In Defense of Greg Mortenson
60 Minutes just posted an "expose" on Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea
, and president of the Central Asia Institute, who has built dozens of schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The "evidence" appears damning, but let's take another look.
#1 The so-called accountant, Daniel Borochoff, accused Mortenson of spending more money in the U.S. than he spent in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
Do not ever hire Daniel Borochoff to do your accounting. For a guy who works with money, he seems to know very little about it.
A Pakistani can expect to make about $2,400 a year. That's at least a tenth of what Americans make. For this reason, things in Pakistan cost about 70% less than they do in the U.S. Because of exchange rates, you have to spend a lot more money in the U.S. than you do in Afghanistan to get things done. 1 dollar equals about 80 rupees (also used in Hyrule
).
Borochoff did not take exchange rates into account when accusing a good man of criminal activity.
#2 They accuse Greg Mortenson of things that Greg openly admits to in his book. They say he sucks at accounting. The book mentions this. Mortenson doesn't keep receipts well. Greg lived in his car for a year. He used to write "mountain climber" as his occupation on forms. He's not a business-minded guy.
Does a guy in Pakistan selling goats on the side of the road print receipts? Do you lug your accountant halfway up K2 when you have to hire extra labor in a pinch?
The guy is flying all over the world, building schools for children in places that you and me are paying our government to bomb, and we get after him for not keeping track of his receipts.
Do you keep track of your receipts? Probably not. Good thing you're not running a charitable organization, or Daniel Borochoff would probably sue you.
#3 They also accused Greg of not keeping track of how many schools he built. I can attribute that to a brain fart. I sometimes forget how old I am. Plus, how many schools have you built in Afghanistan, Daniel Borochoff?
, and president of the Central Asia Institute, who has built dozens of schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.The "evidence" appears damning, but let's take another look.
#1 The so-called accountant, Daniel Borochoff, accused Mortenson of spending more money in the U.S. than he spent in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
Do not ever hire Daniel Borochoff to do your accounting. For a guy who works with money, he seems to know very little about it.
A Pakistani can expect to make about $2,400 a year. That's at least a tenth of what Americans make. For this reason, things in Pakistan cost about 70% less than they do in the U.S. Because of exchange rates, you have to spend a lot more money in the U.S. than you do in Afghanistan to get things done. 1 dollar equals about 80 rupees (also used in Hyrule
). Borochoff did not take exchange rates into account when accusing a good man of criminal activity.
#2 They accuse Greg Mortenson of things that Greg openly admits to in his book. They say he sucks at accounting. The book mentions this. Mortenson doesn't keep receipts well. Greg lived in his car for a year. He used to write "mountain climber" as his occupation on forms. He's not a business-minded guy.
Does a guy in Pakistan selling goats on the side of the road print receipts? Do you lug your accountant halfway up K2 when you have to hire extra labor in a pinch?
The guy is flying all over the world, building schools for children in places that you and me are paying our government to bomb, and we get after him for not keeping track of his receipts.
Do you keep track of your receipts? Probably not. Good thing you're not running a charitable organization, or Daniel Borochoff would probably sue you.
#3 They also accused Greg of not keeping track of how many schools he built. I can attribute that to a brain fart. I sometimes forget how old I am. Plus, how many schools have you built in Afghanistan, Daniel Borochoff?
#4 The witnesses are obviously biased. They interviewed disgruntled former members of the CAI. When Bill Maher made the movie Religulous
, he only interviewed anti-Mormons for his section about the LDS church. I expect better from a news organization.
, he only interviewed anti-Mormons for his section about the LDS church. I expect better from a news organization.I had a friend who got fired from Costco. That guy hates Costco. I love Costco. You can see that these witnesses may be biased.
To be fair, Mortenson didn't return their calls. But then they pulled a Michael Moore and made a surprise attack on him. Once again, I expect better.
#5 They accused Greg of profiting off of book sales, not donating the book money to the CAI, and of using CAI money to fund his book tours.
The only reason anyone knows about the CAI is because of Greg and his book. Greg isn't siphoning funds from a charitable organization for his own private uses. Greg is relentlessly advertising the plight of Pakistani and Afghan children. It's not a scandal, it's marketing.
The only reason the CAI exists is because Greg founded it. And now some bureaucratic accountant is trying to discredit a non-profit that has actually succeeded in building dozens of functioning schools in the most remote and war-torn places in the world.
In conclusion, the real scumbag isn't Greg Mortenson.
Help build a school in Pakistan and Afghanistan by donating to the Central Asia Institute. You'll directly help the children there have a chance for a better future.
#5 They accused Greg of profiting off of book sales, not donating the book money to the CAI, and of using CAI money to fund his book tours.
The only reason anyone knows about the CAI is because of Greg and his book. Greg isn't siphoning funds from a charitable organization for his own private uses. Greg is relentlessly advertising the plight of Pakistani and Afghan children. It's not a scandal, it's marketing.
The only reason the CAI exists is because Greg founded it. And now some bureaucratic accountant is trying to discredit a non-profit that has actually succeeded in building dozens of functioning schools in the most remote and war-torn places in the world.
 |
| Thanks for making it difficult for the CAI to raise money. Now our village doesn't get a teacher, a-hole. (Edited by Double Birds) |
Help build a school in Pakistan and Afghanistan by donating to the Central Asia Institute. You'll directly help the children there have a chance for a better future.
Hear! Hear! Let's add Greg Mortenson to the list of great men that lower men tried to throw their feces at.
ReplyDeleteAnother perspective is always nice. Although Mortensen appears to be super human, he is after all one of us, merely human.
ReplyDeleteBy his own admission, he is a poor money manager, but has been an amazing school builder and money raiser for his mission. He doesn't live "high on the hog", and to berate him for making money from his books is disingenuous, especially from Krakauer who has made loads of money from his books, and just came out with a new book on Amazon called "Three Cups of Deceit". Speaking of deceit, Krakauer had to backpedal when some of the "facts" in his books have come into question, especially timelines! This is really a case of "the pot calling the kettle black".
ReplyDeleteI've met Mr. Mortenson, and watched him speak. Yes, I heard him as well, but watching him come onto the stage and up to the lectern you see he is a shy person who is going against his grain to speak before a large audience. He does it because he must to do the good work he feels in his heart is important. I have traveled in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and they are poor countries. I do not mean any disrespect, but there are many many poor people who will tell you anything you want to hear for a few dollars.
Much of what Krakauer has said was based on comments alleged to have come from Scott Darsney, his climbing partner. Mr. Darsney recently came down from a climb, and when he got into Katmandu heard about this uproar, and the things he was to have said. He has basically said Krakauer either misunderstood him or mis-heard him, and that it is basically a load of rubbish!
Too bad 60 Minutes gave so much credibility to Krakauer. It won't hurt Mr. Mortenson anywhere near as much as the kids (especially girls) in Pakistan and Afghanistan for whom some schools may not be built. If that is the result, it will truly be a pity. Perhaps 60 Minutes should have considered this possible outcome.
Lastly, Oliver Rellin actually wrote the book based on notes and travels with Mortenson. His taking literary license to compress events for a smoother or more exciting read is mostly on him, yet he isn't suffering this abuse, and neither is the publisher! Frankly, this whole business is a tempest in a teacup in my opinion.
Nicely written. I agree whole-heartedly.
ReplyDelete