Weave the Web
Recording Family Legends for Generations to Come
Nancy's Letter to Judge Pauley
on Haden's Behalf
(Haden returned home the end of 2015 and faced his indictment for illegally placing bets over telephone lines. Nancy wrote this letter to the judge that handled his case.
Nancy Webster Ware
18 Clipper Street
San Francisco, CA 94114 nanwebware@sbcglobal.net
​
Honorable William H. Pauley III
Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse 500 Pearl Street
New York, NY 1007-1312
Courtroom: 20B
RE: United States v. Haden Ware, 02 Cr. 634 (WHP)
​
January 20, 2016
Dear Honorable Judge Pauley,
​
I am the mother of Haden Webster Ware. Like you, I am the parent of three sons. Haden’s father and I, who were both educators, raised our sons to have a sense of adventure, a curiosity about the world around them, and the value of giving back to those less fortunate. Haden embodies all of these values.
​
Haden chose to take one semester off from his studies at the University of California at Berkeley to follow two option traders to Antigua. - the ultimate adventure! They had started what they thought was a legitimate business, World Sports Exchange, getting legal counsel and procuring legitimate licensing from Antigua. Haden was to be their “gofer” retrieving laptops from customs and lattes from cafes. Shortly after he arrived in Antigua he found that he was indicted, and he never returned to finish his degree at Berkeley. Although initially Haden did not realize he was engaged in anything illegal, he is taking responsibility for his actions.
​
Haden has traveled to a variety of countries, and his intense curiosity impels him to research the history of the area as well as the people. He takes delight in learning the customs and politics of wherever he is. He records these impressions in a blog to share with his friends and family, (http://www.phaedrusproject.com/blog/)
​
Haden viewed a TED talk by Sugata Mitra about the power of technology to teach and engage children in underprivileged areas. (http://www.ted.com/talks/ sugata_mitra_build_a_school_in_the_cloud) In his speech, Mitra exhorted his viewers to help him design centers where children can explore and learn from each other. Haden was so inspired by this idea that he created The Phaedrus Project in Montenegro. After two years, the after-school center is so successful with parents, teachers and students sharing exuberant testimonials. Haden’s description of his children’s center is:
At Phaedrus we believe that this approach towards learning is a model for the future of education. As educators, living in the digital age where information is accessible freely on the internet, we are no longer the gatekeepers of this information. A good educator, in these new times, is a witness more than he or she is an answer- provider for children. The answers are out there. Our job now is to find the right questions to help young curious and courageous minds navigate through that maze of information. (http://www.phaedrusproject.com)
​
Haden’s hope is to create a number of centers around the world; it is his passion and it is wonderful to see.
Family and friends are core to Haden’s life and his 18 years in exile have taken a toll. When his brother, Arthur, got married, Arthur put a phone in the pocket of his tuxedo so that Haden would be present at the ceremony. He has missed the births of his nephews, and it pained him that he could not support his father as he underwent a serious but successful brain tumor operation.
Haden is an amazing person; he is a wonderful and caring son. If given the chance, he would be an active and enthusiastic American citizen of whom we could all be proud. I hope you will give him the chance to redeem himself.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Webster Ware
​
