Alas, the Boy Scouts violate American values and model bigotry, hate and hypocrisy. They do not honor their own Scout Oath: "To do my duty to .... my country" and "To help other people at all times". They do not honor American ideals of freedom and equality regardless of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age, or sexual orientation. The rest of the US has grown up but the Boy Scouts have not and now would be more aptly named the Bigot Scouts.

Despite the critical 60 Minutes report (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/15/60minutes/main20054397.shtml) and AIP report (http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/CentralAsiaInstitute.html), I currently still highly recommend this organization.

In the big picture this organization has had a huge positive impact on how the general public and the US military understand what is happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even its critics and 60 minutes admit that it has succeeded in educating many girls and having a tremendous positive impact.

No the organization or the leader can be expected to be perfect. CAI is working in an area that is extremely challenging. By his own admission in his books, Greg Mortenson admits to not being so great with administrative matters -- he is a doer, not a detailed administrator. It does appear that some issues need buttoning up. But it is important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Give CAI some time and I believe it will address the concerns that have been raised. The US government itself has made many much bigger errors, yet it has survived and continues to improve. Life is complicated and messy.

Even with some "inefficiencies", CAI and Greg Mortenson are still doing more for Peace with fewer dollars than any other organization I know. Greg's books are still worth reading.