[Peace-discuss] Mortenson and Moyer on PBS

[Jenifer Cartwright]

Mort et al,
I just watched the program on my computer and had a totally different reaction than yours. I didn's see any inconsistencies in Mortenson's answers: It's clear (at least to me) that he doesn't see any point to the war, that he doesn't want/expect/envision a western style democracy in Afghanistan -- he just wants enuff peace on Afghan terms so that he can continue his work -- building schools -- which will bring about a better and more peaceful Afghanistan/Pakistan. It's also clear to me that Mortenson does not support a military presence there. He repeatedly criticised US behavior -- Obama's closed door meetings, civilian deaths leading to worsened relations between The US and Afghanistan ... and he also pointed out that no country has ever won a war against the Afghans.. He mentioned how many schools could be built w/ what the US spends on just one soldier for just one year. 
Is Mortenson a peace activist, or any other kind of activist, for that matter? No, that's not his style or focus... but from what I already knew about him and what I heard on Moyers' just now, he's a decent man on a mission to make things better for Afghans (thru building schools and providing education, esp for girls) working w/in the reality of Afghanistan -- tribes, Taliban and all... And he's also doing his best (when prevailed upon to do so) to broaden the minds and soften the hearts of those hell bent on an immoral and impossible military solution (where the US has no right to be in the first  place). 
 
I hope the rest of you on this list will watch the show and read Mortenson's book(s)... and that those who've reacted negatively will watch the broadcast again and come away with a more positive outlook. 
Here's the link www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01152010/watch2.html
 --Jenifer 

--- On Sat, 1/16/10, Brussel Morton K. <mkbrussel at comcast.net> wrote:


From: Brussel Morton K. <mkbrussel at comcast.net>
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Mortenson and Moyer on PBS
To: "Peace-discuss List" <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010, 10:54 AM


My response to the program tonight:



Moyers was possibly somewhat disappointed with Mortensen; He tried to bring out the contradictions in Mortenson's dialog in his questioning, but his important non-personal questions were not cogently answered. The following is what I wrote to PBS about the program. I note that most responses were ecstatic in their praise of Mortenson. 





In some ways Mortenson seems dumb, or at best naive, for there are many disconnects, contradictions, in what he has said and advocated. On the one hand he says that the Taliban do not want their people educated, that they are inveterate violent, ignorant, religiously intolerant people, but on the other hand he said that he was able to get them enthusiastic about his girls schools, and he was able to work with them, to in a sense turn them around. On the one hand he praises the work of our military commanders, Mullen, McCrystal et al, the latter well known to have carried out special forces murderous operations in Iraq (and Afghanistan?). Evidently, these guys now see the virtues in understanding and living among the Afghans. One of course wonders if that is only a ploy to accomplish the success they strive for—a land compliant with U.S. imperial objectives. He implicitly praises our occupation forces and the billions of dollars that are needed to
 maintain them, although admitting "mistakes" have been made (as in Iraq?). On the other hand, he advocates building schools and getting along with the tribal elders, which cost minimally compared to the billions militarily we spend. It does not seem to occur to him that perhaps if the U.S. spent those billions on improving the lives of Afghans, without military intervention, drone bombings, firefights, breaking and entering, and whatever else our troops and their hangers on do there, it would be far better, less disastrous, more effective in establishing a secure and viable Afghan society. Finally, he never really confronts the issue of why the U.S. has invaded that country and expands its presence there. Was he afraid (?) to say that the U.S. invasion and occupation was/is a terrible tragic mistake?
I now wonder in view of all this if he has connections with the CIA. He seems to be a goodhearted guy, effective in getting schools built, but otherwise blind to what his own country is up to there.
Posted by: Morton K. Brussel | January 16, 2010 12:02 AM
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