Legislatures May Act on Columbia University

mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
edited September 2007 in A Moving Train
http://www.nysun.com/article/63232


How fucking absurd is this. I think Ahmadinejad is an ass but the university has every right to allow whom ever they please to speak at their campus. Now local and state legislatures are concidering cutting state funding because of the university's refusal to cancel the speech. Looks like for all of our blasting of Ahmadinejad, we are becoming more and more like Iran by the day. I guess free speech is only acceptable in our country when it is approved by our elected leaders.
"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    concepts of democracy are an illusion
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    I don't even see why it's an issue. Of course he should be allowed to speak if the University wants him to.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
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    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • Typical politcal neo-con agenda bullshit...

    sad.
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    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

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  • spiral outspiral out Posts: 1,052
    It's crazy, but they have to control things. I'm guessing thier scared that he won't come across as a total c**t once people see what he has to say and they have no way of twisting his words.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

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  • memememe Posts: 4,695
    On the bright side... they do have a 5 billion endowment, so I doubt they'll close up shop anytime soon.

    I agree though, it's a disgrace.

    I live 9 blocks from the university and it's a mess here. TV crews everywhere, and they are going to close Broadway later. Gates to campus are closed, and the campus is only accessible with University ID.
    ... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
  • macgyver06macgyver06 Posts: 2,500
    the man from short circuit should be able to speak wherever he wants.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    funny how that's exactly the sort of thing he does that has the protestors so wound up.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    It makes me wanna wipe my ass with a map of Israel.

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  • agreed...that is utterly ridiculous.
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  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    Imagine how all those American loving fools in Iraq feel when Georgie boy turns up to hand out photo ops and thank yous to the boys and girls for destroying a country. Can't imagine the sentiment is better than this. At least the Iraqis would have a valid reason. This reason is because "we don't like you" waaaa, waaaa, waaaa.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • memememe Posts: 4,695
    This is live on CSPAN 3.
    Remarkable.
    ... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    meme wrote:
    This is live on CSPAN 3.
    Remarkable.

    Can you give us a little summary as to what his speech is about.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • meme wrote:
    This is live on CSPAN 3.
    Remarkable.

    I especially liked the attack on the part of the Dean/moderator to kick things off. Real classy. Again with the "wipe Israel off the map" fallacy.
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  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    What is wrong with hearing what this guy has to say... and tossing questions at him to pin him down on where he stands?
    If he's a bullshitter... then, we'll be able to see his bullshit. Let us decide based upon open dialogue... instead of government fed rhetoric. What do these protestors want to turn this place into... Iran?
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  • memememe Posts: 4,695
    mammasan wrote:
    Can you give us a little summary as to what his speech is about.

    Sorry, there was an hour overlap with the Charlie Rose/Vedder, so I missed the first hour :o

    I caught his responses to the questions about the Holocaust and about the destruction of the state of Israel.

    On the Holocaust: he called for further research to establish the facts. At the end of his reply he said that in any case it was unfair that the Palestinian people had to be the ones to bear the brunt of the establishment of a safe haven for Jews worldwide: "the Holocaust happened in Europe, why was it 5 million palestinians who had to be displaced?".

    On the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state: he said Iran loves all nations, and Jews are represented in the Iranian parliament beyond what numbers would warrant. He said they do not recognize "that regime" because it is discriminatory and is in a state of constant hostility towards other nations in the area. And that it is unfair for other nations in the world to interfere in the area by arming one faction against the others. There should be self-determination. He was then pressed by the official questioner on giving a yes/no answer to the question: "does Iran favor the destruction of Israel as a state" and he turned back to the questioner and asked for a yes/no answer to the question whether the palestinian plea had to be an international issue (questioner replied yes).

    Honestly... and I guess that's where my own unwillingness to listening to opinions I disagree with lies... I walked away when he was asked about women's rights and the putting to death of homosexuals in Iran. He said something about Iran being a participatory democracy, about other nations having no right to dictate domestic policy, and blabbered something about "the United States also have the death penalty. If someone intrudes in a home and kills, do you reward them? We have a responsibility to fight the spread of microbes to the rest of society". That's when I turned it off.
    ... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
  • sigh eternallysigh eternally Chicago Posts: 421
    he also said homosexuality does not exist in Iran.

    so, can we have all the gay bashing creeps in this country follow Ahmadinejad back to his country? sounds like paradise to me... if i were a hate monger.

    i'm kinda bummed out that he didn't wear his tan Member's Only jacket like he usually does. I like his style. wears the same shit day in and day out no matter how hot it gets in Persia.
    smooth.
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    meme wrote:
    Sorry, there was an hour overlap with the Charlie Rose/Vedder, so I missed the first hour :o

    I caught his responses to the questions about the Holocaust and about the destruction of the state of Israel.

    On the Holocaust: he called for further research to establish the facts. At the end of his reply he said that in any case it was unfair that the Palestinian people had to be the ones to bear the brunt of the establishment of a safe haven for Jews worldwide: "the Holocaust happened in Europe, why was it 5 million palestinians who had to be displaced?".

    On the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state: he said Iran loves all nations, and Jews are represented in the Iranian parliament beyond what numbers would warrant. He said they do not recognize "that regime" because it is discriminatory and is in a state of constant hostility towards other nations in the area. And that it is unfair for other nations in the world to interfere in the area by arming one faction against the others. There should be self-determination. He was then pressed by the official questioner on giving a yes/no answer to the question: "does Iran favor the destruction of Israel as a state" and he turned back to the questioner and asked for a yes/no answer to the question whether the palestinian plea had to be an international issue (questioner replied yes).

    Honestly... and I guess that's where my own unwillingness to listening to opinions I disagree with lies... I walked away when he was asked about women's rights and the putting to death of homosexuals in Iran. He said something about Iran being a participatory democracy, about other nations having no right to dictate domestic policy, and blabbered something about "the United States also have the death penalty. If someone intrudes in a home and kills, do you reward them? We have a responsibility to fight the spread of microbes to the rest of society". That's when I turned it off.

    Thanks.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    i'm kinda bummed out that he didn't wear his tan Member's Only jacket like he usually does. I like his style. wears the same shit day in and day out no matter how hot it gets in Persia.
    smooth.


    Classic! :D
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    meme wrote:
    Sorry, there was an hour overlap with the Charlie Rose/Vedder, so I missed the first hour :o

    I caught his responses to the questions about the Holocaust and about the destruction of the state of Israel.

    On the Holocaust: he called for further research to establish the facts. At the end of his reply he said that in any case it was unfair that the Palestinian people had to be the ones to bear the brunt of the establishment of a safe haven for Jews worldwide: "the Holocaust happened in Europe, why was it 5 million palestinians who had to be displaced?".

    On the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state: he said Iran loves all nations, and Jews are represented in the Iranian parliament beyond what numbers would warrant. He said they do not recognize "that regime" because it is discriminatory and is in a state of constant hostility towards other nations in the area. And that it is unfair for other nations in the world to interfere in the area by arming one faction against the others. There should be self-determination. He was then pressed by the official questioner on giving a yes/no answer to the question: "does Iran favor the destruction of Israel as a state" and he turned back to the questioner and asked for a yes/no answer to the question whether the palestinian plea had to be an international issue (questioner replied yes).

    seems hypocritical of him to criticize the US for backing Israel when Iran is solely responsible for funding and operated hezbolla no?
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    jlew24asu wrote:
    seems hypocritical of him to criticize the US for backing Israel when Iran is solely responsible for funding and operated hezbolla no?


    Most world leaders are hypocrits why would this nutter be any different.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • he also said homosexuality does not exist in Iran.

    so, can we have all the gay bashing creeps in this country follow Ahmadinejad back to his country? sounds like paradise to me... if i were a hate monger.

    i'm kinda bummed out that he didn't wear his tan Member's Only jacket like he usually does. I like his style. wears the same shit day in and day out no matter how hot it gets in Persia.
    smooth.


    :p


    i didn't get to catch the whole thing at all.... at work......but i got highlights on CNN at lunch. and, i think this is exactly why it was a GOOD idea that columbia let him speak...so people can see/hear firsthand what a bonehead he is. i also like how direct/upfront the president of columbia was with his introduction.....well done.
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  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    :p


    i didn't get to catch the whole thing at all.... at work......but i got highlights on CNN at lunch. and, i think this is exactly why it was a GOOD idea that columbia let him speak...so people can see/hear firsthand what a bonehead he is. i also like how direct/upfront the president of columbia was with his introduction.....well done.

    i didn't see any of this but from what i read here and on news reports - i thought the president of columbia succumbed to public pressures and did an awful job ...

    if you are going to give someone an opportunity to speak openly and honestly - starting off with opening remarks that contained mistruths and words taken out of context shows that ultimately he was set up ...

    i'm no fan of this guy but if you are going to preach an open dialogue - you can't have the guy being interviewed like he is on the bill o'reilly show ... with all the guest speakers being from jewish groups ...
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    jlew24asu wrote:
    seems hypocritical of him to criticize the US for backing Israel when Iran is solely responsible for funding and operated hezbolla no?

    seems kind of hypocritical of us to criticize iran for backing hezbollah when we are almost solely responsible for funding and arming the israeli military.

    that goes both ways, and pointing fingers and saying "they started it" gets us nowhere.

    now i'd just like to find out how we get fred phelps sent over there where homosexuality does not exist. i'd like to tack a few posters here onto that flight too.
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    seems kind of hypocritical of us to criticize iran for backing hezbollah when we are almost solely responsible for funding and arming the israeli military.

    that goes both ways, and pointing fingers and saying "they started it" gets us nowhere.
    I kind of agree. then we get into the whole who is worse Israel or Hezbollah. and that will get us nowhere
    now i'd just like to find out how we get fred phelps sent over there where homosexuality does not exist. i'd like to tack a few posters here onto that flight too.

    I wonder what gay people do over in Iran. of course there has to be gays in Iran but how do they meet? interact? is it punishable by death?
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    meme wrote:
    Sorry, there was an hour overlap with the Charlie Rose/Vedder, so I missed the first hour :o

    I caught his responses to the questions about the Holocaust and about the destruction of the state of Israel.

    On the Holocaust: he called for further research to establish the facts. At the end of his reply he said that in any case it was unfair that the Palestinian people had to be the ones to bear the brunt of the establishment of a safe haven for Jews worldwide: "the Holocaust happened in Europe, why was it 5 million palestinians who had to be displaced?".

    On the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state: he said Iran loves all nations, and Jews are represented in the Iranian parliament beyond what numbers would warrant. He said they do not recognize "that regime" because it is discriminatory and is in a state of constant hostility towards other nations in the area. And that it is unfair for other nations in the world to interfere in the area by arming one faction against the others. There should be self-determination. He was then pressed by the official questioner on giving a yes/no answer to the question: "does Iran favor the destruction of Israel as a state" and he turned back to the questioner and asked for a yes/no answer to the question whether the palestinian plea had to be an international issue (questioner replied yes).

    Honestly... and I guess that's where my own unwillingness to listening to opinions I disagree with lies... I walked away when he was asked about women's rights and the putting to death of homosexuals in Iran. He said something about Iran being a participatory democracy, about other nations having no right to dictate domestic policy, and blabbered something about "the United States also have the death penalty. If someone intrudes in a home and kills, do you reward them? We have a responsibility to fight the spread of microbes to the rest of society". That's when I turned it off.

    But the thing is, now.

    Why is this coming to us now?

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  • memememe Posts: 4,695
    polaris wrote:
    i didn't see any of this but from what i read here and on news reports - i thought the president of columbia succumbed to public pressures and did an awful job ...

    if you are going to give someone an opportunity to speak openly and honestly - starting off with opening remarks that contained mistruths and words taken out of context shows that ultimately he was set up ...

    i'm no fan of this guy but if you are going to preach an open dialogue - you can't have the guy being interviewed like he is on the bill o'reilly show ... with all the guest speakers being from jewish groups ...

    I have to say... from what I caught of him, I agree with you.
    ... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
  • I hope everyone that is flipping out about Columbia allow him to speak pays attention to the rest of the forums on Iran the rest of the year. I'm curious to see how the overall program will end up? I think he made a couple points that make you think, but for the most part it was what I expected, evasive answers, not owning up to anything, and a lot of rhetoric.

    the worse part of this was the attach on the Iranian president at the start, it was pandering to those that provide money to the college that have threatened to pull their support, and I think it backfired. Should have kept the attacks on the policies of IRan, and not attack the man, which he did some of.

    One interesting question he posed was why the Palistenian people have to suffer for what the nazis did to Jews in the 30's & 40's? Of course if you have a better understanding of the history of the area that is Israel, it's not as powerful a question, but even with that, why not giving Jew's part of Germany?

    anyway, I honestly don't think there will be peace in the holy land any time soon, though one can hope. To bad a place is far more important that a person's life.
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  • polaris wrote:
    i didn't see any of this but from what i read here and on news reports - i thought the president of columbia succumbed to public pressures and did an awful job ...

    if you are going to give someone an opportunity to speak openly and honestly - starting off with opening remarks that contained mistruths and words taken out of context shows that ultimately he was set up ...

    i'm no fan of this guy but if you are going to preach an open dialogue - you can't have the guy being interviewed like he is on the bill o'reilly show ... with all the guest speakers being from jewish groups ...



    as i said, i didn't get to see/hear it....just paraphrasing/highlights on CNN. so, i didn't know it was like that...it simply was presented as if he was posing serious Qs to the president of iran....and asking him to clarify some of these hot issues.


    either way....it's STILL an open dialogue.
    Stay with me...
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  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    yesterday was a sad day for global ignorance and tolerance
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