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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/17/AR2006051701895.html
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https://web.archive.org/web/2006051819id_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/17/AR2006051701895.html
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An Up-the-Hill Battle
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Seven a.m., and she's selling tamales on the Baltimore streets. By 10:30, she's lobbying her congressman on Capitol Hill.
Is Alicia Villalva, who stole across the border to make money and send it home to Mexico, properly a constituent? She has been living here for nearly 20 years, without a Social Security number, without citizenship. She has never cast a vote for Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), yet here the big man is.
They are seated face to face in his inner sanctum. He says, "I think where I am [on immigration] is where you want me to be. . . . The fact you're here in Washington today shows you're reaching out and want to tell your story."
Villalva has just finished telling four of his senior staffers her story, words in Spanish and English, tears spilling down her cheeks. How she left home at 15 because her family was starving. Survived the desert to "help my dad," whom she didn't see again for nine years. Now, married, she has three children, who are Americans.
"The only thing we want to do is work and build the country," says Villalva, and the Hill staffers watch her, riveted.
"You bring a very, very important aspect to the debate," says Amanda Rogers Thorpe, Ruppersberger's senior legislative assistant. "I get phone calls all the time saying, 'Deport them all right away!' "
As an undocumented worker with a fictional taxpayer ID number, does she get a voice? Should she, like hundreds of other immigrants who walked the waxed halls of Congress yesterday, have a chance to petition the government?
"I pay taxes," says Villalva. This is American.
"We Are America," say the blue-and-white stickers on the lapels of the earnest petitioners in the long, echoing corridors on the day the Senate votes yes to an amendment for a big border fence. You could say, Well of course! Immigrants have a personal stake in the debate unfolding in Congress over immigration reform. People are always animated to become Super Citizens when the usual blah-blah-blah of lawmaking suddenly touches their lives. They end up stalking the Hill with sheaves of talking points, congressional face books and thumbnail sketches of key legislators.
Which is what the immigrants had yesterday.
Still, it was something new -- almost alien, for a group of people frequently dismissed as such -- to approach and be received as fully vested Americans. If one had to complete a practicum for the naturalization test, this could be it.
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Seven a.m., and she's selling tamales on the Baltimore streets. By 10:30, she's lobbying her congressman on Capitol Hill.
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Who Isn't A 'Values Voter'?
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An aggressively annoying new phrase in America's political lexicon is "values voters." It is used proudly by social conservatives, and carelessly by the media to denote such conservatives.
This phrase diminishes our understanding of politics. It also is arrogant on the part of social conservatives and insulting to everyone else because it implies that only social conservatives vote to advance their values and everyone else votes to . . . well, it is unclear what they supposedly think they are doing with their ballots.
On Sunday a Los Angeles Times article on the possibility of a presidential run by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush reported: "The Family Research Council, an influential evangelical activist group, has invited Gov. Bush to appear at a fall conference of 'values voters.' " On Monday the Wall Street Journal quoted a pastor who is president of a Texas-based organization, Vision America, that mobilizes conservative pastors: "Values voters see their vote as a sacred trust." The phrase "values voters," which has become ubiquitous, subtracts from social comity by suggesting that one group has cornered the market on moral seriousness.
Last Saturday, when John McCain delivered the commencement address at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, he was said to be reaching out to values voters. Hillary Clinton, speaking recently at the annual U.S. Chamber of Commerce convention, scolded "kids," by which she evidently meant young adults, for thinking "work is a four-letter word." She was said to be courting values voters. If so, those voters must value slapdash rhetorical nonsense as well as work.
It is odd that some conservatives are eager to promote the semantic vanity of the phrase "values voters." And it is odder still that the media are cooperating with those conservatives.
Conservatives should be wary of the idea that when they talk about, say, tax cuts and limited government -- about things other than abortion, gay marriage, religion in the public square and similar issues -- they are engaging in values-free discourse. And by ratifying the social conservatives' monopoly of the label "values voters," the media are furthering the fiction that these voters are somehow more morally awake than others.
Today's liberal agenda includes preservation, even expansion, of the welfare state in its current configuration in order to strengthen an egalitarian ethic of common provision. Liberals favor taxes and other measures to produce a more equal distribution of income. They may value equality indiscriminately, but they vote their values.
Among the various flavors of conservatism, there is libertarianism that is wary of government attempts to nurture morality and there is social conservatism that says unless government nurtures morality, liberty will perish. Both kinds of conservatives use their votes to advance what they value.
Only one Republican senator -- let us now praise New Hampshire's John Sununu -- voted for the measure to take the money for Alaska's "bridge to nowhere" and spend it for Hurricane Katrina relief, and also voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment (which would clutter the Constitution with the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman). The former vote affirmed the value of common sense; the latter, by opposing federal usurpation of the traditional state responsibility for marriage law, affirmed the value of cultural federalism. Is Sununu a values voter?
McCain, who also opposes the marriage amendment (but supports an Arizona initiative to define marriage there as between a man and a woman), says he would have voted for the bridge-for-Katrina money swap, had he not been away from the Senate that day. Perhaps he was out wooing values voters. Is he one?
Attempts to assign values-seriousness can get complicated: Freedom and happiness are valuable. Arguably, governmental actions that did much to increase freedom and happiness in the past half-century were state laws liberalizing divorce. These made important contributions to the emancipation of men and especially women from mistaken marriages. Perhaps the most important of these laws -- it was among the most liberal and was in the most populous state -- was signed by a divorced governor, Ronald Reagan. What do socially conservative values voters make of that ?
The two front-runners for the 2008 presidential nominations are studies in contrasts, yet they have two things in common. First, both stand to gain from a Republican debacle this November: The weaker that Republicans look on Wednesday morning, Nov. 8, the easier it will be for Clinton to dampen Democrats' anxieties about her electability, and the larger she looms, the more the Republicans will focus on the electability of their competing candidates, which will favor McCain. Second, both are and will remain busy courting only values voters, because there is no other kind.
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Social conservatives arrogantly describe themselves as 'values voters' -- and the media carelessly furthers the fiction that these voters are more morally awake than others.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/17/AR2006051701880.html
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https://web.archive.org/web/2006051819id_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/17/AR2006051701880.html
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No Rush to Impeachment
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As Republicans have become increasingly nervous about whether they will be able to maintain control of the House in the midterm elections, they have resorted to the straw-man strategy of identifying a parade of horrors to come if Democrats gain the majority. Among these is the assertion that I, as the new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, would immediately begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush.
I will not do that. I readily admit that I have been quite vigorous, if not relentless, in questioning the administration. The allegations I have raised are grave, serious, well known, and based on reliable media reports and the accounts of former administration officials.
But none of these allegations can be proved or disproved until the administration answers questions. For example, to know whether intelligence was mistaken or manipulated in the run-up to the Iraq war, we need to know what information was made available to -- and actually read by -- decision makers and how views contradicting the case for war were treated.
We need to know the extent to which high-ranking officials approved of the use of torture and other cruel and inhumane treatment inflicted upon detainees. We need to know whether the leaking of the name of a covert CIA operative was deliberate or accidental, as well as the identity of those responsible.
The administration's stonewalling, and the lack of oversight by Congress, have left us to guess whether we are dealing with isolated wrongdoing, or mistakes, or something worse. In my view, the American people deserve answers, not guesses. I have proposed that we obtain these answers in a responsible and bipartisan manner.
It was House Republicans who took power in 1995 with immediate plans to undermine President Bill Clinton by any means necessary, and they did so in the most autocratic, partisan and destructive ways imaginable. If there is any lesson from those "revolutionaries," it is that partisan vendettas ultimately provoke a public backlash and are never viewed as legitimate.
So, rather than seeking impeachment, I have chosen to propose comprehensive oversight of these alleged abuses. The oversight I have suggested would be performed by a select committee made up equally of Democrats and Republicans and chosen by the House speaker and the minority leader.
The committee's job would be to obtain answers -- finally. At the end of the process, if -- and only if -- the select committee, acting on a bipartisan basis, finds evidence of potentially impeachable offenses, it would forward that information to the Judiciary Committee. This threshold of bipartisanship is appropriate, I believe, when dealing with an issue of this magnitude.
One-party rule has dug our nation into a deep hole over the past six years. The Judiciary Committee needs to fully implement the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, strengthen laws against wartime fraud, ban trade with state sponsors of terrorism, increase funding for community policing and protect government whistle-blowers. Most important, before we have another presidential election, I believe we need to pass laws protecting the integrity of our electoral system -- the very foundation of our democracy.
The writer is a Democratic representative from Michigan.
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As Republicans have become increasingly nervous about whether they will be able to maintain control of the House in the midterm elections, they have resorted to the straw-man strategy of identifying a parade of horrors to come if Democrats gain the majority. Among these is the assertion that I, as...
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Lawmakers Reexamine Hayden
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In hearings today on President Bush's choice to head the CIA, senators will face an array of questions, loose ends and seeming contradictions about the administration's domestic surveillance techniques. The first mystery they must unravel, however, is the nominee himself, Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden, who pitched the eavesdropping program after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has become its most forceful defender.
When Hayden took over the National Security Agency in 1999, he did something many intelligence chiefs would consider unthinkable: He invited groups of journalists to his home at Fort Meade to discuss Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Serving California wine by his living room fireplace, the 61-year-old Pittsburgh native told his guests that he and the NSA were dedicated to protecting Americans' privacy.
Hayden's message and independence made him a favorite on Capitol Hill, where he was viewed as a champion of national security, privacy rights and press freedoms. But recent revelations about the nature of Hayden's highly classified world -- in the Air Force, at the NSA and most recently in the office of the director of national intelligence -- are forcing lawmakers to reexamine a man many of them have known for years.
Their questions are driven largely by what appear to be inconsistencies between the scale of the surveillance program and administration assertions about its limits. In what the White House describes as an effort to thwart potential terrorists, NSA analysts have secretly eavesdropped on overseas calls and intercepted e-mails of thousands of Americans without seeking warrants, and have gathered phone records for perhaps millions of residents.
At each phase of the program, from its inception to its disclosure, Hayden has been at the center of what the president later termed a "terrorist surveillance program." When asked in December to explain the origins of the NSA effort, Bush said Hayden had suggested it immediately after Sept. 11 as a way to "connect the dots" to potential al-Qaeda cells operating in the country.
"He came forward with this program," Bush said. "In other words, it wasn't designed in the White House; it was designed where you expect it to be designed, in the NSA."
Bush and Hayden have defended the program as legal -- the White House has said eavesdropping involved only international communications by people with known links to al-Qaeda and its allies -- and said the attorney general reauthorizes it every 90 days. But twice since its inception, the program was stopped after the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and a senior Justice Department lawyer raised concerns about its legality.
An internal Justice Department investigation tried to determine whether lawyers who authorized the program may have acted improperly. But Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales suggested yesterday that secrecy concerns shut down the inquiry. The department's Office of Professional Responsibility notified lawmakers last week that it was forced to end its investigation because the office was denied security clearances to access information on the NSA program. Gonzales defended that decision yesterday and suggested that the probe was unnecessary because Justice issued a legal analysis supporting the effort.
"It's a very important program to the United States, and so certain decisions are made in terms of . . . how much information should be shared throughout the federal government," Gonzales told reporters at a news conference. "We don't want to be talking so much about the program that we compromise the effectiveness." Gonzales declined to discuss who denied security clearances to OPR investigators or whether he was consulted on the issue.
Eight senators and House members were aware of the program before it was publicly disclosed last December. But they were not allowed to discuss it with anyone, including their colleagues on the intelligence committees, and it is unclear whether they knew of the legal questions being raised internally.
Yesterday, ahead of Hayden's hearing, the White House briefed additional lawmakers on the program. But much of what they have learned about it has been from news reports, leading them to complain that Hayden, Bush and others have been unwilling to share even basic information so Congress can carry out its oversight role.
"What do I know, I'm just on the intelligence committee," Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is fond of saying, ruefully noting that most of what he knows about the surveillance program has come from newspapers.
Hayden's hearing is likely to last one day, and he could be confirmed as the 20th director of the CIA as early as next week. He would take over the agency from Porter J. Goss, a former Republican congressman from Florida, who was forced to resign earlier this month and plans to leave the CIA on May 26.
The hearings will be split into two sessions today: A public, televised session is likely to focus as much on Hayden's vision for repairing an embattled CIA and improving intelligence-gathering on Iran and North Korea, as it is on the White House's handling of the surveillance program. But during the closed-door session, senatorswill be free to discuss the classified surveillance effort in detail, and several said they would push Hayden to explain how a widespread data-mining effort is consistent with privacy protections and how it has prevented attacks.
"Our intelligence activities strictly target al-Qaeda and their known affiliates," Bush said last Thursday in response to reports in USA Today that the NSA was collecting the phone records -- but not listening to the calls -- of millions of U.S. residents and businesses. But the nature of the technology suggests the NSA cast a wide net from the moment it began the enhanced surveillance efforts. The Washington Post reported in February that intelligence officers who have eavesdropped on thousands of Americans in overseas calls, without obtaining warrants, have dismissed nearly all as potential terrorism suspects.
The liberal group Americans United is running an ad on cable television stations that criticizes the programs and urges viewers to "tell the president to go after the terrorists, not innocent Americans."
From what is known about the program, "we're talking about an investigation that examines far more people than there are al-Qaeda suspects," said Patrick Radden Keefe, author of "Chatter: Dispatches From the Secret World of Global Eavesdropping."
Others worry that government officials who collect extensive databases of Americans' phone calls could be tempted to use the information for nefarious purposes. "The Fourth Amendment is not just constitutional law," said Jim Harper, director of information policy studies for the libertarian Cato Institute. "It's also good policy."
Staff writers Thomas E. Ricks and Dan Eggen and researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.
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News about the U.S. military from The Washington Post and washingtonpost.com. Full coverage of defense budgets, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Pentagon.
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Muhammad's Metamorphosis Impresses Some Trial Observers
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John Allen Muhammad strides into the Montgomery County courtroom looking every bit the lawyer. Gone is the orange jumpsuit he wore in Virginia when he was sentenced to death. Gone, too, is the hair that towered over him as he prepared for trial in Maryland.
He now wears suits and ties. He carries with him a stack of legal papers, shuffling them purposefully at the defense table. He speaks the language of law, begging the "court's indulgence" and asking that a "continuous objection" be noted for the record.
Although lawyers and other observers say a conviction is a near certainty, Muhammad's trial is providing fresh and sometimes surprising glimpses into the man accused in the 2002 sniper rampage that instilled fear across the region. Because he is acting as his own attorney, the trial, now in its third week in Rockville, has showcased Muhammad's personality and demeanor to a degree that his Virginia trial did not.
"You'd think he'd be rambling and off the wall," said Matthew E. Bennett, a Rockville lawyer who, after observing Muhammad in the courtroom, rated his performance "above average for a layperson."
The outlines of a strategy for sowing reasonable doubt have begun to emerge: Emphasize that witnesses did not see him shoot anyone, suggest that victims' injuries could have been caused by a gun other than his, and raise the possibility that repeated sightings of white box trucks could point to culprits still at large.
Muhammad's approach to fighting murder charges in the six slayings in Montgomery resembles the approach his attorneys took in Virginia, where he lost. And it might not overcome the strong ballistics and other scientific evidence that prosecutors promised in their opening statement.
In the jury's presence, Muhammad has said nothing of the elaborate conspiracy theory attributed to him by a psychiatrist: that he was framed because he knew of then-Attorney General John D. Ashcroft's secret role in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He is not recognizable as the man that the psychiatrist, hired by his former attorney, diagnosed as "clearly psychotic, delusional, paranoid and incompetent to assist his attorneys, much less represent himself."
Instead, standing behind the defense table, Muhammad the trial advocate addresses witnesses as "sir" or "ma'am." At times, he laughs appropriately. Other times, he relishes catching witnesses in minor contradictions. He speaks softly, mumbles and sometimes stumbles over his words.
"Ma'am," he said last week to a prosecution witness, "are you, uh, trained in terminal ballistics?"
"I've received some training in ballistics . . ."
"Ma'am, yes or no," he interrupted, in true lawyerly fashion. "Are you trained in terminal ballistics?"
Although he has a high school education and no formal legal training, Muhammad was ready with a response on another occasion last week when prosecutors said he was trying to introduce a report improperly. "Your honor, I'll establish a foundation," he volunteered.
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John Allen Muhammad strides into the Montgomery County courtroom looking every bit the lawyer. Gone is the orange jumpsuit he wore in Virginia when he was sentenced to death. Gone, too, is the hair that towered over him as he prepared for trial in Maryland.
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China's Symbol, and Source, of Power
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THREE GORGES DAM, China, May 17 -- After 13 years of breakneck construction that displaced more than a million villagers, China is about to pour the final concrete on an enormous dam across the mighty Yangtze River, seeking to tame the flood-prone waterway that has nurtured and tormented the Chinese people for 5,000 years.
Engineers, many of whom have spent their entire careers on the site, will gather on Saturday for a ceremony to mark their achievement: The dun-colored barrier at last has reached its full height of 606 feet and stretches 7,575 feet across the Yangtze's murky green waters in the Three Gorges area of central China's Hubei province, 600 miles southwest of Beijing.
The Three Gorges Project, with 25,000 workers and a budget of $24 billion, is China's most ambitious engineering undertaking since the Great Wall. It has replaced Brazil's Itaipu Dam as the world's largest hydroelectric and flood-control installation, Chinese officials said, with the strength to hold back more water than Lake Superior and power 26 generators to churn out 85 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year when the final touches are completed in 2008. Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona border, by comparison, generates more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours a year.
"This is the grandest project the Chinese people have undertaken in thousands of years," said Li Yong'an, general manager of the government's Three Gorges corporation, which runs the project under the direct leadership of Premier Wen Jiabao.
In its scope and ambition -- as well as its human costs -- the Three Gorges Project has become a symbol of China's relentless energy and determination to take its place among the world's great economic powers. At the same time, the project has demonstrated the Communist Party's willingness to sacrifice individual rights for the country's general welfare and to take high-stake risks in the name of progress.
The Chinese have long dreamed of a dam across the Yangtze to alleviate flooding and facilitate navigation. Sun Yat-sen, revered as the founder of the Chinese republic, urged construction of a dam as early as 1918. U.S. engineers suggested one right after World War II. Mao Zedong, whose Communist Party took over in 1949, wrote seven years later that "walls of stone" should rise from the river.
It was left to the present-day Communist leadership, dominated by engineers and driven to build, to put the project into motion. Li Peng, a former waterworks official, got the project off the ground in the late 1980s when he was premier. The first earth was turned in 1993 under the president at the time, Jiang Zemin, a Soviet-educated engineer. The dam's completion is now being celebrated under President Hu Jintao, who was trained as a hydraulic engineer and has adopted "scientific development" as a mantra.
But critics of the project -- they are many, in China and abroad -- have questioned whether building a giant dam is really scientific in the 21st century, when the United States and other nations are weighing the wisdom of damming their rivers. Despite the $24 billion price tag, they note, the Three Gorges Dam will produce only 2 percent of China's electricity by 2010. Moreover, environmentalists have warned that the backup of water behind the dam could end up as a giant waste-collection pool for Chongqing, China's largest urban conglomeration about 250 miles upstream.
"There are two sides to everything, and the Three Gorges Project is no exception," said Cao Guangjing, the building company's deputy manager. "But many studies, undertaken since the beginning, have shown that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."
The government has set aside $5 billion to build sewage treatment plants around Chongqing and other upstream cities to prevent the river from turning into a cesspool, officials pointed out. Tests so far show that the water quality has not suffered, even though water has been backing up for several years, they said.
"Look at that," Feng Zhengpeng, head of hydroelectrics, told reporters walking atop the dam Wednesday as he gestured toward the river far below. "Do you think my water looks dirty?"
Li Yong'an, the dam-building company's manager, said that despite its difficulties, the project is running ahead of schedule and will solve "one of the Chinese people's most important afflictions," the flooding that has ravaged the Yangtze basin for centuries. Floods killed more than 145,000 in 1931, according to Chinese records, and another 142,000 four years later. As late as 1998, with the dam under construction, more than 2,000 were reported killed by river waters that spilled over the banks.
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THREE GORGES DAM, China, May 17 -- After 13 years of breakneck construction that displaced more than a million villagers, China is about to pour the final concrete on an enormous dam across the mighty Yangtze River, seeking to tame the flood-prone waterway that has nurtured and tormented the...
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A Scramble to Defend the Mosque
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BAGHDAD, May 17 -- His generator roaring in the dark of the locked-down neighborhood outside, Mohammed, a former Iraqi army officer, took a sip from a Corona beer in his brightly lit living room and laughed. "Beverly Hills Cop II." Always funny.
His wife, beside him on the couch, got up and called toward their boys' room for them to turn off either the Playstation or the computer: The grumbling of the generator signaled that it was working too hard.
The boys kept playing and typing, ignoring their parents, and then ignoring an explosion outside, followed by the sound of gunfire. Their little sister, up late and wired at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, barely halted in her running back and forth between her bedroom and a candy dish beside her father. The blast belonged to the war outside.
Just to be sure, Mohammed grabbed his pistol in one hand, his beer in the other, and headed up to the roof to check. A sudden wail stopped him, electrifying him.
"God is great!" cried a man he took to be the imam of one of the mosques of the neighborhood, the urgency and fear in his voice coming loud and clear over the electronic sound system. "God is great!"
The imam's cry was the alarm recognized in all neighborhoods -- Sunni or Shiite -- across Baghdad. The mosque was under attack.
The account of what followed was provided by witnesses and participants, whose full names and other identifying details are being withheld for their protection.
Across that pocket of Zayuna, a neighborhood originally created for army officers in the 1960s, the largely middle-class and heavily secular population of retired colonels, shop owners and professionals slammed their drinks down on coffee tables or lurched upright from their sleep. Though some could count the months, even years, since they last attended prayers, they knew that if the mosque was under attack, Zayuna might be under attack.
Since the Feb. 22 bombing of a Shiite Muslim shrine in Samarra, about 65 miles north of Baghdad, an uproar late at night in a Sunni neighborhood such as Zayuna had often meant a house-to-house sweep by Shiite militias or police. Sunni males would sometimes be taken away by gunmen, uniformed or otherwise, and never return, unless their families recovered their bodies.
Mohammed's wife grabbed her jewelry and gathered up the family's cellphones, hiding them from possible thieves. "God save you, please stay," she pleaded with her husband as she herded the children into the most remote bedroom, the youngest girl now crying.
"I can't wait until they come in," Mohammed said, brushing past her, and then past his mother, quietly entreating, trying to block him at the gate.
Up and down dark streets across Zayuna, silhouettes of the men of households popped up against the roofline, then gathered in tight clusters. Men conferred anxiously before the steel gates of homes. Mohammed attached himself to one knot -- an auto-parts dealer, a physician, an engineer, a shop owner -- men he had known as boys, now paunchy family men. Two hid pistols in the folds of their nightclothes; two openly held AK-47 assault rifles.
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BAGHDAD, May 17 -- His generator roaring in the dark of the locked-down neighborhood outside, Mohammed, a former Iraqi army officer, took a sip from a Corona beer in his brightly lit living room and laughed. "Beverly Hills Cop II." Always funny.
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Job Security Wanes in Executive Suites
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It's getting shaky at the top.
More than 15 percent of the world's 2,500 biggest companies lost their chief executives last year, and only half of the departures were voluntary, according to a study that will be released by the consulting firm Booz Allen & Hamilton today.
The number of chief executives who left -- 383 -- was up slightly from last year and the 15.3 percent turnover rate was the highest recorded in the 10 years Booz Allen has studied the matter. Turnover was highest in Japan, with 19 percent, and in North America, where the 16.2 percent turnover rate was the highest since 2000.
"We think this level of turnover is here to stay," said Paul Kocourek, a Booz Allen senior vice president and an author of the study. "Boards are much more activist, and they are not going to tolerate poor performance. . . . If your [company is] performing at 2.5 percent below the Standard & Poor's 500 index, you are at risk."
The statistics from North America tend to bear that out. Thirty-five percent of chief executives who departed in 2005 were forced out -- the most ever recorded in the survey -- compared with 44 percent who left voluntarily and 25 percent who lost their jobs because of mergers. Among the high-profile departures last year were Harry C. Stonecipher, forced out at Boeing Co. after a scandal; Hewlett-Packard Co.'s Carly Fiorina; Walt Disney Co.'s Michael D. Eisner, and Morgan Stanley's Philip J. Purcell.
Retirements and other voluntary departures have not changed significantly since 1995, but the number of chief executives forced out for performance-related reasons has more than quadrupled, Kocourek said.
Much of the change seems to stem from regulatory changes that have emphasized director independence and made them feel more personally responsible for company performance, as well as the growing willingness of large investors to challenge company strategies when share prices are lagging.
High chief-executive turnover can have both good and bad consequences.
"It's very good. It creates a culture of accountability," said Charles M. Elson, who directs the Center for Corporate Responsibility at the University of Delaware. "Boards who remove CEOs are to be congratulated. They're doing their job. . . . In the old days, there were lots of reasons to remove [corporate leaders], but boards dominated by CEOs didn't do it."
For employees, change can create uncertainty. "CEO turnover is often coupled with broader organizational change along the lines of layoffs and selling businesses and changing strategies," said Paul Oyer, an associate professor of economics at Stanford University's business school. "When CEOs turn over, that's both a problem and an opportunity."
On the other hand, high turnover could make chief-executive jobs less attractive. "If you ask CEOs to take the risk of having to resign in a fairly public manner . . . people might be less willing to take the job and want higher compensation, which means you shrink the pool," said Constance E. Helfat, a strategy professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business who studies chief-executive turnover.
Some analysts wondered whether the problem will be exacerbated if the Securities and Exchange Commission adopts a proposal to require more disclosure of executive perks. If it does, they said, top business executives might decide to work for a privately held company or a venture capital firm rather than a publicly traded firm, to avoid the risk of public scrutiny.
The Booz Allen study also looked at the succession process and concluded that over the short term, companies that brought in new chief executives from the outside did better than those that promoted someone from the inside. But insider chiefs tended to serve longer and provided better shareholder return over the long haul.
Others who have studied the matter said the Booz Allen study may overstate the benefits of outsiders, even in the short term, because outsiders are more likely to inherit companies that are in bad shape where investors are primed to respond positively to any kind of change. Helfat said that in her study of chief executives during the first three years of their tenure, she found that once she adjusted for the company's previous performance, outsiders and insiders performed, on average, equally well. Outsider chiefs were more of a gamble, she said, because they were more likely to do spectacularly badly or spectacularly well, while insiders tended to stick closer to average.
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Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland business headlines, stock portfolio, markets, economy, mutual funds, personal finance, Dow Jones, S&P 500, NASDAQ quotes, company research tools. Federal Reserve, Bernanke, Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Saudi Warns Against Isolating Hamas
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The Bush administration's policy of isolating the Hamas-led Palestinian government is based on a "twisted logic" that will end up only radicalizing the Palestinian population against a peaceful solution, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, said yesterday.
Separately, Saud said the United States would release 16 Saudi citizens from the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, this week and return them to Saudi Arabia for possible trial and incarceration. Only nine of the 136 Saudi detainees have been released since 2003, and these appear to be the first that will be subject to the Saudi justice system.
Saud, who has served as foreign minister since 1975, made his remarks in a meeting with a small group of reporters in Washington on the eve of a regular meeting, known as a "strategic dialogue," held by the two countries' foreign ministers.
The State Department has labeled Hamas a terrorist organization. The United States has refused to deal with much of the Palestinian government or provide direct aid since Hamas won legislative elections in January and then took charge of most of the government.
The United States and the European Union have demanded that Hamas recognize Israel and meet other conditions before aid is restored, though in recent weeks the Europeans have pressed for some mechanism to provide assistance that would bypass government institutions controlled by Hamas.
Palestinian government salaries have not been paid for two months because of the aid freeze -- and because banks are reluctant to transfer Arab League funds to the Palestinian Authority for fear of running afoul of U.S. Treasury regulations. "You are not harming the government," Saud said. "You are only adding radicalism to the Palestinians."
Saud said that based on his discussions with Hamas leaders, a policy of "inclusion" and dialogue would yield a change in the Hamas position toward Israel but isolation would backfire. "We are arguing the point, needless to say, with them strenuously," he said, referring to U.S. officials.
"If you use inclusion, rather than exclusion, if you talk to them, they can be convinced of the advisability of pursuing the peace process, if they are assured of equal treatment" and not a bias toward Israel, Saud said.
"You are dissatisfied with the results of the election which brought Hamas government," Saud added. "Of course we always warned against elections, that sometimes they bring results that you don't want. That's why we haven't applied the system yet in Saudi Arabia."
Saud also warned that the "convergence plan" advanced by recently elected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert holds the seeds for further turmoil. Olmert is coming to Washington next week intending to pitch President Bush and other U.S. officials on his idea of unilaterally withdrawing from much of the West Bank.
Rather than convergence, he said, "I would rather call it a policy of diversion -- trying to divert, move away from the vision of a two-state solution living peacefully together . . . moving away from the basics of the peace process."
Regarding the Saudi detainees, Saud indicated there had been long and difficult negotiations that had led to their release. "It took us how many years to get them back?" Saud said. "It hasn't been easy."
Some U.S. officials have expressed concern about releasing prisoners to Saudi Arabia because of allegations of torture and prisoner abuse there. Five Saudis were released in 2003 as part of a complicated agreement involving the release of Britons in Saudi jails, and another four have been released and were immediately freed.
Saud said these detainees would be tried under Saudi law if there was enough evidence to warrant a trial. "We will see what the proof against them is," he said. "If the proof justifies a trial, they will be put on trial."
Saud said the transfer would take place in the next two days. A military spokesman declined to confirm the prisoner release, saying such transfers are announced only when they are completed.
Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.
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The Bush administration's policy of isolating the Hamas-led Palestinian government is based on a "twisted logic" that will end up only radicalizing the Palestinian population against a peaceful solution, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, said yesterday.
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The Alligator Is Not a Man-Eater -- Unless, of Course, It's Feeling Hungry
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Nature, it should be pointed out, always bats last. This is true even in Florida, where, as novelist Carl Hiaasen makes clear, life is more than a little surreal, and where three people were recently attacked and killed by alligators in less than a week. Previously, 17 people had died from alligator attacks in Florida since 1948. There is no record in the United States of three fatal alligator attacks in one year, much less in one week in one state.
So something clearly is going on in Florida. Yesterday, as if to emphasize Hiaasen's point, an alligator walked through the doggy door of a woman's house in Bradenton and went for her golden retriever. The woman grabbed a shotgun and blazed away. The alligator escaped with a flesh wound. The neighbors heard shots and called police, who promptly cited the woman for hunting without a license.
To those whose closest acquaintance with alligators is a wallet or belt, this must sound like the Revenge of the Handbags or Wingtips Fight Back. But the truth is what's going on has more to do with an unusual intersection of drought and gator-mating season, compounded by decades of developers' repopulating the alligators' Everglades habitat with condominiums and retirees in leisure suits. Alligators don't have the brains to organize a revolution, nor have they ever needed to. They've survived very nicely for thousands of years with the same basic equipment they had in the age of the dinosaurs.
We Louisianans understand this. We treat alligators with respect, and the occasional addition of sauce piquant. Alligator turns up frequently not only at backyard barbecues but on the menus of all the best restaurants in Louisiana.
In Louisiana, we fish with alligators, swim with them, even keep them as pets. We used to have a 14-footer named Ferdinand in the large pond below our house. My father and I came upon him sunning on the bank one day when we were fishing. Ferdinand was startled and dived straight under our boat, the horny notches on his back clacking as he scraped beneath the keel. This was an interesting sensation, since he was very, very wide and two feet longer than the boat. But he never hurt anybody.
Ferdinand was one of our prize attractions on Avery Island. He even made an appearance at my sister's wedding reception. Unfortunately, he's no longer around. We think he was offed by my cousin Ned, just for eating Ned's Chesapeake Bay retriever. It's true Ned had bite-size children around his house across the pond at the time, but we still think of Ferdinand as a major loss.
George isn't around any longer, either, which is also a shame. He was 12 feet long, had one eye and was particularly fond of poor-boy sandwiches, which island workers used to toss him during lunch hour. My middle daughter came face-to-snout with him once while hiking alone when she was 10. Fortunately, she was carrying a poor-boy sandwich, which she sacrificed to George in making her getaway. But George never hurt anybody, either.
I can't remember exactly when George disappeared. It may have been after the Incident in the Gardens. That was when a group of schoolgirls from New Orleans was visiting the local egret pond at the same time a tourist pulled up and decided to let his yellow Labrador retriever out of the car for a little exercise. The dog, joyous and enthusiastic fellow that he was, made a run for the water before anyone could explain to him that there were alligators therein.
You would think from the gator-mania on CNN and Fox this week that alligators are some sort of grotesque mutation of the natural world stalking urban man. The obvious truth is that alligators in Florida are just hungry and confused and doing what comes naturally.
It helps to understand this and treat alligators with respect and common sense. We understand, for example, that unlike crocodiles -- which are fiercely aggressive but in the United States inhabit only Florida's southern tip -- alligators are basically shy around man. They are opportunistic predators, however, and though they usually find plenty of fish, birds and small mammals to eat in the marsh, they will attack almost anything when really hungry, including deer and cattle. After capturing and killing a large animal, gators normally prefer to drag it into a muddy den to rot before they eat it.
Officials in Florida this week cutting open gators to search for victims discovered volleyballs, Frisbees, license plates and even car parts.
It's good to remember, too, that alligators are particularly fond of dogs. Walking your beloved chihuahua beside a Florida canal is like offering them a taco on a leash.
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Nature, it should be pointed out, always bats last. This is true even in Florida, where, as novelist Carl Hiaasen makes clear, life is more than a little surreal, and where three people were recently attacked and killed by alligators in less than a week. Previously, 17 people had died from alligator...
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We Watch . . . So You Don't Have To
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Elliott Yamin got tossed from "American Idol" Wednesday night after receiving 33.06 percent of the more than 50 million votes cast Tuesday night by viewers.
VIDEO | Yamin Eliminated in Tight 'Idol' Race
That leaves Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee still in the running; one of them copped 33.26 percent of the votes and the other 33.68 percent, according to show host Ryan Seacrest.
But, tease that he is, Seacrest didn't tell us which was which. (Smart money is on Taylor to win.)
Poor Elliott had to wait one solid hour to learn his fate on the live results show so that viewers could be subjected to Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Romijn raving about how much they loved the three remaining Idolettes -- so much so that they were willing to hand over to the contestants a sneak peek DVD of their latest "X-Men" flick, which, like "American Idol," just happens to be a product of Fox parent News Corp.
Elliott had to wait while viewers watched footage of each Idolette's return to his or her home town to discover how loved they were by the little people, but particularly by their local politicians.
Let's see, what else got plugged on "Idol" last night?
Oh, yes, the three Idolettes each sang a song from the new "American Idol Encores" album, which Seacrest held up for viewers to see. And record industry relic Clive Davis, who chose some of the worst songs for the contestants to sing Tuesday, was given a plaque for having recorded albums with previous winners, which enabled him to segue nicely into a big fat plug for the previous winners' and runner-ups' albums.
It was just like watching QVC.
The Sunday made-for-TV movie went the way of the cassette tape Wednesday when CBS officially killed off its movie block in favor of two procedural crime dramas.
CBS has moved its high-rated and FCC-slapped "Without a Trace" to 10 p.m., evidently in hopes that Homeland Decency Secretary Brent Bozell rests that night.
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NEW YORK, May 17 Elliott Yamin got tossed from "American Idol" Wednesday night after receiving 33.06 percent of the more than 50 million votes cast Tuesday night by viewers.
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Harmonic Emergence
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Eight years ago, architect and author Sarah Susanka urged us to rethink the modern house, to consider the advantages of smaller spaces. And although the mansionization of America continues, Susanka believes her message is resonating with a large number of people who value design over sheer scale. "As a culture, we are waking up to the fact that quality matters," she said.
Susanka now turns her attention to the landscape -- actually, the relationship between house and garden -- in a new book co-written with landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy. This is Susanka's fifth title since "The Not So Big House" was published in 1998, and the cynic might see parallels between the ballooning house and the number of "Not So Big" titles. But as any landscape architect will tell you, the vital link between indoors and outdoors is rarely considered in the dynamics of house building. Who better to ponder it than Susanka, the eloquent radical, and Messervy, an established designer and author and original thinker in her own right?
"Outside the Not So Big House" (Taunton Press, $34.95) doesn't necessarily mean the garden is small. In the 20 case studies the two designers have selected, some of the properties have expansive views of the surrounding country; others are shoehorned into city lots. The focus, however, is on designing a landscape as you might a house, emphasizing quality over quantity, and then linking the two in an artful combination.
This may seem a rather obvious thing to do, but the land around a home is usually what's left after the ever-larger house is put up on the ever-shrinking lot. For sure, more people are seeing the potential in the yard, and hiring landscape companies to design and build living spaces, some with full-blown outdoor kitchens. Susanka said you can make the same mistakes outdoors as inside. She calls expensive elements "gizmos" that cannot compensate for a lame design. What's important, she said, is that homeowners play an active and critical role in dealing with design professionals.
"Quality" is a ubiquitous term that has been dulled by overuse, she said. "You can go to any builder, any architect, contractor, and they'll say they're doing quality work," she said. "What I'm trying to help people understand is that quality has a tangibility to it. You have to start listening to your intuition: Does [a professional's work] make me feel comfortable, or is it paper-thin? It's not just about how it's built but the character of the design."
For many people, Messervy said, that design deference is coupled with a total paralysis when it comes to creating and nurturing a garden. "People are terrified of moving outside from their homes," she said.
Part of the design "tangibility" is in the features that play off each other. On one property, in rural Vermont, Susanka worked with landscape designer Cynthia Knauf to produce a house whose deep eaves form a porchlike transitional space between indoors and outside, and the low-slung rooflines are echoed in the stepped terraces. A corner of the house features a window seat, a convergence of window panes and a dropped soffit to form a cozy perch to view the outdoors. The indoors feels outdoors and, with the deep overhang, vice versa.
This blurring is taken to a sublime level in another featured property, the minimalist beach house of owner-architect George Suyama on Puget Sound. The property is small and on a narrow, hilly site, but clean walls form vertical planes for both interior and exterior spaces, while a series of cascading water terraces creates horizontal surfaces. Some of the living spaces are outdoors, some indoors, and some exist in a zone where the separation is no longer apparent or even relevant. One imagines sitting on the sheltered balcony during a heavy rainfall and enjoying the theater of a downpour.
Another property was created from a derelict urban site in Raleigh, N.C., by its owners, one an architect, the other a landscape architect. The result was a boxlike, contemporary house given seclusion with the construction of a six-foot tinted concrete wall. The house features corner windows in both the living room and the kitchen, and a two-story wall of glass.
With the garden walls, "the house walls can be a lot of glass" without compromising the family's privacy, said Susanka, who also lives in Raleigh. But the house isn't all openness. Sometimes the view is a long one through rooms into the garden. Others are limited. Ceiling heights vary. "Human beings need contrast; they need to experience difference in order to experience anything at all," Susanka said.
Messervy, based in Saxtons River, Vt., concedes that the most successful marriages of house and garden occur when they are designed together at the start. But elements that cement a link can be retrofitted, especially when a house is enlarged or the owners overhaul the landscape.
"Good design doesn't have to be expensive," Messervy said, pointing to a modest bungalow in Austin that the owners, both architects, converted into a duplex whose front doors are now embraced by a front porch sheltered by a corrugated roof. The tenant's unit is oriented to the front of the property, the owners' to the rear. Features include rectilinear patios and lawn panels that repeat the geometry of the roofs and appear to float. "They edge things so they look clean," Messervy said. "I love the whole idea of living lightly on the land."
Messervy and Susanka say the test of good design is its ability to create a sense of ease. The typical elevated deck, by contrast, makes you feel exposed and disconnected, and hence uncomfortable. Better to put the deck on the ground floor. Better yet, she said, consider the way the designer of a vacation home on Martha's Vineyard put rudimentary posts and beams on the deck around the house to give that key transitional space an implied volume and to frame views of the water. "It makes it three-dimensional," Messervy said.
Another of her favorites is a modest property on a hilly site in Berkeley Hills, overlooking San Francisco Bay. Here, the owner-architect and the landscape designer, in renovating the property, took advantage of the upward slope next to the house to frame garden vignettes. "Like a huge canvas propped up on an easel," writes Messervy. The windows were reworked to make them both higher and lower, creating a bigger frame for the outdoors.
In another small house, in the Boston suburb of Brookline, the owners have stayed far longer than anticipated because they have created a jewel, an intensively cultivated cottage garden that plays off the feel of the cozy, shingle-sided house.
For Messervy -- who once collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on a three-acre garden in Toronto influenced by a Bach cello suite -- the garden's form can be reduced to two elements: paths and places. "Flow, to me, is the most useful concept," she said. "My music garden is all about flow, but the flow comes from the music."
The garden has always been the poor relation to the house, but it is the landscape, Messervy said, that reaches people on a deeper level. "Gardens are all about longings, fulfilling longings," she said. "There's something about a garden, because it's nature that brings us back to a very elemental place in ourselves."
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Eight years ago, architect and author Sarah Susanka urged us to rethink the modern house, to consider the advantages of smaller spaces. And although the mansionization of America continues, Susanka believes her message is resonating with a large number of people who value design over sheer scale....
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Sacrifice of Two Soldiers Is Honored at Arlington
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One was a father and husband, the other a college student just shy of graduation.
They never met, but yesterday they were honored under the same cloudless sky as heroes who died fighting for their country.
Army 1st Sgt. Carlos N. Saenz of Las Vegas and Army Staff Sgt. David M. Veverka of Jamestown, Pa., were the 230th and 231st people killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Saenz, 46, was one of three soldiers killed May 5 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Humvee. Also killed were Spec. Teodoro Torres, 29, of Las Vegas and Sgt. Nathan J. Vacho, 29, of Janesville, Wis.
Saenz was born in Mexico and moved with his family to Nevada in 1970. He attended Basic High School in Henderson, Nev., where he was a guard on the football team and a member of the Marine Corps ROTC.
After graduation, Saenz joined Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, N.C. He met his wife, Nanette, in 1982 while visiting friends at Fort Meade, where she was stationed.
Years later, they served together in Operation Desert Storm as military police officers. After returning, they married in Nevada.
Saenz is also survived by a son, Juan, 14, his father, Jose Tarin, and his mother, Joaquina Chorens.
Saenz received numerous awards, including the Good Conduct Medal and the Nevada State Commendation Medal. "Everyone who knew Carlos knew he was proud to be in the military," his wife said. "He really loved what he was doing."
His last assignment with the Army Reserve's 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, based in Abilene, Tex., took him to Iraq last year. He was four days from leaving Iraq.
"He never questioned any of the politics," his wife said. "It was about the soldiers he was serving with."
Several of those soldiers -- dressed in blue and green uniforms -- paid homage to the sergeant yesterday.
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One was a father and husband, the other a college student just shy of graduation.
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These Red Sox Are Idiot-Proof
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BALTIMORE The Idiots are gone. Just two seasons after finally winning a world title, the Boston Red Sox already need a completely new nickname to go with their radically altered team.
The moniker can't be catchy or cool. Most of the crazy guys with the goofy hair, like Johnny Damon and Bronson Arroyo, are gone. The fellow who invented that "Cowboy Up" catch phrase has left town, too. Pedro's barely a memory.
Everywhere you look there's a new face, like rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon or top-tier starter Josh Beckett. The infield is all new this season, with Kevin Youkilis, Mark Loretta, Alex Gonzalez and Mike Lowell.
Yet with all the change and the continuing search for a new identity, Boston still finds itself in first place. Somehow, these New England dudes abide. Shake them up, shuffle the roster, misplace General Manager Theo Epstein, then coax him back into the fold again and yet, at least for the moment, the Yankees still aren't in front of them. Every day, the way the Red Sox see it, New York seems to find more problems, like Hideki Matsui's broken wrist or Randy Johnson's imitation of The Lost Unit, while the team from Fenway Park learns more about itself and begins to discover its future.
"We're getting a personality. We're developing loyalty toward each other," Manager Terry Francona said of his 23-15 team. "You'll see eight or 10 guys go to dinner together. When you have players who want to do it, when they want that atmosphere, it's a big part of becoming a team. I saw six or seven of them in a bar together last night. That's good."
Cover your eyes, kids. It was probably the hotel bar, before midnight and they were all drinking diet sodas.
The Red Sox were once the team that was famous for leaving the ballpark in 25 separate taxis. Now they bond, they communicate, they talk things out. Boston is one place you go if you want to see a true team in the making. Who are the keys to that process? Several players all qualify, but none more than catcher Jason Varitek and David Ortiz.
"Jason is our leader. David has one of those unique personalities that pull people together," Francona said. Though it's seldom mentioned, baseball is at least as cliquish as it was 30 years ago. These days, no ill is generally intended. But no good purpose is served, either. "We're in good shape there," Francona said. "Ortiz transcends races, cultures, languages."
So where are Varitek and Ortiz, the linchpins, the leaders? Two hours before playing the Orioles, Ortiz can't find just the proper bat and Varitek thinks he has just the right model. Together they scrounge the clubhouse and come up with the perfect implement. "Look, it wobbles," says Ortiz, rolling the bat on the concrete floor. "It's not perfectly straight." And the pair of sluggers are off on a discussion of why maple bats often seem just an iota warped while their ash bats roll properly.
Now, if you are going to have a club that breathes the game, you need core players who consciously fight all the forces of wealth, modern distraction and cultural division that turn teams into mildly dysfunctional mini-corporations.
"Communication is the key. Before the '03 season, I started to make a conscious effort," Varitek said. "Terry's right, we'll get a bunch of guys to go out to dinner tomorrow [on a day off]. We've learned that you need to know your teammates better. Get to know them as people. I once heard Bill Russell talk about that," meaning the team unity of the old Celtics.
"But the point really got across to me watching the U.S. women's soccer team [in 1999]. They'd played together so long and knew each other so well. They hung out together and enjoyed playing together. Their communication with each other led to their dominance of their sport," Varitek said. "I listened to Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain when they were interviewed. Before I ever met Mia [who married Nomar Garciaparra, the former Red Sox shortstop], I knew women tended to be better communicators than men."
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Just two seasons after finally winning a world title, the Boston Red Sox already need a completely new nickname to go with their radically altered team.
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MEAC's Minority Rule
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Tommy Stratchko plays first base and designated hitter for Coppin State University in Baltimore. His twin brother, Bernie, plays third base for the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Three years ago, when their mother Norma first heard the acronym HBCU, she had to ask what it meant. Today, when the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference -- a collection of historically black colleges and universities -- begins its baseball tournament in Norfolk, Norma Stratchko and her husband will be in the stands and their sons will face each other on the field.
That two white twin brothers from La Plata would be starters for a pair of predominantly black schools is hardly even noteworthy in black college baseball circles. Only one of the MEAC's seven baseball teams had a majority-black roster this season, and nearly half of the league's players were white, according to interviews with coaches and sports information directors. At some historically black schools, the ratio of black players to white players is almost the exact opposite of the ratio of black students to white students.
"If you saw these teams without their uniforms, you wouldn't even know they're HBCU anymore," said Claudell Clark, who played and now coaches at Norfolk State. "We're just trying to recruit the best possible athlete we can get, white or black. We're not necessarily concerned with that."
The shrinking number of black baseball players is a much-noted trend that stretches across all levels of the game. Last season, 8.5 percent of Major League Baseball players were African American, down from 18 percent in 1991, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. In the 2004 season, just 6 percent of Division I baseball players were black, according to an NCAA survey, compared with 58 percent of basketball players and 44 percent of football players.
But on campuses that are often 85 or 90 percent black, the MEAC's baseball rosters are especially striking. At Coppin State, about half of the school's 30 white male students play for the baseball team. At league powerhouse Bethune-Cookman, about half of the school's 30 Hispanic male students do the same.
Coaches at historically black schools tell stories of attending showcase events for high school seniors and seeing just four or five black faces among 200 prospects. At their schools, the situation is reversed; white players on several MEAC teams said they're often the only non-black students in their classes and are easily identified as baseball players merely by walking through campus.
"I look at the pictures on my wall; when I started, the team was predominantly black and we had maybe one or two white kids, and you look at it 10 years later and it was split down the middle," said Florida A&M Coach Joe Durant, who has spent 15 years at the Tallahassee school. "You want to look for the African American kids first, because we're a predominantly black university, but when you can't find 'em, you can't find 'em. . . . [Coach] Danny Price from Florida International, he looked at my team and said, 'Damn Joe, you've got more white kids than I do.' "
Whether this is even worth mentioning is a matter of some debate. White players, who in some cases have been asked repeatedly about their school choice by friends and media members, said their minority status is insignificant.
"Baseball is baseball no matter where you go," said Bernie Stratchko, a phrase repeated by players of different races at different schools.
Administrators at several schools said the racial makeup of their teams is never discussed with coaches, that there are no racial quotas or goals and that coaches are merely expected to recruit athletes who are able to compete at the Division I level.
"We don't play baseball because of color," UMES acting athletic director Keith Davidson said. "We play baseball because in order to be a Division I program you have to have 14 sponsored sports, and baseball is one of the ones we chose to play."
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At the historically black colleges in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, an increasing number of white players like Coppin State's Graham Johnson and Matt Mansfield, pictured, are filling the rosters.
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Google's Goal: A Worldwide Web of Books
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It's odd to hear Vinton Cerf, regarded as one of the founding fathers of the Internet, to gush over ink-on-paper books.
The electronic pioneer and computer scientist, who now works as Google's chief Internet evangelist, is also a bibliophile who has a collection of about 10,000 hard-copy volumes lining shelves at his home in McLean.
These days, Cerf is busy promoting Google's plan to marry his two passions -- books and the Internet -- by digitizing millions of library books. He recently dropped by my office to explain the controversial plan and talk about its implications for book lovers.
As Cerf talked about his personal book collection and the limitations of having knowledge fixed on paper, he got me thinking about how reading will be transformed when static libraries join the more dynamic world of cross-referenced knowledge on the Web.
For starters, Cerf said, libraries are not exactly easy to navigate.
"Think for a moment about the dead-tree problem," he said. "When you stand in your own personal library looking for something and you realize that A, you can't remember which book it was in, and B, there's no way you can go through manually looking at all the pages, then you think, 'God, I wish all this stuff was online.' "
That's the stated goal of Google's library project, to create a massive electronic card catalog that will help people find information in published books, much as Google already does with Web pages.
Google has vowed to create a full-text index of seven-million books in the University of Michigan library, along with millions more in the university libraries at Harvard, Stanford and Oxford, as well as the New York Public Library. The idea is similar to Amazon.com's "search inside the book" feature, eventually allowing anyone using Google's free book search ( http://books.google.com/ ) not only to see sample pages from books but also search their contents and find excerpts matching search terms.
Google is not alone in trying to digitize library books. Yahoo, Microsoft and other Internet players have joined a collaborative effort called the Open Content Alliance, which is planning to digitize not only library books but other types of multimedia, as well, making them all accessible on the Web.
Google, however, has embarked on a solo book project that is much further along than the collaborative effort. The Internet search leader has developed technology for bulk scanning of books and started scanning them at the University of Michigan, much to the consternation of the publishing industry. The Authors Guild and a group of publishers have accused the search giant of copyright infringement in two lawsuits filed last fall.
Several of those same publishers were -- and still are -- Google's partners in a program announced in the fall of 2004 to scan in-print books provided by publishers. That plan called for making books searchable online and sharing with publishers the revenue Google gets from showing text ads alongside book search results.
But publishers cried foul a few months later when Google announced it was expanding its book search to include millions of library tomes. Unlike the initial plan, the library project involves scanning many books that are either clearly under copyright or for which the copyright status is unclear.
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In the Fight Against Spam E-Mail, Goliath Wins Again
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Eran Reshef had an idea in the battle against spam e-mail that seemed to be working: he fought spam with spam. Today, he'll give up the fight.
Reshef's Silicon Valley company, Blue Security Inc., simply asked the spammers to stop sending junk e-mail to his clients. But because those sort of requests tend to be ignored, Blue Security took them to a new level: it bombarded the spammers with requests from all 522,000 of its customers at the same time.
That led to a flood of Internet traffic so heavy that it disrupted the spammers' ability to send e-mails to other victims -- a crippling effect that caused a handful of known spammers to comply with the requests.
Then, earlier this month, a Russia-based spammer counterattacked, Reshef said. Using tens of thousands of hijacked computers, the spammer flooded Blue Security with so much Internet traffic that it blocked legitimate visitors from going to Bluesecurity.com, as well as to other Web sites. The spammer also sent another message: Cease operations or Blue Security customers will soon find themselves targeted with virus-filled attacks.
Today, Reshef will wave a virtual white flag and surrender. The company will shut down this morning and its Web site will display a message informing its customers about the closure.
"It's clear to us that [quitting] would be the only thing to prevent a full-scale cyber-war that we just don't have the authority to start," Reshef said. "Our users never signed up for this kind of thing."
Security experts say the move marks a disheartening development in the ongoing battle by computer users, online businesses and law enforcement against those who clutter e-mail inboxes with a continuous glut of ads for drugs, porn and get-rich-quick schemes. According to Symantec Corp., maker of the popular Norton antivirus software products, more than 50 percent of all e-mail sent in the latter half of 2005 was spam.
Alan Paller, director of research for the Bethesda-based SANS Institute, a computer security training group, said extortion attacks have exploded in the past few years. With Blue Security, Paller said, the attackers' extortionist demands were that the company merely stop interfering in a multimillion-dollar spam operation.
"We're hearing from federal law enforcement that they are getting more than one new case of online extortion each day," Paller said.
The spammer's counterattack generated so much Internet traffic that it also affected other sites, including Six Apart Ltd., a San Francisco-based company that runs millions of Web sites through its TypePad and LiveJournal blogging services. The attack also shut down operations for roughly 12 hours at Tucows Inc., a Toronto-based Internet services company that helped manage Blue Security's site.
Tucows chief executive Elliot Noss called the attack "by far the largest the company had ever seen," and said that only a handful of companies have the infrastructure in place to withstand such an assault, much less a more powerful one.
"This attack really was like trying to take out a mosquito with an atomic bomb," Noss said.
The FBI is investigating the attacks, according to Six Apart, but agency officials would not confirm a federal investigation yesterday.
Todd Underwood, chief of operations and security for Renesys Corp., a company that monitors Internet connectivity, called the attack against Blue Security "unsurprising but sad."
The innovative approach in the fight against spam caught the attention of investors in 2004, when Blue Security received more than $4 million in venture capital, but critics questioned whether the company could win such a massive battle.
"When the company's founders first approached the broader anti-spam community and asked them what they thought of the idea, everyone said this was a terrible idea and that they would eventually cause a lot of collateral damage," Underwood said. "But it's also extremely unfortunate, because it shows how much the spammers are winning this battle."
Brian Krebs is a staff writer for washingtonpost.com
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Eran Reshef had an idea in the battle against spam e-mail that seemed to be working: he fought spam with spam. Today, he'll give up the fight.
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National Security and Intelligence
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Washington Post intelligence reporter Dana Priest was online Thursday, May 19, at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss the latest developments in national security and intelligence.
Priest was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Beat Reporting .
Dana Priest covers intelligence and wrote " The Mission: Waging War and Keeping Peace With America's Military " (W.W. Norton). The book chronicles the increasing frequency with which the military is called upon to solve political and economic problems.
Dana Priest: Hi everyone. I'm in, and trying to keep an ear on Gen. Hayden's confirmation hearing as well. It's on C-Span3 for all who want to follow....let's begin.
I realize that part of foreign policy is about making compromises, but how in the world can we advocate for more democracy in the Middle East, when we are establishing diplomatic relations with Libya, a country that isn't all that different from pre-war Iraq?
Dana Priest: Well, the premise is that Libya has turned over a new leaf. It has not changed it's form of government, which is anything but democratic. But it has renounced its support for terrorism in a way that the administration views as credible. And it gave up, literally, it's weapons program. I would suspect that Libya is also continuing to share valuable information about how it procured weapons materials from other countries, business entities, etc.
Richmond, Va.: I've read that the Bush White House is going on a blitz to inform more people in Congress about the NSA phone-number-gathering as part of its campaign to get Hayden confirmed. But my question is this: If the program is illegal, why would it be less illegal if you tell more people about it?
Dana Priest: That's easy. The administration's view (backed up by its lawyers) does not view these activities as illegal.
Bethesda, Md.: Interesting dichotomy this morning between The Post's and NYT's take on the Hayden hearings. The Post seems to have Hayden's nomination up against the ropes while the Times says he's smoothing the way with congressional meetings. Why the big difference? And where do you see his nomination right now?
Dana Priest: Not so black and white discrepancies among the papers, I think. Hayden is doing a pretty good job right now. I think he'll be confirmed fairly quickly. He's appearing candid, relaxed, open (considering). I really don't see any major problems. He even revealed new elements of the NSA program, mainly having to do with the safeguards involved.
Dana Priest: Sorry for the delay. I was riveted on Sen. Feinstein's questions to Hayden on interrogations, renditions and secret prisons. In contrast to the first three hours of the hearing, Hayden clammed up totally and punted everything to the closed session to follow this afternoon.
A Post article on Hayden today said that "Hayden has told colleagues that he expects to act as the intelligence community's manager for human collection, coordinating and overseeing clandestine efforts abroad of the CIA, Defense Department and other government agencies." How realistic do you think this ambition is, considering that SecDef will probably fight this tooth and nail?
And, what have you heard - if anything - about Hayden's intentions regarding counterterrorism analysts at CIA? Is he planning to move all of them into the NCTC and dissolve the CTC? And what reforms will he institute pertaining to the general analyst corps there?
Dana Priest: Well, it's hard to tell since no one ever really has tried. I think Hayden made a pretty persuasive statement that he intended to manage what he is, by law, required to manage. Also, notice that he spoke about bringing everyone up to a "standard of training" or something like that, which really means bringing the DOD folks further into the CIA fold, since they set the standard. That's probably positive.,
Springfield, Va.: Supposedly the NSA hasn't actually been listening in on domestic telephone calls, but rather it has somehow been monitoring patterns of telephone calls. Everyone seems to assume that this practice yields information that could be acted upon, whether or not they think it appropriate, but I'm puzzled. I wonder whether you could explain how monitoring patterns of telephone calls without listening in on them could yield useful intelligence (or direct me to a source that explains this). Thanks!
Dana Priest: Here's one possibility: A bomb goes off in a London suburb on May 14 at 8 a.m. The police find an intact cell phone of one of the suicide bombers. The phone leads to someone living in a Los Angeles suburb. The NSA goes back to phone numbers linked to the LA phone to see if an unusual number of calls were made or received in the hours before or after and, if yes, they trace the entire tree of phone calls. Just the numbers. If they find something interesting, then, I assume, they ask for ids, etc. Just a guess
Washington, D.C.: I can't believe you came back after the beating you took on the last chat, that says a lot about your fortitude. Good luck.
Dana Priest: you should see the other guy...
Milwaukee, Wis.: Dana, thanks for all your great work. ATT, Verizon, and Bell South now claim they gave nothing away with respect to telephone records. empty wheel, a blogger at thenexthurrah, has suggested based on prior reporting from Risen and Lichtblau that these three telecoms gave the NSA access to their switches. She continues: "So yeah, the Telecoms may be technically correct. They didn't give the data to NSA--or have it taken from them. They just opened the backdoor and allowed the NSA to waltz right in and take what they wanted." Just wondered if you had an opinion on this?
Dana Priest: That's certainly a possibility.
New York, N.Y.: Ms. Priest -- I recall hearing former Secretary Schlesinger say something to the effect that intelligence is notoriously inadequate at turning points in history. Apropos of that, is it possible that we expect too much from our intelligence resources at the present time because our policy makers (under Democratic and Republican Presidents) have struggled mightily, and unsuccessfully thus far, to define our national interests in the light of the collapse of the Soviets threat over a decade ago. Further, in the absence of a coherent policy framework that reflects consensus on vital U.S. policy interests, is it possible that the quality of intelligence is really irrelevant. Thank you.
Dana Priest: I'd agree with the first part. Especially that we expect too much. On the one hand the CIA wants adversaries to believe it is all-knowing. But we do too, it seems. That's not reality.
I caught just Dianne Feinstein's questions...Why cant more Senators ask just direct questions than going on and on and on listening to themselves?
I am curious to find out what happens in closed session. Those were the real questions that are on my mind. The General seems competent and was giving calm and collected (and believable) answers when he did, but still - makes me worried that a person so levelheaded could think of snooping programs, and just defer to the Justice Dept (and not get anything in writing from them) about the legality of the program. Did that strike you as odd?
Plus, when did CSpan3 come about? I was mighty miffed when this hearing got shunted to that channel - my cable system doesn't carry that...
Dana Priest: I'm curious too about the closed session! Hayden isn't a lawyer. But he, and other intelligence officials, have come to depend hugely on government lawyers--particular those in the White House and the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel to interpret things like Article 2, presidential authority, and how it may trump certain other laws during this time.
"A Beating on Your Last Chat?":
I missed that and now that reader has my curiosity piqued. Could you please, please with sugar and chocolate strawberries on top provide a link for that chat? Thank you...
Dana Priest: you enjoy a fight? actually it wasn't so bad. I welcome tough questions. I much prefer that to everyone agreeing with everyone else. I just don't like long-winded questions that are really highly partisan statements (not) in disguise. And I've discovered that some of the nasty, partisan one's I've answered were actually submitted by bloggers who, I guess, aren't going to do any of their own reporting to support their opinions -- and definitely don't have the guts to identify what they are really up too. How lazy. Here's the link:
washingtonpost.com: Here are the last few chats: May 11
Hamilton, N.Y.: Hi Dana, I was similarly engrossed by the Feinstein episode/debacle. Shouldn't we take Hayden's refusal to answer, publicly, Feinstein's query on the review of detainees at Gitmo that such reviews aren't taking place? Are we gonna hear more about this?
Dana Priest: I wouldn't read that into it. Here's the problem: even if they really want to (or really have) change these programs, they can't say so on the record. One reason is that there are lawsuits now by people who were wrongfully imprisoned , and others, and the government is using the states secrets privilege to try to stop the suits altogether. If they confirm any of it, it would be hard to maintain that position. So instead, the government will sometimes confirm mistakes to the media, on a background basis. But will play this mum-game in public.
Fort Collins, Colo.: Most of the questions that I would like to ask I suspect that you would prefer not to answer. Those include: What measures do you take to be sure that your sources cannot be traced?
So instead let me ask: Do you think/know that your phone and/or email records have been the target of a 'national security letter' or perhaps searches for 'patterns' or specific contacts with people holding secret intelligence?
Of course, perhaps you prefer not to answer that as well.
Dana Priest: I get asked these kinds of questions many times each session, and mostly from people who seem to be concerned about me or about the news gathering business in general. Let me use this as a chance to say that, unfortunately, I don't want to answer anything that has to do with how I conduct my reporting or the government's efforts to vis a vis any of these matters. Sorry.
Munich, Germany: Any idea what the "probable cause" standard is, that Hayden used to describe the limitation of the NSA's activities? How does this work when there're 10s of thousands or 100s of thousands of suspects?
Dana Priest: The probable cause refers to the actual surveillance or monitoring of calls. The USA Today story, which apparently involves 200 million call records, is another matter entirely. Probable cause generally is a legal standard that has to be proven to a judge. It shows that the government has some credible, alto partial, reason to believe the target is engaged in criminal activity (or the FISA equivalent: terrorist activity in a larger sense).
Los Angeles, Calif.: Do you think the CIA community going to support Mr Hayden? Why not somebody to inside of CIA to be Director?
Dana Priest: First, most CIA directors are not from within the agency. Goss was a member of Congress. Tenet was a Hill staffer. Deutch was a businessman/academic/former defense official. Yes, I do think Hayden will win their support. He knows what it takes ("to bond," as he put it in the hearing).
I see by your front-page article that Hayden is blaming the media. That gets so old. The media just reports. That is all it does. It is ironic that conservatives who hold accountability as a high honor rarely hold themselves accountable. I suppose it is much easier to just blame the media for reporting the truth...
Dana Priest: Dumb subject....I'm sure the headline and story is being rewritten as we speak....
Chicago, Ill.: In your story about the CIA's secret prisons, it was reported that it would be illegal to hold prisoners in such isolation in prisons in the U.S., which is why the prisons are overseas. If our treatment of these prisoners is consistent with our nation's values, wouldn't it make more sense to change the law to create a special category of prisoner such that we can legally detain them in this secretive manner on U.S. soil? Does there seem to be any interest on the part of the administration or the CIA in changing the law to allow this? Holding them overseas as a way of getting around U.S. law seems like a rather contrived "solution".
Dana Priest: You could never get that law changed, I believe. Those right of habeus corpus rules are really bedrock.
Dana Priest: I've gotta run now. Sen. Hatch is reciting all the closed briefings Hayden gave before the NSA story blew up. He's missing the main point though...we've all known from the start that the chair and ranking of the intel committees and the leaders of the senate and house were briefed....but never the full committee.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post staff writer Dana Priest discusses the latest developments in national security and intelligence.
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Debunking Da Vinci
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The controversy over "The Da Vinci Code" continues. The movie, directed by Ron Howard and based on the bestseller by Dan Brown, opened at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Wednesday amid protest and controversy. (It opens in the U.S. and other countries on Friday, May 19.)
The movie, like the book, suggests that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene and had a child and that Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic movement, is a murderous cult.
Darrell L. Bock , research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and author of "Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyone's Asking," will be online Thursday, May 18, at 2 p.m. ET to separate fact from fiction.
Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.
Darrell L. Bock: Hello everyone. I am glad to discuss the Code with you and tell you secrets Dan Brown did not tell you.
Fairfax City, Va.,: Isn't it true that Da Vinci used the same man to act as a model to paint Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot? Isn't that the real story behind the painting of the Last Supper?
Darrell L. Bock: I am not an art historian, so I do not know the specific answer. I can tell you that every art historian I have spoken to and that has emailed me told me he got the art history wrong.
Albany, N.Y.: Why do religious scholars often present church teachings as if they were fact, rather than a version of events unsupported by any historical evidence?
Darrell L. Bock: Because there are both facts and interpretation in history. Some questions can be answered as fact. Jesus did live and was crucified, Fact. Nicea did not discuss the books of the Bible. Fact. Jesus was believed as divine by the first century church. Fact. The last two directly contradict claims by Dan Brown and we have documents that show it.
Bethesda, Md. : Dan Brown does stay this is a work of Fiction. Why do you think so many people including the church is taking it literally?
Darrell L. Bock: Because on national television more than once he said he researched the backdrop carefully and the theories he presented are true, including saying that if he were writing nonfiction he would not change a thing.
Falls Church, Va.: Is Opus Die anything like how the book depicts it?
Darrell L. Bock: Short answer is No. It is a Catholic lay discipleship organization.
Toronto, Canada: I borrowed but couldn't get past a few pages of the terrible prose of Brown's book, and film is being generally panned for losing even the pot-boiler aspect. There are some wonderful, genuinely literary fictions on Christ's sexuality, e.g., Lawrence's "The Man Who Died" and Saramago's "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" and some much more interesting films, Mel Gibson's not included. How are these much more serious and emotionally moving treatments dealt with by scholars?
Darrell L. Bock: This is a good question. The issue is that we know Jesus was single (both liberal and conservative scholars agree here- one of the few things they do agree about). We know nothing else about this aspect of Jesus' life, so anything written about it is speculation.
London U. K.: When one reads carefully the material written about the Qomran Cave and the Dead Sea scrolls, one is pushed to feel that the Jesus of the Christians had not existed. If he did not, how could he marry or stay celibate? Perhaps Christ was an ideal. This is a more plausible alternative, a timeless or at east a useful and welcome product for the time or around the time we like to believe he was around. Even a more Godly or Godlike, mystical embodiment or imagined mystery.
Darrell L. Bock: The Dead Sea Scrolls are Jewish texts of a separatist group that lived in eh desert. They have nothing to do with Jesus. That is why they say nothing about him. Josephus, a Jew, recognized that Jesus existed. So did writers like Tacitus and Suetnius. None of them are Christian. Jesus certainly lived.
Annapolis, Md.: In the book it says that as many as 5 million women were burned to the stake as witches over a 200-year period, either because they were midwives, intellectuals, or too independent/progressive. Any truth to that?
Darrell L. Bock: Non. The number is far too high. It is more like 20,000. Even that is 20,000 too many. It was not because they were progressive or intellectual. That is 21st century language projected back on this period. It was because of fears about witchcraft as well as just excessive paranoia.
Washington, D.C.: The bible has been written and rewritten and rewritten ... and mostly by men over centuries. Why should we consider the Bible the true message of Jesus?
Darrell L. Bock: It has not be rewritten several times. It is the product of a variety of authors over several centuries. The gospels have roots in apostles who walked with Jesus or those who walked with those who walked with them. That is why they quickly gained respect as meaningful sources about Jesus.
Rockville, Md.: What consequences do you see for the evangelical churches and other protestant denominations, who are using Catholic sources to debunk the Da Vinci Code. Does this have consequences for other Catholic doctrine and practices that have traditionally been set aside by these non-Catholic traditions? Could the Da Vinci code experience be a good thing for dialogue?
Darrell L. Bock: The history of the first 350 years of the church predates all of the denominational splits in Christianity. It is a shared history. This is why the appeal is not to Roman Catholic sources but traditional Christian ones before there was a fully formed Roman Catholic church.
New York City: In the TV program "Jack and Bobby" from 2 years ago, one of the characters were talking about the De Vinci code as fact -- even though that is itself a fictitious program, TV does drive popular culture, so do you think that most of "Hollywood" believes this book as fact, and that those crying heresy is protesting too much, thus, is fact? Is Dan Brown influenced by this attitude? Does he really believe what he wrote?
Darrell L. Bock: Dan Brown claimed that what he wrote was fact, that he carefully researched it and that he believed the theories he presented in the novel. Tha is what he said when the novel was released. Now he is saying he simply wanted to get the ideas out there. So I am not sure what he believes now.
NYC: So, what has the Catholic Church been hiding all these years? Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Is there a secret about the "One True Church" that is being hidden from the masses because of power?
Darrell L. Bock: The original church was not an institution of power. It was a heavily persecuted minority that had several people die for their faith until the third century. It could not spin and maintain secrets in this life threatening environment. Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute. This comes from an error of combining incorrectly three biblical texts.
What's the most frequently asked question that you're asked about this book? I.e., which particular aspect/article of evidence/theory seems to most intrigue people?
Farrell LA. Bock: Why all this hubbub about a novel? Answer: Because the author claimed the background was carefully researched and was true.
Washington, D.C.: How do you feel about the disclaimers that were asked to be put in the movie but vehemently denied by the company?
Darrell L. Bock: That was never going to happen if they were to be faithful to the novel. It was a naive thing to request.
Chatsworth, Calif.: Brown points to the person on Christ's right in the De Vinci painting as Mary M. -- it seems unquestionable that that figure looks like a woman while the other 12 are clearly men ...
Darrell L. Bock: No, as art historians have written me, when painters of this period painted folks in their teens it was not unusual to give them a genderless appearance. John is the figure here and he was a young teenager at the time.
Washington, D.C.: I think it took three to four posts before you lost credibility with me by saying we 'know'.
Regardless of the particular topic, one thing is for sure and that is that there is no consensus on any point. Would you care to re-visit or re-phrase your assertion that we 'know' Jesus was single?
Darrell L. Bock: No. We do know that. There is no evidence anywhere that Jesus was married. We have no text that makes such a claim. I admire your certainty about what do we not know, when scholars of all stripes have given their affirmation that this is one thing about Jesus that we can be confident about knowing.
College Park, Md.: The reviews of the movie are so-so. What have you heard and what do you expect?
Darrell L. Bock: The same. I think the movie is up against a lot of expectation. People also know a lot more about the novel and the issues it raised now.
Falls Church, Va.: You can't really argue that the person to the right of Jesus in the Last Supper has long hair and feminine features, can you?
Also what about the lack of a grail in the painting?
Darrell L. Bock: I think I answered this in a post above. I cannot tell you about the lack of a grail. It is debated whether a single grail would have been a part of the original scene.
Herndon, Va.: Thanks you for your precise and well documented book. I find it interesting that when the Bible is held up against other sources of history from that same era it is found to be extremely correct and accurate notwithstanding the claims from those who wish to discredit the text and message. Why is this "fact" not more widely known?
Darrell L. Bock: Good question. Some people do not realize how well attested the Bible is as an ancient document.
McLean, Va.: I have read Holy Blood/Holy Grail and Da Vinci Code. Why is it so far-fetched to believe that Jesus might have married and had children? As Holy Blood implies Jesus would have been looked upon strangely being a rabbi and not being married.
Darrell L. Bock: Jesus was not a formal rabbi. He is called rabbi because he functioned like a teacher. In addition, there was in Judaism a tradition that if one wished to be totally dedicated to religious service then being single was OK. The Essenes at Qomran lived this way.
Chevy Chase, D.C.: Is it your opinion, then, that the proverbial "Holy Grail" is indeed, the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper?
Farrell L. Bock: I have no opinion on this. The Grail discussions are legends from the Middle Ages period. I am uncertain there is any real Grail.
Washington, D.C.: "There is no evidence anywhere that Jesus was married. We have no text that makes such a claim."
C'mon Mr. Bock. This in know way proves Jesus was single. It simply doesn't prove he was married. There is a big difference.
Darrell L. Bock: Let me say it this way. There is nothing that points us to a conclusion that Jesus was married. (And we have mounds of material on Jesus that could have made such a claim). If he was not married, then he was single. Those are the only two options, correct?
Rockville, Md.: Shouldn't you thank Dan Brown for writing his book, which has allowed you to write your own and make who knows how much money? Would this book not exist if it weren't for Mr. Brown?
Darrell L. Bock: It is true that Dan Brown's book has made the topic one of interest to people. I am grateful for that and the opportunity it represents to get a discussion out there. But I did not write the book to make money. I did not seek to write the book. I was approached and asked to write it as one who had expertise in the historical period and I agreed to do it.
Mt. Vernon, Va.: Can you please elaborate on how Mary Magdalene came to be portrayed as a prostitute? Thank you.
Darrell L. Bock: Sure: Luke 7:36-50 has a sinful woman (usually taken to be a prostitute anoint Jesus feet. Luke 8:-13 introduces Mary Magdalene as one who Jesus healed from exorcism. John 12 has MARY of BETHANY anoint Jesus in the last week of his life. If you say the unnamed woman of Luke = Mark of Bethany = Mary Magdalene of Luke, 8, then Mary Mag becomes a prostitute. But this ignores the fact that Luke 8 is introducing a new distinct figure from the sinful woman in Luke 7 and that the anointing of Luke 7 is not the same event as the one in John 12..
Washington, D.C.: National Geographic just did a story on The Gospel of Judas, that paints an entirely different view of both Christ and Judas, as well as Judas's role in the story of Christ. The Gospel of Judas, as well as other "heretical" gospels being "unearthed," portray a different Christ and somewhat a different message from Him, one that seems a bit more Kabbalistic in nature. To me this revelation seems to hit a bit harder than any of the Da Vinci Code nonsense and regurgitation. Why hasn't the various organized churches "hit back" at National Geographic for funding this revelation?
Darrell L. Bock: Another good question. The gospel of Judas is a historically authentic 2nd century text. They did a service by working to restore this text. The hype that surrounded its release was exaggerated in its claims. As the text is a second century text about creation (God did not create, but underling gods did, including Sakla who created Adam and Eve). It also was a text that Irenaeus provably described fro us in 180 CE. It came form a group that often made heroes court of biblical villains known as Cainite Gnostics. i
Takoma Park, Md.: Where does Josephus say that Jesus existed? It is my understanding that he makes no such statement. Rather he says that there were many claims being made around that time about people being considered to be Messiahs.
Darrell L. Bock: Jospehus says it in Antiquities 18.63-64. There is dispute about some of the things said her, but that he referred to a Jesus as one who live din Galilee is not doubted because he also refers to James later as the brother of Jesus.
Alexandria, Va.: Who has mounds of material on Jesus? Why hasn't it been published? Why is so little known about Jesus outside of what's written in the Bible?
Darrell L. Bock: Because the biblical texts are the best sources we have about Jesus. Tha tis why they were preserved. And this was the case before they were recognized as a part of the Bible by the end of the second century.
Brunswick, Md.: I saw a documentary the other night that stated the Priory De Sion never really existed. True or False?
Darrell L. Bock: Sion was the fabrication of four French minds in the 1950s. It never existed as 60 Minutes showed weeks ago.
Washington, D.C.: Quoting chapter and verse as you did above, I'm beginning to regard you more as a biblical scholar or theologian, and less as a historian. Which would you say you are?
Darrell L. Bock: The two are not mutually exclusive. I work in both spheres. It is the job of a historian to know where texts and sources are that say specific things.
Alexandria, Va.: If there's one thing I learned from Da Vinci Code, it's that we SHOULD ask serious questions about Christianity. I don't take any of what's in Dan Brown's book as fact, but the important thing is, it should get people thinking, to ask their own questions and come up with their own answers. And I'd say it's a good thing to be asking questions about the authenticity of the Bible, because I think it's a bit narrow-minded to blindly take the Bible as infallible fact, at least not without asking some hard questions.
The only reason that we take the Bible as fact is because that is what we are TAUGHT to believe from day one. The plain fact is, none of us were alive 2000 years ago, so none of us witnessed with our own eyes the birth of Jesus, the crucifixion, etc. Essentially, we're reading the same stories that have been passed down for hundreds of years. Who's to say that the stories weren't changed gradually over the years? We can't know for a fact that they were or weren't.
Darrell L. Bock: I think you are right. Our manuscript record of these NT texts (over 5700 in Greek and 8000 in Latin) shows there were not wholesale changes in the text's transmission so the stories, although wording did differ in spots, was not radically changed in the transmission process (Something we have evidence for).
North Carolina: How do you counter the evidence that Jesus did not physically exist and is instead a construct of centuries of heroic myths and legends?
Darrell L. Bock: Read the first and second century sources, not just Christians texts of the first century but non-Christian texts from the period (Josephus, Suetonus and Tacitus). They cannot be accused of having a Christian bias.
Brunswick, Md.: Do we know what Da Vinci's real outlook on the Catholic Church was? It makes no sense to me he would supposedly leave fantastic clues regarding a Holy bloodline in his paintings, but at the same time protect the same "secret" as head of the Priory De Sion.
Darrell L. Bock: Do not know his view during his life, but there is strong evidence from his chief biographer that he died in the faith.
Washington, D.C.: I just read the story by Peter Boyer in The New Yorker magazine which seems to say that you are in cahoots with the film's producers to promote the movie, even though you are critical of the movie and Dan Brown. How do you respond to the accusation that you (and other Christians) are public relations tools?
washingtonpost.com: Hollywood Heresy (The New Yorker, May 15)
Darrell L. Bock: I made a decision that the novel and movie was already a cultural fact with millions of people believing the book. I have not received one dime from Sony or the movie people. I simply wrote my views on a public web site that reiterates my severe criticism of the book. I do commend Sony for making such a locale available where the other side of the argument can be displayed. It is very American to have a point-counterpoint. That is what I did. I engaged to try to make sure those who wanted to know that side of the story could and would get it.
Washington, D.C.: Have you published any work on the deterioration texts (apocrypha)? These were the first to spark my interest in the historical aspect of Christianity.
Farrell L. Bock: I have discussed them briefly in my book STUDYING THE HISTORICAL JESUS, when I discuss issues related to historical background and sources.
Alexandria, Va.: Since Gibson's movie was mentioned I have a question on that in comparison with Da Vinci. Why did it catch so much heat as being an inflammatory movie, while Brown's movie, that makes some egregious assertions about Chirst not seen as inflammatory by the media types?
Darrell L. Bock: Actually I think the media has done a nice, calm job of raising questions about the accuracy of the novel. There job is to reflect debate in the public square, which was louder when Gibson's move was released. Those who have objected to Brown's book have done so in civil tones in contrast to much of the emotional reaction to the Passion.
Arlington, Va.: The premise that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and early Church leaders whitewashed that out of the Bible makes no sense to me. If early Church leaders wanted to ensure that no one thought they were married, wouldn't it have made more sense to write her out of the Bible altogether? If Church leaders were worried about this "fact" about Jesus' life getting out, wouldn't it have been more effective to eliminate Mary from the Gospels as one of the central characters?
This is a logical fallacy The Da Vinci Code doesn't seem to overcome.
Darrell L. Bock: Not to mention the elevated role that the "suppressing catholic church" gives to Mary the mother of Jesus.
Germantown, Md.: A tad bit off topic -- what I don't understand is when did Jesus tell people to start worshipping him as opposed to his Father ... I guess what I am asking is if Jesus's purpose for being sent as explained in the Bible was to get people back on the right track worshipping the true God, then why did Christianity start? Seems to me that the first Christians didn't follow Jesus's word ...
Darrell L. Bock: Jesus simply did his work. People, when they came to believe he was raised to God's side began to worship him. Why? because in their view, Jesus shared God's glory, performed his calling in dying for sin and being raised to the side of God, representing both God and man at the same time in doing so.
Fairfax, Va.: What exactly does the pentagram stand for? I read that it had to do with Seal of Solomon. Though I'm not sure what that means either.
Darrell L. Bock: I do not know the answer to that question, I do not know if there is any real symbolism here or not.
Woodley Park, Washington, D.C.: If there is no evidence that specifically points to Jesus being married, what is the evidence that specifically points to Jesus being single?
Also, you say Jesus was not a formal rabbi, he was just referred to as a rabbi because he acted like a teacher. What is the specific evidence for this conjecture?
Darrell L. Bock: He taught and the Jews who questioned him noted his lack fo formal training and lack of authority to do what he did.
There is no effort for Jesus to offer protection for Mary Magdalene when he dies as he does for his mother. Why? When Jesus appears to Mary in John she addresses him as her teacher, not her husband. Why, that is not a normal response of a wife to a husband. John is written in the 90s long before any conspiracy claims by Brown.
McLean, Va.: Since you are both a historian and a biblical scholar, please explain whether you believe the divinity of Jesus is a proven historical fact. If so, then what is "faith"?
Darrell L. Bock: I do not think you can prove Jesus' divinity as a "fact" It is an interpretive claim about his life and work. What you can do is point to the evidence that those around him came to this view, that the empty tomb and belief in resurrection to such a vindication is something that is a historical fact. I also think the activity of Jesus is consistent with such a claim. In the end, I have to believe that this conclusion aligns with the claims. At least that is what Christians beleive that makes them Christians
Fairfax, Va.: I understand why the Catholic church is so adamant about disliking this book/movie. However, do you think their outspoken opposition will cause curious people to go see it to see what all the fuss is about? It seems that all the Church, Opus Dei and the albino community are doing is making sure the "Da Vinci Code" stays on everyone's mind and on everyone's home page.
Darrell L. Bock: Yes, that is a probable effect. Bu the fact is this stuff is on people's minds and has been for 3 years.
Alexandria, Va.: So who was Mary Magdalene?
Darrell L. Bock: She was a follower of Jesus who was healed by him, saw his crucifixion, burial place and was the recipient of a post-resurrection appearance by Jesus.
Vienna, Va.: What is so "dangerous" about knowing Jesus' marriage status besides that it is different from the supported evidence?
Darrell L. Bock: I think I have said that there is nothing "dangerous" about the possibility of Jesus being married. I just do not think there is evidence that he was.
Sterling, Va.: Isn't it true that Dan Brown and the authors of Holy Blood Holy Grail relied on documents in the French National Library to bolster their claims of the existence of the Priory of Sion and a blood connection between the Merovingians and Jesus? I read that most historians believe these documents were planted in the library by a French con man named Pierre Planchard in the 1950s -- why do none of those authors even entertain that those documents might be fakes instead of facts?
Darrell L. Bock: good question.
Washington, D.C.: I'm a natural born cynic, so I wonder how we KNOW there is no secretive Catholic group? The Vatican is a reclusive, secretive, place. How would anyone outside of that enclave ever know for certain if such secret (though perhaps not murderous) groups exist?
Darrell L. Bock: We cannot KNOW the opposite either
Arlington, Va.: Do think the Da Vinci Code would have been so controversial if Dan Brown had simply left out the page at the front of the book that claims everything in it is fact? I've read the book and think it is a great work of fiction. It's a well written, engaging story, but it does bother me that he said it's based on fact when it's really just a conspiracy theory.
Darrell L. Bock: Yes, if it had been just another novel, it would not have received as much ongoing attention.
Washington, D.C.: Have you seen the movie?
Darrell L. Bock: It is not released yet. I am seeing it this afternoon at a prescreening to which I was invited.
San Diego, Calif.: Regarding Opus Dei's objections:
Since the organization is a personal prelature of the Pope, there was a lot of "Whither Opus Dei" discussion upon the death of John Paul II. There has also been recent publicity surrounding the sainthood cause of the group's founder and some open complaints by members. This adds up to a lot of presumably unwanted attention right around the time of the book's popularity.
Do you think there is more to their protest than just not liking being the bad guys in the story?
Darrell L. Bock: I doubt it.
Arlington, Va.: Dear Mr. Bock,
I'm not sure if others are aware or not but there have been other films which have suggested the very same themes as those contained in the "Da Vinci Code" (e.g., the comedy "Dogma" and the B-movie "Stigmata").
Why has the Da Vinci Code drawn such criticism? I am a Catholic myself and I do not find that the existence of such movies or their popularity in any way challenges my faith or harms the church.
Why this time are there so many protests and angry Catholics?
Darrell L. Bock: Because of the author's claims.
Darrell L. Bock: I have to run to another interview. It has been fun. Thank you for your questions and patience. Darrell Bock
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Darrell L. Bock, research professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and author of "Breaking the Da Vinci Code: Answers to the Questions Everyone's Asking," separates fact from fiction.
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Comics: Meet the Artist
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Join Washington Post Comics page editor Suzanne Tobin online once each month to discuss the comics pages. From artists to writers to editors, Tobin is joined by a different guest for each show. This week, Tobin was joined by " Watch Your Head " cartoonist Cory Thomas .
Suzanne Tobin: Welcome, comics fans to another edition of "Comics: Meet the Artist." Today our guest is Cory Thomas, a newcomer to syndication, whose "Watch Your Head" has been running in The Post since March 27 on an 8-week trial basis. Cory is joining us from his home in D.C. Welcome, Cory, and thanks for joining us Live Online.
Cory Thomas: Thank you. Glad to be here. I'm blindfolded and tied to the stake, ready to go.
Suzanne Tobin: First, can you give our readers a brief biographical sketch.
Cory Thomas: Briefly... I was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. (Put your maps away. It's in the Caribbean.) I've been in the US since 1998, going to school and such. Got my degree in Mechanical Engineering. Getting my Masters degree next. I started the strip in 2003. It's been a refinement process since then.
Fairfax Station, Va.: Hi Cory!How much of a culture shock did you go through when you came to D.C. from Trinidad?
Cory Thomas: Unlike comic-strip-Cory, I'm pretty phlegmatic and even-tempered. I wasn't particularly phased by anything I encountered.
Really, most of our television in Trinidad consists of American programming. Add to that music radio, magazines, movies. We're pretty much familiar with American culture before we even hop on the plane.
Arlington: So, I guess this is an obvious question for this chat, but how did you get started doing a comic strip?
Cory Thomas: The strip was originally conceived for Howard University's Hilltop newspaper. (I was already the editorial cartoonist) It ran like... three times because of space restrictions. But I developed it on my own for my own amusement. Then I decided it was good enough for the rest of the world to see... or ignore. I don't know yet.
Burke, Va.: How do you feel when people compare your strip to Booondocks?
Cory Thomas: Honestly, I think it's a lazy comparison. Apart from the characters being predominantly black, the strips are nothing alike.
The comparison actually does me a disservice, because readers approach the strip expecting edgy, controversial political discourse. So, naturally my strip would pale in comparison. That's not what the strip's about.
It's like comparing Peanuts to Prince Valiant because the characters are white. Then complaining because the Prince never talks to birds.
Yesterday, during Mr. Downie's chat he said that Boondocks was not running because the artist was taking a leave of absence to work on other projects. Can you tell me when Boondocks might return?
Suzanne Tobin: Aaron McGruder, the "Boondocks" cartoonist, decided to take a six-month sabbatical that began on March 27. For several days before and after that, we ran a note to our readers explaning that we would be testing three different strips, each for 8 weeks, in the "Boondocks" space. Today we have a note asking for reader feedback on "Watch Your Head" which ends its trial run Sunday. Monday we will pick up "Pajama Diaries" for eight weeks. We also have run a line above "Watch Your Head" saying that Aaron McGruder is on sabbatical for six months. Just out of curiosity, do you read the print edition or the online edition?
Silver Spring, Md.: How did you pick the name of the university in the comic strip, I mean Oliver Otis?
Cory Thomas: The school is VERY loosely based on Howard University in DC. Oliver Otis is General Howard's first two names.
Washington, D.C.: Just wanted to say I will miss your strip in the Post and hope it comes back soon. (Suzanne, you could free up a lot of room by dropping BC, Broom Hilda, Hagar, Dennis the Menace...) Anyway, Cory, where can we read Watch Your Head online?
Cory Thomas: It's available at www.comics.com as well as www.ucomics.com
Washington, D.C.: So the main character has your name. Is this really you? Did you have a crush on an unobtainable, gorgeous girl in college?
Also, are your characters going to age? Will they graduate and get jobs?
Cory Thomas: The main character is me making fun of myself. I'm not that neurotic or naive or nerdy. Well... I am that nerdy but...
The girl is just an amalgam of every girl I've tried and failed with.
Bowie, Md.: How did you become syndicated? Are you finding it hard to do a strip every day?
Cory Thomas: I submitted my work to the major syndicates. The Washington Post Writers Group took an immediate shine to it. I spent about a year developing it with them. And... there you have it.
Cory Thomas: Also, I have a lot of work already completed. I'm about four months ahead. So the real pressures of daily creation haven't really overwhelmed me as yet.
Washington, D.C.: Cory, I love your strip and I think that it's great that the Post took a chance on it. Were you worried about setting a strip at an HBCU especially since many folks could have made the claim that it is impossible for them to relate?
Cory Thomas: There are strips about cavemen playing baseball. Strips about lazy soldiers and angry sargeants. There are strips about talking cats, pigs, rats. And those are some of the most popular strips out there.
Anyone complaining that they "can't relate" to the strip's setting or characters just isn't trying.
Annandale, Va.: You're a talented artist and your art brings style to the 'style' section. I also enjoyed your 'bio' at planetcory.com.
I have a couple of questions that maybe you've thought about....
I can't recall ever seeing a one-panel cartoon by an African-American cartoonist. Has it just been unexplored or is there a reason? The styles, of course, are very different.... Is it necessary to develop characters to impart the "black experience"? Is it something one panel can't do?
Also, are there any A-A cartoonists who don't "broadcast" their background? I mean, it's obvious that McGruder, Bell, et al, are "drawing" on their experience. But Mr Brooke McEldowney has several major female characters in his strip. And I have it on good authority that Larson is NOT a cow.
Cory Thomas: One such strip I'm familiar with is called (th)ink by a cartoonist named Keith Knight.
Cory Thomas: There's also another single panel strip done by an African American artist who's name I can't recall. It's based primarily in an office environment with predominantly white characters... Which I guess answers your other queston.
Fairfax County, Va.: Ms. Tobin: Why not let humor guru Gene Weingarten have his way with the comics section for a month -- and see if people prefer those to the current ones? Don't you think the comics syndicates would sign a one month contract for such a trial run? Then let the readership vote. Would it really kill people if they didn't have, e.g., their Peanuts reruns for 39 days? (You could make the serial comics off limits so people could keep up with their story lines.) No, I am not Gene Weingarten.
Suzanne Tobin: While I, personally, would love to see Gene "have his way" with the comics section, the powers-that-be have a different opinion. Gene and I would both like to see "our" versions of the comics pages come to life, but there's this little group that our bosses care more about than us: the readers. The ones who actually buy the newspaper. Gene and I have a running battle over which comic deserves to be killed first: He says "Classic Peanuts" and I say "B.C." I believe we will see more comics changes if you readers stop wasting time preaching to the choir (me and Gene) and send your opinion to comics@washpost.com or call the comics hotline at 202-334-4775. The higher-ups get a breakdown of every call, e-mail and snail mail letter you send and THAT pulls alot more weight with them than either of us, lowly peons that we are!
Burtonsville, Md.: Cory, as a Howard (as in Oliver Otis Howard University) grad and faculty member, I am extremely proud of you and a big fan of "Watch Your Head." Just as Spike Lee's "School Daze" and Bill Cosby's "Different World" made 'America at large' familiar and comfortable with the concept of high-achieving Black Kids aspiring to and succeeding at HBCU's (Historically-Black Colleges and Universities), your strip offers balance to the pervasive image of Black youth that 'America at Large' is fed through the media, music videos, and to a lesser extent even through "Boondocks." I especially like the dynamic between intellectually-gifted but socially-awkward Cory and the students who feel they have to portray themselves as more "street" to avoid the 'nerd' stigma which attaches to Black males in college. One question though: your draftsmanship has improved exponentially since your "Hilltop" days. "Watch Your Head" is exceedingly well illustrated, to the point that I have to ask: are you responsible for the writing and artwork, or are you (as Aaron MacGruder did) writing the strip while the artwork is done by other artists? No offense, I still love your strip either way and I am hopeful the Washington Post sees fit to continue to find a place for "Watch Your Head" in their comic pages. Keep up the good work.
Cory Thomas: Yes. I'm solely responsible for the art, writing, coloring, etc. The Hilltop stuff was the first time I'd produced work like this regularly. It was the training ground for my creativity.
Also... the version of WYH that ran in the Hilltop was a lot more "cartoony" just because I thought it had to be. I always worried that my natural style was too realistic for the funny pages.
Prince Valiant: I think Prince Valiant would be greatly improved if the Prince talked to birds. Can we have a chat with that cartoonist?
Suzanne Tobin: Well, I don't think talking to birds would be any more far-fetched than the current plotline with ghosts in the tower!Right after 9/11, I didn't feel like I just didn't feel in the mood to do chats with humorous cartoonists, so I did have a chat with John Cullen Murphy, who did Prince Valiant. He has since departed this earth, and his son, Cullen Murphy, who used to do the illustrating, and was the editor of the Atlantic Monthly, resigned from that position after his dad died. So, yeah, maybe we can get the new artist or writer on and you can make your suggestion then!
Washington, D.C.: Do you intend for your characters to grow and age a la For Better or For Worse, or to stay perpetually the same age a la Zits, etc.? (Or have you thought that far in advance?)
For what it's worth, I find I can relate to many things in the strip just from having gone to college... I don't think being able to relate depends necessarily on the HBCU connection.
Cory Thomas: I don't think I can convincingly write about college when I'm 45. My characters will age veerrrryyy slowly. But they WILL age and graduate and enter the real world. Not anytime close to soon, though.
Alexandria, Va.: How often do you interact with other cartoonists? Is the field supportive and collaborative or is it so competitive that you're worried other artists will lift ideas?
Cory Thomas: I occasionally post on internet message boards where other creators are members. I've also solicited advice at times from other creators. The responses have been generally supportive and constructive.
Zombie comics: Seconding DC's recommendation. The Post needs to make room for up and coming cartoonists by getting rid of stale, boring, irrelevant 'zombie' comics like BC, Family Circus, Wizard of Id, Beetle Bailey, etc. etc. You're running Peanuts, a cartoon drawn by a dead man, ferchrissakes!
Suzanne Tobin: Ferchrissakes, when we took out "Classic Peanuts" for two lousy days to squeeze in a note to readers we had 80--count 'em--80 phone calls about it! And that was AFTER we had the outgoing message explain that it was just for two days! Will you people PLEASE call the Comics Hotline at 202-334-4775 or e-mail comics@washpost.com. They think Gene and I are just troublemakers!
Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.: If the Post wants to attract and retain young readers it should have more edgy comics. The Post hides Tom the Dancing Bug in the Weekend section, and Bolling is sometimes as good as Toles. LuLu 8 Ball (City Paper) would be a great addition as a weekly strip; you'd just have to get the creator to clean it up a bit.
Suzanne Tobin: Question: Will you call the comics hotline and tell my bosses that? I hate to sound like a broken record, but you really do need to go through the channel that gets to the top brass. The "change-phobics" don't hesitate to let us know they want things to stay the same. We need more readers who relish change to weigh in at comics@washpost.com or 202-334-4775. Believe me, they'll hear you if you just take a moment or two to use the avenues that are specifically set up for comics feedback.
College Park, Md.: Are Robin and Cory going to get together??
Cory Thomas: Honestly... I don't even know. Depends on what's funniest.
Edgewater, Md.: I've noticed you do some edgier gags. Have you had any trouble with papers running strips that say things like "pee in this cup for me" or the sperm bank strip you did?
Cory Thomas: Some papers were nervous about the sperm bank and requested an alternate version. No one requested an alternate for the pee joke, though. Which is odd, since that was the more blatant of the two.
Along with the "edgier" strips, I create safer alternate versions for editors nervous about upsetting the more conservative.
Here's the good news: As much as I miss Boondocks, I've really enjoyed your run in the Post comics section. Thank you!
Now for the bad news: I'm a 40-something, middle-class white female. I hope that doesn't make you rethink your writing style!
(tongue firmly in cheek here)
Cory Thomas: It, honestly, sometimes does. I'm still learning not to edit myself before I even put pen to paper. I'm still learning to trust my own voice.
Washington, D.C.: How come there's no link for "watch your head" on the post's comics page?
Suzanne Tobin: It's not? There must be some kind of mistake. I've put in a call to their features editor but haven't heard back. Submit a question with your e-mail address and I'll forward it to them. (I won't publish it on the chat, I promise.)
Weingarten.: Tobin, as you well know, 80 phone calls is NOTHING. They were from three people. All over 80 and living in Gaithersburg. We must stop being extorted by wrinklies.
Suzanne Tobin: But our bosses don't KNOW that! And 80 phone calls IS something! Please, pretty please, encourage your legions of fans to call the hotline or e-mail their opinion. Then those people who make lots more money than you or me will not be able to dismiss us as a couple of cranks!
Washington, D.C.: So, Scott Adams, the Dilbert cartoonist, once told readers that we would know when Dilbert lost his virginity on a day when he drew Dilbert's tie uncurled.
Are you going to give us a similar clue for when Nerdboy gives it up? And will it be with Hotchick?
Cory Thomas: Why do you assume that Cory's a virg... OK, so maybe he is.
Washington, D.C.: Hey Cory. I'm enjoying Watch Your Head in the Post - you definitely have your own style. What are your humor influences?
Cory Thomas: Comic strips like Peanuts (to me, the greatest in my lifetime) and Calvin & Hobbes.
My humor (and art) were also heavily influenced by comic book creators Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire.
We moved out of the DC area, but before we left, we were long-time subscribers to the Post. Do our comments (non-subscribers) have less weight now we no longer subscribe? Even if we WANTED to? Or hope to move back some day? I long to see reform on the comics page, and while we were living there, wrote in a BUNCH of times (most recently about running Candorville).
Suzanne Tobin: I believe if you're out of the area your comments probably aren't taken to heart as much as those of people in our subscriber area. Hope you come back soon! We need more folks like you.
Mechanical Engineering?: Admittedly I don't know what mechanical engineering involves, but is it similar to cartooning at all?
Cory Thomas: Only if you're amused by simulation of wake vortices or isentropic expansion of ideal air.
Bowie, Md.: Wow, it looks like you know your comic strips. What other strips are you a fan of? Which do you think influenced you most?
Cory Thomas: All time fave: Peanuts. It's the only zombie comic I don't mind taking up space. And Blondie. Blondie's still funny.
Current faves: Big Nate, Pearls Before Swine, Get Fuzzy, Foxtrot... too many to name. I'm a fan of the artform.
Washington, D.C.: Hey, Cory. Good strip. In the first or second week, I was astonished to see you introduce a character who appeared to be a monkey. He was taking a test, as I recall. At a predominantly black college. A monkey. And I said to myself that this cartoonist better Watch His Head, as it were. I figured we were not going to see the next day of that strip.
Then we did. And the day after that, too. I also discovered to my relief that you are African-American. Still, what gives? Isn't this making light of a very hurtful stereotype? I seem to recall that Howard Cosell almost destroyed his otherwise impeccable career by referring to a black running back as "that little monkey."
Are you either too young to know this epithet, or cannily appropriating this stereotype to blunt its power to injure?
Or is it something else that I, as an elderly clueless white guy, cannot possibly understand?
Cory Thomas: I'm aware of the stereotype. That wasn't what I had in mind with the character, though.
I just think monkeys are funny. Monkeys in clothes using people tools and doing stuff? Funny. That's as deep as the thought process went.
But I knew someone somewhere could potentially misinterpret it and take offence. I willingly took the risk.
No, not Peanuts: Charles Shultz dead is better than half the stuff out now (present company excepted).
Hart, otoh, could just as well stay in the Wichita paper.
Suzanne Tobin: Okay, what's otoh? And, while I believe Schulz was a genius, you can buy his complete works in book form. Space on the comics page is just too scarce, I feel, to give to comics--even classic comics--that are readily available elsewhere.
Washington, D.C.: Are you Jewish?
Cory Thomas: If I am, Mom's going to have some explaining to do.
And another thing: How about running some of Shirley Povich's columns instead of the guys you have?
Suzanne Tobin: Okay, is this George Solomon promoting the compilation of Shirley's columns that he edited, "All Those Mornings...in the Washington Post"? You're not fooling anyone, buddy! But it does give me a chance to tell one of my favorite anecdotes from when I was the gofer in the Sports Department and a rare female presence there in the late '70s and someone wrote in a letter criticizing one of Povich's column and saying in effect, that it was garbage because it was written by a woman. I always loved that one. Wished I'd kept it for posterity.
IJOCA.com: Cory, when did you launch the strip in syndication? Just recently? If so, how many papers are you running in?
Cory Thomas: The strip was launched on March 27th. Less than two months ago. At present, it's in about 15 papers, including a paper back in Trinidad.
in good hum, OR: this is The Washington Post, fella. we know where trinidad is.
Cory Thomas: Great. Then maybe you can help me. My breadcrumb trail appears to have been eaten by birds.
Washington, D.C.: What do you like to do for fun besides cartooning?
That question implies that I have a life. Unless you count reading comic books and watching court shows on TV.
Speaking of which, Judge Alex is on. I have to go. I wish I could have gotten to all the questions. I appreciate the interest and support of everyone. Thanks for a fun hour on a rainy Thursday.
Suzanne Tobin: Thank YOU, Cory, for letting our readers get to know you "up close and personal," to steal the ABC Sports line. Much luck with the strip. As a native Washingtonian, I always love to see my neighbors live long and prosper. And just a final reminder to the readers that we're awaiting your feedback on the strip at 202-334-4775 or comics@washpost.com.I hope y'all will join me next Friday at 1 when we'll be Live Online in Chicago with the nominees for the Reuben Award, the Oscar of cartooning. See you then.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post comics page editor Suzanne Tobin is joined by "Watch Your Head" cartoonist Cory Thomas.
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'The World of Nat King Cole'
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In 2005 -- 40 years after his untimely death -- Nat King Cole returned to Billboard's Top 50. Featuring the musical pioneer, the American Masters documentary "The World of Nat King Cole" examines Cole's appeal and achievements during a 30-year music and television career. It aired on PBS on Wednesday, May 17 at 9 p.m. ET. (Check local listings.)
Nat King Cole's daughter Carole Cole was online Thursday, May 18, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss her father's life and career.
This American Masters film focuses not only on Cole's celebrity, but on the Civil Rights movement and how the singer of such popular songs as "Mona Lisa," "Too Young" and "Pretend" broke through major racial barriers in the entertainment industry as the first black American to have his own national radio show and the first black American to have his own television show.
The eldest of Nat King Cole's children, Carole Cole began her acting career in 1965 and signed to Columbia Pictures with her fellow actor, Harrison Ford. Her acting credits include the films The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 (1974), The Mad Room (1969) and The Silencers (1967). She appeared on television in "Positively Black" (1975) and was a series costar on the NBC sitcom "Grady" (1975-6). On stage Cole appeared in Gore Vidal's Weekend (1968), the Lincoln Center/Public Theater production of Pericles (1974 New York Shakespeare Festival) and What If It Had Turned Up Heads (1972). As a writer, Cole's credits include features in On Stage, On Location Magazine and Christmas For Kids (CD).
Cole is currently CEO of King Cole Partners and King Cole Productions and sits on the Board of Directors with sisters Natalie Cole, Timolin Cole-Augustus and Casey Cole-Ray.
Carole Cole: Hi everybody, great to meet you in cyberspace!
Pure jazz fans have always admired Nat's prowess on the piano (I wish I could have sat around when he was just "doodling".)
What is your take on your father's keyboard skills and what did he like to play when relaxing at home?
Carole Cole: Interesting question. I also have a very real passion for my dad's piano prowess. I think it's great that so many people who are beginning to discover it, that really weren't aware that he was such an extraordinary pianist. As his original fans know, dad started on the piano, and never had a real interest in doing any kind of vocal work. When he put the trio together, what's interesting to me, it was at a time when the big bands were what was happening. And for him to come in with a trio was kind of unheard of there. And I think it was because it was this trio, these three instruments, piano, guitar and bass, you could hear them in a way, where they would often get obscured in a big, big band, so all those players were really spotlighted. But dad's love of the piano began early on when he was playing organ in his father's church. And his father wasn't enormously happy that his son was actually leaning more towards jazz rather than gospel music, but he and his brothers pursued their love for jazz, and the rest as they say is history.
I think "doodling" at home on the piano was a combination of him sort of improvising - I think again early in his career he did more songwriting when he was with the trio than he did in later years. And other doodling, interestingly enough, was done when he would get together with songwriters, and they would want to play whatever they'd written, obviously in the hopes that he would want to record what they had written. So often, there would be a jam on the piano between a songwriter like Jimmy McCue and him.
New York, N.Y.: Hello Ms. Cole,
I've often wondered how your father approached the contradiction of being a respected entertainer loved by many Americans on the one hand, and yet at the same time an African-American fully aware that he and his fellow African-Americans were viewed and treated as unequals by American society in general. Did your father ever talk openly with you or others about the civil rights struggle, what he viewed his role in it to be, and his opinions and hopes with respect to it, or politics in general?
Carole Cole: I'm not sure that my father perceived these issues as a contradiction necessarily. I think as an artist he saw through the limitations and the prejudices that existed in the world. I imagine part of the reason that he perceived these issues a little differently began with the way he was brought up, with a father that was a Baptist minister. So I think that part of his view of the world was, in a kind of real way, dictated from a spiritual point of view. On the other hand, he obviously realized what he was up against with other African Americans and people of color in this country and other places in the world. And I think he took it upon himself to break through those barriers in whatever way presented itself to him. So as is explored a bit in the documentary, he would - if it was a matter of moving into a neighborhood that a covenant or racial restrictions for those who lived there - his choice was to move in. I think that same approach was used when he would be touring and have to deal with where he would be staying in a hotel, or when he would be performing and there were restrictions with seating African Americans. So all of these kinds of things I think he approached on a case by case level. Overall, I think my father believed in making changes by, or leading by, example. He wasn't inclined to hold a press conference when he broke down a barrier or changed a policy. He did it in his own quiet way. But he was adamant about making those changes that would ultimately open doors for everybody else.
Melbourne, Australia: Did your Dad speak Spanish?, I fondly remember a song called "Adelita". When will this special be screened in Australia?I'll be 50 next year, my dad loved your Dad's music and because it reminds me of my dad, I love it as well. Thank you.--Dalila
Carole Cole: Well Dalila, no, my father didn't actually speak Spanish. But as you and your dad may know, he recorded three albums in Spanish which he learned phonetically. He certainly had a deep admiration for Latin culture. And a number of friends from Mexico, Brazil and Cuba. In fact his manager, Caroles Gastel, was Cuban. I wish I could tell you when the documentary airs in Australia...But either check your local listings, or go online to the American Masters Web site.
Dallas, Tex.: My parents, from Latin America, love Nat King Cole. They always played his Spanish albums. I have spoken to other Hispanics who say the same thing. He was the first to attempt this and the people loved him for it. More artists today should try this approach.
Carole Cole: I agree. I think it's interesting to me that this was another area in which I believe my father was a pioneer. You might be interested to know that in his travels throughout Latin America he was received with opened arms and an enormous amount of affection. For instance, when he first toured Brazil it seemed the population of Rio de Janeiro turned out en masse throwing roses at his feet to walk on, and he and my mother were asked to stay with the then-president of Brazil in the Brazilian palace. It's also interesting that he attempted to record in a number of other languages which needless to say, further endeared him to other cultures. He recorded Autumn Leaves in Japanese, which you can see in the documentary. I believe he recorded a tune here or there in Italian, French. And I imagine he would have done more in this area if he'd had the time.
Clinton, Md.: I read somewhere that Nat smoked three packs a day, believing smoking kept his voice low. Did he have any other daily rituals that he felt encouraged his art?
Carole Cole: I don't know how many packs a day he smoked, and I certainly don't believe he thought it enhanced his vocal chops. Although I do believe he was quoted as saying that, I believe it was a misquote. Daily rituals - I know there were some throat lozenges that he used at times, especially when he was on the road and had to perform 2 or 3 shows back to back. But other than that I don't think he paid much attention to caring for his voice in that sense.
Louisville, Ky.: I love your father's music, and so do my kids!
Did your father ever sing you songs at bedtime?
Carole Cole: Well, Ben, I wish he would have sung at bed time! But, he and my mother were usually on the road touring. He did, however, record two children's albums that are absolutely delightful. And my sister Natalie and I have a favorite tune from those albums that's called Ke-mo Ki-mo. This is one of the coolest songs for kids and adults! It's also called The Magic Song. And Ke-mo Ki-mo kind of translates to "I love you."
Washington, D.C.: Will there be a movie made about his life and if so are there any actors that you would want to portray Nat King Cole.
Carole Cole: That's a good question! We certainly would love to see a biography of Nat's life on the big screen. Almost every other month we get approached by someone who would like to see this film made. Certainly after the success of Walk the Line and the Ray Charles film, there's been an additional amount of interest. A number of actors have expressed their desire to play dad, and lately we've been thinking that Dennis Haysberg - currently in The Unit - has something in his physical presence and his stature that reminds us of our father. And of course, he's a wonderful actor. Should a film be made we agree that the tracks of dad's music would be used instead of someone having the daunting task of trying to imitate his voice. So, yes, maybe one day, a film will be done.
Raphael Cristy, Albuquerque, N.M.: Did Nat Cole enjoy and continue to play the piano after he stopped including the piano in his performances?
Carole Cole: Absolutely. The piano I believe was his first love. Dad had such a deep regard for musicians. And I think he clearly understood that special instrumental language that musicians have in communicating. I was always amazed by the moment in dad's performances when he would smile at the audience and say, "now for you music lovers" ... And then he would sit at the piano stool, and with his rhythm section and the orchestra play a medley of instrumental tunes.
Falls Church, Va.: I think your Dad's version of Stardust is the single most sublime piece of pop music of the 20th century.
He brought great artistry and feeling to his singing. While listening to the song SMILE a few years back I couldn't help think it was his personal response to racial oppression. Or was he more confrontational about that issue? What do you think?
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Carole Cole: It's interesting that you've made this kind of connection to the song and racial tensions or obstacles. In the documentary there's actual a segue that's made between the incident when Nat is attacked on stage in Birmingham, Alabama and the song, "Smile". However, that was an editing choice. And this beautiful song, "Smile", was actually written by Charlie Chaplin, who was a friend of my dad's. And I believe it was in the film Modern Times when Chaplin's little tramp character is walking away from the camera, that song is used.
Redondo Beach, Calif.: As a fourteen year old in 1958, I met two daughters of Nat Cole, who he introduced as "Cookie" and "Sweetie", at a home Nat owned in the Hancock Park section of Los Angeles. Are you one of those two girls? We went to a Dodger game together.
Carole Cole: Peter in Redando Beach - yeah, I'm Cookie! Nice hearing from you. I wish I could remember. We want to so many Dodger games, as both of my parents were huge baseball fans.
Washington, D.C.: What an honor to speak with you. I've always loved and admired the music your family creates --including your uncle, Freddy Cole (I'm Not My Brother, I'm Me).
I was wondering if you or your brother are singers/musicians and if we can ever expect the family to perform together in public?
Carole Cole: Well interestingly enough, our uncle Freddy Cole has performed with my sister Natalie. Every now and again they do some gigs at like the Blue Note in Japan, and the Blue Note in New York. And all of my uncles were musicians, all very talented. Freddy Cole's son is a musician/songwriter, that would be my cousin Lionel. My youngest son Harleigh is a musician, composer. Plays keyboard and congas. So who knows, maybe one day, all these talents in the family will perform together. Time will tell.
Forestville, Md.: I would like to tell you that even though I was a little girl when your Dad died, I do remember him and my parents were avid Nat King Cole fans and I grew up listening to his incredible voice, What God given talent the likes will never be in any other person. Thank you Mr. Cole.
Carole Cole: Thanks so much for your thoughts. I'm always stunned by people who even, like yourself, as children, felt some connection to this man. Really he touched a lot of hearts across racial and generational lines. It's rather extraordinary to me.
Matawan, N.J.: Hi Carole, I'm a new fan of your Dad's music thanks to this PBS documentary...he's in my iPod this morning! Do you have a favorite song of his?
Carole Cole: Wow, how cool is that?!? And he's in your iPod too! That is wonderful. You might log onto the hollywoodandvine.com Web site to discover lots of great tracks and CD's in his catalogue. As for my favorite song, obviously I have many, but here are three that are at the top of my personal list. One would be Nature Boy, two would be Stardust. And three would be When I Fall In Love.
Trenton, Mich.: Do you think that your father would have continued performing well into his golden years? Anything he wanted to do professionally that fate didn't allow?
Carole Cole: Yes I do think he would have continued performing, at least for as long as he felt he would be at the top of his game musically. Based on some of the things he was doing prior to his passing, I also believe he would have started producing. Dad was very adept at recognizing and appreciating new talent. So I think he would have been interested in helping young people get their start. And advising them and perhaps recording them. Dad also loved the theater and film. And I imagine he would have considered developing his acting chops if there had been roles, or if there had been more roles available. Because of his experiences and pioneering efforts in the world of television I think he recognized the importance of African Americans being characterized in film in ways that were not promoting stereotypes.
Washington, D.C.: Dear Ms. Cole. The comment made by the person from Falls Church, VA is very interesting. The song "SMILE" reminds me of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "We wear the mask".
I am a 20 year-old-actor/piano player and enjoy Nat King Cole's Music. What other artist's work did Nat King Cole enjoy?
Carole Cole: It's always nice to hear from someone who reads and embraces poetry. The short list of other artists Nat enjoyed would be as follows: Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, John Coltrane, Lambert Hendricks and Ross, Peggy Lee, Quincy Jones, the list goes on. But again, my father was always inclined to celebrate other artists and their work. I think he would have enjoyed being an audience member more than he had the time to do.
Similar artist: I noticed Bryan McKnight singing to your mom on a TV show. Could you name, in your opinion any current artist that have the same flavor as your dad's music and style. Class act.
D. Bennaugh (Nat reminds me of my late father)
Carole Cole: You know I think there are a number of contemporary artists who have something in their tone, or their presentation or their phrasing that suggests Nat was an influence. We now know that there were a number of artists during Nat's lifetime that emulated his sound. Two that immediately come to mind are Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye. I actually have an early Marvin Gaye retrospective in which he's singing a number of signature tunes of dads with the same arrangement. I also think that Stevie Wonder carries that Cole energy as well.
Washington, D.C.: Can you tell us a little a bit about your father's relationship with Sinatra?
Carole Cole: Frank and Nat were great friends. I think they had a kind of mutual admiration society going on between them. Clearly they respected each other and occasionally collaborated. So throughout their lives I think there was a good, solid friendship.
Jersey City, N.J.: Hi Carole,You're an accomplished performer in your own right. How much help or hindrance was being Nat's daughter along your way?
Carole Cole: It's hard to say in some ways how much of a help or hindrance it was. I think in getting into the business of show I really wanted to "make it on my own", to the extent that at one point I seriously considered changing my name. I think that because I went into the field of acting there were some issues I didn't have to deal with. But I think that because Natalie became a singer, she was always up against comparisons being made when she began. So I think Natalie and I are always sympathetic to the children of icons whose image and life and work is bigger than life - it's hard to follow in those footsteps. But sometimes follow you must. And it comes with the territory that you're going to be judged in this kind of comparative way, rightly or wrongly.
Philadelphia, Pa.: What do you think your Dad would have thought about the Unforgettable duet Natalie conjured years back? It's a beautiful song, but I really wonder if he would have liked it or felt he was being taken advantage of?
Carole Cole: I certainly don't think he would have thought he was being taken advantage of. In fact, I think he would have championed the concept and if he had been alive, I think he would have done the duet with her.
Boston, Mass.: We all admired Nat as a singer, I know I did. Like was said on the program, Nat could sing anything. But, I often wondered what he thought about his piano being a part of his persona as his acclaim grew as a singer? That 'Round Midnight ' recording was a blessing to all of us who admired his piano playing. Do you think if he had lived longer he would have returned to his roots. He was GREAT!
Carole Cole: I'm so glad to hear that you admire the 'Round Midnight recording. It's a classic and considering all the things going on in music today, I think dad would have been involved in almost all of it. I say this because he was truly a music lover and to my knowledge, there was really no genre of music that he didn't give time to, or take into consideration. If he were alive today I think, not only would he revisit his jazz roots, I think he would have been working with some of the young talent today who are experimenting and sampling and discovering ways to juxtapose different sounds. I think dad would be a fan of Kanye West, Andre 3000, Missy Elliot, and there's a long list of that. I think he would be thrilled to see that, with all these new technologies, we have, everyone in the world has access to the music that's being played everywhere in the world. I think he would be delighted to hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Alicia Keys and John Legend, you name it. I think he'd just find it all good!
Carole Cole: Thank you everyone for getting in touch. For those of you that enjoyed the documentary, you might want to check out the DVD which is actually a 90 plus minute version of what was broadcast. There are all kinds of extras and goodies and footage that you couldn't see in the 60 minute version. So thanks to all. And thank you, thank you for helping to keep my father's music and spirit alive.
washingtonpost.com: Thank you for joining today's discussion.
Next week on Wednesday, May 24, American Masters continues its 20th anniversary season with "Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul" at 9 p.m. ET and "Waters: Can't Be Satisfied" at 10 p.m. ET. (Check local listings.)
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Featuring musical pioneer Nat King Cole, the American Masters documentary "The World of Nat King Cole" aired on PBS on Wednesday, May 17 at 9 p.m. ET. Nat King Cole's daughter Carole Cole discussed her father's life and career.
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John Scheinman, special to The Washington Post, was online Thursday, May 18, at 3 p.m. ET to field your questions and comments about the Preakness Stakes.
Scheinman has been covering horse racing for The Post since May 2000. He became an avid follower of the sport while ducking out on weekends from American University in the mid-1980s to Laurel Park and Pimlico. Scheinman also is a crafty Triple Crown handicapper. His pick of Invisible Ink in the 2001 Kentucky Derby finished second at odds of 55-1, he liked Birdstone to upset Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes in 2004 and last year he cashed a ticket on 50-1 Derby winner Giacomo.
Photos: Pimlico: The Right Track
Post Drama Before the Preakness (Post, May 18)
An Unorthodox Trainer Sticks to the Routine (Post, May 17)
John Scheinman: Good afternoon everyone. I'm coming to you live from the Pimlico press box. Overcast day here and a card full of fairly cheap horses, but I'm ready to take questions on the Preakness Stakes.
Arlington, Va.: I can't seem to find Beyer figs. for Platinum Couple, Greele's Legacy or Diabolical. Can you help?
John Scheinman: Well, Andy Beyer's figures are published in the Daily Racing Form, but I can help because I have an "advance" for Saturday.
Platinum Couple got an 82 finishing fifth in the Wood Memorial, Greeley's Legacy got a 91 in the Lexington and Diabolical received an 82 for winning a bad allowance race at Delaware Park.
Stony Point, N.Y.: Who is your longshot in this race, and how would you bet him? Thanks.
John Scheinman: I think Like Now, the speedy horse starting in the No. 1 post position, is an excellent long shot. He's fast, gritty and in excellent hands. I'll have a story about him in tomorrow's paper and you could do worse that "wheeling" him with the rest of the field at odds of 12-1.
Adams-Morgan, Washington, D.C.: I am going to my first Preakness. I hear parking there is a nightmare. I don't want to get at the track at 6 a.m. to be able to get track parking. I plan on getting there around noon or so. Considering public transportation ( most likely the light rail). Is driving an option since all of the nearby residents turn their yards into parking lots?
Any tips you give ?
John Scheinman: This is a great question. The neighborhood folks are actually, for the most part, great. This is a chance for them to make some money and before I got my press badge I parked on their lawns. Don't pay more than $20 and use your intuition about the folks and don't leave valuables, although you should be fine. Everyone knows the deal with this. I've never gone any other way than driving. Sure, there will be traffic, but, hey, you're not going to the Preakness to get away from crowds, right?
Washington: I've never been to Pimlico, but the Sunday Source story made it sound kind of run down. Is it really in bad shape?
John Scheinman: Joe Kelly, the dean of local sportswriters at 84 and now the resident historian at Pimlico says the track is like a favorite pair of old shoes in the closet. I like that. This might be my favorite track and if it was on the grounds of Saratoga instead of in a blighted Baltimore neighborhood, the locals would threaten to cut off your head of you so much as painted the place.
Chantilly, Va.: John: Is there a Magic Weisner in this year's field?
Also, any word on how "Magic" is doing these days? It's a shame we haven't been able to see him run since his bout with West Nile Virus (other than his ill-fated comeback).
John Scheinman: No, there is no Magic Weisner in the field. The local horse, Sweetnorthernsaint, is a live wire and a real threat. He's not going to be 45-1 like "Magic" was. That horse was very good, but trainer Nancy Alberts chose to race him in Maryland leading up to the Preakness rather than go on the road to bigger races like trainer mike Trombetta did with the 'saint. Magic, by the way, is fine, living comfortably with Alberts at the spread she bought with the money he earned.
Towson, Md.: Doesn't Barbaro's trainer come across as a total jerk for choosing a number that was already chosen by another trainer, and then complaining that the officials "wouldn't give it to me" ?? And then he was allowed to pick another number rather than waiting 'til the end, as the rules require. Not the horse's fault, of course, but it did leave a sour taste in my mouth.
John Scheinman: I might not have conveyed it that well in my story. I don't think he came off as a jerk. He looked more like he was a little dazed and confused. I would give him a break if I was you. I tend to think Matz is a good guy doing the best he can under the pressure. Different people react to sudden fame differently. It is very stressful and not everyone can walk with the same grace John Servis did with Smarty Jones. As for the draw, I think it's tomfoolery and should be eliminated. Don't let the trainers pick. Draw it randomly like in the old days.
Washington, D.C.: So with Barbaro the heavy favorite to win, if one was to bet on the superfecta with Barbaro in 1st and it ends up hitting, with only 9 horses, is the payout going to be miniscule? Like $200 or something?
John Scheinman: Well, if it came Barbaro-Platinum Couple-Hemingway's Key-Diabolical you'd probably make a tiny fortune. The prices might be surprisingly good if it's anything other than Barbaro first and Brother Derek or Sweetnorthernsaint in second.
Washington, D.C.: I love horse racing (and Barbaro!) and wish I could go to the Preakness, but unfortunately I probably will not even be able to watch it on TV this year (due to a prior commitment). I thought maybe about going to Belmont if Barbaro does win the Preakness-are tickets going to be impossible to find? Do you know how accessible Belmont is from NYC? I've never been to a race before (always have just watched it on TV).
John Scheinman: I think reserved seats are about gone, but Belmont Park is the size of Rhode Island and there will be plenty of room for you there. Try to find an advance ticket, but I would recommend going no matter what, especially if Barbaro is going for the Triple Crown. The Long Island Railroad runs to the track right out of Penn Station. It will be crowded, but it will be festive.
Rockville, Md.: Is the chalk good enough to bet at even money or less?
John Scheinman: Depends on how you like to wager. Some handicappers think Barbaro is a steal at even money, but, to me, you have to bet a lot to win a lot. I've always been more of a value hunter. It's your call.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: What is with all the BASHING of Pimlico? Though, I have never been there, is the track in that bad of shape? Also, I like the fact that there won't be 20 horses, it gives every horse a chance, when their given more room to run.
John Scheinman: I'll address this again: In the modern sports world, everyone wants a sky box. You should see the new Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park. You are constantly reminded at these places whether you have a lot of money or not. Pimlico is a palace for the $2 bettor, the traditional backbone players of the sport. I'm a man of the people, not the silk suit set so I feel right at home at Pimlico. It's easy to bash the place because it's so old, but I see good things in the old, people, building, whatever . . .
Arlington, Va.: John, I used to hear a lot about how Pimlico is a speed favoring track and has tight turns and now lately I have heard that these "myths" are not necessarily true. Is there anything significantly different about Pimlico's track that plays into your handicapping? For instance, it seems like Pimlico has a particularly long stretch from the far turn until the finish line. If true, what type of horse would that help or hurt?
John Scheinman: Pimlico has traditionally been a track that favors inside speed. Today, for example, horses are winning from all over the place. I think in the past the track superintendents got a little lazy and let the bias exist for days on end and wise guys cleaned up on this knowledge. I think they are more conscious of keeping it a level playing field these days. When handicapping horses coming from, say, Laurel Park, I keep in mind that that track's mile races are one-turn races, so, sometimes, just very long sprints. Two-turn horses in two-turn races will get rated slightly higher by me because of it.
Washington, D.C.: I was thinking about betting the wheel with Barbaro, but I'm worried about a low pay off if another heavily favored horse (Brother Derek, Sweetnorthernsait) places second. I guess I'll throw a tri-fecta or two in there to shake things up.
Any tips for someone who thinks Barbaro is a near lock?
John Scheinman: I would recommend wheeling Barbaro for precisely the reason you gave. You're chances are high for losing money. My suggestion would be, if you are sure of him, to single Barbaro in Pick 3s and the Pick 4 (if the Preakness is part of one) and then try to find value in the other races.
Lanexa, Va.: I liked Sweetnorthernsaint in the Derby, and like him still, in light of the really awful trip he had in the Derby, which I think has not been adequately discussed. However, I am greatly puzzled by a photo in Thoroughbred Times (p.27) which shows Desormeaux STANDING UP in the saddle with sns just behind Barbaro at the quarter pole. Please comment on sns chances, his Derby trip and the photo if you've seen it.
John Scheinman: First, I want to address Desormeaux standing up: The horse took a bad step and Barbaro was moving in front of him and Desormeaux stood up for his and the horses safety. When the "Saint recovered, Kent rode to the wire. Not hard, but not completely folded up. The horse was exhausted. I think the Saint is a very talented horse that fits this race well. Here is what you have to decide: Whether the Derby took everything out of him or was an excellent race to build on. The trainer and jockey are confident. The horse has a wickedly fast turn of foot. He should get clear sailing and might even be laying on Barbaro from his position directly to the Derby winner's right. It's going to be a good race.
Washington, D.C.: Do you think any horse can really beat Barbaro? Or should we just worry about the Belmont (longer distance, even more tired at that point).l
John Scheinman: The general feeling is this is the race to beat Barbaro if he's going to get beat at all. He appears built for the Belmont. I tend to agree with this. Michael Matz made a lot of racing Barbaro with plenty of rest between starts. Now he only has two weeks to rebound. It's a stretch because he's a magnificent horse, but hope springs eternal and the competition is not without talent.
Arlington, Va.: Just curious - what's your favorite race and why? Thanks!
John Scheinman: I have a few races I love: The Preakness, certainly, the Haskell Invitational at lovely Monmouth Park on the Jersey shore, I love the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash. I love the whole Breeders' Cup. The Derby . . . But I also like the fourth at Pimlico on a Thursday (not today's, unfortunately) because racing is just a wonderful puzzle, a cerebral exercise, a connection with the beauty of the animals. So much to like. . .
Philadelphia, Pa.: Do you think there's something to this new trend, if you can call it that with two examples, of former equestrians being highly successful trainers? It seems to me that possibly they are better horsemen/women because they have ridden themselves, and that they may know more about horses and what they are capable of because they have worked with horses who have been given some time to get to their physical peak (i.e. older than 2 and 3). I think it's a shame that most racehorses never get to grow up before they are shunted off to breed.
John Scheinman: Barclay Tagg, who trained Funny Cide, jumped as a youngster. Rodney Jenkins, a top trainer in Maryland, was a legend on the show circuit. Now Matz. Yeah, there are a lot of them. I just think those people are highly attuned to the horses and are more used to letting horses be horses. Many of them, like Matz, train off of farms, not cooped up in barns getting stale doing nothing all day.
As for allowing horses to reach their physical peak, there are financial demands that rarely allow it. A lot of people in horse racing these days as owners don't have the deep pockets to let the horse develop at its own pace. They want financial results quickly. It's pressure on the horses and on the trainer to perform even when they're not ready. I agree that it's sad. And I also agree it's a shame that the economics of the game almost demand that the great horses retire so early and go to stud. Why in the world don't we have Funny Cide, Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex competing in the Pimilco Special tomorrow? It should be so.
Washington, D.C.: I am new at betting on horses, what does the term "handicap" mean?
John Scheinman: handicap means two things in racing:
1. a handicap race is one in which the racing secretary assigns weights to each horse theoretically in an attempt to make the field equal. In the modern game, the weights are a joke because whining trainers will pull their horses from races if they think too much weight has been assigned. Even if it's just 118 pounds. In the old days, the top horses lugged 130 pounds regularly! Handicaps are not to be taken seriously for the most part.
2. The other handicapping is simply gauging a horse's chances against the rest of the field using whatever tools are available to make a determination.
Bokonon: I know nothing about betting horse racing and will be at Preakness.
What type of bet would you recommend outside of the boring win/pace/show ?
John Scheinman: Learn how to bet a Pick 4. In Maryland, this wager has the lowest takeout -- the amount the track takes from your winnings -- of any major bet in the country: just 14 percent. You have to pick the winner of four designated races in a row. You can use more than one horse in each "leg" of the bet. The base cost is $1 and rises exponentially. So, if you use two horses in the first leg, three in the second, three in the third and four in the fourth leg, it will cost you $72. The payoffs are always in the hundreds to high thousands of dollars. It beats the heck out of the lottery.
Lanexa, Va.: Thanks, John - I thought a bad step must be the explanation but I am amazed that as far as I have seen no one has mentioned it in discussing the race. I gather you think the Saint was already done so it had no effect on his performance, other than perhaps causing the jock not to push him to the finish.
John Scheinman: He was not going to win the Derby. He made this huge move to run from 11th place to third on the backside of the track. He drew abreast of Barbaro, who was on his outside and about to launch a final quarter mile in an unbelievably fast 24 seconds. The Saint needs to settle down and not get out of control.
Arlington, Va.: What horses are your "throwouts" for the Preakness and which longshots may hit the board for a share?
John Scheinman: Throwouts: Platinum Couple, Hemingway's Key (sorry, Nick Zito), Greeley's Legacy and Diabolical.
Live long shots: Like Now (12-1), Bernardini (8-1).
Washington, D.C.: A friend told me that in 2002, 2003, and 2004 a $2 win bet ticket from the Derby or Preakness (the physical ticket) on War Emblem, Funny Cide, and Smarty Jones respectively were selling for as much as $200 a piece on ebay as collectors items before the Belmont. Have you heard of this phenomonon?
John Scheinman: they print the names of the horses on the Triple Crown tickets and don't do this in any other races I know. There is a market for these tickets as memorabilia, but I can't vouch for the $200. A good well to sell them, however, is to put them under glass with tickets to the race and stuff like that and make it a memento package. If you've got a Derby ticket on Barbaro, you might want to float it on eBay after the Belmont, but if it's for more than $2, please go cash it!
John Scheinman: The lines are open here, racing fans.
Alexandria, Va.: Can a horse with a mere 82 or 84 Beyer ever run fast enough in the "big" races to take one of the top 4 positions? I thought in general that the 50-1 winners and placers still had higher Beyer figures (at least close to 100). Also, how important do you think dosage is in these races? I always see the numbers, but can't tell how important they are.
As a side note, I really like Like Now as well. Why is he set at only 12-1?
John Scheinman: The dosage is based too much on opinion. I'm not sure I want to go into it, but it has been discredited.
As for the Beyer figures, I don't think a horse like Hemingway's Key is going to jump up from a high of 84, freak out and win the Preakness. My impression is that Nick Zito, the trainer, was going to run a bunch of horses in the other races this weekend (great race cards at Pimlico on Friday and Saturday) and he offered to help out the racing office when it looked like no one was going to show up in the Preakness by throwing his horse in.
Washington, D.C.: Who is your favorite jockey? And why is it so rare to have fillies racing in the Triple Crown? What about women jockeys?
John Scheinman: I like a several riders: Barbaro's jockey Edgar Prado is a consummate professional. I think Kent Desormeaux is excellent and like him particularly in turf races. The wonderful John Velazquez was on the backside this morning and looks to be recovering from his nasty fall. Rosie Napravnik, the 18-year-old apprentice rider in Maryland, is a wonder and a superb rider. The sky is the limit for her. If handled correctly I think she could be bigger than Julie Krone. That kind of talent.
As for fillies in the Triple Crown, it is rare to run females against males, particularly in this country and particularly on dirt. It is more common in European racing, which is almost exclusively conducted on grass, where fillies regularly beat up on the boys. Winning Colors and Genuine Risk won the Kentucky Derby, though, so it is possible.
Arlington, Va.: Have you heard any rumblings that Magna will eventually move the Preakness to another track (Laurel, GP)?
John Scheinman: The only rumblings are usually out of the mouths of the media looking to stir the kettle. Sometimes management dangles the threat during the slot machine wars in Annapolis. But don't hold your breath.
Washington, D.C.: I take it you meant you don't like the wheel with Barbaro for the reasons I listed... Pick 3 and Pick 4 eh? I've never been too confident with those bets, but I'll give it a shot.
What about Barbaro and Bernardini, or Barbaro and Like Now with a little more money instead of the wheel?
John Scheinman: If you believe in Bernardini and Like Now, yes, those bets are good. Better still, good gambler, if you like Bernardini and Like Now, why not wheel them and if Barbaro happens to finish off the board you are king of the world!
As for confidence in the Pick 4: If you LOVE Barbaro, you now only have to pick the winners of three races. It's lucrative and worth a stab. Keep the ticket small and take a little shot. You can manage your money and not run wild and still do well.
Alexandria, Va.: Wow that's awfully nice of him. Very interesting that these types of politics play into it. I'm debating playing every combination for the superfecta with Barbaro at first and excluding Hemingway's Key and Platinum Couple for $120 total. I think the winnings will barely surpass the amount I would have paid. Think this is worth it? It's more because I think it's an interesting theory to see how much one can make on that type of bet.
John Scheinman: I didn't say Platinum Couple and Hemingway's Key couldn't finish fourth!
Arlington, Va.: What can racing do in terms of marketing to up its popularity?
John Scheinman: Sell the gambling. Racing is a MUCH MUCH MUCH better deal than lottery. Why are they ashamed of selling the betting. Also, teach people how to play. Offer getaways to track and then teach the newcomers how to play. How to read the racing form. GIVE stuff away. They give drinks away in Atlantic CIty, why not the track? Give away programs, admission, etc. I could go on all day. Someone please, give me a racetrack!
Arlington, Va.: I didn't see the race replay of the Derby but from the detailed results it appeared that Bluegrass Cat simply tucked in and followed Barbaro around the track. Any inkling that Dominguez will try to the do the same with Diabolical since he's starting from the outside post anyway?
John Scheinman: Well, sure, he'll try, but this horse beat nothing in his last race at Delaware Park and this group will overwhelm him.
Rockville, Md.: Someone asked Beyer the other week what the best thing to look for on those confusing racing charts that can help you pick the winner. Not surprisingly he said the "Beyer Speed Factor".
What would be your advice as the top couple of things to look for?
John Scheinman: I think he said "The Beyer Speed Figure" not "Factor." I think the Beyer figures are great, but everyone has them, so you don't have a great edge using that as your sole guideline.
This is going to sound like homework, but I really recommend reading good handicapping books -- "Exploring Pedigree" by Mike Helm and any of Andy's books. The world of handicapping will open up to you. It is a fascinating pastime and as provocative as a good chess match.
John Scheinman: no one has asked me who is going to win. . .
Dupont Washington, D.C.: Agreed, like now and bernardini deserve some respect, but do you like them for the bottom of exotics or up there in 1st or second. Bernardini seems fast to me but I wonder how fast Aquaduct (Withers) is compared to other tracks. Like now looks good for 3rd or 4th, but I can't justify putting him ahead of the 3 faves. Thoughts?
John Scheinman: Bernardini might be a fabulous horse, but is he ready for the Preakness off three starts? I'm making a stand and saying, 'no.' I have asked around a lot about Like Now (my story for tomorrow's paper) and have received widely divergent views, including a "no xxxx chance" from Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. My belief is that he could take them a very long way and at a long price for a few dollars that could be quite a thrill. More than likely he will tired out at the eighth pole and come in, say, fourth, but he is a fast fighter. What more could you ask for in a live long shot?
Andrew Beyer: So, who's going to win?
John Scheinman: Well, master, you will be my last question: Barbaro will win the 131st running of the Preakness Stakes.
John Scheinman: Thanks all. Enjoy the race.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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John Scheinman, special to The Washington Post, fielded your questions and comments about the Preakness Stakes.
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'Inflation Scare' Seizes Market as Prices Jump
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Consumer prices rose in April at the highest rate in three months, the government reported yesterday, triggering a sharp drop in stock prices and adding to worries of higher inflation and rising interest rates.
The Dow Jones industrial average, which last week neared an all-time high, posted the worst one-day point loss of the year after the Labor Department said consumers paid more last month for gasoline, education, medical care, clothing and electricity as businesses passed along higher prices for energy and materials.
The department's consumer price index, a widely followed measure of inflation, rose by 0.6 percent in April, and 3.5 percent in the 12 months that ended in April.
The figures heightened investors' concerns that the Federal Reserve will keep raising interest rates to prevent inflation from taking off, despite signs that the economy is slowing because of a cooling housing market.
The Dow fell 214.28 points, to 11,205.61. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index fell 21.76 points, to 1270.32.
"It's a real inflation scare in the market," said David Shulman, a visiting scholar at the UCLA Anderson Forecast, an offshoot of the University of California at Los Angeles Anderson School of Management. "The Fed may see a slowing economy coming from a weakness in housing construction, combined with rising inflation. It could smell like a stagflation. . . . Interest rates could be [headed] much higher than what was thought a few days ago."
The Fed raised its benchmark short-term interest rate last week and indicated that it had not decided whether it would increase it again at its next policymaking meeting, in June. Higher interest rates counter inflation by dampening consumer and business spending, causing economic growth to slow.
Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke told Congress in April that the central bank might leave rates unchanged at some point, even if inflation risks remained. Analysts took that as a strong hint of a Fed pause in June after two years of rate increases.
But the April CPI report makes another increase more probable, especially if the government reports similar inflation figures for May, analysts said yesterday.
Fed officials had expected a temporary increase in inflation because of energy prices, which rose 17.8 percent in the past 12 months. They expect inflationary pressures to ebb in coming months as the housing market loses steam.
But costs to businesses also are rising for copper, other metals, wood pulp, chemicals and other raw materials. With the economy growing rapidly in recent months, executives find they can pass more of these costs on to consumers.
For example, Kimberly-Clark Corp., which makes Kleenex tissues and Huggies disposable diapers, raised prices on toilet paper and paper towels in the first quarter but expected those increases to have more impact in the current quarter, executives told analysts in a recent conference call. The company also plans to raise prices on other products later this year.
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Consumer prices rose in April at the highest rate in three months, the government reported yesterday, triggering a sharp drop in stock prices and adding to worries of higher inflation and rising interest rates.
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Anti-Incumbent Voters Sent Messages Tuesday
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Pennsylvania voters dumped two Republican leaders in the state Senate and scared a GOP member of Congress, while Oregon voters sent a warning they are unhappy with the Democratic governor.
Cumulatively, the results Tuesday were the latest signals of brewing unrest that could threaten incumbents of both parties in the November elections.
More than a dozen legislators in Pennsylvania lost their jobs in a revolt over a pay raise for lawmakers that was enacted and later repealed but which provoked outrage among the electorate.
In Oregon, Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) won his primary election but claimed just 54 percent of the vote. He is one of several Democratic executives who face tough reelection contests in a year when Democrats are generally optimistic about their prospects in U.S. House and Senate races. Other embattled Democrats include Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.
Some of the backlash against incumbents grows out of specific grievances such as the Pennsylvania pay raise or missteps by individual lawmakers. Two weeks ago, Republican primary voters in Indiana voters booted state Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, who had served for 36 years, in a rebuke to his support for lifetime health benefits for legislators.
But there are signs of broader disaffection. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 55 percent of those surveyed said they are inclined to look around for someone new rather than support their incumbent members of Congress this fall, the highest level of anti-incumbency since the 1994 midterm elections that dethroned Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Oregon pollster Tim Hibbits said that Republicans in Congress may be most at risk because they are in the majority but added that Democrats in some states with economic problems may suffer as well. "At the federal level, Republicans are in for between a bad night and a very bad night" in November, Hibbits said. "But at local and state level, whoever is in power in those localities where people are in trouble" could face problems, he said.
The defeats of Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer, Majority Leader David J. Brightbill and at least a dozen other state legislators there stunned the political establishment. Grass-roots protests brought primary challenges to 61 incumbent legislators, the most since 1980, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
John Brabender, a GOP consultant who advises U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), said the biggest question facing Keystone State Republicans after Tuesday's electoral setback was whether the voters got it out of their systems.
Brabender said he believes the pay raise issue will be pushed into the background in the fall by Santorum's battle against Democratic Senate nominee Bob Casey Jr. and the contest between Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D) and Republican Lynn Swann, a former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver. But Casey's pollster, Frederick S. Yang, said the Republican revolts in Pennsylvania and Indiana suggested more serious fractures in the GOP coalition that will be felt in November.
The other Pennsylvania surprise came in a heavily Republican state Senate district outside Philadelphia, which fell to the Democrats in a special election. G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College, said the pay raise controversy had nothing to do with outcome. "Democrats have picked up a major plum in the fight for the suburbs," he said.
Among U.S. House primaries in Pennsylvania, Republican Rep. Don Sherwood's primary victory with 56 percent of the vote over a little-known and underfunded opponent signaled that his admission of an extramarital affair had damaged his standing and makes him vulnerable to a Democrat in November.
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Complete coverage of the 2006 midterm elections, congressional campaigns and governors races. Political news and analysis from The Washington Post and washingtonpost.com.
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Judge Killed in Attack On Turkish High Court
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ISTANBUL, May 17 -- A gunman opened fire on judges in Turkey's highest administrative court on Wednesday, killing one and wounding four after shouting "God is great!" and "We are God's ambassadors!"
Police and witnesses said the attacker, who was arrested and being interrogated by anti-terrorist police, was a lawyer who was incensed over a ruling further restricting Islamic dress in Turkey. The shooting occurred at midmorning in the heart of Ankara, the capital of a republic founded 83 years ago on principles that regard Islam as a threat to democratic governance in a country that is 99 percent Muslim.
Shortly after the ambulances carried away the wounded -- one of whom, Mustafa Yucel Ozbilgin, died at the hospital after being shot in the head -- limousines began arriving with visiting dignitaries expressing condolences. One, Turkey's avowedly secular president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, a former judge, declared, "This attack is aimed at the unchangeable secular and democratic characters of the republic."
But court officials snubbed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a onetime proponent of political Islam who had publicly criticized the high court ruling that officials said incensed the gunman.
The administrative court ruled in February that under Turkish law -- which bars female employees from wearing Islamic head scarves in state workplaces -- a kindergarten teacher could be denied a promotion for covering her head on her way to school, on the grounds she set a bad example for children.
The suspect, identified as Alpaslan Arslan, "said the attack was punishment for the ruling on the head scarf," acting Chief Judge Tansel Colasan told reporters. Before opening fire with a 9mm pistol, Colasan said, the attacker shouted, "We are God's ambassadors! We are His soldiers!"
Police said they found newspaper photographs of several judges in the assailant's car, according to the semiofficial Anatolian news agency. A pro-Islamic daily, Vakit, published photos of the jurists on its front page after the ruling. Last week, one high court judge, Sumru Cortoglu, complained in a speech that "by using personal photos or information of members of the judiciary, some are trying to turn them into targets."
The shooting came with tensions already rising between Erdogan's populist Justice and Development Party and the secular establishment, which is anchored in the judiciary, the powerful military and the presidency of Sezer, whose term expires next year. Erdogan's party controls parliament, which will elect Sezer's successor, and Erdogan might seek the office first held by Turkey's secular founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Erdogan "is trying to open his way to the presidency," said Mehmet Farac, an expert on radical Islam at Cumhuriyet, a staunchly pro-secular daily. "However, the society is reacting to him taking the seat that belonged to Ataturk. The Islamic section reacts against this reaction. There may be new attacks."
Cumhuriyet has been attacked by firebombs three times in recent weeks, reportedly by Islamic radicals incensed by the newspaper's print and television ads accusing Erdogan's party of undermining the republic.
"I hope those who still can't see where Turkey is being dragged, who refuse to see it, will take this as a warning," Deniz Baykal, leader of Ataturk's Republican People's Party, said after Wednesday's attack. "Unfortunately, blood has spilled into politics in Turkey. Turkey is being dragged into a very dangerous situation. Everybody should come to their senses."
But key questions remained unanswered in the first hours after the attack. CNN Turk television quoted unnamed police sources as saying the suspect appeared to be linked to a radical Islamic group called Turkish Hezbollah, while the Anatolian news agency reported that he described himself to his interrogators as "an extreme nationalist."
Erdogan, who describes Islam not as a threat to Turkey's secular government but as a moral guide that informs his party's socially conservative agenda, called for restraint. "Associating today's attack with any side would not be right," he said. "We cannot accept any incident designed to hurt stability in Turkey."
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World news headlines from the Washington Post, including international news and opinion from Africa, North/South America, Asia, Europe and Middle East. Features include world weather, news in Spanish, interactive maps, daily Yomiuri and Iraq coverage.
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2 States to Experiment With 'No Child' Changes
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Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced yesterday that under a new pilot program, North Carolina and Tennessee will be the first states permitted to change the way they assess student progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
The "growth model" assessment will allow the schools to be in compliance by measuring the progress of individual students annually, instead of an entire grade of different students.
Spellings said that those states were selected because they have a sophisticated data-collection system already in place for assessing students.
Many schools prefer the growth model to the current policy because they believe it gives them more flexibility to meet the standards by showing that individual students are improving. Low-performing schools are subject to fines if they do not meet the No Child Left Behind assessment standards.
Spellings yesterday said that the pilot schools would still be obligated to meet the 2014 deadline for grade-level proficiency. She dismissed the suggestion the new model would leave room for lax assessments.
"That is completely untrue. . . . This is simply a different way to understand the progress that is being made," Spellings said at a lunch with reporters. "It is potentially equally as rigorous. It might be as good a way as the static model. . . . We're about to find out."
Spellings announced last year that she was open to allowing up to 10 states into the pilot. In the end, only 13 states applied and only the two were approved. Several states that came close but were rejected because they did not meet Spellings's requirements, will be given early consideration if they apply again. They are Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida and Oregon.
"These are two states that have very sophisticated rich data," she said. "This is not for the faint of heart. It was a rigorous review process. It wasn't an open invitation to everybody. A state that has never done annual assessment before this isn't going to be able to do this."
Spellings added that she had the support of congressional leaders who "want to know if there's a better way."
"I do want the world to know if there is a better way to calculate and show progress," she said. "I'm open-minded about this."
Spellings allowed that, in general, schools were going to have to "pick up the pace" if they were going to meet the 2014 deadline. In particular, she said the Education Department is going to closely watch whether districts are placing their best teachers in the most challenging schools.
On another matter, Spellings announced yesterday that she has agreed to allow five states heavily affected by the influx of students displaced by Hurricane Katrina to create subgroups of those students for testing purposes so that the states' assessments would not affect their annual scores for this academic year. The Education Department has already approved Georgia's request and is ironing out details for Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee.
The students would be tested, but the scores will not count against the schools for this academic year, Spellings said.
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Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced yesterday that under a new pilot program, North Carolina and Tennessee will be the first states permitted to change the way they assess student progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
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Getting That Gown Out of Town
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Wedding days are here again. That means it's time to tackle a question brides-to-be ask about with surprising frequency on our weekly online chat: How do you pack and transport a gown for an out-of-town affair? Problem is, most wedding dresses break two of the cardinal rules of smart packing: They're white and they're far from squishable. While there's no foolproof way to transport your dress, we culled the following suggestions from wedding and travel experts. Those with tuxes, bridesmaid dresses and other fancy-schmancy attire should take note as well.
· Stuff and go. You may be slimming down yourself, but when it comes to the dress . . . stuff, stuff and stuff some more. Peggy Wright of Richmond's National Bridal Service, which sells gowns and trains bridal consultants (804-342-0055, http://www.nationalbridal.com/ ), suggests using a combination of tissue and dry cleaner bags. Wright remembers the days when "we used to have long-sleeved dresses. You'd stuff them until they could almost stand by themselves." Sleeveless is the more seasonally appropriate style, but the logic still holds: After stuffing, put it in a zippered garment bag, folding the train once over at the bottom of the bag. Make sure the tissue is acid-free.
· Choose your travel mode wisely. Keep specific space, timing and security issues in mind when choosing your method of travel.
· Going by plane? Under no circumstance, according to WeddingChannel.com editor Marilyn Oliveira, should you check your dress. If you've called the airline and are still not sure you'll be able to hand off the dress to a flight attendant to hang in an on-board closet, Oliveira suggests putting it in a garment bag and then into a hard-sided suitcase that will fit overhead. It's almost guaranteed to arrive wrinkled, but at least it will arrive.
· Taking a cruise? If you're getting married at sea, don't freak out waiting for your luggage to appear in the cabin. According to Sonise Dautruche of the Wedding Experience, which handles nuptials for various cruise lines, most brides "bring their wedding dresses on board as a carry-on. Security checks it, to make sure it's okay, and then they go aboard the ship."
· Boarding a train? Karina Romero, a spokeswoman for Amtrak, suggests that brides "travel during off-peak hours, when the train is not as crowded . . . that would probably prevent someone from throwing a suitcase on top of their wedding dress." You could bring your dress (packed in a garment bag), a suitcase and your laptop and still be within the two-piece luggage limit per person.
· Drive if you can. If you or a trusted delegate (hello, bridesmaids) can get to the wedding site by driving, the car is probably the safest way to transport a dress. If the bridal store hasn't already packed your gown in a garment bag with a dress form and lots of tissue, the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (800-501-5005, http://www.weddinggownspecialists.com/ ) suggests stuffing the bodice with tons of tissue, creating a garment bag of sorts out of two fitted sheets and some safety pins, hanging the dress with the bodice facing the car door, and laying out the rest of the dress across the back seat.
· Ship it ahead. Let an overnight carrier such as UPS, DHL or FedEx do the transporting for you. According to spokeswoman Carla Boyd, FedEx doesn't offer insurance per se, but it does have a policy of declared value that you can pay to increase -- or just buy separate insurance. Either way, you can track your dress online and see who signs for it on the other end. FedEx packaging engineers (800-633-7019) can offer suggestions on how best to send a dress using their packaging materials.
Oliveira suggests having "the bridal salon provide a box and acid-free tissue to contain the dress," then wrapping the whole thing in plastic, then bubble wrap and then putting it in the package provided by the overnight carrier.
· Get the wrinkles out. No matter how you get to your nuptials, you will have wrinkles to contend with. "With most wrinkles, if you let [the dress] hang for a day or so, they usually fall right out," said Wright. And if hanging or steaming it in the bathroom doesn't make them disappear quickly enough, have on hand a travel-size steamer as well as the number of a local dry cleaner who can press it for you. The International Fabricare Institute (301-622-1900, http://www.ifi.org/ ), a trade organization, maintains a list of members who are professional dry cleaners. Also, Travel-romance.com ( http://www.travel-romance.com/ ), a destination wedding site run by online wedding resource The Knot ( http://www.theknot.com/ ) and Travel + Leisure magazine, suggests bringing a "stain remover pack to spot clean any blemishes incurred in transit."
· Be prepared to transport it home. See if your bridal salon will receive and preserve your dress if you ship it after the ceremony's over. (Have labels already filled out and hand them over with the dress to someone in your wedding party.) Wedding dress preservation service Gowns Remembered, in Crofton, Md., for example, offers clients complimentary courier service within the continental United States (877-933-9399, http://www.gownsremembered.com/ ). The company is part of AWGS, which maintains a list of members in the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. All of them offer reciprocal free pressing if a family member or friend wears your dress as their "something borrowed."
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Wedding days are here again. That means it's time to tackle a question brides-to-be ask about with surprising frequency on our weekly online chat: How do you pack and transport a gown for an out-of-town affair?
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In a city loaded with diverse restaurants, from New American chic and upscale Italian to sandwich shops and burritos on the run, finding the best places to eat can be a real puzzle. Where's the best restaurant for a first date or an anniversary? Father's Day? What's the best burger joint? Who has the best service?
Ask Tom. Tom Sietsema , The Washington Post's food critic, is on hand Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions and even entertain your complaints about Washington dining. Sietsema, a veteran food writer, has sampled the wares and worked as a critic in Washington, Seattle, San Francisco and Milwaukee, and can talk restaurants with the best of 'em. You can access his Postcards from Tom to read his recommendations for other cities, read his dining column and the Weekly Dish or read transcripts of previous "Ask Tom" chats . Tom's Sunday magazine reviews, as well as his "Ask Tom" column, are available early on the Web.
Tom Sietsema: To touch or not to touch? I got a note from a reader the other day, complaining that both he and his wife had been touched, repeatedly, by their server at a yupscale restaurant of note during their dinner there. Thoughts? ... Look for a few Egyptian notes on chef Eric Ziebold's menu at Cityzen in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The talented chef recently returned from a cruise overseas, where he picked up some interesting new ingredients from the markets there ... The dirty little secret of the food world? Critics and editors who don't really like to eat, something I was reminded of again after the Beard awards earlier this month ...
Washington, D.C.: In Today's WP Food section interview with the Sterns, Michael and Jane lament the demise of regional specialties, such as malted milk and "Texas" chili. What is your hard-to-find regional food? I'm thinking that even bagels (certainly bialys) are going that way.
Tom Sietsema: Does anyone here have experience with sarsaparilla? It's a carbonated soda, somewhat like root beer, and I remember drinking it (and digging it) during family trips to the Black Hills of South Dakota. I certainly don't see it very often now, though. Also, there's a candy bar I miss: Walnut Crush. I recall it came in an orange wrapper and I recall I ate far too many of them in my youth.
Washington, D.C.: Hi, Tom. My question is fairly pedestrian in theme (my boyfriend's b-day is next week and I need a dinner recommendation), but the twist is that he loves German food (I know, I don't get it, either).
We've been to Old Europe, but I'd like to take him someplace new. I've heard good things about Cafe Mozart. Your thoughts?
Tom Sietsema: I haven't been to Cafe Mozart in years, but it certainly has a following. Another option is Cafe Berlin on the Hill, though I haven't been there in awhile, either.
German food -- like mom & pop Italian joints and echt delis -- is in short supply around here. Sad but true. When done well, German food is pretty delicious. +
Woodbridge, Va.: I don't see why servers would need to touch you unless it's to perform the Heimlich maneuver. They are there to provide food, not to give you a massage.
Tom Sietsema: One chatter's opinion. Anyone else?
Washington, D.C.: What restaurant has the absolute best service? Quality of food doesn't matter, neither does price. But appropriately attentive service, knowledge about the food and wine being served and all of those other qualities are.
Tom Sietsema: Gosh, more than I can list here. I've mentioned the company before, but Great American Restaurants in Northern Virginia does a terrific job of training its staff. On a more upscale level, 1789 and Restaurant Eve are both class acts.
Washington, D.C.: Hi Tom, I read and love your column every week!
I don't usually complain about these things, but this was an awful dining experience involving a restaurant that doesn't get much exposure (good or bad).
My boyfriend took me to Local 16 this past Saturday night, after I mentioned how romantic the interior looked.
We arrived there at 7:30, seated right away, and were not too disturbed by the frat party that was going on upstairs and spilled into the downstairs.
Our waitress was friendly but she mentioned it was her first day, and had a hard time remembering what was on tap, what dishes she liked and such. Upon returning with a written list of beers for my boyfriend and the glass of wine that I ordered, her manager (I'm assuming) followed her and rechecked our ID's as if we gave him fakes (I guess it happens there a lot), told us "You better watch out, she's my sister" in a mean tone (if it was all joking it would be fine, but it seemed like he thought we were hitting on her or something). Through all this I didn't even notice that there was pieces of cork in my wine. When I found them, I just picked them out with my fork, thinking there wasn't much to complain about.
The manager? brother? kept coming back and asking us if we were ok to the point of annoying, making it uncomfortable to say anything. Our appetizers were good, the bread and olive oil was good, but then came our entrees, which were completely over cooked, both of them. I had a seafood medley dish, and everything was rubbery and the vegetables were mush. My boyfriend had the duck, which was completely flavorless, soggy and rubbery (if it's even possible). We then said something to the waitress and then to the guy (because he was standing over her shoulder the entire time anyway) and they apologized insincerely and nothing more-no attempt to comp us anything, fix our dishes, etc.
The table next to us, as well, was being harassed by this guy, who didn't even fix the light that was broken overhead, leaving them (a table of 7) to eat by a single votive.
just thought the readers would like to know.
Tom Sietsema: Weird. I've had several meals at Local 16 in recent months and I felt as if the restaurant had improved a great deal since it opened. (I've always enjoyed the second-floor deck for cocktails.)
Thanks for your mini-review; I'll keep an eye out for the brother-sister act.
Washington, D.C.: I really have never been excited about dinning in a Hotel restaurant. Am I missing out by not going to Maestro's at the Ritz or the other posh Hotel restaurants around town?
Some of our finest dining experiences are found in hotels. Maestro is one example. Citronelle is another. And I'm looking forward to trying Brian McBride's new venue in the Park Hyatt in the West End later this month.
Ward 4, Washington, D.C.: Sarsaparilla and Birch beer are my 2 favorite pops. They can most often be found in Pennsylvania, and occasionally at the Weiss Supermarket in Laurel.
You say "pop." You must be from the Midwest?
Capitol Hill, D.C.: Just wanted to tell you how right you are about Great American Restaurants: I was at the Sweetwater Tavern in Chantilly last night. It didn't really occur to me until after I left, but the service was just seamless. What I noticed in particular was the delicate balance struck between coldly efficient service of some places and obviously practiced fake familiarity that can be so annoying. They get the 'friendly service' balance just right.
Tom Sietsema: Indeed they do.
Re: German Food: My wife and another couple recently ate at Cafe Berlin. The food was excellent and the beer was quite good, but the service is worse than bad. If you have no time limit it is a good place to be. Just order the large beer, because you never know when you will see the waiter again.
Tom Sietsema: Das ist gut zu lernen.
One detail in its favor: An outdoor patio.
touching in restaurants...: Americans don't seem to like touching-- or even being in close proximity to others. However, I find that for my (Italian) family and in our circles, unconscious touching (appropriate, of course-- on back or shoulders) is a gesture of affection, fondness, or just goodwill towards a fellow human being. Whenever I am touched by a stranger in this unconscious, non-smarmy way-- whether a server or someone in the metro letting me move ahead of them on the escalator-- I feel generally pleased. And I sense deep-down we all have the ability to determine between the touch of goodwill and the touch of smarminess. It's heartbreaking to me that some people feel weirded out by the innocent, friendly touch of another human being...then again, forced touchiness is always awkward and weird...
Tom Sietsema: Thanks for weighing in.
Washington, D.C.: Normally, I don't have a problem when I encounter people I don't know who are a bit more touchy-feely than expected. But I think servers would be a bigger problem, with the combo of the touching, plus the fact that they are standing over you. It's like the servers are being overly intimate while the diners are in a more vulnerable position.
Tom Sietsema: Hmmm. Hadn't thought about it that way.
Upper Marlboro Md.: Hi Tom,
Maybe 3 times will be a charm..
I would like to try Georgia Browns (looking for kinda upscale Soul Food) What are your thoughts or suggestions??
Tom Sietsema: It's fine. But I think you'd have more fun at the charming Creme Cafe on U St. NW.
washingtonpost.com: Review of Creme Cafe.
Rainy, Conn.: When I used to work in the bar industry, we had two bartenders - a man and a woman. The guy would serve the girls and I would serve the guys. We also would shake hands upon introduction, high five, and, if they were receptive, backslap and/or pat our guests. And guess what - we got excellent tips. It may not be appropriate for an upscale restaurant but most customers like to feel welcome, feel liked and feel appreciated.
Tom Sietsema: I was touched -- briefly, appropriately -- last night at (won't tell you where) and I have to say, it was kind of nice. The pat felt genuine.
I've got an etiquette type question for you. Last night, my boyfriend and I ate at Raku in Bethesda and found a hair on of our sushi rolls. It was clearly not one of ours. Anyway, the waiter gave us a new roll and a free dessert that we would have rather not had. We weren't sure what to say about how we wanted the hair incident made up to us. Is there a standard procedure for this? Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: I think your waiter did the appropriate thing. He replaced the problem roll AND tried to make good with a gratis dessert. What more were you looking for? (I'm curious, not sarcastic here.)
Washington, D.C.: I'm looking for a place for an anniversary dinner. I read the dining guide and thought Palena sounded absolutely perfect - just the kind of place I'm looking for; but alas, they seem to be no longer??? Do you have any suggestions for the quality of cooking that you described having at Palena's? I'd prefer to limit my search to DC or close in MD (Silver Spring, Bethesda). Thanks for your help!
Tom Sietsema: Palena is very much open and one of the city's best restaurants. If my job weren't always taking me elsewhere, I'd certainly put Frank Ruta's cooking on my rotation list. Reserve away! The number is 202-537-9250.
Arlington, Va.: Thanks for the wonderful, wonderful article about your Mother in this Sunday's Post Magazine. I haven't enjoyed reading a short, sentimental, funny article in a long time. Your Mom must be proud! What is her favorite restaurant in DC?
Tom Sietsema: The last place I took her to was Zaytinya. She loved the spread of little plates, the airy dining room and the solicitous staff.
She keeps hinting that she's never been to the Inn at Little Washington, even though some of her friends from Minnesota have. I guess I know where to take her next time, huh?
washingtonpost.com: " My Mother, My Chef "
Hotel restaurants: Don't forget Corduroy! A very unexpected delight in a Sheraton hotel...
Tom Sietsema: Of COURSE Corduroy should be on that list. (I took my mom there, too, and she adored Tom Power's food.)
Washington, D.C.: I've waited tables at every sort of establishment, from the local pizza joint when I was 16, to the hip, popular drinks-and-steaks place in college, to fine dining to pay the bills in those slim years right after college.
Touching a customer? Never. Or perhaps, rarely. The only thing I can think of is if you're overtly flirting with a cute customer, hoping he asks you to join him after your shift.
If a waiter touched me, I'd think "Dude, my husband is sitting RIGHT THERE. Why are you putting the moves on me??" If a female server did it... inappropriate, but it wouldn't ruin my meal.
Tom Sietsema: Touching: One man's pampering is another man's punishment, I guess.
Washington, D.C.: Raku here again...I wasn't disappointed with what he did. I was just curious if that's generally what's done. The language barrier made it hard for us to understand what they were doing when they whisked the piece away, and they seemed to be asking what we wanted them to do and we just didn't know. Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: I think the standard procedure is getting rid of the problem. The frill was in the comped dessert.
Washington, D.C.: A server weighing in on the "touching" comments:
1. There have been several studies indicating that servers can increase their tip average by touching a patron's arm (other methods included crouching alongside the table to be eye level and writing his/her name and a big THANK YOU on the check). Now, unless you're working at Outback or similar venue, I don't know how applicable that is.
2. Some people are really touchy-feely. Law of averages indicates that some of those touchy-feely people will be in the F&B industry. Maybe you just got THAT WAITER who is always trying to reach out and touch someone.
3. It goes both ways. I'm a server- please don't touch me. This includes grabbing my arm as I speak to the table next to you, holding out your menu and poking me with it while I write down the order for the rest of the guests at your table, and (happens more often than you think) patting/grabbing my bum when you think the wife isn't looking.
Tom Sietsema: Touching, I don't mind. CROUCHING, on the other hand, works my nerves.
Customers pat you on the butt?! Yikes. Where exactly do you work, if I may ask?
Arlington, Va.: Ted's Montana Grill locations have cold bottles of "Snake River" Sarsaparilla on hand.
Tom Sietsema: I'm there. But only to drink!
U Street: Hi Tom--the food critic for New York magazine was a judge
on "Iron Chef America," in disguise. When will we see your
altered features on the contact sport cooking show?
Tom Sietsema: You just never know ...
Arlington, Va.: RE:Creme Cafe: I would not consider Creme Cafe a Soul Food place, just because it is operated by African Americans.
Tom Sietsema: Of course not. But it DOES have soul food influences. And it's more fun than GB's.
Washington, D.C.: Tom, just for background, most of northern Maine also refers to soda as "pop," not just Mid-West. Parts of New Hampshire and Vermont as well. It's an old Yankee thing that transplanted out to Midwest with the migrations.
Tom Sietsema: Gotcha. Or should I say, "You betcha."
Alexandria, Va.: Thanks for the unique column Sunday -- you didn't include a rating in this piece, but I'm sure that memories of Mom's cooking always get four stars!
I'm also interested to try out your "Breasts for Guests" recipe -- even though it sounds like something that would be on the menu at Hooters....
Tom Sietsema: I THINK my Mom would understand the reference to Hooters, but I'm not sure ...
By the way, for those of you who have asked via email: The breast should be sliced vertically, at the "joint" at the top of each chicken breast.
Bloomington, Ind.: Hello Tom,I am a college student home for the summer and I am about to start my first job working as a waitress next week. Since so many people seem to have complains about service they receive in restaurants, I was wondering if you and the chatters could throw around some of your ideas about the qualities of a good waiter?
Tom Sietsema: Personally, I appreciate a waiter who has actually tasted the menu and can offer suggestions ... a waiter who can "read" a table, to understand whether customers want to interact with staff (or not) ... a waiter who doesn't hover, but knows just when to interrupt a conversation to check in ...
Chatters, what do YOU want to see in your server?
Last week I was in Chicago celebrating my 10th anniversary. My husband and I went to Avenues for dinner and had one of the best experiences. The flavors in the dinner were amazing. Possibly the best was the lamb chop with a sauce made with Altoids. Once I tasted it, I remembered reading about it in either your column or one of the chats. Just wanted to thank you for leading us to a wonderful experience in another city.
Tom Sietsema: Avenues is indeed an exciting place to dine.
I wrote about Altoids as a secret ingredient in Jose Andres's cooking in a story I did when I was a Food section reporter.
washingtonpost.com: HE'S GOT A SECRET
And so do other chefs who are slipping everything from Pop Rocks to Vitamin C into their recipes.
The "ceviche of minty mussels" at Cafe Atlantico in Washington starts out quietly and ends with a bang.
A dollop of roasted eggplant puree is spooned into the center of a wide white bowl, followed by a handful of plump and meaty poached mussels. Next, warm licorice vin blanc--a reduction of white wine, shallots, heavy cream and both licorice powder and root--is drizzled atop the seafood. Then two curly plantain chips are embedded into the puree.
The dish might be just another pleasant introduction to a meal at the Latin American restaurant in the Pennsylvania Quarter if it weren't for what co-chef Christy Velie sprinkles over the mussels just before the plate leaves the kitchen: pulverized Altoids. The potent, peppermint-flavored breath mints dissolve into the wine sauce before most diners ever see the white powder, which imparts an unexpected and bracingly fresh note to the $9 starter.
"We want to change people's dining experience," says Velie. "We want them to be entertained at the same time" they're eating, adds the adventurer, whose kitchen has also incorporated Pop Rocks candy into a recipe for warm mushroom ceviche.
Reach into almost any good cook's bag of culinary tricks and you can pull out some surprising ingredients--offbeat additions and unlikely taste marriages that usually make sense in the mouth.
When Jacques Van Staden of Aquarelle restaurant in Foggy Bottom wants to lift the color of a red pepper coulis, he sneaks in pureed beets, which add a brilliant hue to the sauce and also enhance its taste. To heighten the pleasure of corn on the cob and achieve a "really fresh, really sweet" flavor, Atlanta cooking teacher Shirley Corriher laces its cooking water with a tablespoon of honey. Jerry Traunfeld of The Herbfarm restaurant outside Seattle knows that a bit of ground coriander lends a "toasty butteriness" to scones, shortbread and pound cakes, while Jeff Black, chef-owner of Black's Bar & Kitchen in Bethesda, finds himself reaching for fresh lemon whenever he encounters a tired soup; a spritz of its juice brings any broth to life, he says.
Want to keep cooked greens verdant and banana purees from fading to black? Chef Kerry Heffernan of Manhattan's popular Eleven Madison Park has a secret to share: "Just add Vitamin C," which he adds in powdered form to dishes that need brightening.
Home cooks may assume that such culinary tricks are a way for chefs to keep their magic to themselves. A guest at Saveur restaurant in Glover Park may never suspect that chef Keo Koumtakoun adds a split vanilla bean to his poached fish, for instance. But remove that aromatic from his recipe and most palates would find a dish of lesser distinction. Not only would the subtle perfume of the bean be missing, the fish may taste, well, fishier, the entree less complete, the chef points out.
Secret ingredients don't shout to be noticed; rather, their whispers contribute to a dish that is more balanced for including them, chefs say.
"Flavor is to food as hue is to color, as timbre is to music," explains Los Angeles cookbook author Michael Roberts in "Secret Ingredients" (Bantam, 1988). "It's the quality of nuance that enhances and changes the way we perceive the base ingredient."
The key is restraint. No one should discern coffee in a veal essence at Gary Danko restaurant in San Francisco, Coca-Cola in the barbecued salmon served at Equinox in downtown Washington or beets in the sweet, scarlet-colored sauce that decorates a plate of chocolate cake at Black's Bar & Kitchen.
"If any one thing dominates, it kills the dish," says Black.
Case in point: the honey-laced beet sorbet served at one stylish new Italian eatery in the District. Its deep red color is straight out of a box of Crayolas; its flavor suggests sweet, frozen . . . earth. The root vegetable overwhelms its partners.
So easy does it. "I prefer pepper to cinnamon" in desserts such as carrot cake, biscotti and poached pears, offers Bonnie Moore, culinary director and executive chef of Foodfit.com. "But it shouldn't hit you over the head: I'm pepper! I'm pepper!" she advises. And it takes just a little Coke, reduced to a deep caramel-colored syrup, to give that barbecued fish its welcome "twang," agrees Todd Gray, the chef-owner of Equinox.
Common pantry staples can play major roles in how our food tastes. Both "salt and sugar have complex flavor influences," says Corriher, the author of "CookWise" (William Morrow, 1997). Salt reduces bitterness and heightens sweetness, which explains the grapefruit eater who dusts the mouth-puckering citrus with a pinch of the seasoning before he digs in, and the pastry chef who adds a touch of salt to cookies or cakes. Sugar, meanwhile, "has this ability to bring out flavor we otherwise would not detect." Just ask any kid who has been caught rolling a faded stick of gum in a bowl of sugar, hoping to revive its flavor.
Some secrets turn out to be lifesavers in the kitchen.
One way to rescue an oversalted soup, for instance, is to add lemon juice to the pot, says Miami-based cookbook author Steven Raichlen. He also advocates splashing a few drops of Asian fish sauce to a broth that needs perking up ("It's the closest thing to a natural bouillon cube there is.")
Moore, on the other hand, likes to use lime juice, an ingredient that helps break through the strong flavors and heavy textures of black bean soup and sweet potatoes. "Lime juice relieves the palate so you're ready for the next bite," she says.
To mute any off notes in a fish stock, Van Staden uses Granny Smith apples in the simmering liquid; the fruit cooks to mush and gets strained out before the broth is used. "Apples absorb the fishiness and give the stock a touch of acidity," he says.
Likewise, a splash of balsamic vinegar can save unripe strawberries; a few drops allow the fruit's flavors to blossom, without drawing attention to the acid.
For many chefs, weaving a measure of fun into restaurant cooking is "liberating in the sense you aren't tied down to traditional [ingredient] partners," says Velie of Cafe Atlantico. "People are either offended by it, or wowed: 'I wouldn't dream of these combinations!' "
For sure, a diner doesn't often encounter exploding candy in a bite of passion fruit-marinated mushrooms.
But there's more where that came from, it turns out. Velie and her cohorts now are experimenting with pocket-size breath sprays, which they plan to fill with the likes of lobster oil and truffle oil and spritz into the mouths of guests as they're served dinner. "Interactive" dining, they call it.
The District: Helping with ideas for a group 40th b'day dinner; Poste's private room with big round table comes to mind (and you seem to like the food lately); other ideas? The honoree is a foodie and the crew is reasonably adventurous; can't be too astronomical price-wise. (BTW, I too am a male midwesterner, about your age; the child photo of you from Sunday is scarily similar to how I looked as a child!)
Tom Sietsema: We all look alike in Fly-Over Land, don't we?
Rasika has a great private room, as do Charlie Palmer Steak on the Hill; the wine bar above Bistro Lepic in Georgetown; Firefly in Dupont Circle; the Oceanaire Seafood Room downtown; and Vidalia, near the West End. I hope that helps.
German food: If the poster looking for German food is able to drive some distance, the Bavarian Chef between Madison and Charlottesville on US-29 is always good. Perhaps it might be a good weekend destination coupled with staying in Charlottesville for the weekend. (I would not suggest going down there THIS weekend, though, as I believe it is graduation weekend at UVA.)
Tom Sietsema: Sounds promising. Danke.
Your mom's breasts for guests: Believe it or not, I am actually a good cook. But I have to ask: does the recipe require two WHOLE chicken breasts? The packages in the store usually contain three to four halves that have been de-skinned and deboned.
It just didn't seem like a sufficient portion (1/2 of 1/2 a breast). Promise to try it once you clarify.
Tom Sietsema: Two whole breasts, split in half, add up to four generous servings. At the Whole Foods near me, I found packages with two breasts in them, btw.
Washington, D.C.: I need a great restaurant, preferably American/French/Italian, close proximity to the Madison Hotel, for a dinner for 13 with a private room. Suggestions?
Tom Sietsema: I hear the wine room at Equinox calling you ...
My boyfriend and I recently dined at Charlie Palmer - I had to try it since you mention it so often! I wanted to share with you some of our thoughts...
First, I liked the scene. Great bar area, and I love the glassed-in wine "rack" with water flowing beneath. We sat next to the window, which was less than optimal because we had to watch the bums passing by. Other than that, we liked the atmosphere fairly well (and couldn't see the bums once the sun went down)
Second, the timing of the courses was a bit slow. I enjoy having time between courses to chat, drink my wine, and digest a bit. But this timing was exceptionally slow. We had a wonderful appetizer with scallops and lamb cheek (the lamb absolutely melted in our mouths) and split a very bland and dry mixed greens salad.
Third, I ordered fish with asparagus risotto which was pretty good. My boyfriend had a steak and side of mushrooms. One thing we found odd - when he ordered his steak the waitress asked: "What side would you like with that"...which prompted us to ask "It comes with a side?" - this seemed odd since you don't typically get a side with a steak in such an establishment. But, because the waitress nodded her head, he ordered the mushrooms. After she walked away, we discussed the situation and figured we were getting charged for the mushrooms...we did. Which was fine, but very misleading on the part of the server. His steak was good, but we should have ordered a sauce because it was just a little on the boring side.
Fourth, we ordered mixed berry cobbler which had enormous, delicious fresh berries. My only problem was the TINY scoop of vanilla ice cream on a HUGE cobbler...not enough to go around.
Lastly, we asked someone on staff to take our picture and he kindly offered to take us to the roof for an AMAZING view. I had no idea what to expect, but it really was an awesome view up there! A little-known secret, but we were very pleased with the staff member who offered us the tour and picture session - that was definitely above and beyond customer service!
All in all, it was pretty good, but I think my expectations were too high. I'd rather go back to Capital Grille for steak or Kinkeads for seafood.
The waitress should have asked: "Would you care for a side dish with that?" She also should have been honest about its price.
The cobbler deserved more than a marble of dairy.
Whoever took you up to the roof deserves a gold star. How cool (and uncommon) is THAT?
RE: new server: Tom, you mentioned that a good waitress would have tasted the menu, and while I agree, that's something that's really not up to the server's control. I've worked at two restaurants in DC and if the management doesn't provide a tasting upon hiring, it's near impossible - and astronomically expensive - to buy all the meals yourself, especially if you are working at a restaurant that you can't afford to eat at even while working there.
Tom Sietsema: A good restaurant sees to it that its staff tries most of the restaurant's menu, if not all at once, then over time. How can anyone honestly sell a product that he doesn't have any experience with?
Washington, D.C.: HELP!! It my husband's birthday tomorrow night and I need a GREAT place to take him to dinner that won't break the bank! We like all kinds of food and have enjoyed great experiences at Zaytinya, Jaleo and others.
Tom Sietsema: Komi is delicious, relaxed -- I'd welcome an invitation there.
Bum grabbing:: A pat on the butt will ALWAYS result in severe startlement on my- the waitress's- part, and when I'm startled, I tend to spill drinks. Oops! Hope that cooled ya off.
Arlington, Va.: Nothing bugs me more than when a server touches my baby! One time I had had to literally grab a server's forearm to prevent her from touching my daughter.
I know babies are cute and it is very tempting to touch them. However, their immune systems are immature and they sick much easier than adults. Servers' and busboys' hands have bacteria from all of the food they have been serving and cleaning up. Please prevent a very awkward moment by looking only.
Tom Sietsema: On the other hand, I've been with friends with infants where servers have asked to hold the babies while mom or dad eats. The parents have welcomed the idea, as long as their charges stayed within view.
U Street, Washington, D.C.: Hi Tom,
I just wanted to get your thoughts on the experience I had this weekend at Sala Thai on U Street. It wasn't my first choice, but the other places on the block were all booked on Saturday. I was looking forward to a leisurely dinner with my mom.
We ordered our drinks and dinner at the same time (since it took so long for our orders to be taken, we had already decided upon our meals). I was expecting to enjoy my wine for a few minutes before my meal. However, my wine came immediately (which was great), but so did the food (!). I am not exaggerating when I say it took less than 5 minutes for our food to arrive after ordering.
Not only did this ruin the pace of the evening, it begged the question "how the heck did they do that!?"
Tom, is it common practice for the food to be pre-made and -possibly] nuked so it can be delivered immediately? This seems kind of -insert any fast food place here] to me.
What are your thoughts on this?
P.S my vegetarian tofu pad thai had pork in it! Good thing I'm not a veg!
Tom Sietsema: My sympathies. I've recently had a number of meals show up within nanoseconds of ordering them, too, and at all manner of restaurants.
Obviously, I haven't been inside the kitchen at Sala Thai, but I imagine that much of what the place offers relies on ingredients that are chopped and ready to be stir-fried or whatever; Thai cooking involves a number of such quick cooking methods. Were you among only a handful of customers? That might explain part of your super-speedy delivery, too.
Next time you might want to let your server know, up front, that you're looking forward to a leisurely meal.
Alexandria, Va.: Do you know where my husband can get a steamed hamburger? These are steamed like hot dogs. The cheeseburgers have a thick gooey layer of cheese. He loves them but hasn't found a place that makes them here. Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: I'm stumped. Chatters? Anyone out there have a source for steamed burgers?
I belong to a Book Club that meets once a month. We like to go to bar/restaurants and order drinks and yummy appetizers to talk about the book.
We are a group to mid-to-upper 20-something year old women. Some places we have tried in the past have been Bar Rouge, Tabard Inn, etc. I'm looking for some new choices to present to the ladies. Obviously it should be quiet enough to have a conversation. But we also appreciate a fun atmosphere (we do more gossip then actual book talking) and tasty food.
Most of us live around Dupont, Woodley Park, Adams Morgan area...so that works best. Any ideas?
Tom Sietsema: I'm thinking the second floor of Mark and Orlando's in Dupont Circle, the rooftop of Straits of Malaya on 18th St. NW or Busboys and Poets on 14th St. NW might make suitable venues for your book club.
You don't mention the size of your group. If you're fewer than eight, you might also explore the delightful Simply Home on U St. NW.
Alexandria, Va.: This may be outside of this discussion's normal range, but it is restaurant related: A few weeks ago, I had lunch at a well-known upscale restaurant in downtown DC. I was with a group in a private dining room. The room was rather crowded, and in order to get to my seat, I had to squeeze between the back of someone's chair and the wall. Unfortunately, there was a nail protruding about half an inch from the wall, and it caught my suit jacket, causing a large tear -- L-shaped, about two inches on each side, just behind the side seam at waist level.
The manager offered to pay for the repair to the jacket, asking me to have it fixed and send her the bill. However, I've now shown it to a repair shop and been told that the damage is too great. They could attempt to reweave it, but the repair would be very obvious, making the suit unwearable.
Here's my question: Am I justified in asking the restaurant to replace the suit?
Tom Sietsema: Interesting question. I encountered the very same problem in a restaurant a year ago. The suit was a favorite one, but also an older one, and I was told any repair would be obvious. So I chalked it up as my loss.
I don't think you should be so quiet, though. The restaurant is responsible for the safety and well-being of its customers and a protruding nail is something that someone on staff should have noticed and removed.
You should go back to the restaurant with your suit, let a manager know the tear is beyond repair and that you can no longer wear it. Was your suit new? Do you have a receipt for it? The answers to those questions should be factored into compensation.
I'd love to hear what restaurateurs have to say about this, by the way.
Washington, D.C.: Tom, where would you suggest for a reasonably priced early dinner on Friday night in the downtown DC area? Somewhere that's between Dupont and Penn Quarter where entrees fall in the range of $10 to $17? The only restriction that I know if is that it can't be Indian, but other than that, I'm open for any good suggestions!
Tom Sietsema: Rice in Logan Circle is very good (if a bit noisy at rush hour) and I still like the tapas at Jaleo in Penn Quarter.
Chantilly, Va.: Charlie Palmer: I had the same issue last week with side items at Charlie Palmer. First they ask only if you want Flat or sparkling water, then they ask what sides you want with your steak. I ask if the sides were big enough to share and I was told no! So we ordered two per person,however on person in our party was not aware. I knew we would be charged but the sides were big enough to split if you wanted. Up-selling must be a new thing at Charlie Palmer!
Tom Sietsema: Say it ain't so, chef!
The Stern article. . : I can't believe they went to Matchbox when Hodges Famous Roast Beef is just a couple of blocks away on NY Ave. I've only been there once but it is a great road food type of place with a justifiably famous roast beef. Love the Sterns though, roadfood.com has helped my plan many a trip.
Tom Sietsema: I thought it was odd that the Mrs. has a condiment aversion -- and that she doesn't like sharing her food!
I'm late!!!!: Looking for a good Asian restaurant in San Francisco. Can you help a girl out? The Slanted Door is 100% booked.
Tom Sietsema: Yank Sing for dim sum. Divine!
I saw sarsaparilla at the Target in Rockville just yesterday!
Tom Sietsema: No way! Thanks for the tip.
Boston, Mass.: No need to put this in the chat, and I suspect others have already emailed you this suggestion re your interest in walnut clusters.
You might want to look up a book called Candyfreak by Steve Almond. It has several chapters on regional candy, in which Almond visits the factories and offices of the candymakers. I can't specifically recall something about walnut clusters, but either the book or Almond himself might be able to provide leads.
Tom Sietsema: For all of us looking for long-lost loves .... thanks!
Washington, D.C.: Hi Tom, with summer just around the corner, where's the best place in DC to enjoy a cool, creamy, fresh ice cream cone?
Tom Sietsema: Thomas Sweet is Georgetown is a nice pit stop.
Time has run out. See you back here next week.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema answers your questions, listens to your suggestions and even entertains your complaints about Washington dining.
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Post Politics Hour
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Don't want to miss out on the latest buzz in politics? Start each day at wonk central: The Post Politics Hour. Join in each weekday morning at 11 a.m. as a member of The Washington Post's team of White House and Congressional reporters answers questions about the latest in buzz in Washington and The Post's coverage of political news.
washingtonpost.com Political Columnist/Blogger Chris Cillizza was online Wednesday, May 17, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the latest news in politics.
Read Chris Cillizza 's blog, The Fix
Political analysis from Post reporters and interviews with top newsmakers. Listen live on Washington Post Radio or subscribe to a podcast of the show.
Chris Cillizza: Good morning all. The latest Post poll shows the President's job approval rating hitting a new low and Democrats as the party voters trust to deal with the top 10 issues of the day.
Those results are sure to cause some consternation among the Republican ranks especially those House and Senate members up for re-election in November.
Democrats are gleeful over the results but the poll also shows that more than half of voters don't believe Democrats have effectively laid out their differences with Republicans.
What do you think? Does the latest Post poll promise a sure thing for Democrats or is the deal far from closed?
Denver, Colo.: Vis a vis the President's Poll rating on his speech. I believe the speech got a 7 or 8 rating-that means only 7-8% of all TV set owners had tuned it in. The sample was heavily skewed to Republicans (oversampled by 25% or so) and undersampled Democrats by roughly the same percentage.
That's a very small sample made up of a disproportionate number of people that still think this president has any substance whatsoever. Worthless wouldn't you say?
Chris Cillizza: This morning on The Fix you'll find an analysis of insta-polling -- that is surveys done in the immediate aftermath of a major event like the President's speech on immigration Monday night.
As noted in the Fix item, these polls are interesting but should not be used as long term predictors of the impact of a speech or an event. As the questioner notes, the sample often skews to those who view the President favorably since many Democrats or disaffected Independents have simply tuned out Bush by this point.
But, what the insta-polls can do is provide a snapshot in time about how a speech is immediately received by a segment of the electorate. They can be useful if the scope of interpretation and meaning is kept narrow.
Pasco, Wash.: Chris, thanks for taking my question.
I thought the poll results yesterday were interesting in showing decreasing Republican support for the President. It made me wonder whether the pollsters are seeing any shift in the percentages of the population that classify themselves as Republican, Democrat or independent. Any insight?
Chris Cillizza: One of the most interesting elements of the Post poll to me was that the percentage of Republicans voicing disapproval about the president's job went from 16 percent in the last Post poll to 30 percent this time.
What's the practical effect of those numbers? I doubt that hardcore Republican voters will wind up voting Democratic in the midterm elections but what they may do is simply stay home, which could be a major problem for Republicans.
With Democrats fired up to turn out this fall to cast a vote of protest against the president, turnout could well swing decisively in favor of their party -- a key factor in midterm elections.
Any sense that the low poll #'s for the President will translate into a House majority for the Democrats this November? From the MSM I read, the Senate is out of reach, but the House is within reach. Yes/No? Thanks.
Chris Cillizza: Lots of questions about what (if anything) the current poll numbers tell us about the fall.
I would say that both the House and Senate are in play this November though I would add (quickly) that neither scenario is likely at the moment.
Conventional wisdom dictates that a national wind blowing has more of an effect on House races since there are more of them and they tend to be less defined than Senate races. I tend to agree with that sentiment but do think The Hotline's Chuck Todd makes a compelling argument (based on historical numbers) that the Senate is actually the body more likely to switch in a pro-Democratic climate.
What we know right now is that the national political atmosphere has helped Democrats put both bodies in play. GOP incumbents that would not likely face real challenges in a neutral year find themselves in serious fights. It is still too early to determine whether those incumbents will squeak by or fall to defeat.
New Jersey: The deal is far from closed for Democrats. But what is happening to Bush now is not chance, or bad luck, but rather the consequences of earlier policies and decisions.
The consequences are on a conveyer belt and will continue moving on and dropping at Bush's feet. Both political parties must build this reality into their calculations.
Chris Cillizza: One thought on the Post poll....
Washington, D.C.: Do I think the Democrats have got it won? No, they'll find a a way to screw it up. If they don't go far left, the left wing base will stay home or vote for the green candidate or something. And if they do go far left, the moderates will stay home and the evangelicals will carry it for the right wing. Dean seems to understand this (hence his efforts to distance himself from gay marriage) but the rest of the democratic leadership doesn't like him it seems. Can the Democrats get their act together and appeal to the middle?
One thing I would add here though, is that I believe Democrats (regardless of their positioning on the ideological spectrum) are largely united in their opposition to the president and his policies. Distaste is a strong motivating tool and could well overcome the problems Democrats have within their own ranks.
Baltimore, Md.: Were you as stunned as I was over Karl Rove's speech to (I believe) the Heritage Foundation. His basic thrust was, hey, the public doesn't like the current state of affairs, but at least they think the president is likeable. Number one, Mr. Rover cherrypicked one poll that showed a high favorability for the President personally. But number two, talk about damning with faint praise! He almost admitted that the administration had no policy points left with the American people, which was pretty startling.
Chris Cillizza: I was at that speech on Monday.
As I wrote on The Fix, it seemed to me that Rove was going out of his way to emphasize his policy credentials in the wake of being stripped of his role as policy chief at the White House in the recent staff shakeup.
As for his defense of the president's popularity, I think both sides typically cherrypick polling that paints their party in the best light. That said, Rove is also well aware that the majority of the country is not favorably disposed to Republicans and the president at the moment -- a feeling he attributed largely to the ongoing conflict in Iraq.
Washington, D.C.: Is there a chance that Gore will enter the presidential pool in the next year?
If so, what kind of response do you think he'd get?
Chris Cillizza: Divining Al Gore's motives has become a pet project of mine over the past few months.
Gore has had an interesting few months from his appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair's "Green" issue to his cameo on Saturday Night Live, the former VP is not doing much to dispel the rumors that he is considering another race.
As I have written on The Fix before, I think there is a compelling case for a Gore candidacy in that he is the lone candidate that can both raise the $50 million (or more)and run credibly to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's left on the Iraq war.
That said, I don't think Gore will run. It's just a hunch at this point but given my conversations with some former aides I am not sure he has the desire to spend the time on the nuts and bolts of a presidential campaign (raising money, meeting with local activists etc.) that it takes to win the nomination. Gore's ideal -- and perhaps only -- interest in the race is if he could be drafted or coronated -- neither of which are likely.
Atlanta, Ga.: Do you think John Edwards will run for President in '08? If so, who for running mate?
Chris Cillizza: Staying on '08....
Yes, I do think Edwards will run again. In fact, I would be shocked if he decided not to run.
Even for a political junkie prone to wild prognostication like me, it is too early to have any real sense of who Edwards might choose as a running mate. He does, after all, need to win the nomination first.
Expect Edwards to more actively seek support among liberals within the party this time around in hopes of becoming the anti-Hillary candidate. He has already done some of that positioning with his apology for his vote in favor of the use of force resolution against Iraq in 2002 and has courted organized labor relentlessly since his 2004 bid -- more on that tomorrow morning in The Fix.
Good morning. For an administration that doesn't "pay attention to polls" aren't they talking a lot about polls lately? Rove, Mrs. Bush, and even Tony Snow brought up polls to support his point during yesterday's briefing.
Chris Cillizza: At Rove's speech on Monday he said that he didn't want to spend much time on polls before going into a long discourse on why the survey data currently available was not as bad for Republicans as conventional wisdom would have you believe.
I'm not sure when "poll" became a dirty word in politics (I suspect some time in the Clinton Administration) but it has now become de rigueur for politicians of all stripes to denounce survey research as a basis for public policy.
Hooey, I say. (And yes, I do have a 1950s sensibility about me.)
While polling is not the lone factor that a politician considers when mulling a policy proposal or a stance on a controversial issue, it is almost always a factor in the discussion. And, why shouldn't it be. After all, politicians are elected to do the will of the people so what's wrong with conducting a survey aimed at finding out what that will might be?
Harrisburg, Pa.: I don't know if this a harbinger for national elections, but in state election in Pennsylvania yesterday, 13 state senators and representative incumbents were defeated in a primary election. This includes the two top Republicans in the state Senate, who had a combined total of 56 years in office.
Chris Cillizza: This is one of a number of questions/observations about the Pennsylvania primaries.
While I, like any political junkie worth his or her salt, watched amazed as the two Republican leaders in the state Senate were defeated due in large part to their advocacy of a pay raise for themselves.
Because the pay raise was a localized issue specific to Pennsylvania though I am not sure we can draw broad conclusions about its impact on the national level.
That said, there is clearly an anti-incumbent mood in the country at the moment as voters simply do not believe politicians are representing their interests. That is a dangerous position for Republicans, who control the House, Senate and the presidency.
Minneapolis, Minn.: Let's call a spade a spade here. Rove's assertion that Bush's favorability ratings are "in the 60s" isn't "cherrypicking" -- it's lying. Bush hasn't polled in the 60s on favorability in 15 months, and hasn't polled above 50% at any point this year.
Chris Cillizza: Not technically true. Rove was referring to personal favorability not job approval. While the president's job approval numbers have been in the 40s -- and now the 30s -- for the better part of the last year, his personal favorability ratings have been considerably higher.
Trenton, N.J.: Who do you think will emerge as the conservative favorite for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination?
Earlier in the year, Virginia Sen. George Allen was the popular answer to this question but as his re-election race this November has grown more difficult the buzz about Allen has faded.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney could fill that slot but he must first overcome several hurdles not the least of which is his seeming position change on the abortion issue.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also has a chance to become the conservative darling with his background as a Baptist minister and his rhetoric about the need for cultural change. But, Huckabee has yet to prove he can raise the money to be competitive.
Ditto Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback.
And, I wouldn't count out Arizona Sen. John McCain in this category either. McCain and his advisers believe he was totally miscast as the moderate candidate in 2000 and have dedicated considerable time over the past few years to correcting that misimpression with GOP activists over the past few years. Need evidence? How about McCain's speech last weekend at Liberty University?
Washington, D.C.: Hiya Chris, with all the speculating on the 2008 Presidential Race, do you think John Kerry could win against any Republican? If he could not win at that time (2004) versus that guy (President Bush), I don't think he can win against anyone. What say you, oh wise one?
Chris Cillizza: After consulting my Magic 8 ball, I provide you with the following answer.
I do think Kerry has turned himself into a viable candidate in 2008 although he is not the frontrunner that he was at the start of the 2004 campaign.
Kerry has become a leading voice on Iraq and has shocked many people with his continued ability to raise considerable cash for aspiring candidates.
He still must contend with the idea that he had his chance in 2004 and blew it -- a major hurdle if the party is looking for a fresh face in 2008.
Counting Kerry out is a mistake at this point. He has a very difficult path to the nomination but not an impossible one.
Arlington, Va.: How do you decide which of the many hearings, think tank parleys, press conferences, and other schmoozing opportunities available in any given day to take in?
I ask because I was interested to hear that you were present at Rove's talk at AEI. I always find it interesting to see where you and, especially, Dana Milbank turn up. However you choose, both of you generally seem to be able to use the opportunity to find out something interesting to tell us!
Chris Cillizza: My general rule is that if Dana is going, I am going. He has a nose for news (and great political color) that is generally unerring.
'08 VP: I know you said it's way to early to guess who candidates would select for VP, but just tell....is there any chance, at ALL, that someone would select Sen. Obama?
Barack Obama is one of the biggest star in the Democratic party at the moment and every one of his colleagues is well aware of his status.
Naming Obama would be an historic choice and one that I think is a real possibility.
Chris Cillizza: That's all I have time for today. Thanks for the questions and be sure to check out The Fix later this afternoon when I will answer some that I didn't have time to get to in our hour together.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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washingtonpost.com Political Columnist/Blogger Chris Cillizza discusses the latest buzz in Washington and The Post's coverage of political news.
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Executive producer Hedrick Smith was online Wednesday, May 17, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the PBS Frontline film, "Can You Afford to Retire?" Members of the baby boomer generation, who enjoy a long life expectancy, could be facing a financial crisis in their retirement years. The impact of insufficient pensions affects not only individual spending power, but could harm the overall economy as well through a decrease in consumer spending. The trend in recent decades to shift the cost of retirement pensions from corporations to employees has altered the plans of many in the workforce who are eyeing retirement.
PBS Frontline's "Can You Afford to Retire?" aired Tuesday, May 16, at 9 p.m. ET ( check local listings ).
Trenton, N.J.: On the Web site Frontline has good resources for young workers. How has this program affected the many young workers who produced it? It's pretty sobering for all of us. Yet more and more have lots of credit card debt and it's really hard to get started on long term retirement now.
Hedrick Smith: Good question. Everyone who worked on the show was deeply sobered by what we found out. Rick Young, the producer, who's in his mid-40s, was constantly talking about how he was going to have to beef up his retirement savings. Typically when the production team comes in from a day of shooting and goes out to dinner, the tendency is to change the subject and talk about other things - sports, the war, family - and so forth. But this time, almost every night, the talk was about what we had learned that day and what the implications were for all of us individually and for the country as a whole.
Heber Springs, Ark.: In your opinion, which is better for a 55 year old considering early retirement-lump sum distribution or monthly pension?
Hedrick Smith: It really depends upon how much money you have in your account. Having a monthly paycheck come in for the rest of your life is extremely important. So it would probably be smart to put some of your money into an annuity, which is a way of buying a monthly pension check. That also depends upon whether you can do it through an employer-sponsored program where you could get a good price for the annuity. But it's probably also smart to keep some money in cash to invest it. But I would resist at all costs taking a lump-sum distribution because the tendency is to spend out too fast in the early years of your retirement. The advice of professionals is to take out no more than 5% per year and that will give you 20 years of distributions, and at your age, 55, you probably have more than 20 years life expectancy. If you want to get control of the money from your employer, then be sure to roll over some of it into a tax shelter such as an IRA. Otherwise the IRS will tax you on the whole sum and that will hit you very hard. To sum up: no lump sum; if you choose to take control, be sure to roll over into a tax-protected IRA; and try to put at least some of the money into a lifetime pension.
Moorhead, Minn.: To help aging baby boomers see what life might be like, has any program been planned showing what it's like to live on Social Security, Medicare, and county assistance?
Hedrick Smith: That's an excellent question. Most places have it only in theory. I would press your employer very hard to get precisely that kind of information. You can also press the state government or county government from which you expect to get assistance. you can also try contacting the Employee Benefit Research Institute in Washington, DC, through their web page.
Windsor, Calif.: Just finish watching this excellent program, and all working Americans should do the same. Hopefully it will be shown again or be able to purchase a DVD on the subject. I am one of the few that is retired (1992 ) with a defined benefits pension and a 401K plan also from my many years with Prudential. Thank you again Hedrick.
Hedrick Smith: Thanks so much for your comments. Our hope was that this program would be a wake-up call for people who need it and provide some helpful advice to the great mass of middle-income Americans. It sounds as though you are over the hump of retirement with the strong backing of a lifetime pension on top of social security as your base. Count yourself as one of the very fortunate.
Columbus, Ohio: I'm curious about your personal reaction to the poor prospects for retirement for so many in middle America. Your professional circles has focused on the journalistic elite on the East Coast, most of whom have benefited from high salaries, high housing appreciation and wealth compared to others. Is part of the problem too because journalists for the most part haven't felt the pain of retirement woes? (I'm going to assume that your personal retirement plans are comfortably set).
Hedrick Smith: Yes, one of the difficulties in getting to the bottom of this problem is that the policy and intellectual elites, including corporate leadership, who are dealing with this problem, rarely have the same difficulties as the great majority of middle-income Americans. On Monday, I attended a meeting of 250 experts and policy makers who were showing slides to each other and making speeches about the intricacies of various retirement programs and options. From my reporting experience, a lot of what was being discussed would sail way over the heads of ordinary people. There was a disconnect. I showed a 10-minute segment from "Can You Afford to Retire?" with examples of ordinary people and their problems and it changed the tenor of the conversation in the room. So there is no question that policy makers, corporate leaders, pension consultants, and journalists too have to get out into the real world to at least see the pain of retirement woes before they start to prescribe policies and solutions.
St. Charles, Mo.: How does the U.S. compare to other Western nations in regards to retirement plans for workers?
Hedrick Smith: In Western Europe, most countries have variations of the lifetime pension system for most workers so they are keeping the system that we are walking away from. In Australia, they have a system which combines elements of American-style Social Security for lower-income workers and a MANDATORY 401(k)-style system for the majority of workers. Mandatory meaning that employers must offer and contribute to the retirement system and employees must participate and contribute as well. By comparison, 50% of the American workforce is not offered any retirement plan by their employers. And of those who are offered a plan, roughly 25% do not choose to join. In other words, everything is voluntary, and that's one of the reasons our results are so perilous for most people.
Chicago, Ill.: Do you think United could have stayed in business without cutting back its employees' pension plan? How could it compete with airlines like Southwest that have fewer employee benefits?
Hedrick Smith: What's interesting about the decision of United Airlines to cut its employee-pension plan is that American Airlines, which faced similar competitive pressures and rising fuel and other costs, managed to keep its pension plans. Where a United put constant pressure on its unions to make give-backs totaling $3.3 billion in wage and other concessions and then went on to cancel its pension plans, American sat down with its unions and worked out comparable packages of concessions from employees but kept its pension plans. So the American example indicates that a major airline can be competitive and can keep the pension plans. By the way, the same thing happened in the steel industry. Several steel companies such as Bethlehem and LTV said they had to cut their pensions in order to survive. But US Steel, facing the same global competitive pressures, have kept its pension system. Those 2 examples suggest that something other than the pensions is at the root of companies' troubles.
La Plata, Md.: I am 53. I have $200,000 in a keough plan (HR 10) from a past partnership. I expect to get $1300 a month Social Security at 65. I will need $4000 a month to retire on. Do you think if I simply break even for the next 12 years, that I can expect that Keough plan to add another $200K by simple investment income? (it is in a stock market plan, half conservative and half mid-cap/aggressive). Will I be able to keep getting $4000 a month for the 20 years I expect to live past age 65? (I have no dependents and want to spend it all before I die). I want to relax and not work too hard for the next 12 years. Am I nuts?
Hedrick Smith: In the first place, let me congratulate you having saved up $200,000 in your Keough. That's a lot of money. In the second place, I'm not a professional financial advisor. And it sounds to me as though you would be smart to get one, because you really need somebody professional to do the actual calculations for you and work out a plan. This is not something that should be done off the top of your head, or my head, or on the back of an envelope. But you've got a great start - good luck.
Ogden, Utah: This is the most stark demonstration of the galactic gulf between the mega-wealthy and the former middle class. While the working-age employee may be far behind his CEO now, a lifestyle of reasonable health, leisure, family support, etc. is possible. But in retirement the same folks will become the impoverished, the prematurely ill (and then dead), and ultimately completely exploited Americans no one ever expected to know.
Hedrick Smith: Certainly, one of my biggest concerns coming away from 6 months of work on this topic is the radical inequality between people who are making more than $100,000 per year and moderate-income Americans who are making $40,000-$60,000. Obviously, they start out planning for retirement from very different levels. But what is more disturbing is the evidence that when they start to run their own 401(k) plans, the gap between them grows wider and wider very rapidly. According to a 50-year pension benefit consultant like Brooks Hamilton, who has studied the numbers in detail, most of the middle-income earners will not be able to accumulate enough money to finance their retirement - unless something radical is done to strengthen the 401(k) system to give them much more help in planning and managing their investments, and unless employer contributions are significantly increased.
Rockville, Md.: I find this whole question of when I can retire and how much money I will need impossible to figure out. If my house and car are paid off, can I just figure out what my current expenses are and use that as a guide to approximate what my expenses will be when I retire?
Hedrick Smith: What you've set out is a good starting place, especially since you have your house and car paid off - presuming you don't plan to move once you retire. But you ought to figure in a couple of other things. For one, if you live 20 years or more, the money you have now will be worth about 1/2 as much in 18-20 years due to inflation. Second, health costs are extremely high, even for people who have Medicare. Fidelity Mutual Funds recently put out a study that estimated that a couple living from age 65 to age 85 would spend $200,000 on health care on top of whatever Medicare pays for them. So my hunch is that it's probably smart for you to sit down with a financial advisor and take great care in doing the numbers.
Washington, D.C.: Given the uncertainty in international money trading, should I be looking for an investment in something other than U.S. dollars, just in case dollar plunges in relative value to Euro, CN$ and Chinese yang(?). Any suggestions?
Hedrick Smith: Frankly, I personally make sure that some of my investments are in foreign securities or in international commodity portfolios that are independent of the US dollar. But that's a personal preference. I do not invest in currencies because it's so complicated and so risky. I would not attempt that without excellent professional help.
Washington, D.C.: I have heard you comment that individuals do a poor job of managing their retirement funds on their own. Do you have a list or site where one can find a good money manager.? Where they are rated and evaluated.
Hedrick Smith: I wish I could give you a good answer, besides suggesting the yellow pages of the telephone book. If you have a brokerage account, or you have a lawyer, or you have a CPA who prepares your tax returns, you can ask them for several recommendations. And be sure they recommend someone other than themselves. It's like asking the front desk at a hotel where the best restaurants are and having them tell you that their own is the best.
Princeton, N.J.: You say, "The advice of professionals is to take out no more than 5% per year and that will give you 20 years of distributions..." This is misleading. If you invest the money conservatively, you will probably make more than 5% and thus your money will last forever if you only take 5% out.
Hedrick Smith: In principle, you make a good point - that is, if you take only modest distributions of 5% per year, you have a good chance that your money will outlive you, which is the name of the game. But lots of people have invested conservatively in their 401(k)s and they have made a lot less than 5% per annum. So I don't think your numbers add up. Jack Bogle, the founder of the Vanguard Mutual Fund Group, told me that if you take the average growth in the stock market over the past 50 years and deduct the fees that you pay money managers to manage your funds, you will end up with about 5.5% growth per year over the long run - and that is not through conservative investing.
Washington, D.C.: Great show. One point I'd like some more information on, however. Many of your experts said that the average workers, especially the poorer ones, made bad decisions regarding their 401(k) plans. But aside, from commenting about how they didn't invest enough or took out money when shifting jobs, the experts didn't really spell out what the mistakes were. Not diversified enough?... Too heavily invested in own company stocks?Could you be more precise?Thanks.
Hedrick Smith: The most common mistakes were investing in money market funds by people who were so scared at the prospect of managing their own funds that they picked the most conservative option, and their investments did not keep up with inflation. The second major mistake was being too heavily invested in their own company's stock, and buying when it was high and there was a lot of optimism about the company, and then having to sell it low when the company got in trouble. Enron of course is a classic example, but there are lots of other little Enrons out there that hurt people very badly. The main problems are insufficient diversification and the failure to pick age-appropriate strategies -- that is, more aggressive when you're younger, and more conservative when you approach retirement. But even then you have to invest for growth.
Arlington, Va.: Good day. At what point in one's life does it make sense to obtain long-term disability/nursing home type coverage? I'm only 46, but I wonder if "getting it early" might offer some cost benefits in the same way that getting life insurance early may.
Hedrick Smith: I really don't know enough about the cost-age trade-offs in that type of coverage to know what's worthwhile. But you also have to reckon the opportunity cost of money that you put into that kind of insurance at age 46 not being available for an investment to finance the healthy years of your retirement. But you really need to talk to a specialist.
Charlottesville, Va.: Why categorize the looming retirement crisis as one faced by baby boomers? Isn't the real crisis the one faced by children of baby boomers, who will be the ones who must support them? Children of baby boomers will be outnumbered by the baby boomers -- politically as well as demographically -- and will be saddled with supporting not just their own parents, but an entire generation.
Hedrick Smith: You make a good point. The retirement financial crisis will affect far more people than baby boomers, and certainly it will affect their children. Most of the retirees and near-retirees with whom we talked, said that they were extremely reluctant to have to depend on their children financially, or to think of moving in with their children. But the mere fact that they were discussing those issues indicates that some of them have already figured out that that is what lies ahead for them. So the children of baby boomers should take very seriously the consequences for them of the inadequate funding for them of the baby boomer generation. This is a huge economic problem for the nation, not just for individuals or individual families. Think about it for a minute - if retirees become 20% of our population and their purchasing power falls below what has been normal for retirees in the past, one important engine driving our economy will be diminished. Less money for retirees means less purchasing power means less economic growth overall. It's a big problem.
Tyler, Tex.: My husband and I are in our early 50s and have been diligently working on saving through 401k's and IRAs, but it's difficult to determine just how much we will need at retirement given the rising health care costs and inflationary concerns. Do you have any suggestions on how to calculate (in general terms) what will be required upon retirement say in the next 10 to 15 years?
Hedrick Smith: You just asked the jackpot question: how do people figure out how much they need to support their retirement, and then how much do they need to save to build up that kind of nest egg. One way to get numbers is to contact the AARP or to go to its web site. AARP has workbooks and I believe worksheets on its web site that will help you do these calculations. You could also try contacting the Council for the Elderly and your employers. Another potential source is to contact the retirement plan manager - that is, the firm that is handling the 401(k)s for your employers. All of those sources should have basic worksheets to help you.
Oakton, Va.: What would it take for an expert in retirement planning to become an activist in determining an optimal path to safe and secure retirement? Quite surely, it is easy to say that we need to plan, but every planner sets a different path, we are after all speaking of person A retiring and hoping to live until they are 90. Why is is it so difficult?
Hedrick Smith: One reason it's difficult is that we are all individuals and have our own individual standards and needs. Another reason is, no one knows how long you're going to live, and the amount of money you need is directly dependent on the number of years you live after you retire. So you need to work from averages in life expectancy from the year when you plan to retire, averages in health care costs for the age group of retirees, and average rates of inflation and investment growth depending on how you invest your money and where your assets are.
Silver Spring, Md.: How do I talk to my mother about her retirement plans? She lives paycheck to paycheck and I worry that she has little set aside. Her employer offers a 401K, but I'm not sure she participates. She is 61 years old, and I don't think we will be able to retire, ever.
Hedrick Smith: I'm very sorry about your mother's predicament. If she has no 401(k) and no lifetime pension, she will be dependent solely on Social Security unless she works longer. So it's important to get her to do two things - one, persuade her to join that 401(k) right away because whatever money she puts in will be matched by her employer and that will be a financial gain for her. And two, make sure she maintains and improves her job skills because that will be the key to her continued employment. There are federally-financed programs to help train and re-train people to keep working during their retirement years. They are administered around the country by different organizations and I believe your area the organization is AARP. But you can call them. Also, try checking the web site for our program and look for appropriate links: Can You Afford to Retire?
Dalton, Ga.: Here's a comment meant to provoke, from a very bitter 30-year-old: A 20 to 30 year retirement is a pipedream that will be achieved only by current retirees (members of the "greatest generation") and a limited number of baby boomers. The rest of us poor saps will go back to the pre-20th century bad-old-days, where people worked until close to death, then lived off savings and family support for a year or two. Why should we feel entitled to anything more?
Hedrick Smith: It's a sad society that willingly consigns its elderly to poverty, especially when other societies are doing better than that.
Virginia: I think the biggest point to hit home was the statement when talking to the CEOs on whether they would allow their fresh faces to manage their personal 401Ks and there reaction was---"are you nuts?". that is the flaw in the system. Employers should provide professions to mange these accounts (without those annoying processing/transaction fees).
Hedrick Smith: That's precisely the point - the people who are making decisions about what benefits to offer and how to run the benefit plans do not face the same personal predicament as the employees who have to live under those conditions. Only if enough ordinary Americans speak up and demand better from both their employers and their government is the system going to get fixed. But first of all, we have to understand how serious the problem is.
Arlington, Va.: Thank you for taking questions...I found your program to be very interesting. Since so many Americans are going to end up relying solely on social security in the future; and the program is expected to run out of money within a generation or so...what does that mean for so many? Is the New Deal dead?
Hedrick Smith: Certainly one of the strongest lessons I learned in doing six months of work on this topic was how absolutely crucial the Social Security system is for the great mass of Americans. The research of professionals and our own reporting convinced me that many millions of people are not capable of effectively managing the finances for their own retirement. It needs to be done by professionals, through pooled investments, with lots of other workers. Social Security is the foundation stone of that kind of retirement security. It not only needs to be strengthened in order to make sure it's there for younger baby boomers and Generations X and Y, but it probably needs to be strengthened and expanded because the retirement benefits now being offered by most employers are not sufficient to support middle-income Americans in their long years of retirement.
Vienna, Va.: I'm sorry I missed the airing of the program. I desperately would like to watch it. I'm planning to retire in a small country in southeast Asia where the cost of living is a fraction of the cost of living in the U.S. Could you give some advice on that plan?
Hedrick Smith: You can find out when the program will be re-broadcast by clicking "check local listings" at the top of this page, or email Frontline at frontline@pbs.org to ask them to broadcast the program again. The program will also be streamed on our web site, Can You Afford to Retire? , starting tomorrow.
Portland, Ore.: With an ever-aging population, what about work opportunities during retirement?
Will they be limited to professionals (like myself)? Or will all job categories see an older workforce?
Can working and earning money actually reduce other retirement benefits?
Hedrick Smith: Various organizations are starting to put considerable effort into categorizing and mining the work possibilities for people of retirement age. AARP offices in several states that we contacted have regular meetings with employers like Home Depot, local retailers, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and various service organizations to try to link up the employers with retirees who want work, usually part-time work. It's usually much easier for people with professional skills to find work for themselves or even possibly to continue with their old employer, but on a part-time basis. Some labor economists predict that in about five years there will be a labor shortage in the United States and that demand for retirees to work part-time will grow naturally. I don't know if that's true or just wishful predicting.
St. Charles, Mo.: You nailed it, Mr. Smith. It is a sad society that treats it's citizens the way ours does today. The irony is that the outrage isn't evident out here. We don't seem to care that CEO's feather their nests in ever increasing amounts, that they appoint their pals to boards which in turn determine their salaries, stock options, etc. I'm not happy to say that we have just the kind of government we deserve and they are truly in bed with big business.
Hedrick Smith: I appreciate your comment. You suggest, correctly I think, that it's going to take political action and perhaps a political movement, to change the situation. The issue of the pension gap has got to become visible and important to millions of people before Washington will respond seriously. Right now, everyone thinks it's his or her own problem and that individuals have to do better and save more. Of course, that is true. We all have to save more and take responsibility for our own retirement. But we have a huge social and economic problem on our hands. If the experts are right in their calculations, then we face the prospect of millions of people retiring into poverty from the American middle class in the years ahead. That has all kinds of social and economic consequences. We need to anticipate those and start tackling the problem in a constructive way, now.
Des Moines, Iowa: Are there any good statistical resources you can recommend to show what different age groups have saved?
Hedrick Smith: You can contact the Social Security Administration, the Congressional Research Service, and the Employee Benefit Research Institute in Washington, DC and also probably the General Accounting Office. All of them have data on savings. In addition, the Federal Reserve recently published its latest report on individual savings and spending habits and results. All of them have web sites. You can probably get information on them from the web site for our program (Can You Afford to Retire?).
washingtonpost.com: Thank you all for joining us today.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Executive producer Hedrick Smith discusses the PBS Frontline film "Can You Afford to Retire?," which examines the possible retirement crisis facing baby boomers.
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Federal Diary Live
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The Post's Stephen Barr is the author of The Federal Diary , which runs Monday through Friday in the Business news section. Steve has been a reporter and editor at The Post since 1979, including stints as Federal Page editor, congressional editor and a National staff writer covering federal management and workplace issues. He began writing the column in May 2000, and takes the column live to answer your questions Wednesdays at noon ET .
Stephen Barr: Welcome to all. The debate over next year's federal pay raise will soon be joined, and key committees are trying to move through their bills and get organized before the Memorial Day break. One sideline to this year's pay debate is the contentious dispute over air traffic controller pay at the FAA. The FAA has suggested that controllers are very well compensated for their work, but out of alignment with the rest of the FAA workforce and private industry. I'm not interested in debating the merits of the FAA case, but I would like to hear from people today on what seems to be the growing belief that federal employees, on average, are paid as well as their private-sector counterparts. Let me hear your views, please. With that, off to your questions.
Silver Spring, Md.: Mr. Barr: I served on active duty in the Navy from 1974 to 1976 and I found out recently after over twenty years of Federal employment that I owed a Military Service Deposit for FERS retirement. I was never once informed that I owed $292.00 plus 16 years of interest penalty payments of $572.53. Personnel told me that I have no recourse and must pay the fine even though I was never notified. I think the interest penalty should be waived since I didn't know I owed it. Do other military veterans in the FERS system know about this? Who can I contact to discuss this? Thank you for your help to FEDS.
Stephen Barr: Yikes. It's like a letter from the tax man . . . .
Yes, the rule is to capture that credit, you need to make a deposit. Under FERS, it is generally 3 percent of your basic military pay for that period, plus interest.
Generally, people don't find out about this rule until they get near retirement and start to do projections of what their benefits should be. You always have the option of not paying the deposit, but then your years of service would be fewer. You might want to ask your personnel office to run the numbers for you both ways; you might find that this is an investment well worth making.
I'm not aware of any way to get a waiver, but you might write a letter to the director of the Office of Personnel Management, Linda M. Springer, and see if a waiver provision exists.
One other thought--if you do decide to make the deposit, you must do it before you retire. Otherwise, you can't capture that service time.
Springfield, Va.: I am considering a job offer with DOD as a GS-14. Am I correct that under the new system there will not be an annual raise, but just increases within my band based upon performance?
Stephen Barr: As I understand it, when you convert to the new pay system--the National Security Pay System--you have to be deemed a satisfactory employee in order to get pay raises.
Employees ranked at least on the second level (or higher) of NSPS' five-level system will receive an occupational raise and a local market supplement. That's sort of equivalent of today's GS across the board and locality pay adjustments every January.
If you are ranked at level three or above, you qualify for a performance increase as well.
Hope that's clear! We're on bold new ground here.
The answer to your pay question is very much an "it depends". While in some professions, they are probably pretty close, there's no question that in many fields Uncle Sam lags far behind. (IT for example). In my particular building which houses a lot of the Army & Navy headquarters support activities, almost all the "young people", say 35 or under are contractors!
The growing use of contract employees skews this debate, since I'm never quite sure what kind of benefits, etc., they receive.
Arlington, Va.: Good afternoon, Steve. I don't know about we feds being paid as well as private counterparts, as we had all those diet pay raises years ago. If those were made up for, I'm sure we'd be very on par with private sector folks. However, as a fed for 10 years, I have not found my pay to be more or better than private industry. I have found that my private industry counterpart makes about $10-20k more than I do. Of course, there are also some government fields that do not have private sector counterparts---what would you compare a CIA spy to?
Stephen Barr: Good question. I think the same could be said of air traffic controllers--a specialized profession that you don't see much of in industry.
Washington, D.C.: I'm confused about why people who come from the private sector are instantly put into the top grades. Maybe they made more in the private sector so they're trying to create an incentive for them to come into the government but generally, they're not good. I mean, if politicals come in and they're not good, in general, then why would other private sector people be presumed better, even before they have started work?
Stephen Barr: This gets to the issue of whether the government should promote from within or whether it should constantly seek outsiders who can provide different perspectives and work experiences. In general, someone coming in from the private sector, especially at mid-career, will not accept dramatically less pay. Some agencies often find ways to pay higher salaries to get the talent they want. I think this issue will get tougher to parse after the Baby Boom generation leaves and agencies confront whether to hire permanent employees or outsource more work.
Philadelphia, Pa.: More of a comment than a question. I can't understand why the administration believes that a government career is so wonderful. All of the promises they make are at risk during your career. The WEP reduced SS benefits for those who previously worked in private industry and now they threaten to change the calculation for federal retirement to the high five from the high three. You just have to be lucky and begin and end your career at the right time. So much for fairness and equality
Just to be clear, there's no active consideration now to change the formula from the high 3 to a high 5. It was floated, but isn't getting traction. Many agencies right now hope to hang on to experienced hands as long as they can, given the wave of retirements coming. So they don't favor tampering with a proven formula.
RE: Claim for Military Redeposit: It's a shame that this person only found out he owed the monies for his military credit but more importantly this goes to show how often employees do not take the initiative to find out what they need to before walking to the door of retirement.
As a Benefits Officer, I would encourage, strongly encourage, every employee of the Federal Gov't to contact their HR office AND their Benefits office (most times this is two separate offices) to find out everything they need to know about retirement, even if they have 5-10 years to go. There are FEHB, FEGLI, RETM, Military, TSP concerns that need to be raised NOW. Don't wait til you're ready to retire to begin asking the questions.
Stephen Barr: Excellent advice! Thanks.
Upper Marlboro, Md.: I'm originally from Texas...why aren't any of the Texas lawmakers jumping on this when Texas has some of the biggest installations and probably the most civilian employees, next to Washington, D.C.?
Stephen Barr: Good question. Being out front on pay parity or other efforts to increase federal pay is not exactly a popular political stance to take in some communities. That's why you see Reps. Davis of Virginia and Hoyer of Maryland out front on the issue year after year, because they have district loaded with government personnel and government contractors. The fact that they succeed each year shows that they pick up the support when it is needed from other members, such as your Texas delegation.
Waldorf, Md.: Another thing is the pay disparity between government contractors, when comparing to government employees. A friend of mine works for a contractor that is supposed to pay the equivalent of the GS-ers in his office, but doesn't. However, he has now taken a job with a different contracting company, but doing the same work in the same office, and getting paid more than the GS-ers and what he made doing his old job. So, the same job being done by three different entities, in the same location, and there being pay discrepancies even among the contractors. Clearly, it just seems to be a case of nature's law of survival of the fittest (or the best-paying) for lack of a better comparison.
OMB and OPM collect data on permanent federal employees but pay scant attention to the contractor workforce. I've always thought that amazing, given the reach of the federal government.
Rockville, Md.: What a coincidence!
I just set up a payment plan to pay $1600 for Military Service Deposit for CSRS retirement. To me it is a bargain. Three years extra service for retirement at $500 a year. How can you beat that!
Stephen Barr: Sounds like a deal to me. Have a great second life!
Any chance federal agencies will be able to allow employees to retire and then hire them back, maybe on a contract basis and without jeopardizing their pension, to help partially fill the large void that is anticipated to occur in the next couple of years?
Stephen Barr: I think we could be headed toward that kind of an arrangement. Linda Springer at OPM is pushing for Congress to revamp pension law so that people who want to work part-time near the end of their careers are not penalized on annuity calculations. Many offices need mentors and coaches to help younger employees learn the ropes, I think.
Arlington, Va.: I noticed that my Congressman, Jim Moran, is trying to work out legislation that would dampen the current "overuse" of sick leave by FERS employees who cannot get credit for it when they retire as do CSRS employees. Does this have a chance of going there as I too have noticed that FERS people are more likely to call in sick because they can't save it for retirement?
Stephen Barr: I don't know what kind of reception Rep. Moran is going to get on this. It does seem to be an issue that needs to be addressed, since it seems to be a growing embarrassment. On the one hand, agencies try new ways to improve productivity, while tolerating a system that encourages people to use up all their sick leave. I'm sure there is an economic model at work here that I don't understand. Any clues, folks?
Northern Virginia: Steve, Tom Davis isn't out front yet, according to the news. Frank Wolf and Jim Moran are so far. Haven't heard a peep from Senators John and George, interestingly enough, and my state has the nation's--if not the world's--largest naval yard in Norfolk. Think of all the civilians working there.
Stephen Barr: Actually, Tom Davis helped organize a letter to appropriators urging pay parity for 2007, and he will be a behind-the-scenes lobbyist for federal employees on this issue.
You are somewhat right about Sens. Warner and Allen. They support fair pay for employees, but usually take a back seat on the issue.
Woodbridge, Va.: Never had a clue about the military deposit for my four years military service. By the time I found out, ten years later, it was too much money so I'll work the extra years. If you're new to government service how the heck are you to know about this? I believe that the HR personnel should add that to their checklist of information to provide to anyone that states on their job app that they served in the military.
It does seem the agencies could do a better job of communicating this policy.
Mount Vernon, Wash.: Regarding the Military Service Deposit, I believe that went into effect around 1978 when the "Fair Labor Standards Act" was revised. I was aware of it but found out that it only affected your retirement if and when Social Security kicked. The situation being that when you start collecting Social Security, if you haven't paid, your service years are omitted from your retirement factor. Then again Social Security is reduced by your retirement percentage anyway, so you lose no matter what unless you don't become eligible for S.S.
Stephen Barr: You are in tricky territory here. There is a difference between CSRS and FERS on this policy. The poster was under FERS, and under that system, the deposit must be made in order to capture credit time. Under CSRS, there is no requirement that the deposit be made, but if the individual does not do so upon becoming eligible for Social Security, the so-called Catch 62 would kick in. That would reduce benefits in the way you are describing.
Military Service payback: I too am a former military federal employee. I never knew about the payback until I was talking with someone who was getting ready to retire. When you inprocess into the government system they are well aware of your former military status as it does count towards your time in federal service for leave purposes. There should be a mechanism to notify people of the option of an immediate payback as opposed to waiting 20 years or so and having a big bill.
Stephen Barr: Thanks. I think we have consensus here that this policy needs tuning up.
Cambridge, Mass.: To Silver Spring, Md.: When I was hired as a fed a few years back, I was thrilled to find out that my nine years in the Navy could count towards my retirement. All I had to do was retroactively pay into FERS at 1971 to 1981 rates, plus a little interest to get nine years instantly added to my retirement base. I guess it's just a matter of perspective!
Stephen Barr: A good point. It is definitely worth doing the calculation to see if it is a wise move; you could buy an enhanced annuity for a relatively small investment.
Washington, D.C.: The payment to get military service credit for retirement benefits involves neither "interest penalty" nor a "fine." It is simply interest the government wants to earn for the years between the military service and the payment. I didn't contribute to retirement during the 19 months I was on active duty, and never expected to retire from the federal government when I was drafted out of college in 1968. Now I have the option of getting credit for that 19 months by making the retirement contribution plus interest. No payment is mandatory if I want to pass up the credit for time served.
Fairfax, Va.: Last night's "Frontline" on PBS talked about retirement and how corporations have unloaded their pension plans on the PBCG got me wondering how well are public pensions funded. How well funded are CSRS and FERS? What would happen if they ran out of money is 2020?
Stephen Barr: This is not as much an issue in the federal government as in the private sector because of accounting rules. Private-sector companies are being required to pre-fund the ultimate costs of the employees' retirement benefits, while the government operates on more of a pay-as-you-go basis.
The actual process of funding federal retirement is highly complex, but recent reports from the Congressional Research Service conclude that the federal pension funds are not in danger of going bust.
After all, the government is the one organization that will never got out of business.
Va.: If you're ex-military and in FERS, do you still owe like that CERS case?
Stephen Barr: I'm not sure how to respond, but here's a key thought:
FERS employees must make the deposit in order to capture military service times; CSRS employees have the option of paying or not paying.
Washington, D.C.: Controllers' Pay: But aren't all ATCs federal employees? There's no comparison to be made to the private sector.
I'm a lawyer for the feds and yes, I can compare my salary to an NGO or private firm. ATCs can't.
And besides, don't we WANT the person guiding the plane to a safe landing to be well-compensated?
I knew of their role during Sept. 11, but boy oh boy, does United 93 (the film) let us know just what they had to do.
Pay the ATCs and let them do their job!
Stephen Barr: Thanks, D.C. The controllers are special, no doubt about that.
Re Burke, Va.: I believe this is already happening if you mean, are retirees being hired as contractors w/o penalty to their annuity?
My coworker retired two years ago this month, took one month off and then signed a one-year contract and has worked in the Federal sector ever since. She not only receives her FULL pension, she also receives a HEFTY contract salary. This is happening more and more. We are losing a knowledge base as the older workforce retires and finding (after the fact sadly) that we didn't tap into them enough so we are hiring them back, paying them well and in most cases they are working on a PT schedule (2-3 days a week).
Can't beat it - just waiting for my turn to come.
Stephen Barr: Thanks for that very clear example.
Private sector vs. government: If I worked in the private sector, I could make about $180K. I'm currently a GS-13 and make about $75K - and work the hours I would out in a law firm. So, at least for me, the government salary does not begin to compare.
Stephen Barr: It is difficult for the government to keep pace with certain markets--such as lawyers in big cities. (I'm always stunned by the old story of how the Justice Department used to keep sets of books to avoid paying overtime to its lawyers.)
Annapolis, Md.: Overuse sick time? You either have it or you don't. If you can't carry it to retirement as some kind of credit what exactly does anyone THINK would get done with it?
Stephen Barr: A reason to square FERS policy with that of CSRS?
Greenbelt, Md.: I'm applying for Federal jobs for the first time, and would like to know whether submitting multiple applications for postings within the same agency is OK, or would that be frowned upon?
Stephen Barr: I wouldn't discourage you, unless you are well along the way in discussions for a position. Because it so long to get through the hiring process at some agencies, you probably want to have more than one line in the water. Before casting your lines, though, you might see if you can get an agency person to steer you toward jobs that match up with your skills and experience. That might save wasting the time of everyone.
Ashburn, Va.: "The growing use of contract employees skews this debate, since I'm never quite sure what kind of benefits, etc., they receive."
The vast majority of contractors only receive payment for time they put in on the job. A few companies are starting to add some incentives such as Redskins tickets, Atlantic City trips, etc.. but for the most part all we get is a paycheck.
Stephen Barr: Thanks, Ashburn. Hope you get to go to a game!
Virginia: Contractor pay difference. I am a DoD civ where we have many contractors who work side by side with us. What I really wonder is how much government waste is there in the whole contractor system.
The reason DoD uses contractor as opposed to civilians are because of employment rules and job descriptions where the duties can't be changed. On the military side they could take a person and move temporarily to an unrelated position due to manpower shortage. They can't do that with civilians.
From my perspective the government could pay the federal employees higher and save money, this is especially true in the IT field.
My sense is that DoD officials hope that NSPS can address this issue--put people into pay bands, use more general job descriptions, and then move people around to meet workload demands. Hopefully that will work to the benefit of all parties.
No OT at Justice: Huh?? There's still two sets of books. I fill out a time sheet every day, including any "overtime" and there's no formal compensation, other than off the books stuff bosses here provide if you kill yourself working multiple weekends. (Shhhhhhh....)
Stephen Barr: Mum's the word!
Alexandria, Va.: The issue is pay comparability, right? I studied public administration and had every intention of having public service be my life' work. I also was attracted to the stability of the government as my employer. In the current environment that sense of stability is eroding but I hold out hope that we can recover from competitive sourcing and extreme outsourcing. I also entered government expecting odd benefits. Now THAT is where it all falls apart. Most of my peers in the private sector actually have better benefits packages with the sole exception of the amount of leave or vacation they receive. So comparing pay is really shortsighted unless you add in the value of the package of benefits.
Stephen Barr: Good point. Some administration officials would prefer to make comparisons based on total compensation rather than salaries alone.
I'm not sure where that approach would take us, especially at a time when some large companies are dropping health care benefits for their retirees, creating two-tier systems for new hires, and dropping traditional pensions in favor of 401(k)s.
Arlington, Va.: Do FERS employees "overuse" their sick leave because they're younger?
Hmmmm... FERS went into effect in the early 1980s, just as many women and mothers were entering the workforce. There's no paid maternity or paternity leave, so new parents burn just about everything to fund some leave. Then the child needs to go to doctor's appointments and gets sick, and so the fed takes a sick day. Dads stay home with a sick kid, too, because mom may have to work.
The best way to know whether FERS employees are wasteful or just younger is to look at comparable sets - CSRS employees vs. FERS employees with young kids and a working spouse, e.g. the CSRS employee in 1975 vs. the FERS employee in 2005. Not perfect, but a more accurate way of looking at it.
In other words, CSRS employees are older, kids are grown, and are probably more likely to have a stay-at-home wife anyway. So, they actually use sick leave when they actually get sick!
Stephen Barr: Hmmmm....that sounds like an analytical job for OPM.
Northwest D.C.: I've gotta say, Stephen, that you seem better informed as a source than our actual personnel people! It's amazing that you know what you know and how to explain it when we can't get calls back within a few days from our personnel dept. I dub you an honorary federal employee!!
Stephen Barr: Thank you, and I'll let you in on a secret. My associate here in the office, Eric Yoder, is a walking encyclopedia on federal employee and retiree issues. He helps me brainstorm and knows where to look in the reference books. I couldn't do this job without him!
Well, we've run out of time again today. Thanks for participating in this discussion forum. We'll see you back here at noon next Wednesday!
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post columnist Stephen Barr answers questions about navigating the federal workplace. Federal Diary runs weekdays in the Business news section of The Post.
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Rove vs. Reality
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It was in the middle of a question-and-answer session yesterday after a speech defending President Bush's economic record that Karl Rove let drop a phrase that told us everything.
Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute, Rove started talking about "game changers," a nice, wonky term to throw around at a leading conservative think tank. The idea is that certain changes in policy can push the political debate in new and -- from the point of view of the game changer -- more congenial directions. The phrase told us everything about what Bush's No. 1 guy had once hoped to accomplish -- and everything about the fix he and the president are now in.
Rove's hope was that at the end of the Bush presidency, he and his boss would have so changed the rules of the policy and political game that all the pressures would be for lower taxes, less domestic spending, more market-friendly approaches to health care, and private accounts within Social Security.
There has indeed been a lot of game-changing going on, but Rove's remarks served to underscore that the game has, from his point of view, been changing in exactly the wrong way. At certain moments, he almost admitted as much.
Contrast Rove on offense in January before the Republican National Committee with yesterday's more defensive Rove. In January Rove spoke of the battle against terrorism and said this fall's election would turn on the contrast between "two parties that have fundamentally different views on national security."
In his speech yesterday, Rove shelved the world-historical perspective in favor of the staple issue of midterm politics, pleading with his audience to think kindly of the Bush economic record. He spoke at length about the mess the economy was in toward the end of Bill Clinton's term (though he did not mention Clinton's name), and how our economic problems were deepened by the consequences of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Bush's economic policies, particularly his tax cuts, helped cure what ailed us, Rove said bravely. They "have strengthened the economy, increased productivity and created new jobs."
That Rove needed to make this case in the first place tells you the trouble the administration faces. All the polls, which Rove played down but acknowledged reading avidly ("I love all these polls," he said before dismissing the idea of poll-driven policies), show large majorities disapproving of Bush's handling of the economy.
There is also a rather widespread sense that the economy did very well under Clinton -- better than under Bush -- and it's doubtful that getting voters to think about the Clinton days will do Republicans much good in November 2006.
Most astonishingly, Rove tried to make the case that Bush's tax cuts actually left the rich paying more. Everyone knows the Bush cuts in levies on dividends, capital gains and inheritances overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy. But here was Rove playing class politics by arguing that the wealthy now pay a larger share of total income taxes than they did before Bush.
This is statistical flimflam, of course. It leaves out payroll taxes, which hit most Americans the hardest. And the wealthy are paying more of the total share of income taxes, even though their rates are much lower, because their share of national income has gone up. Rove's numbers actually prove the rich are getting richer. But the fact that Rove tried to sound like William Jennings Bryan is the surest indicator that the administration is worried about its image as protector of the privileged.
The real game changer is the very question of national security that Rove has used over and over as the killer issue against Democrats. In explaining Bush's poor standing, Rove kept going back to the war in Iraq. "They're just sour right now on the war. And that's the way it's going to be," Rove said of the voters. At another point, he acknowledged that the war had created discontent in the land. "I think the war looms over everything," he said. Indeed.
Rove joked about being way "off message" in talking about the economy just hours before his president was to address the nation on immigration.
Rove needn't worry. The problem is not that Rove was off message but that the country has gone off Bush's message, and shows no sign of coming back. Everything Rove said yesterday shows that the smartest man at Bush's side knows it.
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The country isn't buying President Bush's message on the economy or the war. Even Karl Rove knows it.
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Immigration Speech Nearly Upstaged by Clamor Preceding It
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"Tonight I will make it clear where I stand," George W. Bush said early in his 19-minute speech last night on immigration problems, conceding with almost absurd understatement that "we do not yet have full control of the border" between the United States and Mexico.
Although he was, in fact, seated, not standing, at his desk in the Oval Office, Bush did make fairly clear his positions. On the matter of amnesty for all illegal aliens (a term he avoided) already in the country, for instance, Bush said succinctly, "I oppose it."
Neither the president, in his customary pale blue tie, nor the network commentators, for the most part, answered other questions that hung in the air if not on the airwaves: Was the speech really prompted by the urgency of the immigration issue, or by the severity of Bush's low ratings in popularity polls? Was the real purpose to spur debate on immigration, or to push Iraq out of the spotlight for the next few days, while pundits ponder immigration on op-ed pages and cable news networks?
The White House made certain it was Immigration Day in Washington and the nation yesterday by leaking the major points of the speech very early, so early that it dominated virtually all the day's newscasts. The speech itself was like an anticlimax, a mere technicality positioned amid the clatter and clamor that preceded and followed it -- and will continue to follow it perhaps for the entire week.
Anchors and commentators tended to play along, concentrating on the issue with their usual grim faces and behaving as if there were no other news in the world -- except perhaps for that contained in the headlines that ticker-tock across the bottom of the screen.
At one point, Bush addressed himself to the members of both houses of Congress, calling for an immigration bill to be sent to his desk in the near future. Deal, or no deal? That question was soon being asked on NBC, but not about legislation. NBC rushed madly back to regular programming -- in its case the simple-minded game show "Deal or No Deal?" -- almost immediately after the speech ended, with only the most cursory comment following.
As for the Democratic response to the speech, anchor Brian Williams told viewers that if they must see that, they could tune to MSNBC, a sister cable network. NBC had May-sweeps money to make. The trigger fingers in control rooms at ABC and CBS were just as itchy, returning to scheduled programming with little of the usual postmortem pontification.
MSNBC did have the liveliest pre-speech show, thanks partly to guest Pat Buchanan -- who, whether you like what he says or not, has a refreshing habit of getting to the point -- and host Chris Mathews. Matthews was the only anchor to include in his commentary something Ernest Hemingway once said to Rita Hayworth, "Don't confuse motion with action."
CNN's approach to the speech was the most quixotic, though partly by accident. The speech was preceded by a program on which host Wolf Blitzer welcomed guest Lou Dobbs, and followed by a program on which host Lou Dobbs welcomed, among others, guest Wolf Blitzer. As for the low-rated "Paula Zahn Now," usually seen in the 8 p.m. slot, it was rerouted to oblivion.
But there's more on the itchy-trigger front. The president's speech was also preceded on CNN by -- the president's speech. CNN accidentally aired part of Bush's rehearsal of the speech live, after someone mistakenly pushed the wrong button.
The gaffe lasted for only 16 seconds but, said media magpie Matt Drudge on his Web site, it "captured the president starting and stopping his message, then looking at the White House media advisor for direction." An embarrassed Blitzer materialized and told viewers the mistake had been made by "the network pool," though there were no reports of it appearing on other networks.
Another Web site said that an NBC producer, in charge of the pool for the night, erred in removing the presidential seal from the screen too early; it was supposed to remain there until just before the speech began. When CNN technicians saw the shield vanish, they assumed the speech was about to start.
Whatever, the mistake probably boosted circulation of the president's appearance, since the goof had been captured on tape and was soon playing on media-watchdog Web sites.
CNN may be in for criticism, in addition, for using Dobbs to anchor the post-speech show (a "special edition" of "Lou Dobbs Tonight") because Dobbs regularly and vehemently attacks U.S. immigration policy on his nightly CNN program. Although he called the speech "a bold attempt," he also complained that it was "long on rhetoric and short on specifics."
Commentator Bill Schneider, among CNN's guests, disagreed with Dobbs and called Bush's speech a "very cautious" one. But then another guest, Republican strategist Charlie Black, declared, "The fact is, it was a bold speech."
Good grief, it was like a new version of video pong. Whether bold or cautious, the speech was delivered competently and confidently, with Bush coming across as "reasoned and respectful," the two adjectives he used to describe the tone he hopes will prevail as immigration policy is debated in the days ahead.
The next time Bush makes a speech, however, the White House might consider breaking with its policy of leaking the talking points so far ahead of time. Back in the 20th century, administrations traditionally waited until an hour or two before air time to pass the speeches around to the media. Since what Bush said last night must have already been familiar to millions of those watching, they might have suspected it was all a rerun.
Of course, if they were watching CNN, the deja vu was doubly dizzying. Perhaps we should be grateful for the mistake, since it was the only thing lending an element of surprise to the occasion.
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"Tonight I will make it clear where I stand," George W. Bush said early in his 19-minute speech last night on immigration problems, conceding with almost absurd understatement that "we do not yet have full control of the border" between the United States and Mexico.
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JavaScript is required to display this interactive graphic. If it is turned off, please enable JavaScript in your browser preferences.
SOURCE: This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone July 10-13, 2008, among a random national sample of 1,119 adults, including additional interviews with randomly selected African Americans, for a total of 209 black respondents. The additional interviews (commonly referred to as an¿oversample¿) were completed to ensure there were enough African American respondents for separate analysis; the group was not over-represented in the reported results from the full sample. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa. | GRAPHIC: washingtonpost.com - Updated July, 2008
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Track President Bush's job approval rating over the course of his presidency.
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A City's Changing Face
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NEW ORLEANS -- Block by block, this city is springing back to life. Block by block, it is receding into the past tense.
With Hurricane Katrina nearly nine months gone and about 60 percent of New Orleans's pre-storm population still somewhere else, the rebirth and the wasting away are closely tracking neighborhood patterns of race and poverty.
Disparities in wealth and in the distance of evacuees from their ruined houses are dictating, in many cases, which neighborhoods will be part of the city's future and which will be consigned to its history. For a city that was two-thirds black and nearly one-third poor before the storm, the uneven pilgrimage back to New Orleans has already changed voter turnout and seems certain to transform the culture and character of the city, making it substantially whiter, richer and less populous than before.
This article, part of an occasional series about two severely flooded streets in the city, examines an affluent white and a poor black neighborhood that appear to have reached their tipping points.
That point has clearly arrived for the 6500 block of Memphis Street in Lakeview, a white neighborhood hit hard by Katrina. It is roaring back to middle-class life, and most owners on the block have committed to coming home.
Landscapers are rolling out sod for new lawns. Granite countertops and commercial-grade stainless-steel stoves are being installed in rebuilt kitchens. There is electricity, water, gas, mail service, newspaper delivery and garbage pickup. Two neighborhood banks are up and lending. A post-Katrina restaurant, Touché, serves breakfast and lunch. Two blocks away, St. Dominic Catholic church has been refurbished and is open each morning for Mass.
"Every day and every week is better, and people need to know that," said Bea Quaintance. With the help of a trailer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that is parked in her front yard, she and her husband, Gary, and their son, Steven, were the first family back on Memphis Street. "I think this country has done a wonderful job of providing for us."
Across town, in a 98-percent-black, mostly working-class neighborhood that was also wrecked by the storm, the 2500 block of Delery Street has tipped the other way.
Like much of the Lower Ninth Ward, the block is empty and silent, with no electricity, no drinkable water, no gas, no FEMA trailers and no signs of rebuilding on a street where many families owned their homes for generations.
No nearby churches, banks or restaurants are open, and no one, not even organizers from groups demanding the reconstruction of the Lower Ninth, seems to have a list of residents with firm plans to come home. Throughout the spring, bodies were found in neighborhood houses.
A sign in the window of Daphne Jones's brick house at 2531 Delery declares: "No Bulldozing. We Are Coming Home." But Jones concedes that the sign is more wish than pledge.
College students on spring break gutted her house free of charge in April, but she says she does not have enough money to rebuild. She has been trying for months to contact and mobilize her neighbors, dropping "Rebuilding Our Own Neighborhood" fliers in their abandoned houses. But such fervent, low-tech efforts have not worked.
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Complete Coverage on Hurricane Katrina and Rita including video, photos and blogs. Get up-to-date news on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, news from New Orleans and more.
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Verizon Denies Giving NSA Phone Records
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Verizon has not provided customer call data to the National Security Agency, nor had it been asked to do so, the company said in an e-mailed statement. The statement came a day after Atlanta-based BellSouth Corp. made a similar denial.
"One of the most glaring and repeated falsehoods in the media reporting is the assertion that, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Verizon was approached by NSA and entered into an arrangement to provide the NSA with data from its customers' domestic calls," the statement read.
The denials leave open the possibility that the NSA directed its requests to long-distance companies, which collect billing data on long-distance calls placed by local-service customers of BellSouth and Verizon.
A story in USA Today last Thursday said Verizon, AT&T Inc. and BellSouth had complied with an NSA request for tens of millions of customer phone records after the 2001 terror attacks. The report sparked a national debate on federal surveillance tactics.
The newspaper story cited anonymous sources "with direct knowledge of the arrangement."
"Sources told us that BellSouth and Verizon records are included in the database," USA Today spokesman Steve Anderson said.
"We're confident in our coverage of the phone database story," Anderson added, "but we won't summarily dismiss BellSouth's and Verizon's denials without taking a closer look."
An attorney for the former chief executive of Qwest Communications International Inc., on Friday lent support to USA Today's story. He said the Denver company had been approached by the government, but had denied the request for phone records because it appeared to violate privacy law.
Qwest is a regional phone company with a substantial long-distance business. It was not clear if the government's request applied only to Qwest's long-distance business.
Verizon's statement suggested that USA Today may have erred in not drawing a distinction between long-distance and local telephone calls.
"Phone companies do not even make records of local calls in most cases because the vast majority of customers are not billed per call for local calls," Verizon said.
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NEW YORK -- Verizon Communications Inc. on Tuesday joined fellow phone company BellSouth in denying key points of a USA Today story that said the companies had provided records of millions of phone calls to the government.
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It's Not What Snow Doesn't Say, It's How He Doesn't Say It
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It began as the Tony Snow show. It turned out more like "Oprah."
The new White House press secretary gave his first televised briefing yesterday, and the former Fox News commentator was dispatching questioners with a sprightly blend of barbs, colloquialisms and one-liners. Then a local TV reporter in the back asked why Snow was wearing a yellow wristband.
"It's going to sound stupid, and I'll be personal here," Snow, a survivor of colon cancer, said of his Lance Armstrong bracelet. Then he choked up. Unable to speak, he raised his hand, gripped the lectern and drummed his fingers while 10 seconds of silence passed. "Having gone through this last year," he continued, and then he lapsed into another silence. Finally, he added: "It was the best thing that ever happened to me."
Nine more seconds of awkward silence followed as Snow struggled to regain his composure. "It's my Ed Muskie moment," he quipped, and the briefing room filled with laughter.
It was the pinnacle of a boffo debut by Snow. Reporters leaving the 40-minute session would discover that, like his predecessors, Snow had imparted no useful information to them. But he had done it in a far more entertaining manner. Of the National Security Agency's telephone espionage program, he risked some loaded language: "I don't want to hug the tar baby." Of future immigration patterns, he said: "Human beings are cussedly unpredictable."
Rather than repeating rote refusals to answer questions, Snow had a quick comeback for every occasion. When AP Radio's Mark Smith wondered whether the economy still needed the stimulus of more tax cuts, Snow retorted: "Are you suggesting that we have too much prosperity?" After Helen Thomas gave him a harangue about the administration's wiretapping secrecy, he shot back: "Al-Qaeda doesn't believe in transparency. What al-Qaeda believes in is mayhem."
Such a freewheeling style inevitably produces some misfires, and the green press secretary blundered almost immediately when he said he would "guarantee" that the Senate would pass immigration legislation.
Carl Cameron, representing Snow's former employer, quizzed him about this certainty, and Snow immediately caved. "Okay, you know what? I was being presumptuous there," he confessed. "I overstepped."
As he did in his first off-camera briefing last week, Snow sought to use his newcomer status to his advantage. Asked whether President Bush had spoken with border-state governors, Snow answered: "Honestly, I'm not sure." When pressed on the number of National Guard troops to be shifted to the Mexican border, he proposed: "Rather than have me fake it, I will get a precise number to you." As he waded carefully into an answer about the Iranian nuclear question, Snow said the administration "supports the continuing efforts of the EU-3." He then asked his questioner: "Am I getting it wrong?"
Snow's snappy answers disposed of the first three rows of questioners in a near-record 20 minutes. When he didn't like a question, he frequently would brand it "interesting." NBC's David Gregory pointed out that House conservatives didn't like Bush's immigration proposal; Snow found it "interesting." Thomas peppered him with questions about the NSA; Snow smiled and called the matter "interesting."
He scored points with the press corps when he shut down Les Kinsolving, a radio host who disrupts briefings with oddball questions. When Kinsolving, in thunder tones, demanded Bush's personal view of contraception, Snow merely said "Thank you" and moved on.
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It began as the Tony Snow show. It turned out more like "Oprah."
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Raining on 'West Wing's' Inaugural Parade: Some Bloopers Were Whoppers
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One of the best things about "The West Wing" was catching those Washington bloopers. Fortunately, Sunday night's finale contained some delicious whoppers spotted immediately by sharp-eyed political obsessives. For the record:
· The show opens on a frigid Inauguration Day: "Who in his right mind decided that January would be the best time of year to hold an outdoor ceremony north of the equator?" asks the first lady. "Jefferson, Adams, Franklin," answers President Jed Bartlet . Wrong! Bartlet should know that presidents were sworn in on March 4 until FDR's second inauguration on Jan. 20, 1937. (It's the 20th Amendment, people.)
· It was supposedly 10 degrees, but there was no frosty breath or shivering. Where was the congressional leadership when President-elect Matt Santos walked through the Capitol? And where the heck were his kids on the biggest day of his life?
· The new first lady wonders if she has to wear nine different gowns to the nine balls. She waits until that day to think about her inaugural ball dress?
· Chief of Staff C.J. Cregg slips out the White House front gate and walks across a sleepy Pennsylvania Avenue -- mysteriously devoid of the crowds, reviewing stands and security folk on the inaugural parade route.
· The Bartlets leave for Andrews and jet home to New Hampshire, an 83-minute flight that seems to last hours and take them over open sea. Okay -- maybe if they got delayed by bad weather and maybe if they took the coast-skimming route between Andrews and Manchester.
And yes, that was "WW" creator Aaron Sorkin in a cameo shot during the swearing-in.
Kevin Spacey, the $2,600 Man
Whoo-hoo, Kevin Spacey , take it off ! Things got a little crazy at the Shakespeare Theatre gala Saturday. It all started when auctioneer Kathleen Matthews held up a cummerbund someone found on the floor and started bidding at $5. It eventually went for $260 to its original owner, Mark Walsh , who had no idea he had even lost it. (What kind of gala was this?)
Oscar-winner Spacey, on hand to accept the theater's Will Award, then stood up, took off his Armani cummerbund and told Matthews to start the bidding at $500. "Pony up, people," he cajoled. After intense bidding, an anonymous fan claimed it for $2,600.
No idea how Spacey made it through the rest of the night; the star himself joked that he never guessed going in that he'd have trouble keeping his pants on.
A Relationship Whose Roots Go Way Back. And Down.
arrived in Washington over the weekend for some high-level munching: On Saturday he brunched and sailed on Chesapeake Bay with
; on Sunday he planted trees with
before dinner at Australian Ambassador
residence; yesterday there was the State Department lunch with
And tonight's the big black-tie dinner at the White House.
HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?
· The nominee to be CIA chief, Gen. Michael Hayden, and his wife, dining at D.C.'s Bombay Club Saturday at the barely civilized hour of 5:30 p.m.; pretty much had the restaurant to themselves until security whisked them off and into a waiting van. Early-bird special?
· Former Bush chief of staff Andy Card and family, patiently waiting more than half an hour for a table at Maggiano's Little Italy in Tysons Corner on Mother's Day. Welcome to life after the White House!
· Bill Clinton , the elder George B ush and Ellen DeGeneres dining at New Orleans landmark Arnaud's Friday before their speeches at Tulane's graduation Saturday. Clinton had the gator sausage, DeGeneres and Bush had raw oysters, and all three enjoyed the pompano.
THIS JUST IN . . .
· Air rage! Rap star DMX , who had a brush with the law last year after plowing his SUV through an airport security gate, was arrested in London after he refused to buckle up and became belligerent on a flight from NYC Saturday. He was released after a warning.
· The United Nations has named Naomi Watts a "special representative" for its HIV/AIDS program. Will this let her pull rank on U.N. goodwill ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie ?
· Former solicitor general Ted Olson has signed on to help Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel appeal his Connecticut murder conviction for the 1975 death of a teenage neighbor before the Supreme Court.
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One of the best things about "The West Wing" was catching those Washington bloopers. Fortunately, Sunday night's finale contained some delicious whoppers spotted immediately by sharp-eyed political obsessives. For the record: Whoo-hoo, Kevin Spacey , take it off ! Things got a little crazy at......
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Tunnel Decision Delayed 2 Months
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Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer announced yesterday that he is enlisting a panel of engineers to advise him on whether the Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport should run above or below ground in Tysons Corner, a move that will delay the contentious decision by at least two months.
The panel, to be selected and headed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, will have 60 days to evaluate the competing proposals for the four-mile Tysons portion of the 23-mile extension to Dulles. There is deep disagreement among the many players on the project over whether it would be affordable to tunnel under Tysons, which most agree would otherwise be preferable to an elevated track.
The announcement of the panel, and the accompanying delay, underscores to what extent the $4 billion project has become hung up on the tunnel question. Under the project's timeline, contractors and state officials are supposed to be putting the final touches on the existing plan, which calls for an elevated track through Tysons, with an eye toward getting final federal approval late this year.
But now, even as federal officials review the latest filing on the aboveground plans, the state will take until mid-July to consider an entirely different approach -- a delay the state decided was warranted to ensure that the right decision was made, Deputy Transportation Secretary Scott Kasprowicz said yesterday.
"We decided that two months was the best combination of appropriate speed yet also appropriate thoroughness to get this resolved," he said.
Tunnel opponents, who include the contractors on the project and the state team overseeing its day-to-day management, say that the feature would be prohibitively expensive -- adding as much as $800 million to the price tag. Even if Tysons landowners or local officials come up with more money, the federal government would likely rule that it is too costly and withdraw the roughly $900 million it is expected to put in, they say.
Tunnel advocates, a group that includes Fairfax County leaders, major Tysons landowners and several top Metro officials, say an underground route would be less disruptive during construction and would draw more riders. Most importantly, they say, it would do much more to advance Fairfax's plans of turning Tysons into a walkable, quasi-urban hub. They question the contractors' estimates, saying that the tunnel is at most $200 million more.
The final decision rests with Homer. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is taking control of the project, but that won't be official until later this year. Homer had been expected to convene some kind of advisory group to assist him in making the decision, but what form it would take had been the subject of considerable behind-the-scenes debate.
Fairfax supervisors had urged him to get a truly independent opinion, but others argued that it was hopeless to try to find tunneling experts not involved in the project and that the secretary should simply form a working group of members representing the many entities involved. Others argued that such a group would be unlikely to come to any consensus. There was also talk of a group combining outside engineers with ones involved in the project.
In the end, the state decided that it was best to go with an independent group and turned to the engineering society for help, Kasprowicz said. He said the group would be free to consult with members of the project team and would have access to all information already assembled.
Fairfax Supervisor T. Dana Kauffman (D-Lee), who led the way in urging an outside review, cheered Homer's announcement. "I'm very encouraged that the secretary has chosen the truly independent group and not a roundup of the usual suspects. This is the best shot we all have at a believable cost estimate, and it's a necessary action to preserve faith in the overall project," he said. "On a project designed to last a century, 60 days is well worth the time."
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Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer announced yesterday that he is enlisting a panel of engineers to advise him on whether the Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport should run above or below ground in Tysons Corner, a move that will delay the contentious decision by at...
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When ESPN telecasts the selection of post positions for the Preakness tomorrow, the show will illustrate the existence of a mass delusion within the thoroughbred sport. It is a delusion that has already proved costly to the nation's second-best 3-year-old, Brother Derek.
Under the made-for-TV procedure used for the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, trainers get to choose their post positions. A random draw determines the order in which they make their selections. The choice ought to be a no-brainer. It is a racing truism that "the rail is the shortest way home," and a mountain of statistical evidence proves that outside post positions are undesirable in races run around two turns.
At Pimlico, horseplayers have recognized for decades that saving ground on the turns is vital. At Churchill Downs, horses breaking from Post 17 and wider have a collective 2-for-92 record in the Derby. Yet trainers involved in the Triple Crown races almost unanimously believe that inside posts are potentially disastrous. They envision their horses getting caught in heavy traffic near the rail, and prefer the prospect of being in the clear after breaking from a wide post.
Perhaps post positions will be irrelevant in Saturday's Preakness because of its anticipated small field. But they definitely mattered at Churchill Downs -- and they didn't help horses on the outside. Anyone handicapping the Preakness has to consider the way posts and racing luck affected the outcome of the Derby.
At the Derby post position draw, the connections of two contenders -- Lawyer Ron and Brother Derek -- were among the last to choose their places in the starting gate. When Lawyer Ron's turn came, the available posts were 1, 3, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Trainer Bob Holthus took 17, explaining, "I didn't want to be trapped down inside." Dan Hendricks followed him and, shunning the available inside posts, chose No. 18 for Brother Derek. He didn't want Brother Derek to break near two other speed horses; instead, he envisioned his colt sitting outside the leaders and stalking them. "We want to be out where it's a little clearer," Hendricks said.
Of course, horses can get into difficult trips because of inside posts. (In the 1999 Derby, horses near the rail were caught in a first-turn traffic jam and the top two finishers, Charismatic and Menifee, came from posts 16 and 18.)
But in most cases, trainers' nightmare scenarios involving inside posts don't materialize. A horse is much more likely to be hindered by starting from an outside post and racing wide, as Brother Derek did. His trip was so difficult that some bettors will conclude that he can turn the tables on the victorious Barbaro when they face each other again in the Preakness.
After breaking from Post 18, jockey Alex Solis kept looking to find a way to drop toward the inside and save ground before he reached the first turn. He couldn't do it; Brother Derek was parked four-wide all the way around the turn. It is a rough rule of thumb that a runner loses one length around a turn for every horse width that he is removed from the rail. Brother Derek was already in the process of losing the Derby.
On the backstretch, Solis was still parked wide; several horses launched moves that left Brother Derek with even more horseflesh between him and the rail. As he rounded the final turn at Churchill, he was eight, nine, 10 horses wide -- take your pick. After such a difficult trip, Brother Derek should have faded into oblivion. Yet he accelerated in the stretch and managed to finish in a dead heat for fourth with Jazil. "After watching the race over and over, I can do nothing but feel good about him," Hendricks said. "He was super. You could see it was his best race."
The Thoro-Graph speed figure ratings incorporate ground loss into their calculations, and they attempt to assess exactly how wide a horse raced on the turns. According to Thoro-Graph founder Jerry Brown, Brother Derek was 4 1/2 horses wide on the first turn and 6 1/2 wide on the second turn -- compared with 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 for Barbaro. If one path on a turn equals one length, Brother Derek traveled five lengths farther than the winner -- not enough to account for his 9 1/2 -length loss. Not all speed handicappers would concur with Brown's figures, which indicate that Brother Derek could have won the majority of Kentucky Derbies over the last two decades, but the performance was certainly an excellent one. Brother Derek should have finished second in the Derby; if he had started from an inside post, he probably would have done so.
With the benefit of hindsight, would his trainer have picked a different post position? "Definitely," Hendricks said. Trainers in future Triple Crown races should heed the lesson of Brother Derek when they start thinking that they would like their horses to be wide and in the clear.
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Triple Crown trainers continue to get burned by the myth that having a horse race from an outside post is better than having him go from one of the inside spots.
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The Reliable Source
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The Reliable Source is back, under the stewardship of Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts . Appearing in the Style section on Tuesdays through Fridays and Sundays, The Reliable Source brings you gossip from across the region and around the world -- candid looks at the lives and loves and hijinks of all your favorite bold-faced names, be they congressmen or millionaires,ballplayers or newsbabes, nightlife divas or master thespians, DJs or gadflies, has-beens or will-bes.
Argetsinger and Roberts are online each Wednesday at Noon ET to discuss your favorite gossip, what you thought about their recent columns or who you want to see them writing about in future ones.
Dear Citizen: Thank You for the Poker Chips . . (Post, May 17)
Raining on 'West Wing's' Inaugural Parade: Some Bloopers Were Whoppers (Post, May 16)
You Know What Mama Says? A Mother's Day Quote Quiz (Post, May 14)
Argetsinger is a veteran of all leafy-green, protein-rich sections like Metro and National while Roberts brought you the champagne and bon-bons of Style's society beat.
Amy Argetsinger: Good morning! Sorry for the delay -- technical difficulties. Let's get this thing started.
Washington, D.C.: On my way home from work Monday I saw that W Street NW, just off 16th and below Meridian Hill Park, was blocked off due to filming of an upcoming movie -- apparently starring Woody Harrelson since I saw him near his trailer sporting a suit and a large mustache. Any word on what the movie is? And if they will be filming any more around town? Thanks!
Amy Argetsinger: Hey, thanks for writing! Those who read this morning's column know ALL about this one. (We have a link up so check it out...)
It's a movie called "The Walker" starring Woody Harrelson as an aging male escort of D.C. society ladies. Most of the filming was in London (whatEVER), but they're wrapping up four days of work here today. Yesterday they were up by Meridian Hill Park and down in Foggy Bottom.
Chicago, Ill.: So Woody is in town and you don't write whether there's a pot haze around him!
Are there DEA guys skulking around him so they can bust him and embarrass him out of town, not that I think an arrest on drug charges would do that?
Roxanne Roberts: Now, now. Movies are expensive to make, and it slows down production when the stars get arrested. I'm guessing the producers are keeping a close eye on Woody during filming.
Amy Argetsinger: The really noteworthy thing about Woody's appearance is how he's all cheesed out for the role -- hairpiece, fake teeth, moustache. I think we had some actual pics from the set, and I'm sad they didn't make it into the paper today...
Oxford, Miss.: You forgot one West Wing blooper:
After two terms by an intelligent and compassionate liberal president, America elected an intelligent and compassionate and Hispanic liberal candidate as the new president.
Amy Argetsinger: Ha! Everyone's been having fun with WW bloopers -- I think that's what I'll miss most about the show.
Providence, R.I.: As a big West Wing fan, I was also distracted by the errors in Sunday's episode. Here in New England, we also wondered why no one seemed concerned that the Bartlets were landing in New Hampshire in a colossal ice storm.
Roxanne Roberts: There were all sorts of little things we failed to mention, but in Sunday's column we'll have a small really final wrap up from devoted fans.
Falls Church, Va. : I am so sad about West Wing ending. Your bloopers were funny to read, but keep in mind that they were trying to fit a lot in for closure in the last two weeks. While the inauguration gaff was unacceptable -- the comment about 9 gowns was simply trying to give a glimpse into her new life.
Amy Argetsinger: Oh, you're right! We'll cut these now-defunct fictional characters some more slack. Seriously, we got so many e-mails from viewers picking out a million other bloopers (I suspect we'll be hearing from others in the chat today)... it's like they planted these goofs into the script just to amuse and delight us.
washingtonpost.com: Raining on 'West Wing's' Inaugural Parade: Some Bloopers Were Whoppers (Post, May 16)
16th Street, Washington, D.C.: One of those minor townhouse embassies on 16th street had quite a commotion going on Monday morning. There were film crews, many PAs in khaki shorts, a security guard (actor? dunno) in full African-typical military regalia standing at the front door.
Any ideas what was afoot?
Amy Argetsinger: Okay, I'll admit we don't have a firm answer off the top of our heads, and I can't flag down our diplomatic correspondent who might know more. Did it look like a movie shoot? Then it was probably "The Walker," which was shooting here Friday, Monday, yesterday and today. Makes sense, since the plot is about a guy who escorts lonely society ladies to events. BTW, as we noted in the column today, the movie is supposed to be a quasi-sequel to "American Gigolo," also by director Paul Schrader.
More West Wing goofs:: As Bartlet staff prepare to leave the WW during the inauguration ceremonies, someone says that the parade must be about over because it is 2 o'clock. WRONG -- the parade begins around two, because of the congressional luncheon after the outdoor oath, speeches, etc., and goes on for hours and hours.
Also, as the new prez deals with an international crisis in the Oval, he notes that it is 6 o'clock and time to start getting ready for the balls. Bright sunshine outside the windows, though sunset on January 20 is 5:15.
Roxanne Roberts: I have to say there were an unusual amount of sloopy errors like that. Silly, because it would have taken five minutes for a Washington type to set them straight before filming.
Wheaton, Md.: So, Heather Mills and Paul McCartney claim that the press drove them apart. Haven't they been using his fame from the get go to promote her various ventures? Honestly, who had REALLY heard of Heather Mills until she was connected to Paul? All of a sudden, she's an activist, a photographer, a model and a BOLD FACE NAME. She invited the coverage for her personal gain from the day they had their first freaking cup of coffee together. It's shameful that they are slandering the proud gossip columnists of the world, and no I'm not kidding.
Roxanne Roberts: FINALLY! Someone standing us for the Fourth Estate. YAY!
As for Lady McCartney---AMEN, Wheaton. Can't wait for the British tabs to have at her. She was very aggressive in using the media, and it's ridiculous to suggest press coverage caused problems in the marriage. Maybe the fact that his kids couldn't stand her had something to do with it? I just feel bad for their baby girl, who was born in 2003.
Amy Argetsinger: You said it. I know that Sir Paul is feeling very bruised these days, but this is what happens when billionaires take on a younger, faster wives. We in the media will turn the other cheek and get to work finding him a nice, low-maintenance age-appropriate lady for him.
Washington, D.C.: So, what brilliant question should I ask the executive editor, who's doing a chat opposite yours?
Roxanne Roberts: Ask him what he thinks of the McCartney/Mills split. Or Britney's Cat Seat Flap, Part II.
On second thought, nah. That's what he pays us for.
NOVA: Bill Clinton, the elder George Bush and Ellen DeGeneres dining at New Orleans landmark Arnaud's Friday before their speeches at Tulane's graduation Saturday. Clinton had the gator sausage, DeGeneres and Bush had raw oysters, and all three enjoyed the pompano.
Were they eating all together at the same table?
If so, are there any pictures out there?
Amy Argetsinger: They were eating together! Isn't that bizarre? Alas no photos that I know of; our colleague Annie Gowen, who was in New Orleans on assignment, just happened to stop by the restaurant around the time they were leaving. GHW Bush and Bill Clinton have been hanging together a lot these days, it's just the inclusion of Ellen that sent this into wackiness stratosphere.
Bluffton, S.C.: Ivanka Trump and Bill Rancic looked terrific together on Monday's Apprentice. Have you heard anything about them as an "item"?
Amy Argetsinger: Uh, no. But why don't we start that rumor?
Fairfax, Va.: Any gossip/info on Kenny Chesney last night? What did he sing, who did he hang with, anything?
Roxanne Roberts: Kenny was way cute and very charming. Played with a band of three guys. He wore a navy shirt, black hat and a new pair of boots he had jusr received as a gift from the president. His mom was his date.
The program didn't list the songs, but I wrote down what sounded like the titles---and I'll share, if you promise not to laugh because I don't know them by heart:
"Back Where I Came From"
And here's a neat note: The guests MOBBED the stage in the East Room, asking for Kenny to autograph their programs and pose for pictures. I've been covering White House dinners for almost 20 years, and never saw anything like that before.
Fey Fan: When you see Tina Fey at your next UVA alumni gathering, you might want to tell her (right after you've exchanged the secret UVA handshake) that she's coming dangerously close to overexposure. Two TV shows, movies, and all the hype and public relations appearances that entails will bring her dangerously close to Reege or The Donald on the fickle public's sick-of-it-all meter.
Amy Argetsinger: Tina was just two years behind me at U.Va. but I never heard of her until she hit it big. Don't know that she's been back on Grounds much since then. I know what you mean, but I wouldn't blame her for the over-exposure (she's in the kind of business where you need that kind of thing)... seemed like all the entertainment writers in the world were crushing on her pretty badly a couple years ago, until they fell in love with Jon Stewart and decided to over-expose him instead.
Washington, D.C.: Today (Wednesday 17th), at about 7.45 a.m., on I-495 (on the stretch from Gallows Road to Braddock Road), traffic was completely stopped. About a dozen policemen in motorcycles had stopped the traffic to allow a white van to pass and then they rode before, along with and after the van to make sure that no other traffic came near it. I was going in the opposite direction on I-495. The van entered 495 just at that point. Who was it?
Amy Argetsinger: Wow, this is like the SAT! Okay, 7:45 a.m., I-495, a dozen policemen, you're going in the opposite direction.... I guess the question is, if you were both traveling at 65 mph, at what point on the Beltway would you pass again, right?
Since we don't have time to call the White House, the State Department, VDOT or the state police, we're going to guess that this was a presidential motorcade, or maybe something involving Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Bethesda, Md.: I'm probably not the first to point out that it was Santos and his wife who had the conversation about January inaugurations, not Bartlet as you reported. Bartlet would have gotten it right and provided a history lesson explaining the 20th amendment.
Roxanne Roberts: The exact conversation we reported was between the Bartlets at the very top of the show. (I double-checked the clip.)Santos made reference to the cold weather later in the show. The reason so many fans noticed is that Bartlet would have never made such a foolish historical mistake.
Washington, D.C.: What have the first twins been up to?
Amy Argetsinger: Like we don't write about them enough for you? Jenna's been teaching at a charter school in D.C. and dating a guy named Henry Hager for about a year and a half (two weeks ago they had a funny outburst at Asia Nora when she thought he was about to propose but it was all just some inside joke between them).... Barbara's daytime activities are more mysterious since she wrapped up some internships/overseas volunteer work last year, but they're both spotted around town a lot at various restaurants, etc. Last week we wrote about them shopping at a vintage store in Arlington. Turns out they call each other "Sister."
Washington, D.C.: There is a stage set up on the mall today. Do you know what it's for?
Amy Argetsinger: According to our colleagues on the Metro section, it's probably for the National Day of Action for Immigration Legalization rally.
Washington, D.C.: Now that Sara has sadly been kicked off ANTM, are you going to try to track her down and interview her? I was so sad to see her go. I hope Jade doesn't win!
Amy Argetsinger: Are you kidding? We wasted no time on that, talked to Sara the morning after that episode aired and put it in last Friday's paper. (We're posting a link.) The upshot is that Sara had a great time, developed a real interest in modeling, and has just given notice at Advisory Board Co... Hasn't decided yet whether to leave D.C. but admits that this is not the best market for modeling. Oh, and she wouldn't tell us who the "conservative senator" is that her boyfriend works for. Also, she's delightful -- good manners, lovely phone voice.
The View: I am no fan of Star Jones but the latest feud between her and the so- called "queen of nice" Rosie makes me wonder what is up with Rosie. She should be mind her own business. Rosie sounds more and more like a mean-sprited than nice person.
Roxanne Roberts: They are both divas, which is always a bit tricky in a small space. Rosie is coming on board, and Barbara Walters denies that Star is leaving---but let's say I wouldn't be shocked if Star decides to persue an exciting new opportunity elsewhere.
washingtonpost.com: D.C.'s Next Top Ex-Wonk? (Post, May 12)
Arlington, Virginia: It would be my guess that the white van with the police escort on the Beltway this morning was carrying the police officer that was shot last week. He died this morning at 2 a.m. at Fairfax Hospital.
Roxanne Roberts: Of course you're right. I heard the officer had died early this morning, and didn't put the white van and the police escort together. Thanks for writing.
Falls Church, Va.: Re: Tina Fey
Y'know, Lisa de M doesn't have much good to say about Tina F ... and we love Lisa ...
Amy Argetsinger: Oh, I don't think Lisa has a problem with Tina Fey, though she's had some delightful snark in her column lately about Fey's new sitcom.
"[Alec] Baldwin plays the new, arrogant head of television and microwave programming at NBC/GE/Universal/Kmart in Tina Fey's homage to Tina Fey, "30 Rock." (That's also NBC's address in Manhattan, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, FYI.)
"It's a new Wednesday sitcom about the female head writer of a show that bears an uncanny resemblance to "SNL" (on which Tina Fey is head writer). In "30 Rock," the Tina Fey character is played by -- who else? -- Tina Fey.
"Turns out, it's hard to play yourself on TV, even when you write your own lines. In the clips shown to advertisers, she's a little stiff, but Baldwin and Tracy Morgan killed in clips shown to advertisers, and in person onstage."
Just calling it like she sees it, I suspect...
Fairfax Kenny Fan: You did great on that song list! I'm not shocked he was mobbed, D.C. has lots of Kenny fans, he did the show at FedEx last year.
Roxanne Roberts: The president is one of them. He was rocking to every song.
No pictures: I'm SO sorry not to see pictures of Clinton, Bush I and Ellen. It's like a punchline in search of a joke.
People, you bought that ridiculous camera cell phone for a reason. Now don't disappoint us next time.
Amy Argetsinger: You said it. I mean, it's like a crime against humanity that we don't have any photos of Jenna's haircut yet. She's practically grown it out by now!
Washington, D.C.: So last night on Boston Legal, the lawyer was explaining that monkeys would rather look at a picture of the dominant female monkey that drink their usual treat of cherry juice. From this he deduced that the desire to gawk at celebrities is part of our hard wiring (coupla steps missing there, but, hey, it's TV, not the Economist, y'know?).
So who do you reckon is the dominant female monkee in D.C.?
Amy Argetsinger: You tell us. Hillary? Jenna? Wendy Rieger?
Alexandria, Va.: I feel like there has to more to the story of what I read in how Paris Hilton's Mother's Day gifts were stolen. The delivery guy puts the package down beside him so he can use the intercom then out of nowhere some guy speeds by in a car and snatches the gifts. Am I the only one that thinks that's a little bizarre?
Roxanne Roberts: No. It's very strange, which is so surprising because Paris is such a level-headed, sensible young woman.
Re: SAT question -- Washington, D.C.: Tsk tsk. 65 mph on 495 during rush hour? You've got to be kidding. It was more like if 'I was crawling at 2 mph on the opposite side of the road and the van zipped past at aforementioned 65 mph (with traffic behind it at 0mph), who should the poor souls stuck behind the van take their ire out on?'!
Amy Argetsinger: Seriously, this new SAT is so much harder...
Washington, D.C.: I used to work at the Advisory Board. it is a cutthroat compnay, worse than the legal shops in NYC.
Amy Argetsinger: Worse than modeling?
Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.: When is the Broadway smash "Doubt" coming to D.C? I've heard that Cherry Jones will be rejoining the traveling cast.
Amy Argetsinger: Cherry Jones is indeed going to star in the touring version of John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt," which is a rare thing -- you don't usually see the Broadway stars recreate their roles on the road. They're hitting 24 cities, starting in the fall in L.A., and one presumes that D.C. will be on the lineup, but if anyone's released a schedule yet I can't find it.
Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C.: Amy wrote: "We in the media will turn the other cheek and get to work finding [Paul McCartney] a nice, low-maintenance age-appropriate lady for him."
Perhaps Camilla has a sister?
Roxanne Roberts: Don't think so. Let's brainstorm:
Living legend seeks earthy, compassionate vegetarian with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Models need not apply.
Washington, D.C.: Even though Reese Witherspooon looks like a buck-toothed chihuahua, thanks for the cleavage shot last week.
Amy Argetsinger: Thank the folks who do "Names & Faces" over the weekend.
Silver Spring, Md.: Re: "who should the poor souls stuck behind take their ire out on?" ... seriously? You sit for 2 minutes behind a procession for a police officer who died in the line of duty, and you want to COMPLAIN?!
Amy Argetsinger: Let's assume the poster put that out while we were still working on the assumption it was an every-day motorcade. These chats move fast, we're not all processing things in the linear format the transcripts appear in...
Seattle, Wash.: Speaking of America's Next Top Monkey -- I left D.C. in 2001, and my very important question is, is Wendy Rieger still hot? Still wearing the tiger-striped blouses on the TV news?
Roxanne Roberts: Wendy just celebrated her 50th birthday and we are pleased to report she is, indeed, still hot. Can't recall the tiger print, but she's looking good, Seattle.
Reston, Va.: Taylor, Elliott or Katherine?
Amy Argetsinger: As the winner? Don't know, this is a weird season. We suspect Taylor's been pulling the biggest numbers all along, but can he actually win?
Metro Center: You guys probably aren't interested, but Eleanor Holmes Norton was having Mother's Day Brunch at Bistro Bis Sunday.
Amy Argetsinger: A little late, but thanks for sharing in this forum...
washingtonpost.com: Names & Faces (Post, May 15)
Falls Church, Va.: Reston, Va.: Why such disdain for Tina Fey?
Lisa de Moraes: I do not think she is particularly funny and she is downright dreadful doing the newscast on "SNL."
Fairfax, Va.: Amen on your comment about Tina Fey. Overblown idea of herself and her "talent." True, not that funny and I think she really thinks she is. That show ... it's so over. Last week was all animation and any other week you turn it on it's a repeat. Don't need it.
Lisa de Moraes: Glad to know I'm not alone ... she makes me tired ...
Louisville, Ky.: Tina Fey will be the head writer on a new show? Awesome!
Oh wait, it hasn't been 2002 for a while. What a terrible idea this is.
Lisa de Moraes: bingo ...
Berkeley, Calif: I love that you hate Tina Fey ... But I hate the fact that you release your Fey-is-not-funny comments in small doses.
Is it possible for you to write an entire anti-Fey article? PLEASE!
Lisa de Moraes: I don't hate her -- don't know her. I just think she's not very funny and when you're the head writer for a sketch comedy show and when you're writing a sitcom for primetime, it helps if your stuff is funny ...
Amy Argetsinger: Hilarious, thanks for sharing...
Maryland: Speaking of Star ... any truth to the rumor she wants to re-do her wedding because she's so much skinnier now?
Roxanne Roberts: Oh, please. Does that mean more gifts? More freebies? Can't imagine she would have the nerve.
McCartney spouse -- : Is Patricia Kluge still single? They could chat about their collective billions ...
Re: Broadway stars on the road: Yeah, many years ago, when they did a traveling show of Damn Yankees - it was AMAZING that Jerry Lewis was traveling with the show and I got to see it (in Atlanta). It was so great.
Amy Argetsinger: Pretty impressive when they decide to do that.
For Paul: Hyacinth Bucket from keeping up appearances? She's age appropriate and will keep his Beatles/Wings collectables from getting dusty.
Amy Argetsinger: Hopefully some other webchatters will know who this is... love that name!
Fargo, N.D.: I called the NBC studio after John Spencer died and suggested West Wing go out with A BANG, like making C J Craig the VP.
They could have had hearing. Jazzed up the show. and it would have been a better way to end West Wing than with the THUD on Sunday. It was so blah, it was just boring.
I watched that show for 7 years, and it was the only example of a tough minded Democrat who possibly could have been elected in 2000 or 2004. So the legacy of television influencing real life sure is not true regarding West Wing. What do you think about the woman VP issue? It would have been a real kick.
Roxanne Roberts: So many fans, so many opinions. The last show was either very moving, deadly dull or something in between. Anyway, it got people thinking about politics in a good way, and maybe even opened the door to a female on the presidential ticket in real life.
Bethesda, Md.: Will you be covering Depeche Mode when they're here this weekend?
Love some dish on those guys.
Amy Argetsinger: We'll keep an eye out. Or rather, we'll ask all of YOU to keep an eye out to see where Depeche Mode is dining or drinking, and if they say anything interesting from the stage, in which case you must share it immediately with reliablesource@washpost.com. Same goes for any celebrity or demi-celebrity, okay?
NoVa: Re: Sir Paul Pick ME. Mid-fifties, widowed.
Heck, I'll become a vegetarian for you! and put up with your kids if you deal with my 18-year-old.
(Aside. He looks like he had work done!)
Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, but don't mention that on the first date, okay?
Hycanith Bucket: Holy crap ... I just laughed so hard, lettuce tried to come out my nose.
And that's Bou-quet ... not Bucket.
Richland, Wash.: What's the details on the Watergate "poker" parties that have figured in the Foggo scandal?
Amy Argetsinger: Dude, that's totally front-page prize-winning investigative reporter territory. Wish you'd asked sooner, we'd be able to pull up some good links to A-section Post stories on that by some of our colleagues. I'm sure there will be more to come...
Amy Argetsinger: Thanks everyone for all your good questions, and to those of you who even helped supply some answers today. Stay in touch all week long by reading our column (page 3 of Style or washingtonpost.com/reliablesource) and writing us at reliablesource@washpost.com.
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Post Reliable Source columnists Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts take your tips and dish about what's really going on in Washington.
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Books: 'Clemente'
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Author David Maraniss was online Wednesday, May 17, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss his book, "Clemente The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero ," a biography of legendary baseball player Roberto Clemente . The Puerto Rican star, who was the first Latino elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, faced segregation in the South in the 1950s and 60s but pioneered the entrance of Latinos into the world of professional baseball. Maraniss explores the complex life Clemente led on and off the field from his time in Puerto Rican leagues to the 1960 and 1971 World Series championships. Clemente, who dreamed of establishing a sports city for underprivileged children, was killed in a 1972 plane crash at the age of thirty-eight while delivering relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Read the Outlook piece: The Last Hero .
Pulitzer Prize winner David Maraniss is an associate editor at The Washington Post and author of several bestselling books, including They Marched Into Sunlight: War and Peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967; When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi and First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton.
David Maraniss: Hello everyone. Thank you all for taking the time to participate in this discussion. I've just returned to DC from a long book tour, kind of like a long road trip. It was encouraging to see the intense interest in Clemente and his story all over the country, from New York to LA to San Francisco to Seattle to Chicago to Atlanta to Nashville to Pittsburgh to Washington (just the cities I've been to so far.) I will answer every question I can get to so let it rip. Viva Clemente.
Hackensack, N.J.: Great book, David.
This year's All Star Game in Pittsburgh would be the perfect place and time to universally retire Clemente's number. What's the likelihood it happens? What are the biggest obstacles?
David Maraniss: There is a movement to retire Clemente's number across baseball, like Jackie Robinson's. I don't expect it to happen first of all for a practical sentimental reason. Bud Selig is from Milwaukee. How can he retire Clemente and not Aaron? That would be his thinking. My own feeling is that Clemente is already honored every time someone wears the No. 21. It stands for only one thing - Roberto Clemente
Santa Barbara, Calif.: Mr. Maraniss: Roberto Clemente was one of my boyhood heroes. As an adult, I have an even deeper admiration and respect for this courageous and dignified man. Do you feel that children today are aware of who Roberto was and why he was so significant?
David Maraniss: A Puerto Rican writer said that on the night we lost Roberto Clemente his immortality began. His legend has only grown in the 34 years since his death. Unlike so many athletes who diminish with time and shrink as their talents shrink. Young people today might know of Clemente because there are so many children's books about him. He should be known to everyone...
Upper Arlington, Ohio: I do not have a question but I do want to express my gratitude to Mr. Maraniss. In August of 1960, my four brothers, my sister, my parents and I, went to Pittsburgh for our annual vacation at my mother's parents' home. Before my father left to go back home on Sunday, my grandfather, born in 1889, my father, and my brother and I went to see the Pirates play the San Francisco Giants, led by the great Willie Mays who had a new teammate, the rookie Willie McCovey. The Pirates won in extra innings. When we returned to my grandparents' home, I asked my grandfather if he would take to the World Series. He said: "We'll see kid." On Columbus Day of that fall, we parochial school kids were home. I was crestfallen but had not given up when Whitey Ford and his mates hammered the Pirates in game 6. I will never forget my mom who all day seemed a bit strange coming into the living room. She said: "How would you like to take a plane ride." She took me to the airport and I flew alone, at 9 years old to Pittsburgh. My grandparents met me there. The next morning my grandfather and I went out to his country club and took a bus to Forbes. Nearly 46 years later, my parents and my grandparents are all gone. As an adult, I am more humbled as the years pass by, at the kindness shown me then. My grandmother who died in the last decade listened to the Pirates every night until she died. What a sacrifice to make a kid happy. My grandfather died in 1965. When he would visit, we would sit in his "64 Pontiac and listen to the Pirates on the radio in the driveway of our home north of Columbus. My children, one of which graduates from Parris Island next week, all at one time did a project or a school report on Roberto. I have spent the past few months reading various depictions of the ongoing tragedy in Iraq. Our generation may well leave a worse place for our children and grandchildren, but there is one piece that will be required reading in this family and that is your wonderful book. Bob Prince used to say Arriba, Arriba, varanomos Arriba. Thank you. Didn't Juan Marichal first pitch for the Giants that season?
David Maraniss: Thank you. David
Da 'Burgh: I was lucky to see Roberto when he was in his prime. Others got more publicity by playing in bigger markets, but Roberto got his reward during the 1971 World Series. He really made up for a lot of years of being downplayed to Mays, Aaron and the like, none of whom were as complete all around players.
Bob Prince always had a good Clemente story to relate while doing the radio broadcast
David Maraniss: One of many reasons Clemente did not get his due is because he played 18 seasons in Pittsburgh - not the big media markets of NY, LA or Chicago...
Santa Monica, Calif.: As someone who grew up in Pittsburgh with Roberto Clemente as a constant presence from my earliest memories, I want to thank you, Mr. Maraniss, for your extraordinary book.
I am particularly grateful that you included the tension that each Pittsburgher had to face between our immense pride in having such a great man identified with our city, and our embarrassment over Clemente's flaws, which we were required to defend as though they were unique to him of all athletes.
My only request is that you add to the paperback (since your book will be -the- biography of the man) my favorite Clemente quote. It's from filmmaker John Sayles: "Most of what I know about style I learned from Roberto Clemente."
My question is why do you think sports reporters, who in this pre- "Ball Four" era pretty much treated all sports stars as gods without flaws, felt the need with Clemente to underline his faults? Clemente didn't bet on games, didn't refuse the draft, but he was diminished as a man by the press unlike any other athlete of his generation.
David Maraniss: There are several questions about Clemente and his flaws, even one that said reviews claimed I did not write enough about them. The vast majority of reviewers thought I presented him in all his complexity. You can only see the great human being if you see him whole, not as a saint. None of us are saints. Clemente faced the double burden of fighting against the stereotypes as a black Latino. I still shudder at the description of him in a Life magazine scouting report before the 60 series as displaying "a Latin American style showboating." Clemente played hard every inning of every game.
Va.: Do you have a copy of the FAA or NTSB air crash report?
David Maraniss: Yes I do. All the internal reports and all the depositions taken after the plane crash. The final four chapters of my book are about the earthquake and plane crash in great and harrowing detail. That plane never should have been allowed to take off.
Gaithersburg, Md.: How did the move from Forbes Field to Three Rivers Stadium affect Clemente's Baseball career?
David Maraniss: He was near the end of his career when they moved to 3 Rivers in 1970. It didn't seem to affect it much, although they wore uglier uniforms after that. Clemente could play anywhere at any time. It was a bit harder for him to make those incredible sliding catches that he perfected in right on the artificial turf...
Dallas, Tex.: Will you tour get close to Dallas...........loved the book, some story. good Luck.
David Maraniss: sorry, not this tour. maybe next time in paperback...
Lumberton North Carolina...coach for 22 years: #21....legendary..often imitated NEVER duplicated..GOD broke the mold on this unique trailblazer...always looked out for the underdog because HE was one...the 71 series ..the ultimate stage he performed as it was MEANT to be...the quiet rage..the way his children STILL press on with his dreams..and how fans like me..will always hold him high in honor, class, perseverance and all this while having ice water in his veins...when playing at the highest level of his sport. NO ONE is remotely close..NO ONE!
David Maraniss: There are people all over the country and world who feel this way about Roberto Clemente
Phoenix, Ariz.: I used to watch Clemente play in Forbes field, which was a large park and he would usually hit doubles and triples, but not that many home runs. It was always exciting to watch him run the bases when that happened. The fans would yell 'Arriba' and his hat would usually fly off.
If he had played in a hitter's park like Ebbetts field or Crosley Stadium, would Roberto Clemente have been held in the same high regard as Mays or Mantle assuming his home run numbers would have been a lot higher?
After the 1958 season, the Pirates had come in 2nd in their division and there was a parade for the Pirates in downtown Pittsburgh in the spring of 1959 to root for them in the upcoming season. Clemente and Benny Daniels were on the back of a flat bed truck and Roberto was very generous in signing autographs for all the kids who came up to the back of the truck.
David Maraniss: Clemente was always generous signing autographs. He had the sensibility of an outsider and was always reaching out to others who seemed vulnerable - kids of any race, old people, the sick, the poor.
He adjusted his play somewhat to Forbes Field. But he never tried to hit home runs in any case. He once hit three and almost four at Cincinnati, so he certainly had the power. But he was a line drive hitter.
Milwaukee, Wis.: David...You have now authored books on Lombardi,Clinton and Clemente. You have to choose one of three to sit down and shoot the bull over a couple of cold ones..(seems like an appropriate question from a fellow Badger)...who would it be, and why?
David Maraniss: Clemente, no doubt about it. I interviewed Clinton many times. Lombardi was not a real discursive man. Clemente I would love to talk to.
Bethesda, Md.: David, Thanks for writing this book. When I was a little kid in Pittsburgh, I took the trolley to see Roberto Clemente play. I had my little Pittsburgh Pirates hat, my camper shorts, and my dorky shoes, but every afternoon, I would put on my glove and try to catch the baseball just like Clemente. I dropped it a lot. Does your book talk about his fielding style, too? And how about that team in Pittsburgh? Manny Sanguillen, Roberto Clemente....
David Maraniss: The book talks a lot about Clemente's inimitable fielding style. His basket catch (which he learned playing softball in PR), his underhand loop throw back to second after a catch with on one on, his sliding catches, his incredible arm...
Pittsburgh, Pa.: I remember the fuss in '66 when the Pirates announced that Clemente had signed a $100,000 contract.
Or the time he and his wife went to buy some furniture and were steered to the cheaper stock, when in reality he had $5000 in cash on him.
David Maraniss: That second story happened in NYC when he and Vera were on their way to Europe and stopped in New York. It stuck with Clemente as the type of racism and stereotyping he constantly had to deal with...
Bowie, Md.: From the mid-30s to mid-50s, half the MLB teams had farm systems, and the half that didn't pretty much stayed lousy for two decades.
Had the Dodgers been playing "hide the guy in the minors" so long that they assumed no farm-less team like the Pirates wouldn't find gold there?
David Maraniss: There are a lot of reasons why the Dodgers failed to keep Clemente, none of them good. They had another bonus baby, Sandy Koufax, whom they had to keep, they had Sandy Amaros ahead of Clemente, he was only 19, they thought they could hide him in Montreal, they wanted to keep him most of all from the Giants where he would play in the same outfield with Willie Mays...anyway, the Pirates of Branch Rickey and scout Howie Haak knew all about him and stole him
Raleigh, N.C.: In your Lombardi biography, you focused on the man but gave great details about important games. In this biography, you seem to have largely limited your descriptions to Clemente's performance at the plate, with little discussion of his fielding in specific games. How did you decide on this approach? Were you influenced by Markusen's biography in this regard? Thanks.
David Maraniss: I write about Clemente's arm in every chapter of the book. How he got his strong right arm from his mother, a butcher who could lift 90 pound carcasses and hum a strike at age 80, and every possible description of his many great throws. His arm is a central motif of the book...so not quite sure what you are referring to...
Durham, N.C.: Great book. I might be mistaken, but I noticed there was no interview with Manny Sanguillen for the book. Is he reluctant to speak about his friend, or does he not give interviews in general? Thanks. (#21 in the scorecard, #1 in our hearts)
David Maraniss: No. It was just a question of timing. I missed Sanguillen twice. NO big deal, though I would have loved to have talked to him. He was Clemente's little brother in so many ways. I feel the book ably conveys that and tells the incredible Sanguillen story of what he did after the plane crash...
Dallas, Tex.: I spent the Clemente years in Pittsburgh and he was incredible. We went to Forbes Field mainly to see him throw the ball to a base or home plate.
Mr. Maraniss captures all the events with amazing accuracy, especially Roberto's relationship with Bob "Gunner" Prince.
Is there anything left over in his thinking now that the book is complete? Thank you.
David Maraniss: There is always more than what you can get in the book. And as I travel around the country I hear more stories about Clemente...
Clifton, Va.: As a lifelong baseball fan, I'm looking forward to reading your book, particularly since I really don't know much about Roberto Clemente other than the "legends" and the stories I hear from my father and father-in-law who saw him play. Do you think that the lessons that Clemente's approach to life will translate to today's generation of young players? My son, who just completed his first year of high school ball, is actually a student of the old-school game (favorite player: Ted Williams -- he's worn #9 since he started playing tee-ball 11 years ago). How do you think your book will be received by the kids and players of my son's generation, many of whom have become jaded by the steroid and gambling scandals and Hollywood lifestyles of some of today's high-profile players that seem so diametrically opposed to how Clemente played and lived?
David Maraniss: Young ballplayers aged 8 to 15 have been showing up at every stop when I do a book reading. They all take to Clemente immediately...many say he was already their favorite player, even though he died 34 years ago.
Bowie, Md.: Clemente was a highly unusual batting champion in that he struck out a lot. You still see that in players coming out of places like San Pedro de Marcoris. Is there something about the baseball culture that says "swing"?
David Maraniss: Clemente was a free swinger. He said it's not a bad ball if I can hit it. And he could hit it. He didn't strike out an inordinate amount of time, but he did get few walks, which is why his on base percentage wasn't great. which is why a lot of numbers crunchers disparage Clemente. But as I say in the book, Clemente was art, not science. Anyone who watched him play will never forget it. And he was a winner. He batted safely in all 14 World Series games in which he appeared.
Washington, D.C.: Mr. Maraniss: I grew up south of Pittsburgh in a deeply segregated community; high school graduation year was 1972. Our high school had 3 African American students. The closest high school to us was 90% African American. Many of the parents in our community had racist views. Yet many of my friends and myself did not have racist views. I have long considered that we broke the mold because of Roberto Clemente and the Supremes. We danced at sock hops to the latter (really all the Motown groups), but the former was our hero. There was nothing more exciting than going to Forbes Field to watch the Pirates with the whole stadium yelling "Arribe! Arribe!" when Clemente was at bat. He was thrilling to watch; he carried himself with tremendous dignity - the boys in our area adored him. Because our pop stars and baseball hero were black, it helped us see beyond the narrow views of our elders. Roberto Clemente had a lot to do with that; his death affected me greatly.
I cannot wait to read your book.
David Maraniss: One of the best things about sports is that it can and does have a beneficial sociological impact on people. You can say it is toy land, but it does things that most other parts of life fail to do, which is to get people of different races to root for each other and understand one another...
Long time fan: Growing up in western Maryland we would travel to Pittsburgh at least once a year to catch a game. I consider myself very lucky to have seen Clemente play. He was such a great player - wonderful arm from right field to home plate! And I can remember games where he turned a loss into a win in late innings by starting a rally. He is a fine example of what ballplayers today should be.
Montclair, Va.: Growing up in Pittsburgh my memories of watching "Arriba" play right field of Forbes Field like Stradavarius, remain as clearly with me as they were in the 60s.
Question: Do Latino player revere him or are they somewhere closer not knowing him or his history as so many other professional sports figures are about the legends of their game?
David Maraniss: Clemente is the patron saint of Latino baseball. All the players of today know something about his story. Ozzie Guillen, manager of the champion White Sox, talks about him constantly and says he has a shrine at home to Clemente. Old second baseman Tony Taylor said for years after Clemente's death when his team visited Pittsburgh he would take the Latino players out to right field and say this is where Clemente played, this is what you can become
Denver, Colo.: Interestingly, I just received a copy of your book today, and have not had a chance to read it yet. Having grown up in the Pittsburgh area in the 60s and 70s, Clemente was my baseball idol. I was fortunate to be able to attend the 6th game (a day late as usual) of the '60 Series when Whitey Ford shut the Bucs out 12-0. I noticed under picture 5 in the book, the score was listed as 11-0, an inconsequential error. I first heard about this book when you were a guest on Jim Rome's radio show. I look forward to reading it and thank you for taking the time to recognize "The Great One". I still believe he is perhaps the best all around player to ever play the game, but seldom receives the recognition he deserves. I know that every time I went to the ballpark he did something special.
David Maraniss: That is why he transcended mere numbers. His impression on fans was deep and lasting...
Durham, N.C.: In your wonderful biography, you discuss "Roberto Clemente Day," which was held in his honor in the middle of the 1971(?) season to celebrate his accomplishments. However, you don't mention why the team did this. What was their motivation? Was it an attempt at rapprochement for all the years of underpaying him? Was it unusual at the time for teams to celebrate current players in that fashion?
David Maraniss: There were days like that for great players. In fact the impetus for that day came from Puerto Rico, it was a shared Clemente day for both the people of Pittsburgh and hundreds of Puerto Ricans who flew up to celebrate him.
Pittsburgh, Pa.: I lost any passion or interest I had in baseball the day that he died.
David Maraniss: Something did die with Clemente, but his story lives on.
Arlington, Va.: Even as a young Yankees fan growing up in NJ, Roberto was one of my heroes, something about his style grabbed me even beyond my hometown idols like Mantle.
Roberto made what is still the greatest single defensive play I've ever seen in person at a game at Shea Stadium in 1969. We had skipped school (I was in HS then) to see the Mets-Pirates game.
Clemente caught a fly ball down the right field line (very little room there at Shea) -- he made a diving catch around/across the foul line, came springing up and threw a 300-foot strike to home plate on the fly (seemingly at head-high level all the way) to nail the runner trying to score from third base.
I will always remember that and his free swinging, and neck stretching (something that crept into my baseball MO for many years). In hindsight, he stands as one of the all time greats and in many ways, like John Sayles, for me he is the epitome of style and skill.
David Maraniss: Almost everyone I talk to has some story about a great play Clemente made in right. They say,...I was in Shea Stadium, or Wrigley Field, or County Stadium, or Forbes Field, or Candlestick...and I saw Clemente go deep into the right field corner and unleash this incredible throw...
Bowie, Md.: Why did the National League integrate much more quickly than the American?
David Maraniss: It started with the Dodgers and went from there. The American League had ownership in Boston, Washington, and New York that for various reasons was slow to integrate. What a difference that made in the two leagues! In 1960 I think there were 55 blacks in NL and 15 in AL, and the talent was equally imbalanced for a long time.
Pittsburgh, Pa.: I'm a longtime Clemente fan, but I don't agree on retiring his number leaguewide. It wouldn't mean as much as just having the Pirates do it. And, I know this is something Roberto would not want either.
David Maraniss: You might be right. And as I say, 21 stands for Clemente
Anonymous: A born and raised Pittsburgh-area third generation Pirate fan, as a child I was fortunate to see Clemente play at Forbes Field (and then Three Rivers) about 10 games a year from 1957-1970. For me, he will always be the epitome of athletic grace, skill and desire. My question is how can the Pirates or any other mid-small market team hope ever again to develop and -retain- players like a Clemente in baseball's current economic model?
David Maraniss: It's not easy, but sometimes bad management hides behind the money disparity. The Pirates have a great park, a great historic fan base, all they need is the ballplayers. And I just watched them lost twice to the Marlins at PNC Park, so I know they have a long ways to go. I'm mostly a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, and they have suffered, too, but are putting together a smart young team now led by Prince Fielder and Weeks. It can be done.
Chantilly, Va.: You are my favorite nonfiction writer! If you had to make a choice, would you rather write biographies of sports figures or political leaders?
David Maraniss: I like both. It is the story and sociology and history that intrigues me, why people are the way they are and the forces that shape them and the obstacles they have to overcome
Toledo, Ohio: I bought and read the book and have passed on to a friend. The book did cause me to reevaluate where I put Clemente in comparison to Mays and Aaron; I now believe in his own way he was as valuable as they were. Also, I'd forgotten that Clemente had more World Series titles than did either Mays or Aaron. Any thoughts as to how he compared to Frank Robinson?
David Maraniss: Clemente and Frank Robinson were great rivals. All those guys were fabulous, why rate them? Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Robinson - Billy Williams couldn't even make the All-Star team sometimes. That was a golden era of NL outfielders, and they are all at the top
Charlottesville, Va.: Can't wait to get your book. I was privileged to see Clemente play the first year Three Rivers opened. If memory serves, the park was so new, the only way to get to it was to take a ferry across the river. Game was against the Dodgers, Roberto hit one out and just missed on two more. There was a player from our hometown on the Pirates and my Dad bounded down the steps and seemingly vanished into the dugout/clubhouse for at least 15 minutes where he got to hangout with the team. Wish I had followed him.
Nashville, Tenn.: When you were in Nashville to promote your book recently, you mentioned you had already been to NY, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago. Which is harder, writing a book or promoting it? Do you notice any interesting differences between the readers who come to see you in the different cities you visit?
David Maraniss: I love the entire process of researching and writing a book. The promotion part is harder, for me. I enjoy meeting people and talking about the book, but it's a lot of work and there's anxiety about how it will be received.
Alexandria, Va.: No question, just a comment. Thank you for writing a book and telling the story of this great man. Growing up in Pittsburgh, he was my absolute idol - had the posters, the Clemente model glove, the baseball cards. I will never forget coming downstairs on the morning of New Year's Day and my mother telling me that Clemente had died. I was 11 years old and it was like a kick in the gut. It's one of those childhood memories that have stayed with me for over 30 years.
Washington, D.C.: Why is there a difference between an African of Puerto Rican Descent, Dominica Republic, Cuba, Panama,Aruba,Venezuela vs an African American? This relates to Joe Morgan idiotic comment on blacks in the Major Leagues.
Blacks due speak Spanish, English, French in the Caribbean and South and Central America.
Clemente call himself a Black Ruerto Rican....
David Maraniss: Clemente was proud of being Puerto Rican and proud of being black. In Puerto Rico the color of his skin meant no difference on the surface, in terms of where he could eat, sleep, play - there was no Jim crow segregation. In the US he faced the double barrier of race and language.
Houston, Tex.: David, how do you think baseball would have been different if the Dodgers would have kept Roberto Clemente and he emerged in Brooklyn rather than Pittsburgh?
David Maraniss: Duke Snider said the other week on the Mike and Mad Dog show in New York that the Dodgers NEVER would have lost if they had had Clemente all those years...
Silver Spring, Md.: I haven't read your book yet (and I'm sure that you address this in there), but one of the things that has always struck me is how well Clemente's is remembered and honored throughout the western hemisphere. I had a friend come to visit me in Pittsburgh a number of years ago - my friend was born and lived in Chicago, but his family came from Puerto Rico, and he took several rolls of film (this was before digital cameras were popular) just of the Clemente statue outside of the Three Rivers Stadium.
David Maraniss: Clemente's memory lives on in so many ways. IN Carolina, his hometown, there is cenotaph which depicts his life and shows him holding a lamb.
Washington, D.C.: Hello, thanks for the book. Are there any plans for a TV or feature film that you have heard of? Would you be willing to have your book made into a movie?
David Maraniss: There should be a movie about Clemente. It is an important and dramatic story. and it might happen finally because of this book. But I'm not holding my breath. Hollywood is a strange place. I have only a few thoughts. A black Latino should play Clemente - he had such pride in who he was and where he came from. And someone like John Sayles should do it, someone who appreciates Clemente. But there are a lot of possibly great directors for it. And as I said, you never know with movies...
Alabama: I find it telling that the introduction to this chat does not mention that Clemente played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's inevitable (and entirely reasonable) that Clemente's symbolism for Latin America would take precedence over his meaning for the Pirates, but people should remember that Clemente meant a great deal to the city. If No. 21 never felt he got the national attention he deserved, Pittsburgh did its best to fill in the gap.
As someone who's lived in Pittsburgh, I can tell you that Clemente is worshipped in the Steel City. They've literally raised statues in his honor and renamed bridges for him; the first baseball park proposed to replace Three Rivers would have been called Clemente Field. However the rest of baseball viewed Clemente, Pittsburgh knows (and has always known) it had greatness when he played for the Pirates.
David Maraniss: I didn't write the introduction. Clemente always said he was grateful to have two home towns. Carolina and Pittsburgh. I was just in Pittsburgh for the weekend and appeared at two games and at two bookstores and no how deeply he is revered there.
Silver Spring, Md.: Will you be signing your book at any local bookstores soon?
David Maraniss: I am at Politics and Prose tonight. Wednesday May 17, tonight, at 7. on Connecticut avenue. please come anyone who wants to....
and also a week from tonight, may 24, at Olssons in northern Virginia on Wilson blvd.
Alabama: Clemente was not underpaid. He was very, very well-paid by the time Roberto Clemente Day came around in 1971.
We've had many testimonials from Pirates' fans who loved Clemente. How did Clemente feel about Pittsburgh?
David Maraniss: Well, he was underpaid for the first part of his career. His bonus was far less than comparable white players got. By the end of his career he was rewarded appropriately. He always got along with the Pirates GM, Joe L. Brown\
AT first Clemente had no real feelings about Pittsburgh. He had signed with the Dodgers and wanted to play in NYC, which had large Puerto Rican community. Pittsburgh had virtually no Latinos. But he grew to love Pittsburgh and its people.
Pittsburgh, Pa.: Hope you gave Bob Prince due mention. He idolized Roberto.
David Maraniss: I do. The Gunner and all his nicknames. And note that Clemente invited Prince down to Puerto Rico in winter 72 to honor him at a banquet. How many athletes honor broadcasters? Clemente was extraordinary that way.
In 1972, when I was 9 years old and growing up in New Jersey, I was watching the final Mets game of the season at home with my brother on a little black-and-white TV set. The Mets were playing the Pirates that day and Roberto Clemente came up to bat. Clemente then hit a double for his 3,000th career hit, and I remember him standing at second base with the number "3,000" flashing on the scoreboard and Mets fans giving him a standing ovation. Later that year, early on New Year's Eve, my father had just picked me up from a friend's house and we were on our way home when we heard a news report on the radio that Clemente's plane had gone down while he was on a mission delivering supplies to the victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. I was stunned. I had just seen him get his 3,000th hit live on television a couple of months before -- who knew that it would be his final one.
Roberto Clemente was a great baseball player but he was an even better person. For his life to end the way it did, with him helping to deliver supplies to victims of an earthquake, just demonstrates what kind of a person he was. I am so glad that he got to reach his 3,000th hit and that I was able to see it as it happened. It is one of the memories of my childhood that I will never forget.
David Maraniss: many emails of this sort...
S~aulo, Brazil: Why was Clemente's story and influence in the game of baseball not covered in any meaningful way in Ken Burns series "Baseball"? It is amazing that the story did not cover the best Right Fielder in the game and the first Latino in the Hall of Fame, who has such a fascinating story behind him and who opened the door to the huge contingent of players and stars from Latin America.
David Maraniss: Can't answer that question. They gave Clemente about a minute or two, no more. It was a big mistake.
Arlington, Va.: I notice that a lot of the reviews of your most recent book focus on your papering over of the complications of a complicated man in favor of a hero. Well, I remember seeing him play, thinking at the time he was the closest thing baseball had to a hero so thank you for that. Also, since you write books and write for The Post, did you ever have the conflicts that Bob Woodward is often accused of having by doing both?
David Maraniss: As I said earlier, this is not so. Vast majority of reviews note that I deal with Clemente in all his complications. He was also a mythological figure and a hero in the classic sense of the word. All of that is in the book.
Denver, Colo.: I forgot to mention that I have two pictures of Clemente in my office. Both were gifts from my sons on my last birthday. Both were purchased independently of each other and were clearly the result of them having listened to me rave about Roberto over the years. Just goes to show you that even though we might think our kids aren't listening to us, they are. I recently took my youngest son to the site of Forbes Field so he could see the spot where Maz's home run cleared the left field wall. Surprisingly enough he actually looked forward to that part of our trip even though its purpose was to go to the Penn State - Ohio State football game. Kids really do pay attention to their parents even though they never act like it.
Durham, N.C.: I noticed that Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen was not interviewed, even though he and Clemente were close friends. Is he reluctant to sit for interviews in general, or for ones about Clemente?
David Maraniss: No to both questions. We missed each other twice. He is in the book many places. I tell the story of Clemente bringing home a monkey from Nicaragua and teasing Sanguillen that he had named it Sangy. And of course the story of Sanguillen going out on the boat to look for clemente after the crash.
Washington, D.C.: I grew up a Pirates fan in SW Pa, and was not old enough to see Clemente play. However, I read accounts of Clemente's heroic effort to provide relief efforts and his tragic death, and to this day, he is one of the few athletes I'd qualify as a true hero. He was above his peers in the game and he is above many of his fans in humanitarian deed.
David Maraniss: Clemente was not a saint. He was a human being, with the flaws of any human being. He had a temper, and pride that at times could appear to border on arrogance. But he was a fascinating character in that you could see his character maturing and growing as he got older. By his final years he was a leader and inspirational figure in every sense. He would give speeches saying that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so you are wasting your time on this earth. He didn't have an agent telling him to go visit sick kids in hospitals, or to get on that plane to try to deliver aid to Nicaragua. He did it because he felt it was his responsibility. He was an admirable man in so many ways, beyond the ballfield...
Washington, D.C.: Hey, before you go, any book signings in the DC area?
David Maraniss: As I said earlier, tonight, weds night, may 17 at politics and prose on connect. avenue at 7 pm...
...and a week from tonight, same time, at Olssons in northern Virginia on Wilson Blvd
Orlando, Fla.: What were some of the most surprising places you find research in? If not surprising, what research locations had the most interesting information you did not expect to find.
David Maraniss: Details of plane crash biggest surprise, in terms of the totality of how it should have been prevented.
Little surprise things like his bat. Interviewed guy at Louisville Slugger in charge of major league bats. He said only two hitters really knew wood - Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente. Also said Clemente's favorite model, a U1, had been used first by a guy named French Uhalt, a big old knobless bat...
Bowie, Md.: Before the Expos moved to Washington, San Juan had been considered a possible re-location site. I supposed with a 4.5 million people, it's conceivably a MLB-sized metro area.
Assuming transportation isn't prohibitively expensive, would a San Juan team be economically feasible?
David Maraniss: Don't think so. One of ironies is that baseball is no longer the big sport of Puerto Rico. It is an urban culture, more closely tied to NYC, and basketball is rising while baseball is diminishing there...
Pittsburgh, Pa.: Isn't it kind of prophetic or something, the way that he was allowed to get his 3000th hit before he was taken from this earth ?
David Maraniss: There is a lot of spirituality in the Clemente story. He had premonitions that he would die young. He had nightmares about a plane crashing. His body was never found. His career ended with precisely 3,000 hits....
Hilton Head Island, S.C.: David -- wonderful book about Clemente. What can we look forward to next: who is your next subject? Thanks.
David Maraniss: I've just begun research on my next book, which will combine all the things I love - history, sociology, and sports. It will be about the explosion of the modern world at the 1960 summer Olympics in Rome. Not only the characters...Cassius Clay, Rafer Johnson, Wilma Rudolph, Abebe Bikila, the barefoot marathoner...but also the Cold War propaganda fight between US and USSR, East and West Germany competing as one team even though they hated each other, China v. Taiwan, India v Pakistan, the emergence of black Africa, the first televised Olympics and the first doping scandal. All in those 16 days in Rome at the dawn of the sixties.
David Maraniss: My fingers are getting tired. If there are any more questions to be answered in the next few minutes I will answer them. But in any case thank you all for such excellent questions and for your interest in Roberto Clemente.
To repeat, I am speaking and signing at Politics and Prose in DC tonight at 7, and at Olsson's in northern VA a week from now on may 24 also at 7.
Future appearances will be in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison, Cooperstown, Chicago again, Miami and San Juan. The Simon and Schuster Web site has details.
Thank you all again. And Viva Clemente...
Alexandria, Va.: I'm looking forward to reading your book on Clemente. I was born in Pittsburgh in 1960 and he has always been my favorite ballplayer. I have an old baseball card of him with the name Bob as opposed to Roberto. I also have two fabulous photos of him at Three Rivers Stadium warming up for the second game of a double header with Manny Sanguillen, months before the tragedy. I was there with my fellow altar boys leaning over the railing trying to get his attention and I did. Finally, my question. I somehow remember being told that Roberto could throw a ball over the fence from home plate at Forbes field, any help?
David Maraniss: He could throw it that far.
And he hated the baseball card that called him Bob.
He let Bob Prince call him Bob or Bobby, but Prince would also call him the Great One.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Author David Maraniss discusses his book, "Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero," a biography of legendary baseball player Roberto Clemente. Clemente was the first Latino elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Free Range on Food
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2006051719
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A chat with the Food section staff is a chance for you to ask questions, offer suggestions and share information with other cooks and food lovers. It is a forum for discussion of food trends, ingredients, menus, gadgets and anything else food-related.
Each chat, we will focus on topics from the day's Food section . You can also read the transcripts of past chats . Do you have a question about a particular recipe or a food-related anecdote to share? The Food section staff goes Free Range on Food every Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET. Read about the staff of the Food section .
Judith W.: Hi everybody. Lots of reactions to the 100 calorie snack story coming at me via email, but we'd like to know what you think of them too. Do you like the convenience and control of these already-measured-for-you treats? Or do you prefer real food snacks? Tell us how you deal with snack attacks. And we'd also love to hear your favorite picnic recipes and strategies. Waiting for today's winners are: Cooking from the Heart of Spain, by Janet Mendel and Big Sky Cooking by Meredit Brokaw and Ellen Wright. Great recipes in both, the first from the La Mancha region of Spain, the second from the American West, especially Montana. Winners will be posted toward the end of the chat.
Washington, D.C.: Thank you for writing about the 100 calorie packs! Sure, if you really want Wheat Thins, they come in a convenient carrying case and you're not opening an entire box. But you're still hungry an hour later. As you say, they are mostly empty calories. I liken these packs to fat-free cookies; they are made "healthier" so it's okay to eat them all the time. Reach for a 60 calorie pack--an apple.
Judith W.: Glad to be of service Washington. Appreciate your reaction. There are a lot of pros and cons to these packs, and they're certainly successful.But to me the more healthful snacks--the peanut butter on apple slices kind of thing--are much more likely to make you feel less hungry.
No more softshells ??? Say it isn't so !!!: This new policy at Whole Foods about not selling live softshells is ridiculous. I went there this weekend (before I knew about this new policy) to buy some (I wanted to try Patrick O'Connell's recipe which you ran in last week's food section) & I was told some customers complained because they saw the crabs being "cleaned" and considered it cruel. So those few loud jerks had to go and ruin it for the rest of us ??? This is Washington, people ! This is one of our favorite local summer foods. These are probably the same people who buy crabcakes. People have become so disconnected to where their food comes from. Do they think it just comes from a factory wrapped in cellophane?
How does a chicken raised in a 13 x 10 box live a better life than a crab,who gets to swim around with its friends. and do these nuts realize that chickens are slaughtered - and yes they bleed. A lot more messy than a softshell crab being cleaned, sauteed, and becoming a delicious meal !
Candy: You raise some good points. Interestingly, I talked about this policy today on Post Radio (WTWP--107.7) and the host of the show said basically the same thing. I think people object to seeing the animals killed in front of them. Buying those chicken breasts wrapped in cellophane is much more impersonal--no one thinks about that chicken's last moments. But Whole Foods wants to be a compassionate, concerned corporate citizen and they feel this is a necessary step.
Washington, D.C.: Re the issue of soft-shell crabs, I don't understand where the "cruelty" is. Any frozen crabs sold will have been cleaned in the same way as the fresh ones -- is it less cruel if the cleaning is done at an anonymous facility, or is the cleaning itself not the issue? Really, we ar so far removed from the source of our food in general that it is a good thing to know how food is prepared for cooking, whether animal or vegetable.
Candy: As I told the previous chatter, you make good points.
Raleigh, N.C.: The recipe today for the company chicken breasts in the charming piece about Tom's mother says to "cut the boneless chicken breasts in half". Do they get pounded? It seems that the huge chicken breasts now for sale would be too thick to wrap up the butter using the method described.
Bonnie: Charming indeed. Tom's mother's recipe calls for 2 whole boneless skinless chix breasts, cut in half (so that you end up with 4 generous individual breast halves/servings. No pounding necessary, he says; they're kinda fat to roll up, but roll up they will. On his chat this morning, he reports 2-breast packages are available at some Whole Foods Markets.
Arlington, Va.: Submitting early - may not have time during the chat...
Despite some of the complaints you sometimes get during your chats I appreciate that you are accomodating to vegetarians in your food section as I have been one for over 10 years. For todays paper, I have a suggestion and observation.
Suggestion: you really need to put something in your Pan Bagnat a la Grecque that isn't more coleslaw. I'd suggest a white bean salad, perhaps with some additional feta (it is already in the coleslaw).
Observation: used to be that meat was used to refer to animal flesh of any sort (except by some to exclude fish) and now it seems to just refer to mammal meat. Not sure why, maybe Atkins? The dictionay definitions still say animal flesh (generally with a caveat for common usage). Anyhow, using the term "protein" instead, as you did, makes a recipe seem less about food, flavor, and pleasure. I find this is occuring more often and am a bit distressed about it. Happens wit "carbs" too. Sorry about the rant!
Bonnie: Arlington, we'll miss you. Chef David H. gives your input two snaps up. He says "that is a fine suggestion about the beans, but the cole slaw is really more of a vegetarian salad than a slaw. If I were just making the bagnats vegetarian, I would add more French beans, tomatoes, oilves and feta. Also, some of the German potato salad in the sandwich would be excellent."
I can attest: it is killer potato salad. That smoked paprika.
Vienna, Va.: Hi! I have 10 eggs sitting in the fridge. They are going to expire in a week. I don't care for eggs in any plain breakfast form, but I can't bear to waste these! Any suggestions as to how I can use them up? Thanks.
Candy: Angel food cake! It's light and wonderful (and fat-free!)and would be delicious with the strawberries that are coming into season right now. Best of all, it takes 9 egg whites.
Here's a good recipe from Mark Bittman's "How To Cook Everything"
1 cup cake flour, sifted (do not use all-purpose flour; cake flour is found in the baking aisle, usually sold in boxes)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar (a white powder that helps the egg whites get stiff during beating; sold in the baking aisle of most supermarkets or with the spices)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Sift together the flour and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Repeat.
Beat the eggw whites with a beater or in a standing mixer until foamy. Add the salt and cream of tartar and continue to beat until they hold soft peaks--the tops of the whites should droop a little bit when you remove the beaters. Beat in the remaining sugar and vanilla and almond extracts and continue to beat until the peaks become a little stiffer.
Gradually and gently fold in the flour mixture, using a rubber spatula, just until you can no longer see any streaks of flour. Turn the batter into an UNGREASED 9- or 10-inch tube pan (not one with ridged sides) and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or unti cake is firm and nicely browned.
Invert the cake pan onto a rack and let cool for about an hour. Slide a knife around the sides of the cake to release it from the pan; remove the cake from pan. Cool completely before slicing with a serrated knife (a regular knife will cause the cake to compress). Angel food cake is best the day it is made; although day-old slices are wonderful toasted.
Great Falls, Va.: Walter's article concerning Whole Foods was very disturbing. Whole Foods will no longer sell shell fish which has to be cleaned (killed) on site due to complaints from an unidentified source. Nevertheless, it will continue to sell frozen (previously killed) products. That is pure hypocrisy. Perhaps Whole Foods should get out of the business of selling all fish and meat products and rename it self as Some Foods. Who did the complaining, PETA?
Candy: Great Falls--It was not PETA, according to the company officials who talked to Walter, just some upset consumers who called and emailed.
Chantilly, Va.: Very interesting story about the 100-calorie snack packs today. What I'm wondering is, how do they stack up nutritionally? Yes, they're 100 cal., but what about fat?
Judith W.: You'd really have to examine each variety to sort that out. In the Ritz Chips pack I'm looking at, there are 3 grams of total fat,but the only ones accounted for are 1.5 grams polyunsaturated fat, and ,5 gram monounsaturated fat. Also 230 milligrams of sodium, and 17 grams total carbs. But here's the deal: these are processed foods designed to help you with your calorie count. If nutrition is a primary concern, I'd stick primarily with real foods, using these as an occasional snack rather than an everyday habit. But I'm sure these packs can be helpful to some people.
Whites & Roses w/Grilling?: Hi all. I'm normally a very competent wine & food pairer, but I always have trouble in the summer dealing with grilled food (from burgers to brats to steaks to shishkabob) and cold wines. Cold wines, of course, almost always have to be white or rose, because of how bitter tannins taste when cold. So what whites & roses work with those grilled smoky flavors, and the sweet/spicy barbeque rubs & sauces?
Candy: Our wine maven Ben Giliberti says there are many excellent reds that can be served chilled, so you don't have to use whites with red meat. The classic red chilled is Beaujolais Villages and the 2005 vintage will be appearing soon and it supposd to be one of the best ever. If you need it sooner, the 2004 is also really good. The main thing, don't serve it ice-cold. Take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving. Another red you might try is Dolcetto from Italy, which also does well chilled. As for the whites, you want one with a full body, like an Alsace Pinot Gris. Two very good ones are Hugel and Trimbach.
Bethesda, Md.: I made a recipe for stuffed bell peppers that called for "tomato puree". I wasn't sure if that meant tomato paste or sauce, so used tomato paste. It seemed too thick, so I thinked it out with beef broth, and the recipe turned out fine. Any idea what they meant?
Judith W.: Sauce. But you handled it just fine! You made sauce (sort-of).
Ashburn, Va.: I'm a devoted lurker, but am usually zipping up the Dulles Toll Road toward home when the forum is actually live. Hence, I'm submitting early.
To last week's poster who wanted a salmon recipe, my absolute favorite one was printed in the Post food section more than a decade ago -- October of 1995 to be exact.
SALMON BAKED WITH BRAZILIAN RUB (4 servings)
4 salmon fillets, 5 to 6 ounces each
1/2 large orange, zest and juice only
1/2 large lemon, juice only
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large garlic clove, minced
In a shallow dish large enough to hold the salmon, combine the juices salt and pepper. Add the salmon, turning to coat with the marinade. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes, turning the fillets once.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a shallow baking pan with aluminum foil and grease with a little of the melted butter.
In a small dish, combine the orange zest, brown sugar, chili powder and minced garlic. Rub the marinated salmon with the brown sugar mixture. Place in the pan and drizzle with the remaining melted butter.
Bake for 8 to 12 minutes.
Per serving: 327 calories, 10 gm carbohydrates, 107 mg cholesterol, 363 mg sodium, 33 gm protein, 17 gm fat, 5 gm saturated fat
The recipe can be varied. I alternate between orange, lemon and lime juice, or sometimes add a splash of vodka or Grand Marnier. Plus I usually use a combination of orange, lemon and lime zest for added color.
Now to my question. I planted my herb garden last weekend, and this year's batch includes pineapple sage, orange mint, lemon bergamot and scented, edible geraniums. Has anyone ever cooked with bergamot or edible geraniums? Are they more for salad? Thanks for any input!
Candy: Ashburn--Thanks so much for sending the salmon recipe. I can also attest to its popularity at my house. As for your edible flowers--they're best, visually and flavorwise, when fresh. Use them to garnish drinks or toss in salads, but no cooking source we found recommends cooking with them. Here's another cool idea--freeze them in ice cubes for summer drinks.
Sterling, Va.: I've been trying to incorporate more whole grains in my cooking. I found wheatberry at Balducci's, but don't know what to do with it other than make multi-grain salads. Any suggestions?
Judy H.: Dear Sterling, Hope this doesn't seem like just another multi-grain salad. I think it is delicious, although the wheat berries are easy to undercook.
Wheat Berry and Chickpea Salad With Olives and Feta Cheese
Here, the flavors of olives, artichokes, roasted red peppers and feta cheese transport me to a small, sunbaked taverna somewhere overlooking the Mediterranean. Give me a grilled fish and a pitcher of cold white wine, and I would be set.
Wheatberry is the whole grain of wheat, before it has been processed into bran, germ or flour. Some recipes call for soaking the berries before cooking. But I've never had any trouble cooking them in less than an hour in lightly salted water. They have a lightly nutty flavor and are pleasant to chew. They're also relatively inexpensive and readily available in bulk at Whole Foods and health food stores.
This dish can be made up to 3 days ahead without the feta cheese and refrigerated in an airtight container. Add the cheese just before serving.
1 cup (cooked or canned) drained and rinsed chickpeas (optional)
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup well-seasoned, oil-cured black olives (pits removed), coarsely chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped marinated artichokes, drained
1/2 cup coarsely chopped radicchio
1/2 cup coarsely chopped arugula
1/3 cup roasted red peppers, diced
10 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Bring a kettle of water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low so the water stays hot. Place the wheat berries in a small pan, adding a generous pinch of salt. Cover with hot water from the kettle to a depth of half an inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and cook gently, checking frequently and adding a splash or two of hot water as needed, up to a cup or so in total. The berries are done when all the water has been absorbed and the grains are plump and tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, if desired, feta cheese, olives, artichokes, radicchio, arugula, roasted peppers and tomatoes. Add the cooled wheat berries and stir to combine. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste, stirring to combine. Serve at room temperature.
Per serving: 199 calories, 8 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 13 g fat, 7 mg cholesterol, 2 g saturated fat, 262 mg sodium, 5 g dietary fiber
Recipe tested by Leigh Lambert; e-mail questions to food@washpost.com
Silver Spring, Md.: Posting early due to meeting. I would like to buy a kitchen scale and thought you might be a good resource for information on these. Do you have any preference on brands or necessary features? I'd like to keep this fairly inexpensive as I imagine it only being used to measure portions. I've seen some that are digital and analog, also some that will calculate nutritional information, but I don't really know what's good. Thanks for any advice!
Bonnie: Among us, we have digitals:
--The Soehlne scale that has a 5-year guaranteed battery.
--The Frieling scale has a "tare" function that cancels out the weight of a container.
--There's a Weigh of Life scale Rodman's may still carry that had nutritional information. We tested it last year and it worked. (Personally, the nutritional data seemed over the top/Too Much Info for me as the dumb operator.)
--And in the latest Fine Cooking mag, check out the scale with a bumper edge was featured -- something that would keep your rolling items from falling off.
Did all that spill over into the TMI category? You can always find deals/exceptions to the rule, but expect to spend up to $50 to get something of good quality that will last.
washingtonpost.com: Free Range on kitchen scales .
Washington, D.C.: My boyfriend remembers spargel in the spring from when he lived in Germany. I saw it in the grocery store and would like to make it for him, but I can't find many recipes. Can you help?
Judy H.: Dear Washington, Spargel has passed us by in the food section for the past 29 years. We've never run a recipe. Recipes for spargel, which for those of us who haven't lived in Germany is early white asparagus, are available on line, but we can't vouch for any. Chatters, any suggestions?
Philadelphia, Penn.: I love this chat! I've been reading it for weeks and would like some ideas from your chatters for an easy chicken curry recipe. My husband and I have been eating Indian food at our favorite restaurant, but I'd like to try making an easy dish at home.
Judith W.: We published this recipe a couple of years ago. It's delicious and genuinely easy. It was developed by Anoop and Sangeeta Mitra, and makes 2 to 3 servings.
1 black cardamom pod (may substitute green cardamom pod)
2 to 3 green cardamom pods
1 large red onion, peeled and minced
2 teaspoons peeled and minced ginger root
8-ounce can tomato sauce or 1 cup canned tomato puree
1/4 teaspoon paprika or deghi mirch* (optional)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
21/2 to 3 pounds chicken pieces, bone-in
Fresh cilantro sprigs (optional garnish)
Slivered fresh ginger root (optional garnish)
In a large, preferably nonstick, skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the cloves, cardamom, onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the ginger and cook for 1 more minute. Add the tomato sauce, mix well and cook, stirring occasionally, until the oil begins to separate, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the curry powder and the cayenne, if using, and cook for 1 minute.
Add salt and chicken and stir gently to coat them well with the tomato mixture. Add 1/4 cup of water and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally to evenly cook all the pieces, for 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the remaining 1 cup of water and mix well. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the curry to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to medium and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the curry begins to thicken slightly, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken. Sprinkle, if desired, with cilantro and ginger.
Serve with steamed basmati rice or Indian bread. (Or just plain white rice, if that's what you have).
NOTE: Deghi mirch is similar to paprika. It lends a fiery red color to foods without adding heat.
Fairfax, Va.: Do you have any ideas for making fresh peas other than the usual boil and toss with melted butter? I bought a couple pounds of them at my farmers market, but I'm tired of my old recipe.
Judy H.: Hi, Fairfax. I made them with pasta Sunday night and thought they were delicious. Two of my kids, however, thought the pasta dish needed a little more oomph, so they added a little vinaigrette.
Here's the recipe, from Deborah Madison: Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.
Linguine with Onions, Peas and Basil
1 red onion, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
1 1/2 pounds fresh peas, shucked
salt and freshly ground white pepper
8 ounces fresh or dried linquine
1/4 cup small basil leaves, plucked into piedes
Start hearing a large pot of water for the pasta. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a wide skillet. Add the onion and a few spoonfuls water and stew over low heat until the onions are soft, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the peas and cook until they're bright breen and tender, a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta in the bioling salted water, then scoop it out and add it to the peas, allowing a little water to fall into the pan. Add the basil and remaining butter, then toss with a large fork and spoon. Distribute the pasta among heated plates and go back for the peas that have stayed behind. Add a dusting of Parmesan to each plate.
Washington, D.C.: Sending this in early ...
I'm wondering if you or the chatters can tell me if there's a
kind of tomato I can grow in a container in my apartment
that will taste any good and also grow in sufficient
quantity that I won't need to spend $2 to $3 a pound at
the market anymore in order to make salad and sauces.
Also - if I can grow tomatoes indoors, is there a reason
not to, like bugs and insects that will get at them even if I
Judy H.: This is Adrian Higgins from the Home section. Tomatoes can only be grown indoors in a greenhouse or bright conservatory. They need a lot of light and even the sunniest room is far darker than the outdoors. You can buy patio varieties but why not get a full blown variety such as Better Boy. You can keep it contained by pinching out the suckers or water sprouts that appear in the crotch of the branches. It will need even watering and a little tomato food. Someone just wrote a book called the $64 tomato, which is what he figured it cost him to raise his own. Worth it though.
Reston, Va.: The article on 100 calorie snacks is interesting. I've tried them before, but I find that I'm almost left more hungry than I was before I ate them. Now, I try to keep regular-calorie snack food at my desk (ruling out the stuff that's too high), and work that into my overall consumption for the day.
And yes, chewing my way through a firm-fleshed apple leaves me way more satisfied than a 100 calorie snack bag, which just leaves me searching for more.
Judith W.: That's very interesting. And good for you--especially thinking of your intake for the entire day. I didn't quite have your experience when I've tried them--I didn't feel hungrier. But I did know I'd eaten something 'artificial' (which I guess goes for "real" packaged cookies and crackers too).
Silver Spring, Md.: OK-I finally got around to making the dinner in 35 Minutes from 2 weeks ago. It was a spicy pork stir fry served over noodles and garnished with cucumbers. The recipe called for a cup of soy sauce to be used in various aspects of the meal. I used Lite Soy Sauce and still couldn't finish my meal becuase it was so SALTY!!!! I had to throw the left-overs away! Was this a typo in the recipe? I was incredibly disappointed in a meal that sounded so good!
Marcia: No typo, Silver Spring, but perhaps you misread the recipe. It called for 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. No wonder yours tasted salty! I hope you give it another chance. It really is as good as it sounds.
Arboretum picnic: You are NOT allowed to picnic on the grass at the Arboretum - only at the picnic tables in the Grove of State Trees. When I was there last week, the guards were throwing out illegal picnic-ers. It seems irresponsible for the Post to run an article and a picture encouraging readers to break the rules and damage the grounds at one of Washington's great places. Thanks -
Bonnie: Aw, did we mention grass? The shoot was set up with Arboretum approval, but for the record, there are two officially sanctioned sites for picnics: the Grove of State Trees and the East Terrace of the Admin. Building.
(However, Sue Burgess at the Arboretum suggests that this weekend is not good for picnicking on the East Terrace because there will be a Bonsai Show -- hey! Red, Hot, and Blue will be selling food there. Not a bad idea to get BBQ there and take it to the grove for a picnic, though.)
We here at Pic-a-nic Central do not want to appear to promote or endorse the damaging the grounds at the Arboretum, of course. And certainly, alcoholic beverages are not permitted. But -- and this is just me talking --- 448 acres is a lot of territory to wander around in, and if a sandwich and fixin's were discreetly dispensed with by responsible parties, I would not be so offended as to make a citizen's arrest.
Snack attack: When the first urge hits, get a glass a water. When the second comes, get a big mug of herb tea - love peppermint! If and when I get a third craving, I break down and eat something.
Judith W.: I'm full of admiration! Wish I had your will power. And thanks.
Whole Foods: I plan to complain about the live yogurt cultures being forced to live in a tub of plastic. Free the bacteria!
Judy H.: Dear Whole, Maybe start a campaign!
Washington, D.C. - seafood cruelty: I was taken aback by Whole Food's decision to stop selling live seafood due to complaints from (presumably) PETA activists. How many complaints were received and why did they buckle to people who would give shellfish the right to vote? Let's face it, someone has to kill live creatures and then we eat them. My grandmother killed her own fowl with an ax over a tree stump. C'mon Whole Foods, get a backbone!
Judy H.: Not sure how many complaints they received, but they said they were from individuals, not groups.
tomato sauce : I need that tomato sauce recipoe again. I threw it away because I didn't think my wife liked it. It was a long recipe with about ten pounds of plum tomatoes and carrots to sweeten it. I believ the author is a woman maybe Italian. I think it ran last year.
Judy H.: Dear tomato sauce. Voila!
MaryLynn Haase spends all day making a batch of her sauce. This version, for a smaller amount, takes a mere three to six hours to make. Haase says it took her more than 20 years to get the recipe right.
10 pounds Roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded* and chopped (may substitute heirloom or so-called "overripes" sold at farmers markets)
4-6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion (about 1 cup)
3/4 to 1 cup chopped celery
3/4 to 1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11/2 tablespoons light brown sugar, or to taste
1/2 to 3/4 cup red wine
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
In a large pot on medium heat, cook the peeled and seeded tomato pulp, stirring frequently, until it reaches a thick, pureed consistency, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. (If put through a tomato squeezer, as mentioned in the story, the tomatoes will take 2 hours to reach the desired consistency, as they retain more water than when processed by hand.)
Meanwhile, in a large pot on medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes or until it is golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it. Add the celery, carrots and bell pepper and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour the tomato puree into the pot with vegetables. Add the salt to taste, pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, bay leaf, thyme and the crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Adjust the heat to medium-low or keep at a slow simmer and cook for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary; add the light brown sugar in teaspoon increments, stirring and tasting after 10 minutes each time so that the flavors can meld.
Cook the sauce uncovered for 2 to 3 hours at a slow simmer, tasting and stirring every 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings as necessary.
About 30 minutes before serving or preparing to can this sauce, add the red wine, parsley and basil, being careful not to overcook the last 3 ingredients as they may turn bitter. At this point, the sauce is ready to serve or store as needed.
Per 1 cup serving: 86 calories, 2 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates, 4 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g saturated fat, 376 mg sodium, 3 g dietary fiber
Recipe tested by Judith M. Havemann; e-mail questions to food@washpost.com
*NOTE: To peel and seed tomatoes, score the bottom of each one with an X and remove the stem, cutting only the skin and not into the meat of the tomato. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and have ready a bowl of ice water. When the water boils, add the tomatoes and remove after 15 seconds with a skimmer or slotted spoon. Immediately plunge into the ice water to stop the cooking. When cool, drain on a perforated rack or in a colander. Peel away the skin from each tomato and discard. Cut the tomatoes into halves. Remove the seeds.
Tomato squeezers perform this task faster, but the tomatoes retain more water. Squeezers are available at Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table stores for about $30.
Tel Aviv, Israel: Last night, I had a fantastic cafe meal at Comme il Faut, near the Tel Aviv port, with buckwheat, shitake mushrooms, sauteed greens, and sour cream. I'm hooked. What else can one do with buckwheat, and what are the basic prep steps? Thanks!
Candy: Welcome Tel Aviv! Buckwheat, known as kasha when roasted, is commonly used as a hot breakfast cereal or in multi-grain pancakes. But you probably want a nonbreakfast dish. This salad with smoked mozzarella is terrific.
KASHA SALAD WITH SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND CUMIN
Buckwheat has a rich, nutty, earthy flavor that is absolutely unique.
In this recipe, the groats are dry-roasted with egg to keep them fluffy and separate. Adapted from a Steven Raichlen recipe.
3 ounces smoked mozzarella or other smoked cheese
1 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 small yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 small green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 to 3 scallions, both white and light green parts, finely chopped
1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley (1/2 cup), coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Wash the buckwheat groats under cold running water, then drain and blot dry. Combine the egg and groats in a saucepan and cook over high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the individual grains are dry. Add the onion, bay leaf, salt and 3 cups hot water and bring the groats to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the buckwheat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until tender but not mushy. Rinse the groats under cold running water and drain in a colander. Discard the onion quarters and bay leaf.
When the groats are completely cool, combine all the ingredients for the salad in a large bowl and toss. Correct the seasoning, adding salt, pepper, vinegar or cumin seeds to taste.
Arlington, Va.: Regarding favorite picnic recipes and strategies: One of my favorite foods to bring along on a picnic is pan bagna, or pressed sandwiches. I like buying a loaf of ciabatta (Trader Joe's sells good ciabatta now) and stuffing it with Italian cold cuts and cheese, marinated peppers, onions, etc. The great thing about the sandwiches is ease of transport -- since they're supposed to be wrapped in plastic and then "pressed," they work perfectly in the bottom of a picnic basket with everything else on top. To serve with the pan bagna, I usually opt for easy sides that can sit out for a while without risk of spoilage, such as marinated olives, cheeses, and other antipasto -- most of which don't require any cutlery. Paired with a nice Italian vino, it's a wonderful picnic and quick and easy to assemble.
Judy H.: Sounds great, Arlington. Thanks.
Baking question: I loved the story about the grandma's cake. I'd like to try making it, but I'm wondering--is heavy cream the same as whipping cream? In my market, they have something called "heavy cream" and something called "whipping cream." What's the diff?
Most of the whipping cream that is sold at supermarkets is light whipping cream, which contains 30 to 36 percent milk fat. Heavy cream is whipping cream with 36 to 40 percent milk fat.
Bethesda, Md.: Quick question. I purchased some white miso for a salmon dish. I have had it for a couple of months. How long does it keep?
Candy: Bethesda--I'd bet that miso has gone south by now. You need to chuck it. Miso can keep refrigerated, in an airtight container, after it's opened for a week or so.
Washington, D.C.: I joined Weight Watchers almost 6 years ago, lost 30 pounds and kept it off. Part of how this worked for me is by keeping portions small of that bad-for-you food I love: chocolate! I eat chocolate almost every day. The way I do it is by having one small York peppemint pattie or two Hershey's kisses. It hits the spot with my sweet tooth and it keeps me slim!
Judith W.: Your self-control is very impressive. Congratulations on keeping the weight off! And if the mints and the kisses satisfy your cravings, and you can keep to those limited amounts, that's just great.
Washington, D.C.: Hey, Candy. David H. here about the expiring eggs. Funny, I confronted the same issue the other day and made ice cream from the ten yolks and threw to whites out. Angel food cake/ice cream...10 whites/10 yolks! And ten pounds.
Candy: David, we need to get you together with the angel food chatter and you guys can throw a dessert party.
Boston, Mass.: I made a wonderful picnic last year with a new friend. We drove to a local, organic farm and picked up anything that struck our eye, then went home and made a roasted corn salad with basil and feta, roasted red pepper spread, baba ganoush, and mint ice tea (fresh mint leaves and green tea). Then we stuck everything in a basket, bought a baguette, and went to see a free Shakespeare performance in Boston Common. Definitely a picnic to remember.
Judy H.: Lucky you. Pretty nice day. Picking out vegetables. Making great food. Seeing free Shakespeare. Eating great food.
Maryland: Does alligator taste like crocodile?
Marcia: We're stumped, but for a good reason. It's not just that we've never eaten alligator, but that crocodile, in this country at least, is endangered and so it's illegal to kill it or sell it. So you're going to have a tough time finding anyone who has tasted crocodile. (Chatters, have any of you had it in some other country? Let us know what it tastes like.) We consulted Tom Fitzmorris, a New Orleans restaurant reviewer and radio talk-show host, who surmised that the taste of crocodile and alligator would be pretty similar because they are so closely related. Alligator, he says, has a mild flavor similar to veal.
Orange Park, Fl.: Here's the deal: fiance got a bunch of fresh veggies from a friend's farm - squash, red potatoes, and snap peas. I'm excited to make something with them, but he comes from a long line of country cooks ("my mom always just put the potatoes in the pot to cook with the beans and butter" or something like that) and I am hoping to be able to cook the veggies MY way, or at least different from the future mom-in-law. (Who wants to venture into that territory!?) Any suggestions for some methods of cooking, some recipes, that would make for some veggies yummy enough for the fiance to forget they weren't boiled in a pot?
Judith W.: You might never be able to make his forget his mother's cooking. And speaking as a mother myself, I think that's just fine.
However, he'd probably like this recipe from Bon Appetit, August 2002. (And if you want to use the squash too, first slice them, place them on paper towels and salt them to draw out some of the water. Then steam them lightly, cool and dry them, and add them to the salad after you mix in the green beans).:
RED POTATO AND GREEN BEAN SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE
This lovely side can be made a day ahead.
8 ounces green beans, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
3 pounds small red-skinned potatoes, unpeeled, halved
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon coarse-grained Dijon mustard
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Cook beans in large saucepan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 4 minutes. Drain. Transfer to bowl of ice water. Drain; pat dry with paper towels.
Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 12 minutes. Drain; transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle vermouth over hot potatoes; toss gently and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk vinegar, shallot, and mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour over potatoes and toss to coat. Cool completely. Mix in green beans and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Serve cold or at room temperature.
Raleigh, N.C.: I'm rather surprised by the venom of the readers who do not agree with the decision of Whole Foods to not sell live softshells or live lobsters. I genuinely wonder how many of them regularly shop at Whole Foods. I am not a regular shopper there myself, but do go occasionally when I cannot find something at my local natural foods co-op. If the readers were regular Whole Foods shoppers, they would realize it's extremely unlikely that chickens sold there were raised in 10x13 boxes that one writer stated. Yes, Whole Foods is the Starbucks of the natural foods industry. But they do attract a clientle that would potentially be bothered by viewing the live kills of seafood. But, really, folks, if you don't like it, don't shop there! It's as simple as that. And if you don't shop there, don't complain about actions that have absolutely no effect on your life!
Judy H.: View from Raleigh, thanks.
100 cal snacks: I have got two apples on my desk for the late afternoon snack run. I'm lazy and would rather eat something that's already there than go to the vending machine across the building. So, if I plan ahead, I can resist!
In a previous weight watchers incarnation I made a habit of buying normal snacks and separating them out into single serving plastic bags. If there's only one available to eat, then that's all I got to eat. Doesn't help if you're at home with the whole shebang though... I definitely sympathize with all who struggle with portion control when faced with the whole container. I struggle with it every day.
Judith W.: Yup, it's a permanent struggle for most people. I'm impressed by your planning and happy that the apples do it for you. Actually I find, they sort-of do, but it's more satisfying if I cut the apples into small slices. I guess that's the idea--to figure out what works for you.
Washington, D.C.: re: soft shells. Most of the crabs I know seem to have no feelings.
Candy: How do you know? I'm picturing a crab psychologist right now....
Miso: Any ideas on what to do with leftover miso before it goes bad? I've got a bag left and I'd rather not chuck it. (Vegetarian ideas preffered)
Candy: Hey chatters, any suggestions? The following recipes are a couple of suggestions.
In this low-calorie, versatile vinaigrette, miso replaces both oil and salt.
Drizzle it over tender young lettuces, steamed asparagus or a salad of cooked chicken on sliced avocado.
From Nigella Lawson's "How to Eat" (John Wiley & Sons, 2002).
1 teaspoon light or yellow miso
1/2 to 1 teaspoon coarse-grain mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey, or to taste
Juice from 1 orange (about 4 tablespoons)
In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients.
Per serving: 53 calories, 1 gm protein, 12 gm carbohydrates, trace fat, 0 mg cholesterol, trace saturated fat, 249 mg sodium, trace dietary fiber
Wilted Greens With Miso-Tamarind Sauce
Miso lends a barely perceptible but tangible savory flavor to this robust, bitter warm salad dressing. The dressing has a more substantial flavor and texture than a vinaigrette and can stand up to hearty greens.
Adapted from "The Bold Vegetarian Chef" by Ken Charney (Wiley & Sons, 2003).
Several handfuls of baby spinach, watercress or mizuna leaves or 1 head hearty bitter greens, such as radicchio or endive, cleaned and very coarsely chopped
1 firm but not hard pear, preferably Bosc
1 teaspoon red or barley miso
1 teaspoon tamarind paste or concentrate
1 clove garlic, crushed and finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1/4 cup water or vegetable stock
Rinse the greens and, if necessary, coarsely chop the leaves. Place in a large bowl; set aside.
Cut the pear into quarters and remove and discard the stem and core. Cut each quarter lengthwise into 2 or 3 slices.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the pear slices and cook, stirring only occasionally, until browned on both sides, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off any oil or juices in the skillet.
In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, miso, tamarind, garlic, ginger and water or stock and whisk until smooth. Pour it into the skillet and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring, until the dressing begins to thicken, 1 to 2 minutes.
Immediately pour the hot dressing over the greens and toss gently until they are well coated and slightly wilted. Working quickly, divide the greens among individual plates and top each salad with a few pear slices. Serve immediately.
*NOTE: Tamarind paste is the sweet-tart concentrated fruit of the tamarind pod that is sold in bricks of compressed paste. Do not substitute tamarind juice.
Per serving (based on 4): 104 calories, 1 gm protein, 10 gm carbohydrates, 7 gm fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 gm saturated fat, 124 mg sodium, 2 gm dietary fiber
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: I finally got around to reading last week's food section this morning and saw the tease that you'd be posting reader favorites for Peruvian chicken rotisserie places today. Don't keep me waiting! I have to know where Crisp N Juicy stands!
Judy H.: Dear Georgetown, Here it is, from page three today, Readers Respond:
Last week, as part of our "High on Peru" coverage, we asked readers to let us know about their favorite Peruvian-style chicken restaurants in the Washington area and beyond.
We received accolades for the aromas and herb flavors of establishments from El Pollo Sabroso in Mount Pleasant to Margarita Colonial Beach on the Virginia shore. The most popular spots: Super Chicken and Edy's Chicken & Steak, both in Falls Church; El Pollo Rico in Arlington (other locations in Springfield and Wheaton); Junior's Chicken in Gaithersburg; and Crisp & Juicy locations in Arlington, Rockville and Silver Spring.
Curry cheat: Buy one of the sauces from Trader Joes. Then dress it up w/some fresh spices or herbs, and spend your time worrying about cooking the chicken and vegetables just right.
Judith W.: Interesting. Thanks for the suggestion. Which sauces in particular do you like? And when do you add it?
Arlington, Va.: I really liked the tip about using frozen lemonade ice cubes to keep ice tea cold and keep it from becoming diluted. What about making ice cubes from iced tea? Wouldn't that work too?
Bonnie: You betcha. Might have been kinda hard to tell from the photos, but the lemon juice and passion fruit ice cubes provided a kind of tequila sunrise visual effect in the picnic iced tea. Just an alcohol reference, no actual alcohol was used in the making of those drinks or in this answer!
Washington, D.C.: Hi everyone. I am a real connoisseur of jams, jellies, preserves, etc. What do you think are the best available (short of homemade, of course) and where? Many thanks!
Candy: Chatters? Personally, I am a big fan of Dickinson's--in particular their black raspberry preserves. They are awesome. And just recently, the company started making all-fruit preserves, sweetened with fruit syrup instead of sugar or corn syrup. They also have an organic line. They're available in most supermarkets--I've found them in Giant and Harris Teeter.
Weight Watcher again: Well, the second part to my self control is that I can't keep those chocolates in my house or at my desk at work. Another staff member keeps a candy bowl, which I contribute to, but it does mean I have to walk all the way to the other end of the office to get my chocolate! If they were in my desk, I'd be eating those York peppermint patties all day!
Judy H.: Dear Weight, I wondered how you kept from eating more York pepperment patties.
Washington, D.C.: I like the convenience of the 100-calorie packs, and I know I certainly have trouble stopping when there's an open bag of cookies, crackers, or chips in front of me. But I would urge people to look into figuring out their own 100-calorie snacks in addition to what you can get pre-packaged. Like you guys recommended, but in addition, make sure there's some protein in your snack. String cheese is great, and peanut butter in celery is a perfect snack IF you don't go overboard on the peanut butter. Put a little bit of cheese on a couple of Triscuits and take that to work. These nibbles will stick with you better, and for the same number of calories.
Judith W.: You've definitely focused on the central problem. If you're not attracted to a particular "healthy" food, it won't satisfy you. The protein idea is helpful too--that kind of snack does seem to stay with you longer.
Baltimore, Md.: I used to live in Bavaria and eagerly anticipated Spargel season every spring! Though not a recipe, I recall one dish in particular that had lovely tender spargel covered with thin slices of ham and cheese and baked in a shallow, oval dish. Don't recall a sauce...perhaps there was butter involved? Come to think of it, there was always butter involved with Spargel. Thanks for the memories.
Judy H.: Thank you Balimore, some German websites seem to mention white sauces, which are made with liquid from cooking the asparagus. When I think of what the asparagus water looks like when I remove the asparagus, does not sound appealing to me. I think you are right about the butter.
Washington, D.C.: For snacks, I always pack them in the tiniest little rubbermaid container I have. Then it looks like you're getting a huge helping, when it's really just a small amount of trail mix. If I had a big bag of chips I'd eat half of it. But just a few in a tupperware container, and I'm satisfied.
Bonnie: Way to go, DC. You receive extra credit for managing to hang on to your small Tupperware containers and lids. Somehow, they go the way of single socks at my house.
Arlington, Va.: Re: portion control. I find that the most effective strategy for portion control is immediately portioning my food (whether it's homemade or store bought). For instance, if I make pasta, before my husband and I start eating, I'll put the extra in tupperware containers so we're not tempted to go for seconds. Same with cookies, brownies, etc. It's not foolproof of course (shamefully, we've both opened the tupperware containers before to get seconds!) but nine times out of ten, it works, and that's the whole point.
Judy H.: Dear Arlington, I fear I might be snapping off those Tupperware lids at a rapid pace. Thanks for writing.
re: 100 cal snack foods: Fruit. Banana, Apple. Orange.
Judy H.: Dear 100, we know, but do we heed!
Washington, D.C.: I bought some beautiful (but expensive) ramps at the Dupont farmer's market this past weekend. What shall I cook with them? I'm a vegetarian.
Ideas would be most welcome! Thanks much.
Candy: Ramps are wild leeks (or wild onions) with an assertive garlicky-onion flavor. You can substitute them for any recipe that calls for leeks or onions or scallions. This one, from Gourmet magazine, would be a good vegetarian dish. You could also use them in a delicious omelet with some wild mushrooms.
Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
Trim roots from ramps and slip off outer skin on bulbs if loose. Blanch ramps in a 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, 2 to 3 seconds, and transfer to a cutting board with tongs. Coarsely chop ramps and put in a blender with zest and oil.
Add spaghetti to boiling water and cook a few minutes, then ladle out 1/2 cup pasta water and add to blender. Puree ramps until smooth and season with salt. Continue to cook spaghetti until al dente, then ladle out about 1 cup additional pasta water before draining spaghetti in a colander. Return pasta to pot with ramp puree and toss with parmesan over moderate heat 1 to 2 minutes, thinning sauce with a little pasta water as needed to coat pasta.
Washington, D.C.: I've been buying apples for months and just got a note from the farmer I buy from at the farmer's market that apples are almost done for the year. What should I pack in my lunches instead that isn't citrus fruit? (Peeling tangerines makes a mess at my desk.) Need that bulky low-calorie zing!
Bonnie: Would you be willing to continue your affaire de pomme with applesauce? Many of those packaged cups are 50 cals apiece.
A chatter mentioned jicama today, which might give you that equally satisfactory crunch.
Judy H.: Dear Washington, Maybe your farmer means that his apples from last year's harvest are almost gone. Might he have a whole new crop starting in August if he planted any early apples???
Athens, Geo. : When it comes to healthy snacking, I usually prefer to have a more substantial portion of something healthy than a smaller portion of something not so healthy (ie 100 calorie snack packs). To help satisfy my munchies, especially in the mid to late afternoon when the workday seems to drone on and on, I like to pack any of the following into my lunch as a snack and most if not all are right around 100 calories, give or take a few:
Small container of fresh cut fruit, whatever is in season
1 cup sliced jicama, seedless cucumber, or carrots with 2 tablespoons of hummus
1 to 2 cups sliced strawberries tossed with tablespoon of balsamic vinegar just before snacking
2-3 Bibb lettuce leaves, used to wrap up 1-2 ounces of lunch meat, toped with mustard from a to-go packet
Celery sticks with 2 tablespoons reduced fat veggie cream cheese
2 graham crackers sandwiched with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter
Unbuttered popcorn (Newman's & Healthy Choice are both good brands that has only 15 calories per cup, allows for snacking on several servings)
Cut cantaloupe sprinkled with fresh mint
Bõp 1% cottage cheese, topped with seasonings.
To aid in portion control, I bought 2 dozen or so small (2 tablespoon capacity) plastic containers with pop-top lids that are reusable. So I just fill these little containers with hummus, peanut butter, vinegar or whatever and off I go. To-go condiment packets are great too. All these snacks help me to me fuller longer and tastes much better to me than anything from a vacuumed pouch.
Judith W.: Terrific suggestions! Sure they take advance planning, but eating healthfully generally does. Isn't jicama great--so sweet and crisp. And balsamic vinegar on strawberries is a wonderful idea. Thanks for all of them.
Kentlands, Md.: The premise of 100 calorie snacks is a good marketing idea, but are they really a sound food choice. As I see it, these packs are merely filled with empty calories, which don't do a body much good. I'm also curious how many of these are being eaten in multiple quantities or being given to our children, establishing poor eating habits.
How to tackle the snack cravings and junk foods? Simple - don't have them in the house. We all know they're bad but we still choose to put them in our shopping cart, then proceed to eat half the bag when we're sitting in front of the TV.
Second choice, if you have to like a small snack, have something healthier on hand that can be eaten in very small portions, like turkey jerky or trail mix. Usually we want something to eat to satisfy a psychological need for food, not because we're actually hungry. Fruits like strawberries, mangoes and grapes do wonders to satisfy cravings for sweets.
Judith W.: You guys are great. Great to have these suggestions and concerns. The multiple quantify problem is a real one. Self-control has to be there somewhere.
I like trail mix too, and mixes of raisins and nuts--especially at airports. But if I don't bag them or put them in small containers, I'm in trouble.
Washington, D.C.: Picnic strategy: pre-cut everything at home. Can't tell you how many perfectly nice hunks of cheese I've ruined (okay, not ruined, but eaten in suboptimal conditions) by not having a knife to slice it off before I slap it onto a piece of baguette with proscuitto. And having a sharp knife in your bag is dangerous, plus it gets all yucky with cheeseness. Cut it beforehand, that's the easiest answer.
Candy: Absolutely. By the time everyone's at the picnic, there should be little if any prep work.
Washington, D.C.: My picnic tip is to stick with recipes you know are tried-and-true. Much like a dinner party for your husband's boss, picnics are not the time to try something tricky. Make your favorite pasta salad, brownies, muffaletta, whatever. But don't risk something that might fail, or spoil, or not keep well because you haven't tried it before.
(Note: this comes from a big mistake I made once with a white bean salad I took to a picnic -- misread the recipe and put in raw garlic instead of cooked. It was pretty much inedible, and by the time we figured it out, we were miles from other food!)
Judy H.: Thank you Washington. Good advice. Been there.
ice cubes: Your ice tea reminded me of something I've done -- buy frozen mango chunks from Trader Joe's and use them in lieu of ice cubes in mixed drinks. Actually, on lazy days I'd just pour a little rum over them and let them settle, very yummy.
Judy H.: Thanks, ice cubes.
Washington, D.C.: A great picnic dish, as it is good served at room temperature -- saute/roast/poach some chicken breasts (or thighs) and cut into bite sized pieces; set aside. In a skillet, heat a tiny bit of olive oil, toss in 2-inch lengths of asparagus, a few glugs of low sodium soy sauce, and some cashews. (Amounts depend on how many you want to serve, of course.) Cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken and toss to coat. Pack it all into a picnic container and enjoy. Yum.
Birthday bash: Hi foodies. I'm submitting early but need your help. I'm having 20 second-graders over for a birthday party next week. Some of the kids are lactose-intolerant, and one of the moms coming to help is a vegan. Do you have any cupcake or cake recipes that would work with this crowd?
Leigh: Here is a vegan recipe for Banana Cupcakes from the new "The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook," by Christine Fusillo.
3 teaspoons Ener-G Egg Replacer, mixed with 4 tablespoons enriched rice or oat milk
1/2 cup enriched rice or oat milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with 12 liners. Combine safflower oil and honey in a large bowl. Beat until smooth. Add egg replacer, banana and vanilla extract. Combine spelt flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Alternating, add flour mixture and rice/oat milk to bowl. Beat until fully mixed. Pour into muffin pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cupckaes are done when they turn golden brown on top and bounce back when pressed. Let cool well before removing from pan. Loosen with a knife if necessary. Eat plain or dust with confectioner's sugar.
Gaithersburg, Md.: Reading the nutritional panel is truly enlightening when it comes to snacks and food consumption. I try to read the panel and gauge a proper portion size. In most cases, I'm surprised at what constitutes a portion and this simple step really helps to control the calories. Many packages that look like one serving may actually be two or three.
Judy H.: I totally agree, Gaithersburg. For example a serving of fruit juice is often 1/3 of a cup. Some people would call that a swallow, not a serving .
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.: Are the pansies from my patio edible? my sister in-law claims they are, b/c she's seen them in the produce section of the grocery. i maintain that those are a different, special breed. am i wrong? can i eat my pansies?
Candy: We checked The Food Lover's Companion and it warns that not all flowers are edible. The safest thing to do is not to start munching your patio pansies. The edible pansies sold in markets haven't been sprayed with pesticides or otherwise treated with chemicals.
travel food: Does anyone out there have good ideas for, well, travel food? A meal that could be taken on a bus or train, that doesn't need to be refrigerated, tastes good, and isn't too messy to eat?
Bonnie: Check out the chatter on Sally Squires' LPC yesterday. (Link will follow). Covered lotsa options.
washingtonpost.com: Lean Plate Club discussion .
Compromising and Cajoling: Hi Foodies,
I'm sharing a house with some wonderful people who seriously overcook their vegetables. Eg, steaming asparagus until it's not just limp but somewhat grey, steaming spinach or kale for "only" 20 minutes. Takes a lot of the flavor out, and certainly makes the texture mushier.
When I cook, there are askance looks at the veggies and less gets eaten.
Got any great ideas for sharing meals with folks who have radically different approaches to veggies? (We do pretty well with main dishes.) I don't want to be insulting (no thanks, I'll cook my own) and I don't want to eat mushy flavorless veggies, or to foist on them things they may not like either.
So help me out here, what are some good compromises or ways to cajol folks into a broader range of options?
Candy: People often eat vegetables that have been stir-fried in Chinese food and not cooked to death. You might consider trying a simple stir-fry. Or pasta with small pieces of properly cooked veggies. Or just give up and serve them nice big salads!
Silver Spring, Md.: Hi there,
We had a delicious dinner at Restaurant Eve the other day. We ordered their cucumber margarita and it came with a startling spice around the rim. It was delicious and the waiter told us it was a South American spice (I can't remember the name) it was a mixture of dried lime peel, salt, chilies and sugar. I think those are the ingrediants. Does anyone know this spice mix? Its name? Where to find it? Thanks
Judy H.: Dear Silver, Ronnie, the service director at Restaurant Eve, says the spice is acirrico, from Mexico. He thinks it is available at Todo's Market in Alexandria, but you might want to call first to be sure.
Spargel: I was in Germany last year during Spargel season, it is HUGE over there. We had some almost every day for two weeks. The best dish was spears (each) wrapped in a thin slice of ham and covered in a white sauce and broiled with breadcrumbs and cheese on top. Alles gut! Don't forget the beer... I'll bet Old Europe restaurant probably has something on for Spargel season.
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: Do you know of any decent butchers in the area? Other than what i see at the grocery stores, i don't know of anyone in the metro area who just cuts meat. I have a car and am willing to drive a certain distance, but i am not looking for a 2 hour round trip excursion. Thanks.
Candy: Dupont Circle: THere's the Organic Butcher in McLean. But Wagshal's in Spring Valley is more in your neighborhood and the father and son who run it know lots about custom butchering beef.
Moroccan food question: Hi Food Section Staff!
I am not a big fan of eggs or quiche, but the write-ups about Bisteeya/Bistilla at Moroccan restaurants sound intriguing. I perused a few recipes and it looks like it calls for a bunch of eggs. Was wondering if the eggs in the dish are more comparable to a quiche or a casserole? Was thinking of celebrating a special occasion at a Moroccan restaurant, but not if the dish everyone loves is quiche-like!
Marcia: We looked up some Bisteeya/Bistilla recipes (also spelled B'steeya and Pastilla). All of them used eggs (and chicken, cinnamon and sugar), though none characterized it as a quiche. Here's how Hassan M'Souli describes it in "Moroccan Modern" (he favors the Bastilla spelling): "A traditional savory/sweet pastry, regarded as the crowning dish of Moroccan cuiusine. Bastilla is served to newlyweds the morning after their wedding night to symbolize their family's wish that life together should be as sweet as this dish. It is made in three layers, comprising shredded pigeon (we used chicken), glazed onions and almond, and creamy egg with orange blossom water. These are enclosed in, and separated by, layers of very thin pastry called warka. Filo can be used as a substitute. When cooked, Bastilla is dusted heavily with cinnamon and icing sugar. This dish truly is a labor of love, time-consuming but with worthwhile results."
I get major oreo with milk cravings around that time of the month. The snack packs are a great alternative to me devouring the regular package of oreos.
Judith W.: A satisfied customer! Glad they work for you.
TJ Sauce follow-up: They have 4 good indian sauces, but Masala is my favorite. Saute chicken, onion, & any hard veggies (eg carrots) for about 5-10 minutes. Add the jar of sauce and a little water or stock, stir to combine. Then add the softer veggies & legumes (parsnip, broccoli, chickpeas, whatever) and simmer another 15 minutes or so until everything is blended together. Fresh herbs go in at the end, dried herbs & spices go in with the soft veggies.
Judy H.: Thank you TJ Sauce.
Washington, D.C.: You guys may have an answer to this after the recent Peruvian food feature. I bought some aji amarillo paste to make aji de gallina, but have two problems: now I can't find a good recipe for aji de gallina that actually calls for paste instead of powder, and even after that I'll still have a ton left. Can you help with one or both of these? (If your Peruvian food adventures didn't familiarize you with aji amarillo, t's a medium hot yellow pepper paste in a jar.)
Bonnie: We are Walter-less today (not dragged off by soft-shell crabby people, but on assignment), but I bet he'd be happy to advise on your ajis if you send your request to food@washpost.com.
Silver Spring, Md.: Hi there. I really enjoyed the article on the snack packs, but had to laugh because my husband and I already do this! As soon as we get that bag of Oreos home, we are dividing them into "servings" and putting them into little ziploc bags for lunches and just sudden cravings. It works really well for us (except sometime Goldfish crackers can be tedious to count!). I did have to laugh at the cost of these packags, but it made me feel better to know how much we're saving doing it on our own.
Judith W.: You two are adorable. And patient. And sensible--these things are fairly expensive. Funny about the Goldfish.
Harpers Ferry, WV: For the snack attack - It hits the worst at the office mid afternoon. I usually pack a small salad loaded w/veggies & some lo-cal dressing. Even if it seems like nothing but rabbit food, psychologically, my body is tricked into thinking it just had a meal. Or, for a sugar fix, I've recently discovered Quaker Oats "Breakfast Cookies": 5 GRAMS OF FIBER and fairly lo-fat.
Judy H.: Thank you Harpers. Better than going to the cafeteria and getting a cookie, which some unnamed food editors have been known to do.
White Oak, Md.: as for the crab situation, I'm curious to know how the numbers compare: whining about killing the crabs vs. whining about not having the crabs.
Judy H.: Maybe we should do a chart!
Crab related story: Complain about Whole Foods all you want, but this isn't restricted to supermarkets. I once chatted with a zookeeper who said they changed from giving the tigers whole horse legs, bone included, because it made the parents squeamish about explaining the food situation to their kids.
So they switched to chunks of meat, and the tigers, without bones to rip meat off of, got nervious habits and chewed the hair right off their tails. Eventually the zookeepers hid the meat in the cage to let the tigers have another distraction.
Some people are just that way. Generally, it's not the vegetarians (I am one - and I didn't complain).
Judy H.: Dear Crab related. Interesting zoo story. Thanks.
Washington, D.C.: Do you guys have any thoughts about the Art Institute of Washington's culinary program? Their diploma program is convenient, both location- and schedule-wise, for me with my current work. But I'd like to get some unbiased opinion about the school before submitting my application.
Judy H.: We have not attended their courses. Anybody out there with first hand experience?
The Woodner, D.C.: Hi, love the chats! My girlfriend and I are having a cooking date this evening that will include mahi mahi (we get it frozen from Trader Joes) and cheap champagne to drink (though I'll drink champagne with just about anything). Any thoughts on a recipe for us? Thanks for helping the romance!
Candy: This is a fabulous recipe from one of our photographers that ran in the section recently. Hope you like it (and drink some champagne for me, too.)
This recipe is adapted from "The Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cookbook" (Ten Speed Press, 2003). It will come as no surprise that the book suggests pairing it with Cakebread Cellars sauvignon blanc or rubaiyat. I have to agree. Serve with a simple green salad.
1 clove garlic, mashed to a paste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus additional for seasoning the fish
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds skinless mahi-mahi fillets, 1-inch thick (may substitute sea bass or albacore tuna fillets)
1 papaya (about a pound), peeled, seeded and diced (may substitute diced pineapple)
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1 teaspoon seeded and finely minced serrano chili pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest
In a large nonreactive bowl, add the orange and lemon juices, achiote paste, garlic, chili powder, the 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of cayenne, or to taste, and mix well. Whisk in the olive oil.
Place the fillets in a shallow bowl or on a plate and pour the marinade over the fish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the papaya, onion, cilantro, serrano chili pepper, lime zest and juice and a pinch of salt. Stir and set aside.
If using a gas grill, preheat on medium-high, depending on your grill, then reduce heat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, start the charcoal or wood briquettes. When the briquettes are ready, distribute them evenly under the cooking area for direct heat.
Grill the fish, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to individual plates, and spoon the salsa over it. Serve immediately.
*NOTE: Achiote (ah-chee-OH-tay) paste, made from the seeds of the annatto tree, is available in some larger grocery stores and in Latin American markets.
Per serving: 219 calories, 29 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates, 8 g fat, 110 mg cholesterol, 1 g saturated fat, 296 mg sodium, 1 g dietary fiber
Judith W.: Thanks for all your suggestions folks. Today's winners are: the Athens Georgia chatter with the wonderful list of snacks, and the Silver Spring couple who divide up the snacks. Please send your names and addresses to food@washpost.com. And tune in next week for a our hot dog tasting and some terrific recipes from Farmer John Peterson.
Landover, Md.: I use a lot of cake mixes and improvise on the recipes to suit my tastes. I am amazed at how people swear my cakes are homemade - "made from scratch". Is there a decided difference in the taste between the box mix and "From scratch" and what is the biggest difference?
Judy H.: You may have read our "fake it" story last week, in which David Hagedorn showed how to take prepared foods from grocery stores and make them taste homemade. Personally, I think cakes from boxes taste less moist and more synthetic than most cakes from scratch, but a really good frosting can make a huge difference on any cake.
Washington, D.C.: Settle a question for us. How long can you marinate chicken without the meat getting all mushy? Overnight? 8 hours? I want to put chicken breasts in a citrusy marinade the night before, then cook them when I come home from work the next day. Is this too long? My husband says it is.
Marcia: Marinating chicken overnight in a citrusy marinade is fine (not fine for fish, however -- the enzymes in the citrus break down the muscle fiber of the fish). I've been making a lemon chicken recipe from the original Silver Palate cookbook for years that marinates the chicken in lemon juice overnight. The chicken pieces are then drained, dusted with flour, browned in a little corn oil then finished off the oven with lemon zest and brown sugar sprinkled on top (put a little lemon-tinged chicken broth in the baking dish so it doesn't burn).
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The experts of the Food Section answer questions, share secrets and discuss all things food-related.
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Dirda on Books
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Prize-winning critic Michael Dirda took your questions and comments concerning literature, books and the joys of reading.
Each week Dirda's name appears -- in unmistakably big letters -- on page 15 of The Post's Book World section. If he's not reviewing a hefty literary biography or an ambitious new novel, he's likely to be turning out one of his idiosyncratic essays or rediscovering some minor Victorian classic. Although he earned a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Cornell, Dirda has somehow managed to retain a myopic 12-year-old's passion for reading. Heparticularly enjoys comic novels, intellectual history, locked-room mysteries, innovative fiction of all sorts.
These days, Dirda says he still spends inordinate amounts of time mourning his lost youth, listening to music (Glenn Gould, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, The Tallis Scholars), and daydreaming ("my only real hobby"). He claims that the happiest hours of his week are spent sitting in front of a computer, working. His most recent books include "Readings: Essays and Literary Entertainments" (Indiana hardcover, 2000; Norton paperback, 2003) and his self-portrait of the reader as a young man, "An Open Book: Coming of Age in the Heartland" (Norton, 2003). In the fall of 2004 Norton will bring out a new collection of his essays and reviews. He is currently working on several other book projects, all shrouded in themost complete secrecy.
Dirda joined The Post in 1978, having grown up in the working-class steel town of Lorain, Ohio, and graduated with highest honors in English from Oberlin College. His favorite writers are Stendhal, Chekhov, Jane Austen, Montaigne, Evelyn Waugh, T.S. Eliot, Nabokov, John Dickson Carr, Joseph Mitchell, P.G. Wodehouse and Jack Vance. He thinks the greatest novel of all time is either Murasaki Shikubu's "The Tale of Genji" or Proust's "A la recherche du temps perdu." In a just world he would own Watteau's painting "The Embarkation for Cythera." He is a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, The Ghost Story Society and The Wodehouse Society. He enjoys teaching and was once a visiting professor in the Honors College at the University of Central Florida, which he misses to this day.
Lenexa, Kans.: Mr. Dirda: I'm only a little past halfway in "Book by Book" and already have 19 books penned in the front cover as follow-up reading. Number 1. Robertson Davies's "A Voice from the Attic" ... 19. John Dickson Carr's "The Three Coffins." (I have read other Davies and Carr.)
The photo (in your "office") of Marilyn Monroe posed on playground equipment reading "Ulysses" reminds me that she fought hard for the part played by Maria Schell in the 1958 "The Brothers Karamazov" film. In my mind, I imagine M.M. a sensual wonder as Grushenka -- and winning an Oscar in that role. When Arthur Miller died recently at age 90, Paul Theroux was pleased to learn that he was having a dalliance with an artistic woman in her mid-thirties. Sorry for the Sterne-like ramble: Any thoughts? Thanks much.
Michael Dirda: Welcome to Dirda on Books! Today I'm packing up my office and basement apt here in Westminster, since the spring crops are planted, the school year has ended, and we are not saved. I've also written my last review for Book World until the fall. But I will be continuing the chat through the summer, which will take me to Ohio for family, a talk and a class reuninon, then to Vermont to teach at Bread Loaf. Anyway, I'm tired and dirty from packing.
But let's turn to the questions.
Glad you're enjoying B3 as I call it. It's not meant to be only a series of pointers to books, but also a little anthology of quotations and mini-essays, what I've learned from reading books. Which, of course, sometimes seems like pitifully little.
Miller and thirty something woman. I suspect it brought him comfort and she will have the knowledge that she was dear to one of the greatest playwrights of the century.
Contemplation at a subway station: Hello: I was reading poet Stanley Kunitz's obit ... "At times one must labor to follow the subleties of his perception. The point is that the labor will not be in vain." - John Ciardi
Do you think poetry communicates some things (what?) better than prose? Why, or how? I like what I consider plain, straight forward, simple poetry, doesn't hurt if it rhymes and it doesn't have to be simple meaning, of course. Ted Kooser is a good example and he has pointed me to many others at americanlifeinpoetry.org. I've never understood a lot of the poetry with unusual structure, punctuation, etc., (excl. e.e. cummings.) Perhaps my question is: what do you think makes poetry significant as a form? Thanks, I've been thinking much too hard today. Your turn.
Michael Dirda: Think hard! Impossible, I'm exhausted and feeling intellectually, spiritually, and imaginiatively bankrupt. You should, of course, read the poetry you like, though occasionally branching out and trying someone a little different from your usual fare. Poetry functions ln lots of ways--it says better than we can how we feel when in love or despair, it consoles, inspires, and teaches. I talk a litle about this side of art in Book by Book. I myself like formal verse, wit and word play, and certain world-weariness. But I try not to restrict myself. One day you feel like Wallace Stevens, the next day you feel like Rudyard Kipling (whose verse I've always liked, as did T.S. Eliot). Poetry is compacted language and when the reader unpacks it, a kind of inner explosion results.
Leesburg, Va.: Have you had a chance to read King Dork by Frank Portman? While I really enjoyed the book, I was a little surprised at what the publisher allowed the author to get away with in a young adult book. There are a few scenes in the book involving oral sex, drug usage, and extreme violence. As an adult reader, I found the story to be wonderful. I haven't laughed so hard while reading a book in years. However, I'm surprised that it's being marketed as a young adult book. Who makes the decisions to market a book as young adult fiction or adult fiction?
Michael Dirda: This certainly isn't the sort of YA book I would press on my kids. But there is a long tradition in the YA market of novels addressing controversial issues--abortion, abuse, homosexuality, suicide--because teen angst seems to find these subjects deep and rewarding, in some arcane way that escapes me. In some instance, obviously, the books are even therapy for kids suffering from these ills or dealing with these issues.
The YA market is hot these days for novels, while the adult market is relatively flat. So if a book can swing either way, I think a lot of publishers are hoping to get books that appeal first to teens, then maybe to grown ups. The example of Philip Pullman and J.K. Rowling shows it can be done.
Buffalo, N.Y.: I read BOOK BY BOOK and was pleased by it. Only two quibbles: the drab cover (why not that Frazetta cover, instead?) and the lack of an index. I think BOOK BY BOOK would make an excellent graduation gift.
Michael Dirda: The publishers would certatinly like it to be regarded as a good graduation gift. That was definitely a market intended by them. I argued about the cover--I felt it was too soft, too feminine, if I may sound sexist--but these are matters about which authros can only advise. I decided against the index and choose to do the Who's Who because I was otherwise going to have to cumber the text with too many identifications. Plus, I think of it as a short book for browsing and that it wouldn't be that hard to find favorite pages. Maybe I was wrong. But authors work within constraints that readers know not of.
Rockville, Md.: So are you one of these literary snobs who hates books that are actually fun to read like "The Da Vinci Code" and Crichton, Steven King, Tom Clancy, etc., books?
Do you look down on people who don't read 700 page diatribes where the plot doesn't begin until page 500?
Michael Dirda: Definitely. In fact, suffering is what I turn to in books and if I crack a smile I toss the book aside as shallow entertainment unworthy of my noble mind.
In truth, I think people should read what they like, but try new things, even "harder" things, from time to time. Stephen King is quite a good writer, and the four novellas in Different Seasons are masterly from any point of view. But I do like writing with style and wit, so when I think popular fiction I think more ofteh of Elmore Leonard or Donald Westlake.
Of writers from the past many of my favorites were regarded as fun to read--P.G. Wodehouse to begin with, but the number classic ghost story writers, Golden Age mystery novelists, Georgette Heyer and Daphne Du Maurier, etc etc.
But I do like to learn things, new things, and so am always trying to read classics that I've somehow missed.
N.Y., N.Y.: Have you read any of John Crowley's Aegypt series? Does it stand up to his best known work -- Little, Big (one of my favorite novels)?
Also, like you, I couldn't get past the first chapter of the Da Vinci Code because it was so badly written. I was astounded to find out that it has sold over 40 million copies. It's a depressing statistic, for some reason. Can you think of a mega-bestseller aimed at adults that actually has some merit in terms of prose style?
Michael Dirda: Crowley's Aegypt series is wonderful, but I can only speak directly of the first volume, which I reviewed. I've been waiting for volume four, the conclusion, so that I can read through the whole quartet at once.
If you want to see brilliant Crowley, you might try his novella "Great Work of Time" or pre Little, Big novels, especialy Engine Summer.
Van Ness, D.C.: Just a shout-out to Dirda's gang. I'm almost to the end of "Little, Big" and I wish it would go on forever. Thanks for the recommendation -- you enhance my life!
Michael Dirda: Gee, two Crowley postings next to each other. Glad you're enjoying it.
Knox., Tenn.: My son is graduating high school and heading for college next year. Having been raised agnostic, he doesn't have a lot of knowledge about the Bible. I've ordered the new Dictionary of Cultural Literacy to give him, but I seem to recall hearing of a book that explains the Bible in historic terms, not from a purely religious aspect. Have you heard of such a book? Thanks for any help you can give on this.
Michael Dirda: There are several old volumes out--one compiled by Roland Mushat Frye--of the Bible designed to be read as literature. You don't get every word of Leviticus or Numbers, but you do read the major stories, set up as ordinary prose, without all the verse numbering. I'd recommend one of these.
Most scholarly books about the Bible do address it as a historical document. You might want to look at Robin Lane Fox's history behind the biblical narrative called The Unauthorized Version. Lane Fox is an atheist, an Oxford don specializing in classics and a well known gardener.
Maryland: I just finished Vanity Fair by Thackeray. I wrote a book report on it back in high school -- even though I hadn't read the book -- I think I got a B on it. The shame I have felt lo these many years was terrible! I rewarded myself for actually reading the book by re-reading the first Harry Potter, and then a P.G. Wodehouse book.
Michael Dirda: Wait a minute. You rewarded yourself for reading Vanity Fair--I don't get this. It's a wonderful, witty, shrewd, touching book, and dwarfs Harry Potter and anything by Wodehouse. Indeed, I might well pick it as the greatest Victorian novel, after Middlemarch.
Texas: I have read your new book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also enjoyed your recent visit to the Bob Edwards Show. I heard you mention your concern about seeming erudite when you mention your reading, etc. My blue collar background is similar to yours and have also acquired too many books over time that I cant part with. I find that having many books in my home are often seen by visitors as either very peculiar or even offensive. The most frequent question is a disdainfully asked "have you read all these books?" Do you experience similar things? If so, how do you react?
Michael Dirda: I just say the books are there for decoration. They were an idea of the interior designer.
No, I never comment on the books. I just let people marvel.
Omaha, Neb.: A plug for Book by Book: it is a delight with only a soft hint of despair.
A plea: some reviews before fall somewhere?
Michael Dirda: Well, isn't that life, if we're lucky--a delight with just a soft hint of despair?
Oh, there may be a couple of pieces this summer, but not in Book World. We'll see.
You can always read or reread earlier works by the author of B3.
Bonn, Germany: My husband took two of the kids camping last weekend, and I had a wonderful Mother's Day taking turns reading Middlemarch and the Mitford-Waugh correspondence (very glad about the footnotes and the index in that one -- I'm amazed how many people Mitford knew). Re Middlemarch: can you say a little bit about what makes this a Dirda favorite? I'm finding it a bit tough -- there are passages when I'm not even sure what she is saying ...
Michael Dirda: It takes a little getting used to, but it's such a moveing portrait of human frailty of various kinds, and of goodness too. Just the slow deterioration of the young doctor when he falls in love with a fatuous but beautiful girl is beautifully done and true. Eliot is so smart too. She can be earnest, yes, but you get bits of poetry as well, like the diminuendo of that final sentence about our lives being better than they might be because of those who rest in unvisited tombs.
Union Square, N.Y.: Hi Michael,
I'm taking a two-week vacation in June to Paris and Barcelona. Can you recommend any books for the trip? We'll be spending some time on the beach in Spain, so nothing terribly scholarly. I'm already planning on bringing Light Years to reread, and friends have recommended The Razor's Edge. Any additional suggestions?
Michael Dirda: Are you married? Then, please, don't take Light Years. You don't want this book on a romantic holiday. It is, after all, about the breakup of a perfect couple. And I wouldn't take The Razor's Edge either. If you want a Maugham, try Christmas Holiday, set in Paris, and with much bittersweetness and worldliness to it, but a wonderful novel.
What else? I think you can't beat Agatha Christie for beach reading. Shortish books. Simple writing. Wonderful evocations of a moneyed, elegant lost English world. And clever but not taxing mysteries. Pick one of the recognized classics. There are several set in beach-styhle resorts, and one involves the confusion between a sleeping person tanning on the beach and a dead body lying on a blanket on the beach.
Ashcroft, B.C. (BR): I've never so much as picked up a copy of DA VINCI CODE, having heard from people whose literary judge=ment I respect that however exciting and page-turning the plot may be, it's couched in prose so turgid that it makes turning said pages difficult at best. However, I think its success has less to do with the qualities of the book itself than with the fact that the fickle finger of Fate, looking to anoint its next Big Popular Success, landed on Dan Brown. That's the way it goes: nature abhors a vacuum, and if it isn't one thing enjoying huge popular success it's another -- how else to explain things like Rubik's Cube and Pet Rocks? And lest we get all het up about such an 'undeserving' book getting this kind of success, think back to Stephen Hawking's A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME, which was also a surprise bestseller, and was undoubtedly bought by a lot of people who couldn't tell a black hole from the Black Spot. Sometimes the FF of F likes to throw people a curveball.
Michael Dirda: In retrospect you can see how a best seller made it. IN the case of Code, here was the modern equivalent of Golfing for Cats or Lincoln's Doctor's Dog. Religion, conspiracy, mystery, the occult, "learning"--it's the same combination that gave us, to name three better books, The Name of the Rose, Possession, and An INstance of the Fingerpost.
Pet rocks were not a fad. And you've gone and hurt a poor, quiet, innocent creature that never did you or anyone else any harm, except for that one time when I threw it at a rabic raccon.
Arlington, Va.: I just found out that Donna Leon will be at Politics and Prose tomorrow night (7 p.m.), but I won't be able to go. Although I don't usually like detective stories, I find her Venice-set stories a lot of fun (and, if I can say, fairly literate, as Brunetti's wife teaches University English). I just finished reading her penultimate (to date): Blood from a Stone.
Hmm. I also like the Montalbano stories of Camilleri. Maybe I only like Detective stories set in Italy?
Michael Dirda: Maybe. It's hard not to long for the Italian lanscape, food, wine, people. Have you read Michael Dibdin or Leonardo Sciascia? You might give them a whirl.
I've never read Leon or Camilleri, though I've heard lots of good things. Which are their best books?
Bonn, Germany: Thank you for you comment on "Middlemarch". Yes, I remember you quoting the final sentence in "Bound to Please" (which sent me to Google with a "define:fustian" command). I am interested in your reading list for the past semester -- what were the real successes (maybe the Diderot, since you're teaching that again in Vermont) or glaring flops (Juenger, maybe)?
Michael Dirda: No real flops, though the least popular books were probably Baudelaire, Cavafy and Junger. The most--Dom Casmurro, Kokoro, and Out of Africa.
I'm teaching Rameau's Nephew and Notes from Underground again because I love them.
Silver Spring, Md.: Hoping to fix a (minor) injustice here. Youve mentioned "How to Read a Book like a Professor" disparagingly here more than once.
The only bad thing about that book is the title: it's a plain-language guide to some of the symbolism, deeper meanings, and character aspects that make many books so rich and deep.
For example, the author pointed out what might be obvious to you or to me that any time a character goes swimming, takes a bath, etc., it may have a deeper meaning referring to baptism, moral cleansing, etc.
The very opposite of spoiling my reading, it enhanced it.
Title should be "How to read the way a teacher who really loves literature would show you"
Michael Dirda: Really, I mentioned that book only once, a week or so ago. I jsut think it's a terrible title. But then I think that most of my own book titles and subtitles aren't that hot either. I loathe the subtitle, for instance, on the one that does have a title I like: Bound to Please.
Falls Church, Va: My fourth grade son doesn't like to read books very much. He will read his homework, comic books, the sports section and his Sport's Illustrated Kids magazine and the occasional book. He will let us read a novel to him but he won't read one himself, even those about sports. I figure it is more important to keep him reading than fight with him so I was thinking that graphic novels might be the way to go. I figure they will look like comics to him but they seem a higher level of literature than Spiderman. I've looked in book stores and at a glance a lot of them seem like they could be inappropriate for a 10-year-old. I was wondering if you can recommend some graphic novels that are OK self-reading for a normal 10-year-old. I love Neil Gaiman, is the Sandman series OK for a boy of his age? His novels, as wonderful as they are, aren't.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Michael Dirda: I don't think most graphic novels are appropriate for young kids. Their audience is older teens and young people.
I think you should keep feeding your son magazines, comics, and sports related material. How about a biography of some favorite player? I think Fred Bowen, who writes a lot about sports for boys his age (and a little younger, occasionally a little older), might be a good author to try. It really doesn't matter what your son reads so long as he reads a lot of something.
Ashcroft, B.C. (BR): The Agatha Christie you're thinking of is EVIL UNDER THE SUN. Christie also wrote a variation on the plot, a novella called 'Triangle at Rhodes', which takes the same basic characters and plot and makes someone else entirely the villain. Interesting to read alongside the novel as an exercise in how to take the same elements and make a different story out of them.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE is another Christie classic that's ideal holiday reading, set as it is in a holiday home on an island. APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH, set in the rose-red city half as old as time, Petra, is also a good one, not as well known as some of her others. Christie said in her autobiography that visiting Petra was one of the two or three highlights of her life, and she makes good use of the setting in the book.
Michael Dirda: Many thanks, Ashcroft.
Lexington: Michael, the literary mavens are at it again with a list of the best of American Lit for the last 25 years with 'Beloved' the "winner." I liked 'Beloved' but prefer 'Mason and Dixon' as a look at America's promise and its past. Of course, all such lists are idiosyncratic, but don't they serve a purpose after all? People use them as a guide to what to read. I remember as a young teen when I needed some guidance for better books than Tunis, Hardy boys, etc. my grandfather giving me a brief book by Burton Rascoe that listed his best 100 novels. I think I started with 'Anthony Adverse' Who reads that today, or Rascoe? The list got me to read many of his contemporaries like T. S. Stribling and Joseph Hergersheimer ( does anybody read them anymore? ). But it was a beginning and led on to better authors and books, though I wasted too much time on the early Pulitzer winners. The really interesting thing about the list of 22 books is that Roth has six books on the list. Considering how many of the authors listed have fallen off from their best, can you think of very many writers who like Roth have actually gotten better as they aged and written so consistently also in their aging years?
Michael Dirda: I've heard about this list, but don't know how it was compiled. Morrison wrote better books than Beloved, especially The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon. Six Roths are too many. But I can speculate forever. I've published lots of lists over the years, but frankly I don't feel that most of the people who get on these lists need them. It's not as if every kid in American doesn't have to read a Toni Morrison novel every other year in high school or college. And Roth has been widely acclaimed as our greatest living novelist etc. He may well be. But I like the lists that point to the great under-rated or slightly overlooked writers, and regulars of this chat know their names: Russell Hoban, James Salter, John Crowley, Ursula Le Guin, Steven Millhauser, Gilbert Sorrentino, Donald Westlake, Anne Proulx et al.
Arlington, Va.: Donna Leon Recommendations:
If you're a purist and like to start at the beginning, "Death at La Fenice", first published in 1992, is a fun story. For me, so far, "Blood from a Stone" was the most tightly complex, if that makes sense. More than just a procedural.
Again, hard to beat starting with the first, "The Shape of Water" (La forma dell'acqua), but my personal favorite to date is "The Smell of the Night"(L'odore della notte). Wonderful retribution in this one.
Lenexa, Kans.: Re "Middlemarch": I always thought the elderly pedant Casaubon to be one of the most interesting (and pathetic) figures in all Victorian fiction. I'm sure I'm not the only one who worries someday of turning into something similar. His research and writings came to nothing --and still he remained insufferably arrogant. Poor Dorothea.
Michael Dirda: Gee, maybe I shouldn't have modelled myself on him after all.
Hedgesville, W.Va.: I'll be heading to Egypt in December. What books --both fiction and non-fiction -- would you recommend I read in order to get in the right frame of mine?
Michael Dirda: Herodotus--the early books are largely about ancient Egypt.
Barbara Mertz's two early popular studies of ancient Egypt
Elizabeth Peters novels, perhaps The Last Camel Died at Noon
Christie's Death on the Nile
The Mamur Zapt series of detective stories is supposed to be very good but I've not read them.
Why not rewatch the original Karloff "Mummy"?
Calgary, Canada: For Knoxville; Asimov's Guide to the Bible would be an excellent introduction to Biblical history.
Michael Dirda: Yes. A good suggestion. Ah, Isaac. Here's to you.
Arlington, Va.: For Fall's Church --
Has your son tried the Captain Underpants books by Dav (not a typo) Pilkey? He never liked to read, either, so these books are a great introduction (and what boy can resist titles like "Captain Underpants And The Perilous Plot Of Professor Poopypants?")These were the first books our son read by choice, and are full of pictures and boy-appropriate jokes.
(and as part of this testimonial, he, now 12, just finished reading "To Kill A Mockingbird.")
Michael Dirda: Thanks. Though I've always thought these were more for eight year olds.
Riverdale Park, Md.: Why is literature so often held to such a higher standard than other art films? For instance, even many film snobs have their favorite kitschy or B-movies. I read Da Vinci Code and found it very entertaining -- you want to see what happens next, whether it be ridiculous, melodramatic, or logical. My personal opinion was that the story was very engaging -- so much that it was able to overstep the writing that attempted to get in the way every chance it could. This is coming from someone who tends toward older, more elitist selections (Dante, Borges, Calvino, Dostoyevsky, etc.).
Michael Dirda: I don't like that word snobs. Readers are readers, and every one of that I know may read, well, the Persian epic The Shahnameh one day, and Spinoza's Ethics the next, and Haggard's She the day after, and then The Mysterious Mr. Quin stories of Christie, and then . . . Look, no one is always going to feel like climbing Mt. Everest, sometimes you just want a stroll along the canal or around the garden. Nothing wrong with this. But a diet of best sellers, of commercial blockbuster best sellers, would be like eating at McDonald's and nowhere else. Still, a Big Mac tastes might good every so often.
Vienna, Va.: Argh! I'm gonna miss the cutoff for today's chat if I don't hustle.
In short, what's your advice about opening a bookstore? It's a dream for a lot of people. I'm thinking about moving to another area and giving it a go. Do you think it can work in this day and age?
Michael Dirda: It's hard. Why not talk to the owners of one of the independent shops in the area? Say, Politics and Prose, which seems to have made a success of itself, despite the big box stores. Personally, I think you should first go work for a bookstore, even a big one, and discover if you like the business when it becomes more than a romantic daydream.
Plano, Tex.: Incredibly, I seem to have lost my reading mojo. The in-laws are visiting, work is deamnding and I'm too tired to read even a page per day. I need a lovely pick-me-up of short stories (preferably). Any suggestions?
Michael Dirda: Don't read. Instead pick up an audio book and play it in the car or when you're feeling mindless at home. You'll be soothed and entertained at the same time.
As for short stories, without knowing your taste I can't really advise. How about a big anthology like the old Golden Argosy? Or The Oxford Book of English Short Stories?
For a pick me up, I think Saki's short stories might do the trick--witty, sometimes macabre, well written and short.
Victorian novel: I see that you just ranked Middlemarch and Vanity Fair 1-2 on the all time Victorian novels list. This reminded me that I was unable to finish Bleak House last year. Is this indicative of a grave character flaw in me....or does it really just go on too long and meander too much? Feel sort of guilty for not finishing it ...
Michael Dirda: Amoebas crawling through the primeval slime are superior to you. Not finish Bleak House! In truth, it is a long book, and I find that girl a tiresome saccharine narrator. But the mystery story is great, and the last quarter when Inspector Bucket enters the case is quite exciting. You have to just surrender to the book's prose, read quickly the girl's chapters, and all will be well. Till then, I think you should go about with your head hanging low, perhaps with a Scarlet BH on your shirt or blouse.
To Union Square: Why not read Orwell's Homage to Catalonia or Down and Out in Paris and London? Or, Elizabeth Bowen's The House in Paris.
Michael Dirda: Why not? When I went to Spain, I read Malraux's Man's Hope and Orwell's Catalonia, but then Franco was still alive and these books felt very real.
Lenexa, Kans.: Kurt Vonnegut said he once brought the house down for a full fifteen minutes when addressing the American Society of Humanists by saying, "Well, Isaac's in heaven now."
Columbia, Md.: I'm currently reading The Master, a novel about Henry James by Colm Toibin, and am inspired to read some more of James's work. What would you recommend? (I've already read/reread recently Portrait of a Lady, Turn of the Screw and The Wings of the Dove and want to reread The Ambassadors.) But I have a sense that only scratches the surface. Thanks!
Michael Dirda: The Toibin book is very good, isn't it? (A reviewer of aame speaks.) James is a whole universe. I'd go get John Auchard's Portable James, which offers a selection of stories, lists, reading advice and much else. Personally, I would suggest The Aspern Papers, Washington Square, and The American Scene. James's essays on writers, his travel pieces on Eureope (there's a good volume of Italian travels edited by Auchard), and his letters are also very good. But Cyril Connoolly used to say, he enjoyed reading more about James than reading James. You should certainly look out for Simon Nowell-Smith's The Legend of the Master, a collection of anecdotes by divers hands (I love that phrase) and Leon Edel's biography.
Syracuse, NY: Last week, there was a fair amount of discussion about adventure stories being (for the most part) moribund in our ironic, post-modern age. A great, great book about "The Fate of Adventure in the Western World" (the book's subtitle) is Paul Zweig's The Adventurer. Zweig argues that the entire notion of adventure in Western history (including its manifestation in storytelling) has eroded because of the deification of labor and the increasing domesticization of our basic cultural structures. He reads this argument through different literary and philosophical texts, with chapters on The Odyssey (the basic type of adventure), Robinson Crusoe (the reverse type), the Gothic (a challenge to the reversal), Poe, and Nietzshe, the philospher of adventure. I believe the book is out-of-print, but it's well worth seeking out.
Michael Dirda: Yes, a good book. I own it. Zweig died far too young, after writing three or four very good books.
Vernon Lee Question: Michael -- In the past, you've recommended ghost stories by Vernon Lee, M.R. James, etc., and I'm in the mood for a haunting. Is there an anthology or collection (not sure what the difference is) that you can recommend?
Michael Dirda: The fullest and best collection is Hauntings, and it's published by Ash-Tree Press (look for them on line). There are various paperbacks and out of print collections around on used booksites. But her two best stories are frequently anthologized: Amour Dure and Oke of Okehurst, in for instance Montague Summers' The Supernatural Omnibus.
Michael Dirda: Guys, I've got to stop. I'm way past my time period, though there are lots more questions. I'm sorry not to get to you all. But we have the summer ahead of us. Write again. Till next Wednesday at 2, keep reading!
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Michael Dirda takes your questions and comments concerning literature, books and the joys of reading.
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Washington Post staff writer Barry Svrluga was online Wednesday, May 17, at 3 p.m. ET to discuss the Washington Nationals and the latest major league baseball news.
Barry Svrluga: Hello folks. Greetings from the Windy City, which might as well be the Rainy City today. I think we'll get this one in, but it was pouring earlier.
Sitting at the Starbucks on Addison across from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Man, you think your Nationals have problems? Try the Cubs, who beat Washington 4-0 last night, and if sports talk radio here is any indication still might be the worst team in baseball.
Side notes: I'll have a book reading/signing (for "National Pastime: Sports, Politics and the Return of Baseball to Washington, D.C.") next Tuesday at noon at the ESPN Zone downtown. There'll be books for sale, and with Father's Day coming up, it might be the last signing. So come one, come all.
Okay, much to discuss. Let's go.
Falls Church, Va.: Good article about Soriano's fielding, but what doesn't show up in the stats about misplays, hasn't that also hurt the Nationals? Do you personally expect Soriano to surive the trade deadline?
washingtonpost.com: Soriano Learns On the Fly (Post, May 16)
Barry Svrluga: Thanks, Falls Church. You're exactly right, and that's part of the reason I wrote that story: The stats don't reveal everything. Last night, more adventures for Soriano in left -- an error, and an outfield assist.
I expect Soriano to survive the trade dealine in that I would say he will still be living. But will he wake up Aug. 1 and be a Washington National? I tend to doubt it. I really, really tend to doubt it.
Drangajokull, Iceland: I think we should trade Soriano to the Yankees for Tyler Clippard, and Matt De Salvo. These two guys are among their top ten pitching prospects. Would they go for it?
Barry Svrluga: Philip Hughes is the pitching prospect I've heard more about. But I'm also hearing more about the Mets at this point than the Yankees. Keep an eye on Livan Hernandez. He could be just the piece the Mets need to solidify their pitching rotation.
Washington, D.C.: While your coverage of both the Nats and O's has been outstanding this year, can we expect any bonus coverage or extra pages for this weekend's showdown?
Surely, you'll send Metro or Style folks (and RFK extra security I hope) to report on fans reactions at RFK throughout the weekend.
Barry Svrluga: Thanks on the coverage. We try.
Yes, I would say there'd be at least a Metro reporter out there, and it seems like a natural that Style would dive in as well. In Sports, we'll send me, Jorge Arangure Jr., Dave Sheinin and Thomas Boswell, and I'm sure none of us will be more excited than Boz.
Fairfax, Va.: Dude, Livian is stinking the joint up. This is bad for us. What are the options? Just let him keep going and hope he works out of this mess? He's on tilt!
Barry Svrluga: Hernandez is the one guy in the rotation who could post a 5.50 ERA all year and he wouldn't be pulled as a starter. This team is flawed that way. There's no options to replace such a workhorse.
And by the way, he pitched much better last night. Got no support, but was much, much better than last time. That's two of his last three starts that have been decent. Maybe -- maybe -- he's going to turn it around.
McLean, Va.: Why didn't they give Hernandez an error in last night's game?
I was so looking forward to the box score with the line: E-Hernandez (fall)
Please pass along to Bowden, Kasten, Lerner, etc., that the most frustrating team to watch is one that can't field to save its life. (I will concede that Zimmerman's barehand play to throw out Pierre and start the game was sensational.)
Maybe the Nats wouldn't have gone down 13 in a row to Zambrano last night if the Cubs hadn't loaded the bases without hitting a ball out of the infield.
Barry Svrluga: I was puzzled about the non-error on Hernandez, too, but the scorer ruled that if Hernandez hadn't slipped, he would have thrown to third and not retired the runner there. Thus, the scoring was a sacrifice and a fielder's choice, which is the normal scoring when there's a bunt and a fielder tries to retire the lead runner, makes an accurate throw but doesn't get it there in time.
I thought error was the right call.
The fielding has been problematic. I've written a lot about how the bullpen isn't as good as last year's, but the defense isn't, either, and that was a big reason the team was in first place for so long during the first half.
Washington, D.C.: When will the Lerner family actually "close" on the sale of the Nationals?
Barry Svrluga: The sale will be approved tomorrow at the owner's meeting in New York, and closing is likely to be in mid-June.
After the first 6 weeks of the season, who do you see as being the biggest "pleasant surprise" and also the biggest letdown for the Nats?
Barry Svrluga: Good question, Fair Lakes.
I'd say the most pleasant surprise would be Jose Vidro, who is healthy enough to play every day and be productive. He is not hitting with the kind of power the Nationals need -- not just homers, but doubles -- but he's a good, consistent hitter who's in the top five in the league in batting average. Cross your fingers he remains that way.
The biggest disappointment, without question, is the bullpen. It's not just closer Chad Cordero. Joey Eischen is struggling big-time, and it's almost like his job is on the line every time he pitches. Felix Rodriguez pitches at a tedious pace and has been ineffective for the most part. I wrote a little note about it the other day, but man, this team misses Luis Ayala, out for the year with elbow surgery.
Section 435: Why, with our bullpen lobbing beach balls, is Bill Bray pitching in the deep south and not at RFK?
Barry Svrluga: Things like that could change at any point. Bray, the lefty the Nationals chose with their first pick in the 2004 draft out of William & Mary, has been exceptional for Class AAA New Orleans over the last few weeks. He's striking out men at an alarming rate, and I'd guess we'll see him sooner rather than later.
Washington, D.C.: Is it rude to boo people who yell O! during the national anthem?
Barry Svrluga: I don't think so. (Think how loud it'll be this weekend, by the way.)
Alexandria, Va.: Looking forward to seeing my O's at RFK on Saturday.
What did you think about Bond's getting hit? Dirty or just inside picting (5 throws)? Either way, do you expect reprecussions this afternoon with Bonds on the bench. I think it says a lot about the Giants and Bonds that the Giants bench didn't clear out and that Felipe seemed like he could care less...and that he justs wants the Babe to be put to bed.
Barry Svrluga: An interesting take. Enjoy wearing your orange and black to RFK.
I thought Springer was throwing at Bonds, or at the very least was trying to say, "Look, you wear all that armour to protect yourself. Get out of the freakin' way."
The homer chase is clearly wearing on everyone out there.
20003: It's Jose Guillen's birthday. Any clubhouse birthday traditions, pranks you're at liberty to pass on?
Or do they guys not prank much with Jose?
Barry Svrluga: I will check around. My guess is they keep it pretty quiet. It's not a very boisterous, happy place these days.
Frederick, Md.: Some advice for the Lerners: a few water fountains in the new place - and at RFK - would be nice.
I know AAramark has to make a buck. But $4 for water...that's ridiculous.
Barry Svrluga: I took a tour of Turner Field with Stan Kasten and Mark Lerner last week in Atlanta, and I think people will be impressed with their ideas. They will try very hard to make some changes at RFK before it gets too late in the summer.
Prices? That I can't help you with. Options: I think you'll be presented with those.
Ottawa, Ontario: Hey Barry - thank you for a great book. As a long-time Expos fan, I have followed the National's story with much interest, and you have filled in a lot of the holes for me.
Re: pitching - Armas is starting to live up to expectations, Patterson still has more than enough time to come back and have the great year he seemed to be promising before his forearm trouble, and Livan (7 IP, 2 ER last night, no runs in the 1st) may be turning the corner. I think 3 out of 5 isn't bad as MLB rotations go - maybe starting position is not going to be the trouble spot it appeared to be earlier?
Barry Svrluga: Hello, Ottawa. How are those Lynx doing?
Thanks on the book. But I wouldn't get too optimistic about the Nationals' rotation just yet. Yes, I might have included Tony Armas Jr. among the most pleasant surprises, but Frank Robinson said just yesterday that he needs to see this kind of thing for half a season before he believes Armas is really back. I'll believe Patterson's coming back when I see him throw the first pitch of a major league game. And while I think Hernandez will end up being okay, he's just starting to take shape now.
Maybe more interesting: Can guys like Zach Day and Mike O'Connor keep up their encouraging starts?
Washington, D.C.: How much criticism does Frank deserve for some of the blown leads by the bullpen? Obviously, the last one by Cordero was certainly not his faulty. However, the game that was lost in extra innings to Cincy when he went through three pitchers, seemingly progressing to a weaker one (Rodriguez, Eischen) with each change was highly suspect. It seemed to be a group of inexplciable moves, jsut like the blown San Diego game last year. I love Frank, but often don't like what he does late in the game. Thougths?
Barry Svrluga: This is a valid point. I think you could make an argument that he should have left Jon Rauch in the Cincinnati game. He had only faced two batters, and though both got hits, they got an out at second base courtesy of bad base running by Ryan Freel. The tying run wasn't even coming to the plate yet. Robinson's response about Rauch: "I didn't like what I saw."
He also could be criticized for continuing to put Eischen in in crucial situations. Last night was a more proper use for the veteran lefty, in the eighth inning of a 4-0 game.
I'm a longtime Orioles fan and could not be more upset that we cannot win any of the last 13 games against the Red Sox. Not to mention the fact that Sam Perlozzo continues to lose games by pitching Lopez and Chen who both stink this year rather than a minor league prospect. Anyway, my question is who do you think has the better pitching staff going into this weekend's series, the O's or the Nats?
Barry Svrluga: Boy is that a toss-up. The Nationals have a better ERA, but they play in the National League, so that's almost a given. Both bullpens have been wobbly. I think Nationals fans would say the same thing about Ramon Ortiz that you're saying about Lopez and Chen.
Let's call it a tie -- a pathetic tie at that -- with the winner to be decided on Monday.
Midlothian, Va.: Does the team have any plans or alternatives to Royce Clayton? He's a terrible offensive shortstop (who statistically isn't much of an upgrade over Guzman), and his defense is average, at best.
Barry Svrluga: Not many options there. Guzman's out for the year, and the only one on the roster who can even play shortstop is Damian Jackson.
Is the bullpen really THAT bad? If you get rid of Eischen and FRodo, it's not bad. Cordero, Rauch and Majewski are a pretty good trio, even if the former and latter have had a few struggles.
Barry Svrluga: Long-term, I'd say those guys are fine. But part of the bullpen's problem is that the starters aren't pitching deep into games. That means Robinson's running guys out there every night, and that means there are times he has to put out lesser pitchers in key spots. The trickle down of the starters' inability to complete seven innings is enormous with this club.
Falls Church, Va.: Barry: I have two RFK-related questions (the Nats Web site is most unhelpful): Is there elevator access to seating in the upper sections? Is food allowed to be brought into the stadium?
Thanks and great job on the overall coverage of the team.
Barry Svrluga: There are one or two elevators, but I'm not sure of fans' access to them. I would think if it's a handicapped-related issue, they would be accomodating.
Yes, my understanding is you're allowed to bring in food.
Tunlaw Gardents: We keep hearing from JimBo that the talent is here to be a winner. Yet this team can't hit, can't pitch, and can't field.
Is the talent here good enough to win with, or is JimBo trying to pass the blame to save his own job?
I just don't see the talent on this team. Besides a growing Zimmerman,Johnson, and a streaky Soriano, there are major holes in this lineup (when Vidro hits more than a single I'll add him). I won't even mention the pitching situation since Bowden has ignored that since he came here.
With JimBo fighting his drunk driving arrest and his push to pass the blame on this years team, it would appear he has a problem accepting responsibility for his actions.
Barry Svrluga: I'd fall in the middle on that. No, there is not talent enough here to win this year. Not even close. Should Bowden take some of the blame for that. Absolutely.
But I'd also say there are a lot of guys who are under-achieving, and most of them are pitchers. (Though Guillen falls in that category, too.) If Livan is 3-3 instead of .500, if Patterson had pitched, if Ayala didn't hurt himself, if Majewski and Cordero hadn't gone to the World Baseball Classic and thus gotten off to slow starts, then this team would have perhaps six-eight more wins. But that's an awful lot of ifs.
Would the Nats possibily entertain the idea of trading Soriano AND Vidro if they were offered the right mix of prospects? Is Vidro on your untouchable list?
Barry Svrluga: Wow. Orono. Man, I love Maine. Vacation there every year. Can't wait for July.
Yes, they would absolutely entertain the idea of trading both Vidro and Soriano. With the Mets not exactly solid at second base, and with former Expos GM Omar Minaya at the helm in New York, I wouldn't be shocked if Vidro ended up there for some prospects. It would certainly be strange for him to be traded from this franchise after all the time he's spent with it, but he is by no means untouchable.
Washington, D.C.: Barry while in Chicago check out Gibson's Steak House.
With the meeting of Kasten and Bowden this weekend, does this mean Bowden is staying on or are Dayton Moore and Frank Wren still candidates for the GM job?
Barry Svrluga: I am beginning to believe that Bowden will at least make it through this season as the GM. I believe that Kasten has more pressing issues such as fixing the fan experience at the ballpark and getting a feel for the minor league operation, etc.
Bowden knows the system, knows its talent level, knows what scouting needs must be addressed.
Does that secure his long-term future? No. But my guess is Kasten makes his hard evaluations after this season.
Reston, Va.: I'm not really excited about a Nat's-O's matchup. When are we getting the Twins and Rangers back in town?
Barry Svrluga: Now that would be a tussle. Harmon Killebrew vs. Frank Howard, anyone?
Croton-On-Hudson, NY: Barry! We need some cheering up.
What's been the season's most memorable moment, non-loss category? Any good stories that you're saving for National Pastime 2?
Barry Svrluga: Hmmmm. It's slim-pickins, I'm afraid. Alfonso Soriano's three-homer night against the Braves comes to mind.
Trying to follow the money: Assuming the Nats are generating their usual tidy profit (how can they if they charge just $6.50 for Red Hook?!), is the money they're making being kept for the new owners to spend, or will Bud Selig's armored trucks back up to RFK one last time before the sale closes?
Barry Svrluga: The team is still in control of MLB, and will be until the closing is official and it changes hands. Therefore, any profits now would belong to MLB. The Lerners don't start earning profits -- or taking losses -- until they officially take over, which, as we said earlier, is likely in mid-June.
I can tell we're a real baseball town now. The fan message boards have been burning up with trade Livan/Chad/Tex/Joey/Sori/Jose, etc. demands. Just like Philly and New York.
As for Cordero, are his struggles a matter of hitters catching up to him in his, essentially, second year, and if so, what can he do to adjust?
Barry Svrluga: I'm glad you feel that way, Silver Spring. I haven't yet gotten the feeling that we're anything but a Redskins town. I'm glad there's people that are obsessed by baseball.
Cordero: The Braves certainly have his number. He threw some bad sliders the other night, and when he didn't, he came in with first-pitch fastballs that they jumped on. Yes, he'll have to make adjustments. We talked to Frank Robinson yesterday about whether he is throwing "too many strikes," which is one possibility. He's leaving the all up too much, and because his fastball's not overpowering, he's going to get hammered if he doesn't keep it down.
PA Announcer Guy: So why haven't I punched you yet? Did you hear where I called the Pirates player "Vinny Castilla" the other week?
When should I expect my walking papers?
Barry Svrluga: Man, the guy's a real problem. Simply doesn't know the game. Doesn't know the players, the rules, the rhythms. I was shocked he was back for Year Two.
Sterling, Va.: First, let me say I can't believe you think Washington should be able to compete with NY, LA, Cubs, STL in attendance. 6 through 15, yes.
second, would the trading of Livan be that much of a loss considering Brian Lawerance should be available next year? Is Lawerance under contract next year?
Barry Svrluga: Woah. I'm not saying the Nationals should, right now, post the same attendance numbers as those fine franchises. I'm just saying that attendance should be monitored closely as one indication of whether this team is taking hold.
Livan for prospects would make sense regardless of Lawrence's status. Lawrence has a club option for 2007 that the Nationals could buy out for $550,000.
Re: Food and Elevators: There is an elevator to the middle deck, but not, unfortunately, to the upper deck.
There are signs this year that say all food and drink are prohibited and they have bins that they use to confiscate food and drink when they check you before you enter the stadium. At the game I went to, those bins had stuff in them, so I wouldn't count on bringing food in.
Barry Svrluga: Thanks for the update.
Alexandria, Va.: Why is everyone down on Cordero? Before Saturday night's disaster, he had a 2.12 ERA with 13 Ks and six walks, and only one blown save. It's not his fault he isn't getting many save chances.
Barry Svrluga: No, but he was so automatic for the first five months last year, and then to blow that one in such unbelievable style was traumatic for everyone, not the least of all him.
Washington, D.C.: What do you see attendance-wise for this weekend? More O's fans than Nats fans in RFK? I'm thinking this should be a bigger deal than it's turning out to be...in all fairness, I'm a pretty fervent Nats fan and didn't realize it was "O's week" until just a few days ago. If that's the case with me, I can only guess how much the casual fan doesn't know. Are we going to be embarrassed in our own park by the influx of black and orange?
Barry Svrluga: Who knows? Are Orioles really excited about seeing their team now? Hard to say. And it's not like the ballpark experience is drawing anyone in.
In general, though, I'd guess there'll be far more Nationals fans.
Salem, Mass.: Admit it. With some of these tedious, boring, snoozefest games, you're sneaking a few extra peeks into the AL boxscores, especially for a certain Brahman team?
Barry Svrluga: No. Never. Couldn't happen. I would never, in the middle of work, check to see how Schilling blew a four-run lead and then find out how the Sox battled back. Unheard of, I tell ya.
McLean, Va.: Bowden made some troubling comments the other day where he juxtaposed the recent woes that Cordero and Majewski have been having, and the fact they are keeping their eye on a trio of relievers down in New Orleans. The fact that he made these two statements within the same paragraph of an op ed piece worry me about what he has in mind. Is there actually a chance that the Chief will be in Zephyrs Green on the night of the Cordero Bobblehead Handout?
Barry Svrluga: No, no, no. Remain calm. He's not going anywhere. They would release someone before that happened.
Burke, Va.: So I'm a geek , I watch the Nats on DirectTV every game and/or listen to the radio broadcasts via XM while I'm jogging, and I get the Svrluga report on WTWP around 5:50-6:00 while driving home at night. And yet I thirst for more facts and opinions -- like how much can the Nats actually expect to get in return for Guillen, Vidro, Hernandez, and Soriano respectively? Will the return be A, AA, or AAA prospects and is it reasonable to expect that any of the players they trade for will be contributors this year? Will we try to get a Bill Hall or Ryan Freels type utility player along with prospects or will it be an all prospect return?
Barry Svrluga: Burke, I can only preach patience. It is very, very early in the trade market, and I know that the Nationals will try to maximize the return for any of those players. They'll be active in trying to create a competitive market. But there's no rush right now. It's May. There's 10 weeks till the deadline.
We'll keep an eye on it. Thanks.
RE: PA Announcer Guy....: Tickets going out late....Parking passes going out late, etc.; how much conversation did you have w/Lerner & Kasten about these kinds of issues?
Barry Svrluga: Lots. We'll write about this kind of thing as they begin to take over. But I will tell you this: It makes both Mark Lerner and Kasten furious when patrons are unhappy. They talk a good game right now. We'll see what they can actually do.
Second Base: What kind of talent will we get by trading Hernandez, Vidro, Guillen, and Soriano? I mean will we get near term prospects (AA or Higher) or long term prospects (A) and will these be Marte/Hanley Ramirez quality or more along the lines of Tony Blanco and Brandon Watson?
Barry Svrluga: I think it'll be tough to get a Marte/Ramirez level prospects for a Livan Hernandez (and in this year's trade market, the names you'll hear most are Milledge and Pelfrey, the best Mets farmhands). But Blanco and Watson aren't even true prospects. I would say -- and again, it's early to be guessing -- that it'll be somewhere in between. They might get a group of prospects, one or two of which might pan out.
Food: I have brought food and a bottle of water into every single game that I've gone to, and will do so again on friday. To the person that asked, I would just not plan on bringing a ton of food, or food for more than yourself.
A comment to the poster who wanted to know about bringing in food to RFK. You CAN bring food... you CANNOT bring beverages, even water. I don't pretend to understand why, but that's the way it is.
Barry Svrluga: And still more.
Washington, D.C.: A question about your job and protocol, if you don't mind. When quoting a Latin player (or any player, really) who uses broken and often incorrect English, are you obligated to print what they say verbatim? I read some of these articles and wonder if you think the reader thinks you're an idiot for printing a quote in "wrong" English.
Barry Svrluga: A good question. We are required to print quotes verbatim, even if the speaker uses incorrect grammar. We are not supposed to gratuitously embarrass anyone, and by quoting these Latin American players like that, I don't think we're doing that at all. Rather, we're relaying what they actually say. We should not be "cleaning up" quotes and giving an inaccurate sense of what they say.
That said, if the message is unclear, I will put clarifying words in brackets [like this] to make sure the correct meaning is conveyed. Most of the Nationals' Latin players speak very good English.
Ashburn, Va.: Any update on the TV deal?
Barry Svrluga: Kasten: This will get done.
Comcast, Angelos, DuPuy met in Milwaukee last Friday. Nothing meaningful came out of it.
Impossible to give a timetable. Very, very frustrating.
With Lernestan taking over in mid-June, right as the trade talks start heating up, how much will Bowden have to clear any trade decisions with Kasten?
Barry Svrluga: Any trade will have input from the new ownership group. Kasten and Bowden, however, are talking similarly about building the farm system up, so they may have similar goals.
Upper Deck: Any word on RFK selling the standard dollar scorecards & golf pencils?
Washington, D.C.: Barry, love the book!
I distinctly remember last summer The Post reporting that Angelos had indicated that he was planning to close the Orioles team store in Macpherson Square after the season was over. Yet, as I walked by there today it remained opened(although absent of customers when I peeked in). Can someone from The Post follow-up on this?
Barry Svrluga: Marc Fisher, our superb Metro columnist, stopped by my desk a couple weeks ago and said he had been going there every day for a week. He had never seen another customer. I believe he wrote about the experience (though I was out of town).
Isn't it amazing that the Nationals have no downtown store like that? Stunning.
Given the Nats TV situation, could the team and WTWP do something to improve the radio broadcasts? Charlie Slowes's non-stop regurgitation of useless baseball statistics, out-of-town scores, and now, God help us, stock market reports is UNBEARABLE. Why can't he just calm himself down and give us the "feel" and nuances (not to mention the score) of the Nats game we have actually tuned in to hear about? Dave Jagler is somewhat better, and from what little I have heard of them, Carpenter and Paciorek are MUCH better.
Barry Svrluga: Hey Silver Spring, thanks for chiming in. It's odd, but even though I see guys like Charlie and Dave and Bob and Tom every day, I have very little sense of their broadcasts because I'm at the park. It'd be good that they hear some of this feedback.
For the most part, I've heard very good things about Carpenter and Paciorek on TV. Ol' Wimpy's a homer for whoever he's broadcasting for, and he seems to wear that jacket well with the Nationals. And as an aside: I have friends who are Mets fans in NY who are quite pleased with the job Ron Darling's doing up there.
Cincinnati, Ohio: How is Frank's relationship with Day? They didn't seem to get a long all that well, and based on the stories you tell in your book, National Pastime (available in bookstores now!), it's easy to see why.
Has Frank warmed up to him at all? I did notice that he's praised him a few times, perhaps to build up some confidence?
Barry Svrluga: Frank likes pitchers who pitch well. Zach has pitched well since he came back. They get along famously -- for now.
Chicago Boy in D.C.: Barry,
For some great Polish food you gotta try the Red Apple Resterant on N. Milwaukee Ave. Can't get anything like it in D.C.
Barry Svrluga: You know, it's a real bummer to be here for just a couple days. Came in on Tuesday morning, leaving after the game on Thursday night. Not time for even one good Chicago dinner.
But thanks for the advice.
Silver Spring, Md.: Why are you sportswriters in DC giving Jim Bowden the free pass? You all were all over the Soriano for not refusing to play in left.But now that it's crystal clear that Bowden's foolish moves last year giving up all the pitching we had for hitters that aren't here anymore has hurt this team and everybody is blaming the league for taking too long to sell the team. Why don't you criticize management the way you do the players? The writers were all laughing with this man about his comments concerning his arrest recently. God knows you would not do the same for the players.
Barry Svrluga: That was an embarrassing moment for the assembled press who chuckled when Bowden made those remarks about if you're going to get arrested, you might as well spend a night in jail on an off day. It was an awkward moment, and none of us should have laughed. Deplorable.
Anyone who thinks we haven't dissected the Soriano trade is wrong. Dave Sheinin did an exceptional piece in spring training about how the whole thing went down. And we have written about the pitching deals. Yes, Claudio Vargas is having a nice season for Arizona. Bowden admits to the Spivey-Ohka deal not working out, but Ohka is now hurt. Trading for Preston Wilson cost them a pitcher that they have back. Sunny Kim? Please.
We will turn a critical eye on each and every trade or signing a GM makes, be it Jim Bowden or someone else.
Washington, DC: RE: TV Deal - I sent in before the chat a post saying I got my money back from Comcast for one of the Nats/Braves games this past weekend that I had called to complain about. Comcast refused but Mayor Williams' office -- LOUD APPLAUSE HERE -- came through for me. I can send in the e-mail if you would like. Maybe if we all demand refunds...
Barry Svrluga: Very nice. Very, very nice. Glad to see something worked out.
Fairfax, Va.: Do nats management read this Q&A? For helpful hints on RFK?
Barry Svrluga: You would think they would. I know it's been distributed to the press in the daily clips packets before. Your voices must be heard!
Washington, D.C.: Hi Barry,I always wanted to move down to a better seat but couldn't find the best timing - meaning the most acceptable time/inning to do it without upseting people in the pricey neighborhood. Can you tell me when to move down? I just want to be prepared and say "Barry said it's ok." if confronted.
Barry Svrluga: If you said, "Barry said it's okay," they might throw you out of the park. (Or, come to think of it, say, "Barry who?")
Alexandria, Va.: Dude, where's the guy railing about the Nats mascot not taking his hat off during the national anthem? Is he busy having his neighbor arrested for removing his mattress tag?
Barry Svrluga: Got a long email from that guy this week. Believes it speaks to a larger issue -- that the front office is almost impossible to reach. He might have a point.
(I'm having a meeting of CHMTP this week, by the way. What's that? Why, the Capitol Hill Mattress Tag Police. Come one, come all.)
Washington, D.C.: When's Tony Tavarez officially packing up and leaving? After Thursday's owners meeting or mid-July when the sale is finished?
Sub-question: When would Kasten be officially allowed to make decisions as the Team President?
Barry Svrluga: When the sale is complete. Kasten officially takes over when the sale closes. To Tavares's credit, he feels like he's in an awkward position right now. He thinks the Lerners and Kasten should have input even now because he shouldn't be making decisions about the future when he won't be around.
Washington, D.C.: Who is your most reliable player, when you really need to get a quote for a story?
Barry Svrluga: Good question. Guillen is usually good for a quote. Jose Vidro, though, is the money guy when things are going poorly. He does not sugar-coat things. Chad Cordero, Gary Majewski and Livan Hernandez all talk even in very difficult times and are willing to analyze stuff even after terrible performances.
Overall, it's a very good clubhouse for that kind of thing.
Re: broadcasters: And for the love of everything good, please tell the tv broadcasters to stop using the word "Jammage" and variations thereof so incessantly! I now cringe every time I hear it.
Totally agree on the PNC stock reports - useless and annoying, plus they cut into the play-by-play commentary.
Barry Svrluga: Wow. They say "jammage"? Yikes.
Washington, D.C.: One of the big topics mentioned in your book is the chemistry in the clubhouse in the first half of last season. Any observations on how things are this year in that regard?
Barry Svrluga: I would say it's not very good at all. But there's a whole chicken-and-egg thing, too. What comes first? Winning or good chemistry?
Wilmore, Ky.: Barry, thanks for the chats!
Is there any scenario under which Frank Robinson is out of the dugout before the end of the year? It's a touchy issue, I'm sure, but between his in-game strategy, inability to sort out a bullpen (just stick with Rauch!), and motivational tactics which seem to solely consist of closed-door meetings and whining about the players not being men, I'm ready for a change!
Barry Svrluga: Because this team is so far from being a contender I don't think Frank will be fired in mid-season. Frankly, there are more pressing problems than who the manager of a 90-loss team is. And why humiliate a Hall of Famer by doing that in July to replace him with ... an interim guy? I don't see it.
(Of course, if things get really, really, really deplorable, anything's possible.)
Atlanta, Ga.: Tavares and Kasten both seem to be headstrong. How do they get along?
Barry Svrluga: They're an interesting comparison. Yes, they both have high opinions of their abilities, and not many people have run more than one major league franchise simultaneously (Kasten the Hawks-Thrashers-Braves in Atlanta, Tavares the Ducks-Angels in Anaheim). They profess to have respect for each other's abilities.
Columbia, Md.: As a Howard County native, I've gotten a kick out of Mike O'Connor's strong run. Where did he go to high school?
Is this a fluke, or do the Nats think he can be a fixture in there rotation for some time?
Barry Svrluga: He went to Mt. St. Joe's in Baltimore. A private school, I believe.
He seems to know how to pitch. But will teams figure him out the second time around? I think they might.
Barry Svrluga: Folks, as usual, way too many questions for just one hour. Thanks so much for dropping by.
Remember: Book signing at ESPN Zone next Tuesday at lunch time.
And enjoy the O's-Nats this weekend. Should be fun.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post staff writer Barry Svrluga discussed the Washington Nationals and the latest major league baseball news.
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Boeing Agrees to Pay $615 Million Settlement
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Boeing Co. has reached a tentative $615 million settlement to end federal investigations into its illegal hiring of a high-ranking Air Force official and the use of a rival's proprietary documents to win government work, the Justice Department said yesterday.
The settlement would represent the largest penalty ever paid by a defense contractor, but for Chicago-based Boeing it would also end three years of investigations and uncertainty that have haunted the aerospace and defense giant. Under the deal, Boeing avoids criminal and civil charges.
Though it will not have to acknowledge any corporate wrongdoing, "Boeing has agreed to accept responsibility for the conduct of its employees in these matters," according to a Justice Department statement.
The agreement would also put Boeing on a sort of probation. If the company fails to comply with the terms of the agreement over the next two years, including reporting misconduct, Boeing could face criminal prosecution for the original incidents and an additional fine of up to $10 million, senior Justice Department officials said. That could also be triggered if an "executive management employee" commits any of a series of federal crimes covered by the agreement.
The deal is expected to be completed and signed in the next few weeks.
Boeing's ethics troubles began when it admitted in 2003 that several employees had thousands of pages of rival Lockheed Martin Corp.'s proprietary documents during a 1990s competition to launch government satellites. Bethesda-based Lockheed accused Boeing of using the stolen documents to cheat. The Air Force barred the company from competing for such work for a year, the longest suspension of a large defense contractor.
The Justice Department settlement would cover that case as well the one that quickly followed: Later in 2003, Boeing' fired its then-chief financial officer, Michael Sears, for illegally negotiating a job for Air Force official Darleen A. Druyun while she was overseeing billions of dollars of the company's work. Druyun later said that for years she had favored the company in her decisions.
Sears and Druyun pleaded guilty and served several months in prison. That case led to a wide-ranging review of Boeing contracts overseen by Druyun and the loss of a $20 billion contract to sell refueling planes to the Air Force.
The cases have caused years of turmoil at the firm. In addition to the firing of Sears, Boeing's former chief executive Philip M. Condit resigned in December 2003 and was replaced by Harry Stonecipher. Stonecipher was forced to resign a year later after admitting to an affair with an employee and was replaced last year by W. James McNerney Jr., the former head of 3M Co.
The deal would mark a high point for McNerney, who has begun a quiet campaign to restore Boeing's image. While his predecessor Stonecipher was more vocal, saying at one point that his job was to convince people that Boeing is not full of a "bunch of crooks," McNerney has been more subtle. He recently lured J. Michael Luttig, the federal appeals court judge who was on President Bush's short list for the Supreme Court, as general counsel, and late last year introduced a new executive compensation system that added ethics to the measurements of performance.
Serious negotiations between Boeing and federal prosecutors began last year and intensified as the government faced a possible deadline to file charges, sources have said. The tentative settlement, which includes $50 million to cover civil charges and $565 million to resolve potential civil claims, is lower than the $750 million many in the Justice Department advocated, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Boeing had $2.57 billion in profit last year and more than $5 billion in cash.
Doug Bain, a Boeing senior vice president, confirmed the tentative settlement in a statement and said an agreement should be signed in a few weeks.
"You can't minimize the size of the settlement. It's a big deal," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a Washington watchdog group. "We're really glad the government is upping the ante for misconduct, but our jury's out on whether this is going to make it painful enough for Boeing or any other government contractor to avoid misconduct."
Staff researcher Richard Drezen contributed to this report.
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Boeing Co. has reached a tentative $615 million settlement to end federal investigations into its illegal hiring of a high-ranking Air Force official and the use of a rival's proprietary documents to win government work, the Justice Department said yesterday.
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Karl Rove, Bullish on the Budget and the Border
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It's a heck of a curse.
Presidential adviser Karl Rove had almost finished his appearance yesterday at the American Enterprise Institute when it happened. Discussing the Bush administration's record on illegal immigration, he blurted out, "We're doing a heck of a job."
President Bush made the phrase a national shorthand for incompetence when he bestowed it on FEMA Director Mike "Brownie" Brown in the days after Hurricane Katrina. And Rove knew he stepped in it yesterday. First, he said the administration was doing "a heck of a lot better, uh, job of getting control of the border." Then he uttered the forbidden phrase, and it sent him into a syntactical tailspin: "We're doing a heck of a job -- lot better job at getting, at getting, uh, the -- the problem of catch-and-release under control."
Rove has a lot on his mind these days -- a fact hinted at in the introduction to his speech by AEI President Christopher DeMuth. "In Washington, the hens are clucking and pecking and the sharks are circling," DeMuth observed. "Still, he goes about his work with discipline, serenity, never permitting himself to lapse into vitriol at the unfairness of it all, even in circumstances of flagrant unfairness."
Among the unfair circumstances: Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald still has not released Rove from the probe into the Valerie Plame case. Add to that the unfairness of a Harris poll last week that put Bush's support at 29 percent. And top it off with the flagrant unfairness of new White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten stripping Rove of his policy duties.
As if in answer to that demotion, Rove's AEI speech was billed as a "major policy address" -- and he inflicted a barrage of statistics on his audience. He knew that the tax burden went from 40.5 to 46.6 percent on the top 3 percent of taxpayers, that S&P 500 companies increased dividend payments 725 times and that real disposable income was up 14 percent. He then recited border statistics for the week of April 10.
His audience, half of them journalists, struggled to pull Rove back to the political during the Q&A. "Look, I don't want to spend a lot of time on polls," the wonk said with reproach. "I love this mania which has swept through American media today which substitutes polls for coverage of substance." In the manner of a fish disavowing water, he continued, "We're going to stay focused on good policy, and confident that that will ultimately take care of the politics."
Only after prodding did Rove stoop from his policy perch to offer a political thought. "Look, we're in a sour time," he said. "I readily admit it. I mean, being in the middle of a war where people turn on their television sets and see brave men and women dying is not something that makes people happy and optimistic and upbeat. But I'm absolutely confident that . . . we're going to be just fine in the fall elections."
David Corn of the liberal Nation magazine made the obligatory (and fruitless) attempt to draw Rove into a discussion about his role in the Plame affair. "My attorney, Mr. Luskin, made a statement on April 26th," the policymaker said. "I refer you to that statement. I have nothing more to add to it. Nice try, though."
What Rove had much to add to was the Bush economic record. As he described it, the administration has increased the tax burden on the wealthiest Americans and restrained the federal budget through frequent veto threats. These were difficult claims, but Rove was equal to the task.
For example, groups such as the Congressional Budget Office have reported that the Bush tax cuts have shifted the tax burden from the wealthy to the middle class. But Rove had another way to look at it: For the top 1 percent, "their share of income tax payments is up by 1.5 percent."
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It's a heck of a curse. Presidential adviser Karl Rove had almost finished his appearance yesterday at the American Enterprise Institute when it happened. Discussing the Bush administration's record on illegal immigration, he blurted out, "We're doing a heck of a job."
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Nigerian Senate Blocks Bid for 3rd Presidential Term
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JOHANNESBURG, May 16 -- The Nigerian Senate voted on Tuesday to reject a constitutional amendment allowing President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek a third term, bringing an apparent end to an issue that had bitterly divided Africa's most populous nation.
Obasanjo's supporters did not immediately rule out other attempts to amend the nation's constitution, but in recent weeks there has been a dramatic and seemingly decisive shift in sentiment against efforts to keep him in power. Assuming Obasanjo is not a candidate in elections next year, Nigeria is on track to experience its first peaceful transition between civilian governments since winning independence in 1960.
Debate over a possible third term had been marred by accusations of bribery and violence on the part of supporters. On Tuesday, lawmakers opposed to the proposal cheered and hugged one another as the outcome of the voice vote became clear, according to news reports.
Senate President Ken Nnamani, in a nationally televised address, said, "The Senate has said clearly and eloquently that we should discontinue other proceedings on this amendment."
The action also effectively ended a parallel debate in the House. To pass, a constitutional amendment needs the support of two-thirds of each chamber as well as approval from two-thirds of Nigeria's states. The bid to extend Obasanjo's tenure was among several proposed amendments rejected Tuesday.
"It is dead now," said Rep. Wunmi Bewaji, an opposition leader, speaking from Abuja, the capital. "It is a very, very good day for us. It's a victory for our people. It's a victory for our democracy."
He expressed fears that the rejection of the constitutional amendment could encourage extralegal efforts to keep Obasanjo in power. The president has said repeatedly that he would respect the political system and Nigeria's constitution.
Obasanjo, 70, had never publicly acknowledged plans to run again, but the effort to amend Nigeria's constitution was widely viewed as engineered by him and his top aides. He had said in interviews that more years in office would allow him to complete initiatives.
Obasanjo was in France but due to return Tuesday night. Femi Fani-Kayode, a special assistant to the president, said from Abuja that Obasanjo would respect the decision of the National Assembly.
"Under the provisions of the constitution as they stand, it's not possible for the president to run," Fani-Kayode said.
He did not rule out the possibility of another effort to change the constitution. "That would be for the National Assembly" to decide, he said.
Obasanjo, a military ruler in the 1970s, was elected in 1999, ending what had been decades of turbulent and often repressive rule, mostly by the military. He won reelection in 2003 and is scheduled to step down in May 2007.
In recent weeks, the United States, Britain and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan had criticized the effort to let Obasanjo stay in power, saying it threatened to undermine democracy. Leading Nigerian politicians, including both of the most prominent candidates to succeed him, also criticized the push.
Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, meanwhile, opened an investigation into allegations of bribery by the supporters of a third term. Opponents have repeatedly alleged that millions of dollars in bribes have been offered to supporters. Obasanjo has denied knowledge of bribes being given.
Also on Tuesday, one senator said he had been targeted Sunday in an assassination attempt by Obasanjo supporters.
Fani-Kayode said, "Certainly Mr. President is not a bribe giver, nor is he a murderer."
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World news headlines from the Washington Post, including international news and opinion from Africa, North/South America, Asia, Europe and Middle East. Features include world weather, news in Spanish, interactive maps, daily Yomiuri and Iraq coverage.
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Officials Seek Flexibility on 'No Child' Law
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Fairfax County school officials say the sanctions imposed under the federal No Child Left Behind Act aren't helping struggling students, and the system is seeking permission to try a different approach at one school -- McNair Elementary in Herndon.
McNair has not met the federal requirements for three years now, and under the law, students are given the right to transfer to a higher achieving school. But Fairfax is proposing that students be required to remain at the school, where tutoring services would be expanded and teachers would offer a three-week "jump start" program in August to help children who lag behind. Transfers would be suspended for two years under the proposal but would resume the following year.
Fairfax County School Board member Stuart D. Gibson (Hunter Mill) and Superintendent Jack D. Dale have asked the U.S. Department of Education to approve the change. Gibson said the school system is spending tens of thousands of dollars to send to a nearby school the high-achieving students who opted to transfer out of McNair. He said that most struggling students are choosing to stay put and that the money would be better spent on help for those children.
"The key is to direct the resources to where they are needed the most," Gibson said. "This is about helping children succeed, not about labeling a school as a failure."
Fairfax wants to implement the strategy as a pilot program next year. Education Department spokesman Chad Colby said officials will consider the request. Colby also said federal education officials are moving toward allowing more flexibility in how the No Child sanctions are imposed.
The No Child law, which calls for annual math and reading tests for students in grades 3 through 8, requires that schools improve scores each year. Subgroups of students -- including ethnic minorities, disabled students and students learning English -- also must make progress for a school to make the grade.
Under the law, schools that don't meet the mark for two years must allow students to transfer to higher-performing schools. Schools that fail to make progress for three years must offer private tutoring to low-income children.
Robert Pianta, education professor at the University of Virginia, said Fairfax's plan makes sense for a school such as McNair, which has fallen just short of the federal benchmarks. Last year, for instance, the 840-student school would have met the standard if two additional Hispanic students had passed the English test.
"It sounds like there are a lot of kids who are learning in the school, and there's nothing that's structurally wrong in the school," Pianta said. "You want to retain the kids in the school for whom the school seems to be working well and boost the scores of kids who are on the fence."
Last year the Education Department allowed four Virginia school systems, including Alexandria, to offer tutoring before allowing students to transfer to other schools.
Fairfax's proposal is similar. But Fairfax officials want to offer tutoring to all students who fail the standardized tests, instead of only the low-income students who are automatically eligible under the law. The McNair pilot also would add the three-week summer session.
"I want to go after the kids who need the help," Dale said, adding that students who already have transferred will be allowed to stay at their new school. "You have to go child by child."
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Fairfax County school officials say the sanctions imposed under the federal No Child Left Behind Act aren't helping struggling students, and the system is seeking permission to try a different approach at one school -- McNair Elementary in Herndon.
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Talk About Travel
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The Post's Travel Section Flight Crew will take your comments, questions, suspicions, warnings, gripes, sad tales and happy endings springing from the world of... the world. Of course, the Flight Crew will be happy to answer your travel questions -- but the best thing about this forum, we insist, is that it lets travelers exchange information with other travelers who've been there, done that or otherwise have insights, ideas and information to share. Different members of the Crew will rotate through the captain's chair every week, but the one constant is you, our valued passengers.
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John Deiner: And we're back . . . Welcome to this week's jaunt with the Travel section Flight Crew. Looks as if we have a full team on board to tackle your questions. As always, we depend on you guys to help us out. Cindy Loose is on hand to deal with any frequent-flier-mile questions you may have.
This weekend during a trip to West Virginia, my wife and I were so disgusted by the rental cabin we booked that we spent only one night in it (we'd paid for two). It was old and dirty and it smelled and the location wasn't all that hot. Now we're going to see if we can get some money back.
I'm wondering if we're alone here: Has anyone out there ever checked into a hotel or a lodge or a cabin or a resort and then become so grossed out that you had to leave? Tell the tale in as few words as possible (please!!). Most entertaining or educational report gets a DVD of Woody Allen's "Match Point" and the coveted Travel section totebag.
Let's get this chat started, shall we?
Arlington, Mass: Greetings from soggy New England! We're heading up to Kennebunkport tomorrow for a quick getaway. It looks like it will be raining there too, so any suggestions for interesting things to do indoors? We have a 2 yr old, so we'll be exploring puddles etc outside, but would like some inside things to do with him as well. Thanks!
John Deiner: Hey, Mass. Hope you're doing okay up there. Let's see if the Clicksters can help you out on this one. Anyone have some inside info on Kennebunkport to share?
Arlington, Va. Connection Worries: My connecting time at Heathrow (both flights on BA, booked by BA) is tight, so I called and they said it is a "legal connection time." I'm going to chance it because I know there is a flight later, and on the way home I really don't care. Will the fact that they booked it and approved it when I called back mean they will help me get on the second flight in case of problems?
Cindy Loose: Yes, they will try to get you on that flight, but if it's full, I highly doubt they'll put you up for the night or put you on another carrier. I'd check the later flight to see how full it is at this point, assuming your flight is within a couple weeks.
Silver Spring, Md: Any suggestions on food or snacks to bring on a long airplane flight? Peanut butter and jelly is fine, but I'm thinking I'll need something more substantial to tide me over for 7 hours.
Anne McDonough: Hummus with carrot sticks, celery, red pepper and pita would be a delish way to go, methinks. (Though perhaps forgoing the extra garlic hummus would be a nice nod to your neighbors.) Whatever you do, please remember that a flight is not the best time to be whipping out a tunafish sandwich. You could make a pan bagna, a sandwich that is meant to be made hours a head of time. Mixed nuts are a great way to go, too, and if you sneak some chocolate in there your sweet tooth just may be tied over until you reach your destination.
Giving up on hotel - Vietnam: By the point we reached Hoi An we should have learned not to trust our LP guidebook on Vietnam. Our bus had stopped at a hotel recommended by the bus driver, and most of the passengers had decided to stay there aftera quick inspection, but assuming he was a tout we insisted that he take us to the riverside hotel we'd decided on from the LP listings. It turned out to be overpriced, the toilet didn't work, and the 'riverside patio' was a mosquito-infested slab overlooking a stinking tidal flat. The next day we hauled ourselves through the mid-morning heat to the hotel the bus driver had recommended and had a great stay there.
John Deiner: ALWAYS trust your bus drive. That's what my mom used to say. Okay, she didn't, but your story is enough to convince me. Thanks for sharing.
Washington, DC: Do you have any experience with a web site called Hotel Club? It is the only way I can book a room in Croatia, as the hotel's own site shows no availability (although a wholesaler was able to get me a room -- at $500/night!). How can I be sure that the hotel will honor the reservation, or do you have any other suggestions for getting a room? I suppose I could pick up the phone...Thanks very much.
Gary Lee: I have used Hotel Club to get rooms in developing countries. It has worked fine for me and the prices are usually a but below those offered by other agencies for the same property.
Still, just to be sure, after booking with them, I would call or e-mail the hotel to confirm that the reservation was made.
Washington, DC: Re the frequent flier miles issue:
Are there any airlines that will allow you to redeem miles for
a one-way ticket, and maybe dock you fewer miles for it than
for a round-trip? It seems to me that if you want to go one-
way using miles these days your only choice is getting a
round-trip ticket and then not using the return leg.
Also do any airlines allow using miles for open-jaw or multi-
Cindy Loose: I don't think the so-called legacy carriers--northwest, american etc--allow one-way frequent flyer tickets, but even if they did, you probably wouldn't want em--pricing strategy is such that one-way flights usually don't cost a whole lot less than roundtrip.
Jet Blue does let you do one-way, and their price structure is such that one-way is half hte price of two ways. Not sure about the other discount carriers, but given the way Southwest sells fares it make sense they'd follow Jet Blue.
Washington, DC: Can you recommend some fun seaside towns (anywhere from VA to RI) for a group of late twentysomethings to spend 4-5 blissful summer days? We'd like to rent an oceanside (or near-oceanside) house/condo but noticed that many require a minimum 1-week stay... Do shorter ones exist? - can you recommend any websites to look at? Thanks!
Carol Sottili: A lot of the rental places say that they require a minimum one-week stay, but as it gets closer to the date, they will rent so-called miniweeks. You just have to be patient, and realize that there is a chance, albeit small, that there will be no availability. Another option is to stay in a hotel. I don't know what your budget is, but you should be able to find something affordable in Virginia Beach or Ocean City. They're both fun places for young people. Up in Jersey, there's Wildwood and Seaside - both are a little crazy for my taste, but you may like them. Long Island isn't resorty, except for out on the island, and it's fairly expensive.
Reston, Va: I'm thinking of taking a 9 day cruise on Royal Carribean in Sept. I'm trying to decide between leaving from Baltimore and going to FL/MX or leaving from New Jersey and going to Bermuda and the cruise line's private island. Which destination do you think would be better at that time of year. I'm hoping it will be warm enough to lay out on the beaches, without the risk of any hurricanes.
Thanks in advance for your help!
John Deiner: Hey, Reston. It's going to be dicey whereever you go, I'm guessing, but Bermuda may be a smaller target than South Florida and Mexico. It'll be warm enough to swim wherever you go at that time of year.
Washington, D.C.: Hoping against hope... my boyfriend is going on a business trip to Charleston, SC on Monday, so we're trying to figure out a way I can get down there too and we can have a romantic weekend. Problem is, I'm not seeing anything lower than about $670 -- regardless of airport, airline, and # of connections.
Any suggestions? The train is 10 hours, so I don't see this working. Sounds like it may be cheaper for us to purchase 2 tix some other weekend than to purchase one on such short notice. What say you?
Gary Lee: I also tried to get to Charleston recently at short notice and ran into the same high prices. You might check to see if you can get into Savannah (it's a couple of hours drive away. Otherwise, I suggest shifting to Plan 2.
Woodbridge, Va: I'm flying MaxJet in June - curious to know if you've heard any feedback or if any of the chatters have flown MaxJet. Thank you!
Carol Sottili: I've heard that service is very good, but planes are a bit dated. Lots of leg room. Anyone out there try it yet?
Northern Virginia: I read with interest the article on the use of frequent flier miles in Sunday's Travel section and wanted to reinforce the recommendation to keep trying to find the flights on the days you want for the amount of miles you are willing to spend. At the end of April, I was looking for a flight from Dulles to London in early June using United miles. I really wanted an overnight flight and was less concerned about the return flight, although I preferred to not have to leave at the crack of dawn. I was also really hoping to be able to find a "saver" award business class flight. I looked and looked (including looking at flights from Chicago and New York City) and was only able to find "standard" award economy seats available for the flights I was interested in. I decided to hold off on booking the flight and tried again the next morning. To my absolute delight, I was then able to find the flights I wanted on the dates I wanted in business class at the "saver" rate. It really can pay off to keep checking - you may get lucky as I did.
Cindy Loose: Thanks. I had a similar experience recently--a flight was available for cheap miles, I didn't grab it, then later that day it was gone, but a couple days later it came back and I grabbed. Just think of seats as bananas or any other perishable item---if Giant thinks it maybe bought too many bananas they put them on sale, then if they sell quicker than they anticipated, they might put the price up again until they start turning a tad brown.
New York, NY: On a business trip a few years ago, I was booked at the Radisson in New Orleans. I walked in to find screaming teenagers on every floor, there as part of the "Southern Baptist Youth Choir National Association Meeting." Suffice it to say they shouted as loudly as they sang. And they were rehearsing in every elevator bank, ice machine room, public hallway, etc.
I walked into my room to find a dirty bathroom, cigarette burns in the comforter, a light that didn't work, etc. Called my corporate travel agent on the spot and asked them to rebook me immediately. I landed in the Hilton (Meeting Center?), which was fantastic. (I think there was an indoor walkway to a mall?) I've never been so relieved to be the squeaky wheel, and I will never, ever stay at another Ratty-son.
John Deiner: Good point about that squeaky wheel. And the faster and louder you squeak the better.
Washington, DC: Hi--Question about online flight searching:
As you know, entering WAS into the origin/destination
search field on a flight search engine (I generally use
Orbitz) returns flights departing/arriving at all three DC
area airports--National, Dulles, and BWI.
In my case, both National and Dulles are relatively
convenient for me, whereas BWI is quite INconvient. But of
course when I use WAS in my search, in addition to the
Dulles and Nat'l flights, I get all the BWI flights as well,
and it can be pretty tedious to wade through all of them.
I'm wondering whether there is a way to simultaneously
search only Dulles and National and exclude BWI. (My
alternative is to run separate Dulles and National
searches, but that excludes flights that depart from one
and return to the other, which most of the time is fine for
me; plus it would be nice to compare the flights side by
side.) I've tried using 'IAD AND DCA' but that returns an
Anyone know how/if this can be done?
Carol Sottili: Sorry, there is no designation for IAD and DCA. It's either all three, or one at a time.
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE. I just read your section. or tried to. What is it with you guys lately? Two stories on Paris with kids after a whole bunch of stories on New York City? I love to travel but I'm finding less and less to use in your section recently. Give me some adventure. Go climb a mountain, anything.
KC Summers: Ouch. That's harsh, DC. Sorry you're not a fan of cities, and I'm going to forgo reciting a list of all the active/adventure stories we've run recently, since we went through that drill last week. A lot of people do seem to have liked yesterday's section, though.
Washington, DC: I am planning a group cruise(30 people)of Hawaii. We have planned an overnight stay in a hotel upon arrival before boarding the ship. My question is should we schedule a flight with a layover in California since a direct flight is so long(13hrs). I have never flown that long and I wonder would I completely wiped out by the time we get there? WHat's your suggestion.
Steve Hendrix: Are you doing the Norwegian ship, Pride of Aloha? I reviewed their inaugural voyage a few years ago, which was one of the more hapless not-ready-for-primetime performances I've seen. I'm sure it's much improved now. (Can anyone report more recent experiences on the Pride of Aloha?).
A layover? I've done with that flight twice with overnight stops (once in San Francisco and once in L.A.) and it IS nice to zip in after a mere three-hour flight, especially if you have squirmy kids in tow. If you can book it that way without adding too much cost to the air fare (and remember you'll need a room for that night), you'll enjoy the break. But I've done that flight seven or eight times straight through and have never found it too much of a slog (angle for an aisle seat, take ambien).
Bel Air, Md: My sister and I are going to Orlando for a week in July. We'll be flying Southwest from Baltimore and I'm trying to figure out if Southwest will have a sale or if I should go ahead and buy my tickets now. We're leaving on a Saturday and returning the following Saturday and I'm pretty picky about the flights - I want to take the first flight out the morning we leave and the last flight back when we come home.
Right now, I'm looking at about $260 round trip per person - we were hoping for closer to $200. How long should I wait to see if I can get one of those nice $79 each way sale tickets?
John Deiner: Hey, Bel Air. That's a tricky one. I'm in a waiting game right now for lower fares to Lauderdale for July, so I know where you're coming from. My thinking is they can't go much higher now, so I'm giving myself three weeks before I go before booking. May be a mistake, but I'm also watching for a Southwest sale (there's one going on, actually, but all the cheap seats on the flights I want are gone).
Reston, Va: I'm going to San Jose for a conference this summer. We're arriving late Thursday night, and the conference is Friday night through Sunday afternoon. We fly into Oakland airport. We're on our own dime Thursday night, and the conference hotel is $150, which is high for me. What in that Oakland/San Jose area can I get for more like $60-$70, that will be clean and in a not-scary neighborhood?
Cindy Loose: For $60 or so your easiest bet for clean, dependable and safe is a roadside chain type place, like Comfort Inn or maybe Holiday Inn Express. Given that you're getting in late Thursday night, if you aren't renting a car, I'd suggest checking out the less expensive brand names near the airport--they'll probably even have free shuttle bus.
Arlington cubicle, Va: During a tour of Turkey with a British operator, the hotel in Istanbul was disgusting in many ways. The tour group let the guide know there was no way we were staying there at the end of the trip as scheduled, and some members called the headquarters in the UK to complain. The company changed the hotel on the return. I think the guide knew his tips were in jeopardy if the bus pulled up to same disgusting hotel.
John Deiner: Good stuff! And I'm glad your guide came to his senses.
Washington, DC: My wife and I would like to do some traveling in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. I'm trying to decide whether to book through a tour agency or pick hotels on my own and rely on hotel concierges to find local guides. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. Right now Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Seim Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. Also, any advice on how to structure a flight -- round trip to BKK, or an open jaw -- into BKK and out through HAN or any other option would be helpful. Thanks
Anne McDonough: Hey DC, I'd say strike out on your own, though if you're doing openjaw tickets maybe that's the area to go to a travel agent for. My personal recommendation in Vietnam is to make sure to factor in a lot of time for Hanoi (personally, I would have been happy skipping HCM and tacking on more time in Hanoi); I mention that because Hanoi looks like it's the last stop on your trip. Also, you don't say how long this trip is, but if it's, say, two weeks, I'd say you have too much on your plate. I'd scratch HCM and perhaps Danang off the list if so, and spend more time in northern Vietnam. But that's just me. Anyone out there with specific hotel recs for the SE Asia-bound?
Washington, DC: Well, I thought we had scored big-time. As poor grad students travelling in Turkey, we found a small hotel in Izmir for a mere $4 a night. Yes, four dollars. Well, perhaps I was too young to understand the notion of "you get what you pay for," but travelling on a shoe string budget did not allow for many luxuries. It was by far, the worst lodging experience ever. It was mid-July in western Turkey, i.e., HOT! The room was on the second floor with an outside entry and facing inward to an inner courtyard. Toilets and shower were down the balcony, disgustingly dirty and illuminated only by a naked 40w light bulb. We made do, opening the window and exposing ourself to whoever might want to help themselves to our stuff. The sweat, dirty chafing sheets, intense heat and various grumblings of the drunk men carrying on the courtyard kept me awake. If there was ever a time to use my emergency credit card, this was it. At 4 am (we had to be up at 7:30 for a bus to Ephesus), I hightailed it out of there, found a hotel for $60 a night that had A/C, returned to get my travel companion and our stuff, and never looked back. I got 3 blissful hours of sleep in air conditioned comfort.
John Deiner: Another Turkish non-delight! Sixty bucks sounds like a real bargain to me...thanks for sharing.
Reston, Va: Where's good to eat at the Denver airport? I have 2 hours to change planes, so that should be enough time to hit most anywhere behind security.
Andrea Sachs: Perusing the restaurants on the Denver airport's Web site (www.flydenver.com/shops/food/index.asp), it looks like most spots are quick eats--so you should have enough time to get through security again (just check the lines beforehand). Among the most appetizing: Lefty's Grille (concourses A, B, C), Que Bueno Mexican Grille (B), Steak Escape (B), Wolfgang Puck Express (B) and Stephany's Chocolates (Terminal Level 5; who says you can't have dessert as dinner!?!). If you feel a time crunch, get your meal to go and eat it on the plane or in your gate area.
Arlington, Va: I will be making my first trip to Asian in September with a three week visit to Thailand. I am very excited about it and have been doing a little bit of research into other destinations for future trips. I am thinking that maybe next year I will take a similar amount of time and visit Singapore, Malaysia and perhaps Hing Kong or Taiwan. Is that too ambitious for one trip? I usually like to get a little more in-depth focus on one place when I travel, but I also wonder about language and cultural barriers that seem to be higher in some places than in others.
Gary Lee: I took a three week trip a while back that included: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Malaysia and Singapore. It worked fine. But as someone who likes to take in a bit of everything, I found I was on the move all the time. When planning, please keep in mind that the flight times between many major Asian cities is pretty long. It's pretty easy to travel between Malaysia and Singapore but between Hong Kong and Malaysia, etc. you've got to count on a day for travel.
Washington, D.C.: Thanks for all your great input and travel advice. Do you have any suggestions for a 5-7 day trip with a group of 25 year olds to the beach. There will probably be 4 of us and I am looking for something not quite as quiet as the Outerbanks Banks but not quite as rowdy as say Dewey Beach. We would like to stay along the Atlantic Coast. Thank you.
Carol Sottili: You make your own scene. Nags Head in the Outer Banks has plenty of clubs if that's what you're into. But if you'd rather just hike the sand dunes and do the nature thing at Pea Island, you can do that too. Same goes for Ocean City - yes, it has the boardwalk and the bars, but you can head down to Assateague and hike for miles. Fenwick Island may be a good option - close enough to nightlife if you want it, but quiet.
Washington, DC: Moved Out! About 25 yrs ago my parents were in town for a visit. I booked them into the 21st & Mass hotel where the Jockey Club was (forgot the name). Upon arrival we found a room dusty, smelly and filled with cobwebs! I moved them across the street into what was then the Embassy Hotel I believe (now a Hilton) and they had a delightful visit. Management made no excuses at hotel #1 and about a year later it was closed for renovation - too late for us!
John Deiner: Too late for you, but obviously something was up -- and it wasn't good.
Buzzard Point, Washington, D.C.: Flying to Charleston - the best bet may be to fly into Myrtle Beach. MB is more of a "recreational" destination where the airlines see Charleston as a "business" destination.
It'll be about a 2 hr drive from Myrtle.
Gary Lee: Oh, good idea, thanks.
Columbia, Md: My husband is crazy - he wants to take his siblings (16-21 and the dog- 6 humans, 1 canine) camping on the beach (he saw a cool giant tent at Target). We're thinking Assateague around Labor Day weekend (the crowds!) None of these kids have seen a beach save one, and they seem excited about camping on the beach. I'm trying to plan this - we're thinking the National Park. Do you all have a preference for Bayside v. Oceanside camping? The Bayside has fire rings, but the Oceanside maybe fewer bugs? Any other places where this trip might work?
Cindy Loose: I've camped both, and bugs can be a problem both sides. Whichever side you choose, bring some citronella candles and spray. However, if the winds are coming from the ocean to land, the bugs get blown back away from the oceanfront to--guess where.
Be sure you check camping availability before heading there---as I recall some of the campgrounds, maybe it was the state grounds--were first come first served, and over Labor Day you might not get served. It's a popular place, with good reason, and don't consider going without a reservation.
For oceanside camping, I don't know anything that rivals Assateaque in the region. Does anyone else? If lakeside appeals---I was just up at Raystown Lake in Pa. this weekend and they have some stellar lakeside sites.
Washington, D.C.: Hi Flight Crew-
In response to the hotel question, I have a story. My sister, brother in law, and I went to Sacramento, CA because I was moving there. I had not found an apartment to live in yet, so we stayed at a hotel near the Capitol building. It was bad enough that the room smelled like strong curry, but the immediate area was extremely sketchy, and we discovered a long trail of ants coming into the room the next morning. I ended up finding an apartment the next day and the management company let me move in that day so thankfully, we cut our stay short. My brother in law felt unsafe at the hotel, and he's a police officer! We laugh at the incident now, but will always remember that hotel. My sister found the hotel in the AAA guidebook.
John Deiner: Ewww. Curry-scented lodging, huh? Admittedly, sometimes one room is a lot worse than another, but most people can spot a dog the moment they check in.
Worst place to stay: While in the military I had to spend a weekend at Fort Picket in VA. There were two of us - male and female. It was a working weekend during Aug (hot hot hot). We wanted a place where we could spend time in one of the rooms so requested that we have a room with a sofa and a table in addition to the bed. We got our keys and drove to where the building was - we thought we were in the wrong place as the grass was overgrown and the parking lot was empty. As luck would have it the door was open and we went it. It was an OLD old building - the window air conditioning unit was so loud in my room that we couldn't talk over it. The tv got one station and it was purple and fuzzy. The sofa sagged in the middle and the lamp didn't have a shade. The toilet didn't have a lid and was stained brown. The sink also was stained brown. The shower was green and dripped. There was a towel in the bathroom that was the size of a dish towel. The other room was just as bad. We stayed for about an hour then decided to find a local hotel.
John Deiner: Ack. A stained-brown sink? That window air-conditioning unit should have been a giveaway!
Leesburg, Va: Heading out to New Orleans Weds-Sat. for business; will be near the french quarter. Bit worried about what to expect.
Steve Hendrix: French Quarter if fine. Eerily so. If you were so inclined, you could hang out in the French Quarter and have no idea that anything bad has been going on (if you happen to miss all the FEMA bashing T-shirts). Uptown and Garden District almost as intact. Things were pretty lively when I was there in January. But head a few blocks in either direction and you'll understand Katrina in way that CNN could never convey.
We'll link to our New Orleans update from January. Not too much has changed.
For Kennebunkport-bound: There is a Children's Museum in Portland, just a short trip up I-95 from Kennebunkport!
John Deiner: Great stuff! Anybody else out there with K-bunkport tidbits?
Suitland, Md: Are internet cafes (with computers, not just wireless hotspots) fairly easy to find and tourist-friendly in major Italian cities? My parents will be in Italy this spring and want to keep in touch with people via e-mail while they're there.
Gary Lee: In my experience, Internet cafes are very common in: Rome, Florence, and Milan.
I'd be surprised if your 'rents have trouble finding web cafes in any other major Italian cities.
Washington, DC: We're headed to Austin and San Antonio. The challenge with a vacation is booking a hotel. How do I know what the convenient part of town is? Is it walking distance to the night life? Is it accessible to public transportion? Like you, am I going to get there and feel like I've checked into a dirty hotel in a dirty part of town? I feel like it take so much work figuring this stuff out that I'll definitely need a vacation! Does anyone have any simple ways to figure this stuff out? We'll only be in Austin three nights and San Antonio one night...
Andrea Sachs: Honestly, when you are looking for safe neighborhoods, locations and other logistical info, the best sources are the folks who live and breathe the cities: the tourism offices. (Guidebooks are good too, but places open and close so often, it's hard to know if the info is up-to-date.) For Austin: 866-GO-AUSTIN, www.austintexas.org. For San Antonio: 800-447-3372, www.sanantoniocvb.com.
Philadelphia, Pa: Question about Rome: Will have 4.5 days November - We are planning on wandering streets the afternoon we arrive; have lined up tours for Ancient City and the Vatican, and are planning on visiting galleries another day. On our final full day, dwould you tour the catacombs and aquaducts area, or take a day trip to Pompeii or another area? It'll be our first time in Italy and we hope return for a longer visit in a year or two. (Yes, I'm a freak about planning ahead. Love your section!) Thanks!
Anne McDonough: Dear Philly: I would spend that last day wandering the city, stopping for espresso every now and then, picking up some square pizza with slice potatoes from a corner store, wandering in and out of boutiques, picking up fashion tips from passersby. You mentioned just walkinig around the first afternoon, but you'll be tired then, and may not appreciate the lazy meandering as much as you would on your last day of vacation. Instead of heading out of town, wander the Trestevere neighborhood. Personally I find the catacombs creepy, but that's just me.
washingtonpost.com: Is New Orleans Ready for Tourists? , (Jan. 29, 2006)
Steve Hendrix: Here ya go.
Madison, Wis: When I moved to Wisconsin from DC, we stopped at some fairly inexpensive hotel in some non-descript town in Ohio. We'd been driving a moving van all day and were completely exhausted. I pulled back the sheets to climb into bed and noticed... hairs. Short black curly hairs and long stringy greasy hairs. I was so grossed out. I'm grossed out all over again just typing this now. My boyfriend went down to the front desk to ask someone for help, and in the hour since we'd checked in, a new front desk manager (now the only one working) had come in, and apparently invited all his gangsta-wanna-be (ie. white) friends over. They had the hip-hop blaring and were standing around looking disgruntled (probably because they were in a Best Western lobby in Ohio and not the mean streets of, I dunno, Detroit). The new manager didn't care about the sheets, but pointed to the linen closet. We had to change the sheets ourselves. Well, my boyfriend did--I wouldn't go anywhere near them.
So, we didn't leave, but only because it would've been another half-hour drive to the next cat-friendly hotel. I couldn't wait to leave, and no, we did not partake of the free breakfast.
John Deiner: LOL, Madison. That's pretty grotesque. There is nothing worse than seeing hairs on a sheet. Okay, there probably is, but let's not think about that now.
Washington, DC: My boyfriend and I are planning a long weekend road trip for later in the summer. We were thinking of going to Fallingwater then heading to Cleveland to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What's the round trip on these for driving and can you recommend anything else fun or interesting or good places to eat in P'burgh, Cleveland, or environs?
Cindy Loose: For driving directions down to the quarter of a mile, and where to turn and exit number and every detail you could imagine, go to www.mapquest.com.
Sounds like a fun trip. If you're FLW fans, go see Kentuck Knob too(not promising the spelling on that, but it's that or close to). It's not far from Fallingwater and a pretty drive. If you got some bucks to spare, check out the offerings at Nemacolin---it's expensive to stay, but even if it's out of your price range, they have some fun things you can do a la carte--like if you take a spa treatment you can spend as much time as you like lounging next to the spa pool. Or rent a horse, or a ride throught the woods in a Hummer, or go shooting. YOu get the idea, which may or may not appeal.
For long weekend, I wouldn't try to shoe horn in Cleveland and Pittsburg. If you have Rock and Roll on your mind, barrel on through straight to Cleveland.
Who can recommend restaurants or clubs in Cleveland?
KC Summers: Here's some firsthand info on Rovinj, in Croatia, for the chatter who was asking about it last week -- hope they're around!
I want to share a recent positive experience at spring break on a day trip to Rovinj from Slovenia:
l/It didn't seem very builtup at all just a few miles past the border. In fact, on our day trip to Rovinj from Slovenia, we found Istria to be wildly beautiful.
2/Rovinj is a lovely historic city with the Cathedral of St. Euphemia at the pinnacle which by itself is worth the visit (and the fairly steep hike to the top); lots of cafes spilling out toward the harbor; beautiful stone architecture.
3/the people are warm and friendly -- and almost everyone spoke some English. The nice young man working at the cathedral gift shop told us in flawless English that he has seen an increase of about 20 percent more Americans every year in the last 5 years, and that Russians are buying up all the property.
Central California: e.i. grossout As a poor married college student and untested traveller, I now would know that when it sounds that good and that cheap, be skeptical.
The tv spot made it sound perfect: motel on at the mouth of the Russian River and the Pacific. The pictures: beautiful as no. cal coast can be.
What it was: a plywood shack on stilts, listing toward the waterline. If you're in a roller chair now, you'd be against the wall in this dump. Rusted metal spring beds, well you get the picture. The view really was spectacular, but we didn't stick around to see the sunset.
John Deiner: Calling it "a dump" doesn't seem fair to a real dump. Sorry you had to give up that view.
Blacksburg, Va: We once had a hotel room overlooking an extremely busy street, with lots of exhaust and honking. It was in Poland and the windows were single-pane and basically useless in terms of noise.
We were to be there for several nights so my husband went to ask to switch to an interior room. The woman brusquely said there were none available. I would have turned around and left, but my husband was persistent and waited quietly at the front desk until the woman gave up and handed us a set of keys to a lovely interior room. It only took about 5 minutes, but it really paid off to be polite yet persistent. It was a lesson to me.
Anne McDonough: Polite yet persistent: A lesson for us all. Thanks, Blacksburg.
Re: Assateague: Our would-be Assateague campers should check ahead to make sure the dog is allowed on the beach. Dogs are only allowed in certain places.
Cindy Loose: Thanks much---I read the dog part but was so focused on the rest of the family the dog didn't register until you just mentioned it. It's why we need help.
More Exotic Travel!: I agree with Dupont Circle. I had a laugh at this week's Eurocentric, family oriented travel section, remembering last week's chat.
There must be a way to work in a 'backpackers' , 'roughing it' or 'exotic destinations' column!
KC Summers: Another vote from the backpack set.
Native New Jerseyan: Back in the1980's I traveled to Carson Hot Springs, WA with my parents, aunt and cousin. The hotel at the Hot Springs looked like something out of the Old West, and the cabins were about 12x16 feet, with a porch on the front. After checking in, we walked to our cabin, but came upon one of the "chefs" of the resort. He must have weighed 400 pounds, was sweaty, smelly and dirty, sitting on a porch eating his lunch, and the leer he gave us would have taken the paint off the cabins, had there been any. My cousin and I were so grossed out, we didn't want to eat there, but it's far from anything else. I dreaded having to eat there, and figured out if I had a salad, it would have been touched by someone other than him - he appeared to be the cook manning the grill. My cousin and laughed about that guy for the remainder of the entire trip. Actually our cabin was ok - VERY rustic, but OK for an 80 year old cabin. The staff, a different matter.
John Deiner: Beautifully put, NNJ.
Alexandria, Va: I have a question about airport check-in rules. I arrived at National Airport about half an hour before my flight was scheduled to leave (I know, I know, it wasn't intentional, I swear). I had an eticket and no luggage to check, so I thought I could just do the self-check-in thing and hope the lines through security were quick; but I wasn't able to check in. The machine refused to check me in, so I had to go stand in the check-in line to talk to the agent, (obviously at this point I was not going to make my flight). He told me the reason the machine rejected me was that we are not allowed to check in less than half an hour before the flight (it was 25-30 minutes before flight when I was made it to the machine). I have never heard of this. Obviously, cutting it that close isn't the best idea in the world, but since when do they not even let you check in and make a run for the gate? Is this normal practice, or is it more likely the flight was overbooked and since I was late I got booted? The fact that they put me on a later flight which was also full makes me suspect the latter. It doesn't really matter, I guess, I'm just curious.
Carol Sottili: Don't know what airline you were on, but your seat was probably given away. I don't know that the machines have a an automatic cutoff. Here's US Airway's policy, which is similar to most: If a customer with a seat assignment on US Airways does not obtain a boarding pass at least 30 minutes (45 minutes international) before the scheduled departure time, the customer's seat assignment (including those seat assignments on continuing or returning flights) may be subject to cancellation.
Arlington, Va: For the person having searching issues with WAS - you can try www.sidestep.com They allow searches for all area airports, but you can cancel out the BWI option after you run the search. It pulls in results for all major airlies (and Orbitz) and is really great for weeding out times, airports, connection numbers, etc. Good luck!
Washington, D.C.: For the person having trouble getting Orbitz to return DCA/IAD but not BWI fares... I admit I am a huge Orbitz fan, but was checking something else on Travelocity this morning and they gave the option of selecting "up to three" airports, so with them, you could pick just the two you like.
Carol Sottili: Another way to go.
Mosquito Heaven: Me and a friend stayed at a super cheap hotel in Florence on spring break. It was one of those old mansions, with 18-feet ceilings, like it should have been in a Merchant-Ivory film, except there were almost no furnishings. And no hot water. And the first night we slept there, I slept with the blanket up to my neck, but I woke up with about 15 giant mosquito bites on my neck, hands and face! What a souveneir. We ended up staying up all night the next night and leaving in the morning instead of coming back to the room. Ah, good (itchy) times. . .
John Deiner: Hey, even Merchant-Ivory films had bugs, but your place sounds more like a swarm. Thanks for sharing.
Clinton, Md: Re: a place so disgusting we had to leave. I suppose people often expect somewhat grungy places at the beach but one year 2 of my friends and I went to a hotel in Ocean City that was so disgusting we had to leave. We lasted two nights (out of five) before we just decided to leave. The carpet and bedspreads looked as if they hadnt been updated since the 70s but the worst was the shower which had a thick black mold growing in it and the water would change from boiling hot to icy cold every minute or so. Then when we tried to check out early, they said they couldn't give us our security deposit back because the manager wasn't there and he was the only one with the safe combination. I vowed never to let my friend pick the hotel again.
Carol Sottili: Camping at Assateague is sounding better now.
Re. Southwest: You can rebook your flights if they go down. You end up with flight credit, however. It's good if you fly them a lot. July has been booking since February, so you may be stuck with that fair.
John Deiner: Sigh. That's what we're all afraid of. And that's one great thing about Southwest...you can bank whatever money you save when you rebook.
Booking a Hotel in Croatia: I was in Croatia in June and booked several hotels around the country prior to arriving. I went on Google, typed in "hotels Croatia," and came up with lots of options. The trick, though, is that most don't have online booking---you have to call. Everyone I talked to on the phone spoke English.
KC Summers: Man, I sure had the opposite experience. The people in standard hotels spoke English but not a lot of the folks renting out rooms. At least not in the towns I was in, on the Dalmatian coast. But it's amazing how much you can get across with sign language and a phrasebook. Anyway, I don't think it's really necessary to plan in advance in Croatia -- there are travel agencies in most cities that are good resources for last-minute lodgings, at very reasonable rates.
Washington, DC: Wretched hotel room:
(ex) wife and I were driving back home from visiting family in the Midwest. We got as far as Breezewood, PA (The town of motels!) before I realized I would fall asleep at the wheel long before reaching D.C.
We pulled in to some wretched Bates motel-like fleatrap. Barely awake, we stumbled into the room and collapsed on the bed, which turned out to be one of those 'magic finger'-equipped models. On a lark, we fed a few quarters into the box and immediately experienced the sensation of being repeatedly assaulted by the 'fingers' below. It was horrible. It was in no way a massage, pleasant, or any variation of tolerable. And it didn't end. We kept waiting and waiting for the 'experience' afforded by our seventy-five cents to expire, but it seemed to take forever. Imagine trying to fall asleep while being kidney punched by Mike Tyson.
Carol Sottili: When I was a little kid, we stayed in the Amish country at a motel that had these magic finger beds. My brother and I thought they were so cool. My mother was horrified. Ah, youth.
Washington, DC: My wife, two daughters (14 and 13) and I are spending 8 days in Vancouver this August. Any thoughts on what to do and see in the city and destinations within a few hours' drive? Thanks -- really like the chat!
Cindy Loose: A lovely city, and lots of fun for kids and teens.
I went there with a kid that age who loved kayaking, with city in view, and otters and forest at the same time. If you're there during a full moon, they even take out a full moon kayak tour. I wrote a story a couple years ago that might be helpful, and will post.
Great biking through Stanley Park, with wonderful views, and you can stop and see totem pools, go into the aquarium. I hear teen and I'm thinking shopping---there are some cool places. Like very near the Kempton hotel mentioned in the piece is an ice cream store with all kinds of cow stuff, and near that is a store with nothing but magnets---great small gifts for friends cause there is a magnet for every conceivable interest.
There's a great burrito place, the name and address is in the story.
A Chinatown tour is fun--you can walk around yourself, but if you take a tour they'll learn about the wierd stuff that's in an herbal medicine store, and try different kinds of foods, get great advice for dim sum---a must in my book. With 8 days you might consider taking a boat over to Victoria. There's also an area outside the city with a cool rope bridge between cliffs, and a fish hatchery that's worth a stop.
Washington DC: It was 10 pm when we arrived in Mexican Hat, AZ, which is as remote as it sounds. Two motels were full, and the third only had one room left. "We'll take it," I said. "Well, it's small," the owner explained. I said it didn't matter how small it was, we'd take it. She paused, then said, "A lot of people say that. Then they see it and leave." So we took a look. It had a bed, sink, and toilet (no separate bathroom), and could barely fit those, but we took it and slept well. (Not quite what you were asking for, but when your expectations are low and options are few, you tend to enjoy what you get.)
Anne McDonough: I like how the owner acknowedges that this room just doesn't do it for more folks but doesn't seem to do anything to change it! I'm with you on how low expectatation can lead to appreciating sub-par experiences: That's one reason why I love staying in hostels. I'm almost always pleasantly surprised.
Washington DC: In a Venetian youth hostel, the toilet overflowed in the common bathroom and a shirt was stolen out of our room. We hated it, but it the next night we stayed at a 5-star hotel. You really appreciate luxury when you come straight from misery.
John Deiner: Wow, that's quite an upgrade!
Re: bad places: We were driving up to Vermont from the DC area a few years ago. We decided to leave after work and drive until we got too tired, and stopped somewhere in upstate New York. For about $120, we spent the night in a place with cracked tile, a moldy bathroom, sagging bed, etc. Because it was about 11:30 p.m. when we stopped, we had no choice but to stay, but we got on the road real early the next morning.
John Deiner: Yeah, it can really be a problem when you check into a place you hate at a late hour. Congrats for fleeing first thing.
Frequent Flier to Ireland: Great article. I have to extoll the virtues of American Express membership rewards. Last summer, I redeemed 150,000 membership rewards points for 3 round trip tickets DC to Belfast by transferring AMEX points to Continental. Now American Express has its own on-line travel booking site that allows you to redeem points toward some or all of your trip. I booked 3 more round trip tickets on Aer Lingus for $150,000 points and paid a mere $203 out of pocket. I agree with your suggestion to be flexible. We drove from Belfast to our our actual destination, Dublin, last year. This year we are flying out through Chicago and back through Boston, but it is worth for practically free flights!
Cindy Loose: Thanks. I didn't have room to get into the ins and outs of the whole credit card points thing---there are so many angles on the frequent flyer thing. But it's interesting to hear your experience with AMEX points, and I didn't know about their booking site.
Burke, Va: My gross-out experience was at the Harrisburg, PA location of a major hotel chain that was hosting a wedding I was attending. Our first room was permeated with the smell of body odor. I don't know how housekeeping stayed in long enough to clean, much less clear the room for another guest. After insisting on a move, our second room made it clear that the cleaning was not up to par -- as judged by the "gift" still in the toilet. The third room was fine, and yest we stayed in the hotel as the logistics of the wedding made it necessary. But I will never go back, and didn't want to touch any surfaces during our stay.
Anne McDonough: Ew. Just ew.
London with a teenager...: I know you get these questions all the time but maybe you can help? We are taking our 16 year old to London for a week this summer. We will be staying in a flat in Belgravia. This is our 3rd time there with him. He wants to re-visit the Imperial war museum, the British museum and the food halls at Harrod's. We'd like to do a day trip or two. We've already taken him to Abbey road and Buckingham palace etc. in other words, what are some unusual things to do there that a kid might like? THANKS!!
KC Summers: In town, consider hanging out in a market like Camden or Spitalfield/Columbia Road -- they're great for teenagers, with funky neighborhoods, great people-watching and cool clothes and music to buy. For a day trip, Greenwich Market is huge and you can combine it with the observatory and maritime museum. Anne recommends Brighton, the seaside resort -- a real slice of British life, that one is.
Atlanta Airport - Is it just me, or....?: Hey guys,
We had a wretched experience connecting through Atlanta to New Orleans for JazzFest. There were long weather delays on Friday and Sunday, the latter causing us to miss our connection and spend a night in Atlanta.
We've now heard similar stories from friends about this airport. Is it just the season, or is Atlanta always so unreliable?
John Deiner: Ah, the Atlanta airport. So busy, and so susceptible to bad weather. Mix crowds with thunderstorms, and everyone really pays a price. So, no, it's not just you!
My daughter is going to Paris this summer on Air India, nonstop from Newark. The airfare on this route was several hundred dollars below that quoted by the major domestic carriers, Air France, etc. What do you know about Air India as a carrier? The reservation is in the system, but we cannot get electronic or paper tickets, which concerns me. Is my concern justified? Also, are we likely to be socked with additional fees upon check-in?
Gary Lee: We have not taken this route to Paris ourselves but we know others who have and they have given good reports. The reason it's cheaper than others is self evident: this is a fuel stop and most of the passengers will be bound for India. It's not likely that she'll be socked with other fees but since you have neither an electronic or paper ticket, she could save herself a last-minute headache by getting to the Newark airport super early.
Arlington, Va: For the 1st time camping family -another option that is far closer to DC is Breezy Point Beach & Campground in Calvert County. Its on the Chespeake Bay - has a netted swimming area and a nice playground for the kids. And if camping turns out to be a disaster, you aren't on the other side of the Bay Bridge. Not sure if dogs are allowed, though.
Cindy Loose: Right, and I don't know about dogs at Raystown, either. And by the way, I took a dog on a hotel beach trip in Sept., after dogs are allowed on loads of beaches, and it was a pain. The dog would bark at every stranger who passed in the hall, and of course there was nothing but strangers. I'm a major fan of dogs, but if you don't plan to spending something close to 24 hours in the company of your dog, then either you or the dog or both are probably going to end up unhappy on a trip.
To Kiwi Land, VA: Hi, travel team! I'm headed to New Zealand in three and a half short months and wanted to plan out some specific activities especially on the South Island. I have a specific question about the Mt. Cook area: since it will be the beginning of spring in mid-September, do I have hopes of driving to the Mt. Cook area and over to one of the glaciers? Or, is it a time of year where purchasing a helicopter ride is the only viable option due to spotty weather? Thanks!!!
Steve Hendrix: I'm pretty sure that you can drive to Mt. Cook all year long, unless the road is closed by a specific storm. It's a sealed road all the way from Twizel.
I'm looking for some definitive infor. In the meantime, has anyone been to Cook Village in September?
Roaches in Dublin: For college graduation my mom and stepdad took me on a trip to Ireland. My bestfriend and I went up to our room at the B&B in Dublin after a long day of travel and it was small, dingey, and had a musty odor... I was just going to tell my mother that the place was gross when I heard a scream from their room- my mom had pulled back the sheets and there was a dead roach in the bed. She pulled up the mattress and there were more dead bugs! More screaming ensued...
We threw our stuff back into the bags we had lugged in and tromped down the stairs at 11pm. The innkeepers didn't even ask us why we were leaving- my parents gave them an earful, but they didn't care, needless to say, we didn't get our money back.
The result was a wonderful night at the Westin and a bug free bed- that made us all happy as clams.
Anne McDonough: My problem with bugs is that once I know they're there, I feel like they're crawling all over me. Even when they're all dead. Glad the Westin saved the day for you guys.
Baltimore, Md: Good Afternoon Flight Crew!
I've been invitied to Lake Tahoe to visit my cousin so I'll be taking a long weekend at some point this summer. I'm looking at flights to Reno and I've found one I really like but I'm concered about the layover. I have to land in Denver and change planes - same airline - and the layover is only 42 minutes. Would you definitely pass on that one? The flight I'm catching would probably be the last one from Denver to Reno and I'm not sure I want to get stuck at the airport. But this flight really fits into my schedule and budget the best.
Carol Sottili: Denver is a huge airport, but if you're going on the same airline, gates should be close. If the flight is on time, you shouldn't have a problem. Why don't you find out the on-time percentage for the flight? If it's 70 percent or higher, go for it. Play those Reno odds. Go to www.bts.gov for stats.
Washington, DC: For the Vietnam traveler: I also would skip Danang. On a top-to-bottom, two-week trip through Vietnam, we spent about three hours in Danang, and that was more than enough. I'd rather just skip to Hanoi, which rocks.
Anne McDonough: For the SW Asian traveler. I'm so with you on Hanoi. I could have spent months there. And it's also a great jumping off point for exploring the hill areas.
washingtonpost.com: Vancouver , (March 30, 2003)
Cindy Loose: Vancouver travelers: The details box of this piece may have a few activities you can consider and investigate further. Have a great time.
Alexandria, Va: We were driving back to DC after being in Georgia all week and decided to check into an unnamed chain hotel in the Virginia Beach area for the night. The room looked ok and we went to bed. The next morning I picked my bag off the floor and it had what looked like red dye all over it. My boyfriend picked his bag off the floor and it had red dye all over it too. Suffice it to say, ANYTHING that had touched the floors had red dye all over it, including the clothes within our bags! And everything was sticky. We tried to get our money back but they blamed us for spilling a drink everywhere so we gave up and left. We went to an IHOP for breakfast later and I noticed that they were having a drawing for a free carpet cleaning so I dropped the card of the hotel clerk we had spoken to into the drawing and wrote the number of our room on the back. Sometimes I wonder if they actually won.
John Deiner: Yow. That's nasty stuff, and I have a feeling if they won the drawing, they probably took the cash value instead.
Arlington, Va.: I hate Kayak: Has anyone found this site useful other than getting an overview of flights? I followed the link to onetravel.com (they are even worse), where I was told the fare was unavailable after registering and entering all of my info! (Thanks for letting me rant)
Gary Lee: To the contrary, I have often found Kayak useful. If there is a cheaper than ordinary fare on the web, they're usually pretty good at pointing folks to it. It's true that sometimes when you get to the site offering the fare, it's not available. That is not the fault of Kayak so much as it is of the booking site or of the speed in which lower than usual fares go. I have also found kayak pretty good at leading me to decent hotel deals that are not mentioned elsewhere.
Washington, DC: Horrible hotel - in Jerusalem, 1999. Went to a friend's wedding, his in-laws (Israelis) told me they found a nice flat for me to stay in, I wouldn't have to book a place for myself. It was basically a shack on the roof of a dilapitated building, with no plumbing. Scary!! Needless to say, I walked down the street and was able to book a room at the King David hotel. Expensive, but oh so worth it.
Carol Sottili: Possible business model? Expensive hotels should buy a nearby cheap one - great way to get walk-in business!
Columbia again: Dogs are allowed in the Assateauge national seashore on the beach outside lifeguarded hours and in campsites, but not on nature trails, etc. Frankly, I'm more worried about the teenagers than the puppy.
Cindy Loose: Unless they are unusual teens with a heavy love of nature, they're going to be begging for rides to Ocean City, that's for sure. Luckily it's not that far.
Washington, DC: RE: Group Hawaii trip: We are on the new ship-Pride of Hawaii. Does anyone know about this one? Are the cabins very small?
I have never done NCL, but I have done Princess. The cabins on Princess are pretty nice. How does NCL compare?
Steve Hendrix: Any reports from the new Pride of Hawaii?
Hotel Club: I've used them twice and found them to be reliable for hotel bookings. On Gary's advice to confirm the booking directly with the hotel, this can cause problems. Hotel Club often does not send guest names to the hotels until 1-2 weeks before the date of the stay, so if you check too early, the hotel will tell you they have no record of your booking, and cause you needless panic. I know, 'cos this happened to me once.
Gary Lee: Thanks. It would still seem prudent to check with the hotel a week before your arrival.
Arlington, Va: I made the mistake of booking a hotel in Sydney based pretty much solely on their website. Of course they had beautiful photos of a large room with luxurious looking furnishings. When I arrived I found that I was in a tiny room that was very rundown with a tiny little balcony that was basically unusable. The airconditioning only worked when you were in the room, so it was stifling hot when I got back. To make matters worse I had recommended it to friends who also booked there based on my suggestion. When they arrived one of them took one look at their room and refused to stay there. They went across the street to a beautiful new apartment hotel that was only a few dollars more. They even had a washer and dryer. I checked out the next day and joined them across the street. I had a very nice 1 bedroom apartment that was barely more expensive. The original hotel charged me for an extra night because I had originally booked the room for something like 9 days. It was a Best Western so I complained to BW International and they refunded my money for the extra night and they told me they had been unable to get the hotel to pay. I guess it was a franchise.
John Deiner: Oh, no! A happy ending to a sad tale (and we here on the Flight Crew are always dubious about Web site photos -- somehow they're able to make anything look decent).
Saratoga Springs, NY: Good day,
I was wondering how I would go about asking a travel agent to get VIP classification so that my odds of being upgraded to business would be improved at check-in. I was told by a business traveler friend who has many frequent-flyer miles to make sure my passenger name record has "pre-authorization to upgrade" or "suitable for upgrade". How easy is this to do when I call my travel agent?
Cindy Loose: Far as I know you can't get VIP classification from a travel agent---I think he's talking about all the benefits that come from being a very frequent flyer, and to get that status, you have to rack up the miles.
Washington, DC: Bad hotel experience: I checked in late at a hotel in Cleveland and apparently got the last room. There were cigarette butts in the toilet etc. The big shock was when the door opened and a man walked in. It was a security guard who used this room as his place to hang out at night. It gives me the creeps to think about it.
John Deiner: Holy cow -- what a nightmare. That is just plain creepy.
Re: Assateague : With Assateague, there's a bigger restriction on dogs because of the wild ponies.
Cindy Loose: Guess they don't like the ponies to be rounded up unless it's round-up day.
Columbia, SC: I'm interested in visiting London for the Tour de France prologue and first stage, on July 7 and 8 of 2007. What is the best time of year to buy airline tickets for something like that? Is it just a matter of keeping my eyes peeled for the next twelve months?
Carol Sottili: I'd sign up at various Web sites to be notified of sales. But those tickets aren't available now, so I'd wait until the end of July to sign up. I like Deal Detector at Orbitz.com and the Buzz at kayak.com. No best time for buying tickets - just luck at hitting the sale right.
Re: Connection worries: Having experienced the tight connection times with BA many times, I can say they WILL absolutely try to get you on the next flight but be careful if your heading somewhere with few flights per day or you'll end up spending 8 hours waiting for the next flight and the most they will give you is 5 pounds to buy a cup of coffee. Also if it is a popular destination and hard to get a seat, beware! Factor in delays from your departure city, waiting to deplane, the fact that they often make you change gates for connecting flights, AND that you have to go through passpost control ... anything less than a two-hour window is risky. They will rush you through the passport control line and the line for the shuttle, but that's about it. Good luck.
Cindy Loose: And, last time I looked, which was a couple weeks ago, Heathrow's website was warning of long delays and backups.
Chicago, Ill: I had to book a last-minute business trip to NYC last year and my secretary could only get me a room at the Hotel Pennsylvania. Within 5 minutes, I wanted out of there (and I've never tried to change hotel rooms before). The hallways were disgusting, the wallpaper in my room was peeling, no headboard on the bed, the bathroom light didn't work, I only had 1 towel, the list goes on. Apparently there weren't any other rooms left in Manhattan. At least I didn't notice any bedbugs.
John Deiner: A silver lining: no bedbugs. Thanks, Chicago.
Travel Agents: How do you find a good travel agent? We normally do things on our own, but were thinking about trying to get an agent to do an open jaws trip for 7 people from DC to Prague, then out of Croatia back to DC. But how do you find a GOOD travel agent?
KC Summers: You're smart to use an agent for an open-jaw trip, TA, since that can be complicated to book. But finding a good one is kind of like finding a good doctor, handyman or babysitter -- word of mouth is the best way to go. Pay attention to friends or colleagues who come back raving from a trip (in a good way) and ask who they used, if anyone. We can't recommend a particular agent, but if you pay attention to our Details boxes you'll see that we do sometimes recommend specialists in certain areas. For example, there's a good Croatian-themed travel agency that I recommended in the box that went with my recent Croatia story.
Another option is to go to the American Society of Travel Agents website, www.travelsense.org, and use their search function, though I've never had much luck with this.
Arlington, Va: I have a four hour layover at JFK tomorrow afternoon and have heard only horrific things about the airport. Is there anything to see, do, or eat while waiting?
Anne McDonough: Hey Arl, how about getting a massage in one of the massage chairs? This page of the airport's official site lists the stores and distractions available (http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkshopsframe.htm) though I'm afraid you might just have to buy a really good trashy book and get lost in it.
Re: Croatia: "I don't think it's really necessary to plan in advance in Croatia." Depends where and when. It's very crowded when the Italians come in August. It took me 3 hours of knocking on doors to find a room when we arrived in Hvar, and that was 4 years ago - it's probably only gotten more crowded.
KC Summers: Yeah, summer is crowded there, you're right. I went in September and had no trouble. One more reason to travel in the off season!
Assateauge: I spent a Sat night there once and was eaten alive by the horseflies - they bite so hard they draw blood.
Cindy Loose: That's why you have to pray for winds blowing from the ocean, pushing those guys back. I'm a big lover of Assateauge---it's the first bit of ocean or beach I ever saw, at the ripe old age of 19 or so--but I've had wonderful days there, and days I couldn't bear to be on the beach. All depends where the bugs are blowin.
Dunn Loring, Va: Time to hear from the other side.
We owned a rental apartment on the Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC, for about 15 years. During that time the clientele got progressively more picky. We wound up spending and spending and spending on upgrading furnishings, and still our rental company was giving us a hard time about the condition of our property, based on customer comments. We recently sold the place, and I am so relieved I don't have to put up with the rental company or the damn clientele any more. We overheard once at the pool: "Hey go ahead and ruin the frying pan! You paid enough for the room -- ha ha!"
Ha ha indeed, and then people wonder why rental condos and apartments prices are through the roof.
Carol Sottili: I talked with a young woman this weekend who rented her beach place out last summer, but decided against it this year. The straw? A renter stole her Coastal Living cookbook, which she had displayed on the kitchen counter.
Alexandria, Va: Hola, Flight Crew.
I'm headed to a wedding in Evanston, IL in a few weeks. What is there to do when not busy with wedding stuff? Is it close enough to downtown Chicago to visit?
Andrea Sachs: As the home base of Northwestern University (my alma mater), Evanston is a great college town that's like a smaller Anne Arbor. There are boutiques, galleries, cafes, restaurants and bookstores downtown--and even a chocolate lounge on Davis Street. Of the many attractions, my favorites include the Green Bay Trail, a hiking/biking/walking trail that connects Wilmette to Highland Park (great lake views and big house-peeping); the Grosse Point Lighthouse; the Block Museum of Art; the Mitchell Museum of Native American Art; and the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.
Chicago is an easy trip on the El (30 to 40 minutes), and you can pick up the subway line at different points around Evanston. Take the Purple Express line or the Purple/Red to downtown Chicago (depends on day of week). Skokie also has interesting ethnic restaurants and sights and is accessible by subway.
Late Night Motel Choice: My (now) wife and I had a similar experience driving from Rochester, NY to Columbia, MD. As I drearily rolled into Williamsport, PA, about 2AM we settled on the EconoLodge. Way overpaid for an awful, smelly, old room. We took the comforter off the bed and threw it on the floor, and slept in our clothes on top of the sheets - afraid of what might be under them. We left at first light without daring to take a shower.
I've since received a suggestion (at least to save a $$$) at whatever hour to call 800-555-1212 (800 directory assistance) from your cell and ask for the national reservation number for whatever chain hotel you are sitting outside of, then call that number to get the room. They will often make your reservation much cheaper than the unannounced walk-up rate.
It won't get the bathroom any cleaner, but at least you won't pay like its the Ritz.
John Deiner: GREAT stuff LNMC. A good lesson there . . . thanks for chiming in.
Rockville, Md: FOOD IN DENVER
There is a french restaurant in the airport - don't remember the name - but the food and setting is fabulous!
Andrea Sachs: A fine French pre-flight meal; what could be better?
Re: Austin and SA: I'm from Austin, and if you want accessible and in a great, fun area, look at South Congress (Hotel San Jose, Austin Motel are very fun and hip and in the center of shopping and restaurants and some good live music) Depending on what you want to do in the evening, 6th Street is for college kids, Warehouse District (4th Street) is for mid- to upper-20s, and SoCO (South Congress) is for everyone - great food, lots of fun boutiques, etc. There are buses, but most people don't take them. Stick to where you can walk or call a taxi (not very expensive in Austin) As for San Antonio, if you're only going to stay one night, I'd recommend the River Walk. There's a range of prices and hotels - I would say that most, if not all, hotels directly on the RW are great, if a bit pricey. You can also head a few blocks in either direction. Because SA is so unique, I'd look for historic hotels or B&Bs on or near the RW (which is also very close to the Alamo) The RW is awash with restaurants, shops, etc.
Andrea Sachs: Wow. I should have just steered them to you! Thanks for the great info.
Arlington, Va: I enjoyed your FF article, but was disappointed that you didn't include Continental in your survey. Continental's search engine for award travel is by far the best -- it gives you color coded calendars that tell you what date(s) the saver awards are available. I was able to get a super-saver award to Hawaii for the fall -- with the exact itinerary I desired. It took patience, but it was worth it!
Cindy Loose: I did test out Continental and mentioned its stellar calendar in the Hints On Turning Miles INto a Free Ride part of the two-part story, under Use Airline Tools. Otherwise, I just ran out of space....But you're right, the calendar they give is very helpful for the flexible.
Silver Spring, Md: My mother became ill and was hospitalized during our vacation last week in Kissimmee, FL. We are hoping to fly her home when she is able to travel, although she drove down from PA with my father (about a 20 hour ride).She will be needing complete assistance from door to gate and may be in very frail condition. She has not flown since about 1970, so she will be stunned at the changes in air travel. We'd like to maximize her comfort and minimize her distress. At least one of her children will be traveling w/her.
I have several questions: do regular airlines provide any sort of special assistance in these cases? Since the trip will be booked w/in a week of travel, is it possible to get something better than a last-minute fare in these cases? Do some airlines do this kind of thing better than others? Given her weak condition, how will they handle security (she cannot stand for a long period of time)?
Carol Sottili: As long as she has someone with her, she should be fine. I'm guessing she already has a wheelchair, which she can stay in through security. I don't think there's any specific airline that excels at taking care of disabled people - all allow early boarding for anyone needing assistance, and her child will be able to board with her. AS for airfares, there are no special fares for this sort of situation. But Southwest flies from Orlando, and it has decent last-minute fares.
Alexandria, Va: RE: Bad hotel stories: Went to visit my sisters family in San Francisco. They decided to take me to the redwood forests near Eureka. She had booked the motel based on a Rough Guide book review and the price. First indication of doom, we are the only one's checked into this place. So we go to our room. Cue the music from Psycho. The carpet had stains on it, ditto for the bedspread. The worst was the bathroom, mold spores in the shower, peeling paint on the wall. Plus an uncovered light bulb that made me think a summer camb bathroom. My brother in law tried to be positive and say that it would look better after a meal and a drink. To make a long story short, my sister had a major meltdown said she wouldn't subject her child to such filth. After much arguing between the 2 of them, it was decided that we would go to the Best Western 2 miles over. It has a happy ending as the BW treated us well and we paid only $10 more. But we never buy Rough Guides anymore...
John Deiner: Interesting stuff, Al. I guess it depends on when the Rough Guide was published -- a lot can change in a hotel in a very short amount of time. But I'm glad you landed in nicer digs, to say the least.
Bad Hotel: A few years ago, we attended a function where all the out-of-town guests were given free lodging at the hotel owned by a friend's father. We registered for a suite because my spouse is a terrible snorer (and we didn't know we were being treated when we registered - we weren't being greedy!). Upon check in, we found a very shabby room with one lamp (no where even near the bed), no trash can, threadbare sheets & covers, a couch w/many patches - you get the idea. And the "suite" was just a 1/2 wall between the bed & the couch so there would be no escape from the snoring. Since the room was free we didn't feel we could complain or check out. So we left some clothes in the room, unmade the bed and threw the towels around the bathroom before heading out to a nice place down the street with a beautiful suite. The next day we picked up our stuff and checked out!
Carol Sottili: I guess you get what you pay for.....I think you handled it well.
Fairfax, Va.: I know all the adventure travelers here will be all atwitter over a cruise question, but... How safe is it booking excursions with 3rd party providers, versus booking through the cruiseline and paying their surcharge? We're sailing this August in the Western Caribbean, and can save a significant amount of money by going with 3rd party providers. Do many people really get left behind by the ship?
KC Summers: Now, now, can't we all get along? But back to your question. It depends on what kind of third-party booking agent you're talking about. If it's Flybynighttravel.com, be careful. But we've booked cruises through third parties and never had a problem. Cruise specialist travel agencies can be very helpful. Just make sure it's a reputable ocmpany.
Washington DC: A number of years ago my husband and I rented place in Mendicino CA. When we got there it was disgusting. It had old shag carpeting, a mangy cat, glasses that were dirty, you get the picture. The owner looked like an ax murder and there was only a thin door between his place and what we were renting. My husband slept ontop of the comforter, he would not go under the covers.
The next morning we quitely got up and snuck out, leaving a note saying our plans had changed. I told him to take me to San Francisco and I didn't care how much I had to pay for a room, just find me something clean. We checked into the Hyatt and quickly took a shower.
I don't know how this place ever passed any inspections.
John Deiner: Maybe it NEVER passed any inspections, at least not your's. Sounds horrible (a mangy cat?).
Silver Spring, Md: I ran into a disgusting "resort hotel" this past January in Miami Beach. We booked our Orange Bowl tour w/a reputable tour group so our friends could get game tickets, but when we arrived at the Deauville Beach Resort, we were stunned to find it rundown, dirty, and without the advertised amenities. We had bugs and a dirty bathroom, and we heard stories about dried blood on sheets from other horrified guests. We tried to stick it out (and had to for one night, since it was New Year's Eve), but we checked out the next morning and moved to a beautiful hotel in Bal Harbour. When we returned from our trip, we wrote nasty letters to the travel agency and eventually got a full refund for our trip. We will NEVER book through a tour group again w/o having first-hand knowledge of the hotel in question.
Anne McDonough: You make a good point: When having someone else do the leg work for you, it never hurts to check up on their choices. One of the sites we frequently check out before booking our own travel is www.tripadvisor.com, which has reader reviews of property reviews.
Washington, DC: On a trip to Budapest in college, my two female friends and I hiked up a steep, wooded hill to get to our hostel, one listed in our guidebooks. It was approaching dusk, and the place was dark and seemed deserted. I was creeped out, since the place was on an isolated hilltop - I had visions of Count Dracula and Agatha Christie. After a few minutes, a dour woman appeared, checked us in and showed us our room - a long dormroom with beds in a row, like some old-fashioned hospital. When we saw that our bunkmates would be a group of leering Israeli guys, we decided it was worth losing our deposit, and we hightailed it outta there. The floor of a friend-of-a-friend's apartment suited us all just fine.
Anne McDonough: I'll take a floor over Count Dracula any day. Thanks, DC!
Washington, D.C.: To the Charleston goer-- this weekend is the beginning of the Spoleto Festival, so prices will probably be high for the next 4-6 weeks. If you get there, make sure you check out one of the great offerings. Spoleto is still a hidden secret of the South!
Washington, DC: Hi Flight Crew-
Boyfriend and I REALLY want to get away on a camping trip for Memorial day weekend, but neither of us are from the area originally. We have NO IDEA where to go, but are pretty much open to MD, WV, and VA. Both of us are novice campers with a tiny bit of experience and don't have too many requirements for somewhere to go except that it be within a 2-3 hour drive. I know my boyfriend would LOVE an area that features some waterfalls and maybe horseback riding. Any ideas you can offer would be great!
Steve Hendrix: Sounds like you're car campers (as opposed to backpackers), so keep in mind that Memorial Day that will be crush time in the most popular areas, such as Shenandoah National Park and Assateague. You might get what you want at Catoctin National Park or the adjacent Cunningham Falls State Park just north of Frederick. Nice waterfalls there, and more than one stables in that lovely area. Again, you'll have to look slippy to book a site for that weekend. Try this link for rerservation there and other Maryland state parks: http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us/
Bethesda, Md: Backpacking in Europe after college. Get to the first tube stop in London after landing and get talked into staying at some hostel not listed in our guidebooks. Ended up in a 12 person dorm room in a basement, dirty, loud. Woke up next morning re-thinking the entire summer trip -- but instead found a clean cheap hotel and loved the entire summer. Learned not to listen to the first salesperson with pictures of a beautiful hostel.
Anne McDonough: Sometimes the guidebooks fall short, other times they're lifesavers. I'm so glad you were able to get past that first night and go on to enjoy the summer!
Arlington, Va: Love the Travel section and enjoyed the pieces on Paris even though I don't have children. But, please tell us it was a mistake that omitted the diacritical marks from the French words. "Musee" without the "accent aigu" is meaningless.
KC Summers: Sorry about that, Arl. I hate it too -- but unfortunately, it's Post policy to omit the accents on place names. It stems back to the days of hot metal, when printers had to physically place accents upside and down and backward -- the margin for error was understandably high. Now with electronic typesetting it's a lot easier to use accents, but our policy lags behind. Some of us are working to try to change that.
Washington, D.C.: Hi Flight Crew,
I am heading to Catalina Island for a few nights in July. There seem to be a few choices for campsites and I'm not sure which one to pick. Do you or the chatters have any favorites? Thanks!
Cindy Loose: Can't answer definatively, but have been to two very distinct sides of the island. Avalon is a pretty little town with lots of amenities, Two Harbors, a rather rough but fun bus ride away, is like a whole different island, with very little development. I remember seeing both interior campsites and campsites near the water, and I'd definately want to be near the water. The area away from the water is dry and hot---tons of cowboys movies were filmed there in days past, so think of those old movies where the bad guy is trying to escape on rocky mountainsides and you've got the pix of the interior.
Alexandria, Va : We just got back from Hawaii April 17 and knew a family of 6 returning at the same time as us that gave us a report on the NCL Pride of Aloha. Their experience was not good, as Steve reported as well. The Freestyle Dining was a confusing wild mess and the ship was generally disorganized. They also felt it was rushed, the ship departed late waiting for people and also had delayed entry/early exit from ports there. This is a 3rd person account, so please take it into consideration. After all you may find a different experience.
Steve Hendrix: Thanks for the report, Alex. Sounds like they still haven't got that ship tamed.
Washington, DC: Let's see... name-brand hotel that provided exactly 1 working lamp, toilet plus rock-hard bed in addition to visibly molded carpet, cracked sink and rusty-colored trickle shower water. That was a surprise weekend away with my college boyfriend in PA. I suffered the night in that one because I was scared of the guy at the desk. Then on a weekend trip there was the hotel was bare bones, but okay until the bed frame broke in the middle of the night and the shower head seemed to have been sealed shut.
This past summer I booked the hotel room ASAP under the wedding party discount about 6 months prior to the event. My boyfriend and I arrived bleary-eyed at 2:45 am after a much-delayed flight. The hotel claimed that the room we reserved was a smoking room and it was the only room they had left in the hotel. Horrible! But I had learned from my previous hotel experiences and after one whiff, woke up enough to find my printed out reservations to prove my non-smoking claim, argued with the desk and "oh, we JUST had a cancellation. here are the keys to the exact room you reserved on the same floor as the other weddings guests."
Anne McDonough: A good argument for bringing documentation of your reservation with you at all times. Thanks for sharing, DC
New York, NY: Thank you for the great article about Paris with kids in tow. Please help a person with (extremely) limited knowledge of the French language. I followed the link for information on Paris pools, but I couldn't deduce how much it costs to enter and what the general rules and ettiquette may be. What does it generally cost per person? Is there anything in particular we should know about French swimming pools? I'm thinking along the lines of customs. I once went to a banya in Russia and man, I was clueless about what to do with those birch branches!
KC Summers: Hey NY. I don't know the costs for each, but if you email me after the chat at summersk@washpost.com, I'll get the info for you.
South America Travel: Going to Argentina in August, want to visit Corrientes, Iguazu, and Buenos Aires.
I've found tickets into Asuncion and out of BA as well as roundtrip to BA, but am wondering if ticket prices are going to go down, we'll be travelling in August and its going to be winter and we aren't going to bariloche.
Is it better to buy the intra-Argentina tickets here or wait until we are there?
Cindy Loose: Don't know the price of the tickets you're seeing, but $900 is about as cheap as they get. For some odd reason you can routinely get airfare plus hotel for the same price, so you might want to look at a package even though you wouldn't be using all the hotel time.
I'd be inclined to want to make all my flight reservations before going, to end all risk of not finding seats.
Biloxi, Miss.: I am traveling to Venezuela next month for
a 9-day vacation and I keep getting mixed
reviews as to whether or not that is a
dumb idea in terms of safety. It has been
my experience that the geopolitical
outlook of a government has little to do
with the average citizen's opinions on
other countries' citizens. I am also
planning on avoiding Caracas all
together, which I know to be dangerous.
Venezuelans and their relatives say not to
worry, whereas I met a British traveler
recently who said the British Foriegn
Office is recommending its citizens don't
Am I foolish for going still? Is this a bad
time in terms of personal safety for
Americans to travel to Venezuela for
Steve Hendrix: The cliche applies here, I think: They our government, not us. The State Department doesn't have a Travel Warning up for Venezuela at this time, Biloxi, and it sounds like you're taking the right precautions. It it were me, I would go.
Washington, DC: A couple of Japan questions for the Crew. I have the opportunity to go over for a week or so in mid-July (trying to spend 7-8 days on the ground not including air time) and due to cost considerations am trying to see if it would bust my budget. The good news is that once I'm there many of the normal travel expenses (food and lodging) will be covered. The cheapest I've seen for flights is around $1300 direct from IAD. That actually sounds reasonable to me, but wondering if historically that is a good price for this time of year.
I would likely spend time in Tokyo and Kyoto with whatever day trips I could fit in. Is it worth getting the Japan Rail Pass for that short period of time? It looks to be a pretty good deal, but I noticed that it does not include some of the bullet trains. Thanks!
Cindy Loose: For direct flight, $1,300 isn't bad---I'd be hoping for about $900 if I were shopping for Tokyo, but would probably have to accept a connection for that price.
Pass or no pass---I think you really have to get specific to answer that question. Sketch out a trip, and price individual tickets versus passes.
John Deiner: Man, at least I know I'm not alone now. We've all had some baaaaad hotels, haven't we? Anyhow, for some reason the tale of the person who stayed in Fort Picket, Va., touched me in a way that the other horror stories didn't (brown sink, green shower). Of course, it could have gone in any direction, but if that person would send me his/her address to travel@washpost.com, we'll get your prize out asap.
Thanks again for sharing the adventure, folks. Look for our section this week on honeymoon planning and a World Cup update. Till next week . . .
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post Travel editors and writers take your questions and comments every Monday at 2 p.m. ET.
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Adolescent Sexuality
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Dr. Robert Wm. Blum was online Tuesday, May 16, at 11 a.m. ET to field questions and comments about risk and protective factors associated with sexually active teenagers. He also took medical questions relating to adolescent sexuality.
Blum is the William H. Gates, Sr. Professor and Chair of the Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has edited two books, and has written more than 220 journal articles, book chapters and special reports.
Blum is a Past-President of the Society for Adolescent Medicine; has served on the American Board of Pediatrics; was a charter member of the Sub-Board of Adolescent Medicine, is a past chair of the Alan Guttmacher Institute Board of Directors and served as chair of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Adolescent Health and Development. He is a consultant to The World Bank and UNICEF as well as the World Health Organization where he has served on the Technical Advisory Group of the Child and Adolescent Health Department as well as the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group of the Human Reproductive Program.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Welcome to this chat on adolescent sexuality. I will respond to questions as they come in. am a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health ands have worked in adolescent health for the past 25 years as a physician and researcher.
Cambridge, Mass.: Why is it generally assumed that it is bad for adolescents to have sex? Of course, there is the risk of STDs; but this risk can be managed, and doesn't seem to be what really bothers people about adolescent sexuality. There is also the argument that adolescents are something like too "emotionally immature" for sexual relations; but this is a mushy argument that doesn't explain why emotional maturity is needed, what it is, and whether or not adolescents generally, or can ever, have it. So if we leave aside the specter of STDs and avoid mushy generalities: should adolescents ever be sexually active, and, if so, under what conditions?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: The question is complicated since "adolescence" spans an 8 to 10 year period depending on how you define it and there is a lot of development that occurs during that time. The issues: when there is a wide difference in age between 2 adolescents (often defined as more than 3 years) it may very well be an unequal power relationship; 2. developmentally, some young adolescents may not really understand what they are consenting to when they have consensual sex. There is little data, however, that shows that young people who willingly engage in mutually consenting, non-abusive sexual relations are harmed by it.
Washington, D.C.: My daughter is 15 and claims that she is bi-sexual. She claims that she had not had sex yet but finds both boys and girls attractive. How can this be? Is this normal or is this is just her way of rebelling? I am not sure what to say or do.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: It depends on how you define "normal". Most young people define themselves as predominantly attracted to the opposite sex. Perhaps one in about 20 young women are like your daughter attracted to both. It is adolescent rebellion? NO. It is probably an honest reflection of how she feels and that she can discuss it with you is very good. She needs help to feel comfortable with who she is and her sexual orientation. When young people are confused by their sexuality they are at greater risk for "proving" that they are heterosexual by getting pregnant. What is critical is that your daughter feel comfortable with both attractions. Having an attraction does not mean that you have to act on it; you have to learn to live with it.
Guangzhou City, China: Dear Dr. Robert Wm. Blum,
After reading the articles, I find that in the American society, almost all the parents and teaching institutions give a double message towards young people at the same time, just as some experts like Michaud mentioned---On one hand, parents and teachers teach the adolescents to be abstinent until marriage. While, on the other hand, they give guidance on having sex to the children at the same time. This way of guiding is strongly opposed by Western Europeans who support premarital sexual activities with appropriate contraceptives. Well, since the rates of premarital pregnancy, STDs and abortions in US are evidently much higher than those in European Countries such as Sweden. I am wondering that what you think of the popular teaching of abstinent in US nowadays. Is it suitable for American teenagers? Do you agree that sex is a normal part of adolescent development? Will American society achieve successful result in preventing premarital pregnancy, STDs and abortion of adolescents by using the European way of guiding? Thank you very much!
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Your question has many questions in it. In the United States we are very ambivalent about sexuality--witness what we teach in school and what young people witness on music videos. There is no evidence that abstinence education devoid of contraceptive information makes much of an impact. Can kids understand complex messages? Yes. The message is not so complex: Not now but if you have sex contracept.
I would suggest that that is essentially the message that many European parents give their kids.
Boston, Mass.: Isn't it unrealistic to expect adolescents to wait until marriage? Unless we advocate very early marriage, which I don't want to see. As I understand it, 200 years ago girls went through puberty (defined as the first period) mostly between 17 and 19, and got married around the same age. Nowadays, girls go through puberty between 12 and 14, and don't get married until 25 or later. I'm not sure about male puberty, but it's probably similar.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Between 1860 and 1960 female puberty declined by about 3 months per decade to about 12.5 years for females and about 14 years (plus or minus) for males. Marriage is delayed and so you are correct that the period between onset of reproductive capability and marriage is longer now than ever b4. Is it reasonable for young people to wait until marriage? You decide but it appears that approximately 85% of young people believe that it is not.
Arlington, Va.: Usually, none of the articles or studies cited on this topic include the impact of religious teachings on teens decisions to engage/not engage in premarital sex. Why is that?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Sadly, as much as we would like to believe, religious teachings have little or no impact on adolescent sexual behavior. My colleagues and I did an analysis (recently published in Social Science and Medicine) where we looked at the impact of religion and while it has an impact on smoking and drinking it has no impact on sexual behavior. In 1984 we looked at you people who got abortion in Wisconsin and Minnesota and we analyzed it by religion. What we found was that the distribution of those who were getting abortions was exactly the same as the distribution by religion of the population in those 2 mid-western states. I know that we would like to believe that a religion's prohibitions have an impact; the data do not support it.
Fort Washington, Md.: Now that the prom weekends are among us, what are the statistics that many of the young adolescent females loose their virginity during this time of their lives? What kind of parental advice is suggested?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: I don't know the data between proms and pregnancy. My advise to my daughters was: 1. if you have sex with someone make sure it is you who want it as much as him-- if not tell him to buzz off;
2. if you do have sex, contracept.
Having sex is not an accident-- don't make it one.
Washington , D.C.: It seems to me that abstinence-only education is incredibly short-sighted. Most people don't get married at 19 these days! Do we really expect these kids to be virgins on their wedding nights when they're 25 or 35?
Isn't it disingenuous to tell kids to abstain until marriage when really we only expect them to do so until they hit 20 or so? And then what? They don't know anything about birth control or STDs or anything else because all you taught them was to say no!
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: I think that I have addressed this in a prior comment.
Washington, D.C.: I am noticing that a lot more young people, especially teen girls seem to be claiming to be bisexual or gay. Is there a growth in teen homosexuality or is it just more acceptable to come out today than in the past?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: I do not know the data historically. Today about 3% of girls (and about double that for boys) say that they are homosexual; and about 5% of girls identify as bisexual. Is it a fad? Probably not; rather, it probably reflects actual sexual orientation. My hunch (without data) is that it probably hasn't changed much over the years.
Rockville, Md.: I'm not sure why this seems so hard for so many people. My folks were pretty basic about sex: You should probably wait, but if you don't use a condom so you don't get her pregnant or catch a disease. I'm 25, but my wife is pregnant now, and these seem to be simple rules I'll use for my own kids one day.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: I agree... not so complicated.
Arlington, Va.: To what extent is sexuality in adolescence biological and to what extent cultural? I had always assumed it was a biological "fact of life" that at a certain age boys and girls start experiencing sexual feelings, but after talking to friends and partners who grew up in societies with fewer sexual images and opportunities, I'm amazed at the different responses I've received to questions about first recalled sexual attraction, experience, crush, all of these things.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Complicated question. When you look around the world there is wide variance culturally in sexual behaviors. In Vietnam and Japan, for example, less than 5% of girls and probably no more than about 10% of boys have sex as adolescents. Prevalence rates of sexual onset in adolescence varies widely in sub-Saharan Africa. That having been said, there is a strong biologic basis for a sex drive that has a lot to do with testosterone.
New York, N.Y.: What roles do you feel educators and parents should play in terms of sex education for adolescents? It seems in the US, there is a tendency for educators to want that responsibility to belong to parents, often parents often want their personal ethics to be reflected in the general literature. Are there any studies that evaluate the effectiveness of sex education from each source?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: There is a lot of data on effective sex education in schools--I'd refer you to the work of Doug Kirby available on the web-site of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. We do know quite a bit about what works (why we don't use it is a different story). Parents are not keen on being their kids sex educator. That having been said, parents are key. We are our kids sex educator in how we role model talking to our spouses. We role model sex education if we are in dating relationships with others and how we behave. we are our kids sex educator when we turn off the TV and avoid discussing some sexual message that we and they saw and pretend that we didn't see it. We are our kids sex educators in everything that we do even if we never discuss sex with them directly.
Which do I think is more important? The indirect sex education that our kids get from birth by watching their parents.
Arlington, Va.: I guess the problem I have with all this is that it seems to communicate the message that it is not normal to want to wait to have sex. For teens who do choose not to have sex, whether out of fear of pregnancy or religious upbringing, are they getting a message that they are abnormal and out of the mainstream? That's certainly what I hear in the attacks on the abstinence programs.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: The fact that there is no data to support abstinence programs in no way is meant to suggest that delaying sex is abnormal. To the contrary. For me the best abstinence program is to give kids a meaningful future. Kids who do better in school delay first sex. Kids who have an adult in their lives who is "crazy about them" delay first sex. As Marion Wright Edelman said a generation ago: "The best contraception is a meaningful future."
That's what the data support.
Washington, D.C.: How do teen pregnancy rates in Western Europe compare to those in the United States and across what types of demographics do you see adolescent pregnancies in Western Europe? Additionally, how do abortion rates compare? Finally, do you see any connection between the lower rates of marriage in Western Europe to the more liberal attitudes toward teen sex and unwed parents?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Pregnancy rates in ALL of Europe is much lower than in the United States. Even when you control for demographic variability, the US is still way ahead of every country in Europe. US has higher abortion rates than every country in Europe (with perhaps the exception of Russia. You ask if delayed marriage reflects more liberal attitudes; I think not. Most people delay marriage because they have competing options such as employment and school. Without those options early pregnancy might look pretty good.
Washington, D.C.: Can you speak about the influence government has on adolescent health with regards to this topic? It seems that we are devolving into a position in which science is being replaced by unsupported belief. Is my belief accurate?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Your belief is quite accurate. For example in the name of "balance" a recent scientific meeting of the international STD association was forced to add to a panel of those who represent an unsubstantiated pseudo-scientific perspective while a peer-reviewed presentation was bumped to accommodate that change. That was done by the CDC. The FDA web-site touts the association between abortion and breast cancer where the association is spurious at best. The CDC web-site speaks about the limitations of condoms. The federal government prohibits the use of federal funds to teach the efficacy of contraception. Enough?
Washington, D.C.: You've mentioned statistical variance of sexual activity in different countries. Do you have data on the sexual activity rates between the ethnicities in the US? I ask this in general but specifically because I know that the rate of STD infection including HIV is significantly higher for African-Americans, at least in DC. I was wondering if you can comment on why that may be.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: There is substantial variation by race and gender. For example while the rate of teen pregnancy has declined in the US since 1991 the decline has been steepest for African Americans and least steep for Latinos (and steepest decline has been among African American males. There are variations in STD and HIV rates as well. But when you look at adolescents (as we did in a paper published 4 years ago in the American Journal of Public Health) race is a very poor predictor of outcomes. Rather, school, parent supports and "connectedness", peer relationships, meaningful activities, academic performance, whether your parents know your friends and their parents, connectedness with a teacher or other adult in the school are much more powerful predictors than race of outcomes. Their parents
Arlington, Va.: I don't understand how parents can be so outraged by the current perceived lack of morals of today's teens when they themselves want to push the responsibility of sex education to the school system. Do you really want to trust something as sensitive as your child's sexuality to a one size fits all agenda created by the schools? Why are parents so afraid to talk to their children about sex? Is it just a case of having their heads in the sand? Trying to avoid embarrassment? They would rather deal with the embarrassment of a pregnant teenaged daughter instead?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: As I mentioned earlier, whether we choose to be explicit or not, we are our kids sex educators. They are watching us all the time.
Seattle, Wash.: We talk a lot about the roles of parents in sexuality in terms of things like sex education and talking to kids about sex, but isn't it true that by just being highly involved parents can make a big difference in their kids' lives. One study in TX showed daughters with highly involved dads abstaining from early sex.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Yes, Yes, Yes.
Tampa, Fla.: Are there key differences in adolescent sexuality between young men and women. Theoretically, a male sex drive is highest at 18, whereas a female's is highest at 35.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: There are vast gender differences from the age of puberty to hormonal influences to socialization... but variations within gender are equally great.
Fairfax, Va.: In regards to the religious aspect, is the data broken down in that regard? I have heard that some religions hold hard and fast with no pre-marital sex. Is there any data that by taking "vows" to not have pre-marital sex that it works? Does heavy religious pressure help? Thanks.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: We have looked at 43 religions and see no difference as to age of first sex. Regarding chastity vows, there is a cohort effect short term (see, for example the work of Peter Bearman) but the evidence that is emerging is that it does not have long term staying power.
Chicago, Ill.: What role does the media play in shaping attitudes/beliefs in teens regarding sexuality? Does the heavily sex-soaked film/TV show environment make it more tempting for young people to enter sexual relationships?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: The data are not in like it is with media violence but it does suggest that sexually provocative media may have an impact on behavior especially where sexual intercourse is uncoupled from the risks of pregnancy and STDs/HIV and the need to contracept.
Falls Church, Va.: Based on the supporting articles and information from Western European countries, it appears that the strategy used in the US pertaining to teen sexuality is not effective. Do you think the US government and various religious groups play too much of a role in teaching children about sexuality and that parents are possibly involved too little? And do you have any recommendations on books parents can read to better prepare for discussions with children?
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: I don't think that the government is playing too much of a role; rather, it is compelling unproven interventions while avoiding interventions where there is an evidence-base.
As for book, I have been out of this for a while but when my kids were little I always had Peter Masyle's books lying around so that they could pick them up. look at them and when they were older start to read them (but I may be dating myself with this suggestion).
Gaithersburg, Md.: Hello Dr. Blum -
Would you please address HPV and it's relationship to cervical cancer. How is it diagnosed and can one contract the virus by other means than sexual transmission? Thank you for your time.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and early cervical cancer is diagnosed by Pap smear and culposcopy. The evidence is mounting that the 2 primary strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer can be prevented with the new vaccines.
Dr. Robert Wm. Blum: Thank you for joining me for this discussion. It is noon EDT and we need to conclude.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Dr. Robert Wm. Blum fielded questions and comments about risk and protective factors associated with sexually active teenagers. He also took medical questions relating to adolescent sexuality.
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Life at Work Live
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Washington Post columnist Amy Joyce writes Life at Work on Sundays in the Business section and appears online every Tuesday to offer advice about managing interpersonal issues on the job.
An archive of Amy's Life at Work columns is available online.
Find more career-related news and advice in our Jobs section.
Amy Joyce: Good morning folks.
I have an interesting question for you: Have you quit your job recently? I ask because recent statistics are showing that American workers are quitting their jobs in numbers similar to the year 2000. That supposedly means we're gaining our confidence again that the job market is picking up. So e-mail me if you've quit and why: lifeatwork@washpost.com.
Now then, on to the many questions that have piled up already. As always, join in with your own advice and stories to help fellow readers. Let's do it.
Washington, D.C.: Hi -- posting early since I have a meeting during chat time today!
I'm hoping to both change jobs and get pregnant soon. At my current employer, you are only eligible for maternity leave if you have been there a year by your delivery date. Is this kind of waiting period common? Should I wait to change jobs first?
Amy Joyce: Yes, that waiting period is common. In fact, FMLA doesn't kick in until you have been at an employer for a year. Take control of the thing you most have control of: Finding work. You have no idea how long it will take you to get pregnant. That will happen when it happens. So plan on the career side of things. When/if you become pregnant, you can negotiate for leave. Most employers will offer some sort of unpaid leave for new moms if they haven't yet built up to that. Just make sure you don't expect them to hand it to you without first offering them a plan and help for when you'll be away. (And yes, I'm ready for all the nasty messages I'm going to get for this one...)
Seaford, Del.: Amy Amy Amy! About your Sunday column, I don't know of a single small business owner who wouldn't like to provide comprehensive health insurance, paid parental leave, and all the other items on your "wish list" for mothers (and everyone else). I own a small (nine-employee) business, pay a living wage (money goes further here), and we truly are like "family" and try to cover for each other's emergencies. But I can provide only basic health insurance, which went up $4,000 a year when an employee's young son developed childhood diabetes. And paid parental leave is simply out of the question.
I have lived and worked abroad, and don't understand why the U.S. doesn't take better care of its employees. Even before money started going to any number of programs of which I disapprove, this was not even a medium priority. The FMLA, for example, provides only UNPAID leave, which causes many Europeans to scratch their heads. I'm not an economist and don't know what the answer is, but I'm doing the best I can, I haven't taken more than a long weekend off in over seven years, and I come nowhere close to meeting your wish list. I'm sorry! But I figure my employees are better off than they would be if unemployed, and they seem to agree.
washingtonpost.com: Here's Amy's latest column: A Mother's Day Wish , (Post, May 14)
Amy Joyce: I'm sure your employees are very well off. It helps so much to have an understanding atmosphere, and people who can fill in for each other.
I think that wish list was a call to lawmakers, not small business owners, who also often can't afford health insurance and paid leave.
I don't know the answer to what is obviously a major issue in this country, and one that appears to only be getting worse. I wish I did.
Keep up the good, earnest work. I hope it goes well for you.
(I know this is easier said than done, but you should take a vacation. Really.)
Laterals and moving: Amy, is leaving one place and taking a more challenging opportunity that does NOT include a jump in pay a bad idea? What about a company that will move you but will not bump you up 10 or 20 percent -- bad idea? The only reason considering it is the area would be moving to has a lower cost-of-living. What say you? Everyone I talk to tells me that unless you get a bump up you should stay put.
Amy Joyce: I'm all for taking on a new challenge if it means you'd be happier and, well, more challenged. But you do have to remember that growing in salary will be more difficult if you come in at a lower number. Is there any room for negotiation? If not, you really have to figure out where you'd be happier, where you'd have more of a chance for growth, etc.
Washington, D.C.: That's interesting that you are starting your discussion today stating that lots of folks are quitting their jobs. I say this because CNN ran a segment yesterday giving a figure showing approximately only 27 percent of U.S. job holders are happy with their job. It showed several reasons why the rest of us 73 percent are unhappy or burned out. It gave reasons such as unrealistic deadlines, lower pay compared to their managers and special projects given to them on top of their already busy workload.
Amy Joyce: Right. And that's part of my question: Lots of people have taken on multiple jobs as companies cut their labor force. So now that things appear to be expanding again, are people who were sitting in jobs that made them miserable becoming confident enough to move on? Let me know: lifeatwork@washpost.com.
Anonymous: This is in response to last week's question about the screaming boss: I work for my father's company. I was supposed to work in marketing-which I had been doing for the past 10 years-and I was to be "groomed" to take the company over when he and his wife decided to retire.
Since I started working here, I've done everything else but marketing. I was doing well, but I've been pulled around and jerked into doing things that aren't my core competencies. It's been frustrating to say the least. On top of that, both my father and his wife are worse than "screamers," and I have never worked for an organization that treats their employees in such a demeaning manner.
They curse, yell and scream at everyone; in front of other employees as well as on the phone. When they visit our location, everyone feels like they're walking on eggshells. I took the job on their promise that I would one day (soon) take on more responsibility. After working here for almost a year now, I've finally realized how controlling and disrespectful they are; that this company will never be mine and their intention of letting this company become mine was all puffery, lies and deception.
I have a wedding coming up soon and I'm thinking of going back to school to finish my MBA; but I don't want to hurt their feelings. What can I do to not ruin my relationship with them by leaving this horrible work environment? I want to work with a good company, or start my own, but how do I get out of this situation without causing havoc? Disgruntled Son.
Amy Joyce: That is one very tough situation. It sounds to me like you need to tell your father your issues, otherwise, you might lose any sense of a decent relationship with him. There are organizations that mediate family business issues, including familybiz.org and BMC Associates, locally.
Anyone have advice for anonymous?
College Park, Md.: Just as I am finishing grad school this month, I found out I am pregnant. Is this something I need to disclose to potential employers?
Amy Joyce: This question seems to pop up every week now. I'll post my column about this next.
Thing is, you don't have to disclose that you're pregnant. And by law, a company can't discriminate against you based on your pregnancy. But most women who have been in a similar position say things worked out best when they fessed up later in the interview process, most likely when they are offered the job.
It's just a smart thing to do in most cases so you can see what sort of options are there for you as far as leave, and so you can let the employer know that you will have to take some time off.
washingtonpost.com: Here's a link to an Article Amy wrote in January 2005 about job hunting while pregnant: Job Hunting in a Family Way , (Post, Jan. 16, 2005)
Amy Joyce: Here's the column...
Ward 4, D.C.: I still don't understand why y'all in the press persist in presenting "mothers and fathers" wish lists. Really, it's a human being wish list. I want flex time, a compressed schedule, the ability to have a life beyond work.
But far too often, my concerns are passed over because I am not a parent.
Employers -- listen! We are all people, all valuable, and all have lives beyond work! Finding ways to get the work done while recognizing this is the right thing to do.
Amy Joyce: Makes total sense. And really, when us all are writing about mothers and fathers and flex: They are primarily the ones pushing for flexibility. Once a company considers offering some kind of flex, it's good for everyone, whether child-full or child-less. Or at least it should be. Hopefully your employer will recognize that soon.
Re: no bump in pay: So, is the company offering the poster an equal salary? If it is, then couldn't the non-bump in pay be sort of considered a bump in pay, since the cost of living is lower in the new place? Sounds like s/he will still be better off financially.
Amy Joyce: Yes, it could. Thanks for clarifying that.
Thank you!: Amy, months ago you answered me in a chat when I was lamenting about how to tell my boss, whom I adored, that I was leaving for a better opportunity. I really appreciated your calming advice. Now here it is nine months later and I am sitting in that same old office where I first wrote you -- sadly, that "better" opportunity did not work out and through the magic of the fates (or, rather, some good old-fashioned schmoozing on my part), I have my old job back with my beloved boss.
The girl who took my place was going to leave, but I think I have pretty much talked her and everyone else into keeping her on in a different capacity, which is a win-win situation for everyone! Anyway, I just wanted to tell you thank you for your sane, reasonable advice. I used it again when I left that "better" position!
I also wanted to let your other readers know that things DO work out for the best, even if it's not the way you planned or envisioned it -- I am more thrilled than words to be back at my old job!
Amy Joyce: Me? Sane? Well, if you say so.
I'm so glad to hear things worked out so well. It's a roller coaster out there, but things really can smooth out. Congrats.
Silver Spring, Md.: For the small business owner in Delaware who said he can't offer all of the financial benefits you have mentioned, your column on Sunday discussing worker flexibility becomes so important. Time is very precious in today's world -- nearly everyone struggles to balance personal and work demands. Thus work flexibility, the use of telework, can be such an important benefit that does not need to cost much and can actually help improve worker productivity.
There are a number of web sites, such as www.workingfromanywhere.org, that have useful information on setting up telework and other work flexibility programs.
Amy Joyce: True, indeed. Thanks...
D.C.: Re: Flexibility: Why just mothers and flexibility? I think everyone would like a little flexibility, however in some jobs, people have to be where they have to be when they have to be there. Telecommuting and flex time don't work in all industries. I mean don't be a teacher if you don't want to work school hours. Don't be a realtor if you don't want to work evenings and weekends. Don't work as a firefighter if you don't want shift work.
I think people need to take some personal responsibility with their choices. That being said, everyone has emergences that come up and we all need to deal with "life" when it happens -- not just mothers.
Amy Joyce: Never said it was just mothers. Flexible work schedules work for everyone, and unless you're a shift worker or have a specific schedule, I foresee a future where many organizations accept those days when a worker will take the afternoon off to take care of personal business, but log back on later to finish the day. Lots of companies already do that (no matter if someone is a mother/father/etc.) and our technology is really allowing it.
There are definitely jobs that will never allow that, and won't be able to.
Washington, D.C.: Is it better to take a short-term job in the field that you really want to be in (with no guarantee of future employment, and with grad school costs looming in the near future) or is it better to stick it out in a good long-term job that, though related, is not exactly what you want to be doing?
Amy Joyce: Take the job in the field you want to be in, if you can hack not knowing where you'll be when it ends. You get experience in your field, and contacts. And you never know if this can turn into something longer term, or if something else will open up. You can also see if this is definitely want you want to do, without any necessarily long-term commitment.
Washington, D.C.: Early this year I switched jobs and fields entirely. Though I have several years work experience in other fields, I felt that I did not have the technical background to ask for more than a starting salary. However, after several months I have turned around a process which had been giving my small office a great deal of trouble, with little direction or support, and have been instrumental in helping to get a project organized enough so that the client's confidence was restored and we have been offered further opportunities with them.
I have been recognized for these efforts by the managing partner. I have also learned in the interim that a younger co-worker who was hired in a similar capacity, but who has not taken the same kinds of initiative or responsibilities is making more than I am. While she is pursuing a graduate degree, I am going back to school to finish an undergraduate degree in the same business that my office conducts and my knowledge of the technical terms and processes allows me to make the kind of contributions that I have.
While learning of her general salary range is not the only reason, it has certainly added to my frustration and I am considering asking for a raise. Is four months too early if I have risen above and beyond the capacity I was hired in? Perhaps you could offer some points on broaching this.
washingtonpost.com: Amy took a look at salary contrasts and calculated covetousness back in January: 'You're Making What?' , (Post, Jan. 29)
Amy Joyce: Here's a column on the topic. Hope it helps. In short, if you feel like you've earned it (which you obviously do), then ask. You can go in armed with stats about typical salaries at your level. And you should make sure you have specific reasons (like you do here) about why you should have a salary bump up. Go for it! Good luck...
Washington, D.C.: Employee Benefits (for some): I'm feeling less and less like an employee of my company. Because of the nature and off-site location of my job, I am not able to take advantage of benefits other employees receive who are in a more traditional office setting, like:
1. The office closes early the day before a holiday day off -- usually at 1 p.m.
2. Half days every Friday in August.
(Yes, we get "comp" time, but that's not the same, especially when it's given begrudgingly.)
3. Access to free coffee, tea, water + a kitchen with fridge, microwave, etc.
4. Vacation time anytime, not restricted to "off-season" (I miss out on my family's beach vacation every August, plus work holiday weekends).
5. Lunch hours (what's that?).
6. Now, flex-time! I won't have that option.
My supervisor and an employee in our department reap these benefits. Myself and another employee, at yet another of-site location department do not! I'm not sure how my fellow off-site colleague feels about this but I'm wondering where does it end and what else might we be missing out on since impromptu meeting are held and staff meeting minutes are never circulated?
Should I confront my supervisor only or should I make it known to the company president and office manager that policy is being made without consideration of the entire staff (I honestly don't think they are aware of the exclusion)?
Amy Joyce: It sounds to me like you've gotten yourself worked up in great detail about inequities, without telling anyone. Obviously, if you want something to happen, you have to let someone know what that is. Talk to your direct supervisor about how you feel left out of things, what you'd like to do about it, and what you'd like your company to do about it. You can't expect that your supervisor will be tuned in to everything. Communicate!
For anonymous: Sounds like your parents are irrational and controlling -- unlikely that you will "hurt" their feelings by going back to school but very likely that they will sense your distress at hurting them and play on it to make you feel bad. Steel yourself and do what's right for you.
Amy Joyce: Quite possible. Best thing to do, I think is just what you say here: Do what's right for you.
It just has to be handled a bit differently because this is your dad. Time to schedule a chat.
Washington, D.C.: If you're miserable in your job, how long should you stay so that you don't look like a "job hopper" to potential employers?
Amy Joyce: There's no law about this. Look for work. When you find something that is the right fit, exciting and that you really want, go for it.
Moving on Up: I haven't quit my job yet, but I am about to, despite having been here only six months. I'll be sad to leave this place, but the opportunity that's in front of me is of the once-in-a-lifetime sort. I'm doing everything possible to make my current employer's life easy during the transition, and then not looking back! So I guess that means I'm confident in some respect -- the job market must not be too shabby if I've got the offer of my dreams, right? (Ignoring the creeping guilt of leaving so soon...)
Amy Joyce: Can you e-mail me?
I'd love to hear more...
San Diego, Calif.: Re: Non-parent flexibility. I completely agree. I've been relegated to working the unpopular times and covering for parents because I'm single and child-free, and it stinks. Being told that the death of a dearly beloved family member does not entitle me to take time off (but school meetings for the kids would) led me to leave an employer. Yes, parenting the next generation is important. But not by discriminating against those of us who choose to contribute in other ways.
Amy Joyce: Your situation is definitely a common one, I'm afraid. But good employers know to handle this and everyone equally. And I hope more are catching on.
Maryland: Lately, one of my co-workers has been passing her work off to me because she simply can't get it done in time. I am a faster worker, but it seems like this is punishing me. I understand the meaning of teamwork, but how can I let her know that I also have enough work to do without taking on hers as well?
Amy Joyce: "I'm sorry, Jane, but I have too much of my own work today." Does your boss know this is happening? Might you get rewarded for doing all of this extra work?
Lagos, Nigeria: Hi Amy. How do you endure a job that you hate so much, where the pay is peanuts, the work environment is hostile and the people you work with gossip about you and mock you a lot? Meanwhile the process of job-hunting for another seems to take forever... Any suggestions? I'm not happy where I work at all.
Amy Joyce: You deal with it by remembering that you have other opportunities out there. And although they might take some time to find, at least you're on your way to finding them. Do what you can with your spare time to really focus on what you want to do next and where. I'm sorry you're so miserable now. Good luck...
USA -- Single non-parent wish list: Only one item: Respect. Thinking I don't have a life outside work and can just cover for everyone else's "emergencies" is disrespectful. Thinking my evenings and weekends are "free" since I don't have to take care of a spouse or children is disrespectful. Bringing children to work and thinking that I can conduct work or run a meeting with them running around the office is disrespectful. (Thinking I'd like to babysit them while you go off to another meeting is so over the line it goes without saying -- even though it still happens). I think everyone wants flexibility and support etc., but mostly, I'd just like a little respect.
Amy Joyce: I agree. It's important to let your boss know that you can't pick up all the slack just because you don't have kids. Someone once told me she kept being asked to work late for this reason. One night, she had a date, but her boss asked her to stay because "I know you don't have any kids to run home to."
Her response: "And if you don't let me go on this date, I never will."
Her boss realized how unreasonable he had been and years later, still have a good laugh about it.
So SAY something. Sometimes people are so focused on the parents, they forget about the issues others are dealing with. And that even if they don't have kids, they have a life. (Or, as another reader reminded me today: a dog.)
Washington, D.C.: This may be a little off topic, but do you offer any advice to people who are interested in starting their own business? I am particularly interested in the transition from being paid a salary to your initial business income when you are getting started.
washingtonpost.com: Here's a special feature we put together last year that might be useful to you: Small Business 101
Amy Joyce: We are here to serve...
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: Hi Amy! Your advice to the woman changing jobs and starting a family is to concentrate on finding a job, i.e. the thing she can control. Is your advice the same if a woman knows she'll be quitting to stay home once the child is born, as opposed to negotiating for leave? It seems a bit dishonest to apply for jobs knowing I could be leaving in less than a year, but getting pregnant is uncertain. Thanks for your input!
Amy Joyce: When you get pregnant, negotiate. If you're 100 percent sure you will be staying home, then quit your job before you go on leave. But remember that a lot of women assume one thing and change their mind late in the leave period. You might have to go back to work, for instance. Or you might realize you'll be happier if you work at least part time.
Washington, D.C.: Hi Amy, this is more of a question about my mother. She is in her mid-50s and is unhappy in her administrative job. She has been at the same job in the same place for over 30 years and wants to get out and do something new because she finds her work tedious and unchallenging (not to mention she is severely underpaid). She just got her B.A. a few years ago, so she's got a college degree.
She has had a bunch of second jobs and done volunteer work over the years but she feels very limited because she has been a secretary for so long and does not even know where to begin to look for a new job. She has no clue what she even wants to do but she knows she wants to leave and is scared because she doesn't know where to begin, especially since she is older.
Do you have any advice or books that I can give her to get her butt moving on finding a fulfilling career at this stage in her career? She really deserves to be happy and I want to make sure she finally does something for herself. Thanks so much!
washingtonpost.com: The AARP's Deborah Russell chatted with our readers about careers and the aging workforce for our Mega Jobs special feature back in January.
Amy Joyce: I'm sorry I didn't get to this earlier. Here's a link to something that will hopefully help.
Amy Joyce: Okay, time to get back to work, folks. Join me again next week, same time, same place.
Don't forget to e-mail me at lifeatwork@washpost.com if you are quitting or have quit your job recently.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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The Post's Amy Joyce offers advice on how to survive in the workplace.
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Roberto Suro , director of the Pew Hispanic Center , was online Tuesday, May 16, at noon ET to discuss President Bush 's new proposal on border control, the debate over immigration and its social, economic and political impact within the U.S.
Rove Praises Bush's Border Control , ( May 15, 2006 )
Washington, D.C.: Have you polled permanent resident aliens and US citizens of Hispanic descent to gage their thoughts on this issue? I am Puerto Rican (a U.S. citizen by birth) and a professional. What I have found amazing about this Latino mobilization is how so many people like me saw the House bill as a personal affront, like we're not welcomed in this country, even though the bill doesn't affect us personally.
Roberto Suro: We've conducted several polls over the years that find some differences between native born Latinos and immigrants on immigration issues. Put simply, the polls indicate that there is a significant minority--between a quarter and a third roughly--of the native born who are anxious or worried about levels of immigration in general and the effects of illegal immigration specifically. Meanwhile, the foreign born take overwhelmingly positive views.
Sterling, Va.: What drives people to come into the country "illegally" by crossing the border on foot and avoiding being documented? Please help me understand why they now want to become U.S. citizens now, and what they say to those who did the right thing and filed a petition to become an immigrant.
Roberto Suro: The motives that bring people to this country illegally are pretty much the same as those that bring people here legally: better jobs, better pay, all of the benefits of living in our society, a brighter future for children and the chance to be reunified with family members who are already here. I would guess that almost all the people who come here illegally would come on a legal path if one was available. But for certain types of persons from certain parts of the world--in particular people with low skills from Latin America-- it can be very very difficult, if not impossible to migrate here legally. Current laws effectively limit the number of people in those categories who can come legally.
Washington, D.C.: Does Bush still have enough political points to unite the divergent House and Senate interests and get this multifaceted and comprehensive immigration bill through committee?
Roberto Suro: That is the political question of the hour. We'll find out in the next week or so as the Senate debates immigration.
Annandale, Va.: The Senate Plan will allow for the deportation of millions of illegals who have not been here for at least two years. How will this occur? Will there really be a search for the millions of illegal immigrants who have not qualified as a Guest Worker?
Roberto Suro: It is not clear what will happen to people who are still out of status under this proposal or any of the others. There is no legislation that envisions mass roundups or mass deportations. The prevailing theory among the proponents of tough enforcement measures is that "attrition" will eventually reduce the illegal population. In other words, if you make life difficult for people who are here illegally in various ways, they will eventually go home--that is the theory.
Washington, D.C.: Have you done any research that suggests that the increase of enforcement on the border - including overhauling the current "catch and release" policy - will actually decrease the flow of illegal immigration?
Roberto Suro: There is no easy answer to that. "Catch and release" only applies to people from countries other than Mexico who now account for about 15% of the apprehensions on the border, if I remember the figure correctly. As to the great majority who do come from Mexico, we do know that enforcement on the border has been steadily increased since 1993 and that is now much more difficult to enter the country across the border than it used to be. Nonetheless, the number of illegal migrants from Mexico has steadily increased.
Oxen Hill, Md.: Mr. Suro, thanks for the chat. My impression is that many Hispanic immigrants come to the U.S. with the intention of working here for a few years, sending money home but also accumulating enough money to return to their home countries and live a higher standard of life than was previously possible. Do you have any statistics as to how many actually do this? My impression, again, is that it's relatively small.
Roberto Suro: There are only very rough estimates. About 800,000 people enter the country to reside here on a more or less permanent basis every year, and about 200,000 leave. Again these are very rough numbers. Another large number of people which is very difficult to even guess at come here for a few months at a time and go back.
Anonymous: Do your polls differentiate between the public's view on immigration, in general, versus its view on illegal immigration, i.e. respect for the rule of law? It seems that many want to frame the debate as simply one of pro- or anti-immigration.
Roberto Suro: The polls definitely show that the public's concern is focused on illegal immigration and the rule of law, security concerns in general as well as the economic effects are the major sources of those anxieties. Some of the concern does seem to be spilling over to legal immigration however. The country is split now on whether immigration in general helps or hurts the country and a significant minority favors reducing the flow of legal immigrants.
Dale City, Va.: We often hear about the illegal immigrants paying taxes. Is this a reference to sales taxes or what? Does what they pay in sales tax cover what they use is services, such as health care and schools? Why does this even count as "paying taxes" since even tourists who purchase products in America have to pay sales tax?
Roberto Suro: It is almost impossible not to pay some taxes. Sales taxes as you mention. Property taxes as well, even if you are renting. In addition, many illegal workers, it is hard to say definitively what share, have federal income and social security taxes taken out of their paychecks. The Social Security Administration actually has a specific fund of money that comes from people who have paid in but will never collect.
Drawing a balance sheet for anyone in terms of taxes paid and the costs of services received is also very difficult. Just thinking about the native born, how do you do you figure the elderly who require a great deal of health care or children who get public schooling?
San Francisco, Calif.: If we take 12 million illegals this year, how many people will come next year?
Roberto Suro: 12 million is the estimate of the total number of unauthorized migrants now resident in the country on a more or less permanent basis. They arrived over many years. The net number added to the US population each year has been running about 500,000 in recent years.
Woodbridge Va.: Has Pew or anyone else done a longitudinal study of the 3.5 million immigrants given amnesty in 1986? How many are still here? How many are productive citizens? How many are on TANF? etc. I would think understanding the answers to these questions would be critical to anyone trying to decide about the current amnesty proposal. And no matter how much lipstick you put on the pig, it is still amnesty.
Roberto Suro: It would be a great research project but very difficult to pull off. Studies done in the years immediately after the 86 amnesty showed that they experienced significant increases in earnings. Recent studies of TANF (the main federal welfare program) tend to show that, aside from refugees, immigrants are not more likely to qualify for the program than other people in the same income levels, and indeed, federal law limits access to TANF for recently arrived immigrants.
Springfield, Va.: Isn't it true that if all the illegals in this country were sent back home many American businesses would be severely hurt?
Roberto Suro: Illegal workers are a substantial part of the workforce in a few industries: home construction, restaurants and hotels, some kinds of agriculture. If they suddenly disappeared--not something that is likely--those industries would be seriously affected in the short run. What is much hard to project is how those industries would adapt over time if the supply of cheap labor dried up gradually.
Luray, Va.: Two quick questions if I may. First; It is commonly believed that children born of an immigrant, legal or not, automatically become American citizens. Is that true? Is that a constitutionally assured right or a legislatively conferred status? Second; are the parents of such a child then assured of being granted citizenship?
Roberto Suro: Under the 14th amendment anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a U.S. citizen. A native-born citizen has to be 21 years old before he or she can petition to get their parents permanent legal immigrant status.
Orono, Maine: It's very easy to say that immigrants should learn English. But what resources are available to allow that to happen? President Bush should put some teeth in his policy and require that company's that hire immigrant workers provide English-language training for them.
Roberto Suro: Generally, the best available research, and it is not very complete, shows that there is a shortage of English instruction. Certainly there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence and data from local studies that show that there is much more demand than there is supply. Any legislation that required applicants for a legalization program to learn English would obviously increase that demand tremendously.
Washington, D.C.: Can we expect the meat-packing, farming, and construction industry employers to comply with a new "legal" ID card? Bush says that most employers don't know for sure about their employees' documentation status, but isn't there research that shows that many are fully aware that their businesses would not run without this supply of cheap illegal labor?
Roberto Suro: There are very few details about what the president proposed last night. It was a novel idea: an id card only for legal immigrant workers. In the past, id card proposals have generally covered all workers, both immigrant and native born. He said the goal was to discourage document fraud. It's not clear what would discourage immigrants from seeking false documents that show they are natives. Current law does not require employers to check the validity of documents. None of the proposals before Congress would change that in the short term. The bill passed by the House would create a database of eligible workers in two years but give employers six years before they had to check current employees. The Senate bill as it stands would not create a database for five years.
Madison, Wis.: I find it interesting that so much of our collective disapproval is directed to the illegal immigrants, and not to the employers who invite them to come work here. Efforts to enforce already existing laws (requiring employers to prove that their workers have documentation) are met with protests from employers who bemoan the obdurate burden of complying with the law. But they're a major source of the problem. What gives?
Roberto Suro: I am afraid this is the last question I'll be able to take.
I was on the Charlie Rose Show recently with Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, one of the chief supporters of tough enforcement policies, and I asked him a similar question. He said that the only way to get more border enforcement was with a political tradeoff that essentially gave employers several years to start obeying the 1986 law that bars the employment of illegal immigrants. It is no secret that many businesses and whole industries lobbied very hard to secure this "grace period."
Several of the proposals under consideration would increase penalties against employers, but as per my response to the last question, the enforcement mechanisms would only come on line gradually over several years. It has been a part of the conventional wisdom on immigration policy that people will keep coming as long as they can get jobs. But, the border has gotten much more attention in the current debate that work site enforcement.
That wraps it up for me. Thanks to all for joining this forum.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Roberto Suro, director of the Pew Hispanic Center, discusses President Bush's new proposal on border control, the debate over immigration and its social, economic and political impact within the U.S.
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Calling all foodies! Join us for another edition of What's Cooking , our live online culinary hour with Kim O'Donnel .
A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education (formerly known as Peter Kump's New York Cooking School), Kim spends much of her time in front of the stove or with her nose in a cookbook.
Catch up on previous transcripts with the What's Cooking archive page .
Kim O'Donnel: I just looked at my calendar and can't believe that Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner (and I'm starting to say things like my mother..'where does the time go?') But really, people, summer is nearly here! With its impending arrival, I'm dishing up a new blog focused on summertime slurping, sipping and everything else in between. It's called Savoring Summer, and it launches next Thursday, May 25, just in time for the long holiday weekend. Stay tuned. Hey, how were the Mother's Day festivities? Tell me, tell me. By the way, I'll be in Monterey, Calif. starting tomorrow for a sustainable seafood and agriculture event, and after my brain is filled up with new nuggets, I'm gonna share the wealth with you this Friday, May 19, 11 ET. Hope you can join. Now let's cook...
Reston, Va.: Where can I go in my area to find prepared Caribbean-style foods, preferable frozen that I can reheat at home?
Kim O'Donnel: I don't know about the frozen part, but if I were looking for Caribbean goodies, I'd zoom over to Caribbean Market on New Hampshire Ave. in Takoma, Md. I was there recently and had a ball walking through the aisles, taking home fresh produce, a few jarred condiments and of course, some Jamaican meat patties. Give it a whirl.
Baltimore, Md.: I bought a carton of buttermilk for a cake recipe, and now I still have about 2 cups left over. Any suggestions on what I can do with it? I'd prefer something savory to something sweet.
Kim O'Donnel: Hey Balto, you could go crazy and whip up a batch of fried chicken. Nothin' like buttermilk to make smack-your-mamma fried chicken. I've got details in a video/how-to if you're interested.
Bethesda, Md. : Hi Kim,
Where is a good, reliable place to go in Bethesda/NW D.C. to buy softshells? I've been buying them at Whole Foods for the past few years, and earlier this season, but they no longer sell them live. (It seems a few customers got upset because they saw the softshells being "cleaned" and said it was "cruel" so they stopped selling them). I know how to clean them myself -- where can I go to get some good softies while they are in season? I was hoping to try Patrick O'Connell's recipe that was featured in the Food section last week (ambitious, I know). I usually use a more simple recipe, but this one looked really tasty, too.
Kim O'Donnel: Hi Bethesda, check Walter Nicholl's story in tomorrow's Food section on WF's decision to stop selling soft shells and live lobsters, fyi. You could give a call to Cannon's, Slavin's, and maybe Walter is offering up some suggestions as well. Oh, jeez, just remembered...Buster's is selling very nice soft shells at Dupont Circle farm market on Sunday mornings. That would be a splendid source, fished and handled with great care.
Washington, D.C.: I was listening in on a convsrsation on the Red Line this morning on my way to work after a doctor's appointment. Three college students were discussing what one of them was going to serve for dinner tonight to her parents. She commented that she had bought two boxes of some kind of mix that had chicken and vegetables in it and all she had to add was liquid. She was also serving potatoes right out of a box also. She commented that she was not a cook but she felt this would be a good meal. YUCK YUCK How I wanted to intervene and tell her it would be just as easy to make a nice roast chicken with some real potatoes and perhaps steamed string beans -- easy, healthy, inexpensive and not time consuming.
Kim O'Donnel: I wish I could use my wand and get them to join our discussion, Washington. Maybe they need to get a copy of Eric Schlosser's new book (author of "Fast Food Nation") which is geared for young people who have fallen under our national spell of insta-presto-matic food out of a box. As home cooks we just need to keep on keepin' on and spead the good word by continuing to cook, continuing to share the culinary threads in our communities, families and in our daily lives. Thanks for writing.
Woodbridge, Va.: Hi Kim,What is the best way to make homemade croutons? I have a lovely loaf of Italian just sitting in my freezer, waiting for inspiration to strike!
Kim O'Donnel: Hey Woodbridge, get that loaf outta that freezer and let it thaw completely. Then cut into lengthwise and start breaking it down until you've got one-inch or so cubes. Place in a bowl, add a bit of olive oil to coat, plus herbs that you like. Salt and pepper if you like. Place in low oven, about 250 and let them dry out. Check after 30 minutes, then another 30, and get them good and dry. Croutons, baby.
Herndon, Va.: Dearest Kim and Chowhounds,
I roasted some asparagus for the first time last night and it was awesome. Hubby was slightly suspicious of the cooking method but fell in love with the taste. Thank you for raving about roasted asparagus; we wouldn't have tried it without your endorsement!
When I was at the farmers market over the weekend I got some spring garlic along with the asparagus. How should I use it and how should I store it? I go there every weekend that it's opened so the vendors know me and the guy at the herb stand generously gave me more than I'll be able to eat in a few days. I love the farmers market. After eating truly fresh produce you'll never look at chain store produce the same way you did before.
Kim O'Donnel: Hey Puff, nice to hear from you. I too love roasted asparagus. Opened my mom's eyes this weekend as well to this very easy technique..and am glad that you gave it a try! Spring garlic -- yes indeed. At this stage of the plant, it's got more of a mild onion flavor, and you certainly can use it as such, and I think you'd like it raw. Don't forget, garlic scapes (aka curls) are on their way...that's the part of the garlic plant that would become the dried out shoot if not clipped. Do try that when you see at farm market and puree in food processor to make an ultra fab pesto.
Greenbelt, Md.: Now that the weather is getting warmer, I've been grilling a lot more -- primarily marinaded meats. When I don't have the time or ingredients to make a homemade marinade, I like to have pre-made commerical ones in my pantry. However, most list "high fructose corn syrup" as one of the first ingredients. Do you, or any of the chatters, have a recommendation prepared marinades that are tasty, but made with better (more healthful) ingredients?
Kim O'Donnel: Greenbelt, I'm glad you're on the lookout out for HFCS, which is a nasty little bugger taking over the world. Let's ask around. One of my go-to prepared rubs/marinades is jerk seasoning from Walkerwood or Busha Brownes. Who else has corn syrup-free marinades to tout?
Alexandria, Va.: I know it is a rather elementary question but I can never seem to carmelize onions. Can you offer any suggestions? I know it can't be as hard as I am making it ...
Kim O'Donnel: It's not elementary at all. Slice those onions thin, thin, thin. And you'll need more than you realize since they reduce in volume when cooking. Butter and oil in a deep skillet...low heat, and even a little sugar on top to help facilitate the release of sugars...You can keep it covered or not, depending on your patience. Temperature is so key here because you don't want the onionsn to burn, but you really gotta hang in there because it takes about an hour to get them nice and jammy and concentrated.
Richmond, Va: Please help me with this -- Am I really saving money by buying chicken breasts and thighs with the bones in? The bone itself seems to weigh more than the meat, especially in the thighs (and drumsticks). But I don't have a kitchen scale so can't cut off the meat and weigh it without the bone and then figure out what it really cost me per pound.
Kim O'Donnel: Great question, Richmond. I have seen price differences of a few dollars between bone-in and boneless chix. You're right that bone-in weighs more, but when you cook with that bone, you're also getting more flavor at the end. When you buy boneless, you're paying for the work done by the butchers, so keep that in mind.
Germantown, Md.: HOORAY Food Section for doing the article on Peruvian Cusine! My husband is Peruvian and I have been so happy to have been introduced to this wonderful food! I had always been an adventurous eater ... enjoying Thai, Afghan, Indian, etc. But when I met my husband 3 years ago he opened a new door to Peruvian! I have learned all the traditional dishes ... and encourage your readers to induldge!
Kim O'Donnel: I agree. I was excited to see Walter Nicholls's story too. It's a great entryway into this fascinating, diverse cuisine. Let him know tomorrow when Food section is online, by the way. He'd love to hear from you.
Food in a Box: This issue troubles me. What is it with the idea that cooking is a lot of trouble? So often I hear the lament of people who don't have time or inclination to cook, so they eat frozen dinners, etc. Or cook something for their kids/toddlers, then eat the frozen dinner themselves. What sort of an example is that? Thanks to you Kim for always encouraging people to shop for fresh ingredients and prepare them in reasonbly quick and simple and delicious ways!
Kim O'Donnel: I maintain that eveen with our busy, complicated lives and lifestyles in an this constantly changing information age that we should strive as much as we can to take time to cook and spend less time eating out of a box. We have convinced ourselves as a culture that processed food is the panacea to our troubles, but it's shortsighted. Longterm, we're doing more for our health and quality of our lives if we spend only 20/30 minutes in the kitchen. Think of it like exercise, but even better becasue the results are much tastier. Thanks for chiming in.
Talking about marinades ..: I made this super marinade the other day for tofu -- it's so easy. I did it for tofu, but I'm sure it would work for other meats ... soy, dry mustard (I used the hot Chinese sort), crushed garlic, oil (I used sesame) a chili sauce (I use the Vietnamese kind), peanut butter. I also added a litttle rice vinager and loads of sesame seeds.
Kim O'Donnel: Thanks dear, sounds a lot like some of Asian-y marinadeds I make at home.
Richmond re chicken again: Right, it tastes better with the bone in (and the skin on) -- But I meant, when I'm discarding the bone before cooking, am I saving money by removing the bone myself? I've seen supermarket butchers remove bone in what seems like a split-second, so even if I'm paying for their time, am I paying much?Thanks again.
Kim O'Donnel: Hmm. If what you want is boneless breasts, then maybe it's worth it to have someone else do it. It does take a little training with the old boning knife, Richmond. Got a knife skills class in your neighborhood that you can take?
Silver Spring, Md.: That leftover buttermilk is great in mashed potatoes, too!
Kim O'Donnel: Splendid idea...thanks for adding on. Buttermilk is delightful in those spuds.
Re Red Line Convo: Kim, I just have to say that it is NOT as easy and quick to make food that's not out of a box. Just look at that cook time for the homemade croutons! I would love to be able to make a nice, truly home-cooked meal every night, but as a young professional who rarely makes it home before 8:00, it's just not going to happen. Don't judge us too harshly!
Kim O'Donnel: No judgment here. But it is about choices and the priority we put on things. I know perfectly well it's not always possible to whip up something new every night, and I feel that crunch too. But simple stuff can often take 30 minutes, about the same time it might take to pull out of a box. Seriously.
This is my first spring in Vienna and I've fallen in love with baerlauch - -as far as I can tell, it's called wild garlic or bear's garlic in English. I'm right now making a sort of deconstructed baerlauch pesto for dinner tonight and plan on mixing it in with potatoes later in the week. I thought at first it was the Austrian version of ramps but pictures on the Internet of ramps don't look anything like this yummy garlicy-oniony spring leaf. It grows like crazy here everywhere, looks like lily of the valley leaves (which are poisonous)-- have you ever seen this in the states? I'm moving back to the U.S. in a couple of years and would love to know I could get it at the farmers market in D.C. or Arlington, maybe? Or find a source for seeds? Thanks -- Baerlauch Breath.
Kim O'Donnel: Wow. Great story, Vienna. As I mentioned earlier, garlic scapes, which look like curly cues, are on their way (and certainly can be made into pesto)...But based on your description, I don't think I've seen your goodie. Anyone?
Cincinnati, Ohio: Re: Traveling Cake. A belated but heartfelt 'thank you', Kim, Asheville, and "Pro", for the advice regarding safe cake transportation (May 2nd)! It all helped in different ways. Using Dr. Oetker's "Whip-It" instead of pudding worked fine also, without adding any extraneous taste to the whipped cream. My husband helped in anchoring the cake using some of the ideas of the "Pro", but this had to be done in the cooler, since 8 to 9 hours traveling by car would surely make the whipped cream part unsafe to eat otherwise. I didn't have the time to consult a store but took good note of the suggestion for next time.
Result: The cake arrived fully intact and was greatly appreciated.
Just one more nagging question: Does whipped cream really freeze well? I was tempted to do it, since acc. to "Pro", this would have helped to further stabilize the cake, but then decided to just leave the cake overnight in the fridge for fear of somehow (chemically) destabilizing the frosting (and filling).
Again, many thanks. I enjoy the exchange of ideas!
Kim O'Donnel: Woo hoo! Terrific news, Cinci. So glad to hear. As for freezing whipped cream, you were correct in assesment. Whipped cream definitely would have destabilized. Good call.
Food from a box ...: The way some parents are paranoid about germs and cleanliness, kids pick up the idea that raw foods -- aka ingredients -- are dangerous or "icky". Best thing to get kids involved in the kitchen is to make things that require using your hands. Doughs, chopped salads, dipped and floured meats.
Kim O'Donnel: Totally agree. On Sunday, I enlisted the help of a 16-year-old who had never seen rhubarb and helped me prepare dessert. I could tell that she was not only intrigued but was learning quite a bit just in those 20 minutes of assembling dessert.
Dee Cee: Hello, Kim,On the Seinfeld sitcom, much was made in one episode of a certain extra-delicious peach that was only available for a few weeks a year. I'm wondering if you or any readers remember which peach it was, and also if its time has come and gone for this year.
Kim O'Donnel: I don't have Seinfeld rerun memory like others I know, but let's ask around. Peaches by the way, are not here yet. Think late June for the first of many varieties to grace the farm markets.
Burke, Va.: For the asparagus lady in Herndon. You oughta try grilling asparagus. Just coat with olive oil, salt and pepper, grill until slightly charred. But my favorite way with it is straight out of Escoffier. Steam the asparagus normally and dress it with hard boiled egg yoks mashed into melted butter. Definitely not low-fat but sooo good. I beleive it's called asparagus flamande.
Kim O'Donnel: Thank you Burke for your 'gras tidbit. Tasty indeed.
Divine Ms. K, Fairfax : Ugh. I can't stand it when politics (or, more aptly, political correctness) interferes with good food.
IMO, if a consumer doesn't want to participate in killing their food, they can exercise their right to NOT purchase said food. But taking that option away from customers who don't get squeamish about dispatching a crab is just misdirected and a poor choice.
I feel the same way about Chicago's ban on foie gras. Now THAT is truly criminally stupid ... granted, the life of a foie gras goose is not sunshine and roses, but it's still many thousands of times better than the lives of the battery hens that produce such a vast percentage of America's eggs and boneless chicken breasts. Yet, these same folks aren't banning chicken.
Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, folks ... read it. Good stuff.
Rant over! On to food. I (well, to give credit, my sister) discovered a new-to-me way to cook summer squash that is simply divine ... just slice into half-moons, dump in a pot with some sliced onion and a couple pats of butter and plenty of salt and pepper, and cook over high heat for 30-40 minutes (yes, that long), stirring occasionally (watch to see they don't burn). You need to keep the heat high enough to evaporate the liquid so it doesn't get all mushy and soupy. After 30-40 minutes it's meltingly tender and caramelized, and it is simply delish. I added minced garlic in the last 5 minutes and it was heaven on a plate.
Kim O'Donnel: More on ethnics and ecology of eating...Thanks Ms. K.
Mother's Day: I'm going to brag. My 12-year-old daughter made me dinner on Sunday with some help from dad (he grilled the steaks). She baked biscuits, sauted some green beans, made a fruit salad and topped it off with a chocolate/caramel cake. Nothing out of a box. I was so proud of her. And the kitchen wasn't a disaster area either when she got done. She made my day.
Kim O'Donnel: Please brag away. Sounds like you deserve to. I'm proud of her too, and please tell her I said so, Mom.
Eating from a box ... : I think the problem is often one of ignorance. We're brought up a generation of children who don't know how to cook beacause they never had dinners cooked for them as a child and as a consequence helped out in the kitchen and imbibed so much just from seeing the cooking process. They also never learned how to choose fruit and veg. Now they're adults and everything seems diffuclt and will take time. I believe there are actually some state agencies that have someone helping single moms by teaching them how to cook economicaaly and nutricously.
Kim O'Donnel: I know what you mean. I didn't have fresh broccoli until I was about 18. My mother was more enchanted by frozen veggies in a bag than buying it fresh and figuring out what to do with it. I definitely did not learn to cook from her. And I agree, it takes time for changes to occur. That's why I'm thrilled when I hear of more school-based gardens sprouting up, soda machines being removed from schools, overhaulling of school lunches. It's gotta start somewhere.
Bone-in comment: I've done a little checking on this, and the answer is ... it depends. If you see the boneless versions on sale, they are probably a good value, but I think the rule is that if the boneless thighs (I don't like white meat, so I haven't looked at it) are less than 60 percent more expensive, they are a good deal.
Of course, you don't have those bones to save for stock.
And Kim, can you suggest ways to use saffron? I bought a bunch on Crete during my honeymoon and need suggestions.
Kim O'Donnel: Thanks, dear. As for saffron, it's great in risotto (or more simple rice pilaf). Also good in paella, if you're up for a festive meal..use in small amounts, by the way. A small amount of saffron packs quite a punch.
My husband and I were discussing the other day, what's the difference between baking and roasting? Both are done in an oven. I thought maybe it had to do with what you were cooking: You bake a cake but roast asparagus. Or is it a temperature thing? Curious minds want to know! Thanks.
Kim O'Donnel: Great question. I have also thought along same lines -- bake a cake, bread, cookes...things that have a batter and rise with the heat of an oven. Roasting action is different, in that there's usually some oil involved and breakdown of proteins or animal muscles...but it's true, there's a lot of overlap. You'll hear people say they baked a chicken or a meatloaf, and that's quite ok. More on this next week.
Garlic Scape Pesto: Would you just replace the basil with the scapes? Any other tips?
Kim O'Donnel: You need less oil, if I recall. I'll pull up recipe to offer up for next week, ok?
Divine Ms. K again: OK, from what I've been able to read in the last 15 minutes about the Whole Foods thing, it's not because customers have deemed it "cruel," it's because they've looked into lobster collection and storage practices and have found that they do not meet the Whole Foods standard of humane treatment. That makes more sense to me, but I am looking forward to the forthcoming article for more information.
I still think it's less cruel for a lobster to be plopped into a pot of boiling salted water in my kitchen than it is for a battery hen to spend its entire life in a box the size of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper...
Kim O'Donnel: Yes, and I believe Walter's piece gets into that more. Thanks Ms. K.
Kim O'Donnel: Hey, already time to run. Thanks for some very lively banter and sorry to miss a bunch of questions. Hope you can join the festivities this Friday at 11am ET to talk sustainable stuff -- seafood, produce, wine, all kinds of goodies. Til then.
Kramer: The Mackinaw Peaches, Jerry! The Machinaw Peaches are here!
Kim O'Donnel: Have to post this for the road. Too good to pass up. And really does this variety even exist outside of Seinfeld world? Note to self: Check on this. Bye bye.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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On Baghdad Patrol, a Vigilant Eye on Iraqi Police
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BAGHDAD -- Second Lt. Will Shields started night patrol for his 2nd Platoon Delta Company with the Baghdad basics: a reminder to speed up instead of slow down if a bomb hits the convoy, and a heads-up on where to stash any victims of killings, sectarian and otherwise.
"We find any dead bodies, we've got three or four body bags," the 23-year-old Shields said. "Hopefully, that'll be enough."
The young troops in his platoon briefly grumbled good-naturedly about whose Humvee always gets stuck hauling the corpses they find of equally young Iraqi men -- stiffened, blood-streaked and open-mouthed. Pretty much every day, U.S. and Iraqi troops are picking up apparent victims of Sunni-Shiite violence on the streets of Baghdad.
Since Feb. 22, when the bombing of a Shiite Muslim shrine in Samarra pushed sectarian tensions in Iraq to a new plateau, the U.S. Army units have quietly moved back into some neighborhoods that U.S. commanders had just turned over, with fanfare, to Iraqi security forces. Iraqi leaders asked for the return of the American troops into parts of central Baghdad in March, fearing that efforts to build a stable government would fall apart if they were unable to rein in the Shiite-Sunni killings, said Col. Jeffrey Snow, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division.
After fighting for nearly three years to put down an insurgency waged by Sunni Arabs, the Americans now are also dealing with a bloody Shiite-Sunni power struggle fought largely through intimidation and murder. Part civil war, with open battles in Baghdad's mixed southern neighborhood of Dora and the northern Sunni neighborhood of Adhamiyah, and part mob-style violence, with bodies being dumped out of cars that then speed away, the struggle plays out mostly beyond the view of U.S. soldiers.
Mystified Americans often are reduced to helping clear away the unidentified Iraqis left sprawled -- their tortured hands clutching the air or wired together behind their backs -- on curbs, sidewalks and garbage-strewn lots.
"It may be making a statement, and it may work for the Iraqi people, but we have a hell of a time figuring out what the statement is," Snow said.
The Americans' problems are compounded by the fact that the same Shiite-led Interior Ministry police forces they are training to protect Iraqis are widely suspected in the killings -- if not as the executioners, then as allies to the Shiite militias blamed for much of the bloodshed.
"No police allowed," a hand-painted banner declares in Adhamiyah, a middle-class quarter of homes and gardens behind high brick walls that is one of the largest Sunni districts in Baghdad. In clashes last month, Adhamiyah homeowners took up guns to fight off what they took to be Iraqi police, possibly backed by Shiite militias, trying to enter the barricaded neighborhood.
In one of the regular meetings that 10th Mountain Division troops have with local leaders in another embattled Sunni neighborhood, Amiriyah, a Sunni businessman told Capt. Ethan Allan: "No one detained by Iraqi police is ever brought back alive."
The man cited widely circulated rumors of killings of men with traditionally Sunni names. At police checkpoints, the businessman told Allan, "they check his ID, they know he is a Sunni, and they take him away and they shoot him."
For the Americans, reform of the police is urgent. Credible Iraqi security forces are essential to Washington's plans to scale back the U.S. military presence here, as political pressure for drawdowns increases back home. "We're trying to work ourselves out of a job," Snow said.
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BAGHDAD -- Second Lt. Will Shields started night patrol for his 2nd Platoon Delta Company with the Baghdad basics: a reminder to speed up instead of slow down if a bomb hits the convoy, and a heads-up on where to stash any victims of killings, sectarian and otherwise. For the Americans, reform......
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Blasts in Baghdad Kill 35 Iraqis, 2 GIs
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BAGHDAD, May 14 -- At least nine bombs exploded in the Iraqi capital Sunday, killing 35 Iraqis and two U.S. soldiers as the country's politicians wrangled over the rules and composition of their new government.
The string of attacks in Baghdad, the bloodiest in weeks, was accompanied by reports of violence in other areas: Two British soldiers were killed Saturday night when their armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb near Basra in southern Iraq, British military authorities said, and attackers bombed five Shiite Muslim shrines in Diyala province northeast of Baghdad.
The attacks came as the Iraqi parliament met for the third time since choosing Nouri al-Maliki, a member of the leading Shiite coalition of parties, as its prime minister-designate. Maliki was given until May 22 to choose his cabinet. Though some politicians have said recently that an announcement was imminent, others say there were still considerable obstacles to assembling a government that would satisfy the country's Shiite, Kurd, Sunni Arab and secular parties.
U.S. officials and military leaders have held out hope that the formation of a government uniting these groups would calm the situation in the country, quelling the kind of violence that erupted Sunday.
In the deadliest attack, two suicide bombers in cars loaded with explosives blew themselves up among people gathered in a parking lot just outside the airport, killing 14 Iraqis, U.S. military authorities said in a statement.
The parking lot is near a well-known statue of Abbas bin Firnas, a 9th-century Arab philosopher who dreamed that men would someday fly. After the explosion, the area was littered with bodies and burned-out and damaged cars.
The lot was guarded until recently by Global Security, a private company. U.S. troops have also reduced their presence in the area.
"I was expecting this, because Global Security moved the checkpoint away and left this parking lot uncontrolled," said Thair Abdulqadir, an airport employee.
In another attack near the airport, five Iraqis were killed at a checkpoint along the Baghdad airport road, police said.
Two suicide bombers were traveling in a car loaded with explosives when one of them stepped out of the car to distract the soldiers and the other detonated the bomb, said Col. Sami Hassan, an Interior Ministry spokesman.
Bombs killed 16 other people in Baghdad, according to police and news reports. The two U.S. soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb Sunday evening in eastern Baghdad, military authorities said in a statement.
Outside the capital, a roadside bomb hit a convoy and killed three bodyguards of Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi foreign minister, police Brig. Gen. Abbas Ameen said. Zebari was not in the convoy, Ameen said.
Fifteen other Iraqis were reported killed in bombings and shootings outside Baghdad, according to the Reuters news service.
In restive Diyala province, attackers also bombed five small Shiite shrines near Baqubah, about 35 miles northeast of the capital, police said. The attacks began late Saturday when a bomb exploded at the Imam Abdullah shrine in Wajihiya, a town northeast of Baqubah. Four other shrines in the area were demolished by bombs Sunday morning. Nobody died in the attacks, but the shrines were reduced to rubble, police said.
Attackers have aggressively targeted Shiite mosques in Baqubah in recent weeks, causing many to fear that tensions between Shiites and Sunni Arabs in the area will boil over. The bombing of another shrine in February, the Golden Mosque in Samarra, nearly pitched the country into civil war.
"What these groups are trying to do in bombing shrines is to provoke a sectarian conflict that would lead to a civil war," said Fuad al-Amiri, the preacher at a Shiite mosque in Baqubah. "They don't want Iraq to stabilize."
But the event that is supposed to stabilize Iraq -- the formation of a government that unites the squabbling factions -- remains just out of reach, politicians said after a parliament meeting where members debated their bylaws.
Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni leader, said in an interview on al-Jazeera television that to meet the deadline, Maliki might announce his cabinet choices by the end of the week while keeping vacant the positions most difficult to fill, in the Defense and Interior ministries, until he can resolve thorny political questions associated with them.
Sunni leaders have insisted on filling the Defense Ministry themselves, and would like to see the Interior Ministry go to a nonsectarian candidate.
"For us, this is a matter of life and death," Hashimi said. "The security of Iraq depends on those two ministries."
Bahaa al-Araji, a politician with the leading Shiite coalition, assailed the Sunni coalition's leaders on Sunday, saying they had two days to relax their demands or the Shiites would unilaterally form the government, according to the Associated Press.
A secular politician, Ayad Jamal al-Din, said the announcement of a new government "may take a week" and warned that it might not be the panacea for Iraq's problems.
"I think that things will not calm down easily even after the formation of a government, but in general there is progress in the political situation," he said. "However, the political situation has became very sectarian. The democracy has become a democracy of sects."
Special correspondents Bassam Sebti, Omar Fekeiki, Saad al-Izzi and K.I. Ibrahim in Baghdad and Hassan Shammari in Baqubah contributed to this report.
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BAGHDAD, May 14 -- At least nine bombs exploded in the Iraqi capital Sunday, killing 35 Iraqis and two U.S. soldiers as the country's politicians wrangled over the rules and composition of their new government.
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The Return Of Voodoo Economics
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Nobody serious believes that tax cuts pay for themselves, as I noted last week. But most senior Republicans flunk this test of seriousness.
In January, George W. Bush declared that, "by cutting the taxes on the American people, this economy is strong, and the overall tax revenues have hit at record levels." Regrettably, this endorsement of what his dad called voodoo economics was not a one-time oversight. The next month, Bush told a New Hampshire audience, "You cut taxes and the tax revenues increase."
Bush is not alone in this. Dick Cheney, allegedly a serious person, asserted in February that the "tax cuts have translated into higher federal revenues."
Bill Frist is sometimes taken seriously, not least by himself. And yet the Republican Senate leader is capable of saying: "Many people in Washington have long known a dirty little secret about tax-cut measures: When done right, they actually result in more money for the government."
Chuck Grassley chairs the Senate Finance Committee and ought to know about this stuff. But he mouths the following nonsense: "There is a mindset in both branches of government that if you reduce taxes you have a net loss, if you increase taxes you have a net gain, and history does not show that relationship."
And just last week Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) celebrated the extension of the Bush tax cuts by saying, "We've put these tax provisions in place and they've raised money."
Okay, so let's review this issue with the help of some experts. I'd like to cite Richard Kogan of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, because his work inspired this column. But to win over reasonable conservatives, I'm going to choose N. Gregory Mankiw of Harvard, a proponent of tax cuts who chaired the Council of Economic Advisers in the Bush White House. Mankiw is a top-notch economist hired by Bush and Cheney to advise them. And last year he published a paper on how far tax cuts pay for themselves, reporting enthusiastically that this self-financing effect is "surprisingly large."
How large, exactly? Mankiw reckons that over the long run (the long run being generous to his argument), cuts on capital taxes generate enough extra growth to pay for half of the lost revenue. Hello, Mr. President, that means that the other half of the lost revenue translates into bigger deficits. Mankiw also calculates that the comparable figure for cuts in taxes on wages is 17 percent. Yes, Mr. President, that means every $1 trillion in tax cuts is going to add $830 billion to the national debt.
Let's engage in what Bush might call the soft bigotry of low expectations and cut Republicans some slack. Hey, maybe they just overlooked that Mankiw paper? Or maybe, despite hiring Mankiw to head the Council of Economic Advisers, they later acquired reasons to doubt his judgment? In that case they should at least have listened to Douglas Holtz-Eakin, another conservative economist who worked in the Bush White House and who went on to run the Congressional Budget Office.
In a study published under Holtz-Eakin's direction last December, the CBO estimated the extent to which a 10 percent reduction in personal taxes might pay for itself. The conclusions confirm that the free-lunch mantra is just plain wrong. On the most optimistic assumptions it could muster, the CBO found that tax cuts would stimulate enough economic growth to replace 22 percent of lost revenue in the first five years and 32 percent in the second five. On pessimistic assumptions, the growth effects of tax cuts did nothing to offset revenue loss.
So Mankiw isn't with them. Holtz-Eakin isn't with them. Which raises a question: When top Republicans go around claiming that tax cuts pay for themselves, which economic authorities are they relying on? None, is the answer. These people's approach to government is to make economics up.
The Republicans' only argument is that tax receipts have boomed in the years since the 2003 tax cut. But the question is whether tax receipts increased because the tax cuts worked some kind of magic or because the economy was headed up anyway after the recession, thanks maybe to low interest rates resulting from the Asian savings glut. Friends, the reason we have economists is so that they can solve these puzzles for us. Ignoring their solutions is like ignoring the judgment of medical science in favor of faith healers and quacks.
Politicians are always speechifying about how the United States must lead the world in research to maintain its edge. But having the world's best economics research isn't particularly helpful if those same politicians are silly enough to tune it out. The truth is that American business excels at turning university research into world-beating products; the paranoia on this score is overdone. But American government is often lousy at turning research into policies. That's what we should fret about.
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Nobody serious believes that tax cuts pay for themselves, but most senior Republicans flunk this test of seriousness. That's an economic problem we should worry about.
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On Immigration, Bush Seeks 'Middle Ground'
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President Bush said last night that he will dispatch 6,000 National Guard troops starting next month to help secure the porous U.S.-Mexican border, calling on a divided Congress and country to find "a rational middle ground" on immigration that includes providing millions of illegal workers a new route to citizenship.
In a rare prime-time speech from the Oval Office, Bush said the nation must move immediately to stanch the flow of illegal immigrants from its southern border by sending in the National Guard to free up U.S. Border Patrol agents in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. The Guard troops will provide intelligence, surveillance and logistical assistance over the next two years -- not armed law enforcement.
VIDEO | Bush Details National Guard Role for Border. (AP/washingtonpost.com)
"We do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that," Bush said. He also called on Congress to end the U.S. practice of releasing into the country tens of thousands of people caught illegally crossing the southern border because officials lack the jail space or legal authority to detain them or send them home. He said every foreign worker should be required to hold a high-tech, tamper-proof identification card so U.S. companies could determine whether their employees are legal.
For the first time in a public forum, Bush endorsed new procedures that would give illegal immigrants who have lived here for an extended time preferred status in obtaining citizenship. To qualify, workers would have to pay a fine and back taxes and would have to learn English and meet other requirements, he said.
The speech -- with its balance of security measures and pleas for tolerance -- comes as Bush is trying to revive his presidency and salvage an immigration deal in Congress before the midterm elections. The president's focus on border control last night was aimed at mollifying conservative Republican lawmakers and disgruntled voters, who have accused him of paying insufficient attention to tightening the border and enforcing immigration laws. Bush said his goal is to help lawmakers forge a bipartisan compromise this year to change how the United States deals with illegal immigration and the pressing need for foreign workers.
"All elements of this problem must be addressed together -- or none of them will be solved at all," he said.
With the Senate set to debate the largest overhaul of immigration laws in decades, Bush did not specifically address what many Republican lawmakers consider the most politically explosive and intractable issue confronting the country: what to do with most of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States today.
In conversations with lawmakers earlier in the day, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove made it clear that Bush supports, in principle, a Senate-backed plan that would provide immigrants who have lived here for five or more years a clear path to citizenship if they pay a penalty, according to participants. Under that plan, which Rove called "intriguing," those who have been here two to five years would have to report to a border crossing, receive a temporary work visa and then apply for a green card. Those here less than two years would have to leave. But Rove made it clear the White House is open to compromise on how this tiered system would be structured, said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who participated in the private briefings.
Bush said: "There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation. That middle ground recognizes that there are differences between an illegal immigrant who crossed the border recently and someone who has worked here for many years and has a home, a family and an otherwise clean record."
But the Republican-controlled House so far has been hostile to the emerging Bush plan. Conservatives in that chamber are pushing for legislation that would tighten the borders but would not allow any route to citizenship that does not require first leaving the country. House Republicans recently passed legislation to spend $2.2 billion on five double-layered border fences in California and Arizona, stretching nearly 700 miles. The House would also make felons of any undocumented worker in the country today and would make illegal any activity to support such workers, such as smuggling as well as church-based sheltering. After the speech, House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said in a statement that he remains committed to making "border security our first priority." He and many others pointedly did not praise the path-to-citizenship plan.
Bush's plan to dispatch National Guard troops is the newest twist in the debate, and one that is likely to dominate discussions over immigration reform during the next week.
Even before Bush's speech, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) questioned not only how the plan would work but also how it would be funded. He said it would cost at least $2 billion to deploy the additional troops and rejected the White House idea to pay for it with $1.9 billion in border security funding that the Senate passed as part of a new emergency spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. White House officials said it is unclear how much the program would cost.
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Bush Set To Send Guard to Border
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President Bush tried to ease the worries of his Mexican counterpart yesterday as he prepared for a nationally televised address tonight unveiling a plan to send thousands of National Guard troops to help seal the nation's southern border against illegal immigrants.
Mexican President Vicente Fox called to express concern over the prospect of militarization of the border, and Bush reassured him that it would be only a temporary measure to bolster overwhelmed Border Patrol agents, the White House said.
"The president made clear that the United States considers Mexico a friend and that what is being considered is not militarization of the border but support of Border Patrol capabilities on a temporary basis by National Guard personnel," said White House spokeswoman Maria Tamburri.
Yet the idea has further stirred an already volatile debate about immigration on both sides of the border even before the president makes his prime-time speech from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. A number of Democrats and even a few key Republicans voiced skepticism or outright opposition to the reported plan yesterday, calling it a politically motivated move that will only further strain units already stretched by duty in Iraq without solving the underlying problem of illegal immigration.
"We have to be very careful here," Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) said yesterday on ABC's "This Week." "That's not the role of our military. That's not the role of our National Guard. . . . That's a short-term fix, and I'm not sure that's a very wise fix."
The White House formally insisted that no decision has been made and that Bush was still considering options yesterday. But aides left little doubt that the president intends to call for an expanded Guard deployment at the border involving several thousand troops, a significant increase from the 200 or so now there.
Officials suggested their mission would be to play a supporting role by providing intelligence, training, transportation, construction and other functions, while leaving the actual guarding of the 2,000-mile line separating the United States and Mexico to the Border Patrol. The National Guard would be a stopgap force until the federal government could hire civilian contractors to take over administrative and support functions from the Border Patrol, freeing more agents to actually hunt for immigrants slipping into the country.
"This is not about militarizing the border," national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "The president is looking to do everything he can to secure the border. It's what the American people want, it's what he wants to do."
The plan won support from several powerful Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) dismissed the "whining and moaning" of critics and said the National Guard was the only option in the short term.
"We've got to secure our borders," Frist said on CNN's "Late Edition." "We hear from the American people. We've got millions of people coming across that border. First and foremost, secure the border, whatever it takes. Everything else we've done has failed, we've got to face that."
Some in the president's conservative base called on him to be even more aggressive. Rep. Charles Whitlow Norwood Jr. (R-Ga.) said Bush should send 36,000 National Guard troops and eventually up to 48,000, drawn from around the nation. "If President Bush signed that order Monday night, our border would be secure for the first time in decades by Memorial Day at the latest," Norwood said in a statement. "Mr. Fox and [the National Council of] La Raza wouldn't like it -- but the American people sure would."
The president's plan could increase the strain with Fox, who has grown disenchanted with Bush's failure to ease immigration rules as promised. Fox for years has pressured Bush to help the 11 million illegal immigrants now in the United States, many of them from Mexico, with little to show for it. In their 15-minute call yesterday, "the president reiterated to President Fox his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform," Tamburri said.
Tonight's speech is aimed at assuaging House Republicans who have insisted on tougher enforcement measures against workers illegally in the country. If the House contingent feels action is being taken, White House officials hope they may yet sign off on some version of Bush's guest-worker proposal, which would provide a way for undocumented immigrants to stay here legally if they pay back taxes and penalties.
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President Bush tried to ease the worries of his Mexican counterpart yesterday as he prepared for a nationally televised address tonight unveiling a plan to send thousands of National Guard troops to help seal the nation's southern border against illegal immigrants.
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Bethesda Man Indicted in Duke Rape Case
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DURHAM, N.C., May 15 -- A day after graduating from Duke University, a 23-year-old Bethesda man who is the co-captain of the school's lacrosse team was indicted Monday in the alleged attack on an exotic dancer hired to perform at a team party.
David Forker Evans became the third lacrosse player charged with raping the woman but the first to speak publicly. Before turning himself in to authorities here, Evan stood outside the Durham County Detention Facility and declared his innocence.
"You have all been told some fantastic lies," Evans, his voice forceful and steady, said in a news conference carried live on national television. "And I look forward to watching them unravel in the weeks to come as they already have in the weeks past, and the truth will come out."
The allegations of rape have tarnished Duke and provoked a fierce debate on class, collegiate sports, sex and race. The accuser is a 27-year-old single mother and a student at a small historically black college here. The young men who have been charged are white, well-off students at one of the nation's most elite universities.
Monday's indictment deepened the mystery surrounding the incident. Three athletes have now been charged in the alleged attack, and, after initially publicly declaring he was "certain" a crime had been committed, Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong has said little. In a statement Monday, he said he does not expect any more indictments in the case. DNA testing was performed on nearly all members of the lacrosse team, but defense lawyers have said there was no match between any player and vaginal swabs from the accuser.
Outside the jail, Evans said he welcomed the opportunity to speak out at last. Squarely facing the cameras, he was surrounded by defense lawyers; several of his teammates; his mother, Rae Evans, a Washington lobbyist and chairman of the Ladies Professional Golf Association board of directors; and his father, David Evans, a lawyer.
Evans insisted that the two other teammates charged -- Reade Seligmann, 20, of Essex Fells, N.J., and Collin Finnerty, 19, of Garden City, N.Y. -- are also innocent.
"These allegations are lies fabricated, and they will be proven wrong," Evans said.
Evans spent Sunday attending graduation ceremonies with his parents and knew in advance that his indictment was pending, said his attorney, Joseph B. Cheshire. Evans worked out and went for a run and then waited for the telephone to ring. "He's a very strong young man," Cheshire said after the news conference, while Evans and his family were posting a $400,000 bond.
Nifong has proceeded with the case despite two rounds of DNA testing that have found no matches between the accuser and the lacrosse players. The most recent results came back last week. Cheshire said that the tests show that DNA material taken from a vaginal swab of the accuser "does not match any Duke lacrosse player" but that the swab produced DNA from a "single male source."
The test results name the person matching the DNA, but he is not a member of the lacrosse team. "This woman did have sex with a male -- that male is named in the report," Cheshire said. He said DNA tests from a fake fingernail from the accuser show genetic material from "a number of people" and show that Evans cannot be eliminated.
In a photo lineup, the accuser said she was 90 percent sure that Evans was one of three men who assaulted her. Cheshire said a transcript from the lineup shows that the woman said, "Well, if he had the mustache he was wearing that night, I would be 100 percent sure." Cheshire said photographs of Evans before and after the party show that he was not wearing a mustache.
At one point, Cheshire's question-and-answer session with the media was disrupted by Durham resident Victoria Peterson, who said she wanted the lawyers to address whether the lacrosse team had asked for a specific race of exotic dancer to come to the house party in March, and brought up the racist comments neighbors reported hearing from the house. "You're being paid to spin this to make your boys sound innocent," said Peterson, who said she was with the Durham Citizens Against Rape and Sexual Abuse, a group that was formed after the accusations about the Duke lacrosse team arose.
Cheshire said, "I will agree they shouldn't have had that party that night," and he said the players shouldn't have hired the dancers.
Confusing and conflicting accounts have emerged from the party held in March. A lacrosse co-captain, not Evans, used a false name to hire two exotic dancers for a team party. The women were to be paid $400 each for two hours. The party was held at a Duke-owned house rented by the three lacrosse captains, including Evans. After dancing briefly at the party, the accuser claimed, she was taken into a bathroom and sexually assaulted by three men. According to a police report, medical records show the woman had injuries consistent with being raped vaginally and anally.
The scandal prompted the cancellation of Duke's lacrosse season, the resignation of its coach and the commissioning of a series of reports by Duke's president, Richard H. Brodhead, one of which brought condemnation of how Duke initially handled the rape allegations.
At Monday's news conference, Evans said he cooperated with police and helped crime-scene technicians gather evidence at the house. Initially he spoke with investigators without a lawyer present and voluntarily submitted DNA samples. As the investigation continued, Evans said that prosecutor Nifong showed no interest in hearing "my story, the true story."
Evans is a 2002 graduate of the Landon School, a $25,000-a-year boys preparatory academy in Bethesda, where he was co-captain of the football, hockey and lacrosse teams while a senior.
"The allegations coming from Durham today are inconsistent with the character of the young man who attended our school," said David M. Armstrong, Landon's headmaster, in a short statement released Monday. Armstrong called Evans an "exemplary student and athlete."
Evans graduated Sunday with a degree in economics. At Duke's commencement ceremonies, a handful of graduates wore the numbers 45 and 13 -- the jersey numbers of Seligmann and Finnerty -- on the tops of their mortarboards in an apparent show of support.
Adcock is a special correspondent, and Hull reported from Washington. Staff writers Christian Swezey and Cameron Barr and researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report from Washington.
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A grand jury meeting Monday could consider additional indictments stemming from a woman's allegations that she was raped and beaten by three men at a party for Duke University's lacrosse team.
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Enron Trial Jurors Hear Closing Arguments
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HOUSTON, May 15 -- A prosecutor urged jurors in the fraud trial of former Enron Corp. leaders Kenneth L. Lay and Jeffrey K. Skilling to "hold them accountable for the choices they made and the lies that they told," as final arguments began in a case stemming from the era's biggest corporate scandal.
After four months of testimony, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn H. Ruemmler sought to remind the jury of what she called "accounting tricks, hocus pocus, fiction, and outright lies" that helped Enron paint a healthy external portrait even as it limped toward bankruptcy protection in December 2001.
Central to the fraud, the Washington-based prosecutor argued, was a series of falsehoods that former chief executive Skilling and former chairman Lay told investors to boost the stock price as Enron's problems mounted. At the same time, Ruemmler asserted, both men quietly unloaded tens of millions of dollars in stock, putting their own interests above the company employees'.
Skilling faces 28 criminal charges, and Lay faces six counts of conspiracy and fraud. Each man could go to prison for more than a decade if he is convicted. Defense lawyers have a final chance to persuade jurors Tuesday before prosecutors take a parting shot and hand the case off to the panel later in the week.
The eight-woman, four-man jury seemed attentive, frequently jotting notes but mostly keeping poker faces. An alternate juror who was dismissed last week for health reasons attended the morning session, squeezing into a crowded back bench. Lay and Skilling sometimes exchanged looks of amusement and anger as they disagreed with a point the government lawyer made.
Ruemmler asked jurors to compare the demeanor of witnesses who had accepted responsibility for their actions with that of Skilling and Lay, who she said offered "a series of excuses, convenient memory lapses" and blame games.
"On cross-examination, they fought, argued, made long speeches, evaded questions," she said. "Nobody else is smart enough. . . . That is extraordinary arrogance. It is the exact same tactic they used when they were running Enron."
The prosecution also sought to disarm the defense by mocking its central arguments, including the theory that Enron collapsed during a market panic fueled by skeptical news reports and investors called short sellers, who bet that a company's stock price will drop.
Calling the defense rhetoric a "diversionary tactic," Ruemmler said: "It's absurd. It's ridiculous. Don't buy it."
Ruemmler reminded the jury of testimony that Enron's highly touted retail unit was instead "a basket case," according to the executive hired to rescue it. She showed jurors a conference-call script in which Skilling chose to omit mention of losses. And she sketched out a last-minute scheme to meet Wall Street earnings expectations for the fourth quarter of 1999.
"Abracadabra. Just like that. A penny to meet the consensus estimate. That's fraud. It's wrong," she said. "The only people who said something different were Mr. Skilling and his $600,000 expert."
When Lay resumed day-to-day control of Enron after Skilling's abrupt August 2001 resignation, he could have come clean, prosecutors said. But instead he told employees and investors "there was no other shoe to fall."
"These were flat lies," Ruemmler said as she pounded the podium in front of her. "He had no right to do that. No right."
She also seized upon an important legal ruling that allowed the government to argue that the defendants had averted their eyes to the fraud in front of them, telling the jury that Lay repeatedly ducked difficult questions and evaded responsibility.
In her four-hour attack, Ruemmler used Lay's own words against him to explore what she called "one of the most telling moments of the trial." Earlier, Lay testified that "rules are important, but you shouldn't be a slave to rules, either."
"That says it all," she said.
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Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland business headlines, stock portfolio, markets, economy, mutual funds, personal finance, Dow Jones, S&P 500, NASDAQ quotes, company research tools. Federal Reserve, Bernanke, Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Where Academic Freedom is the Freedom to Quit
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2006051519
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It's fair to say that academia, like much of American society, has self-selected itself into fairly narrow ranges of political expression. Mainstream colleges may not be quite the nests of leftist thought that their critics make them out to be, but the preponderance of professors tend to be somewhere on the liberal to radical left spectrum. And on Christian and overtly conservative campuses, it's even harder to find profs whose politics lean left. All of which is sad enough, given that the whole idea of education is to learn how to question your beliefs and enhance your ability to discover.
But now, at Patrick Henry College in Loudoun County, five professors have quit--and one of them was summarily dismissed before he could leave of his own accord--because they concluded that the college was not interested in free-ranging inquiry. The last straw for the professors came after they expressed their view that the Christian students who attend Patrick Henry need nourishment not only from the Bible, but from great thinkers such as Aristotle, Plato, Machiavelli, and Marx--and the college responded that Scripture is the "ultimate standard."
An article in Leesburg Today spells out the professors' basis for their decision to leave a school where, as they knew from the start, "our Christian faith precedes and informs all that we at Patrick Henry College study, teach and learn." Not only have there been instances in which texts were banned, but "Students are afraid to raise questions or criticize the school," the article quotes classics Professor David Noe. Some students have quit Patrick Henry because of the constricted academic environment as well, the paper reports.
But while the college's chancellor and founder, longtime Loudoun political activist Michael Farris, contends that no books are banned and that liberty is an essential part of the school's mission, Patrick Henry College's official statement on academic freedom pretty much confirms much of what the dissenting professors claim:
The college asks that we be frank and honest about how people of like philosophies tend to segregate themselves, and if we accept that, they say, what's wrong with those people coming together to "define academic freedom as the freedom for scholars holding similar worldviews to associate and in so doing to form a community of scholars actively pursuing truth in a collegial and cooperative fashion?"
The college defends its limited openness to other ideas by saying that this is essentially what happens on any campus. "Far from being onerous, this exclusion is usually mutually agreeable. Would a politically left-leaning feminist seek to be a contributing member of a community of conservative Thomists? Or vice versa?"
In defending their own barriers against teachings that challenge their Christian worldview, the college's administrators overstate the degree of intellectual conformity in the rest of academia. Sure, the band of views represented on most campuses is unnecessarily clotted in one or another spot along the ideological spectrum, but I've yet to encounter any major college where there aren't prominent dissenters who seem to have no problem making their views known and attracting considerable followings. And even where leftist perspectives seem to have the upper hand, there is at least lip service paid to the idea of being open to and probing any and all views. To shut that door is to stifle the dissent and discourse that are the only effective path to enlightenment.
All of this has importance well beyond the little school in Purcellville because in its short history, Patrick Henry has become something of a feeder college for the White House staff and other important policy shops in Washington. The college was founded with the explicit aim of bringing the conservative Christian perspective into more powerful positions in the federal and state governments.
If the kids who are taking on those jobs have just emerged from four years at an institution where a government professor--not exactly a liberal, but a former employee of the Republican Party of Orange County in southern California--believes he is not supposed to teach Thomas Hobbes' "State of Nature" because it might be used to break down morality, then we've got some awfully sheltered and intellectually constipated folks making policy for this country.
In an ideal world, the departing professors would stay and fight, reaching out to students whose families chose to send them to a place where young minds are outfitted with blinders. But perhaps the professors' departure will ring the alarm beyond the Purcellville campus. A society that chooses to place boundaries on inquiry is destined to decline and eventually collapse; as the cultural conservatives who created a place like Patrick Henry should know more than most, it's about the freedoms, stupid.
By Marc Fisher | May 15, 2006; 7:30 AM ET Previous: Sign Wars: The District in Full Retreat | Next: Stretching It: Schools and Strudel
Christian colleges exist not to further but to stifle learning.
Posted by: candide | May 15, 2006 09:21 AM
Have to agree with Mr. Fisher on this one. The reality is that academia, in spite of concerted attempts by the no-nothings who run Patrick Henry College (a name that now seems wildly ironic), is a mixed bag of fruits and nuts. The kind of intellectual uniformity of thought that PHC enforces is impossible in any large US institution. Academic departments are herds of cats; they don't even come close to pointing in the same direction.
I suggest that Patrick Henry College change its name (Karl Marx University? Rush Limbaugh Technical College?) to avoid further denigrating the name of a brave young man who we were all taught to admire.
Posted by: Judge C. Crater | May 15, 2006 09:43 AM
Neglecting the fact the you offer no proof for your assertion, keep in mind that many of today's "Ivy League" universities started out as Christian colleges. By the way, PHC is not typical of most Christian colleges.
Posted by: RJD | May 15, 2006 09:47 AM
Admiring the irony in your (intentional?) misspelling of "know-nothing". Bravo.
Posted by: RJD | May 15, 2006 09:50 AM
PHC wasn't established with academics in mind, it was established with politics in mind. The sole aim of PHC is train a new generation of Christians to be politicians. And if that is their goal, it follows that the school can't sustain any real academic tradition.
Posted by: Corinne | May 15, 2006 09:56 AM
"A society that chooses to place boundaries on inquiry is destined to decline and eventually collapse"
Is Intelligent Design restricted from being taught at public schools? If so, does that mean our society is "destined to decline and eventually collapse"?
Posted by: ?? | May 15, 2006 10:04 AM
Is Patrick Henry College accredited? Have any of its students been indicted for raping African-American strippers?
Posted by: Curious | May 15, 2006 10:11 AM
"Is Intelligent Design restricted from being taught at public schools?"
You can teach ID all you want in the philosophy class. But an unprovable hypothosis can't be science and can't be taught as science in science classes. In order to do teach ID as science, you would have to change the entire meaning of the word "science" and render it meaningless.
Posted by: Lioness | May 15, 2006 10:14 AM
You've got that a little mixed up. Hypotheses, by their very nature cannot be "proved." They can only be falsified. If a hyopthesis cannot be falsified, then it cannot be taught as science.
Posted by: Curious | May 15, 2006 10:19 AM
As a deeply religious (though not Evangelical) Christian who has spent nearly half a century comfortably in and around academia, I agree with everything in this column.
This story is sad news for the kids at Patrick Henry, but it carries truly ominous implications for our nation. What does it say about our vaunted American freedoms and the future of our country that the majority wing of today's politically dominant Republican party, as crystallized in an institution existing explicitly to shape political and governmental leaders, not only feels no obligation or necessity to prepare its students to test, debate, and explore their beliefs in a context of pluralism--but deliberately and actively stifles such attempts?
I don't know about you, but the implications of that fact give me chills.
Posted by: JJH | May 15, 2006 10:20 AM
So certain faculty, science teachers, can't teach ID but others, philosophy, can't? Isn't that a restriction? I don't understand how you are not imposing restrictions on faculty.
In what class is it appropriate to teach that the holocaust didn't happen? http://www.adl.org/Learn/Ext_US/Butz.asp
In order to most broaden perspectives shouldn't we make Jewish people study Arthur Butz's material?
Posted by: ?? | May 15, 2006 10:22 AM
I am guessing that the average Patrick Henry Student can pass a California High School exit exam, had SATs well over 1400, and can name all 9 Supreme Court justices, something the Taliban at Yale cannot do. But let us close them down for the diversit of opinion absent in the left-wing university attended by anti-American journalists. Ward Churchill is the loved professor of the MSM, and the media would love to decide who works in the government. Where is your outrage for the anti-semitics in academia?
Posted by: Karen | May 15, 2006 10:22 AM
I've got to say that your leap from a small, irrelevant school in Purcellville, Va., to "the majority wing of the politically dominant Republican party" makes me wonder about where you studied. What kind of school would let you graduate without a basic understanding of logic?
Posted by: Curious | May 15, 2006 10:24 AM
I think PHC's official statement on academic freedom has a major flaw in it. In the statement is says:
"In other words, regardless of whether or not scholars sign statements of faith, they tend to form voluntary associations with like-minded colleagues. The obvious corollary to this reality is that some people are excluded from some groups. But, far from being onerous, this exclusion is usually mutually agreeable."
Mutually agreeable. I believe this is true though not absolute. And there are many with open minds who see some truth in those they choose to disagree with most of the time.
Debate, as we know so well here, leads to enlightment. If there is only one world view there is no debate and thus no possibility of enlightenment since it is the defense of an idea that makes it a strong idea, not limiting the expression of differing ideas. The real truth behind colleges and universities is that there is no absolute truth, just ideas we come to agree upon to varying degrees through debate and defense of the idea. PHC prevents that for the sake of a functional academic department. But a department with only one world view is by definition dysfunctional since there is no such thing as only one world viewpoint.
Just as some consider democracy dysfunctional and dictators functional since democracies disagree all the time within themselves while dictators get things done, PHC is choosing the dictatorial argument. That is not academic freedom or freedom of any sort, it is the exact opposite.
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 10:24 AM
This story only confirms for me what I have already known on an instinctual level: That conservative Christians are among the most blatant hypocrites dwelling on this turbulent planet.
We have all seen, heard and read of the conservative distaste for Academia in general, insisting that it is little more than a nest of left wing subversives, anarchists and Godless socialists. What we have not seen, heard and read about is that the worst forms of repression area actually more prevalent in Christian academic societies as your article so graphically demonstrates here.
It is all so similar in the way the conservative right looks at the media. There has been a proliferation of conservative outlets of news and opinion in recent years in all media. And all one need do is frequent these media to ascertain that they are in every metric one can imagine, just as biased, just as partisan, and just as oppressive in their smackdown of any opposing viewpoints as they insist that the liberal media are.
There is an old shopworn, overused phrase from an old Jack Nicholson movie: "You don't want the truth! You can't handle the truth!" How very appropriate that old shopworn phrase is to the old shopworn charges from the right about bias in academi and in the media.
Posted by: Jaxas | May 15, 2006 10:25 AM
This is just the next step of culture wars. Basically as a Christian you have a certain set of beliefs. Depending on your interpertation of the bible it is natural to want to ensure that these beliefs are reflected in society.
The problem occurs when a group of people with power motivations purposefully manipulates individuals based on religion to fulfill their own thrist for power.
Finally, there is more to Christianity than gays and abortion. How about the enivronment social justice and equality. These themes are expressed by many "non-biblical" scholars and removing them from the educational program is a real disservice to the students.
Posted by: novamiddleman | May 15, 2006 10:39 AM
"Christian colleges exist not to further but to stifle learning."
No, Christian colleges are neither intended to stifle learning, no is that what their faculties and administrations attempt to do. They are, however, institutions that are grounded on certain assumptions. They present themselves to students as providing an education based on those assumptions, and are very open about what those assumptions are. Far from misleading prospective students, they take pride in their approach and highlight it prominently.
It is entirely appropriate for an institution of learning to have a guiding principal: a christian worldview, an environmentalist ethos, a humanist worldview, or a materialist worldview. Students (and their parents) are much, much less likely to be misled about the kind of education they will recieve at one of these institutions than they are at many others, where there's no guiding philosophical approach or touchstone recognized by the faculty.
As several have noted, many institutions that are currently recognized as liberal and non-religious (if not effectively anti-religious) started out as Christian colleges. Academic organizations evolve and change over time - as do those of religious movements and groups. Christian colleges became more liberal and secular as mainline denominations became more liberal and secular. Similar changes in conservative denominations will have the same effect in the colleges and universities affiliated with them.
Having said that, I disagree with some of the decisions made by this particular college. I'm a graduate of a conservative Christian university, and believe that the statement of faith for faculty is a vital element of such a school. I wanted to be taught in a Christian environment (just as most Wiccans and Unitarian Universalists would want to choose an environment consistent with their world view). But it is vital to study history, philosophy, science and the humanities in a serious fashion (we did study Hobbes - and Darwin, Plato, Freud . . . )
Society must seriously and openly debate a wide variety of ideas (although I do believe that our society currently takes a sophomoric joy in toying with the most ludicrous and degraded ideas simply because we can). Undergraduate classrooms do not have to be the setting for that (take any cause that gives you personal hives - Nazism, for example). Should a professor be able to teach National Socialism in an undergraduate philosphy class? Some make take a purist view and say, heck, yeah - freedom of speach for tenured professors is the highest of all goods! I'm a dad who's sending a son off to a public college as a freshman this fall. Take it from me - if our universities go down that road, millions of Americans will no longer support those institutions politically, financially, or with our children.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 10:51 AM
This is just another story in a long line of stories that makes me sad.
I was educated at a Christian high school, and went on to a college that was founded as a Christian college but has since become one of those "horribly scary hotbeds of liberalism". Those eight years were some of the BEST of my life, as I was constantly exposed to different thinkers and different philosophers, challenged by things that questioned all of my beliefs, made me uncomfortable or just plain scared me.
And yet I feel that I am a stronger person for it. I am well-read, I understand WHY I believe what I believe and disagree with what I disagree with.
Studying the liberal arts does not mean that you just reread the Bible and a few Billy Graham books. It means you read anything and everything. No wonder we are a nation of people who make important political decisions based on slogans that fit on bumper stickers.
Posted by: OD | May 15, 2006 10:52 AM
The substitution of a shared superstition for the research, debate, and discovery which make up human intellectual history only confirms me in my atheism. this is one (albeit not the only, but the one most germane to this conversation) direct result of the force-feeding of the conservative christian moral code to the population of a nation promised freedom from the divisive effects of enforced adherence to a social and political phiiosophy born thousands of years ago.
Posted by: dzhugashvili | May 15, 2006 10:55 AM
It would be nice if open discourse was the norm for Patrick Henry College, and the current adminstration, but that only happens on TV shows. The current adminstration doesn't allow dissent, so why should their feeder school? I suppose PHC is where they learn how to leak CIA agents names if the CIA agents husband publishes a op ed that disagrees with the administration. It doesn't seem that the college or the administration is behaving in a Christian manner. Those radical Jesuits taught me that learning about dissenting ideas and other ways of thinking could only erode my faith if I didn't really believe. If I believed, other views would only strengthen my relationship with God. I also agree that the college should change its name, as should Liberty College. Intolerance College, Right Wing University, Using Religion to Our Own Ends College, are all names that should be considered.
Posted by: Sue | May 15, 2006 11:03 AM
Someone wrote: "Far from misleading prospective students, they take pride in their approach and highlight it prominently."
But they use the excuse that academic departments of schools that allow professors of differing world views are dysfunctional. That is a statement they do not even try to support. It is an excuse for their imposition of a single world view. In other words, they lie to support their closed mindedness.
That same Someone continued: "I'm a graduate of a conservative Christian university, and believe that the statement of faith for faculty is a vital element of such a school. I wanted to be taught in a Christian environment (just as most Wiccans and Unitarian Universalists would want to choose an environment consistent with their world view).
First you need to understand that not everyone considers themselves to be a part of a single world view. You should ask yourself why there are so many world views and determine the good and bad in each instead of insulating yourself within one, and the only one you have probably known. By insulating yourself in a Christian college you insulated yourself from a rich experience. If you do not trust yourself to maintain your christianity when experiencing other ideas, you need to question the basis of your faith. No one benefits when they isolate themselves from the rest of humanity.
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 11:07 AM
If a professor believes that studying Hobbes will lead to a breakdown in morality, then he is not qualified to teach anything. Because he is an idiot and obviously doesn't understand the source material. The mentality this institution has decided to adopt, the responses that defend it, the people in this country who agree . . . it all just makes me want to cry. Why are people so scared of knowledge? What are they protecting? What are they trying to isolate themselves from? Are we entering the next Dark Ages for Western culture?
Posted by: Jerry from DC | May 15, 2006 11:08 AM
I had to read this posting several times to make sense of it. Sadly, it seems to be an unsupported rant. However, even rants should be addressed logically, if it possible. So, let us start with the first assertion, that Yale is full of Taliban supporters. To the contrary. Prior to 9/11, many in academia were in the forefront in protesting the destruction of cultural artificats, the stifling of opinion, the sequestering of women, and the broad limitations that had been placed on education in Afghanistan. To call academia left wing and then to equate it with the Taliban is truly a contradition. The next two assertions claim that liberal academics and "anti" American journalists stifle opinions. Regarding the first, having been on both liberal and conservative college campuses for the most of the past ten years, I can truly say that on the "liberal" campuses I saw a greater variety of speakers, conservative and liberal, and a greater feeling of freedom to speak out. By feeling, I mean that liberals and conservatives felt safe in putting forth their own cases. More importantly, people on both sides expected these cases to be supported with some sort of facts. Concerning the second, anti-American journalists: Perhaps you might clarify how you define "American." If American means accepting government statements without investigating other sources, welcoming the single news source (FOX) administration we have, or guiding the evidence by your opinions (rather than the other way around, yes, liberal universities are full of Anti-Americans. But so is the nation. There is another article today dealing with trickle down economics and how economists on the right and the left have found that it does not work. Despite this, conservative policy makers continue to claim the opposite. Your claim for the lack of free inquiry in higher education in the United States is equally unfounded and unsupported.
Posted by: Jill | May 15, 2006 11:11 AM
Is it ironic or sad that our entire university system is based on one that was started by the Catholic Church, and ultimately led to Western civilization's development and growth, and these "christians" want to turn the system on its head? Everyone who defends this school's philosophy on education should read and reread above what the Jesuits taught Sue:
"Those radical Jesuits taught me that learning about dissenting ideas and other ways of thinking could only erode my faith if I didn't really believe. If I believed, other views would only strengthen my relationship with God."
Posted by: SJ | May 15, 2006 11:12 AM
I realize that Patrick Henry was a crazy Baptist at a time that the majority of Virginians still worshipped in the Church of England, but don't you think the guy who stood up and said, "Give me Liberty or give me Death?" is spinning in his grave right now? How embarrassing for him that his peers' namesake institutions -- George Mason, James Madison, Washington (& Lee), and two that were run/started by his peer Thomas Jefferson, William & Mary and UVa -- are all well-respected academic institutions truly interested in learning.
And poor Patrick gets stuck with the close-minded new school started by a political hack.
Posted by: Me | May 15, 2006 11:17 AM
Patrick Henry is in the business of safely reinforcing previously held beliefs. Learning is the process of acquiring NEW and different knowledge, which can serve to reinforce one's beliefs, but not necessarily.
My teachers in elementary school taught me that 2+2=4, but I still counted it out on my fingers.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 11:20 AM
Despite being alleged hotbeds of liberalism, most non-religious universities do not seek to hire only like-minded persons, nor do we seek to indoctrinate our students (as if we have that kind of power over time and space... if we did, our students would study more and drink less).
It is illegal for us to ask people about their religion or their political views in the hiring process, and most people in my field (political science!) do not engage in research that would reveal their political orientation, even if they themselves choose not to disclose it (research is about questions of fact or policy, not opinion and personal belief). While we may be political in our personal lives, one should not confuse that with our work behavior.
Religious conservatives expect to get a fair shake at non-religious institutions, but they always seem to expect compliance with an ideological agenda when they are doing the hiring. Obviously, academic freedom is not a two-way street-- rather, it is a construction of "liberal academia."
If an institution does not respect the freedom of its faculty, it is unlikely to respect the intellectual freedom of its students, either. Ideological compliance for faculty is designed to promote indoctrination in students. This isn't education... it's brainwashing, or propogranda, or whatever other name you want to give it. And, it is disrespectful to students, who adults, and don't deserve to be censored.
Posted by: College prof | May 15, 2006 11:21 AM
Someone wrote: "Should a professor be able to teach National Socialism in an undergraduate philosphy class?"
But I studied Nazism. We studied why it came about in Germany, why it thrived and became almost a religion, why its abuses were allowed by a knowing populace (even the catholic church) and why it died. We also studied how A Nazi party would do in American politics. How would Americans receive such a political party. We were unnerved to discover that a lot of what the Nazi's offered to Germans in the 1930s was something we would want today in America. We learned that Germans wanted better lives, wanted to feel better of themselves than the loosers of WW1. They wanted to prosper and the Nazis promised them what they wanted, and actually gave it to them. There were Americans watching the growth of Germany in the 30s and suggested America emulate the Nazi model. Only when the war started and the horrible abuses were later exposed to the world did people understand that making a better world is more complicated that the Germans in the 1930s thought.
Now, did you learn anything like that in your Christian college? I'd actually be more interested to know if you studied any abuses by religions, starting with the inquisition, the Inca blood rituals or the human sacrifices of the early Egyptians, and discussed how religious enforcement of belief lead to those abuses.
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 11:23 AM
"But I studied Nazism. We studied why it came about in Germany, why it thrived and became almost a religion, why its abuses were allowed by a knowing populace (even the catholic church) and why it died."
That's not "teaching Nazism" that's teaching ABOUT Nazism. Big, big difference. I suspect that many of the people on this blog who're bashing Christian colleges would protest vehemently against a college that allowed an avowed neo-Nazi to teach his or her racial and political views in a university class.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 11:43 AM
Doesn't "academic freedom" include the freedom of Patrick Henry Colleged to teach what it wants to teach? Or can they only teach the same curriculum that it taught at Harvard and Yale?
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 11:54 AM
"Now, did you learn anything like that in your Christian college? I'd actually be more interested to know if you studied any abuses by religions, starting with the inquisition, the Inca blood rituals or the human sacrifices of the early Egyptians, and discussed how religious enforcement of belief lead to those abuses."
Get off it - Christians are not, as a group, neanderthals (not even conservative Christians). I've read the Koran, the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, Confucious, the Book of Morman and the Upanishads. I've even read "Wicca and Witchcraft for Dummies" (which, by the way, is a real hoot). My philosophy professor, at a very conservative Christian university, always said that you had to read philosphy "sympathically" - to ask, as you read it, "why would he think that?"
We all have certain, perhaps provisional, assumptions about how the world works, the nature of reality,the nature of knowledge, and the nature of truth. We all - even if we're unaware of it - have a world view.
I firmly believe that we should each carefully decide what we believe, and choose our worldview in a very deliberate manner. But explicitly chosen or not, we all have one. We should think about what we believe, and carefully evaluate it - and be willing to re-evaluate it as appropriate. That doesn't prohibit us from having firmly held beliefs. We just need to know what we believe, and why we believe it.
It is not unreasonable for us to seek out teachers with whom we share core assumptions. In fact, I would argue that this is exactly what people do - even open minded secularists. That a Unitarian Universalist goes to a secular school does not prevent him or her from trying to learn about and understand conservative Christianity or Islam - but they would not typically do it by going to Bob Jones University or a madrassa. I would be willing to bet (does anyone have any data?) that far more conservative Christians attend secular schools than atheists, agnostics, or even liberal Christians attend overtly religious schools.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 12:02 PM
Actually, academic freedom does not really mean that. It means having an environment of free inquiry.
That being said, no one disputes that Patrick Henry can do what they want when it comes to teaching. However, what they do will reflect in the way that the degrees given are received AND the quality of instructors that PH will be able to hire. Most respected academics have more respect for their fields and themselves than to work in such an environment. It is certainly fair for those outside the college to judge, based on the closed environment of inquiry, that a degree from PH is worth very little.
The real issues here are that the highest placed conservative policymakers draw from such an ill-educated pool when hiring and that some people seem to make the mistake of thinking that PH is just a conservative equivilent to universities where free enquiry does play a large role.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 12:04 PM
Actually, Sully, those same radical Jesuits did teach me about previous abuses perpetrated by the Catholic Church, like the Crusades, the Inquisition, the wealthy paying for dispensations, the sale of "relics" that msy or may not have been real, and that all these abuses led directly to Martin Luther nail his 95 thesis to the cathedral door. I learned in history and religion classes about the Eygptians, the Incas, the Mayans, the early Isrealites, and others. I learned that we needed to study history, and why things happened, or we would be doomed to repeat it. I also learned that history doesn't happen in a vacuum. There are always religious, economic and societial reasons for why people do the things they do. Of course, I do need to point out that my college(St. Peter's in Jersey City; go Peacocks) accepted students of all creeds, had professors of all viewpoints and religions, and didn't censor what was taught in classes.
Posted by: Sue | May 15, 2006 12:07 PM
Medieval universities were church founded and American colleges were as well. But in both cases these institutions became meaningful only then they stopped teaching theological nonsense (when Harvard, for example, became Unitarian) and began to look for the truth. Our current crop of Christian colleges are in a state of arrested development.
Posted by: candide | May 15, 2006 12:07 PM
How shallow and weak PHC must think is the faith of their students if they cannot be exposed at all to contrasting points of view. That is the greatest lesson here -- the college does not trust its students (and the parents do not trust their children) to come to independent moral and religious positions.
Posted by: stew | May 15, 2006 12:08 PM
Someone who decided not to even use a fake name wrote this at 12:02 --
"I would be willing to bet (does anyone have any data?) that far more conservative Christians attend secular schools than atheists, agnostics, or even liberal Christians attend overtly religious schools."
I would agree with you. But perhaps it's because conservative christians are allowed to practice and express their conservative christianity at "secular" schools and atheists, agnostics, and liberal christians would not be allowed to study anything and everything, nor express their views, at Patrick Henry.
And also, say, Georgetown actually has a much smaller percentage of Catholic students than you might expect. Perhaps because it's an actual university, not a propaganda mill.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 12:12 PM
Karen does a good job highlighting what's wrong with the radical wing of the conservative movement. She "guesses" a number of things that are totally, factually wrong. To add on to a previous poster's debunking of her post, the median SAT score for PHC students in 2005 was 1340 (which, maybe I just scored too low on the math section to truly understand this, but that seems a bit below 1400, not "well over," as Karen contends). As for naming all the Court justices, I can do that, and I went to a piddly little state college. Big whoop. That sort of thing has nothing to do with one's ability to think rationally and understand the arguments of those who oppose you.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 12:19 PM
our culture is turning into a pathetic shadow of what we were founded on. Fear, ignorance, and bigotry are not what the Republican party was founded on and co-opting the christian name but none of the true ideals is frightning. I wish we had the mid-terms in a few days before they can recover the ground the party rightfully lost. It'll only take a few months for Americans to forgot how many steps backwards we've taken and all of a sudden the looming threat of gay marriage will erase all the ills that we currently face.
This university is a looming example of all that is wrong with our nation at this point.
Posted by: mike | May 15, 2006 12:21 PM
Someone wrote: "I firmly believe that we should each carefully decide what we believe, and choose our worldview in a very deliberate manner. But explicitly chosen or not, we all have one.
PHC, according to its official statement on academic freedom, does not allow a "deliberate manner" when it comes to providing the education students require to make informed decisions about what they do or do not believe. Its simple really, truth cannot be determined where information is not allowed to flow freely.
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 12:24 PM
One more disturbing element of PH, and those who choose to sequester themselves with those of like minds. As has been clear during the past six years, the nation has increasingly polarized. How can we ever expect to even remotely understand "the other side" if one group removes themselves from an open environment to one that insulates them from the way other people think or how other people view the world? It only sets the stage for further problems.
While non-Christians can try to go to Patrick Henry, they would not be accepted. PH applicants must sign a statement that says (abbrev.) "I certify that I fully and enthusiasticall subscribe to the above statement of faith, that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior, for forgiveness of my sins." It is clearly not possible for a non-Christian to attend. Furthermore, the statement that they must sign includes a declaration of complete belief in the literal interpretation of the Bible and other such particulars - ensuring that only certain Christians could even apply. I have never seen an application for a college in the United States that requires an applicant denounce their faith, or to proclaim themselves athiest/agnostic/other as a requirement of admission.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 12:25 PM
If "choosing to sequester yourself with those of like minds" is a bad thing, then why don't all of the outraged and self-righteous posters to this blog stop reading the Washington Post and subscribe, instead, to the Wall Street Journal?
Posted by: Curious | May 15, 2006 12:32 PM
While I don't know if I personally would have attended a Christian college, there are plenty of great ones out there that provide a generally well balanced education. I wouldn't put Patrick Henry in that group. The more I read in the local Loudoun papers, the more it sounds like a cult. Here's an excerpt from the Leesburg Today (see the full article http://www.leesburg2day.com/current.cfm?catid=5&newsid=12026 ):
Some students lament the banishment of "PDAs"--at Patrick Henry this is short for physical displays of affection. When inside, any touching, whether that is a consoling hug or something less appropriate, is forbidden. Once outdoors, that same hug would be permissible. Students have at times been required to report where they attend church on Sunday, to some a private matter, or else be subject to punishment. Last year, a student assistant librarian was forced to quit because he passed out fliers inviting students to attend a church that believes one reaches salvation through baptism; the college enforces a rule that one is saved through faith alone. Strict curfews are set. Alcohol is forbidden, no matter a student's age.
I'm waiting for them to start building the gard towers and the perimeter fence.
Posted by: Local | May 15, 2006 12:34 PM
Who said that some of us do not read both?
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 12:34 PM
Someone wrote: "That's not "teaching Nazism" that's teaching ABOUT Nazism. Big, big difference. I suspect that many of the people on this blog who're bashing Christian colleges would protest vehemently against a college that allowed an avowed neo-Nazi to teach his or her racial and political views in a university class."
True, but that is not happening so why bring up this red herring? Are you saying regular colleges keep out Nazi professors so its ok for PHC to restrict professors to its own ideology? I think that's a stretch.
At my high school in 1971 we had an assembly for seniors to hear from the local Nazi Party. These idiot showed up in their Nazi uniforms and a few kept their hands in their coat breast pockets even though all had been searched before coming into the school. You could tell they enjoyed the power they projected and how it made them feel. They gave a half-hour speech and then we began asking questions. The result was total disagreement with their positions. Many parents were quite angry that the school did this but I think the result made those parents proud. They did raise their children correctly because they rejected the Nazi's arguments in a free open debate. Hopefully you raised your soon-to-be freshman correctly since though Nazi professors may not be at their school, they are out there, teaching and recruiting through friendships and other social contacts.
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 12:39 PM
Curious wrote: "If "choosing to sequester yourself with those of like minds" is a bad thing, then why don't all of the outraged and self-righteous posters to this blog stop reading the Washington Post and subscribe, instead, to the Wall Street Journal?"
I know a lot of people who read both. I read many papers myself but the WSJ is too expensive :^) I do watch Fox News though, mainly for the comedy.
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 12:41 PM
-- How shallow and weak PHC must think is the faith of their students if they cannot be exposed at all to contrasting points of view. That is the greatest lesson here -- the college does not trust its students (and the parents do not trust their children) to come to independent moral and religious positions. --
Bravo to Stew for putting this so succinctly. In the age of parents who sue their schools over books in the libraries, for the fact that they play dodgeball, and live in sanitized versions of the world that they grew up in, PHC fits right in. I prefer to think of PHC not as a college, university, or any other term implying an educational mission, but rather as a radical madrassa, such as the ones we read about in Pakistan. Their goals, and their methods, are eerily similar.
Posted by: Joe | May 15, 2006 12:55 PM
I find it odd that a "conservative" college -- and the posters who have supported PHC -- considers this a true academic model. I was always under the impression that the reason that conservatives criticized "liberal" colleges and universities is because liberal academics were stifling true debate between their own belief system and that of conservative students. I have always felt that, to the degree that happens, that is bad.
And here comes along a "conservative" college that wants to stifle true debate between its own belief system and that of liberals. Apparently, what was actually bothering conservatives in the 90s wasn't so much the stifled debate, but the fact that anything other than conservative beliefs were mentioned at all.
No wonder I find it harder and harder to go out in public and call myself a "conservative" and not be ashamed of those who have co-opted the label.
Posted by: OD | May 15, 2006 01:02 PM
If teaching ABOUT Nazism is okay, why not teaching ABOUT Hobbes, Locke, and the other great philosophers, Christian or not? Are the professors asking to advocate those positions, or simply to talk about them? I'm a Jewish student at the law school at a Jesuit university on the East Coast. We have boards all over campus that advertise the various services going on, Jesuit priests walking around, paintings of priests hanging in the hallways. But our law school faculty is all over the range, from liberal socialists to law and economics conservatives. And in my classes, we routinely discuss conservative viewpoints; both professors and students express varying degrees of skepticism or agreement, and we usually get a good idea of arguments for and against. Obviously the students at this college are less free to learn, and consequently can expect to be less learned, than students at other, more reputable institutions. They shouldn't be running the country.
Posted by: turkishd | May 15, 2006 01:02 PM
Candide gives us a classic example of why many Christians characterize a certain thread among secular liberals as intolerant and anti-Christian: "Medieval universities were church founded and American colleges were as well. But in both cases these institutions became meaningful only then they stopped teaching theological nonsense (when Harvard, for example, became Unitarian) and began to look for the truth. Our current crop of Christian colleges are in a state of arrested development."
I don't know what was in Candide's mind as he wrote this, but the sentiments that he expresses are not all that uncommon. It's very difficult to characterize them as anything BUT intolerant.
So, Candide - what do you think? What does "tolerance" mean to you, when people who believe in divine revelation are involved. Are you willing to give professed Christians equal standing in academic discourse? Even conservative ones? If you've decided that their claims are simply incorrect - are you still willing for them to debate and defend them? Understand - they're most likely just as convinced that your philisophical world-view is incorrect.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:10 PM
Somebody asked if PHC is accredited. The college's website says that it receives accreditation from something called the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TACCS). I know absolutely nothing about them; if somebody reading does have information, please post.
In addition, there is a link to a statement from the president of the institution saying that the school is NOT pursuing accreditation from the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) because of a "difficult relationship", based in large part on the school's viewpoint on creationism. The statement also says that PHC is actively pursuing accreditation from the big kahuna, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
How any of the above fits in with this decision is beyond me (although, just based on what little I know, I can't see how SACS would accredit this school pretty much ever).
Posted by: Dr Chuck Pearson | May 15, 2006 01:15 PM
"I would agree with you. But perhaps it's because conservative christians are allowed to practice and express their conservative christianity at "secular" schools and atheists, agnostics, and liberal christians would not be allowed to study anything and everything, nor express their views, at Patrick Henry."
Are you kidding me? Students can read anything they want at a Christian university, observe any religion they want (or none at all) at a Christian university, and there's no way that any university can force a young adult to believe anything in particular. But every school ultimately decides who is qualified to teach, and what should be part of the curriculum (business schools do NOT teach the culinary arts; state schools do NOT teach religion - and yes, "sociology of religion" is different from "religion").
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:16 PM
"Are you kidding me? Students can read anything they want at a Christian university, observe any religion they want (or none at all) at a Christian university, and there's no way that any university can force a young adult to believe anything in particular."
The post you are disagreeing with specifically mentioned Patrick Henry; it did not make a blanket statement about all Christian universities. Your misdirection fails at the internet.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:22 PM
Responses to a couple of points:
(1) Intelligent Design (ID) is not science as it offers no disporavble hypothesis. As its proponents admit, the sole purpose of ID is to discredit a fundamental tenent of scince that offends certain pseudo-christians. ID belongs in a scince class as much as does astrology.
(2) As for holocaust-denial, why not teach it? Our own gov't denies the Armenian Holocaust, as does the Israeli gov't. We teach that there were few Palestinians in Palestine when the Zionists arrived, and those few who were there fled at the behest of the governments of the surrounding Arab states. David Irving should feel quite at ease with these positions. Israeli historians (such as Benny Morris) have debunked these myths, but here in the US we still preach them as gospel. The policies of PHC fit well within these practices.
(3) The point about supply-side economics is well taken. David Stockeman, Reagan's head of OMB, admitted it was nothing but an excuse to cut taxes for the wealthy. Reagan's tax hike in the 1983 and 1984 Tax Acts to counter the deficit creation of his 1981 tax cuts shows that even Reagan knew this.
(4) Ward Churchill may well be another Alan Dershowitz, but he's in good company with others in academia. Where's the right's complaints about Dershowitz? Why isn't he on Horowitz's list of academics to be persecuted?
(5) PHC is indeed representative of the core of the Republican Party. Why else do they place an inordinate number of students in White House and other governmental positions as interns and trainees? Those who hire them certainly view them as representative of the core of the GOP. If not, then why do they keep getting those plum positions?
Posted by: George | May 15, 2006 01:24 PM
I am not kidding you, 01:16 PM, I am completely serious. If this article, and the school's own website, is to be believed, teachers and students have to profess a certain belief system in order to apply, attend or teach there, and students are not taught specific texts simply because those texts do not agree with PHC's version of "christianity." Therefore, they are NOT allowed as much freedom as conservatives at "secular" colleges. Conservatives may face peers or professors hostile to their belief system, but they are not specifically prohibited from expressing themselves.
P.S. Obviously, I am not lumping all Christian colleges together here, only those, such as PHC, that exclude anything that could even possibly conflict with their limited interpretation of Christianity. I have great respect, in particular, for the intellectual curiosity of the Jesuits, who do a wonderful job of allowing their students to explore. I only wish I had such a rigorous college experience.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 01:24 PM
"PHC, according to its official statement on academic freedom, does not allow a "deliberate manner" when it comes to providing the education students require to make informed decisions about what they do or do not believe. Its simple really, truth cannot be determined where information is not allowed to flow freely."
You misunderstand my point. Christian universities make sense for students who have a) decided on a Christian worldview, and wish to continue their education in a Christian environment, or b) are seriously considering Christianity, and want to further explore that worldview. Generally, this will be practicing Christians or individuals from a Christian family background who have not yet decided what they believe.
A liberal arts education is incredibly valuable - but it would be pure academic arrogance to assume that it is the undergraduate curricula of today's universities that provide the basis on which young adults form their world views. If it were, it would be sadly narrow - the faiths and philosphies of 90% of the world's population may be discussed as curious objects of study, but are not taught as serious systems of thought that students might want to consider as ways of understanding the world. Bottom line, that's what Christian (and Islamic, and Jewish, etc.) institutions are for - places where a religious world view can be seriously studied as a system of thought that is useful and relevant for today's world.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:25 PM
I would like to respond, regarding the ideas addressed to Candide...
There are many (I daresay probably a majority) faculty in universities who are professed Christians. However, most do not bring their faith into the classroom when they are teaching. Why? Because that is not their job. At the same time, those of us of other persuasions also keep our faith out of the classroom.
Now, as far as discourse on a campus in general is concerned, I can certainly say that as one who is agnostic, I listen to those of faith with equal respect right up to the point that the faith is used to justify bigotry or discrimination. Similarly, in certain discussions, in fields such as science, I do not give credence to theories such as Intelligent Design. Is this for its religious origins? No. It is for its lack of proof and its failure to gain credence within the scientific community. Do these standards apply to those without faith? Yes. I have been known to defend the Mormon faith (LDS) to non-Mormons, Catholics to Protestants, and Christians to Athiests. Why? Because for individuals these beliefs are tooimportant to people and to treat them with blanket disrespect is to treat the individual with disrespect. Sadly though, the favor is not always returned.
The important point is that all people start out on the same playing field in academic discourse...regardless of their faith. It is provable, reliable support for their arguments that is important.
Posted by: Jill | May 15, 2006 01:25 PM
You overlooked the obvious. The reason the PHC students get "the plum jobs" (interns?) is because they are so much better educated than all the cookie-cutter ivy leaguers. Have you ever even talked to a PHC-er?
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:30 PM
"True, but that is not happening so why bring up this red herring? Are you saying regular colleges keep out Nazi professors so its ok for PHC to restrict professors to its own ideology? I think that's a stretch."
This is not a red herring. The point is that academic freedom - understood as the ability of any tenured professor to teach anything they want, no matter how obnoxious to the ideals of the institution, the students, the parents or the community - is not an absolute good. Nazism is a good example, because (presumably) everyone in this discussion would agree that there would be, at a minimum, a "downside" to allowing a professor to teach Nazism as a valid and relevant political philosophy.
To repeat myself, while our society must be willing to freely and openly discuss and debate a wide variety of views - many of which may in fact be profoundly obnoxious - because that's the only way we can be sure of correcting our unconcious errors, undergraduate classrooms do not have to be the setting for that.
It is legitimate for an institution to say that it teaches from a particular philosophical foundation. Remember, not all institutions will choose the same foundation. It's legitimate for a student to choose to study at an institution because of it's approach.
Or do you really want to live in a world that's so homogenized that there's no difference between a Jesuit school, a state research university, a yeshiva, an ivy league university, and a baptist college?
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:35 PM
I think the direction this debate is taking is to show that "PHC-ers" cannot, by definition, be better educated than their peers at other, truly academic institutions, because PHC does not expose its students to anything other than what its founder and his conservative christian friends want. If you read only the Bible, but not Hobbes (I'm still struck by how a prof thinks teaching Hobbes will lead to a _breakdown_ of morality instead of instructing on its uses), you can't be better educated than someone who has read the Bible AND Hobbes. You CANNOT be better educated by learning less; that defies the definition of "better educated."
I will leave the obvious partisan jabs about why they do get hired to others.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 01:38 PM
"If teaching ABOUT Nazism is okay, why not teaching ABOUT Hobbes, Locke, and the other great philosophers, Christian or not? "
Of course it's o.k. - I would encourage it. I'm a bit dismayed that this particular school doesn't do this. I, too, went to a very conservative Christian university (protestant, rather than jesuit), and we studied about all of that. It has given me a better understanding of people and of the world. But despite the fact that this is, apparantly, an incredibly foolish example of the breed, I'm still convinced that there's a role for universities that are build on a Christian philosophy.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:39 PM
"Therefore, they are NOT allowed as much freedom as conservatives at "secular" colleges. Conservatives may face peers or professors hostile to their belief system, but they are not specifically prohibited from expressing themselves."
Let's make an important distinction here. An institution may - and should - deliberately choose who teaches. That's why many Christian schools have a profession of faith for instructors. Requiring students to accept a statement of faith is a different matter.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:42 PM
But, 1:35 PM, the reason there is a difference between a Jesuit school, a state research university, a yeshiva, an ivy league university, and a baptist college is because they all offer different strengths at different prices. But to the degree that they all offer an education, they all offer an open education. MIT is different from Berkeley, which is different from Texas, which is different from Davidson. But they all allow a student to explore, without restrictions. MIT obviously offers better engineering opportunities than, say, Oberlin, but it does not define itself by what it PROHIBITS its students to learn. PHC clearly does that -- it prohibits its students from learning and believing certain things that do not conform with what its founder believes.
Almost every legitimate university from the beginning of time has dedicated itself to acquiring knowledge. PHC has dedicated itself to reinforcing a strict subset of beliefs and prohibiting those that conflict with those beliefs.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 01:44 PM
"There are many (I daresay probably a majority) faculty in universities who are professed Christians. However, most do not bring their faith into the classroom when they are teaching. Why? Because that is not their job. At the same time, those of us of other persuasions also keep our faith out of the classroom. "
And that's why Christian universities exist - to provide a classroom into which faith can enter. This is important to many for whom Christianity provides a relevant and meaningful foundation for understanding the world.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:44 PM
James, "price point" does not define the difference between a Jesuit education, a yeshiva education, and a secular education at a state school - nor should it. You should go to a Jesuit school if you think you can benefit from the understanding of the world that the Jesuit scholars can share with you. Similarly with a yeshiva, or a Baptist university. But you'll be badly disappointed if you expect Jesuit scholars, Jewish scholars, Baptist scholars and secular professors to all view the world the same way, or to teach the same things.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 01:49 PM
James, I would also argue that while Jesuit scholars, Jewish scholars, Baptist scholars and secular professors view the world differently, it would be a bold and brave man indeed to say that one group is better "educated" than the others.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 02:05 PM
"And that's why Christian universities exist - to provide a classroom into which faith can enter. This is important to many for whom Christianity provides a relevant and meaningful foundation for understanding the world."
For a person of faith, that faith enters the classroom regardless of whether the instructor does or does not believe as they do. The vital difference between schools such as PHC and ones of open inquiry is that the classroom is not meant to reflect one's preconceived notions, but to expand, diversify, and even act as a sounding board for those beliefs.
The main question, it seems, is what is the purpose of college? Is it to educate you to analytically face the world? Is it to get you the connections you need for your career? Is it to teach you of and reinforce your faith? Sometimes you can find all three of these together, but with PHC's policies, the first will always be missing. You can't analyze if the answers is prescripted.
Posted by: Jill | May 15, 2006 02:08 PM
Actually, secret person who keeps posting (this, at 1:49 PM), price point is one of many differences between the type of education you get. VCU is cheaper than the University of Richmond. That is a difference. It is not the only difference, but it is one, and one that unfortunately dictates the college choice of too many Americans.
And I think you miss the larger point (which has been made repeatedly). I can go to Wheeling Jesuit, and get a Jesuit education, but no longer will I be taught exclusively by Jesuits. And while the school might have an overarching mission it attempts to impart to the students, it does not force them to believe any one thing or prohibit them from believing any one thing.
I am trying to distinguish for you PHC from other schools in this country. I can go to a Jesuit school and be taught by Jewish professors, Baptist professors or secular professors, as well as by Jesuits. I cannot go to PHC and be exposed to a Muslim or Hindu professor, because he or she would (obviously) not accept that Christ is his/her personal savior or that he or she is saved by grace alone. I will not be "disappointed" (as you say) because I have an advanced degree, and have gone to a private college and a public university, and (shockingly) associate exclusively with people who do not hold my exact set of beliefs, and so I know what I'm talking about. Education is important; what PHC is involved in is not education.
Do you not understand this disinction at all?
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 02:09 PM
I never said one group was better educated. Obviously, you didn't learn to read very well in college, either.
I have distinguished what I think most would agree are very different schools -- MIT (heavily science oriented), Berkeley (an Ivy League caliber university in California, often derided as exceedingly liberal), Texas (large state university), Davidson (small, private liberal arts college in NC, known as somewhat conservative, at least moreso than Oberlin), Oberlin (small, private liberal arts college in OH, known to be very liberal), Wheeling Jesuit (Jesuit college in WV), VCU (public school in Richmond, Virginia), UofR (private college in Richmond, Virginia, started by Baptists).
Any graduate from any of those schools should hold their head up high having graduated from great schools and gotten a wonderful education. You probably could hvae taken classes from a Jewish professor or secular professor or Baptist professor or Muslim professor at most of these schools, and been better for it. But what joins all of those seemingly diverse schools is that they all devote themselves to acquiring and understanding knowledge.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 02:21 PM
How do the PHCers get good jobs? Duh. This is an administration which hires interns competitively, based on merit. It was the previous administration which hired based on sex -- first, last, and always.
Posted by: The obvious | May 15, 2006 02:24 PM
"I am trying to distinguish for you PHC from other schools in this country."
That's fair - PHC appears to be quite unusual.
"I can go to Wheeling Jesuit, and get a Jesuit education, but no longer will I be taught exclusively by Jesuits."
This is also true - many Catholic schools now have non-Catholic faculty. They still try to fulfill a unique Catholic mission.
More generally, not all church-affiliated universities have made that decision. Many still limit faculty to professing Christians. That is their right, and many people see great value in an education provided by professors who are Christians. This can be done in a way that does not include some of the narrow-minded decisions made by PHC. This is very different from prohibiting students from thinking or asking questions, and can provide an excellent education and foundation for life.
"I will not be "disappointed" (as you say) because I have an advanced degree, and have gone to a private college and a public university, and (shockingly) associate exclusively with people who do not hold my exact set of beliefs, and so I know what I'm talking about."
Good for you - it sounds as if you received a fine education. I chose to attend a conservative Christian university, and was very pleased with the education I recieved there. I suspect you would have been disappointed by it. That's irrelevant to the point I was making, though.
Had you wished to an education provided with a Christian perspective, and had attended a yeshiva, you'd have been disappointed. Conversely, had you wanted a distinctively Jewish environment and gone to a Jesuit university, you would have been disappointed. Both could have provided you with an excellent education, but they are in fact different. There is value in both, however.
"Do you not understand this disinction at all?"
Yes, of course. You do not believe that PHC provides an adequately broad understanding of the world and other people. I will happily stipulate that. I'm drawing another distinction. Leaving the quality and depth of PHC's academics aside, many students and parents see value in - and seek out - colleges and universities that provide an education from a uniquely Christian (or Jewish, or Muslim) perspective. This legitimate and valuable. The fact that an institution of learning has such a perspective (and is serious about bringing that perspective to the classroom) does not mean that it is not providing an education.
"Do you not understand this disinction at all?"
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 02:27 PM
"I never said one group was better educated. Obviously, you didn't learn to read very well in college, either."
James, James, James . . . do we really have to go ad hominem?
There's a point here that I'm trying to make. These schools do not teach the same things in the same way - nor is it simply a matter of the old Sears "good, better, best" quality continuum. Religion and world view make a difference. A yeshiva will not, and cannot, have the same roster of professors as a Baptist university, or a Jesuit school, or a state school. Some people simply will not be allowed to teach at a yeshiva - what they would teach, and the way they would teach it, would be inconsistent with the yeshiva's mission. That degree of "discrimination" in hiring and promotion of faculty is not a failure of the institution - is is part of the institution's mission. Such a school may not provide the education you would want for yourself our your kids, but it does not as a result fail to be a real education.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 02:32 PM
It will be interesting to see whether PHC can sustain itself as an institution of higher learning, a term I use advisedly, in the long run or whether it will turn out to be more like the utopian communities of the 19th century that fell apart as the founders died because they could not attract new adherents.***
I'm betting on the latter. If PHC grows, it will be more difficulty to enforce orthodoxy. If the Republican party loses the White House, it will be more difficult to place students in internships and jobs that make the academic and socially stultifying atmosphere at the college tolerable to young people. So, there are at least two paths that predict its demise.
Another possibility is that the female students now being educated there will not be happy, in the long term, as housewives after experiencing the excitement of politics at a high level as students and young workers. And the school does, as I understand, teach that the role of married women is to be housewives and mothers.
The role is perfectly honorable--indeed, demanding--but its requirements and rewards differ from those in the public sphere, and many women are likely to find that it does not offer the combination of challenge and satisfaction available in paid jobs.
And that's just about how it feels; there's also the economic difficulty of being a one-income family (public service, does not, after all, pay as well as many alternatives) and the reality of divorce, even in conservative Christian families.
So I'm counting on the women to break down the orthodoxy that PHC is attempting to impose by controlling the actions of its teachers.
***I am not an expert on American utopian communities. If what I've said here is wrong, I'd be happy to be corrected.
Posted by: THS | May 15, 2006 02:35 PM
Joe's description of PH as a "radical madrassa" fits well. The purpose of both is to engender religious furor and hatred -- or at least disrepect -- of the ideas of others.
Posted by: rob | May 15, 2006 02:37 PM
This is where you and I agree:
"Many still limit faculty to professing Christians. That is their right, and many people see great value in an education provided by professors who are Christians. This can be done in a way that does not include some of the narrow-minded decisions made by PHC."
I think there is great value in being educated by Christian professors. I am worried that PHC is part of a larger trend in our society (and possibly world), however, of isolating yourself amongst your fellow believers so that you do not have to face the uncomfortable truth that not everybody agrees with you, or that there are legitimate shortcomings and valid criticisms of your belief system.
And actually, now that I say that, I'll bring up the "conservative" (I put it in quotes, bc I can no longer make a principled distinction, as you will see, between those who conservatives criticized 10 or 20 years ago, and those who label themselves as conservatives today) critique of liberal academia from 10 or so years ago. Conservatives used to decry (and mock, yes I'm talking to you Rush Limbaugh) the ascension of "identity politics." Liberal professors had run amok with labeling and dividing everyone into subgroups -- men/women, white/African-American/Asian-/Latino, etc., etc. And yet that is exactly what PHC (and modern conservative christians who isolate themselves from those who disagree with them, and conservatives who only watch foxnews and avoid any criticism of their policies, etc, etc) is now doing: providing an identity-politics college just for themselves.
Which is stupid and counter-educational.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 02:39 PM
I am an evangelical christian and would never want my children attending a college like PHC. I want them exposed to the world, to ideas and philosophies that may contradict what we believe because that is how faith is strengthened! That is the whole point of christian apologetics. It is my greatest desire that my children will also grow up to be copmmited christians but I know that ultimately, that decision is theirs to make, just as I made my decision based on researching the evidence, praying,studying other religions, etc. I will encourage my children to do the same. Faith is not something that we can will to our children or shove down their throat. I will encourage my children to read C.S. Lewis and J I Packer and other great christian thinkers but so will I encourage them to read the greek philosophers and Descartes, Nietszche, etc. Do we think that our religion and faith are so weak and indefensible that we think they will crumble when challenged? For the record, I am completely opposed to the melding of religion and politics because as has been shown time and time again, nothing good can come out of it. It is amazing to me that peope who should know better keep forgetting Jesus'famous words:"my kingdom is not of this world".
Posted by: evangelical reader | May 15, 2006 02:40 PM
James, I'd add that it's important for a Christian school to seek out excellent Christian scholars. That doesn't necessarily mean ones who are not conservative, but rather ones who are thoughful and serious. My favorite professor in school had a theology that was probably closer to Aquinas than anyone else, but he thought deeply about everything, and wanted his students to truly understand the philosophers we studied (even though he really didn't agree with any of them who were born after, oh, I don't know, perhaps 1600?).
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 02:46 PM
"If "choosing to sequester yourself with those of like minds" is a bad thing, then why don't all of the outraged and self-righteous posters to this blog stop reading the Washington Post and subscribe, instead, to the Wall Street Journal?"
This is the Washington Post? *looks up at the address* Gosh, I didn't know that! Thanks for pointing it out!
Welcome to the Internet, where having good information is more important than who provides it.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 02:49 PM
What is curious to me is the amount of venom that is directed toward this college--it is a private school and certainly no-one is forced to attend there, or even apply there. If it is unable to turn out functioning professionals then people will stop hiring it's graduates. Any flaw in it's philosophy will be taken care of by the market, and the wailing and weeping that is going on is mere theatrics.
The venom that is evident in many of the posts is bigotry; dressed up in "eloquence" and "forward thinking" and "progress" but still bigotry. I would invite several posters to review their comments and substitute another group in whereever "christian" appears and evaluate the tone of this discussion.
Posted by: Chris | May 15, 2006 02:52 PM
Right, anonymous poster who refuses to type in a damn name to make responding to your points easier (2:32 PM), those schools do not teach the same things in the same way, nor are they on a strict quality continuum. I said neither of those things, so you're not so much offering a "counterpoint" as just adding on to my argument that there is a distinction to be made among colleges.
At the same time, there is not the distinction that you want to make. There are certain qualifications that one must meet to teach at a university, which is generally an advanced degree in the subject one is hired to teach. Beyond that, most colleges will hire the most qualified applicant, not the one who matches up with the identity of the school. For instance, every state university does not hire only atheists, every Baptist college does not hire only Baptists, and every Episcopalian college does not bring over British professors. But you seem to want to pretend they do. You want a Baptist school to have Baptist professors, Jesuits to have Jesuits, etc. But all of the colleges I used as examples do not restrict their hiring in that way. So that I can go to any one of those schools, and be taught by a Baptist, Jesuit and atheist all in the same day. But that cannot happen at PHC, because I will only be taught by an evangelical Christian for every single course for every single day I am there. That is what distinguishes a normal college (even one with an overarching mission, like a Jesuit school) from PHC: open educational institutions not taught from a single, predetermined point of view.
And I take issue with your surreptitiously sneaking yeshivas into the list, since that's essentially like comparing a Catholic seminary to Arizona State and then arguing that they each provide a different experience. We are talking about PHC as an alternative to Arizona State, or whatever undergraduate institution you want to throw in there. Yeshivas are more like seminaries. If you want to argue about how a Jewish seminary compares to a Christian seminary, I guess we can do that, but it's not this debate.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 02:58 PM
So many experts on Patrick Henry College! Perhaps what some of you are describing is what this college will become, but it is not what this college has been. The students have been receiving a top-notch education. They have been exposed to all the well-known thinkers of the past. They have been challenged to find "truth" wherever it may be. They have experienced academic rigor as undergraduates that is often not experienced even by graduate students.
Please do not lump all evangelical Christians into one big heap of dummies. Keep in mind, it is *because* of the faculty's commitment to inquiry and truth that this debate has arisen. There are many students as well as faculty that are leaving because of this. Give them some credit. As for those that are staying, hopefully, they will learn from mistakes made, and the college will be stronger for it in the future. The college is in flux right now, and Dr. Farris has surely seen the serious implications of his heavy-handedness. I'm sure all young colleges go through growing pains. It remains to be seen where Patrick Henry College will be established on America's academic landscape.
Posted by: studentmom | May 15, 2006 03:04 PM
I feel completely comfortable with the tone of every single one of my posts. In light of the fact that I am not attacking the school for being "christian" but for being close-minded, I would feel comfortable attacking a similar school that was racially segregated (I assume that is where you wanted us to go with your cutesy "zinger").
I also cannot argue with you that this is a private college where no one is forced to attend, but that does not keep me from lamenting the increased celebration of close-mindedness that our society has embraced over the last several years, and the general direction of our country's education system. What does it say about our youth that they want to avoid reading things that make them "uncomfortable" or force them to defend why they believe what they believe? Or that there are adults willing to provide that experience to the next generation?
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 03:08 PM
Chris wrote: "The venom that is evident in many of the posts is bigotry; dressed up in "eloquence" and "forward thinking" and "progress" but still bigotry. I would invite several posters to review their comments and substitute another group in whereever "christian" appears and evaluate the tone of this discussion."
Bigotry against what ... christians? Many on this blog identified themselves as christians. If anything this blog's venom is aimed at "christian conservatives", those who feel they are under attack by "liberals" and must defend themselves by circling the wagons, which is the analogy I would use for PHC. But bigotry, I don't really see it here. If anything it looks like bigotry is what PHC is practicing, if discriminating based on religious principles for teaching positions where christian religious principles is not a requirement. Why would a muslim, athiest or jewish professor be a better or worse teacher of American literature than a christian professor? And no one is saying the place should stop teaching or somehow close down. I think all bloggers here understand it is a private school that can do pretty much what it wants. So where is the bigotry in this blog? The debate seems to be right where it should be: when a school discriminates in its choice of professors based on religion does that affect the quality of the education?
Posted by: Sully | May 15, 2006 03:12 PM
"Perhaps what some of you are describing is what this college will become, but it is not what this college has been. The students have been receiving a top-notch education. They have been exposed to all the well-known thinkers of the past. They have been challenged to find "truth" wherever it may be. They have experienced academic rigor as undergraduates that is often not experienced even by graduate students."
What I am concerned about is not only what it has been, but what its mission and methods are. These show its ideals. I would point anyone who has been reading to the mission statement (very long) of PHC: http://www.phc.edu/about/default.asp#MissionVisionDistinctives.
This mission makes it very clear that students are not challenged to find "truth" wherever it may be. Nor are they receiving a top notched education, as it denies the prevailing research into certain fields (biology). Perhaps most important, the idea that this education is "graduate level" is preposterous. Even more than at the undergraduate level, graduate work requires the strenuous examination of basic assumptions, a familiarity and understanding of current research, and the ability to expand on that research. The first two are not possible within PHC's own mission statement and methods.
To give a specific example: The mission statement of the college is to "promote practical application of biblical principles and the original intent of the founding documents of the American republic." The idea of "original intent" is highly contested both legally and within the field of history. Yet, the mission itself denies that controversy -- limiting and misrepresenting history.
This is only one of the many ways that the mission statement - i.e. the reason to be - of the college gets in the way of a "top notch" education full of academic rigor.
Posted by: Jill | May 15, 2006 03:26 PM
"At the same time, there is not the distinction that you want to make."
What? Are you seriously suggesting that a Catholic university that truly sees itself as having a Catholic mission won't have a different faculty mix than a Baptist university that has a Baptist mission? Sure, large state universities are not staffed by only atheists - but you will get a different faculty mix than you would at a school that has an avowedly Christian mission.
I am not trying to misrepresent you - please don't misrepresent me. I'm defending the idea that a church affiliated school can have a distinctly Christian mission, and to further that mission may hire faculty who are professing Christians. Doing this will affect what is said in the class rooms, and will result in a distinctive educational experience that many find valuable. It is not the experience of being "taught by a Baptist, Jesuit and atheist all in the same day," but does not as a result fail to be a legitimate "education."
It's time to level - I understand you to be implicitly saying that if you don't have the "Baptist, Jesuit and atheist" all teaching in the same day, you don't have a "real" university education. I also understand you to be implying that the intellectual climate at all of the example institutions you mention is essentially the same.
My examples, in turn, may be a bit extreme (yes, the yeshiva is in there to make a heavy handed point) - but I do not believe that the intellectual climate is, or should be, the same in all institutions of higher learning. Religion matters. Philosophy matters. If you take either one seriously, it will affect how you think and live. Taking them seriously does not make a university a seminary.
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 03:29 PM
Note regarding Catholic universities and their faculties:
The Catholic University of America, in the School of Arts and Sciences, at least, hires regardless of religion. In fact, they do not inquire about a religion. As a result, the faculty is often as diverse as you would see elsewhere - and as competitive. Furthermore, professors are not told what they can and cannot teach and research within their fields of study. When comparing faculty with a secular institution, Catholic University's CAS is not all that different. Sadly, due to the policies/mission statement of PHC, you could not make the same claim.
Posted by: Jill | May 15, 2006 03:46 PM
03:29 PM, I'm going to continue referring to you by the times of your posts.
"I'm defending the idea that a church affiliated school can have a distinctly Christian mission, and to further that mission may hire faculty who are professing Christians. Doing this will affect what is said in the class rooms, and will result in a distinctive educational experience that many find valuable."
Thank you for finally admitting it. I, as you may have noticed, am attacking that idea. Many may find it valuable to have their personal Christian beliefs constantly reinforced by their English Lit professor, and be comforted when they can just skip huge chunks of science class because their Biology professor wants to ignore the scientific process. That may be distinctive, but that's not a real education.
Because if you want to learn biology (as we understand it through hypothesizing and trial-and-error experiments), you learn it from a biologist. If you want to learn history, you learn it from a historian. Hell, if you want to learn about Christianity, you learn it from a historian, you don't even have to go to a Christian. To get back to my list of real colleges versus PHC -- it does not matter what type of religion professors at any of those were; I do not care what religion a professor is, I just want them to be qualified in their respective fields.
I am not saying that if one is religious, one must teach only in a seminary. But I am saying that one's religious beliefs should not be a prequalification for teaching me the distinction between Chaucer and Faulkner. One's religious beliefs should not be a prequalification for teaching me post-colonial African history. One's religious beliefs should not be a prequalification for teaching me precalculus.
I think it's as simple as that. Some want to be coddled in college by people they feel comfortable with because they all believe exactly the same thing, and I want to be challenged by those who are qualified to teach that specific class.
Posted by: James | May 15, 2006 03:49 PM
As a current student and one who has been involved in "the real world" by running for public office, as well as working and volunteering with many people I disagree with, I think I might be more highly qualified than most here to discuss the particulars of this situation. I do not yet possess a degree, but I have learned a thing or two about thinking while here at Patrick Henry.
First off, I find it delightfully funny to see all the "intelligent" arguments stating how we engender hatred and we don't expose ourselves to anything but the Bible (KJV, thank you very much). We invited the Roe of Roe V. Wade to come speak to us during chapel, and she was planning on coming until a last minute problem interrupted that chance. By the way, she's a Christian now. Yeah, Catholic, but still Christian.
Someone said something about how it was a red herring to say that teaching *about* and actually teaching and endorsing were two different things. I'll be sure to remember that they're the same when one person is describing the technique to kill, and the other is actually slitting my throat in a classroom project.
We're exposed to many viewpoints here, Christian and non-Christian, orthodox and heretical. We do have restrictions on what can be endorsed, but not what can be taught. We endorse creationism, but still teach evolution. We endorse the Trinity, but still teach about various heresies that deny it. We endorse the existence of an absolute truth, but teach the various theories that deny it. All these can be taught, but we're not about to compromise fidelity to what we all, including the professors who are leaving, believe is the ultimate source of truth, the Bible.
We aren't exactly sheltered homeschoolers here either. I've got all four Harry Potter movies above me and to my right, right next to The Lord of the Rings, Spiderman, The Interpreter, Flight Plan, and Hostage. About 10% of my 100+ books in here are religious in nature, and not all of them fully orthodox or even Christian. I play various video games that my mother has wished I wouldn't play (Spider Solitaire and Hearts are two of them... ;-) along with other heathen games, such as Age of Empires, Starcraft, and more). Whereas I don't play Grand Theft Auto or P.I.M.P, this is because I have this thing that the video game industry doesn't usually take into account, called taste.
For my History of the Western World II final on Wednesday, I'm reading "Communism" by Richard Pipes, as well as "On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace" by Richard Kagan. I have More's "Utopia" Machiavelli, Tolstoy, Augustine, Mill, Pirandello (one of my favorites), along with Cicero, Aristotle, Plato, and more. I've been taught that there is truth in all of these (except for Pirandello perhaps, but I still enjoy the story). This truth is indeed worth searching out. And this is all endorsed by the school (except for liking Pirandello again...)Our library has Mein Kampf, Lolita, and other works of literature that, while not endorsed, are provided to challenge what we may believe.
Now that we have some facts here from someone who would know instead of baseless conjecturing from those who think the Post and Nancy Pelosi is the arbiter of all that is true and beautiful, I think it's quite obvious that we're not sheltered. We're taught a wide variety of subject, but the truth is endorsed. And what is actually endorsed in class is left to the discretion of the professors except for certain "big things." Our two theology professors, (one of them soon to leave) disagreed on many issues. I took classes from both of them, and besides the fact that I was utterly confused, I realized that they both espoused different versions of what they said was truth, but since it was within a Biblical basis, neither was fired.
We are not sheltered from any viewpoints because of the danger they may cause to our poor little homeschool minds. Far from sheltered, we're purposefully targeted. We're hit with Kierkegaard, Nietzsche (or however his name is spelled) Mill, Plato, Machiavelli, Stalin, etc. all in the first year. And the vast majority of those who come in truthfully believing in the statement of faith, leave believing the same, and being able to expound on it better. Further evidence of our not being sheltered is our involvement in the community. Myself and about 5 other students are involved in local volunteer efforts for about 12 hours a week. We work alongside neighbors from the town and the surrounding areas, providing emergency support to people at their health's end. The vast majority of those we work with are not Christians (I think 4-6 of the 30 we work with are) but it doesn't matter. We discuss with them, argue with them, eat with them, work with them, live with them, and then go home, and come back again at the same time next week for some more. We're not the most intelligent students at the school, but we've gained respect for our opinions, and for our tolerance. Yes. Tolerance.
We're not a madrassa. We weren't going to burn Roe when she visited. I can guarantee that she would have instead received a hug or two from some students. Yes, even though she's Catholic. ;-)
I recently ran for Town Council in Purcellville and had a wonderful time. The people I ran with weren't just like me, but I went out there acting like myself anyway. I didn't put on a face or anything. I participated in multiple interviews with many papers, including the Post (although they spelled my name wrong 7 times...) and participated in a candidate forum, as well as going about and talking to citizens asking for their votes, and getting signatures on petitions. Throughout the entire process I was told how pleased people were to see that I knew what I was talking about, and I was willing to listen. I spoke to atheists, Christians, citizens supporting Catoctin County, multiple people on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Republicans, and *gasp, I hope I don't get kicked out of PHC for this...* Democrats.
I had a wonderful time with everyone, and I hope and believe that the vast majority of the people I talked to (minus those I accidentally interrupted during an early dinner or phone calls) enjoyed talking with me. On election day I spoke with one wonderful lady who has been heavily involved with the election, and I had seen at multiple events, and we had a very good discussion on a big topic in Purcellville. I still disagree with her for now, but she had many good points that I still listened to. I was told by many people that they were glad I would listen to them when other candidates wouldn't. I didn't win the election, but I beat most people's expectations, including my own.
If you think PHC students are irreconcilably sheltered, why don't you try talking to us? Email me at sirtsiversen@hotmail.com. I'll give you my AIM name, and after finals are over, I'd be more than happy to discuss things with you. Even Machiavelli and Nietzsche. Come find us out here in Purcellville. We're the ones lurking around with our pants at our waists instead of our knees, our shirts buttoned to the second or third to last from the top (or ties, *good heavens!*) and holding honestly intellectual discussions with people who are most definitely not like us. We'll probably be sober, not stoned, and not worrying about wardrobe malfunctions. And we don't go about making out in public too often. And we survive. And I dare say that the results show that we thrive.
Posted by: Timothy S. Iversen | May 15, 2006 03:52 PM
Just as an interesting point. The word "taliban" is derived from the Arabic word meaning student/to study. I really don't think Karen, who made a silly remark about the Taliban at Yale knew this. But I thought I would point this out.
All education needs to teach people to think beyond a certain set of subjectively contrived norms.
Posted by: Blogbunny | May 15, 2006 03:57 PM
"We invited the Roe of Roe V. Wade to come speak to us during chapel"
It's more than slightly disingenous to cite this as evidence of your open-mindedness without noting that "Roe" (aka Norma McCorvey) has been firmly on the anti-abortion side of the argument for some time.
Posted by: Steve B | May 15, 2006 04:08 PM
Re: "Thank you for finally admitting it"
??? I've been trying to make it as clear as possible!
"I, as you may have noticed, am attacking that idea."
Yes, and I've tried my best to engage you directly on that point (and have wondered why you have seemed to dodge the issue).
You say that you don't care what a professor's religion is, but only that he or she is qualified. That's fair. To be taken seriously, the faculty at any college or university must be qualified. Whether or not you understand it, many do care about the personal beliefs and moral code of the faculty. You clearly oppose the idea that a university could select faculty who are all professing Christians (or, I presume, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.).
Are you arguing merely that doing so is unwise, or may not result in the strongest faculty, or are you - as it seems to me - arguing that it must, of necessity, result in something other than "a real education." That seems to imply that - by the very fact that they are professing Christians - they cannot, at least in some fields, truly be qualified. If so, please defend that assertion.
Also, what were you trying to convey when you said "[h]ell, if you want to learn about Christianity, you learn it from a historian, you don't even have to go to a Christian"? It seems to suggest that Christianity (whether you buy into it or not) cannot be taken seriously as a guiding philosophy or way of understanding the world. Would you be equally comfortable saying "if you want to learn about feminism, you don't even have to go to a feminist, you can go to a historian" or "if you want to learn about the Democratic party, you don't even have to go to a Democrat, you can go to a historian?"
Many people want to be coddled (not just Christians). On the other hand, many want to study from people who view things from a particular context (say, for example, a feminist perspective).
No one has challenged the choices you made about your education, its quality or its validity. Many people do find value in learning in a Christian environment. That does not mean that the instructors are of necessity unqualified, that they can't teach a wide variety of topics, or that it isn't a "real" education. It does not include exposure to the same variety of views - or the same type of views. I believe you will find, though, that many deeply civilized and educated individuals have come out of these institutions. (As well, of course, as some complete and utter jerks - which is just about par for any college or university).
Posted by: | May 15, 2006 04:15 PM
Timothy S. Iverson's last paragraph reminded of what Kris Kristofferson called the only bad song Merle Haggard ever wrote (during a 1972 concert at the NY Philharmonic, right after he parodied, and improved, the song):
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee; We don't take our trips on LSD We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street; We like livin' right, and bein' free.
I'm proud to be an Okie from Muskogee, A place where even squar
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Come Again?
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The first time Tony Snow was agonizing over whether to leave journalism for the White House, he had lunch at the Army and Navy Club with William Safire.
"You must take this job," Snow recalls the New York Times columnist saying in 1991, "and when you do, I will write you an advice column."
But the advice column appeared the following Monday, touting Anthony Snow as a "hard hitter" with "independent right-wing credentials" who was Chief of Staff John Sununu's choice to be President Bush's speechwriting director.
Sununu quickly called to ask if this meant Snow had taken the job. "I guess it does," Snow said.
Fifteen years later, Snow has given up a lucrative television and radio career and taken on the challenge of speaking for the current President Bush. From the moment his appointment as press secretary was announced, Snow has sought out White House correspondents and listened to their suggestions about how he can improve relations between the Fourth Estate and an administration not known for embracing the press.
The president, while calling Snow a "nice guy," doesn't see a problem that needs repairing.
"I don't feel the friction, I really don't," Bush said in a brief interview. He said he was aware of "institutional friction" -- a top aide said he was referring to secrecy issues and leak investigations -- but not any personal difficulties.
"I understand the reporters have a job to do," the president said. "I talk to them every day. I don't like what they write, but they don't like what I say," he added, half jokingly.
Whether the new press secretary can have an impact, and whether Bush wants to further engage with those who make up what he calls "the filter" remains to be seen. But the former Fox News man, who began his new duties last week and is scheduled to hold his first televised briefing this week, is comfortable with his decision. "You play a much more vital role working for a president than sitting behind a mike hurling stones," he says. "I don't think too many people who write history books are going to devote specific chapters to radio, TV and other hosts."
The veteran pundit, who has spent his life spouting opinions but has never attempted the fine art of briefing, is the first to admit he's got a steep learning curve. He spent time at the White House watching outgoing spokesman Scott McClellan go through his paces. Snow also has to bone up on the dozens of foreign and domestic issues that could become part of his daily grilling.
"I'm sure the press will give me leeway for a short period of time," Snow says.
Clearly, the man is an optimist. At his first off-camera briefing Friday, complaints ranged from the overcrowded conditions in his office to his stumbling responses to certain questions.
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The first time Tony Snow was agonizing over whether to leave journalism for the White House, he had lunch at the Army and Navy Club with William Safire. Dirk Allen has no trouble coming up with a phrase to describe the young man he knew in junior high and high school in Cincinnati: "long-haired......
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Shows and Shrimp, Fresh and Not So
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It's Upfront Week -- the annual four-day orgy of rumor- mongering (Hollywood agents/the Reporters Who Cover Television), P.T. Barnum-ing (broadcast network programming executives) and heinie kissing (kissers: network sales departments; heinies: Madison Avenue suits) in the course of which the prime-time lineups for next season are revealed.
Each network takes its turn putting on a big production to pitch its new lineup to advertisers and reporters in New York, at halls like Carnegie, Radio City Music and Avery Fisher.
Monday through Thursday, anyone who's anyone in the TV business gets out of bed brimming with bucked-up-ness about that day's presentations -- some days two networks, other days just one.
At each presentation, boffo opening acts are presented (past years included Lenny Kravitz, the cast of "Hairspray," "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry in top hat and tails performing the 1930s tune "Beautiful Girl" with his cast for ABC at Lincoln Center, the "Avenue Q" cast performing "It Sucks to Be [Disney chief] Bob Iger" for CBS at Carnegie Hall).
Stars are trotted out to pontificate about that network's deep commitment to their particular new series. Speeches are read off teleprompters promising advertisers only the youngest, most upscale and best-looking viewers. After which thousands of shrimp are sacrificed at parties thrown at hot and not spots such as Tavern on the Green, Buddha Lounge, the Garden at Rockefeller Center, Four Seasons Restaurant and Pink Elephant.
A good time is had by all. Excepting, of course, the shrimp.
And, of course, the cast and producers of those lower-rated or older-skewing series that had been on the prime-time slate until the previous day, when word got out they had been killed off to make room for the next generation of potential hits. Ah, the Circle of Life.
Oh, and those stars and producers who had their bags all packed to get on a plane to New York so they could be trotted onstage to pontificate about that network's deep commitment to their particular new series but who had received a phone call the day before letting them know they need not get on the plane after all because the network had decided to go "in a different direction." They know how the shrimp feel.
NBC is the first network at bat. NBC has gone first since way back when it was the cocky, No. 1-ranked network; and it went first because it didn't care what the other networks had planned for Tuesdays at 8, it was going with two comedies -- and did ABC, CBS or Fox wanna make something of it?
NBC has taken some of the suspense out of this year's schedule unveiling by announcing early that it has picked up a mess of new shows.
· A comedy called "20 Good Years," starring John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor as two fifty-something guys determined to change their lives and make the most of the next two decades. We're thinking "The Odd Couple," which sounds like an odd choice for a network that doesn't even report ratings for any viewer older than 49. On the other hand, "The Golden Girls" used to do a good number among young viewers, and that was just a bunch of old dames sitting around kvetching.
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It's Upfront Week -- the annual four-day orgy of rumor- mongering (Hollywood agents/the Reporters Who Cover Television), P.T. Barnum-ing (broadcast network programming executives) and heinie kissing (kissers: network sales departments; heinies: Madison Avenue suits) in the course of which the...
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A Mother's Lasting Bond
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Nelda Bleckler stood before the black granite wall, before the tens of thousands of names etched there, and wiped tears from her face with her white-gloved hands.
"Well, honey, you can stay at home and cry about this," she said, mostly to herself. Or she could come here to be with other mothers. "It's comfort," she said. "We all go through this. Good, bad, indifferent."
Every Mother's Day weekend -- while other women are enjoying breakfast in bed or a brunch of eggs Benedict or a picnic with their children -- Bleckler makes the trek from Desloge, Mo., to Washington for this simple ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Dressed in white suits, she and other mothers received pink roses yesterday from Girl Scouts and then read cards -- crafted out of colorful construction paper, markers and crayons -- from elementary school children throughout the District, Maryland, Virginia and states as far away as Utah and Texas. Most of the cards thanked them for making the sacrifice of allowing their sons and daughters to risk their lives in war.
The women -- all with freshly coiffed white or salt-and-pepper hair -- walked to the Wall and placed the cards there.
"I only stayed home the Mother's Day my son passed away," said Bleckler, 72.
She didn't lose her son, an Air Force veteran, to Vietnam. "He had cancer," she said. "He came to me to die. I opened my arms. I took care of him for nine months."
In 1976, she was recruited to join American War Mothers in Missouri by members who chartered the chapter in the 1940s. "They're all gone now," and she's the chapter president, she said. "I was doing this by myself for 18 years."
But in recent months, Bleckler has recruited mothers of soldiers fighting today's wars. "All young mothers," she said as she put her arm around Girl Scout Kelly Anderson.
"How old are you, honey?" she asked.
"Almost 10," answered Kelly, a member of Troop 3123 in Falls Church, whose green vest was covered with patches, including one for being a "Cookie Genius."
The families gathered under a pavilion in an Annapolis park, with the white and blue flag of Guatemala hanging from one side, the U.S. flag next to it. Underneath, children ran around in a frenzy as their mothers, preparing the hamburgers and hot dogs, laughed and commiserated about this crazy thing called maternity.
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Nelda Bleckler stood before the black granite wall, before the tens of thousands of names etched there, and wiped tears from her face with her white-gloved hands. The families gathered under a pavilion in an Annapolis park, with the white and blue flag of Guatemala hanging from one side, the...
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Chatological Humor* (Updated 5.19.06)
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* Formerly known as "Funny? You Should Ask ."
DAILY UPDATES: 5.17.06 | 5.18.06 | 5.19.06
Gene Weingarten's controversial humor column, Below the Beltway , appears every Sunday in the Washington Post Magazine. He aspires to someday become a National Treasure, but is currently more of a National Gag Novelty Item, like rubber dog poo.
He is online, at any rate, each Tuesday, to take your questions and abuse.
Weingarten is the author of "The Hypochondriac's Guide to Life. And Death" and co-author of "I'm with Stupid," with feminist scholar Gina Barreca. "Below the Beltway" is now syndicated nationally by The Washington Post Writers Group .
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I do this infrequently, but I'd like to talk a bit about my column on Sunday -- first, to discuss the manner in which it pertains to arguments against the existence of God. Those who postulate that the Earth and its contents are, in essence, the result of chance and happenstance must do battle always with those who argue -- using a different but not unworthy sort of reasoning -- that coincidences of great magnitude simply do not happen. This is, at its heart, the argument for Intelligent Design.
I am here to tell you, with my Sunday column as an example, that coincidences of earthshaking magnitude can and do occur. Many of you pointed out in gleeful e-mails the fact that both JOEL ACHENBACH'S COLUMN and MY COLUMN contained references to the act of eating poop, specifically the scientific term for such a thing: Coprophagia. Most of you presumed that this was a coordinated effort; some have speculated that Joel and I are in fact the same person -- that one of us is a pseudonym for the other.
The fact is, this was a complete coincidence, one alertly caught by our copy desk but permitted to stand by Tom the Butcher after I persuaded him that it would add to his fame. Surely, such a thing has never occurred in a major American publication. The argument can be made that if it was going to happen, there is no other American publication in which it was more likely to happen -- which is pretty much the argument of evolutionists for the perfect life-fulminating conditions of the Earth's primordial soup.
Okay, now to the mail over this column. As so often happens when the subject turns to national politics and the cognitive abilities of our president, there was a hellish outpouring of correspondence from all around the country. As usual, it was pretty much evenly split between wildly complimentary mail and wildly condemnatory mail, both way over the top. Here are two of my favorites:
"Gene, You really sicken me. What package did Bill Clinton take to get you [verb deleted] him off daily like you did? Better yet, YOU probably paid HIM. What else do you and Monica have in common? Do you own a blue dress too? I wish you had died in the Pentagon or the World Trade Center so that we could celebrate your demise."
"How DARE you compare dung beetles to Presiden Bush! A dung beetle found the rotting mouse that my cat had left behind in no time at all. Bush can't find Osama Bin Laden AND weapons of mass destruction!"
Here is an excerpt from a third letter, which arrived yesterday:
You need to have a better understanding of why we (the USA) are at war. We didn't start it, nor did the USA want to go to war. The fact is we are in a world war, and by going into Afghanistan and Iraq we are keeping the fighting away from US soil. That is pretty simple. Do you understand? Do you think I should have used a different word than "we" in the above sentences so as to not include you in the context of being part of the USA? It appears you do not know the answer to that question, or you don't want to be included as a person who cares about our country.
"Oh yeah? [Verb deleted] me."
Haha. No, I sent this:
1) I agree we had to go to war in Afghanistan. Afghanistan attacked us, in the person of a terrorist to whom they were giving safe haven. We had to go in, wipe those people out, topple the government, and replace it with our own. We failed in the "wipe those people out" part, which was very, very inept of us. But we definitely had to go into Afghanistan. I was all for it.
2) Iraq? We are in Iraq to to draw fire from American soil? Really? Wow. I thought we were there because the Iraqi leader posed a threat to us, and was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction to deploy against us, and because he was involved in 9/11? That is certainly why our president TOLD us we were going to war. Now we learn it is to draw enemy fire? Geez, you know, I think George Bush should specifically admit that to the moms and dads and widows and orphans of the men and women who died there, and to the men and women who came back in pieces. Don't you? "Hey, folks, I just want you to know I sent you over there as cannon fodder. I was kidding about the WMD and ties to al Qaeda, as the whole world knows now. It was to get you shot up, to draw fire from our homeland!"
Listen, don't question my patriotism. That's a sickening thing to do, coming from someone like you. And by someone like you, I mean someone who is willing to accept whatever his government dishes out, without questioning it. It is our duty as Americans to think and question and speak up when there is reason for outrage, and only a fool or a child would equate disagreement with disloyalty. The loyal American does not sit back, docile, and allow our leaders to run roughshod over our rights, and to squander our good will, and to fearmonger, and to dismantle everything good about our wonderful country. I'm sorry, but apparently I care more about America than you do, and I'm proud of it. Shame on you. Where is your patriotism?"
Thanks to Kate Jones for pointing out that the scientist who claims that emotion affects the formation of water crystals is named " Masaru Emoto."
Please take today's poll , and stop bellyaching. A little work is good for you. I will explain why it is important, and what it says about you and all of us midway through the chat. And why it is not just crassly promoting my upcoming book. I'll only adress that last one if I, um, get the time.
For the finest examples of tired old cartoonists in need of editorial euthanasia, check out B.C. on May 11 and Dennis the Menace on May 15. The first is an inexcusable inattention to detail, the second an inexcusable inattention to, well, giving a crap about the quality of your "gag."
The Comic Pick of the week is Sunday's Opus . First Runner Ups are Sunday's Zits and Sunday's Doonesbury -- a hat trick for page one of our Sunday comix page! Honorables for the May 13th Frank and Ernest and the May 13th Pickles , unless that one is an old joke, which it might be. Also the May 11th Flying McCoys .
Alexandria, Va.: There are actual living, breathing human beings who read those stories and remained completely unmoved? Y'all were just joking, weren't you?
Gene Weingarten: See next post.
Bethesda, Md.: I just took the poll. Please tell Marc Fisher to stop replying to the poll over and over. Seems of the 82 responses he has responded 15 times already. I am pretty sure he is the only person out there that would respond unmoved, no?
Stanton Park, Washington, D.C.: Hey Gene, have you tried Port City Java, the new coffee place at Eastern Market? I was going to "cheat" on Murky, my regular coffeeshop, but then I went to the Port City Web site, found their evil-sounding press release and was totally turned off...
Any thoughts you'd care to share?
Gene Weingarten: The place is right across the street from my house, a thirty second walk. It occupies a space that used to be a funky little antique store but has lain vacant for more than two years.
I am thrilled it is a Port City Java. I am thrilled not because I think the world needs another chain coffee shop with faux leather orange armchairs, $5 croissants and WIFI, but because it is so much better than any number of other establishments rumored to have been interested in that real estate. Among these were a Dunkin Donuts and a KFC. So, I'll take upscale coffee.
Gene Weingarten: As far as that press release, I fail to see what bothered you, unless for some reason you are bothered by the fact that it appears to have been written by some sort of servo-mechanic robot. You don't like stores referred to as "units," or the odd capitalization of the word Brand, referring to Port City as though it were a deity? Or the the intriguing fact that though this release used the phrase "sales volume," nowhere in it appears the word "people"?
What's wrong with Lil Dog?: Good morning Gene!
I voted for Lil Dog, as I thought the picture and story were both kind of cute, but she ended up being the least popular! Any idea why that happened? Maybe because the name was kind of silly?
Do you think the dog Molly ended up being more popular because your daughter happens to have the same name?
Gene Weingarten: No, I'll explain Molly's popularity later.
Is the Doctor, IN: I would really like to know if I should be worried about this possible medical problem. For background, I am 24, female and healthy, but all my life I have had excessive thirst. I need to drink water much more than the average person, to the point where I feel sick if I go more than an hour without it. Doctors have never considered this a problem, and I deal with it by carrying a water bottle with me all the time. Recently, though, my thirst has gotten worse, where I am drinking water as usual but feel parched within minutes and have horrible dry mouth and a bad taste in my mouth. The change is essentially that I am no longer as quickly or as easily satiated, and it has actually woken me up at night when I never had to get up and drink before. Should I be concerned?
Gene Weingarten: I think you should be concerned, and I do not understand why your doctors have not expressed greater concern. There is something wrong fluid imbalance, and you need to have a full blood workup done by a competent internist. You need to do it now. Not a GP, someone who charges a lot of money to diagnose problems.
Gene Weingarten: It is particularly problematic that the problem has recently been intensifying. You may have a minor problem, easily correctible, but it is a problem.
Immigrateringness: Did anybody else think it slightly undermined GWB's attempt at "I really do get this immigration stuff, y'all" when he kept referring to a woman he met as "Guhwadaloopy"
Gene Weingarten: I think everything Bush says is funny. Everything. Everything he DOES is not funny. But his words are a riot.
Finishing my last final ...: Hey Gene,
You're going to be the speaker at my graduation, but I thought you were anti J-School? You're not going to be a downer, are you? We're entering the journalism world at a weird enough time as it is, we need some uplifting (or funny?) words to send us into the great, low paying (that is if you can find a job) beyond. Not to put the pressure on or anything ...
Gene Weingarten: Yes, I will be speaking at the UM j-school graduation next week.
Um, do you really expect "uplifting" from me?
Washington, D.C.: A couple of weeks ago someone asked "How many times a day do you look at women in an appraising and appreciative way (read, sexual)?" I am a 25-year-old female and I decided to spend two days counting the men I saw in each day in the same manner. The first day I pretty much spent the whole day in my cube, so I only counted to about 45 (communting and dining out). The next day I was sightseeing with a friend and then went out for drinks. I was up to about 60 until I decided my judgment was probably impaired. I of course, didn't count anyone who looked under age, and I removed about 20 people after getting a second glance. Do you think this number is low? I've always been accused of having high standards for men (which I never agreed with) but I wonder if other women my age would have a higher number.
Gene Weingarten: Well, let's put this out there! In my column on this subject, I made it clear that a key factor is this determination is what, precisely, we define as a "sexual thought"? ie, just how specific, recreational, fanciful, and leering it need be. So we will have to open the discussion to that question, too.
Lizzie, can we link to my column on this subject? I bleeve it was last week...
Bethesda, Md.: I would just like to note that the adolescent sex quiz is a lot more interesting than today's poll.
washingtonpost.com: The Quiz (on right side of page)
Gene Weingarten: You know, I hate this kind of quiz. Not because of the subject matter -- I LIKE the subject matter -- but because it has an enormous "who cares?" factor to the choice of answers. It's like:
What percentage of American men think about women more than four hours a day? 1)56 percent 2) 58 percent 3) 57 percent. WHO CARES ABOUT THE ANSWER?
Mt. Rainier, Md.: With your passion for loyalty and confidentiality among family members, how do you feel about a so-called "parent-child privilege" not to testify in court against each other? I'm on the fence about this one. I feel like a father being compelled to testify against his son is ghastly, but at the same time I recognize that the duty between parents and children is not necessarily one of strict confidentiality, i.e. sometimes it might be in the best interests of the child to tattle on him/her.
Gene Weingarten: I see no reason why the bond between parent and child is any weaker -- or the expectation of confidentiality and privacy any less compelling -- than between husband and wife. Remember that the privilege is not a prohibition. It simply says you cannot be COMPELLED to testify.
Jacksonville, Fla.: Though I know this is from last week, I can help your chatter with their leg cramps. Sip some tonic water before bed. It contains quinine which will prevent them. I am a baton twirling coach and tend to get them when I'm out of town. I think it has to do with my car ride/lots of exertion combo, but it ALWAYS works for me.
If I do get a cramp (and I never have if I suck down a vodka tonic before bed :-) I pull my toes up and stand up as quickly as I can, preferably on a cold tile floor. I can't do the threshold because lowering my toes below my heel will cause it to spasm more, not less.
Now, the really funny part... My dad works for DOD and gets up really, really early in the morning. When I was a teenager I woke up about 3 a.m. [with] a cramp like no other and saw the kitchen light on. I called out for my dad to rescue me. He came in, took my hand and got me upright to the bathroom floor. The cold tile and the pressure loosened the cramp. I remember my hands flailing about as I sat on the bed while he stood next to me and trying to turn on the light when we got to the bathroom, but couldn't get to the switch. When I got home after school that day I found out why I couldn't find the light switch... he kept pulling me away from it, because, as men are prone to do, he was walking around the house naked that morning and knew I was in enough pain already without assaulting my eyes as well. Gotta give it to a dad though he was going to help me regardless.
P.S. When you have the hiccups, try burping. If it's caused by an air pocket, burping will dislodge it.
washingtonpost.com: I was in Jacksonville last week and couldn't believe the proliferation of Drive-Thru Starbucks. You don't have to get out of the car for anything!
Gene Weingarten: Men are prone to walk around houses naked in the morning?
Bowie, Md.: Gene,As I was eating a club sandwich for lunch I said to myself "Wow, I love club sandwiches". This realization coupled with the news that the author of "Blondie" is opening a chain of sandwich shops caused me to think that sandwiches are another of those areas where the genders differ. Most men I know are very enthusiastic about sandwiches. However, I suspect that most women don't have the same affection for them (the sandwiches). So is there a gender divide on the subject of sandwiches?
washingtonpost.com: I am a woman. I love sandwiches. Favorite: BLT with summer tomatoes and vegan bacon!
Gene Weingarten: My wife eats sandwiches, I do not. I think it is okay to disclose that my wife became the terrific cook she is in the following way: When she was about ten years old, she began to make sandwiches for her father. At the beginning, presumably, he ate em because his little girl made em. But fairly quickly, she learned to make GREAT sandwiches. Real care. Fresh lettuce, etc.
Gene Weingarten: Ah. Ms. Chatwoman just reminded me why she cannot link to the column about men looking at women and vice versa. It is a complex reason having to do with the fact that this column has not RUN yet.
Bruce, MS: Good Buddy Gene,
A rocket crashed into a satellite today, you know.
Thirsty Girl: Isn't extreme thirst a common symptom of diabetes? I'm shocked a doctor would brush that aside, especially now with diabetes being a supposed "epidemic."
Gene Weingarten: Well, it is, but by this point, she'd know it if she had diabetes. There are other things.
Where does the term "T-Minus" come from?
Gene Weingarten: I believe it is Takeoff Minus, as in NASA countdowns. Takeoff minus 15 minutes and counting. Right? T plus 12 seconds means the craft is 12 seconds into the air.
This is fun to say, please try it: "I wanna win a Winnebago."
(You at home, try it to. It's a blast.)
Gene Weingarten: It's a little better if you put a "when" in front of the whole thing. I like the line my brother once uttered unintentionally, when I asked what he was using on his breakfast cereal: "Half Half n' Half n' half milk."
Alexandria, Va.: Gene: My three cats are names Bonnie, Katie and Bridget. If we were to get a fourth, what would we name it?
Gene Weingarten: Ralph. You have to stop giving sissy names to male cats.
Public Restroo-roo, MS: Since we're on the subject (always), I want to ask you what you think the difference is between guys who pee in the middle of the toilet (i.e., center of the water, loud noise) and guys who pee on the edge of the water (minimal noise). I think middle of the water peeing is another one of those jerk indicators, like NO FEAR stickers and Confederate flags.
Gene Weingarten: I totally agree, though the venue is important. In a public bathroom, who cares? But elsewhere, I am a porcelain pee-er. I put this distinction into a play I once wrote.
Alexandria, Va.: Is "Pearls Before Swine" in risk of marrying Irving with how often Pastis is included in the stip, and all the other acknowledgements that we are, in fact, reading a comic strip?
April 14 | April 24 | April 25 | April 26 | May 14
Gene Weingarten: In artistic terminology, this is known as "breaking the fourth wall," and it means doing something that is acknowledging you are looking at fiction, and not reality. A ancient and familiar example of this was when an actor -- say, Bob Hope in the "road to..." movies would suddenly step out of character and speak to the audience.
The fourth wall, literally, is the fourth wall surrounding actors in a proscenium -- they have a wall behind them, and a wall on either side of the stage. The "fourth wall" is the invisible one, between them and the audience. To "break" that fourth wall is when an actor speaks directly to the audience, and not to his co-actors, acknowledging this is all fiction. See?
Now, some cartoonists breach this fourth wall often -- Pastis does it probably once a week. Most do it not at all; you well never see this device in FBOFW or any strip that relies on a perception of reality; the more farcical and stylistic the comic strip, the more likely it is to take this significant step.
Now, some people really like the idea. Some hate it. One of those people who hate it is the renowned poet and comics editor Amy Lago, who happens to be the editor on the strip being developed by my son, Dan, and me. We want to pierce this wall every so often, and Amy remains adamant that we must not.
But Amy is not a tyrant. Oh, no. She keeps assuring us that as the creators of the strip, the final decision on this matter is absolutely ours -- just as the final decision is HERS as to whether OUR STRIP WILL EVER BE SYNDICATED.
You could die from such a woman.
Reston, Va.: I was humming the Star Spangled Banner while I read the end of your intro -- very well said, Gene.
Gene Weingarten: Thank you. Though it was mostly designed to get his dander up.
Please help!: I picked a fight with my boyfriend last weekend over something dumb. He said something miniscule that hurt my feelings, and I should've just let it go, but I turned it into a gigantic mess.
What do I do now? We made up, but I still feel guilty for acting like such a brat. This guy is seriously the best thing since sliced bread.
Gene Weingarten: 1) Come up with a more original and interesting comparison than "sliced bread" for what he is the best thing since.
2) Tell him he is that.
I've never understood that "sliced bread" line. What's so great about automatically sliced bread? It elminates choice of thickness, and it is a rather minor innovation. Can people propose a better example for this lady, of something her boyfriend is better than?
Gene Weingarten: That is, "the best thing since..."
Boston, Mass.: Gene Weingarten: Men are prone to walk around houses naked in the morning?
My dad and my boyfriend both sleep naked and get up naked (although my dad is much better about remembering to put on a pair of shorts than my boyfriend is), and I've had enough male roommates to learn that yes, many men do walk around naked in the morning. Not all of them, of course, but I've seen enough hairy male butt to last me a lifetime.
Gene Weingarten: This is a trend I was unaware of. I thought women, being natural exhibitionists, would be more likely to exhibit this behavior.
C'ville, Va.: Mr. Weingarten, I thought you should know that I read your column for the first time in a few weeks, since spring break actually. I just got home from college and my dad keeps The Washington Post Magazine by the toilet so now I can catch up. I'm 19 and female.
At school, reading material was provided in the form of The Stall Seat Journal (actual name), which was taped to the back of every stall door in the dorms. It changed monthly, and usually contained such "interesting" information as how often college students need to be tested for STDs and what to do in the event that your friend drinks to much. I can honestly tell you that having spent years ignoring these types of warnings in pamphlets, assemblies, and lectures, I now (after two to three thorough readings per day), have most of it memorized. If all these people are really sneaking reading material into the bathroom, all employers have to do is tape things like the sexual harassment policy to the back of the door, and maybe someone will actually read it in its entirety before they just sign it. Imagine the possibilities... software releases, the fine print on credit card applications, political advertising (naw, we'd need new candidates if we actually knew what we were voting for), "Crime and Punishment." This could change the world.
Gene Weingarten: It is true. I have a friend who will read the contents of his wallet, including the currency, if he has forgotten to bring reading material in with him.
Arlington, Va.: I never had a pet bigger than a hamster due to family allergies, so I can't really say that I'm a dog person. And yet I still got all misty-eyed taking the poll. I can't tell if it was the dogs themselves or the obviously love the owners have for them. Maybe a little of both.
Gene Weingarten: It is both, and that's the point.
Pittsburgh, Pa.: Hi, Gene. A very good friend of mine passed away last Friday, from complications of lupus. She was just barely 30 years old. I'm writing to you because I want to pay tribute to her sense of humor. She was a storyteller. She wasn't about telling jokes, per se, but about relating events from her life. She could crack me up instantly, just by the way she said something. She'd have a whole group of people laughing so hard they were crying, just by telling a naughty story about a guy who, uh, well, I don't know how to put it in a family-friendly way. Let's just say he was early, and leave it at that. We would egg her on to tell that story to anyone that hadn't heard it before, just so we could hear it again.
She also had an amazing singing voice: more talent in her little finger than all those bozos on "American Idol." She sang for my husband and me at our wedding, and it's a memory I'll treasure forever.
She could make friends with anyone, even though she was slightly scary. She was so outgoing that shy people (like me) would be intimidated, but she'd make it a mission to befriend you. And as soon as she'd tell that story about the early man, or any story for that matter: man, you just loved her.
Sorry I can't be more funny about my funny friend. I'm still a little in shock over here that I'm never going to see her again, never going to hear her sing again, never going to laugh with her again. I never thought she would die. She was so full of life. I'll miss her.
Gene Weingarten: This would be the point that a Marc Fisher wannabe would chime in and say: Now, THIS is beauty and tragedy; this compels empathy and compassion. This reminds us what is real and important. Spare us from dogs.
To this person WHO I KNOW IS OUT THERE AND WHOM I HAVE JUST PREEMPTED, I say this: Yes, this is beauty and tragedy. And it is PRECISELY why there is beauty in the love of dogs into their noble senescence and decrepitude. And I know you don't understand this, but I am guessing that the person who posted this does, absolutely.
We're sorry for your loss. It seems immense.
B.C.: Hey, he spelled "steroids" wrong.
Gene Weingarten: He certainly did!
Your book: How long have you been friends with Mr. Achenbach? Did he mind being used as a patient with an illness in your Hypochondriac book? I really love it, by the way. I particularly appreciated your quiz that determines if a person is an alcoholic or not...and how women get pregnant!
Gene Weingarten: I discovered Joel laboring away at a far-flung bureau of the Miami Herald when he was, I think, 22. I hired him as a Tropic writer at an incredibly young age. I am allowed to do whatever I want to him because he is so in my debt.
Thank you, about the book. You know, I am going to reprint both those parts in the updates this week, on account of you have identified, I think, my two favorite parts of the book!
Victoria, BC: I did actually see a player in a MLB game break a bat in two when he swung and missed.
Gene Weingarten: Nothing is as great as what I saw around 1975. Graig Nettles of the Yankees swung at a ball, and his bat shattered, and five Super Balls came bouncing out!
The great thing is that, though he was thrown out of the game and suspended for three days, the Yankees won that game (as I recall) 1-0, on a Nettles home run!
I'm sure I'm like the 85th attorney to write in to you to say this, but with the spousal privilege, the other spouse CAN keep you from testifying against them. E.g. if you tell your wife you murdered someone, you can keep her from taking the stand against you.
Gene Weingarten: Wait, really???? I am wrong about that? I thought she could testify if she wanted to! You are the first to write in, but I will assume you are right, and apologize.
Drinks A lot: Get checked for diabetes insipidus. NOT the same as diabetes mellitus. Causes excessive drinking/peeing and is easily treated.
Gene Weingarten: Good point. But she needs a full workup.
4th wall: The master was George Burns who would occasionally want to see what was going on. He'd find out by turning on the TV and watching his show (in progress). Once caught up on the plot, he'd manage to get the upper hand.
Ithaca, NY: What in the name of Mark Furstenburg are you saying, Liz??!?!?
It's not a BLT if it contains a product euphemistically called "vegan bacon", and certainly not without mayonnaise!!!
"vegan bacon". Good God. The horror, the horror...
washingtonpost.com: Oh ho, but I use Vegannaise. Mmm mm good.
Gene Weingarten: I'm gonna let you guys fight it out.
Since you are speaking at UM maybe you can help me out?
I'm speaking at a graduation ceremony at Georgetown. Since I am generally not funny or always that insightful, I thought I would talk about MY past graduation speakers (Al Gore and "Duke" Cunningham) material that should basically write itself. Right?
Wrong! Help Gene! How do you right a parent friendly joke about gambling, prostitutes and multi-million dollar yachts!?
Gene Weingarten: Don't worry TOO much about "parent friendly." I'm not. After all, the parents are MY age.
Seattle, Wash.: "Like crispy Kleenex" was one of my favorite comics lines ever. Nice work, Berke!
Gene Weingarten: There ya go!
Alexandria, Va.: Wait a minute. The 25 year-old female looks at 45 to 60 men per day in a sexual manner? Does that mean she looks at 45 to 60 men and and thinks " oohh yeeaahhh", or does she only "oohh yeeaaahhh" about five and "no way" the rest? I'm trying to figure out if I'm too picky or if I just work in an incredibly unattractive profession/area.
Gene Weingarten: I address this all in an upcoming column. Hahahaha. I said "upcoming."
Washington, D.C.: One of my proudest moments was when I was 10 and alone with my grandfather and decided to make him a sandwich for lunch. He handed the empty plate back and said "pretty good." That was all we said all afternoon.
Not in Miami, Fla.: Does the Post consider the Miami Herald to be its AAA farm team, or is that just coincidence? Maybe we should start reading the Herald online to spot the superstar Post writers of the future.
Gene Weingarten: Sadly, that pipeline appears to have dried up. But about a quarter of the Post today worked at the Miami Herald between 1975 and 1999. Or so it seems.
For Liz the Celebritologist: Sorry I didn't know how to send this to your column. Let someone else be the link monkey for a change with this topical link that you might enjoy.
washingtonpost.com: Thanks, this is great. You can always e-mail me links, tips or anything at celebritology@washingtonpost.com.
Gene Weingarten: You have to give this one some time, or just scroll down to the middle. It is a sports rotisserie league junkie coming up with a new league, just for gals.
Doonesbury: Doonesbury on Saturday . I don't get it, please 'splain.
Who else can I ask?
Gene Weingarten: The parachute? Gave me pause for a moment too. Alex is chastizing her mom for parachuting in to her life with some meaningless grievance, instead of being there for her from the beginning.
Gene Weingarten: I believe that is one possibility, yes. The point is, SHE NEEDS TO SEE A DOCTOR.
Excessive Thirst, DC: Thanks for answering my question. I realize I should definitely see a doctor based on this problem intensifying but really everyone before has brushed it off, or done blood work that has proven negative. I asked to check on pre-diabetes on my own initiative, having read that thirst is a big sign, but that didn't turn up. I've never been given a reason why I might be so thirsty and am always looking for answers, hopefully of the non-scary type. What are the other possibilities?
Gene Weingarten: There are many possibilities, and I only know of a few, and most are treatable and not scary. Go.
Gene Weingarten: My wife, a criminal lawyer, just came home and confirms spousal immunity is absolute... except in the case where spice are conspiring with each other in a crime.
Congrats on being picked up by the Winchester Star. I have to say I was surprised to see you there as I flipped to the crossword puzzle, which is the only part of the Star, except your column now, I find worthwhile. It's a neocon paper in a neocon town, and I'm very curious as to how it's being received. Have you gotten any letters from Bush-lovin' Winchesterites? (Just so it's clear I'm not a hypocrite, I came to Winchester to help my mom after she was diagnosed with epilepsy, but am leaving in July. Thanks for shining a ray of light on my stay here).
Gene Weingarten: I never really know for sure where my mail is coming from. I am not that familiar with the Star, but based upon their choice of columnists, I am certain they are a Great American Newspaper.
Verbatim Dialogue with My Secretary: Me: Could you print out some documents for me? (Notices she is eating) Oh, but it's not super urgent. Finish your lunch first.
S: But it's just cereal, nothing special.
Me: Cereal? What kind of cereal?
Laurel, Md.: "Sadly, that pipeline appears to have dried up. But about a quarter of the Post today worked at the Miami Herald between 1975 and 1999. Or so it seems."
There's a significant section in William McGowan's book "Coloring the News" about the decline of the Miami Herald during this period. Did the good ones all find a better journalistic environment?
Gene Weingarten: Many of the good ones fled, yes. I was part of the flight, as was Tom the Butcher, Marc Fisher, Achenbach, Guy Gugliotta, Jeff Leen, Carol Guzy, David Von Drehle, etc.
Attorney question: No, no, Gene, you are not wrong. I, too, I'm sad to say, am an attorney, and a person can testify against their own spouse. They merely cannot be compelled to testify.
Gene Weingarten: Wait. What's going on here?
Gene Weingarten: Okay, the poll.
Thank you all for wading through it. As many of you guessed, this poll was as much for me as it was for you. I am trying to crystallize my thinking about old dogs, and seeking your thoughts as guidance.
So this isn't really a matter of which dogs are cutest or which stories are the best - though I'll weigh in on that in a moment. It is about the nature of your reaction to photographs of dogs at or near the end of their lives, animals who are fiercely loved and cared for by the people who own them, and whose deaths will affect them deeply. These are dogs who no longer provide the sorts of qualities - ebullience, beauty, energy, playfulness, feistiness - that people adopt dogs for.
My feeling, at the end, was one of joy - both because of the ability of a dog to radiate character and charm and nobility even late in life, the way people can - but because of what it says about human nature, and our capacity for love and tenderness.
Like many of you who wrote in, I was disinclined to choose any of these sweet old things over any other - I actually cast a vote for Lil Dog early today because he wasn't getting very many, and I felt bad for the owners.
Let me make a couple of observations. Fred is a mess: But look at the magnificent, nuanced color he has turned in his blind dotage. Look at Emerson and Dempsey and tell me that dogs - who lack our facial muscles, and who many people think are expressionless - don't have a very, very clear and articulate way of smiling.
You all loved Molly. You know why? She is complete trust and vulnerability, and we want to protect the weak, because we are fundamentally good people. Lil Dog is a monument to the humor of anarchy. Daisy Mae poops in the dining room, so I love her automatically, but also: How can you not love Yoda?
And lastly, Kelly and Tasha. If you chose either of those dogs, you know what it means to love unconditionally, based on a sense of beauty.
Click on Tasha's face, and you will get a huge image: The screen can't get it all at once. So focus first on the eyes: I see a wolf or a dingo about to attack. Then slowly scroll down until you get her muzzle in the screen. Everything changes, doesn't it? She becomes Tasha, and worthy of a hug.
The categories at the end were designed to find people who hated the poll because it was a pain in the arse (Angry/Annoyed), those who were in contempt of the people who showed such affection for their pets (Contempt) and those who just found nothing at all emotional in what they were looking at (Unmoved.)
You know who you are. Shame on you!
Wrong, wrong, wrong: The attorney who suggested the spousal privilege means one spouse can keep another off the stand hasn't been true in 26 years. Trammel v. United States, 445 U.S. 40, 100 S.Ct. 906, 63 L.Ed.2d 186 (1980): "the witness-spouse alone has a privilege to refuse to testify adversely; the witness may be neither compelled to testify nor foreclosed from testifying." Previously, spouses could keep each other off the stand, but that became a bit of a problem in cases involving things like domestic violence. The Supreme Court also wanted to get away from the conceptual basis for the marital privilege: that the husband and wife were the same person.
So it is, in fact, a privilege to be asserted by the witness, not by anyone else to keep them off the stand.
Gene Weingarten: Wow. Even some brilliant lawyers weren't sure of this.
Not to be too corny, but we always call that a "FLT" -- Facon, Lettuce and Tomato.
washingtonpost.com: Thankew. Gene loves this thread. It's his favorite thread since sliced whole grain bread.
Gene Weingarten: I like Facon.
Da Hood: Apparently the government is spying on phone calls of ABC News, the New York Times, and The Washington Post to ferret out who the confidential sources are: The Blotter
I don't know what scares me more, this news or the comments that follow the article. Thoughtful items like "good, you seditionist creeps deserve what you get. who knows how many serviceman have died because of your "right to know""
New York, N.Y.: Gene, ask your wife whether the spousal privilege is codified as a state law. That would explain the discrepancies.
Gene Weingarten: She is gone, but I absolutely bet that is the answer.
But Dave Barry is still there, isn't he?: What's wrong with him?
Gene Weingarten: Dave actually, technically, no longer works for the Herald. He is writing books and other things. Dave just loves Miami.
Privileges: Gene, the problem is that there are two privileges in question: one, the husband-wife privilege, allows a person to not testify against his/her spouse, but the potential witness may waive the privilege and testify anyways; the second, the marital communications privilege, allows either spouse to prevent the other from testifying about something one spouse said to the other during the time they were married.
Gene Weingarten: But those sound mutually exclusive!
Old dogs dilem, MA: How on earth are you going to choose your dogs from all the fabulous submissions? These dogs are beyond wonderful.
Maybe the Web site could take on a life of its own beyond the book and get into Old Dog advocacy. Encourage people to adopt an older dog from their local shelter, that sort of thing.
Who's managing the site for you, by the way? 'Cause we know that Liz has oodles of free time...
Gene Weingarten: The site was created, and is being managed, by Eric Shansby! Kids these days. They can do anything!
Des Moines, Iowa: How quickly do you contact people if you're interested in their dog for your book?
Does the poll today mean that those are the dogs you're really considering? What if our favorites aren't among that group?
Gene Weingarten: We'll be starting to contact people within two weeks, but that process will be gradual. It won't mean a thing if you haven't heard from us a month from now. And no, I chose these dogs almost at random, for a mix -- if you waill -- of looks and stories. No correlation whatsoever to what dogs we will choose.
millie, D.C.: I must defend my honor against this humor-rumor mongering blackguard, Mean Gene.
I do not hate breaking the fourth wall per se. Simply, I like it only when it is done right.
Matt Janz has a strip in which he does it right which will appear in early June.
Gene Weingarten: This would be the odious Ms. Lago, who is implying Dan and I don't do it "right." While Gene Pool's Mr. Janz, who IS HER FAVORITE, does.
Doonsbury CPOW-RU: I am an intelligent human being. At least, I thought I was. I don't get Sunday's Doonsbury. They had me up until the last panel. Whuh?
Gene Weingarten: Well, if you are graduating from college in remedial studies, what is your next step but ... college?
Rockville, Md.: "Listen, don't question my patriotism."
Why should I when yur logic is much more of a target. So we did not find Weapons of mass destruction. That was a mistake. It did not mean that Saddam did not have people and equipment to make more when he wanted them. It did not mean Iraq was not a threat. It jsut means that we did not find the weapons. Is that such a big deal that everything else Saddam was doing or planned to do was OK? Or that everything that the President was doing or planning to do was bad? It does not mean the war was a mistake. But it has been difficult.
Or should we get a President who never makes a mistake? I wish I knew where to get one. It would be as hard as getting a newspaper writer who never makes a mistake. there are not any.
One could wish that you could admit to a mistake now and then. I make lots of them. But you have the right wo write just about anything you wnat. And that is good.
I am just pointing out that some is not perfectly logical.
Have a nice day, if you want.
Gene Weingarten: You know, I don't think this requires an answer!
New York, N.Y.: Medical question, from one hypochondriac to another:
I think I have had hysterics. When I find something really, really funny, I will literally laugh until I cry... I will be laughing one moment, and then suddenly sobbing the next in a completely unrestrained manner, and feeling quite sad. This happens most often when I am tired or stressed, and has put a serious damper on my enjoyment of really goofy humor, since I have to stop listening or leave the room when I feel myself coming close to this state.
So... is this weird? Should I see somebody about it? The internet is no help here -- any search with the words "hysterical laughter" brings back articles in which people use the words as hyperbole.
Gene Weingarten: I have never heard of this before, but it makes some sense philosophically. It is as though, at the height of the abandon of your laughter -- compare this to orgasm, where all subjective truths disappear and you are left alone with the overwhelmingly obvious -- you are breaking through the denial. You are confronted, on a subliminal level, with the basic truth of humor, that it masks a basic fear of life. So you cry.
I am very interested in this. Can you email me after the chat? weingarten(at)washpost.com.
Washington, D.C.: After four watchmakers in three cities had tried and failed to get my dad's Gruen Curvex to run, I had about given up, until you mentioned Ecker's. It now keeps perfect time, and I even got a new and proper stem and second hand. My dad, who died last year at 86, got the watch on his 21st birthday from his dad. It reminds me of them both when I wear it. A great big thank you to you and Ecker's.
I love the chats (and the column). Anything short of a building evacuation, I'm reading along, at least until the fire reaches the nearest floor...
Gene Weingarten: The Gruen Curvex is a great watch, one of the first rectangular watches with a curved design to mirror the curve of the wrist. Sadly, quartz copies have been made. Tom the Butcher sometimes wears one, which should give you a measure of the man.
Spousal immunity v. Spousal privilege: You are confusing the two. The former means a spouse cannot testify as to what was said by the other during the marriage. The latter means a spouse cannot be forced to testify against the other (ie, give testimony about his actions, etc.).
Gene Weingarten: I will DEFINITELY get to the bottom of this by the spring of 2008.
Bowie, Md.: Since you often take on men-women issues and differences, have you considered stepping into women's shoes and, say, wear a thong for a day, then write a column about it?
Gene Weingarten: I might wear a thong, but stepping into those heels? Never.
Boston, Mass. (soon back in the D.C. area):: Gene, did you or the chat have a hand in last Thursday's Frazz ?Interesting, how the topic is in your chat so much, Mallet does haunt the chat sometimes, and then... this.
Gene Weingarten: I have not asked Jef, and I would never try to characterize his actions without seeking his input. But if he denies a connection, he is lying like a rug.
Ithaca, N.Y.: FYI: Hans Bethe (1906-2005) was a Manhattan Project collaborator, Cornell professor, and one of the world's greatest physicists. A few years back, Bethe was as smart as ever but no longer coming into the office. A group of graduate students were sitting around questioning this story we've all heard of the Manhattan Project scientists being afraid the atmosphere would ignite when an atomic bomb explodes. The students faxed Bethe at home and asked him if this really happened. Bethe responded, quite tickled at their question, and said that the physicists in Los Alamos considered the possibility and did a calculation confirming that this was nonsense.
Gene Weingarten: This is in reference to my intro last week, and yes, I knew about this. But they did address the question. The idea was out there.
My question is : why is Mr. Masters here?
"Dave just loves Miami.": What's wrong with him?
Gene Weingarten: Oh, Miami is a very likeable place, particularly to someone with a highly developed sense of humor.
Parent/Child testimony privilege: The difference between parent/child and husband/wife is that the second are equals. In parent/child, the parent has inordinate power and influence over the child. If the child has reported a crime by the parent, perhaps even against the child, it is very easy for the parent to coerce the child into refusing to testify. The other way around, I wouldn't have as problem with the parent not being forced to testify against the child.
Gene Weingarten: Well, true, but my response was even presuming the child is an adult, and the SUBJECT of the testimony. Under ordinary circumstances (I can see exceptions) I am not testifying against one of my kids, no way. I'll go to jail first.
Attorney here: You're mixing two concepts:
Spouses can testify against each other if they choose to do so. Such as, "I saw him hit our child."
However, communications between spouses are privileged. So if I tell my wife something, I can keep her from testifying to what I said.
Gene Weingarten: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I believe this is the correct answer, and why my wife and all the lawyers who wrote in were actually correct. Thank you.
WEARING A THONG?: You did not just say that.
Gene Weingarten: Well, I was comparing two horrors.
Harrisburg, Pa.: Re: Peeing on the side of the toilet.
I pee in the middle usually because if you pee on the side and you're not sufficiently hydrated, the smell is worse. If you pee right in the water, the water captures the yellow pee smell.
Gene Weingarten: Oh for cryin out loud. That is the purpose of the mid-pee flush. What is wrong with you?
Sorry, but you're not going to preempt me: I am a widow with two small children. I know countless other young widows and widowers whose spouses were cuter, more affectionate, more loving than these dogs. They also suffered blindness, limps, brain damage, bodies ravaged by cancer, and other physical trauma to break your heart.
We widows cherish life more than we can tell you. We recognize its fragility and beauty and stupidity. We grieve even more deeply when a beloved animal dies, because it is yet another loss, perhaps of the last link to our spouses.
BUT, the dogs' stories leave me utterly unmoved. They are cute and charming. Their owners love them dearly. But the stories do not succeed at evoking the frailty of life, the absurdity of it all, the need to savor every moment.
Semicolons: I was finishing reading the killer panda book (Eats, Shoots, and Leaves), and realized that although I do not overuse the wonderful semicolon, I am a terrible, terrible abuser of the ellipses. How do I stop myself? Is it a fear that my sentence isn't that great and doesn't deserve a real, definitive ending?
Gene Weingarten: I myself am a semicolon abuser; it is a far less grievous sin than abusing the ellipses which... renders all communication... to the point where it .... looks like the meanderings of a ... teenage girl in her ... diary.
Newspapers: So, you hold the New York Times and Post in high esteem. What would you say is the worst major-market newspaper out there? (I'm tempted to make you exclude obvious rags like the New York Post and Daily News...)
Gene Weingarten: The New York Post and the Daily News are basically very good newspapers. I define a good newspaper as one that serves its readership well, and they do.
I am not a huge fan of the Washington Times. Political viewpoint should not drive news coverage.
Gene Weingarten: Thank you all for an excellent chat. I will be updating as usual, in a particularly voluminous fashion.
Well, you've cured me: Anytime I want to write... I will think of my teenage diary. Yikes!
Gene Weingarten: As I promised in the chat, I am going to include the two parts from my Hypochondria book that were referenced by a reader.
The chapter begins with my assertion that the standard test for alcoholism, which is written by AA, has waaay too low a threshhold. Asking AA whether you are an alcoholic, I said, is like asking your kid if you need a puppy.
Example: A typical question from the AA quiz is, "Do you ever drink alone?" Another: "Have you ever felt guilty after drinking too much?" According to AA, answering "yes" to both those questions means you are probably an alcoholic.
So here was my Replacement Test, with a scoring guide at the end:
1. Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking? Did another drink help?
2. Do you ever drink alone? Are you drinking alone right now? Directly from the bottle? Standing naked in the shower in case you vomit?
3. Do people sometimes criticize you for your drinking? When you attempt to punch them in the face, do you fall down?
4. When you drive drunk, are you generally sober enough to keep one eye closed, so your vision is not double? Good for you!
5. Have you ever "eaten the worm," only to discover that it was not, in fact, the worm, but something else wormlike that happened to be in the vicinity of the bottle, such as an egg sac from a cockroach?
6. Have you ever wakened in an intensive care unit, with uniformed police officers all around you, arguing with doctors who were saying you could not be questioned until you were "out of the woods."?
7. Are you ever slightly embarrassed to discover you have one alcoholic beverage in your hand, one on the table, and a third in a hypodermic syringe you are about to inject straight into your stomach for a better "rush"?
8. Do you sometimes find that you have been made the butt of a sucker bet among your friends, such as whether you will actually drink from the toilet with a flavor straw, for a quarter?
9. At times when no alcohol was available, have you ever consumed other substances because you thought they might contain alcohol, such as naphtha or Massengill Sta-Fresh douche?
10. Have you ever urinated into an empty beer can to avoid having to negotiate your way to the bathroom, and then forgotten you had done this and ... you know? Has this ever happened more than once in the same night? Do you think it might have ever happened and you did not notice?
Scoring: You are not an alcoholic.
Balls, Tenn.: Cremaster Reflex: Pleasurable or not? Please Gene, I need to know before I trigger this reflex from the back of his cycle -- will he like it or dislike it?
Gene Weingarten: No! It is a lously, creepy feeling.
Everyone else: The Cremaster Reflex is the physical reflex in a man that causes retraction of the testicles under certain types of stimulation, including lightly tickling the inside of the thigh.
This is an involuntary hide-and-shrink mechanism. Not pleasant. Not sexy.
Super Ball Bat: "I didn't know there was anything wrong with the bat," Nettles claimed. "That was the first time I used it. Some Yankees fan in Chicago gave it to me and said it would bring me good luck."
Gene Weingarten: True but a few years later he fessed up. He admitted having given the bat to someone, paid him money, and having had the guy return it, wordless and stony faced a few weeks later. It looked perfect. "It was like dealing with the Mafia," Nettles said.
Soyme, AL: Love Liz. Hate the vegan.
Gene Weingarten: I get really hot when Chatwoman exhibits cool, disaffected disdain. This is chat femdom at its finest.
Armpit, Nev.: So I was reading the Glass Castle (Jeannette Walls) -- a memoir currently on the paperback bestseller list. The author was discussing one of her childhood hometowns and mentioned that "some east coast newspaper" stated that it was the worst place to live in the country. Did you know about this? She seemed a little hurt, although I don't think she disagreed. An amazing story, by the way -- I recommend it.
Gene Weingarten: I checked -- she did grow up in Battle Mountain! I have to go get this book.
Gene Weingarten: Today, the second, promised installment of Stuff from the Hypochondria Book.
Because women are often mistrustful of male doctors -- fearful that men, whatever their book learning, cannot truly understand the process of childbirth -- they often do not ask basic questions and remain frightfully ignorant of the totally natural processes that are going on. Accordingly, I will now explain pregnancy, for our woman readers alone, in a simple, accessible, easy-to-understand format.
STAGE ONE -- You decide to wear that red dress with the back plunge, the one that shows off your behind, and that douchebag Warren keeps hitting on you even after your husband, who ordinarily does not have a jealous, possessive gland in his body, glowers him down a couple of times. Then, at home, you deny anything was going on, while doing that perky Elizabeth Montgomery thing with your nose, and just then, LIKE IT'S A TOTAL COINCIDENCE, you decide to do leg-lifts in your underpants, explosing those crotchside hollows that don't even have a technical, medical name, as far as I know, and then you get pregnant.
STAGE TWO -- You get real fat and your belly button pops out and you give birth to a baby.
Californ, IA: Your Nettles story brought back a happy memory: When I was in 8th grade ('71 or so), I was lucky enough to have the Nettles brothers' father as my Drug Education Teacher for a week that, looking back, seems to have been the longest in my life. He was very proud of his sons and their success, and missed no opportunity to bring them up in any context, to the extent that we probably learned more about them during that (very long) week than we did about the scourge of drug use. His favorite catchphrase was, "Get high on life," which he did by watching his sons play baseball. Or talking about his sons playing baseball. Or showing us pictures of his sons playing baseball. The guy spent the week high. We all wished we could.
Gene Weingarten: Did he ever mention that while Graig was a genuine star, Jim was a lousy, deeply mediocre failure? I am guessing that never came up?
Commentat, OR: Gene -- have you seen this? For once I agree with a conservative political commentator.
Gene Weingarten: I did. It is extremely well written. You know, I'd like to see a truly talented conservative writer -- my friend James Lileks -- address the issue of whether he still completely and nearly unequivocally supports W. In short, a treatise on the stresses and possibly the psychological accommodations attendant to remaining a lifelong charter member of the Geo W. Bush fan club. In times such as these.
I'd ask James, but I'm afraid to. It might be unseemly -- putting him on the spot. And I know it is unlikely that anyone would carry this challenge to him on the Web; the Web is too private and decorous for that
Arlington, Va.: Have you seen Emily Yoffe's article on her attempt to entertain kids a al The Great Zucchini? I've always found her "human guinea pig" articles interesting but not funny, even when they should be, and I am guessing from her latest stunt, it is because she is inherently humor-impaired. BTW I wouldn't be surprise if she is a fan of this chat, because one of previous stunts was to learn to drive a stick shift.
I Bomb As a Kids Clown, (Slate.com)
Gene Weingarten: Emily's a friend. I hope she is a fan of the chat. She is not at ALL humor-impaired, as is evident from this excellent piece. I am not surprised she failed; what Zucchini does is not nearly as easy as it looks.
Gene Weingarten: In short, I'm confident I would fail, too.
Gene Weingarten: Because of enormous public demand from one reader, I am going to begin today's update with a third quote from my Hypochondria book. This is the entire chapter 17, titled "Why You Should Not Smoke."
Medical studies have proven statistically that smoking is linked to lung cancer, oral cancer, bladder cancer, osteoporosis, myocardial infarction, pancreatic cancer, strokes, bronchitis, esophageal cancer, high blood pressure, and for all we know, those chin moles with a single, revolting hair. And yet many hypochondriacs -- more aware than most people about medical risks -- continue to smoke. Why?
Possible BECAUSE the evidence is statistical. People don't understand statistics. Doctors scorn so-called anecdotal evidence -- individual case studies that may prove their point -- because that is considered unscientific, prone to being emotionalized. So they continue to publish studies no one understands. They all read like this -- "The incidence of malignant pulmonary neoplasms, endobronchial lesions and bronchopulmony sequestrations showed a median increasse of 46 percent in patients who have exhibited sustained alveolar exposure to products containing nicotinated byproducts..." As opposed to this unscientific, purely anecdotal report published by the Associated Press on May 22, 1997, and reprinted here as a public service.
Gainsville, Fla -- A throat cancer patient died after setting himself on fire trying to light a cigar. He was unable to yell for help because his illness had cost him his vocal cords.
"I don't ever want to witness anything like what I witnessed this morning," said Katie Brown, sister of Abraham Mosley. "This will stay with me the rest of my life. He was a walking torch when I woke up."
Confined to a hospital bed in his kitchen, Mosley apparently ignited strips of paper on a stove burner trying to light a cigar because his cancer left him unable to manipulate matches or a lighter. The flaming paper ignited gauze bandages that were around his neck. The fire then spread to his pajamas.
The silent seconds until the smoke alarm sounded may have cost Mosley his life, although officials said he did not have long to live because of his cancer, which was smoking related.
New York, N.Y.: Do you pinch off the stream and bend over to flush mid-pee? How awkward.
Gene Weingarten: Of course not. Good God. One flushes in midstream. It is not like changing horses in midstream. It is quite easy.
Porcelian, N.C.: During the day I'm a porcelian pee-er, but at night I switch to middle of the bowl. When I wake up at night and stumble to the bathroom in low light, I tend to aim by sound. Not as many messes as you might think.
Gene Weingarten: Me, too. This describes me exactly.
Arlington, Va.: This chat reminds me just how much the bathroom habits of others shall always remain a mystery to me. The mid-pee flush? What is this? Is this why my ex would flush twice whenever he was in the bathroom, once right after he went in and once when he came out? I always feared it meant I'd left something unsavory in the toilet and was afraid to ask...
Gene Weingarten: No, ma'am. He was part of the proud fraternity of mid-pee flushers. We are also, perforce, mid-flush pee-ers.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Post columnist Gene Weingarten answers your questions about his column, "Below the Beltway," and more. Funny? You should ask.
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Heard or seen something on the pop culture landscape thatappalled/delighted/enlightened you? Of course you have. That's what Station Break with Paul Farhi is here for. Local stations, cable, radio shows, commercials, pop culture -- they're all fair game.
Farhi was online Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m. ET.
Submit your questions and comments before or during today's discussion.
Farhi is a reporter in the Post's Style section, writing about media and popular culture. He's been watching TV and listening to the radio since "The Monkees" were in first run and Adam West was a star. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Los Angeles, Farhi had brief stints in the movie business (as an usher at the Picwood Theater), and in the auto industry (rental-car lot guy) before devoting himself full time to word processing. His car has 15 radio pre-sets and his cable system has 75 channels. He vows to use all of them for good instead of evil.
Paul Farhi: Greetings, all, and welcome back...Although we don't do reviews here on the Break ("The Break," 99.9 on your FM dial), thought you'd like to know about an extraordinary documentary I saw at a screening last night. It's "Baghdad ER," which will be shown on HBO next Sunday. Quite remarkable. They filmed for two months in, um, the Baghdad emergency room of the U.S. Army field hospital. Incredibly gory, as you might imagine, but also filled with humor, hope and deep human emotion. I don't know what you think about this war, but if you need a reminder about what hell war is (and about the kindness and decency of the Army's caregivers), I'd recommend you watch this thing...And now let's go to the phones...
Washington, D.C.: Paul -- Put aside the fact that you and Mike Moss both get paid by Wash. Post Co. Do you agree that he isn't the best fit for the format of Washington Post Radio? He seems like such a goofball on the air -- asking the weirdest questions, coming out of nowhere for some things. Every single time someone asks how he's doing its "I'm doing GREAT!" Well that makes one of us, since I'm listening to you in traffic on my wife to work.
Bob Kur is such a better host. Seems natural, his comments make sense. Just isn't as grating. Tell me Moss will go back to WTOP -- a format that seemed to be a better fit.
Paul Farhi: Whoa. Hold up. Mike Moss does NOT get paid by the Washington Post Co. (and I don't get paid enough by it). Moss is an employee of Bonneville...As for his hosting abilities, I think he's got a very tough balancing act--part news guy, part interview guy, part sunny morning companion. His job is kind of like Matt Lauer's on "Today." It ain't easy...
Rockville, Md.: How do you think Katie Couric will do at CBS?
Paul Farhi: She will do great. I don't really understand the "gravitas" thing, whatever gravitas is. Apart from the fact that she can both read and report the news perfectly well, she's a likeable personality AND (special bonus points) a woman, something we haven't seen too often in then network anchor chair. Sounds good to me...
Herndon, Va.: Mr. F: Any ratings out yet on how much WTEM has tanked since Tony K left, and the brilliant management went totally local? I'm a Brian Mitchell fan, but 3 hours of him and 4 of Coach Thompson and crew?
Paul Farhi: I got nothing solid for you on that (too soon to tell), but this can't be good. Can't be. That's not a knock on Brian Mitchell or Coach T. It's a statement about any change on the radio. Takes months to break old habits and start new ones. Ask, um, WTWP....
S.W. D.C.: Paul --It was disappointing that WMAL radio did not interrupt the syndicated Sean Hannity Show the afternoon of the police shooting in Fairfax County last week.
It was during rush hour and the latest reports on TV indicated that there may have been a second gunman at large. Roads were closed and parents were trying to get to schools to pickup their kids. Fortunately, I switched to WTOP and they had live coverage.WMAL did a poor public service by not going "live and local" during this tragic incident and apparently thought that drive-time listeners preferred hearing the conservative talker in New York City instead of a local emergency.
Paul Farhi: Wow. I didn't realize they stuck with Hannity. If true, that's really dropping the ball--they need to put more news back in "news-talk" radio...
Severna Park, Md.: Whither "The Wire"? They were filming another season, right?
Paul Farhi: Yes, coming in the fall. They're wrapping up the fourth season shooting in Balmore now (I am reliably informed by Reliable Sourcette Amy Argetsinger, the newsroom's No. 1 "Wire" fan (I rank about 6th)...
Bethesda, Md.: Paul,I know you're a fan of The Sopranos, and I'd like to know why you think it's so terrific. I just got cable a few weeks ago and have watched all the current and several past episodes and I'm just not feeling the (I can't really say love). I thought Homicide Life on the Streets was the best show ever, and Sopranos doesn't come close in terms of empathetic characters, great dialogue, and unusual, exciting story lines.
Paul Farhi: Well, I could go on here (just ask my wife, Mrs. Is-he-ranting-about-how-great-the-Sopranos-are-again). Long story short (as Linda Richman used to say): The Sopranos is the most deeply penetrating, psychologically complex, best acted and written serial on the tube. Nothing matches it for emotional (as well as physical) explosions. It comments on loyalty, friendship, family, business, mother-son relations, father-son relations...I dunno. Stop me before I go on waaay too long.
Rockville, Md.: Please explain the embargo that is placed on movie reviews -- reviews cannot be published before the release date. Also, please explain how some publications are able to have their reviews published and placed on the Web before the movie's release date, while others are not able to have their reviews published before the release date. Thank you.
Paul Farhi: You're welcome....This is a basic agreement between the movie studios and reviewers. The studios make the movie available to the reviewers before the release date in exchange for the reviewers' promise not to publish the review before the movie opens. Many companies and government agencies have similar "embargos" on releasing information. As for the timing of other publications or web sites, it all depends on the medium--magazines have longer lead times so they get to come out before newspapers. I'm not entirely sure what the deal is with web sites, but it's all worked out between the studio and the sites, and is usually respected.
Washington, D.C.: Speaking of WTEM, when is Dan Snyder's Red Zebra going live? Is he waiting to see if he can get 105.1?
Paul Farhi: Should be very soon. They will be on the air for sure for the first Redskins' preseason game. And I suspect they'll need some fine tuning time before then. All of which means within the next few weeks.
Chantilly, Va.: If the Sopranos were on regular network, they would be just another schlub show. The thing that makes them is the lack of restriction on HOBO.
BTW, NYPD Blue was the best cop show ever.
Paul Farhi: No putdowns on NYPD Blue, but it stayed around too long (The Sopranos won't; they can barely get half a season together as is now). And I suspect you're probably right on the HBO thing. But that's why I subscribe to HBO.
Re: Washington Post Radio: Apparently I'm a Washington Post junkie. I read the paper every day, I go to the Web site at least 10 times a day and now I'm listening to the radio when I'm in the car. When will Washington Post TV be coming out so I can be connected continuously? Because, there's always more to the story.
Paul Farhi: Believe me, you don't want to see the people in this newsroom on TV....
Washington, D.C.: This morning I finally had to switch off NPR because of whatever's happened to Carl Kassel's voice. I realize he has been with NPR from probably the beginning and is held in high esteem. But the man is losing his consonants. The news, as read by him, is sounding more and more mushy and pained; this morning he definitely needed a moment mid-broadcast to clear his throat, which never came. His timing and pitch are still professional, but he has become excruciating to listen to. I feel bad for saying this, too, and I know it's possibly discriminatory to just yank him off the air. But what happens in these cases -- when does/can management step in when someone no longer has the voice to do good radio?
Paul Farhi: Carl's getting up there in years, but I think he still sounds pretty darn good. In fact, amazingly good. Like Don Pardo good.
Alexandria, Va.: Has there been any word on how Mr. Exorbitant Parking, Danny Snyder is coming along with his recent radio purchases? And how he's going to overcome the low signal strength? Also, since he took the ESPN radio programming from WTEM, will one or more stations be a "sports talk" format?
Paul Farhi: Nothing's been officially announced yet, but it seems obvious that Snyder's stations are going to be sports talkers. And by stations I mean all three. I think--and this is a reasonable guess--they will simulcast on all three signals. They're coming straight at WTEM...
Redskins Radio: Will Sonny and Sam be back, or has Dan replaced them?
Paul Farhi: They'll be back, with Larry Michael...
Re: Sopranos: I think when the actress who played Tony's mother died, they should have replaced her with someone else. That whole mother/son dynamic that was brewing in the first 2 seasons just got lost and it was part of the greatness of the series.
Paul Farhi: Yes, but it still haunts the later years of the series. Tony is still working out his mother issues with Dr. Melfi; last week she was suggesting he made some kind of freaky Oedipal transference to his sister, Janice. I mean, you're not hear that kind of stuff on "CSI: Muncie."
Southern Maryland: I'm still a little miffed at the change in WBIG 100.3 FM. They apparently fired all the on-air staff except the traffic reporters. BOO, HISS! Their music isn't 'oldies' but a lot of that annoying stuff from the 70's and 80's. And LOTS of 'Queen.' I've never heard so much Queen in my life. They also play the songs IN THE SAME SEQUENCE. Do they have it all recorded together and just stick on a big tape that runs all day? And they never broadcast the time during the a.m. and p.m. drive time. I have to keep checking the dashboard clock to see if I'm running on time.
Paul Farhi: I don't mind the Queen so much as all the Stevie Nicks. Was I asleep during the 1970s and 1980s and missed the time when Stevie Nicks was the greatest singer in the world?
Pork Store, N.J.: To the person who doesn't "get" The Sopranos -- you can't just watch this season and a few from the previous one and understand all the complexities. Beginning last summer, I took the opportunity of the long Sopranos hiatus to rewatch the entire series, beginning with Season 1, on On Demand. It really added to the whole Sopranos experience. While you don't need to watch the whole body of work to understand what is currently going on, it certainly provides a better understanding of the histories and the complexities of all the relationships. How could you truly understand Christopher's relapse with H last week, or the angst in reliving Adrianna's betrayal with the feds, if you didn't go through it in previous seasons?
Paul Farhi: Agreed. The Sopranos, I think, is going to hold up very well years from now on repeat DVD viewing. There aren't many shows I'd want to own all the episodes of. I wouldn't mind having a complete set of the Sopranos...
Wait, -- where will Sonny and Sam be?: My 93-year-old father watches the Redskins by turning down the sound on the TV and listening to Sonny Jurgenson on the radio. So where will I need to program his radio now?
Paul Farhi: The Snyder-owned stations are WBPS-FM of Warrenton, WBZS-FM of Prince Frederick in Calvert County and WKDL-AM of Alexandria. Good luck pulling in their signals...
Bowie, Md.: "BTW, NYPD Blue was the best cop show ever."
Maybe. But every cop show since Hill Street Blues is better than every one before it.
Paul Farhi: That is a truthitude (as opposed to a falsity)...
Fairfax, Va.: Agree on the Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac as well. And WBIG is giving 947 a good run because they were getting stale, except for Cerph.
Paul Farhi: Actually, I quite enjoy Weasel on 94.7. The man knows his stuff, or at least takes the time to learn it. He had a great riff going on the relationship between Neil Young and the late Ronnie Van Zant of Lynryd Skynryd last night (and yes, oddly enough, I do find the relationship between Neil Young and Ronnie Van Zant interesting...)
Re: Sopranos: I'm a big fan also. One thing has bothered me about this season though, and thats the shots at the political right (Santorum, evangelicals, Fema head Brown, and Cheney). I'm not particularly political myself, probably slightly right of center, but its gotten to the point of being gratuitous, in my opinion.
Paul Farhi: Yes, I have to agree there. It seems almost out of character. I know New Jersey is a blue state, but somehow I think of the family, or at least Tony, as rather conservative. I think they would be Bush supporters...
Takoma Park, Md.: Hi Paul,Can you or any of the chatters explain the latest Hyundai Sonata commercial. I find it incredibly annoying. If you watched Grey's Anatomy last night it was on several times. A car racing through the mountains with an annoying guttural engine noise, then echoes as it passes by with an equally annoying "AAAAAAAA". Is the engine noise saying "Hyn" and the echo saying "dai"? I need to switch channels every time it comes on!!
Paul Farhi: I think it's sorta weird that Hyundai is pushing the Sonata as a muscle car. Okay, 236 horsepower is pretty big stuff for a sedan, but it's, um, a Sonata. I see good solid transportation, not a race car...
Oh Bethesda: So you jump in about 60+ episodes into the series and feel capable of making a decision regarding the sopranos? please ....
Do yourself a favor. Either get digital with on demand and watch from the beginning, or go to your neighborhood blockbuster and start renting Season 1. About midway thru Season 3 you will realize why this is simply the best drama ever. No network show can ever come close. It's outrageous to even think so.
Paul Farhi: See, I think you CAN jump in 60 episodes into it and it stands on its own. I mean, you need a little back story on each of the characters, but if someone held your hand, you'd come up to speed very quickly.
Buzzard Point, Washington, D.C.: Well, "Cop Rock" wasn't exactly a great show.
Homicide: Life on the Street is still my favorite.
Paul Farhi: Let's see. Our list of the greatest cop shows (so far): Homicide, NYPD Blue, Hill Street, Wire. Any other candidates?
Columbia, Md.: Replacing Tony's mom with a new actress is something the big three would do, not HBO. The fact that she died has an even more pronounced impact because Tony cannot ever face her, or come to peace with his childhood.
Re-Sopranos -- Bush: I think Tony is unhappy about his phone records being looked through.
Paul Farhi: Hahahaha!...The NSA probably has a separate data-mining office set aside just for him.
Alligator is this year's shark: Three recent alligator attacks? Has this been occurring for years only now reported in hype-bundles or is this as rare (and awful) as one would hope?
Paul Farhi: Or my guess: Some network or movie studio has an alligator attacks! show coming out very, very soon.
20165: So 106.7 WJFK won't be broadcasting Redskins games this fall?
Paul Farhi: Appears not. I say "appears" because WJFK's owner, CBS, declined to renew with the Redskins at the end of last season. But that doesn't preclude Dan Snyder from buying time on the Skins' old station, if both parties are willing. He still seems to need another station to help him boost the coverage of his three small stations.
Greatest Cop Show Ever?: Let's not forget Barney Miller.
Paul Farhi: Okay, we diversify: Greatest cop SITCOM ever. The floor is open for nominations (anyone for the short-lived "Police Squad!" Leslie Nielsen's TV version of his "Naked Gun" movies)?
Bowie, Md.: "... but somehow I think of the family, or at least Tony, as rather conservative. I think they would be Bush supporters ..."
Paul, have you watched an entertainment TV show in the last five years that did not imply that the only people who support Bush are those too dumb or uninformed to know better?
Paul Farhi: Wait. Are you saying that "Hollywood" is filled with liberals?
Greatest Cop Shows: Anything but Barney Miller !
Paul Farhi: Okay (I never loved it, either...)
Best cop sitcom?: "She's the Sheriff" -- most underrated scripts ever.
Paul Farhi: Dimly remembered. Okay, not remembered at all...
Best babe in a cop show: Heather Locklear
Paul Farhi: Um, well, sure. I mean, you'd rather look at William "T.J. Hooker" Shatner than her?
Great Cop Shows: Law and Order (the original, with Orbach and Noth). Often overlooked because it was so popular (and therefore not "exclusive" enough to be viewed as "quality TV"), but it still holds up.
Paul Farhi: Definitely holds up! But it was considered top-drawer stuff in its day. Certainly more so than "Law & Order: Kalamazoo."
Sopranos Politics: I agree with you and the previous chatter on this issue. It's been a great season but there have been a few times when the writers have had the Sopranos characters saying political things that are out of character for both the character and the show. I would also add part of the Vito thing to the previous list -- I think there have been a few things said by Tony that have been completely out of character.
Paul Farhi: Yes, the Vito thing has been extraordinary. A gay mobster? And they don't play it for laughs? Amazing...
Shirlington, Va.: Paul,What's with all the hating on Stevie Nicks? She's a great songwriter and singer and has produced some tremendous songs over the years. Yeesh, people, lighten up!
Paul Farhi: I don't mind Stevie Nicks, per se. I do mind OVERPLAYING Stevie Nicks on the radio....
Cop Land: I know you don't like it, Paul, but The Shield deserves to be mentioned in discussions about the best cop show. That show is brilliant.
Paul Farhi: Well, this is a democracy, so your vote counts, even if I disagree with it.
Re- Gators not drunk in Gainesville: There have been a whole 17 fatal gator attacks in Florida since 1948.
Not including the most recent three.
Paul Farhi: Dang--you people know EVERYTHING. Hats off to you, Gator...
Arlington, Va.: NOW is the real golden age of television, network reality nonsense aside. The Sopranos, the Wire, Deadwood, and Six Feet Under (to a lesser degree). And a network miracle: the first season of Veronica Mars on the grungy little UPN.
Paul Farhi: I agree completely. The audiences have fragmented to a million different channels, so there's no real consensus (and few blockbuster hits) anymore. But TV during the first six years of the 21st century stacks up very well against any like period in history.
Cop Show Vote: Hill Street is the best because it had the broadest view -- city and national politics as well as basic office politics. Everything that came after is pretty good too, but I agree that it's the turning point.
Paul Farhi: No question that HSB revolutionized the genre. Before: Barretta and Kojak. After: Homicide, the Wire, Law & Order, CSI.
Cop Shows: You all seem to be forgetting about N.Y. Undercover which stared Malik Yoba, who was part of the all-star cast that made up the hit blockbuster movie "Cool-Runnings"
Paul Farhi: I don't recall New York Undercover. For some reason, I keep confusing it with Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street...
Falls Church, Va.: Re: Sopranos is the most deeply penetrating, psychologically complex, best acted and written serial on the tube. Nothing matches it for emotional and explosions. It comments on loyalty, friendship, family, business, mother-son relations, father-son relations ...
Hmm ... That's why I love "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" -- seriously!
Paul Farhi: Well, okay. And you have plenty of company, I know. There are a fair number of academic papers picking "Buffy" apart. And about 12,000 web sites, too.
Chantilly, Va.: Ya gotta give Jack Webb a nod for Dragnet. I think it was the first of the great cop shows.
Paul Farhi: Yeah, I guess. But it's so stiff and creaky and moldy now. It makes Broderick Crawford in "Highway Patrol" (great cop series from the '50s) seem like "Miami Vice."
Tenleytown, Washington, D.C.: Paul: Did you happen to catch the opening of SNL on Saturday? After the pretentious announcer discusses that there may be alternative universes out there, we switch to a message by the president of the United States. Al Gore gave a hilarious presentation of how things were going in the 6th year of his presidency. Outside of the killer glaciers (formed after global warming was halted), and the demise of the oil companies after gas prices reached $.19 per gallon, things were going pretty well, so much so that $17 billion had been placed in the lock box in the event needed to help when natural disasters occurred. It was sharply written, nicely delivered and the only time I have laughed the entire year at SNL.
Paul Farhi: That was BRILLIANT! One of the best things SNL has done this season (along with "Lazy Sunday" video). And one of the best things Al Gore has done in some time, too...
Bethesda, Md.: There are, believe it or not, more people out there who absolutely hate "The Sopranos" than you think. Many, many people. Part of the reason so many people hate the show is that the main characters are inherently unlikable and despicable, and it's not exactly a good time to sit through a show about idiots who are unlikable and lower than gutter rats. There is indeed better television than this show, for many folks.
Paul Farhi: Well, that's one of the things that I think is brilliant about the show. Without a doubt, these are the slimiest, lowest, most despicable human beings on the planet. But that's not ALL they are. The fact that you like them DESPITE the horrors they perpetrate is one of the things that's so astonishing about the show.
Paul Farhi: Folks, thanks for all the give and take (mostly the give), but I gotta move out on you now. I'm sorry I couldn't get to all the postings, but there's good news: We're gonna do this whole thing over again in two weeks, with new, improved lemon-fresh postings. Let's go at it then. Until we do so, regards to all...Paul
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Washington Post staff writer Paul Farhi takes your questions, comments, rants and reviews on the best and worst pop culture has to offer.
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Washington Post opinion columnist Eugene Robinson was online Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss his recent columns and anything else that's on your mind.
Read today's column: Nation of Fear , ( Post, May 16, 2006) )
Eugene Robinson: Hi, everyone. I'll be here for the next hour, to talk about... well, you know the drill by now, usually we range from weighty matters of state to the latest odds on American Idol. My column today wonders why so many people -- at least 4 in 10, according to the polls -- think it's just fine if the NSA collects a record of all our phone calls. Last Friday's column was about the NSA program as well. And I have a hunch that we'll probably get into the immigration issue as well. Just a hunch.
Chicago, Ill.: Mr. Robinson, I always enjoy your columns; you articulate the passion that a lot of us feel but cannot express nearly as well.
My question to you is, as a former news section person, what are your thoughts on the current firewall between the "news" and "opinion" sections in newspapers? Is this the best approach?
I ask because, objectively, your assessment of the character of Bush and Co is correct. Not "in my opinion", but in reality. So why shouldn't the news section come from a similar perspective as your opinion pieces--one that reflects the reality of our leadership's character?
Eugene Robinson: I have a few questions here that deal with the media's role, so I'll take those first.
I know it's hard for some people to believe, but there is indeed a firewall between the news and editorial sides of U.S. newspapers. We don't shun each other in the cafeteria or anything like that, but it would never occur to anyone on the news side to take any cues from the editorial page as to what the paper should cover or how. Len Downie, the executive editor (in charge of the newsroom), famously doesn't even vote in elections to maintain his neutrality. I never thought it was necessary to go that far, but I do believe in the firewall. However, I also believe that news stories should be written in plain language. If a public official tells a lie, then that's a fact and that's how it should be reported -- as a lie.
Minneapolis, Minn.: To me the scariest thing about the government collecting our phone records is that it could easily disrupt the freedom speech and of the press. Imagine if a reporter is keeping a source confidential; all the NSA would have to do is look up that reporter's phone records to get a pretty good idea of who, say, is "leaking" information. Are you at all worried about this?
Eugene Robinson: This question hits really close to home. I'm extremely worried, because someone in the administration could look up my phone number and see, for example, if I've been making calls to anyone in the CIA -- or if anyone in the CIA has been calling me. I'm actually less worried about myself than I am about the brave investigative reporters, here and at the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and the L.A. Times and USA Today and the Chicago Tribune, etc., whose sources the White House is actively trying to track down and punish.
Springfield, Mo.: I haven't heard anyone mention the irony of measuring citizens' acceptance of the phone surveillance---by telephone poll. Also, as a daily reader, why did I know beforehand that The Washington Post poll would be skewed to favor the President?
Also, I haven't been hearing the word "intimidation" in connection with this. Why is that? Isn't that the effect? Would that be an effect that this administration would desire?
Eugene Robinson: It is ironic that pollsters are surveying on phone surveillance via telephone. But that's the way it has to be done. If you knew beforehand that the Post's poll "would be skewed to favor the president," then you knew a hell of a lot more than anyone around here, including our polling director. Most people here were surprised by that result, which is different from the findings of two later polls.
Washington, D.C.: Good afternoon. I'm sitting here wondering what my reaction should be to Tony Snow using the expression "tar baby" during his press briefing today. What is your reaction?
Eugene Robinson: I'm going to give him a piece of free advice and suggest he stay away from "tar baby," which is one of those expressions that always rubs me the wrong way, even when I'm sure there's no intent to be offensive. Best to avoid.
NSA: Gene, I'm a conservative, voted for Bush, and am glad we invaded Iraq. But I am appalled at the NSA phone thing. Regardless of the fact that they didn't record a conversation itself, the record of whom I call and when is NONE of the government's business. That's clearly under the "illegal search and seizure" clause, and I am flabbergasted as to why so many Americans are blase about it.
Eugene Robinson: I'm as puzzled as you are about the ho-hum reaction to the phone database. I can't eloquently express the other side, since I don't believe in it, so I'll let the next question make the case.
Your column today about President Bush stirring up fear echoed comments a dinner guest of mine made over the weekend.
It's interesting that there are people who feel like you do, but frankly I think you are either nuts, myopic or both.
The President hasn't done anything to make me scared. But here is what makes me concerned:
Terrorists - real terrorists who have and want to kill innocent people - are what we should be concerned about.
Has your hatred of Bush made you so lose sight of reality?
Eugene Robinson: See, we entirely agree on opposing terrorists. But President Bush has done a lot of things that make me scared. I don't hate him, I just think he's made some disastrous decisions (Iraq, most notably) and some dangerous ones (spying on Americans, disregarding due process and various other rights guaranteed by the Constitution, etc.)
Rockville, Md.: "Wonders why so many people -- at least 4 in 10, according to the polls -- think it's just fine if the NSA collects a record of all our phone calls..."
The telephone company has that information. Why trust them more than the government?
Is the next step to denounce the public for its opinion?
Eugene Robinson: That's an excellent question. Here's my take: Yes, the phone company knows whom I'm calling and who's calling me. But the only thing the phone company would want to do with that information is maybe sell it to other companies that want to sell me stuff. I'd like there to be restrictions on the phone company's ability to do that, but I'd much rather be annoyed by telemarketers at dinnertime than have the government -- with its powers of subpoena, arrest, etc. -- know whom I'm talking to. It's none of the government's business.
I'm in a quandary, and I'd like to get your help.
I support everything the press does to hold the government accountable for its actions. But I also support the government for prosecuting leakers of classified information.
If it is against the law to leak classified information, then I feel that the leakers should be punished to the full extent of the law.
Do you feel the same way? Or do you feel that leaking classified documents should not be a crime?
Eugene Robinson: Another good question. Not all leaks are alike. If that administration encourages leaks that bolster its position and prosecutes leaks that are embarrassing, then my sympathies are with the leakers who can't find any other way to get information out that people need to know. But I know it's not that simple. Some information should be classified, and some leaks really do damage national security -- not just embarrass the White House. Every major news organization in the country has made the decision at some point not to go with a story because editors determined there was a genuine reason to withhold the information.
I think leaking can be an act of civil disobedience. It was important that the Pentagon Papers be made public, although Daniel Ellsberg paid a price.
In response to a previous question, you wrote that Bush scares you because he is spying on Americans, and disregarding due process and various other rights guaranteed by the Constitution, etc.
I will remind you that Mohammad Atta and his terrorists were in America before 9/11. Are you saying that the President should not have spied on them?
This is a war, sir. There are undoubtedly more terror cells in America waiting to strike. Are you proposing that we do not do everything in our power to stop them?
Eugene Robinson: The problem is that phrase "everything in our power." A couple of years ago I did a book on Cuba, and let me tell you, Cuba is an extremely safe country. Policemen stand on busy street corners and harass people at will, demanding to see their papers; internal migration is controlled; detention is arbitrary and doesn't require niceties such as warrants. These things are all "in our power," but I wouldn't do them.
Immigration: I have to say that I totally disagree with Bush's plan to allow illegal immigrants who have been here the longest a better chance to become legal immigrants than people who have recently come here. I understand what he said about them having put down roots, but just because they have gone undetected for a longer period of time doesn't give them any more of a right to stay than "new" illegal immigrants. What point am I missing here that makes this strategy fair?
Eugene Robinson: I don't think there is a solution to immigration that everyone will agree is "fair." I think you could make a good argument, however, that this aspect of the plan is "humane," since immigrants who have been here for years without documents may well have children who are U.S. citizens, may well have established productive lives and become solid members of their communities, and deporting them by force would disrupt families.
Chicago, Ill.: All these people who say that if you have nothing to hide from the government you have nothing to fear from its looking into your private life, seem to miss the fundamental point of American political theory. Whether I have anything to hide or not is irrelevant. The cornerstone of how we do things is that ours is a limited federal government that can't just do whatever it wants. (And I'm a blue state Democrat talking.)
"Terrorism" isn't a justification to sweep aside 200+ years of constitutional history, any more than "germs" or "free cable" or "lack of anything better to do." People who think that civil liberties and constitutional due process are merely luxuries to be afforded the citizenry during peacetime, and taken away when expedient, are a much greater threat to our nation than al Qaeda or the like. Thanks.
Eugene Robinson: You said it so well that I might quote you in a column someday.
Sewickley, Pa.: The President's plan to rotate guard units to the border for two or three weeks at a time means that the training that normally goes on during that time will not be done. My husband, an Army reserve officer, is getting ready for a three week training exercise and has spent the better part of a year getting the unit ready to complete this vital training. Is the President's plan predicated on the misconception that Army and Guard training is just and an excuse to go camping?
Eugene Robinson: I think -- I certainly hope -- that we'll hear a lot more about the impact on the National Guard of the president's plan in coming days. I'm not an expert on military readiness, but a lot of people who do know a lot about the subject say the Guard is already stretched paper-thin, given the demands of the Iraq war, and the last thing it needs is a new, open-ended mission.
Lexington, Mass.: Don't you think that it is important to make a distinction between leaking classified info that endangers the country, and whistleblowing when the administration is breaking the law?
Eugene Robinson: Yes, I do, but I recognize that it's hard to draw a bright line between the two. Some whistleblower revealed the secret CIA prisons where suspects were tortured, and I applaud him or her. But the administration claims that the leak endangered national security. Can I prove that the administration is wrong? Not really. That's what I deeply believe, but I can't be 100 percent sure. In the end, I would have run the story because I'm convinced that the public's need to know these facts outweighed any damage the disclosure might have caused.
Phone Records: Regarding this fear, it's really strange. I mean, we are all more likely to die via a random homicide than a terrorist attack, right? So I wonder if the NSA spying supporters would support the data mining of our personal records/information for crime-solving (or perhaps prevention)?
Eugene Robinson: We're more likely to die from a random homicide, or from being struck by lightning. (We need a NSA database of all menacing clouds.) We're vastly more likely to die from being shot by friend or foe. We could mine all kinds of data in an attempt to prevent all kinds of crimes, or accidental deaths, or whatever.
Washington, D.C.: Did you just compare Cuba to the United States?
That might be the most absurd thing I have ever heard.
Spying on terrorists in America should never be compared to Castro's treatment of Cubans.
The terrorists have said that they want to do something to America far more horrific than 9-11. I am willing to give up some privacy if it deters these savages. Why aren't you?
Eugene Robinson: I did compare Cuba to the United States, and of course the comparison is absurd, WHICH IS THE POINT. There is such a thing as a slippery slope. If my government wants to make the case that I should give up some privacy in exchange for security, it should ask me. It shouldn't just take that privacy away, disregarding both law and two centuries of tradition.
Bethesda, Md.: I'm a liberal Democrat who believes in balanced budgets and for balanced budgets. I have a fondness for the Bill of Rights. I don't want the government in my house or on my phone. When I look at my list, I wonder what happened to the Republicans -- when did they cede this territory to me? I also worry that this list is considered partisan and fear for the future of democracy in the United States.
Eugene Robinson: Today, in this chat and in e-mails I've received, I've heard from several self-identified Republicans who are alarmed at the NSA program and its implications for privacy, and I find that heartening. It would also be nice if Republicans recalled their traditional reverence for balanced budgets...
Falls Church, Va.: Your piece today spoke eloquently of our fear and "unfocused anger". JFK said "We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve." So maybe the anger you discussed is really self-loathing. We have allowed the Bush administration to have its way with us. No wonder we don't care if they tap our phones, torture and imprison on our behalf, wage war in our name. How long will it take to win back our own self respect much less that of the world?
Eugene Robinson: This is a theme that I want to revisit in subsequent columns and chats -- this "unfocused anger" that I think is out there. I want to know where it comes from. Is it self-loathing? I'm not sure -- stay tuned, and I'll try my best to figure it out.
Wow, folks, thank you all for a lively and substantive hour. I'm sorry I didn't have the time to get to everyone's questions, but I'll be back next week, same time, same place.
And a special shout-out to anyone listening at the NSA...
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post opinion columnist Eugene Robinson discuss his recent columns and anything else that's on your mind.
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Washington Post staff writer Jorge Arangure Jr. who covers the Baltimore Orioles, was online Tuesday, May 16, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the team and the latest major league baseball news.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Hey everyone. welcome to another chat. The music for today is Hope of the States. And let's celebrate that for the first time in the history of this chat there will be no questions about who the owner of the nats will be.
San Diego, Calif.: Hi. Just a quick question.... Do you think we will see Roger Clemens on the mound this season and if so, wearing what uniform?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Sorry i know there's lots of Orioles question, but as always, San Diego gets priority.
Most people around the game seem pretty certain that Clemens will be wearing an Astros uniform. They say the Astros have set up a perfect situation for him and the team is competing. There's no reason for him to go elsewhere.
Rockville, Md.: When does O's spring training 2007 start? Seriously, whoever is incharge of the O's scouting department needs to be fired and ridden out of town on a rail (along with Angelos). Competitive teams, when injuires occur, replace said injured players with someone who can actually get the job done. However the O's, due to injuries, are forced to run out ther Tererro, Chavez, and all these other scrubs who shouldn't even be allowed to play in AAA. Atleast when the birds are getting pounded night in and night you can tease Roch about his blog but that even has to get old after a while.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: It never gets old to tease Roch about his blog.
Augusta, Maine: What's up Jorge? Care to predict the O's rotation by season's end?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Augusta I'd say the only likely addition to the staff would be Penn, who would most likely take Chen's place. Otherwise, there really aren't any other options, and Perlozzo pretty much aluded to that. And really, how many other teams in the majors could afford to replace two starters in the rotation with two quality pitchers?
When reporting on a recent bad outing by Erik Bedard, you wrote that he kept looking in the dugout, apparently hoping to come out of the game and that Perlozzo ignored him. That comes pretty close to stating he wanted to quit that day, which is a pretty tough charge. On what, other than your eyes, did you base that report? Did you catch any grief for it? And do you think Bedard is a little soft? Thanks.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: You must have read too much into the description. The fact he looked into the dugout was written to imply that Bedard had been almost waiting to be taken out because he had been pitching poorly. I know some people have tagged Bedard with the "soft" label, just as we at the Post have tagged Barry with that same description, but i think it's unfair to say Bedard is that way. Barry is totally soft.
If people are basing their "soft" tag on Bedard because he spent a lot of time rehabilitating his knee last year, well that's silly. Why should a young pitcher jeopardize his career to come back too soon?
Baltimore, Md.: What is the status of the O's AAA club? Will they be leaving Ottawa for somewhere in Pennsylvania and if so, when will that happen? And on that note, have you spoken to any Orioles players who actually enjoy playing in Ottawa? The reports sound uniformly negative.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: The Orioles are in the last year of their contract with Ottawa, but we won't know if they will relocate until after the season when affiliations around the country open. Obviously the preferance would be to move elsewhere, as no player, executive or coach i've ever talked to has said they enjoy playing in Ottawa.
Federal Hill, Balt., Md.: OK, the O's are pretty bad right now, but the team is making it reasonably attractive to see games. In addition to their $8 Tues. Bargain Nights and their $5 Student Nights on Friday, they now have a Senior Orioles Club in addition to their Junior Orioles Club. Seniors can see something like 5 games for $15. Sure it's more fun when they're winning, but for those of us who simply enjoy hanging out at the park, this is a pretty good deal. And No, I'm not related to Peter Angelos.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Mr. Angelos, I'm not sure i'd pay $8 to see the Orioles get trounced by the Red Sox
Wich O's team is the real one?: The one that, barely, sweapt the Royals or the one that got plastered by the Red Sox?
Also, how much worse are things looking with Cabrerra on the DL now?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'd say that both are the real O's. Just good enough to beat a really but team, but not good enough to beat good teams. There was no structural damage with Cabrera so there's no reason to think he won't be back in the rotation after his 15 days on the DL
Silver Spring, Md.: So who do you think the owner of the Orioles is going to be?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Very nicely done. Some of you chatters are more clever that Barry gives you credit for.
Clemens....: What you don't see him signing with the Orioles to help stabilize their rotation?
Rats!!!! There go our chances of winning the World Series this year.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: There's no way this is a serious question. You might have just won a bet because i posted the questions. Congrats.
Is there any hope with this series vs the Red Sox? I'm thinking tonight Chen will get his stuff together, have a great game, yet he will lose b/c the O's wont score against Schilling.
I'm looking foward to the interleague matchup this weekend vs the Nats. I cant wait to go to RFK and yell "O" during the national anthem and get all of the Nats fans all angry. Plus the O's will sweep the Nats this weekend!
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'm not sure who will be more excited about this Nats v Os series. The fans or Boz.
Roberts is available in my fantasy league? Is he worth the pick up when he comes of the DL? Any word on what kind of shape he is in?
Also, if you were a fantasy owner (or a real owner for that matter) would you consider Barry (Bonds not Svrlu..whatever) in your lineup a good thing or a bad thing? I go back and forth about this a lot...
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I would certainly pick up Roberts. The guy has proven now that he can flat out hit. The fact he did so well coming back from elbow surgery is impressive. The groin injury doesn't affect him at the plate, so you don't need to worry there. But if you need steals then it could be a problem.
I'd stay away from Bonds.
The geek quotient of this chat just went up a notch.
The game on Sunday was sooo slow and boooorrrrinnnnggg. I had more fun watching the press box (which really says something about the game).
That was a nice red jacket you were wearing. If I wave next time will you wave back?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: My sister, who gave me the jacket will be happy to hear that.
Of course i'll wave. Well maybe. If the O's play another game as long as Sunday i might be sleeping.
Washinigton, D.C.: Do any of the starting pitchers say, "I wish we had Ray Miller back?" Would they bring in Ray to work with Bruce Chen? After all, I'd rather have the Chen who worked with Miller than the one who failed with Mazzone in Atlanta and is bombing out this year.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Haven't heard that, but i more wonder if Mazzone has said, "i wish i had smoltz, glavine and maddux" back?
Journalist's viewpoint Q. Give us lay persons some insight, if you would, into what it is like to cover a team from spring training through a very long season? That amount of critical observation and scrutiny must allow you to see things about a team that only the managers and coaches do. What's the best and worst things about the job?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Tony Kornheiser actually made a great point to me one day when he said, "beat reporters usually write about 70 percent of what they know." that seems very accurate. because you are there so often, there are things you don't write because it's not appropriate or you'd risk alienating everyone in the clubhouse, meaning you'd get no one to talk to you anymore.
The most important thing to take out of that last graph i wrote, is that Tony K actually talked to me once.
Washington, D.C.: Jorge as always I appreciate your time to answer our questions. Wow, an "announced" crowd of 25,000 for a Red Sox game at Camden Yards? 23,000 of whom were likely rooting for Boston? What gives? And what does Sir Peter plan to do about placating an obviously disenchanted fan base?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Like I've always said, anything short of a winning team won't get fans back. I don't care how many promotional nights you have, the fans just want to see a good team. And that won't happen this season.
Federal Triangle: Time to move Conine or Millar and sign Durazo? Where is the lefty bat that can take advantage of the RF porch, other than Gibbons?
While we are at it, should Javy be the one to get sent packing to a catching-desperate contender, like the Angels? Maybe if he changed his name to "Molina" . . . I'd take Kotchman and one of their extra arms in AAA.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Here is the situation: The Orioles aren't going to get anything but a low level minor league prospect for either Lopez, Conine or Millar. The reward for moving any of them is minimal. If one of the three or all three start to crush the ball then perhaps a better market will arise. But for now it doesn't make much sense to move them if you're not going to get anything back in return.
Silver Spring, Md.: You alluded to this in your story on last night game, but why are the crowds at Camden Yards so dead? I was there last Tuesday and it was sad. Okay, I understand small crowds, but those who did show up seemed completely disinterested in the game. They came alive a bit at the end, but it was a dreary experience. Camden Yards seemed like a joyless place. Is it always like that?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: It's always like that now. And that won't change until the Orioles put a better product on the field.
Section 312, Row 4: Hola Jorge!
This question is not exactly in your Oriole-Wheelhouse but perhaps you know. The Nationals kept Blanco on the bench all last season because of his Rule-5 status. He was worthless then and now he is nowhere to be seen. Donde esta?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Fair question, but i'm not exactly sure. Try looking his name up on thebaseballcube.com. It's a great site that includes minor leaguers.
Coronado, Calif.: Are you pleased that the Padres have been the hot team in baseball recently? Where do you estimate they might finish? Ever been to McP's Pub for refreshment?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'm very pleased. I've had a discussion about this padres team with a friend recently. We're both hesitant to believe they're actually any good, because we look at the makeup of the team and just can't fathom they'll be consistent throughout the year. But we're stupid padres fans so we'll believe and then get upset when they don't do well later.
Laurel, Md.: OK, so we pretty much know that Orioles will win 70-75 games and finish fourth. Some big-money signing is going to have a terrible season and be released. There will be a couple of good starters but 2-3 will just stink out and the bullpen will blow a lot of leads.
Can you tell me what to watch for this season?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Can you tell me why i should watch? Seriously. I'm starting to wonder.
Arizona Bay, Ariz.: Have you thought about or tried to contact any former Orioles/Warehouse employees or have them contact you to get an inside look as to how bad this entire franchise is being run? Any thought of trying to talk to other teams players, gm's, owner's and getting a feel for how they view the O's? That could make for an interesting read. Or at least more interesting than having to read about Gerinmo Gil striking out 5 times in a game or Rodrigo Lopez forgetting that opposing teams don't pitch batting practice to each other.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I think if you look at some of the stories we've written at the Post about the team in the past few years you'll get a sense of how the franchise is run. I'll try to recap quickly: They are slow to react to the market, refuse to spend money on big free agents, had a bad minor league system for several years, over value their prospects, have too much duality in the front office and are often handcuffed by ownership.
O's v Nats at RFK: What are the odds that Peter "The Great" Angelos shows up at RFK to catch a game between the two clubs?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I can't imagine he'll be there. Peter doesn't seem to like the spotlight.
Harrisburg, Pa: The Orioles AAA team will most likely move to Scranton, PA next year. The AAA Phillies franchise are leaving as quickly as the season can end, since the local county comissioners ignored the Phillies requests for upgrades to the clubhouse and stadium (which is county controlled). You'll be hearing the saem complaints from the Orioles management 10 seconds after they move in.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: An interesting scenario.
Washington: I seem to be seeing a lot of people (perhaps media, perhaps knowledgeable people, perhaps I'm wrong) basically saying this weekends Nationals-Orioles game is a non-event. And yet every baseball fan I know in the area is planning on going and has been looking forward to it.
Seems to me, if the fans think it's a big deal then maybe it is.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: What media has said this isn't a big deal? Not us i know that much.
Lancaster, Pa.: Jorge, the combo of Rodrigo Lopez and Bruce Chen is killing the team. There is virtually no chance the Orioles will win when they pitch. Is the team planning on doing anything about this?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Honestly, there really aren't many options. The only one really is Hayden Penn. Otherwise who else? Adam Loewen isn't nearly ready. Radhames Liz is still in Class A. There's no one at Ottawa, other than Penn, ready to step into the rotation. The team has all but given up on Eric DuBose.
New York, N.Y.: When you're not reading sports, what are you reading? You seem like the guy who may check out Us Weekly every now and then.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: There's no question this one came from my old roommate who now works for US Weekly. To answer the question: i never read that rag.
Reno, Nev. via York, Pa.: Hi Jorge. Thanks for doing these chats. I had no idea until a chat a few weeks ago that you had lived in the great metropolis of York for a few years. You must've been thrilled to leave a dreary place like San Diego in favor of the pastoral Eden that is south-central PA. Hope you enjoyed the inexpensive Yuengling Lager while you were there...
On to baseball: Are the Orioles determined to irreparably offend every impending free agent they ever have? (See: Mu$$ina, BJ Ryan, pre-disgrace Palmeiro, et al.) Is there any reason why they haven't given Mora a new contract yet? Isn't he far and away the best soon-to-be-available third baseman, and isn't he also the one who convinced the franchise player to stop demanding a trade? If he isn't re-signed soon, and the Orioles continue sputtering along the way they are, is there any chance that he comes back and that Tejada doesn't resume trade demands? Is there any reason for optimism about the franchise for a poor fan living in an Orioles-bereft zone in the high desert?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: The Mora contract situation has been maddening to follow. Apparently there are still discussions centered around a contract the Orioles offered Mora within the last month. Mora tentatively agreed to it and it was sent back to the Orioles for approval from ownership. Mora's camp didn't hear back from the Orioles for almost two weeks. And now they are in the process of trying to iron out more wrinkles. At the pace the Orioles work, it could be september before this thing gets finalized.
It's not surprising that teams and agents consider the Orioles one of teh most difficult teams to deal with.
This O's chat: This has to be one of the most depressing chats ever. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for O's fans.
When does Redskins training camp start again?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I have to agree with you. I'm getting depressed.
I honestly haven't had one optimistic question. I'm not trying to be negative here but i have no choice.
How angry would Angelos be if Ripken, Jr took a position with the Nationals. I would love for Ripken to do so.
In all realistically, I think Rip would make a great Manager or GM.
Your thoughts? Chances of this happening?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: It would be an embarrassment if Ripken took a high level post with the Nats. But taht won't likely happen. I don't see a team giving Ripken a high level position without some other type of off the field experience (ie coaching or lowel level front office job).
I95 rivals: How do you see it? The good news is one of these franchises will win a series...
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Not neccessarily. What if one of the games gets rained out and the teams split?
I'll say Nats take two of three at home.
O's @ RFK... Jorge on vacation?: Jorge,
Since Barry's going to be covering the series at RFK, what will you be doing? Do you get to go on a three-day weekend trip somewhere, maybe to Italy to write about the big soccer scandal that's preceding the World Cup?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'm trying to get soccer writer Steve Goff to switch jobs with me. He gets to cover the Orioles while i go to Germany to cover the World Cup. So far he ain't buying it.
Washington, D.C.: So would Hayden Penn solve all of the Orioles problems? Or do we have to wait until John Parrish has recovered from his surgery for the arrival of a savior?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Hayden Penn won't solve all of Baltimore's problems and it's unfair to think he would do so. He's only one young arm and that won't turn everything around.
I don't see how Parrish will be a savior if he's just likely to be a middle reliever.
What will u be doing this weekend?
Also, kudos to the Post for not buying into this first battle of the beltway garbage. Given the advertising, you'd think the cities of Baltimore and Washington D.C. had never played a baseball game against each other.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'll be at RFK on Friday and Saturday and flying to Seattle on Sunday. I wouldn't miss the I-95 series for anything!!! Actually i would totally miss it. The Post is just making me go.
Boston, Mass.: Do you think there's any way Bud Selig would change the schedule a bit so the Red Sox play Baltimore more often this season? Perhaps in lieu of, say, Toronto?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'm not so sure Angelos would be upset by that. They'd get at least 10,000 more fans (granted Red Sox fans) into Camden, so instead of 15,000 they can have 25,000.
Bowie, Md.: Pop question, I don't know the answer:
Is the Orioles franchise above or below .500 since 1954? (Neither would surprize me.)
Jorge Arangure Jr.: They are 4,298-3,954 and getting dangerously close to .500
South Riding, Va.: So Jorge,
Tell us. Does Mike Wilbon and Tony K have the biggest offices at the Washington Post while all of you scrubs are in tiny cubicles?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: It's like you have a camera in our offices.
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: Just a quick note to the O's fans coming down for the games this weekend -- at the D.C. Armory on Saturday and Sunday they are having a giant jeans-shorts expo. You might want to skip the game and stock up on these Baltimore summer fashion staples, for the Nats are going to give your team a terrific drubbing!!
Jorge Arangure Jr.: This was too funny not to post.
Silver spring, Md.: Orioles excitement!!!: Hey, Mu$$ina's a free agent after the season. Hmmmmmmmm?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Yeah like he would sign with the Orioles
Alexandria, Va. - A note about O's season ticket holders: As a longtime Sox fan I got into an interesting discussion last night with a guy who might have been the only Os fan in the park. He said he and his family come to a couple games a week because they feel they have to after paying for 4 seats x 81 games. But he said he, and a few other familes they know, wont be renewing after this year until changes are made. Do you think this is a long term effect Angelos is discounting? Short term attendence is one thing, but when you suddenly lose those blocks of people at a time, that's a problem that may take years to recover.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I wish i could say i knew what goes through Angelos' mind when it comes to the Orioles. All i know is one former orioles front office person who worked for angelos for several years said he had no idea what logic peter uses to make baseball decisions.
Silver Spring, Md., formerly Sec 322: Jorge,
You should watch the O's this season for two reasons:
First, it's what they pay you to do, and second, your sense of humor is one of the few bright spots for O's fans this year.
Jorge Arangure Jr.: They don't pay me that much. You should see how my sense of humor changes when i open my paycheck.
Alexandria, Va.: Jorge, during the Nats vs. Os interleague series which team do you think will win the attendance battle?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Capacity is bigger at RFK i believe, so i'll guess the crowds will be bigger there.
Mission Bay: Is Detroit for real?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I'm disappointed in you Mission Bay. You live in such a beautiful place and you ask a question about Detroit. Shame on you
Silver Spring, Md.: Who do you think will turn it around first: Rodrigo Lopez or Bruce Chen?
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Well i'd say Lopez since he's had a more successful career. Lopez has had some decent starts, while Chen has struggled mightedly.
Big Deal or Not:: "Actually i would totally miss it. The Post is just making me go."
Facetious? These are the kinds of comments I mean...
Jorge Arangure Jr.: I just would prefer to watch the big interleague matchup between the Padres and whoever their supposedly American League rival
Jorge Arangure Jr.: Ok folks that's it. That's all you get. Should be interesting to see what the crowds will be like for this weekend's series. All joking aside, i'm looking forward to it simply because Boz might spontaneously combust. Later.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post staff writer Jorge Arangure Jr., who covers the Baltimore Orioles, discussed the team and the latest major league baseball news.
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K Street Confidential columnist Jeffrey Birnbaum was online to discuss the intersection between government and business on Monday, May 15 at 1 p.m. ET .
Read today's column: In Estate-Tax Battle, One Man Does What He Can .
K Street Confidential appears every other Monday in the Washington Post business section.
Thanks for writing in. I look forward to our conversation today about lobbying in general and the estate tax in particular.
Jack Fitzgerald, of auto-sales fame, turned out to be a lovely fellow with an interesting and somewhat controversial story.
Should we sympathize with his plight? Should he win his personal lobbying battle to get rid of the estate tax, the levy on assets at death?
Write in! Let me know. Don't spare the adjectives.
Sun Prairie, Wisc.: Good day, Jeff. My question about your column today is this: if this Jack Fitzgerald fellow has the wherewithal to pay a surtax equal to what he expects his estate to have to pay when he dies, why should he not be able to sequester enough funds privately -- through some financial instrument, or even a simple bank account -- to enable his estate to pay the estate tax while keeping his business intact?
I regret his inconvenience, but no one likes paying taxes, and we do have to get the money from someone.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: You have found the weakness in Mr. Fitzgerald's plan. He doesn't literally want to pay his entire estate tax in one year. Not at all. He would spread the total tax revenues that normally go into paying the estate tax over the wealthy people who would probably have to pay it down the road.
In other words, he would pay some extra tax as a downpayment, if you will, on his estate tax liability. He would probably pay less overall under his plan than under the current law--depending of course on how long he lives. The longer he pays the annual surtax, the higher amount he will eventually pay into the system.
In any case, I am told that Mr. Fizgerald can pay his entire estate tax in advance if he wanted to, but it's probably too much--at least $20 million or so. That's why he wants the tax repealed or for it to be replaced in a way that spreads the burden.
Washington, D.C. Why did your column this morning fail to note that the estates of persons owning farms or closely held businesses will have 15 years to pay off any estate tax liability? That seems quite germane to the subject, since a profitable business should be able to generate the revenue over that time to pay the tax, or even secure loans if worst comes to worst.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: I wasn't writing about farms, nor was I trying to cover the water front on the very complex subject of the estate tax.
But your additions are now duly noted. Thanks for writing in.
Silver Spring, Md.: In order to be most effective, do you think it is more important to give money to congressional campaigns or to develop personal relationships with Congressmen.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Both are important, or at least so I am told.
Giving money to campaigns is the fundamental first step in buying into the system, such as it is.
If a lobbying (or a person who wants to impact Washington) can also develop a relationship with the people in authority, so much the better.
A lot of lobbying, though, is making the case for a point of view. That's what Mr. Fitzgerald is doing when he brings a proposal and lots of statistics with him on visits with members of Congress.
Ashland, Mo: In your recent column and others, mention is made of the "cost" of tax cuts. Has anyone done a study to show if the projected reduction in revenues occurs? Why does the government have record revenues if the tax cuts cost so much? Hasn't experience, rather than "conventional wisdom," shown Arthur Laffer to be more right than wrong?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: This is a very big topic. No one doubts that increased economic growth spurs revenue collections. The question is, What produces that growth? Tax cuts? Maybe. In any case, as the protector of the public coffers, Washington is better off estimating that reductions in taxes or in tax rates will produce lower revenue collections. To do otherwise would probably be irresponsible. At the same time, estimators these days assume that tax cuts do have a positive economic effect and this "dynamic" type of calculation allows officials to say that a tax cut won't produce as much of a fall in revenue as similar estimates produced years ago.
Sanibel, Fla.: "Deep Throat" advised your Post collegues to "follow the money" during Watergate. With the dollar value of "earmarks" nearly doubling to over $30 billion since 2000, some of the most effective and best-known lobbyists and lobby firms have long dominated this highly specialized activity.
Now, with totally unregulated hedge funds enjoying explosive growth, and the big investment banks moving in to start their own funds to catch up, I assume we can expect this to be the next big growth area for lobbying, and the likelihood for future Enrons and Long Term Capital Managements to detonate. Since this could cause a global currency panic, maybe you can shine a light on this in one of your future columns.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thank you for the suggestion.
I wonder how much growth there will be in earmarking. The lobbying bill that is pending in Congress will force much more disclosure about what lawmakers are asking for in terms of narrow appropriations. The projects also have to be better justified than they have been.
I bet there will be at least a pause in the growth of earmarks. But they will not go away. Lawmakers love to bring home the bacon and this is the way they have been able to do it for years now.
It's just too much power for them to turn their backs on.
John, Baltimore Co., Md.: The estate tax doesn't just target auto empires and industrialists. Family farms (particularly those in areas with high growth in land value) are often faced with this burden as well. Few families can afford to pay Uncle Sam without first selling the land - and the family business - to the developers that bring us urban sprawl.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Clearly, farmers have a major problem with the estate tax. They are among a coalition of interests working hard to repeal the tax permanently. The problem is that such a repeal would be expensive--probably too expensive. So a compromise is being worked on as we chat. A lot of groups say they will accept nothing short of complete repeal, however, and that is what is likely to prevent major changes in estate taxes this year. Or at least that is what I am told from people who know.
Arlington, Va.: I've been a strong supporter of the president's plan to eliminate the estate tax and other taxes only the rich pay. I've even heard some plan where income above $500,000 is not taxed at all. This will necessitate eliminating most social programs. We've gone a long way toward cutting taxes (still plenty to do, though), but how soon until we see Medicare, Medicare and Social Security finally dismantled?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: My guess is we will never see such eliminations. I half suspect that your question is tongue-in-cheek.
Government is around for a reason and almost nobody wants to eliminate taxes on rich people. Republicans don't like taxation much but government must be paid for--at least most of it, anyway.
I don't think there will be many more tax changes in the coming months. Elections tend to scare off ideas that will make large numbers of people angry.
Washington, D.C.: It seems to me, an educated news watcher, that corruption seems in particular to be a significant problem within the Republican party. Of course Democrats have the same problems but no where near the amount as the GOP. With the Republicans in total control of the government this makes sense. My question then revolves around why the Post in general, and you in particular, try to play the issue as both parties being equally guilty, when clearly they are not. Is this just another attempt to appease conservative critics that you and the paper aren't biased?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: You are mistaken to think that the Post is trying to do anything other than report what's happening out there. We would be completely wrong to ignore the fact that Democrats as well as Republicans are facing ethical questions in Congress. So we have written front page stories about Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana and now, today, a story about Rep. Alan Mollohan of West Virginia--by me. We have (and I have) written at great length about the problems Republican lawmakers are facing. In fact, that has been a majority of the stories we've written because most of the events in this area are about Republicans. But not all. We try, and I try, to present the facts without partisan bias. That's why you have seen stories pointing out bipartisan corruption allegations.
Orlando, Fla.: Are chances improving toward reducing the power and influence of "K-Street" with Congressional action on public financing of National campaign contributions, including a low maximum limit for individual contributions to encourage volunteer and other candidate support, and what is your "take" on that path?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Last week, a few former senators including Bill Bradley and Alan Simpson announced that they were going to work to pass public financing. Problem is, they are former senators and don't have any vote in Congress anymore. Reps. Obey and Frank did offer a plan for public financing of congressional elections and it went absolutely nowhere. Which is where I suspect the Bradley-Simpson et al plan is going as well. Lawmakers don't want to change the system that almost automatically reelects them. And voters aren't eager to be taxed to pay for politicians' campaigns. Even though public financing is a very good way to end the influence of private interests on public legislation, getting from here to there has long appeared to me to be a near impossible path.
Alexandria, Va.: With respect to the most recent NSA revelations, isn't it worth exploring what exactly AT&T/SBC, Verizon, and BellSouth received for their cooperation with the government? What were they paid? Was there a quid pro quo for government contracts or (de)regulatory treatment?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Yes, it is certainly worth looking into those questions. I think the Senate will take a stab or two at it, in fact. The confirmation hearings of Gen. Michael Hayden is one place. And those hearings beging Thursday. Other hearings down the raod are likely to ask the phone companies why they turned the records over. Suffice it to say, the telecommunications giants are among the most highly regulated businesses in America. Anytime they can do Washington a favor, they jump at the chance. Whether they did so in exchange for something specific we may never know. But clearly their cooperation was duly noted in high places--just as they hoped it would be.
Warrensburg, Mo.: Why is it that almost no questions are focused on the Republican construction of the K street project. Nearly all questions i have heard, on outlets like Meet The Press for example, are framed as generalities about corruption in both parties. This is a new level isn't it.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: The K Street Project was a Republican operation. It was designed by leaders of the House to put more GOP lobbyists into position of authority in downtown Washington. The more Republicans in charge or corporate offices and trade associations the more money flowed into the coffers of GOP candidates and the more grassroots helps for GOP legislation could be stirred back home. At the same time, lobbying was and is bipartisan. Democrats have their own power centers in downtown DC. It is wrong to think of lobbyists as from one party only. That's why questions are bipartisan. The answers are bipartisan, too. Republicans have been getting more such questions in part because disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff is a Republican. And also because Republicans control the House, Senate and the White House.
Should we sympathize with his plight?: Plight?! Are you on drugs?
1. Employees. Spare me. And there is exactly what guarantee his kids would care? If they follow the pattern of other rich kids, the minute he hits the ground they sell off anyway...only pocketing the extra money.
2. Since when did we decide that reverting to a de-facto aristocracy was a good plan? Didn't we fight some silly revolution about that?
3. When did a DNA string develop independent property rights?
Geez. Let's all happily march back to 1200 AD. Start practicing your "M'lord" and "M'lady", folks.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Oh well. I guess Mr. Fitzgerald has a few critics out there as well as some friends in Congress.
If a group of citizens wanted to balance the noise coming from K street, how many citizens would need to fill the halls of Congress to match professional lobbyists?
How much would they need to spend to get their representatives attention again?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: If by K Street you mean corporations, then you would need a lot of people and a lot of money. Because corporate offices in D.C. have learned how to use both very effectively.
The Internet, however, is balancing the power. Real grassroots efforts are being tied together by e-mail and Web sites. And a lot more money is being raised in small donations from Internet pleas.
But as the story of Jack Fitzgerald indications (though perhaps from a different direction than you are coming from) lobbying takes a long, long time and is frustrating--for everyone.
Harpswell, Maine: From the perspective of a voter, how can we judge to what degree our Congressmen are receiving monetary and non-monetary rewards for their actions in Congress?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: You can look up via the Web who your congressman gets campaign contributions from, and then you can draw your own conclusions.
There are many such Web sites including opensecrets.org, politicalmoneyline.com, FEC.gov and other excellent places. It will take work to connect what your lawmaker does with what he received, but who said democracy was easy?
Tampa, Fla.: Mr. Fitzgerald has an option to allow his paying at part of his estate tax: life insurance. Many of the biggest produces in the ranks of insurance agents sell whole life policies just for this. As for farms, the idea that the inheritance tax forces their sale is incorrect. This simply does not happen. It is a myth perpetrated by those seeking to repeal the inheritance tax.
As for supply-side economics, Laffer is wrong. The evidence does not back him. Look at what Reagan did after his huge ERTA tax cuts in 1981: He proposed some of the biggest tax increases to date in the 1982 and 1984 Tax Acts. If supply side worked, why did Reagan feel it necessary to call for tax hikes to reduce the deficit he ballooned with his '81 tax cuts?
Finally, with regard to hedge funds, keep in mind credit default swaps. Their notional value exceeds by several multiples the face value of the debt they purport to hedge, and most of them are held by hedge funds who do not hold the debt which the default swaps cover. If there's any sort of liquidity crisis in the credit derivative markets like there was when Long-Term Capital Management tanked, watch out. This is reason alone to require hedge funds to register with the SEC.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: This is more than I really want to know. But I appeciate your thoughts, nonetheless.
As to your first point, Mr. Fitzgerald told me that he pays $650,000 a year for life insurance but the $20 million coverage would not be enough to pay off the estate taxes.
Those are very big numbers and a reason why he is working so hard on the problem.
Wdahington, D.C.: The battle over the Estate tax is really between the rich and the super rich. A deal that would exempt those who leave 10 million or less with no tax has been rejected by the Republicans who seek complete repeal.
Also, if we exempted all the farms and businesses (who are a tiny fraction of those who are subject to the estate tax) then what objection is left? Except that those who have the most assets fail to want to meet their patriotic duty to pay for being in the greatest country in the world!
Jeffrey Birnbaum: You are correct, at least in the tactical world estate tax repeal legislation. That battle between the rich and the very rich is likely to bog down the legislation in the Senate this year. My colleague Jonathan Weisman and I wrote a story in the Post a year or so ago that laid out what the positions of the rich and the very rich are. It was that story that prompted Mr. Fitzgerald to call me and talk about his efforts.
Phoenix: The poster who asserts that Arthur Laffer is more right than wrong should take note that Ben Bernanke, Bush's new Federal Reserve Chairman, acknowledged in recent testimony to Congress that tax cuts do not pay for themselves.
Much of the recent record tax collection stems from gimmickry and nonrecurring sources, which effectively pull forward tax receipts that would have been paid in later years at much higher effective rates. One such gimmick, which accounts for much of the increase in corporate tax collections during the last two years, is the repatriation of overseas corporate profits by U.S. domiciled multinational corporations that took advantage of temporary marginal rate reductions of 5%. Another example of pulling tax revenues forward can be found in the tax cut legislation passed last week, which allows those earning in excess of $100,000 annually to convert 401(k) accounts to Roth IRAS starting in 2010 in return for paying taxes on capital gains over a three year period rather than gradually, presumably at higher tax rates, as assets are distributed during one's retirement years. The net effect of these tax law changes will be substantially less tax revenue to fund government programs during the baby boom generation's later years.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thank you for taking the time to answer in detail. Cheers!
Should the Democrats take control of Congress, do you anticipate the demise of the K Street Project...or has this so entrenched Republicans -- conservative Republicans -- that it will take years to undo the predisposition to a certain ideology? Is there any evidence of a shift yet?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Democrats are having a slightly easier time finding jobs as lobbyists. And it also a little easier to raise money for Democratic candidates for office, or so I am told. If the Dems take control of the House, the Senate or both this November, the K Street Project, which already is pretty well dormant, would be dead. But there will always be a need for Republican lobbyists. Just as there will always be a need for Democratic lobbyists. Well, maybe need is a little strong . . .
Arlington, Va.: For those who wonder about Mollahan's earmarking activities, Harold Rogers (R-KY) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) are also doing it. Although it would be appropriate for the citizens of West Virginia and the Democratic Party of that state to ask Mollahan to depart, the Republicans should cleanse themselves of the above mentioned two.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: To be fair, Mollohan told me that he is being accused of nothing more sinister than being an appropriators. I think that's an exaggeration, but, in fact, there are many many lawmakers who bring project to their home districts and states. Lots of projects! Where it becomes excessive is for voters to decide.
Why is Lewis 'Scooter' Libby's defense attorney making such a big deal about the five witnesses who are prepared to testify under oath that Joe Wilson outed his wife Valerie Plame as a CIA employee before Robert Novak did so in his July 2003 column? After all, as Joe Wilson rightly pointed out, legally, the Libby case is not about the outing of Valerie Plame: "The last I heard, this case is about allegations Mr. Libby lied, perjured himself before the FBI, special prosecutor and grand jury and obstructed justice." So how does all of Libby's attorney's talk about who outed Ms. Plame help his client?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thanks for the question.
Any time a defense attorney can cast any doubt on the motives or the facts of a case, he or she will do so. That's what I suspect is going on here. If one of the primary problems with the situation is undercut then there's less reason for Libby to have lied. Also credibility is an important aspect of situations like the one Libby faces. If that's undermined, the case teeters at least a little. The murkier the better, as far as defense lawyers are concerned.
Bllomfield Hills, Mich.: Dear Mr. Birnbaum:
While your article on estate taxes did not want to cover the water front on the complex matter of estate taxes, it seems to me and others that it reads more like something written by a lobbyist for the repeal of the estate tax than an article summarizing the problems, pro and con! As a journalist, shouldn't subjects like this have some balance if there is to be some sort of meaningful debate?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: I included the arguments against repeal of the estate tax in the story. Because the story was about a lobbyist for repeal, that portion of the article did not take up as much space as, I guess, you would have liked. I was not trying to be meticulously even handed. This was a column and a story about a single person. It was not, however, an advocacy piece.
Florida Lakes Region, North Fla.: Sounds like Arlington should read Sebastian Mallaby's piece today on "The Return of Voodoo Economics" in which he lays the 'tax cuts generate more revenue' myth to rest (again):
"every $1 trillion in tax cuts is going to add $830 billion to the national debt."
How come the press doesn't do a better job (or any job for that matter) of dispelling that myth, along with so many of the fibs told by politicians (of both pitiful, disgusting parties)?
washingtonpost.com: The Return Of Voodoo Economics , by Sebastian Mallaby
Jeffrey Birnbaum: There. That question settled. Or is it?
Boston, Mass.: This may be somewhat outside your purview, but Brian Ross at ABC just reported that "phone calls and contacts by reporters for ABC News, along with the New York Times and the Washington Post, are being examined as part of a widespread CIA leak investigation". We now know that the Bush administration considers it legal to survey anyone's phone records without a warrant.
Is this acceptable to you?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: It is not acceptable. But I would like to know more.
Baltimore, Md.: RE: what will happen to "earmarks": I think the future of this device could well hinge on what comes out of the investigation into Rep. Jerry Lewis and the former San Diego area Congressman (whose name I forget)over this very issue. Evidence suggest that earmarks are sometimes precisely targeted to clients of lobbyisits, making them use of public funds explicitly for private enrichment. If that turns out to be the case here, I am wondering if it could lead to a truly gigantic scandal that would make Abramoff look penny ante.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: You may well be right. That other congressman, by the way, is former representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.)
Tallahassee, FL: Why is it we calculate the solvency of Social Security or Medicare as if it were a checkbook --but when it comes to war we just print money or dig a huge debt hole and hang with the cost ---seems to be a double standard when it comes to killing - money is no object - when it come to helping people - we must be prudent!
Jeffrey Birnbaum: This is a huge debate on Capitol Hill as well. I'm afraid, though, that fiscal conservatives have won very few of these battles lately. In Washington, it's been spend, spend, spend and don't worry about the consequences for a very long time.
Washington, D.C.: I'll do my share for Fitzgerald and his lousy dealerships. I won't buy anymore cars from him. I think that many others have already made that decision).
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Sorry to hear that. But thank you for writing in.
Oakton, Va.: In your column today you wrote, "the estate tax has for years forced owners to sell to corporate giants," without providing any evidence to support the statement. You also wrote that Jack Fitzgerald's business is "too large for him to pass easily to his heirs without their being crushed by the estate tax," yet you chose not to include any data that would have helped your readers decide for themselves how onerous Fitzgerald's tax burden would be.
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Mr. Fitzgerald pays $650,000 a year for a $20 million life insurance policy which he says is not enough to pay for his estate taxes. Enough facts?
Jeffrey Birnbaum: Thanks all for a fun conversation today. Let's do it again in a couple weeks after my next column.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Post columnist Jeffrey Birnbaum was online to discuss the intersection of government and business.
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West Virginia Democrat is Scrutinized
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Starting in the 1990s, Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.) chose an unusual way to funnel federal funds into his poverty-ridden district. He set up a network of nonprofit organizations to administer the millions of dollars he directed to such public endeavors as high-tech research and historic preservation.
Over the same period, Mollohan's personal fortunes soared. From 2000 to 2004, his assets grew from no more than $565,000 to at least $6.3 million. The partners in his rapidly expanding real estate empire included the head of one of these nonprofit groups and the owner of a local company for which he arranged substantial federal aid.
Mollohan used his seat on the House Appropriations Committee to secure more than $150 million for five nonprofit groups. One of the groups is headed by a former aide with whom Mollohan bought $2 million worth of property on Bald Head Island, N.C.
Controversy over this blending of commerce and legislation has triggered a federal probe, cost Mollohan his position on the House ethics committee and undermined the Democrats' effort to portray the GOP as the party of corruption because of the Jack Abramoff scandal. As early as today, the 12-term congressman will admit that he misstated some transactions in his congressional filings, according to Mollohan staffers.
"Mollohan has earmarked tens of millions of dollars to groups associated with his own business partners. That immediately raises the question whether these funds were allocated to promote the public good or to promote his interests and the interests of his partners," said Ken Boehm, chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative watchdog group. "He also got very rich very quick, and that suggests a relationship that is suspect if not corrupt."
Mollohan is now engaged in the most arduous election of his career. Republicans have recruited Chris Wakim, a state legislator and Persian Gulf War veteran, to run against him, and have sent President Bush and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) into the district to campaign. To fight back, Mollohan is raising much more money than ever, is visiting the district more often, and has hired a nationally known media consultant to help craft his commercials.
During a trip home last week to northern West Virginia, Mollohan was questioned at length by a radio interviewer from Weirton about his business connections. But everywhere else, Mollohan -- the son of a longtime congressman and a cousin of a former senator -- was welcomed as a patron of the state. At a huge police training event in Moundsville, a federal employee thanked him for providing the money for "everything you see today." In Morgantown, at a meeting about a missing-child alert system that his legislation had underwritten, he received a standing ovation.
In an interview, Mollohan said he is unapologetic and proud of the thousands of jobs he has brought to West Virginia and that, legally speaking, everything he has done to secure them is "squeaky clean." But he acknowledged that his actions might look incriminating and that he may have had an ethical "blind spot" that prevented him from questioning whether he, as a government official and vice chairman of the ethics panel, should have invested with such close associates.
"I would have done things differently," he said as he drove through West Virginia's northern panhandle. "It puts you in a position where people could say there's something untoward going on."
The House ethics committee warns lawmakers to avoid exactly those kinds of situations. Its Web site admonishes federal officials not to accept favors or benefits "in circumstances that might create the appearance of influencing the performance of official duties."
Mollohan's transactions -- first reported last month by the Wall Street Journal -- were uncovered by the National Legal and Policy Center, a small research institute in Virginia that gets some of its funding from the politically conservative Scaife family of Pittsburgh. In March, NLPC turned over 500 pages of documents to the FBI alleging that Mollohan engaged in nine years of false reporting and the appearance of impropriety in his business contacts with contractors.
As a result, Mollohan, 63, faces a widening federal investigation. The FBI has notified his nonprofit organizations that they will be subpoenaed soon and, according to Mollohan, a subpoena has already been served on a D.C. real estate company in which he has invested. In addition, Mollohan plans to divulge that he misstated on House financial disclosure forms the amount of loans and income from some of his real estate holdings.
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Starting in the 1990s, Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.) chose an unusual way to funnel federal funds into his poverty-ridden district. He set up a network of nonprofit organizations to administer the millions of dollars he directed to such public endeavors as high-tech research and historic...
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Budget Cut Would Shutter EPA Libraries
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Proposed budget cuts could cripple a nationwide system of Environmental Protection Agency libraries that government researchers and others depend on for hard-to-find technical information, library advocates say.
The $2 million cut sought by the White House would reduce the 35-year-old EPA Library Network's budget by 80 percent and force many of its 10 regional libraries to close, according to the advocates and internal agency documents.
That, in turn, would dramatically reduce access to certain EPA reports, guidance and technical documents that are used by the agency's scientific and enforcement staff as well as private businesses and citizens, they say.
"They are moving ahead very quickly on very substantive cuts to their library program," said Patrice McDermott, deputy director of the American Library Association's Office of Government Relations. "They really don't have a good plan for continuing to provide access for the public, and even their own researchers and scientists, to the information."
EPA spokeswoman Jennifer Wood said it was "premature" to talk of mass closings among the regional libraries, although the one in Chicago already is shutting down. Wood said that 15 other EPA libraries, many of them attached to federal laboratories, will not be affected by the budget cuts.
She said the agency plans to save money and operate more efficiently by making EPA materials in the regional libraries available electronically. Many documents that exist only on paper will continue to be available through interlibrary loans, Wood said.
"EPA's commitment remains unchanged in providing EPA's staff with access to environmental information to support sound environmental decisions. [The agency] encourages the public to use our information resources and will continue to provide public access," Wood said.
McDermott said digitizing the EPA library holdings is "a great idea" -- but it remains little more than that. "You can't just stop providing access to your print on the chance that some day five, six, seven years down the road you are going to have it digital," she said.
The libraries provide documentation for enforcement cases and help EPA staff track new environmental technologies and the health risks associated with dangerous chemicals. They also are repositories of scientific information that is used to back up the agency's position on new regulations and environmental reports and data that are tapped by everyone from developers to airports, to state and local officials. Their collections include hard-to-find copies of documents on federal Superfund hazardous waste sites, water-quality data and the health of regional ecosystems.
Betty Lou Hicks, manager of library services for Hanson Professional Services, an engineering consulting firm in Springfield, Ill., said her company draws on documents from the libraries to conduct wetland studies, environmental assessments and geotechnical surveys. The firm's typical clients might include an airport looking to build a new runway, she said.
"It's very important for us to be able to get our hands on these documents," Hicks said, "and yet with these libraries closing down, it means that the documents aren't going to be readily available. So that means we're going to have to do a lot more searching, and that means time -- and, of course, time is money to us."
The public has a lot at stake in the future of these libraries, said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit advocacy group that obtained internal EPA documents on the proposed cuts.
"We view this as another example of the Bush administration marginalizing EPA research so that the agency scientists and other specialists can't do their jobs," Ruch said. "And then in the absence of information, plans by industries and others that have environmental implications go forward."
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Proposed budget cuts could cripple a nationwide system of Environmental Protection Agency libraries that government researchers and others depend on for hard-to-find technical information, library advocates say.
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Divide Is Sharpening Among Republicans
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From immigration policy to energy to emergency spending, House Republican leaders are publicly breaking rank with their counterparts in the Senate, fearing that Senate efforts at compromise are jeopardizing the party's standing with conservative voters.
The breach in congressional leadership has been especially stark in the past two weeks. As the Senate returns to the immigration issue this week, House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said House Republicans will not agree to any plan granting illegal immigrants a path to citizenship that does not require them first to return to their home countries. House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) dismissed Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's proposed $100 rebate for gasoline as "insulting" and "stupid." And House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) declared a Senate-passed, $109 billion bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, hurricane relief and a bevy of home-state pet projects "dead on arrival."
Hastert even parted company with Frist (R-Tenn.) last week on President Bush's nomination of Gen. Michael V. Hayden to head the CIA. Hastert asserted, "I don't think a military guy should be head of CIA, frankly," even as Frist called him "the ideal man for the job."
"People are frustrated. They really are," said Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), who noted he is constantly hearing from conservative constituents who question why a Republican Party that controls the White House, House and Senate so often repudiates conservative goals .
Congressional leaders say recent clashes were individual policy disputes, not a sign of broader friction between the two bodies. "There is no tension," Boehner said. "You have got two different institutions, two different rhythms, and while there are always going to be some differences, if you look at Senate Republicans, you will see us agreeing on many of the same principles."
However, some House leaders privately acknowledge the tension as an inevitable byproduct of record low approval ratings for Congress and the president -- a disaffection that recently has spread to self-described conservative voters.
House members understand their constituents' anger. They rattle off bills the House has approved, to tighten border controls, repeal the estate tax, expand gasoline refineries and cap damages on civil lawsuits and medical malpractice cases. But voters want laws, not votes, and the Senate has not moved on any of those, Price said.
"I understand sometimes how [voters] get frustrated with the Senate and the way we do the things we do, but I don't think it's constructive," said Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), whose home-state projects in the emergency spending bill have drawn conservative ire. "And I have pleaded with the House, 'Let's not be shooting shots back and forth at each other, within our own party.' Whatever hurts us hurts them in the end."
The tension, in some sense, is built into the system, said Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), a former House member. Because they represent an entire state, senators must reflect a broader range of opinions and tend toward compromise. Because senators stand for reelection every six years, only 15 Republicans are facing this year's stiff headwind, compared to all 231 Republicans in the House. That is leading House Republicans to believe their Senate colleagues are insensitive to their political difficulties.
Indeed, some of the disputes may be political gamesmanship, Senate leadership aides suggested. The House leadership's firm stance against additional pork-barrel spending in the emergency spending bill was just what Frist wanted to press his spendthrift colleagues to relent on some of their pet projects, said Frist chief of staff Eric Ueland. Their stand on immigration could keep Senate Republicans from drifting too far toward the Democrats before a final bill comes up for passage.
But recent redistricting has exacerbated those natural tensions, said a member of the House leadership, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to not heighten the strain. House districts have grown increasingly partisan, more liberal in Democratic districts and more conservative in Republican districts. So when Senate Republicans tack to the center to placate their broader spectrum of voters, conservatives concentrated in Republican House districts are quick to anger.
To stop the hemorrhaging of conservative support, House leaders have taken a hard line against Senate compromise. Appealing to small-government conservatives, they have vowed not to accept any final emergency appropriations plan that spends a penny more than Bush requested for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, hurricane relief and prevention of avian flu. That would mean blocking the construction of a new railroad and a veterans retirement home in Mississippi, erosion control in California, flood relief in Hawaii and billions for drought-stricken farmers.
Massive street demonstrations by illegal immigrants and their supporters against a House-passed bill to get tough on undocumented workers appear to have struck a sympathetic chord with most Americans. A New York Times/CBS poll last week found that 66 percent oppose the House's measure to build hundreds of miles of fences along the southern border. Sixty-one percent said illegal immigrants who have lived and worked in the United States for at least two years should be given a chance to keep their jobs and eventually apply for legal status. Just 35 percent agreed with the House's position that they should be deported.
But House members say they are convinced that their voters came to a very different conclusion from the marches -- the problem of illegal immigration is even more troubling than they thought, and House Republicans must stand by their position.
House Republicans are also listening to conservatives who were infuriated when GOP leaders reacted to rising gasoline prices by proposing tax increases to pay for gasoline rebates and by suggesting the problem lay with price-gouging by the oil companies.
"I think you're seeing the pressures of the upcoming election really coming to the fore," Brownback said. "But I also think we'll be seeing the troops begin rallying and coming together, I hope real soon."
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From immigration policy to energy to emergency spending, House Republican leaders are publicly breaking rank with their counterparts in the Senate, fearing that Senate efforts at compromise are jeopardizing the party's standing with conservative voters.
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Desperate Zimbabwe Moves to Lure Back White Ex-Farmers
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KWEKWE, Zimbabwe -- The end of a century of farming for the van der Berghs came in December, family members said, when a man brandishing an official-looking letter and voicing threats of violence demanded they abandon their 1,300 acres of land, the final remnants of what had been vast holdings more than a dozen times larger.
But rather than flee the country, as thousands of other white farmers have done, the van der Berghs moved to the nearest major town, the pleasant, tree-lined community of Kwekwe, in central Zimbabwe, and tried to resume their lives.
Taking advantage of a new government initiative that offers the possibility of returning land to some white farmers, the van der Berghs submitted an application for a long-term lease. At least 200 other farmers have done the same, according to the Commercial Farmers Union, and each day dozens of others call or visit the group's headquarters in Harare, the capital, to inquire about the program.
"We can't just sit here," said Nicholas van der Bergh, 59, a large, muscular man with a crushing handshake hinting at a lifetime of clearing brush, tilling soil and harvesting crops. "We are farmers, really. We need to make a living. We are Zimbabweans. We think we belong here."
Other former farmers have treated the government's offer with suspicion bordering on contempt. President Robert Mugabe encouraged landless black peasants to invade commercial farms beginning in February 2000. He portrayed the longtime white owners -- about 4,500 farmers who owned most of the country's best agricultural land -- as thieves who had deprived the 12 million black Zimbabweans of their birthrights.
The white farmers, whose families were encouraged to settle here by British colonial rulers and later a white-supremacist government, had for decades enjoyed large profits, low labor costs and little interference.
Now only a few hundred white-owned farms remain.
Tens of thousands of black Zimbabweans have been given the land, but most received no support, such as supplies of fertilizer and seeds, much less training in how to manage what had been sophisticated, export-oriented agribusinesses.
Many of the farms turned brown and weedy. Giant irrigation machinery sat idle as poor rains combined with chaos in the agricultural industry to turn Zimbabwe into one of Africa's neediest recipients of international food aid. Inflation has reached 1,000 percent, and a catastrophic shortage of hard currency has severely limited the availability of clean water and electricity and access to health care.
Government officials blamed bad weather and sanctions by Western countries such as Britain and the United States, which have opposed Mugabe's increasingly ruthless authoritarian regime. But this year, with rain plentiful and agricultural production still paltry, Zimbabwean officials have begun speaking publicly of reclaiming underutilized land and leasing it to qualified commercial farmers without regard to race.
Information Minister Tichaona Jokonya said in a recent telephone interview that land policy had moved into a new phase and that significant numbers of long-term leases would be issued before summer planting begins in August. No new farms, he said, would be given to poor blacks.
"What the government is saying is: Those who genuinely want land, whether white or black, let them come forward," Jokonya said, speaking from his own farm, south of Harare. Referring to the government's land redistribution program, he said, "The resettlement is complete."
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KWEKWE, Zimbabwe -- The end of a century of farming for the van der Berghs came in December, family members said, when a man brandishing an official-looking letter and voicing threats of violence demanded they abandon their 1,300 acres of land, the final remnants of what had been vast holdings more...
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Head for Hollywood's Hills
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As far as 19th-century fugitive hideouts go, this spot just a dozen miles from downtown Los Angeles must be as good as it gets. The hilltop clearing that was home to Owen Brown, who settled here after surviving the antislavery raid at Harpers Ferry led by his father, John, is surrounded by chaparral-covered mountains to the north and sweeping city views to the south and west. It can be accessed from several trails in the Angeles National Forest, including El Prieto Canyon, a four-mile trek through thick brush, oak forest and year-round waterfalls.
El Prieto Canyon is just one of many hidden-from-view trails that makes one forget all about the freeway snarls and strip malls often associated with the city. Tucked behind freeway exits, at the edge of tract developments and on the sites of former movie and TV show sets, these paths lead to wide-open ocean vistas, rocky promontories and other sights that turn an ordinary walk in the woods into an unforgettable experience.
Here are five hikes of varying levels of difficulty and personality that are guaranteed to add an unexpected dose of serenity to any visit to Los Angeles. Note: Lengths given are the hikes' round-trip measures.
1. Bronson Canyon Trail (Griffith Park)
The hike: Just two miles northeast of Hollywood and Vine, this trail leads to chiseled rock caves that have served as a set for everything from outer space serials to episodes of "Star Trek" and "MacGyver." Most famously, Adam West careened the Batmobile out of one of the caves each week on his way to thwart wrongdoers in the 1960s series "Batman." Today, you're more likely to find dog walkers and tai chi practitioners than camera crews hanging out by the caves. Tourists occasionally show up, too, though they tend to favor the nearby and decidedly more congested Mount Hollywood Trail. The caves sit only a quarter of a mile from the trailhead, but this hike can be extended another mile by taking the narrow dirt trail to the right of the biggest cave up to a narrow mountain ridge. It's a rigorous uphill scramble, but the reward is a bird's-eye view of the caves and sweeping panoramas of Griffith Park, including the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign.
Getting there: Exit the Hollywood Freeway (101) at Gower Road and head north to Franklin Avenue. Turn right, then make a left on Bronson and continue until it intersects with Canyon Drive. Follow Canyon about a mile north until the road dead-ends at a small parking lot just before a gate marked Hollywoodland Camp.
2. El Prieto Canyon (El Prieto Trail in Angeles National Forest)
The hike: Before the Brown brothers arrived in Los Angeles in the 1880s, El Prieto Canyon was home to Robert Owen, a former slave who built a fortune by supplying firewood and lumber from the canyon to the U.S. Army. The dirt trail, which zigzags up a narrow canyon, remains one of the most tranquil and undisturbed patches of wilderness in the area. It ends at a paved fire road near a couple of mountain cabins. To get to Owen Brown's grave site (which extends the hike by about a mile), turn right and follow the fire road past a chained gate and around a knoll toward three electricity towers. Last year, a local hiking group sued -- and won -- to gain public access to the grave, which sits on private land. The grave stone disappeared several years ago, but a few potted flowers and a cross made out of police tape marked the clearing on a recent visit.
Getting there: Take I-210 to the Arroyo Boulevard/Windsor Avenue exit. Drive three-quarters of a mile north and turn left into the small parking lot just before the stop sign at Ventura Avenue. Walk past the fire road gate across the street from the parking lot and follow the road north until you see signs for El Prieto Canyon. The trail branches off to the right.
3. Paseo Miramar (Topanga State Park)
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Find Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland travel information, including web fares, Washington DC tours, beach/ski guide, international and United States destinations. Featuring Mid-Atlantic travel, airport information, traffic/weather updates
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Security Fix Live
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Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs was online May 12 to answer your questions about the latest computer security threats and offer ways to protect yourself and your personal information.
Brian Krebs: Good morning, Security Fix readers, and thanks for joining us for another of our bi-weekly Security Fix Live Online chats. We've got a fair numbre of questions queued up already, but don't let that stop you from submitting your own. So, without further ado, I'll get right to the questions.
Buxton, NC: I've heard recently that M$ has put out a security patch that identifies bootleg OS's and brands the screen with a notice that cant be removed unless a licenced OS is installed? fact or fiction?
Brian Krebs: You are referring to Microsoft's expansion of its Windows Genuine Advantage program to identify machines running potentially pirated versions of its software. You can read more about the expansion of this program in a blog post I did last week.
If you're running an unlicensed copy of Windows or one that is powered by a serial number known to be pirated (i.e. pasted on some virus and spyware-laden "Crackz" or "Serialz" site), the Genuine Advantage tool will alert you that you're running a pirated version of windows via a pop up on from your system tray. You can close that notice, but it pop up again periodically until you contact Microsoft to resolve the issue or re-install with a licensed copy of Windows. Microsoft claims its tool cannot be removed, although no doubt it will only a matter of time before some clever hacker publicly posts some information about how to get rid of the program.
It's worth mentioning that previously, you only were required to download the piracy scanning tool if you downloaded something directly from Microsoft's Web site, including its Windows Update patches page. The expansion of this program means Microsoft will ask you to download the scanning tool through Automatic Updates as well, if you have that configured to download and install updates. Microsoft *says* users can decline this installation, but many people have complained that the tool was installed without their approval.
Annandale, VA: Thanks for the chats and the blog, I have learned much about computer security!
My question: I recently installed a Netgear Wireless Range Extender Kit to my Linksys router (the wireless laptop cards are Netgear). It works great. The problem is, I can't access the Netgear web admin, so my wireless network is completely unsecured. The manual says I need to change my computer's IP address to the router's IP subnet. I also need to obtain my ISP's DHCP server address (I'm connected by cable). How do I get these two pieces of information? I tried Google and what I tried did not work.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Brian Krebs: A couple of things I'm not certain about your setup: Is your Linksys router also a wireless router? And you can access the Internet but not the admin page? My guess is that somehow your two devices are assigning parts of your network to different subnets, but you haven't given me enough information to know for sure.
To your question, if you're running Windows, to find out your internal address (the address assigned via DHCP from the router, open a command prompt (click "Start," "Run," and then type "command" (w/out the quotes). That should open up a black text console. Type "ipconfig/all" without the quotes and that should display all of the information about your network settings. If you ever want to know the Internet address assigned to you by your ISP, check out www.whatismyip.com
Not sure why you'd need your ISPs DHCP server address (maybe you need the ISP's DNS addresses: those are listed in the results of the "ipconfig" command mentioned above).
More likely, you need to make sure your Linksys router and the Wireless Range Extender Kit are on the same subnet. You can manually assign any of your connected wireless and wired devices a "static" IP address that does not change. You may need to do that with either your router or the Wireless Extender thingee.
I've not used this product before, but according a CNET review of this thing, You can configure it with the integrated access point to function either as an access point to extend your wireless network or as a full-fledged wireless router. "When configured as a router, the device touts an array of advanced networking features, including DHCP services, content filtering that blocks access to specific Web sites based on keyword or domain name, dynamic DNS, and port triggering, which can help you play games over the Internet."
So again, I have no idea whether you are using the Netgear Kit as your primary Wireless router or whether the Linksys device functions as such, I can't offer a whole lot more advice.
Rockville, MD: I'm confused about browser security. I hear people say Firefox is safer, but it seems like i'm getting updates from them all the time now to fix their security problems. Is Firefox really more secure? Is the new version of IE more secure? More secure than Firefox, or just more secure than previous versions?
Brian Krebs: How many patches a company issues to fix security flaws in its products is hardly a measure of how secure or insecure they are: Apple just released patches to fix 43 different problems in its software, but it's rare to see attacks against that OS. However, when a company takes a long, long time to fix known security flaws in its products, that's a major concern.
The problem with Internet Explorer has been and continues to be its tight integration with the Windows operating system. Using things like ActiveX controls and Active scripting, IE can be made to do and install all kinds of things, and the bad guys have taken full advantage of this. While Microsoft has gotten better about fixing browser flaws more quickly, it is still the case that it is hard to find more than a few weeks of time in the past few years when IE hasn't been vulnerable to a known security flaw - and in many cases the means for exploiting that flaw having been publicly posted online.
That is not to say that there haven't been incidents with spyware being installed via security flaws in Firefox: there have. But in my opinion, if the browser you use to regularly cruise the 'Net is IE, you're asking for trouble. Yes, there are ways to lock it down by fiddling with the browser's "Internet Zone," and "Local computer zone," and all that nonsense; Just download and use Firefox.
Will the bad guys start to target Firefox users as more people switch to that browser? Probably. Are you safer in the meantime with Firefox? From where I sit, yes.
Vienna, Va.: In looking at my Norton Security log once and a while I notice clumps of activity from: coauthor(1529), ingreslock(1524), ms-sna-base(1478), orasrv(1525)and others. By any chance do you know of a resource I could use to identify what these are?
Brian Krebs: Check out this listing from IANA that maps common port numbers (those numbers you list in parentheses in your question are port numbers) to known computer services. A "port" on your computer is a like a parking space in a parking lot where each of the slots are assigned. Port 80 is reserved for http connections (Web browser), Port 25 is used by e-mail clients.
SysInternals has some very powerful, free tools that allow you to figure out what services and programs are doing on your machine. Process Explorer is one of my favorites: This baby even tells you which company made the program, in addition to the name of the executable it uses (.exe), port number used and process ID number, as well as how much CPU power the program is drawing. Download Process Explorer here . Good luck.
Milwaukee, Wisc.: A friend of mine has the following on his computer: Adware Sheriff spyware.
In addition, his anti-virus software has expired. Any suggestions regarding good anti-virus/anti-spam software and the removal of this program?
Brian Krebs: Hi Milwaukee. Sorry to hear about the bogus anti-spyware spyware infection your friend has. I blogged about this particular breed of nasty a few weeks ago. The instructions your friend needs to remove this thing are here (scroll down to the area under "Removal Instructions."
Silver Spring, Md.: Brian, I know you mean protect your private information from hacker, etc., but how can we protect our private information from a government gone wild?
Haha, just kidding. Sort of. Your best bet if you're the paranoid type (like Yours Truly) is to read up on and then religiously use encryption for your e-mail communication. PGP Corp. used to distribute a really nice, free encryption package, but sadly enough they decided to stop doing that a while back. But there are still a couple of free options. I'd recommend GPG4Win a free open-source encryption program. It may take a while to get the hang of it, but once you do, it's like riding a bike.
For anonymouse Web browsing, you could always use public proxies (there are tons of lists posted online) but the problem with that is you really don't know whose machines you are proxying through, so...). One program I have used quite a bit when browsing sites that I'd rather didn't know my home IP address is called Tor, which uses a couple of downloadable programs to bounce your Web browser traffic through a bunch of different Internet servers that encrypts the traffic at every step of the way. And because each server in the Tor network sees no more than one hop in the circuit, neither an eavesdropper nor a compromised server can use traffic analysis to link the connection's source and destination (that last bit is straight from the How Tor Works page. Tor is great, but it can be a tad slow at times. But if you're really paranoid, you probably don't mind waiting a few more seconds for that Web page to load.
Be safe out there. And remember, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean everyone isn't out to get you!
Natick, Mass.: I have two anti-spyware programs: Spybot and Microsoft's program. Spybot frequently finds spyware. Microsoft's program has never found anything. I can run Microsoft's program first and after not finding anything run Spybot and it frequently finds somthing. Microsoft's program has gotten such good reviews in the past. What am I to think?
Brian Krebs: I have found Microsoft's beta anti-spyware program (now called Windows Defender) to be fairly effective at finding and eliminating spyware, but fighting spyware on Windows machines that are not properly secured (browsing under limited-user accounts, patched fully, etc.) has always been about using multiple anti-spyware tools. It has been my experience that some anti-spyware programs will catch things that others don't. Since most anti-spyware programs are on-demand scanners, it usually doesn't hurt to have more than one anti-spyware program on your machine. It's not like installing two different active anti-virus programs on your machine: the anti-spyware tools generally won't try to strangle each other. That said, you shouldn't run two anti-spyware scans at the same time. Also, a second pass by a second anti-spyware program may find things you thought were deleted by the first scan of the first anti-spyware program if you haven't rebooted your machine between the two scans.
Washington, D.C. RE: Mac security: I finally took everybody's advice and bought a Mac -- in my case, an iBook G4, O/S X.4 (Tiger). Pre-Intel, if that matters.
Other than purging cookies, ought I take some sort of precaution against viruses, trojans, worms and whatever bad things are out there?
Should I even bother to purge cookies? And is there a reason (or several) to prefer Firefox to Safari or vice-versa? Many thanks!
Brian Krebs: I've used Safari, and I can't count myself as a big fan. But of course lots of people love the browser. As you mentioned, there are always alternatives.
I get this question a lot about anti-virus on Mac machines, and I have to side with Walt Mossberg from the WSJ on this one: If you're the kind of person who lives in a decent neighborhood and is startled enough by the occasional property vandalism or burglary that you feel it is worthwhile to install a burglar alarm, then perhaps anti-virus on the Mac is the right move for you. You don't even have to pay for it if that's a concern: ClamAVX is a free anti-virus scanner for Mac.
As there are no pressing virus attacks against the Mac OS X operating system, having anti-virus for the Mac is more of a hedge or insurance against potential future outbreaks. That said, I do believe at some point Macs will be targeted more by virus writers and criminals, but that day may be a long time coming.
Arlington, VA: I found SBWatchDog.exe on my sony laptop, is it harmful? how to remove it from the registry (WIN2K)? Thanks
Brian Krebs: From a quick Google search, it appears that program you mention is distributed with Sony laptops. A number of anti-malware sites claim the same thing, that it is a "Spyware utility installed by the manufacturers of some laptops (Sony) used to monitor browsing habits and send them back to whoever installed it - released by SoftBank." I couldn't verify that information offhand, but it wouldn't surprise me one iota if that's exactly what it was. We all remember Sony's grand experiment with dropping "rootkits" on PCs of people who played certain Sony music CDs on their machines. See Security Fix's Piracy Archive for more than a dozen stories on this debacle.
One great tool for taking back control over your Windows registry and what programs are allowed to start when Windows boots up is HijackThis! . If you're a complete computer newbie and don't know how diddly about mucking with the Windows registry, you should read these instructions before doing anything else.
Combined with Process Explorer, you can use HiJack this to better understand what programs are running on your machine and how to quash them. I have found these tools indispensible for regular maintenance on any Windows machine: over time, as you install, update and remove programs from your machine, you may find that remnants of other programs you've deleted are still hanging around, or certain drivers or processes you don't need are slowing the system bootup or shutdown time, or just dragging on your system's overall performance.
Bethesda, MD - A Mac hack query: OK, so Macs are less vulnerable to viruses and so on. But what about getting hacked? When I switch from dial-up to DSL, and when I use Airport (wireless), what precautions should I take?
Brian Krebs: Hi. There a gajillion resources for securing your Mac at this link here . Apple's own site also has a pretty decent PDF that contains a fair amount of documentation on Mac OS X security and is a great place to start.
For a nifty video guide to securing your Airport wireless router for Mac, check out the link in a blog post I wrote on this a few weeks ago. Macs may be more secure out-of-the-box, but you can intercept unsecured wireless communications between a Mac and a wireless router just as easily and with the same tools used to hijack communications between Windows machines and routers.
Annandale, Va. (again): "So again, I have no idea whether you are using the Netgear Kit as your primary Wireless router or whether the Linksys device functions as such, I can't offer a whole lot more advice."
Thanks for your help! This is a great start. The Linksys is the primary wireless router, by the way.
(Hi to J. - I used to work with her in Old Town)
Brian Krebs: Good to know. Thanks for the follow up. Glad I was able to help (sort of ;).
Brian Krebs: That's about all we've got time for today. A huge thanks to everyone who stopped by and submitted questions. Until next time, please drop by the Security Fix blog once a day and stay up-to-date on the latest computer and Internet security news.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs will be online to answer your questions about the latest computer security threats and offer ways to protect yourself and your personal information.
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Photo Blogging
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How are digital cameras and photo sites changing photography and the Web? Andrew Long , editor of "Fotolog.book: A Global Snapshot for a Digital Age," and Adam Seifer , co-founder of Fotolog , were online to discuss the rise of photo blogging.
Fotolog.book, published last month, is a collection of photographs originally published on the Web. Fotolog boasts that people from 200 countries post more than 300,000 photos and 3 million messages at the site daily.
Korea : How do you get over copyright issues? Is publishing a photo on a blog OK? I am an artist and I am not sure if I would appreciate my Art Images, that I do paste on blogs, published in a book without my permission. Most of the Images I don't want shared, I add a Digimarc Watermark to. How do you feel about publishing a book without the permission from the owners of the images used??? Or did you get permission? Blog owners are quite protective of their postings...Ladymaggic
Andrew Long: For Fotolog.book, the editors of the book, myself included, contacted every potential contributor beforehand. We asked for their written permission to use their photographs, and at all times they retain copyright in their work.
Bethesda, Md.: Photoblogs can be said to be a sub-group of art blogs.... right?
In the D.C. area, a couple of art blogs (such as DC ART NEWS and Thinking About Art) have become the main sources of visual arts related information for D.C. art lovers, picking up the slack left by the Post's minimalist art galleries coverage.
Do you see Photoblogs becoming the main source of imagery in a near future?
Andrew Long: I don't necessarily see photoblogs, or Fotolog, as a sub-group of art blogs. I think in fact there are many more Fotolog members, and general personal photoblogs, out there than there are art blogs. Fotolog is a way for people to share their world with friends, family, and millions of other people around the globe. I think some of the more art-minded users do check out art blogs frequently, but they're a different kind of thing.
Arlington, Va.: I can't help thinking that this is another example of the Web lowering the quality of another art form. Why shouldn't we spend our $$ on a book showing photos of professional photographers?
Andrew Long: By all means do spend your money on books by professional artists. But take a look at Fotolog.book too. You may find you think a lot of what's in there looks and feels "professional." Or you may be interested in the fresh, funny, and moving ways some "amateurs" see the world around them. The book isn't really trying to be an art-filled coffee-table book. It's a chronicle of a new way of communicating on the Web, told in pictures.
Calhoun, Ga.: The copyright laws seem to have disappeared, both on the internet and at the local one hours photo shops. Who protects the owner of a photo? This fact has destroyed many photography businesses...
Adam Seifer: It's going to become a bigger and bigger issue as more images come online... it's so easy to grab and reproduce a digital image. Since Fotolog is more of a consumer-based anyone-can-do-it kind of experience, and so far, we only publish lower-resolution images, having a picture "appropriated" by someone else is less of a stealing from my livelihood thing than it would be for a professional photographer who is expecting to make money from their photos. That said, it's still extremely frustrating to have someone take your photo and pass it off as theirs. And so it's something we give a lot of thought to as we grow. The easy part is to support our members and make sure other Fotolog members don't re-publish stolen photos within the Fotolog community. The harder part is to find ways to make sure Fotolog photos don't show up elsewhere on the web - and there are no perfect answers yet.
Washington, D.C.: "I can't help thinking that this is another example of the Web lowering the quality of another art form."
Or, of opening avenues of communication between more people and more viewers. Yes, some photos published on blogs are of low quality. Others are exceptionally good. The majority fall into a middle area and a community of viewers and fellow-bloggers can do wonders for helping someone improve.
Some of these fotoblogs end up getting grants to do work beneficial to others as well (www.mountpleasantproject.org) ...
Andrew Long: Yes, I agree, there is a huge middle ground, and Fotolog and photoblogs in general are places where people can learn and get useful feedback. But Fotolog is also for anyone who isn't that concerned with the artistic quality of their images, they just want to share what's going on in their lives.
Arlington, Va.: How was the censorship process? Did you have to reject any photos because of controversial or offensive content?
Adam Seifer: The censorship issue, as you'd expect is really tough. At Fotolog we've chosen to draw a very clear line - no nudity or sexual content whatsoever. As fine arts major who spent years and years drawing nude models, it pains me to have to do that and miss out on some wonderful artistic images that might have included nudity. But, as someone who runs a community where 3 million members upload over 330,000 photos a day, I know that if you don't make it black and white like that, you end up judging whether or not something is artistic enough to be "acceptable nudity" based on completely subjective criteria - which I think is really inappropriate for us. Also, by making the issue so cut and dry, it makes it easier for us to respond IMMEDIATELY to "inappropriate" content that violates our rules (instead of having to refer things to a jury or something) and THAT makes it easier to keep the site porn-free... the people who would post obviously unacceptable content know it's a waste of their time and go innundate other sites that have more subjective criteria and longer response time.
Adam Seifer: Also, we don't consider it "censorship." Censorship is when the government (or someone else who has full control over you) doesn't allow you to express yourself. Fotolog is just a community-based website. We make the rules for participating in this community very clear before you join and on every page where you upload a new photo. If you disagree with the rules of this community, you're free to go somewhere else where they have different rules.
The rules of the Fotolog community have evolved out of the wishes of our members. They want the Fotolog site to be as inviting and family friendly as possible. So we also don't allow pictures of gore and extreme violence. Beyond that, though, we try not to restrict the subject matter of people's photos.
Vienna, Va.: I'm in the process of scanning some old family photos. To get an acceptable resolution, the resulting file from a scan is too big for Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 to pull up.
Someone suggested I buy a digital camera and take a snapshot of the family photo and then load it into the pc from the camera. Also, I've noticed when I look at photos on the internet, the resolution is very high and my pc pulls them up with no problem.
So I'm missing something in my understanding of this. Could you point me to a resource that may help me sort it all out?
Andrew Long: I don't know of a resource, offhand. But if your software can't open a large file, I think there is more likely to be a problem with the software, or possibly you could use more RAM in the computer. That's just speculation though.
There's no reason to reshoot a photo with a digital camera.
Alexandria, Va.: Is permission needed when using a photo from a postcard? I have several very old postcards I would like to show since they have images of my hometown back in the 1950s.
Adam Seifer: This is an interesting scenario. Technically, you should never post work from another photographer unless you have their permission.
That said, my personal belief is that in a situation like this, where you're talking about vintage photography, as long as you're not making money off of someone else's hard work or passing off the work as your own, I think it's a neat idea to share the images - it's a way of celebrating the work and making them part of the collective archive of human culture (which wouldn't happen if they gathered dust in your closet).
Fotolog wouldn't proactively ask you to remove photos like that, although if the original photographer or publisher complained we would absolutely support them in having the images removed from the site.
Arlington, Va.: fotolog book has several different sections and subject matters, like the landscapes, homeless people, vacations, food, etc. How did you decide what was most important to put in or how did you decide categories?
Andrew Long: We chose categories based on our collective knowledge of what kinds of interesting, funny, moving, and amazing imagery was out there on Fotolog. And some of them were just no-brainers: We Are Family is 14 pages of pictures of daughters, mothers, uncles, newborns, etc., and it's so prevalent that there could have been a very good book of just that kind of work. The same goes for all the food imagery on Fotolog, which we represent with a chapter called A Viewable Feast. There are other kinds of work which we wanted to get in--digitally manipulated imagery, for one--but we only had 344 pages.
Baltimore, Md.: How do you address copyright with photo blogging? People posting photos can tag them as copyrighted, but by posting them on a blog, do different rules kick in re: DMCA? Do you have advice for photobloggers along these lines? Watermarking, size limitations, etc.
Adam Seifer: This is a juicy area and something we expect to give more and more attention to as we grow and as technology and copyright laws evolve.
So far, Fotolog takes a fairly simple approach to this. And, because we only publish low resolution versions of photos (so far) it's *somewhat* less of an issue than if you were sharing high resolution originals - a particular problem for pros.
Every photo posted on Fotolog is considered to be the work of the photographer - they own the copyright. If your photo is "appropriated" within the Fotolog community and republished on Fotolog, then we will absolutely help resolve any dispute, remove the offending reproduction and will deactivate the accounts of repeat offenders.
Beyond Fotolog, however, there's not a lot we can do at this point. Even if technology were advanced enough to scour the web looking for reproductions of a particular image and inform you when they were found, it would still be up to the individual photographer to pursue any offenses.
Ultimately, though, when you post an image on a public website - particularly one that's geared towards sharing - I think you do it knowing that you are giving up some control over what happens with that image. It's not that different than if you made postcards of your image and left piles of them at coffee houses and cafes for people to look at. Once it's out there, you can't fully control what people do with it.
Some Fotolog members put watermarks in their images - with the address of their Fotolog. So, if their image does somehow show up somewhere else, at least it gives credit where credit is due - and so appropriation ends up become like a viral marketing campaign for their Fotolog and their photos.
Washington, D.C. : What makes Fotolog different from Flickr or Buzznet?
Adam Seifer: There are a few ways that we've chosen to distinguish ourselves from other players in the space. When it comes down to it, Fotolog is NOT meant to be a place where you upload and organize all of your photos. There are plenty of great places out there for that.
Fotolog is meant more to be a place where you go to share your best daily photo in an environment where you're most likely to have it seen by someone, somewhere in the world and get some feedback. That's one of the reasons why we're the only website out there that limits our members to posting ONE photo each day. If you let people publish an unlimited number of photos 2 things happen:
1. They do share ALL of their photos - and we all know that on a roll of film, most of them aren't that great.
2. They let them pile up and then share/dump a bunch at once.
Instead, on Fotolog, people publish their best of their best - making it more likely that someone else would actually want to see it. And, because they can't share a bunch at once, they end up coming every day, which creates a great community dynamic where people check in on each other's Fotologs because the expect frequent updates.
Other photos sites tend to be more about organizing lots and lots of photos than about this daily participation.
Also, Fotolog has gone out of its way to carefully choose only the most important features and tools in order to create a very simple user experience - there are only a few key things to do at Fotolog - which makes it much easier for anyone, anywhere to get involved. You don't have to be a technophile or someone that appreciates RSS and API's and such to enjoy it.
New York, N.Y.: How come Fotolog limits users to posting only one photo per day?
Adam Seifer: One photo a day makes it the most likely that you'll upload something that someone else wants to see. Which is really important because Fotolog is all about sharing and community response - not just "publishing."
Back before digital photography and the web, most consumers only broke out their cameras a couple times a year for the big events - weddings, birthdays, vacations - and took a roll of film. And, you had a built in audience (your Mom, your brother) who you could count on to look at those photos.
But, now people are carrying around small digital cameras every day and their taking a picture here, a picture there of little ephemeral moments from their lives - a weird looking dog, that funny graffiti in the subway, an interesting shadow, a miss-spelled sign, etc. And, your built in audience (Mom) may not be interested in those.
And it's incredibly unsatisfying to have those photos just gather dust on your hard-drive and never be shared with anyone.
So Fotolog is a response to that. And, by limiting people to one photo a day, we make it more likely that you'll share your best, and also more likely that you'll do it every day. And because of that, people are more likely to get some kind of response - some kind of pat on the back from someone somewhere in the world.
The 105 million photos shared on Fotolog have received over a billion guestbook messages - more than 10 for every photo. That's what makes an environment like Fotolog so exciting for our members and it probably wouldn't happen if they showed up every few months and dumped a load of similar photos all at once.
Andrew Long: Thanks for your questions all. Good to be here.
Adam Seifer: Yes - we appreciate your interest in photo-blogging and hope you'll stop by the site at http://www.fotolog.com and share your own daily photos with the world.
And take a look a the Fotolog book at your local bookstore (or you can get it on Amazon) - it's a wonderful testament to what happens when you create an environment where people from around the world can share little slices of their lives via photos.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Andrew Long, editor of Fotolog.book, and Adam Seifer, co-founder of Fotolog, were online to discuss the rise of photo blogging.
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An Easy Call: Lying
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At least now we know that the Bush administration's name for spying on Americans without first seeking court approval -- the "terrorist surveillance program" -- isn't an exercise in Orwellian doublespeak after all. It's just a bald-faced lie.
Oh, and at least now the Senate will have a few questions to ask Gen. Michael V. Hayden, the man George W. Bush just named to head the CIA, at his confirmation hearings.
While Hayden was running the super-secret National Security Agency, according to a report yesterday in USA Today, the NSA began collecting comprehensive records of telephone calls made by "tens of millions of Americans." If your service is provided by AT&T, Verizon or BellSouth, according to the newspaper, this means your phone calls -- all the calls you've made since late 2001. Of the major phone companies, only Qwest reportedly declined to cooperate.
The allegation, which the president refused to confirm or deny, is not that the spooks are actually listening in as you call home to check on the kids or talk to the bank about refinancing your mortgage. Rather, the idea is to be able to look at a given phone number -- yours, let's say -- and see all the other numbers that you called or that called you over a given period.
No names are attached to the numbers. But a snoopy civilian with Internet access can match a name with a phone number, so imagine what the government can do.
You'll recall that when it was revealed last year that the NSA was eavesdropping on phone calls and reading e-mails without first going to court for a warrant, the president said his "terrorist surveillance program" targeted international communications in which at least one party was overseas, and then only when at least one party was suspected of some terrorist involvement. Thus no one but terrorists had anything to worry about.
Not remotely true, it turns out, unless tens of millions of Americans are members of al-Qaeda sleeper cells -- evildoers who cleverly disguise their relentless plotting as sales calls, gossip sessions and votes for Elliott on "American Idol." (One implication, by the way, is that the NSA is able to know who got voted off "Idol" before Ryan Seacrest does.)
Step back for a moment. There's an understandable tendency, with this administration, to succumb to a kind of "outrage fatigue." Pre-cooked intelligence on Iraq, secret CIA prisons, Abu Ghraib -- the accretion is numbing, and it's easy just to say "there they go again" and count the months until the Decider heads home to Texas for good. Bush and his people have tried to turn flouting the law into a virtue if it's a law they find inconvenient. They've tried to radically change our concept of privacy. We already knew the NSA was somehow monitoring phone calls, so what's the big deal?
The big deal is that now we know that the administration -- I'll say "apparently," although if the report were untrue I think the president would have denied it -- is keeping track of the phone calls of millions of citizens who have nothing at all to do with terrorism. Bush has tried to convince us that the overwhelming majority of Americans are not affected by domestic surveillance, but now we know that the opposite is true: The overwhelming majority of us are .
The president's claim, in his brief statement on the report, that the government isn't "trolling through the personal lives of millions of innocent Americans" is as disingenuous as Bill Clinton's claim that he "didn't inhale." There's no point in collecting all that information if you don't analyze it, and when you do it's inevitable that you learn things about at least some innocent people that those people thought were nobody else's business, certainly not the government's.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), his frustration evident, said he intended to call executives of AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth to testify at hearings he plans to hold, since the administration won't explain just what it's doing.
And, of course, Hayden's confirmation hearings are coming up. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who has been one of Hayden's strong supporters, said the new disclosures on spying may create "a growing impediment" to a nomination that was expected to quickly sail through.
"Shame on us, in being so far behind and so willing to rubber-stamp anything this administration does," said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). He was referring to the Senate, but he could have been speaking for the entire nation.
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Unless tens of millions of Americans are in al-Qaeda sleeper cells, the administration's name for its domestic spying -- the "terrorist surveillance program" -- is a bald-faced lie.
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Sparing Moussaoui for the Wrong Reasons
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I am no great fan of the death penalty. I oppose it in almost all cases, though not on principle. There are crimes -- high, monstrous and rare -- that warrant the ultimate sanction.
Not because it is a deterrent; the evidence for deterrence is very equivocal. And not, as our Oprah-soaked sentimentalism suggests, to bring closure to the victim's family. Family has nothing to do with it. It is The State v. The Miscreant , not the family v. the miscreant. And punishment is meant to do more than just bring order to the state; it brings moral order to the universe. Some crimes are so terrible that the moral balance of the universe remains disturbed so long as the perpetrator walks the earth.
Eichmann, for example. Or, at the lower end of the scale, Timothy McVeigh. Goering was an excellent candidate until he cheated the hangman by poisoning himself in prison. So is Saddam Hussein, champion mass murderer of our time, whose execution will restore a modicum of balance to the universe.
But a civilized society should be loath to invoke the death penalty for anything short of that. There's a remarkable passage in the Talmud that says that "a Sanhedrin [high court] that executes a person once in seven years is considered murderous." One sage says "once every seventy years."
Does Zacarias Moussaoui meet that kind of high standard? I think not. Had I been on the jury, I, too, would have voted for life in the Colorado Supermax. But not for the reasons most of the jury cited.
In the Moussaoui case, there were three plausible grounds for mitigation: insignificance, lunacy or deprivation. Insignificance would have been my choice. Moussaoui was hardly even a cog. If he had any role in Sept. 11, which is doubtful, it was extremely peripheral. He was a foot soldier in an army of evil, but he never got a chance to practice his craft. That warrants life, not hanging.
The government tried to argue that if he hadn't lied to the FBI, the Sept. 11 plot would have been discovered and lives would have been saved. But if you're going to execute someone, you ought to prove commission, rather than omission. Albert Speer knew a lot more about a lot more killing, yet the Nuremberg court spared him execution. It's hard to argue that Moussaoui was a greater monster than Speer.
Yet the bit-player argument seems to have been a mitigating circumstance for only three of the 12 jurors. And none cited a second possible factor, weaker than the first but still plausible: psychosis.
As one of the few who favored John Hinckley's acquittal on grounds of insanity, I take delusions and paranoia pretty seriously. Hinckley was a marginal insanity case, as was Moussaoui. The extreme case is the guy who is delusionally convinced that your head is a pumpkin before he proceeds to open it with a machete. The harder case is the guy who is delusionally convinced that Jodie Foster is in love with him and that to consummate the romance he must shoot the president.
Moussaoui is more in that equivocal Hinckley category. He clearly is delusional, but he is also clever, aware and savagely cruel, as he demonstrated in taunting the Sept. 11 families. Nonetheless, he seemed to me just deranged enough to be spared execution on an admittedly close insanity call.
But that appears not to be why the jury spared him. Instead, fully nine of 12 jurors found mitigation in his "unstable early childhood and dysfunctional family," lack of "structure and emotional and financial support" and "hostile relationship with his mother." Plus the father with the "violent temper."
The jury foreman tells The Post that only two of the jurors voted against the death penalty. Nonetheless, these childhood deprivations were cited more than any others as mitigating factors. What a trivial consideration. So Moussaoui had a tough childhood. I'm sure Pol Pot's was no bed of roses either. Who gives a damn? On those grounds, there is not a killer in history who cannot escape judgment. What next? The Twinkie defense -- the junk food made me do it -- for Khalid Sheik Mohammed?
The Moussaoui verdict came out right, but the process was atrocious. The jury's list of mitigating factors was risible. And the entire process was farcical, a 4 1/2 -year charade manipulated by a self-declared terrorist gratuitously given a world platform by those he was working to destroy. We need no more lessons in the obvious: Civilian court -- with civilian procedures, civilian juries and civilian sensibilities -- is not the place for those who make war upon us.
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I am no great fan of the death penalty. I oppose it in almost all cases, though not on principle. There are crimes -- high, monstrous and rare -- that warrant the ultimate sanction.
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How the CIA Came Unglued
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To understand what went so badly wrong at the CIA under Porter Goss, it's worth examining the career of his executive director, the onomatopoetic Kyle "Dusty" Foggo. His rise illustrates the conservative cronyism, leak paranoia and political vendettas that undermined Goss's tenure.
Foggo was an affable employee of the CIA's Directorate of Support, managing logistical activities in Germany, when he came to the attention of then-Rep. Goss and his aides on the House intelligence committee. Foggo is said to have endeared himself to Goss and his staff director, Patrick Murray, by facilitating trips overseas for members of the House panel.
When Goss and Murray arrived at the CIA in the fall of 2004, their first choice for the agency's No. 3 job of executive director was a former CIA officer named Michael Kostiw, who had many friends in conservative political circles. But Kostiw's nomination was sabotaged when a CIA insider leaked the fact that he had once been accused of shoplifting. The charges were dropped after Kostiw resigned and agreed to seek counseling. Kostiw's past made him an inappropriate choice for such a senior position, in the view of many career CIA officers, but to Murray the leak was evidence of a liberal cabal at the CIA that was determined to obstruct the Bush administration's agenda.
Goss's second choice for executive director was the ingratiating logistical officer. As is standard procedure with such senior appointments, Murray and other senior aides were briefed on Foggo's file, which included what one former CIA official describes as instances of "dumb personal behavior." The briefers included Mary Margaret Graham, then chief of counterintelligence, and Jeanette Moore, then head of the Office of Security, who, according to ABC News, had once reprimanded Foggo about alleged insubordination, though the CIA says a formal letter was never filed. Murray rejected the material about Foggo as petty and is said to have warned Graham, "If this leaks, you're dead."
Foggo was duly installed on the seventh floor and, to the amusement of his colleagues, began placing pictures of himself prominently around headquarters. Meanwhile, a period of internal bloodletting ensued that was worthy of the Soviet NKVD under Joseph Stalin. The associate deputy chief of the CIA's Directorate of Operations, Michael Sulick, complained angrily to Murray about his tongue-lashing of Graham, arguing that he was treating CIA officers as if they were Democratic congressional staffers. An indignant Murray thereupon demanded that Sulick be fired for insubordination. His boss, Operations Deputy Director Stephen Kappes, refused Murray's demand, and both he and Sulick resigned.
The political fallout from Foggo's appointment continued. Graham left in 2005 to become a top aide to the new director of national intelligence, John Negroponte. Moore, the head of security who had reprimanded Foggo, soon retired; at the time she was the agency's highest-ranking African American woman.
And what became of Foggo? As executive director, he is said to have continued as an aggressive CIA logistician, though that sometimes put him crossways with the new DNI structure and magnified the tension between Goss and Negroponte. Foggo also carried on Murray's cold war with the operations directorate, telling agency colleagues that no unit at the CIA was more important than any other and that, in a phrase meant to urge unity, "We're all purple."
The sad last act of the Foggo drama involves allegations of corruption. It turned out that he had attended poker parties hosted by his old school pal Brent R. Wilkes, a military contractor whose activities were described in the bribery indictment of former representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.). According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the CIA inspector general's office has been investigating whether Foggo, back when he was a support officer in Germany, helped steer to one of Wilkes's companies, Archer Logistics, a roughly $3 million contract to supply bottled water to CIA operatives in Afghanistan and Iraq. Foggo, who resigned from the CIA on Monday, has denied any wrongdoing.
The chronic mismanagement of the CIA under Goss and Murray has been an open secret for many months, and the real question is why it took the Bush White House so long to fix it. When I posed this question a few weeks ago to a senior administration official, he repeated the line that the agency was full of leakers and obstructionists. The political vendetta against the CIA went to the top, in other words. It did real damage to the country before President Bush finally called a halt.
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To understand what went so badly wrong at the CIA under Porter Goss, it's worth examining the career of his executive director, the onomatopoetic Kyle "Dusty" Foggo. His rise illustrates the conservative cronyism, leak paranoia and political vendettas that undermined Goss's tenure.
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Lawmakers Call for Hearings
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A report on extensive government collection of Americans' telephone data roiled Congress yesterday, with many Republicans rallying to the president's defense while one key GOP chairman and many Democrats called for hearings, new restrictions and the possible subpoenaing of telephone company executives.
The report, published in USA Today, heaped fuel on an already simmering debate over privacy rights versus anti-terrorism tactics. It threatened to complicate White House efforts to win Senate confirmation of Air Force Gen. Michael V. Hayden as CIA director.
"I believe we are on our way to a major constitutional confrontation on Fourth Amendment guarantees of unreasonable search and seizure," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a member of the Intelligence and Judiciary panels. "I think this is also going to present a growing impediment to the confirmation of General Hayden, and that is very regretted."
Several of her colleagues predicted that Hayden will be confirmed, but activists in both parties said the politics of aggressive surveillance are uncertain and possibly dangerous.
The report and initial reactions opened up a division in Republican ranks.
"The first move by the committee will be to ask the [phone] companies to come in," Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told his colleagues yesterday. "I am prepared to consider subpoenas" if executives do not appear voluntarily. Specter, who is Congress's most outspoken GOP critic of warrantless wiretaps of Americans, also said he would like to bring Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales back to his panel for questions, "if it would do any good."
"I am determined to get to the bottom of all this," Specter said.
USA Today disclosed yesterday that the Bush administration has secretly been collecting the telephone records of millions of American households and businesses without court authority, assembling the records in vast electronic databases and attempting to sift them for clues about terrorist threats. More than 200 million U.S. telephone accounts and more than a trillion telephone calls made since late 2001 are included in the database, but USA Today reported that it does not include the contents of the conversations.
Specter and others have said officials including Gonzales have given insufficient explanations of why anti-terrorism wiretaps cannot be carried out through warrants granted by a secret intelligence court.
Specter appeared to be on a collision course with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), who strongly defended President Bush's surveillance policies. "We'll discuss whether or not hearings are necessary," Frist told reporters. But Specter spokesman Bill Reynolds said the chairman ultimately decides which hearings are held.
The USA Today report carried an extra punch on Capitol Hill because it coincided with two related matters: the Hayden confirmation effort and Wednesday night's news that the Justice Department has closed an inquiry into its own lawyers' role in the warrantless wiretaps because investigators could not obtain the security clearances they needed from the administration.
Reps. Jane Harman (Calif.) and John Conyers Jr. (Mich.) -- the senior Democrats on the Intelligence and Judiciary committees respectively -- filed a bill to make clear "that any attempt to listen in on Americans or collect telephone or e-mail records must be conducted in accordance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978." That law established the secret court to hear requests for warrants to wiretap Americans.
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Latest politics news headlines from Washington DC. Follow 2006 elections, campaigns, Democrats, Republicans, political cartoons, opinions from The Washington Post. Features government policy, government tech, political analysis and reports.
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Poll: Most Americans Support NSA's Efforts
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A majority of Americans initially support a controversial National Security Agency program to collect information on telephone calls made in the United States in an effort to identify and investigate potential terrorist threats, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
The new survey found that 63 percent of Americans said they found the NSA program to be an acceptable way to investigate terrorism, including 44 percent who strongly endorsed the effort. Another 35 percent said the program was unacceptable, which included 24 percent who strongly objected to it.
VIDEO | Phone Flap Clouds CIA Nomination
A slightly larger majority--66 percent--said they would not be bothered if NSA collected records of personal calls they had made, the poll found.
Underlying those views is the belief that the need to investigate terrorism outweighs privacy concerns. According to the poll, 65 percent of those interviewed said it was more important to investigate potential terrorist threats "even if it intrudes on privacy." Three in 10--31 percent--said it was more important for the federal government not to intrude on personal privacy, even if that limits its ability to investigate possible terrorist threats.
Half--51 percent--approved of the way President Bush was handling privacy matters.
The survey results reflect initial public reaction to the NSA program. Those views that could change or deepen as more details about the effort become known over the next few days.
USA Today disclosed in its Thursday editions the existence of the massive domestic intelligence-gathering program. The effort began soon after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Since then, the agency began collecting call records on tens of millions of personal and business telephone calls made in the United States. Agency personnel reportedly analyze those records to identify suspicious calling patterns but do not listen in on or record individual telephone conversations.
Word of the program sparked immediate criticism on Capitol Hill, where Democrats and Republicans criticized the effort as a threat to privacy and called for congressional inquiries to learn more about the operation. In the survey, big majorities of Republicans and political independents said they found the program to be acceptable while Democrats were split.
President Bush made an unscheduled appearance yesterday before White House reporters to defend his administration's efforts to investigate terrorism and criticize public disclosure of secret intelligence operations. But he did not directly acknowledge the existence of the NSA records-gathering program or answer reporters' questions about it.
By a 56 percent to 42 percent margin, Americans said it was appropriate for the news media to have disclosed the existence of this secret government program.
A total of 502 randomly selected adults were interviewed Thursday night for this survey. Margin of sampling error is five percentage points for the overall results. The practical difficulties of doing a survey in a single night represents another potential source of error.
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A majority of Americans initially support a controversial National Security Agency program to collect information on telephone calls made in the United States in an effort to identify and investigate potential terrorist threats, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
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House Appropriations Chairman Is Facing Federal Investigation
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The Justice Department has begun investigating the activities of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, focusing in part on his dealings with a lobbying firm that hired some of his former staff members, sources familiar with the inquiry said.
One source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation, said subpoenas have been issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles.
Lewis said in a statement yesterday: "Neither I nor any of my staff have been contacted" by federal investigators. Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney, had no comment on the investigation, which was first reported in yesterday's editions of the Los Angeles Times.
Recent news accounts have outlined the close relationship between Lewis and former representative Bill Lowery, whose lobbying firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White, specializes in seeking earmarks -- money set aside in legislation for specific projects.
John Scofield, a spokesman for Lewis, said that the chairman and Lowery, a former House member from a neighboring Southern California district, are "very good friends."
Two former Lewis staff aides have joined Lowery's lobbying firm in recent years. Last year, when Lewis became Appropriations chairman, one of them, Jeffrey S. Shockey, returned to become a top committee aide.
When he did so, he filed a financial disclosure report that showed he earned $1.5 million in 2004 as a lobbyist and was paid $600,000 last year in a separation agreement with Lowery's firm. Scofield said Shockey received ethics committee approval of the separation agreement.
Lowery did not return calls to his office yesterday.
The Lewis inquiry is at least tangentially connected to an ongoing congressional bribery case centered in San Diego and Washington, one source said. In that case, former representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) admitted he had accepted $2.4 million in bribes. Brent Wilkes, a San Diego defense contractor, is under investigation for allegedly bribing Cunningham.
Cunningham, a longtime colleague of Lewis's and, like him, a member of the Appropriations Committee, pleaded guilty and resigned in November. He was sentenced to more than eight years in prison. Wilkes has been identified as a co-conspirator in that case but has not been charged. Another contractor, Mitchell J. Wade, of Washington, pleaded guilty early this year for his role in bribing Cunningham.
In his statement yesterday, Lewis denounced Cunningham's behavior. Lewis said he had never told anyone seeking funding that they must hire a particular lobbying firm, and that he and his staff "never consider who the Washington representative is when reviewing project requests. I welcome a thorough review of these projects by anyone."
Research editor Lucy Shackelford contributed to this report.
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The Justice Department has begun investigating the activities of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, focusing in part on his dealings with a lobbying firm that hired some of his former staff members, sources familiar with the inquiry said.
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Senate Passes $70 Billion in Tax Cuts
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The Senate gave final approval yesterday to a five-year, $70 billion tax package that would extend deep cuts to tax rates on dividends and capital gains for two years, effectively locking in all of President Bush's first-term tax cuts through the end of the decade.
On a vote of 54 to 44, the Senate approved the sixth tax cut in the past six years, handing the White House a much needed victory and the embattled Republican Party an achievement that members believe they can use to pull themselves out of a political hole.
Republican Sens. Olympia J. Snowe (Maine), Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.) and George V. Voinovich (Ohio) voted against the measure, while Democratic Sens. Bill Nelson (Fla.), Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Mark Pryor (Ark.) voted for it. Both Maryland Democrats voted no, and both Virginia Republicans voted yes. The House approved the package on Wednesday, and Bush said he will sign it enthusiastically once it reaches his desk.
But with interest rates rising, the dollar falling and the budget deficit stuck at around $300 billion, tax experts warn that the tax code Bush has transformed may not survive to its Dec. 31, 2010, expiration date and that Congress may have to step in again because tax revenue will not meet all of the government's needs. "We have a train wreck waiting to happen," said C. Clint Stretch, director of tax policy at the accounting giant Deloitte & Touche.
Even some of the tax cuts' strongest supporters concede that the tax code as written could not generate sufficient revenue to support the retirement programs during the coming crush of baby boomers.
"You cannot grow your way out of these deficits," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-N.H.). "In order to address the long-term entitlement problem, we're going to have to do major structural reform, and it's going to have to be comprehensive," targeting taxes and spending, he said.
The measure would extend the president's 2003 investment tax cuts to 2010, two years beyond their original expiration date. It would save more than 15 million Americans from the alternative minimum tax, which was enacted to target the rich but has increasingly hit the upper middle class. And it would provide a variety of other tax breaks -- to Nashville recording companies, songwriters, Great Lakes shippers and the University of Texas, among others.
"Let me make it perfectly clear: This legislation is good news for working Americans and for the economy of this country," said Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
A recent surge in tax receipts has given Republicans cause to crow that their tax cuts -- $2 trillion in all over this decade -- have stimulated the economy and have, at least partially, paid for themselves. As Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah) put it, "rivers of cash" have pushed tax receipts through April to $1.35 trillion, up $137 billion, or 11.2 percent, compared with this time last year.
"We've put these tax provisions in place, and they've raised money," said Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.).
Bush has not received what he has demanded for years, a permanent extension of his tax cuts. But Congress has largely given him the tax code he has asked for. Although the tax system remains fundamentally unchanged, relative tax burdens within that system have been shifted, Stretch said.
The biggest winners have been middle-income couples with children, who have had their income tax rates cut and their child tax credit doubled, while income tax rates have been adjusted to favor marriage. Affluent investors and savers have also done very well, seeing rates on most capital gains reduced from 20 percent to 15 percent, rates on most dividends reduced to 15 percent from as high as 38.6 percent, and limits on tax-protected individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans raised substantially.
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The Senate gave final approval yesterday to a five-year, $70 billion tax package that would extend deep cuts to tax rates on dividends and capital gains for two years, effectively locking in all of President Bush's first-term tax cuts through the end of the decade.
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When Fed Speaks, You Say 'Huh?'
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Oops, they did it again.
Federal Reserve officials bumped up interest rates again Wednesday and signaled that more hikes may be in store, breaking the hearts of bond traders who had longed for a sign that the central bank had finished tightening credit.
Instead, many investors and analysts found themselves scratching their heads over what Fed officials meant in their typically cryptic, jargon-laden post-policymaking-meeting statement.
"Some further policy firming may yet be needed," Fed policymakers said in their statement.
"Policy firming"? Huh? Who talks like that?
So much for former Fed vice chairman Alan S. Blinder's recent prediction that the Fed's new chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, would quickly lead the central bank to "adopt English as its official language," in contrast to predecessor Alan Greenspan's peculiar and sometimes intentionally baffling locution.
Ardent Fed watchers, instead of trying to decode Fedspeak into English, could try to master it by imagining how popular songs might translate into central bank patois:
"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away/Now it looks as though they're here to stay" (The Beatles)
The committee's previous forecast of long-term imbalances has shifted due to incoming information.
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Oops, they did it again. Federal Reserve officials bumped up interest rates again Wednesday and signaled that more hikes may be in store, breaking the hearts of bond traders who had longed for a sign that the central bank had finished tightening credit.
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The Horror! The Horror! Chris After the Apocalypse
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The Chris Daughtry Pity Party began in earnest yesterday when the media began to rail about the hideous unfairness of their "American Idol" fave getting the heave-ho on Fox's hit singing competition Wednesday night.
"America was shocked," Chris assured reporters and critics during a conference call, explaining the problem wasn't, as they suggested, that he was not loved sufficiently by the masses but that he was loved too much -- and, well, idolized .
"People thought I was a shoo-in and that they didn't have to vote as hard [for me]. . . . That was my downfall, in my opinion," said the ersatz rocker bad boy. (We are, after all, talking about a guy who tried out for the CBS singing competition "Rock Star" to become the new lead singer for aged rock group INXS before becoming, since January, a contestant on Fox's pop popularity contest.)
Chris said it was harder for him to bear being evicted than it had been for other contestants this season.
"When you have everybody telling you they think you're gonna win, it's really a hard blow to take when that doesn't happen. It did add to the shock," said Chris, who fans and detractors had presumed for weeks would win.
That included the show's three judges.
Randy Jackson "was pretty much saying, 'Don't worry about it, you're gonna be fine' " after Wednesday's results show.
And "Paula was crying too much to really say anything, you know?"
"Simon was pretty shocked; he said he didn't see this coming."
But, Chris assured the reporters and critics, "there's gonna be a flooding of opportunities. I can't really talk about them. There are some lined up and I've just got to field all my offers."
He was preaching to the choir. "You did great and we love you," one critic said when it was her turn to ask a question.
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The Chris Daughtry Pity Party began in earnest yesterday when the media began to rail about the hideous unfairness of their "American Idol" fave getting the heave-ho on Fox's hit singing competition Wednesday night.
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The parents of the 18-year-old who fatally shot a Fairfax County police detective and wounded another officer Monday are not responding to police efforts to question them about why the young man targeted police officers and how he obtained the weapons used in the ambush, authorities said yesterday.
Attorneys for the parents of Michael W. Kennedy said in a statement released last night that the guns had been locked in two containers.
"The family can only surmise that their son broke into one of the containers prior to going to the Sully District Station," said the statement from MacDowell & Associates, which represents Brian and Margaret Kennedy of Centreville. "Any indication that loaded firearms were routinely left around the residence is simply false and untrue."
The teenager carried seven guns into the police parking lot of the Sully District station and fired at least 70 shots at different officers. Before he was killed by police gunfire, Kennedy killed Detective Vicky O. Armel, 40, and critically wounded Officer Michael E. Garbarino.
"The young man who committed these inexplicable acts was not the same Michael" familiar to his parents, the statement said. "The Kennedy family, friends and neighbors . . . never imagined that Michael was capable of the events of this past Monday."
The statement added that Brian and Margaret Kennedy had assisted their son in seeking mental health treatment in recent months.
After the shooting, the parents disappeared with their 9-year-old daughter. On Tuesday, they hired attorney Richard F. MacDowell Jr. of Fairfax, who issued a statement offering condolences and saying that the Kennedys were "trying to comprehend the tragic events."
But since then, no meeting has been arranged, Lt. Richard Perez said yesterday.
"We want to talk about the background" of their son, Chief David M. Rohrer said Wednesday. "The weapons, their son, what they knew. I want to help them, too. They lost a son."
Police said Kennedy was armed with an AK-47-style assault rifle, a high-powered hunting rifle and five handguns during the attack. Perez said the ownership of those guns had not yet been established. Police submitted the serial numbers to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for a trace.
Hours after the shooting, police found nine more guns in the Kennedy house, as well as ammunition, hunting knives, a bayonet and a locked gun safe.
Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney Robert F. Horan Jr. said the Kennedys probably aren't criminally responsible for the shooting.
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The parents of the 18-year-old who fatally shot a Fairfax County police detective and wounded another officer Monday are not responding to police efforts to question them about why the young man targeted police officers and how he obtained the weapons used in the ambush, authorities said yesterday.
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Bus Aide Charged in Sex Case
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A Montgomery County school bus attendant fondled a 9-year-old girl bound for a special-education class at a Bethesda elementary school, prosecutors said yesterday.
Srivash Das, 38, of Baltimore was charged Wednesday with sex abuse of a minor and third-degree sex offense, according to charging documents released yesterday. He was being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on $75,000 bond.
Das fondled the victim, a student at Ashburton Elementary School, while sitting next to her on the bus ride to school May 2, according to the charging documents. Police said he admitted touching her on the breasts, buttocks and groin area and commenting on her sexual attributes. No one else on the mostly empty bus saw or heard what was happening, police said in a release.
In a letter to parents and staff dated yesterday, Ashburton Principal Barbara Haughey said that "every appropriate action has been taken" to support the student and her family. Das, who had been placed on leave, is "no longer an employee" of the Montgomery school system, Haughey wrote.
The investigation began May 3, when the victim's mother reported the incident to the assistant principal, police said.
A background check when Das was hired in October 2003 turned up no criminal charges, said Brian Edwards, county schools spokesman.
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A Montgomery County school bus attendant fondled a 9-year-old girl bound for a special-education class at a Bethesda elementary school, prosecutors said yesterday.
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Washington Post staff writer Tarik El-Bashir was online Friday, May 12, at noon ET to field questions and comments about the latest news in the National Hockey League.
Tarik El-Bashir: How about these Stanley Cup playoffs? Crazy, huh? How many of you out there had San Jose, Anaheim or Buffalo getting this far? Stop lying. I know I didn't. Part of me would have liked to see Red Wings and Flyers stick around for a bit longer, but you can't deny it's been a thrilling tournament so far. Thanks for joining me today. I see a bunch of great questions, so let me get started.
Foggy Bottom, D.C.: Hi, and thanks for doing this chat - it's about time we hockey fans got a chance to join in.
Tell us what you know about the Caps' prospects - Semin, Schultz, Bourque, Fleischmann, Daigneault...
Watching the super-young Sabres and Sharks be so successful this year, it makes me doubt whether the patchwork Caps can have any luck in the coming few years...
Tarik El-Bashir: Things are looking pretty down on the farm. The Hershey Bears are charging their way through the AHL playoffs, sweeping both of the first two rounds. If I had to rank the Capitals prospects right now, I would do it in this order: 1 defenseman Mike Green; 2 right wing Eric Fehr; 3 left wing Tomas Fleischmann; 4 center Jakub Klepis.
Those are the four players I expect to see make the big club next season and contribute.
Playoffs: What do you think has been the most suprising series so far? Detroit's fall to the Oilers? The Canes dismantling the Devils and Brodeur? Or the Sens' inability to score?
Tarik El-Bashir: I would have to say the biggest shock has been the Hurricanes taking a 3-0 lead on the experienced Devils. I mean, New Jersey crushed the Rangers in the first round, stretching their winning streak to 15. After watching that, I had the Devils pegged to be the Eastern Conference rep in the Cup finals. Brodeur was playing great and Elias was leading the league in scoring. Then they had a seven day layoff and seemed to forget how to play the game. The Devils were TERRIBLE in Game 1 (got some bad bounces, too) and have not recovered. Losing Game 2 the way they did certainly didn't help.
Washington, D.C.: Brian Willsie: 20 goals... and a -25 or something. Is he here next year?
Tarik El-Bashir: Throughout the season, Coach Glen Hanlon dropped hints about guys who needed to take advantage of the ice time they were getting, put up big numbers (for them) and attract the attention of another team. Although he never named names, I always got the impression Willsie was one of the guys he was talking about. So, no, I don't see him coming back next season. But that's going to depend on a lot of factors, like is someone in Hershey ready to come in and take his minutes?
Arlington, Va.: One Caps Question if Possible:
Why does Ted Leonsis have so much faith that George McPhee can lead the Caps back to prosperity? He has more job security than anybody I know. Do you think he is the guy who make Ted's new "rebuilding" plan successful.
Tarik El-Bashir: Ted does have a lot of faith in George, whom he signed to an extension last summer.
I think everyone got a pass this season considering the team's low payroll and the fact that no one was 100 percent certain how the salary cap was going to change things.
This much is certain, however: GM and coaches who don't get it done under the current system won't have anywhere to hide. You can no longer buy your way out of trouble. It's all about drafting, developing and keeping what you've already got.
I think we'll be able to hand out a report card on McPhee this time next offseason. If the team doesn't impriove next season, no one is safe. Ted is loyal, but he's not very patient.
Suitland, Md.: Tarik, what do you think of OLN's coverage so far? It's pretty average, but I really like that they use CBC for "bonus" coverage. The CBC announcers are great!
Tarik El-Bashir: It's really tough for me to comment on OLN because I've only had it for about two weeks. I had the Center Ice package, but my carrier, Dish Network, didn't carry OLN (because of a contract dispute) until recently. The day after they resolved their issues, I bought the expanded package so I could get it. So far, OLN's coverage has been okay. I haven't been blown away by the studio hosts. But I will say that I really like when they have current players in the studio, like Rick DiPietro or Mike Knuble. They add a lot to the conversation.
Clifton, Va.: While Hershey is looking good, do you the see Caps seriously looking into acquiring D-men like Redden, Chara or Kubina to bolster the blueline and perhaps looking at forwards like Brad Richards or Marc Savard to center Ovy this summer?
Tarik El-Bashir: It would be great for the Caps to acquire any one of those players. But I simply don't see it happening. They all cost too much. Redden and Chara will get $6-7 million per; Richards isn't going anywhere and Savard has the reputation for being tough to keep happy. Not to mention too expensive. I think the Caps will add two defensemen (a power play QB is a must) and possibly another top 6 forward (likely a center). But don't expect any big names. Think small to medium names.
Old Town, Alexandria, Va.: How close is the Calder voting going to be?
Tarik El-Bashir: I don't think it's going to be that close, based on the informal chats I've had with other writers (assuming they have been telling me the truth). Ovechkin should win it pretty comfortably.
Ballston, Va.: What impact do you think ovechkin will have in attracting free agents to come play here with him.
Tarik El-Bashir: I think Ovechkin's presence certainly helps, as does signing Olie for two more years and building a new practice rink in Arlington. But those things only mean something to a free agent if he's deciding between teams offering equal money. If the Caps' offer is for significantly less (like many of their offers were last offseason) free agents will go elsewhere.
IMF, Washington, D.C.: Have you been able to make it up to any Bears playoff games? I'm hoping to myself once the next round is anounced.
Honestly, I never thought Anaheim and Buffalo would get this far. I knew they were good, but not this good. Wow. The fans in Philly and Detroit must be livid.
Tarik El-Bashir: I have not gone to any games, but I've kept tabs on them through Mike Vogel, the Capitals' website reporter. He's gone to many of them. I would like to go, but I'm busy chasing the Hurricanes-Devils series. If it begins to look like the Bears are going win it all, I make a push to write a feature.
Arlington, Va.: Can we please take a moment to celebrate Detroit getting bounced in the first round?????????
Also, do you see Joe B. going anywhere? Lots of people speculate he will be leaving the Caps broadcast booth for greener pastures.
But, isn't it true that all national announcers consider that their part-time job and are full-time employed by an NHL team?
Tarik El-Bashir: I haven't talked to Joe B. about his future. But it is certainly bright. It's pretty cool to hear his voice calling games in the playoffs. And he's doing a fine job, too.
Nashville, Tenn.: Will Yzerman actually retire?
Tarik El-Bashir: That's what I'm hearing. In my opinion, it's probably the right time for Steve to call it quits, even it's going to tough to see him go. He was one of my favorite players growing up.
Playoffs in '07: Tarik- do you see this team getting into the playoffs next yr. if they shored up the D.
Tarik El-Bashir: The playoffs may be a stretch for the Capitals next season. I think it is more realistic to see them challenge for the eighth spot the following year.
They played in 42 one goal games last season, and lost more of those than they won. If they can figure out how to win 10 more of those, they will be in the mix come next March.
Raleigh, N.C.: What do you think of the Maple Leafs announcing Paul Maurice as their new coach? His style of play with Carolina wouldn't seem to translate well in the new, faster NHL.
Tarik El-Bashir: The minute he was named coach of the Marlies, it was clear he would be the Leafs' next head coach. His success (or lack of it) will depend on whether Ferguson gets him some players--young, fast ones specifically. All four times the Caps played them this season, I was stunned by how slow they were.
Maurice is a young guy, he's had a year to watch the NHL games from a bit of distance. He'll adapt his system to the 'new' game.
Old Town, Alexandria, Va.: Ducks? Avs series sweep - Ducks that good? Colorado not that good (the Stars were awful against them)? Both?
Tarik El-Bashir: I was not impressed the one time I saw the Ducks in person this season. In fact, the only thing I remember from that game was how Ovechkin skated around like he owned the Pond. So, yes, I am stunned with how well they are playing. That said, the Avs may have been overrated after crushing the Stars. Turco had a big time meltdown in that series; had he been the world class goalie everyone thinks he is, that series would have ended differently.
Crystal City, Va.: Of the bubble journeymen players from 2005-06, who returns? You've opined on Willsie, but what about players like Clymer, Bradley, Beech, Majesky, Biron? Do you expect the team to integrate as many as four rookies from Hershey so quickly, in addition to Alexander Semin?
Tarik El-Bashir: Biron and Majesky will definitely not be back. The fate of Clymer, Bradley and Beech will be determined by who else is available and who from Hershey is ready to make the jump.
Alexandria, Va.: By late season, the Caps' special teams woes were having an increasingly deleterious effect on the team's record.
Is a new PP/PK assistant coach(es) the answer, or do you simply attribute the woeful percentages to the talent level, and hope the rankings improve along with the influx of young talent?
Tarik El-Bashir: The NHL made changes to the rules to prevent teams like the Capitals from trapping, clutching and grabbing their way to wins over free-skating teams with talent. I asked myself the same question about whether different assistant coaches were in order to address the special teams woes. But then I would look out on the ice and see the names of the players who were skating on the PP, and I would have my answer. NOT the coaching. It's the players.
McLean, Va.: Will DC ever be a true hockey town? How do you feel about home games vs. Buffalo, Philly, or Detroit that make you feel like you are in their house?
Tarik El-Bashir: As I've said before, I grew up playing hockey in this area. When I began, the MSHL (high school league) had 13 teams. It's well over 100 now. So obviously, there is grassroots interest in the sport. People complain about ticket prices, but last I checked, many folks around here make a lot of money. Why can't the Capitals get all of those kids playing youth hockey to get their parents to buy tickets to the games? I have no idea where/what the disconnect is.
The quality of the on-ice product has something to do with it. But I remember playoff games a few years ago that weren't sold out.
Potomac, Md.: Will Halpern be back? Please say yes. We love him.
Tarik El-Bashir: Yes, I think Halpern will be back. The negotiations haven't been/aren't going to be pretty. But it will get done.
Arlington, Va.: When is the new Caps practice rink supposed to be finished? I live in Ballston and construction seems to moving pretty slowly when viewed from the ground.
Tarik El-Bashir: It does, to the naked eye, look like things are going a little slowly over there in Ballston. But from everything I'm told, the new rink will be ready for the start of training camp.
Washington, D.C.: Tarik, do you think the Caps will stay put with their draft picks or try and make a move up and draft Erik Johnson or Phil Kessel?
Tarik El-Bashir: I could see a scenario like that playing out. If they moved up, it would be for Johnson, not Kessel.
NARCF, Va.: There has been off and on talk about Semins character. When he was here before he was given limited time due to his lack of attention to the defensive side of the game.
Do you think he will have matured much, or could he possibly be a locker-room problem?
Tarik El-Bashir: You have to remember that he was a young man living in a foreign country in 2003-04. Yes, he made some mistakes (like missing a team flight and then refusing to report to Portland.) But I've been told by my sources that he's matured a lot in the past year. After being forced to change teams in the Russian league, he realized how good he had it in the NHL.
I expect him to show up eager. Hopefully having Ovechkin around will keep him in line.
Reston, Va.: Do you see the Caps bringing back the same goaltending tandem? I thought Johnson showed some good stuff in the last half of the season, and I don't like it when the team rides Olie too hard.
Having them split duties 60/40 seems to be a solid combination.
Tarik El-Bashir: Not sure. Olie is obviously coming back. Johnson did rebound (no pun intended) late in the year. In fact, he great in his final six starts. He's hands down the most popular player in the room. The young guys love him.
But I think the Caps will be content to see who else is available before making a decision on Johnson. I would say it's 50-50 right now.
Ron Wilson Fan: It's good to see Wilson do well with the Sharks and lead them deep into the playoffs. Since he couldn't win a Cup here, I'd be happy for him if he did in SJ as he is a good coach. Cup in California? could happen!
Tarik El-Bashir: I think you are right about the Cup ending up in Cali. I could see it going to either team.
Verizon Center: Tarik- will the Caps take a center in the draft with the #4 pick or a goalie since we have no help in goal in the system.
Tarik El-Bashir: As you probably know, NHL teams don't draft for positions like the NFL. You simply take the best talent available at your slot since players are often three or four years away from being ready to contribute anyway.
But you are absolutely correct about the lack of goalie prospects in system. That will probably be addressed through trades, though.
Washington, D.C.: Who do see surviving the Edm. S.J. series?
Tarik El-Bashir: San Jose is the more complete team, in my opinion. It could go seven. Which would be a delight, because those games have been fun to watch.
Raleigh, N.C.: You'll say I'm lying, but I'm sure I have an email trail somewhere. I had San Jose out of the west and Buffalo as at least one of the top 2 or 3 to get out of the east.
I thought the fawning over NJ was a bit overdone, as the Rangers were rather one-dimensional (and even less when Jagr went down). But I'm a little surprised (and pleased) to see it 3-0, in spite of the fact that the Canes are a much deeper team than the Devils.
Assuming they close out their respective series, what's your take on a Sabres/Canes east final? They both are fast, deep, hardworking teams. I think either would have the edge in the Finals because of the depth.
And it's even better because they're both "low-budget" teams that were expected to do poorly this year.
Tarik El-Bashir: I want to see that email trail, buddy! Just kidding. I know a few NHL teams that could use you as an advance scout.
Caps Fan: Do you think Halpern will be back with the Caps next season. And if not, do you see Suts as next captain.
Tarik El-Bashir: I already answered the Halpern question. I think he will be back.
On your other point, I do see Sutherby as having captain qualities. He's not ready yet, though.
Nashville, Tenn.: Do you think we will actually see Dominick Hasek in the playoffs? And do you think his career will be over after the playoffs?
Tarik El-Bashir: I don't think Hasek will play at all. Even when he gets healthy, it's going to take him awhile to get his timing back. And the playoffs are no time to do that.
The Senators will be bounced out by the time he's ready.
Alexandria, Va.: Do you consider Matt Pettinger a third-line player who simply made the most of top-six minutes, or a player who will continue growing as a scoring-line player?
Behind Ovechkin and Semin at LW on this roster, does he switch to the thinner right side, or should he be considered trade bait?
Tarik El-Bashir: Matt maximized his playing time this year -- and will be rewarded with a contract he probably never thought he'd get. He proved himself to be a solid third line player. I like his game and this enthusiasm; i am concerned about his durability. Guys who play the way he does, always seem to get hurt.
Linden, Va.: Thank you for finally recognizing us HOCKEY Fans with a chat!!
My question is, who do you think would make a good addition to the Caps next season and will Brent Johnson return?
I'm thinking someone of size like Eric Lindros and YES YES YES bring back Brent Johnson and give him a few more games too.
I bought season tickets for 2006-2007 and I just CANNOT wait for the fall. Go CAPS!!!
Tarik El-Bashir: Eric Lindros won't be coming to DC, I can promise you that.
Buffalo, N.Y.: Here's hoping my Sabres win it all and fans around here can finally stop wearing the "No Goal" t-shirts from 1999.
Tarik El-Bashir: That Sabres will go as far as Ryan Miller will take them. They sure are fun to watch, aren't they?
Alexandria, Va.: Are the Capitals going to be forced to spend this summer even if they are not especially inclined, given the expected rise in the salary cap, and more to the point, salary floor?
Tarik El-Bashir: The Capitals, contrary to popular belief, were above the floor this year. Their payroll averaged about $26.5 million throughout the season. And don't forget, just because Jagr's salary doesn't show up on the Caps books doesn't mean ownership is compensating for it. And the real killer is if Jagr wins the Hart, that will trigger one more year that the Caps will be forced to pay 30 percent of his salary. So Leonsis actually spent about 30 million on salaries.
Ballston, Va: Which Capital (other than Ovechkin) do you think was the biggest surprise this year, and perhaps unexpectedly earned himself a long-term spot?
Tarik El-Bashir: Shaone Morrisonn was a huge surprise. After getting off to a slow start, he proved himself to be a quality defenseman with a bit of offensive ability. He is going to be very good for a very long time.
Arlington, Va.: How worried is the league about an Anaheim or San Jose vs. Buffalo final? At least if one of the Canadian teams makes it they are assured of interest all over Canada rooting for one of "their" teams. But if it's two small markets or teams with no real market interest or nationwide interest will anyone care who wins?
Tarik El-Bashir: Have you seen the TV ratings so far? How much worse can it get? Wait ... I'm actually scared to find out.
Wheaton, Md.: How would you assess the Sabres' chances to go all the way? How much was their first round victory over the Flyers a referrendum on the "new NHL"?
Tarik El-Bashir: Their first round win was just that: new NHL triumphing over the old. I would have to say the Sabres and Hurricanes did the best job of building teams ready to compete under the new rules.
Thanks for your coverage of the always exciting NHL playoffs and the Caps this past season. I realize that the NHL was coming off a lockout season and the Wizards are a playoff team, but the Post and other local media have really reduced coverage of the Caps and the NHL in general. For example, the Post has two Wizards beat writers and the columnists write many more articles about the Wizards/NBA than the Caps/NHL. It seems to me that even if the Caps were an elite team and the Wizards were bad, the Wizards would still get more local coverage. In your opinion, why is this?
Tarik El-Bashir: I get asked this question a lot. A newspaper's job is cover things that readers want to know about. The number of reporters assigned to that beat, or the number of inches dedicated to game/off day stories, are all determined by reader interest.
There are poeple here at The Post who are in charge of deciding how much coverage each team gets. They base those decisions on reader surveys, feedback from the public, TV ratings, attendance, etc.
My job is to cover the Capitals as thoroughly as I can. And that will not change. As for how much coverage the team gets, that's not my call.
Arlington, Va.: What do you make of the difference this playoff season between the East and West conferences? In the pre-lockout NHL, the West was commonly known for more offense and the producer of Cup-favorites. Conversely, the East was known for greater defense, and producing underdogs who upset the top seeds in that conference.
This season, it seems roles have been reversed, with whoever comes out of the East (probably Carolina and Buffalo right now) is likely to be the Cup favorite because of their offensive capabilities. Your thoughts?
Tarik El-Bashir: You are absolutely correct. How strange was it to see 1-2-3-4 advance in the East and 5-6-7-8 in the West? I think the old brutal East vs. skilled West bias has gone out the window. I think the Hurricanes and Sabres would have to be considered the favorites right now based on how balanced they both are.
Rockville, Md.: Finally, some hockey chat!
Whose likely to emerge from a Sabres/Canes series? (assuming neither stages a Caps-like collapse)
And does Ovechkin really have a serious chance at hearing his name called for the Pearson Trophy? Or is he the mandatory third name on the list?
Tarik El-Bashir: I think the Canes advance, if Cam Ward keeps doing what he's doing.
I don't think Ovechkin will win the Pearson. This year, that is. I think he'd going to win many times in his career.
Tarik El-Bashir: Thanks for joining me today. Sorry I couldn't get to all of your questions, but I've got to find my way back to exit 16W on the NJ Turnpike. It's an afternoon game tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post staff writer Tarik El-Bashir fielded questions and comments about the latest news in the National Hockey League.
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John Kelly writes five times a week about the joys and annoyances of living in Washington. He aims to show readers the Washington (and Silver Spring, Alexandria, Manassas, Bowie ...) that they know and take them places they don't know. He wants to make them see familiar things in unfamiliar ways and unfamiliar things in familiar ways. ("We may occasionally end up seeing unfamiliar things in unfamiliar ways," John says, "but such are the risks of the job.") His columns take a cockeyed view of the place the rest of the planet knows as the Capital of the Free World but that we all call home. John rides the Metro for fun and once kidnapped an Irishman to see what made him tick.
Fridays at 1 p.m. ET John is online to chat about his columns and mull over anything that's on your mind.
Discussion Archives / Recent Columns
John Kelly: Hello? Is anyone out there? I don't mean online. Mt. Lebanon is already checking in. I mean tuning into Washington Post Radio. Specifically, tuning in to ME on Washington Post Radio.
Is 8:10 on a Saturday morning--when I shoot the Sheetrock with David Burd--just too early for you? Or does the prospect of a place where there's alway more to the story leave you cold? Have you already had enough of the story, thank you very much?
I'm having fun doing this weekly radio gig. I'm a sucker for headphones. But it's curiously disconnected to anything else I do. I get feedback from my column, and during this online forum, but I can't judge the radio thing yet. Thoughts?
Most of the reaction this week was to my column on the development of the newspaper extra. No, I'm joking. That was Monday's Answer Man, but the real heat was around yesterday's column on pregnant women on the Metro, and how seldom people offer them a seat. You should know that there are a lot of angry pregnant women out there, and that can't be good for anybody.
What else did I write about? Well there was the groundbreaking of the new Nationals' ballpark, a look at DC's banjo scene and a sneak peak at subterreneana cicadas. I also told the story of a Reston couple who had a lovely wedding Saturday, three years after the bride went blind.
Who will we hear from today? The man with the unfaithful wife? The person looking for a leafy daytrip? The dueling Tai Shans? Keith Richards? You never know....
Tai Shan Here: Uncle John, can you bring me something to put on this dry bamboo?
John Kelly: How about some lighter fluid and a lit match?
Washington, D.C.: Hi John. Happy Friday.
Marion Berry. Arrested again. It is apparent that this man has little-to-no moral compass or even a hint of self respect, but he appears to be revered in certain circles.
Why is he still on the City Council? Why is he permitted within 10 feet of a government building where laws, rules and regulations are formulated?
Why do people call this man a role model and what parent in his or her right mind would WANT their child to emulate his behavior.
He's an over-65 addict. Nothing more...nothing less.
John Kelly: Well he's at least a recovering addict. As for how well that recovery is going, this will surely be cause for speculation. There's nothing wrong with being out late at night. And anyone can have a brain freeze that results in a fender bender. The cops said there was no evidence of intoxication. Still, I wonder what affect this will have, if any, on Barry's probation.
There's also the whole issue of elderly drivers. My parents are in their 60s and can drive just fine. But that's a conversation that has to be difficult. How do you wrest the keys from someone who's driven for a lifetime but has lost a step?
washingtonpost.com: Barry Involved in Minor Late-Night Accident (Post, May 12)
John Kelly: Perhaps he was again offering career advice.
Interesting column where you stalked pregnant women (never thought I'd write that in a positive way).
I have to say though - while I generally don't look up when riding the Metro - if I notice someone having trouble standing (older, on crutches, or just looks sick) I'll offer them my seat. But my father has one of the invisible illnesses - he simply cannot stand on the Metro - but to look at him you'd never know it. So I'm quite aware that not all disabilities or issues are obvious to the naked eye.
I will, however, NEVER make the assumption that a woman is pregnant no matter how pregnant they might be. I work with a woman who looked 9 months pregnant on my first day - I'm talking full on ready to pop - belly button sticking out and everything. 5 years later she still looks 9 months pregnant and I thank my luck stars that I never asked her when she was due. Her son, by the way, just turned 12.
I don't think there is an easy solution to this problem. Women just expecting others to give up their seats isn't going to work - so they need to do the next best thing and ask for it.
John Kelly: I've heard from many people who raise the same point you do: That you can't be sure someone is pregnant. But that's not how you should offer a seat anyway. You don't say, "Hey, pregnant lady, have my seat!" You just say, "Would you like to sit down?" Or, "I think I'll stand."
And asking for a seat has its own problems, since, as you say, you don't always know WHY a person may be sitting, especially in a handicapped seat. They may have some condition that doesn't LOOK debilitating but is.
Just this week I've taken to standing, even when there are seats, just to test my stamina.
washingtonpost.com: Chivalry? Fat Chance on Metro (Post, May 11)
John Kelly: There are a lot of angry fetuses out there.
That'd be a good name for a band: Angry Fetus. Or, better yet, Angry Foetus. With an umlaut over the O.
Silver Spring, Md.: Interesting City Paper article last week about DC's population decline, in spite of more development and lower vacancy rates. In short the reason is that the average family with 2.5 children is moving out, and singles and young couples without kids are taking their place. Does anyone around here ever talk about the building height limitation? I heard once it was no building taller than the washington monument? Clearly, the neighborhoods around SS, bethesda, clarendon, etc.. metros have proven that dense (and tall) urban development around metro stops is very good for reurbanization. And taller buildings = more population, even if it is singles and childless couples. Add to that the price of real estate near metros, and DC desperately needs some more supply to combat the demand that makes a studio in dupont sell for a quarter of a million or more! Is anyone talking about getting rid of those limits? At the very least around metro stops, if not everywhere?
John Kelly: The District's height regulations actually are based on the width of the street the building is built on, but in no case higher than 160 feet, I believe. I haven't heard of any movement to alter that. It would be interesting to see some computer simulations of how that would look but Washington is so famous for its horizontal layout that I think it would radically change the character of the city. I was walking around Dupont Circle the other day and I loved the scale. A 20-story condo block would ruin that. It would be like charging to get into the Smithsonian.
washingtonpost.com: Answer Man: Wary of Heights (Post, Dec. 6, 2004)
John Kelly: Answer Man tackled this a while back...
Beltsville, Md.: So the Michael Kennedy family had their dozens of loaded weapons secured? What are they running, a militia? No wonder the kid went beserk.
John Kelly: I'm sure it's awful for that family. If they had stayed at their house can you imagine the crush of media that would be at their front door? And the 9-year-old daughter must really be freaking out. But couldn't they talk to the police? Do they really need a lawyer issuing statements instead?
odds bodkins: John, the phrase "odds bodkins" suddenly popped into my head. What does it all mean?
John Kelly: It means you are a very sick man and need professional help. Unless you're a woman, in which case you may consult an amateur.
"Odds bodkin" is another version of those old mild oaths involving God's body. It's a corruption of that: "odds bodkin" = "God's body." People used to love saying stuff like that. "Zounds" is from "god'S WOUNDS." ('swounds = zounds)
It's not to be confused with the bodkin that Hamlet mentioned. That's a type of dagger.
Arlington, Va.: The fact that one pregnant rider found that businessmen were least likely to offer her a seat on Metro doesn't surprise me. I once was nearly knocked down on a downtown sidewalk by a man rushing to a meeting. When I called out, "whoa," he snarled, "I'm headed to a meeting" and then announced to me his civil service pay grade. I kid you not! Some people simply are obsessed with their own status and whether, in any given situation, they are "one up" or "one down" from others in the surrounding space. You see that in the comments people post here about various situations involving their family, friends and co-workers, some put themselves in others' shoes, others seem incapable of that.
Here's a tip for Metro riders: When the train stops at a station that serves a medical facility, such as Foggy Bottom, glance at the people entering the car to see if any of them look as if they need a seat. I do this, for the reason mentioned below. Of course, this can be hard to discern in some instances. I used to take the Orange Line from Courthouse to Foggy Bottom to accompany my late twin sister to chemo sessions at a GW medical facility. (She fought the disease bravely for 18 months but died in 2002). Although my sis displayed some of the physical marks of a chemo patient (scarf tied over her head, sparse hair due to hair loss from the treatments), she didn't always manage to get a seat, weak and shaky although she clearly appeared to be. I sometimes tried to help by commenting loudly, "I hope your chemo goes ok today." Fortunately, we only had to ride a few stops, if she couldn't get a seat, I just hovered protectively next to her as we both stood.
John Kelly: Wow. Did he include his step, too?
Whenever I hear things like this, I like to think that we're dealing with a single deviant person, as opposed to a typical example of a widespread malady. A guy like that would probably be a tool in any setting, not just on the streets of Washington.
But maybe I'm wrong and maybe there's something about Washington that either brings that out in people--or attracts people in whom those tendencies bubble near the surface.
I must say that things aren't looking good for my fellow businessmen. They are coming in for almost universal damnation, as far as seat-giving-upness in concerned. Come on guys, defend yourselves!
Forest Glen, Md.: John, please please use your great power and influence to get that hectoring nag off Metro! Life is stressful enough without additional badgering. I polled 23 random riders, 16 thumbs down, others have higher distraction level, don't care, no positives. Metro please take note!
John Kelly: It isn't her voice that's so bad, it's the sound effects that go with it. They didn't bother me at first, but they are so loud and persistent--the dingdingding of a pinball slamming between the bumpers--that they make me want to lay my head on the tracks. Which would surely ease crowding but is a bit extreme. I'll see what I can do. (Say, e-mail me with your thoughts: kellyj@washpost.com.)
Silver Spring, Md.: So John, I wrote in a while back about the renovations going on at the Mormon Temple. Dod you ever get a chance to look into it? That place always holds an air of mystery for me as no one is allowed inside except Mormons. Or, Latter Day Saints as I've recently heard they prefer to be called.
John Kelly: Yes, I looked into it. It's very interesting. I may even fill you in on it in a column next week. (Briefly: They're doing renovations.)
Old Convention Center: Hi John-
Do you know what is being filmed near the site of the Old Convention Center? There are lots of trailers set up in the parking lot.
John Kelly: Yes. It's "Evan Almighty," the sequel to "Bruce Almighty." It's only the second unit, though.
John Kelly: Go start standing in front of the Uptown now.
Frederick, Md.: Martha Eagle was released in Deleware. I hope she hunts down Monica Eagle and rips her damn eyes out.
John Kelly: Have you seen the video? She sure looked a lot better when they let her go than she did when they caught her: muddy, ruffled feathers and a PO'ed expression. No one looks good when they're being stuffed into a box. But when she flew away she looked great. It looked like she'd had her feathers done, maybe a pedicure. Bald eagles may be shifty, lazy birds, but they do the majestic swooping wings thing pretty well.
washingtonpost.com: Martha the Eagle: Rescued and Released (Post, May 11)
John Kelly: "And I'm proud to be an American/Where at least I know I'm free...."
Silver Spring, Md.: I thought the title on the pregnant woman story was tacky. I hope you didn't pen that.
John Kelly: I didn't, and I cringed a little myself. Pregnant women aren't technically fat, I guess. They are big, though. I remember when My Lovely Wife was pregnant with our first child. She had this yellow dress she would occasionally wear. She looked like a school bus.
Washington, D.C.: Hi John: I've listened to you on the radio, but quite frankly, you sound like my Aunt Ethel. I hated my Aunt Ethel. She was mean....
Can you work on that a little?
John Kelly: I think you're going to have to talk to your Uncle Fred about that.
Mt. Lebanon, Pa.: Do you ever watch Washington Journal? It's on C-SPAN.
If so, when you look out the window behind Brian, Steve, Connie, Susan, Whoever - there's the capital building. And off to the viewer's right is a tall building rising out of a clump of trees.
The woman who lets me live with her says it's the secret place where domestic phone calls are monitored and picked apart for analysis by philosophy, political science, communications, and art history graduates who can't get real jobs.
Is that true? They can't get real jobs?
BTW: Are there any phone calls on your Verizon bill you don't want the Funky Winkerbeans at Secrets R Us to investigate? Too late - they already know!
Government as nosy nanny. Who'd have figured?
John Kelly: I couldn't tell you. Anyone? It may be one of the House Office Buildings. There really aren't any "tall" buildings in Washington. If it's tall and skinny it's the Washington Monument.
Not that this has been a major story, but I've been trying to keep up with Martha and George, the bald eagles. Why in the world would they release Martha in Delaware and not back here where George and the nest are? I was really rooting for them!
John Kelly: What I heard was that they wanted to give Martha some time to recover more and get her wits back about her before she wound up back near the Wilson Bridge. If they let her out here she could have just gotten herself right back into trouble.
She's capable of flying back to the Wilson Bridge, but may choose to go somewhere else.
Re: "Angry Foetus" with an umlaut over the O: Cringe-inducing redundancy! While I can't speak for Dutch, I can say that in German if there is a a, o or u with an e after it, it has the effect of r7 or zhat's how to write German on an umlaut-less keyboard and you can't remember the shortcuts. So it's a little bit overkill... and why are people so fascinated with umlauts on everything to make it seem better, cooler or foreign?
John Kelly: You know that and I know that, but all those people buying heavy metal albums don't know that.
I would also put a tilde over the N.
Pittsburgh, Pa.: John, true story. 8 years ago, in DC, I was 8 months pregnant with my first child. I'm a thin, small woman and I was wearing summer clothes, so it was VERY apparent I was expecting. My friend and seatmate had casts on both arms following an auto accident, so she could not stand on Metro trains because she couldn't hang on to a pole or balance without help.
We were seated at closest to the door seats where there were no sideways seats, just an open area. A woman on crutches, WITH ONLY ONE LEG, got on the train. She didn't have any sort of artificial leg or leg support, just the one leg and crutches. My friend and I looked on, amazed, as no one else offered her a seat. We looked at each other, and I got up and let her sit down. Truly the most amazing incident of a generally "people were not very helpful" pregnancy.
John Kelly: That sounds like some sort of logic puzzle. Instead of trying to row a boat full of corn, a chicken and a fox, you have to seat a pregnant lady, an amputee and a person in a body cast on the Metro. I think you made the right choice. you were clearly the most able-, if ample-, bodied person there.
Washington, D.C.: I used to commute to work by metrobus. Last year, I had just gotten the ok by my doctor to go back to work after being bed-ridden for about 10 weeks due to a complication in my pregnancy. At the time I was ok'ed to go back to work I was about 25 weeks along--visibly pregnant, and since I am petite and slim, clearly not fat. It was strictly against doctor's orders for me to stand for any extended periods of time, so I just got into the habit, upon boarding the crowded bus, to ask for a seat. Sure, it would have been nice to have someone offer, but I was more concerned with getting a seat. Actually after a short while of asking for myself, the bus drivers who saw me on a regular basis would ask on my behalf.
I have to say, usually the quickest to jump up and give me their seats were young men in their early 20s. Probably interns on or near the hill (given the bus route). Anyway, I found that asking worked 100% of the time, and there's no shame in it. It is better than standing and seething at the presumed injustice of it all. Entitlement has no place in the world of common courtesy, in my opinion.
John Kelly: Maybe asking in a general sort of way--"Is there anyone here who could give up his or her seat?"--works better than singling out one specific person, who may also need the seat. That way one person can volunteer.
Speaking of extras: Do bakeries still offer a baker's dozen?
John Kelly: I'm pretty sure they do. And bagel shops too, right? And yet when you buy two six-packs of beer, you only get 12 bottles. Where's the fun in that?
chat refresh button: where did it go?
John Kelly: I didn't take it. Honest. Have you tried hitting F5? I think that does the same thing.
In the family way on Metro: I eagerly await the chorus of able-bodied men chiming in with their excuses as to why they shouldn't have to give up a seat for a pregnant woman.
I'm primarily a bus rider and can assure you it's the same way there, too. I've seen businessman-types elbowing people out of the way to get to a seat. Truly pathetic. Just one more reason why D.C. men are pretty poor specimens.
John Kelly: They are strangely silent. No, that's not quite true. I received many e-mails from men who said that since they get their heads bitten off when they do things like open the door for a woman or offer a seat, they've stopped doing it. Look what feminism has wrought, they say. I don't buy it.
Silver Spring, Md.: OK, Answer Man (no, I am not going to ask Hax) -- better to propose with ring that proposee may not like (but may not feel comfortable saying so), or propose without ring, thus requiring proposee to help with the shopping?
John Kelly: Oh go ahead and ask her.
Julie, my assistant, says it's better to get a ring that she'll like. And if you don't know what sort of ring she would like, you have no business proposing.
Revenge Guy?: Can we get an update?
John Kelly: Last week he was headed out of town, right? I don't know what he's up to today. Unless he's thinking of proposing to someone.
Wheaton, Md.: I loved the pregnant metro riders column!! As a former pregnant gal myself in the recent past, I gotta say: Women were twice as likely to offer me a seat than the guys. I also wouldn't ask anyone (except the occasional slouchy teenager) for their seat for the same "hidden disease" reason.
The worst? Not just standing, but crowding onto a redline train at Gallery Place at rush hour. There was no way I could even waddle through the crowd to get to a seat if there was even a seat to be had. And people ignoried my garganutan belly like you wouldn't believe. Just once, I wished some nice (hottie) gentleman would have spoken up to say something along the lines of "Watch out folks, this gal shouldn't have to squeeze in like the rest of you! Lets give her some space!!"
John Kelly: Some readers told funny stories along those lines, of heroes who cleared paths for them, or berated able-bodied men who wouldn't give up their seats. I also heard from men, and at least one woman, who said that pregnancy isn't a "disability" and therefore pregnant women should receive no special consideration. I've never been pregnant, so I don't know if that's true.
Out of the trees by the Capitol: Could be the Taft Carillon. It sort of looks like a building if you don't know what it is.
John Kelly: Please don't tell me I'm going to have start watching C-SPAN to solve this mystery.
Atlanta, Ga.: When I was pregnant, I took the train to work. My husband and I worked in the same place, so we commuted together. He would knock people out of the way for me to get me a seat and was shocked that no one ever offered me a seat. It was adorable.
John Kelly: You make it sound like some Darwinian, survival of the fittest down there. I suppose that's a pretty good description.
Reston, Va.: Yes, it's definitely too early.
John Kelly: Hey, set you alarm clock. That's what I do.
Need to Know: John, what's on your ringtone?
John Kelly: Something pretty boring. Just your basic ring. Now, if I could get "My Sharona," maybe I would. Or, rather, I could probably get "My Sharona" but wouldn't know how to download it. What's on YOURS?
Alexandria, Va.: What do a zephyr, a sand gnat, and a lake monster have in common?
John Kelly: They are all contained in a silly question asked by someone from Alexandria, Va.?
Washington, D.C.: I'm a late 20s woman (with no desire to ever have a child). If I see an obviously pregant woman, I would gladly give her my seat. However, I'm not comfortable making that assumption (or regarding the elderly or handicapped) because almost every time I do offer, I'm refused with a rude look.
I would happily give up my seat to anyone who needed it, and that includes otherwise healthy people whose feet just really hurt that day. Please, just ask - no offense taken.
Also sometimes, we just don't see a pregnant woman. I read on the train and don't look up often. One day as I was getting off at Metro Center, one woman made a rude remark about all of the people "forcing" a pregnant woman to stand. The pregnant woman had been very close to me, but I never saw it, due to her clothes and her purse. Please don't just assume we're rude - again, all you have to do is ask. If they won't get up after you ask, THAT's rude!
John Kelly: I'm guilty of having been in my own little world. I usually have my nose in a book, and if I'm in a window seat I'm oblivious to the world around me. Is that a good thing? Shouldn't I be looking for signs of terrorist activity? I think if you're in a handicapped seat and you're not handicapped you can't have the luxury of reading or dozing. You have to be scanning the crowd for someone who needs the seat more than you.
The ring: Does she have reason to suspect you will be proposing? If so, take her shopping (for ideas) first. Less surprise, but in many cases it isn't that big of a surprise anyway.
John Kelly: That's one idea. Here's another:
Washington, D.C. - For the Proposer: My husband bought me the perfect diamond and had it put in a very simple setting. We then went together to pick out the perfect setting for the perfect diamond. It was, well, the perfect compromise.
John Kelly: And marriage is nothing if not the search for the perfect compromise.
Earwig, OK: John Kelly: "And I'm proud to be an American/Where at least I know I'm free...."
How dare you try to plant that hunk of treacle in my brain! Here, ruminate on THIS:
"Now looking back over the years,
And whatever else that appears.
I remember I cried when my father died,
Never wishing to hide the tears.
My mother, God rest her soul,
Couldn't understand why the only man,
She had ever loved had been taken..."
John Kelly: The sailors say "Brandy, you're a fine girl
What a good wife you would be
Yeah your eyes could steal a sailor
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo duh doo doo.....
Arlington, Va.: My girlfriend was devastated when someone once made the mistake of assuming she was pregnant. To offer a seat unsolicited to a woman based on the apparent size of her stomach risks really ruining her day.
John Kelly: So obviously pregnant women are going to need to start wearing signs that say "Baby on board."
(But did the person say, "You look pregnant. Want this seat?" Or just stand up and say, "Have a seat"? Doesn't everyone want to sit down, whether they're fat or pregnant or not?)
Arlington, Va.: Too many times, I've offered a seat and gotten a hostile glare or a gruff refusal. A lot of people don't like the implicit suggestion that you think there's something wrong with them, such that they need to sit down.
If you need a seat, ask for one. Don't be proud and don't be passive-aggressive. There may be all sorts of reasons why a seated person isn't getting up for you. He may too lost in his own problems to focus on his surroundings. He may be too timid to risk getting told off by someone who resents being offered a seat. Or, true, he may just be a jerk.
John Kelly: I gotta say, I just don't believe that there are people who give hostile glances or gruff refusals when offered a seat. I don't believe it. And yet I've heard from many people who claim it to be true. If true, then the problem is with those people. They're just jerks for answering politeness with rudeness.
But like I said, I don't believe it.
Silver Spring, Md.: Why are there angry pregnant women a out there? They CHOSE to get pregnant. Why do they expect their choice to impact my life? I work hard and am exhausted after work. I have as much a right to a seat as they do. I am a female in my fifties who CHOSE NOT to get pregnant.
John Kelly: What if they're victims of rape or incest?
Silver Spring, Md.: This is going to sound lame, but I can't remember when was the last time I saw a pregnant woman on Metro.
John Kelly: You're right. That does sound lame.
Brandy: Oh dear goodness...there goes my concentration for the next, oh, four hours. Aaaagh!
John Kelly: Good thing you don't sit next to...
Southern Maryland: Hey, I actually LIKE that Brandy song! It reminds me of summer (and days like today with perfect weather).
Silver Spring, Md.: We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun...
John Kelly: ...or this one.
Washington, D.C.: The C-Span viewer is seeing the Taft Bell Tower ( http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Taft_Bell_Tower.htm ), which is in the open block between the C-Span studio and the Capitol, two blocks west of the Russell Senate Office Building. I bike past it on my daily commute. No disrepect intended to Mr. Taft, but it's perhaps the ugliest monument in DC.
John Kelly: I call it the Air Freshener.
Washington, D.C.: John, I am the husband of one of the pregnant women in your article, and I am still shocked by how self-centered many of the metro riders (or more specifically, "metro sitters") are. My mom raised me to always offer a seat on metro or a bus to women (even pregnant women), children, the aged, the infirm, tourists, etc. because it is the right thing to do. I thought everyone knew that was common courtesy. I guess I never realized how many people were raised by wolves.
John Kelly: You're not the husband I unmanned by giving you your wife's last name, am I? Sorry about that. That's a whole nother column.
Washingon, D.C.: Seems there are several social issues that come full circle. Pregnant women is just the latest.
Women used to be dismissed from jobs for being pregnant. It was seen as a disability. We fought to be treated equally and not discriminated against for being pregnant.
Now women feel they "should" be given special treatment because they are pregnant.
I'm not saying that giving up a seat for a pregnant woman is not a nice thing to do. But they are reaping what was sown by women generations before them.
Can't have it both ways.
John Kelly: Yes, I've heard this argument, but really aren't the rights that pregnant women want more the right not to be fired from their jobs because they got pregnant? I don't think they were demanding the right not to be offered a seat on the Metro.
Re: seats and vigilance: How's about people who sit in the seats meant for seniors and the disabled (or the front seats) be a little vigilant about who needs seats? If you're going to sit near the door, I think you should keep an eye out in case people need a seat.
John Kelly: Yeah, sitting in the handicapped seats is like sitting in the exit row of an airplace. Except rather than being especially able-bodied you have to be either disabled or prepared to keep an eye out for someone who's disabled.
Pregnancy as disability: Just FYI, my maternity leave will be covered in part by short-term disability coverage. So that answers that question (at least in my mind). And regardless of whether pregnancy is legally or otherwise labeled a "disability" should not be the issue - the issue is common courtesy. If someone in all likelihood needs a seat more than you do, why not give it up?
As for the businessmen who have been chastised for opening doors or giving up seats for women: there is no excuse for anyone who responds to courtesy with rudeness. I'd bet that if those men opened doors or gave up seats for 100 different women, however, the vast majority of women would appreciate the gesture. Lastly, guys, being courteous can go a long way for you - it pretty much immediately scores points with the ladies, so even if you're not interested in giving up your seat out of the goodness of your heart, consider it an opportunity to impress the attractive young lady nearby.
John Kelly: The whole argument is ridiculous. I often open doors for men. What does that make me?
Marion Barry: Saw his interview on TV right after the crash--he certainly didn't seem altogether with us. Or is "disoriented and incoherent" his default setting?
John Kelly: He has lost a step recently. He's apparently a pretty sick guy. In fact, he needs his sleep. What was he doing up so late?
Re: the new Metro voice: I can't stand that she snaps "Step Back" three or four times at every stop. It's very jolting.
John Kelly: It's like the train driver has a button to push over and over again, triggering the same annoying sounds and phrases.
Fairfax, Va.: Hm, if I was Kennedy pere, after my son exhibited suicidal actions and shot the dog (!!!!), I think I'd take the guns OUT OF THE HOUSE for a while.
John Kelly: He does sound pretty clueless. But then I don't get the whole gun thing.
Revenge Guy Here....: Umm...I prefer to think of myself as The Righteous Dude Wronged By His Soon To Be Ex.
No updates. Whoa...I have a date tomorrow. Well, not really. A friend whose is divorcing her husband. We both felt that Saturday nights with HBO gets a little boring.
John Kelly: Have fun. Just remember, no hanky panky till all the papers are signed. It would only come back to haunt you.
Opening doors for MEN?: Oh no, John! That makes you...polite!
John Kelly: Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Southern Maryland: Someone made a really sexist remark that businessmen equate pregnant women with their secretaries and lost work. Did I read that right? Come on! Professional women like lawyers, accountants, and doctors also get pregnant. However, a lot of our professional employees are into baby-buying. They go to China, Russia, Thailand, and 'adopt' babies, but in reality it's just baby-buying. Then they turn them over to non-English speaking housekeepers to raise. And they call themselves 'mothers!!!!"
John Kelly: I don't know if we're going to have time for all the baby-buyers to weigh in during this chat. But just to clarify what was said in my column: The pregnant lady has a friend who supposed that's how some bosses see their pregnant workers, as a drain. I don't think anyone would actually go on the record with that.
Alexandria, Va.: The guys complaining that they get hostile responses when offering seats are either lying or they're jumping to conclusions based on one experience. I've given up my seat many times and don't remember a single hostile response. My offers have either been accepted or politely declined.
John Kelly: That's what I thought too. I think I need to spend all week riding the Metro and observing. I'll emerge with a subterranean pallor.
Arlington, Va.: John, on any given Metro ride, anyone out there might need your seat more than you do. Ethically, I don't see how you can justify sitting at all.
John Kelly: You're right. I'm going to cut off my butt to spite my face, forcing me to stand. In fact, I may insert metal rods in my knees, rendering me incapable of bending my legs. I hope you're happy now.
Alexandria, Va.: And the answer is ... The New Orleans Zephyrs, Savannah Sand Gnats and the Vermont Lake Monsters are all Nationals farm clubs! (Along with the Harrisburg Senators and the Potomac Nationals).
John Kelly: Thank you. And that's where the future of our team resides, right?
Bethesda, Md.: There's a new band that outdoes all those metal bands for excessive use of foreign language symbols. I can't reproduce it here, or even name all the symbols. Here's their website: http://www.rinocerose.com/
(Warning -- it automatically plays their current single, so be careful if you're in an office or cubicle. Actually, it's called "Cubicle," and you might recognize it from a new iPod ad.)
Washington, D.C.: Re: Ring or No... Hax would tell you that if you don't know the person well enough to answer that question, maybe you shouldn't be getting married. My dear husband didn't have a ring when he proposed but not because he knew me well enough to know I wanted to have a say in the ring choice. It was because it was a spur-of-the-moment proposal (although something he had considered for a while). We had to wait two weeks after the official engagement to have the ring shipped. In the meantime, I wore a twist tie in its place. I still have it.
John Kelly: That's sweet. I never got an engagement ring for my wife. We figured we'd rather spend the money on a trip to England.
It's 2pm: Your limo is waiting Sir.
John Kelly: Ah, yes, thank you James.
I need to get a move on. We've only scratched the surface on this Metro stuff and many fine observations have been left on the digital cutting room floor. I'll try to make some sense of it in a column this week. Remember, I'll be on the radio tomorrow at 8:10 a.m. (1500 AM, 107.7 FM). Maybe we should do open phones or something....
And back in the paper on Sunday, with a bit of DC history that I found fascinating. Have a good weekend, and be nice to one other person at least once.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Post columnist John Kelly takes questions on his recent columns, life in the Washington area and more.
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DNA of Criminals' Kin Cited in Solving Cases
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Cops would solve more crimes if they expanded their use of the nation's DNA fingerprinting system to test close relatives of known criminals, according to a research report that raises novel and difficult civil liberties issues.
The proposed crime-control strategy, already in growing use in Britain, is based on two central facts: Close relatives of criminals are more likely than others to break the law, research has shown, and, because those individuals are related, their DNA "fingerprints" will be similar. That suggests that if police find a crime-scene specimen with a DNA pattern close to -- but not exactly the same as -- that of a known lawbreaker, a relative of that known criminal may be the culprit.
In Britain, where rules governing the use of DNA for fighting crime are more permissive than in most U.S. states, the approach has been used dozens of times and has helped solve several cases, said Frederick R. Bieber, a Harvard medical geneticist who led the new study with colleague David Lazer and Charles H. Brenner of the University of California at Berkeley.
In one recent case, for example, a specimen from a 1988 murder scene was found to have a DNA pattern similar to that of a 14-year-old boy whose DNA was on file with the police. Investigators obtained a sample from the teenager's uncle, which perfectly matched the crime scene specimen and led to his conviction.
The new analysis, published yesterday in the online edition of the journal Science, is the first to use sophisticated computer models to predict just how useful such "familial" searches may be.
The computation is based on well-established facts -- such as the prevalence of certain DNA variants in the population -- and less precise assumptions, such as the odds that a criminal has a close family member whose DNA is already on file.
In the United States, those odds are rather high: A 1999 Justice Department survey found that 46 percent of prison inmates had at least one sibling, parent or child who had been incarcerated at some point.
All states take DNA from all convicted felons, and many get specimens from a wide range of others.
Using conservative assumptions, Bieber and his colleagues calculated that U.S. law enforcement authorities could increase their "cold hit" rate (the percentage of DNA searches that result in perfect matches) by 40 percent if they were to check the DNA patterns of criminals' family members when searches generate near misses.
Cold-hit rates vary widely today. Assuming they average about 10 percent, Bieber said, a 40 percent increase would bump that rate up to 14 percent.
"This is proof of concept that existing methods of kin analysis could be used in forensic analyses with an expectation of success in a fair proportion of cases," said Bieber, who is to present the findings tomorrow at a meeting of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics in Boston.
The approach raises hackles among many civil libertarians, who note that Britain does not have a Bill of Rights. Under the Fourth Amendment, U.S. authorities are generally required to show compelling evidence that a person has committed a crime before they can demand a DNA sample.
"If I give up a sample, does that mean I've also committed all my blood relatives to a search?" asked Carol Rose, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. "That's where the technology is moving faster than the law."
Familial testing would also amplify racial inequities in the criminal justice system, which already focuses disproportionately on blacks, said Troy Duster, a New York University sociologist.
In the United States, where the DNA fingerprints of about 3 million people are stored in a national criminal database, familial testing has only rarely been acknowledged. Tom Callaghan, custodian of that database, said the FBI, which handles federal cases and those in the District, does not pursue partial matches.
But no state is precluded by law from using the approach. And at least two -- New York and Massachusetts -- have statutory language expressly allowing it.
A few years ago, DNA from a specimen saved from a 1984 North Carolina rape and murder was compared against that state's database and was found to be very similar to the pattern of a man whose DNA was on file. Police trailed the man's brother and performed a DNA test on a cigarette butt the brother discarded. When the pattern was found to match the crime specimen's exactly, the brother confessed and was convicted.
Bieber acknowledged that the strategy could impinge on civil liberties.
"It's a balancing act," he said. "But I think we are duty-bound to explore the potential."
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Get Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and national news. Get the latest/breaking news, featuring national security, science and courts. Read news headlines from the nation and from The Washington Post. Visit www.washingtonpost.com/nation today.
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Retired Priest Is Convicted In '80 Slaying Of Ohio Nun
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TOLEDO, May 11 -- A Roman Catholic priest was convicted Thursday of murder in the slaying of a nun who was found stabbed 26 years ago in a hospital chapel, her forehead "anointed" with a smudge of blood, her wounds forming an upside-down cross on her chest.
The Rev. Gerald Robinson, 68, was sentenced to the mandatory term of 15 years to life in prison and led away in handcuffs after a trial in which forensic experts matched the victim's wounds to a distinctive, sword-shaped letter opener found in the priest's room.
The jury took six hours to reach a verdict. Robinson's friends and family gasped when it was read; he showed no reaction.
Robinson, who had worked with Sister Margaret Ann Pahl as the hospital chaplain and presided at her funeral Mass, was a suspect early on but was not charged until two years ago. Prosecutors took a closer look at the slaying after he was anonymously accused of molestation. Those allegations have not been substantiated.
Prosecutors suggested that Robinson's relationship with the nun was strained and had reached a breaking point. According to testimony, Pahl was a taskmaster as the caretaker of the chapel and was upset over Good Friday worship services being shortened.
Pahl, 71, was killed while preparing the Mercy Hospital chapel for Easter services April 5, 1980. She was choked and stabbed 31 times, the blade plunged through an altar cloth that was left over her body in what prosecutors said looked like a ritual slaying.
Prosecutor Dean Mandros said Robinson inflicted the stab wounds in the shape of an upside-down cross, anointed Pahl with her own blood in a macabre version of the last rites and stripped off her underwear "to degrade her, to mock her, to humiliate her."
Defense attorney John Thebes said he and his client will appeal.
Bishop Leonard Blair of the Toledo Diocese issued a statement noting that Robinson is a retired priest barred from any public ministry.
The case hinged largely on the letter opener, which had a diamond-shaped cross-section and a dime-sized medallion with an image of the U.S. Capitol. Forensic experts said the blade was used to inflict the wounds, the medallion appeared to be the source of a faint stain on the altar cloth.
Robinson was a popular priest in this city of 300,000, where a quarter of the residents are Catholic. He was transferred from the hospital a year after the stabbing and became pastor at three parishes in Toledo.
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Get Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and national news. Get the latest/breaking news, featuring national security, science and courts. Read news headlines from the nation and from The Washington Post. Visit www.washingtonpost.com/nation today.
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Fighting Between Iraqi Army Units Kills 2
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BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An armed confrontation between two Iraqi army units left one soldier and one civilian dead Friday, raising questions about the U.S.-trained force's ability to maintain control at a time when sectarian and ethnic tensions are running high.
The incident near Duluiyah, about 45 miles north of Baghdad, illustrates the command and control problems facing the new Iraqi army, which the Americans hope can take over security in most of the country by the end of the year. It also shows that divisions within the military mirror those of Iraqi society at large.
The trouble started when a roadside bomb struck an Iraqi army convoy, which police said was made up of Kurdish soldiers. Four soldiers were killed and three were wounded, police said. U.S. military officials put the casualty figure at one dead and 12 wounded.
The wounded were rushed to the civilian Balad Hospital. Police said that as the Kurdish soldiers drove to the hospital, they fired weapons to clear the way, and one Iraqi Shiite civilian was killed.
Shiite soldiers from another Iraqi unit based in Balad rushed to the scene, and the Kurds decided to take their wounded elsewhere, Iraqi police said. Iraqi troops tried to stop them and shots were fired, killing one Shiite soldier, Iraqi police said.
The U.S. account said an Iraqi soldier from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade was killed in a "confrontation" as the other Iraqi troops were trying to remove their wounded from the hospital.
A third Iraqi army unit set up a roadblock in the area and stopped the soldiers who were leaving with their wounded, the U.S. statement said. American troops intervened at the roadblock and calmed the situation.
The U.S. said the Iraqi army was investigating the incident.
Thousands of Kurdish peshmerga militiamen were integrated into the Iraqi army and provide security in areas with large Kurdish populations, some of which are located near Shiite and Sunni Arab communities.
Shiites, who comprise an estimated 60 percent of Iraq's 27 million people, dominate the ranks of the army. Efforts are under way to recruit more Sunni Arabs, especially for duty in Sunni areas of western Iraq.
Sunni community leaders complain that the presence of Shiite soldiers fuels resentment of the government, which is trying to lure Sunni Arabs away from the insurgency.
The effort to reach out to the Sunnis is taking place against a backdrop of sharp tensions between the two Muslim sects, fueled by tit-for-tat assassinations, many of them blamed on militias.
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BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An armed confrontation between two Iraqi army units left one soldier and one civilian dead Friday, raising questions about the U.S.-trained force's ability to maintain control at a time when sectarian and ethnic tensions are running high.
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Opponents, Board Discuss President
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Protesters at Gallaudet University said late last night that after 10 hours of mediated talks with members of the board of trustees over the past two days, they don't expect an imminent solution to the standoff over the new president.
They will continue protesting today, said Richard Lytle, a professor speaking for the coalition of faculty, students, staff and alumni who have been protesting the May 1 appointment of Jane K. Fernandes and what they say is a flawed search process.
Despite what he described as the board's willingness to talk about other issues, Lytle said protesters did not think that trustees were willing to consider their demand to reopen the search for a president. Board members will meet today, seniors will graduate, and the newly united group of protesters will move forward with new plans, he said, spreading their message off campus, in particular onto Capitol Hill.
Fernandes has said repeatedly, including earlier this week after a no-confidence vote by faculty members, that she would not consider stepping aside. Longtime President I. King Jordan has had a similar message for protesters: The process was fair, and the decision won't be changed.
And yet, the strategizing and the talks continued.
Advocates have been making their cases on Capitol Hill. Because more than two-thirds of the school's budget comes from Congress, lawmakers' goodwill is crucial.
Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.), one of three congressionally appointed trustees, attended the executive session yesterday morning. He was not involved in interviewing candidates or the vote for Fernandes, he said last night, but board members know his position. "I think she's very qualified for the job, and I support the decision the board made," he said.
He said that he could not disclose the specifics of the meeting but that he would return to the Hill to share what he learned. "I felt it was important to come here today" to listen to the concerns. "We spend an enormous amount of federal dollars here."
The Department of Education will spend $107 million this year at Gallaudet, according to an Office of Management and Budget report, the estimated annual average cost per university student on the Northeast Washington campus was about $46,000 in fiscal 2004, and the undergraduate graduation rate was just 42 percent.
LaHood and a university spokeswoman said the report was done by people who did not take into account Gallaudet's unique mission to serve deaf students and that another assessment was underway to evaluate the school in that context.
Early yesterday, professors and students lined the second-floor hall as trustees entered. They held small signs with such slogans as "You can't have a leader with no followers."
Board member Ken H. Levinson said the selection was not a popularity contest; trustees chose a president in a fair process: "There was overwhelming support for Jane. She was definitely the most-qualified candidate."
For several hours after the executive session, alumni, staff, faculty and student leaders talked in a closed-door session with the full board.
Yesterday, the National Association of the Deaf called on the board in a letter to "take serious and corrective action -- today."
The group criticized Fernandes and Jordan for being divisive by explaining the protest as a cultural struggle focused on whether Fernandes is "deaf enough" to be a leader in the deaf community. The board should address "the real issues at hand -- exactly why loss of leadership and trust has transpired," the letter said.
Fernandes has supporters who, as Jordan did, praise her intelligence, vision for the school and emphasis on Gallaudet's role as an inclusive university that can serve the broad spectrum of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, from those who grew up speaking English and attending mainstream schools to those whose native language is American Sign Language and who attended deaf schools.
Others say Fernandes was a top-down manager who has not earned the respect of the campus. When she became provost six years ago, many professors were outraged. Some said she was handpicked by the president against the faculty's wishes and the governance process.
The faculty registered its objections with a vote.
Some faculty opponents also said she was granted tenure without the usual oversight.
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Ask Tom
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In a city loaded with diverse restaurants, from New American chic and upscale Italian to sandwich shops and burritos on the run, finding the best places to eat can be a real puzzle. Where's the best restaurant for a first date or an anniversary? Father's Day? What's the best burger joint? Who has the best service?
Ask Tom. Tom Sietsema , The Washington Post's food critic, is on hand Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions and even entertain your complaints about Washington dining. Sietsema, a veteran food writer, has sampled the wares and worked as a critic in Washington, Seattle, San Francisco and Milwaukee, and can talk restaurants with the best of 'em. You can access his Postcards from Tom to read his recommendations for other cities, read his dining column or read transcripts of previous "Ask Tom" chats . Tom's Sunday magazine reviews, as well as his "Ask Tom" column, are available early on the Web.
Tom Sietsema: Good morning, everyone. What a gorgeous day! I hope you all have plans to eat lunch outside today.
I'm just back from two days in New York, where I attended the 16th annual James Beard Foundation Awards. It was a looooooong Monday night as some 60 awards were doled out to chefs, restaurateurs, food scribes, wine types, service professionals, cookbook authors and others in a ceremony that paid tribute to New Orleans. After the gala, I spotted Fabio Trabocchi, the recipient of the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic honor, who told me he planned to catch a train back to Washington at 7 a.m. Tuesday in order to cook at Maestro last night. Now THAT'S dedication. Congrats, too, go to local author Joan Nathan, for winning a cookbook award for "The New American Cooking."
Perfect timing: I lunched at the excellent new A Voce restaurant, at 41 Madison Ave., BEFORE Frank Bruni's flattering review in the NY Times today. Bruni gave the Italian newcomer, whose kitchen is watched over by Andrew Carmellini (late of the exceptional, French-themed Cafe Boulud), a rare three stars. The best dish: duck meatballs. "These would be great for a staff meal," I said to my waiter. "They are!" he replied. The room is airy and modern; the service is friendly and smart. Go, go, go if you have plans to be in the Big Apple anytime soon.
Contrary to what you may have heard on the ol' grapevine, chef Eric Ripert of the four-star Le Bernardin in New York is NOT opening a restaurant in a Ritz-Carlton property in Washington anytime soon. "I've signed a letter of intent but not a contract," he told me earlier this morning. "There's no funding yet." While he has done a tasting for financier/hotelier Bill Marriott and has an idea of what he'd like to do here -- an organic cafe, "like New York's Balthazar, only American" -- Ripert said any such project is now unlikely before April 2007. He added that one of his five sous chefs in New York is expected to cook at the future restaurant.
Closer to home, the Old Homestead in Bethesda has grilled its last steak and Washington is losing one of its most engaging sommeliers. Stay tuned, later in the chat, for more details regarding the latter news item.
On to your questions and comments!
Washington, D.C.: I find it appalling the number of not good restaurants in D.C. who claim to be fully booked when they are in fact empty. May they go the way of all bad restaurants and close.
Tom Sietsema: Can you provide more specifics? This is an interesting topic; appearances can be deceiving.
Washington, D.C.: Tom, Where is the best place to enjoy soft shell crabs this time of year? I've been craving them since, spring came around.
Tom Sietsema: Gosh, a lot of places are offering soft shell crabs now. The best one in recent memory was slipped inside a BLT -- constructed with fabulously smoky bacon and surprisingly juicy tomatoes -- at Poste in the Hotel Monaco in Penn Quarter. The sandwich, a recent lunch special, comes with a tall cone of fries that are hard to resist, too.
Which reminds me to remind you: Chef Robert Weland is doing some really delicious cooking these days.
washingtonpost.com: Review of Poste .
Vienna, Va.: Dear Tom, Help! We won at auction a $300 gift certificate to Occidental Restaurant, and we are not regular restaurant go-ers at all. What is the protocol for using this gift certificate? Do we need to use the full amount in one evening, or would a balance be returned on another gift certificate? How long do we have to use it (an issue date but no expiration date is indicated)? Do we just present it when the bill comes, or do we say we're using a gift certificate when we make reservations? It excludes gratuity, so I assume we just tip in cash on the full meal amount..any other advice is appreciated. Thanks so much!
Tom Sietsema: A manager at the restaurant informs me that:
1) The certificate is good for two years from its issue date.
2) You don't have to spend the whole amount; any balance will remain on the certificate, which can be reused.
3) It doesn't matter when you mention that you're using the gift.
4) Tips are not part of the deal. Holders of certificates pay gratuities with cash or credit card.
Alexandria,VA: Good morning Tom! I want to ask your opinion on a
recent experience I had where it seemed a four top was
transferred from one group to another, bypassing the
host stand and the long line of hungry brunch-go-ers.
A few weekends ago three of us were waiting in the
brunch queue at Luna Grill in Dupont. The hostess told us
it would be about a fifteen minute wait -and, after being
there for fifteen minutes the four top near us was paying
the bill. Then, three of the four got up and left, while one
stayed seated, talking with a few friends who had just
walked in. The friends then sat down at the table and
picked up menus! The hostess saw what was going on
and was discussing what to do with the manager.
Since we were next up I asked the hostess what she
thought could be done. She seemed very sympathetic and
annoyed as well, but said she couldn't really do anything.
What do you think should have been done?
Luckily my brother-in-law is pretty fearless - he actually
approached the table, asked them if they planned to eat,
and told them that there was a line of people who had
arrived before any of them. The guys at the table didn't
really appreciate their poor behavior being pointed out -
saying now they were more inclined than ever to stay
(though they left within about five minutes and we got a
On a side note - I was offered some comic relief shortly
thereafter when the six-top next to us was served all of
their food, by one waiter, who carried SIX PLATES on ONE
ARM, stacked neatly into two, three-plate high piles.
Tom Sietsema: The manager should have taken IMMEDIATE action and let the threesome know that the table they occupied was meant for another party. (What, the trio didn't see the line? How boorish.)
Washington, D.C.: Since everyone seems to get all up in arms about group dining, I'd like to know where a good place would be to take a group of 12. It is my sister's bachelorette party, but we are looking to keep it low key and relaxed. Is there a good spot downtown (Dupont/Adams Morgan) area that might cater to that size group? And wouldn't push us out the door? Or am I chasing a pipe dream...
Tom Sietsema: I'm thinking Perry's, Busboys and Poets, Local 16, Tabaq Bistro or Sette Osteria would be fun for a group such as yours.
My birthday is coming up and my boyfriend asked where I would like to go to dinner. I would love to go to Restaurant Eve, but that is too expensive for us. Can you suggest something in Old Town that would be a great meal but not too expensive. Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: Altogether now: Majestic Cafe!
Thanks so much for your latest dining postcard, perfect timing as I'm off to Paris today! Are there any other places you couldn't fit in your postcard that I shouldn't miss? Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: Yes: Breakfast at Laduree (don't bother with any other meal) and a seafood snack at the pint-size L'Ecume Saint-Honore, which is a small fish market with a few tables in the rear. Love the live scallops, and the sea urchin, and the oysters and the ...
Washington, D.C.: Luna Grill & Diner in Dupont
Tom Sietsema: Is this in response to the gaggle of gals looking for a group setting?
Any word on Ray's Classic?: Tom,
Any word on when (or if at this point) Ray's Classic is due to open in Silver Spring?
Also, you mentioned talking to Fabio Trabocchi at the Beard awards; doesn't that blow your cover for dining at his establishments?
Tom Sietsema: He was clearly aware of who I was - and so was his staff, one of whom greeted me with an (old) alias of mine. Sigh.
I'll let you know when the new Ray's opens. Hang tight.
Washington, D.C.: Hi Tom! Please please pick me! I've got a simple question. What is your opinion on Corduroy? Can you name a few other restaurants equal to Corduroy? Thanks so much!
Tom Sietsema: I think Tom Power does a mighty fine job of turning out really good food on a consistent basis. Is the room glamorous? No, but it's relatively quiet.
Washington, D.C.: For the group dining for 12 questioner -- with the bachelorette party -- I have taken groups to Mimi's in Dupont Circle, and not only are the singing waiters entertaining, there are dishes on the menu from $12 to $30, so people can order a big meal or a basic burger, as they choose. I'd recommend it.
Tom Sietsema: Mimi's is more fun for the drinkin' than the eatin'. And you have to compete with the singers! They are loud!
Centreville, Va.: Hi Tom, what is the best time to go to Szechwan Boy in Fairfax? After reading your short review, I'd love for my husband and daughter to take me there for Mother's Day (not on Mother's Day of course, which is a dining nightmare), but I don't want to wait for hours for a table. Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: You might want to rethink your choice of Chinese restaurants.
Peter Chang, the restaurant's very good chef, left the kitchen at the end of last month, says his former boss, Jerry Lan. "I don't know where he went. Some people said North Carolina." Lan has since hired two Chinese chefs to replace Chang. "It's still good," he told me (for what that's worth).
I noticed that Mr. Nichols did not mention the James Beard Award nominee (Cindy Wolfe) from Baltimore's Charleston restaurant in this morning's edition of the Post. She certainly deserves mentioning. I just had an extraordinary meal at the establishment approximately 1-week ago - based upon a previous write-up from you. I'm SOOOOO glad that I went up there! The kitchen produced a culinary epiphany. Wow! What an amazing experience. Thanks Tom! Have you re-visted Charleston recently? (I'm trying to figure out a new excuse to go back! Tee Hee Hee!)
Tom Sietsema: Cindy Wolf is indeed an important chef. I've not been back in about eight months, but I look forward to an excuse to return. (Let's see. I start work on the fall dining guide next month!)
washingtonpost.com: Review of Charleston .
Washington, D.C.: If you were a chef, which kitchens in town would you most like to ply your craft in?
Tom Sietsema: I'd most love to get into the brains -- and the kitchens -- of Frank Ruta, Cathal Armstrong, Michel Richard, Eric Ziebold, Peter Pastan, Andrew Evans and Ann Cashion. Among others.
Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: Hello Mr Sietsema, love your advice, crazy about the
chats. Group of 6 are taking a friend out who's leaving for
greener pastures. She requested Indian food and her usual
haunt for that is Heritage India. The decor there drives me
nuts and we had very bad service last time. Can you
recommend Indian food in the Dupont/U St area that
would be a good sending off? Many many thanks.
Tom Sietsema: I'm very high on Rasika these days, but you'll have to venture to 6th St. NW in Penn Quarter to experience the place.
washingtonpost.com: Review of Rasika .
Tom Sietsema: This just in: Christopher Hile, the affable and energetic sommelier at Cityzen, is leaving his post "in a matter of weeks," to take a job at a resort in Santa Barbara. "I have a new opportunity on the horizon," he told me just minutes ago.
All of which means, Eric Ziebold is looking for someone to replace him. Any takers out there?
I need your help, quick, please! My friend is meeting me for lunch in the George Washington Circle/Dupont Circle area. I'll only have about an hour, , but I still want to go somewhere kind of cool. Is this possible?
Tom Sietsema: Circle Bistro, Firefly and Johnny's Half Shell all fall into that category of "cool."
Delaware: Tom - I recently dined at Everest in Chicago (a great place, by the way, for anyone headed there) and was enjoying myself, when one half of a couple at another table called the maitre d' over, and proceeded to describe 11 separate, numbered points, of disagreement with the food. My favorite, I think, was #5 - the lamb wasn't sufficiently "sumptuous". So, my question is this - when restaurants get those kinds of silly complaints, what happens? Does people snicker in the kitchen? Does it get posted on a wall of shame or something?
Tom Sietsema: Let's ask the chefs and waiters lurking online today!
Everest is one of my favorite restaurants in the country; its chef, Jean Joho, was just made a member of the prestigious Who's Who of food and wine by the James Beard Foundation.
Washington, D.C.: I had a great experience with a group (baby shower, about 15 people) at the Clyde's downtown on 7th St. Fun atmosphere, good American food, and very accommodating staff - they offered to take photos and to split the check (into about 10 separate bills). I'm sure that it helped that it was a Saturday afternoon when the place was pretty empty.
Tom Sietsema: I'm not hearing great things about the grub over there ....
Kitchens where Tom would like to be a chef: For those of us who are not familiar with all the chefs in the DC area, could you elaborate with the NAMES of the restaurants where those chefs cook up their delicacies?
Tom Sietsema: In no particular order: Palena, Restaurant Eve, Cashion's Eat Place, Obelisk, Michel Richard Citronelle, the Inn at Easton.
Did I get 'em all?
Alexandria, Va.: Hi Tom--Judging by pizza quality alone, which do you prefer, Two Amy's or Pizzeria Paradiso?
Tom Sietsema: Two Amys. The crust alone --- crisp, charred, yeasty, thin -- is very much to my taste.
Washington, D.C. : Dear Tom,
A few weeks ago my husband took me to dinner at a French restaurant for my birthday (he dislikes French cuisine, so it was a really special treat for me!). Unfortunately, we had an incredibly rude waitress - to the point where other patrons gave us apologetic glances. We were not told of the specials, were scoffed at when asking what an item on the menu was, and were not given any wine recommendations with our meal, even though we said we wanted to buy a bottle to celebrate my birthday. On any other occasion I would have said something to the manger, but I didn't want to spoil my evening with a confrontation. It still really grates on me - is there any recourse?
Tom Sietsema: The problem is, your evening was already spoiled by the server's dismissive attitude. Right? You should have brought the problem to a manager's attention immediately.
The next time this happens, try something along the lines of this:
"We're out for a special evening, but we're not getting much help from our waitress. Maybe you could tell us about the specials and suggest a wine to go with dinner? It would be so helpful."
A little civility goes a long way. I can't imagine a manager not wanting to make you happy after an opener such as that one.
Washington, D.C.: I'm surprised that your chat doesn't have more input from restaurant managers. Seems like we get a lot of reports from customers and venting from waitstaff, but not much about what management does on a day to day basis.
I'm a restaurant manager and I read a transcript of your chat every week to see what you are recommending and to be ready in case my place is listed or noted somehow.
The one piece of advice I would offer to diners is that if they have a comment good or bad that they ASK FOR A MANAGER BEFORE THEY LEAVE. I have a hard working staff, and we take our jobs seriously, but they can get flustered sometimes.
I have years of restaurant experience, and I know that I can fix almost any problem that can arise. Many of our regular customers were won over due to a problem during one of their first visits, or simply because they made a choice to say something about their experience.
I really believe that developing a working relationship with a manager, bartender, or server that you find to be doing the job the right way will help you enjoy eating out so much more. If you have a problem, say so! If everything is great, then say that too.
Tom Sietsema: Ah, you're preaching to the choir with your sentiments. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: Whenever possible -- there are always exceptions -- customers should deal with problems as they arise. "Later" tends to be "too late."
I encourage and appreciate feedback from restaurant insiders in this forum. Thanks for your post. And come again!
Baltimore, Md.: Tom - I know you have to eat out a lot (which, really, sounds like the best job ever). Do you cook, though? When you have the chance to have a meal at home, what do you cook? What do you crave?Thanks!
Tom Sietsema: I eat out 13 meals a week on average. Which leaves me VERY little time to cook. However, I had a dinner party recently, where I tested an old family favorite for a Mother's Day column I wrote for this Sunday's Magazine.
Unless it's for a special occasion, the meals I prepare at home tend to be very simple (meatloaf, roast chicken, pasta). I guess I crave simplicity.
I would love your take on this. Usually when we go for Indian we order more than we can eat so that we can have a little of more dished and then take the left overs home. A certain Indian restaurant packaged them up once in the sort of Styrofoam (sp?) containers that fold over but do not seal properly. By the time I got home everything with sauce had gotten all over everything and I was LIVID - I mean fit to be tied - and I had to throw everything out. What would you have done? For what it is worth I never get doggie bags except in this instance and possibly Chinese food because I figure if they are offering it to go it must okay. Thanks.
Tom Sietsema: Next time, why not bring your own plastic containers?
Washington, D.C.: I think Kramer's could be done in an hour as well...quite a good lunch offering...
Tom Sietsema: Gosh, I haven't eaten there in years. Good idea.
Any word on the new Thai restaurant on 19th and M?
Tom Sietsema: Here's what I thought just as the place opened:
washingtonpost.com: The Weekly Dish on Mai Thai .
Last year my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Le Timbre. We were joking with the waitress that she and the chef looked very much like brother and sister. Later, when we arrived back home and told the story to my father, who had recommended the restaurant to us, we found out that, in fact, the chef and waitress are husband and wife!!
Tom Sietsema: Really? I suspected as much, but when I asked the chef himself, he denied being hitched to any of the three waitresses who work for him (one at a time, since the place is TINY).
washingtonpost.com: Postcard from Tom: Paris
Maybe third time asking's the charm ... I'm running out of
time and hope you can help ...
I want to treat my parents to dinner ($100ish) on their
first trip to San Francisco, someplace near their hotel.
They'll be staying on the Embarcadero waterfront,
supposedly within five minutes of Fisherman's Wharf,
Chinatown, Union Square, Ghirardelli Square and North
Anything but Asian; local ingredients a plus; they don't
drink anymore but like the sensibility of a place that cares
Please help! (Yes, I read your postcards!) Thanks, Tom!
Tom Sietsema: Send the parental units to Zuni Cafe, Quince or Delfina, all of which are models of their kind.
Here is what we restaurant folk do when someone launches into a supercilious diatribe while we are serving guests: We say, "Thank you very much for your input" and we move on. After service, we relay relevant comments to appropriate staff members. We do not punish guests for having opinions, although we may roll our eyes from time to time, away from public view, of course.
Tom Sietsema: Just what I thought. Merci.
Washington, D.C.: Here's an annoying experience about reservations (it happened in another state) - we called a restaurant and made reservations for 7:45. We had asked for 7:30 but the person on the phone could only offer us 7:45. When we arrived he told us that we would have to wait until 8pm. We were a little annoyed - he offered no explanation (e.g., "they're just finishing up", "things got delayed") that would have made sense. He did however proceed to insist that when I called him earlier for the reservation that he clearly stated that "no reservation is guaranteed". He lied. He was quite frankly kind of nasty and reluctantly offered us a free drink in the very crowded, noisy, and smoky bar. The stupid thing is that within about 10 minutes we had our table - by 8pm. A little kindness would go a long way - for any hosts out there, a simple understandable explanation would work wonders. And a free drink offer that felt genuine is nice. Being nasty and insisting that "no reservation is guaranteed" is the wrong wrong wrong way to handle things. We ate there (despite me urging my dining partner to spend our money elsewhere) - but won't be going back.
Tom Sietsema: I always appreciate hearing the truth, even if the news isn't what I want to hear. (Airlines are good at this these days:. "Folks, we'll be sitting here for another 20 minutes or so, because a light needs to be changed in the cockpit.")
The host sounds like a dolt.
Arlington, Va.: Oh, for Tom's sake. Where are people's priorities? I can't imagine getting LIVID over leftovers. "The Styrofoam didn't shut all the way! Arrrrrgh!" Seems more like an inconvenience rather than something to bust a gut over.
Tom Sietsema: I hear you. But haven't you ever REALLY looked forward to that leftover steak or chocolate cake only to find the item was smashed, MIA or not what you requested?
Washington, D.C.: Visiting NYC with my parents and we'd like to try out a great restaurant that won't break the bank. Any suggestions (American or Italian?)
Tom Sietsema: Three words of advice: Momofuko Noodle Bar!
Actually, make that eight words of advice: Go early or go late.
Washington, D.C. - Complaints in Restaurants: Hey Tom, a restaurant manager here, and we all receive these types of complaints. Some are certainly warranted, and I always take my customers word for it. If a steak is cooked perfectly medium-rare, and the customer says it's not, I will apologize and get them another. If it takes long to get them a second steak, I'll comp their entree. There are times though when all you can do is simply apologize with a smile. A customer at our restaurant ordered an entree with just the protein on the plate. No vegetables, no starch, no sauce, just the steak. She then proceeded to complain to me that she had gotten a plate of just steak. Even though she had asked for it without anything else, she expected there to be side items to make the plate look better, even though she admitted that she would not have eaten them. In this case, all I could do was apologize and I offered her to ask for me the next time she comes in so that this won't happen again. I know Everest is a great restaurant both in terms of food and service, so I imagine the manager handled it very well.
Tom Sietsema: The female diner sounds like ... well, let's just say the lady has issues.
What in your opinion is the best restaurant that one can go to in shorts and not be turned away/glared at ?
Tom Sietsema: The bar at Palena? The patio at Citronelle? An outdoor table at Marcel's?
Alexandria, Va.: "Livid over leftovers"?!
You raise an interesting point that people should be able to use their own containers.
I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY (I'm all for a little less styrofoam in the world) - but, unfortunately, I wonder what the health code regs are and whether restaurants are allowed to put leftovers in containers I bring.
Tom Sietsema: Does anyone know if this can or can't (legally) be done?
Re: NYC Pizza: You ever go to Otto in Manhattan? Great pizza.
Tom Sietsema: Actually, I like the Italian snacks better.
Washington, D.C.: How did you manage to go the James Beard awards. Were you in disguise?
Tom Sietsema: I went as Alton Brown.
Boise, Idaho: How do you manage to keep your figure with all this eating out? (Love your column!)
Tom Sietsema: I'm not sure that I do! The day I got this job, however, I hired a personal trainer -- I call him my health insurance -- and I go to the gym an average of three days a week.
Still, I need to spend more time on the Stair Master and less time at the table. Or at least EATING at the table.
Washington, D.C.: Tom - do you have any suggestions on where I can take my husband for his birthday this Saturday May 13. It will be his first birthday that we are celebrating as husband and wife.
Tom Sietsema: I need more details. What does he like? Where are you looking to celebrate? What is your budget?
Still drying off in Rockville: Tom,
I'd like to hear what you'd do in my shoes. We were seated at for dinner at a restaurant in West Virginia that claimed to have a "pedigreed" chef. Young waitress took our drink orders and came back with a tray from which a glass of wine fully tumbled into my lap. Horrified face and apologies with offer to change tables from our server. What happened next was a couple of towels for me as we sat back and the table was wiped down by the hostess. A comment was made wondering if they needed to offer to clean my slacks, to which I said no as they were washable. I was accommodating and didn't raise a fuss. Perhaps that was an error on my part, since I was certain that there would be some further consideration shown by the management. By the end of dinner I was still not dry, but got "wringed out" when the bill came.... the full bill came... and not a word more was said save for an apology by the server. I don't know if we'll ever go back there, but I'm still really steamed that a place that charges high prices for the region would have such low class. The worst part was that I don't even drink, but got to smell the stuff until we got home!
Tom Sietsema: Poor you! That's happened to me before, only with hot coffee. Not fun.
You mention a "young" waitress. Was the manager ever made aware of what happened? Someone in charge should have attended to the problem from the start, and seen to it that you left on a more positive note.
At the least, the restaurant should have paid for your entree, or even your meal. Considering you weren't drinking, it would not have been a huge outlay for the place.
My boyfriend and I are big foodies and I'm planning his birthday. I've decided to take him to the tasting room at Restaurant Eve for dinner, but need a place for lunch. Would like to go somewhere we haven't been before, which may be a tall order because we've made a real effort to cover a lot of ground. We've been to Minibar (where he took me for my birthday) CityZen, Cafe Mozu, Palena, Komi, among others... Don't get me wrong, the place doesn't have to be as expen$ive as the aforementioned, but I'm definitely shooting for at least memorable, and of course delicious. I'm thinking possibly of Kaz Sushi Bistro, since we both love sushi and have yet to go. We've been to Sushi Ko hwr. Thanks!!
Tom Sietsema: You and I are on the same page. I like the idea of something light before A Big Deal Meal. Kaz Sushi Bistro would be an excellent choice. So would Makoto.
Another option is Thai; for that, head to the handsome Regent Thai in Dupont Circle or the serene (at lunch) Rice in Logan Circle, both of which offer several lovely soups.
Dupont Circle, D.C.: Dear Tom,
I don't understand (since you say you get so many questions for your chat) why you chose to publish the "I hate kids" rant in your last chat. We get it. Some diners don't like kids in their restaurants if they aren't sitting like angels eating mutely. We have talked about this ad nauseam in the chat, so why waste limited space on a complaint like that.
I DO have kids and I take them to dinner. We choose places that are known to be family friendly and we go before 6:30 and we try keep the kids quiet. Now please give us a break! If you don't like noisy kids stay away from Mamma Mia and Austin Grill. Both are chains and families eating dinner are what you should expect at those hours. The restaurateurs obviously think that people with kids are good customers or the place wouldn't be "family friendly."
I don't care if the author is a DINK or a SINK, he/she just seemed like a JERK. And I don't see why it deserves space in this chat.
Tom Sietsema: My promise to you for today: This will be the only post to mention the topic you say you are tired of hearing about.
Indian leftovers: The Indian restaurant near my house (deeeelicious, by the way - the one in the White Oak shopping center) uses those styrofoam packages for take-home food, and you know what I do? It's radical - it's crazy - I make sure the container stays level on the way home! Works like a charm!
Grocery complaints: Tom, I work in the retail grocery business, and we get the wacky customer too. You smile, do what you can for them, don't try to convince them that what they believe is utter nonsense, and get them out the door. Then you laugh about it after closing.
Tom Sietsema: Share a story or two with us, for next week!
Poste: I want to second that I love the food at Poste, but the service was so bad on a Sunday morning brunch - plenty of open tables being held for "reservations" that never seemed to show, a hostess forgetting we were there and having to be reminded twice that we were waiting, a cracked tea mug, 3 servers stopping by our table to try and help, but the first taking 10-15 minutes to bring our tea, to our brunch cocktails coming AFTER we were finished with our meal - I'm not sure I'll be back. And that's a shame, because the food was great!
Tom Sietsema: Gosh, that was SO not the case when I dropped by. But thanks for sharing.
Arlington, Va.: Tom, it strikes me that people seem to be quick to complain. Are they as quick to compliment? While I don't hesitate to speak up if I'm not getting satisfactory service (although "satisfactory service" for me covers a wide range!), I also make sure that I compliment the server on an especially fine job -- and when a server goes above and beyond, I make sure I find the manager to let him or her know as well. If I'm going to hold restaurant staff to a certain standard and expect them to meet it, I think I owe them recognition when they exceed it. Just my 2 cents.
Tom Sietsema: I bet you're a four-star customer.
Weirton, WV: Styrofoam containers at least are new, clean, and you can transfer your left overs once you get home and toss it. To keep it closed, keep a rubber band or two on your
person or in your purse.
Tom Sietsema: What a smart bunch we have online today.
Love the chat. If your pizza person ever finds him/herself in Southern MD and in need of good pizza, they should try Margellina's. The pizza is thin and crispy, beautifully charred. The white pizza is out of this world. My European friends say it the closest they can get to the pizza they remember from Italy. It's a small neighborhood place across the street from the Clinton park & ride lot. Well worth the trip!
P.S. Just a very satisfied customer, promise.
Tom Sietsema: Let's end with a pizza tip. Now I'm REALLY hungry.
Thanks for spending some time with me today. Let's regroup next Wednesday, okay?
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Warren Brown talks about all your automobile issues! He has been covering the automobile industry for The Washington Post since 1982. Brown, who joined the newspaper in 1976, has what many people think is a particularly cool job: He gets to test drive all manner of cars, from top-of-the-line Mercedes sedans and the newest sports cars to Volkswagen Beetles and SUVs. His auto reviews are lively, detailed accounts of a car's good and bad points, addressing everything from a car's highway performance to its "head-turning" factor and sound system.
Brown comes online Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET to answer your questions on every aspect of the automotive industry -- from buying your dream car to the future of the internal combustion engine.
Front Royal, Va.: With kids and a home on a mountain I need to upgrade to a seven passenger SUV from our X-Terra. Understanding that gas mileage is not going to be better than 15-17 mpg city I am willing to bite the bullet. We have been looking at the Jeep Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. We are leaning toward staying with the Nissan namesake. Please let me know your thoughts on the aforementioned and if there are others I should be looking at. Thanks, you're the best!
Warren Brown: Good morning, Front Royal.
You also might want to consider the Suzuki XL-7, priced from about $22,000 to $27,000, available in in rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, powered by a 2.7-liter V-6, 185 hp. Your best mileage would be with the rear-wheel-drive version, getting abut 22 mpg.
Ithaca, N.Y.: I am thinking about the Subaru Outback, but I think it may be too large for me. Is the 2007 Camry a smaller car, or are these two comparable? I want something just a little larger than a Civic, preferably something with good gas mileage. Any suggestions?
The Subaru Outback is an all-wheel-drive wagon with some SUV pretensions. All-wheel-drive generally consumes more fuel than two-wheel-drive. But you're in Ithaca, that "gorges" place that looks like something out of "The Shining" in the dead of winter. So, you'd better go with the Subaru. You'll need it in Ithaca.
Phoenix, Ariz.: I have a Saturn Vue V6. It has been a great car, good gas mileage and lots of power. I think it has a Honda engine. I plan to buy a new one in '07. Do you know if the Honda engine will stay in the Vue or will the new GM 3.6 V6 replace it? What is the future of the Vue and Saturn? My family owns several of their autos and have had good luck with them over the years. We will continue to buy Saturns in the future.
Saturn lives and lives well, better than ever before. Exterior styling upgraded on the Vue. Interior completely redone. But the real news is the new Saturn Vue Green Line coming out this Summer. As the name implies, it's a gas-electric hybrid. And, yes, the Honda V-6 continues for the conventionally powered Vue. Also available is a four-cylinder model with front-wheel-drive. Overall, the entire Saturn line has been regenerated, led by the Sky roadster as the halo car and buttressed by the Aura midsize sedan. Saturn executives say they are not abandoning small cars. More on that development, soon.
Northern Va.: For Front Royal. We bought the 7-passenger Nissan Pathfinder LE and LOVE it. The third row seats fold flat when not in use and they are very easy to get up and down. They're also roomier than other mid-size trucks' third row. It rides great.
Warren Brown: Thank you, Northern Va.
Upper Marlboro, Md.: I have just noticed two scratches on the doors(appears to be keyed) on my black Mazda 3, Question is will the whole side of the of the car have to be repainted? How are these things fixed. And will it be expensive should I go to the dealer for this or a body shop?
Warren Brown: Take it to Macco, or some other comparable paint and body shop. I'm not at all sure that the whole door will have to be repainted. But the professionals can answer that.
Irritating, isn't it? The cavalier destruction of someone else's property. Drives me nuts!
Washington, D.C.: I have read in this chat that hybrids are only economical if you are going to drive in the city a great deal and plan to keep the car for some years. It seems that hybrids would be ideal then for most people, or do most trade-in their cars in under six years?
The current generation of gas-electric hybrids do their best work in city traffic, which is why they tend to have better mileage in the city than they do on the highway (which is just the reverse of of traditional, gasoline-engine vehicles). That is because the electric portion of the gas-electric hybrid's drive system takes over in the city. The gas-engine does the work on the highway.
GM,BMW, DaimlerChrysler soon will offer a dual mode hybrid in which the electric system does more work on the highway than does the current generation of hybrids. That should save more fuel. It should also obsolete the current generation of hybrids. Resale value of current generation?
That is a question that current hybrid manufacturers are dancing around. Why? Because hybrids have a lot in common with laptops and iPods. This morning's model is obsolete this afternoon.
That's especially true when it comes to the battery technology in hybrids.
The current generation runs mostly nickel metal hydride. The future generation will run mostly lithium ion or lithium polymer, supposedly more advanced, more capable batteries.
I'm getting all kinds of conflicting answers on the potential interchangeability of these batteries. Suffice it to say that I would not want to be in the position of buying a used hybrid with its original nickel metal hydride battery pack. Could be expensive in the long run.
Triangle, Va.: Have you driven the new Kia Sedona? What is your opinion of this vehicle and Kia in general?
Warren Brown: I'm driving the Kia Sedona at the end of the month. Generally, Hyundai and Kia are competitive with everyone in all of the segments in which they compete. The Koreans are making good cars. In some models, and here I'm thinking about the new Hyundai Azera, they still have a bit of catching up to do. But they are well on their way.
Alexandria, Va.: Test drove a used 06 Jetta TDI last night. Impressive acceleration (it's gotta be the Torque), and gas mileage (salesman said 50 MPG HWY) have almost convinced me to buy one of these. What, if anything, should I be aware about with VW?
Warren Brown: The usual. The service.
Washington, D.C.: There used to be convertible version of some small cars. Pontiac, I think, had one and I believe it had at least the idea of a back seat. Have these just been replaced by the two-seater roadster? Or will there one day be a Dodge Neon convertible?
Warren Brown: I hope that there never will be a Dodge Neon convertible, although that rather awful Chrysler PT Cruiser "convertible" comes close.
But you have a mix out there--two-seat roadsters and convertibles. The smaller the body--say, Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky--the more likely it is that it will be a two-seater, a roadster, as opposed to a four-seat convertible, such as the larger Volvo C70 or the ragtop Ford Mustang.
New Delhi, India: Hi Warren,
Would you recommend buying a Corvette ZO-6 as an investment if I planned to garage it and maybe drive about 500 miles per year tops? I live in Asia but would keep the car in Texas.
Warren Brown: Hello, New Delhi:
What investment literally destroys a portion of itself every time you use it?
Global demand for oil is rising.
Oil prices overall will continue to increase.
The Z06 use lots of petrol.
I love the Z06, absolutely love it. But not as an investment.
There is no such thing as an investment in a car, not in most of them anyway.
Just buy it because you love it, and the heck with everything else. Enjoy!
Phoenix, Ariz.: I have a Saturn Vue V6. It has been a great car, good gas mileage and lots of power. I think it has a Honda engine. I plan to buy a new one in '07. Do you know if the Honda engine will stay in the Vue or will the new GM 3.6 V6 replace it? What is the future of the Vue and Saturn? My family owns several of their autos and have had good luck with them over the years. We will continue to buy Saturns in the future.
Warren Brown: I think I answered this one. yes, on all counts.
Ward 4, Washington, D.C.: Warren-
Help? I am afraid that the time is coming for a new car. I love my 1986 Audi, but he is aging.
So, I'm been considering a hybrid. I want a stick shift. I thought that the Civic hybrid was available with a stick, but it seems that is no longer true?
I've also been considering the VW Golf Diesel.
In general, I want a reliable car that's fun to drive, with a stick shift, that gets REALLY good gas mileage, especially in city traffic, as I do 85% of my driving inside the District. Ideally, it would be a four door that could carry up to five adults. Even more ideally, it would be a hatchback.
So, am I on the right track? Can you suggest specific models to look at? Thanks!
Warren Brown: Forget the hybrid. Get that VW Golf diesel, one of my favorite cars. Lots of spunk. Very little diesel funk. Great gas mileage. Really fun to drive.
Hyattsville, Md.: Oops! I didn't realize the time. Hope you can still take my question. Is Ford dropping the Mercury line? Thanks Warren.
Warren Brown: Unfortunately, not yet.
Mclean, Va.: Hiya, Warren. Do you have any experience with the Chevy Silverado hybrid pick-up truck? It seems like a good idea -- using the battery power for short trips back and forth to the lumber yard -- while having power in reserve for extra heavy loads. I haven't heard much about them good or bad, and wanted to solicit your sage advice. Thanks a lot.
Warren Brown: I need more experience with that one, McLean. I've only played with it a little. Nothing serious. But, thanks to your inquiry, I will go back to it and take it out longer term.
Chicago, Ill.: Good Day Warren,
How did your driving the Volvo C-70 go? Would you recommend it?
Warren Brown: Very nice ride and handling on the C-70. Nice exterior lines. But that automatic top strikes me as being a bit clunky. Also, can someone at Volvo explain the common sense of offering a convertible with a black interior?
I want to bask in the sun, not bake in it.
Boston, Mass.: I'm looking for your opinion and feedback please. I'm currently driving a '93 Accord (bought it used in '95). I've been shopping around for several months trying to weigh all options. I've come with two different cars and want to know your opinion on both. A 2003 Lexus ES300 owned by an elderly friend of the family who took excellent car of it (15,000 miles on it) OR 2006 Acura TSX. I'm single without kids and drive 24 miles round trip on 2-lane suburban streets to work, and mostly suburban and highway driving on weekends.
Warren Brown: Take the Lexus. Good interior space. Good quality. The ES300 is a higher form of Toyota Camry. In this case, that is a good thing. You are looking for a faithful, reliable partner--not a one-drive fling.
To the question about a Z06 as an investment, I would reply - don't ever think of a car you intend to drive as an investment. However, having owned both a C4 and a C5 convertible, I can say they were the most economical cars I ever owned due to the low depreciation. I bought each one used with low miles, drove them several years, and sold them with low miles for close to what I paid for them. My last (and I mean last) Lincoln depreciated more in six months than either of my Corvette's did in three years.
Warren Brown: Hello, Alexandria. and thanks...
What are the diesel cars available in the U.S. now? VW and Mercedes only? Any plans of having the VW Golf GTD on sale here?
Warren Brown: Diesel cars currently are from VW and DaimlerChrysler. You are right about that. GM and Ford both have diesel trucks. More diesels are on the way, probably via Audi, which has been tearing up the race tracks with diesel-powered mobiles.
Olney, Md.: Is the Edmunds.com TMV price a decent baseline for negotiation or is it the price you can expect to pay for a car?
Warren Brown: It's only a suggestion and should be treated as such, Olney.
I have a question only you can answer. I am looking for a fast car. Very fast. But not a sports car. No Porsches. I really don't want something flashy. It has to have a back seat and four doors. Price is a consideration, but I am willing to go pretty high. Right now I am looking at the Audi RS4 and the BMW M3 or M5 (thought the M5 is too expensive at $80k+ and BMW's overall are flashier than I would like). I am hoping for a sedan in the $40k-$70k range with 0-60 speed in the 4.5 second range. Any thoughts? Do you like the Audi? It's the frontrunner right now. Thanks a lot.
Forget everything you just mentioned and go out and buy Little Ugly.
Little Ugly, aka the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR--the fastest, ugliest, most-fun-to-drive car I've ever driven.
Starts at about $35,189. Methinks it comes with a turbo inline 4 that churns 286 hp @ 6,500 revolutions per minute and 289 ft-lbs of torque @ 3,500 revolutions per minute. Really nice six-speed manual shifter. I think the model I had came with Brembo brakes. Really, Really, really fast.
ZO-6 follow up. Can I rent a ZO-6 for a week? Lets assume I was willing to pay $200-250 a day? When I said investment, what I meant was would the car maintain much of its value if driven only 500 miles a year?
Warren Brown: Yes, you can rent a Z06.
There are several luxury rental car companies in LA, for example. And Hertz has its "Fun Collection," of which, I think, the Z06 is a part.
Sykesville, Md.: Another Saturn question:
This is my second Saturn. I had the first one 10 years, 234,000 miles (original clutch! original engine!) and got this one. 4 years old, 170K miles (original clutch, original engine).
Having said that, why is there any discussion of abandoning their dent-resistant doors? Without THAT feature, it's just another GM car.
I assure you that the new Saturns are not just other GM cars, or "just" any other kind of cars. They are well done.
Why abandon the dent-resistant doors?
Great technology, with great drawbacks--manufacturing costs being chief among them.
Also, consumers are funny. They want the dent-resistant, composite material doors. But they also want super-tight seams everywhere. Ever noticed those original Saturns? Wide seams. And look at just about any other composite-exterior car. Wider-than-metal seams on all but the most expensive, and sometimes on them.
Washington, D.C.: Good morning, Warren ...
I'm driving an '05 Accord, and it's a fine piece of automotive engineering and careful manufacturing, but it is just too boring. Also, it's bigger than I need.
I tend to keep cars for years - my last one was 10 years old when I sold it - and the cheapskate in me winces at dumping a perfectly good car after less than two years. Also, I really really really hate the new car buying experience. (Though this last time, much more of it was online and thus relatively free of actual contact with "automotive sales consultants.")
I'm thinking of something smaller, a bit funkier maybe, and definitely more fun. The new (is it out yet?) Fit intrigues me. But I wonder, as someone about your age, if I would look ridiculous behind the wheel of that or a Scion, etc.
Side curtain airbags, thrifty at the gas pump, and manual shift are non-negotiable.
Oh great sage of the road: any ideas?
Warren Brown: Heck, no, you won't look silly behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, or Chevrolet Aveo. Those are all neat little cars. I love'em. Forget all that youth zoot-suit stuff. That's just a bunch of marketing hooey propagated by newly minted MBA's in need of consulting jobs.
How many 17-25-year-olds actually can afford to buy a new car, pay rent and utilities, pay school loans, cover medical expenses, all of that?
We've gone absolutely stupid in this country.
We waste enormous amounts of time and energy celebrating celebrities without talent. We trash experience and extol youth. And we borrow every damned thing. We're the Indebted Society in Search of the Fountain of Youth. Bottom line, we're just all wet.
Raw, Unbridled Power: I guess you have a thing for superpowered gas guzzlers eh? Do you agree with the need for a gas guzzler tax?
Warren Brown: I have a thing for a lot of things I can't afford, should not have, things that are bad for me, upsetting to you. What can I say? I'm an inveterate sinner, which is why I became a columnist, just so I can have a written record of how good I really wanted to be. Maybe that will carry some weight on the other side. But while I'm here, I feel that I might as well keep the priests, rabbis, ministers, mullahs and all of those other prayerful folks employed. I mean, where would the Holy Ones be without us sinners? No where. We are a prime market.
Yes, I love big, funky, rowdy cars with obnoxious engines. Can't live with 'em long. But I love 'em. The Viper you referred to comes with a $3,000 gas-guzzler tax. That's perfectly fine with me. It seems to be fine with the people who buy it.
For a really good time, bring lots of money.
God bless and good luck to all of you.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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The Post's Warren Brown answers your questions about every aspect of the automotive industry.
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Post Politics Hour
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Don't want to miss out on the latest buzz in politics? Start each day at wonk central: The Post Politics Hour. Join in each weekday morning at 11 a.m. as a member of The Washington Post's team of White House and Congressional reporters answers questions about the latest in buzz in Washington and The Post's coverage of political news.
Washington Post Congressional reporter Charles Babington was online Wednesday, May 10, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the latest news in politics.
Political analysis from Post reporters and interviews with top newsmakers. Listen live on Washington Post Radio or subscribe to a podcast of the show.
Charles Babington: Welcome to the chat. I have no opening statement, so let's go to your questions and comments.
Milan, Italy: In your opinion, since you have worked alongside the former Clinton administration, if Hillary Clinton, or Al Gore, were to be elected President, what function would Bill Clinton be able to play in policy decisions? Are there any legal limits on his role? In addition, would the United States Government go through deja vous; i.e. the Bushes running up the deficit, Clintons fixing it, the Bushes going to war, the Clintons struggling for peace, abortion rights limited, abortion rights extended, etc.
Charles Babington: Obviously your question is highly speculative, but I think we can say, first, there are no legal limits (that I'm aware of) on the role a "First Gentleman" could play in his wife's presidency. Bill Clinton almost surely would play a close advisory role in a Hillary Clinton presidency, and a much more limited role, if any at all , under a Gore presidency. (Remember, Al Gore distanced himself from Clinton in the 2000 presidential campaign, and there has been some coolness between the two camps ever since). Whether a Gore or HRC presidency would result in a lower deficit is an economic speculation on top of a political speculation, so I'll take a pass.
Arlington, Va.: I hope you can clarify a statement made by Dan Balz on Meet the Press. After the clip of Kelly O'Donnell interviewing VP Cheney was played in which she asked about his stepping down to help put a VP in place who would be helping the president as the "heir apparent", Mr. Balz said it would not help the President. Does he mean no issue is going to help bring up the president's ratings or does he mean the replacement of Cheney is not going to help his rantings? Fred Barnes and others have stated they believe Condi Rice would be selected to replace Cheney, so it that is true, she would be a huge plus for the Bush administration? Can you explain this in reference to the Balz statement, or just please express you own view about the Senate confirmation of next VP? Condi is at over 50% job approval and if she was offered the job, would she be seen as the frontrunner for 2008?
Charles Babington: Rather than speculate (again), I asked Dan to tackle your query. Here's what he says:
The president's problems are mostly of his own making, although Cheney, Rumsfeld and others contribute to them. Replacing Cheney would provide a temporary boost, but then the question is whether the change means a new direction for the administration, which it probably would not. If Bush selects an "heir apparent," he then generates friction inside the GOP. Also, Rice is tied as directly to the administration's Iraq policies as Cheney or Rumsfeld. She is obviously much more popular, but switching VPs at this stage carries risks as well as benefits.
Pittsford, N.Y.: The left-wing of the blogosphere is expressing outrage over the news that HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson won't give contracts to those who say they oppose the president. Aren't they being a bit naive? Hasn't politics always worked that way (at least since Andrew Jackson instituted the "spoils system)? I'm a bit surprised that anyone could be that Pollyannaish about the ways of the world and Washington. What do you think about this?
Charles Babington: I think people operating in Washington generally are more discreet. You'd think that someone who just landed a big federal contract would keep to himself the thought that, By the way, I hate your president.... And you'd think an administration official might handle it by saying, You should have enough discretion and courtesy to utter such thoughts somewhere other than my office.
Rochester, N.Y.: I know that it is an election year, but the debt ceiling has increased about 60 percent in the past five years and this administration has borrowed more ($1.05 trillion) than all previous administrations since George Washington combined. Isn't it fiscally irresponsible for Congress to extend the Bush tax cuts? Ordinary people would be near (or in) bankruptcy managing their household finances this way. I'm no economist, but maybe the difference is that ordinary people can't print their own money or de facto devalue it.
Charles Babington: I'm no economist either, but I do know that comparing the borrowing of a huge government such as the United States to a family's debt is not meaningful in many ways. Liberal and conservative economists agree that there are times when the federal government needs to borrow money to finance a war or stimulate growth, etc. (but they certainly don't agree on all such circumstances, the proper level of debt, etc.). I've always been intrigued by the degree to which many voters seem to care little about the level of the federal debt and deficit. A majority seemed to think it was fine when the government was running a surplus in the last years of the Clinton administration, and fine when the deficit rose sharply under the current president. Voters seem much more concerned about matters such as gasoline prices, health care availability and costs, schools, crime, and so on.
Bethesda, Md.: Could you please explain the alternative minimum tax, how it works and who benefits/loses by it?Thanks very much.
Charles Babington: The AMT was originally designed to make sure that some tax payments are owed by high-income people with lots of tax shelters and deductions. Over time, it has come to hit more and more upper-middle-class Americans. The reason is that it tends to "allow" only so many deductions. So the newest victims are typically dual-income households that take deductions for high local and state taxes, mortgage payments, children, etc. People are less likely to be affected if they live in states with zero or low income taxes, or if they claim no child deductions, and so on.
Arlington, Va.: Post today has an article entitled "The Year of the Black Republican" that puts forth the idea black Republicans may cut into the traditional Democratic base. The grounds for this hypothesis are quite tenuous. Yes many African Americans agree with Republicans on social issues such as gay marriage. However, as the article notes, the candidates do not represent the black community on issues such as health care, affirmative action, work's rights including minimum wage, education, the Iraq War (which has killed more African Americans than any other group) and The Voting Rights Act. Do Republicans expect African Americans to be so short-sighted and racially narrow minded (and possibly bigoted)to sacrifice their collective interests to vote for a Republican simply because he shares their skin tone?
Charles Babington: I thought the article (which is on our Web site) did a good job of laying out the Republicans' hopes for inroads into the black electorate with a generous dose of the explaining the challenges they face. You have summarized some of the points, e.g., the GOP is in line with many African Americans on the issue of gay marriage, but much less so on many other issues.
Orlando, Fla.: Do all of the federal agencies have large limousine budgets? Or is the $21 million Shirlington Limousine contract with Homeland Security unusual? This is for 10 limos and 10 shuttles for a year or $1.1 million per vehicle. Do Post reporters get limos for work?
Charles Babington: I don't know about federal agencies, but yes, all Post reporters are driven to work in limousines. You cannot imagine the morning traffic jams on 15th Street.
Los Angeles, Calif.: Thank you for your work. When you replied to the question about our trillion dollar fed debt, should you not have mentioned that massively increased fed debt inevitably drives up interest rates and thereby the inflation rate? The cost of gas, food, etc., are all linked to inflation and so of direct interest to us ordinary voters. It would be helpful if your comments made that more clear to your readers.
Charles Babington: Again, my degree is not in economics.... Your points are well taken, but what do you make of the fact that inflation (and interest rates, tho they are ticking up) have remained relatively low even as the deficit has climbed sharply in recent years?
Virginia: Alfonso Jackson has now changed his story - via his spokesperson:
"He was merely trying to explain to the audience how people in D.C., will say critical things about the secretary, will unfairly characterize the president and then turn around and ask you for money," Tucker said. "He did not actually meet with someone and turn down a contract. He's not part of the contracting process."
I guess it was all a misunderstanding ...
Charles Babington: Thanks for the update.
G St. D.C.: In this political climate, how can the Republicans extend these capital gains and dividend tax breaks? Isn't this a party cyanide pill given the public's current painful awareness of corporate tax load, especially in re: Exxon?
Charles Babington: Clearly congressional Republicans don't see it that way... And they've done a pretty good job of winning elections lately. But who knows what Nov. will bring?
Richmond, Va.: Add me to that short list of voters that give a damn about borrowing recklessly for short-term politically-expedient economic gains at the expense of future generations of Americans awash in our debt
Charles Babington: Thanks for writing.
Ellicott City, Md.: So I found a Herblock book circa 1950s and there is a whole chapter on the do nothing congress of 1947-8. So this Congress might get less accomplished?
Charles Babington: Herblock would be enjoying the 109th, wouldn't he?
Rockville, Md.: "A majority seemed to think it was fine when the government was running a surplus in the last years of the Clinton administration, and fine when the deficit rose sharply under the current president."
And all the pundits who were against the deficit started telling us (in 98 or so) how bad it would be to pay off the debit. So most of us said, "if every option is bad, why should I be concerned?"
Charles Babington: Even in the most robust days of the Clinton administration, we came nowhere close to paying off the entire debt. I think you are overstating the influence of "all the pundits" who said it would be bad to pay off the debt, which is basically a fantasy.
Kiawawh Island, S.C.: Re: Tax cut extension
Correct me if I am wrong here, but my understanding is that tax revenues have risen sharply since the tax cuts have been in place. Perhaps spending has more to do with the deficit than revenue inputs.
Charles Babington: There is no question that federal spending continues to grow at a vigorous rate, driven mainly by Medicare and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
New York, N.Y.: Why isn't The Post covering the Alphonso Jackson scandal? If this were Clinton's HUD secretary, the Post would have put in page 1.
Charles Babington: Ah, yes, the Post gives the Bush administration a pass after vilifying the Clinton administration. (No, wait, what about all our fans who say it's the exact opposite?).. The Jackson item led Al Kamen's well-read In the Loop column in today's paper. We'll try to provide a link.
Boston, Mass.: Al Kamen's article about talking points for the department of agriculture on the global war on terror is why The Post is a great news paper. In no other paper in the entire country can you read an article like it. Similarly with the great stories the Post has done about the Railroad to nowhere in Mississippi. You will never see an article like that hit CNN, Fox, Google news. Do you think the average American is aware that this is what government spends their money on?
Charles Babington: Al, please get back to work and stop messaging me.
Omaha, Neb.: Warren Buffett says the $800 billion trade deficit is a much bigger problem for the future
Charles Babington: Thanks for writing, Omaha.
washingtonpost.com: Costly Words: 'I Don't Like President Bush' , ( Post, May 10, 2006 )
Wahpeton, N.D.: Excuse me, did I read that correctly, are you saying it is ok to give out government contracts based on whether or not someone agrees with the administration in power?
Charles Babington: No. I was simply saying how surprising it was to hear that such a conversation would take place. (And as you saw above, now there is a question of what actually transpired).
Washington, D.C.: One thing seems certain - if the old guard from both sides of the aisle dominate the tickets in 2008 the election will be more of the same. How likely is it that a candidate who runs on ideas will emerge - and, is there anybody on the current landscape that you think might try that?
Charles Babington: You are saying that none of the leading candidates, in either party, is running on "ideas"? Do you mean "new ideas," or "unorthodox ideas"? I'm sure they would disagree with your characterization.
Fairfax, Va.: Dan Balz's article today refers to Democratic "centrists" opposed to those on the left. If the "centrists" aren't conservatives who exactly are the conservatives in the Democratic Party or are there just two groups The Post recognizes: the Left and the Centrists? It is said you can't tell the players without a scorecard so, help me out here: who are the Democrats?
washingtonpost.com: Centrist Democrats Urge Party Policy With Muscle (Post, May 10)
Charles Babington: If you look at the political spectrum of all Americans, left to right, there are relatively few clear-cut conservatives (i.e., to the right of the center) who are elected Democrats. There used to be many, mainly from the South, but the South has re-aligned..
Boston, Mass.: Why are American politicians on both sides of the aisle so averse to any raising of the gas tax, even, say, a slow and incremental rise? Basic economic principles mean that an increase in the gas tax moderates demand, spurs investment in alternatives, and keeps money in America instead of going to foreign countries or megacorporations.
Charles Babington: With Americans upset about high gasoline prices, politicians' first impulse is not to raise them further with a tax increase.
Rockville, Md.: "I think you are overstating the influence of "all the pundits" who said it would be bad to pay off the debt, which is basically a fantasy."
True. I went too far with "all," but there were enough and it surprised me enough that it is still in my memory.
Charles Babington: Thanks for writing back.
Bethesda, Md.: How badly does the immigration issue divide the GOP? Is there any way for Bush to finesse it?
Charles Babington: It divides the party rather badly, between those focused entirely on enforcement (build a wall, arrest and deport), and those who say the only realistic approach is to find a way to legally assimilate many of the millions of illegals who are here... President Bush faces a monumental task in trying to reconcile the two camps.
Washington, D.C.: With the war and the extension of the tax cuts where do you think this economy will be three years from now?
Charles Babington: I have no idea. But if I did, I'd look forward to making a killing on Wall Street.
Charles Babington: The hour is up. Thanks for joining us, see you in a couple of weeks.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Washington Post Congressional reporter Charles Babington discusses the latest buzz in Washington and The Post's coverage of political news.
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PBS Frontline/WORLD: 'Inside Hamas'
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Producer Marcela Gaviria was online Wednesday, May 10, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the PBS Frontline/WORLD film "Inside Hamas," which examines the movement's impact on Palestinian leadership and the future of the peace process with Israel. Known for their role in suicide bombings and tough rhetoric against the Jewish state, Hamas faces ongoing pressure to renounce terrorism in order to govern effectively. Hamas recently refused to condemn a bombing in Tel Aviv, calling it "a legitimate act of self-defense."
PBS Frontline's "Inside Hamas" will air Tuesday, May 9, at 9 p.m. ET ( check local listings ).
Marcela Gaviria is an award winning filmmaker with RAINMedia in New York City, where she works on a production team headed by acclaimed FRONTLINE producer Martin Smith. In the span of five years, the team has co-produced eight films for the PBS series and earned nearly every major award in broadcast journalism. Ms. Gaviria's work has taken her to every hotspot in the Middle East and every major country in Latin America. Ms. Gaviria was born in Bogota, Columbia, and obtained her BA from Brown University and her MA from Columbia University.
McLean, Va.: Do you believe that Hamas genuinely sees the elimination of the Jewish state as its ultimate goal, or that its extreme rhetoric is designed to leave ample room for gradual give and adjustment so that eventually they can establish a sovereign state of Palestine on an equitable basis with Israel? It seems that if the former is true, Hamas' demise will arrive before too long.
Marcela Gaviria: Thanks for your question. Their rhetoric is very extreme. Their founding charter specifically calls to bring "the banner of Allah" to the Holy Lands. By that they mean that Jews could live under an Islamic State that they would control. Bottom line, talking to them on the ground they seem to be willing to concede the existence of a Jewish state and might come up with a practical solution down the line.
Quebec, Canada: Is it true that Hamas trains kindergarten age kids to become suicide bombers? How can anyone expect Israel to make concessions to such a savage regime?
Marcela Gaviria: No. We attended a few of their schools. They teach a conservative brand of Islam that is heavy on the Koran. Some Israeli analysts have said in the past that Hamas schools explicitly teach "anti-Semitism" and "anti-Americanism," but I did not witness that.
Moline, Ill.: With Hamas not renouncing terrorism, how can the situation be anything but hopeless?
Marcela Gaviria: I think there is hope. I think Hamas has moderated faster than the PLO ever did and it's really too soon to tell which way things will go. Lately they've been talking to Fatah about how to deal with sanctions, which indicates they might bend.
Harrisburg, Pa.: Do you find any hint within the members of Hamas that there should be some consideration for some type of negotiated agreement with Israel? I wonder the degree to which the sentiment of belief that Israel should be destroyed is coupled with a sense of realization and humanity that perhaps there are other alternatives to armed struggle and destruction.
Marcela Gaviria: Well right now they talk about a "hudna" which is essentially a long term truce. That is as far as they are going in terms of a negotiated agreement. They don't like the language of a two-state solution, they want to find another formula. But they already talk about accepting the 67 borders as their basis for negotiation. I asked several ordinary Palestinians why we don't see more civil disobedience vs. terrorist tactics. They said they tried non-violence in the past and lost too many civilians as a result.
Washington, D.C.: Following the last audio message released by Osama bin Laden in late April, Hamas spokesman Sam Abu Zuhiri responded publicly by saying that Hamas had "a different ideology" than that of al Qaeda emphasizing that what he said was his own opinion and that "Hamas has its own positions which are different to the ones expressed by bin Laden." While their ideologies differ, Hamas has never issued statements rejecting al Qaeda before. Do you see this as a strategic move by Hamas to publicly distance themselves from the stigma of terrorism in an effort to gain international support?
Marcela Gaviria: Thanks for raising this. It's a good point. I believe that Hamas is trying very hard to draw a distinction between themselves and Al Qaeda. I really don't think they have much in common with the likes of bin Laden. Theirs is a nationalist cause.
Rockville, Md.: I was reading about the interaction between the French and Iran and the conclusion was "they just don't know how to negotiate or care to learn." Perhaps that is wrong, but it also seems that Hamas is missing out on a lot it could gain with some simple verbal formulas that would ease the aid problem and not give up much ground. Or to be blunt "lie like ..." Are we missing peace because people don't want it or because they don't know how to get it?
Marcela Gaviria: It's interesting. While we were filming in March, Kate Seelye, the reporter and I, felt there were clear signs that Hamas wanted to change it's rhetoric. Many Hamas politicians were very careful about the words they used. After we left, they seemed more recalcitrant in their statements. They defended the April 17 suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. I have a sense they aren't fully in control of their public message. You hear different things from various Hamas members at different times. It strikes me that they are still very much adapting to the demands of governing.
Fairfax, Va.: Since all of the oil-rich countries in the Middle East seem to be enjoying huge profits from the escalating price of crude oil over a long term and they equally suggest that they are 100 percent behind the "Palestinian cause," why are huge amounts of aid required from this country?
Marcela Gaviria: I'm not sure I know the answer to that. Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have pledged a total of about $200 million. There is still a shortfall of nearly a billion dollars in the treasury. There are recent reports of American pressure on International banks not to let any money come through to the Palestinian people.
Washington, D.C.: What in the world got a Colombian like you so interested in the Middle East? You sure do a lot of work out there!
Also, how are you usually treated in the region, and how did the people you met and covered for "Inside Hamas" compare to previous trips?
Marcela Gaviria: The luck of the draw. I started reporting on the Drug Wars for FRONTLINE back in 1999, and after September 11, just ended up covering the region. Too bad Spanish never comes in handy over there.
We were very well treated. It didn't seem like an advantage to be American media, but it also helped we weren't Danish.
San Francisco, Calif.: Hello Ms Gaviria,
Please describe the relationship between Hamas and the newly elected Iraqi government.
Marcela Gaviria: I don't know the answer to this. I know Hamas has sent delegations to Russia, Sweden, Syria. Jordan and China wouldn't see them.
Bowie, Md.: A spokes person for Hamas on the PBS program stated that if Hamas fails at governing it would simply blame the U.S., Israel and the West. Will the Western media simply accept that excuse and also blame the U.S., Israel and the West?
Marcela Gaviria: I'm not sure what you mean by Western media. Personally, I'm not looking to assign blame. Just laying out the facts as I see them.
Arlington, Va.: This was a very interesting documentary, however I think it was missing an important fact, which is that Israel helped in prompting Hamas. Israel was implementing the policy of divide and conquer and wanted to weaken the PLO at that time. Luckily they found Hamas as a good candidate to fill that role.
Marcela Gaviria: This is an excellent point. I wish I could have delved into the back story more and laid out the circumstances for the rise of Hamas. Thanks for bringing this up.
Oslo, Norway: Hamas won the election with a large majority of votes. Is it now right to say that the terrorist element among the Palestinians in not just a few, disgruntled individuals but a clear majority of the population?
Marcela Gaviria: I don't think that's the case. The election was closer than it looked. Hamas won a large majority of the seats, but a much smaller disproportion of the votes. And its new, larger support had a lot to do with people just being exhausted with Fatah and its perceived corruption. People voted for change.
Melbourne, Australia: Are there any similarities between Hamas and other terrorist or terrorist-affiliated organizations who have moved into the mainstream (such as Sinn Fein) that might provide a possible example for action on the part of Israel and its allies? Barbara
Marcela Gaviria: That's the example people always bring up. But honestly, I don't know enough about Sinn Fein to compare the two. As a Colombian I witnessed several guerrilla movements give up their arms and become political parties. So there are examples of terrorist affiliated organizations moving into the mainstream which are useful to remember.
Olathe, Kans.: Is there anywhere I can watch it today, if I missed last night's airing?
Marcela Gaviria: If you missed it, you can catch it online next week at www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/palestine503/.
Moline, Ill.: Losing more people by non-violence as opposed terrorist acts, with the resulting retaliation, seems to be a non sequitur.
Marcela Gaviria: It's true, it's a little perplexing to understand why more non-violence is not used. I do believe that the vast majority of people want peace. A recent poll said that 60% of those who voted for Hamas favor a return to negotiations.
Washington, D.C.: If all Hamas can commit to is a "hudna," then what incentive does Israel have to negotiate with them? All a "hudna" comes across as is an interlude before they pursue their goal of a "Palestine from the river to the sea".
Marcela Gaviria: My personal belief is that peace won't come from unilateral actions by both sides. I also believe Hamas is being unrealistic in its demands. Though from the Palestinian perspective, they believe Israel should have a moral incentive to end the occupation.
Falls Church, Va.: Did you approach any Israeli official to respond to the Hamas victory?
Marcela Gaviria: Our goal was to cover the Palestinian perspective. We spoke to various Israeli officials and analysts on background. Some see Hamas' rise as a dire threat, others think it's a good thing for Israel because the Israelis can make unilateral moves without a world outcry, and finally others think Hamas will ultimately moderate and chances for peace in the region will improve.
washingtonpost.com: Thank you for joining us today.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.
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Terry George - Smearing a Hero
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Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hero of the movie "Hotel Rwanda," is being denounced by some in his country as a traitor and a criminal. Perhaps he helped bring some of this abuse on himself, but none of it is deserved. As director and producer of the film, I'd like to explain.
To make a film of a true story you must compress timelines, create composite characters and dramatize emotions. When it came to making "Hotel Rwanda" -- the story of how Paul Rusesabagina saved the lives of hundreds of people who took shelter from the 1994 genocide in the hotel he managed -- I was obsessed with getting it right. The Rwandan episode was a slaughter of unimaginable horror and magnitude, yet I firmly believed I had found a story that showed that even in the midst of such horror the human capacity for good can triumph.
Before making the film, I grilled Rusesabagina and read all I could about his experience. I traveled to Brussels and Rwanda, and I met survivors from his hotel, some of whom still worked there. No one contradicted his story.
When the film was released, Rusesabagina was acknowledged as a hero not just by ordinary people across the United States and Europe but also by diplomats, politicians, journalists and Rwandan officials in diplomatic posts here. Rwandan expatriates gave testimony to the veracity of the film, as did people who had been in the hotel and who tearfully acknowledged Rusesabagina's role.
Last May I had the chance to meet Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Rwanda. I sat beside him as he and his wife and most of Rwanda's parliament watched the movie. Afterward he leaned over to me and said the film had done much good around the world in exposing the horrors of the genocide. The next evening, I screened the film at Amahoro Stadium for some 10,000 people. It was the most emotional screening I have ever been at. I spent close to an hour afterward accepting thanks and congratulations.
But there was one empty seat at both screenings -- the one reserved for Paul Rusesabagina. Two days before, as I waited for him to join me at the boarding gate in Brussels for the flight to Kigali, he called to say he had decided not to travel to Rwanda. On his speaking tours around the United States and Europe, he had begun to criticize Kagame's government, saying that the last election in Rwanda, in which Kagame received 90.5 percent of the vote, was not democratic and that true peace would come to Rwanda only when it had an inclusive government. Because of his criticism, Rusesabagina said, he had been advised that it would not be safe for him. I could not persuade him to come.
Last fall his fears were borne out when Rwandan journalists and politicians began a smear campaign against him. On Oct. 28 a reporter for the Rwandan daily newspaper the New Times ran a long story on the "true nature" of Rusesabagina, which quoted a former receptionist at the hotel as saying that he had saved only his few friends, and that he had charged people to stay in the rooms (a fact we had highlighted and explained in the film). Buried at the end of the piece was probably the true fear of the Rwandan authorities: that Rusesabagina planned to form a political party.
The newspaper attacks on Rusesabagina have steadily escalated. In November he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bush. Six days later a New Times editorial said he would "go down in the annals of history as a man who sold the soul of the Rwandan Genocide to amass medals."
In February Kagame joined the campaign -- cryptically at first. In a speech at Amahoro Stadium to mark National Heroes Day, Kagame said Rwanda's heroes are not made in America, Europe or in Asia; cinema or film stars have no place on the list of national heroes. He went on to make several veiled comments about "a manufactured hero."
A few days later Rwandan Radio ran a two-hour live talk show about Rusesabagina. The speakers included genocide survivors and, sadly, some old friends of Rusesabagina's. Francois Xavier Ngarambe, the president of Ibuka, the umbrella body of genocide survivors' associations, ended the show by claiming: "He has hijacked heroism. He is trading with the genocide. He should be charged."
I called Rusesabagina in Brussels to discuss what was going on. He said he saw the smear campaign as confirmation of his previous fears and of his reservations about the Kagame regime. His new autobiography, "An Ordinary Man," will only make things worse, as in his last chapter he writes, "Rwanda is today a nation governed by and for the benefit of a small group of elite Tutsis. . . . Those few Hutus who have been elevated to high-ranking posts are usually empty suits without any real authority of their own. They are known locally as Hutus de service or Hutus for hire."
On April 6, the 12th anniversary of the genocide, Kagame launched his first attack on Rusesabagina, saying, "He should try his talents elsewhere and not climb on the falsehood of being a hero, because it's totally false." I pray that this situation can be resolved. The millions who saw "Hotel Rwanda" and received its message of hope ought to know that they were not duped.
I understand Paul Rusesabagina's desire to foster inclusiveness in Rwanda. I understand, as well, Kagame's legitimate fear that the country has suffered too much, too recently, to allow divisions to be fostered. There are many politicians here and abroad who could mediate this clash. "Hotel Rwanda 2" is a sequel I never want to make.
Terry George was co-writer, director and producer of the film "Hotel Rwanda."
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The real-life hero of the movie "Hotel Rwanda" is being denounced as a criminal. But his only "crime" is criticizing the current Rwandan regime.
| 35.1875 | 0.90625 | 4.96875 |
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901502.html
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https://web.archive.org/web/2006051019id_/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901502.html
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It's Only $300 Billion
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2006051019
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For the United States, the cost of the Iraq war will soon exceed the anticipated cost of the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement designed to control greenhouse gases. For both, the cost is somewhere in excess of $300 billion.
These numbers show that the Bush administration was unrealistically optimistic in its prewar prediction that the total cost would be about $50 billion.
And the same numbers raise questions about the Bush administration's claim that the cost of the Kyoto Protocol would be prohibitive, causing (in President Bush's own words) "serious harm to the U.S. economy."
With respect to the Iraq war, careful estimates come from Scott Wallsten, a former member of the President's Council of Economic Advisers who is now at the American Enterprise Institute. Writing at the end of 2005, Wallsten estimated the aggregate American cost at about $300 billion. With the costs incurred since then, and an anticipated appropriation soon, the total will exceed $350 billion.
With respect to the Kyoto Protocol, the most systematic estimates come from William Nordhaus and Joseph Boyer of Yale University. Writing in 2000, they offered a figure of $325 billion for the United States, designed to capture the full costs of compliance over many decades. This staggeringly large figure helped support Kyoto skeptics in the Bush administration and elsewhere, who argued that the benefits of the agreement did not justify its costs.
For the world as a whole, the comparison between the Iraq war and the Kyoto Protocol is even more dramatic. The worldwide cost of the war is already much higher than the anticipated worldwide cost of the Kyoto Protocol -- possibly at least $100 billion higher.
The worldwide cost of the war now exceeds $500 billion, a figure that includes the cost to Iraq (more than $160 billion) and to non-American coalition countries (more than $40 billion). For the Kyoto Protocol, full compliance is projected to cost less than $400 billion, because the United States would bear most of the aggregate costs.
Of course, legitimate questions can be asked about these numbers. For the Kyoto Protocol, the estimates require a lot of projection and guesswork; much depends on issues of implementation, which could drive costs up or down. Many environmentalists believe that the $325 billion figure is inflated. Perhaps technological innovations would significantly reduce that cost.
Congressional appropriations for the Iraq war will soon exceed $300 billion and counting (generally at a rate of more than $4 billion per month). But to obtain an adequate total, it is necessary not only to take account of appropriations but also to consider the full range of costs, which include more than 2,000 deaths and many thousands of injuries to U.S. servicemen and women. Specialists disagree about how to monetize these costs; some people object to the whole exercise.
In addition, a full assessment would have to look at benefits as well as costs. The Kyoto Protocol would reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, but to evaluate the agreement we need to know how much good it would actually do. What would the United States get for its $325 billion investment? Scientists agree that the Kyoto Protocol would make only a small dent in climate change by 2100. Its defenders respond that the agreement would spur new technologies and provide an international framework for major reductions.
By the time it ends, the war in Iraq is expected to cost the United States at least $500 billion and possibly $1 trillion or more. But if the war leads to a large decrease in the risk of terrorist attacks and to a wave of democratization in the Middle East, perhaps the money will have been well spent.
The central point remains. For the United States, the economic burden of the Iraq war is on the verge of exceeding the total anticipated burden of the Kyoto Protocol. Because the price of the war increases every day, its total cost, for America as well as the world, will soon dwarf the expected cost of a remarkably ambitious effort to control the problem of climate change.
The writer is a professor of law and political science at the University of Chicago and the author of "Risk and Reason."
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For the United States, the cost of the Iraq war will soon exceed the anticipated cost of the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement designed to control greenhouse gases. For both, the cost is somewhere in excess of $300 billion.
| 18 | 1 | 45 |
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