Protest at Columbia over Iranian President

[Rudey]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

Did anyone see Ahmadinejad address the U.N. last night? It was on CSpan. He talked a lot, mostly about the U.S., without naming us. A lot of nebulous stuff about world powers who are overstepping their bounds.

Afterward, I was watching AC 360, and there was an analyst on who said that the man basically is a figurehead -- he doesn't control the military and he doesn't make policy decisions. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but I thought it was an interesting point, if it's true.

It's true. All the power technically belongs to the Ayatollah. Ahmenijad is sorta the Al Sharpton of Iran.

-Rudey

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

But I don't really have a problem with this guy coming to campus and speaking, because I feel like I learned something.

Well that's certainly a self-centered way of looking at it.

Forget the fact that this whole incident will be re-played in Iran to make the U.S. look weak and stupid. Forget the fact that we're laughing stocks because the U.S. government couldn't keep a known TERRORIST from speaking at a private, left wing University on American soil. Imagine what would happen if other countries were as stupid as we are?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Well that's certainly a self-centered way of looking at it.

Forget the fact that this whole incident will be re-played in Iran to make the U.S. look weak and stupid. Forget the fact that we're laughing stocks because the U.S. government couldn't keep a known TERRORIST from speaking at a private, left wing University on American soil. Imagine what would happen if other countries were as stupid as we are?

The Iraquis let Bush walk in Iraq (however!) on his little surprise visits....fair is fair....LOL

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by Rudey

It's true. All the power technically belongs to the Ayatollah. Ahmenijad is sorta the Al Sharpton of Iran.

-Rudey

LOL.

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Well that's certainly a self-centered way of looking at it.

I guess.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Forget the fact that this whole incident will be re-played in Iran to make the U.S. look weak and stupid. Forget the fact that we're laughing stocks because the U.S. government couldn't keep a known TERRORIST from speaking at a private, left wing University on American soil. Imagine what would happen if other countries were as stupid as we are?

But we're already laughing stocks (or fiercely hated) across the world. I doubt one man's visit could do that much damage. And what does it really matter if Iran laughs at us (more)? Unless you think that more terrorists will think this incident gives them free rein to cross our borders and wreak havoc (in which case, I agree).

Technically, it's not the job of the government to regulate the goings-on of private universities. A lot of these left-leaning upper echelon schools consider them more than just American universities, (this I know, because I work for one) they work hard to appear to be internationally-focused.

To be quite frank, I think this whole incident has been GOOD pr for the U.S. government, at least internally. It a) confirms the negative impression most Americans have of Ahmadinejad, and b) it makes (some of) us feel good about free speech in the U.S.

And if the government didn't want him here, they would have found a way to keep him out. Columbia doesn't have that much power.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

And if the government didn't want him here, they would have found a way to keep him out. Columbia doesn't have that much power.

No, but our UN treaties do. Very hard, I think, to keep him out if he wants to address the UN General Assembly. Whether they can keep him from going elsewhere while he's in NYC to go to the UN, I don't know, but it certainly wouldn't help our image if the government was thought to be preventing him from speaking at a major university while here to address the UN. A no win situation, I think.

[Sugar08]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

No, but our UN treaties do. Very hard, I think, to keep him out if he wants to address the UN General Assembly. Whether they can keep him from going elsewhere while he's in NYC to go to the UN, I don't know, but it certainly wouldn't help our image if the government was thought to be preventing him from speaking at a major university while here to address the UN. A no win situation, I think.

Good point.

[AOII_LB93]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

He shouldn't have been invited to speak. Free speech on AMERICAN soil doesn't apply to terrorists and known supporters of terrorism. This goes to how I feel about any noncitizen who comes here, when you're HERE you will be treated as a human being but not necessarily given the same citizenship rights as citizens receive or given a platform to speak. Just like how Americans are often treated when we go to OTHER countries, especially Americans who are accused of tormenting or encouraging the torment of the citizens of other countries.

The president of Columbia is a cowardly moron. He waits until he's introducing the speaker to make negative remarks that will appease his critics.

Iran doesn't have gay people, everyone. Announcement.

Why did it seem like almost every news analyst on Fox News an alum of Columbia University?

THANK YOU! I totally agree with everything you said...except the bit about Fox news since I don't have TV at my new house. It's amazing the things you find to do when you're not watching TV.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

The Iraquis let Bush walk in Iraq (however!) on his little surprise visits....fair is fair....LOL

no.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Sugar08

I doubt one man's visit could do that much damage.

It actually has, though.

You don't have to think it does in order for it to do so.

[KSig RC]

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