Lester,

"If you don't toot your own horn, no one else will" said a District Manager of General Foods to me

and he was right.

My husband believes the BP massive oil spill should never have happened. In his opinion,

the executives are to blame. It will be interesting what President Obama has to say

about the situation Tuesday night.

All the stories were riveting, especially Afganistan. I teared up when the young soldier from

Ohio broke down.

Phyllis

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A fine broadcast this evening. Great to see you filling in for Mr.Williams.

Now on to the broadcast. First of all seeing Richard's report again this evening brings to mind how intense the fighting for the US Troops and the relentlessness of the taliban. It is always difficult to see soldiers wounded in battle and one hopes they all recover quickly. The soldiers of the 82nd Airborne fought for what seemed like forever although the battle lasted 30minutes any time there is battle with the enemy it is far too long. Hearing the intense firing and launching of mortars is frightening and even more because one never really sees the taliban. It was heartbreaking to hear Sgt. Loftus speaking about losing one of his fellow soldiers because he tries to hide his feelings. Remaining focused to leading his men is his mission, but it is still hard and one cannot help but let out emotion when fellow soldiers are lost.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the military families. God Bless Sgt. Loftus and all the men of the 82nd Airborne Division. God Bless All Our Brave Soldiers!

Excellent Reporting Richard As Always! Appreciate Your Bravery and Dedication to bringing the stories from the frontlines. Please Stay Extra,Extra Safe Always!

On another note the report by Lisa Myers on the oils spill disaster and what BP knew about the well before the blowup of the well was extremely disturbing. "Nightmare Well" certainly fits the description of the well and it appears BP cut corners in many ways to save money and time instead of conscentrating on safety. They ignored anything the employees stated in making decisions while increasing the risk of a blowout. The whole thing just looks criminal and negligent to a fault by BP.

Awful situation.

The report by Mr.Todd regarding President Obama's visit to the Gulf showed how the President is sending a message to try and respond on all levels to clean up the region.

The report by Mr.Potter showed so many beaches covered by tar balls and crude oil the clean up will take many months. While the businesses are losing money each day because no tourists are coming to the area. One hopes the areas will receive more help in the coming days. Time is of the essence.

Interesting report by Mr.Pete Williams about the Kennedy Files which revealed many threatening letters sent to Senator Ted Kennedy. So very frightening and one can understand why he requested Secret Service Protection. So very tragic.

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt. Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to all the "regulars"

Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard! Please Stay Extra Safe! Always Appreciate Your Braver and Dedicated reporting from the front lines. Enjoyed seeing you on the Today Show!

XOXO

Lisa

Hi Lester

It's really hard for many Americans to deal with what really happens in War as for the pass 8 years the Media was told not to show it because people would be up set. Well War is Hell and a President should do everything possible before taking our kids into a War. Our troops are trained to do a job and follow the orders of the setting Commander-in-Chief. Many people don't like to see or think about what is really going on in Afghanistan. I lived War with my daughter and I heard everyday the horror and the paid our soldiers face every second. As many enjoyed the 8 years of watching everything on TV many Military Families got to deal with the actual effects of War. PBS showed the names of those soldiers who died each Month during the 8 years and yes the list was very long each Month, but the reguler stations never talked much about it. I often visit Walter Reed Hospital where our troops come in with their injuries and that isn't on the news either. I have went to more funneral of our soldiers but that too isn't reported. Richard is just showing and giving the fact Americans have to deal with and for those who don't like it then speak up before another President decides to invade a country and start two Wars.

I wasn't surprised about the threats made to Kennedy as the investigation and Commission hearing on President Kennedy's assassination was like a Harry Potter magic story. Oswald the patsey was killed live on TV by Ruby. Attorney Arlene Specter gave the Magic bullet story that one bullet went a great distance and then by magic traveled in and out of metal/steele inside outside all around. Now the citizen who accidentlly video taped the real murders well it was lost by lost by the FBI. We had two assassination attempts on FDR and thank goodness they failed. Really not many people were surprised when Bobby was assassination as the country had been in so much chaos we knew they would take Bobby too.

Now I suggest the investigaters ask Karl Rove how he fixed the Michigan/Ohio voting machines. It was to easy to see the fix. I can't blame Mr. Greene for accepting the offer. Now here's an unemployed/Vet who lives with his Father and has no money while being charged with a felony. Then by magic he has 10,000 dollars to file for a Senate seat knowing he will never be able to accept it because of his criminal record. Now it gets better, this dude never campaign and had no funds except the 10,000 to file. Just how stupid do these people think citizens are? DeMint knew he would lose so he did what any corrupt Politican would do. He fixed the race to make sure he would win. What more can South Carolina do as Sanford with his soulmate, Jake Knott with his public racist remarks and he's proud of it, DeMint blocked the TSA appointee allowing two terrorist to try to bomb the US again and You Lie Joe Wilson who allowed kids to know it's ok in South Carolina to disrespect the President of the United States if he's Obama. Fake affair stories about candidate Haley which didn't work. You wonder are there any Honest Law Makers in South Carolina or do the corrupt ones always get in office. They made Mr. Greene and offer he couldn't refuse, funny seeing him get in the limo. Now that's what an unemployed/Vet up on felony charges gets for accepting the offer of the fix election. I know the other candidate is blown away on how the crooks have taken over. Do people have to vote in South Carolina or is it done for them?

Have a great day all

Thank you for sitting in for Brian for the broadcast this evening, Lester.

I was very grateful to see you re-airing Richard Engel's report with the 82nd Airborne tonight, for the viewers who may have missed it over the weekend. His reports over the weekend were very powerful, and absolutely unforgettable. The fighting in Arghandab has been so intense for these troops. Every time I see Richard's interview with Sgt. Loftus it breaks my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his fellow soldiers in the 82nd Airborne. I pray for the strength and safety of these soldiers and for Richard and his crew. I'm so grateful to Richard and his crew for bringing us these reports on what's going on in our troops lives. It's so important that we not lose focus on them. God Bless them all.

Pete Williams' report about threats that Ted Kennedy received over the years was very sad to hear. He went through so much fear throughout his life, but still managed to become the Lion of the Senate. I'm so glad he remained safe throughout his life despite his many threats.

Thanks to everyone for the broadcast.

Take care,

-Cary

Overall, a good news cast, but I have to take exception to the Vuvuzela story- it failed to show the controversy. The South Africans have suffered much over the years and should have their horns and be able to use them. However, your aired piece failed utterly to demonstrate how maddening the massed horn noise is. One or two or so joyously blown near the camera microphone is a different universe than the cacaphony of 20 or 30 thousand vuvuzelas railing away uninterupted for 100 minutes or so inside a soccer stadium. To this casual fan, the noise during the US-England match was much worse than the described nest of angry hornets- it sounded as if the broadcast booth and my TV were inside the hornets' nest, and the rasping drone was palpable- constantly keeping nerves on edge. If the broadcasters don't turn down the background volume next time, then certainly I will mute the Television.

Just think while the Bush Administration was focused on getting Iraq's oil they missed the rich minerals in Afghanistan. Now Obama isn't interested in stealing the riches from other countries so it looks like Afganistan will have the same Economy success of Iraq. Things might be different if Dick Cheney knew about the minerals when he was in office. Now the only hope for the Republicans is to get a Republican President in office to take over Afghanistan and take the minerals.

After 911, we always looked abroad to our attacker's.

In hindsight, it is OUR country, it's divisions, and the people hired to oversee the potential of BP's greed, and let them get away with murder!

Murder of the oil rig workers.

Murder of the Gulf environment.

Murder of a way of life for people who have spent generations, and have no other venue.

No offense to the Brit's who sank their retirement income into BP, but who should pay?

I can't feel sorry for you, while an ocean away, you worry about your income when the lives of millions are ruined. This doesn't even take into account of the wildlife that was once extinct, brought back, and then killed over a "f'ing" valve that was $500,000.

Where are the profits now BP, and you shareholder's?

"What ever happened to responsible journalism? Sensational journalism! Where is the trust?" - said by a despondent friend.
Luckily, the news of the Starbucks Wi-Fi offer falls under "responsible" journalism.
Happiness and faith have returned.

Lester, fine broadcast.
BP's "questionable decisions" are not surprising. Isn't it profit over safety, for them?
Agree. Funds should be earmarked for the OIL SPILL victims.
Obama administration should mandate.
Addressing obvious feedback to an earlier blog: A Vietnam Vet once said - there should be a law requiring all presidential candidates to serve in the Military.
Therefore, words such as-
"Unit- God- Country"
"Leave no man behind" -
have meaning.
******Loving the blogs. Great Read.

I understand that you want to add "light" stories to balance all of the negative ones. I was just wondering why it is that with all of the people that are out of work and hoping for an extension to unemployment, there was not much notice taken about the amendments in the House and Senate that would have prohibited employers from checking credit reports? And as I have found on the internet morning that Transunion managed to get it tabled. It seems to me that all of the news shows seem to get tunnel vision when there are big stories and don't mention things going on in Congress that would have a major impact on our lives. I remember when everyone was going on about Monica Lowenski none of the legislation seemed to make it to the news. Please try to work in more of the things that will be affecting our lives for years to come when you plan your broadcasts.

Thanks,

Debbie