Norman Lewis

[Richard LaFortune]

The point also included writing by Norman Lewis (The
Missionaries, 1988), so it isn't based on single
source material. He is accounted as one of the finest
writers of the past century, and he included numerous
references that echo concerns of other humane
thinkers.  See p.242 w a reference to the 13 Mar 1987
denunciation by the UN and OAS about SIL's illegal
entry to VZ.  So actually the United Nations has
weighed in on the matter for the record.
Mark Abley's book "Spoken Here" (2003) references SIL,
and asserts 'its motives are open to question.'
(p.238). 
You can say any argument is weak, but leading thinkers
and writers say otherwise.  Maybe the organization is
different today; one would hope and pray so.
peace!
Richard (Yupiit Nation)

--- Dave Pearson <dave_pearson at SIL.ORG> wrote:

> Richard,
> 
> I have never found accusations based on
> guilt-by-association
> (SIL-NTM-Rockerfeller-CIA etc.) to be convincing.
> Your addition of Hitler to
> the list (below) simply weakens an already feeble
> argument. In any case,
> even if there were truth in these accusations
> there's nothing I or anybody
> else can do about the SIL of 40 or 50 years ago.
> Incidentally, Pullum's
> recent obituary of Derbyshire
> (http://www.linguistlist.org/issues/19/19-1.html )
> is a sobering reality
> check of the period. 
> 
> The fact that current criticism is based upon events
> of a previous century
> is a testimony to the SIL of today. As an ardent
> supporter of human rights
> in general and indigenous rights in particular I can
> assure you that the
> organisation that you describe is not one that I
> would be willing to join.
> 
> At some point I'll post a report on the half-day
> debate on indigenous
> languages held last month at the UN Permanent Forum
> on Indigenous Issues. 
> 
> Dave Pearson, SIL International



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