1 A foreign student visa for a guy with this background and admission and paid scholarship to Yale requires serious JUICE to grease the wheels. He can't do it - everything has to originate here. There is a story here but I don't know if it will truly be pursued or sidetracked. Attempts will be made to blame DHS, INS etc. but they can easily be bullied to sign off & rubberstamp this with the proper political/institutional power (and I'm not talking administration). There is a potential scandal here - and the actual culprits will be found at/associated with Yale and amongst 535 people currently working in Washington. For anyone who have ever worked in the Federal govt - if a Congressional Staffer showed up at your office wearing a clown costume .... you still show respect!!!!

2 As I understand he was released by Germany in trade for a hostage before he came here. ????

3 Doesn't wash - sounds like a poor attempt at spin. If released in trade - HE IS TALIBAN - why else trade for him? And - why come here and not be sent back to his brothers?

4 Ok, the detail of his release are hard to find right now, link pollution by the Yale thing. I did find he was held by the US at bagram airbase then went to Pakistan (of all places) and was under house arrest there. NYT won't let me read it all. But it is fishy and I know I read that a German hostage was involved in his release I just can't find it right now. It may be he was set to be released anyway so the Pakistani's got what they could out of it. I'll look more later. Rahmatullah Hashemi was the Taliban's chief spokesman abroad. ... He had been released from the American prison at Bagram Air Base and was now under house www.nytimes.com/2006/02/26/magazine/26taliban.html?pagewanted=all

5 March 22, 2006 Dear Mr. Taylor, I appreciate your point of view and your passion for trying to uphold the integrity of Yale University by objecting to the admission of Sayeed Rahmatullah Hashemi. I have another point of view that you may be interested in listening to. After all, this country was founded on ideas and opinions and the right to express them equally. I have had the opportunity to break bread with many people of various races, colors and creeds, who fought in wars for and against the United States. These people range from Russians Communists to German Nazi’s to WW II English, Italian, American and Imperial Japanese soldiers. The three things these men all had in common were commitment, honor and patriotism. Some of the most compelling dinner conversations I’ve ever been graced to be a part of were when my uncles discussed WW II. One fought for America, one for England and one for Germany. I realized that perception, reality and politics often don’t align. I wish every American could have the opportunity to sit at that table. To the victor go the spoils…and also the history. My German Uncle was as much of a hero to me as the rest of my family members. If he was not a member of the Nazi Youth, he would have been assassinated at age twelve. This gives me a different point of view than many when talking about Mr. Hashemi as a member of the Taliban. I trust that U.S. Secret Service, Immigration, and Homeland Security Officers know much more about Mr. Hashemi than I. He was afforded an A-1 Visa as a student in the United States-legally I presume. Now, he’s been accepted at the prestigious Yale University as a “special student” as you have alluded to. Although you may not agree with these facts, they are that. I was truly inspired by your townhall.com article from March 13, 2006, in which you reference Nathan Hale, a patriot, veteran and national hero to all Americans. I believe Mr. Hale would be proud of his alma mater, or any institution like it that would accept such a diverse student as Mr. Hashemi. Veterans often have a greater understanding and sense of honor for their opponents than do civilians. In today’s world, I find it imperative that all Americans study and understand all the diverse cultures in this ever shrinking world. Without understanding, compassion, agreement, compromise and logic, it will be impossible for our generation and ones to follow to achieve co-existence and peace throughout mankind. I believe Yale University has taken a monumental step in breaking down the barriers of fear, hatred and oppression that our servicemen and women fight every day to defeat. I do not believe that there are many Americans who agree with the Taliban’s politics, tactics or views. Nonetheless, it is essential that we study, rationalize and understand them in order to gain a comprehension of how our two cultures can coexist peacefully. Without Mr. Hashemi’s input on these matters, we may be no better than the Taliban itself in implementing democracy to a region that has historically been a monarchy. Mr. Taylor, I hope you reconsider your NailYale campaign. Spreading anger, hate and animosity amongst your fellow alumni does nothing to advance the principles and values of your beloved Yale. I would recommend that you spend this time educating yourself on world religion, global politics and environmental concerns instead of trying to persuade your peers into the void of intolerance and oppression. Regards, Mike Larkin University of Vermont, 1995 mjlarkinva@yahoo.com 703-869-3542