[URBANTH-L]New Network of Concerned Anthropologists

[FromYosee at aol.com]

I am sure this plan is well-intentioned.  However, there is a part of  this 
that sounds counterproductive to the stability of our country as well as  that 
of others.  Consider this:  Would it be better to have a ban  of all 
anthropologists as consultants to counter-insurgency  agencies and have a bunch of PAC 
guided politicians run the show (as has  been in the past)?   I would think 
the inclusion (not  exclusion) of conscientious research-oriented 
anthropologists  has more of a chance in bringing some sanity to this chaotic mess.   



In a message dated 9/30/2007 12:10:07 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
jancius at ohio.edu writes:

From:  Robert T. O'Brien <robrien at temple.edu>

Please see below and  attached and forward as appropriate.

Rob


Forwarded from:  Andy Bickford <bickford17 at yahoo.com>:     

The  Department of Defense and allied agencies are
mobilizing anthropologists  for interventions in the 
Middle East and beyond.  It is likely that  larger,
more permanent initiatives are in the works.

Over the last  several weeks, we have created an ad hoc
group, the Network of Concerned  Anthropologists, with 
the objective of promoting an ethical  anthropology.
Working together, we have drafted a pledge  of
non-participation in counter-insurgency, which we have
organized as a  petition (see attachment). We invite
you to become a part of this effort by  taking the
following steps:

Download and print the attached pledge  (in .pdf
format). Ask your colleagues to sign the pledge, and
promptly  send it to us via regular mail. Our address 
is Network of Concerned  Anthropologists, c/o Dept. of
Anthropology, George Mason University, 4400  University
Drive, MS 3G5, Fairfax, VA 22030 (USA). If it is  more
convenient, email a .pdf copy of collected signatures 
and send it  to us at
concerned.anthropologists at gmail.com.

Forward this message  to your colleagues, and encourage 
them to sign.

Join our network by  emailing us at 
concerned.anthropologists at gmail.com. Be sure to
include  your name, title, and affiliation. We will add 
you to our email  list.

Visit our web site at  
http://concerned.anthropologists.googlepages.com/home
for more  information and updates. 

Email us at  concerned.anthropologists at gmail.com if you
would like more information or  if you have questions.

Sincerely yours,
Network of Concerned  Anthropologists

Catherine Besteman
Andrew Bickford
Greg Feldman  
Roberto Gonzalez
Hugh Gusterson
Gustaaf Houtman
Kanhong  Lin
Catherine Lutz
David Price
David  Vine

****************************************
Breathe in. Breathe  out.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Forget this and attaining  Enlightenment
will be the least of your problems.

Robert T. O'Brien  
Assistant Instructor
Department of Anthropology 
Rutgers, The State  University of New Jersey 
robertob at rci.rutgers.edu
robrien at temple.edu  
215-803-5181








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