Michael semple , a former eu diplomat who was expelled from afghanistan in 2007 after holding secret talks with insurgents and is now at harvard university , is even more dismissive of the recent reports .
The ensuing media storm , however , was less about switzer 's bold stunt than about the hapless desperation of official jock semple , who attempted to run switzer down , rip off her numbers and forcibly remove her from the race .
" The hazaras are producing the most enthusiastic , educated , forward-looking youth , who are seizing the opportunities provided by the new situation , " says michael semple , a red-bearded irishman who serves as the deputy to the special representative of the european union in afghanistan .