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Subscribe to RSSNBC News has lost a long-time member of its extended family. Because it’s important that you know the story of Pat Thompson. Today I've asked my friend David McCormick to tell you about her. David is a former Nightly News producer, former London Bureau Chief, former Frankfurt Bureau Chief and currently our Vice President for Standards. He's the man who watches our words and our work very carefully. Today his role is telling you about a woman who loved words...and the work that we do. Please read what he's written below, and we hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast:
We at NBC News lost a dear friend yesterday. Pat Thompson, wife of CNN correspondent Jim Bittermann, died in Paris three weeks after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.
In the mid 1970s, Pat joined the NBC family at our Chicago station, WMAQ, where she eventually became an on-air reporter. From there, she moved to Paris as an NBC News producer, and, on one of her many foreign assignments, she met Jim, then our Rome bureau chief and correspondent. They were married in 1983. A year later, their daughter Tess was born. Both Jim and Tess were at her side when she passed away in a suburban Paris hospital.
Pat was a terrific producer and as smart as they come. But more than that, she was a compassionate, caring person.
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Brian sorry to hear about the death of your friend Pat Thompson but keep in mine it's the memories and love that remain and you have become who you are by the friends you have. Life is a lesson many learn early or late but when your lucky you learn it's truly a gift.
Now you know I run off on every issue so while I'm thinking I would like to wish a very happy holiday to the NBC staff who put up with me all year, Brian who I will continue to bother and to the Niightly News Family who are my Family forever. Love is about all I have give you guys because it's priceless and you deserve it. Think of each other and everyone once in a while smile it will help you get pass the tuff times we're having. No one knows the future but it is what you make it. As for me I'll continue to do what I do best and run off at the mouth, help the troops and fine a new friend every day, while continuing to help anyone who needs it. Stay safe and remember to tell your loves one's I LOVE YOU.
A family friend Jackie oh ya Monique/Wiggie/Preppie and Preaches
Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening as always. I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend Pat Thompson. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. One can keep the memories alive by remembering all the great times and know that someone is never really gone as long as we remember them well.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Mr.Costello about the number of people living in the United States which has certainly grown alot. It is understandable many people would be moving to the South and West perhaps basically for warmer weather although it is hard to predict weather these days. It has affected States in gaining amd losing seats which determines election results and voting on bills to be passed. It was interesting to see how the population grew over the terms of different Presidents. Certainly many of us residing in America.
The report by Mr.Almaguer from Los Angeles showed how the torrential rains have caused much havoc in the different cities in California. A scary situation with people having to be rescued from rising waters long with flooded homes. It sounds like they will be getting much more rain with high winds overnight and one hopes everyone will be safe and the storm passes quickly.
The report by Kelly O'Donnell about the Senate debating the 9/11 First Responders Bill has caused much anger from those men and women who have suffered from ailments relating to 9/11. The parties should come together on this bill one can understand the frustration of the first responders. The are all heroes and need to be compensated with politics aside. One hopes it will pass.
Unfortunately, there was cloud cover where I live so I was unable to see the lunar eclipse, but the photos shown on the broadcast were amazing. Both from Australia with the airplane flying across and the one showing the moon all reddish with shadows. Very Incredible!
The "Making A Difference" segment by Mr.Tibbles was truly special. The little boy named Mark who was stricken with cancer, but wanted to start a program to bring toys to sick children was inspirational. So very tragic and sad to learn he passed away in 2006,yet wanted his mother to promise to carry on the program. It is heartwarming to see how the amount of donated toys has grown over the years and seeing the children's faces is wonderful. No child should have to be sick at all and especially at Christmas and Mark certainly had the spirit of giving within him. A very special boy who is making many children happy at Christmas. A very special and wonderful piece!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Be Well Everyone!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
Lisa
Hey Bri - Just have three individual thoughts for this evenings broadcast, the Making A Difference story was once again exceptional, how such a young boy, who’s not even among us (physically speaking) is making such a huge difference for so many sick children, right kind of story for this time of the year.
That shot of the lunar eclipse from Australia was fantastic to this most amateur of amateur photographers, my camera just has 15X zoom, but I’m always striving for those shots that need those close up zoom lens that the professionals use.
I knew you would probably mention Steve Landesburg tonight, I will always remember him not only for his role on Barney Miller, but when he appeared on the various talk shows, Steve did just about the best Barry White imitation I’ve ever heard to this day!
Brian-
Thanks to you and Kelly O'Donnell for doing a report on the status of the bill to aid the 9/11 responders. Those men are dying and we have got to help them. They are not just from NY, people poured in from all over the country to pitch in. Remember? They helped their countrymen when we were most in need and now the country can't help them when they are most in need? What kind of country are we?
The bill is paid for, it pays out to the responders only after all their other resources (health care, workmen's comp, etc.) have been exhausted. Eligibility is well documented. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN POLITICS???
As most of you know, I live right across the river from the World Trade Center. Over the years I have been in/through those buildings countless times, the last being exactly 2 weeks before 9/11 when I met a friend in the North Tower. Somehow I couldn't accept the reality of it all until I saw it, but it was November before I could get over there. The closest I was able to get was 2 blocks away. Even so, everytime debris was shifted or removed from the pile, an acrid odor wafted all over downtown NYC that made you start to cough -- 2 months and 2 blocks removed! And yet the former Governor of my state who was then EPA Director, Ms. Whitman, stood downtown just days after 9/11 and said the air was alright to breathe!!!
So the Federal Government said it was OK to work at Ground Zero, but they either lied or were completely incompetent, and now they don't want to accept any responsibility for the resulting personal tragedies. IT IS IMMORAL!
If you know a Senator or Representative who is not supporting the bill, please contact them (Google will help) and ask them to do the responsible thing and change their mind.
Jackie-- In the 3rd quarter of Sunday's Giant game, I was mentally composing a comment to you about Eli's and the team's great performance. Someone has to tell the Giants there are 4 quarters in a football game! They all went home after the 3rd! ".....and when they are bad, they are horrid!"
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Brian and his family, to all the NN correspondents and their families, and especially to all the blog family and their loved ones. Let's all hope things start to look up economically in 2011!
Take care all-
Celine
Love you Celine I'm feeling a little better but Eli is still the little pop warner winner to me I need a team.
Now I was thinking yet again Senator Coburn blocked the help for the 9/11 responders as he missed the meeting and didn't read the report. But I remember the Oklahoma Bombing and all the responders got full medical care. Brian did a great job at remember us and those Law Makers who spoke up to their support and promise to help. I had hoped former President Bush would have stepped forward as he took charge and stood up in that now famous photo to have all Americans thank those who risk their lives to respond when Americans needed them most. I just don't get it how we celebrite/honor Sept. 11th and told we will never forget. We just finished honoring our Vets but it seems the GOP is no longer interestiing in helping them either. What is going on with our country when our law makers lie and leave the heros without support.
I am so sadden to hear about Pat's death. I met Pat and Jim in Paris years ago....and they opened their flat and heart to my students that were traveling with me to study international journalism and French media. She was an inspiration to my students....and well remembered........Max
I'm not a regular blogger, but I have to put in my angry two cents. I still have the image of the senators and representatives standing in front of the Capital building singing "God Bless America" after 9/11. I guess that was just another photo op. Or maybe it only mattered because one of the planes hit the Pentagon and to hell with everyone else. We will never forget...except for those who risked their lives, lost their lives, and those who are suffering because of it. Thanks a lot.
Merry Christmas to Brian Williams and the entire NBC news team, and to all the "regulars" at this blog.
Brian: I did not know Pat Thompson personally, but she must have been a fine woman. May she rest in peace,and may Pat's family know that her legacy will never be forgotten. I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast.
About the Placebo effect and it all "being in your head", but, Brian, what if it isn't? Phyllis