Duke in the News: Dec. 16, 2005

CHRISTOPHER F. GELPI : AMERICAN OPINION SEE-SAWING (Paris) Le Figaro, Dec. 16 -- Duke political scientist Christopher Gelpi, a specialist in wartime public opinion, is asked whether American opinion will require a withdrawal of troops from Iraq. ... Full story --Also, Babel Translation: Christopher F. Gelpi -- 'The American Opinion About to See-Saw' Full story Atlantic Monthly: Political Pulse column -- Define 'Victory' ... Details

ANALYSIS: IMPACT OF THE ANTI-TORTURE AMENDMENT NPR's Morning Edition, Dec. 16 -- Scott Silliman, executive director of Duke's Center on Law, Ethics and National Security, was interviewed about how the McCain amendment will affect U.S. policy on interrogation. ... Listen

DUKE EXPERT SAYS BIN LADEN EITHER DEAD OR ILL (Durham) Herald-Sun, Dec. 16 -- It was a year ago today that the world last heard from Osama bin Laden, and Duke religion professor Bruce Lawrence says it means the al-Qaida leader probably is dead or incapacitated. ... Full story --Also, BBC Scotland's "Scotland Live": Bruce Lawrence on the Speeches of Osama bin Laden ... Listen Austin American-Statesman, Boston Globe: Words Are Key to bin Laden Puzzle, Professor Contends ... Full story

METHODISTS TO JOIN MAJOR CATHOLIC-LUTHERAN PACT Reuters, Dec. 15 -- Cooperation among Christians, one of Pope Benedict's top priorities for his papacy, looks set to take another step forward next year when Methodists sign up to a landmark accord that brought Catholics and Lutherans closer. The chief Methodist negotiator with the Vatican, Duke Divinity School professor Rev. Geoffrey Wainwright, comments. (Article not available online; e-mailed upon request to dukenews@duke.edu.) --Also, The Irish Times: Methodists Welcome Closer Links (Article not available online; e-mailed upon request to dukenews@duke.edu.)

NEWS FOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS MEETING Science, Dec. 16 -- Geneticists, molecular biologists and epidemiologists discussed epigenetics for three days in November at the Environmental Genomics, Imprinting and Disease Susceptibility Conference at Duke. ... Full story --Also, Atlanta Journal-Consitution, HealthDay: Human Epigenome Project Could Help Cure Disease (Also carried by WOIO-TV in Cleveland and 76 other news outlets.) ... Full story

BLUE CROSS FOUNDATION TO FUND DUKE INITIATIVE TO HELP UNINSURED (Raleigh) Triangle Business Journal, Dec. 14 -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation will fund a four-year initiative by the Duke University Center for Health Policy aimed at helping state leaders expand programs to help the uninsured. ... Full story --Also, News 14 Carolina: BCBSNC Foundation Announces Options for the Uninsured Full story

COMMENTARY: THE LEGACY OF RICHARD PRYOR PopMatters, Dec. 15 -- Mark Anthony Neal, a contributing writer to the website and a professor of African-American Studies at Duke, discusses the life and impact of comedian Richard Pryor. ... Full story

ON THE AIR    Duke religion professor Bruce Lawrence, who edited a collection of Osama bin Laden's public speeches and writings, is scheduled to appear on WRAL-TV News at 5 p.m. ET Friday to talk about the al-Qaida leader's possible fate. Watch live online. http://www.wral.com/news/index.html    Lawrence has also taped an interview with BBC Radio 4's "PM" show for a segment on important books of the year that will air during the holidays. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/index.shtml?logo