Peace Corps volunteers hate America? That's not even funny
I know it's just a gag, but I'm going to dispute Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert about this anyway:
"Another good thing war is good for: Peace. This year the Peace Corps accepted 7,810 volunteers -- the largest number in 30 years. That's great news. The Peace Corps identifies people who hate America, then ships them overseas. Hard to camp out with Cindy Sheehan when you're digging a well in Burundi."
I hope no one really thinks Peace Corps volunteers hate America.
OK, I only know one PCV well, and I only met a few others during my recent visit to Tanzania, which happens to be near Burundi. But I didn't get the impression that any of them hates America.
Heck, they seem to look forward to coming home when they finish their service. You really learn to appreciate the U.S. when you can't order pizza delivery or pull a cold beer out of the fridge.
More seriously, these young men and women are outstanding representatives of our country. By lending a hand to people in Third World nations, they're winning friends for the United States. I'd say that's a good way for them to show how much they love America.
Not that they necessarily agree with Bush administration policies. My son Andrew doesn't. But he also fends off unfounded anti-American ideas when he encounters them.
I'd bet most PCVs do. They're ambassadors for America. Whether they're digging wells in Burundi or teaching in Tanzania, they're giving up the comforts of home for a couple of years to do good work in the world in the name of the United States. That makes them patriots in my view.
Comments (8)
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It was an asinine comment by and asinine would be comedian. Any thinking American is proud of and kno9ws that only the best volunteer to serve their country. Some of our young choose the military and some choose the Peace Corp and God Bless them all. They are the Cream of the Crop! I would love to ask Colbert what he ever did for this country other than use it as a butt for his not so funny jokes. BB
Posted on August 8, 2006 11:29 AM
Right on, BB. Thanks for your comment.
Posted on August 8, 2006 12:17 PM
Rest assured, Doug. We know Andrew does not hate America. In fact, everybody knows the Peace Corps is a front for the CIA. Andrew obviously can't tell you...or he'd have to kill you.
Posted on August 8, 2006 3:11 PM
Yeah, lots of people overseas already think that.
Posted on August 8, 2006 3:58 PM
It was clearly a joke, and I thought it was quite funny. If any of you have ever seen the Colbert Report, you'd know that on the show he "takes" an extremely conservative stance on about every topic and exploits the stupidity of Ann Coulter-esque arguments.
Posted on August 9, 2006 1:53 PM
I knew that but couldn't lay off.
Posted on August 9, 2006 3:02 PM
Anyway, it was a bad joke.
Posted on August 9, 2006 3:03 PM
Wait, wait, wait! That's hillarious! As a PCV I think it's great, and I'm a huge fan of his. What he's saying is brilliant because, yes, most PCVs are liberal and so many conservatives say liberals hate America, which is absurd. In fact I could see some crazy right-wingers who see PC as a great way to get rid of a bunch of hippies for awhile. Dad, come on, that is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time, and I know almost all PCVs would agree with me. We know the stereotypes and we in fact find them funny. I hope he keeps up the brilliant satire.
And Skeet Club, it's true that a lot of people think we're a CIA front. I've been asked that a few times.
Posted on August 12, 2006 4:36 AM