intrigued viewer, I just watched the story on the case of the boy found guilty in the skiing incident. To me this was unfair judgement on the part of the jury. I feel based on the information presented it was an inaccurate judgement because the case had many shadows of doubt. I am in no way condoning his actions, but to destroy one life for the accidental loss of another is unfair and unjust. I got the impression that the jurors used their own personal experiences of skiing, which is wrong it should be based on just the evidence of the case, to factor in their decision. In my opinion, since he was not on the slopes with the intent to kill or harm anyone it should be classified as the tragic accident it was and nothing else!!!

1/30/01 - ATTENTION ALL AMERICAN PARENTS NOT ONLY SHOULD YOU SAVE FOR COLLEGE BUT PUT AWAY MONEY FOR A POSSIBLE ATTORNEY FOR YOUR CHILD!! The story that aired tonight on Dateline NBC was a real eye opener!!! I can't believe that the jury held that "boy" accountable for the death of another man at a popular ski resort. All I have to say is how many "18" year olds "think" before they do something fun, exciting, dangerous, outrageous, ect..... NONE!! He did not go down that ski slop thinking to himself "If I run into someone, I could kill them", no not at all, he went down that slop thinking "This is the greatest feeling, flying down the slop!!!" This goes to show you that we have gone over the edge when it comes to "sueing". He will have to live with that mans death for the rest of his life!!! I am a parent of a four year old and I know that when she becomes old enough to go out with her friends, I will talk until I am blue in the face (just like my mother did) to please be careful, but teens will be teens, THEY WILL BE DARING AT TIMES! I am very sorry that man lost his life, but this boy did not "intentially" mean to cause aN accident. If this is going to be the standard for American teens I hope everyone in America realizes that at any given time your child could be in this same situation, whether you have a good or bad child because all teenagers at one time or another will take a risk!! One last note all you American parents not only should you save for college but save for a possible lawsuit against your child!!!!!

I would just like to comment on their last show that aired on Jan.30th. i thought that the boy was not guilty.

We empathize for the loss of Alan (the skier that was killed); however, we do not agree with Nathan being charged with either Manslaughter or wreckless homicide. There are many other ways that the point of "skiing safely" could be made. For one, if there is a question on how fast is still considered to be safe, then the resorts should then post maximum speed limits on each run and have slow/merge signs where the runs unite from one level (such as "expert" runs merging in to "intermediate"runs, etc.) Plus, then we should look at the resorts selling beer to people that are going to continue skiing just like consuming alcohol and then driving since your judgement will be impaired the same way PLUS you are at higher altitudes when you are skiing in the mountains. Another thing to consider is that although there are many trees seperating each run, if the view was clearer for both Alan and Nathan, then Nathan would have been able to have that many more critical seconds to wipe out by himself in order to avoid crashing in to Alan, or alter his path somehow which would have helped prevent the crash. Again, we empathize with the loss of Alan and the suffering his fiance is going through, but we feel that maybe the ski resort should take some responsiblity as well, not just Nathan, if there is a point to be made in this manner.

i think that the boy going to jail for a skiing accident is terrible. i collided with someone about 7yrs ago as well. it was my fault. the lady and i both went to the hospital. i broke both my legs. i know she did not die (thank the lord)but i shouldn't be paying hospital bills or go to jail if she did!! SKI AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!! accidents happen. and that my friends is life!! if it were intentional maybe but please! accidental no way.ifeel sorry for everyone involved. now not only is one life lost but 2. it is punishment enough to know that you killed someone.

Dateline 01/30/2001 Stupid show! The Jury was WRONG! A bunch of hypocrites! The purpose of the case was to open up more avenues for lawsuits. The 15 minutes it would have taken to present the piece would still have been excessive. The teasers, commercials and the inane comments by Phillips and Pauley were an additional waste of time. The interesting piece, (the bumper comparison) was chopped off to allow all the other fluff. Oh! by the way, I don't know how you did it, but Thanks for limiting Mr. Phillips head bobbing!!!!! It seems to me an In-depth 21 minute piece would have been preferable to a BOOOORRING 42 minutes. And another thing. WHY is this section of the website so hard to find????

skier out of control the jury must have been the same as the one who gave millions to the McDonalds coffee lady! the four jurors interviewed had to remember the last time they hit ice on a slope. let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.

Re: Nathan Hall and the injustice and the misuse of justice in the name of....what happened before the knoll. Can anyone say?

The skier should get a 1 year probation and substance abuse counseling. he is no more guilty of killing this person than Sonny Bono was in killing himself with 15 doses of valium in his system. skiing slopes declare that you ski at your own risk. God bless the victim. it was an accident John Peacock Ind. univ. 1971 Jane and I had radio and TV class togethr

I feel that Dateline does a wonderful Job of investigating. For example, On Jan.29th,they did a feature on Cooper tires. I found that to be very informative. Especially since I had also been in an accident involving Cooper Tires myself,w/my nine year old son. I was very fortunate that my son and I walked away without a scratch! I was told by Cooper that this was a highly unusual accident. And they happily paid for the damages. Little did I know that they had several Lawsuits pending for the exact same problem that had occured w/my tires. I was very fortunate to have taken pictures of the accident and the defected tires. So I was all to happy and amazed when I saw Dateline Story on Cooper Tires. Great Job! Thanks Kimberly

I must comment on the horrible reporting that was done on the realities of adopting through a facilitator in the piece about the twins this week. The reported boldy stated, as if she knew the facts, that couples adopt through a facilitator because there is less scrutiny and because there is usually something wrong with them. Simply stated, that is false. First of all, even if a couple works with a facilitator, they must fulfill state requirements for a homestudy, which includes, being fingerprinted, having a complete physical and health history done, meeting with social workers, having the social workers evaluate them and their homes, answering numerous personal questions and more. They must undergo the same scrutiny as any couple who works with any adoption agency. In addition, the reason it is often quicker, is becuase the couple is open to working with birth mothers in several states, not just the one they live in. Please Dateline, lets get our facts straight, especially in the area of adoption where there is so much not understood. And by the way, birht mothers make adoption plans for their babies, they don't give them away! Adoptive mother in Minnesota

Your continued concern to consumerism is great. The home improvement industry is (unfortunatly) a place where the unsuspecting public is taken advantage. My additions to your story about energy efficentcy are to consider window replacement or window repair. It is estimated that 40 million dollars in energy costs are lost annually through drafty, energy inefficent windows. As with roof insulation, there are good and poor choices. There also is a process to follow to determine if window replacement or repair is the best decision. Also wanted to add that energy savings can be measured by both material and provider certification. The Energy Star program (and seal)is a good way to identify products (any that use or spend energy) and installers that meet the guidelines of Federal government.

I thought the show about Ritalin was very informative. I have been a "Mom Against Ritalin" for years. When my son was in the third grade his teachers would have had him medicated in a minute, because he acted like a child and was not perfect all the time. I did extensive research on Ritalin and alternatives to Ritalin, such as the affect of sugar, sugar substitutes,red dyes, even weines and how children behave after consuming these things. One can of coke has the equivalency of 9 1/2 teaspoons of sugar, so when we have a quick Big Gulp thats quite a bit of sugar. Many people are asking what they did years ago without Ritalin, they didn't eat and drink the garbage that we do now. And so many more people don't ask why at all, just take the kid to the Dr. because they don't act "just right" and put them on medication. I think it is absolutely criminal to prescribe Ritalin to kids/babies beginning at 4 years of age. So DAH, now the Jr. High, High School and College Students have found a way to abuse this extremely dangerous drug that school nurses have doling out in elementary schools at lunchtime as instructed by the parents because Mrs. Jones says little Joe won't sit still in class. Maybe if little Joe hadn't had two heaping bowls of fruit loops he wouldn't be climbling the walls and would be a little more attentive. Parents need find out why children are behaving the way they are, lets look into their eating and drinking habits NOT MEDICATE THEM. I shudder to think about the numerous lives that are being affected now and in years to come all because some people would prefer to give a child meth than a hug. It doesn't take that much effort to pay attention to what our children are consuming and make a few changes to their diet, it might save alot of trouble and heart ache. We only thought there was a drug problem among youth in America, now they're abusing something which never should have been made so available. Ritalin is so absurdly over-prescribed today it makes me ill. Incidentally my son is now 12, has outgrown his ADD/ADHD tendencies and has NEVER EVER had a Ritalin pill in his life because his mother decided to eliminate sugar and anything else in his diet that had an adverse affect on my baby, which included never putting him on medication. THERE ARE SAFE ALTERNATIVES TO RITALIN.

1/16/01 I am outraged by police officers who use their jobs to commit crimes against the public. Typically, there is what is refered to as the black cutain and it refers to police officers protecting their own even when it involves criminal acts that police officers commit against the public. I feel that police officers are given power over public citicizens and when that power is used to comitt criminal acts, the police officers involved should be put in jail and the penalty should be stiffer because they were sworn to uphold the law.

Thank you for the information provided about abuse of Ritalin. Two years ago, we lost a malpractice lawsuit against 2 doctors who grossly over-prescribed Ritalin for 4 years for our son. At the age of 16, he suffered a psychotic break and is now permanently disabled, diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. Although drug-induced psychosis is a well-known result of use of amphetamines, NO ONE seems to realize Ritalin is that same family of drugs, and can cause the same side effects and harm. At the time of our lawsuit, very little research about long term use and over-prescription of Ritalin had been done by the medical community. Ritalin can be a great help when prescribed and used properly, but when over-prescribed (40 mg 4 times daily) can cause irreparable harm.

Message to Dateline and Dateline viewers re: Laura Doyle's "surrender" approach to being a wife and having a successful, intimate marriage: Dear Dateline, This is a profound discovery Laura has made. Someone said it earlier, however (no surprise), and I find his explanation a useful context, that is, Power sourcing power. The wife feeds power to the husband by making him right, acknowledging him, supporting his leadership. And because he is empowered by her, he feels led to do what is needed to keep that power source alive and well. He becomes power, sourcing power, acknowledging her, honoring her, supporting her source-ship. The person who taught this way of creating a successful relationship back in the early '80's is Werner Erhard. Thank you, Werner!

I had just watched the show with the mother sentenced to prison for abusing her quadruplets and I had noticed that the picture of one the in-fants had two lines down its back and multiple fractures on its ribs near the sternum. Couldn't this be caused by the down syndrome 6 yr old trying to pull the baby towards the bars on the crib or trying to pull the baby through the crib bars to hold it, this was something not brought up,can someone help spread this info to someone who can help bring this info out. CONCERNED.

I recently watched the jan. 09, 2000 show on the parents and family that abused the quintuplets. It really tore me apart. I just lost a newborn to medical problems that started in the womb. It makes me sick to my stomach when I here stories of abuse to a helpless child. That is a blessing not something to take for granted. I only wish I had my son to take care of and hold. You did a great job on the story, to bad we have to hear such tragedies.

I was astounded at how poorly Dr. Arnot's report on Dr. Gooberman was.(RAPID DETOX.PROGRAM) So many questions and data were left unanswered or not asked that this show seemed to put, what seems to be an egotistical and dangerous physician, on a very high pedistal. What were Mr. Gooberman's credentials when he expressed, "I am BETTER than an anesthesiologist!" Why was it not explained that his death rate of 7 in some 2600 patients WAS VERY HIGH in relation to ALL medical procedures under anesthesia? (1 in 300,000 to 500,000) Should a recovering Fentynal or amphedamine addict be using his own personal recovery to lure patients into his procedure? This does not seem like a doctor who is in good recovery. What do other recovering physicians think of this man? Isn't withdrawal PART of hitting the all important "bottom"???? Why was this never mentioned. I am so sick of NBC doing really sensational, yet featherweight, medical reporting....this is irresponsible! Gooberman could not have put together a better deal with as network using an agent.

I was watched your 12-11 Dateline segment on broadtail furs. How ironic to have so much concern and attention over an aborted lamb. What does that tell you about your own values. Has Dateline ever express even the slightest concern over human abortion. Oh, how for we have come as a society. Or should I say, regressed. Please read this on your next feedback segment. Or do you dare??? Celery

I make reference to the Dateline show, televised in the North West of southern Oregon on 11 Dec 2000 at 9 PM pacific time. The amount of cemmercial time versus actual programing seems to have reached the rediculus. Five minute of cemmercials and five minutes of programing. It is therefore quite understandible that during such lengthy commercials, one need to be continuously reminded of the subject coming next and how exciting and interseting it will be. Well having waited through the over 5 minutes of extended commercial time, I now received the report on airline ticket with great dissapointment - nothing new or revealing was presented. The only message was that if you did not book early this year, there may still be time to see your travel agent and that the internet may not always be your best deal. I am so thrilled that I was enticed to await such poor journalism and negative commercial presentation. My respect for NBC and its new programming has reached an alltime low.

i'm commenting on a story about broadtail fur run on 12/11/00. The newscasters talk about how baby lambs are killed as soon as 30 days before birth or 3 days after birth in order to make coats valued from $5,000 to $25,000. The younger the fur the larger it's worth. It's obvious that the bias on this subject is pointed against the fur market. It's okay to abort an "unviable tissue mass" that will someday be a child, so that the parents do not have to deal with the responsibility of their actions, however it is not okay to kill a baby lamb to make a coat? I don't understand the morality of today's society? Please help me draw the line. Shame on you dateiline. What about your morality? People are influenced by your broadcasts, maybe you should think before you propogandize.

ON THIS FUR THING.ITS OBVIOUS THE HEAD CHEESE THERE IS ANT-FUR OR LOVES ANIMALS MORE THAN PEOPLE.ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED EVERYDAY TO EAT.RAISING ANIMALS FOR FUR IS JUST LIKE HAVING A CATTLE FARM.THE FUR ANIMALS WOULDNT EXIST AT ALL UNLESS THEY WERE GOING TO BE USED FOR CLOTHING.CHICKENS ARE NO DIFFERENT.AGAIN DATELINE YOUR USING YOUR SHOW FOR THE SAKE OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY.WHAT A TERRIBLE SHOW ON YOUR PART.

I would like to comment on the story that aired on 12/5/00 regarding the adoptive parents who wished to relinquish their rights as parents. It was clear that they were given adequate information about the child previous to adoption, and the judge even gave them additional time to do some research about raising a "special needs" child. Once they decided to adopt, they made a decision to become the PARENTS of that child-- for better or worse. It looks as though they enjoyed the idea of being "saviours" for all of the hard to place children; however, when the going got really tough, they no longer wanted to be the "heroes" in the situation. I also find it hard to believe that a two parent family, with the father earning 75,000 dollars a year cannot afford to pay 500.00 a month in child support. Give me a break. What do these people think that being a parent is about? They made a decision and they need to deal with the consequences of that decision. I also believe that they are bringing a lot of negative publicity and possible fear into the community regarding special needs kids and the foster care system. I worry that other kids might have a hard time being placed because possible adoptive parents are scared off by a bizarre tale such as the one aired on Dateline. Those parents just need to pay the 500- a month. Carrie, Oregon (adopted foster child, 1974)

Perhaps I have it all wrong It seems Reporters are more political that those actually running for office. I want to hear the news then decide for myself what I believe. It is disturbing when someone hired to report the news tells me how I feel about it. I am patient and would wait indefinitely for a recount. WHY RUSH THINGS?

Hell-ooo Florida voters...anybody home down there? From now on we will use the kindergarten method of voting...blue crayon for Bush, red crayon for Gore, green for Nader & yellow for Buchanan. Let's see now children, next time we will get it right. Class dismissed!!!

What a wasted piece of film on the Darrel Strawberry story. Another millonaire sports baby crying about the woes of life...Oh Boo Hoo Hoo! Let's all have a good cry. I'm sick of hearing about these premadonas that can't deal with LIFE. Hey lay some sheet rock for a while, brick a house or better yet join the foreign legion. Get a Grip...Get a life... Come on dateline this is the same old Krap all the media tries to shove in our face toooo much!

I just finished watching your program about the Almost Perfect Murder. I believe the subject could cause more murders of that kind. My sister was murdered 5 yrs. ago by a method that was the only one of its kind in the United States. My brother-in-law came very close to getting by with it. It took two years of investigation and still not really sure how the verdict would come out in court. Thank God he decided to plea bargain. I wanted the death penalty. He kept her sick for eight months before he finally did her in. It would have made a great story, but I wouldn't want to give anyone else the knowledge how to it. I do enjoy your program, but I guess this one show was digging up some past.

I just watched a meanningless report on Hollywood and kids. There were no informations other than a couple of opinions and a couple of memos. The connection established between the report and the elections was quite unclear to me unless it was meant to accuse the democrats for being too close to the movie industry. The idea that the rating system is manipulative because kids love movies rated "R" is deceptive: Does Hollywood have to try to have more "PG" movies so that 15 year old kids don't go to the movies? Please! A final question: Has NBC already decided that Bush Jr will win the elections and so you are trying to support the winner? Best,

I am not a proponent of the media. I am conservative. I usually do not agree with the media's portrayal of criminals as victims and cops and assailants. But I embraced your program on movie ratings that aired October 31. I found Jack Valleti's approval of 'R' trailers being shown during 'G' rated movies offensive. I took my two year old to see a 'G' rated movie and he saw 'R' rated trailers. Jack Valleti should have to answer for that.

10/30/00 show on pediatric dentist is completely subjective. Dateline staff has no idea how difficult treating children's dental diseases is. Pediatric dentists treat the worst of the worst children which no other dentist wants to treat. Pleases acknowledge that and stop making the guy look like a common criminal.

Tonites' story content was OK - HOWEVER - it was a half hour story - stretched to an hour by interminable commercials! ! ! I won't be tuning in again....

This use to be a great show. But now that it is everyday they just don't have enough good material so they use a lot of stuff nobody cares about. Go back to 1 or 2 days a week and give us substance.

Too many shows are "dumbed down" and rather insutling to the intelligence.

I watch Dateline nightly. I like the format of the show and I like the Dateline timeline. The Dateline survivors episodes are especially interesting and informative.

Still lacks credibility.

I've watched Dateline NBC every night for the past three years and usually it's the only time I turn on the TV. I watch other news but generally I walk in on someone else watching it already.

It is alright for a "news magazine" type program. It tries to be hip, but doesn't quite make it, but it does come closer than 60 minutes.

I think this show lets people know what is really going on.

Dateline sometimes runs good shows, but they also seem to run shows are boring and uninteresting because it seems like they could not think of anything else to put on the air