Brewing up controversy, literally.

I am a fan of Greg Mortenson's and that is why my inbox and my Facebook wall were flooded with emails and posts last week about the fall of my hero. Three words: I don't care.

The journalists I know won't be happy when I say that you don't believe everything that these journalists say. You use your head. Similarly, you don't believe everything you read. When you read any non-fiction book, say a biography, you know not all of it is going to be true. It has been written so that it makes for a nice story, makes you cry, or laugh. So that it inspires you. You use your head. On the same note, you treat people like people. The minute you want to worship a man like a god is the minute you are going to be disappointed. We are not infallible, that is exactly why we are humans.

The 60 Minutes piece about Greg Mortenson is a powerful example of how cleaver editing and storytelling with a bias can damage the reputation and the work of a good man. And although it may have theatrical and visual impact, it does little where truth is concerned. 

Anyone who reads and researches knows that Greg Mortenson has denied all of these accusations. He and his board have answered all of the questions with reasonable and plausible answers. At least $20 million is in a trust fund to carry on his work. The CAI board asked its lawyer to review its financial practices before 60 Minutes began work on their story. The review found nothing to be illegal or unethical. In fact, it discovered benefits to the Central Asia Institute that far exceeded the benefits to Greg Mortenson. His fundraising supports school construction and educational campaigns. Concerning his speaking engagements, he is doing what any writer would do: he is making good use of the limited window any author has to engage audiences, sell his book, create awareness of his mission and raise funds for the work he is doing.

This unfortunate story masquerading as objective journalism will make Greg Mortenson’s work much more difficult, but I believe he will prevail. He will continue to build schools, and those of us who believe in his important work will continue to support him.

On a lighter note, here is a song that is stuck in my head these days. Coincidentally, it is about the place Mortenson fell in love with. I mean, who wouldn't? "He who comes here once, leaves his heart behind."