Afghanistan mistake could have been avoided

Having lived in three developing countries for 17 years, I met very fine Americans as well as arrogant, and ignorant Americans. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy, USAID, Peace Corp, U.S. Military, UNICEfF, UNESCO, and missionaries are among those I encountered. Many stayed briefly, never getting to know the culture.

Not fitting into any of those categories gave me special insight into others and myself. Most Americans, including me, travel with American glasses and don’t often see what is happening right before our eyes. For instance, in Sierra Leone, I saw women working the fields and tho...