AfghaniDan

A young man's strange, erotic journey from Milan to Minsk...and apparently, back again.

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Location: Denver, Colorado, United States

The details of my life are quite inconsequential, really. Summers in Rangoon...luge lessons...

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Meeting with professors

Last week, I took part in a meeting between the leadership of Khost University (yes, there really is one) and representatives from our task force and the local provincial reconstruction team. It was productive in that a partnership with American University has been in the works, thanks to my friend Capt. Moore. This is the group hug I arranged at the meeting's end, on the new deck (!) built onto our Media Operations Center. It was a very welcome break from the routine...

That's Moore, running the show. This partnership actually began with an initiative by my predecessor to lend a hand to their journalism department. I got to be the point man early on in this meeting, so I now I could just sit and try to concentrate while fighting the urge to pass out. It was a little ripe in there, so that helped.

Lunch was amazing as always, when Aziz and his crew do their thing. I should probably schedule more meetings while I'm here, just to make sure we score some more lunches. There were actually so many attendees that we had to use both rooms...it was typical Afghan style, since we were told to expect four and welcomed 14 instead.

Shaking hands with Khost University Chancellor Mohammad Fayaz at the meeting's conclusion. He was very grateful for any assistance they can receive, since they have thousands of students but very few resources. The university actually opened as a refugee college, when many residents of this region lived in Pakistan to escape the Taliban.

One of their department heads checks out some of American U's donated books. If anyone reading this blog is affiliated with a college or university that wants to donate books or resources, please comment and I'll let you know where to send the goods. The success or failure of education in this country will be one of the most crucial determining factors in what kind of future they can expect here (sorry to be preachy, but I mean it).

8 Comments:

Blogger LTC John said...

Good on ya! What subjects do you need texts/references for?

March 1, 2006 at 7:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are a bad man, Jerry ... a verrry bad man!

March 1, 2006 at 7:10 AM  
Blogger Those Few Extra Pounds said...

Hey Dan

Check out www.internews.org

...lots of great journalism resources, particularly for international ("emerging democracy") training.

On the homepage of Internews, follow "Mideast & N. Africa" from the left margin, once there, follow the "Open Media Fund" link; this may prove beneficial to your friends in the journalism dept.

Again, feel free to e-mail me for additional info (blogliz@yahoo.com), the folks at Internews are good pals of mine...

I helped out Said Jawaad a couple of years back when he was working with IN- if you're working to that caliber and by chance have contact with him at all, he could provide input, too, regarding Internews...

Ciao for now. Still love the blog.

March 1, 2006 at 6:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, what do you need (books wise)? I work at a large university.

March 2, 2006 at 8:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A few questions;
What type of books do you want, and they would most likely be in english. Would that be allright?

We {soldiers angels} can call some universities here and see if they want to donate some.
saoirse_sa@yahoo.com

March 3, 2006 at 10:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly.

March 7, 2006 at 10:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Dan Sir;

Would like to offer some assistance to you and yours. If its not aganst regulations , could bounce back a contact address for yourself or your chaplain.
I think Operation Support our Troops Illinois would appreciate the opportunity to offer some support in your current endevors.

you may contact me at CoF51stlrp@aol.com or visit our website at www.osotil.org .

March 26, 2006 at 2:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dan,
I'm Captain Battistas' shorter(but ten minutes older) twin brother and was gald to see my brothers photos on your page.Pass this message on to him if you can:Hey brother Bart,I hope all is well and you and your marines are kicking ass . It's really nice to see photos of you and your unit. the page is a hoot. Christopher Ray is smiling and laughing a lot. Work is good, passis the time until I can be licensed. I hope to hear from you soon.
Semper FI.
With Love and solidarity
ASA Battista

April 25, 2006 at 12:49 AM  

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