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Jan 29 2009 Post-Gazette PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE 30, 2009 WWW.POST-GAZETTE.COM A-2 henever Jon Stewart introduces commentator Larry Wilmore for one of his bits on Daily always identified as the black Until Wyatt Cenac came along last year, Wilmore was the only black correspondent senior or otherwise. why the honorific is so funny. Veteran news analyst Juan Williams must feel a lot like Larry Wilmore these days. As the senior black correspondent for both National Public Radio and Fox News, he has to constantly juggle his ideological commitments to meet audience expectations. For NPR, Juan Williams is obliged to come across as a dispassionate, vaguely liberal, always reasonable conveyor of Beltway bromides a David Broder in black face, if you will.

But on shows like Fox News Sunday, expected to be a little more animated. In that relentlessly conservative environment, shouting at Bill Kristol and Brit Hume is the only way to get a point across. Even so, Mr. Williams always manages to stay to the right of panelist and fellow NPR analyst Mara Liasson. Still, even I was tempted to send Juan Williams a bouquet of flowers after he got into a heated exchange with Sean Hannity a few days before America went to the polls and repudiated eight years of right-wing misrule.

With former Sen. Rick Santorum and former Rep. John Kasich staffing his amen corner, Mr. Hannity was practically frothing at the mouth about Barack looming victory. Hannity my case, Juan, and this is what I really believe.

Is America about to elect a man been dishonest to them about his radical associates, a man a socialist, a man who has shown terrible judgment by not distancing himself from long-term associations, a guy who will wave the white flag of surrender? Williams Now, look, Sean That night, Juan Williams was actually less effective than former sidekick Alan Colmes on a typical day. Still, he did manage to get in a few digs about a notorious anti-Semite Mr. Hannity hosted on the show a few weeks earlier. Juan Williams has never made a secret of his cultural conservatism, his dislike of hip- hop or his contempt for the Jesse Jackson leadership model. Three years ago, Mr, Williams published The Phony Leaders, Dead End- Movements and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black a jeremiad about black folks that makes Bill Cosby look like Huey Newton.

Even so, Mr. consistent deference to Fox Bill seems out of character for an analyst who has already shown himself willing to mix it up with powerful media patrons from time to time. Mr. classless broadside against Michelle Obama on earlier this week is a case in point. When Bill asked what kind of First Lady Michelle Obama would be, Juan Williams was ready with a quip: Williams If you think about liabilities for President Obama that are close to him Joe up there but Michelle right there.

Michelle Obama, you know But not her fault in the sense that Williams got this Stokely Carmichael-in-designer dress thing going. If she starts talking, as Mary Katharine suggested, her instinct is to start with this you know. the If that stuff comes out Yeah, be death Williams People will go bananas. Right. Williams and go from being the new Jackie to being something of an albatross.

As Media Matters for America pointed out, Mr. Williams also referred to the First alleged on Fox News on the eve of her Democratic convention speech. He provide any examples then, either. Demonizing Michelle Obama has become a cottage industry for conservatives intimidated by the strangeness of a black woman at the center of political life. Williams implies that he knows where really coming from, but the public figured it out yet.

Ironically, Williams probably considers his slander a form of racial tough love. I wonder if he secretly believes that knocking the first lady will earn him an invitation to the next soiree the president has with conservative commentators. Since his Monday appearance on Fox, heard Juan Williams on NPR sounding reasonable again. There were no potshots at the First Lady. He even said nice things about Mr.

political acumen. It was just another day in the life of most two-faced senior black correspondent. Tony Norman can be reached at tnor- or 412-263-1631. The double life of Juan Williams almanac (On this day, January 30) 1902 The notorious Biddle boys, Edward and John, convicted murderers of grocer Thomas D. Kahney and Det.

Patrick Fitzgerald, saw their way out of their cells, overpower guards and escape from the Allegheny County Jail. 1933 The first episode of the radio program is broadcast on station WXYZ in Detroit. 1948 Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi is shot and killed by a Hindu extremist. 1974 The state Crime Commission charges that District Attorney Robert W.

Duggan concealed $68,000 in contributions and expenditures, squeezed more than $36,000 from employees and falsified election records in his 1971 re-election campaign. Duggan replies that the mistakes happened because of poor bookkeeping practices. 2003 Richard Reid, the British citizen and al-Qaida follower tried to blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner with explosives hidden in his shoes, is sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge in Boston. Some items are from Stefan The Story of an American digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology. Compiled by Rick Nowlin birthdays: Producer-director Harold Prince, 81.

Actor Gene Hackman, 79. Actress Tammy Grimes, 75. Actress Vanessa Redgrave, 72. Former Vice President Dick Cheney, 68. Rock singer Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane), 67.

Rhythm- and-blues musician William King (The Commodores), 60. Singer-musician Phil Collins, 58. Singer Jody Watley, 50. Actor Norbert Leo Butz, 42. Actor Christian Bale, 35.

Thought for today: excellent becomes the Jane Addams, social worker and Nobel Peace laureate (1860-1935) PORTFOLIO pg connections GENERAL INFO Switchboard 412-263-1100 Mailing address 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Web CIRCULATION To subscribe or for questions about service, delivery or billing: 1-800-228-NEWS (6397) ADVERTISING To place a classified ad 412-263-1201 Display ads 412-263-1385 Recruitment ads 412-263-JOBS (5627) Celebrations 412-263-1236 NEWSROOM Local News 412-263-1601, E-mail: Business 412-263-1567 Editorials 412-263-1422 Letters to the Editor 412-263-1149 Features 412-263-3859 Investigations 412263-1601 Sports 412-263-1621 Suburban Living 412-263-1929 LIBRARY 412-263-1619 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays PG Store 412263-1741 (for photo reprints, books, posters, maps) More contact information is available at Bye-bye, D.C.: In Pittsburgh, can actually I take long for Gwyneth Gaul to realize D.C. was not the place for her. She moved there for a fundraising job, and she quickly realized she wanted to come home.

The Pittsburgh native returned to her hometown and looked back. so great to be back in she said. hard to be a part of a in a city as big and diverse as Washington, D.C. After beginning her career as a fundraiser for Duquesne University, Ms. Gaul hopscotched to several different industries advertising, marketing and sales before settling in nonprofit work.

got lured into the pharmaceutical she said, noting that the expense accounts and bonuses were nice, but she trade them for her current job: regional director of development for the Student Conservation Association, a nonprofit organization that gets young people, particularly in underserved communities, involved in conservation. She says the SCA office is a whole lot of 20-somethings trying to make a difference, but without the financial benefits of someone in the corporate world. attract a unique she said. inequity between the corporate world and the nonprofit world is just not Ms. Gaul, 27, says nonprofit work is the marriage of my need to contrib- ute and make an impact in some small Ms.

Gaul, who grew up in Squirrel Hill and Shadyside, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2001 and has done a lot of volunteer work with at-risk youth. She said she tried to get involved with similar volunteer work in D.C. but found it difficult. a young person, you can actually in Pittsburgh, she said. She said that the differences between D.C.

and Pittsburgh were tough to reconcile. She felt like young people in the capital were only there to better themselves and get out, but in Pittsburgh, she thinks the young people wind up returning (or never leaving) because they want to contribute to their city. And contributing to the city is what the Student Conservation Association is all about. The programs are focused on bringing high school- and college-age students into the This summer, 500 high school students participated in programs centered around green jobs. The programs provide urban youth with career training, education and life skills, hopefully leading to jobs like installing solar panels in a And perhaps the best part the students are paid.

a unique program using conservation as a platform for green Ms. Gaul said. feel really fortunate because I feel very few people love their jobs, and I can say that I Asked what makes Pittsburgh special, Ms. Gaul quickly listed myriad reasons: the people, the extraordinary outdoor resources bike trails, rivers the richness of the neighborhoods, Saturdays in the Strip. easy and I mean that in a good she said.

To own a home, have a career you love and still have the ability to take a weekend to New York or Chicago occasionally is no small feat for a 20-something. Perhaps that lovely Pittsburgh ease is why we stay. To learn more about the Student Conservation Association and its programs, visit thesca.org Right Here tells the stories of 20-something Pittsburghers. Annie Tubbs is a Post-Gazette staff writer and copy editor. Are you a 20-something who loves living and working in Pittsburgh? Send your stories to or call 412-263-1613.

right here annie tubbs Allan Block Chairman Diana Block Co-publisher and president Christopher H. Chamberlain General manager and executive vice-president Tracey DeAngelo Director of marketing James M. Frederick Director of production Henry Gorman Director of finance Lisa Hurm Director of operations Jack Klein Director of systems and technology Rich Medeiros Director of advertising Stephen B. Spolar Director of human resources Randy Waugaman Director of circulation PG Video PG Podcast PG Chat ONLY ON THE WEB Watch it all: Steelers Report, Downtown pep rally, Sports- NOW and so much more. Rated PG: Topics include the Oscar buzz and three new movies, including Gerry Dulac will be in our chat room awaiting your Steelers questions.

TONY NORMAN A place at the table: Gwyneth Gaul If you have a correction and cannot reach the responsible reporter or editor, please call the office of David M. Shribman, executive editor, 412-263-1890. Weekend Mag. Name Is Rachel Feb. 6 and 7 at the New Olde Bank Theater, was compiled by Alan Rickman and Catherine Viner.

The peace activist was killed by a bulldozer, not a tank. The Region. The company created by a merger of Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross, had the deal been approved, would have contributed $350 million to the Community Health Reinvestment fund, and an additional $300 million to address the needs of uninsured and underinsured; not $625 million to the CHR program. The money that Highmark now gives to the CHR program exceeds the amount they would be paying in premium taxes if it were a for-profit company.

A story about the failed merger suggested that CHR contributions from Blue Cross Blue Shield companies were equivalent to the amount pay in premium taxes as for-profit companies. corrections clarifications Pittsburgh Press Copyright 2009, PG Publishing Co. Published daily and Sunday by PG Publishing Co. USPS 434-280. Periodical postage paid in Pittsburgh, Pa.

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Mail service is not available within a 75-mile radius of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is a federally registered trademark and service mark. Afghan officials postpone presidential election By Dexter Filkins The New York Times KABUL, Afghanistan Afghan officials yesterday said they had decided to postpone the presidential election until August, saying they needed more time to prepare. But the decision, which appeared to contravene constitution, raised questions about the legitimacy of what could be President Hamid final months in office. Azizullah Ludin, chairman of the Independent Election Commission, said his office had decided to put off the voting until Aug.

20, which would give election workers more time to register candidates and set up voting machinery, and soldiers more time to bring dozens of chaotic districts under control. Mr. Ludin said the new date would allow the presidential election to occur during more favorable weather. But Constitution states that the term expires May 22. Presidential elections, the constitution says, must be held 30 to 60 days before the end of the term.

Citing the constitution, leaders of the parliamentary oppo- sition to Mr. Karzai said they would stop recognizing his authority after May 22. They called on the United Nations and Western governments to help them appoint a temporary president after Mr. term formally expires. May 22, continuation will not be legitimate for either us or the Afghan said Aqa Fazil Sancharki, spokesman for the United Front, whose members control about a third of the 241 seats in the lower house.

A Karzai spokesman said he would respect the decision to delay the vote. Mr. Karzai, who was elected to a five-year term in 2004, has led the country since the ouster of the Tali- ban in November 2001. He has declared his intention to seek re-election. The election this year will come at an especially difficult time, with the Taliban insurgency challenging the writ in many areas.

Anticipating the delay, U.S. and NATO commanders in the country have set as one of their main goals for 2009 securing the country for peaceful elections. About 70,000 foreign troops are now in Afghanistan. Son aided jailed spy, U.S. says By Eric Lichtblau The New York Times WASHINGTON Since 1997, Harold Nicholson has been locked up in a federal prison in northwest Oregon, the highest-ranking CIA officer ever convicted of espionage.

But even as federal inmate No.49535-083, Mr. Nicholson never really retired as a Russian spy, federal prosecutors say. In an indictment unsealed yesterday, Mr. Nicholson and his son, Nathan, 24, were charged with having used prison visits, coded letters and clandestine overseas meetings to sell even more secrets to the Russians over the last three years, in a scheme that Mr. Nicholson hatched from his prison cell.

The elder Mr. Nicholson pleaded guilty in 1997 to selling the Russians the identities of fellow CIA officers. According to prosecutors, he then and his son in spycraft from his prison cell beginning in 2006, and helped the son meet with Russian handlers in Mexico, Peru and Cypress to pass on information intended to help current Russian agents evade detection, the prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Nathan Nicholson, a former Army paratrooper, returned from his visits with the Russians with at least $35,000 in cash, much of it in hundred-dollar bills that were sometimes tucked inside a PlayStation video game case. The money was designed in part to settle an unclaimed that Harold Nicholson said was owed him from his days as a CIA spy for the Russians in the 1990s, before his arrest in 1996, the prosecutors said.

The charges offered a compelling reminder, officials said, that the spy wars between Moscow and Washington did not halt with the Cold end and the Soviet collapse in 1991. beat goes on, and the Russians have been as aggressive as ever, perhaps more so, since the end of the Cold said John L. Martin, a former Justice Department official who ran the counterespionage unit and oversaw the Nicholson prosecution in 1997. The new charges that Mr. Nicholson was able to continue espionage work from a prison cell really Mr.

Martin added. The affidavit shows that the FBI first received information in 2002 that Mr. Nicholson might be trying to get back in touch with his Russian handlers. But while the FBI was pursuing that lead, Mr. Nicholson was still eventually able to use his son as a conduit, passing information to him during prison visits, the document shows.

Mr. Nicholson admitted in 1997 that he had sold the Russians the names, identities and missions of numerous CIA employees, including scores of young trainees he had instructed at the school for spies. He was the deputy station chief in Malaysia before returning to headquarters in 1994 in a senior counterterrorism post. In pleading guilty, Mr. Nicholson avoided a possible life sentence and was given 23 years in federal prison.

In February 2002, the FBI first learned from someone who had been in contact with another prisoner that Mr. Nicholson was apparently trying to use his fellow inmates to communicate with the Russians, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Oregon by Jared J. Garth, an FBI agent on the case. Beginning in late 2006, authorities said, he turned to his son. One of the most critical pieces of evidence, federal officials said, was an 80-page notebook Nathan Nicholson kept, including what federal officials described as questions the Russians had given Nathan Nicholson to pose to his father.

Some were about events leading up to his 1996 arrest. Russians clearly were interested in finding out how he got said a government official, who described the questions as attempts to learn how other agents might avoid detection in the future..