Is Columbia University's Invitation to Ahmadinejad Out of Line?

<p>i don't see a problem with it at all. If anything it would be nice to be able to judge him personally rather than through the american media.</p>

<p>LOL</p>

<p>This will turn out to be soooo funny :D</p>

<p>man, if only Bush would accept his invitation to debate...</p>

<p>That would be one hell of a debate...</p>

<p>actual news title:
" Ahmadinejad eager to teach Americans about world"</p>

<p>LMAO</p>

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i don't see a problem with it at all.

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<p>The problem, from one point of view, is he is a huge supporter of terrorism, wants nothing more than the destruction of Israel, and minorities are beaten and killed daily in his country.</p>

<p>so he can't speak?????????? Wouldn't we want to know why he is such a #$^&@#%</p>

<p>No we wouldn't, because we already know:</p>

<p>He's a power-hungry nutjob lying crazy "religious" terrorism-supporting xenophobic West-hating closed-minded zealot.</p>

<p>Why not have someone come speak that might actually provide some insight to students?</p>

<p>What does everyone think of the introduction he got? I think Columbia U's president was out of line for inviting him and then bashing him before he got a chance to speak. A real sucker punch. If you're going to host a speaker, the least you can do it let him hang himself with his own words.</p>

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What does everyone think of the introduction he got? I think Columbia U's president was out of line for inviting him and then bashing him before he got a chance to speak. A real sucker punch. If you're going to host a speaker, the least you can do it let him hang himself with his own words.

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<p>I agree momwaitingfornew. I know Bollinger's speech got applause from the students present, and obviously his indictments against Mahmoud were correct, but you can't insist to the press what a genuine debate your university will be hosting and then bash the man mercilessly before he gets to say anything. That's like a set up. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.</p>

<p>you bash this guy Ahmadinejad, but it's NOT him that's responsible for the actions in iran. sure, he's the president, but you seriously think it's all him? Iran is pretty much a theocracy now...and all it is, is the mullah's behind it all. He does say some stupid things, like the holocaust wasn't real....i mean, are you serious? Also, I don't understand his deal with israel....jews and arabs are cousins of different faiths.</p>

<p>no it was not.
And did you even hear what happened. The head of Columbia SIPA bashed his guts. And then Ahmadinejad just acted like it didnt happen</p>

<p>I'm not too concerned about the head of Columbia bashing him. After all, he's pretty familiar with unkind remarks--he makes plenty of them himself. I agree with those who say let him speak--where will you draw the line in deciding which heads of state are too evil to allow to speak?</p>

<p>IMO, that was Columbia's president trying to please the people who bashed him for letting Ahmadinejad to speak, and it came across as pretty classless. You can't have it both ways. Invite him and let him talk, or don't let him talk.</p>

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I wasn't aware of the fact that hate speech was educational.

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<ol>
<li><p>You weren't? How? How is hate speech not educational? Learning the tactics used by those who spread hate can be very educational. I guess we shouldn't analyse hitler's speeches in any colleges or universities anymore huh? Maybe we shoud just read transcripts of the teletubbies and eat milk and cookies instead of ensuring history does not repeat itself in terrible ways!</p></li>
<li><p>He did not spew any hate in his speech but you'd have to actually listen to what he says instead of assuming that he is going to spout hate. He isn't exactly soft and cuddly but he has the sense to not be too caustic here.</p></li>
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