Comments on: Anthropology on the War Front http://gravlee.org/medanthro/2007/10/22/anthropology-on-the-war-front/ Course website for Fall 2009 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:04:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kim Cox http://gravlee.org/medanthro/2007/10/22/anthropology-on-the-war-front/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Kim Cox Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:02:42 +0000 http://gravlee.org/medanthro/2007/10/22/anthropology-on-the-war-front/#comment-57 I agree with the pledge of non-participation. Based on first-hand stories I have heard from a colleague who has worked recently in Afghanistan and others who have been in Iraq, the NY Times article sounds basically like propaganda to me. My husband, an active member of Veterans for Peace, was quick to point out that the portrait of the sensitive female anthropologist informing paratroopers about the local culture sounded like a "fairy tale" to him, based on his military experience. Since I have no personal experience in a warzone, all I really have to go on is the stories of those I trust who have been there and seen what our government is up to. What I DO know from personal experience is that reporters cannot be relied upon to report the truth, however. One million Iraqi deaths speaks volumes. That said, and based on what I know about Human Terrain Teams from the Vietnam era, I think anthropologists are treading on very shaky ethical ground by being involved with Bush's "New World Order" agenda. I agree with the pledge of non-participation. Based on first-hand stories I have heard from a colleague who has worked recently in Afghanistan and others who have been in Iraq, the NY Times article sounds basically like propaganda to me. My husband, an active member of Veterans for Peace, was quick to point out that the portrait of the sensitive female anthropologist informing paratroopers about the local culture sounded like a “fairy tale” to him, based on his military experience. Since I have no personal experience in a warzone, all I really have to go on is the stories of those I trust who have been there and seen what our government is up to. What I DO know from personal experience is that reporters cannot be relied upon to report the truth, however. One million Iraqi deaths speaks volumes. That said, and based on what I know about Human Terrain Teams from the Vietnam era, I think anthropologists are treading on very shaky ethical ground by being involved with Bush’s “New World Order” agenda.

]]> By: Erica Gibson http://gravlee.org/medanthro/2007/10/22/anthropology-on-the-war-front/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Erica Gibson Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:52:44 +0000 http://gravlee.org/medanthro/2007/10/22/anthropology-on-the-war-front/#comment-55 http://concerned.anthropologists.googlepages.com/ Here's a link to a pledge of non-participation in counterinsurgency by anthropologists. http://concerned.anthropologists.googlepages.com/

Here’s a link to a pledge of non-participation in counterinsurgency by anthropologists.

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