Columbia University Bollinger plays “Hardball” with President of Iran Ahmadinejad

High security was the standard at Columbia University, as 750 students and faculty members listened. The guest of “honor” was the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Lee C. Bollinger, University President, introduces the president and asks questions.

This is one of many events about Iran to come in the future, we are told.

“We do not honor the dishonorable. I respect your opinion,”says Bollinger.
We do it for ourselves. Not for Ahmadinejad. It is not his right, but ours to listen and question. We must be free, Bollinger went to explain to, “Confront the Mind of Evil.”

Bollinger did not hold back!

He called for the release of a Columbia Alum and he questioned civil rights abuses in Iran. He explained how we “protest” our own government here in the US of their abuses and should not be shy or hesitant to question others. I found Bollinger's statements to be quite good, although it did seem somewhat rough to be so confrontational. I guess I should have expected it.

I wonder if Ahmadinejad was ready for it?

Bollinger went on to state that Ahmadinejad possesses the signs of a "Petty and Cruel Dictator." He went on to list some reasons for his claim :

Women are  not given rights, the religion of the Bahá’u’lláh or Baha'i are not respected, homosexual persecution is widespread, and abuse of the press to suppress opinions in Iran is a mainstay.

What an opening statement from University of Columbia President Bollinger! He closed his comments asking President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about denying the Holocaust.

Holocaust denial. Ridiculous. This is a demonstration that Ahmadinejad is either, “Brazenly provocative or astonishingly un-educated.”

Columbia is a world center for Holocaust studies. They have many documents regarding the Holocaust. Bollinger states that the Holocaust is the "Most documented Event in Human History."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was not allowed to visit the site of 9/11 Ground Zero. Read My Opinion.

“Will You cease this outrage?” Bollinger questioned Ahmedinejad.
On the issue of the destruction of Israel, Bollinger claimed, Columbia has long ties with Israel.

“Do you plan on wiping us off the map too?” Bollinger mockingly questioned!

Read About Ahmadinejad's Response.

With the weight of the modern civilized world on his shoulders, Bollinger ended with a prayer.

“I only wish I could do better.”

Saleem Siddiqui is a Political Commentator and Consultant. He is a trained Mediation and Conflict Resolution Specialist. He conducts sermons and training for various religious and Non-profit organizations. Working toward an effort to increase Muslim and Islamic awareness in Communications, Public Relations (PR), Public Speaking, Political Strategy, Media, Marketing, and many other fields as they relate to the integration of Muslims in the United States of America and around the world.

I hope to be on the Air every night, scheduling permitting.

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Comments

[christian pfeffer]

Bollinger made indeed a fool of himself and discredited Columbia U. in many ways.
He himself proved to be extremely petty, uneducated , childish and without spine. In stead of an open and frank debate he let himself corner by the warmongers of his alumni and had to suck up being afraid he would loose their donation.
Frankly he is not fit to teach let alone preside over an Ivy league University
Truly whimsical!

[Kasper Jensen]

Columbia is a joke. :)
How bizarre a place where you invite someone
in just to verbally abuse them. It is unheard
of. Democracy, free speech, and courtesy are
obviously not trademarks of that "university".

[k]

he is a pompous asshole. you do NOT under ANY circumstances invite someone in for a political disscusion and then so disgustingly disrespect them, no matter WHO THEY ARE