Three Cups of Tea Allegations

Recently it's come to the forefront that Greg Mortenson and his organization, Central Asia Institute, which has built schools for girls throughout Afghanistan, may be stretching the truth. I thought Mortenson's two books, Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools were fascinating, and Three Cups of Tea made my own top 10 for 2009. In fact, I was so moved by that book I felt called to take some action, but never ended up writing that check and sending it to the Central Asia Institute headquartered in Montana. It's a good thing I didn't, because Mortenson, whether guilty or innocent, sure is acting squirrely. 60 Minutes recently featured a segment on the investigations into the schools Mortenson has supposedly built, as well as the accounting practices of his organization. My guess is that if he had nothing to hide and if he knew that he and his Institute were 100% in the clear, he would have accepted 60 Minutes' invitation to appear and clear his own name. Instead, he refused to be interviewed with the program, and at the end of their segment, when he was approached, he looks like a deer in the headlights. Isn't it disappointing to think that someone who professes to do so much good may not have done all the good he says he has?