A Club in the Hands of the Politically Correct – Part 5

Greetings:

Before I get back into this stuff I want to share with you some humorous moments that came out of the “last PC post” back in September. I got a lot of calls and messages regarding my termination. More than a few times, and this is the funny part, “My God, Bill, if they can nail you on something like this they can get any of us! Damn, I left some stuff off my application that I know I should have put on there, but I didn’t want to screw up my chances. And I padded my CV with a ton of crap!” “Don’t worry! I promise no one back in DC gives a shit!” Yeah, I’m calming her down. I’m guessing there were more than a couple sleepless volunteers over the next weeks.

***

So, where were we? Right. I got the notice from Lateefah Burgess that she was considering my termination from PC/Albania – that was on Thursday morning August 20. After some (doubtful) review, she evidently sent word out after her weekend and on Wednesday morning August 26 I get the call from the Country Director.

After his drive he meets me at a coffee bar. (That’s where people meet in Albania.) Man, it’s a beautiful day in Albania and while I’m waiting for him to show up I’m thinking, “OK. Not the end of the world. I mean for hell’s sake this isn’t world hunger or world peace!” Of course I start laughing – well yeah, it is world peace! It’s the damn Peace Corps for crying out loud. OK – you had to be there.

We sit and talk. Commiserations, etc. He explains the separation procedure, paperwork, flight back to Salt Lake City, etc. I stop him, “I’m not going back to the states. Pretty sure I’ve made it clear to everyone that I planned on living in Albania after the Peace Corps.” “But don’t you want to go back to be with your family?” “We’ll visit on Skype and I’ll make a trip when things settle down, but move back? It’d be too much for them dealing with a basket case. And I have plenty of friends and support here with the volunteers, staff and locals.” We visit on this; he talks about the work I can still do. I ask if there’s a problem with me still living in Elbasan, how long before I have to move out of the apartment, etc? He says not a bit, the apartment is mine if I want, I’ve been paying the rent with PC allowance but I can keep it – between me and the landlord. Well, he’d like me to come into Tirana the next day and start the paperwork – I beg off asking one day to gather my thoughts and hit the office first thing Friday. No problem, hang tough, talk to you later.

My counterpart connected with me shortly after that; not sure I moved from the table, can’t remember. I remember it was a sunny day – but little else. He proceeded to lay everything out for me – and I pretty much indicated all of this on “My last PC/Albania post.” He said, “Yeah, now you’re a true volunteer and you will still be doing what you came here for – you’ll meet with the HR Director up at the university, the board will still want you to continue working with the English Language Teachers Association (ELTA), and you don’t have to go to all those Peace Corps meetings, fill out the forms, you’re going to have a great time!” Pretty damn funny. Over the next weeks my now former counterpart was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me, ever. What I mean is, I’ve had some pretty cool things in my life, but in this horrific moment I’m not sure how I could have dealt with the devastation without his help. I know we have all said at one time “I’m not sure how…” But I was empty. A life-long dream was shattered – if you’ve read the first post on this blog you get some sense how this service had been with me from the time I was a kid. Nope, the service was never an afterthought; it had been a life goal, on purpose. Yeah, this was a moment of someone stepping up when all I could do was fumble around – the memory and my thanks will be there forever.

I connected with the kids – and came across pretty upbeat, I think. They were pissed of course, but happy I’d landed on my feet and that things looked good. I mean seriously, life in the Mediterranean, teaching at the university, no financial burden – pretty sure they felt I could regroup and pull this all together. Over the next few weeks I’m honestly thinking the same. Ahh, there is life after the Peace Corps.

I connected with contacts I recently developed back at the University of Utah – they were cool, too. I’m thinking a big scandal, but for them the Peace Corps was not the appeal, they were still interested in partnering on the university student newspaper, class-to-class video calls, campus-to-campus visits, and the invitation for my counterpart to speak at the Tanner Humanities Center in the spring was still on. So I did my best to shrug off the depression and I continued to make plans on all this, along with my classes, ELTA, conferences, even kicking around the idea with another professor of some joint research and writing, etc., etc., etc. Damn it, this could work!

After the September 5 post, a lot of calls from volunteers – they were bummed but felt pretty good about me pulling things together, and happy to hear I was still planning on living in Albania. Over the next weeks I met with some of the PC/Albania staff and we talked about staying in Elbasan – I told them that Elbasan was like my home – the people, the university, the students, the whole thing. “Well, if you ever decide to relocate let me know, I’m connected with every university in the country and you pretty much could take your pick – they’d be happy to have you.” Things were difficult, but the support was there along with the opportunities to do some good – it would just take some time for my head to clear.

***

My first attempt with the post-Peace Corps public was the October ELTA conference in Shkodra. Though I was still on board to work with the English language association, I wasn’t too excited about getting out among the living so soon. My former counterpart pretty much told me to shake the self-paralysis crap off and just get back at it. I talked a bit about the banquet experience in an earlier post in this series and it was during this first evening of the conference that my harassment reputation was going to start hitting the big time – and I was as clueless as anyone could be.

In addition to a plenary address, “Teaching – The Most Honorable Profession,” the conference organizers had asked me to also address one of the workshops – irony of ironies, “The Elements of Critical Thinking.” I had some trepidation seeing many of the volunteers for the first time since my termination. I was happy to see their welcome and when I hesitated more than a few gave me hugs. I’m guessing to calm my apprehensions and pretty much make a statement. I helped with the setting up, registration, anything I was asked or could think of. The day went great and then we headed for the evening banquet.

So, I’m sitting there with my volunteer buddy who travelled to the conference with me; we’re chatting with teachers and one of the ELTA board members. I had gotten to know this woman over the previous months and we talked about my future plans. “You need to teach in Tirana!” I laughed and said I’d stay in Elbasan for at least the school year and then take a look at it. “I know everyone; let me know immediately if you decide.” “Great. Thanks!”

But then just before the dinner service……the conference organizer takes the chair next to me. Puts his arm around me, pulls me to him, “Bill, I need you to do me a favor.” “You bet, what do you need?” I’m thinking a quick trip to the store, something back at the hotel, help with a table, etc. “I need you to keep a low profile – I’ll talk to you about this later.” And then he gets up and leaves. I didn’t move – except that I start shaking. “My God, what have I done now?” I can feel my face quivering, biting my lips; I’m looking at the ceiling, like I’m checking out the art – I don’t even remember if there was any! One time in my life I really wished I had a rubbed the lamp! Please, genie, I want to disappear.

My mind is racing: how do I get out of here? It seemed about twenty minutes – but probably no more than a couple. I came up with a plan: earlier I was looking for some ibuprofen for my buddy, damn, left it in the hotel. I looked over – maybe he could sense something – “Man, my leg is killing me; I think I’m going to head back.” Regrets to the board member, no, my early departure would not cause a problem, let me get someone to drive you – no really, I’m OK, the walk will do me good. The only thing on my mind now is whether I could simply stand up and walk out without assistance. I wait for the conference chair to turn his back and then I get out the best I can. By the time I make it out of the hotel and on my way, the organizer has caught up with me. “Bill, where are you going?” I can barely hold it together. “I can’t stand screwing up anymore! I don’t know what’s happening!” “Come back in, we’ll talk after the conference, it’s OK.” “No, I can’t deal with it anymore.” I left.

A replay of a bad movie from six weeks before – I went over everything. Did I say anything? Did I hug? Received a few but sure as hell didn’t give any. Invited a couple of teachers for coffee – did I screw up there? Over, over, over, moment, moment, moment. No knock that night with an explanation – no sleep either; left early for the second day so I wouldn’t have to ride with the group. Ten minutes before my address I walked in, the mood was friendly, I was irritated. The rest of the day was pretty much the same; my talks went well and I escaped to a coffee shop when I wasn’t speaking – low profile, right? Now I just wanted to be invisible. No explanation by the end of the day and I pulled the conference organizer aside, “You know with everything that has happened, you coming to me last night was like the doc calling the patient in remission – ‘I need to talk to you about something but I can’t right now – I’ll call you in a few days.’” He understood – but that was it.

I didn’t find out until much, much, much later that the organizer had been pulled up short by another Peace Corps volunteer attending the conference – not in my group and I had never met this person. I didn’t know her and she didn’t know me – or maybe she thought she did; or thought she knew enough about me to have an opinion, to make an assumption, to take offence. Your guess is as good as mine (Why do we think the way we do?). “Why do you have a sexual harasser working at an ELTA conference and giving presentations?”

Yep, that was it. Evidently I had not harassed – thank God! I’m not going crazy! That might sound strange as hell as a first response, but I have to tell you it was a great relief – I was beginning to wonder if I was completely off the rails!! (Remember my grandpa, asses, and saddles?) My second response was immediate: “Holy hell! Are you fucking kidding me?! That’s it!!! That’s what he was afraid to tell me? We’d all have to be completely nuts to think that people wouldn’t continue to throw out this bullshit! Damn – all that grief for nothing!” Seriously. How much better would our lives be if we simply talked to each other? Especially if we just had the guts to have those difficult conversations?

But then again, I must have been nuts to think I could survive relatively unscathed in the PC/Albania environment – which had gotten more vicious and personal since my separation (and would get worse in the months to come). I was pretty much ignorant of the storm out there targeting PC/Albania. The gossip, accusations (unsubstantiated or not), publicity, notoriety, had been headed for a level five and within a couple of days getting back from the conference I was pulled into it without a prayer in the world.

***

For a moment, let me go back to the month before, the beginning of September at the time of my separation. You’ll recall the email the Country Director was going to send out to the volunteers about his findings on the harassment. It never went out – understandable, because shortly after I left, the director was out of the Peace Corps, too. He called me the day before his flight just to say goodbye and wish me well. I told him that I thought he was rotating out after the first of the year. He said yeah, but he was retiring early for personal reasons. I’m thinking illness, death in family, whatever. I didn’t ask him but I wished him well and thanked him for his friendship and helping me get through the crap over the previous few weeks. Then we said goodbye. I’d miss him and I always thought (and still do) that he was a pretty good guy. (Some of you guys reading this will think “yeah, that figures” – well, to hell with you – I liked him a lot and he always played straight with me.) It wasn’t until the week following this October ELTA conference that I was made aware that he had been under fire; he had been under investigation for sexual harassment, too. Yep.

As a general rule, any Peace Corps volunteers (and staff I guess) who are let go for cause are able to “resign” from service. Now, you realize this is not uncommon in any employment back in the states. Anyone that has lost a job can attest to this option – it lets you keep benefits and your CV intact; the upside to the employer of course is that they’re free of an unwanted employee without the crap – for the Peace Corps, a resigned volunteer shows up on reports less damaging than a fired one: the Peace Corps is basically able to show statistics to congressional oversight or the OIG that they didn’t waste government resources in lame screening, but just that some volunteers simply couldn’t cut it after they got into the field. I was pissed when I was let go and I “resigned” only because I wasn’t exactly sure what I would be losing if I got fired – health benefits options, etc. In fact I was told in the process of the paperwork that former PC volunteers who resigned (for whatever reason) after any length of service, could reapply for full service and even serve in the PC emergency response program – I didn’t think there was any chance I’d get approved, but that was out there.

I didn’t get this information regarding the director casually; it came with a bang and I’ll get to it. But now I understood a little better why DC could have been more than happy to get me out of the PC ranks. Sexual misbehavior and PC/Albania had been a topic among the veteran volunteers for at least a few months and the director’s alleged misbehavior was a main point of focus. And certainly what happened to me next was justified to expand a bit of the palette to include me in the picture and give it some additional color, credibility to the charges levied against Peace Corps, Peace Corps/Albania and specifically complaints regarding the director. I don’t know the timeline on any of this – but I wonder now if the complaints and alarms from the older Peace Corps volunteer groups regarding sexual misbehavior gave rise or fed the environment in my own group resulting in the complaint against me. Whatever the case, I had been part of the PC/Albania “sexual harassment” conversation at least since August. I evidently had a bigger part to play in all of this – maybe just a supporting role, but a pretty damn big part nonetheless.

***

Well, back to October and the conference weekend. After returning to Elbasan late Saturday, I spent the evening and all the next day trying to figure out what in the hell had happened in Shkodra. No sleep Sunday night either – but needed to get to the bottom of this. The next morning, Monday October 5, I open my emails and I get a Facebook message from a volunteer in my group:

Bill, I just wanted to let you know that Bonnie Scott just posted about you in her FB page. She just posted it about 10 minutes ago. She called you out by name. I don't know if you can do anything, but I wanted to let you know.

Two things immediately: who in the hell is Bonnie Scott?! And “she called you out by name.” This cannot be good – but I was nowhere prepared for what I read:

Bonnie Scott: Facebook post 10.04.2015

Thank you for all the love and support this past week. Last week's post generated more news. The story just gets worse.
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Five women, Albanian and America [sic], complained to Peace Corps that a male volunteer had been touching them inappropriately; groping, rubbing and “hugging”. Peace Corps investigated and confirmed the allegations. The molester, William (Bill) Martin, was allowed to resign rather than be fired.

Bill Martin continues to live in his Peace Corps apartment. He still teaches at Alexander Giovanni University, his Peace Corps assignment. He still works with his Peace Corps counterpart.

Peace Corps volunteers can always resign rather than face prosecution.

Wow. Maybe the difference between “harasser” and “molester” is too fine of a distinction; however, I had morphed from an accused (and cleared) former to a bona fide latter. “Hi, I’m Bill, the sexual molester.” I sound pretty matter-of-fact now, but I’m sure you appreciate how devastated I was at the moment. I immediately realized this was another life-changing event. We all have defining moments in our lives – you can think of at least one or two right now. Forever, how much longer I have to suck air this is mine, the most definitive: my life before and my life after. Yeah, can you appreciate how, perhaps without original intent to do malice, destructive gossip can manifest into such a monstrosity? My friends knew this was going to be devastating – one couldn’t bring himself to call me about it and instead rang up my next door neighbor – “No, no, no! Don’t call Bill until tomorrow; let him get a good night’s sleep first. This is going to kill him.”

I settled down enough to send Ms. Scott a Facebook message:

Dear Bonnie:

I was apprised of your posting just a few minutes ago from an alarmed volunteer who knows me somewhat better than you do – we've never met, have we? I am aware only a bit regarding your relationship with the Peace Corps; and this is the first time I have visited your site.

I know down the road I will be asked to give testimony (regarding a bigger picture) as to whether or not I contacted you and asked you to immediately delete your post. I would like you to do so now.

Please Google some words: “slander,” “defamation,” etc., and the legal repercussions which may arise. I would also remind you that I am a “private” individual rather than “public” – which has a bearing on the limits of free speech.

Five volunteers leveled a sexual harassment complaint; the complaint was unfounded; there was absolutely no mention of prosecution (in fact I am living in Albania and if the complainants desire to make criminal charges they surely can); and my termination was for exactly as I posted on my Peace Corps blog.

I assure you and please don't disregard: I am pursuing this entire matter (these charges and the obvious weak excuse for my administrative termination). Also understand that I have the means – and certainly the time – to pursue this for as long as I need.

I will expect your post deleted or a reply from you in moments. If not, I will post this letter on your site. Not for your embarrassment, but rather for the record. I have already experienced the “he said – she said” dynamic.

Sincerely,
William K. Martin

Well, needless to say she did not delete and I could see all the damage her post could do in stark relief. Not just to me but to Peace Corps/Albania – I saw that previous posts had been fixed in that direction and with some very malicious and misleading words regarding the recently separated Country Director. I spent some time considering this. PC/Albania was already under fire with everything surrounding the director’s premature departure and he had resigned; I had resigned, but it was obvious I needed to remove myself from a position that would give her additional fuel to power her agenda. Additionally, something (at this time I still didn’t know what) had happened in the course of the weekend conference regarding me.

***

As to what Ms. Scott’s agenda was I did not know at the time. In the months since this initial post I have come to a better understanding. I gather she was not very happy with her Peace Corps service and absented herself from her responsibility and site (and country) quite often with or without permission. The former director visited her about this a number of times – and probably had cause for her separation in many instances. He did not separate her but gave her many chances; I bet he wished to hell he hadn’t been so charitable. The director did not tell me this – but a staff member close to the situation. It is unfortunate that her dismissal from service came as it did – in the weeks following the director’s. Other of her posts claimed that she was dismissed for “whistle-blowing,” and that her dismissal because she filled out a form incorrectly was a sham. (Well, Ms. Scott, kindred spirits, I feel your pain. I don’t know the whole story, but if the book contract comes in I’ll do the research, count on it.) But I can tell the reader with certainty – volunteers fill out a lot of forms, if terminations were sent out for every improperly filled form submitted there wouldn’t be any Peace Corps volunteers anywhere – I promise. Ludicrous.

Equally ludicrous was that PC/Albania gave official sanction for my continued activity in Elbasan, ELTA, or that I was still living in a “Peace Corps apartment.” Well, the Peace Corps does not own this property, the volunteers pay rent directly to an Albanian landlord, and now I am paying it out my own pocket. Ms. Scott undoubtedly was aware of this (maybe after her separation she continued to stay in her own “Peace Corp apartment”). All the volunteers know this; but it does make pretty good reading for her “loving” readers back in the states. Those who read my “last PC” post should have gathered, I hope, that my former counterpart was instrumental (as a private individual and a professor at the university) in getting me an interview with the Human Resource Department: I had to submit documents and fill out a lengthy application for consideration – it wasn’t a done deal based on any phone call from Tirana (which of course there wasn’t). But if you know anyone on a mission, for those blessed with less integrity than should have been fairly allotted, facts should never get in the way – yeah, truly, this and everything that follows is a great example of embracing the ends to justify the means.

And the last bit: “Peace Corps volunteers can always resign rather than face prosecution.”

This line alone should have alarmed any clear thinking individual. But at least a few volunteer readers gave her a pass on this (or honestly didn’t know any better); many of her readers back in the states evidently believed it (we’ll get to that later); and unfortunately many Albanians thought Peace Corps volunteers could break laws without consequence (I’ll get to this later, too). For the nationals, it’s understandable, they might think PC volunteers have been given some form of diplomatic immunity – but are the former complete and total mindless idiots?! What the hell is wrong with your thinking? Did you take just a moment to consider whether or not this statement was true? Hell, I don’t know, let me take the time to check for you if you’re too damn lazy to think for yourself; I googled “peace corps volunteer immunity” and the first entry from peacecorps.gov gave this: “As a Peace Corps direct-hire employee, you do not have diplomatic privileges and immunities. You are subject to host country laws.” Ms. Scott knows this; it’s in the manual; it’s on the web-site; every volunteer hears this in pre-service training, I don’t know, a dozen times? This goes for the PC/Albania staff, too. There is no Peace Corps country office under the protection of the diplomatic immunity such as offered to the embassy mission personnel. None. Hey, how about googling “peace corps volunteer arrested”? See what comes up. A bunch – too bad these volunteers they didn’t get Ms. Scott’s memo regarding their rights. People, please pull your collective head out.

But in the midst of considering Ms. Scott’s agenda, which is starting to become apparent, I’m dealing with the damage wreaked in her post.

***

So what about the damage – and the damage control? I don’t mean in a “spin” connotation – I mean controlling the damage which all zealots are capable of doing. (OK. Is she a zealot? Well, you can come to your own conclusions as we go forward in the series.) I sent this email to PC/Albania personnel the next morning:

From: William Karl Martin
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 9:20 AM
To: [redacted]

Subject: Bonnie Scott

Good morning:

I hope things are well in the Peace Corps Office or at least settling down and getting better for everyone.

Yesterday morning I woke up to a message from [redacted] regarding a post on Bonnie Scott’s Facebook page. I read the message and sent her a message in response (both messages are on the document attached). (She must have thought it quite amusing that if I got no response I would post it as a reply – I’m not her “friend,” right? Funny.)

Now, I need to be clear on this: I completely understand Bonnie is no longer a volunteer and neither am I; it’s really a matter of damage control on the PC end. I totally get that: with her I wish you the very best of luck; with me, as you will see, I will do the best I can.

That Bonnie targeted me is not surprising given the efficiency of the volunteer communication network, but only that she just now got around to it. The fact that she gave the impression that I was still some way still in place with the Peace Corps (e.g. living in a Peace Corps apartment) and still working with my Peace Corps counterpart can be interpreted that the service does not take sexual harassment seriously. I’m pretty sure PC/Albania could handle that, but I wonder if it would sit well with PC/DC. I fully expected a volunteer or two approaching the staff wondering about my work and continued close association with members of staff – this really did not cause me any concern. In light of all the rumors I’d be a fool to think otherwise. My solace in that instance is perhaps there would be a heart to heart and the volunteer’s concerns would be calmed. (It just occurred to me that an explanation would entail privileged information – well, you have my permission.) Upon my departure [redacted] told me that he was going to send out an email to all volunteers explaining my separation was not for any wrongdoing, unfortunately he was gone the next day – but of course that wouldn’t have meant anything to Bonnie.

Of equal concern for me (and this has caused me great anxiety) is Bonnie’s reference to [redacted] (not by name in her post). [redacted] was a great counterpart and has been a good friend and support over the last couple of months and I know his position with the Peace Corps is important to him. (Again, I’m not concerned with PC/Albania on this, but PC/DC is cleaning house, so to speak, and when bureaucratic mentality kicks in, who knows?) If you think I’m overreacting on this, or my solution (following), please imagine Bonnie or someone else walking into the university here (Aleksander Xhuvani was mentioned) and saying to the rector: “Did you know that the Peace Corps posted a sexual molester to your school?” There would be far too much damage even with a full and measured explanation. It would be too painful for me to consider the fall-out to PC/Albania or to [redacted].

I am leaving tomorrow for a few days out of the country and will be back on Sunday. On Monday I’ll meet personally with the HR Director (she has been very helpful with my service assignments and my employment) and withdraw my application. At present I'm teaching part-time at Nikola Kopurniku School here in Elbasan. I’ll continue doing that until I can relocate (vacate the Peace Corps apartment, right?) to Tirana. There are more chances to get another position there. A couple of the staff and also [redacted] with ELTA (though I’ll have to explain all of this – we’ll see) have offered help and I’ll take advantage of those opportunities. I’ll also stay away from any PC affiliations, including ELTA and the British Council if you determine that could be a problem.

But I don’t see Bonnie stopping any of this and I fully expect her to post any future associations I have with PC/Albania affiliates – it’s clear she’s on a mission – and as soon as some good things happen here I’ll start posting on a blog again so my family can keep up (which she evidently follows).

If it’s any consolation, Bonnie’s lost credibility with many of the volunteers. By the time I finished my message to her I had received a few other volunteer messages of concern – they didn’t know the whole story but they knew me. During the course of the day I was on the phone or with messages from a dozen more. And some of their replies to Bonnie were deleted evidently because they went against her agenda. I understand she beat the hell out of [redacted], so maybe this last post has given the volunteers pause to reconsider her claims and motives – again, they more likely knew me better than [redacted].

As for me, I certainly hope I can find something in Albania (I have some questions about that), but in that regard I’ll let you know when Bill has left the building. My best to all of you guys. Hang in there and do some good in the world.

Bill

William K. Martin, PhD
Nikola Koperniku School, Elbasan, Albania
http://wkmartin.blogspot.com/

***

Ms. Scott did not delete her Facebook post, but she did edit the one she put up. The newly minted response is duplicated on her blog, aptly named “TheLonePilgrim.” I am sure I would have enjoyed a lifetime studying semiotics; what a killer title! The symbolism in “lone” is incredibly powerful, and when married to “pilgrim” – well, if the reader is able to get over the initial awe, reverence and the urge to genuflect in the presence of such, the by-line should seal the matter: “True ambition is the deep desire to live and walk humbly under the grace of God.” The words and observations which follow must certainly be the measured reflections of a very sincere, selfless, and honest human being; reflections attained only after the painful solitude by those who are isolated from their fellow human beings only because they themselves have achieved some degree of self-actualization (a goal almost unreachable, right?); but, by the grace of God, this blessed one lives her life in sole and lonely service to the rest of us. Perhaps a life’s journey which included a victim moment, but in the end survival – and now (wait for it)….“The Lone Pilgrim.”

My dear friends, you recognize that humility is less refined when it’s applied to one’s self; and I have always been wary of people who claim to walk under God’s mantle. (Remember Dylan’s line, “With God on our side”?) Nope. Not a psychologist, but I would think that one would have a field day with Ms. Scott’s collected works and activities.

Praise of one’s self or one’s character is far more effective coming from others. However, the comments on her blog justify and give evidence of the high regard in which she is held. I’ve included the ones I picked up from months ago – I looked for more but the comment sections were closed. No problem, plenty of great stuff on her Facebook. Holy hell!! Now that account’s been closed. What happened to The Lone Pilgrim’s Facebook edition? I don’t get it. OK. I feel better now – I just connected with another volunteer: “Bonnie blocks anyone from her FB who has ever said anything against her. I’m guessing you’re blocked!” Yeah, I went back to the Facebook notice: “The link you followed may have expired, or the page may only be visible to an audience you're not in.” Damn, I’ve been frozen out for requesting a retraction. Well fortunately (for future consideration), other volunteers have taken screen shots and forwarded them to me. I haven’t been banned from the “Pilgrim” blog and it’s up, so let’s get to that:

Peace Corps policy: resignation instead of prosecution

Five women, Albanian and America [sic], complained to Peace Corps that a male volunteer had been touching them inappropriately; groping, rubbing and “hugging” during training classes. Peace Corps investigated and confirmed the allegations. The molester, William (Bill) Martin, was allowed to resign rather than be fired or face assault charges.

Bill Martin continues to live in his Peace Corps apartment in Elbasan, Albania. He still teaches at Alexander Giovanni University, his Peace Corps assignment. He still works with his Peace Corps counterpart. (This information comes directly from Bill via his blog and his emails claiming he was wronged.)

Peace Corps volunteers can always resign rather than face prosecution.

3 thoughts [sic] on “Peace Corps policy: resignation instead of persecution”

o   spoton63: Bonnie – When I left you commented that I was very brave – I was never sure why – I was just homesick. You are the brave one! An amazing woman.

o   Saraleah: guess they are following the lead of the catholic priests pediaphils (sp?) when just moved them from parish to parish and never disciplined them at ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

o   Patti: Bonnie I applaud your integrity to report the truth. Way to go Girl!!!!!

And here are a few more comments from a previous “Pilgrim” post and some FB posts volunteers have passed on to me:

·         lpno623: Good job Bonnie! I am so proud of you for standing up for what is right! What can we.do [sic] here to assist you in this cause? I will keep you in my prayers.

·         Saraleah: This is AWFUL!!! REALLY bad when u can’t trust the Peace Corps. Only answer is to go to the press. U r mensch!!!!! Pressive!!!!!

[WKM: Dear reader: Please note Saraleah’s advice to go to the press; in literary fiction this would be considered foreshadowing. BAM! Great idea, Saraleah! Pressive!!]

·         Matty: Astounding.

·         Katie: I send you Bodichitta-tenderness of the awakened heart. As you breathe through this excruciating time trying to wake up the world. Being of service, as usual, Bonnie. Thank you.

·         Angela: Wow. I hope you can work to get that policy changed.

Ms. Scott had (has) developed an incredible following. What I have shown here is only just a fraction of the responses. “Susan” is prepared to use her influence to get Ms. Scott’s termination rescinded, and the people who made that decision terminated: “Email me so we can strategize. Also trying Michelle Obama is good, too.” Yep. A wonderful group of appreciative, though at times fawning, insightful individuals. Ms. Scott must have been truly gratified with all of this. It’s wonderful to think that you have a mission in life – and that your labor is treasured by so many.

But none of this goes to the absolute heart of the matter: Ms. Scott is a liar with no compunction to present a fraud of half-truths upon people of limited Critical Thinking abilities, but also apparently a modicum of common sense. I made it clear to Ms. Scott that the harassment charges against me were unfounded. Her post above expanded this to “groping,” “rubbing,” and raising the specter of “assault charges.” For fear of prosecution, it seems, I was able to resign aided with the cloak of immunity (as was the former director). But as I said, her agenda has a greater purpose than just to defame character and reputation.

Without question she was abetted by others here in PC/Albania. When I was faced with the harassment complaint, as I indicated, I reached out to a handful of volunteers to get some kind of understanding, to get their candid input. I shared with these few the letter I had written to the Country Director. Ms. Scott evidently obtained a copy of this ten page letter – note her first line, “five women.” I cannot think that any of these volunteers were sympathetic to Ms. Scott or unsympathetic to me, but perhaps they shared with others who were. Again, the volunteer communication system is quite impressive. The director had some enemies in the PC/Albania office – perhaps that was the source.

***

I recently spoke to a volunteer in one of the volunteer groups before mine; we had gotten to know each other from my earliest days. He told me that when all my crap was starting to hit the gossip circuit he would speak up, “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Since these “clubbing” posts, he says that many have now recanted their former assumptions. Well, that wasn’t the purpose of the posts, but it’s nice to hear. Ms. Scott remarked in her narrative that after her separation “I went to my Peace Corps community with the truth.” I wonder how many are still listening, or how many she is listening to. Her audience in Albania has dwindled.

After my Peace Corps separation I determined to live in Albania simply because I liked the country and its people; upon her separation, Ms. Scott determined, “I am staying in Albania as an independent volunteer, honoring my commitment to the Albanian people.” It’s good to have a sense of honor. In the course of ensuing events it would appear to the contrary that most of Ms. Scott’s efforts have been in service to her own agenda, which – as I think you will see – efforts that are far from honorable and just as far removed from walking “humbly under the grace of God.”

In my letter to her I noted some of the legal ramifications of her assertions. I was pleasantly informed that while in the states what she has said about me is simply cause for a civil case, however in Albania her published words also amount to a violation against the criminal code – yep, prosecution. Oh crap! And no longer a volunteer – no immunity! Bummer. And we both live in Albania. Cool.

My best. XOXO