bob kerrey

“PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Harvard University’s professor”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , ,

When I saw this headline, I was curious to see who the Harvard professor was.  It was none other than Thomas Vallely, who is not a professor but an administrator with neither an academic appointment nor a Ph.D.  More importantly, this is the same Thomas Vallely (TV) who made a series of cruel and insensitive … Continue reading “PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Harvard University’s professor”

“More Demons Unleashed After Fulbright University Vietnam Official Drops Rhetorical Bombshells”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , , , , ,

This 17 August 2018 CounterPunch article is the third in a trilogy.  Here are the first and second articles.  This should be my last word about this sad story.   Pardon the nasty military metaphor but it's not nearly as nasty as some of the quotes from "one of the most influential figures in the US-Viet Nam relationship you’ve never heard … Continue reading “More Demons Unleashed After Fulbright University Vietnam Official Drops Rhetorical Bombshells”

Fulbright University Vietnam & Free Speech: “Do As We Say, Not As We Do”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , ,

hy·poc·ri·sy həˈpäkrəsē/ noun noun: hypocrisy; plural noun: hypocrisies the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense.   This is a concept to which US Americans, including and perhaps especially those who represent the US government and affiliated institutions, pay lip service.  Presumably, this also … Continue reading Fulbright University Vietnam & Free Speech: “Do As We Say, Not As We Do”

Government to ease rules on foreign investment in HE

Mark A. Ashwill Articles , , , ,

This is yet another example of the Vietnamese government's flexibility, as well as its ability to make mid-course corrections and learn from past mistakes. A new government decree to ease the way for foreign investment in education in Vietnam, likely to be approved by the country’s leadership as early as June, will streamline procedures and … Continue reading Government to ease rules on foreign investment in HE

The Fat Lady Finally Sings: Bob Kerrey Quietly Resigns from Fulbright University Vietnam Leadership Position

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Below is an excerpt from my latest CounterPunch article about Bob Kerrey and Fulbright University Vietnam.  Think of it as the 2017 bookend to my 2016 CP article, Bob Kerrey and Fulbright University – What were they thinking?, published a month after the controversy erupted.  Follow this link to read it in its entirety.  MAA … Continue reading The Fat Lady Finally Sings: Bob Kerrey Quietly Resigns from Fulbright University Vietnam Leadership Position

47 Signatories Urge Bob Kerrey to Resign from Fulbright University Viet Nam Position

Mark A. Ashwill Letter , , , , ,

Below is a letter that was sent to Bob Kerrey about his controversial appointment as chairman of the Fulbright University Viet Nam board of trustees, announced by John Kerry during President Obama's May 2016 visit to Viet Nam.  In case you're interested and are not up-to-date on this situation, here are some articles that have … Continue reading 47 Signatories Urge Bob Kerrey to Resign from Fulbright University Viet Nam Position

Bob Kerrey & Fulbright University Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , ,

Bob Kerrey’s appointment as chair of the board of trustees of Fulbright University Vietnam has raised questions due to Kerrey’s past war record, and risks tainting the whole project. “One simply cannot engage in barbarous action without becoming a barbarian... one cannot defend human values by calculated and unprovoked violence without doing mortal damage to … Continue reading Bob Kerrey & Fulbright University Viet Nam

Open Letter to Vietnamese & American Friends

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , , ,

Below is the English translation of an open letter written by Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh about Bob Kerrey's appointment as chairman of Fulbright University Vietnam's Board of Trustees.  Follow this link to read the original Vietnamese version:  Thư ngỏ của bà Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh gửi người Việt Nam và các bạn Mỹ   Mdm. … Continue reading Open Letter to Vietnamese & American Friends

“Fulbright University Viet Nam – Starting on the Wrong Foot”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , ,

Below is the English translation of a statement by Mdm. Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh, whom  I like, respect, and admire, about the appointment of Bob Kerrey, former Nebraska governor, US senator, New School president, and self-confessed war criminal, as chairman of the Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) board of trustees.  Mdm. Ninh, Vietnam’s former ambassador to … Continue reading “Fulbright University Viet Nam – Starting on the Wrong Foot”