January 17, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tonga: Crime: Murder: Safety and Security of Volunteers: Ceau Monde Press: American Taboo: Fantastic story of a young American Peace Corps volunteer murdered in Tonga by another PCV -- who essentially got off scot-free.
Peace Corps Online:
Directory:
Tonga:
Special Report: 'American Taboo: A Murder in the Peace Corps':
February 9, 2005: Index: PCOL Exclusive: Murder of PCV Deborah Gardner (Tonga) :
June 21, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tonga: Murder: Crime: Safety and Security of Volunteers: Personal Web Site: Laura James says: One other book that was published in 2004 certainly should have made it onto the list of nominees for a Edgar Allan Poe Award: American Taboo :
January 17, 2005: Headlines: COS - Tonga: Crime: Murder: Safety and Security of Volunteers: Ceau Monde Press: American Taboo: Fantastic story of a young American Peace Corps volunteer murdered in Tonga by another PCV -- who essentially got off scot-free.
American Taboo: Fantastic story of a young American Peace Corps volunteer murdered in Tonga by another PCV -- who essentially got off scot-free.
What is perhaps more lacking is a look at why the heck we let barely formed adults in their early 20s, most hopelessly unprepared for live overseas, go around getting themselves into trouble and ultimately being "whack-evaced" home when their minds crumble.
American Taboo: Fantastic story of a young American Peace Corps volunteer murdered in Tonga by another PCV -- who essentially got off scot-free.
American Taboo : A Murder in the Peace Corps
Philip Weiss
Fantastic story of a young American Peace Corps volunteer murdered in Tonga by another PCV -- who essentially got off scot-free. The tale is an engrossing one, especially fine are the observations of Tongans who watch the Peace Corps bureaucracy fall in line to protect the murderer (!) and conclude that whereas a Tongan would simply confess and be hung, Americans don't mind murder so very much. I agree with the reviewers on Amazon.com that take issue with the writer's failings to explain the reappearance of characters, but still, the narrative has its own momemtum, and the writer is clearly quite good at reporting what happened.
What is perhaps more lacking is a look at why the heck we let barely formed adults in their early 20s, most hopelessly unprepared for live overseas, go around getting themselves into trouble and ultimately being "whack-evaced" home when their minds crumble. My new book, Romance on the Road, will look briefly at the issue of young female Peace Corps volunteers, who, if French speaking, are sent to West Africa, where they are likely to encounter strong, seductive men, often HIV positive. Up to five PCVs a year sero-convert to HIV.
Parents and young folks alike should think twice before deciding they are suited for the Peace Corps!
When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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 | American Taboo: A Peace Corps Tragedy
Returned Volunteers met with author Philip Weiss in Baltimore on June 18 to discuss the murder of Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner. Weiss was a member of a panel that included three psychiatrists and a criminal attorney. Meanwhile, the Seattle U.S. Attorney's office announced that Dennis Priven cannot be retried for the murder. "We do not believe this case can be prosecuted by anyone, not only us, but in any other jurisdiction in the United States." Read background on the case here. |
 | June 14: Peace Corps suspends Haiti program
After Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has announced the suspension of a second program this month - this time in Haiti. Background: The suspension comes after a US Embassy warning, a request from Tom Lantos' office, and the program suspension last year. For the record: PCOL supports Peace Corps' decision to suspend the two programs and commends the agency for the efficient way PCVs were evacuated safely. Our only concern now is with the placement of evacuated PCVs and the support they receive after interrupted service. |
 | Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong
170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community. |
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Story Source: Ceau Monde Press
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Tonga; Crime; Murder; Safety and Security of Volunteers
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