Good for them...
meme
Posts: 4,695
Don't go if you don't want to go, go and ask hard questions if you disagree with what he's saying. Otherwise all we have left is bombs, no?
From the Associated Press:
Columbia won't cancel Ahmadinejad speech
NEW YORK - Columbia University said it does not plan to call off a speech by Iran's president despite pressure from critics including the City Council speaker, who said the Ivy League school was providing a forum for "hate-mongering vitriol."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is traveling to New York to address the United Nations' General Assembly. He was scheduled to appear Monday at a question-and-answer session with Columbia faculty and students as part of the school's World Leaders Forum.
City Council speaker Christine Quinn called Thursday for the university to rescind the invitation, saying "the idea of Ahmadinejad as an honored guest anywhere in our city is offensive to all New Yorkers."
Quinn said Ahmadinejad was coming to the city "for one reason — to spread his hate-mongering vitriol on the world stage."
Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust "a myth" and called for Israel to be destroyed.
His planned appearance at Columbia also was condemned by Jewish groups including the Jewish Defense Organization, which described Ahmadinejad as "the Hitler of Iran."
Columbia spokesman Robert Hornsby said Thursday there was no plan to cancel the appearance, though the university dropped plans for an Ahmadinejad speech last year because of security and logistical problems. The decision came after a Jewish activist group expressed outrage over the invitation.
Columbia President Lee Bollinger, in announcing Ahmadinejad's upcoming appearance, described the event as part of "Columbia's long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate." He said the Iranian president had agreed to answer questions on Israel and the Holocaust.
Ahmadinejad's trip to New York ignited a debate this week over his rejected request to lay a wreath at ground zero. The State Department calls Iran a state sponsor of terror, and politicians and families of Sept. 11 victims were outraged that its president might visit the site of the 2001 terror attacks.
Police rejected Ahmadinejad's request, citing construction and security concerns. In an interview scheduled to air Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes," Ahmadinejad indicated he would not press the issue but expressed disbelief that the visit would offend Americans.
From the Associated Press:
Columbia won't cancel Ahmadinejad speech
NEW YORK - Columbia University said it does not plan to call off a speech by Iran's president despite pressure from critics including the City Council speaker, who said the Ivy League school was providing a forum for "hate-mongering vitriol."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is traveling to New York to address the United Nations' General Assembly. He was scheduled to appear Monday at a question-and-answer session with Columbia faculty and students as part of the school's World Leaders Forum.
City Council speaker Christine Quinn called Thursday for the university to rescind the invitation, saying "the idea of Ahmadinejad as an honored guest anywhere in our city is offensive to all New Yorkers."
Quinn said Ahmadinejad was coming to the city "for one reason — to spread his hate-mongering vitriol on the world stage."
Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust "a myth" and called for Israel to be destroyed.
His planned appearance at Columbia also was condemned by Jewish groups including the Jewish Defense Organization, which described Ahmadinejad as "the Hitler of Iran."
Columbia spokesman Robert Hornsby said Thursday there was no plan to cancel the appearance, though the university dropped plans for an Ahmadinejad speech last year because of security and logistical problems. The decision came after a Jewish activist group expressed outrage over the invitation.
Columbia President Lee Bollinger, in announcing Ahmadinejad's upcoming appearance, described the event as part of "Columbia's long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate." He said the Iranian president had agreed to answer questions on Israel and the Holocaust.
Ahmadinejad's trip to New York ignited a debate this week over his rejected request to lay a wreath at ground zero. The State Department calls Iran a state sponsor of terror, and politicians and families of Sept. 11 victims were outraged that its president might visit the site of the 2001 terror attacks.
Police rejected Ahmadinejad's request, citing construction and security concerns. In an interview scheduled to air Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes," Ahmadinejad indicated he would not press the issue but expressed disbelief that the visit would offend Americans.
... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
The best thing we can do is just what Columbia is doing -- host open and public forums with these people. By Having events where honest debate and intellectual exchange can occur with and between bright minds, we serve to further our understanding of other peoples.
I do not condone Ahmadinejad's anti-israeli stance by any stretch.
But i think it would be foolish to close off discourse with the man.
I am anxious to read a transcript of this seminar [crosses fingers in hope for one to be released], as i trust the students and faculty to ask very pressing questions of the man, and i fully expect that he will respond openly.
Hopefully it will lend us all some intuitive insight in to what he really thinks and we will be in a better position to make decisions.
If I opened it now would you not understand?
Wait... that didn't happen, right? The States didn't "not let" him lay a wreath at ground zero, right?
from the very article you quoted in your first post:
sounds like he was told no. i think perhaps he wanted it to be 'official'...otehrwise, i think just about anyone can casually walk there and lay a wreath, flowers, whatever.....doesn't seem like anyone is there to stop just anyone who decides to pay their respects.
i too agree though, kudos to columbia for sticking with it. if no one wants to listen, no one will show up....and that right there would be a big message. the alternative is people do show up, and ask important questions...and start perhaps a very good dialogue, and also represent americans as multi-dimensional people.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
I suck
The NYPD used security reasons as an excuse.
And that also was in the article, I later realized.
That's a shame.
it is a shame...although if they really think him laying a wreath at ground zero would be that offensive, and thus a logistical nightmare for security reasons...i can also see to some extent saying no...b/c why should NYC foot the bill for his protection/crowd control? i am sure his presence here alone is a 'security issue' overall, hell even columbia cites security as the reason for him not giving a talk/speech a year ago. so, i do see both sides of it.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
I'm sure there is probably some truth to that. he isnt exactly the most liked guy in the US. we wouldnt look too good if some wacko tried to get cute.
Though I am sure this will get blown out of proportion.
I couldn't care less if he speaks at Columbia or not, however laying a wreath down at the 911 site? Sorry dude, don't buy it. Publicity stunt. Enjoy your stay.
I too, would like to read a transcript of this seminar.
The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
True, but I'm sure that NYPD would have no problem footing the bill for any other visiting head of state liked or un-liked by our public. Also I would think that the Secret Service would handle security for his visit not NYPD.
happy 9000!
i dunno...i've only gone down there once, and it seemed to me...you could easily. of course, this was last summer? my only real point is i think he wants it as an *official* ceremony....and thus the security issues.
btw - i agree.....the secret service and/or NYPD..i am sure it's a combination of factors, foots the bill for all dignitaries visiting. there is always security...however...for a very controversial visitor, i would imagine there is more....and my point simply is why SHOULD we pay for that? whether NYC....the federal government, WE pay for that protection. that's all.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
We all gain from improved relationships with an avowed enemy. Well, all except those who have an interest in conquest and cheap oil they can then sell to us for much more.
Tell us more.
I'm pretty sure THAT wasn't on the article I posted
that's assuming it actually improves the relationship.
anyhoo, i already said i think it's great columbia is following through and allowing the speaking engagement, far more important...and to me, would do more for 'relations'...but sure, i do not believe the country has to foot the bill for his possible photo-op at ground zero, that's all.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
I'd like to see Bush speak at the U of Bhagdad. At least the university and the guy have the stones to pull it off.
Planning on heading to NYC to protest Chopper?
The guy shouldn't even have requested the okay to go to ground zero. He should just go there and do his thing. Photo op or not. To say he harbours terrorism as an excuse to why you don't want him doing it is pretty silly when you have planes bombing places in the middle east daily.
well that's what i said in the first place...thus why i think he probably wants something *official* about it. but if he truly, merely wants to pay his respects...well then, go ahead and go down there and do so.
and i think a lot of it has to do with people being *offended* by him, his presence...more than simply saying he harbors terrorism. again, i am not defending that thought process, just saying that seemed to be a big part of the gist of the article above.
anyhoooo..in regards to ground zero, i agree. go solo....sans photo-op....do your thing.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
C-SPAN and C-SPAN 3 will be covering the Columbia event life at 1:30pm ET
(They are now carrying live his interview with the national press club)
It's not "his thing" though. He is acting (would be acting) on behalf of his nation.
there you go assuming that I don't want him to speak; i merely thought it was interesting how they'll let him speak and decided to stop someone else from speaking who was controversial on the other end of the spectrum, that's all. And no, if I get a chance to get back to NYC protesting isn't on the list.
Three pages?
I can't read three pages of nothing.
I don't have the time.
all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
Did we learn NOTHING from the whole Saddam/Iraq thing?
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
What was the majority who don't like to just be called American who were protesting? Same old same, day in and day out.
As for whether you would want him to speak or not would be up to you. I didn't really care one way or the other.