September 22, 2007
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Open Discussion
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is coming to the U.S.
In addition, he is going to visit and have an open discussion at Columbia University. Columbia University has come under fire for having him visit.
Ahmadinejad has denied the Holocaust ever happened. He wants to see Israel destroyed. He is currently trying to develop nuclear weapons. Here is the link: Link
The dean of Columbia University has said that “We’d invite Hitler to speak.”
Here is the link: Link
I guess at some level people will say this is an example of the liberal agenda in colleges. I am also sure someone out there will say the school is unamerican for having him visit. I think others could argue that it is very much American to have him engage in an open discussion.
Do you think it is unamerican to have Ahmadinejad speak at Columbia University?
Comments (97)
No.
FIRST!
Holy crap I actually was first.
Finally.
No, it’s not, because we should hear both sides of everything. It isn’t unamerican to have him there, because even though he’s a nutjob, he should have a right to speak as well.
Perhaps. I think we could have some much better speakers, though, especially if we’re pulling them in from overseas. What’s he going to talk about, anyways? “The Jews suck; convert to Sharia law and become amazing like my oppressed nation!”
What do you mean not be able to post from anywhere on an IPhone? As long as you have cell phone reception you can get on Edge…or you can use wireless internet access.
I think it’s insulting that he wants to come visit Ground Zero, but I also believe that it is definitely American to engage him in open discussion (as far as he’s able to engage in it, being an extremist). I have no problem with him coming to Columbia, even if I abhor what he stands for.
I wouldn’t like him speaking anywhere in the US
No it is not unamerican. It is actually unamerican to restrict him from visiting ground zero. But then again very little in America today is not unamerican based on the original intents for this nation.
I believe that everyone has a right to share their opinion and have their voice be heard. Is he who I would choose as an inspiration role model to speak at a college? Absolutely not.
i think there are a lot better speakers they could have chosen from…but i don’t think it’s unamerican
Yes, I think it is unamerican to have him enter our country. Considering he wants us all dead, I think it is unwise.
A bit like the dog biting the hand that feeds it……….
nope
Most problems develop from a lack of communication. This is good. Even if it is with idiots who deny the Holocaust…
-David
Not unamerican to have open discussion and allow free speech, but I believe it IS unamerican to have someone like him on American soil. He hates us all – he shouldn’t be here!
it would be interesting to see how many more questions he gets about america in the middle east, than questions regarding his positions against civil rights and free speech.
keep in mind that bush would not be welcome to speak in an Iranian university.
It’s not the best idea, but it’s not unamerican. American allows for open discussion and the sharing of ideas. So being American would mean allowing him to visit and speak. Of course, being American would also allow for him to get booed, heckled and assassinated on the way out the door.
Not un-American, but this guy is clearly bad news. Denying the Holocaust ever happened? oooooooooooooook
no, unless america is characterized by the fact that we’re very closeminded and reject ppl because of what they believe. which i hope we’re not. we should be openminded to everyone’s views and understanding the opposing view is actually helpful to us in understanding them, etc.
I don’t think it is unamerican to have him come but it would be great if American’s exercised their freedom and boycotted his lecture.
Unamerican? Hardly.
Interesting? Definitely.
Wise? Maybe not…
I can see a riot coming if he came to visit to that college..
Considering, that he’s coming tp MY university, I’d like to say some things about this.
First of all, I think it’s very American to have him speak. As a individual, and a growing force in international politics whether people like it or not, he has a right to be heard.
And as Columbia students, we have a right to ask questions and answer back. Columbia has a webpage up that allows students to pose questions that he will be confronted with, and basically forced to answer. We also have a right as Americans and as students of this university to show our support or displeasure at our leisure. Unfortunately, I have class (lame, I know) otherwise I would sell my soul to be there. I think it would be very intersting to see him speak, in some ways I personally agree with him and in others percieve him as someone akin to Hitler.
I have to go with what Direshark had commented. Just let him speak, even if one thinks the world is flat.
Wow, that picture actually resembles the character Steve Carell played in from Little Miss Sunshine.
not at all.
Not in the slightest. Discussion is integral to both a democracy and a republic–discussion of issues, of policies, of beliefs. If anything, no matter how reprehensible this man’s stances are, to engage in real (assuming it is real) discussion with him regarding them is the most American thing possible.
not
No it isn’t… Oh, wait, that’s how it should be. You know, yelling out “commie scum”, stirring the crucible, and being belligerent of world communications.
Yes, it’s incredibly un-American to expose college students to different ways of lifestyle and thinking.
We need to condition these students to think the way we want them to, so they can merge into the core of the bourgeois working corps!
Ha.
Apparently non-citizens don’t have the right to free speech in America? The totalitarian empire is well underway …
I think it’d be interesting.
I think it’s better to educate people than to keep them ignorant.
Why is he coming here? I thought he hated us.
It’s sure as hell not a wise idea.
How often do we get to hear a talking monkey?
“keep in mind that bush would not be welcome to speak in an Iranian university.”
Bush wouldn’t be welcome to speak at Columbia either.
The idea of having diverse speakers is American. Having Ahmedinejad is a security threat and a slap in the face to the war on terror. The idea of him going to Ground Zero for any reason is nothing less than offensive.
Let him speak of his reason and his logic, or none of us should speak at all.
’nuff said…
I think Columbia did a great thing by inviting the Iranian president. As Americans, the news we receive are mostly secondary sources. The media edit and sometimes present information in a bias way. Now, Columbian students can get answers from THE primary source. I always liked to hear the other side’s argument and see the issue from their perspective.
I have attended a conference given by the Ambassador of Iran to the United Nations. He was one of the most intelligent speakers I have had the pleasure of listening to.
Dissent IS democracy.
It isn’t at all un-American to have someone express their views, whether or not we agree with what’s being said. Quite the contrary; it would be un-American to say, “America as a whole does not agree with you. Don’t you dare tell us what you think.”
…I’m not really sure what “American” is anymore. But I think it could be good to answer questions that students are wanting to ask.
Nothing is more American than listening to both sides of the story, and it would be wrong to deny the American people that right. I just hope there will be enough security to keep him safe.
Let him come and talk – then everybody will hear from the horse’s mouth how freaking crazy this guy is. To add to your list of “this guy is nuts” he also believes that he will usher in the 13 Imam by starting a world ending nuclear war.
Although I think it’d be wrong not to let him speak I also think it’s wrong that he’s being given a pulpit to spew forth lies from. The holocaust didn’t happen? That’s the sort of claim only madmen make.
hes coming to america? just watch the news. I guarantee there’s gonna be “Iranian President Assassinated at Columbia University”
Hmm, well it could be seen as American to allow freedom of speech, even when that speech is disliked by most. Are we afraid to listen to him? And then I would also say, let him see a free USA, where we would welcome to hear all speech, where we the people can decide what we agree with and don’t.
His nation is a land of censors and restrictions, our is not (at least no supposed to be), let us show him that.
I don’t think it’s wrong to have a discussion with him… However considering how he feels about us and what he stands for I think it unwise. If he gets assassinated….well, there you go. Iran finally gets an excuse for a war with us.
Certainly makes one wonder about his intentions.
No.
I find it ludicrous to attempt to censor places of learning in the name of free speech.
It is batshit insane, pissy, asinine, fearful bullshit.
Why are we so afraid of ideas?
Also, it’s important to remember that he’s little more than a figurehead with no real power in Iran. There’s a very popular TV show on Iranian TV which is a romance set during the Holocaust. Very few people actually believe it never happened, which leads me to wonder how he was elected in the first place… ah well.
I don’t think it’s un-American. I do think it’s pretty stupid, and likely to incite a riot.
Nope. Can we bring tomatoes?
No, it is not unamerican.
well, they have guts. Do not admire their security concerns. let him speak. Let them protest. Poor soul. Let the eloquent and loving have full chance to engage him.
Well I think to ban him from speaking would be against the whole “free speech” thing…unfortunately. Technically, having him speak isn’t un-American because of free speech.
He and Hitler are in the same crazy boat. I wouldn’t listen to that homicidal maniac speak, and I wouldn’t listen to Ahmedinejad either. It’s like listening to the devil talk and trying to debate the Bible with him.
Yeah, it’s free speech, but you also have the right NOT to listen. Let that idiot speak his mind. You don’t have to hear what’s coming out of his filthy mouth.
As for the Holocaust not happening…I’m sure the people who survived it that have those tattoos on their arms and memories that haunt them constantly will surely have a different opinion.
No.
It’s not un-American.
I don’t think it’s very wise to have him come over though.
And the fact that he wants to see Ground Zero really pisses me off.
Really.
No – not at all.
I don’t think it’s a good idea. This guy is clearly off his hinges. It’s definitely like inviting Hitler. And though freedom of speech is an American privilege, there comes a point when one has to draw the line.
Yes it is unAmerican. The man has declared himself to be an enemy of the United States and now he wants to spew his hate on our soil. He has also, without provocation said he wants to see Israel wiped off the map. The man is evil.
Welllll when he starts spouting off about how much he hates America he better not yell, “DON’T TAZE ME BRO!”
Would Columbia invite a KKK member to speak?
Definitely a security concern.
well not unamerican since we promote the right to free speech, ya think they would let Osama speak?
No. But it wouldn’t be unamerican not to, either. I’m not for it but it’s worth a shot.
No, it’s not unamerican. It might even be useful, depending upon what he says and how it is reported. I can understand the concerns of those who think his talk might be illadvised. And to those who think he might give some intelligent answers to the questions being posted on the Columbia University site I can only say I hope you’re right; tat he will give some intelligent answers, even if I personally disagree. But I fear that he is not capable of understanding the questions, and his aswers will amount to little more than incoherant and drawn out ramblings of a man how just wants to hear himself talk.
yes he is crazy, yes he is stupid, yes he is a muslim fundamentalist, but does that mean that he shouldnt be allowed to speak in our country? no. maybe it will wake some people in america up. i would go talk to him.
I wouldn’t like him speaking anywhere in the US
<li class=”itemtimestamp”>9/22/2007 11:04 PM
<li class=”itemsubmitter”>MCTCanadian (message)
Yep.. I agree!
It also makes me feel mad that he would even go to Ground Zero. What is he going to do there.. do a happy dance? Uggg.. awful feelings about this.
It is very American for him to speak in America. We need feedback from those who have other opinions than the norm, here in America. He is welcome to visit my weblog, where I also am allowed to speak, even thought my views are somewhat questionable, as far as Christianity is concerned. In fact, this is my prayer this Sunday morning, “Thank you, God, for making me an American from birth, as I am grateful that I am allowed to speak differing views to my fellow Americans amongst the others who have come to see my Singersaint weblog, in my Marsweatherstation Site, promoting the Jesus Chronicals. …Love, Sande
No, even though he’s obviously crazy, it’s good to be able to hear the other side of the story.
i think opening communication is wise and diplomatic.
and he does look a bit like steve carell
Not at all. We need to hear both sides.
NO.
That nut has no RIGHT to speak at Columbia. He had to be invited. Should he speak? Yes. If we had paid closer attention to Hitler, who knows what we might have avoided. Let me talk. If we listen we’ll see what evil lurks there. Maybe this time, we’ll act after we listen.
no its not. hearing others views will give everyone a chance to re-affirm their own by having to think about them. whenever i hear an outrageous comment or thought it just makes me remember how i feel on the matter. besides the fact that he can have his views just as legitimatelly as anyone of us can have our views.
Keep your friends close.
Keep your enemies closer.
Let him visit.
Free speech good. Discernment even better.
i just think it is inviting an opportunity for violence..and personally i am exhausted
we need PEACE
No, it isn’t unamerican; however, if they want him to speak, it should be by live video conference. Otherwise it is just too dangerous for the students. There are many who might like to hurt the man.
It’s obvious that he is going to carry a nuclear bomb in his tummy and blow himself up during the speech.
What I’m worried about is that someone from his country, or another group with interest in doing it, would have him killed over here and made it look like a US assasination plot : /
As a student at Columbia University, I am excited by Ahmadinejad coming
to speak, even though I don’t agree with what his views and ideas are. I think it is perfectly American for him
to speak and that it furthers the academic purpose of
the university. In America, we learn by hearing all voices, no matter
what they are. If we refuse to listen to anyone and write people off, how might events
be prevented? Also, I’d like to hear what Ahmadinejad has to say from his own mouth, not filtered by the media. At the university, we are taught to question and
challenge. What better way than by bringing the voices of controversy
to where we are? I think controversy may sometimes be the best teacher.
So while I’m not particularly enjoying the zoo that has already started at the campus gates (http://www.bwog.net/articles/more_on_that_iranian_president_guy_thing#comments), and am already trying to adjust my schedule in terms of getting in and out of campus tomorrow (as it will be on lockdown, I gladly endure it for events such as this.
It isn’t unamerican, but it puts the columbia university Lecture program at risk. If they allow an idiot from Iran who denies reality because he doesn’t like it, what does that really say about how they care about their students? Denying reality is ok? It’s ok if you’re homicidal and delusional as long as you seem important? Puh-leeese.
We just had this whole ’bout of racism questions surrounding the Jena 6 bs, but we have to weigh whether or not a man bent on genocide should be welcomed with open arms. This seems dumb.
No, it’s a brilliant idea. We need discussion and debate to understand each other.
not only unamerican, but asinine !!
who would get the blame if a jewish person should happen to assinate him while he is in new york ?
Looking over the comments, I get the impression that some people are confusing a right vs. a privilege.
As a foreign national invited to our country, Ahmadinejad does not gain a right to a public forum by the Constitution, to my knowledge. We, however, may choose to give him the privilege of speaking if we wish.
I have no issue with free discussion of ideas. However, we are not obligated to give everyone, everywhere a bully pulpit whenever they wish, which is what I feel many of the commenters are saying/implying. I can invite a person into my home, but this fact alone does not give them an automatic right to insult my spouse. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I don’t know the full circumstances under which Columbia choose to invite him. As a private institution, they have the wherewithal to decide who speaks at these events. But I imagine at a publicly-funded college, things might be different.
OK, they’re letting this tyrant come onto their campus to speak, but they won’t let Army recruiters work the campus. That is definitely a warped perspective.
When we stop listening to people, we limit the ability to say “we were wrong” in the future. We must listen to our enemies and friends. If we listen and still decide that our policy toward Iran is right, then we are more cemented in our policy.
There is a danger in that, yes, we are allowing an enemies message to get out. But as Americans, we are in a democracy so we as a people need to decide our foreign policy. That means listening to those foreign.
Hearing him out and discussing things with him, I’m okay with. But, one should not lose sight of who he is and what he has done.
I was shocked Colombia University will invite such a person for discussion after what have happen to the USA. Is it “unamerican” thing to do? I don’t know. Give me the definition of “unamerican” then maybe I can answer the question.
It is unamerican for people to yell “FIRST” every time Dan made a new entry.
In order to answer that question you have to clearly define what makes something “American” or “Un-American.”
NO, NO, NO! That’s all I have to say about that!
He isn’t an American citizen, so he has no rights on our soil. Should a school wish to allow him to speak, I don’t see a problem with that, but they should encourage everyone who attends to look at the hard evidence concerning this man. Actions speak louder than words, and this mans actions are down right scary.
Coincidently, I’d keep him away from ground zero. Why? Because that is an open wound. I’d consider it an insult to have him there.
Holy shit, what an awesome discussion that’s going to be! I think it’s actually a mistake to just assume that people are inherently evil and cannot ever be understood and we MUST NOT EVER TALK TO OR ABOUT THEM!!!!! Instead let’s get in their heads a bit, see how they got to think in these twisted ways, and learn from it, either as ways to keep them from causing harm in the future, and/or to prevent future atrocities committed by others as well.
There is also a part of me that wonders how much the US media skews our views of international leaders. For example– Augusto Pinochet. To most Americans, all they’ve ever heard about him is what an awful dictator he was. I’ve even heard people compare him to Hitler. Yet if you look at history and what actually happened, yes, he killed and tortured lots of people (although, the numbers of americans killed in Iraq is coming quite close to it… hmmm), but he also stepped up into power because he was asked to, and stepped down when he was voted out, and is probably responsible for Chile being the most sucessful south american nation today. People may do bad things, but they’re not always or hardly ever 100% evil, and we shouldn’t automatically shut them out and ignore them.
I have a friend who works at Columbia presently. She’ been getting alot of nasty and threatening phone calls because of this dudes visit.
Well, if Columbia would invite Hitler to speak, I hope they made that a formal statement- I’d like to see the feed back/reaction from the jewish community. That comment was highly thoughtless and insensitive.
Well he’s certainly right about having Israel destroyed. Now if he can only *Prove* that he has nukes, then we’ll leave him alone, like that crackpot Kim Jong Il.
Open discussion is a joke. You will find that these liberal universities invite every despot, liberal, madman, dictator, lefty, commie they can find to speak, but they will not invite a conservative speaker. OR if they do invite a conservative it is a setup for the speaker to be booed off the stage.
No.
> Nope, but it does give them the opportunity to ‘hit’ him here, then claim we planned and carried out the whole shebang, along with ’finding’ out all the information involving the who, how and why…. The Secret Service is very good at their job, but one slip or lucky moment and……..
Peace