Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

[Cumberland]

Re: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

I think it is a good thing that he was able to speak and answer very tough questions even if he did evade the questions or make nonsense claims (ie there are no homosexuals in Iran). Even though he is a hard line radical nutjob, at least he is not shrouded in mystery like some other crazies who rule countries without ever being seen. If we cant even attempt a dialogue or a debate then how will we ever move towards peace and understanding?

I might get attacked for this, but I thought he should be allowed to lay a wreath at the WTC. If he is doing it in a concilliatory gesture, why not?

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

I might get attacked for this, but I thought he should be allowed to lay a wreath at the WTC. If he is doing it in a concilliatory gesture, why not?

No attack here. Everyone's entitled to their thoughts. I am not sure about a concillatory gesture (being concillatory about what, exactly?), but if he meant it as an expression of solidarity in our loss or as a show of respect for our dead, then sure. Absolutely.

The problem is, there's nothing about his past actions and statements suggesting that solidarity or respect is what he sincerely would like to show. He cannot memorialize the victims respectfully because he denies the very essence of how they died: as innocent Americans victims of terrorism perpetrated in the name of radicalized Islam. Denial of this truth seems almost laughable to us in America ("Rosie O'Donnell...hahaha...come'on, what does she know about melting steel. Kook" and so forth), but a good portion of the world sincerely questions whether that is, in fact, what happened, because the only information access they have is filtered through politically and/or religiously radicalized sources. And Ahmadinejad plays to that. For the past two years, his administration publicly accused the Bush Administration and Israel (their Mossad) of ordering and executing the 9/11 events. Why should we allow the indignity of having him "memorialize" our dead when he spits in the eye of America and accuses us of killing them? The only thing worse, I imagine, was if he wanted to lay a wreath at Shanksville, where he'd be disparaging the very reason those passengers and crew gave their lives.

It's too bad. Remember the last Iranian President, President Khatami? The guy who first thing out of the gate called the attack exactly what it was? Granted, the last president probably didn't see a whole lot to gain by jumping in bed with Al-Qu'ada, considering that group is vehemently opposed to Shi'ia Islam, and Iran and Iraq were at war for a decade...but at least he didn't deny reality. Regardless of whether you think the "Axis of Evil" speech and the characterizations set forth therein were justified, one has to wonder what we gained by completely alienating Iran (who...I mean, come'on, at least to some degree had to have felt "jumped" by the boldness of the characterization). Next thing you know, we're dealing with Ahmadinejad. I think I miss the last guy who didn't like us.

But that's just my thought...and I'd guess that I'm opening myself up to attacks, too!

Re: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

But it's OK to be hateful of Israel and, in particular, the Jews, because that means that you agree with people who don't like George Bush.

It's hypocrisy masked as intellectual dialogue wrapped in a opportunity to look liberal. Ugh.

I don't think that's true at all. I don't know of any liberals or dems who hate Jews or Israel - or who would agree with Ahmadinejad on pretty much anything.

I think Julia & Jenn's comments on this are spot on.

If we don't allow them to speak, then he goes back and tells the region that the infidels are afraid to hear him speak, or felt he was so powerful we had to silence him. Let him talk. It does him no good here.

[Sheherezade]

Re: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

As a Columbia alum, I'm perfectly happy with the decision to invite him. It's a long standing school tradition to invite in debate. When we (DH and I) were at the school ages ago, we had many controversial speakers on campus. One time, I had snipers on the roof of my building as security. Nothing like letting a SWAT guy climb out your window and set up his position. (I think it was Noriega speaking. ) I like that the school generated discussion and debate through this event. I don't remember anyone as a student getting pissed because the school did something politically controversial. That's sort of the point. :huh:

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

I don't think that's true at all. I don't know of any liberals or dems who hate Jews or Israel

Perhaps in the US. However, in Western Europe, the intelligensia is very anti-Israel, as is the anti-war movement. The equation of Israel with Nazis, especially in countries like Norway, is a commonly accepted reality. Go to any "news story" published in the mainstream Aftenposten on a middle east issue...

This may change, perhaps, with Sarkozy and Merkel now elected...

[Rapunzel]

Re: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to Columbia Univ.

But it's OK to be hateful of Israel and, in particular, the Jews, because that means that you agree with people who don't like George Bush.

It's hypocrisy masked as intellectual dialogue wrapped in a opportunity to look liberal. Ugh.

I don't think that's true at all. I don't know of any liberals or dems who hate Jews or Israel - or who would agree with Ahmadinejad on pretty much anything.

Just wanted to comment on the above. Oh, man, I've definitely read some strongly anti-semitic things on Daily Kos - which is becoming fairly influential in the left/liberal world. Sometimes the more anti-semitic blogs and remarks are removed after they are noticed - but not always.