<p>Question: Is Khalidi a current professor at Columbia?</p>
<p>I don't understand why everyone is making such a big deal about Khalidi. I'm Jewish, and I am very pro-Israel but I also understand that this is America, and we should discuss different opinions.</p>
<p>I don't understand why when Obama might have an association with someone with an unpopular opinion, everyone freaks out. I also don't understand why when a McCain supporter raises her hand and says "I can't trust Obama, he is an Arab", he responds "no, he's a decent family man." (paraphrased)</p>
<p>Why does he not answer "You are allowed to be an Arab American, and you are allowed to be a decent man and an Arab...yes, at the same time". </p>
<p>Is the conversation at Columbia more balanced and more true to objectivity?</p>
<p>Also -
The argument that Obama is Muslim or even Middle-Eastern is preposterous. But as an Iranian, it's sort of hard to hear everyone defending him (i.e. of course he's not a Muslim!) Well, what's wrong with muslims? What's wrong with the middle name Hussein?</p>
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I don't understand why everyone is making such a big deal about Khalidi.
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<p>because mccain needed someone with a more arabic sounding name than bill ayers to try and scare ignorant people with</p>
<p>EDIT: also, mccain also has an association with Khalidi dating back to 1990 to the tune of ~$450,000 ....so even if it did matter, which it doesn't, it would be a moot point.</p>
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Why does he not answer "You are allowed to be an Arab American, and you are allowed to be a decent man and an Arab...yes, at the same time".
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<p>this is the point colin powel made on meet the press when he endorsed obama....unfortunately though saying this won't win you an election and that's what obama is trying to do </p>
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Is the conversation at Columbia more balanced and more true to objectivity?
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<p>absolutely...when you remove radical evangelicals who want to save israel only so that it can be destroyed in the rapture the discussion becomes alot more intelligent and balanced.</p>
<p>i just watched his interview with charlie rose on youtube...seemed intelligent, although a lot of things he said seemed biased. CO2, have you come in contact with hiim at columbia?</p>
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have you come in contact with hiim at columbia?
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<p>no</p>
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although a lot of things he said seemed biased
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<p>noone said he was objective....he obviously supports palestine as do many of the middle eastern professors in the MELAC department.... as long as he has an intelligent and compelling reason for his point of view then I don't see any problem with it</p>
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by the way, would either of you be open to reviewing my application?
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<p>i'll take a quick look at ur essay and why columbia if you want...PM me</p>
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he obviously supports palestine as do many of the middle eastern professors in the MELAC department
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<p>He doesn't just support the "palestine" (whatever that is) -- he had an official position in the PLO (some sort of spokesperson) during a time when they were committing major terrorist acts.</p>
<p>fine...whatever....there's no use in arguing over this....obama won.... the guilt by association bull*hit, the fear mongering, and the republican talking points didn't work....</p>
<p>i think expecting someone to associate only with people who he agrees with is absurd.</p>