WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- UPI's Capital Comment -- News notes, political rumors, and important events that shape politics and public policy in Washington and the world from United Press International.
Window or aisle seat? -- The buzz has started over who will replace former South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell, who is stepping down as head of the American Counsel of Life Insurers because of illness. One name being tossed about is Oklahoma Republican Gov. Frank Keating. Keating's wife Cathy is the frontrunner in the race to replace Rep. Steve Largent, R-Okla., when he leaves the House early to start his 2002 run for governor. Being head of ACLI is a very lucrative position, but Keating has just accepted appointment as chairman of Gopac, the Republican political committee once run by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. And, talented though he may be, it is unlikely he could do both jobs at the same time as some suggest he could. Gopac's mission is to bring about Republican majorities in as many state legislative chambers as possible. ACLI advocates the interests of life insurers and their millions of policyholders before federal and state legislators. among other things. There are probably many state legislators whom Gopac would like to defeat that ACLI would, at the same time, be courting, hence the conflict.
Anti-virus protection -- Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, former chairman of the special committee on Y2K preparedness, and Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Science Committee, will outline policy recommendations for strengthening homeland cyber defense at a conference sponsored by the Information Technology Association of America on Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
But how do you really feel? -- In a joint appearance with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, President George W. Bush had this to say about the possibility that the spate of anthrax letters may be another assault by Osama bin Laden. "There may be some possible link. We have no hard data yet. But it's clear that Mr. bin Laden is a man who is an evil man. He and his spokesmen are openly bragging about how they hope to inflict more pain on our country. So we're watching every piece of evidence. We're making sure that we connect any dots that we have, to find out who's doing this. I wouldn't put it past him, but we don't have hard evidence, yet."
Learning a lesson -- Teach for America Week advocates that people from all professions spend an hour of their time teaching children from some of the nation's disadvantaged neighborhoods. This year's event takes place during the week of October 15-19 at sixteen regional sites from the Bronx to Compton to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. As part of the activities, first lady Laura Bush is returning to the classroom, leading a New Jersey kindergarten class.
Be prepared -- Dr. Jane Orient, head of Doctors for Disaster Preparedness, has authored an article outlining steps America should take in order to be ready for a catastrophe of cataclysmic proportions. Among her recommendations in the piece, "Civil Defense, the Forgotten Defense" posted on the group's Web site are that the government should "Stockpile potassium iodide and directions for use to protect the thyroid gland in the event of fallout. She also urges physicians "to take a crash-course on diagnosing, treating and reporting possible cases of biological and chemical terrorism."
I'm armed - Fly me -- A group of unions representing almost 90,000 flight attendants says that the lives of airline passengers and crew remain at high risk. United Airlines' Pat Friend, president of the Association of Flight Attendant's, says, "We're noticing that enormous lapses in security continue." To close the gaps, attendants are calling for, among other things, new laws that ensure all checked bags are screened, positive passenger bag match, strict enforcement of the one-bag carry on limit, and mandatory security screening for all catering and ground service personnel.
Personnel note -- C. Lynn McNair, who has of late been toiling away at the National Governors' Association, is returning to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies as vice president for philanthropic partnerships.
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