Monday, April 16, 2012

We meant well

We meant well: how I helped lose the battle from the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people by Peter Van Buren 269 pgs.

Never have I laughed so hard at ineptitude and ridiculous ideas that had 99.9% chance of failure.  The wasting of billions of dollars -- your tax dollars, mind you can be so funny.  Peter Van Buren works for the State Department and volunteered for a year in Iraq to help fund his child's college education.  His account of the absolutely crazy ideas and projects funded by the government will curl your hair.  Which one will be your favorite?  The idea that Iraqi farmers should start growing wheat?  (it's a desert for goodness sake), the pastry/cake decorating class for disadvantaged women? (they have no water nor electricity nor income - let them eat well decorated cakes!),  the milk distribution center? (still no electricity thus no refrigeration) or maybe the sports mural for $20,000+.  Oh well, it's only money!  Peter Van Buren does a great job passing along the absurdity of it all.

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