December 2002
Program Notes
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First Week (December 7-13)
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It's a disease that's nothing short of terrifying. Highly contagious
and disfiguring, smallpox once killed about 30 percent of those
who fell victim to it. Health officials declared it eradicated worldwide
in 1980. But now we worry that smallpox may number among the weapons
in the arsenals of biological terrorists. Epidemiologist Dick
Wenzel (MCV/VCU) describes the disease and how we can prevent
it. Also featured: If terrorists attack the United States with a
biological weapon, a University of Virginia panel is recommending
that citizens stay home. Richard Bonnie (UVa) and Gregory
Saathoff (UVa) explain the concept behind "community shielding."
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Second Week (December 14-20)
Invasive Species and Whales
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The Russians have invaded! Russian microorganisms and shellfish,
that is. With more than 80% of the world's trade transported by
the oceans, forester Mark Huddy (JMU) says Virginia's rivers
and lakes have already been infiltrated by foreign species. Ivor
Knight (JMU) says more has to be done to keep cargo ships from
dumping their ballast in foreign waters. Also featured: Juvenile
humpback and fin whales in the early '90s began feeding off the
Virginia coast during the winter months, rather than following the
adults to the breeding grounds farther south. Host Sarah McConnell
and 88 ninth graders from Henrico County board the "Bobbi Lee"
for a two hour whale watching cruise close to the shores of Virginia
Beach. Marine biologist Susan Barco (ODU) details her research
on this whale population.
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Third Week (December 21-27)
Dump Dominion
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Last year, Governor Mark Warner proposed a $5 a ton tipping fee
for all trash deposited in Virginia landfills. Lawmakers rejected
the measure, but the proposal highlighted once again Virginia's
status as the second greatest importer of trash in the U.S. Have
we become the Dump Dominion? Geologist Bob McConnell (MW)
discusses what makes Virginia a popular destination for trash and
some of the concerns it raises. Also featured: Biologist Andrew
Dolby (MW) looks at what, if anything, bird songs tell us about
their parenting skills.
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Fourth Week (December 28-January 3)
Lewis and Clark and Native Americans
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The first Americans to cross the continent knew less about their
destination than the first men who landed on the moon. In 1803,
Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
to find a direct route from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Along
the way, the expedition made diplomatic connections with Indian
tribes, encountered countless new plants and animals, and persevered
through the toughest wilderness. Historian Peter Onuf (UVa)
explains Jefferson's views of American expansion. Historian Dan
Thorp (VT) examines the explorers' relationship with Native
Americans.
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