Joan McKniff writes: As a career diplomat, I did my best to help overseas audiences understand the full picture of the United States, our long-term commitment to human rights, democracy, our proud history of volunteerism and the like. But this was never more difficult than in the Bush years.



Trust me, there is/was no pro-U.S. shift in those five continents during the Bush administration. In fact, there has been a record-setting growth of anti-Americanism: hatred, resentment, and, among our closest allies, total bafflement often mixed with disgust and fear about the arrogant, imperialist, uninformed nonleadership of Bush, Cheney and crew.

Joan McKniff writes: As a career diplomat, I did my best to help overseas audiences understand the full picture of the United States, our long-term commitment to human rights, democracy, our proud history of volunteerism and the like. But this was never more difficult than in the Bush years.

No pro-U.S. shift on Bush's watch

Regarding Joe Roche's guest column "Bush has presided over a pro-U.S. shift in the global community":

I've just retired from a 40- year overseas career, from Peace Corps, Red Cross, nongovernmental organizations, to the last 22 years with the U.S. Information Agency/State Department, serving in five continents.

Trust me, there is/was no pro-U.S. shift in those five continents during the Bush administration. In fact, there has been a record-setting growth of anti-Americanism: hatred, resentment, and, among our closest allies, total bafflement often mixed with disgust and fear about the arrogant, imperialist, uninformed nonleadership of Bush, Cheney and crew.

As a career diplomat, I did my best to help overseas audiences understand the full picture of the United States, our long-term commitment to human rights, democracy, our proud history of volunteerism and the like. But this was never more difficult than in the Bush years. Now that I am retired, I feel an obligation to speak out against dangerous op-ed pieces that have no basis in truth.

I read the piece several times, hoping that perhaps Joe Roche was channeling Stephen Colbert for our enjoyment during the writers' strike. But I fear he is not. Roche's message is not funny; it is scary, wrong and dangerous.

Joan McKniff

Sarasota

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2007; Speaking Out; Public Diplomacy; Diplomacy

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




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

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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.

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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.

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Feb 22, 2009: Return to Indonesia? Clinton says PC expects to resume in Indonesia 18 Feb Indonesia still touchy about Peace Corps 17 Feb PCVs Remain Safe in Madagascar 30 Jan Dodd's Senate seat up for grabs? 21 Feb Tony Hall Talks About Poverty and Hunger 18 Feb Pro Football Player Aaron Merz to serve in Zambia 17 Feb Moyers could be new Murrow for US Public Diplomacy 17 Feb Obituary for Nigeria CD Francis Underhill Macy 10 Feb George Packer writes: Parties argue government role 10 Feb James Rupert writes: Missile Strikes Counterproductive? 10 Feb Danny Hevrol in Madagascar amidst fighting 6 Feb Reed Hastings writes: Please Raise My Taxes 6 Feb Obama overrides Hillary on Chris Hill appointment 6 Feb Joseph Acaba has "The Right Stuff" 4 Feb Maureen Orth writes: A New Start 2 Feb Henry Rayburn could make art out of anything 1 Feb Obama out to marry military power with diplomacy 30 Jan Mike Fay honored by the San Diego Zoo 30 Jan Charles Stroh writes: Karzai seen as impediment to change 29 Jan Madeleine Meek writes: The market and the bath 26 Jan NPCA gets new Web Site 22 Jan Read more stories from January and February 2009.

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Some PCVs return to Bolivia on their own Peace Corps has withdrawn all volunteers from Bolivia because of "growing instability" and the expulsion of US Ambassador Philip Goldberg after Bolivian President Evo Morales accused the American government of inciting violence in the country. This is not the first controversy surrounding Goldberg's tenure as US ambassador to Bolivia. Latest: Some volunteers have returned to Bolivia on their own to complete their projects.

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