Thank you for this post. It was wonderful.

Watching the debates actually reminded me of Reagan. I remember how he understood the big picture, of how a gov't. is supposed to serve the people & not the other way around. He was a great man but not the best President; primarily because of his big mistake, of allowing George H. Bush to be his Vice - President ! His son is now leader of a Republican Party that has lost it's way; by 'forgetting' Reagan, in action. Although Guiliani & Romney were fairly impressive, the person whom most impressed me was Rep. Ron Paul. Too bad he doesn't have a chance in hell of being President !

Well unlike the democrat debate the moderator didn't win the Republican debate. Congrats again Brian!! Any word on the ratings for both debates? Which one had more viewers? :-)

Dear Mr. Williams,
It is always sad to hear when someone dies and they are a part of history. We need to keep our history alive. I know you broadcast on the world everyday. I feel it is important that you also should include the passing of the Navajo Code Talkers. They are a part of history and if it were not for them I believe our country would have been different. I am Navajo and I think it's important you at least include these individuals since using our language they have made a tremendous difference for this country. We had 2 navajo code talkers that died this week. It would greatly be appreciated if you would include this in your broadcast.

Thank you,
Barbara Dehnert
P/S You are my favorite news anchor.

Brian -

Post Debate:

Ronald Reagan's name was mentioned so often I thought I was in a time warp.

What kind of setting was that for a debate? I thought it would be in some sort of auditorium, not an airplane hangar.

Not only did all the candidates look similar, but they sounded similar. It reminded me of a theater cattle call reading - all with the same clothing and the same script.

When it comes to moderating debates, Chris Matthews is no Brian Williams.

OT - have a great weekend and a Happy Birthday!

Thanks to Roger O'Neil for a great piece on recycling shipping containers into affordable housing. I always wondered why the mountain of them at Exit 15E of the NJ Turnpike keeps growing. Now I know. I hope they too will be recycled. I also hope FEMA, Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin were watching. Sounds like NOLA could sure use some.

Fascinating Roger. Thanks again.

Hey Brian,

I was just wondering why NBC nightly news is not broadcasting from Simi Valley to cover the GOP debate as you did for Democrat debate. I am also curious to why you are not moderating the debate. It just seems interesting you would broadcast and moderate the debate for the democrats, but not provide equal coverage to the Republicans. Any insight would be appreciated.

Why are you not hosting the Republican Debate? This debate is being horribly mismanaged. From the camera angles to the host injecting his opinion with comments like "Oh god" after candidates response to the questions. The Republican should be treated no less than the Democrats. This debate should not be hosted by some no name cable television host. Please uphold MSNBC's ethical principles and never again let someone like this rookie host the debate. You should have done the job.

As per the GOP tonight where you are bound to hear all sorts of cries about "patriotism", has every one seen this article by Newsweek's Christopher Dickey on how Nationalism is not Patriotism?

"He [Orwell] said nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism, which Orwell defined as “devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force upon other people.”
"But American nationalism, unlike American patriotism, is different-and dangerous."
"The second part of Orwell’s definition tells you why. Nationalism is the habit of identifying oneself with a single nation or an idea, “placing it beyond good and evil and recognizing no other duty than that of advancing its interests.” Patriotism is essentially about ideas and pride. Nationalism is about emotion and blood. The nationalist’s thoughts “always turn on victories, defeats, triumphs and humiliations. … Nationalism is power-hunger tempered by self-deception.”
The article goes on and on about the comparison between the US and Germany circa 1939.
MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13721928/site/newsweek/

Hello Dear Brian,
The Middle East Summit is another disasterous error by the Bush Administration. This administration has been occupying Iraq for its oil, whose policies and predictions have turned out to be wrong. Using this summit, the Bush administration tries to maintain its occupation of Iraq by pushing other Arab countries to accept and support the occupation. This is a failed tactic. The sentiment in the Middle East is very clear in that the US forces have to leave Iraq, because the last four years have shown that the Bush administration cannot manage a colonial strategy in the Arab World. This summit could have been very productive if the Bush administration had decided to leave Iraq. The decision to leave would allow the Iraqi competing groups to settle their difference and would give time for the disturbing foreign elements to depart Iraq to their destinations such as US, UK, Iran, and Afghanistan. The Bush administration could have used this conference to solve the Palestinian Problem. I am stating that because I believe that the Bush administration can solve this problem if it wants to. If the Bush administration is interested in protecting the Israelis, then this conference could have solved the problem. But these summits and conferences will not generate any positive result as long as the Bush administration is pursuing an old colonial policy in a modern period. I am still puzzling by the LA police’s behavior. The police’s action demonstrates clearly the necessity for a change in the style people are treated under democracy, because the stick and korbach are old methods for submitting people. These harsh methods, however, are consistent with the Bush’s administration’s foreign policy backed by bombs and other forms of naked militarism. In short, in its daily dealing our government likes to kick behinds. Best Regards.

“I left Earth three times. I found no place else to go. Please take care of Spaceship Earth.”
—Wally Schirra, who flew on Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions in the 1960s.

I watched NBC News'segment last night,"Trading Places," that clearly outlined the challenges our aging population will face in the years ahead. Thanks to you and your colleagues for telling this story in such a compelling way. I want to tell you a hopeful story about a community that is finding a way to ensure that our elders will be cared for with dignity, compassion and skill. Az is in the top ten states in terms of the number of older residents; by 2050,26% of our residents will be 60 years of age or older. Since 2002, the Direct CareGiver Association, a non-profit caregiver training center located in Tucson AZ has been meeting this need by graduation 270 students who work in the community as pjrofessional caregivers. At the same time, our model training program benefits economically disadvantaged individuals by pjroviding the traing and skills they need to attain a livable wage in oun of the four fastest-growing fields in the nation. I am a "baby boomer" who cares for an elderly mother in my private life and in my professional life I work hard to make our community better. I extend an inviation to you and your staff to come and visit at any time. Thank you Kristen N McDilda

My question for tonight would be "It's month after the election. You've not only won the electoral vote, but the popular vote too. The usual gated community Liberals in DC, and the Montana compound Hollywood left start the conspiracy theories how the election was stolen. This time riots, acts of terror, and in some areas open warfare break out. How will you hold the instigators accountable?"

Good Evening Mr.Williams, It is sad to hear of Wally Shirra's passing. I'm impressed you have a copy of the USA Today with all their signatures. That is something really special to own. It is nice to have Queen Elizabeth II visiting our country. I'm glad she is taking time to visit Virginia Tech and meet with some of the families. Also she does enjoy riding horses and I would think that her attending the Kentucky Derby on Saturday would draw her to visit the stables of the horses running in the race and talk with the owners. On another note with this two day Middle East Summit I certainly hope progress can be made in reaching some sort of agreement on how to stabilize this war torn country of Iraq. Less violence and more peace and rebuilding is what these people need. Finally, I hope you all accomplish your packing and are ready for your move. Try not to leave anything behind Mr.Williams! I'm looking forward to the contest results. See you on the broadcast.