With my pending long drive to PA and back I really wanted to get a good book (hoping against hope that I would actually be able to read in the car). As I meandered through Borders I just couldn't find anything that seemed even remotely interesting. I was thinking of the days that I used to be able to walk into Borders and drop a load on tons of new books. It had been so long since I read a book cover to cover... uh, approximately 2 years and 2 months. Then I remembered that my mother in law Lynda had mentioned Three Cups of Tea while I was out in Seattle so I picked it up.
AMAZING book. I HIGHLY recommend it.
I've never agreed that we should be at war right now, but never really formed a full on opinion about it and never spoke about it when people got on the topic, but having read this book... WOW! I certainly have an opinion now! We (Americans) - I even hesitate to say "we" b/c I certainly don't feel a part of the 'we' that is in Iraq right now, but WE none the less are going about this all wrong.
Education is the answer to the problems over there - not guns and bombs. If we truly want to make a difference and secure safety for ourselves we need to work harder to make friends there not enemies, to empower the people and provide them options in their lives. Options to make a good living to feed their families w/o having to go to the Taliban and Madrassas to provide them security.
Greg Mortenson is doing what so many of us feel we can't do. The least we can do is support his mission and cause. Check out his schools (Central Asia Institute) and read the book!!!! Donate now. We can make a difference... we can be part of a 'we' that we feel aligned with.
I will leave it at that for you to pick up the book and read it for yourselves.
Great post! I totally agree! I hope others read this book, as well.
ReplyDeleteNow, I want to know when you had time to 'meander' through Borders? LOL
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this book. I still have to finish the book that I started...16 months ago. Go figure.
Education is ALWAYS the answer. That's why I feel so lucky to be a part of it!
Haha.. we were getting ready for our trip. We (mom and I) only had lily w/ us and she watched her while I meandered.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this book - I just read it not too long ago and was so inspired. I am definitely going to donate to their foundation. It's such an amazing cause and what an amazing person (greg) to be able to create such positive change in peoples lives. Education is the answer!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought this sounded familiar....yup, this was talked about in an article I read in Outside Magazine a while back:
ReplyDeletehttp://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200511/afghanistan-1.html
"The U.S. fired 88 Tomahawk cruise missiles into Afghanistan in 2001," he said. "I could build 40 schools for the cost of one of them. The Taliban are still here. They're just waiting for us to leave. You can kill a warrior, but unless you educate his children, they will become prime recruits."