The guy found historically significant documents of Harvard's first African American graduate while rummaging through an attic he was working on as a contractor. Now he is threatening to burn the documents if Harvard doesn't pay his price for them.

I'm all for a man getting his money, even in a windfall situation like this. This seems like a poorly designed negotiating tactic. Create a market by finding out what other schools might be interested. You don't threaten Harvard by burning the stuff as it was lost to them up until last year. You threaten them by having a lesser institution holding documents that Harvard should have.

The guy sounds like a Hollywood movie moron who will eventually negotiate himself out of his payday. Pay for some representation on this you cheap ass.

Here is how I would play it: my kids (he has young sons) would be assured entry into Harvard undergrad with assurance of entry into any graduate program should they meet minimum undergrad standards and all education would be free. That right there is worth more than any price he could negotiate and Harvard would give that away like a door prize. You could negotiate a reasonable price from there but at that point you have altered the path of future generations of your family forever

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

yeah, he doesn't seem too bright

With a name like Rufus, I was expecting the next Einstein.

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Rufus is a good name for a dog

and of course...

Good thing this guy isn't a painting contractor. It is certain they would have been destroyed immediately for no money.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

You had my support at Rufus.

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I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out. - Bill Hicks

Let's do it for Johnny!

Harvard should tell them to burn them. They figured they were lost for years anyway, and once they are burned he can't get anything for them anyway.

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Can you imagine the feel good story this guy could have created if he just played his cards right. Dumbass.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Is that Buzz Kilman?

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You know me like that.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way