Posted on 09/24/2007 12:33:08 PM PDT by Daffynition
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Columbia University President Lee Bollinger excoriated Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday, going through a long list of documented actions and remarks by the firebrand Iranian leader and his government.
"Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator," Bollinger said to applause from many of the 600 people in the room for a speech from the Iranian leader.
He cited the Iranian government's "brutal crackdown" on dissidents, public executions, executions of minors and other actions.
And Bollinger assailed Ahmadinejad's "denying" of the Holocaust as "ridiculous" and "dangerous propaganda." He called the Iranian leader either brazenly provocative "or astonishingly uneducated."
"The truth is that the Holocaust is the most documented event in human history," he said.
He said he doubted Ahmadinejad would show the intellectual courage to answer the questions before him.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
But why even invite the terrorist leader in the first place.
Is there a transcript yet of the full speech?
You know he's probably correct here. And by not preparing, we almost guarantee that we'll have war.
CYA by Bollinger.... he needed Ahmnutjob on campus to make this statement?
Shame on the university to have invited the man.
I have to say... I didn’t see Bollinger’s tough questions coming at all.
I actually applaud the president!
He’ll never have to face this sort of thing in his own country, so as long as he’s over here, we can make him face a little reality.
But we welcome you with open arms. Matter of fact, as elite members of academia, we're very proud of our tolerance and openness toward evil.
Taking this approach certainly brought attention to his comments...
President Bollinger talking to himself here.
When Jim Gilchrest tried to speak, the opposition stormed the stage and inhibited his right to free speech (petty and cruel dictator Bollinger sided with protecting the speech rights of the protestors). At least the petty and cruel dictatator Bollinger allowed Amanonjihad to speak by keeping his detractors behaved or at a distance.
Ditto. I thought it would be hugs and smooches.
Did nutjob feel insulted enough so that now he’ll do something stupid? I really hope so....
I gave him a standing”O”.
Maybe Bollinger invited him to have some leverage to get the named dissidents out of jail or out of Iran.
Smackdown!
was ahmedinejad on stage when the president said these things, or out of view and thus out of accountable reaction?
I can hear the cries of “ BOLLINGER is a Zionist”.
Ummmmm...To humiliate him in front of worldwide cameras....?
Columbia University President Lee Bollinger covered his ass bump.
This is correct and his students applauded AhImathug.
I would not let my child go to this pathetic college.
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