Renowned terrorism expert Peter Bergen spoke at the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center on Wednesday night. I’d had this one on my calendar for quite a while, and even a long, trying day at Weimer Hall didn’t diminish my excitement for his talk, titled “Manhunt-The Search for Osama bin Laden.”
I read two of his three books this summer and consider him to be one of the most expert and balanced journalists in the world today. My girlfriend and I visited his autograph table after his 70-minute lecture and bought a signed paperback copy of “The Longest War.” I spoke to him and told him of how I wish all citizens of this country would read his book. We might not be so collectively stupid. It would have helped to eliminate some ignorance the night bin Laden was killed. I also said I disagreed with his assessment that we won’t be leaving Afghanistan any time soon but noted my hopes are probably more wishful thinking and that I respect his opinion far more considering how much time he’s spent on the ground in that part of the world. Even posed for a quick picture. Definitely a brilliant, humble guy, in my opinion.
I’m assuming the video will show up on the Graham Center’s video archive at some point for those who’d like to hear what he had to say.
He asked where I completed my undergrad, and when I told him, he noted he visited Mercyhurst College about four years ago. Wish I’d been that tuned-in back then as a senior in high school.
"The Longest War" signed copy to my dad and I
