I think even the most far-right and left folks can agree that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is absolutely fucking bonkers. His "speech/rant" at Columbia University was shown by just about network and proved him to be completely insane. He said that as an "academic" it is his job to "continue to research" if the holocaust happened, that no gays live in Iran, and that he's a big fan of Jews.
While I'm still pretty surprised that Columbia invited Ahmadinejad to speak - although the school did employ Edward Said - it was nice to see Columbia President Lee Bollinger hold the Iranian President to the fire.
"Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator," Bollinger said, to loud applause.He said Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust might fool the illiterate and ignorant.
"When you come to a place like this it makes you simply ridiculous," Bollinger said. "The truth is that the Holocaust is the most documented event in human history."
"You are either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated," Bollinger told Ahmadinejad about the leader's Holocaust denial. "Will you cease this outrage?"
Ahmadinejad said he simply wanted more research on the Holocaust, which he said was abused as a justification for Israeli mistreatment of the Palestinians.
Comments (3)
No! You're completely wrong, the people on the far left refuse to completely condemn this dangerous nut. The fact that he was brought to speak at columbia proves that, did you hear the people laughing in jest at his comment about gays. They treated him with more respect than if a conservative was speaking. Which is why I maintain that the far left is much more dangerous than the far right. Although, they both are disgusting to me.
Posted on September 24, 2007 4:49 PM
I just don't get why anyone would criticize Columbia for allowing him to speak. The concept of free speech is based on the concept that its best to allow everyone to speak their minds. Everybody speaks out, and the right (as in correct, not conservative) thinking majority shouts down the nuts. Nothing is gained by the prevention of the free flow of information. This whole exercise has been a perfect example.
He spoke, and demonstrated to all who would listen that he is a lunatic. No gays in Iran? Haha. Ok, so after reading what he said, I think most listeners realize that he doesn't just have a different political viewpoint - he is truly batty. We have a better understanding of who he is and what motivates him. How many supporters in the US, moslem or otherwise, do you think he gained by his speech today? Hardly any I would think.
So, the result of allowing him to speak is that we are all more educated as to what is going on on our world. And now most of us know first hand that he's an ass.
What would censorship have accomplished? IT would have cast a definitively un-American black cloud over his visit with the implication that he was silenced because he's a moslem... gaining him more supporters.
Free speech always works. That is what this country is based on.
Posted on September 24, 2007 8:07 PM
The thing that upsets me most about Ahmadinejad whole speech is that he was given the forum at such a respectable place. Columbia is one of the most prestigious universities in America and only allow the most influential and brilliant minds to speak at their school. Simply allowing Ahmadinejad to speak at Columbia was a mistake on the school's part. It gave him stature.
Ahmadinejad should have every right speak in America. But just as I believe that "hate speech" - i.e. any group or individual that provokes violence upon any other group of individuals due to race, religion or sexuality - has every right, no matter how gross or vile, to speak their opinions, I believe that broadcasters and private organizations have every right to deny such people a platform.
Columbia, CNN, Fox News Channel, NY1, MSNBC all gave Ahmadinejad a very public and respectable forum.
Ahmadinejad is a world leader, no matter how much America and President Bush doesn't like it. His influence on the world stage is extroadinary.
In the wake of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Ahmadinejad and Iran have come out as the most victorious. Their influence on Middle East politics and in Iraq is stronger than ever before.
Ahmadinejad is a dangerous man, with extremely insane views, who, while I hate to say it, has not broken any international laws.
The world needs to know about Ahmadinejad and hear him speak for himself. I only wish that he didn't find such a respectable platform.
Posted on September 24, 2007 10:34 PM