Bring Him On!

The Washington Post reports that New York’s Columbia University will not cancel Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s speaking engagement. Many are outraged, including New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn who said, “the idea of Ahmadinejad as an
honored guest anywhere in our city is offensive to all New Yorkers” … and that he is only coming to the city “to spread his hate-mongering vitriol on the world stage.”

(undoubtedly)

Ahmadinejad will arrive to the U.S. on Sunday, September 23, to address the U.N.’s General Assembly. Afterward he’ll be speaking at Columbia University. Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, defending his decision, said the Iranian president has agreed to answer questions about Israel and the Holocaust, and the visit is in keeping with “Columbia’s long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate.”

(I doubt Bollinger’s intentions are that pure)

Personally, I don’t have much of a problem with Ahmadinejad speaking at Columbia. I believe this will be another opportunity for the world to see this man for the fascist leader he is. Open (and honest) debate is the only way to work through issues. Through debate, we glean understanding. We don’t have to like the messenger or his message, but I would like the opportunity to hear what he has to say and have an opportunity to rebut his assertions. I’m also interested in seeing those among us who coddle this terrorist madman; for these are our true enemies, and more dangerous because they’re “us”.

(of course, if someone were to “pick him off” from the stage, well, I wouldn’t have a problem with that either)

White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said of Ahmadinejad’s visit to Columbia, “This is a country where people can come and speak their minds” … “It would be wonderful if some of the countries that take advantage of that here allowed it for their own citizens there.”

(true)

Ahmadinejad also wanted lay a wreath at ground zero of the 9/11 attacks. His plans were rightfully derailed! Speaking at Columbia is one thing, but allowing a terrorist to “pay homage” (i.e. gloat) to those whose deaths he endorsed is blasphemous!

MORE:

It appears that in some respects, I’m in the minority of right-of-center thinkers…

Michelle Malkin; Hot Air; Little Green Footballs; The American Pundit; Power Line

Wake up America has a very interesting article illustrating Columbia’s skewed values in inviting Ahmadinejad to speak, yet refusing to allow an ROTC program. The article also cited Ayn Rand’s Fountainhead, observing that…

Socialist influence doesn’t go after the poor or the middle class. It goes after the bored wealthy, those who they can make feel guilty for their wealth, not those who made their money by EARNING it, but more those who INHERITED it. That, and through sufficiently disgusted (and in many cases, disgustING) entertainers who make it “fashionable” (Barbara Streisand comes to mind here for her many causes through the years, as does Jane Fonda).

What better place to indoctrinate young wealthy heirs and heiresses than at the Ivy League colleges and universities they attend?

An excellent point!