Archive - October 5, 2011

[The world is falling apart, they are demonstrating on Wall Street and across the country, Greece is hanging on to its last Drachma, the Arab Spring has become the Financial Fall, and the great Steve Jobs has just died….Still, a few faithful RPCVs, God love them, are protesting and rallying against the Peace Corps as we celebrate this month our 50 years of service. N ow, here is that old curmudgeon, Chuck Ludlam, who makes me look like a passivist when it comes to criticizing the Peace Corps, taking on the agency and the NPCA about a possible Peace Corps Monument on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Now, I have been reading about a ‘Peace Corps Monument’ since Shriver days of old, so what gives? I guess the idea is still alive and kickin’, and Chuck is out to kill is before one stone is set in stone. Here is his testimony . . .

[After his written testimony, Chuck Ludlam has more to say and moves away from the Peace Corps Monument to what is ‘really on his mind’.] Oral Testimony: Chuck Ludlam Chairman Bishop and Members of the Subcommittee. Let me make four points. First, more important than listening to what I have to say would be viewing the ABC 20/20 report of its investigation into epic scandals in the Peace Corps. The Subcommittee should let these scandals run their course. It should be wary of authorizing a Monument that would, in effect, enable the Peace Corps to “change the subject” and gloss over these unresolved scandals. I am aware of at least three more installments in these scandals that may become public in the coming months.  If the Subcommittee authorizes this Monument, it risks being blind-sided by upcoming developments. Over a period of years, we will have the verdict of history regarding . . .

[Taylor Dibbert holds a BA in political science from the University of Georgia and a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 2006-2008. His work has been published in Slow Trains Literary Journal, Scarlett Rosebud and elsewhere. He is the author of the recently published book, Fiesta of Sunset: The Peace Corps, Guatemala and a Search for Truth. ]  The Truth about the Peace Corps September 29, 2011 by Taylor Dibbert As the Peace Corps turns fifty, now is an auspicious time to discuss Peace Corps reform. With annual expenses of less than $500 million, the organization costs little when considered in the broader budgetary debate on Capitol Hill. Over the past ten years, two disparate narratives have encompassed most talk surrounding the organization. The first has to do with Peace Corps volunteer . . .