Posted on 05/23/2002 11:10:46 AM PDT by vance
University of California Expells Internationals
WASHINGTON: Earlier today, Nauman Zaidi and Robert O'Neill, illegally detained American nationals held in Masiyahu prison (Ramle, Israel), were called in to the warden's office.
They were presented with a fax from their American university, the University of California, which informed them they had been expelled due to their involvment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Both young men had been part of the group who took food and medical assistance to the beleaguered Palestinians and clergy in the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. The two men are studying under an 'Education Abroad' programme, and have been in Cairo for the past year. This action against them means that all their study have been in vain as they will not be able to transfer the work undertaken back to the States. In addition, their expected graduation this summer has been denied them. They have been given 48 hours to protest the action.
However, their incarceration in an Israeli prison makes it impossible for them to take the necessary steps to prevent the actions initiated by the University The warden then attempted to coerce them into signing the document. O'Neill expressed his anger at the blatant effort to 'make an example' of him and Nauman for performing what can only be described as actions of humanity.
Until now, their status at the University is unknown.
The poor babies can reapply, according to a LA Times story I read, but even so--this is really funny. All Mom & Dad's tuition money shot to Hades.
....and of course, another reason to ban handguns.
Don't think they did it out of principle. They did it, as they stated in the LA Times today, because they felt if they didn't make an example of these students, others would try similar activities and the University could be liable if someone got hurt. They are doing it to minimize their potential future liability - not out of taking a principled stand for justice.
*snicker!*
Robert O'Neill (pictured with butterflies and bluebirds fluttering adoringly around him, while Bambi rubs his head against O'Neill's leg) was arbitrarily expelled from U of C for bringing food to the clergy and their... uhm... guests in the church of the Nativity (clip of clergyman desperately waving a sign "HELP! AM HELD HOSTAGE" quickly yanked and replaced with a still shot of christians and muslims sitting around a campfire, holding hands and singing "kumbayah"....)
....and of course, another reason to ban handguns.
ROTFLMAO
The writer complains that the "students" (how much time did they devote to studies?) can't fight their expulsion while in jail; time was, everyone understood that engaging in crime resulted in automatic expulsion.
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