The Peace Corps is invited by governments in need, to provide aid, and we are often sent to places that are “less than stable” politically. Since it’s inception in 1961, the Peace Corps has struggled with the danger of its volunteers being suspected of espionage. The Peace Corps works to dispell that image, for example, by barring anyone who ever worked for the CIA in any from Peace Corps service. For life. Government employees in other branches that might conflict are made aware of the situation as well, and are specifically trained not to solicit information from Peace Corps volunteers. This even trickles down to our daily lives: we can’t wear old fatigues, for instance, because that might imply a relationship with the military.  

This sense of political caution also carrys over to what we say. We are STONGLY discouraged from any interaction with political groups, and we are barred entirely from making public policical commentary. This has a personal safety function, as well; sometimes political expression draws violence in the third world.

I am telling you all this to explain a change I made in the blog yesterday. Part of my job here (actually, it’s the third of the Peace Corps’s prime directives) is to share my experiences with Americans back home. As such, you read about my life as I see it. Occasionally, it’s disturbing, or uplifting, or confusing, or entertaining.  I’m not a political person by nature, but every once in a while, my comments might be seen as political. With this in mind, I removed a few entries. I am strongly against censorship of any kind, but much like yelling “fire!” in a crowded theatre, this is a special case that could affect the safety of myself, my wife, or even my fellow volunteers.

My consolation in all of this is that Emily and I are thinking of writing a book about our experiences when we get back. Will it sell a single copy? Tzet xami! (who knows!) The book will, however, include the hidden passages as well as a lot more social commentary that might possibly be construed as “political”.