Welcome to The Kettle!

Primarily, "The Kettle" publicizes and manages the "Three Cups of Tea Book Project." However, as described in our very first post (click here), we also hope to use "The Kettle" as a medium for individuals interested in social issues to become more aware of the lives of those less fortunate. Ideally, whatever we write or publish here will take that nascent concern and transform it into action. To inspire any action, small or large, in the genuine interest of doing better for the world is our ultimate goal.

Though heavily slanted towards Pakistan and Afghanistan presently, we do try to include news, opinions, and reference materials regarding diverse topics, including poverty, reconstruction, human rights, Africa, "Green" developments, Micro Finance, and other solutions and considerations for what are essentially man made problems in the world. In the universe of charitable options, we endorse and support multigenerational solutions and initiatives for multigenerational problems.

The education made possible by the Central Asia Institute is one such solution, but there are certainly others. We encourage the commitment of resources and people that goes beyond merely "patriarchal" handouts to the multitude of people in need. We agree that it is good to charitable, but charity that only treats the symptoms and not the root causes has proven to be insufficient. A consistent commitment to work with the local communities of people in need to provide and/or improve education, nutrition, access to capital, human rights, security, sustainable development/redevelopment, and environmental stewardship are what will lead to an enduring improvement in people's lives.

If you have any questions, general comments, and suggestions for improvements, please leave a comment on any of the posts below, and we'll follow up with you!

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Monday, May 25, 2009

NY Times: U.S. Captain Hears Pleas for Afghan Detainee


By RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr.
Published: May 25, 2009
An American officer, who in civilian life is a policeman, helped find a lawyer for a man held as a suspected Taliban leader.

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Captain Black should be commended for putting in the extra effort to listen to locals in Afghanistan. Instead, he is investigated by the military and told to stop speaking about the case. The war for the hearts and minds of people in Afghanistan is already lost if we can't act by the same principles this country was founded on. Does the basic human right of habeas corpus not apply to non-Americans? How about non-Westerners? Fear does not excuse tyranny.

Conditions are hard and good information and records are hard to come by in Afghanistan. So, I don't blame the U.S. Military for making mistakes. Mistakes by themselves won't lead to ruin...but a failure to learn from them and do better certainly will.

-- The Kettle Rumbles
Posted by The Kettle
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2 comments:

  1. dyannaMay 25, 2009 at 7:15 AM

    I like your blog.I'm waiting for your new posts.

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  2. The KettleMay 26, 2009 at 3:36 PM

    I am glad you like it, dyanna. I just put up a new posting for an article I found interesting. You can subscribe via RSS feed or via email for future updates/posts by going to this link: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/TheKettle
    Thanks for visiting us!

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