Readers are reacting quickly to this week’s column about signing on for the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Two criticism of the Peace Corps so far…

Letter No. 2: I read your recent article about the Peace Corps. Are you aware that if you are hurt they turn you over to the U.S. Dept. of Labor and that is it? Google and see all the people that you find that have been hurt and waiting for some kind of help.

Letter No. 1: Your recent pitch for Peace Corps and AmeriCorps leaves out some important details. Peace Corps volunteers must be prepared to focus on drinking and partying to be the primary focus of at least 50% of their fellow volunteers. Further, they must accept a two-year assignment that may not achieve any of the goals they set out with, but rather serve as a PR exercise for the United States.
The myth of Peace Corps is overblown. People should not join without a more realistic picture of it as a heavily bureaucratic summer camp for soul-searching college students.
Brian Maher
Zanzibar 2006-2007