Comments on Ahmadinejad, Bollinger and Columbia University

I can understand why some people did not feel that Ahmadinejad should be part of Columbia's "Distinguished Speakers Series".  Iran is a repressive regime hostile to the United States and to Israel.   They are sponsors of Hamas and Hezbollah, who the United States regards as terrorists organizations.

I can also understand why Iran would feel threatened by the United States, since we have invaded Islamic countries on two of it's boarders.  There is a good deal of speculation in the US press that we are actively planning a military action against Iran.  The recent Israeli air raid into Syria added fuel to this fire.

I would be shocked if Iran is not supplying weapons to the insurgents in Iraq, much as we supplied weapons to the Muhajadeen in Afghanistan.  “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Bollinger's bizarre behavior was a result of his fear of losing donations to the university.  He didn't have the nerve to either defend his invitation or rescind it.

Personally I believe universities should be a place for the free exchange of ideas.  Unfortunately many universities are not consistent in applying this principle.

Ahmadinejad demonstrated the validity of this principle by making a fool of himself, insisting that there are no homosexuals in Iran.

Although we like to demonize Ahmadinejad, he has very little power in Iran.  The real power lies with the Supreme Leader, the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.  The President is little more than a figurehead.

References

Ahmadinejad Appearance Prompts Criticism of Columbia University Public-Speaking Decisions

Ahmadinejad Gets Rebuke, Creates Political Theater  (WSJ subscription required)

Between Free Speech and a Hard Place

Demon Rummy (WSJ subscription required)

Despite Denials, Gays Insist They Exist, if Quietly, in Iran

Free Speech? It Depends on Speaker

Iran’s Media Assail President’s Treatment

Legislatures May Act on Columbia

More Liberal Tolerance … This time its Columbia University while Minute Men trying to Speak

Shifting Targets