Did you all hear that several Peace Corps reps in Bolivia were asked to be spies.

I'd heard before that the Peace Corps has two segments, one legitimate humanitarian work, with the other being spies for U.S.

This endangers Peace Corps reps when their work is compromised. Socially conscious groups, even if they are sponsored by a govt, should not cross the line. But since Peace Corps are sponsored by the U.S. government, when a government pays for something, they often don't know when to keep their pants zipped up and keep their nose out of the spy business.

They always were spies Jimmy- this is not hot news.

Peace Corps, Red Cross volunteers, NGO's and agents in other non profit international organizations- People for Peace, Green Peace or what ever fancy name they have for them.

No one, or, not everyone in those groups of people, would decide to go to thee most war torn, backward, crap hole's of countries, just to "help" total strangers they don't know from Moses.

Some go to help but, a good chunk of them, go because they are sent there on a mission. Some to gather on the ground intel or, do "things" in these countries, no other up front and legitimate businessman, would dare to look into in these countries. Because they are in turmoil, and, governmental checks and balances are sparse, you can; deal drugs, diamonds, weapons and humans. Who's going to stop you? The government? The government are probably your biggest suppliers and customers.

For example; why would a total stranger, with a Masters degree, go to Haiti on some type of humanitarian internship? Just to help? To help for only $150 a week stipend? If that?

You have to be a Mother Theresa type, or, simply nutty and hard up for excitement, or, you are hard core and you have "business" to take care of.

As said, some suckers do actually think it's about "helping". But, the ones who last past 3 months, have other forms of business, security and income, so that they don't have to rely on their official sponsors. Either they came in with orders, or leave having had to do a few deals, either to survive or simply, went with the flow they saw going on.

I wouldn't be surprised that there would be covert CIA agents, and even those involved in organized crime, working under the guise of charity organizations in some countries, but to ask regular volunteers to be spies is a little far-fetched, especially when many spies find themselves in life-threatening situations in which they have to kill to stay alive.