In a subsequent statement to this column, Madigan clarified that his remarks "were my own private thoughts and are categorically not any official statement by the IAUC."
BIGGER PICTURE
A prominent advocate for blacks in this country is warning the American Public Health Association - the nation's largest and oldest organization of public health professionals - that it's being overly influenced by environmental activists.
Exhibit A: Activist Erin Brockovich invited as keynote speaker - instead of a respected health authority - at the organization's meeting in Washington this week.
Exhibit B: Notable activists presenting abstracts at the meeting on such topics as avoiding pesticides by eating only organically grown fruits and vegetables.
Kevin Marchman, executive director of the National Organization for African Americans in Housing, sent letters to APHA and to members of the Congressional Black Caucus questioning whether the public health group is losing its way.
"Your organization should be highlighting only our nation's most pressing health concerns, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, AIDS, alcohol abuse and cigarette use," Marchman wrote to the APHA. "Instead, the conference is allowing activists to focus on issues of little importance to average Americans."
A former official in the Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton, Marchman concludes: "These activists are warning us about trace levels of chemicals while ignoring real concerns like heart disease. It's like worrying about a speck on your windshield while your car goes off a cliff."