Annapolis Capital Punishment

CP just received this note from Jan Chapman, coordinator of Anne Arundel Peace Action. Perhaps you can help. Perhaps you might also be interested in my comments at the end of the story:

Imagine if you or your son found himself in the following situation:
Through their foreign exchange program, the State Department arranges a job for your son for 3 months at Royal Farms in Eastport.

Your son leaves his home in Azerbaijan (near Turkey and Russia), takes a couple of planes to finally arrive in in Washington DC. He then takes the Metro to BWI Airport. Then he takes a bus from BWI to Annapolis. From the bus stop, he walks to his new job in Eastport at Royal Farms.

AFter 30+ hours traveling, Royal Farms tell him that they have NO jobs. Now, this young man named Shahin, has a letter from the State Department telling him that he has a job at Royal Farms.

Imagine how you might feel if this were you? Or, if this were your son?

He is in a foreign country halfway across the world.
He is told that the job that was arranged by the U.S. State Department does not existent.
He has no place to stay.
He knows no one.
He has been traveling over 30 to 35 hours without much sleep.
This young man starts going door to door in the stores in downtown Annapolis asking if they have any jobs. Store after store tells him they don't have any jobs. Finally, in one store, the owner suggests that he go to Social Services in Annapolis. She tells him how to walk to Annapolis City Council.

Shahin walks to Annapolis City Council and meets Alderman Sam Shropshire. Being the kind hearted and giving person that he is, Alderman Shropshire immediately calls the State Department to find out how in the world they messed this up where this young man is supposed to be working. Remember, the State Department is the one who found this job for this young man in their own government foreign exchange program!!!! The contact at the State Department has no answers and says they will find out and let him know the next day.

Now, where does this young man spend the night? He has no place to stay. The local hotels charge $100 to $120 a night, which is a lot of money for a student on a work program in another country.

Alderman Shropshire starts contacting people he knows. He asks an owner of a B&B, who had six empty bedrooms that night. The owner simply said, "How will he pay for a room?"

When I heard about the situation, I immediately offered my house for Shahin to spend the night as I have an extra bedroom and its own private bathroom.

The next morning, Shahin (the young man from Azerbaijan) and I meet Sam Shropshire for breakfast prior to connecting with the State Department representative. Somehow, magically, the State Department finally realized that Shahin wasn't supposed to be working at Royal Farms (despite the fact that he has a letter from them stating such), but Wendy's on West Street in Annapolis.

That decision has been a miracle in disguise. I have had the opportunity to meet the most amazing young man who is going to be a Senior at his local university majoring in Economics. This smart young man received a full four year scholarship to the university because his grades were so high. He is respectful, kind, polite, intelligent and very interested in learning about our country. I have been learning about his country and culture. Shahin will be staying at my house while here for 3 months. And, he reports for his first day at Wendy's tomorrow.

Yesterday he asked me if some Americans like war. He is concerned about this country attacking Iran, as Azerbaijan is right next to Iran. In fact, 30 million Azerbaijan residents live in Iran.
I am asking all of you for help. Help in showing Shahin how warm and caring we really are.

This is an opportunity for all of you to show this young man the peace that you stand for.

Personally, I am moving in about four weeks and will be very busy packing and unpacking for the next 6-7 weeks. While I would love to show him around, realistically I won't have time. And, he should experience meeting lots of wonderful people. People like YOU who are members of Anne Arundel Peace Action.
Alderman Shropshire has generously taken Shahin out 3 out of the last 4 nights.
Please consider extending yourself to this beautiful, intelligent young man. Ask him to dinner. Take him to the beach. Take him sailing. Show him the Eastern shore. Take him to a ball game. Take him to see a museum or sights in DC. Take him to the aquarium in Baltimore. Take him anywhere interesting. Let him experience the beauty of our country and the peace that we stand for.

If your son were visiting Azerbaijan, what kind of people and experiences would you want him to have? Especially after this challenging first experience.If you know of young adults that he can meet, put them in touch with each other. Shahin loves to play volleyball, soccer, basketball. He is fascinating to talk to about many issues.

We are peace makers. We stand for international diplomacy and getting along. Let's show him we walk our talk. Let's show him how much we truly care about diverse cultures and people and peace. Especially, at this time when the risk of our country striking Iran is even stronger.
I'm hoping that you come through and extend yourselves. You will meet an incredible young man and, I'm willing to bet, be enriched from the experience.

Call me to reach Shahin at (cell) 443 994 8150 or (office) 410 280 0440.

In peace and light,


Jan Chapman
Coordinator
Anne Arundel Peace Action
www.AAPeaceAction.us

Email: janc1000@yahoo.com

CP Notes: Let's hope Shahin will be welcomed as an honored guest. The influx of young foreigners to take low-paying jobs here cannot be understated. Any beach or summer resort or camp you visit is filled with youngsters from overseas working here. Why? Why won't our youth take these jobs? What are our local youth doing? As we slide toward becoming a third world country, will it be long before our children go to China and India and Singapore to find summer work? Or will the Army be their best option? While we welcome Shahin, let's not forget our local youth. Let's thanks Jan and Alderman Shropshire (who is always being mentioned and promoted here but refuses to blogroll CP at his own website)for helping out this young man who has a summer at Wendy's ahead of him. Personally, I'd choose a camp or beach resort, but...