Columbia Hosts A Thug

steve k · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 10:15 AM

COLUMBIA HOSTS A THUG
NY POST

September 21, 2007 -- Having been summarily denied his wish for an officially sanctioned visit to Ground Zero, Iranian despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is headed for Columbia University - where he's set to be welcomed with open arms.

That Columbia would want to offer a platform to such a bloody handed villain - one who, to this day, presides over a country that's directly abetting the murder of U.S. soldiers in Iraq - says much about the state of Ivy League education.

At the same time, the fact that it has an absolute right to do just that surely distinguishes America from Ahmadinejad's thugocracy.

Indeed, his presence at a respected university underscores America's commitment to free speech, no matter how odious the views. And surely that's something of which Americans can be proud.

As Columbia President Lee Bollinger notes, "Such a forum could not take place on a university campus in Iran."

Of course, no one should be under any illusions that Ahmadinejad is going to present some finely researched, meticulously footnoted scholarly treatise.

Expect the most vulgar and bilious ranting imaginable.

Something, perhaps, akin to what the Council on Foreign Relations was treated to last year - when it resisted angry denunciations from its members and invited him to speak at a closed event.

Despite pointed questions from a number of foreign-policy notables, the thug from Tehran stuck carefully to his script: Holocaust denial, denunciation of all things American and an adamant refusal to admit to his government's repressive policies or endorsement of terror.

Of course, America's proud tradition of free speech doesn't extend to only that which is repulsive and disagreeable.

Defenders of honesty and civility can also state their views and challenge Ahmadinejad's. They can even demand that the Iranian strongman not be given a platform. And that they are.

"A man who is directing the maiming and killing of Americans troops should not be given an invitation to speak at an American university," said Republican Sen. John McCain yesterday.

And Democratic City Council Speaker Christine Quinn fired off a letter to Bollinger, arguing:

"All universities, Columbia included, should be laboratories for a healthy exchange of differing ideas. But an exchange of ideas should not include state-sponsored terrorism and hate speech. He can say whatever he wants on any street corner - but should not be given center stage at one of New York's most prestigious centers of higher education."

Under the conditions set by Columbia, Ahmadinejad reportedly has agreed to divide his time equally between his opening harangue and audience questions. Bollinger says he'll personally begin the event with "a series of sharp challenges to the president."

This is, to be sure, nothing Ahmadinejad hasn't heard before. If Bollinger expects him to quake in fear at the prospect of tough questions, he's in for a surprise.

No doubt the event will be entertaining - and certainly a testament to America's respect for freedom of speech.

As for the debate itself, of course, don't expect anyone really to profit from it - apart from Ahmadinejad, who'll reap a personal PR bonanza.

Some country, America, huh?

Smitty0311 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 10:43 AM

A SCHOOL THAT DOESENT ALLOW ROTC BECAUSE OF THE DONT ASK DONT TELL LAW ALLOWS SOMEONE TO SPEAK THAT EXTERMINATES GAYS!!!!????

OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!

TYPICAL LIBERAL HYPOCRITS!

hexum · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 03:25 PM

relax. words don't hurt.

you fucking soccer moms always getting your patriotic panties in a bunch....

steve k · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexum

relax. words don't hurt.

you fucking soccer moms always getting your patriotic panties in a bunch....

Your wrong. When you have a leader of a country that is sponsoring terrorism, supplying finances, ammo and fighters to kill our men and women, when you have a man who wants to blow Israel off the planet and who is trying to obtain nuclear weaponry then it's a little more than words, moron.

hexum · #5 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 10:30 PM

nope. turns out, all he did was talk.

looks like you got your panties in a bunch for nothin!

noneof yourbusiness · #6 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve k

COLUMBIA HOSTS A THUG
NY POST

September 21, 2007 -- Having been summarily denied his wish for an officially sanctioned visit to Ground Zero, Iranian despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is headed for Columbia University - where he's set to be welcomed with open arms.

That Columbia would want to offer a platform to such a bloody handed villain - one who, to this day, presides over a country that's directly abetting the murder of U.S. soldiers in Iraq - says much about the state of Ivy League education.

At the same time, the fact that it has an absolute right to do just that surely distinguishes America from Ahmadinejad's thugocracy.

Indeed, his presence at a respected university underscores America's commitment to free speech, no matter how odious the views. And surely that's something of which Americans can be proud.

As Columbia President Lee Bollinger notes, "Such a forum could not take place on a university campus in Iran."

Of course, no one should be under any illusions that Ahmadinejad is going to present some finely researched, meticulously footnoted scholarly treatise.

Expect the most vulgar and bilious ranting imaginable.

Something, perhaps, akin to what the Council on Foreign Relations was treated to last year - when it resisted angry denunciations from its members and invited him to speak at a closed event.

Despite pointed questions from a number of foreign-policy notables, the thug from Tehran stuck carefully to his script: Holocaust denial, denunciation of all things American and an adamant refusal to admit to his government's repressive policies or endorsement of terror.

Of course, America's proud tradition of free speech doesn't extend to only that which is repulsive and disagreeable.

Defenders of honesty and civility can also state their views and challenge Ahmadinejad's. They can even demand that the Iranian strongman not be given a platform. And that they are.

"A man who is directing the maiming and killing of Americans troops should not be given an invitation to speak at an American university," said Republican Sen. John McCain yesterday.

And Democratic City Council Speaker Christine Quinn fired off a letter to Bollinger, arguing:

"All universities, Columbia included, should be laboratories for a healthy exchange of differing ideas. But an exchange of ideas should not include state-sponsored terrorism and hate speech. He can say whatever he wants on any street corner - but should not be given center stage at one of New York's most prestigious centers of higher education."

Under the conditions set by Columbia, Ahmadinejad reportedly has agreed to divide his time equally between his opening harangue and audience questions. Bollinger says he'll personally begin the event with "a series of sharp challenges to the president."

This is, to be sure, nothing Ahmadinejad hasn't heard before. If Bollinger expects him to quake in fear at the prospect of tough questions, he's in for a surprise.

No doubt the event will be entertaining - and certainly a testament to America's respect for freedom of speech.

As for the debate itself, of course, don't expect anyone really to profit from it - apart from Ahmadinejad, who'll reap a personal PR bonanza.

Some country, America, huh?

yeah that fucking scumbag Bush was allowed there too.

theleftisright · #7 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve k

COLUMBIA HOSTS A THUG
NY POST

September 21, 2007 -- Having been summarily denied his wish for an officially sanctioned visit to Ground Zero, Iranian despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is headed for Columbia University - where he's set to be welcomed with open arms.

That Columbia would want to offer a platform to such a bloody handed villain - one who, to this day, presides over a country that's directly abetting the murder of U.S. soldiers in Iraq - says much about the state of Ivy League education.

At the same time, the fact that it has an absolute right to do just that surely distinguishes America from Ahmadinejad's thugocracy.

Indeed, his presence at a respected university underscores America's commitment to free speech, no matter how odious the views. And surely that's something of which Americans can be proud.

As Columbia President Lee Bollinger notes, "Such a forum could not take place on a university campus in Iran."

Of course, no one should be under any illusions that Ahmadinejad is going to present some finely researched, meticulously footnoted scholarly treatise.

Expect the most vulgar and bilious ranting imaginable.

Something, perhaps, akin to what the Council on Foreign Relations was treated to last year - when it resisted angry denunciations from its members and invited him to speak at a closed event.

Despite pointed questions from a number of foreign-policy notables, the thug from Tehran stuck carefully to his script: Holocaust denial, denunciation of all things American and an adamant refusal to admit to his government's repressive policies or endorsement of terror.

Of course, America's proud tradition of free speech doesn't extend to only that which is repulsive and disagreeable.

Defenders of honesty and civility can also state their views and challenge Ahmadinejad's. They can even demand that the Iranian strongman not be given a platform. And that they are.

"A man who is directing the maiming and killing of Americans troops should not be given an invitation to speak at an American university," said Republican Sen. John McCain yesterday.

And Democratic City Council Speaker Christine Quinn fired off a letter to Bollinger, arguing:

"All universities, Columbia included, should be laboratories for a healthy exchange of differing ideas. But an exchange of ideas should not include state-sponsored terrorism and hate speech. He can say whatever he wants on any street corner - but should not be given center stage at one of New York's most prestigious centers of higher education."

Under the conditions set by Columbia, Ahmadinejad reportedly has agreed to divide his time equally between his opening harangue and audience questions. Bollinger says he'll personally begin the event with "a series of sharp challenges to the president."

This is, to be sure, nothing Ahmadinejad hasn't heard before. If Bollinger expects him to quake in fear at the prospect of tough questions, he's in for a surprise.

No doubt the event will be entertaining - and certainly a testament to America's respect for freedom of speech.

As for the debate itself, of course, don't expect anyone really to profit from it - apart from Ahmadinejad, who'll reap a personal PR bonanza.

Some country, America, huh?

For the love of GOD, can you right wing pussies PLEASE stop your incessant WHINING ????

Liberal bias whaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The NYT AD whaaaaaaaaaa
Moveon didn’t pay enough whaaaaaaaaa
Ahmadinejad is speaking at Columbia waaaaaaaaa

What do you care, are you worried he might have a bomb in his pocket ?

This is a sharp blow to closed minded ignorance, and a BIG boost to the 1st amendmant..... but you'll get over it

Good LORD, what a bunch of whining bitches

Smitty0311 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexum

relax. words don't hurt.

you fucking soccer moms always getting your patriotic panties in a bunch....

ITS THE HYPOCRACY THAT IS AMAZING. THEY BOO THE MINUTMEN OFF THE STAGE BUT THEY WELCOME AHMADINIJAD. THEY KICK ROTC OFF THE CAMPUS BECAUSE OF THE DONT AS DONT TELL LAW BUT THEY WELCOME SOMEONE WHO KILLS GAYS!

hexum · #9 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 09:28 AM

That IS hypocracy. However, the reason there is a big stink over this is because they are allowing him to speak, rather than just ignoring him.

People seem to think we would be better off to not communicate with our enemies.

This is a disaterous and dangerous ideolgy, and a really childish method for solving problems.

You might as well plug your ears and go LA LA LA LA LA LA, I CAN'T HEAR YOU! LA LA LA LA LA!

Smitty0311 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-24-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexum

That IS hypocracy. However, the reason there is a big stink over this is because they are allowing him to speak, rather than just ignoring him.

People seem to think we would be better off to not communicate with our enemies.

This is a disaterous and dangerous ideolgy, and a really childish method for solving problems.

You might as well plug your ears and go LA LA LA LA LA LA, I CAN'T HEAR YOU! LA LA LA LA LA!

AND THATS HOW THE COLD WAR ENDED! NO SPEAKING, NO TRADING, AND NO DEPLOMACY WITH OUR ENEMYS! WE SHOULDENT GIVE OUR ENEMYS A FORUM TO PROPAGANDISE LATER. YOU WANT A MAN TO SPEAK AT AN ANTI WAR LIBERAL COLLEGE WHO WAS GIVING A SPEECH A FEW DAYS AGO IN FRONT OF AN DEATH TO AMERICA BANNER?

THE LIBERAL MENTALITY IS THIS: MABEY IF WERE NICE TO OUR ENEMYS THEY WILL BE GOOD FRIENDS AND NEVER BOTHER US AGAIN. CUPCAKES AND COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!