Columbia University sponsors hate speech

**kfrost06** · 09-21-2007, 10:03 AM

NEW YORK - Columbia University said it does not plan to call off a speech by Iran's president despite pressure from critics including the City Council speaker, who said the Ivy League school was providing a forum for "hate-mongering vitriol."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is traveling to New York to address the United Nations' General Assembly. He was scheduled to appear Monday at a question-and-answer session with Columbia faculty and students as part of the school's World Leaders Forum.

The State Department calls Iran a state sponsor of terror, and Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust "a myth" and urged for Israel to be destroyed.

City Council speaker Christine Quinn called Thursday for the university to rescind the invitation, saying "the idea of Ahmadinejad as an honored guest anywhere in our city is offensive to all New Yorkers."

Quinn, a Democrat, said Ahmadinejad was coming to the city "for one reason — to spread his hate-mongering vitriol on the world stage."

His planned appearance at Columbia also was condemned by Jewish groups including the Jewish Defense Organization, which described Ahmadinejad as "the Hitler of Iran."

Columbia spokesman Robert Hornsby said Thursday there was no plan to cancel the appearance, though the university dropped plans for an Ahmadinejad speech last year because of security and logistical problems. The decision came after a Jewish activist group expressed outrage over the invitation.

White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said Friday that Columbia made the decision on inviting Ahmadinejad, "and I don't believe we had any play in it."

"This is a country where people can come and speak their minds," he said, adding, "It would be wonderful if some of the countries that take advantage of that here allowed it for their own citizens there."

Columbia President Lee Bollinger, in announcing Ahmadinejad's upcoming appearance, described the event as part of "Columbia's long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate." He said the Iranian president had agreed to answer questions on Israel and the Holocaust.

Ahmadinejad's trip to New York also ignited a debate this week over his rejected request to lay a wreath at ground zero. Politicians and families of Sept. 11 victims were outraged that Iran's president might visit the site.

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

**eliteforce** · 09-21-2007, 08:25 PM

Saying that a racist, oppresive state should be abolished ("destroyed" is an innacurate translation of his comments) these comment may not be helpful to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it is in no way "hate speech" or was Nelson Mandela an advocate of 'hate speech'

Hate speech is usually associated with people who preach discrimination and segregation, non integration..in this case it is the Israeli's that advocate this..

lets not forget Israeli hate-mongers like benjamin netanyahoo, who is not only an advocate of intense aphartied but also has advocated expultions and kahanist policies--this racist gives speeches at american universities all the time..And often get paid for it!!

**Tock** · 09-21-2007, 08:31 PM

Out of curiosity, where did you get this story from?

**kfrost06** · 09-24-2007, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by eliteforce

Saying that a racist, oppresive state should be abolished ("destroyed" is an innacurate translation of his comments) these comment may not be helpful to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it is in no way "hate speech" or was Nelson Mandela an advocate of 'hate speech'

Hate speech is usually associated with people who preach discrimination and segregation, non integration..in this case it is the Israeli's that advocate this..

lets not forget Israeli hate-mongers like benjamin netanyahoo, who is not only an advocate of intense aphartied but also has advocated expultions and kahanist policies--this racist gives speeches at american universities all the time..And often get paid for it!!

Ahmadinejad has denied the Holocaust, he has called for the total destruction of Isreal, he was one of the particapants in the US embassy seige and took American hostages, he supplies arms to Al-Qeada that are used to kill US soldiers in Iraq and you are comparing him to Nelson Mendela???

**kfrost06** · 09-24-2007, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Tock

Out of curiosity, where did you get this story from?

Here's a link to todays story about the savage but it's not the same one I posted...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070924/ap_on_re_us/iran_us

It still talks about his Columbia speech and even Hilary Clinton is appalled(as she should be).

**gixxerboy1** · 09-24-2007, 09:33 AM

I don't think they should ban him from speaking. Do i agree with what he says? no. But he has the right to his opinion no matter how wrong it may be. Also if we want to send a message that he is not want do go to the speech. Protesting is going to send him a message. If he walks out to talk and everyone leaves or nobody is there that would.

Alot of people do agree with the shit Bush spews. But he isn't banned from speaking any place

**kfrost06** · 09-24-2007, 09:37 AM

Wow, good post gixxer! However where i differ is that Columbia is sponsoring him and that's spends a message that they endorse him. The same would be true if they gave David Duke a platform or held a speech for Nazis. Yes, they are entitled to their views but that does not mean you have to sponsor them or supply the platform. Tickets to his speech sold out in less then 30minutes, very sad(I bet it was the press that bought them all)