Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

Sean:

I was the person that made that comment and I expect to fund my first Kiva loan within the next month. Further, I'm having a BBQ birthday bash this weekend and in lieu of gifts, I'm collecting donations to make my loan pool even bigger.

Thanks to all of you for the motivation and great ideas.

thanks, Christofer. you do know you can microfinance with whatever you have available, right? i've got a small amount of money in the system and have rolled it over into another loan once or twice already.

This Kiva/microlending idea is so dynamic, so simple that it is the vehicle to get 'in front' of the government in foreign policy. One link at a time, one new relationship built with each loan.

America has done poorly in the media war against the Jihadist, against those who seek to diminish supply chains and rules of even minimum connectivity / trade laws.

Consequently, the view of 'America' is often muddied. This avenue allows relationships to be built, one at a time. What a great 'missionary' tool.

Hi Sean.

Affirmative on the funding query above. The reason I made mention of investing this month is the whole family is participating; we're deciding who/how/how much to distribute over the possibilities as a family...and I've already got a few hundred dollars in donations today from my blog/twitter posts on the subject!

See http://rationalsecurity.typepad.com/blog/2008/07/pay-it-forward.html

If a little is good, a lot ought to be, um, gooder!?

;)

Christofer: no doubt! just didn't want anyone held up thinking they didn't have enough to give. anyone can participate.

good work!