Scathing opening before Ahmedinejad's speech

[environmentalist]

Source: MSNBC

Live video: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at Columbia University in New York:

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20942057/

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Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia University, just gave an opening speech to Iran's president that challenged Ahmedinejad to explain his statements about the Holocaust, to let dissidents go, to stop fomenting war and on and on. Link to Bollinger's speech to follow (I'll edit this as soon as it's available), but it was jaw dropping.




Posted by The Environmentalist

[rodeodance]

1. I heard most on cspan1 before they cut off to the House.

[eleny]

3. It's on C-Span 3 if you have it

[bluestateguy]

2. Good

The best way to counter bad ideas is through free speech and the expression of better ideas.

[JuniperLea]

12. Well said!!! eom

[MADem]

19. I know! Such a concept....! nt

[BOSSHOG]

4. but hannity says Bollinger is a terrible anti-American buffoon

for allowing the guy to talk. But Bollinger has said all along he wants to challenge the guy and what better place then away from his element. Another perfect example of why hannity and the rest of the fake patriot shouters fear intensely the fairness doctrine. They hate swearing under oath as well. Is there a message someplace in all this?

[Bicoastal]

5. This guy has been dragged though the mud by the New York tabloids...

...for his decision, and his subsequent out-of-context Hitler comment. Well, he surely has thicker skin than I do...and bigger cajones as well, I see.

Bully for Bollinger.

[subsuelo]

6. Has Bollinger been equally critical of his own leader?

[bluestateguy]

10. You can't keep bringing up Bush every time a foreign leader is criticized

"But America does it too" is not a valid defense. By that logic no foreign leader could ever be criticized.

I know it's hard for some people here to comprehend, but Bush is not the only evil head of state in the world.

[environmentalist]

13. Amen n/t

Posted by The Environmentalist

[subsuelo]

15. Thanks for the advice.

It was just a question, though. Do you know the answer? I don't, why I asked.

On edit, I feel it should be added that I believe you assumed too much. I have made no defense of Ahmedinejad here. What I am more interested in is Bollinger. Too often we point a critical finger elsewhere but fail to apply the same standards to ourselves -- thus, the question -- Is Bollinger equally as critical of Bush as he is of Ahmedinejad?

[ooglymoogly]

32. think you are right on this one...when hypocrisy is involved

the perpetrators are fair game...always...ad-infinitum.

[leftchick]

16. not the only but certainly one of the worst

which is why americans do not need to air anyone else's dirty laundry. The history of our country in foreign interventions and deaths is not matched by many empires. I wonder how many countries Iran has attacked, invaded and slaughtered millions in over the last hundred years? We are the last fucking country to be railing against him. Perhaps Switzerland?

[SayWhatYo]

22. Iran = Persia...

[ooglymoogly]

36. Iran is but a small portion of what was once the empire of Persia

running from the eastern Mediterranean controlling Egypt in the south all the way up to the southern borders of Greece for which many great battles were waged and sea to sea encompassing all the countries in between, all the way into central Asia. Persia was the super power of its day covering multiples of all the territories of the United States.

[dipsydoodle]

26. Is not matched

by ANY empires in human history in terms of deaths as a result of intervention.

[Casandra]

7. Here ya have it!

Step out of the box for a moment. WHO is spreading hate, discord and unrest? This is the example of just how far this 'menu of hate' can travel. Take a good hard look at who's who in this diabribe.

Did ya wonder why there isn't any dialogue allowed with Iran? ...

[davepc]

8. and the story in the right wing blog sphere will be "liberals coddle dictator!"

I'm glad he took Ahmedinejad to task.

just because Bush wants a war with Iran doesn't make Ahmedinejad a good guy.

[environmentalist]

11. Great comment

that's a great point and I suspect you're right about the right-wing's reaction.



Posted by The Environmentalist

[Mojorabbit]

18. Nor does

it make the general population of Iran bad evil people.

[environmentalist]

21. That is so true n/t

Posted by The Environmentalist

[daleo]

9. The U.S. is hardly in a position to lecture anyone about fomenting war

The president of Columbia University has a point about Holocaust denial, but when it comes to fomenting war and due process (i.e. political prisoners) the U.S. is on rather shaky ground.

[Bicoastal]

14. Can we stop reducing people to the countries they live in?

Nothing wrong with an American citizen grilling an Iranian politician on his views and past comments--nothing at all.

Now, if it were Bush or Cheney, that'd be a different story.

[daleo]

34. Surely you don't think Bush/Cheney speak for the American people?

The president of Columbia University is hardly just someone off the street - someone in that position generally represents the views of the status quo (elites if you will) quite well. Unfortunately the foreign and domestic policies of the U.S. government are relevant, unless he couched his remarks accordingly ("I realize that the U.S. is in no position to criticize, but still...").

It would be interesting to see the context of the comments, and also know more about the university president's position during the runup to the Iraq war.

[yardwork]

28. But Bollinger is not speaking for the United States - he speaks for Columbia University

I think that this is exactly the way that free speech is supposed to work. I applaud Bollinger. I wish that the leaders of our nation were as effective.

[daleo]

35. I would like to know what Bollinger thought of the runup to the Iraq war

And I would like to know if he has criticized Bush/Cheney for waging illegal war. That would put his remarks in context.

[Andrushka]

41. Fomenting war

Was thinking the same thing. Sorry, but while the rhetoric may be all there, the "fomenting" ain't being done by Iran here.

[lateo]

17. fatwah in 3...2...1...

How long will it be until someone calls for this guys murder?

[THUNDER HANDS]

20. say what you will about Ahmedinejad

but I don't think I'll live to ever see the day Bush goes to a middle eastern country and takes a Q&A from non-selected hand-picked audience members.

you have to give him credit for coming here and doing this. I don't think a lot of heads of state would walk into a foreign country and subject themselves to criticism the way he is.

[Bonobo]

23. Bush wouldn't even do this in his OWN country!

non-selected audience? With no earphone in his ear? Never. Never. Never.

[earthside]

24. Better Than Bush, Too.

You don't have to agree with Ahmadinejad about anything he said -- but face it, his performance was many levels above what are our so-called leader is capable of doing.

[harun]

31. B*sh will only speak on military bases now (n/t)

[TroglodyteScholar]

40. and only on a military basis.... n/t

[xchrom]

25. both bollinger AND amhadinejad have guts to confront each other this way.

amadinejad has stepped into the lion's den -- so to speak -- for him -- and is facing down his critics.

do i believe he's a good guy -- no -- but this is far, far better than the example bush has set for everyone and his free speech zones, etc.

now does the iranian president need to lay off his people and let minoroty rights and dissent have a voice? absolutely.

but my saying that has no bearing on my being able to critisize america for the same.

[dipsydoodle]

27. The opening speech was just plain fucking rude

and a complete discredit to your entire nation.

[yardwork]

29. Speak for yourself. I don't feel discredited by Bollinger's words.

And you are welcome to ignore the words of the president of a private university. Bollinger does not pretend to speak for the United States. He speaks for a private university.

If you don't like his words, write him a letter.

[dipsydoodle]

37. We obviously have different concepts

of what contitutes goos manners. I notice I don't seem to be alone with my thoughts.

[yardwork]

38. You obviously read a different post than mine, since I said nothing about manners

good or otherwise.

[Snot Hannity]

30. Inviting a guest and insulting him is plain bad manners

anywhere in the world. Bollinger is a disgrace.

[Bicoastal]

33. Even that Baptist preacher in Lousiana who tore Bush a new one...

...when he was a guest of the church, post-Katrina? Was that bad manners?

My stars.

[moondust]

39. Great exercise in free speech!

It was worth it to get him there if for no other reason than to deliver that bit of FREE SPEECH to his face!