Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tourist in the Big Apple
The only thing missing here is Khatami. Oy.
Oh, but Ahmadinejad is at Columbia because Lee Bollinger believes in free speech, of course!
From Fars News Agency:
Ahmadinejad is also set to use a speech at a leading US university to challenge George W Bush at a time of high tensions with Washington over his country’s pursuit of nuclear technology.
The invitation by New York’s Columbia University to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is attracting growing criticism from the US hawks [LOL! --Ed.] ahead of his arrival on Sunday.
Meetings with the survivors and bereaved families of the 9-11 incident, journalists and critics of the Bush administration are also included in Ahmadinejad’s itinerary.
If that isn’t enough, that little trip to Ground Zero he had planned apparently IS STILL on his itinerary:
PELLEY: Mr. President, do you intend to press your request to visit the World Trade Center site in New York?
AHMADINEJAD: Well, it was included in my program, if we have the time and the conditions are conducive, I will try to do that.
PELLEY: But the New York Police Department and others do not appear to want you there. Do you intend to go there anyway?
AHMADINEJAD: Well, over there, local officials need to make the necessary coordinations. If they can’t do that, I won’t insist.
PELLEY: Sir, what were you thinking? The World Trade Center site is the most sensitive place in the American heart, and you must have known that visiting there would be insulting to many, many Americans.
AHMADINEJAD: Why should it be insulting?
State sponsor of terrorist groups? Holocaust denier? “Death to America, death to Israel?” Any of that ring a bell? How about the execution of homosexuals for the crime of existing? And of course, there’s that little matter of Iran giving a friendly helping hand to the bloodthirsty Shi’ite militias in Iraq, killing our people. But I guess when you’re welcomed at one of the nation’s most prestigious (should that be in past tense now?) universities, you probably do think you’re a pretty charming dude. I’m sure the New York Times lovefest doesn’t hurt, either. (Really, the NY Times has become a shopworn cliché. A bad joke.)
Exactly how far does one have to take moral relativism before it either becomes nihilism or there’s finally an awakening to reality?
(more at Flickr, also check here)
Talmadge East says:
While I agree with the position of the government that Ahmadinejad should not be allowed to visit “ground zero,” I, as a Poly Sci major, with a keen interest in IR, would love to watch Ahmadinejad speak and ask him questions. I don’t really know the position I would take as a school official, but as a student there is no way I would “boycott” this as Bill Kristol suggets.
Beth says:
I know what you’re saying, Talmadge, but while I share the same interest in IR, I’d have to pass on this one. I’m sure it’ll be on stupid YouTube in short order anyway. ;-)
I just couldn’t bring myself to being in that monkey’s presence without being able to shoot the varmint, ’cause really, there’s nothing you’d hear that isn’t a lie or just plain revolting (although my definition of “revolting” may differ from yours, in some cases). I don’t think he’s actually going to call for genocide at this thing, but it’ll be interesting to see how he DOES answer the questions posed. If Lee Bollinger has a shred of intellectual honesty, humanity, and yes, liberal (in the traditional sense) thinking, he’ll play hardball with the questions. We shall see.
(I’m not holding my breath, though–it is Columbia, and Muslim theocrats are chic these days in the Ivies.)
Pajamas Media says:
Mahmoud’s Manhattan Moment…
PJM ROUNDUP: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is now in New York City, unleashing a tidal wave of controversy. Demonstrators are gathering at Columbia University, where he is scheduled to talk after addressing the United Nations. The speaker of the NY State Assembl…