By Jason Williams

I am writing in response to Lee Dong-wook's December 26 article ``Misunderstanding of the New E-2 Visa Regulations.'' At first glance Mr. Lee, I thought you might be providing some helpful information. Instead I was offended at your condescending demeanor.

I also question your self-proclaimed ``authority" as I feel there are some misrepresentations and inconsistencies in your analysis. Mr. Lee, I am no lawyer but a computer scientist and rhetorical analyst and feel that I am well trained in logical reasoning as well as the ability to detect clever manipulations of words and logic to suit the purposes of the purveyor.

Firstly, I commend you on providing the information on other ways to obtain criminal background checks if indeed these are valid alternatives. I will add, however that the only option presented to those inquiring at the U.S. consulate is the FBI check which according to the official website takes 16-18 weeks (4-4 ½ months) barring backlogs due to understaffing and sudden increases of workloads.

Those of us who have dealt with bureaucracies know this to be the norm not the exception. Being in such close contact with the consular authorities you obviously have been informed that they will not provide any additional support or assistance to us in the process. Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the ministries to have released a public service announcement to the credible, law-abiding majority of foreign teachers informing them of these alternatives?

You tell us you have ``good reason to believe that the majority of E-2 visa holders have no problems with these regulatory changes'' yet provide no supporting reasons. I for one would have a problem with paying out upward of $500.00 for a trip to the nearest Korean consulate and tedious delays or lapses in employment due to regulations adopted in response to the misguided actions of a select few. Mr. Lee, no one readily welcomes procedures that complicate our lives and reduce our disposable incomes.

You assert Christopher Paul Neil was a fraudulent visa holder. According to my knowledge, Neil was caught as a result of an ongoing investigation of his online activities. He was arrested in Thailand with no apparent help of the Korean police, possessed no fraudulent documentation and had no standing arrests, or convictions in Korea or elsewhere. In short, even with the new regulations a person such as Neil would have had little trouble in obtaining an E-2 visa.

You can also inform us of the notary process without adding the snippet regarding the possibility of committing perjury. Most of us with marginal intelligence know that it's not in our best interests to provide false or misleading information to government authorities. In overstating the obvious you cleverly allude to guilt and I can find no apparent utility of this statement other than perhaps to reinforce the seemingly growing anti-foreign teacher sentiment within segments of your audience.

You scolded Mr. Deutsche for his feelings that government authorities had less than savory attitudes towards foreign teachers but in my observation a majority of the teachers I know and have known felt this way prior to the new regulations. Instead of blaming the concerned teachers, Mr. Kim wouldn't it be worthwhile for officials to look inwardly to ascertain if there is, indeed perhaps a better way these new regulations could be implemented? Large numbers of dissatisfied individuals may have legitimate concerns.

And finally, I feel that it was unprofessional and in very poor taste to refer to Mr. Deutsche as ``Mr. Germany" (Mr. Deutschland). Mr. Lee, as a lawyer you are trained in the use of rhetoric and aware of the utility of flashy verbal showmanship against those who are ``emotionally motivated, ill informed, and who cannot logically arrive at conclusions.'' You are a representative of Korean foreign affairs and if indeed it is your goal to dispel the attitudes of Mr. Deutsche and like individuals, then using ad-hominem assaults to paint them as village idiots does not serve to further that goal. As a person motivated to make their concerns known in a public forum, Mr. Deutsche deserves your respect and logical refutation of any claims in question. I welcome Mr. Lee's response.

Jason Williams is a computer scientist and rhetorical analyst. He can be reached at tagkeyon@yahoo.com

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