Investigation throws "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson's charity work into doubt

[Iwillnevergiveup]

##snip##

"An investigation by "60 Minutes" to be broadcast this weekend will cite multiple sources that contend some of the most inspiring stories in Greg Mortenson's books "Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones into Schools" are not true."

##snip""

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/04/investigation-throws-three-cups-of-tea-author-greg-mortensons-charity-work-into-doubt.html

[iwishiwas]

1. No no. I read that book and loved it.

[mainer]

2. I always thought he was too good to be true.

Everyone's been raving about this saintly man. Maybe it's the cynic in me, but when I met him I thought he was a little too smooth and a little too media-ready.

[haikugal]

3. I hope this isn't true

I loved the book and often recommend it...

[Iwillnevergiveup]

4. This news

is not as satisfying as Palin getting shut down in Madison, that's for sure.
I'll be watching the interview, but right now I'm thinking I don't care if Mortenson "sexed up" his books as long as schools were built. I hope facts as to what was actually accomplished come out.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

5. Well, here's the interview

I don't know - in consideration of the super criminal banksters out there, this Mortenson story seems like small potatoes to me. Most of the comments online went after "60 Minutes" rather than Mortenson.


http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7363068n&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CBSNewsVideo+(News+Video%3A+CBSNews.com)

[BlueMTexpat]

6. My feelings exactly! nt

[BlueMTexpat]

7. I would really appreciate it if CBS and other US MSM

outlets investigated some of the real skulduggery that has ripped off ALL Americans and lifts the curtain about the free rides the top 1% have been getting. Heck, I'd even appreciate it if they began to cover the anti-RW protest movements, but that is likely an impossible dream.

The bottom line for me is whether Mortenson's Foundation actually got functioning schools built for girls where such schools are desperately needed and whether it continues to do so.

[Sienna86]

8. I saw the report

and the attempts to interview Mortenson. Basically, he is using our donations to fund his book tours and some of the schools he "built" were built but are not usable or funded. The reporter showed the foundations tax return, and some schools did not exist. Mortenson refused to be interviewed. He is making money off the foundation funding the book tours and speaking engagements, and the book money goes to him. Did he do some good, yes. Some schools were built. But they also interviewed co-travellers and Afghans pictured in his first book. He created some of the stories in his book. Why not do the good you can? Why lie? Why get rich off those lies?

[uppityperson]

9. BBC link with their investigation....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13125953

(clip)What the locals say
Local leaders in some of the remote and poverty-stricken communities, where Greg Mortenson has established a presence, have voiced their support for him.

In Badakshan, despite the provincial authority condemning the CAI school-building programme there, one UN worker from an area in which a school had been built said the locals really appreciated it - hundreds of children attend.

"Imagine if the money had been given to the Afghan government or contractors - it would not have been built!" the worker, who wished to remain unnamed, said.

Two tribal elders in Kunar, one in the provincial capital, and one in the district of Naray where one school is said to have been built, knew Mr Mortenson - they said people were very happy with the work he had done....