Posted on 09/21/2007 6:10:33 AM PDT by kellynla
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Columbia University
212.854.9970, fax: 212.854.9973
Office hours: Weekdays, 8am-6pm
I hope everyone will call and voice their outrage.
Never Forget 9/11
Never Forget the Marine Barracks, Beirut 1983
Never Foeget the Hostages, 1979 Tehran, Iran
Semper Fi, Kelly
“Leeee Ceee, you have some splaining to do!”
I don’t think calling these people will do any good. We just need to remember whose side they are on when the shooting starts.
Face it, these extremist left-wingers are NOT on our side.
Has CAIR spoken up in his defense yet?
“I don’t think calling these people will do any good?”
You are mistaken because it worked last year!
If you succeed in shutting him up, he will never have such a stellar chance to prove he’s an idiot.
I say let him talk. Then show him, prove to him, convince him where he is wrong.
Anything else is censorship. That’s the way the cookie crumbles. I ain’t scared of nuthing he might say. Are you?
This POS has a forum at the UN
He is a criminal. PERIOD
If I were POTUS or AG I would have him arrested as soon as he landed at JFK.
“afraid?”
FYI, I walked point for the 5th Marines in Viet Nam in 1969 & 1970.
I’m not afraid of anything, least of all this POS!
I’d love it if someone could videotape the audience - just to see how these “students of higher learning” respond to his Bush/Israel bashing statements - fair to say they’ll treat him like a rock star.
An alumnus,
PP
Well said. You can bet that if he is allowed to speak, he will put a great deal into what he says. And we will have it on record - unambiguous, and readily analyzed.
I may be wrong, but I see his visit as a kind of reaching out. And while he is an exception, Iran had a long history of being a very moderate culture that embraced western values. We can either encourage that, or push him away and further isolate him.
“I see nothing wrong with his giving a speech or debating at Columbia University?”
I guess you would have no problem with Hitler speaking at Columbia either.
Well, there a few hundred thousand Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, National Guard troops & their families who disagree with you. Not to forget the families of those who paid the ultimate price for freedom.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
“Marines are at war. America is at the mall.”
Where’s Travis Bickle when we need him? Or Johnny Smith....
No, it’s not censorship. That can only come from the government, i.e. if you are put in jail or executed for saying something. Or if you are threatened with same by the government. Private sector discretion (or lack of it) is not censorship.
Not true. What if all the major media providers just agreed to and decided to not cover a story? I’m talkin ABC, NBC, NYT’s.
That would still be censorship.
“reaching out?”
What part of "terrorist" don’t you comprehend.
This POS is a murdering criminal, head of the largest terrorist sponsoring country on the planet and responsible for THOUSANDS OF DEAD AMERICANS. "Allowed to speak?" The only person he should be allowed to "speak" to is his lawyer after being arrested at JFK.
I like this plot line better. Mahmoud faces assassination attempt when visiting the UN General Assembly in this new Thriller novel.. http://anonymoussedition.com/
And before I leave you to your “open mindedness”
you clowns at Columbia have no problem inviting a terrorist responsible for the deaths of THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS but you definitely have a problem with ROTC on your campus now don’t you... chew on that, alumnus...
Class dismissed!
Say Hitler or Mussolini or at that Togo wanted to speak at a US College, what would be the ramifications? There would be riots and people trying to get to him.. Sadly this will not happen.. We are to big of PU____!
As an alumnus of Columbia (college, journalism, law), I couldn’t understand why they would let that deranged maniac speak from a stage under university auspices. Then I realized that he is the University president, after all, and can speak wherever he wants.
I’ll never figure out why he is bringing Ahmadinejad with him, though.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.