Spec: Iran Prez Ahmadinejad to Speak at Columbia

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Jaug:</p>

<p>The point of this entire process is to hear a foreign leader speak about his or views, no matter how accurate or misguided they in fact are. By allowing Ahmadinejad to speak freely in Iran doesn't do anyone any good. While there, he can't be challenged because if he is, he has the right to get rid of that person.</p>

<p>Here in the United States, and at Columbia on Monday, he won't be able to escape the questions directed towards him. His agreement to speak allows members of the CU community to actually submit questions that he cannot avoid with a simple "no comment" or the removal of the questioner."</p>

<p>And yet another great reason for allowing this forum to go on. An honest, intellectual discourse for academics to challenge him and his nations viewpoints. In my honest opinion, politicians, legislators, and media correspondents have all been asking the wrong questions time and time again. This opportunity will allow for a free flow exchange of ideas without having the likes of Mike Wallace, Dan Rather (or whom ever else on 60 min) who tend to shield him with the media integrity of asking "soft" questions. Students are simply going to nail him with facts, and he'll have fend for himself on this one. Now that I think about it, this is the perfect platform for the US to discredit his viewpoints. Academians tend to be far more detail oriented and concrete and less bias in formulating their perspectives than policy makers are. Ahmadinejad is really in a "do or die" (philosophically speaking) situation here.</p>

<p>Does anyone know if Jeffrey Sachs will be there?</p>

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<p>"He's using Columbia as a platform to get his rhetoric published in newspapers everywhere."</p>

<p>perhaps, but he's also speaking at the UN, that should get much much more coverage.</p>

<p>"I just hope Columbia doesn't come out of this looking like a bunch of 5th graders"</p>

<p>i hope so too.</p>

<p>"In order for the boycott of this madman to take place, it would require those who signed up not to attend"</p>

<p>not happening, everyone i know who has signed up for it is pumped and going, they realize what a rare opportunity it is.</p>

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<p>Will this event ultimately RAISE Columbia's profile, or LOWER it?"</p>

<p>It'll probably surely but briefly raise their profile amongst academics who are interested in this field. I doubt students or the general public will really concern themselves with it any time after monday. I bet most NYers have never even heard of this guy until it hit the papers here a few days ago.</p>

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<p>"I bet most NYers have never even heard of this guy until it hit the papers here a few days ago."</p>

<p>anyone who keeps track of basic news would know about iran's push for nuclear weapons, most wouldn't know his name but they'd have heard about his politics/holocaust denial.</p>

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<p>"anyone who keeps track of basic news would know about iran's push for nuclear weapons, most wouldn't know his name but they'd have heard about his politics/holocaust denial"</p>

<p>I doubt it. Most people who have even the most modest interest in politics tend to avoid anything that doesn't directly impact their country. Most people probably don't even know his holocaust issue because it really didn't even receive coverage. I'd be also willing to bet that most people didn't even know that he extended an invitation to David Duke at that forum.</p>

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<p>sphere718, my sentiments exactly</p>

<p>
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Students are simply going to nail him with facts, and he'll have fend for himself on this one.

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</p>

<p>I guess it behooves the students of Columbia, to make sure that the "nailing" really happens. Let's hope that the student body is not formed by a bunch of Rathers, Wallaces and the like.</p>

<p>In the late 1970s, President Carter released the so called "puerto rican independentists", who were actually a group of terrorists that had assaulted Capitol Hill while Congress was in session. (They had been jailed for a couple of decades I think.) Well, while on their way to Puerto Rico, in 1979, they made a stop at The University of Havana, where they were invited to a similar forum as this one. I have been told what a sad spectacle that was. The "selected" students had all been prepped by the cuban government about what questions to ask and so forth. We can imagine the outcome.</p>

<p>This opportunity illustrates one of the advantages of our society. Let's hope the world (and those here that praise this lunatic) is closely watching the difference.</p>

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<p>I agree with acinva, and Lee Bollinger is a dolt (as most already consider him to be) if he can't see the truth that all Ahmadinejad wants is a propaganda platform. He makes me dislike Columbia more and more everyday.</p>

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<p>"Lee Bollinger is a dolt (as most already consider him to be)" </p>

<p>how is he a dolt? as far as I can see he's articulate and takes clear stances on issues such as tolerance and free speech. He's seems to apply these standards fairly as he harshly and duly criticized those who rushed the minuteman stage. On the contrary I think he is well liked, and well respected at Columbia. Any public figure has opponents and the key with Bollinger, is his opponents tend to lie on both extremes of an issue. After the students rushed the stage last year, the far left students could not believe that Bollinger would allow the minutemen to speak and then denounce intolerant protesters. The right was angry that the university administration took a long time to publish a statement disapproving the rushing. A personal vandetta or bias against Bollinger, should not cloud an evaluation of the event. </p>

<p>"if he can't see the truth that all Ahmadinejad wants is a propaganda platform"</p>

<p>Yes, i'm sure he can, we all can. Any poltician comes to a university for it's opportunity as political propaganda platform. and it shouldn't stop a university from inviting the speaker. A speech by a world leader is eye-opening & educational regardless of where on the issue one stands. This is a visit from the leader of an influential country, who has/had the support of a majority at home, who is changing the topography of international politics. Iran is already a key focal point for conflict between the east and west.</p>

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<p>This is a great thread. I hope CC picks it up as a highlight thread.</p>

<p>I couldn't agree more with confidentialcoll btw. I've taken Bollinger's Freedom of Speech and Press class, as have others on this board (like WindowShopping). The man is probably among the foremost experts in the country on first amendment law and freedom of speech. For christ's sake, he just defended two supreme court cases on the subject - the guy's an expert. If you think he's a dolt on matters of freedom of speech, it is you who are the dolt, unless you come with reams of quality argument.</p>

<p>in post 51, moviebuff asks, "Was Adolf Hitler ever invited to speak to an American University? The question is not rhetorical, btw.". Someone pointed out that foreign heads of state rarely traveled back then, but there's a second half to that answer: back then, american society was a lot less tolerant than it is today. This is the same society that 10 years later thought nothing of imprisoning all the japanese-americans on the west coast. Hitler would've been arrested, or more likely never granted permission to appear by the government in the first place. Thus:</p>

<p>
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One of the problems with our american society is that under the name of our democracy, we extend the same privilege even to those who preach and live to destroy us.

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i'm assuming the word "problems" was meant sarcastically. If not, it should be obvious to most fair-minded observers here that one of the BEAUTIES of this culture is just what you cite.</p>

<p>There is no better antidote to hateful beliefs than giving them the light of day in an open forum. unless you're in an unusual, demagoguing environment like Weimar Germany. and this ain't Weimar Germany.</p>

<p>If Ahmadinejad makes his appearance and actually doesn't dodge questions posed to him, first by Bollinger and then by students, this might be the biggest PR hit he takes in years. And there's nobody I trust to execute this more fairly and professionally than Lee C. Bollinger.</p>

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<p>
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The man is probably among the foremost experts in the country on first amendment law and freedom of speech. For christ's sake, he just defended two supreme court cases on the subject - the guy's an expert.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not very well I guess. The Supreme Court found the Michigan undergraduate admissions practices unconstitutional. Besides, he didn't "defend" them. UM was represented by a law firm.</p>

<p>Bollinger's an academic. That doesn't mean he knows much about the real world.</p>

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<p>I have a question for all those who think this event will foster "great debate" and that he's going to be challenged, have to fend off Columbia students, etc.:</p>

<p>Do you actually think he's going to answer the tough questions that he'll be asked?</p>

<p>OF COURSE HE WON'T. He'll do what every politician does when he gets a question he doesn't want to answer. He'll filibuster and talk about whatever he wants. Nobody's going to interrupt him after 10 seconds and tell him that he's not responding to the question.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Do you actually think he's going to answer the tough questions that he'll be asked?</p>

<p>OF COURSE HE WON'T. He'll do what every politician does when he gets a question he doesn't want to answer. He'll filibuster and talk about whatever he wants. Nobody's going to interrupt him after 10 seconds and tell him that he's not responding to the question.

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</p>

<p>well of course he won't answer the questions as directly as anyone would like but have you ever seen president bush or former white house press secretary tony snow try to dodge questions...they end up sounding like idiots! who can forget snow's rationalization of the august recess of iraqi politician (he said they were going on vacation because it was hot! whereas of course american soldiers are doing alot more than siting in air conditioned rooms in the same heat). Also who can forget Rumsfeld's gem: "you fight the war with the army you've got" ....etc etc. While the aforementioned and Ahmadinejad might not directly answer questions, they still reveal much while trying to stumble through them. At the very least it puts Ahmadinejad in a position he hasn't been in before, fielding questions from a mostly anti-Ahmadinejad crowd.</p>

<p>are you suggesting that we just stop asking any politicians questions because they will dodge them or give indirect answers?</p>

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<p>"are you suggesting that we just stop asking any politicians questions because they will dodge them or give indirect answers?"</p>

<p>No, we're saying that there's nothing that this man has to say that we don't already know. To give him a platform to spew his hateful rhetoric is appauling. Trust me, he knows EXACTLY what he's in for and I guarantee he's prepared not to look like an idiot. </p>

<p>I totally agree with C2002 -- who is going to interrupt him as he carefully crafts his answers to avoid the real questions? I have a feeling that if anybody is going to look stupid, it's most likely Bollinger and Columbia. I hope I'm wrong though. </p>

<p>.</p>

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<p>
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No, we're saying that there's nothing that this man has to say that we don't already know.

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</p>

<p>really?? so we should just stop listening to him and start bombing right? I really don't see how you can claim to be an expert on ahmadinajad and the complex iranian situation like that. </p>

<p>
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To give him a platform to spew his hateful rhetoric is appauling.

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</p>

<p>so are you as apauled that he is addressing the general assembly the very next day? At least at columbia he has to field tough questions. </p>

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who is going to interrupt him as he carefully crafts his answers to avoid the real questions?

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</p>

<p>noone, just as noone interrupts US politicians as they spew crap out of their mouths.....and thats the way it should be</p>

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<p>Shraf, I'm so sure that understanding Germany's complex situation makes it ok that Hitler murdered millions of Jews.</p>

<p>Did the General Assembly extend a personal invitation to have him speak? And you're mistaken if you think these so-called "tough" questions are going to throw him for a loop. He's knows what he's up against and he'll be prepared.</p>

<p>I hardly would compare Ahmadinejad to US politicians. At least their crap isn't hateful anti-American and anti-Israel and anti everything that is civilized.</p>

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<p>"Shraf, I'm so sure that understanding Germany's complex situation makes it ok that Hitler murdered millions of Jews"</p>

<p>ok anyone reading this can tell that Sharf never in the slightest condoned Hitler's acts, all he said was that Ahmadinejad today would never be able to do what Hitler did back then.</p>

<p>"And you're mistaken if you think these so-called "tough" questions are going to throw him for a loop. He's knows what he's up against and he'll be prepared."</p>

<p>yes, he'll be excellently prepared for sure, but in a high level debate, upholding extreme stances would definitely require some skirting of issues, and clever omissions all of which can and will be picked up on, by either those in the room or by the media.</p>

<p>"At least their crap isn't hateful anti-American and anti-Israel and anti everything that is civilized."</p>

<p>look, he's no dictator, if he preached global armageddon, he wouldn't have been elected to power. Millions upon millions in the middle east and especially in Iran do support his positions on issues, they aren't all crazy extremists and fundamentalists. We cannot disregard these issues and positions, we can and perhaps should disagree, but also confront them on venues such as Monday's.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Did the General Assembly extend a personal invitation to have him speak?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>yea, actually that's exactly what the UN did......prompting this:</p>

<p>"Today, Governor Mitt Romney released a letter sent to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging "the United Nations to revoke any invitation to President Ahmadinejad to address the General Assembly."</p>

<p>Source: <a href="http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/UN_Letter%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/UN_Letter&lt;/a> </p>

<p>the question still stands: are you as apauled that he is addressing the general assembly the very next day that he is speaking at columbia?</p>

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And you're mistaken if you think these so-called "tough" questions are going to throw him for a loop.

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</p>

<p>i don't think the tough questions will do that...but i do think that it is important that they are asked and we are given the chance to hear his response no matter how elusive or crafted it may be. </p>

<p>
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I hardly would compare Ahmadinejad to US politicians. At least their crap isn't hateful anti-American and anti-Israel

[/quote]
</p>

<p>why not? is it better to hate mexicans, immigrants, gays, russians etc etc? </p>

<p>yes, we agree that ahmadinejad doesn't hold the same views as US politicians but my comparison still stands since i was simply comparing the way he and US politicians conduct themselves when faced with tough questions. </p>

<p>
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and anti everything that is civilized.

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</p>

<p>last time i checked iran was civilized....the country's president just holds some extreme views on some issues ....that doesn't make him or his country uncivilized</p>

<p>
[quote]
Shraf, I'm so sure that understanding Germany's complex situation makes it ok that Hitler murdered millions of Jews.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>so by wanting to understand a complex political situation I am, for some odd reason, condoning a particular view ....what? please elaborate.....your statement barely makes sense.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Shraf, I'm so sure that understanding Germany's complex situation makes it ok that Hitler murdered millions of Jews.

[/quote]

yay! Our very first invocation of Godwin's</a> Law.</p>

<p>acinva, you have lost the thread. good day to you sir.</p>

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<p>Before I leave, I 'd just like to say -- Welcome him with open arms and respect. Let him spew his rubbish and hate for America and Israel. Ask him why, and learn from his answers. Understand his position on these issues, and accept or reject them. Perhaps even applaud him when he's finished for bravely "standing up to America". It will be a joyous day for Ahmadinejad that his anti-american/anti-Israel words will be spread through America on a American college campus. He may even see how wonderful it is that America allows such freedom of speech and learn from it and bring some of our ideals back to his country.</p>

<p>But wait, I forgot, this is supposed to be a "show-down" where Columbia and Bollinger are going to "stick it to him" with tough questions. Ugh. Let's see who comes out looking like the dufus.</p>

<p>bye bye</p>

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<p>wait! acinva, do you mind coming back to answer my question about the UN....i'm really interested in how you will try to rationalize that or maybe start trashing the UN or something.</p>