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Subscribe to RSSI hope you're having a good Independence Day weekend. No rest for the weary in the Gulf of Mexico of course, but just might be something to celebrate. BP's new executive in charge of the oil response says the relief well, meant to cap the oil leak, could be finished sometime this month, ahead of schedule. That declaration included a lot of "ifs" about the weather cooperating and other variables. Given their track record, it's understandable that up until now BP has been trying to under-promise progress, predicting they'd finish the relief well in August. NBC's correspondent Thanh Truong has been out with the Coast Guard today and will have a better read for us on where things stand on our broadcast tonight. Kerry Sanders is also going to give us some insight into how those undersea robots tending to the well are actually operated. It's delicate work, especially given they're operating 5,000 feet under the surface and their operators are in Houston.
As many of us find time to celebrate and enjoy some time off this holiday let's remember all the hard working folks on beaches, ships, and seaborne platforms who will be pushing straight through the weekend trying to stop and contain the damage from this horrible scourge.
In the meantime we'll look for you tonight for NBC Nightly News.
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What a 4th we have this year. The hearts of Americans and our leaders is clear as we've even seen attacks on the late Justice Marshall. Kagan more qualified then setting Justices Altio and Roberts yet because of hate and jealousy some Law Makers will vote no. Now the Churches have admitted their really businesses and want some of that BP money. If any Church submits a bill and is paid by BP the church should pay taxes like all businesses. Michael Steele has finally joined the ranks of so many other Republicans in saying Obama started two Wars and brought on the Recession. Most believe what their told but this is to funny and expected. The FBI will be seen for who they are now as Obama needs to appoint a new Director as Mullen is corrupt. The unemployed people will suffer and those who are losing their homes have no help as the Law Makers felt it wasn't important. Maybe after the Nov. election we'll have officials who worked for the people and the taxpayers.
It was so sad to see soldiers return back to the USA only to learn our Law Makers blocked the Bill to help them with unemployment and housing. Well at lease the Law Makers made sure they will enjoy the holidays for themselves and their families. The unemploy
Lester,
All terrific stories. From the sound of it. the odds would have stopped any girl except Katrina.
Phyllis
Good Evening Mr.Holt, Great to see you this evening for the Saturday broadcast! Hope you have a wonderful July 4th holiday! Always wonderful to see Richard on the broadcast!
Now on to the broadcast.
First of all the report by Richard from Kabul concerning General Petraeus with his message on the mission in Afghanistan. The comments made by General McChrystal were very damaging and the fallout is affecting how journalists get access to the military. As Richard stated this will limit access with the military and the information given to journalists. There does need to be trust between the military and the civilians in the region, but it remains a difficult situation. One does hope things will improve, but as always it takes alot of time.
The report by Andrea Mitchell from Baghdad showed how this region needs a stable government to represent the citizens. Vice President Biden does say he is optimistic the government will be formed, but there are many obstacles to overcome. One really hopes that more US Troops will be able to leave the region with the deadline coming at the end of the summer. It is still a fragile country and truly one hopes for peace. Time will tell.
Excellent Reporting As Always Richard! Please Stay Extra,Extra Safe Always!
On another note the report by Mr.Truong from the Gulf region showed how weather is hampering clean up efforts leaving many boats docked. The massive ship A Whale will be a great help in taking up all the spewing oil from the leaking pipe. Yet, weather has forced a delay in starting operation, although hearing the building of the relief wells is ahead of schedule is very encouraging news. It will be good news when the pipe is finally sealed. But it will not end the terrible impact this spill caused on all those living and working along the Gulf Coast.
The report by Mr.Mott really showed the huge impact the oil spill is having on businesses this usually crowded holiday weekend along the beaches. Such big losses by hotels, restaurants, condos etc.. Not that many tourists coming to the area and that means alot of lost revenues. Sad for families with children who always love playing and swimming at the beach. It is heartbreaking.
The story from North Carolina about the little boy who wanted to be a police officer and made an honorary officer, but lost his battle with cancer was truly heartwrenching. Seeing the police officers gathered in tribute at his funeral was so moving and sad.
The report by Mr.Sanders was very interesting concerning the monitoring of the leaking pipe and how coordinated the efforts of all the people involved in the operation. The manipulation of those undersea robots is delicate work. Those who have played alot of video games would be good at working the controls.
The piece called, "Against All Odds" was very inspirational and this young woman surely has endured much in her young life. She has experienced much hardship in her life, but it appears now she has a bright future. Nice Piece!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Always wonderful to see Richard! 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! Great reporting as always!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
XOXO
Lisa
hola, lester, i still find it amazing that john adams and thomas jefferson both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence. i'm not a mason so i have absolutely no idea of how the magic system that this country was founded on works . . . . . but, against all odds, it does work. have a happy 4th of july, you and every american. even my staunch mexican mother broke down and received her american citizenship in her lifetime. my father was born in benson when the yaqui indians were working on the railroad, before the government closed the border, so he was a citizen. he only went to third grade, my mom went to fifth. and all 5 of us kids got our college degrees. that is america. we are going through a tough restructuring right now, but a pruned tree always grows new branches. we must have been getting a little scruffy looking with lots of dead wood, potential fire hazard! take good care, greetings to richard in afghanistan, i'm sure he will still manage to get good stories out to us in spite of the limits on journalists in the wake of the mcchrystal episode. i'm sure there's lots of afghan people stories, too, like what brian found with the orphanages. he hit the motherlode with that story! speaking of which, i hope that afghanistan cleans up it's corruption so that the mineral wealth it is sitting on can be mined. those kinds of dollars have the potential to give every afghan child a college education! blessings, anna martina
P S Lester, Perhaps "subjects" was a Freudian slip because Thomas Jefferson once predicted that
eventually America would become a Monarchy. Phyllis
Hello Lester
Missed the live broadcast...but, being today..catching up.
Thanks for all you do.
Praying that God moves the hearts and minds of Congress so they vote to extend unemployment benefits.
An Obama administrator says, "by doing so, folks will have money to buy gas, buy pampers, pay the mortgage, thus stimulating the economy."
Yea. BINGO.
To keep our economy moving, active is vital.
I see ma and pa stores like my local ice-cream store closed, out of business, all due to a slow malnourished economy.
STIMULUS- is key..
Yesterday, from 6 a.m. to midnight, I helped my pal moved into a new condo (rented from owner).
He owns ten units. Initially, the asking price was $1,100/monthly but because of current dire days, he lowered the price to $900.
Sign of the times.
Heard the beautiful song / tribute to July 4th and to America on "Today."
How beautiful.
Just learned on "MSNBC Sunday" that the stars of our beloved Flag means aspiration, white is purity, blue, sweetly represents vigilance and glory red is valor.
Oh. SO Beautiful.
Anna, please bless us with a July 4th poem.
Happiness to all.