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A few of my closest friends along Fifth Avenue
It’s just after 4pm, and in the distance from a nearby window I can hear the drums. The St. Patrick's Day Parade is still spooling its way up 5th Avenue, having started at 11am this morning. As I try to every year, I went down to the nearest intersection and worked my way through the teeming hunk of humanity to get as good a view as I could. Through a break in the crowd, I was able to see the Mayor and Police Commissioner as they walked past near the head of the parade, preceded by a few bands, active duty and military veterans and bagpipers.
The weather today in New York is stunning, the mood outside was great. When, hours later, I ventured out for a few minutes, the celebration had taken its toll on a few revelers (including the unresponsive man who appeared to be napping on 51st Street while the NYPD wrote out a summons for him), there was still a great spirit to the gathering. It made it even better that a couple next to me in the crowd were sporting a genuine, thick and terrific brogue. I wondered what they made of New York's celebration of their homeland.
It might well be that I was propelled outside for escape from the topics we're dealing with in the newsroom: they couldn't be darker, couldn't be more grim. We'll update you tonight on the desperate effort to put down a nuclear disaster, and the effort underway to squelch America's nuclear fears.
We hope you can join us tonight.
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I understand why you would want to escape the newsroom. I want to escape the news. Sometimes when it gets to be too much I turn it off (sorry, but I do have an anxiety disorder). I don't know how you news men and women do it. That is why if there were one living person I would like to sit down and spend a few hours with it would be you. You have experienced sooo much. May God bless you!
Thank you, Brian, for all you and your colleagues go through to bring us the news.
Glad you enjoyed the parade today Brian.
Today is one of those days when office workers try to avoid the parade at all costs, or they make it a point to attend the parade during their lunch hour, thank goodness for the underground concourse at Rock Center! But, as usual, I always see the kids returning home drunk on the F train, and this evening was no exception. When I got home a neighbor of mine was saying how he saw one drunk kid being told by a cop to get up off the curb, and the kid started hitting the cop with one of those plastic swords they were selling on the streets today.
The largest Labour demonstrations yet took place this weekend, with little or no coverage from the corporate media, but this annual non-event in which the Faux-Irish get their drink on in honor of a Saint most know zero about makes the cut. How sadly predictable... Now I've got another excuse for more Jameson's and Guiness... Like I needed one...
: Saint Patrick
Little is known of Patrick's early life, though it is known that he was born in Roman Britain in the 4th century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father and grandfather were deacons in the Church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave.[17] It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.[citation needed]
In 432, he again said that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to Christianise the Irish from their native polytheism. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people. After nearly thirty years of evangelism, he died on 17 March 461, and according to tradition, was buried at Downpatrick. Although there were other more successful missions to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endured as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.
There ya go whinner.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, Happy St. Patrick's Day to You! The scenes of the St.Patrick's Day Parade looked like everyone was having fun and the weather was great for it in New York City.
Now on to the broadcast. Still a frightening and tense situation with the nuclear reactors and the efforts to cool them down. The helicopters dropping water on them and the spraying water from trucks at a safe distance might do some good, but still not quelling the heat from the fuel rods. Problems with all six reactors appears a monumental task for all the workers at the plant along with all the extended exposure to radiation. They are certainly brave workers to keep working so tirelessly in such dangerous conditions.
The report by Ann Curry told of the people doubting what the Japanese government is telling them about the nuclear radiation situation. All the people gathered at shelters, the elderly unable to travel from the area,people with pets and so many others. Train stations mobbed with peoplec trying to leave the country and many Americans flying out on Charter flights out of the country. Meanwhile the people of Japan searching for loved ones in devastated neighborhoods was heartbreaking to see. The couple who came back the their neighborhood only to find it completely destroyed just couldn't stand the pain and sorrow. Ones thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Japan.
The report by Mr.Yang told of how the United States is economically impacted by the disaster in Japan in terms of auto sales, parts for cars and also appliances like microwaves and stoves. Some production plants of cars having to be shutdown due to inability to get parts for the cars. Everything is interlinked in the economy annd this disaster is having a major effect all over the world.
The report by Mr.Maceda from Libya told of how Gadhafi has retaken many of the cities once held by rebel forces and is gaining ground towards Benghazi. A strong comeback by Gadhafi who was losing much power in much of the Western part of the country. Seeing the Gadhafi forces revelling in their triumphs of retaking many cities it shows how determined they are to help keep Gadhafi in power. The United Nations Security Council voting for the No-Fly Zone over Libya may or may not have any affect on Gadhafi gaining or losing power. How long will it take is a big question.
The report by Ian Williams from the US military base on Northern Japan told of how this base will be a key post in helping bring relief supplies to the many people in the devastated areas of Japan. So many obstacles between the earthquake, tsunami, the nuclear radiation and then the weather condition being very cold. One hopes the base will be able to get supplies to the people as soon as possible.
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Be Well Everyone!
Happy St.Patrick's Day!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
Take Extra Good Care NBC Team in Japan!
Lisa
Thank you Brian, for sharing your world with us in this blog.
It does seem, that after a week of immersion in our world's tragedies, a sense of dread was creeping into my cheerful demeanor. Today, I took a long walk in sunny Colorado and came back thinking I'm a victim of a limited perspective - what has been.
If I let go of how it used to be, there is another way to view this unfolding story. In regards to the nuclear threat, humankind can be flexible and creative in crisis, and take this opportunity for scientists to discover unknown bodies of information.
The myriad of humanitarian concerns that have kept me up at night wanting to "do something" has been eased by an opening of my heart completely, continuously, effortlessly to those in need to help shoulder the load they carry. That is a connection I haven't known before.
So, tomorrow, I'll jump out of bed at dawn filled with hope. I wish the same for you. Connie