporting.

Regards,
Stephanie

Stephanie De Benedictis