Zelikow navigates conflicts as 9/11 commission leader
Philip Zelikow has been in the national spotlight recently as the federal commission investigating the 9/11 attacks held a series of public hearings. For some relatives of 9/11 victims, the history professor and director of U.Va.’s Miller Center of Public Affairs was a controversial pick as the commission’s executive director because of his ties to the Bush Administration and ... national security adviser Condoleeza Rice, with whom he co-authored a book. But he has drawn praise from others, including columnist David Broder, for his thorough and balanced work. One former collaborator, who served in the Clinton
Administration, said that with
Zelikow, “When the chips fall, historical fairness and accuracy will win out over partisanship every time.”
(Washington Post, April 4 and 8)

Totaling up the costs of obesity
There is little doubt that an obesity epidemic is engulfing America. But can you put a price tag on it? Anne Wolf, a registered dietician, epidemiologist and U.Va. Medical School professor, came up with a number, and it’s a big one: $117 billion — seven times the McDonald’s Corp.’s total revenue last year. Wolf found $61 billion in direct costs, mostly for medical treatment, and an estimated $56 billion in indirect costs, like lost wages due to illnesses and premature death. She did not, however, estimate hidden costs, including those associated with re-engineering public spaces to accommodate super-sized people.
(New Orleans Times-Picayune, April 11)

Unlucky 13 chosen for‘ Muzzles’ from deep candidate pool
On April 13, for the 13th year, U.Va.’s Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression awarded its Muzzle awards to 13 recipients judged to have committed egregious breaches of free speech. There was no lack of candidates, said law professor Robert M. O’Neil, the center’s director. “We had at least 100 serious contenders,” he said. “There was about equal balance between Iraq war-related transgressions and others that could have happened 10 years ago. In that sense, life goes on.” A listing of the winners can be found at www.tjcenter.org/muzzles.html.
(Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 13)

Warner, Allen lament Senate’s pace
It was quite a week for students in Larry Sabato’s American Politics class. In consecutive classes, they had visits from Sen. George Allen, R-Va., and Virginia Democratic Gov. Mark Warner. Fielding tough questions, both found common ground in lamenting the slow pace of Senate business. “The Senate can be very, very frustrating because it takes so long to get anything done,” Allen said. “The more holding penalties, the more delay of games, the more pass interference, the more points you have scored.” Warner echoed Allen when he took the podium two days later. “I think the Senate would be a pretty frustrating career,” especially compared with the business world, he said, downplaying his prospects for making another Senate run after his term expires. He dodged questions, however, about a possible spot as John Kerry’s vice presidential running mate.
(Daily Progress, April 14; Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 16)

Police narrow scope of ‘DNA dragnet’ after forum
It was dubbed the “DNA dragnet.” Seeking to catch an elusive serial rapist, Charlottesville police have asked dozens of black men to provide DNA samples to compare with the rapist’s. Sometimes, though, the basis for asking appeared to be little more than being young, black, male and “acting suspiciously.” “The suspect is a black man, and he needs to be caught,” said M. Rick Turner, dean of African-American Affairs. “But the way police are conducting this investigation, because the suspect is a black man, every black man is a suspect.” Students, faculty and community leaders met with police chief Timothy Longo, and their voices were heard; three days later, Longo announced a narrower testing policy.
(Washington Post, April 14 and 15)