[Epapazian]

As a graduate of this university, I was appalled by its decision to grant Iran's kidnapper " president" a forum to express his "views", citing freedom of speech as its rationale. Odd, since similar rights aren't given to Americans espousing conservative policies or border security by the same freedom of speech-loving academics or most of their students. I assume that Columbia's newly enlightened professors will now take up the impish Iranian's contention that The Holocaust never happened by doing more " research" to see if he is right. Perhaps the Iranian's will open up their extensive files on this subject to help out. Also on the professors' list should be a thorough investigation of how Iran's society came to be gay-free, the happy lot of its female population and whether Israel should be transplanted to Europe so the poor Palestinians can be rid of its tyranny. I'm sure we can learn a lot from all of this and move forward to even greater happiness. Long live freedom of speech!

[timbo]

Yes I think it was a big mistake. Not sure what the rationale for inviting him was though.

Did you hear the intro by the University president - It wasn't exactly welcoming.

[no4mkit]

Well put Epapazian, I'm disgusted too.

It's clear to me where this institutions loyalties lie. They ban ROTC from the campus yet a known kidnapper and so called 'head of state' with Amercian soldiers' blood on his hands is welcomed there, under the guise of 'free speech'. Ask any Iranian Americans you meet (and I know a few) about free speech in their home country.

[Shawn 507]

Tread lightly guys, there those (one) among this forum who will say we are still a bunch of dumb Americans. Least we be acused of denying that his "right" to speak. Whats next? Surviving Concentration Camp guards and thier stories? No wait, it never happened. They are just normal jail house guards. What was I thinking.

[timbo]

Did any of you guy's atually hear any of this? The University president calling him to his face a 2 bit despot and dicator is hardly welcoming him with open arms. The remarks and questions were hostile to say the least.

Yes this whole affair smacks of very poor judgement on the part of the University. They should never have given this crack-pot a platform manipulate and use for his own properganda purposes. I'm still trying to workout what the university hoped to gain from it.

[Cavtanker]

Originally Posted by timbo

I'm still trying to workout what the university hoped to gain from it.

I'd say they'd hope to gain some publicity that was controversial. Which, in turn, was focused on by the mass media who bring in all sorts talking heads for a 3 minute debate filled with delicious sounds bites! Bad publicity is still publicity.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by timbo

Did any of you guy's atually hear any of this? The University president calling him to his face a 2 bit despot and dicator is hardly welcoming him with open arms. The remarks and questions were hostile to say the least.

Yes this whole affair smacks of very poor judgement on the part of the University. They should never have given this crack-pot a platform manipulate and use for his own properganda purposes. I'm still trying to workout what the university hoped to gain from it.

It looks to me like the president of Columbia University was just trying to cover his ass in response to the huge groundswell of negativity the invitation to the Iranian engendered. It's bad enough to invite the guy in the first place, but it's even worse form to attack your "guest" with a litany of insults before he has a chance to speak. Who is the biggest phony in this deal? In my opinion it's the president of Columbia not the mullahs' tiny puppet.

[Captain Eddie]

Seems to me, as we let mahmoud (or however his 1st name is spelled) im-a-dam-nut-job (at least that's how I pronounce his last name) was allowed to speak here, President Bush should be allowed to speak to the people in Iran...of course, it would not really be a good idea, as the secret police would likely arrest him...............