<p>"Amidst mounting media pressure and speculation throughout England, Yale officials have confirmed that Euan Blair -- the son of British Prime Minister Tony Blair -- will indeed be making the move this fall from 10 Downing Street to New Haven.</p>
<p>"Euan had many fine offers, and we are pleased he has chosen Yale to pursue his graduate studies," Yale spokeswoman Helaine Klasky said Tuesday, confirming that Blair will pursue Yale's two-year master's degree program in international relations...."</p>
<p>Aw, Byerly, let's not be disingenuous in our excerpts... if we're going to talk about the crime of "controversial admissions" then it's only fair to include the quote that Harvard admitted him as well, he just chose not to attend.</p>
<p>"Blair's admittance to Yale's graduate school has been a subject of interest in Great Britain since it was published that Blair, 22, was admitted to top-rated programs at both Harvard and Yale despite having received average grades at Bristol University and experiencing a much-publicized run-in with the law."</p>
<p>Of course, the point stands that perhaps he shouldn't have been admitted to either of these fine schools, given his "average grades" at college and his "much-publicized run-in with the law."</p>
<p>I have sought confirmation that Harvard admitted him to some unnamed program, but have not found it. I know HBS turned him down earlier. </p>
<p>Apparently Yale wanted him badly enough to offer him $93,000, which is the most unusual and controversial aspect to the story, at least in the UK, where there is suspicion that there was favoritism in granting such a big financial package to the son of the wealthy Blair.</p>
<p>As for the Bush lackey, who went to Clarmont-Mckenna but didn't graduate, that's still not as bad as Yale's Taliban guy, who only had a 4th grade education!</p>
<p>This is my first time posting; I've lurked the forums for quite some time, and have found them to be very helpful in my college application and decision process.</p>
<p>Byerly--correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Ramatullah Hashemi (Yale's "Taliban Guy," as you put it) enrolled in Yale's general studies program, rather than Yale College? I don't know much about the Eli Whitney Scholars program, but I do think it's important to note that Mr. Hashemi does not "go to Yale" in the way that most people would define the phrase. To my understanding, the program does not offer participants a Yale degree.</p>
<p>He has applied to be a "regular" student. An alumni group has opposed his admission, and the administration is caught in the middle, not wishing to be responsive to "conservatives." </p>
<p>To be fair, then, wouldn't it make sense to wait for Mr. Hashemi's official admissions decision as a "regular" student at Yale before passing judgment on Yale's Office of Undergraduate Admissions?</p>
<p>Furthermore, while he did hold a "4th grade education" at the time of his admission to the general studies program, Mr. Hashemi has had the opportunity to take regular classes at Yale since joining that special program. If he has done well in his classes (any information about his grades?)--classes he has taken with Yale undergraduates without special treatment, in which his abilities and achievements have been measured against those of "regular" students--then there's no reason why he wouldn't be a viable candidate for transfer to the College.</p>
<p>Typical twisted rationalization for "Mr. Hashemi" - the spokesman for a repressive regime which has slaughtered Americans, treated women like dirt, etc..</p>
<p>I hope the Yale administration comes to its senses, realizes it was a monstrously offensive act to admit him in the first place, even as a "special student", and rejects him now rather than eacacerbating the situation out of fealty to the political left.. </p>
<p>I realize that they are very much concerned about appearing to sympathize with the views of conservatives and Republicans, and want very much to send a positive signal to those who oppose the Bush White House.</p>
<p>A "twisted rationalization?" I think my argument is pretty reasonable. Byerly, based on your previous posts, it seemed to me that a major part of your objection to Mr. Hashemi's presence at Yale was his previous academic standing. If that is incorrect, my mistake. Either way, it is clear that Mr. Hashemi's academic past--and we can get to his political past in just a minute--is not a valid reason to make him leave New Haven.</p>
<p>Now, if the real reason why you think this "Taliban Guy" shouldn't be at Yale is his previous affiliation with the Taliban, I have two responses.</p>
<p>The first is that, to my knowledge, there is no evidence that Rahmatullah Hashemi engaged in acts of terrorism. As you said, he was a spokesman. It is true that he has advocated certain values we might consider "Un-American" (and perhaps even despicable), but that seems to be the extent of his wrongdoing. Of course, any evidence to the contrary would be welcomed.</p>
<p>The second is that, although Yale University is situated in the United States of America is thus compelled to follow this great nation's laws, it has no obligation to follow any political agenda. So while an upstanding American citizen like Byerly may be disgusted at the thought of the presence of a former Taliban spokesman at Yale, it is up to Yale to decide whether Mr. Hashemi's admission is appropriate. I do not agree with much of what Mr. Hashemi has to say, but I do recognize that there is nothing wrong (legally or morally) with his attempt to obtain a solid education.</p>
<p>Yale is an institution of higher learning. Though it has historically been a political breeding-ground, its primary purpose is to educate, not to capitulate to the political views of one group--even if that group is comprised of much of the US population.</p>
<p>Do you honestly think $93k is a significant sum for Tony Blair when people donate millions to schools like Harvard and Yale to get their kids in?</p>
<p>Witty
[quote]
I do not agree with much of what Mr. Hashemi has to say, but I do recognize that there is nothing wrong (legally or morally) with his attempt to obtain a solid education.
[/quote]
Would you have been happy to see Yale admit Goebbles after WW II?</p>
<p>I'm not trying to equate the two people, I'm just curious as to the extant of your openmindedness.</p>
<p>Not to be abrasive, but regardless of your disclaimer, it's highly doubtful that a question like that serves any purpose but to equate the two people. </p>
<p>That said, I would not have been "happy" to see Yale admit Goebbels. The distinction here is not the extent to which I agree or disagree with either man's beliefs (and I can assure you that I disagree with those of Goebbels and Hashemi, however different they are), but rather the legality of his actions. Goebbels was a war criminal. Hashemi was a speaker.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what I believe about Hashemi's admission but I think it's an interesting issue. I would just like to point out that "Bush and Republicans" only recently began to have any opposition at all to the Taliban. Prior to 9/11 (as made famous in the film Fahrenheit 9/11) Bush invited Taliban spokespeople to the United States where they were rewarded with every hospitality. Feminists who criticized the decision were dismissed. In fact, ever since the 1980's Republicans had supported the Taliban because doing so seemed politically worthwhile--even overthrowing a progressive, secular government in the process. If, as Byerly believes, Yale wishes to take a stand against "conservatives" by admitting Hashemi, it appears to have done a poor job.</p>
<p>Bizarrely, it seems that (then) Admissions Director Shaw seems to have feared that if Yale didn't grab him first, Harvard might have gone after him.</p>
<p>There are other factors than academics when considering a student.</p>
<p>Maybe it's just me, but I think someone with Blair's lineage probably has a much better chance to influence the world than a kid raised in the boonies in the US. Just my thought though...</p>