Thank you again for keeping the country up to date as to the conditions of the levees in NOLA. Remember that the strength of a levee system is based on its weakest link. Please keep southern Louisiana in your prayers this hurricane season. Earlier I wrote about testimony to the senate about how the federal aid for Katrina is not reaching the citizens. I now have an audio of the segment that affected me so greatly. A New Orleans blogger posted to You Tube. The lady's name is Connie Uddo. She is the neighborhood leader of the hard hit neighborhood of Lakeview and works for Beacon of Hope through the Episcopal diocese. Please listen and ask yourself "Is this the country I want?" These hearing occurred about a week a go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx6vNRak7U0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwetbankguide%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F

Bear with me for posting again, but per Celine's remark on Kurdistan: I've just read an article about Turkey's massing troops on the border with Iraqi Kurdistan and planning an invasion to go after rebels. It said the rebels, in spite of their pronouncements about fighting back, will probably instead hunker down in caves so the Turks will have to search them out, which would lead to a long-term campaign on the part of the Turks. I wonder what, if any, effect this could have on our own involvement in Iraq.

Dear Celine in New Jersey,

Richard Engel's report on Kurdistan was originally broadcast on the Today Show's Memorial Day edition. Lester Holt, who was sitting in for Matt Lauer, introduced it. You are correct in saying that it is a very interesting place. Scott Pelley did a similar piece for 60 Minutes several weeks ago....

Sincerely,
A Fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Whoever is Playing the Yankees (no offense)

Thanks for Martin Savidge's excellent piece about hurricane season and the concerns about New Orleans' levees and level of storm preparedness. It seems ominous that we've reached the start of storm season and we're up to Barry already. Although Barry looks like a good break for Florida because of the drought and fires, regarding later storms, now all we can do is pray, not only for New Orleans but for everyplace else along the coast. I read an interesting article yesterday about 5 cities (including New York) that could be "the next New Orleans" should a storm hit.

Now for the story of that TB patient, which keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. A few days ago when the story broke and I didn't know anything about him, I assumed he was an ordinary (yet thoughtless and selfish) schmoe who probably wouldn't have known better. But since it's come out that he's a lawyer and a personal injury one at that, one wonders why he did what he did. I mean, suppose someone who'd been one of his fellow passengers contracted TB--couldn't that person, if they had proof of having been on the same flight in a seat near his, sued?

I also find it odd that he doesn't look sick--the first time I saw his picture I'd assumed it was an old one, but even in the latest one I saw with him in the hospital with the mask over his face he still otherwise looks healthy. And it's interesting about his wife's (and other family members including her father who works on that disease at CDC) not having contracted TB. It makes me wonder if there's something people who know they're going to be exposed to TB can take to prevent their catching it. Bear with me for being autobiographical for a bit, but when I was little my sister had scarlet fever, and I had to take a pill to keep from catching that disease--I wonder if there's something that similarly keeps one from catching TB.

Anyway, there are so many questions....

Brian, good job on making it through the newscast last night! I was wondering if there are any plans to do some reporting on the economy right now, and the boom that's going on. I see on msnbc.com that we may have avoided or come out of the post-911 recession, and I hear you sometimes mention that "the Dow closed at a new record today," but there doesn't seem to be much a focus on it. Is that because Anne Thompson has moved from covering financial/economic news to the enviornment, or because it's not an issue people seem to want to hear about? Just curious.

Brian,

I feel your pain with traveling. My last couple of weeks have been non-stop with 2 days of it in the air. Talk about horrible! Not what it used to be. The first leg the attendants were nice despite ALL the delays and cancelations making me fly a red-eye. Coming back, I almost missed my connection and was informed by a gate attendant that I was would be find and to learn to deal. Needless I will NOT be flying that airline again.

I almost wonder if it is even worth the effort to contact the airline and report this woman that had me in tears.

But I digress. I have missed the news all week do to traveling, but I wish you and your collegues a fabulous weekend.

Good Evening Mr.Williams,I viewed Richard's report from Tripoli,Lebanon. They are certainly making a stand and fighting a fierce battle. It is awful to hear that innocent people are being used as human shields. Seeing all that black smoke is horrifying to see and especially for the civilians inside the camp. With regards to Richard's report from Kurdistan,it shows how if people really make an effort to have a civil society to work and live it can be successful. As always please keep him safe. Thank you Richard for your fine reporting! Please keep safe! Have a good weekend Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

Brian-

I know Lebanon is a hot spot right now and he needs to report from there, but please don't let Richard's report from Kurdistan (which I assume is taped)wind up in the circular file. It's an interesting area of Iraq that we never get to see. Perhaps Lester could show it this weekend??

I just read you were once a Red Sox fan. How could you grow up in central Jersey and not be a Yankee fan? You never would have made it in my family--you would have been homeless!! Forget losing Sue Simmons, I'm afraid you just lost Joan! (I'm kidding Joan!)

Hopefully your weekend = REST. Sounds like you need it!

If I am not mistaken, wasn't it reported during the new violence in Gaza that the U.S. was arming and training ==> Fatah Islamic fighters <== in their battle with Hamas?????? and yet aren't these the same Fatah Islam fighters being accused of terrorist plots in the new Lebanon violence???? The administration can't have it both ways... yeah, not unless the media grants them that privilege by not reporting any of it.

Brian,
I feel your pain! I fly American between ORD and LGA quite often, and it is rarely a positive experience.

Thanks for the great highlights on Chicago last night! It was nice to see our great city getting much desired positive press!

And hang in there- Friday is almost over!!

Brian,
Since it is Friday, we can all understand the low expectations especially given the amount of travel time you have put in this week. Although a little drooling by the network anchor would certainly put a new spin on the evening news.

I always look forward to the Making A Difference segments, seems to be just the thing with which to unwind after a long week and restore some lost faith in humankind.

As a side note, now that Delta & Dawn have made their way back to the Pacific, there is another animal story generating some interest in the metro NY area. I speak of the runaway cow in the West Milford area of New Jersey that has been on the run since May 6th. (http://northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk0NSZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzE0NDIzNiZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=) Only in NJ!

Happy Weekend All!