May 2, 2014 – Peace Corps Worldwide

Remembering Innocents Abroad

May 02 2014

[As perhaps a companion piece to my blog item on the shift in America towards involvement in the world, I’d like to re-post a brilliant book review of Innocents Abroad: Teacheres in the American Century by David Espey (Morocco 1962-64) who teaches in the English Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Dave has also been a Fulbright Lecturer in Morocco, Turkey, and Japan. The book review was brought to my attention by an email I received from Dick Joyce (Philippines 1962-64) who commented on reading Zimmerman’s book, “I’m prompted to write because I finally got around to reading Innocents Abroad and I really enjoyed it. It is great to see how things one observed and sometimes participated in on a small scale were parts of larger historic trends. I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t have known of the book if you hadn’t recommended it on one of your websites several . . .

Americans Grow Weary of World Stage: Where Does That Leave The Peace Corps?

May 02 2014

Americans want to disengage from the world is the word from a new poll done by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. Half of those surveyed want the US to be less active on the global stage. The poll also shows that approval for Obama’s handling of foreign policy sank to the lowest level of his president, with 38% approving. Well, what does that mean to the Peace Corps? Well, it means a lot. The first question we all hear: Is there still a Peace Corps? The second question: Are Volunteer women still being raped and murdered overseas? The third question: Why do we still have a Peace Corps? The tide is against Americans who thinks he or she can change the world. Of course, we all know that we can’t change the world. In fact, all we can do it change conditions at little bit in two years. . . .

Archive - May 2, 2014