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ORIGINAL: domiguy

It

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I disagree that they are teaching anti-americanism, as so many college students would tell you it is anti-bushism. never misunderestimate a head strong twenty somthing :)

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ORIGINAL: camille65

I know I have this weird pollyanna outlook on the world but isn't it worth [having him speak] it if there is even a chance that this could do something positive?

This could be a step forward for so many people.

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ORIGINAL: farglebargle

People don't like to hear what doesn't fit into their worldview. The idea that Adminidjad could say anything reasonable is LITERALLY impossible for them to comprehend.

It's the same mindset which resulted in the Censorship of Sally Field's comments at the Emmy's.

"Thou Shalt Not Take The Name of Bush In Vain"...

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ORIGINAL: camille65

I know I have this weird pollyanna outlook on the world but isn't it worth [having him speak] it if there is even a chance that this could do something positive?

This could be a step forward for so many people.

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ORIGINAL: UtopianRanger

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I disagree that they are teaching anti-americanism, as so many college students would tell you it is anti-bushism. never misunderestimate a head strong twenty somthing :)

I say let the man speak.....Don't underestimate him - He might come up with a way that deescalates the tensions in the region.

In the face of it all, this guy is very courageous and has the fortitude to stand tall before his people and stick to his guns. Conversely, Bush and his cronies have done nothing but repeatedly lie to the American people.  

I will go out of my way to locate a venue that lets me hear his speech at Columbia.

Those who are afraid of another man's speech, are not worthy to speak themselves.
- R

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So which Columbia Univesity is it? the onne in NYC or the one in California?

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ORIGINAL: BlackKnight

I don't know about columbia, but Norfolk university here in virginia is a very bad joke, the diploma isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
Extremely ratial, and they don't 'teach' anything.

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His request to lay a wreath at ground zero, site of the World Trade Center 2001 terror attacks, was denied by city officials and condemned by politicians.

Police rejected Ahmadinejad's request, citing construction and security concerns. In an interview to air Sunday on "60 Minutes," Ahmadinejad indicated he would not press the issue but expressed disbelief that the visit would offend Americans.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini also appeared dismayed that the request was rejected.

"What kind of damage will the U.S. face?" by Ahmadinejad visiting the site, Hosseini told reporters at his weekly press conference Sunday.

Columbia University President Lee Bollinger has resisted requests to cancel the event but promised to introduce the talk himself with a series of tough questions on topics including Ahmadinejad's views on the Holocaust, his call for the destruction of the state of Israel and his government's alleged support of terrorism.

Columbia canceled a planned visit by the Iranian president last year, citing security and logistical reasons. Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust "a myth" and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

Hosseini said there "are efforts to cancel" the Columbia speech, but the Iranian government is continuing to pursue the program. He did not elaborate other than saying a lot of pressure was being placed on the program's sponsors.

Ahmadinejad's visit to New York is also being debated back home. Some in Iran think his trip is a publicity stunt that hurts Iran's image in the world.

Political analyst Iraj Jamshidi said Ahmadinejad looks at the General Assembly as a publicity forum simply to surprise world leaders with his unpredictable harsh rhetoric.

"The world has not welcomed Ahmadinejad's hardline approach. His previous address to the Assembly didn't resolve any of Iran's foreign policy issues. And no one expects anything better this time," he said.

Independent Iranian analysts also criticized Ahmadinejad for making the trip saying his anti-Western rhetoric makes life for Iran more difficult.   "Many experts believe Ahmadinejad's previous two visits brought no achievement ... rather, it heightened tensions," the reformist daily Etemad-e-Melli, or National Confidence, said in an editorial Sunday.

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ORIGINAL: Level

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ORIGINAL: farglebargle

People don't like to hear what doesn't fit into their worldview. The idea that Adminidjad could say anything reasonable is LITERALLY impossible for them to comprehend.

It's the same mindset which resulted in the Censorship of Sally Field's comments at the Emmy's.

"Thou Shalt Not Take The Name of Bush In Vain"...

Of course, fb, that lack of ability to comprehend the "other side" saying anything reasonble goes both ways....... [8|]

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ORIGINAL: farglebargle

You get back to me when that happens. Right now, the Neocon Party Whores seem to have invented the word Citizen somewhere in the 5th Amendment...

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ORIGINAL: cyberdude611

This has nothing to do with the Minutemen!
My point was that if this university is OK with someone as radical as Ahmadinenjad, and I remind you again that this university allowed a former Nazi to speak to its students... then why is it that they don't accept the other radical side?

It shows that this university is a farce. They preach tolerance of any form of radicalism that is anti-American. It doesn't matter if that is communism, Nazism, or Islamic fundamentalism. If it is anti-America, it is acceptable at Columbia University. Pro-American speakers or speakers in favor of the US military or US government are not allowed.

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ORIGINAL: OrionTheWolf

So they should be friendly to someone who has stated that the US is an enemy and should be destroyed along with Israel?

This is one of the reason I do not like the UN being in the US. Put it in Geneva or somewhere else that is considered neutral ground.

Orion