Comment by hpt on Wednesday, Mar 19 at 06:03 AM

I have to echo Michael Treber, Linda Phipps, and Samiam. This is one big reason I don't watch this show as much as I like to: I would like to hear what the guest has to say, but the host interrupts too often. The other reason is that the host sometimes is slow in understanding a guest's point and wastes time asking a bunch of additional questions in order that he understands. This disrupts the flow and sometimes prevents the guest from expressing addtional thoughts. The Newshour interviews are the best. Unfortunately, this show somehow is able to find some good guests, and I have to endure the host in order to watch these guests.

Comment by Mike Trebert on Tuesday, Mar 18 at 10:21 AM

I agree with Linda Phipps and Samiam - Charlie, stop interrupting! Great show. I watched while living in the States and now watch frequently via your wonderful website. But you very often drive me nuts when you talk over your guests. I bet it annoys the hell out of them too.

Comment by Samiam on Monday, Mar 17 at 03:42 PM

Thank you Linda Phipps for telling it like it is. For years I have thought that Charlie interviews himself for the most part. The guests function as patsies and strawmen. It's almost pointless to watch the show. It's simply bad manners to talk over people and constantly interrupt them. It's absolutely selfish. I know because I too am guilty of it, but at least I realize it in myself and try to stop it. Also, I am not on television at a critically historical time interviewing the people who are supposed to know what is going on in the world and can speak for themselves. They're halfway thru an answer when he's off to the next point or tangent or question that suddenly occurs to him! We're all the poorer for it. Please Charlie, step aside and let the guests speak. Let them explain. Both us and they will do all right without you constantly interpreting and interrupting what they say. That is why we watch--to hear intelligent conversation. Jim Lehrer only interprets if something needs interpreting. In order to deal with this constant aggravation (poor Gabriel Byrne, he looked close to throttling you)I over drink martinis and can barely stand to watch your otherwise good idea for a show. There's just a balance to be struck and the show is way off-balance.

Comment by Lau Pan on Sunday, Mar 16 at 04:36 AM

Mr. Nolan's off-handed suggestion that salary and expertise go together is the significant problem we currently have with both government and business leaders. How many times have we seen people in a position who are in way over their heads and paid way more than they deserve, too often I am afraid. It is a weakness in our system that has worsened over the years. The financial crises we are in now is largely because there were too few competent people willing (or were not heard over the roar of making money) to point out the pending crises. Too many greedy managers who pulled the wool over their supervisors and auditors eyes who were willingly duped made off with the goods. Both taking the big pay checks and bonuses. There were many dollars made over these crises, many promotions given and many investors and consumers who will suffer the pain. The worse is the Middle East and other players in the oil supply game who are now reaping huge profits. The two economic and financial blows are a delight to the terrorists who wish to see us harm and a end to the financial and economic success of America. One wonders how much influence there is from the terrorist groups in the oil price increase and the timing. When one looks at the statements made where Dubai International plans to raise its assets under management to $25 billion to $30 billion in the next three years, from $13 billion now, where do we think this money is coming from? SWF; sovereign wealth funds, funds set up by oil producing countries, investment funds run by foreign governments, which is creating new levels of political structure, possible intrigue as well as possible threats. We are seeing a better educated, hungrier competitor to compete with that now has increasing financial clout and a better understanding of how to play in the â??International League.â?? . Investors from the oil rich Gulf Arab nations are now to diversifying away from the U.S. Dollar, movement to the Euro and Asia currencies, investing windfall oil revenue, to ride the increased importance of China and India growing economies. The DBFCA, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, are advocating a move away from a dollar peg currency and shift foreign exchange reserves away from dollar to other currencies. Investors are investing more in real estate, infrastructure development, communication, and banking rather than US stocks and bonds after learning the lessons of investing in The US recently. As our economy goes further into debt, with the housing market losses, the financial woes, the cost of the war and the rising cost of oil, the transfer of our wealth to the Middle East, other oil producing countries they will become wealthier. As the dollar continues to depreciate we the consumer will feel the loss our life style, security and of wealth. What has caused this to happen, our lack of patriotism, poor leadership from business and political leaders, not holding these peopleâ??s feet to the fire when discovered for their wrong doings, personal greed and not keeping a diligent watch. It is our game to lose and the quicker most Americans realize this; the better chance we have keeping our country strong for future generations.

Comment by fccm on Saturday, Mar 15 at 10:34 PM

I see. So our government is bailing out a PRIVATE Wall Street â??investmentâ?? brokerage. Wall Street, according to Milton Friedman and those like Martin Feldstein, Grover Norquist, David Stockman, Alan Greenspan, et al, claim that PRIVATE industry knows better than everyone, especially the government. The same government, according to Ronnie "Iran Contra" Reagan, that â??is the problem.â?? So, the people that â??know better,â?? the ones that get golden parachutes even after they screw things massively up, got what they wanted with a GOP controlled Congress they bought and repealed the Glass-Steagall Act. Yet this Bush régime goes against the law â??theyâ?? wantedâ??the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. This â??free marketâ?? advocating executive branch gives corporate WELFARE to Wall Street that by their own law is not supposed to get GOVERNMENT taxpayer monies, borrowed monies with interest, for their own self-inflicted failures. This really is voodoo economics.

Comment by Linda Phipps on Saturday, Mar 15 at 01:13 PM

Charlie, I am a devoted fan for many years. However, I wish you would stop overtalking and interrupting your guests as it is annoying and interferes with my ability to hear what is being said. I think, with all respect, that you are especially prone to over talk your political guests. A prime example was with Al Hunt Friday night. I turned your show off due to the frustration of not being able to understand Mr. Hunt or you. You interrupted him numerous times and both of you continued to talk at the same time. This happens too often in my opinion. Listen to the tape. Otherwise, great and informative program. L. Phipps

Comment by Mark S. on Saturday, Mar 15 at 01:24 AM

Charlie, There are two questions I wish you had asked. One is, how is Carlyle Capital Groups implosion going to affect the already shaky bond insurers? Or will it. And I would also like to know just exactly what planet all these investment bankers have been on for the last couple of years. This train wreck has been a long time coming. Before this all got started there was months and months and months of story after story in print and on tv about no-doc mortgages, frenzied speculation, and outright fraud. If I had a nickel for every time the Holland tulp bulb mania was referenced I could have bought me one of those 1.5 mill 2bd 1ba starter homes.I would think you would be paying attention. Especially when you're leveraged 30 to 1 on this underlying security. I have nothing but contempt for them, and I think heads should roll. As to the economy as a whole, I think a perfect storm is gathering. There was FIFTEEN pages of mortgage forclosure notices and three single columns of employement ads in The Washington Post classified section today. Forget about gas and food. But not to worry, Floyd casually assures us, the very same smart people who ran us onto the rocks in the first place are now working on the solution. Great.