The motivation for joining the Peace Corps had little to do with ones success as a Volunteer. At least that's what a study showed in the late 60's as there were Volunteers that joined that were adamantly opposed to the War in Viet Nam.
Let's give Volkart the best available training in the Tashelhit language and culture.

By Andy Berman (accelerate.att.net - 67.72.98.83) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:39 pm: Edit Post

Bravo to Derek Volkart! And bravo to the Peace Corps administrators who have SO FAR resisted the bozos who call for kicking him out!

I joined the Peace Corps in 1967 after two years protesting the Vietnam war including a couple of busts for civil disobedience at demonstrations. Just before sending me to Togo, I was called in to Washington DC headquarters and asked a lot of silly questions about my activism. But they let me serve, and I had a tremendous experience teaching high school math in Togo. For certain my students knew where I stood regarding the War and the idiots running it...Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon included.

But by being a hard-working dedicated math teacher I'm certain I won lots of friends for America.

After two years in the Peace Corps, the damn war still wasn't over. Back in the States, I rejoined the anti-war movement with a vigor deeply inspired by what I learned in Africa.

Let's hope Derek returns two years hence to an America that has moved away from the crazy war policies of Bush et. al.

Derek, if you read this, drop a line.

Andy Berman
Togo 67-69
abnerdyman(at)yahoo.com