From Brian's Oct. 5 Daily Nightly blog: "My wife and I had a weekend that resembled a MasterCard commercial." Nice plug for MasterCard, Brian. I wonder how much he charges to plug a product in his blog? Or is he just being a good NBC employee by rewarding a regular sponsor with a favorable mention?
Also from Brian's Oct. 5 blog: "Forgive me the short post, but I'm trying to focus my meager concentration on the broadcast tonight. We hope you can join us." Brian should have said, "...I'm trying to focus my concentration on the meager broadcast tonight." It would have made more sense that way.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Trying
Congratulations, Nightly News! On the Oct. 4 broadcast, they correctly identified Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On the Sept. 11 broadcast, her name was misspelled as "Dr. Ann Schuchet". At least someone at Nightly News seems to be trying.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Breaking News: Grilled Cheese
Thank you Brian Williams and Nightly News for Friday's "Making A Difference" segment about Betty Tucker, who works the overnight shift in the kitchen of Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital. Meanwhile, Nightly News has not even mentioned last Sunday's national election in Germany, but at least we know all about Betty Tucker's grilled cheese. Great job, guys. Keep up the good work.
Strictly Minor League
On Tuesday's Nightly News, Brian Williams sardonically noted that during the previous night's Yankee game, manager Joe Girardi rested some veteran players, and thus had benched $644 million worth of talent. Although Brian likes to pretend he's one of the regular folk, his eight-figure salary is more than three times the major league average and puts him close to the lofty salary level of A-Rod and Jeter. Brian's derisive comment about inflated major league salaries is like a weak pop out to the catcher.
Brother Brian
From Brian Williams's Sept. 30 Daily Nightly blog: "Chicago was this week in the news for a stomach-turning act of violence, and today I link to a thoughtful and edgy and provocative essay on our sister (or brother) website theGrio.com—not everyone will agree with its conclusion, but it will make people think."
What exactly does Brian mean by his use of the word "brother"? Since theGrio.com is a site devoted to the discussion of issues in the African-American community, it would seem that Brian's use of "brother" is intended to mock a word that has a specific meaning to African-Americans. Of course, this insensitivity is nothing new for Brian or Nightly News. On Jan. 26, Brian's Daily Nightly blog was titled "Old Man River At Obama's Inauguration". (The title refers to Capt. Chesley Sullenberger's appearance at the inauguration.) The original lyrics to the song "Old Man River" (also known as "Ol' Man River") were written by Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1927 play "Showboat". Unfortunately, the lyrics were extremely racist, and included multiple uses of the vile "N" word. Hardly an appropriate blog title to commemorate the inauguration of America's first African-American president. And on Sept. 15, a Nightly News story about race in politics identified Rep. Steny Hoyer (who is white) as the House Majority Leader, but identified Rep. James Clyburn (who is African-American) only as a Democrat from South Carolina, despite the fact that Clyburn is the House Majority Whip, the third most powerful position in the House. Why did Nightly News identify the white congressman by his prestigious House leadership position, but did not do the same for the African-American congressman? Clearly, Brian and his producers could use some counseling with regard to the issue of racial sensitivity.
What exactly does Brian mean by his use of the word "brother"? Since theGrio.com is a site devoted to the discussion of issues in the African-American community, it would seem that Brian's use of "brother" is intended to mock a word that has a specific meaning to African-Americans. Of course, this insensitivity is nothing new for Brian or Nightly News. On Jan. 26, Brian's Daily Nightly blog was titled "Old Man River At Obama's Inauguration". (The title refers to Capt. Chesley Sullenberger's appearance at the inauguration.) The original lyrics to the song "Old Man River" (also known as "Ol' Man River") were written by Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1927 play "Showboat". Unfortunately, the lyrics were extremely racist, and included multiple uses of the vile "N" word. Hardly an appropriate blog title to commemorate the inauguration of America's first African-American president. And on Sept. 15, a Nightly News story about race in politics identified Rep. Steny Hoyer (who is white) as the House Majority Leader, but identified Rep. James Clyburn (who is African-American) only as a Democrat from South Carolina, despite the fact that Clyburn is the House Majority Whip, the third most powerful position in the House. Why did Nightly News identify the white congressman by his prestigious House leadership position, but did not do the same for the African-American congressman? Clearly, Brian and his producers could use some counseling with regard to the issue of racial sensitivity.
Mary Had A Little Beef (With NBC)
In 1972, Paul McCartney & Wings released a song called "Give Ireland Back To The Irish". Because of the political nature of the song, the BBC promptly banned it from their airwaves. As a protest, McCartney then released a version of "Mary Had A Little Lamb", which was also banned by the BBC. The moderators of NBC's Daily Nightly blog have refused to print my last 8 comments, going back to mid-September. Many of my other comments to their blog over the past year have also been banned, although my comments have never violated any of the blog's posted rules. In the spirit of Paul McCartney, I submitted "Mary Had A Little Lamb" to the Daily Nightly. I wonder if they will print it.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Brian's Exciting Day
From Brian Williams's Oct. 1 Daily Nightly blog: "Arriving at LaGuardia to take the Shuttle to Washington today (where I interviewed Gen. David Petraeus, the 4-star head of U.S. Central Command), I considered it a good luck charm when I caught a glimpse of 'Sully' at the USAirways terminal -- he was there for the media event preceeding his flight today to North Carolina."
Brian saw Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and Gen. David Petraeus on the same day? He must have peed himself from all the excitement. So to whom did Brian act more fawningly obsequious--Sully or Petraeus? By the way, His Exalted Anchorness misspelled "preceding" in his blog entry. I guess someone of his stature can't be bothered to spellcheck.
Brian saw Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and Gen. David Petraeus on the same day? He must have peed himself from all the excitement. So to whom did Brian act more fawningly obsequious--Sully or Petraeus? By the way, His Exalted Anchorness misspelled "preceding" in his blog entry. I guess someone of his stature can't be bothered to spellcheck.
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