A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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Dec. 10, 2008 - On an unseasonably warm night for December, went to the Mandarin Hotel in Washington, D.C. (12th and Maryland Avenue, SW) to receive the "25 Greatest Public Servants" Award from the Council for Excellence in Government. It was somewhat of a big deal. Other awardees who were present were Everett Alvarez (Viet Nam pilot POW), Lee Hamilton, Sen. Richard Lugar, Tom Ridge, Donna Shalala, Shirley Jackson (President Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). Other awardees who were not there were: James Baker, Mayor Mike Bloomberg of NYC, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, Former VP Al Gore, Tom Kean, Ted Kennedy, Congressman John Lewis, Wilma Mankiller, Norman Pinetta, George Mitchell, Sandra Day O'Connor, Peter Peterson (Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations, Colin Powell, Alice Rivlin, Robert Rubin, George Schultz, Paul Volker, John C. Whitehead Former deputy Secr. Of State. Interesting evening with a lot of friendly discussions about the Obama transition. Clay Johnson of OMB was there and said a few words about the Bush Administration and told the large dinner crowd that we are leaving the government and the country better than we found it - the entire audience was struck silent. You could feel the discomfort in the room. I sort-of like Clay (even though he screwed me years ago re: the NIH Directorship), but he clearly proved how out-of-touch he and the Administration people are.
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Dec. 10 - 26, 2008 - Jenny got home on Dec. 23 and Megan has been home since Dec. 19. Wonderful to have all 3 girls together in the house. Jenny is as passionate as ever over the work that she is doing teaching science at a charter school in Brooklyn (Brownsville). She lives in Park Slope. I am a bit worried about her living in a tough section of Brooklyn, but she is a careful young woman. Interesting that she wound up in the place on my birth. Megan is somewhat sad and lonely in NYC even though she is doing extremely well at Columbia (all As except for 1 A- and 1 A+). She does not like college life, but I am sure that she will adjust since her main issue is she does not make friends easily. Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, 2009 - Had our every 3 1⁄2 year big Editorial Board meeting of HPIM in preparation for HPIM-18 . Meeting in Rio Grande (40 minutes West of San Juan). Enjoyed the stay, but Chris and the girls were there only from Dec. 28 (PM) until Dec. 31 (AM). We had my 1 day off on Dec. 30 and spent day at beach with great weather (80 and sunny). Chris and I and the girls together with the Hauser boys (Bennett, William and Stewart) went kayaking in an sea kayak out to a sand bar. Spent the evening in Old San Juan at a great outdoor restaurant in the old square near El Moro Fort.
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Jan. 4, 2009 - Had our traditional New Years Eve dinner with the Gallin's at their house this time together with Ali and Megan since we missed the real New Years Eve as I was in PR.
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Jan 6, 2009 - Hectically busy since returning from PR. Went to Philadelphia to receive the Silver Award Lectureship at Children's Hospital of Penn (CHOP). Hosted by Steve Douglas. Kept me very busy with lecture, dinner at a great restaurant (LaCroix) at the Rittenhouse Hotel., multiple meeting with staff and fellows.
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2009-01-07 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
Jan. 7, 2009 - Dinner at the home (Villa Firenze on Albermarle Street, N.W.) Italian Ambassador to the USA Giovanni Castellenata and his wife Leila in honor of Dr. Enrico Garaci, the president of the Istituto Superiore della Sanita in Rome. Also present were Ruggero DeMaria Marchiano (Director of Research at the Institute), Frank Carlucci and wife, Daniel Daniello (Founding Partner of the Carlyle Group) Simone Bemporad (Senior VP, Media Relations and Intern. Affairs of Finmeccanica SPA), Michael Ansari (Pres and CEO MIC Industries), Francesco Celi of NIDDK, NIH. Discussed what the Obama Administration might mean for the future.
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Jan. 9 - 10, 2009 - Most extraordinary 2 days. Drive with Chris to Norfolk, VA to witness the commissioning ceremony of the USS George H.W. Bush - CVN77. This was at the invitation of Bush 41. Amazingly, I was given a "Red" pass which was for "super VIPs". Arrived on a Friday night (Jan. 9) and stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, VA. This was an overflow, yet superb hotel, since I send in my RSVP rather late as I was somewhat ambivalent about driving 3 hours and 45 minutes to the ceremony. What a mistake that would have been not to go. Patty Conrad used her influence and experience with White House social people to allow a late RSVP. In fact, Patty was invited also related to her years in the Bush 41 White House as Advance Team member. Attended elegant reception and buffet on Friday night at the Marriott in Norfolk. Met many of the Bush 41 and 43 people that I have known over the many years. Included were Andy Card, Marlin Fitzwater, John Sununu (we reminisced about the day I said no the Bush 41 in the Oval Office when he offered me the NIH job). Also saw Phil Brady who worked for Bush 41 when he was VP, Tim McBride, David Demerest, Roger Porter, Kevin Moley, among others. Bush 41 and Barbara Bush came to the reception and Bush made some comments. Floods of people wanted to say hello. I got to speak with Mrs. Bush and she told me how proud she was of what I have been doing over these many years and said that she and George H.W talk about me often when they see me in the news. Did not get a chance to say hello to Bush 41 since there were too many people crowding him and I did not want to appear aggressive. I will write him a note. Patty Conrad was at the reception with Betsy Wilder and they saw many old friends from WH days. Saturday (Jan. 10) was glorious with clear blue skies and 45 to 50 degrees. Chris an I went on a nice run around the harbor in the AM and then took off for the ceremony. The entire naval and naval air base of Norfolk/Portsmouth is immense and beautiful. We were fortunate to have red passes since there were 17,000 people at the commissioning and we zoomed right in. We actually had seats on the side deck right across from the front deck where Bush was. We sat 1 row from W's daughters Barbara and Jenna, both of whom I know (see notes above). None of the ceremony took place on the top deck, all the second level decks. The view and ceremony were one of the most special things that I have experienced. The POTUS, VP Cheney, Laura Bush all flew in by Helicopter to the main deck. The speeches brought tears to peoples eyes recounting the war-time heroism of Bush 41. Four FA18 jets did a fly-by right in front of us as did a reconstructed "Avenger" fighter/bomber that Bush flew when he was shot down. The aircraft carrier was immense and awe-inspiring.. Ships's Captain was Capt. Kevin E. O'Flaherty. Chris and I drove home glowing and talking about the almost "surrealistic" experience. On the evening of Saturday (Jan 10 -- now raining in DC) we attend a party at Jamie Gorelick and Rick Waldron's home. Party theme was "A New Year, A New Day". It was mainly focused on the excitement over the upcoming Obama Administration. Great party with many Obama people there such as Larry Summers, Lisa Brown (WH Staff Secretary), Susan Rice (Ambassador to UN), and others. I spoke to Lisa and Susan about ny vision for "Test and Treat" to eliminate HIV and how this would fit nicely into the Pres-elect's mandate for Health Care Reform. I reiterated when they asked that I was not interested in leaving NIAID or being NIH Director, but I wanted to be active in the administration in the areas where I am expert such as Global Health, AIDS, etc. Susan Rice was particularly interested in my discussion of "Health Diplomacy". Hopefully these discussions will lead to my working with the Obama Adm in my current position as NIAID Director to accomplish some of these goals. Also at the party and people that I spoke to were Walter Isaacson, David Ignatius (Washington Post), E.J. Dionne (Post), Chris Matthews (NBC) and Kathleen Matthews, Nina Totenberg (NPR), Linda Douglas (ABC), Judy Woodruff (NPR) among others. Very enjoyable night. Jan 19 -- 20, 2009 -- Extraordinary excitement for the Inauguration of President Obama. Jenny and Endrea came down from NYC ; also Megan took a day off from Columbia and came down. Freezing cold weather for the weekend before and the Monday (Jan. 19 -- Martin Luther King Birthday) and Tuesday (Jan. 20 -- Inauguration day). On Jan. 19, Chris and I attended a terrific brunch hosted by General Electric and NBC. I was invited because of my many years dealing with NBC (Meet the Press, NBC Network, etc.) Brunch was at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on 12" Street and New York Avenue, NW. Many friends from the media there -- Chris and Kathleen Matthews, David Gregory, Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Kelly O'Connell, etc. Festive time and excitement about the Inaug. That afternoon Chris and the girls went to a concert on the Mall featuring every important rock star and Hollywood star -- Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Wil-I-Am, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, etc. The city was invaded by people on Jan. 20 -- over 1 million people descended on the Mall on a freezing (7 F in the AM and teens during the day) crisp, clear day. Chris and the girls and Jo Oliver (former Nanny) went down to the Mall at around 7:00 AM for a ceremony that started at 12:00 noon. I decided to drive them as far downtown as possible and they walked the rest of the way. Most roads closed and 3 hour waits at Metro stations. Most people ever on the Mall. I watched on TV (too cold and too maw . Obama gave a The evening of Jan. 20, Chris and I were invited to a Ball at the Museum of Natural History -- Blue Diamond Ball -- "Health for All" organized by Radia Daoussi and Brian Hennessy. They had previously done a film on their daughters and how they asked questions about HIV and how people answered them. They are somewhat of a "slippery" couple who were using health people for self-aggrandizement. I was invited to speak at the function along with Paul Farmer, Jim Kim, Congressman John Conyers, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Helene Gayle (CARE), Georges Benjamin. Party MC'd by Tracey Neale (Emmy Award Winning TV Personality). Entertainment by Jackson Browne. I did not stay for the entertainment. Too much bullshit at the Ball (mostly because of motivations of the hosts). I probably should not have gone.
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Jan. 23, 2009 --I Treally liked this guy. He was the one who in the late 1980s encouraged (even pushed) me to go to a Town-Hall meeting that he had arranged in San Francisco to go against the FDA and USG and advocate for a Parallel Track program for AIDS drug availability. Long story to this (which should be fleshed out for the book). I knew it was the right thing to do and had been listening to Marty and to Jim Eigo of ACT-UP who was also a strong advocate of parallel track. When I put my support behind it in SF at the public meeting, this was on the front page of the NY Times the next day. I thought for sure that I would get in trouble with HHS since Frank Young and the FDA were dead against this. However, so many people were excited that I had the courage to do this publicly that Frank Young caved in and made a public statement that he actually agreed with me (what an opportunist!!). In any event, this would not have happened had it not been for Marty. I need to go back and get the precise dates for this. Interesting that in January of 1993 I was given a certificate of Appreciation by HHS for being a leader in the establishment of Parallel Track . Throughout the subsequent years, Marty has always been an honest broker with me and we had come to develop a great deal of respect and affection for each other. In the early days, he used to smuggle AIDS drugs (unapproved) across the Mexican border to California. He also arranged "AIDS Drug Buyer's Clubs". He also wrote many manuals for informing the at risk population and infected people about important issues. In my mind Marty was a true Public Health hero. Also, today I gave the Keynote Address at the 4 Annual Harvard Medical School Student Conference in Boston on "HIV/AIDS: Priorities for the Obama Administration". Paul Farmer was there and we had a good time. There were Panels for discussion and the students asked penetrating questions. d to
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Jan. 24, 2009 - Attended with Chris the Lido Civic Club Gala at the Capitol Hilton on 16th and K Streets, N.W. Have been going to these black tie Award Galas for a few years. It is where I met Gen. Peter Pace and Judge Sam Alito. Lido is an Italian American Civic Club with a long history in DC. It started giving awards almost 100 years ago to people like Fiorello LaGuardia, etc. This year the awardees were Gen. Pace (former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Mayor of DC Dan Tangherlini. It was good to meet Dan since I will soon be dealing with him and DC Mayor Adrian Fenty to launch a "Test and Treat program for AID in DC (more later). Also at the party were Major Fenty's mother and father. She is an Italian-American and he is an AfricanAmerican. Gen Pace is a truly nice man and accepted his award with a moving speech about his parents and grandparents and the men he served with in the marines from the time he was a rifle platoon leader in Viet Nam through Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Also seated at our table was an Army Sergeant (Joe Hauser) who had his right leg blown off in Balard, Iraq (where I had visited in 2003). Paul Wolfowitz and his girlfriend Shaha Riza (World Bank) were also at our table. Recall that there was a "social scandal" when Paul was head of the World Bank and had to leave because it was felt that he was showing favoritism to Shaha who was an employee and was also living with him. Paul and I reminisced about when we worked together on biodefense when he was Deputy Secretary at the Dept. of Defense.
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Jan. 30, 2009 - Comment on the firing of Mark Dybul as head of OGAC (Office of Global AIDS Coordinator) . It is a shame the way Mark was handled. I am attaching a NY Times article covering this. Mark is back in my office until his retirement. NY Times article:: The abrupt departure of the State Department's global AIDS coordinator has led to debate over who should run what may be President Bush's greatest legacy: his commitment of billions of dollars to fighting AIDS overseas. The position -- U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and director of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which is known as Pepfar -- is a State Department post with ambassador's rank that had been held by Dr. Mark R. Dybul, a Bush administration appointee. On Jan. 9, Dr. Dybul circulated a memo saying he had been asked by President Obama's transition team to stay on the job temporarily. But on Jan. 22, one day after Hillary Clinton was confirmed as secretary of state, her staff announced that Dr. Dybul had resigned. No reason was given, but he was reported to have packed up his office and said an emotional goodbye to his staff that afternoon. Dr. Dybul did not return phone messages, but he has told friends that he does not even know on whose orders he was dismissed. "He deserved better," said a friend who asked not to be identified for fear of jeopardizing his government job. "He didn't want to stay, but he was asked to." The ambassador disburses Pepfar's funds; Congress authorized $15 billion over five years in 2003, and the fund has since paid for AIDS drugs for about two million people, mostly in Africa. Last year, after a bitter fight between liberal and conservative lawmakers over what the money could be spent on, the fund was renewed as part of a law authorizing $48 billion over five years for combating AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The question of who should run the program seems to be a legacy of that fight. Several names have been discussed as possible candidates, but AIDS activists say they know of no one who has been seriously vetted for the job by the Obama transition team since November. A day after Dr. Dybul's resignation, word began to circulate among AIDS activists that the job had been offered to Dr. Eric Goosby, the director of AIDS policy in Bill Clinton's administration, who now runs a San Francisco foundation devoted to fighting AIDS. According to a member of an anti-AIDS group speaking on the condition of anonymity, Senator John Kerry approached Mrs. Clinton, seeking the job for Dr. Jim Yong Kim, a Harvard medical school professor and former World Health Organization AIDS chief, and was told that she had offered it to Dr. Goosby. Through a spokesman, Dr. Goosby declined to confirm or deny that he had been offered the job, and Dr. Kim did not return phone calls seeking comment. Senator Kerry's spokesman said he would not discuss the senator's personal conversations with Mrs. Clinton. Both men had been discussed as possible candidates, along with Dr. Nils Daulaire, president of the Global Health Council; Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, an epidemiologist at the Columbia School of Public Health; and Warren W. Buckingham III, Pepfar's director in Kenya, who is openly gay and taking AIDS drugs himself. Dr. Daulaire declined to be interviewed, Dr. El-Sadr said she had not heard that her name was among those being discussed, and Mr. Buckingham said he knew his name had been suggested by others but had not lobbied for the job and had not been contacted by either the Obama or Clinton teams. The abruptness of Dr. Dybul's departure and the secrecy of the process to replace him has upset some AIDS policy specialists. On Monday, a coalition of 68 anti-AIDS groups sent a letter to Mrs. Clinton asking her not to fill Mr. Dybul's post immediately but to convene a committee to identify top candidates and get many viewpoints, including theirs. One of its authors, Brian Hennessey of the Vineeta Foundation, expressed his irritation at how the request was ignored. i "Goosby is not bad," he said. "There are plenty of people who want Goosby -- but they'll be damned if the job is filled this way. This isn't the truth-in-advertising of the Obama campaign." Dr. Dybul's departure was both celebrated and condemned. Jodi Jacobson, a former head of the Center for Health and Gender Equity, which wants financing for all aspects of women's reproductive health, including abortion, wrote a blog post titled "Dybul Out: Thank You Hillary!!!" It argued that he had worked too closely with the far right, and she accused him of lobbying to please the Roman Catholic Church by letting its relief groups opt out of distributing condoms. Michael Gerson, a former Bush speechwriter and Washington Post columnist, shot back that "blogging extremists" like Ms. Jacobson had lied about Dr. Dybul's record and that his firing had left an important program without a leader. At the heart of the debate was the difficult bipartisan compromise behind Mr. Bush's AIDS plan. It is the darling of two groups that normally oppose each other: foreign policy liberals who want to help Africa and evangelical Christians who support mission hospitals there. Dr. Dybul was straddling some personal fences too: he was one of the Bush administration's few openly gay officials, a doctor who had treated AIDS patients in San Francisco and Africa, and he had donated to Democratic causes. His only predecessor, Randall L. Tobias, a former pharmaceutical executive, was promoted within the State Department, then ousted in the D.C. Madam scandal after acknowledging he had received escort-service massages -- a development that led to derision over the fund's abstinence policies. Mr. Tobias and Dr. Dybul surprised many with two early decisions that activists had expected fights over: Pepfar has paid for millions of condoms, and it buys cheap generic drugs from India, despite the pharmaceutical lobby's opposition. But conservatives in Congress imposed other restrictions: one-third of the money spent on prevention had to be used for teaching abstinence until marriage. Groups getting funds, including those helping prostitutes, had to sign a pledge condemning prostitution. And no money could be spent on clean needles for drug addicts. These issues were divisive not just for liberals and conservatives, but also between liberals. For example, some feminists think women needing money have a right to engage in prostitution, while others oppose it, saying it contributes to human trafficking and child rape. In separate studies, the Government Accountability Office and the Institute of Medicine both found that the abstinence earmark unnecessarily tied the hands of fund recipients, especially in countries where AIDS was concentrated among drug users and prostitutes. e 7500 range. Thus Dr. Dybul defended the teaching of abstinence, especially to young children, because it can be effective among deeply religious rural Africans. And he argued that countries could get funds for prohibited uses, like clean needles, from other donors like the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria or European countries. Although the restrictions have been criticized, no one has presented scientific evidence that they cost any lives. And although there was grumbling in 2003 when the Bush administration created its own AIDS program rather than simply contributing to the Global Fund, Rajat Gupta, chairman of the Global Fund's board, said Thursday in Davos that Pepfar was "one of the truly great contributions of the last administration." Jan. 30 - Feb. 20 - Stock market continues to crash with DOW in the 7500 range. Thus far I have lost on paper more than $1 million of my wealth. Tom Daschle had to drop out of running for the Secretary of HHS because of concern over unpaid taxes for private car and driver that was loaned to him for 3 years without charge by a friend. He did not claim it as taxable income, which it is. Also, he made $5 million on influence peddling (access to people in government) since he stepped down as Senator. Too bad since he is a very good person and would have made a great Secretary. I still think that I would fit for that job, but I really do not want to leave what I am doing and besides, no one in the administration has asked me. They apparently only would want me for NIH Director and I do not want that at all.