Spencer this is so damn exciting. I will contact a friend who is back in Afghanistan. He was studying here at Ohio University on a Fulbright. For the last three years he has kept me updated with what was happening for his very large family in Afghanistan. (he would talk with his wife, parents and children once a week while he was here in the states). He and I would have endless conversations about what was taking place there, how the situation was being ignored, how the Taliban had regained power, etc etc. His father a retired Brigadier General in Afghanistan was completely convinced that the Americans did not really want to help the Afghani people. We have spent in six years in Afghanistan what we spend in Iraq in one month.

There are so many stories from him that I can share. We are in touch via email I will ask him if I can put the two of you in touch with one another. Are you interested?

Please do, definitely. I’m sackerman-at-washingtonindependent-dot-com. Much appreciated, Leen.

I will do my best. He returned in June and has sent several e-mails. He is taking a break with his family before taking on a job (at his fathers request). I will contact him and give him your information. I know he is a bit hesitant about sharing everything he feels now that he is back. He was put in prison for a while by the Taliban for some of his writings. But he firmly believes that the only way to move forward in his country is to bring the Taliban into the equation (since they have regained power) and that they are not all radicals and have legitimate concerns.

I will write to you about a few of the other stories that he shared

http://www.ohio.edu/outlook/07-08/June/605.cfm
For some, such as Fulbright Scholar Haroon Rashid, the trip to the podium couldn’t come soon enough.

“Every day, I have counted my seconds! And now I am done,” said Rashid, who graduated today with a master’s in media management.

Rashid’s anticipation was well-warranted; his graduate studies came at a hefty price. When he departed his homeland of Afghanistan two years ago to pursue his graduate studies, he left behind his then-pregnant wife and three sons. He’ll return Sunday to his wife and four sons.

“It’s been very difficult. We are always talking on the phone, but sometimes you want to hold them and play with them,” said Rashid, who will resume his role as director of public relations with the Afghan president’s office.

“This moment is a kind of wonderful moment,” he said. “On one hand, I’m graduating, and on the other hand, I’m leaving to meet my children.”

did get one of our local newspapers to do an article about Haroon. Can not find it. His name is Haroon Rahid Sherzad. The reporter who did the story is Matt Gallagher at the Athens Messenger.

Will email your E address to him and then it will be up to him to contact you.

sent your email to Haroon. Now It’s up to him to make contact