Gates channels Gore
“If you’re here for the hockey game, you need to go across the street,” Microsoft chairman Bill Gates quipped Tuesday night to an audience of suited policy wonks at Sidney Harman Hall while fiery Capitals fans lined up at the Verizon Center a block away.
The software-mogul-turned-philanthropist, who turned 54 Wednesday and is considered the world’s wealthiest man, was in town with his wife, Melinda, for a special presentation on their global health initiative, the Living Proof Project.
Channeling Al Gore at his most professorial, Mr. Gates stalked in front of a high-tech screen that was flashing statistics illustrating health gains in the Third World credited to vaccines and improved medical care. They were interwoven with photographs and videos of malnourished children.
“United States’ spending is the best investment we make for saving lives. I am here tonight to say something you don’t say to the government very often, ’Thank you,’ ” Mr. Gates said, to knowing laughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates declared themselves “impatient optimists” about poverty and disease, especially AIDS, in the developing world, but stressed that continued progress depends on additional private and government funding.
Like Mr. Gore, Mr. and Mrs. Gates dedicated a portion of their presentation to “addressing skeptics,” such as those who think that global health funds, especially in Africa, is stolen by corrupt politicians and those who think America should focus on its own internal health care issues.
“America has always had a belief in equality, and every child should have an opportunity, not just here in our country, but everywhere,” Mr. Gates said.
Although her husband spoke with a detached coolness, Mrs. Gates, a mother of three, seemed almost to tear up as she recounted her experiences in remote villages in Africa and the fact that “a mother loses a child to malaria every 30 seconds” on that continent.
“Sometimes I think the term ’impatient optimist’ is a little too polite,” she said after showing a video on women dying in childbirth in impoverished areas.
Much to the disappointment of the gathering, the Gateses did not have a question-and-answer session and did not meet and greet guests, who milled around the lobby hoping for a glimpse of the power couple.
We noticed several huge cameras filming the presentation. Could Mr. and Mrs. G be hoping for an Oscar of their own?
Tuesday night football
Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle teamed up Tuesday against a common opponent - the U.S. Capitol Police - during the fourth annual Longest Yard flag-football game.
It sure beat Monday night’s game.
For the contest, a fundraiser for the Capitol Police Foundation and the Washington Literacy Council, the D.C. Armory was transformed in to a mini football field, complete with AstroTurf - which can be hard on the knees, as one congressman discovered. Cut-throat competitor Rep. Michael Arcuri, New York Democrat, emerged from a play with a bloody knee.
After his injury was attended to, the wounded warrior told G2 he had prepared for the game “by practicing and running and just trying to get in shape.”
Mr. Arcuri added: “It’s tough running around on this field. It’s harder than it looks!”
The congressional team had a little extra help from retired NFL players who sponsored the event. Former Washington Redskin Ken Harvey told us that having three former professionals on the field with the members of Congress throughout the game makes it more competitive.
Asked if the congressional team could give the Redskins a run for their money, Mr. Harvey said, “No.” (We knew there must be a team our Redskins could beat!)
Ready to challenge the Skins or not, the congressional team defeated the Capitol Hill Police in overtime 32-26. As we walked out of the armory, we heard one Capitol Police squad member say to another, “They broke a lot of rules.”
His colleague laughed and replied, “It’s Congress. There are no rules.”
To contact Stephanie Green or Elizabeth Glover, e-mail undercover@ washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.