Linda Lorimer figures prominently in Yale's "Middle East outreach," which so far hasn't much paid off. Sure, Lorimer in April declared herself and Yale to be "inspired" by the work of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation after this new United Arab Emirates fund announced a preliminary agreement with several business schools including Yale's. But before Lorimer further rhapsodizes about "partnering with the foundation for years to come," I suggest she examine the Al Maktoum family's history of supporting jihad causes, including the Taliban, Hamas-linked CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi. I suggest concerned alumni do the same.
Still, Yale -- whose endowment, like those of other institutions, is off this year (30 percent) -- has yet to receive a massive infusion of cash from the typical Muslim sources. Georgetown and Harvard, for example, both accepted $20 million apiece in 2005 from Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who has likewise reportedly contributed millions to families of Palestinian "martyrs," and whose part-owned Iqra TV incites jihad. That's the same Saudi prince, by the way, to whom then-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani defiantly returned $10 million after Talal blamed U.S. Middle East policy for 9/11.
Yale has also failed to "partner" with the new, multi-billion-dollar King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), whose founding trustees include Princeton President Shirley Tilghman and Cornell President Emeritus Frank H.T. Rhodes. According to a publication of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, KAUST largesse includes $36 million to UC Berkeley, $60 million to Stanford, and miscellaneous millions ($8 million to $25 million) to other institutions. Nothing, as far as I can tell, directly to Yale. To date, the Middle East looks like just one big dry well for Old Eli: Yale's long-term negotiations with Abu Dhabi to franchise a Yale arts institute ended in failure last year.
Imagine the frustration. What's Yale gotta do for its share of Sharia bucks? Censor those Sharia-defying Danish Muhammad Cartoons?
Hmm. Not a bad idea.
And here's more "outreach" for you: As one of its 2009 "world fellows," Yale selected Muna Abu Sulayman, general secretary of the charitable foundation of -- what a coincidence -- Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
Pita bread on Gulf waters, Yale may think. But how does that old line go? "... God ha' mercy on such as we, Baa! Yah! Bah!"