Brian: The eulogies that were offered for Betty Ford today were striking. She will finally be laid to rest with her boyfriend, President Ford. She will be remembered throughout the ages as a great humanitarian, as well as a most humble lady.

The Southland is having what could be the worst drought in history. The peculiar weather patterns are a persisting series of events. I'm interested to know what's going on scientifically. Perhaps your weather people can summarize the reasons, and why these patterns are taking place at an expedient rate. I'll catch you on tonight's broadcast.-

Brian: Mrs. Ford's humanity should influence us all, a remarkable woman and First Lady. Great coverage

of the Ford Plant in Louisville; a previous neighbor of our's was a supervisor at Ford, and no doubt he

appreciated NBC covering the story, which was excellent. Another purple tie week. Good . Is it the symbol

of the New Journalism? Phyllis

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening. Wonderful words by Richard Norton Smith about Betty Ford. She is now laid to rest with her boyfriend President Ford. A truly great lady who helped so many people. She had such courage, dignity and a wonderful humanitarian. The piece at the end of the broadcast hearing her words and seeing her speak was extremely moving and showed what a fine person she was in life. A truly remarkable lady.

Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Kristen Welker about the President having meetings with Congressional leaders concerning the deal to keep the nation from going into default. The deadline of August 2nd is looming and the parties need to come to an agreement ASAP. Even though meetings are not scheduled for tomorrow, hopefully they will have some sort of discussions over the weekend to make sure this default does not happen.

The report by Mr.Costello told of the extreme threat to the economic recovery if the parties do not come to an agreement. The shock to the financial world not only in this country, but around the world. Hearing all the things being affected if this default happens was extremely disturbing. One hopes it will not occur.

The report by Mr.Truong about the severe drought in Texas and thorought the South showed how crops are being devastated by this extreme drought. Seeing the dried cornfields, wheat crops and other crops for cattle food was hearbreaking. The farmers in all these States are hurting so badly and it will take years for a full recovery. The low levels of lakes in Florida effecting the drinking water supply is awful. Rain is needed ASAP all over these States.

Good to hear of all the Emmy Nominations for people on NBC shows!

The report by Mr.Potter from Louisville, Kentucky about the Ford Plant reopening and having 1800 new jobs is truly showing how people are flocking to apply for any job openings. Seeing all of them lining up to fill out the job applications told of how desperate these economic times. One hopes out of all the 17,000 that applied there will be some good news for many to be hired. One hopes everyone will be able to find a job.

Wonderful tribute ot Betty Ford on the broadcast. Hearing her son Steven Ford give the eulogy was so moving. And hearing and seeing her speak in the tribute was so heartwarming.

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

Mr. Williams,

Thank you very much, and also your staff, for the diligent and heartwarming reporting of Mrs. Fords passing over the past several days. Also, your presence, along with Ms. Mitchell's, at St. Margaret's in Palm Desert, was also very much appreciated by all of us here, in the desert. We have all lost a great person, god speed Betty.

Bruce Jones

Hi Brian,

Well it was quite the trip you took to Mrs. Ford's service in Palm Springs and excellent reporting from there. It does amaze me too, that you aren't flown in on a private jet and yet I believe that you might object to that. I believe that you like the little adventures and experiences that these trips provide you with. You Brian are "keeping it real".

I have returned from my trip to Nova Scotia where my daughter was highland dancing and being a prairie girl myself, could not believe the beauty of the Nova Scotia landscape. Every morning we would get in that rented Ford Escape and truly "escape" into that heavily forested hilly rural Nova Scotia countryside and head to Antigonish where the highland games were being held. Holidays are wonderful things!

Upon our return, we had 5 Nightly News broadcasts to watch on the PVR. The one thing that caught my attention was your story about cursive being dropped from school curriculum in some states and how it may soon go the way of the typewriter. For several years now I have only taught Grade1 (first Grade to you:) and I am teaching only upper and lower case in printing. When I have taught a split class of 1 and 2's the 2's, around Christmas time, are always so keen to state handwriting. I have noticed that the younger teachers are not teaching it..... only those of us over 50 that seem to appreciate it's value. Can signatures be done in printing now because if proper letter formation is not taught, as it was in my daughter's case, how can people sign anything? I had to give my daughter a crash course in handwriting so she could sign her debit card and passport. Well at least sign in letter perfect upper and lower case. Well just my thoughts....was I really passionate about that :)

One night you were talking about the new light bulbs which I don't mind I suppose except that one is now stuck in my favorite lamp and we can not free it from the socket....it is "glued in there" my husband reports. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience?

I have never questioned your topics or news stories that you chose. You know that I am one of your biggest, longtime supporter from Canada....at least on this blog but wondered why the death of the little boy from New York City was never mentioned. As a parent, it is every parent's worse nightmare. I first saw it in the "WHAT WE'RE FOLLOWING" on the blog but never saw it reported on the broadcast. It may be a local New York story but makes parents everywhere be more cautious. It is a truly frightening story, a gruesome and tragic story....a little boy lost on his way home from summer camp, who asks the wrong person for help. In my opinion it does bear mentioning.

Well the day promises to be very warm....here in Winnipeg too! Have a wonderful weekend...off to the Jersey Shore? We bought a little Coleman cooler on wheels last night, which my husband said would be great for the Jersey Shore...Ortley Beach he mentioned...well maybe someday he will make it back there. For now, he will have to make do with Grand Beach Manitoba!

It amazes me too that Brian Williams did not take a corporate jet but I am thinking he leads by example.

It is not my intent to tarnish the memory of Mrs. Ford or to be impious, but in reading your Blog,

Brian, and that she wanted to be with her boyfriend, I am reminded of the spare novel "Before

Women Had Wings" in which Bird fancies Jesus as her 'boyfriend" but later is jilted by him, or so she

thinks, and takes Prince of Peace to Highway 41 and ................picks up a hitchhiker, if I recall

correctly, and ends up in Texas or Mexico, stuck in traffic. Phyllis "The" Prince of Peace

Perfect for her age period, Brian:o) Phyllis