Hah, this guy is a chracter. Really nice guy, I met him when I volunteered for Operation Heartbeat in the village of Garhi Dupatta. At that point it had already been several months after the earthquake and he had already started CDRS, I think because of frustration with typical Pakistani hierarchyies and the need to control finances properly. He was hard at it, doing everything he could, making friends in high places in Pakistani command to get what he wanted for his hospital. His little phone call in the video might have seemed staged but he really was good at getting what he wanted.
The Cuban camp was also super-helpful at that time. They were among the last to leave, 6 months out, even though I remember that because of the way the Cuban economy worked, they had little to now money, and they money they saved from cash given so that they could call home was spent on buying cheap jeans and slippers for folks back home.
How wonderful and a lesson for us. I wish I had the courage to do similar work. Thanks for posting it Abbas.
Posted by: Tasnim | Jun 27, 2009 11:32:20 PM
this thing set my teeth on edge...sorry....
Posted by: maniza | Jun 28, 2009 12:57:09 AM
Maniza,
If you have time to elaborate, I would love to hear why. My own reaction was quite different and I ask more out of curiosity than any other feeling.
What a sour comment from Maniza. In her eyes, such charity efforts are simply postponing the inevitable Revolution that will cleanse everything with oceans of blood. Don't confuse these villagers with images of good Americans, it might distract them from concentrating on whom to blame for decades of neglect.
Posted by: aguy109 | Jun 28, 2009 2:06:14 AM
I think I know what Maniza means -- maybe. That this man is an almost parodic version of the naive American good guy who "just gets in there" in Gary Cooper fashion, elbowing all the native bureaucracies, befriending the potentially hostile, befriending the certainly hostile, and, without any special competencies, spreading good cheer and moving mountains. (And it's hard: after the quake in October, '05, I participated in an initiative called the Zalzala Livestock Project -- goat replacement for villagers in a particularly devastated area -- and, well, you should see how hard it is.) The trouble with a cynical take on the American in this story is that he isn't a parody, he's perfectly sincere, while people who know better than he does are doing the world far less good. "By his works ye shall know him," I think it says in the Book of Matthew.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jun 28, 2009 8:13:17 PM
And he is not even a doctor or qualified to do anything, just a rockn roll guy with a huge heart. Who/Why him? or what he did becomes meaningless......look at the people who are getting help. I know NGO is not an answer to a long term solution is a valid argument, but where the whole world didn't go, one man saved lives of many......this is definitely something big!
Posted by: Shabbir | Jun 28, 2009 11:27:10 PM
So Namit--after you asked I went around showing this video to people whom I thought would share my opinion. First to confirm my opinion and second to get nuggets of reactions which I could then weave into a long and thoughtful response to you. Everyone I talked to wasn't pushed about this--thought it was nice. How nice, most replied--and promptly went on to do whatever they were doing. Me? Nooo, I'm still stewing about this. Why? maybe becausei'm not so sure. This made me angry and suspicious. I know why--but also maybe because I had the immediate reaction that a really good for nothing-loud mouth-- can lord it over people in Pakistan just because they are poor or very rich--and only because he is a white American and they have expectations of him because of the power that he represents. Particularly in this moment. I don't know. Maybe I'm stupid. Highly probable.
Posted by: maniza | Jun 29, 2009 3:44:30 PM
Dear Maniza, ummmm.....ummmm.....I am even more puzzled after reading your 2nd comment. You are still stewing about this video because the story is suspicious? the idea of rich white man helping poor brown people is not probable? is it not appropriate? Or does it look like a hype media stunt. Not sure what you are saying here. This is 3QD, you can comment-say anything you like, most readers would agree.
Shabbir
Posted by: Shabbir | Jun 29, 2009 6:53:36 PM
Thank you, Shabbir. I'll try to say anything I like again. One never knows what 3QD story will set one off. Odd juxtaposition lately of the nightmare of the Torturing Democracy video Abbas posted, the situation in Iran and photos/videos/threads mourning the loss of Michael Jackson.
I am very upset, yet again, over the torture video and the fact that American taxpayer dollars are funding this depravity. Montaigne put cruelty first among "sins" (sorry Dave Ranning, et al.), and I think he may have been right. So much for US human rights campaigns and Amnesty International letters. To what avail when the United States is now notorious throughout the world for its torture policies? What can one do to STOP it? I don't know why the video set Maniza's teeth on edge, but I've been on edge after more exposure to the torture reality shown in the video.
But I did find the American Builder an inspiring story. I think the man had a transformative experience in the wake of 9/11 and that he found his calling through SERVING people in desperate need. He reminds me of Paul Farmer, although he's not an MD and doesn't speak the familiar academicese that some 3QDers may feel most comfortable conversing in. Fortunately, villagers that he and the doctor are helping don't seem to find that off putting. I don't know if he's a loud mouth, but I think he's certainly proven he's a GOOD FOR SOMETHING. He's turned his back on creature comforts and other supposed benefits of the American Dream to help people.
That's such a triumph, since so many organized volunteer efforts here in the States seem to get sucked up and subverted by capitalism-cum-corporatism. You know, human rights and freedom for corporations, while humanity and other forms of life are commoditized, then discarded once they no longer serve corporate purposes. The American Builder found a real purpose.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jun 29, 2009 8:13:22 PM
Thanks, Maniza. There are so many layers to this story: from its impact on the ground, to its sociopolitical backdrop, to the values and motivations of the actors involved, to its sheer human comedy and wonder. While the impact on the ground is clearly positive (in terms of saving lives or distributing medicines), that can't be the only metric for many others (for instance, motivations and attitudes that accompany charity also matter).
The sociopolitical backdrop is murkier and even unsavory, but it would be unfair to hold that against one individual. His "loud" style and his reception by the locals are mixed up with complex issues of culture, economics, and race. What factors lead the urban hipsters to lavish admiration on him? Does Todd act out of brotherly love and compassion, or out of personal insecurities and foolhardiness? I was struck both by the gratitude, admiration, and deference many locals feel for him as well as by his cheerfulness, lack of self-doubt, and appetite for attention. A part of us is led to wonder: Is it really true that while clarity profits the intellect, it damages the will?
There is also of course the comedy and wonder of this story, of how bizarre some interactions are, and how people with very different histories approach each other—transcending barriers in the tentative and confusing way people have always done, but of which we hear so little anymore.
"Does Todd act out of brotherly love and compassion, or out of personal insecurities and foolhardiness?"
It's possible that he's acting from a combination of all of the above and more. If only a true philanthropist built a hospital -- the John Galt Health Care Center -- Todd's hillbillyish charitable efforts would be superfluous.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jun 30, 2009 8:24:31 AM
That's right, Louise. My question was not meant to suggest a binary but something of the range. Everything here points to a combination, making our assessment of him a bit more complex.
Must have been the OR that led me into a binary trap. ;)
If D. were here, he could have pointed out the third team. Ha Ha.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jun 30, 2009 12:58:03 PM
Brotherly love or Foolhardiness..are those the only choices we have here? I can think of so many more.
CIA, almost free ganja.....low rent, celebrity, exercising power over the powerless in the name of empowering them.
Posted by: maniza | Jun 30, 2009 7:00:27 PM
Could we switch to taking down Paul Farmer now?
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jun 30, 2009 10:04:29 PM
Maniza,
CIA? I believe the video stated that the hospital there treated 100,000 people last year with an annual budget of $170,000. It doesn't look like a sinister CIA plot to me. Maybe you think the fellow has an obnoxious personality, but it does look as if he IS empowering people in that they are getting much needed medical care. I hope your suspicions are unfounded. I'm also sorry that US government actions may be the primary source of those suspicions. In spite of the CIA, I give Todd the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 1, 2009 2:58:02 AM
I thought I was giving him a benefit of the doubt too. He is not the improbable American--he is by all measures the caricatured one. And therefore suspect.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 8:13:33 AM
Maniza,
Please share more of your imagination with us. When I look at this guy I can't see anything other than a bona-fide do-gooder, which makes me a little suspicious/amused in a more benign way - I'm thinking Christian summer camp counselor jamming on his six-string by the fire as the kids all do their best to suppress giggles, but the earnestness in this case seems to be helping people doesn't it? The CIA idea is intriguing, but they're simply not that good- though such an implausibility might have worked if Jim Thompson had decided to branch out to spy fiction. You may fairly describe him as a "loud mouth" (although this strikes me as ethnocentric on your part), but saying that he's "lording it over" the natives like some gin soaked East India Co sahib seems completely uncharitable. You can hate the geo-political context around us certainly, but he's had about as much control over that as the villagers he's trying to provide medical help to.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 1, 2009 8:54:26 AM
The motives of all of us are highly complex, anything but pure. The American in question may well be serving his own needs, one of which might be the need to throw himself into such a project as this vid shows, to lose himself or find himself in it. Service to others is neither simple nor easy. He himself says he's an addict -- that he "might as well be addicted to doing something good." I think this American, like the rest of us, should be granted his complexity, allowed to wrestle with his demons -- as he self-confessedly does do. If he's a CIA operative, then "The Company" has smartened up since Salvador Allende was murdered. If he's not a CIA operative -- well, maybe he'll get recruited. Meanwhile, he's a more effective helper than I and many others who have responded by extending ourselves somewhat in the wake of unspeakable disaster in Pakistan.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 1, 2009 9:00:35 AM
How did you come to these conclusions on effectiveness (as opposed to what?) I would be very interested in understanding your process getting to this conclusion. It would help me learn.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 10:50:40 AM
I don't know anything I didn't learn from the vid. Looks to me like he's holding down the fort, fundraising, doing many kinds of outreach. As he says, he is not the one who's qualified to do it, only the one who is doing it. I couldn't begin to quantify his success and effectiveness compared to that of a physician administrator who might be -- but is not -- doing the same job in that location. I can only compare it to his not being there at all. Is that corner of the world a little better off because the improbable American is open for business? Because he somehow attracted a Pakistani physician to work there?
I would say his effectiveness consists in the people he serves being better served than if he had not come their way. No clinic or hospital pre-dated him, did it? All he can meaningfully be compared with is the absence of health care, unless one contends that by his very presence he has co-opted more appropriate helpers who would do things better than he does them. Who was lining up that he cut in front of?
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 1, 2009 11:38:56 AM
Jesse: Context is everything.
First, I don’t do ethno centric. A loud mouth is a loud mouth. Todd is one. (I’m probably one too).
I was working on my spy story when I got waylaid by the video of Todd Shea. Set my teeth on edge, as I said earlier. Now I have to stew in this—Spy story out the door at the moment—Todd Shea needs to be dealt with. Why does he make me crazy? Is it Todd or is it this video in the New York Times that’s making me crazy. Is it the whole damn world? Is the whole world being reduced to sound bytes and videos. What is it?
Turn the video on mute and watch it. Its more instructive. Look at the faces of the people who aren’t Todd. Look at their bemusement. Look at their expressions of humoring someone who is in power. Listen to the voiceover on the first image of a kind man who happens to have a beard:—“unlikely hosts”. Why unlikely? I can go frame by frame that way.
Here we have the typical imaging of Empire: a foreign/white interlocutor demonstrating “locals lazy” locals crazy. Do you think a Pakistani guy with the same skill sets would be able to do this: pick up the phone and bark at Military high brass? Why can Todd do this?
Todd’s video is not about the improbable American but the caricature, very probable American, loud mouthed, shoot before you speak version. We seem to accept the probable as improbable and the improbable as probable without any questioning.
I know many, many, many Americans (and you do too, I am sure!) who quietly with an immense amount to offer—go places, whether down the road or at great distances to foreign lands—to give of themselves—whether a cardiologist going to Tuzla during the war to perform surgeries or a kid teaching school kids or feeding people or giving a helping hand. The probable Americans. And very probably not in the caricatured package.
Chikar, the place he has placed himself in, is not remote, isolated or poor. It’s a sizeable township, in a militarily strategic location. And there is an endless supply of practically free ganja. Around this place we now have a war breaking out. Its not a remote isolated location. It is the epicenter.
Context is everything.
I can just see a comment coming in “Maniza you see spies everywhere, everything is a conspiracy. Ok. So does that mean that they aren’t there?
Here’s the data on Todd, like Elatia and others I too have gleaned this just from the video: He’s a drug addict. He is not educated. And he can’t sing or play the guitar (more summer camp counselor I agree). He has no money. But now he lives in a huge mansion—in the mountains—(yes it is a HUGE mansion) in which space is let out for sick villagers. And for this he is funded. He has nothing to do with community service, health or Pakistan. Can he learn this all—of course he can—but remember he is being singled out for a NYTimes Video. He is that special, that improbable. He is a hero!
I googled him too. Only platitudes. He will be speaking at the American-Pakistani Physicians National Association (APPNA) Conference in the US on July 3rd, 2009. Sort of sequenced and coincidental isn’t it—with the New York Times video.
Who is funding this guy? I’d like to know. APPNA? Why? Or some Kashmiri NGO in the diaspora? When they fund Todd Shea it’s okay? Not so okay when they fund anybody else say a Pakistani NGO because that’s jihadi. Right?
Look at the whole implication—kind good hearted American---while Locals lazy, locals crazy. Kicking ass of good for nothing uncaring Pakistanis, getting things done—is our Todd the incapable, drug addicted American guy. One of him—is better then 160 million Pakistanis. Please. Because he understands and empathizes with the poor more then others? Why should a real doctor play second fiddle to this loud mouthed, drug addict? What is the key feature about Todd that differentiates him—his empathy? His go getter attitude—his can do attitude? All missing in others from right there? Or is it something else? Is that by any chance a function of the power he represents?
I would also like to understand the Paul Farmer comment. Is the implication there that if I can question Todd then I am so unreasonable and out of line that I would question Paul Farmer’s credentials. I, of course, had to google Paul Farmer too, so that I could check the extent of my out of line behavior. So ignorant or disparaging am I of the do-gooders. Pardon? Is that the comparison?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 1:19:07 PM
and...
I am bemused by the comments that seem to suggest the bungling amateurishness of CIA-and who would qualify as theirs and who would not-I imagine that those who are on the receiving end of the workings of CIA and others like them--may have a different view-
Also, Jesse you brought up the analogy of the East India Company sahib and then dismissed it when it came to Todd--It is an Empire out there--isn't it--? And in the days of the East India Company it was the second son, the one with nothing to inherit or income at home--who went off to make his fortune--social or financial somewhere else--on the basis of what he represented: Empire.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 1:42:51 PM
Maniza, your spy story is anything but out the door, and maybe you've added a thrilling sub-plot. Go with it -- it's good!
If only every bumbling American who sings off-key were a dope fiend seeking the easiest fix, the biggest bedroom to fix in, and the extension of white supremacy through a new outpost of Empire, then it would be a radically simpler world. You and I are both operating a bit more from instinct than from info here, so my notion of Todd is no better than yours -- not that yours is, um, bad. I see him as a bumbling American in Asia to put meaning into his life -- as so many have done before him, and will not stop doing because of him. He has much of the psychology of a recovering addict: over-sharing, ego-tripping, compulsively reaching out to help. He's grandiose, too. But none of this alters the fact that he does help. I get it how you don't like that -- you are understood, not misunderstood.
With money to raise, I am glad he can make media work for him. He is an oddball and "a story" -- media! Those are the gifts he brings to the project that has occupied him for going on 5 years -- he's using them. He can apparently live with the "Buffoon saves lives" caption under the cartoon, I guess because he does save lives.
With respect and affection for someone whose comments and fiction and journalism have appeared here for a long time, I must tell you I think you're obsessing about appearances and vibes and richly imagined scenarios. Yes, Todd is a little weird, and yes, to you, this is no feel-good story. I prefer to judge Todd through the eyes of the paralyzed child or the elder who couldn't breathe, who probably think it's okay that he's there, even if they do wish he's stop singing.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 1, 2009 2:28:51 PM
Maniza,
I think Elatia mentioned Paul Farmer because I said Todd reminded me of him.
It's not clear from your last two comments who you're more disgusted by: the New York Times, the CIA or Todd -- the man you described as a loud-mouth, uneducated, good for nothing drug addict living in a mansion, lording it over people you believe are depicted as lazy, crazy.
If some sinister power with motives contrary to the interests of the villagers in the video is funding Todd's hospital, they're hardly making him or the facility rich thus far.
I don't understand your antipathy towards him, unless it is based on a stew of your own prejudices. You say Todd is uneducated, unqualified to do anything and a drug addict as if that makes him subhuman. But he's proved he's qualified enough to bring a doctor to that hospital, raise funds and deliver treatment to people who need it. He's also raising funds to provide better services, unless you think he's planning to rehab the "mansion" there as his own personal rehab center.
You say the region is not remote, but the video says that until Todd established the health care facility, people needed to travel two hours in one direction or seven hours in another to get care.
Where some of us see a man who is serving people no one else was serving, you see a brash, "uneducated" interloper lording it over the local populace through identification with the power of Empire. The absence of a college degree, lack of MD status and the authority that goes with it, and a problem with addiction -- the great escape from pain induced through Empire -- do not mean someone is incapable or unqualified to do good. I'd rather see do-gooders like Todd than US Army or Blackwater recruits in Iraq.
Not everyone can write books like Naomi Wolf in the cause of liberty or to sound the alarm on American fascism.
But not every effort to do good in spite of Empire is an indication of underlying malevolent intent.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 1, 2009 3:04:59 PM
quote of the day: "I don't do ethno centric"
Thanks for that Maniza, its honestly going to help me today. I can't really think of anything to add to Elatia's and Louise's counters to your contempt, its like we're looking at two different pictures. The proof in the pudding of an epiphany is what comes afterwards, and going to rural Pakistan to create a modest hospital that is benefitting locals qualifies as a success story to me. I don't see this kind of Tony Montoya meets Scroodge Mcduck figure you're doodling who lives in a mansion and sleeps on a small mountain of marijuana while being fawned over by the locals (some seem happy to have him, but the kidnappings suggest there are different points of view in the region, and the threat of abduction would put any but the brave and committed off). I think you're right about context, but that shapes our very lenses too. American's love stories of second chances and not being bound by social origins and past mistakes, that he's making the NY times doesn't surprise at all. But that you see an "incapable . . . unqualified . . .drug-addicted loud mouthed American" identity, that seems set in stone and obscures to you the capableness and help being provided that is manifestly there, I'm going to have to put down to culture, its just too mysterious a difference in this case.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 1, 2009 8:02:49 PM
Maniza makes some very interesting points. A whole different cultural history and identity speaks through her. I think it has echoes of the anger and suspicion against white American power and privilege that we heard in Jeremiah Wright last year, which only a Black man and intellectual of his generation could have said in that way, whose historical experience and identity is near impossible for white Americans to understand from within, though many whites try admirably hard. In this case, the voice is that of a post-colonial and resentful third-world citizen of the empire, one that sees this story self-selected to suit the American self-image, feeding cherished myths of American benevolence and impact in the world, etc., etc. Of course, there is plenty of Maniza in there too. :-)
Maniza, the difficulty I have with your account is that one can also reasonably argue the reverse, that this is indeed a different kind of American footprint than the noxious one most Americans know little about. You don't concede this (isn't context everything?). I once read a critic complain that Naipaul was often unduly harsh and ungenerous in his writing about Muslims, that, with several equally likely explanations for an event, he rarely missed the opportunity to pick out the least charitable. We also know that many whites in the US are quick to deny the full humanity of Muslims they perceive to have the "wrong" look, education, or talk. Your words risk conveying such attitudes in reverse.
Today is my birthday: what a gift, this fabulous discussion. Elatia your affirmation puts me in seventh heaven. And Namit! Oh my! I have to chew on all your comments (and stew in them). I will come back with a response later with renewed ferocity.
love,
Maniza
Posted by: maniza | Jul 2, 2009 2:35:36 PM
Not sure about Todd, but NYT publishes this to make their readers feel good about themselves. We're there to help. That'll give them excuse to not engage in asking their government to stop the killings. What does Chomsky call it? "Willed ignorance?"
The Book of Mathews all the way to Paul Farmer have been invoked in the defense of Todd—while in analyzing my resistance to his image we have guessed at my innate contempt, resentment, envy, cultural biases and my prejudices (Reverand Wright and Naipul no less are put in my corner).
In doing this Todd has been freed made sublime by freeing him of the context and anchoring him in Goodness. Indeed, we could be led to believe that he is carrying the burden of Good. Anything else about his context is irrelevant—while mine in resisting this notion is all important and bad.
Interesting that I view the video as being shaped by contempt, cultural biases and prejudices. Just as my views are seen to do the same thing.
In doing so--I think we have managed to jointly produce our own narrative ala Joseph Conrad.
But watch the video, again, and again (if you can bare the tedium--I can--I'm stewing). The video remains tightly within the dominant narrative of Empire.
Louise wondered if I was implying that the mansion was in fact Todd’s way of setting up his own personal rehab center—It made me think. Isn’t all of Empire ---the way it plays itself out and all its power players including of course the militaries and the foot soldiers mirroring and mimicking in many ways personal rehab centers? Note what Generals almost all of them say about themselves fondly when asked why they joined the military: “If I hadn’t joined the military, I would have been a deviant. The military straightened me out. Gave me purpose. Helped me find myself." And then there is the job of last resort--and tourism--mixed with messages of altruism--"Join the military—see the world. Be all that you can be. Aim high America”. There’s a huge recruiting center in the middle of Times Square basically selling itself as a rehab center to young teenagers! The ones with nothing to lose, abused, abusing, deviant go forth and destroy and occupy—make their fortunes find themselves. Its an old formula and it works well today too. Or at least someone in the marketing department of the Pentagon is trying to make it work.
Louise says “I'd rather see do-gooders like Todd than US Army or Blackwater recruits in Iraq.” Precisely Louise, we’re going to make you feel good about all that we do--- that’s why you are getting this makeover version “The Todd”.
I am absolutely out of line by constantly invoking color. I think. That was soooo last century. I am plain simply wrong on that. Today’s Empire is not about color—it doesn’t need that anymore and it can’t use that anymore so it doesn’t it groups itself around weapons. Power. Doesn’t matter which color you come wearing in to the party.
Read the article on the front page of the NYTimes today--the Aid war that the US is fighting in Pakistan. No doubt soon on this comment line, that too will be in my corner--me the jihadi. Good grief, charlie brown.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 2, 2009 7:15:12 PM
Happy Birthday, Maniza!
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 2, 2009 7:25:49 PM
Happy birthday, Maniza.
Joseph Conrad? OK, who's Marlow and who's Kurtz? Or will Todd morph into Dorian Gray?
Well, your imaginative rendition makes sense -- except for the earthquake. Without the earthquake, Todd wouldn't be there. Did the CIA cook it up? Might it have been a joint CIA-Mossad operation to help rehab the Ugly American image in the eyes of the world? A New Orleans type of catastrophe? Perhaps instigated through that suspicious looking HAARP thingy in Alaska?
When will non-white people quit blaming white people for all their problems and start fixing things up? Sheez, even when a white guy tries to do good we're wrong. One gets the feeling that if Maniza had the power all of us would be wiped out. You're pissed because the white guys getting things done in a country of non-whites that seems utterly incapable of doing anything for itself. Lots of blind racial hatred in there, that some of you try to cloak and call 'perspective' or point of view or cultural lens, whatever that means.
Posted by: DR | Jul 2, 2009 10:20:01 PM
You are all so sweet!
And DR comes in on queue.
I had a gorgeous birthday thank you!
Posted by: maniza | Jul 3, 2009 11:30:38 AM
We should probably take this guy out of the "courtroom" and try New York times instead. There is no proof against this guy. He may as well be a good man.
What is clear, however, is that the New York Times ran this story to evoke the "goodness" of American imperialism.
"I'm not the most qualified, but I'm the one who's here" is a giveaway.
Hi Everyone, I crossreference Googled myself with the NY Times story in search of new supporters and volunteers to further increase my organization's productivity when I happened upon this interesting discussion about lil' ole me. I see that some of you have thought provoking questions about me, my motives for helping people in Pakistan, along with some extraordinarily laughable conclusions that have been presented as if "readily apparent" by a clearly upset and angry soul.
I'd be happy to answer any questions that may come to anyone's mind. But always remember that one's negatively slanted questions, impressions, conceptions and assumptions as portrayed to any "particular group" in certain circumstances (particularly when online in the sacred personal space and safety of one's home computer) often reveal far more about themselves, their prejudices, their beliefs, their analytical abilities, their mental deficiencies and their motives than they do about the target of their derisive intellectual vomit. We put our best self forward when we remind ourselves before unleashing spite and hate and an "I'm better than you" attitude: Sarcasm-laden psuedo-criticism and mean-spirited hyper-judgement are "cool" and all the RAGE these days, but WHAT AM I ACTUALLY doing to make the world a better place?
Respectfully,
Todd Shea
(The hopelessly do-gooding good for nothing, no talent, no life, naive and clueless hippie yet also evil caricature of all that is wrong with white America, attention craving, CIA-created robo-mouth drug fiend who amazingly somehow still manages to find a little time to help poor and hurting human beings in between loud-mouthing his way around the ill-gotten country estate mansion in the hills, Lording over the lazy and stupid non-white 3rd world townfolk while forcing them to listen to his out of tune guitar and pathetic attempts at something vaguely resembling singing if they dare even hope to get even a single aspirin, screaming at Generals while perpetually smoking up a lifetime's supply of free "gunja" while simultaneously begging the NY Times every 5 minutes to please, please, please recognize me, me, me!!!)
;)
And Thanks to those who had a more positive impression of me and my work or at least withheld harsh judgement until they could do a little research to find answers to their questions or doubts. I hope all of you will join me in helping Pakistan. America OWES Pakistan, and Id be more than happy to educate any person who doesn't understand why this is true.
Please come visit personally and see my 12 health facilities in the remote and moutainous earthquake affected areas for yourself and see whether or not we're comptetent and effective in very challenging circustances. And I extend a special invitation to Maniza. It should be easy for you to come over, especially since YOU have decreed that my area of operations is neither remote, isolated or poor. Let see how many hours of life in Chikar you can handle. I'm begging you to come here and see for yourself. You will be treated like a Princess by my staff and the people and you might even feel loved like you've never known. But you will also witness the need, the poverty and the difficulties of life in vivid proximity. Do you dare step out from behind your computer and have combination of guts, ability and compassion that will bring comfort to the suffering, with nothing standing between you and the heartbtreaking realities you'd find in this world's least favorable destination?
Welcome, Todd. Hope you'll visit more often, despite what must be a difficult introduction to 3QD. As I said above, I admire all the vital work you're doing. Color may be so "last century," but classism clearly isn't. I guess it goes with Empire. One response to Empire's injuries may be anger. I, too, have gone through various phases of anger along life's way, and difficult as it was, sometimes it seemed like a necessary thing.
BTW, I don't have a college degree. I dropped out in my misspent youth, but I tried not to let that stand in the way of my education. ;)
Hope you keep up your spirits and the good work!
Louise
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 5, 2009 11:42:05 PM
Thanks for your thoughts Todd and more significantly your good work.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 5, 2009 11:53:01 PM
Todd,
welcome back to the United States. Stay and protest here against the wars that are currently being fought by the United States.
Maniza
Posted by: maniza | Jul 6, 2009 8:05:06 AM
Hi Todd,
Thanks for coming.
here is what I want to know-
Are you Washington's PR man? Googling yourself means you take your public image very seriously.
I think he was Googling himself as part of his fundraising efforts for the hospitals.
Hope you realize I was being sarcastic with my remark about Adam Ellick being a PR man. In case not, I was being sarcastic.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 6, 2009 12:14:54 PM
Maniza,
Instead of apologizing to Todd for your character assassination of him based on viewing a snippet of his life in a video, you now presume to not only know what he should do, but you tell him what he should do. Too much!
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 6, 2009 12:22:04 PM
Hi Manas Shaikh, Thanks for informing me and your fellow forum members as to what "Googling" myself MEANS. It must be nice to have it all figured out. As for me, I'm still working on my grand theory of everything and have a long way to go.
Still, it never ceases to amaze me how people who consider themsleves to be worldly, refined and educated can make such statements like the one contained in your latest post- an assumption presented as though it's an irrefutable fact, undeniable with no further debate necessary.
Reading through the posts, it's obvious that his forum is full of very intelligent people, though it's unfortunate that in spite of this intelligence, some people (like you and Maniza, for instance) don't seem to realize that making negative assumptions with sinister implications through a skewed and angry lens is just not an intelligent thing to do, mainly because it only exposes one's own intolerance, racism, hate, bias, agenda, etc and doesn't help anyone in understanding an important thing called the TRUTH. Here's a suggestion that will serve you well in life: Instead of making wild and degrading assumptions that truly only have the effect of marginalizing oneself and showing ignorance and narrow thinking, perhaps you could simply ask a few more questions to obtain more info before making a silly and self-exposing conclusion. It's sad that some very educated people sometimes make the mistake of believing they are so intelligent that their conclusions MUST be correct then go around dispensing tainted conclusions as if it were profound wisdom.
And since you were arrogant and immature enough to tell me what Googling myself "means," I'll give you more information, since you apparently need it to form a more realistic and useful conclusion. If you try hard to avoid reflexively reacting to this post with anger, a flippant quip or more ignorance, you and others might actually learn something and be more cautious in the future instead of viewing everything and everyone in the world (including ten minute video clips you see on the internet) through a lens that's heavily distorted by political beliefs, current events, past indoctrinations by agenda driven mentors, emotion-induced blindness and/or misdirected anger. Try not to obscure your own view of the world around you with clouds of ignorance and arrogance, there's enough people already who will try their best to do that for you as it is.
Simply, I couldn't give a rat's ass about my public image (by the way, The New York Times contacted me with interest in doing a story about my work, I didn't ask them for anything, nor did I set any parameters for their visit to my area of operations or ground rules for their coverage or editing of my interview or the filming of the four days reporter Adam Ellick spent with me). I crossreferenced my name with "New York Times" on the Google search engine not out of some egocentric need but rather because it was pointed out to me by a trusted supporter that I would be able to find and come into direct contact with more people and organizations who may be willing to help me find more of the much needed volunteers and people willing to help (in one or more of many possible ways) so that my staff and I can continue helping our patients and expanding our mission so that we may, as a team, accomplish more together and exponentially increase the sum total of our efforts in Pakistan.
Respectfully,
Todd
aka The Stupid Loud No Talent Hillbilly Addict Wanna Be Imperial Camp Counselor Who Has The Absolute Self-Absorbed Nerve To Attempt What Even Geniuses Haven't Dared Try ;)
Now I'm angry over this accusatory thread. Todd is such an easy target for your derision, Manas, isn't he? A former drug addict without a college degree, being given a bad rap because of US drone planes and the New York Times. Funny I didn't hear any such cries of protest when Abbas's sister's work with schools in Pakistan was featured here, with an ad up top to help support that effort, and a video of an American TV actor narrating the group's educational and development efforts in Pakistan.
Manas, you should apologize to Todd, and so should Maniza, in my opinion. Well, at least you managed to muster a little "Sorry about that." I hope when Todd's birthday rolls around you'll send him an e greeting if not a contribution.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 6, 2009 3:04:33 PM
No apologies necessary Manas, you have absolutely zero power to hurt my feelings- but it is quite revealing that you are so sure that you inflicted emotional pain on me. You may not realize it yet, but you are embarrassing yourself with your faint abilities at perception, so perhaps you might consider coming down of your higher than thou horse.
I don't know what your post is referring to when you write "There is reason to be so upset." This lacks the information required for any reader to truly know exactly who you believe has reason to be so upset and why. I for one am not upset at all- so please don't mistake my attempts at teaching you a concept that you would do well to master for me having hurt feelings because of some ignorant and condescending thing you coughed up.
To paraphrase a wise man, when someone we hold in contempt behaves with benevolence and decency, we aren't inclined toward gratitude. No, what we feel is lingering resentment for not being provided with sufficient reason to think him contemptible. Add therefore feelings of inadequacy, for he has done better by ours than we have, and how else shall we respond but with anger?
I know, I'm psychoanalyzing a stranger, but it does rather seem like the preferred pleasure of this thread.
Posted by: D | Jul 6, 2009 5:46:12 PM
Todd,
Sorry about the "camp counselor" dig. My guitar is mostly a dust collector, with the occasional twang contributed from my cat who loves the strings.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 6, 2009 10:51:54 PM
Hi Louise, Thanks for all your thoughtful and honest posts and calling out people who seem to have no problem being mean even when they're shown where they're wrong and a better way forward is suggested.
Certainly people have a right to be angry about many things. But Maniza and Manas would do themselves and others justice to realize that misdirected anger and intolerance and percieving things that aren't there is unhelpful at best and dangerous at worst. As the saying goes :Be the change you want to see in the world." I hope Maniza and Manas will think about that and consider more positive ways to deal with the "things" that set their "teeth on edge."
Maniza,
I’m a bit surprised that your interlocutors are missing the context so blithely, both the current and historical. The charitable work is being carried out by this American while his own country kills hundreds of Pakistani civilians weekly with its drone bombers, a slaughter roundly praised by the same New York Times that finds his work so inspiring. This charitable work is being carried out in a country whose military dictators and army have been empowered by his own country for decades, empowered by the U.S. while they rob the country, jail and assassinate opponents and manipulate the struggle of the Kashmiri people to their own ends. This charitable work is being carried out a few score of miles from the other side of the “Line of Demarcation” where the Indian government, with the blessing of the United States has sent in a brutal occupying army of 1 solder for every 7 Kashmiris.
The cross of the missionary and the sword of the conquistador are two-handed weapons in the subjugation of people. The intentionality of the missionary does not really matter much. And in the bigger picture, sad to say, neither do his good works and good intentions. It’s not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up to the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone’s teeth on edge.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 6, 2009 11:59:04 PM
Hi Jesse, actually I appreciate your thoughtful comments, and I thought the "Christian Camp Counselor" comment was pretty funny. I plan on using it myself! The kids do giggle and find me amusing- and I like to clown around with them because I have this habit of wanting to bring smiles to children who don't always have a lot to smile about. And no doubt the video does give that "camp counselor with a guitar" sort of impression in the opening although in reality I'm quite busy with operations and only play a couple songs for groups of kids at our health fairs and medical camps once a month or so. I think they actually like my music- because they ALWAYS ask me to play more. Unfortunately for Maniza, her assessment of the local people's reactions to me was horribly disfigured by her overgeneralized worldview that she chose to transpose onto me, because she seems to harbor such a"stewing" and hatred that it overpowers her cognitive and analytical abilities when she is presented with a video of a white guy helping poor people in Pakistan. The piece had the effect of truly disturbibg her in a very deep and personal way, so much so that she couldn't reconcile her ingrained predudices with the what she was watching in the video, hence the great tension within her and the need to demonize me and my good works with some sort of sinister CIA-backed Lord of the Subcontinent scenario. She really does need to get out of the twighlight zone for her own good. Actually the people I serve love me because I love them, treat them with the dignity they deserve and have faithfully provided for their and their family's health needs for a long time, spending our money on medicines and things vital to our effectiveness instead of brand new Land Cruisers or other ostentatious displays of wealth or privilege. I have become part of the community because I live simply with the people, not behind some secure wall in Islamabad's diplomatic enclave. As far as my music, they are mostly fascinated and appreciative just to see a white person sing a song in their language, and it brings us closer together- and it's certainly a spectacle they don't see every day!
Yes Brian, It's true I am an American, but I am also a human being. Can you tell me what you are doing to get your hands dirty to help people who need help? What I do, I do for the betterment of Humanity, not the continued subjugation of people. I strongly suggest that you know what and who you are talking about before saying something that turns out to be dead wrong, as you have done in this case.
You write: "The intentionality of the missionary does not really matter much. And in the bigger picture, sad to say, neither do his good works and good intentions."
You are full of crap, because you know absolutely nothing about who I am, what I'm working on, or what I speak out against. But hopefully you aren't so entrenched in your talking points that you aren't able to extricate yourself from the chasm of ignorance your Brain has fallen into, where you believe you are mining for intellectual gold nuggets of wisdom to share but actually just shoveling worthless shit. It stink Brian, cut it out and get out of that dark hole and come into the light.
You write:
"It’s not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up to the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone’s teeth on edge.
It's not "so difficult" for me Brian. For your information Brian, when I came back from Pakistan on this latest trip, I was a featured speaker at The Wilson Institute for International Scholars, invited to brief a forum that included policy makers, State Dept. employees, USAID personel and other organizations involved with Pakistan. I was there to provide my assessment of the Swat refugee crisis (which my organization has been responding to for the past 7 weeks), however, I also spoke out quite forcefully against the Indian government and it's unjust occupation of Kashmir and our responsibility to ATONE for the failures and self-interested policies of our government in the region for the past thirty years which have contributed to great human suffering in Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world.
Quite frankly, the ignorance and indoctrination behind yours, Manas and Maniza's gross generalizations and ridiculous assumptions are quite surprising for a forum of this pedigree (especially in the absence of simply asking a few questions before coming to the most negative conclusions about me and my work and why I do it and what I stand up against).
Do the Pakistanis that Mr. Shea has come into contact with approve of his efforts, or not?
If they do, who is Maniza to say that they are wrong?
Posted by: Sagredo | Jul 7, 2009 3:01:59 AM
I have had it with this crap! I seldom jump into comment threads like this, but I am now so disgusted and embarrassed by the accusations and innuendo directed at Todd here that I feel compelled to at least say: people, have you no shame?
This idiotic thread reminds me of a time when my wife and I were visiting Karachi and were driving somewhere with an old family acquaintance when he started going off about how Abdul Sattar Edhi (a saintly man, like Todd, who runs one of the largest charities in Pakistan which also runs an ambulance service, among many other things), saying that Edhi only provides ambulance services because he actually collects dead bodies of Pakistanis and sells their organs on the black market! I could not believe what I was hearing. Some people are so cynical and jaded that they cannot believe a good thing when they see one.
What Maniza and Manas and Brian, etc., have been saying here is shameful and revolting to me. Their accusations are ludicrous, without any basis in fact, racist, paranoid, and lacking the most minimal understanding or appreciation of human motivations. They have projected what they imagine to be morally questionable American state actions onto one of its citizens in the most racist and silly way possible. (I am also an American citizen, by the way.) None of these people have a small fraction of Todd's courage, and have essentially shown themselves to be the pettiest of paranoid critics. It is extremely sad.
Thank you, Louise, for being one of the few people to call out the utter nonsense being spewed here. And thank you for mentioning the work that my sister does (she also has idiots questioning her good works, as does anyone who tries to make a difference).
Todd is owed an apology here, but I know it will not be forthcoming from the people who need to offer it, so I will do something about it: I will soon start an effort at 3QD to raise funds for Todd's work in Pakistan. Power to him, and people like him. The rest of you can keep your "victims of imperialism" attitudes and stew in your own anger, instead of embracing someone decent who reaches out to you. What a sad and sorry and pathetically and pathologically self-pitying bunch you are.
Go ahead and attack me now. As usual, I will ignore it. (In other words, don't expect further reponse from me.) I am proud to stand with the Todds of this world.
Tell me I also work for the CIA now. Go ahead, I dare you!
Glad you found it funny! I'm sure your good deeds will continue to not go unpunished, that I guess really does go with the territory, but lets hope all of this turns out to be an unlikely beginning of a new crop of supporters, and kudos to Abbas for offering help in that direction.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 7, 2009 7:07:43 AM
Maniza,
I’m a bit surprised that your interlocutors are missing the context so blithely, both the current and historical. The charitable work is being carried out by this American while his own country kills hundreds of Pakistani civilians weekly with its drone bombers, a slaughter roundly praised by the same New York Times that finds his work so inspiring. This charitable work is being carried out in a country whose military dictators and army have been empowered by his own country for decades, empowered by the U.S. while they rob the country, jail and assassinate opponents and manipulate the struggle of the Kashmiri people to their own ends. This charitable work is being carried out a few score of miles from the other side of the “Line of Demarcation” where the Indian government, with the blessing of the United States has sent in a brutal occupying army of 1 solder for every 7 Kashmiris.
The cross of the missionary and the sword of the conquistador are two-handed weapons in the subjugation of people. The intentionality of the missionary does not really matter much. And in the bigger picture, sad to say, neither do his good works and good intentions. It’s not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone’s teeth on edge.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 7, 2009 8:23:52 AM
What a wonderful idea, Abbas.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 7, 2009 9:38:27 AM
What the heck!
I find having to defend myself utterly stupid, especially since what I said above is clear for all to see.
I never said that Todd Shea is CIA or anything else. On the contrary, I asked people to hold back their ideas about him because we do not know.
Louise, I will much appreciate if you stop putting words into my mouth. When I said
"We should probably take this guy out of the "courtroom" and try New York times instead. There is no proof against this guy. He may as well be a good man."
You said, "That's right, Manas. And Adam Ellick is simply a PR man for US imperialism throughout the globe." Implying that I said Todd was Washington's PR man. What nonsense. That's exactly the kind of statements I was opposed to because we do not know.
When Todd came, I asked him drawing on Louise's meaningless oblique and in good humor whether he was "Washington's PR man." Todd's responses did not help the situation.
Todd,
Here is my stand, in brief. I never said you are CIA, and I asked you jokingly whether you are Washinigton's PR man. I do not like to accuse somebody of something unless I have good reason to believe so. I hope that satisfies you.
Isn't this guy like a religious missionary, with overtly good intentions (but squirming dark, hidden agendas in the subconscious), who has good intention, but his ignorance actually does more harm and damage that good?
Action, but not skillful action?
Or is it a balancing act, with on one hand, doing good work, while giving legitimacy to a system that is ultimately bad?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: Dave Ranning | Jul 7, 2009 11:42:49 AM
There have been many articulate opponents of US imperialism from the third world—such as Rashid Khalidi, Mahmood Mamdani, Edward Said, Eqbal Ahmad, Ibrahim Abu-Lughod—who also acquired a small but visible following in the US. What is common to them is the sheer power of their analysis, an appeal to a greater idea of fairness and justice, and the ability to see moral nuances in action.
This is not even remotely close to the scorched-earth policy that Maniza has adopted (I had hoped she would smarten up her initial stance but it hasn't happened). It hurts her cause more than she realizes. Especially revealing was her insinuation that people without college degrees can't do good (how many Pakistanis would that condemn?), her insistence that Todd is a drug addict when everything else says he no longer is, that he lives in a "huge mansion" (wtf?!). She harps on "context" but utterly fails to see the context of this story—a man trying to help on his own accord after a devastating earthquake.
I was left wondering—how much of this way of looking at the world seeps into her fiction? I was also reminded of Plutarch: ‘It isn't always in the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered: but very often an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battle.’
Hi Dave Ranning, Thanks for asking questions instead of shooting first with an ominous conclusion. Even though the questions do have a negative slant suggestive of where you might be leaning- it's still refreshing that you at least ask first.
To answer the first part of your query: There is no religious agenda behind my work or my organization- zero. Never has been and never will be. I am not working in Pakistan to convert anyone to anything. My supporters and I act out of love, concern and and a desire to serve humanity and those who are less fortunate. Same agenda that I had at on 9/11 in Lower Manhattan, The Tsunami in Sri Lanka and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Now, in order to answer your query precisely, I have some questions for you:
1) I can assure you that there are no "squirming and dark agendas in my subconcsious," but if that's not enough for you, please explain what "squirming and dark agendas" you imagine I might be pursuing?
2) If you want to elaborate on what ignorance you believe I may suffer from, I'd be happy to respond. Much has been made of the fact that I'm not college educated, but I would offer that just because someone didn't go to college doesn't necessarily mean they're ignorant, and just because someone did go to college doesn't automatically mean they aren't. And I think that premise has been demonstrated quite vividly in this thread in the last few days.
As far as your question "Action, but not skillful action?" I do take action, and it is skillful action, as I have 4 deployments managing logistics in large disasters that I've responded to over the last 8 years, and I've distinguished myself amongst my peers each time.
Lastly, I am not sure what "ultimately bad system" you wonder that I might be giving legitimacy to, so please elaborate, then I'd be happy to get your "inquiring mind" in the know.
Hi Carlos, We don't have a Paypal account, however, tax-deductible donations for the operation of our health facilities can be made online at our page on the website of Global Giving: www.globalgiving.com/1700
Hi Manas, Sorry if I somehow appeared to assert that you had insinuated that i was with the CIA. I stand corrected.
As far as asking me if I was "Washington's PR Man," it read as very snide and sarcastic. Without the benefit of tone, facial expression, ect. it was hard, from my side on the recieving end, to know that you were joking in a light-hearted and good-natured manner. Sorry if I misunderstood.
Clearly you haven't been hateful and virulent like Maniza, but you did state as if it were undeniable fact that "the New York Times ran this story to evoke the "goodness" of American imperialism."
Then you offered my statement
"I'm not the most qualified, but I'm the one who's here" as proof of this sinister endeavor. Well, I've gotta tell ya, I make this statement all the time in many places and forums and it's never manipulated or coaxed by the Times or anyone else. It's the simple truth and an important point that I like to highlight, and sends a very real and useful message that apparently escaped you, along with those who were sniffing around for more "dark and squirming" things.
Then you told me what Googling myself means to me. Sorry Man, but that was over the top ridiculous. Hopefully you've learned not to tell people why they have have done something before you've first considered other possibilities and then ask why they've done it. It's only the courteous and respectful thing to do to withhold judgement until you have enough facts to make a solid judgement that will float when you put it in the waters of truth and justice.
"I'm not the most qualified, but I'm the one who's here" is a giveaway.
That, about NYT- not you. If you please see the whole comment again you will see what I mean.
It is my belief that NYT, while editing that video, chose that statement over others in order to say- "you need us Americans to save yourselves." In other words, they wanted to paint all America in the Todd color (as in the video- helpful, do-gooder, go-getter), which some of them- especially the elements in the past administration- do not deserve.
As you had been working there, I am sure you have met many exemplary Pakistani men working selflessly. The reason NYT chose you, over others, is because you are American.
Anyway, much time and energy has been wasted over misunderstandings and hard feelings. I wish you all the best.
Todd-
We all have motives we are not aware of in our subconscious, and I will not pretend to know what lurks in yours, but one must acknowledge most of conscious action is just a justification of decisions made on a subconscious level, and is giving the illusion of free will.
I commend you for "getting your hands dirty," and materially helping your fellow humans.
However, some political and historical literacy may needed to be added to the skill set.
Inadvertently, you many be perpetuating a political and social paradigm that may in the long (possibly even the short) be more harmful than good, in legitimizing a historical and political relationship that has helped to enslave and impoverishes the people you are working with.
But my hat is off to your good work and intention.
Posted by: Dave Ranning | Jul 7, 2009 7:13:23 PM
Dave Ranning: "one must acknowledge most of conscious action is just a justification of decisions made on a subconscious level, and is giving the illusion of free will."
Thanks for the hat's off Dave, but I couldn't disagree more with the above statement. Other than the boundaries of time, space, earth, gravity and death and the occasional setback dealt by Constitution-shredding thugs like Eliot Spitzer and his former posse, I can report to you that the state of my free will has been and is very strong.
Dave Ranning: "I commend you for "getting your hands dirty," and materially helping your fellow humans. However, some political and historical literacy may needed to be added to the skill set."
Or may not. While I hope to never stop learning, I am pretty much certain that my "skill set" has more than enough "political and historical literacy" to understand that the work I'm doing (and the work I'm planning to do in the future) is not only NOT harmful for the people I'm serving, but in fact quite empowering and good for them and their children's future.
Dave Ranning: "Inadvertently, you many be perpetuating a political and social paradigm that may in the long (possibly even the short) be more harmful than good, in legitimizing a historical and political relationship that has helped to enslave and impoverishes the people you are working with."
No Sir, Dave. Not a chance that I'll be legitimizing any relationships that have helped enslave anyone, but I'd be more than happy for you to enlighten as to what you believe is the "political and social paradigm" that you imagine I "may" be "perpetrating." I gotta say this Dave- forgive me, but honestly, your post seems to be an example of where a smart person ends up getting mired in analytical silliness by overthinking, overpoliticizing and trying way too hard to say some fancy schmancy babble to impress others with how absolutely magnificent their command is of all things scholarly.
But I'm happy to indulge you further if you really want kick the ball back my way.
Thanks Abbas, I really appreciate your kind gesture to help support my organization and its mission.
By the way, this is a great website! I've had a couple days after the APPNA Conference to relax a bit before heading out, and spent most of the time (other than catching up on emails and clerical work) reading your posts and content.
Mubarak for putting together such a cool site. I wish I had discovered it much earlier.
In a righteous fit of temper yesterday, I went overboard in my angry tone. I apologize for that. People are entitled to their own opinions, but as someone once said, people are not entitled to their own facts, and I haven't seen any facts to make me suspect Todd's work as anything but good.
I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but like some of you, I also sometimes let my bad temper get the better of me! :-)
Todd, yes, we will try to help your organization here at 3QD. Am still figuring out exactly how. Thanks for all your comments, as well as for your work in Pakistan.
How amazing that the subject of a post actually adds his own detailed comments to the thread. This has never happened in posts about God.
Posted by: aguy109 | Jul 8, 2009 7:06:14 AM
or even Dawkins
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 8, 2009 9:13:51 AM
Todd - that was a perfect response. Unfortunately that's all you get around here - an I'm better than you attitude. It's just part of the leftist creed - in order to feel like you need to overthrow the existing order so you can control things, you need to know better than anyone else about everything, and you have to be reflexively opposed to anything that might be associated with the existing order.
Instead of protesting America's wars, Maniza (and your ilk), which have been fought against what everyone should recognize were the world's most odious regimes, why don't you protest the violence and internal repression inside your fellow traveler America/white people/Christian haters? Oh, because that wouldn't fit your world view, would it? The truth is that if America doesn't act, nothing happens, and oppressed people continue to be oppressed. Everyone criticizes American war making, but they never consider who those wars were/are against, who the enemy is. In each case you will find it is someone worthy of the tag enemy. America protected the Kuwaitis against external aggression in 1991, protected the (mostly Muslim) Bosnians against Serb aggression in 1995, protected (mostly Muslim) Albanians against Serb aggression in 1999, overthrew a regime that publicly executed women for adultery (among many other crimes) in 2001, and overthrew a regime that gassed its own people (among other crimes) in 2005. These are the wars that America is so criticized for. In each case there were hapless helpless victims and brutal repressors. Yet you choose to protest America and leave the despots of the world alone!
Getting back to Todd, this man's actions are the embodiment of all that is good about people. How can you rationally criticize him in anyway? He is kicking ass! And how can you criticize NYT for reporting on him - it's a great story? Are we only supposed to see negative reporting, only supposed to see reporting that fits with your world view?
Posted by: DR | Jul 8, 2009 9:43:56 AM
No apologies necessary, Abbas.
I'm with Dave on this one, though. Despite Todd's best intention, the fact that he's a white American lends it to be used by predators. There is one more reason I would much rather support a local Pakistani organization- they likely will have a lot better understanding of the situation on the ground, and they are more likely to stay moored to the land.
Abbas, your brother runs an organization too, doesn't he?
Whoa! No apologies Abbas, you're the best. I threw the punch first--Dare I continue?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 8, 2009 11:16:25 AM
Hi Manas, It's funny that you assume that CDRS isn't "a local Pakistani organization." In fact, it absolutely is:
1) Comprehensive Disaster Response Services (CDRS) is a legally registered non-profit Social Welfare entity under the Pakistan Societies Registration Act
2) The Board of Directors are Pakistanis
3) Most of our support comes from Pakistani Americans and we have not recieved any funding to date from the U.S. Government or any other government or their contractors (unless one considers UNICEF part of a government)
4) CDRS operates with the blessing of and under official agreement with the Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority of Pakistan (ERRA), The AJK Secretary for Health and the AJK Government.
5) CDRS and I recieved the Tamhga-i-Eisaar Medal from Pakistan, two official honors from the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Government, was honored by the Muzaffarabad Citizens Forum and education NGO Rise and recieved honors from the King Edward Medical College Alumni Association and The Associaion of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America.
6) Have the rich experience of serving and living on ground with the people of Pakistan ever since October 17, 2005
7) Have committed to serving Pakistan and Kashmir until the day I die
Hopefully, all of the above qualifies CDRS as a local Pakistan organization, and hopefully my being a white guy doesn't nullify our achievements, qualifications and worthiness of your support
Hi Maniza, I think enough punches have been thrown, and I'm sure most would agree with me on that.
You and I are actually on the same team, can you accept that? Or is it just too revolting for you to think of a white guy as good enough to be a teammate in bettering this world and addressing injustices and tragedies in more productive ways.
Time to put down your fists, I don't want to fight anyway.
I'm one of those dumblings who may be "uneducated," having dropped out of college, so maybe you both can help me figure this out. Maniza, after Namit mentioned your literature, I Googled your books and discovered that you were or are employed by the World Bank in Washington, DC. And from such a vantage point, apparently, you view disaster relief in Pakistan as promoting US imperialism in a kind of good cop, bad cop scenario with US military actions in the region. I know I'm oversimplifying, but I hope I'm not being simplistic in summing up your objections to an American's disaster relief efforts in Pakistan.
The last paragraph of Brian's post captured my attention:
It's not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up to the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone's teeth on edge.
Is it possible that the World Bank also "enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largesse possible"?
I read a recent article from the biased US media on how the World Bank had given Pakistan a huge loan for development in the country:
reuters
World Bank approves $900 mln in loans for Pakistan
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:19pm EDT
WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Thursday approved $900 million in loans to improve education in Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces and support a poverty-fighting fund for local community groups.
The World Bank money comes as Pakistan struggles with a balance of payments crisis and fighting in the northwest of the country that has left 2.5 million people homeless.
The World Bank said the $650 million in financing for the Punjab and separate Sindh education sector reform projects were aimed at encouraging more children to go to school and improve the quality of schooling.
Also, another $250 million for the Third Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, which the Bank has supported since 2000 and has reached more than 2 million people, will seek to support community groups with financing, micro-credit loans and skills training for the poor. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Gary Hill)
Then I read a review in Counterpunch of a book that claims the World Bank and the IMF more or less enforce US economic hegemony throughout the world, with lending practices that end up keeping people poor instead of actually helping them.
Of course, this interview is from Counterpunch, the super-leftist online rag, so we have to account for its bias. And I really don't know anything about the author of the book in question. Maybe he's one of those anti-American conspiracy authors whose work appears in anti-Imperialist sources like Third World Traveler.
Here are excerpts from the article that portray the World Bank as a less than benevolent lender:
Not only do university economics departments remain dominated by the ersatz laissez faire notions of the Chicago School, but so are US Government, the World Bank, the IMF, the WTO and the European central banks. The result has been the censorship of those few economists willing to point out that the US is very much the center of imperialism, unwilling to engage in the "free trade" or laissez faire that it promotes abroad....
Only recently, when World Bank head and Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz resigned in order to speak out against the sister institution of the IMF did this get serious attention. But Stiglitz remains defensive of the World Bank itself and continues to believe its goals despite no evidence that anything good has come from it, overlooking its complicity in promoting structural adjustments that have proved ecologically destructive and entirely in the American financial interests. The real expose was published over thirty years earlier despite an active campaign to keep the story out of the press, out of the university and out of the government....
Michael Hudson: The Nixon people didn't realize. I got an $80,000 grant from the Hudson Institute to explain it to them. The Nixon people said, "Oh gee. That's great". Then they turned my analysis of imperialism into a "How To" book. I had written it as a "How Not To" book, but the nation doing the exploitation was more interested in learning how the system worked than were the countries being exploited. I started to consult for Canada, Mexico and other countries. Canada had been accommodating toward the World Bank and IMF, but when they realized the extent to which these organizations were rigged to further the balance of payments problem, they felt exploited....
People are now beginning to raise the question of whether countries really need their central banks, which are essentially lobbyists for the Washington Consensus, as are the World Bank and the IMF. They follow the Chicago School in lobbying for high rates and a large cushion of unemployed so as to maximize financial power relative to labor and the products it produces. Financial exploitation now exceeds the old-fashioned exploitation of labor by actually employing it, albeit for low wages....
Whether or not there are more U.S. military adventures in the Middle East, it seems crucial to expose to the world not only the lives lost, not only the private profits being made, but also how the U.S. Government has managed to fund these wars at everyone else's expense. At the moment, it seems these wars only send more dollars abroad_both in IMF, World Bank loans, but also in U.S. humanitarian "aid" and military personnel expenditures. Thus, the dollar surplus abroad only creates more demand for U.S. Treasuries and more foreign dependence on the continuing existence of the U.S. Empire....
Someone probably has to go to college to understand all this, but maybe one of you could explain to me how the World Bank actually has the interests of the oppressed at heart as opposed to the interests of Empire. Thank you.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 8, 2009 3:55:19 PM
Good job Louise!
So what conclusions did you draw about my motivations?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 8, 2009 8:11:10 PM
"Good job." That is so thrilling to hear, almost like getting the grade of A+ in reform school.
You didn't specify whether you wanted me to answer in multiple choice format or essay, so I'll do multiple choice now, saving the essay for another day. I actually doubt if I could possibly fathom your motivations for being so gratuitously unkind to someone whose work you believe is tainted by machinations in Washington, DC. But I'll speculate.
A) This thread was a pilot for a Missionary Position type of expose. Hitchens had so much success in that, er, genre, that you thought you might leverage book sales through an expose of Todd.
B) Tied to A, you thought you might build on the first book's success by co-authoring something along the lines of God Is Not Great with Dave Ranning.
C) You aspire to follow in the footsteps of Robert Strange McNamara and don't like living white males sans your qualifications muscling in on your exclusive largesse.
D) You let your fictional imagination run wild and went from spy story to 3QD without realizing it, portraying Todd as if he were a villain from an MKUltra experiment instead of the hard worker and saver of lives that he is.
E) You realize now that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones and you're going to apologize to Todd for being unfair to him and trashing his character and good works in public.
F) You're not sorry at all, and since you know that 3QDers aren't Amish and don't shun, you'll proceed on your way without being gracious enough to apologize.
G) You will now transfer your free-floating hostility towards living white males to me for having been inexcusably mean on 3QD. So mean that I'm afraid I may be excoriated in public by Teacher, er, I mean the editor, Abbas. So I'll stop now.
Here's an essay I found on the Web that you might enjoy.
I'm not sure you bring out the best in me, Maniza. But I hope through the example of people like Todd I'll learn to be more forgiving and to have more compassion for all those who are suffering.
"I couldn't tear myself
away from 3 Quarks Daily, to the point of neglecting my work. Congratulations on
this superb site."—Steven
Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University.
"I have placed 3 Quarks Daily at the head of my list of web bookmarks."—Richard
Dawkins, Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University.
"Just wanted you to know I’m one of many who reads and enjoys 3 Quarks....almost daily."—David Byrne, musician, former lead-singer of the Talking Heads, artist, intellectual.
Comments
Hah, this guy is a chracter. Really nice guy, I met him when I volunteered for Operation Heartbeat in the village of Garhi Dupatta. At that point it had already been several months after the earthquake and he had already started CDRS, I think because of frustration with typical Pakistani hierarchyies and the need to control finances properly. He was hard at it, doing everything he could, making friends in high places in Pakistani command to get what he wanted for his hospital. His little phone call in the video might have seemed staged but he really was good at getting what he wanted.
A picture (posting more for the description)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cageitfallsinto/172346425
And further photos from Operation Heartbeat.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cageitfallsinto/sets/72157594165992265/
The Cuban camp was also super-helpful at that time. They were among the last to leave, 6 months out, even though I remember that because of the way the Cuban economy worked, they had little to now money, and they money they saved from cash given so that they could call home was spent on buying cheap jeans and slippers for folks back home.
Posted by: Builder | Jun 27, 2009 12:13:19 PM
Thanks for the interesting info, Builder!
Posted by: Abbas Raza | Jun 27, 2009 1:01:49 PM
How wonderful and a lesson for us. I wish I had the courage to do similar work. Thanks for posting it Abbas.
Posted by: Tasnim | Jun 27, 2009 11:32:20 PM
this thing set my teeth on edge...sorry....
Posted by: maniza | Jun 28, 2009 12:57:09 AM
Maniza,
If you have time to elaborate, I would love to hear why. My own reaction was quite different and I ask more out of curiosity than any other feeling.
Posted by: Namit | Jun 28, 2009 1:55:28 AM
What a sour comment from Maniza. In her eyes, such charity efforts are simply postponing the inevitable Revolution that will cleanse everything with oceans of blood. Don't confuse these villagers with images of good Americans, it might distract them from concentrating on whom to blame for decades of neglect.
Posted by: aguy109 | Jun 28, 2009 2:06:14 AM
I think I know what Maniza means -- maybe. That this man is an almost parodic version of the naive American good guy who "just gets in there" in Gary Cooper fashion, elbowing all the native bureaucracies, befriending the potentially hostile, befriending the certainly hostile, and, without any special competencies, spreading good cheer and moving mountains. (And it's hard: after the quake in October, '05, I participated in an initiative called the Zalzala Livestock Project -- goat replacement for villagers in a particularly devastated area -- and, well, you should see how hard it is.) The trouble with a cynical take on the American in this story is that he isn't a parody, he's perfectly sincere, while people who know better than he does are doing the world far less good. "By his works ye shall know him," I think it says in the Book of Matthew.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jun 28, 2009 8:13:17 PM
And he is not even a doctor or qualified to do anything, just a rockn roll guy with a huge heart. Who/Why him? or what he did becomes meaningless......look at the people who are getting help. I know NGO is not an answer to a long term solution is a valid argument, but where the whole world didn't go, one man saved lives of many......this is definitely something big!
Posted by: Shabbir | Jun 28, 2009 11:27:10 PM
So Namit--after you asked I went around showing this video to people whom I thought would share my opinion. First to confirm my opinion and second to get nuggets of reactions which I could then weave into a long and thoughtful response to you. Everyone I talked to wasn't pushed about this--thought it was nice. How nice, most replied--and promptly went on to do whatever they were doing. Me? Nooo, I'm still stewing about this. Why? maybe becausei'm not so sure. This made me angry and suspicious. I know why--but also maybe because I had the immediate reaction that a really good for nothing-loud mouth-- can lord it over people in Pakistan just because they are poor or very rich--and only because he is a white American and they have expectations of him because of the power that he represents. Particularly in this moment. I don't know. Maybe I'm stupid. Highly probable.
Posted by: maniza | Jun 29, 2009 3:44:30 PM
Dear Maniza, ummmm.....ummmm.....I am even more puzzled after reading your 2nd comment. You are still stewing about this video because the story is suspicious? the idea of rich white man helping poor brown people is not probable? is it not appropriate? Or does it look like a hype media stunt. Not sure what you are saying here. This is 3QD, you can comment-say anything you like, most readers would agree.
Shabbir
Posted by: Shabbir | Jun 29, 2009 6:53:36 PM
Thank you, Shabbir. I'll try to say anything I like again. One never knows what 3QD story will set one off. Odd juxtaposition lately of the nightmare of the Torturing Democracy video Abbas posted, the situation in Iran and photos/videos/threads mourning the loss of Michael Jackson.
I am very upset, yet again, over the torture video and the fact that American taxpayer dollars are funding this depravity. Montaigne put cruelty first among "sins" (sorry Dave Ranning, et al.), and I think he may have been right. So much for US human rights campaigns and Amnesty International letters. To what avail when the United States is now notorious throughout the world for its torture policies? What can one do to STOP it? I don't know why the video set Maniza's teeth on edge, but I've been on edge after more exposure to the torture reality shown in the video.
But I did find the American Builder an inspiring story. I think the man had a transformative experience in the wake of 9/11 and that he found his calling through SERVING people in desperate need. He reminds me of Paul Farmer, although he's not an MD and doesn't speak the familiar academicese that some 3QDers may feel most comfortable conversing in. Fortunately, villagers that he and the doctor are helping don't seem to find that off putting. I don't know if he's a loud mouth, but I think he's certainly proven he's a GOOD FOR SOMETHING. He's turned his back on creature comforts and other supposed benefits of the American Dream to help people.
That's such a triumph, since so many organized volunteer efforts here in the States seem to get sucked up and subverted by capitalism-cum-corporatism. You know, human rights and freedom for corporations, while humanity and other forms of life are commoditized, then discarded once they no longer serve corporate purposes. The American Builder found a real purpose.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jun 29, 2009 8:13:22 PM
Thanks, Maniza. There are so many layers to this story: from its impact on the ground, to its sociopolitical backdrop, to the values and motivations of the actors involved, to its sheer human comedy and wonder. While the impact on the ground is clearly positive (in terms of saving lives or distributing medicines), that can't be the only metric for many others (for instance, motivations and attitudes that accompany charity also matter).
The sociopolitical backdrop is murkier and even unsavory, but it would be unfair to hold that against one individual. His "loud" style and his reception by the locals are mixed up with complex issues of culture, economics, and race. What factors lead the urban hipsters to lavish admiration on him? Does Todd act out of brotherly love and compassion, or out of personal insecurities and foolhardiness? I was struck both by the gratitude, admiration, and deference many locals feel for him as well as by his cheerfulness, lack of self-doubt, and appetite for attention. A part of us is led to wonder: Is it really true that while clarity profits the intellect, it damages the will?
There is also of course the comedy and wonder of this story, of how bizarre some interactions are, and how people with very different histories approach each other—transcending barriers in the tentative and confusing way people have always done, but of which we hear so little anymore.
Posted by: Namit | Jun 29, 2009 9:48:22 PM
Namit,
"Does Todd act out of brotherly love and compassion, or out of personal insecurities and foolhardiness?"
It's possible that he's acting from a combination of all of the above and more. If only a true philanthropist built a hospital -- the John Galt Health Care Center -- Todd's hillbillyish charitable efforts would be superfluous.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jun 30, 2009 8:24:31 AM
That's right, Louise. My question was not meant to suggest a binary but something of the range. Everything here points to a combination, making our assessment of him a bit more complex.
Posted by: Namit | Jun 30, 2009 11:49:04 AM
Namit,
Must have been the OR that led me into a binary trap. ;)
If D. were here, he could have pointed out the third team. Ha Ha.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jun 30, 2009 12:58:03 PM
Brotherly love or Foolhardiness..are those the only choices we have here? I can think of so many more.
CIA, almost free ganja.....low rent, celebrity, exercising power over the powerless in the name of empowering them.
Posted by: maniza | Jun 30, 2009 7:00:27 PM
Could we switch to taking down Paul Farmer now?
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jun 30, 2009 10:04:29 PM
Maniza,
CIA? I believe the video stated that the hospital there treated 100,000 people last year with an annual budget of $170,000. It doesn't look like a sinister CIA plot to me. Maybe you think the fellow has an obnoxious personality, but it does look as if he IS empowering people in that they are getting much needed medical care. I hope your suspicions are unfounded. I'm also sorry that US government actions may be the primary source of those suspicions. In spite of the CIA, I give Todd the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 1, 2009 2:58:02 AM
I thought I was giving him a benefit of the doubt too. He is not the improbable American--he is by all measures the caricatured one. And therefore suspect.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 8:13:33 AM
Maniza,
Please share more of your imagination with us. When I look at this guy I can't see anything other than a bona-fide do-gooder, which makes me a little suspicious/amused in a more benign way - I'm thinking Christian summer camp counselor jamming on his six-string by the fire as the kids all do their best to suppress giggles, but the earnestness in this case seems to be helping people doesn't it? The CIA idea is intriguing, but they're simply not that good- though such an implausibility might have worked if Jim Thompson had decided to branch out to spy fiction. You may fairly describe him as a "loud mouth" (although this strikes me as ethnocentric on your part), but saying that he's "lording it over" the natives like some gin soaked East India Co sahib seems completely uncharitable. You can hate the geo-political context around us certainly, but he's had about as much control over that as the villagers he's trying to provide medical help to.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 1, 2009 8:54:26 AM
The motives of all of us are highly complex, anything but pure. The American in question may well be serving his own needs, one of which might be the need to throw himself into such a project as this vid shows, to lose himself or find himself in it. Service to others is neither simple nor easy. He himself says he's an addict -- that he "might as well be addicted to doing something good." I think this American, like the rest of us, should be granted his complexity, allowed to wrestle with his demons -- as he self-confessedly does do. If he's a CIA operative, then "The Company" has smartened up since Salvador Allende was murdered. If he's not a CIA operative -- well, maybe he'll get recruited. Meanwhile, he's a more effective helper than I and many others who have responded by extending ourselves somewhat in the wake of unspeakable disaster in Pakistan.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 1, 2009 9:00:35 AM
How did you come to these conclusions on effectiveness (as opposed to what?) I would be very interested in understanding your process getting to this conclusion. It would help me learn.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 10:50:40 AM
I don't know anything I didn't learn from the vid. Looks to me like he's holding down the fort, fundraising, doing many kinds of outreach. As he says, he is not the one who's qualified to do it, only the one who is doing it. I couldn't begin to quantify his success and effectiveness compared to that of a physician administrator who might be -- but is not -- doing the same job in that location. I can only compare it to his not being there at all. Is that corner of the world a little better off because the improbable American is open for business? Because he somehow attracted a Pakistani physician to work there?
I would say his effectiveness consists in the people he serves being better served than if he had not come their way. No clinic or hospital pre-dated him, did it? All he can meaningfully be compared with is the absence of health care, unless one contends that by his very presence he has co-opted more appropriate helpers who would do things better than he does them. Who was lining up that he cut in front of?
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 1, 2009 11:38:56 AM
Jesse: Context is everything.
First, I don’t do ethno centric. A loud mouth is a loud mouth. Todd is one. (I’m probably one too).
I was working on my spy story when I got waylaid by the video of Todd Shea. Set my teeth on edge, as I said earlier. Now I have to stew in this—Spy story out the door at the moment—Todd Shea needs to be dealt with. Why does he make me crazy? Is it Todd or is it this video in the New York Times that’s making me crazy. Is it the whole damn world? Is the whole world being reduced to sound bytes and videos. What is it?
Turn the video on mute and watch it. Its more instructive. Look at the faces of the people who aren’t Todd. Look at their bemusement. Look at their expressions of humoring someone who is in power. Listen to the voiceover on the first image of a kind man who happens to have a beard:—“unlikely hosts”. Why unlikely? I can go frame by frame that way.
Here we have the typical imaging of Empire: a foreign/white interlocutor demonstrating “locals lazy” locals crazy. Do you think a Pakistani guy with the same skill sets would be able to do this: pick up the phone and bark at Military high brass? Why can Todd do this?
Todd’s video is not about the improbable American but the caricature, very probable American, loud mouthed, shoot before you speak version. We seem to accept the probable as improbable and the improbable as probable without any questioning.
I know many, many, many Americans (and you do too, I am sure!) who quietly with an immense amount to offer—go places, whether down the road or at great distances to foreign lands—to give of themselves—whether a cardiologist going to Tuzla during the war to perform surgeries or a kid teaching school kids or feeding people or giving a helping hand. The probable Americans. And very probably not in the caricatured package.
Chikar, the place he has placed himself in, is not remote, isolated or poor. It’s a sizeable township, in a militarily strategic location. And there is an endless supply of practically free ganja. Around this place we now have a war breaking out. Its not a remote isolated location. It is the epicenter.
Context is everything.
I can just see a comment coming in “Maniza you see spies everywhere, everything is a conspiracy. Ok. So does that mean that they aren’t there?
Here’s the data on Todd, like Elatia and others I too have gleaned this just from the video: He’s a drug addict. He is not educated. And he can’t sing or play the guitar (more summer camp counselor I agree). He has no money. But now he lives in a huge mansion—in the mountains—(yes it is a HUGE mansion) in which space is let out for sick villagers. And for this he is funded. He has nothing to do with community service, health or Pakistan. Can he learn this all—of course he can—but remember he is being singled out for a NYTimes Video. He is that special, that improbable. He is a hero!
I googled him too. Only platitudes. He will be speaking at the American-Pakistani Physicians National Association (APPNA) Conference in the US on July 3rd, 2009. Sort of sequenced and coincidental isn’t it—with the New York Times video.
Who is funding this guy? I’d like to know. APPNA? Why? Or some Kashmiri NGO in the diaspora? When they fund Todd Shea it’s okay? Not so okay when they fund anybody else say a Pakistani NGO because that’s jihadi. Right?
Look at the whole implication—kind good hearted American---while Locals lazy, locals crazy. Kicking ass of good for nothing uncaring Pakistanis, getting things done—is our Todd the incapable, drug addicted American guy. One of him—is better then 160 million Pakistanis. Please. Because he understands and empathizes with the poor more then others? Why should a real doctor play second fiddle to this loud mouthed, drug addict? What is the key feature about Todd that differentiates him—his empathy? His go getter attitude—his can do attitude? All missing in others from right there? Or is it something else? Is that by any chance a function of the power he represents?
I would also like to understand the Paul Farmer comment. Is the implication there that if I can question Todd then I am so unreasonable and out of line that I would question Paul Farmer’s credentials. I, of course, had to google Paul Farmer too, so that I could check the extent of my out of line behavior. So ignorant or disparaging am I of the do-gooders. Pardon? Is that the comparison?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 1:19:07 PM
and...
I am bemused by the comments that seem to suggest the bungling amateurishness of CIA-and who would qualify as theirs and who would not-I imagine that those who are on the receiving end of the workings of CIA and others like them--may have a different view-
Also, Jesse you brought up the analogy of the East India Company sahib and then dismissed it when it came to Todd--It is an Empire out there--isn't it--? And in the days of the East India Company it was the second son, the one with nothing to inherit or income at home--who went off to make his fortune--social or financial somewhere else--on the basis of what he represented: Empire.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 1, 2009 1:42:51 PM
Maniza, your spy story is anything but out the door, and maybe you've added a thrilling sub-plot. Go with it -- it's good!
If only every bumbling American who sings off-key were a dope fiend seeking the easiest fix, the biggest bedroom to fix in, and the extension of white supremacy through a new outpost of Empire, then it would be a radically simpler world. You and I are both operating a bit more from instinct than from info here, so my notion of Todd is no better than yours -- not that yours is, um, bad. I see him as a bumbling American in Asia to put meaning into his life -- as so many have done before him, and will not stop doing because of him. He has much of the psychology of a recovering addict: over-sharing, ego-tripping, compulsively reaching out to help. He's grandiose, too. But none of this alters the fact that he does help. I get it how you don't like that -- you are understood, not misunderstood.
With money to raise, I am glad he can make media work for him. He is an oddball and "a story" -- media! Those are the gifts he brings to the project that has occupied him for going on 5 years -- he's using them. He can apparently live with the "Buffoon saves lives" caption under the cartoon, I guess because he does save lives.
With respect and affection for someone whose comments and fiction and journalism have appeared here for a long time, I must tell you I think you're obsessing about appearances and vibes and richly imagined scenarios. Yes, Todd is a little weird, and yes, to you, this is no feel-good story. I prefer to judge Todd through the eyes of the paralyzed child or the elder who couldn't breathe, who probably think it's okay that he's there, even if they do wish he's stop singing.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 1, 2009 2:28:51 PM
Maniza,
I think Elatia mentioned Paul Farmer because I said Todd reminded me of him.
It's not clear from your last two comments who you're more disgusted by: the New York Times, the CIA or Todd -- the man you described as a loud-mouth, uneducated, good for nothing drug addict living in a mansion, lording it over people you believe are depicted as lazy, crazy.
If some sinister power with motives contrary to the interests of the villagers in the video is funding Todd's hospital, they're hardly making him or the facility rich thus far.
I don't understand your antipathy towards him, unless it is based on a stew of your own prejudices. You say Todd is uneducated, unqualified to do anything and a drug addict as if that makes him subhuman. But he's proved he's qualified enough to bring a doctor to that hospital, raise funds and deliver treatment to people who need it. He's also raising funds to provide better services, unless you think he's planning to rehab the "mansion" there as his own personal rehab center.
You say the region is not remote, but the video says that until Todd established the health care facility, people needed to travel two hours in one direction or seven hours in another to get care.
Where some of us see a man who is serving people no one else was serving, you see a brash, "uneducated" interloper lording it over the local populace through identification with the power of Empire. The absence of a college degree, lack of MD status and the authority that goes with it, and a problem with addiction -- the great escape from pain induced through Empire -- do not mean someone is incapable or unqualified to do good. I'd rather see do-gooders like Todd than US Army or Blackwater recruits in Iraq.
Not everyone can write books like Naomi Wolf in the cause of liberty or to sound the alarm on American fascism.
naomiwolf
But not every effort to do good in spite of Empire is an indication of underlying malevolent intent.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 1, 2009 3:04:59 PM
quote of the day: "I don't do ethno centric"
Thanks for that Maniza, its honestly going to help me today. I can't really think of anything to add to Elatia's and Louise's counters to your contempt, its like we're looking at two different pictures. The proof in the pudding of an epiphany is what comes afterwards, and going to rural Pakistan to create a modest hospital that is benefitting locals qualifies as a success story to me. I don't see this kind of Tony Montoya meets Scroodge Mcduck figure you're doodling who lives in a mansion and sleeps on a small mountain of marijuana while being fawned over by the locals (some seem happy to have him, but the kidnappings suggest there are different points of view in the region, and the threat of abduction would put any but the brave and committed off). I think you're right about context, but that shapes our very lenses too. American's love stories of second chances and not being bound by social origins and past mistakes, that he's making the NY times doesn't surprise at all. But that you see an "incapable . . . unqualified . . .drug-addicted loud mouthed American" identity, that seems set in stone and obscures to you the capableness and help being provided that is manifestly there, I'm going to have to put down to culture, its just too mysterious a difference in this case.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 1, 2009 8:02:49 PM
Maniza makes some very interesting points. A whole different cultural history and identity speaks through her. I think it has echoes of the anger and suspicion against white American power and privilege that we heard in Jeremiah Wright last year, which only a Black man and intellectual of his generation could have said in that way, whose historical experience and identity is near impossible for white Americans to understand from within, though many whites try admirably hard. In this case, the voice is that of a post-colonial and resentful third-world citizen of the empire, one that sees this story self-selected to suit the American self-image, feeding cherished myths of American benevolence and impact in the world, etc., etc. Of course, there is plenty of Maniza in there too. :-)
Maniza, the difficulty I have with your account is that one can also reasonably argue the reverse, that this is indeed a different kind of American footprint than the noxious one most Americans know little about. You don't concede this (isn't context everything?). I once read a critic complain that Naipaul was often unduly harsh and ungenerous in his writing about Muslims, that, with several equally likely explanations for an event, he rarely missed the opportunity to pick out the least charitable. We also know that many whites in the US are quick to deny the full humanity of Muslims they perceive to have the "wrong" look, education, or talk. Your words risk conveying such attitudes in reverse.
Posted by: Namit | Jul 2, 2009 2:39:03 AM
Today is my birthday: what a gift, this fabulous discussion. Elatia your affirmation puts me in seventh heaven. And Namit! Oh my! I have to chew on all your comments (and stew in them). I will come back with a response later with renewed ferocity.
love,
Maniza
Posted by: maniza | Jul 2, 2009 2:35:36 PM
Not sure about Todd, but NYT publishes this to make their readers feel good about themselves. We're there to help. That'll give them excuse to not engage in asking their government to stop the killings. What does Chomsky call it? "Willed ignorance?"
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 2, 2009 5:07:33 PM
Where have all the (american) candles gone? Burnt for Iranian protesters- everyone.
And so there was none left for the hundreds dying every week in drone attacks.
Instead, we have Todd. Saving the world!
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 2, 2009 5:30:25 PM
Happy Birthday, Maniza.
Posted by: Abbas Raza | Jul 2, 2009 5:37:12 PM
Thank you, dear!
Now back to Todd (sigh);)
The Book of Mathews all the way to Paul Farmer have been invoked in the defense of Todd—while in analyzing my resistance to his image we have guessed at my innate contempt, resentment, envy, cultural biases and my prejudices (Reverand Wright and Naipul no less are put in my corner).
In doing this Todd has been freed made sublime by freeing him of the context and anchoring him in Goodness. Indeed, we could be led to believe that he is carrying the burden of Good. Anything else about his context is irrelevant—while mine in resisting this notion is all important and bad.
Interesting that I view the video as being shaped by contempt, cultural biases and prejudices. Just as my views are seen to do the same thing.
In doing so--I think we have managed to jointly produce our own narrative ala Joseph Conrad.
But watch the video, again, and again (if you can bare the tedium--I can--I'm stewing). The video remains tightly within the dominant narrative of Empire.
Louise wondered if I was implying that the mansion was in fact Todd’s way of setting up his own personal rehab center—It made me think. Isn’t all of Empire ---the way it plays itself out and all its power players including of course the militaries and the foot soldiers mirroring and mimicking in many ways personal rehab centers? Note what Generals almost all of them say about themselves fondly when asked why they joined the military: “If I hadn’t joined the military, I would have been a deviant. The military straightened me out. Gave me purpose. Helped me find myself." And then there is the job of last resort--and tourism--mixed with messages of altruism--"Join the military—see the world. Be all that you can be. Aim high America”. There’s a huge recruiting center in the middle of Times Square basically selling itself as a rehab center to young teenagers! The ones with nothing to lose, abused, abusing, deviant go forth and destroy and occupy—make their fortunes find themselves. Its an old formula and it works well today too. Or at least someone in the marketing department of the Pentagon is trying to make it work.
Louise says “I'd rather see do-gooders like Todd than US Army or Blackwater recruits in Iraq.” Precisely Louise, we’re going to make you feel good about all that we do--- that’s why you are getting this makeover version “The Todd”.
I am absolutely out of line by constantly invoking color. I think. That was soooo last century. I am plain simply wrong on that. Today’s Empire is not about color—it doesn’t need that anymore and it can’t use that anymore so it doesn’t it groups itself around weapons. Power. Doesn’t matter which color you come wearing in to the party.
Read the article on the front page of the NYTimes today--the Aid war that the US is fighting in Pakistan. No doubt soon on this comment line, that too will be in my corner--me the jihadi. Good grief, charlie brown.
Posted by: maniza | Jul 2, 2009 7:15:12 PM
Happy Birthday, Maniza!
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 2, 2009 7:25:49 PM
Happy birthday, Maniza.
Joseph Conrad? OK, who's Marlow and who's Kurtz? Or will Todd morph into Dorian Gray?
Well, your imaginative rendition makes sense -- except for the earthquake. Without the earthquake, Todd wouldn't be there. Did the CIA cook it up? Might it have been a joint CIA-Mossad operation to help rehab the Ugly American image in the eyes of the world? A New Orleans type of catastrophe? Perhaps instigated through that suspicious looking HAARP thingy in Alaska?
threecupsoftea
What kind of story might you weave around Greg Mortenson and his do-gooding ways?
Well, we're a mean-spirited lot to critique your critique on your birthday. I really hope it is a happy one for you.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 2, 2009 8:06:58 PM
Happy birthday Maniza.
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 2, 2009 8:40:05 PM
When will non-white people quit blaming white people for all their problems and start fixing things up? Sheez, even when a white guy tries to do good we're wrong. One gets the feeling that if Maniza had the power all of us would be wiped out. You're pissed because the white guys getting things done in a country of non-whites that seems utterly incapable of doing anything for itself. Lots of blind racial hatred in there, that some of you try to cloak and call 'perspective' or point of view or cultural lens, whatever that means.
Posted by: DR | Jul 2, 2009 10:20:01 PM
You are all so sweet!
And DR comes in on queue.
I had a gorgeous birthday thank you!
Posted by: maniza | Jul 3, 2009 11:30:38 AM
We should probably take this guy out of the "courtroom" and try New York times instead. There is no proof against this guy. He may as well be a good man.
What is clear, however, is that the New York Times ran this story to evoke the "goodness" of American imperialism.
"I'm not the most qualified, but I'm the one who's here" is a giveaway.
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 4, 2009 12:28:41 PM
That's right, Manas. And Adam Ellick is simply a PR man for US imperialism throughout the globe.
global
adamellick
Oh, no. Another ital problem for Abbas to fix.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 4, 2009 3:04:51 PM
Okay, I've fixed it again. People, unless you can keep track of your html tags, please don't use them! :-)
Posted by: Abbas Raza | Jul 4, 2009 3:08:36 PM
Hi Everyone, I crossreference Googled myself with the NY Times story in search of new supporters and volunteers to further increase my organization's productivity when I happened upon this interesting discussion about lil' ole me. I see that some of you have thought provoking questions about me, my motives for helping people in Pakistan, along with some extraordinarily laughable conclusions that have been presented as if "readily apparent" by a clearly upset and angry soul.
I'd be happy to answer any questions that may come to anyone's mind. But always remember that one's negatively slanted questions, impressions, conceptions and assumptions as portrayed to any "particular group" in certain circumstances (particularly when online in the sacred personal space and safety of one's home computer) often reveal far more about themselves, their prejudices, their beliefs, their analytical abilities, their mental deficiencies and their motives than they do about the target of their derisive intellectual vomit. We put our best self forward when we remind ourselves before unleashing spite and hate and an "I'm better than you" attitude: Sarcasm-laden psuedo-criticism and mean-spirited hyper-judgement are "cool" and all the RAGE these days, but WHAT AM I ACTUALLY doing to make the world a better place?
Respectfully,
Todd Shea
(The hopelessly do-gooding good for nothing, no talent, no life, naive and clueless hippie yet also evil caricature of all that is wrong with white America, attention craving, CIA-created robo-mouth drug fiend who amazingly somehow still manages to find a little time to help poor and hurting human beings in between loud-mouthing his way around the ill-gotten country estate mansion in the hills, Lording over the lazy and stupid non-white 3rd world townfolk while forcing them to listen to his out of tune guitar and pathetic attempts at something vaguely resembling singing if they dare even hope to get even a single aspirin, screaming at Generals while perpetually smoking up a lifetime's supply of free "gunja" while simultaneously begging the NY Times every 5 minutes to please, please, please recognize me, me, me!!!)
;)
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 5, 2009 9:16:30 PM
And Thanks to those who had a more positive impression of me and my work or at least withheld harsh judgement until they could do a little research to find answers to their questions or doubts. I hope all of you will join me in helping Pakistan. America OWES Pakistan, and Id be more than happy to educate any person who doesn't understand why this is true.
Please come visit personally and see my 12 health facilities in the remote and moutainous earthquake affected areas for yourself and see whether or not we're comptetent and effective in very challenging circustances. And I extend a special invitation to Maniza. It should be easy for you to come over, especially since YOU have decreed that my area of operations is neither remote, isolated or poor. Let see how many hours of life in Chikar you can handle. I'm begging you to come here and see for yourself. You will be treated like a Princess by my staff and the people and you might even feel loved like you've never known. But you will also witness the need, the poverty and the difficulties of life in vivid proximity. Do you dare step out from behind your computer and have combination of guts, ability and compassion that will bring comfort to the suffering, with nothing standing between you and the heartbtreaking realities you'd find in this world's least favorable destination?
Respectfully,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 5, 2009 9:52:23 PM
I'm glad to hear from Todd.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 5, 2009 10:12:37 PM
Welcome, Todd. Hope you'll visit more often, despite what must be a difficult introduction to 3QD. As I said above, I admire all the vital work you're doing. Color may be so "last century," but classism clearly isn't. I guess it goes with Empire. One response to Empire's injuries may be anger. I, too, have gone through various phases of anger along life's way, and difficult as it was, sometimes it seemed like a necessary thing.
BTW, I don't have a college degree. I dropped out in my misspent youth, but I tried not to let that stand in the way of my education. ;)
Hope you keep up your spirits and the good work!
Louise
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 5, 2009 11:42:05 PM
Thanks for your thoughts Todd and more significantly your good work.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 5, 2009 11:53:01 PM
Todd,
welcome back to the United States. Stay and protest here against the wars that are currently being fought by the United States.
Maniza
Posted by: maniza | Jul 6, 2009 8:05:06 AM
Hi Todd,
Thanks for coming.
here is what I want to know-
Are you Washington's PR man? Googling yourself means you take your public image very seriously.
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 6, 2009 10:02:57 AM
Manas,
I think he was Googling himself as part of his fundraising efforts for the hospitals.
Hope you realize I was being sarcastic with my remark about Adam Ellick being a PR man. In case not, I was being sarcastic.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 6, 2009 12:14:54 PM
Maniza,
Instead of apologizing to Todd for your character assassination of him based on viewing a snippet of his life in a video, you now presume to not only know what he should do, but you tell him what he should do. Too much!
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 6, 2009 12:22:04 PM
Hi Manas Shaikh, Thanks for informing me and your fellow forum members as to what "Googling" myself MEANS. It must be nice to have it all figured out. As for me, I'm still working on my grand theory of everything and have a long way to go.
Still, it never ceases to amaze me how people who consider themsleves to be worldly, refined and educated can make such statements like the one contained in your latest post- an assumption presented as though it's an irrefutable fact, undeniable with no further debate necessary.
Reading through the posts, it's obvious that his forum is full of very intelligent people, though it's unfortunate that in spite of this intelligence, some people (like you and Maniza, for instance) don't seem to realize that making negative assumptions with sinister implications through a skewed and angry lens is just not an intelligent thing to do, mainly because it only exposes one's own intolerance, racism, hate, bias, agenda, etc and doesn't help anyone in understanding an important thing called the TRUTH. Here's a suggestion that will serve you well in life: Instead of making wild and degrading assumptions that truly only have the effect of marginalizing oneself and showing ignorance and narrow thinking, perhaps you could simply ask a few more questions to obtain more info before making a silly and self-exposing conclusion. It's sad that some very educated people sometimes make the mistake of believing they are so intelligent that their conclusions MUST be correct then go around dispensing tainted conclusions as if it were profound wisdom.
And since you were arrogant and immature enough to tell me what Googling myself "means," I'll give you more information, since you apparently need it to form a more realistic and useful conclusion. If you try hard to avoid reflexively reacting to this post with anger, a flippant quip or more ignorance, you and others might actually learn something and be more cautious in the future instead of viewing everything and everyone in the world (including ten minute video clips you see on the internet) through a lens that's heavily distorted by political beliefs, current events, past indoctrinations by agenda driven mentors, emotion-induced blindness and/or misdirected anger. Try not to obscure your own view of the world around you with clouds of ignorance and arrogance, there's enough people already who will try their best to do that for you as it is.
Simply, I couldn't give a rat's ass about my public image (by the way, The New York Times contacted me with interest in doing a story about my work, I didn't ask them for anything, nor did I set any parameters for their visit to my area of operations or ground rules for their coverage or editing of my interview or the filming of the four days reporter Adam Ellick spent with me). I crossreferenced my name with "New York Times" on the Google search engine not out of some egocentric need but rather because it was pointed out to me by a trusted supporter that I would be able to find and come into direct contact with more people and organizations who may be willing to help me find more of the much needed volunteers and people willing to help (in one or more of many possible ways) so that my staff and I can continue helping our patients and expanding our mission so that we may, as a team, accomplish more together and exponentially increase the sum total of our efforts in Pakistan.
Respectfully,
Todd
aka The Stupid Loud No Talent Hillbilly Addict Wanna Be Imperial Camp Counselor Who Has The Absolute Self-Absorbed Nerve To Attempt What Even Geniuses Haven't Dared Try ;)
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 6, 2009 1:29:38 PM
Yes, that may be the case.:)
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 6, 2009 1:49:46 PM
Dear Todd,
There is reason to be so upset. I asked that question partly in jest. I can understand that I hurt your feelings in the process. Sorry about that.
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 6, 2009 2:33:53 PM
Now I'm angry over this accusatory thread. Todd is such an easy target for your derision, Manas, isn't he? A former drug addict without a college degree, being given a bad rap because of US drone planes and the New York Times. Funny I didn't hear any such cries of protest when Abbas's sister's work with schools in Pakistan was featured here, with an ad up top to help support that effort, and a video of an American TV actor narrating the group's educational and development efforts in Pakistan.
Manas, you should apologize to Todd, and so should Maniza, in my opinion. Well, at least you managed to muster a little "Sorry about that." I hope when Todd's birthday rolls around you'll send him an e greeting if not a contribution.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 6, 2009 3:04:33 PM
No apologies necessary Manas, you have absolutely zero power to hurt my feelings- but it is quite revealing that you are so sure that you inflicted emotional pain on me. You may not realize it yet, but you are embarrassing yourself with your faint abilities at perception, so perhaps you might consider coming down of your higher than thou horse.
I don't know what your post is referring to when you write "There is reason to be so upset." This lacks the information required for any reader to truly know exactly who you believe has reason to be so upset and why. I for one am not upset at all- so please don't mistake my attempts at teaching you a concept that you would do well to master for me having hurt feelings because of some ignorant and condescending thing you coughed up.
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 6, 2009 3:32:08 PM
To paraphrase a wise man, when someone we hold in contempt behaves with benevolence and decency, we aren't inclined toward gratitude. No, what we feel is lingering resentment for not being provided with sufficient reason to think him contemptible. Add therefore feelings of inadequacy, for he has done better by ours than we have, and how else shall we respond but with anger?
I know, I'm psychoanalyzing a stranger, but it does rather seem like the preferred pleasure of this thread.
Posted by: D | Jul 6, 2009 5:46:12 PM
Todd,
Sorry about the "camp counselor" dig. My guitar is mostly a dust collector, with the occasional twang contributed from my cat who loves the strings.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 6, 2009 10:51:54 PM
Hi Louise, Thanks for all your thoughtful and honest posts and calling out people who seem to have no problem being mean even when they're shown where they're wrong and a better way forward is suggested.
Certainly people have a right to be angry about many things. But Maniza and Manas would do themselves and others justice to realize that misdirected anger and intolerance and percieving things that aren't there is unhelpful at best and dangerous at worst. As the saying goes :Be the change you want to see in the world." I hope Maniza and Manas will think about that and consider more positive ways to deal with the "things" that set their "teeth on edge."
Best Regards,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 6, 2009 11:53:29 PM
Maniza,
I’m a bit surprised that your interlocutors are missing the context so blithely, both the current and historical. The charitable work is being carried out by this American while his own country kills hundreds of Pakistani civilians weekly with its drone bombers, a slaughter roundly praised by the same New York Times that finds his work so inspiring. This charitable work is being carried out in a country whose military dictators and army have been empowered by his own country for decades, empowered by the U.S. while they rob the country, jail and assassinate opponents and manipulate the struggle of the Kashmiri people to their own ends. This charitable work is being carried out a few score of miles from the other side of the “Line of Demarcation” where the Indian government, with the blessing of the United States has sent in a brutal occupying army of 1 solder for every 7 Kashmiris.
The cross of the missionary and the sword of the conquistador are two-handed weapons in the subjugation of people. The intentionality of the missionary does not really matter much. And in the bigger picture, sad to say, neither do his good works and good intentions. It’s not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up to the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone’s teeth on edge.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 6, 2009 11:59:04 PM
Hi Jesse, actually I appreciate your thoughtful comments, and I thought the "Christian Camp Counselor" comment was pretty funny. I plan on using it myself! The kids do giggle and find me amusing- and I like to clown around with them because I have this habit of wanting to bring smiles to children who don't always have a lot to smile about. And no doubt the video does give that "camp counselor with a guitar" sort of impression in the opening although in reality I'm quite busy with operations and only play a couple songs for groups of kids at our health fairs and medical camps once a month or so. I think they actually like my music- because they ALWAYS ask me to play more. Unfortunately for Maniza, her assessment of the local people's reactions to me was horribly disfigured by her overgeneralized worldview that she chose to transpose onto me, because she seems to harbor such a"stewing" and hatred that it overpowers her cognitive and analytical abilities when she is presented with a video of a white guy helping poor people in Pakistan. The piece had the effect of truly disturbibg her in a very deep and personal way, so much so that she couldn't reconcile her ingrained predudices with the what she was watching in the video, hence the great tension within her and the need to demonize me and my good works with some sort of sinister CIA-backed Lord of the Subcontinent scenario. She really does need to get out of the twighlight zone for her own good. Actually the people I serve love me because I love them, treat them with the dignity they deserve and have faithfully provided for their and their family's health needs for a long time, spending our money on medicines and things vital to our effectiveness instead of brand new Land Cruisers or other ostentatious displays of wealth or privilege. I have become part of the community because I live simply with the people, not behind some secure wall in Islamabad's diplomatic enclave. As far as my music, they are mostly fascinated and appreciative just to see a white person sing a song in their language, and it brings us closer together- and it's certainly a spectacle they don't see every day!
Best,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 7, 2009 12:33:56 AM
Yes Brian, It's true I am an American, but I am also a human being. Can you tell me what you are doing to get your hands dirty to help people who need help? What I do, I do for the betterment of Humanity, not the continued subjugation of people. I strongly suggest that you know what and who you are talking about before saying something that turns out to be dead wrong, as you have done in this case.
You write: "The intentionality of the missionary does not really matter much. And in the bigger picture, sad to say, neither do his good works and good intentions."
You are full of crap, because you know absolutely nothing about who I am, what I'm working on, or what I speak out against. But hopefully you aren't so entrenched in your talking points that you aren't able to extricate yourself from the chasm of ignorance your Brain has fallen into, where you believe you are mining for intellectual gold nuggets of wisdom to share but actually just shoveling worthless shit. It stink Brian, cut it out and get out of that dark hole and come into the light.
You write:
"It’s not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up to the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone’s teeth on edge.
It's not "so difficult" for me Brian. For your information Brian, when I came back from Pakistan on this latest trip, I was a featured speaker at The Wilson Institute for International Scholars, invited to brief a forum that included policy makers, State Dept. employees, USAID personel and other organizations involved with Pakistan. I was there to provide my assessment of the Swat refugee crisis (which my organization has been responding to for the past 7 weeks), however, I also spoke out quite forcefully against the Indian government and it's unjust occupation of Kashmir and our responsibility to ATONE for the failures and self-interested policies of our government in the region for the past thirty years which have contributed to great human suffering in Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world.
Quite frankly, the ignorance and indoctrination behind yours, Manas and Maniza's gross generalizations and ridiculous assumptions are quite surprising for a forum of this pedigree (especially in the absence of simply asking a few questions before coming to the most negative conclusions about me and my work and why I do it and what I stand up against).
It's downright frightening,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 7, 2009 1:15:09 AM
Do the Pakistanis that Mr. Shea has come into contact with approve of his efforts, or not?
If they do, who is Maniza to say that they are wrong?
Posted by: Sagredo | Jul 7, 2009 3:01:59 AM
I have had it with this crap! I seldom jump into comment threads like this, but I am now so disgusted and embarrassed by the accusations and innuendo directed at Todd here that I feel compelled to at least say: people, have you no shame?
This idiotic thread reminds me of a time when my wife and I were visiting Karachi and were driving somewhere with an old family acquaintance when he started going off about how Abdul Sattar Edhi (a saintly man, like Todd, who runs one of the largest charities in Pakistan which also runs an ambulance service, among many other things), saying that Edhi only provides ambulance services because he actually collects dead bodies of Pakistanis and sells their organs on the black market! I could not believe what I was hearing. Some people are so cynical and jaded that they cannot believe a good thing when they see one.
What Maniza and Manas and Brian, etc., have been saying here is shameful and revolting to me. Their accusations are ludicrous, without any basis in fact, racist, paranoid, and lacking the most minimal understanding or appreciation of human motivations. They have projected what they imagine to be morally questionable American state actions onto one of its citizens in the most racist and silly way possible. (I am also an American citizen, by the way.) None of these people have a small fraction of Todd's courage, and have essentially shown themselves to be the pettiest of paranoid critics. It is extremely sad.
Thank you, Louise, for being one of the few people to call out the utter nonsense being spewed here. And thank you for mentioning the work that my sister does (she also has idiots questioning her good works, as does anyone who tries to make a difference).
Todd is owed an apology here, but I know it will not be forthcoming from the people who need to offer it, so I will do something about it: I will soon start an effort at 3QD to raise funds for Todd's work in Pakistan. Power to him, and people like him. The rest of you can keep your "victims of imperialism" attitudes and stew in your own anger, instead of embracing someone decent who reaches out to you. What a sad and sorry and pathetically and pathologically self-pitying bunch you are.
Go ahead and attack me now. As usual, I will ignore it. (In other words, don't expect further reponse from me.) I am proud to stand with the Todds of this world.
Tell me I also work for the CIA now. Go ahead, I dare you!
Posted by: Abbas Raza | Jul 7, 2009 5:45:10 AM
Todd,
Glad you found it funny! I'm sure your good deeds will continue to not go unpunished, that I guess really does go with the territory, but lets hope all of this turns out to be an unlikely beginning of a new crop of supporters, and kudos to Abbas for offering help in that direction.
Posted by: Jesse | Jul 7, 2009 7:07:43 AM
Maniza,
I’m a bit surprised that your interlocutors are missing the context so blithely, both the current and historical. The charitable work is being carried out by this American while his own country kills hundreds of Pakistani civilians weekly with its drone bombers, a slaughter roundly praised by the same New York Times that finds his work so inspiring. This charitable work is being carried out in a country whose military dictators and army have been empowered by his own country for decades, empowered by the U.S. while they rob the country, jail and assassinate opponents and manipulate the struggle of the Kashmiri people to their own ends. This charitable work is being carried out a few score of miles from the other side of the “Line of Demarcation” where the Indian government, with the blessing of the United States has sent in a brutal occupying army of 1 solder for every 7 Kashmiris.
The cross of the missionary and the sword of the conquistador are two-handed weapons in the subjugation of people. The intentionality of the missionary does not really matter much. And in the bigger picture, sad to say, neither do his good works and good intentions. It’s not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone’s teeth on edge.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 7, 2009 8:23:52 AM
What a wonderful idea, Abbas.
Posted by: Elatia Harris | Jul 7, 2009 9:38:27 AM
What the heck!
I find having to defend myself utterly stupid, especially since what I said above is clear for all to see.
I never said that Todd Shea is CIA or anything else. On the contrary, I asked people to hold back their ideas about him because we do not know.
Louise, I will much appreciate if you stop putting words into my mouth. When I said
You said, "That's right, Manas. And Adam Ellick is simply a PR man for US imperialism throughout the globe." Implying that I said Todd was Washington's PR man. What nonsense. That's exactly the kind of statements I was opposed to because we do not know.When Todd came, I asked him drawing on Louise's meaningless oblique and in good humor whether he was "Washington's PR man." Todd's responses did not help the situation.
Todd,
Here is my stand, in brief. I never said you are CIA, and I asked you jokingly whether you are Washinigton's PR man. I do not like to accuse somebody of something unless I have good reason to believe so. I hope that satisfies you.
This thread, indeed has become very dirty.
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 7, 2009 10:30:00 AM
Isn't this guy like a religious missionary, with overtly good intentions (but squirming dark, hidden agendas in the subconscious), who has good intention, but his ignorance actually does more harm and damage that good?
Action, but not skillful action?
Or is it a balancing act, with on one hand, doing good work, while giving legitimacy to a system that is ultimately bad?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: Dave Ranning | Jul 7, 2009 11:42:49 AM
There have been many articulate opponents of US imperialism from the third world—such as Rashid Khalidi, Mahmood Mamdani, Edward Said, Eqbal Ahmad, Ibrahim Abu-Lughod—who also acquired a small but visible following in the US. What is common to them is the sheer power of their analysis, an appeal to a greater idea of fairness and justice, and the ability to see moral nuances in action.
This is not even remotely close to the scorched-earth policy that Maniza has adopted (I had hoped she would smarten up her initial stance but it hasn't happened). It hurts her cause more than she realizes. Especially revealing was her insinuation that people without college degrees can't do good (how many Pakistanis would that condemn?), her insistence that Todd is a drug addict when everything else says he no longer is, that he lives in a "huge mansion" (wtf?!). She harps on "context" but utterly fails to see the context of this story—a man trying to help on his own accord after a devastating earthquake.
I was left wondering—how much of this way of looking at the world seeps into her fiction? I was also reminded of Plutarch: ‘It isn't always in the most distinguished achievements that men's virtues or vices may be best discovered: but very often an action of small note, a short saying, or a jest, shall distinguish a person's real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battle.’
Posted by: Namit | Jul 7, 2009 1:35:26 PM
Todd
Do you take paypal?
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 7, 2009 1:43:43 PM
Hi Dave Ranning, Thanks for asking questions instead of shooting first with an ominous conclusion. Even though the questions do have a negative slant suggestive of where you might be leaning- it's still refreshing that you at least ask first.
To answer the first part of your query: There is no religious agenda behind my work or my organization- zero. Never has been and never will be. I am not working in Pakistan to convert anyone to anything. My supporters and I act out of love, concern and and a desire to serve humanity and those who are less fortunate. Same agenda that I had at on 9/11 in Lower Manhattan, The Tsunami in Sri Lanka and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Now, in order to answer your query precisely, I have some questions for you:
1) I can assure you that there are no "squirming and dark agendas in my subconcsious," but if that's not enough for you, please explain what "squirming and dark agendas" you imagine I might be pursuing?
2) If you want to elaborate on what ignorance you believe I may suffer from, I'd be happy to respond. Much has been made of the fact that I'm not college educated, but I would offer that just because someone didn't go to college doesn't necessarily mean they're ignorant, and just because someone did go to college doesn't automatically mean they aren't. And I think that premise has been demonstrated quite vividly in this thread in the last few days.
As far as your question "Action, but not skillful action?" I do take action, and it is skillful action, as I have 4 deployments managing logistics in large disasters that I've responded to over the last 8 years, and I've distinguished myself amongst my peers each time.
Lastly, I am not sure what "ultimately bad system" you wonder that I might be giving legitimacy to, so please elaborate, then I'd be happy to get your "inquiring mind" in the know.
Best,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 7, 2009 4:08:29 PM
Hi Carlos, We don't have a Paypal account, however, tax-deductible donations for the operation of our health facilities can be made online at our page on the website of Global Giving: www.globalgiving.com/1700
Thanks!
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 7, 2009 4:17:04 PM
Hi Manas, Sorry if I somehow appeared to assert that you had insinuated that i was with the CIA. I stand corrected.
As far as asking me if I was "Washington's PR Man," it read as very snide and sarcastic. Without the benefit of tone, facial expression, ect. it was hard, from my side on the recieving end, to know that you were joking in a light-hearted and good-natured manner. Sorry if I misunderstood.
Clearly you haven't been hateful and virulent like Maniza, but you did state as if it were undeniable fact that "the New York Times ran this story to evoke the "goodness" of American imperialism."
Then you offered my statement
"I'm not the most qualified, but I'm the one who's here" as proof of this sinister endeavor. Well, I've gotta tell ya, I make this statement all the time in many places and forums and it's never manipulated or coaxed by the Times or anyone else. It's the simple truth and an important point that I like to highlight, and sends a very real and useful message that apparently escaped you, along with those who were sniffing around for more "dark and squirming" things.
Then you told me what Googling myself means to me. Sorry Man, but that was over the top ridiculous. Hopefully you've learned not to tell people why they have have done something before you've first considered other possibilities and then ask why they've done it. It's only the courteous and respectful thing to do to withhold judgement until you have enough facts to make a solid judgement that will float when you put it in the waters of truth and justice.
But no hard feelings...
Best,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 7, 2009 4:43:21 PM
Todd's Joint - Global Giving
Paypal is accepted.
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 7, 2009 5:04:05 PM
Todd,
Thanks for understanding.
Now to the statement-
That, about NYT- not you. If you please see the whole comment again you will see what I mean.
It is my belief that NYT, while editing that video, chose that statement over others in order to say- "you need us Americans to save yourselves." In other words, they wanted to paint all America in the Todd color (as in the video- helpful, do-gooder, go-getter), which some of them- especially the elements in the past administration- do not deserve.
As you had been working there, I am sure you have met many exemplary Pakistani men working selflessly. The reason NYT chose you, over others, is because you are American.
Anyway, much time and energy has been wasted over misunderstandings and hard feelings. I wish you all the best.
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 7, 2009 5:08:43 PM
Todd-
We all have motives we are not aware of in our subconscious, and I will not pretend to know what lurks in yours, but one must acknowledge most of conscious action is just a justification of decisions made on a subconscious level, and is giving the illusion of free will.
I commend you for "getting your hands dirty," and materially helping your fellow humans.
However, some political and historical literacy may needed to be added to the skill set.
Inadvertently, you many be perpetuating a political and social paradigm that may in the long (possibly even the short) be more harmful than good, in legitimizing a historical and political relationship that has helped to enslave and impoverishes the people you are working with.
But my hat is off to your good work and intention.
Posted by: Dave Ranning | Jul 7, 2009 7:13:23 PM
Dave Ranning: "one must acknowledge most of conscious action is just a justification of decisions made on a subconscious level, and is giving the illusion of free will."
Thanks for the hat's off Dave, but I couldn't disagree more with the above statement. Other than the boundaries of time, space, earth, gravity and death and the occasional setback dealt by Constitution-shredding thugs like Eliot Spitzer and his former posse, I can report to you that the state of my free will has been and is very strong.
Dave Ranning: "I commend you for "getting your hands dirty," and materially helping your fellow humans. However, some political and historical literacy may needed to be added to the skill set."
Or may not. While I hope to never stop learning, I am pretty much certain that my "skill set" has more than enough "political and historical literacy" to understand that the work I'm doing (and the work I'm planning to do in the future) is not only NOT harmful for the people I'm serving, but in fact quite empowering and good for them and their children's future.
Dave Ranning: "Inadvertently, you many be perpetuating a political and social paradigm that may in the long (possibly even the short) be more harmful than good, in legitimizing a historical and political relationship that has helped to enslave and impoverishes the people you are working with."
No Sir, Dave. Not a chance that I'll be legitimizing any relationships that have helped enslave anyone, but I'd be more than happy for you to enlighten as to what you believe is the "political and social paradigm" that you imagine I "may" be "perpetrating." I gotta say this Dave- forgive me, but honestly, your post seems to be an example of where a smart person ends up getting mired in analytical silliness by overthinking, overpoliticizing and trying way too hard to say some fancy schmancy babble to impress others with how absolutely magnificent their command is of all things scholarly.
But I'm happy to indulge you further if you really want kick the ball back my way.
Best,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 8, 2009 2:24:14 AM
Thanks Abbas, I really appreciate your kind gesture to help support my organization and its mission.
By the way, this is a great website! I've had a couple days after the APPNA Conference to relax a bit before heading out, and spent most of the time (other than catching up on emails and clerical work) reading your posts and content.
Mubarak for putting together such a cool site. I wish I had discovered it much earlier.
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 8, 2009 2:44:33 AM
Dear Maniza, Manas, and Brian,
In a righteous fit of temper yesterday, I went overboard in my angry tone. I apologize for that. People are entitled to their own opinions, but as someone once said, people are not entitled to their own facts, and I haven't seen any facts to make me suspect Todd's work as anything but good.
I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but like some of you, I also sometimes let my bad temper get the better of me! :-)
Todd, yes, we will try to help your organization here at 3QD. Am still figuring out exactly how. Thanks for all your comments, as well as for your work in Pakistan.
Posted by: Abbas Raza | Jul 8, 2009 4:33:28 AM
How amazing that the subject of a post actually adds his own detailed comments to the thread. This has never happened in posts about God.
Posted by: aguy109 | Jul 8, 2009 7:06:14 AM
or even Dawkins
Posted by: Carlos | Jul 8, 2009 9:13:51 AM
Todd - that was a perfect response. Unfortunately that's all you get around here - an I'm better than you attitude. It's just part of the leftist creed - in order to feel like you need to overthrow the existing order so you can control things, you need to know better than anyone else about everything, and you have to be reflexively opposed to anything that might be associated with the existing order.
Instead of protesting America's wars, Maniza (and your ilk), which have been fought against what everyone should recognize were the world's most odious regimes, why don't you protest the violence and internal repression inside your fellow traveler America/white people/Christian haters? Oh, because that wouldn't fit your world view, would it? The truth is that if America doesn't act, nothing happens, and oppressed people continue to be oppressed. Everyone criticizes American war making, but they never consider who those wars were/are against, who the enemy is. In each case you will find it is someone worthy of the tag enemy. America protected the Kuwaitis against external aggression in 1991, protected the (mostly Muslim) Bosnians against Serb aggression in 1995, protected (mostly Muslim) Albanians against Serb aggression in 1999, overthrew a regime that publicly executed women for adultery (among many other crimes) in 2001, and overthrew a regime that gassed its own people (among other crimes) in 2005. These are the wars that America is so criticized for. In each case there were hapless helpless victims and brutal repressors. Yet you choose to protest America and leave the despots of the world alone!
Getting back to Todd, this man's actions are the embodiment of all that is good about people. How can you rationally criticize him in anyway? He is kicking ass! And how can you criticize NYT for reporting on him - it's a great story? Are we only supposed to see negative reporting, only supposed to see reporting that fits with your world view?
Posted by: DR | Jul 8, 2009 9:43:56 AM
No apologies necessary, Abbas.
I'm with Dave on this one, though. Despite Todd's best intention, the fact that he's a white American lends it to be used by predators. There is one more reason I would much rather support a local Pakistani organization- they likely will have a lot better understanding of the situation on the ground, and they are more likely to stay moored to the land.
Abbas, your brother runs an organization too, doesn't he?
Posted by: Manas Shaikh | Jul 8, 2009 10:34:59 AM
Whoa! No apologies Abbas, you're the best. I threw the punch first--Dare I continue?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 8, 2009 11:16:25 AM
Hi Manas, It's funny that you assume that CDRS isn't "a local Pakistani organization." In fact, it absolutely is:
1) Comprehensive Disaster Response Services (CDRS) is a legally registered non-profit Social Welfare entity under the Pakistan Societies Registration Act
2) The Board of Directors are Pakistanis
3) Most of our support comes from Pakistani Americans and we have not recieved any funding to date from the U.S. Government or any other government or their contractors (unless one considers UNICEF part of a government)
4) CDRS operates with the blessing of and under official agreement with the Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority of Pakistan (ERRA), The AJK Secretary for Health and the AJK Government.
5) CDRS and I recieved the Tamhga-i-Eisaar Medal from Pakistan, two official honors from the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Government, was honored by the Muzaffarabad Citizens Forum and education NGO Rise and recieved honors from the King Edward Medical College Alumni Association and The Associaion of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America.
6) Have the rich experience of serving and living on ground with the people of Pakistan ever since October 17, 2005
7) Have committed to serving Pakistan and Kashmir until the day I die
Hopefully, all of the above qualifies CDRS as a local Pakistan organization, and hopefully my being a white guy doesn't nullify our achievements, qualifications and worthiness of your support
Respectfully,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 8, 2009 11:17:37 AM
Maniza: I threw the punch first--Dare I continue?
Hi Maniza, I think enough punches have been thrown, and I'm sure most would agree with me on that.
You and I are actually on the same team, can you accept that? Or is it just too revolting for you to think of a white guy as good enough to be a teammate in bettering this world and addressing injustices and tragedies in more productive ways.
Time to put down your fists, I don't want to fight anyway.
Respectfully,
Todd
Posted by: Todd Shea | Jul 8, 2009 11:29:29 AM
Maniza and Brian,
I'm one of those dumblings who may be "uneducated," having dropped out of college, so maybe you both can help me figure this out. Maniza, after Namit mentioned your literature, I Googled your books and discovered that you were or are employed by the World Bank in Washington, DC. And from such a vantage point, apparently, you view disaster relief in Pakistan as promoting US imperialism in a kind of good cop, bad cop scenario with US military actions in the region. I know I'm oversimplifying, but I hope I'm not being simplistic in summing up your objections to an American's disaster relief efforts in Pakistan.
The last paragraph of Brian's post captured my attention:
It's not about a not-so-ugly American. It’s about the country he represents. It is so easy for people in the heart of the Empire to be charitable towards the poor, bereft and toiling masses elsewhere. It is so difficult for them to stand up to the activities of their own country, which enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largess possible. It is a contradiction that should set everyone's teeth on edge.
Is it possible that the World Bank also "enforces the exploitation and poverty that makes their charitable largesse possible"?
I read a recent article from the biased US media on how the World Bank had given Pakistan a huge loan for development in the country:
reuters
World Bank approves $900 mln in loans for Pakistan
Thu Jun 4, 2009 9:19pm EDT
WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Thursday approved $900 million in loans to improve education in Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces and support a poverty-fighting fund for local community groups.
The World Bank money comes as Pakistan struggles with a balance of payments crisis and fighting in the northwest of the country that has left 2.5 million people homeless.
The World Bank said the $650 million in financing for the Punjab and separate Sindh education sector reform projects were aimed at encouraging more children to go to school and improve the quality of schooling.
Also, another $250 million for the Third Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, which the Bank has supported since 2000 and has reached more than 2 million people, will seek to support community groups with financing, micro-credit loans and skills training for the poor. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Gary Hill)
Then I read a review in Counterpunch of a book that claims the World Bank and the IMF more or less enforce US economic hegemony throughout the world, with lending practices that end up keeping people poor instead of actually helping them.
SuperImperialism
Of course, this interview is from Counterpunch, the super-leftist online rag, so we have to account for its bias. And I really don't know anything about the author of the book in question. Maybe he's one of those anti-American conspiracy authors whose work appears in anti-Imperialist sources like Third World Traveler.
Here are excerpts from the article that portray the World Bank as a less than benevolent lender:
Not only do university economics departments remain dominated by the ersatz laissez faire notions of the Chicago School, but so are US Government, the World Bank, the IMF, the WTO and the European central banks. The result has been the censorship of those few economists willing to point out that the US is very much the center of imperialism, unwilling to engage in the "free trade" or laissez faire that it promotes abroad....
Only recently, when World Bank head and Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz resigned in order to speak out against the sister institution of the IMF did this get serious attention. But Stiglitz remains defensive of the World Bank itself and continues to believe its goals despite no evidence that anything good has come from it, overlooking its complicity in promoting structural adjustments that have proved ecologically destructive and entirely in the American financial interests. The real expose was published over thirty years earlier despite an active campaign to keep the story out of the press, out of the university and out of the government....
Michael Hudson: The Nixon people didn't realize. I got an $80,000 grant from the Hudson Institute to explain it to them. The Nixon people said, "Oh gee. That's great". Then they turned my analysis of imperialism into a "How To" book. I had written it as a "How Not To" book, but the nation doing the exploitation was more interested in learning how the system worked than were the countries being exploited. I started to consult for Canada, Mexico and other countries. Canada had been accommodating toward the World Bank and IMF, but when they realized the extent to which these organizations were rigged to further the balance of payments problem, they felt exploited....
People are now beginning to raise the question of whether countries really need their central banks, which are essentially lobbyists for the Washington Consensus, as are the World Bank and the IMF. They follow the Chicago School in lobbying for high rates and a large cushion of unemployed so as to maximize financial power relative to labor and the products it produces. Financial exploitation now exceeds the old-fashioned exploitation of labor by actually employing it, albeit for low wages....
Whether or not there are more U.S. military adventures in the Middle East, it seems crucial to expose to the world not only the lives lost, not only the private profits being made, but also how the U.S. Government has managed to fund these wars at everyone else's expense. At the moment, it seems these wars only send more dollars abroad_both in IMF, World Bank loans, but also in U.S. humanitarian "aid" and military personnel expenditures. Thus, the dollar surplus abroad only creates more demand for U.S. Treasuries and more foreign dependence on the continuing existence of the U.S. Empire....
Someone probably has to go to college to understand all this, but maybe one of you could explain to me how the World Bank actually has the interests of the oppressed at heart as opposed to the interests of Empire. Thank you.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 8, 2009 3:55:19 PM
Good job Louise!
So what conclusions did you draw about my motivations?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 8, 2009 8:11:10 PM
"Good job." That is so thrilling to hear, almost like getting the grade of A+ in reform school.
You didn't specify whether you wanted me to answer in multiple choice format or essay, so I'll do multiple choice now, saving the essay for another day. I actually doubt if I could possibly fathom your motivations for being so gratuitously unkind to someone whose work you believe is tainted by machinations in Washington, DC. But I'll speculate.
A) This thread was a pilot for a Missionary Position type of expose. Hitchens had so much success in that, er, genre, that you thought you might leverage book sales through an expose of Todd.
B) Tied to A, you thought you might build on the first book's success by co-authoring something along the lines of God Is Not Great with Dave Ranning.
C) You aspire to follow in the footsteps of Robert Strange McNamara and don't like living white males sans your qualifications muscling in on your exclusive largesse.
McNamara
D) You let your fictional imagination run wild and went from spy story to 3QD without realizing it, portraying Todd as if he were a villain from an MKUltra experiment instead of the hard worker and saver of lives that he is.
E) You realize now that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones and you're going to apologize to Todd for being unfair to him and trashing his character and good works in public.
F) You're not sorry at all, and since you know that 3QDers aren't Amish and don't shun, you'll proceed on your way without being gracious enough to apologize.
G) You will now transfer your free-floating hostility towards living white males to me for having been inexcusably mean on 3QD. So mean that I'm afraid I may be excoriated in public by Teacher, er, I mean the editor, Abbas. So I'll stop now.
Here's an essay I found on the Web that you might enjoy.
paranoid
I'm not sure you bring out the best in me, Maniza. But I hope through the example of people like Todd I'll learn to be more forgiving and to have more compassion for all those who are suffering.
Posted by: Louise Gordon | Jul 8, 2009 9:46:56 PM
Are we done here? C'mon people where are you?
Posted by: maniza | Jul 10, 2009 10:18:25 AM
Tea anyone?
Posted by: maniza | Apr 18, 2011 4:31:28 PM
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