Dateline: above the garage in Portsmouth RI, 10 September 2004

Got a call yesterday from Doctors Without Borders. Apparently they caught that I use their logo in my presentation (the one shown on CSPAN) in a slide where I talk about the Sys Admin force needing to be able to interact with a far wider array of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and PVOs (private voluntary organizations) in post-conflict and post-disaster relief ops and security generation.

They wanted quick explanation of concept. I said I advocated more cooperation between military and NGOs and PVOs as a good thing. This representative said Docs Without Borders doesn't want that per se, but prefers separation so as not to muddy definitions of who's who. Docs just left Afghanistan after 24 years. Why? Their personnel started being targeted by terrorist insurgents there. So their stand is, we want nothing to do with the U.S. military.

And they'd like me not to use their logo, because they feel it might imply they approve of concept.

Interesting choice for me. Of course, I say nothing of the sort in my presentation (that Docs approve of the concept), and since I don't use the logo for commercial gain, but in a public presentation as a USG employee, I don't have to agree with their request.

I think the answer will be that I will continue to use the logo, but now tell the story of the phonecall, emphasizing their position and talking about how that position reflects the bad job the military has done historically in such relationships.

Of course, their answer can be to decry the concept and the ideas associated with it, but that's only par in a world without borders on free speech.

Interesting feedback, huh?