It’s something, but not a retraction per se

I’ve done some reviews of Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools books, which have spent loads of time on the various best sellers lists and have really motivated a lot of people to give to the cause presented within those pages. Namely that through the construction of secular schools targeted primarily at educating young girls (though by no means excluding boys) in some of the poorest regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan that we might be able to affect positive and lasting change that could help push extremist terrorism back to the margins of society where it often ekes out an existence. That mission, in and of itself, seems like a very realistic and useful approach that has the potential that extensive bombing campaigns just don’t have. Through these books, tireless work, and extensive speaking engagements all over the place, Greg has emerged as an unlikely hero, championing the cause of education for some of the planet’s most disadvantaged children. It’s very difficult to find fault with that.

However…

The State of Montana has launched an investigation into Greg’s charity, the Central Asia Institute (CAI), based on a 60 Minutes investigation and also investigative journalism by Jon Krakauer, who has written a short piece entitled Three Cups of Deceit. There is discussion about the fabrication of many stories within Mortenson’s books, possible defamation issues, and issues with the non-profit organization’s handling of funds in regard to Greg’s expenses. The general feeling from every angle seems to be that the central purpose here – educating children in that part of the world – is a just and noble cause well worth pursuing. The questions in many minds is, has the trust built so far been abused and to what extent.

To that end, the books themselves were indeed good reads as far as that goes. I have to say though that I’ll be watching the proceedings as the investigation continues and withholding judgment on CAI’s viability as a trustworthy charity until there is more available information.

On the subject of the Pat Tillman story, it is with great disgust that I read about the appointment of General Stanley McChrystal to an advisory board with the mission of supporting military families. Yes, the very same General who was an instrumental part of the friendly-fire cover-up of Pat Tillman, and the PR campaign to make it look like he died under extra heroic circumstances in order to provide distraction from the poor war effort in Iraq at the time.