E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
For what it’s worth, I called it. Shooting the breeze in our newsroom in the first hour after the Rolling Stone article had broken (initially in the form of an AP story, then we received the text) I said, in our newsroom to no one in particular, "What do you want to bet the President pulls Dave Petraeus off Centcom and makes him Special Master, in effect, for Afghanistan?"
I did not know General McChrystal well. I had dinner with him, his circle of aides (now well-known) and others in Afghanistan during my last trip there. I have known General Petraeus for several years, and last saw him here in New York. For all they share in common, the two men could not be more different. I think it’s safe to say General Petraeus is the closest thing we have to a "celebrity General" in this country—the way men like Patton, MacArthur, Bradley and Marshall were regarded over 60 years ago...and to this very day. If you asked 100 Americans, at random, to name an active duty General officer, I'm guessing Petraeus would be the only name, if any, that most people would volunteer—in what pollsters call "unassisted recall." Depending on the success of this new assignment for him, his name will loom even larger in the scope of history. Like all who have volunteered for duty, he has paid a huge personal price for his many deployments. As head of Central Command, he had just settled back in to a domestic routine, living Stateside while still traveling a great amount.
We will talk about all of it tonight. We'll also cover the latest stomach-turning development from the Gulf: the unchecked flow of oil, once again, from that BP well. To lift our spirits, we'll look at twin titanic struggles (both on grass) in the field of sports. We hope you can join us tonight.
Leave a Comment:
The man Republicans wanted as President now takes over potty mouth McChrystal's job. Petraeus is a soldier who follows order no matter what those orders are. McChrystal played a large role in the Pat Tillman assassination. Makes since McChrystal and Karzai work well together as both are following Cheney orders to keep the conflict going. Our troops have said we had poor leadership but Obama believed the bass not the troops in the field dying. This will persent a problem for those attacking Obama. What will they say about his new choice? It was nice for the Media/Press not to publish all the potty mouth comments McChrystal said about McCain/Graham. It's always better to just print the filty things about Obama. Some American people, Law Makers and Media/Press really don't like Obama for what ever reason but it's good to know our troops like and honor him for putting them first.
Have a great day all
Just heard a blurb on the radio that General Petraeus needs to be confirmed by the Senate again. That seems kind of strange seeing how this is sort of a step down for him.
God Bless and protect the warriors and their families.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, A great broadcast this evening. So much news today to cover and I enjoyed seeing you on MSNBC News today along with Colonel Jack Jacobs and Richard Engel to discuss the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal and the appointing of his job to General Petraeus. Excellent Analysis by Everyone! General Petraeus is the best person for the job. One wishes his the best in this extremely tough fight in Afghanistan.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the reports concerning the resignation of General McChrystal and the task of Command given to General Petraeus.
The report by Mr.Todd showed President Obama wasted little time in accepting General McChrystal's resignation and offering the job to General Petraeus who accepted it. The comments made by General McChrystal in the Rolling Stone article were extremely damaging and inexusable and this decision seems to be the right one. General Petraeus has a tough fight in Afghanistan and it is not really comparable to Iraq in many ways. He has a hands on style and the mission will not change in the region. There could be question as to whether the draw down date of troops in July 2011 will remain as the date. Hopefully, the troops can come home as soon as possible.
The report by Richard from Kabul showed how the choice of General Petraeus will not change the mission in the region and the soldiers do think General Petraeus is the best man for the job. As Richard stated the General's reputation is on the line and one hopes things are successful.
Excellent Reporting As Always Richard! Great Reporting All Day on MSNBC!!
On another note the terrible oil spill and the flow of oil now gushing more and more because the containment cap has been removed.
The report by Anne Thompson showed how the accident of the vehicle running into the cap is causing a major setback in the containment and clean up of the oil. Hearing it is now 50,000 barrels of oil spewing from the pipe is terribly discouraging and one wonders when it will ever stop. Now the oil slick is moving East and North which is another awful sign.
The report by Mr.Potter from Pensacola showed how heartbreaking it is to see the beautiful white sand beaches covered in oil. As Governor Crist stated, "It is disgusting." Seeing the people try and save the dolphin was heartbreaking and then sad too learn the dolphin later died. The people really tried hard to save the animal, but it was just not to be. So very sad. Then to see the poor little crab half stuck in the oil is horrible too.
This is such a huge disaster and one hopes so much the region wil be cleaned up soon, but it will take some time.
It is Awesome the USA soccer team won their match today! Go USA!
One hopes tomorrow there will be a winner in the 10+ hour tennis match at Wimbledon that finally ended due to darkness. Continues tomorrow! Those players are truly great tennis players!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams! You were terrific on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" last night "Slo-Jammin the News" Really Funny!
Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast! Peace to You and to All!
Lots of Love to all the "regulars"
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard! Great reporting all day on MSNBC!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
hi, lisa, i went to marshalls tonight, which is tjmaxx in some cities and found an awesome bamboo windchime that has a small, carved dolphin on the top rung that the bamboo tubes are hanging from and then another carved dolphin the same size is on the string that hangs down. i bought it for the backyard where the shinto altar is so that it can be a prayer for the dolphins and the others that are going to wash up on the shores. i'm glad that i don't have cable. i can't do watching the animals die. i have to have enough energy to go out and water my little garden every day . . . . have a good thor's day, anna martina
What is next, beheading? Isn't that why we are over there in the first place, to rid the world of leaders that punish those who speek out against their countries leader? Our country is degrading very quickly. Oil spill, being over taken by the Mexican drug loards, are these sign from a higher source that something is wrong. God help us all!
Mr. Williams,
I don't know where else to post this that you will see. Those people on the Gulf coast really do need to file for unemployment. I found a White House Briefing discussing the agreement with BP.
A special hooray to the US soccer team.
What a game. A last minute goal.
Landon Donavan did good.. Good happens to Good. And to see Landon's glee.
THE GENERAL!!
Sad day and what a shake-up. Don't get why the General say ALL knowing ALL will be in print.
There is a Higher Power, a FORCE behind this occurrence. "Change going to come."
Michael Hastings proves the power of the PEN.
"The pen is mightier than the sword." -it is written.
Hey, sliding polls for Obama. Polls go up, they go down.
Mr. President, reflect into the life you know and this will direct your path.
Anna, another terrific poem and I did answer your blog.
This one had me thinking. THX, MIMI
Give thanks for another sunrise, a gift of a new day. Pray for our military.
Good morning, Brian.
Yesterday was such an enourmous news day. I had myself glued to MSNBC during the entire discussion of General Stanley McChrystal. Therefore, I caught your discussion with Tamron Hall and Jack Jacobs. It was such a delight to have you, Jack Jacobs, Richard Engel, and General McCaffrey together to talk about the issue. I don't want to sound to biased here, but NBC seriously has the greatest news teams on the planet.
Onto the broadcast, the news we all heard (and Jim Miklaszewski broke) yesterday about General Petraeus being chosen—and accepting—to precede General McChrystal's command in Afghanistan is big news, and it oddly (I'm guessing as a journalist thing) had me so excited and anxious. You had phenomenal coverage on the issue from the team last night, with Jim Miklaszewski, Richard Engel, and Chuck Todd. Terrific reporting, and especially great to have an opportunity to hear from Richard Engel on the ground in Afghanistan. It's no good-news story to hear the situation that led General McChrystal where he is now, and to know what had to happen to him, but I feel very confident with President Obama's decision to hand over the command to General Petraeus. Although, as Richard Engel has said, Iraq and Afghanistan couldn't be more different countries—we all just have to hope and pray that the well-known and respected Gen. Petraeus has been landed into this possition for a purpose and that he can be successful as he was in Iraq.
Mark Potter's report last night from the oil-infested beaches was utterly heart-breaking. The little girl saying she took the beaches for granted when they were safe and pristine just tore me up. I can't imagine how she feels, but as a kid who spent very many Summer's in the ocean, it sent tears down my streak to see her cry. After the little bit of good news that we finally received in this mess, it's all being taken back again, and nothing hurts as much as that. I'm still hoping and praying that someone will come up with a unique way that will work to clean up this mess. Thank you all so very much for keeping your cameras on this story so we can keep our eyes on it.
That iconic photo of Edith Shain and the sailor on V-Day in Times Square will always be a favorite, and will definitely always be remembered. I've always loved that photo, and should have it hanging in my room. I'm sorry to hear her passing. Because of such a beautiful moment captured that historic day, she'll never be forgotten. May she rest in peace.
And one more note for the road: Go Team USA! I have to admit that I wasn't glued to the game (hints, I was glued to MSNBC instead, what a dork) but I am very proud of our USA soccer team. I haven't been fully engaged in the World Cup as others have been, because I've been trying to stay focused to the MLB.
My last day before heading up to Washington. I can't wait to be there again, but I think I might be a little late to see the cherry blossoms and Spring blooming. Although, Summer isn't shy—90 degrees+ this weekend! Yuck! But I can't wait to be in that beautiful city again.
Have a great day, and see you at 6:30.
-Cary
Hey Anna,
Weird day. On an actual college campus. Buying my text book.. Lunch break.
Hoping to see Brian's appearance on the fab Tamron show.
My girl Keneisha is into Ms. Hall's show and she tapes it.
Was told Tam is wearing pink today.
On radio, great debate about Obama and if he is a whimp or a KICK A*S
President.
I've about had enough of radio for the day. So much hate, so many lies, so much hypocrisy. I really wish they wouldn't replay so many clips of "progressive traitors" all at once when they were stabbing our military in the back to regain political power.
Dave. HI.
Don't fully grasp your blog...
Or the message you are passing on ...
Speak to me as if I am a 4 year old.
Politics is all new to me.
At the Galleria Mall, waiting with a friend for the IPhone 4.
Massive crowd.. Be here for a while..so hit me
THX
M
So, you just say "the regulars" now? No list? I've been away for a while! Ha, ha. Love you! xoxo
Obviously, that last post was for Lisa. Still learning. D'oh.
We'll get used to it soon, Laurel! ;)
Brian, Keith, 6-24-10
I thought I heard you say no one is listening to me. With the tennis match that tied up for days at 59 was a sign that pointed to you and me because I said it. But that is us interpreting it to be how we want it. You had just told me to Go find Tom. Maybe you were the one who won by doing that and staying with your wife, who you made vows to.
I don’t know but I will back off.
Thinking about your feelings. You don’t owe me anything . You don’t have to say anything. I will continue going out with Wit and have a good summer.
Love all you guys,
tesa.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, I didn't see a posting for this evening so I am leaving this comment for the Thursday broadcast. Another fine broadcast this evening!
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Mr.Potter from Pensacola where the beautiful white sand beaches are now covered in oil. It is a very slow process for the workers to clean up the beach since there is just so much oil all over the sand. Using machinery to clean up the beaches might go faster, yet seeing the one piece of equipment stuck in the sand was discouraging. It is depressing to see this tragedy unfolding and one hopes for the people of the Gulf the clean up process goes more quickly.
The report by Anne Thompson showing the view from the air of the clean up was incredible with a floating city of containment ships and the huge relief well being built. Seeing the streaks of oil all over the Gulf did evoke the idea of this being almost an impossible task cleaning up all the oil. It is a terrible catastrophy and this operation will be going on for quite some time.
Hearing about all the wildlife that has been lost due to the oil was heartbreaking and sad. To think that some species may become endangered because of this spill is simply horrible. One hopes more can be done to save these wonderful animals.
Your interview with the new head of BP Bob Dudley showed how he is concerned with trying to work aas fast as possible to restore the Gulf, but this region is going to have lasting complications with all kinds of issues. He is most likely correct in saying it could change the industry in how things are done. And one would definitely hope this would never, ever happen again. He has his work cut out for him in handling this disaster and one hopes things will move in a positive direction in the coming days.
The threat of wild weather is disasterous for the Gulf and seeing the track of a tropical storm heading in that direction is terrible news. This is the last thing the region needs to have happen and one hopes it does not happen. Thoughts and prayers go out to all the people of the Gulf region.
On another note it is great the tennis match at Wimbledon that lasted 11hours and 5minutes is now over. Such a fantastic match by two great players! The winner John Isner who was so gracious in his speech went to the University of Georgia. They had a whole piece about him on the local news here in Atlanta. Congratulations to him!!
Very nice comments by Prince Harry in rememberance of his mother the late Princess Diana. Very touching and moving.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra,Safe and Well Richard! Enjoyed seeing you on Morning Joe and the Today Show this morning!
Take Extra Good Care Always Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
hola, mimi, great to hear you have a daughter:-) i think this is posting in the wrong place. i don't do radio talk shows so i'm clueless . . . .
Good evening, Brian.
Despite the absence of a blog post this evening, I just wanted to leave a short message.
First of all, another phenomenal broadcast. Congratulations on getting Robert Dudley to come on Nightly News live tonight. As the first network evening news team to speak to, he definitely chose the greatest. This disaster seems only to be getting worse, and as you said tonight has been taking such a tole on the people in the Gulf coast. I just read this shocking and heartbreaking piece from the Los Angeles Times: http://bit.ly/bHsmKp Praying for these people, and that the storm predicted to come this weekend will simply pass and never return.
Very touching to hear what Prince Harry recently said of his mother, especially since it's so rare we hear of her from them. Prince William and Harry are such great young men. As much as their own country loves them, they certainly have a special place in America's heart, just as their mother did. Looking down on them, she no doubt must be very proud.
Thank YOU very much as always for a great broadcast this evening, Brian. (All of you!) I'll be in Washington, D.C. tomorrow night, and there's a good chance I'll miss the broadcast. But as always, I will catch up asap. In the meantime, if I can't get to the blog to comment tomorrow night: Take care and have a wonderful weekend!
I'll catch the rest of you on the "Twitters". ;)
Shout out to Richard Engel and his crew in Afghanistan, and all the correspondents in the Gulf. Thank You All So Much! Stay safe Richard!
Love you guys,
-Cary
P.S. "Restrepo" is out in theaters tomorrow. If you're near a theater airing it (all theaters should be airing it) then go see it! (I recommend that a place in your blog post tomorrow night, Brian. Just sayin')