June, 2009 - Top Stories

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Breaking News: Peace Corps News: 2009: June, 2009 - Top Stories
By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.52.109) on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:57 pm: Edit Post

Join Us Mr. President! Date: June 16 2009 No: 1377 Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign.

Read how RPCV's rallied and and marched to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age.
May 30, 2009: Peace Corps' Roadmap Date: May 29 2009 No: 1369 May 30, 2009: Peace Corps' Roadmap
Peace Corps' Roadmap for the Future 26 May
Who are the Candidates for Peace Corps Director? 24 May
Have French Atomic Tests put PCVs at Risk? 1 May
Obama asks Congress for 10% increase in PC Budget 7 May
Guy Consolmagno debunks "Angels & Demons" 22 May
Obama praises Dodd at credit card signing 22 May
John Garamendi front runner in California primary 22 May
Al Kamen writes: New management structure at PC HQ? 22 May
Damian Wampler's play Twin Towers opens in NYC 21 May
Michael Volpe learns that DC is networking capital 21 May
Dr. Mike Metke returns to Costa Rica 10 May
Jesse Fleisher Lives well on less 14 May
Al Kamen writes: PCVs peak at 11,000 under Obama Budget 11 May
James W. Kostenblatt is making a difference in Mozambique 10 May
Karen and Warren Master host Kyrgyzstan teen 9 May
Alberto Ibargüen writes: The Future of Newspapers 9 May
PC Monitor 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus in Mexico 1 May
Paul Theroux writes: Obama and the Peace Corps 1 May
Johnnie Carson to head State Department African Affairs 29 Apr
Michael O'Hanlon writes: Grading Obama's First 100 Days 29 Apr
Amy Potthast writes: The Peace Corps Lottery 23 Apr
Read more stories from April and May 2009.

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.52.109) on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:53 pm: Edit Post

Laurence Leamer writes: You Can Change History
Laurence Leamer writes: You Can Change History: An Open Letter to Congresswoman Nita Lowey 1 June 2009



Maria Maculaitis is owner of Contractor Connection
Maria Maculaitis, owner of Contractor Connection, was born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to an Italian American in the Peace Corps from Canton, and a Bolivian who spoke only Spanish 1 June 2009



Jeffrey Tayler writes: Face-Off on the Congo
Jeffrey Tayler writes: Face-Off on the Congo 1 June 2009



Scott Rowland for mayor of Peachtree City
Guatemala RPCV Scott Rowland says he’s going to make a run for the mayor’s seat in Peachtree City in the next election 1 June 2009



Emilio Torres is new volleyball coach at wife's alma mater
Guinea-Bissau RPCV Emilio Torres brings wealth of experience to Noll as new volleyball coach at deceased wife's alma mater 1 June 2009



Colleen O’Connor writes: Get your own gang California
Turkey RPCV Colleen O’Connor writes: Get your own gang, California 1 June 2009



Juana Bordas named 2009 Unique Woman of Colorado
Chile RPCV Juana Bordas named 2009 Unique Woman of Colorado 2 June 2009



Carl Pope writes: The energy stumbling block in Congress
Carl Pope writes: The energy stumbling block in Congress 2 June 2009



Dr. Janet Bruno writes: How to Quit Smoking
Kenya RPCV Dr. Janet Bruno writes: How to Quit Smoking Once and for All 2 June 2009



Don Mather first heard of Bhutan as PCV in Pakistan
Don Mather had first heard of Bhutan decades ago while a Peace Corps volunteer in Pakistan 2 June 2009



Obituary for Papau New Guinea RPCV Paul Veale
Obituary for Papau New Guinea RPCV Paul Veale 2 June 2009



Peace Corps Celebrates Gay Pride
Peace Corps Celebrates Gay Pride 3 June 2009



Michael Adlerstein says UN renovations on schedule
Michael Adlerstein says UN Headquarters renovations on schedule 3 June 2009



Honda Introduces new Immigration Bill
Honda Introduces Bill That Would Make Sweeping Changes in Legal Immigration 3 June 2009



George Packer writes: Postcard from Mardan
George Packer writes: Postcard from Mardan 3 June 2009



Obama speaks at Cairo University
President Barack Obama speaks at Cairo University in Cairo 4 June 2009



Obama in Roundtable Interview with Regional Reporters in Cairo
President Barack Obama in Roundtable Interview with Regional Reporters in Cairo 4 June 2009



Gaddi H. Vasquez at the annual prayer breakfast
The featured speaker at the annual prayer breakfast of the South Orange County Interfaith Council at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center was Ambassador Gaddi H. Vasquez, former director of the United States Peace Corps 4 June 2009



Chon Lee writes: jPCVs work in remote places in Azerbaijan
Chon Lee writes: I had the great pleasure to meet and work alongside some extraordinary Peace Corps volunteers stationed in remote places in Azerbaijan, such as a small mountainous village called Luhic with only one school of roughly 70 children 4 June 2009



John Shannon writes mystery thriller
Malawi RPCV John Shannon writes mystery thriller, "Palos Verdes Blue" 4 June 2009



Matt Hepp combines humanitarian and climbing objectives
Ecuador RPCV Matt Hepp travels to Pakistan a team that combines humanitarian and climbing objectives 4 June 2009



Greg Carlow loving life in Uganda
Greg Carlow loving life in Uganda 4 June 2009



Laurence Leamer writes: Your Moment Has Come
Laurence Leamer writes: Your Moment Has Come: DC Rally June 13 to Support Obama's Peace Corps Vision 5 June 2009



PC Awarded Advancing Government Accountability Award
Peace Corps Awarded Advancing Government Accountability Award 5 June 2009



Christine Dixon devotes 35 years to agriculture teaching
Belize RPCV Christine Dixon devotes 35 years to agriculture teaching 5 June 2009



Michael Adlerstein's Press Conference on UN renovations
Press Conference with Michael Adlerstein on the UN Headquarters renovations 5 June 2009



Alan Walls named St. Anthony boys basketball coach
El Salvador RPCV Alan Walls named St. Anthony boys basketball coach 5 June 2009



Peter Bartholomew loves Korean traditional culture
Some 40 Korean traditional houses have been saved from demolition by the tenacious efforts of RPCV Peter Bartholomew who loves Korean traditional culture 5 June 2009



Larry Kaplow writes: Iraq Steps Out of Iran’s Shadow
Larry Kaplow writes: Iraq Steps Out of Iran’s Shadow 6 June 2009



Rebekah Martin finds love is not enough
RPCV Rebekah Martin finds love is not enough after suicide of young boy she helped bring from Kazakhstan 6 June 2009



Bill Lorah Volunteers For His Community
Ethiopia RPCV Bill Lorah Volunteers For His Community 7 June 2009



Brian Carroll writes: An African village adapts
The Gambia RPCV Brian Carroll writes: An African village adapts 7 June 2009



Jeff Schlieper rides in his first Tour de Kota
Ukraine RPCV Jeff Schlieper came all the way from Vashon Island, Wash., to ride in his first Tour de Kota, although he has passed through South Dakota on numerous cross-country rides 7 June 2009



Chris Dodd faces his own crisis
Thomas Dodd left the Senate in disgrace. Now his son Christopher faces his own crisis 8 June 2009



Brett McMichael had faith God would answer his prayers
Former Presbyterian missionary and Honduras RPCV Brett McMichael always had faith that God would answer his prayers for a life-saving kidney 8 June 2009



Christopher S. Winters appointed headmaster at Greenwich High School
Mali RPCV Christopher S. Winters appointed interim headmaster at Greenwich High School 8 June 2009



Dr. Catherine Taylor Foster administered Polio vaccine in Nepal
While in Nepal with the Peace Corps, Dr. Catherine Taylor Foster assisted in administering a Polio vaccine, the importance of green vegetables and the necessity of boiling water before drinking it 8 June 2009



Reaction to Obama's Speech to the Muslim World
An RPCV in Cairo Discusses Reaction to Obama's Speech to the Muslim World 9 June 2009



Thomas Gouttierre says Afghans' confidence is eroding
Thomas Gouttierre says Afghans' confidence in U.S. is eroding 9 June 2009



Kennedy and Dodd unveil health care reform bill
Senators Kennedy, Dodd unveil health care reform bill 9 June 2009



Micah Lemons writes: Kazakhstan's Spring Games
Micah Lemons writes: Kazakhstan's Spring Games 9 June 2009



Dr. Roger Brooks spent 35 years with Concord School District
Malaysia RPCV Dr. Roger Brooks's 35 years with the Concord School District began at the now-closed Millville School, where he taught a classroom of 28 students ranging from first grade to fourth grade 9 June 2009



Susan Spano writes: Check out PeaceCorpsJournals.com
Susan Spano writes: Check out the the recently revamped www.PeaceCorpsJournals.com 10 June 2009



Al Kamen writes: James Arena-DeRosa seems to have faded
Al Kamen writes: James Arena-DeRosa, formerly the agency's New England regional director, was a leading contender for Peace Corps Director, but he seems to have faded 10 June 2009



Michael O'Hanlon writes: Obama's first big mistake
Michael O'Hanlon writes: Obama's first big mistake 10 June 2009



Fabio E. Angell is new economic director for Del Rio
Costa Rica RPCV Fabio E. Angell, is new economic director for Del Rio 10 June 2009



Al Kamen writes: Aaron Williams candidated for PC Director
Al Kamen writes: Aaron Williams is one of the front runners for Peace Corps Director 10 June 2009



Jennifer Silvera felt numb after husband's death
After her police officer husband's death on a Lino Lakes freeway in 2005, Honduras RPCV Jennifer Silvera felt numb and depressed 10 June 2009



Al Kamen writes: Frank Fountain candidate for PC Director
Al Kamen writes: Frank Fountain is one of the front runners for Peace Corps Director 10 June 2009



George Packer wites: Postscript on the Cairo Speech
George Packer wites: Postscript on the Cairo Speech 10 June 2009



An Interview With Kris Holloway
An Interview With Kris Holloway 10 June 2009



Kerry Lutz donates her bone marrow to save a stranger's life
Nicaragua RPCV Kerry Lutz donates her bone marrow to save a stranger's life 10 June 2009



Petri positioned to take key post
Petri positioned to take key post -- if his party lets him 10 June 2009



Joseph Goldstein pioneered Insight meditation in US
Joseph Goldstein began meditating while serving in the Peace Corps in Thailand during the 1960s 10 June 2009



Marc Grossman plants and sells organic produce
Bolivia RPCV Marc Grossman, for example, spends five to six hours each week from May to November planting, harvesting and selling organic produce that he grows on land leased near his house in Olney, Md 11 June 2009



Gordon Gray to be US Ambassador to Tunisia
Morocco RPCV Gordon Gray to be US Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia 11 June 2009



Phoebe Wiley is ceramic artist
Peru RPCV Phoebe Wiley is ceramic artist 11 June 2009



James Q. Jacobs writes: Peru and The Long Genocide
Peru RPCV James Q. Jacobs writes: Peru and The Long Genocide, 1492 to ?? 11 June 2009



Dr. Bob Brick named VP of applied sciences at Blinn College
Sri Lanka and Philippines RPCV Dr. Bob Brick, named vice president of applied sciences at Blinn College 11 June 2009



McCollum Supports $450 Million For Peace Corps
McCollum Supports $450 Million For Peace Corps 12 June 2009



Monica Mills Named a Top Grassroots Lobbyist
Former Peace Corps Head of Recruitment Monica Mills Named a Top Grassroots Lobbyist 12 June 2009



Cyndy Tice retires as instructor at Nursing Department
Bangladesh RPCV Cyndy Tice retires as instructor at the Northern Marianas College’s Nursing Department 12 June 2009



Tiffany Nelson went to China to teach
Peace Corps volunteer Tiffany Nelson went to China to teach — and learned a lot herself 12 June 2009



Gail Collins writes: Mr. Dodd’s Best/Worst Year
Gail Collins writes: Mr. Dodd’s Best/Worst Year 12 June 2009



Charles Sutton Pays Tribute to Ethiopian Legend
RPCV Charles Sutton Pays Tribute to Ethiopian Legend Tilahun Gessesse (2) 12 June 2009



Bruce Anderson edits Anderson Valley Advertiser
South of me in Mendocino County, California, is the Anderson Valley Advertiser, a weekly edited by my friend Bruce Anderson 12 June 2009



Tim Shriver Leads RPCV March to the White House
Tim Shriver Leads RPCV March to the White House 13 June 2009



Laurence Leamer writes: "Join Us Mr. President!!!"
Laurence Leamer writes: "Join Us, Mr. President!!!" 13 June 2009



Laurence Leamer speaks: Hear Us Mr. President
Laurence Leamer speaks at the Peace Corps Rally: Hear Us Mr. President 13 June 2009



Molly Powers works with Fiji Water
When her term with the Peace Corps ended, Molly Powers was recruited by FIJI Water to work with the local community around the area in Yaqara 13 June 2009



Talking to Playwright Senegal RPCV Rajiv Joseph
Talking to Playwright Senegal RPCV Rajiv Joseph 13 June 2009



Cristin Smith seeks funds for filtration systems in Suriname
Peace Corps volunteer Cristin Smith seeks funds for filtration systems in Suriname 13 June 2009



Elaine Ruth Jones to deliver address to Lane College
Prominent civil rights lawyer Elaine Ruth Jones will deliver the commencement address to Lane College 13 June 2009



Yamiche Alcindor writes: "Dozens Rally for Peace Corps"
Yamiche Alcindor at the Washington Post writes: "Dozens Rally for Peace Corps" 14 June 2009



Peace Corps Celebrates Fathers
Peace Corps Celebrates Fathers by Honoring Legacies of Volunteerism 15 June 2009



Scott Stossel moderates panel on Why Fiction Matters
Scott Stossel, deputy editor of The Atlantic, moderates panel on Why Fiction Matters 15 June 2009



Jeanne Massey is executive director of FairVote Minnesota
Costa Rica RPCV Jeanne Massey is executive director of FairVote Minnesota 15 June 2009



David Benson was PCV in India from 1963-1965
David Benson was a community development Peace Corps Volunteer in India from 1963-1965 15 June 2009



George Packer writes: Realism and Iran
George Packer writes: Realism and Iran 15 June 2009



Dave Eberhart writes:Peace Corps Transcends Party Divide
Dave Eberhart writes: A Bold New Peace Corps Transcends Party Divide 16 June 2009



Phillip Margolin writes new book "Fugitive"
Liberia RPCV Phillip Margolin Gives Us All the Chilling Details in his new book "Fugitive" 16 June 2009



Nita Lowey supports $450 million PC Appropriation
Congresswoman Nita Lowey of New York announces on Chris Matthews "Hardball" that she will be supporting the $450 million appropriation for the Peace Corps 16 June 2009



Laurence Leamer writes: House Subcommittee supports PC appropriation
Laurence Leamer writes: House State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee supports the $450 million appropriation for the Peace Corps 17 June 2009



Congress might pump up funding for PC
Obama's budget doesn't pump up funding for Peace Corps, but Congress might 17 June 2009



Ryan Van Duzer rode a road bike from Honduras to Boulder
Ryan Van Duzer rode a road bike 4,000 miles from Honduras to Boulder a few years ago after serving with the Peace Corps in Honduras 17 June 2009



Bankole Thompson writes: Frank Fountain wins approval
Bankole Thompson writes: Frank Fountain's candidacy for Peace Corps Director wins national approval 17 June 2009



George Packer writes: Iran Reveals Us
George Packer writes: Iran Reveals Us 17 June 2009



Christopher R. Hill On the Current Situation In Iraq
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher R. Hill On the Current Situation In Iraq 18 June 2009



Dr. Don Stierman writes: Random Thoughts on Teaching
Honduras RPCV Dr. Don Stierman writes: Random Thoughts on Teaching Philosophy 18 June 2009



Obituary for PNG RPCV Eva Carrol Leslie Robertson
Obituary for Papua New Guinea RPCV Eva Carrol Leslie Robertson 18 June 2009



Peace Corps to return to Sierra Leone in 2010
Peace Corps to return to Sierra Leone in 2010 18 June 2009



Christopher Hill calls for talks in Iraq
Christopher Hill calls for talks in Iraq 19 June 2009



Robert “Doc” McDavid developed PC pre-service training in 1960's
In the 1960's Robert “Doc” McDavid was hired as the technical advisor to develop the physical training component of the Peace Corps’ well known, three-month, pre-service training 20 June 2009



Clinton Seely writes "Barisal and Beyond"
Bangladesh RPCV Clinton Seely writes "Barisal and Beyond: Essays on Bangla Literature" 20 June 2009



David Weir writes: Twitter's Role in Iran
Iran RPCV David Weir writes: The Business Lessons from Twitter's Role in Iran 20 June 2009



Teresa Sakash Marries Rebecca Zeitlin
Madagascar RPCV Teresa Sakash Marries Rebecca Zeitlin 20 June 2009



Peter McPherson writes: Expanding Access to Higher Ed
Peter McPherson writes: Yes, We Can Expand Access to Higher Ed 20 June 2009



Bill Curry writes: Dodd's A Profile In Resiliency
Bill Curry writes: Dodd's A Profile In Resiliency 21 June 2009



Jennifer Lazuta finished first in the Ouaga-Laye marathon
Peace Corps Volunteer Jennifer Lazuta finished first among female participants in the annual Ouaga-Laye marathon in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 22 June 2009



Christopher Hill: The Negotiator
Christopher Hill: The Negotiator 22 June 2009



Carl Pope writes: Old Habits Die Hard
Carl Pope writes: Old Habits Die Hard 22 June 2009



Jahanshah Javid writes: Recalling the Peace Corps in Iran
Jahanshah Javid writes: Recalling the Peace Corps in Iran 22 June 2009



David Wier writes: Forty years ago I first landed in Tehran
David Wier writes: Forty years ago, when I first landed in Tehran as a young, idealistic Peace Corps Volunteer headed for neighboring Afghanistan, I had the first of many interactions with a people I’ve come to respect as much as any on earth 22 June 2009



Christopher Hill says Iraqis Turning Away from Violence
Christopher Hill says Iraqis Turning Away from Violence 23 June 2009



Emily Cadei writes: Dodd’s Road to Redemption
Emily Cadei writes: Dodd’s Road to Redemption 23 June 2009



Critics say Chris Dodd takes eyes off finance ball
Critics say Chris Dodd takes eyes off finance ball 23 June 2009



Lauren Stanley heads to Haiti as Missionary
Kenya RPCV Lauren Stanley heads to Haiti as Missionary 23 June 2009



Chris Matthews writes: Remembering Ed McMahon
Chris Matthews writes: Remembering Ed McMahon 23 June 2009



Mark Gearan discusses what makes us happy
Mark Gearan discusses what makes us happy, what is the measure of a successful life? 25 June 2009



Dodd introduces PC Improvement and Expansion Act
Senator Dodd introduces the Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 25 June 2009



Laurence Leamer writes: Dodd Act grows and reforms PC
Laurence Leamer writes: Dodd's Senate speech introduced the Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 to grow and reform the 48-year-old agency 25 June 2009



Dodd's "Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009"
Senator Dodd's "Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009" 25 June 2009



Laura Bacon appointed White House Fellow
Niger RPCV Laura Bacon appointed White House Fellow 25 June 2009



Doyle to head the Peace Corps?
GOP3 writes: Gov Doyle to ride off in to the sunset as… The head of the Peace Corps? 25 June 2009



George Packer writes:separateness of men and women in Iraq
George Packer writes: The separateness of men and women is always the thing that strikes me, and disturbs me, most deeply about working in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan 26 June 2009



Aides say Doyle Rumor not True
Rumor about Doyle appointment as Peace Corps Director not true, aides say 26 June 2009



Coup in Honduras?
Coup in Honduras? 28 June 2009



Obama says Honduras coup illegal
Obama says Honduras coup illegal 29 June 2009



Dr. Harlan Bengtson and wife served as PCVs in Tanzania in 1960s
Dr. Harlan Bengtson and his wife, Kathryn remember serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in Tanzania in the 1960s 29 June 2009



Jonathan Bartolozzi runs the Afghanistan relief efforts for Umcor
Kyrgyzstan RPCV Jonathan Bartolozzi runs the Afghanistan relief efforts for Umcor, the humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church 30 June 2009



Phillip Kurata writes: Peace Corps was launched in Ghana in 1961
Phillip Kurata writes: The Peace Corps, one of President John F. Kennedy's enduring legacies, was launched in Ghana in 1961 30 June 2009

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.52.109) on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:55 pm: Edit Post



When this story was posted in June 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers RSS Feed

 Site Index Search PCOL with Google Contact PCOL Recent Posts Bulletin Board Open Discussion RPCV Directory Register

Join Us Mr. President! Date: June 16 2009 No: 1377 Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign.

Read how RPCV's rallied and and marched to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age.

May 30, 2009: Peace Corps' Roadmap Date: May 29 2009 No: 1369 May 30, 2009: Peace Corps' Roadmap
Peace Corps' Roadmap for the Future 26 May
Who are the Candidates for Peace Corps Director? 24 May
Have French Atomic Tests put PCVs at Risk? 1 May
Obama asks Congress for 10% increase in PC Budget 7 May
Guy Consolmagno debunks "Angels & Demons" 22 May
Obama praises Dodd at credit card signing 22 May
John Garamendi front runner in California primary 22 May
Al Kamen writes: New management structure at PC HQ? 22 May
Damian Wampler's play Twin Towers opens in NYC 21 May
Michael Volpe learns that DC is networking capital 21 May
Dr. Mike Metke returns to Costa Rica 10 May
Jesse Fleisher Lives well on less 14 May
Al Kamen writes: PCVs peak at 11,000 under Obama Budget 11 May
James W. Kostenblatt is making a difference in Mozambique 10 May
Karen and Warren Master host Kyrgyzstan teen 9 May
Alberto Ibargüen writes: The Future of Newspapers 9 May
PC Monitor 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus in Mexico 1 May
Paul Theroux writes: Obama and the Peace Corps 1 May
Johnnie Carson to head State Department African Affairs 29 Apr
Michael O'Hanlon writes: Grading Obama's First 100 Days 29 Apr
Amy Potthast writes: The Peace Corps Lottery 23 Apr
Read more stories from April and May 2009.

PCOL's Candidate for Peace Corps Director Date: December 2 2008 No: 1288 PCOL's Candidate for Peace Corps Director
Honduras RPCV Jon Carson, 33, presided over thousands of workers as national field director for the Obama campaign and said the biggest challenge -- and surprise -- was the volume of volunteer help, including more than 15,000 "super volunteers," who were a big part of what made Obama's campaign so successful. PCOL endorses Jon Carson as the man who can revitalize the Peace Corps, bring it into the internet age, and meet Obama's goal of doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011.

Director Ron Tschetter:  The PCOL Interview Date: December 9 2008 No: 1296 Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview
Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez.



Read the stories and leave your comments.