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July 3, 2009 8:15 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Fourth of July

Posted by Katie Couric
It's almost un-American, but in towns and cities from coast to coast this Fourth of July is coming in with more of a whimper than a bang.

There are no crackling fireworks in the skies...and no marching bands playing Sousa.

The economy is raining unfortunately on those parades.

Bismark, Missouri canceled the annual Freedom Fest. The town can't afford the 10-thousand-dollar price tag for the party. Moline, Illinois canceled its Summerfest, as well.

In places where the show will go on, the rocket's red glare may be less colorful, the finale less spectacular. Instead of a professional band, some communities will have students entertain for free. Others are organizing art shows, historical re-enactments or poetry contests.

It stinks to miss out on the fireworks, but the holiday is about celebrating the freedom we all have in this great country. And no one can extinguish that flame.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

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July 3, 2009 4:42 PM

This Fourth of July, Thank Teddy Roosevelt

Posted by Jeff Glor
It’s impossible to examine the life of Theodore Roosevelt and not feel a certain degree of envy. The man was so prodigious in his pursuits and accomplishments it humbles everyone who comes close.

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July 2, 2009 6:23 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Energy

Posted by Katie Couric

Conversations about energy in this country are a lot like Groundhog Day. Lawmakers agree that climate change is a problem, vow to do something about it, and then argue about taxes and jobs and nothing really gets done.

The energy bill that squeaked through the House last week now faces the Senate and an uncertain fate. It may not be perfect. The cap and trade plan is as hard to follow as an episode of "Lost", and it will likely mean we'll all pay more for utilities.

But the bottom line is that it forces us to take the first steps toward ending our dependence on coal and oil and to begin to develop new and cleaner ways to keep this nation running.

Yes, smoke billowing from a factory means people are hard at work inside and industrial communities do need the assurance that a green nation won't put them in the red.

Change can be scary, but the consequence of doing nothing is even scarier. At some point we must focus on the future, even if that means some growing pains along the way.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

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July 2, 2009 1:01 PM

Off to the "Lawnmower" Races

Posted by CBSNews.com
The most striking thing about the race is how loud it is. Ear-splitting, popping engines pull up to the starting line, and you have to yell to be heard above the din. The men, seated on their sputtering vehicles, are outfitted in helmets and boots and in some cases, knee pads and neck braces. This is a small town - about 200 residents - and close to 25 percent of the town will be racing today. Everyone knows everyone, if they're not blood relatives.

The race starts and they circle the baseball diamond on a dirt track, going 50, 60 miles per hour, and the air becomes cloudy with dust. Now your eyes hurt and your ears ring but you can't stop laughing, because the sight of 50 grown men folded into their John Deere lawnmowers and hurtling themselves at top speed through the park is something you've never seen before.
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July 1, 2009 8:18 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Walkman

Posted by Katie Couric
When the Sony Walkman was first introduced on this day in 1979, its creators were skeptical that it would generate revenue.

What it did was start a revolution.

For 30 years, everyone from grade schoolers to grandmas have been strutting their stuff on the streets - with a personal soundtrack accompanying their every move.

Since it debuted, Sony has sold 385,000,000 units - but the tune has changed in recent years. The iPod and its signature white earbuds have made the Walkman a bit of a relic like an eight track.

Still, those of us old enough to remember the first time you could jog and listen to your favorite songs - maybe on that mixed tape your boyfriend gave you – well, we won't forget the Walkman.

In fact, since 1986 the word "walkman" has been in the Oxford English Dictionary. For many people it's the Kleenex of personal and portable audio devices.

Then again, I still call CD's - records.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

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July 1, 2009 4:59 PM

Observations from the Field

Posted by Ben Tracy
(CBS/ AP)
For the past 7 days now, I have done nothing but cover the death of Michael Jackson and sleep (at least 4 hours each night). While I was always a fan of his music, especially the amazing hits from the 80's, I never closely followed the surreal saga that was his life off stage. However, I find the drama that has played out over the past week to be incredibly compelling. Some of it is tabloid for sure, but it is also a great human drama and tragedy. The other thing that has amazed me is how much of the "news" about Jackson is being driven by the celebrity web site TMZ. They generally traffic in all things celebrity and it’s far from what many would consider reputable journalism. However, TMZ broke the news of Jackson’s death and has basically been one step ahead of EVERY news organization since. Some are calling Jackson’s death the event that will "legitimize" TMZ. That remains to be seen, but right now they are out front.

Some thoughts on Diana Ross and Debbie Rowe:

When Michael Jackson's will was released today, there were two bombshells. First, he asked that his mother be given custody of his children. However, if she wasn't able to care for them, he wanted them to go to Diana Ross. Jackson's biographer, Randy Taraborelli, says the two were extremely close. In fact, when a young Michael Jackson first lived in Los Angeles, he lived with Ross at her mansion and she became a surrogate mother. He was able to see how she raised her kids and apparently decided she did a pretty good job. The two also memorably starred in the 1978 musical "The Wiz." However, Jackson’s biographer says the two have not been in contact in recent years. That Jackson distanced himself from almost everyone after his molestation trial in 2005. Taraborelli does say that he thinks Ross will be delighted that Jackson thought of her in this way.

As for Debbie Rowe, Jackson's former wife who gave both to two of his children, she was specifically cut out of the will. When Jackson signed his will in 2002, he and Rowe had split and were at odds over custody and visitation rights for the children. In 2005, Rowe was called as a prosecution witness in Jackson's molestation trial. However, many believe her testimony is what led to Michael Jackson's acquittal. Shortly thereafter, the two reached an agreement whereby she gave up her parental rights for a reported multi-million dollar settlement.

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June 30, 2009 7:28 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Iraq

Posted by Katie Couric
Iraqis greeted the final withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from their cities as if it were New Year's Eve - with a countdown clock, fireworks and dancing in the streets. Today was even declared a national holiday.

Their reaction reflects a long-held ambivalence toward American troops in their country. Rather than being hailed as liberators, as Vice President Cheney once predicted, we were often scorned as occupiers.

Yet our presence helped achieve major results - the overthrow of a brutal dictator and the establishment of a fledgling democracy.

And while the celebrations are understandable, they may be premature. As the U.S. military closes outposts, violence is increasing - with more than 250 people killed in the past week alone.

I visited Iraq in 2007 and was struck by the courage of the US troops and Iraqi people I met. I hope the future brings more joy to that country, not just because U.S. troops are leaving, but because of the enormous strides the Iraqi people themselves have made.

That's a page from my notebook.

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June 29, 2009 6:33 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Madoff

Posted by Katie Couric
"I would like somebody in court today to tell me how long is my sentence."

That line was spoken in a crowded Manhattan courtroom, not by Bernie Madoff, but by one of his victims.

Six months after his Ponzi scheme and their worlds collapsed - it was judgment day.

Some people applauded when Judge Denny Chin handed down a 150 year sentence for the biggest financial fraud this nation has ever seen.

Ruth Madoff meanwhile broke her silence today, saying she's embarrassed and ashamed by her husband's actions. What she is no, however, is penniless. A court order allowed her to keep more than two million dollars.

In the end, it seems there are many types of prisons. Ruth Madoff walks freely, but alone. Her husband's life will end behind bars. And thousands of his victims are trying to rebuild the savings and dreams they placed in his hands. They're also serving time for someone else's crime.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.


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June 29, 2009 4:03 PM

CBS News Wins Murrow Awards

Posted by CBSNews.com
"CBS Evening News With Katie Couric" Chosen Best Newscast for Second Straight Year
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June 26, 2009 5:27 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Michael Jackson

Posted by Katie Couric

The world was rocked by the news of Michael Jackson's sudden death yesterday. Perhaps because in this celebrity-obsessed world his unparalleled fame was matched by his enigmatic personality.

The boy who had a stage presence well beyond his years turned into a man who was strangely childlike. Who really knows what shaped him into the person he became? An abusive father? Fame that was much too much for his fragile sense of self?

His numerous plastic surgeries, spending sprees and allegations of child molestation transformed him into a freakish caricature. But we can all celebrate his irresistible music and extraordinary dance moves - the songs that for so many of us are touchstones for our lives.

As we mark his passing we can think of Michael Jackson in many ways. I prefer to remember him as a huge talent whose music still makes me smile and think and remember. Not the man in the mirror who could never completely change his ways.

That's a page from my notebook.

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