Protest at Columbia over Iranian President

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

did anyone else have a hard time following the speech?

i don't know if it was a case of many things truly being lost in the translation, or just rambling thoughts. i had a similar experience understanding(or not) and following the speech of a muslim cleric who had been invited to speak at my church several years ago.

the main thing i took away from his speech(the iranian president) was that no matter what he was saying, it always circled back to him-he seems to be the center of his universe; he is an academic, he is interested in further research concerning the Holocaust, he has been insulted.

Good observation. From what I hear, he's somewhat egotistical (go figure ) ... so it makes sense.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear him in his own words (sorta). Far too often we get a watered-down version of what's being said, or simply get told that the man is a maniac or "evil." I think he was pretty interesting. (Also, pretty bold to come to the U.S. where he's been completely demonized.)

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

Good observation. From what I hear, he's somewhat egotistical (go figure ) ... so it makes sense.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear him in his own words (sorta). Far too often we get a watered-down version of what's being said, or simply get told that the man is a maniac or "evil." I think he was pretty interesting. (Also, pretty bold to come to the U.S. where he's been completely demonized.)

I think you're right. I think as far as he's concerned, it is all about him, including coming to the US. He can show all the true believers back home how he came into the heart of the Great Satan and stood his ground.

I swear, when I was listening to him, I was reminded of a much scarier version of somebody like Rush Limbaugh. Not that I think Limbaugh is a crazy anti-American or supports terrorism or anything like that -- I want to be clear on that -- but there was that sense of "I'm right, nobody can convince me otherwise, and anyone who doesn't agree with me is evil, stupid or deluded." The true believers eat that stuff up.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I think you're right. I think as far as he's concerned, it is all about him, including coming to the US. He can show all the true believers back home how he came into the heart of the Great Satan and stood his ground.

I swear, when I was listening to him, I was reminded of a much scarier version of somebody like Rush Limbaugh. Not that I think Limbaugh is a crazy anti-American or supports terrorism or anything like that -- I want to be clear on that -- but there was that sense of "I'm right, nobody can convince me otherwise, and anyone who doesn't agree with me is evil, stupid or deluded." The true believers eat that stuff up.

I saw an article that put it like this: instead of us talking about freedom of speech in Iran, we're debating freedom of speech in America... and that's what he wanted.

His responses on the Holocaust (that if it's real then why can't it stand up to alternate research) and homosexuals (we don't have them in Iran) were just pathetic, but you know they won't come off that way to those who hear it in Iran (edited to leave out the intro I'm sure)

[Kevin]

^ Yeah, that's why I think Columbia made the correct decision to have this guy over. Allowing students to ask him questions regarding homosexuality in Iran, the holocaust, etc., helps us to see that he's not the sympathetic figure some would want him to be. It would be hard to conclude based on those few minutes of dialog that Mahmud (not even going to attempt his last name) is anything more than your garden variety religious zealot.

He is essentially the Muslim version of what we would have today if this country had elected Pat Robertson as Commander in Chief.

[Rudey]

He didn't answer any of the questions.

And he and his country are involved in the daily murder of Americans as well as many others. Beyond denying the Holocaust, he's advocated mass genocide and is now about to be the proud owner of a nuclear bomb.

The only person that's any scarier in this world is N. Korea's Kim Jong Il.

-Rudey
--Enough talk about lawyers and their salaries, I have you all beat

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by Rudey

He didn't answer any of the questions.

And he and his country are involved in the daily murder of Americans as well as many others. Beyond denying the Holocaust, he's advocated mass genocide and is now about to be the proud owner of a nuclear bomb.

When did he advocate mass genocide? Excuse my ignorance.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

When did he advocate mass genocide? Excuse my ignorance.

He wants to wipe Israel off the map. I think in this speech he limited it to "Politically wiping them off the map" By elections. No one needs to die.


Right. That'll happen.

[Rudey]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

When did he advocate mass genocide? Excuse my ignorance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6181029.stm
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={3C5833AB-CD3F-462F-874C-580756020566}

I mean, listen, basically it's really hard to get people in Europe to agree with Bush on anything. Somehow they are all freaked out by him and Iran.

And in regards to gays, if anyone wants to know, there are gays in Iran but they have wives/families. It's what you do in Muslim countries I guess. But being completely gay is asking for death, although they're willing to pay for you to get your gender changed.

-Rudey

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by Rudey

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6181029.stm
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID={3C5833AB-CD3F-462F-874C-580756020566}

I mean, listen, basically it's really hard to get people in Europe to agree with Bush on anything. Somehow they are all freaked out by him and Iran.

And in regards to gays, if anyone wants to know, there are gays in Iran but they have wives/families. It's what you do in Muslim countries I guess. But being completely gay is asking for death, although they're willing to pay for you to get your gender changed.

-Rudey

Thanks for the link.