http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2008-08-07T18:10:00-05:00
Hey Alison - remember me? It's Andrea, from grade school! If you have a spare minute or two, please send me your email sometime and we can catch up. Does your family still live in Ohio?

It sounds like you're doing some exciting stuff - keep up the good work! I've enjoyed reading your blog; it has given me some perspective about an area of the world I don't know much about. I'm looking forward to more postings!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/update_afghanistan/ Mon Jan 14, 2008
Alison, I appreciate that you identify your idealism and optimism about the direction of Afghanistan. And I look forward to more frequent postings. With family in the area, I wish I could find more comfort in your outlook. I am reading as much as I can - history, fiction and daily news updates. I can only begin to understand the unique nature of the Afghan people but you're right, they do have qualities that have been shaped by their history and now by their isolation that set them apart from their neighbors. But in my reading and listening, I'm not seeing much evidence that our presence is helping the people or the country in a way that will make a difference. It seems so insurmountable. I am a believer in humanitarian efforts and applaud the work of the PRT but as someone who lost a family member in the Vietnam War, I'm very wary of making another sacrifice. Needless to say, that means my objectivity will always fall short but I'm looking for reassurance at this point so please point me toward that information so I can join you in your optimism.

But here's an easy one for you. Please explain the time difference between U.S. and Afghanistan? What's with that half hour difference? 

Be safe (is there a Dari or Pashto phrase for this?) Janet]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/update_afghanistan/ Fri Dec 28, 2007