I find it disghusting that Columbia, that bastion of liberalism in New York will allow Imadinnerjacket to speak there, someone who is killing homosexuals every day in IRAN but will not allow the ROTC recruiters to come on campus because of the No ask no tell policy.

As for allowing him to make a bigger ass out of himself though I think is good because Voice of America that is broadcast into IRAN will carry his speech and the people of IRAN will hear him lying his ass off, saying how women in his country have more freedoms that any where else on earth and that Iranians are the happiest people on earth as well. Someone needs to tell those political prisoners in his prisons that he has not killed yet.

If you listened to his speech, or any of his interviews he has failed to answer any question directly, or even speak any truth.

The important thing though is that he has been forbidden to go to Ground Zero. He has no right to stand on that hallowed ground.

It would be the height of irony if someone kidnapped him and took him hostage...


too bad we didn't kill him,
-)

It's both.

We would be hypocritical if we did not let him speak, though I hope no one goes to see his talk. We guarantee freedom of speech. We do no guarantee an audience.

I see nothing wrong with it this is America and we believe in free speech so what is wrong with it? And if we ban him are we not as bad as Hitler?

If Ronnie Reagan and Ollie North could sell the Ayatollah arms in exchange for hostages back in 80, why the hell shouldn't we let this guy speak at the UN?


And apparently the Right has decided the old saying "I do not agree with what you say, but will defend your right to say it" just isn't American anymore. Which, given the past 7 years of pro-fascism, shouldn't surprise anyone.

Oh ya I forgot Sunshine Good Night! ;o) hehehee… just had to do that
Love you sweetie :)

It's a good idea. Being exposed to him, gives a variety of people an impression of what he is like and if we can deal with him, and he finds out that his crazy ideas so not impress anyone.

I see no danger in his speaking.

Did you know that iran held rallies in support of the us after 911? Did you know that they sent troops to support the us in afganistan the help find binladen? I found all of this stuff out today when i was listening to the radio. They also had intellegence advisors assisting in iraq and afganistan. Mahoud didn't even have a problem with the us until that asshole bush started in with that axis of evil bullshit. I have seen quite a few programs where more than a few iranians are heavily influenced by western culture. In 10 or 20 years with the right govt. Iran could look a lot like Dubai. As for iran not having homosexuals hemust not get out much. Muslim culture almost encourages it as an alternative to pre marital sex...with women. I saw his interview with mike wallace. He is just as much a politician as any world leader. Imagine the lies bush tells to that country in europe that loves him. I think of them on equal terms. I don't have a problem with this guy because he doesn't mind staying in his own corner of the world and lording over his own country. too bad certain other presidents can't take that example. You know how i feel about what people think of the first amendment but the important question to ask is this. Why is it okl for hitler and this guy to speak at columbia. But they would deny the president of Harvard who made one (taken as) inflamitory speech about women and math. Who are the real hypocrites?

Okay here it goes. I think it took a lot of courage on the part of the staff at Columbia to invite him. I think it is their right to do so and to hear his point of view. I don't think it was a good decision but they were still entitled to make it. The trouble with people like daddy and ninjaguydan is that they are all for freedom of speech until someone says something they don't want to hear. It is easy to stand up for freedom of speech when you agree, not so much when someone is tearing down the very fabric in which you believe. I'm a liberal and as such would love to stick a sock in every conservative mouth but by doing that I have defeated everything I believe about freedom. Conservative ideas like "Homeland Security" are for the most part bad ideas. In the case of "Homeland Security" they take away personal freedoms in the name of safety yet in reality can do very little to lessen the terrorist threat to our country. If they protect the airports then the terrorist will simply attack somewhere else. So you gave up your right to unimpeded air travel for very little real protection.

Let me present a conservative idea I think would really work. The right to bear arms is protected in the Constitution. Then let's really go with that. Allow every American over the age of eighteen to go armed. Would a terrorist be able to take over a plane if three fourths of the passengers were packing? I don't think so. As for the country becoming a more dangerous place to live I believe in the short term that would be true. But, I also believe it would bring about the return of good manners. You really would want to ruffle the feathers of that little fellow with the thick glasses as he might just be a crack shot and fast as hell to boot. So you would treat him with respect and kindness. He in order to be safe would do the same for you. This most likely would never work. But, it's a sound an idea as Homeland Security and it makes you lose nothing in the way of personal freedom.

HEY EVERYBODY! THIS IS JUST MY WAY OF SAYING PLAYGIRL IS THE GREATEST, MOST WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN THER IS! I KNOW YOU ALL AGREE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHOUT IT OUT B/C TOO OFTEN WE DON'T LET THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE THEM.

I personally found Mr. Ahmadinejad charming and soft spoken. Granted he is a bit delusional about his country not having homosexuals.

There is an inherent danger in Americans viewing only the side presented by our own government as impartial, and as presenters of the whole truth.

Americans have a significant problem in that we buy into our own hype, believing what we are told by our news agencies unquestionably. Our own National media is steering American opinion by presenting a biased and often incomplete information to the public. For example, for everything shown on the news there are many other things that aren't. Someone decides what you the viewer will see and what you won't. When we shut our minds, and our ears to the opinions of outsiders we will become blind to what we truly are. This is exactly the situation one encounters in the Middle East, people are spoonfed what the government and media want the people to believe, they are close-minded to anything coming from a source outside their own nation...they are in the dark.

We need to be skeptical, open minded, and informed when it comes to international events.

Ok it seems like someone let loose all the crazies everytime someone here goes on about how charming and softspoken Ahmadinejad is. The worl must have turned upside down if the only person I agree with is daddy.

Let me give you some quotes from his infamous "world without zionism" speech.

The establishment of the Zionist regime was a move by the world oppressor against the Islamic world,""The skirmishes in the occupied land are part of a war of destiny. The outcome of hundreds of years of war will be defined in Palestinian land," "As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map," said Ahmadinejad, referring to the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini."

or

Anyone who signs a treaty which recognises the entity of Israel means he has signed the surrender of the Muslim world," Ahmadinejad said. "Any leaders in the Islamic umma who recognise Israel face the wrath of their own people."


or his denial of the holocaust

"They have invented a myth that Jews were massacred and place this above God, religions and the prophets,"

The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets," he said. "(It) deals very severely with those who deny this myth but does not do anything to those who deny God, religion, and the prophet."

"If you have burned the Jews, why don't you give a piece of Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska to Israel," Ahmadinejad said.

"Our question is, if you have committed this huge crime, why should the innocent nation of Palestine pay for this crime?"

Please people, stop talking like idiots. It's your right to say Ahmadinejad is charming and soft spoken just as much as it is my right to say you are ignorant jackasses who need to do your homework first.

Listening to a man who is an official representative of a group of people is a wise decision. Ahmadinejad presented a different perspective than that of the main stream public of this nation. Now, he didn't explain the 'why' in his position, but he did voice his position. But I don't blame him. He was disrespected.

Basically, it was very rude of the university president to make such insults and claims like he did. Ahmadinejad was invited to discuss his position, but instead of doing so, he was forced to defend his honor. Not a great way to set the stage for academic discussion. It subverts the truth.

Apparently I am too quick to judge. So let you be the judge.

Here's a nice trranscript of Ahmadinejad's own split personality.


"We are all members of the international community, and we are all entitled to insist on the creation of a climate of compassion, love and justice."

But once he gets back to Iran he says this.

"What is a Security Council anyway? The whole world knows that America and England are the enemies of the Iranian nation."


or this bit of speech.

Our message is the message of peace and brotherhood with all nations, with all people. We love the American people as we love our own.


but before he said that he said this a month earlier in Iran.

If you want to have good relations with the Iranian people in the future, you should acknowledge the right and the might of the Iranian people. If you do not accept this, the Iranian people will force you to bow and surrender.

And if you can find the video the camera pans to people shouting death to Amewrica and Death to Israel.

Back on one of his other times here in the US he says this about Israel.

So what I`m saying is quite fair. We want peace to be established there. We care for the Jews who live under pressure there, as well.

But again he goes back home and speaks to the same Death to America chanters.

"I have said to the leaders of some western countries, stop supporting these corrupt people. Behold the rage of the Muslim people is accumulating. The rage of the Muslim people may soon reach the point of explosion."


Yes I am obviously quick to judge. I don't do My homework.

Who let that bastard into this country anyway?