Comments on: Ahmadenijad at Columbia: the wisdom of dishonoring one's enemy http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/ Thinking Ahead Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:19:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rashad Jafer http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5353 Rashad Jafer Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:57:15 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5353 It seems that Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadenijad's appearance, at Columbia University, turned out to be more than just a Q & A session, it evolved into a clash of civilizations. On one side was a University President, Lee Bollinger,a renowned and honorable educationist, representing the best of the Western civilization and on the other side was the President of an Islamic country, Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, a well known and respectable academic, representing the Islamic World. What a spectacle it turned out to be!  Mr. Bollinger, in his opening remarks, went for the jugular and personally attacked Mr. Ahmadenijad, calling him a "petty dictator", an "embarrassment" and "ridiculous". He continued the tirade by labeling Mr. Ahmadenijad an "uneducated" person. The President of Columbia University fired more arrows which were so shocking coming from an honorable academic that I prefer to not mention them. Mr. Bollinger acted as the plaintiff, the Judge and the executioner. As President Ahmadenijad pointed out that he was the guest, was requested to come and speak to the students and that the treatment afforded to him was very disrespectful and unbecoming of American hospitality. The Columbia University President's speech was a litany of questions and accusations. From “wiping Israel off from the face of the World” question to womens issues to arming insurgents in Iraq, the contentious nuclear issue to gay hangings, Mr. Bollinger in rapid fire mode turned his questions into demeaning personal comments against the Iranian President. Why did he choose to let go of civility? Why would an honorable University President of a very prestigious institution lose his composure? Did Mr. Bollinger not realize that the Iranian President was his guest and that he was setting a bad example of behavior in front of his own students? Strangely enough, after his remarks, Mr. Bollinger left the stage and did not wait for the Iranian President's answers. The Dean of political science took over the program. In his response, President Ahmadenijad, rightfully challenged Mr. Bollingers personal comments about him. He was very calm, cool and collected. It seems that the Iranian President knew that Mr. Bollinger had dropped the ball and reminded him of his responsibilities as a host. Mr. Ahmadinijad was neither angry nor resentful but very composed and forgiving. In fact, he officially invited Mr. Bollinger to Iran to visit any Iranian University and exchange ideas with students and faculty. He mentioned that Mr. Bollinger would be treated with utmost respect and dignity. This drew a loud applaud from the audience. President Ahmadenijad's responses to the Gay issue and the Jewish Holocaust question were weak and evasive and drew instant boos from the audience. His responses to the womens rights issues, Palestinian and arming the insurgents questions and Israeli sovereignty were right on and the audience seemed spell bound. The President was in the heart of Jewish strength in the US. He was in enemy territory yet it seemed that he took control of the situation and talked about philosophy of reality, science and culture. He quoted the Quran, talked about Moses and delved into spirituality. Mr. Ahmadinijad was enjoying himself. The differences in the depth and content of speeches between Mr. Bollinger and the Iranian President were stark. One was accusatory, belligerent, disrespectful and shallow, the other seemed controlled, thoughtful, philosophical and engaging. One thing stood out, Mr. Bollinger appeared a meek representative of the West and Mr. Ahmadinejad a giant of the Islamic World. It seems that Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadenijad’s appearance, at Columbia University, turned out to be more than just a Q & A session, it evolved into a clash of civilizations. On one side was a University President, Lee Bollinger,a renowned and honorable educationist, representing the best of the Western civilization and on the other side was the President of an Islamic country, Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, a well known and respectable academic, representing the Islamic World. What a spectacle it turned out to be!
 Mr. Bollinger, in his opening remarks, went for the jugular and personally attacked Mr. Ahmadenijad, calling him a “petty dictator”, an “embarrassment” and “ridiculous”. He continued the tirade by labeling Mr. Ahmadenijad an “uneducated” person. The President of Columbia University fired more arrows which were so shocking coming from an honorable academic that I prefer to not mention them. Mr. Bollinger acted as the plaintiff, the Judge and the executioner. As President Ahmadenijad pointed out that he was the guest, was requested to come and speak to the students and that the treatment afforded to him was very disrespectful and unbecoming of American hospitality.
The Columbia University President’s speech was a litany of questions and accusations. From “wiping Israel off from the face of the World” question to womens issues to arming insurgents in Iraq, the contentious nuclear issue to gay hangings, Mr. Bollinger in rapid fire mode turned his questions into demeaning personal comments against the Iranian President. Why did he choose to let go of civility? Why would an honorable University President of a very prestigious institution lose his composure? Did Mr. Bollinger not realize that the Iranian President was his guest and that he was setting a bad example of behavior in front of his own students? Strangely enough, after his remarks, Mr. Bollinger left the stage and did not wait for the Iranian President’s answers. The Dean of political science took over the program.
In his response, President Ahmadenijad, rightfully challenged Mr. Bollingers personal comments about him. He was very calm, cool and collected. It seems that the Iranian President knew that Mr. Bollinger had dropped the ball and reminded him of his responsibilities as a host. Mr. Ahmadinijad was neither angry nor resentful but very composed and forgiving. In fact, he officially invited Mr. Bollinger to Iran to visit any Iranian University and exchange ideas with students and faculty. He mentioned that Mr. Bollinger would be treated with utmost respect and dignity. This drew a loud applaud from the audience.
President Ahmadenijad’s responses to the Gay issue and the Jewish Holocaust question were weak and evasive and drew instant boos from the audience. His responses to the womens rights issues, Palestinian and arming the insurgents questions and Israeli sovereignty were right on and the audience seemed spell bound. The President was in the heart of Jewish strength in the US. He was in enemy territory yet it seemed that he took control of the situation and talked about philosophy of reality, science and culture. He quoted the Quran, talked about Moses and delved into spirituality. Mr. Ahmadinijad was enjoying himself.
The differences in the depth and content of speeches between Mr. Bollinger and the Iranian President were stark. One was accusatory, belligerent, disrespectful and shallow, the other seemed controlled, thoughtful, philosophical and engaging. One thing stood out, Mr. Bollinger appeared a meek representative of the West and Mr. Ahmadinejad a giant of the Islamic World.

]]> By: Just another dent in the damage… » Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia University http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5352 Just another dent in the damage… » Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia University Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:48:58 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5352 [...] View from Iran - Why are the questions for President Ahmandinejad so simplistic? Rotton Gods - Ahmadinejad on the Holocaust and Ahmadinejad in Columbia University. Mr Behi - Ahmadinejad in NY. The Spirit of Man - Ridiculous and No Freedom in USA. Mideast Youth - Iranian Gays, There are no Homosexuals in Iran, Evolution of Iran-America Relations and Ahmadinejad at Columbia: The wisdom of dishonouring one’s enemy. [...] [...] View from Iran – Why are the questions for President Ahmandinejad so simplistic? Rotton Gods – Ahmadinejad on the Holocaust and Ahmadinejad in Columbia University. Mr Behi – Ahmadinejad in NY. The Spirit of Man – Ridiculous and No Freedom in USA. Mideast Youth – Iranian Gays, There are no Homosexuals in Iran, Evolution of Iran-America Relations and Ahmadinejad at Columbia: The wisdom of dishonouring one’s enemy. [...]

]]> By: Janjan http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5351 Janjan Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:05:21 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5351 Iranian, you are anything but an idiot! My heart goes out to you! Iranian, you are anything but an idiot! My heart goes out to you!

]]> By: Mark W http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5350 Mark W Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:46:52 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5350 Ahmadinejad won a pretty fair election (Iran's ninth presidential election), beating Rafsanjani. Do you think President Bush would go to, say, Saudi Arabia and subject himself to such a free Q&A session? He cleared up a number of pieces of misinformation floating around: a) according to the IAEA, Iran has no nuclear weapons programme and hasn't been very successful in producing lightly enriched uranium (for power generation) b) the "wipe off the map" phrase is intentionally misused. He would like to see a one state solution (which is out of the question). His analogy that the USSR is no longer on the map is apt. He should, however, stick to the Saudi peace plan formula with a return to 1967 boundaries according to international laws. c) he didn't deny the fact that over 5 million (mostly Jews, homosexuals and mentally disabled) people were murdered by the Nazis. He doesn't see however, why this should give Israel the right to occupy Palestinian land. Many right-wing so-called christians have similar views. Ahmadinejad won a pretty fair election (Iran’s ninth presidential election), beating Rafsanjani.

Do you think President Bush would go to, say, Saudi Arabia and subject himself to such a free Q&A session?

He cleared up a number of pieces of misinformation floating around:

a) according to the IAEA, Iran has no nuclear weapons programme and hasn’t been very successful in producing lightly enriched uranium (for power generation)

b) the “wipe off the map” phrase is intentionally misused. He would like to see a one state solution (which is out of the question). His analogy that the USSR is no longer on the map is apt. He should, however, stick to the Saudi peace plan formula with a return to 1967 boundaries according to international laws.

c) he didn’t deny the fact that over 5 million (mostly Jews, homosexuals and mentally disabled) people were murdered by the Nazis. He doesn’t see however, why this should give Israel the right to occupy Palestinian land. Many right-wing so-called christians have similar views.

]]> By: Iranian idiot http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5349 Iranian idiot Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:09:17 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5349 I, As in Iranian Find some points in Ray's comments, unbearable. Although Bollinger's way of behaviour and comments on Ahmadinejad, looks like "He has played a role of a political puppet (according to Ray's comment)" BUT, What Ahmadinejad was called at the columbia University comes from the Hatred which too many Iranians Could have for this Man too. Bollinger as a Man living in this big world, and I as an Iranian Who's life is wasting in this Doomed country. I'm wondering How Can Ray ignore the ignored fundamental Human Rights of millions of Iranians and talk about an insult to a person, I mean Bollinger reminding Ahmadinejad of What Majority of the People of the world Think He is?! plus, There were no SECRET police when Shah was the leader! It Was "SAWAK" and Yes! it was a hideous buereau! but Nowadays we have found forces that were never knew if they ever Existed Until the collegian's Strike a couple of years ago. But HE could have killed "Khomeini" as what is it called nowadays: "Intruder Of National Security". They had some honor to some extent anyway! We dont have "Political prisoners" in Iran! all those who are captured and kept in "Evin Jail" are considered "Intruder of national security"! I agree that Shah Killed! HE Killed as a King, a ruler who was willing to keep his Rule and kingdom. But that is WAAAAAy Different from Someone who Considers himself as God's representative, And all the Holiness he thinks he deserve! which would make him think that every insult to him, is an insult toward GOD! Ahmadinejad Considers himself as the representative of the SAVIOUR that has been mentioned in Religions, well Shi'a. And He is preparing the whole thing for the "SAVIOUR" to Come. he belongs to a Sect that believes if the world become a unbearable place as hell, the SAVIOUR will come. so if we there would be a war against "DEVIL", No Fear! The Saviour will come and Save us and we will live in a peaceful world! And One More thing To My Fellow Americans: The Leader of a Nation which claims <strong>"9/11, A BIG LIE"</strong> as a TV show, Doesnt Have the slightest respect for the victims of the Tragedy. It's Just the Hypocrisy. I, As in Iranian Find some points in Ray’s comments, unbearable. Although Bollinger’s way of behaviour and comments on Ahmadinejad, looks like “He has played a role of a political puppet (according to Ray’s comment)” BUT, What Ahmadinejad was called at the columbia University comes from the Hatred which too many Iranians Could have for this Man too. Bollinger as a Man living in this big world, and I as an Iranian Who’s life is wasting in this Doomed country.
I’m wondering How Can Ray ignore the ignored fundamental Human Rights of millions of Iranians and talk about an insult to a person, I mean Bollinger reminding Ahmadinejad of What Majority of the People of the world Think He is?!
plus, There were no SECRET police when Shah was the leader! It Was “SAWAK” and Yes! it was a hideous buereau! but Nowadays we have found forces that were never knew if they ever Existed Until the collegian’s Strike a couple of years ago.
But HE could have killed “Khomeini” as what is it called nowadays: “Intruder Of National Security”. They had some honor to some extent anyway!
We dont have “Political prisoners” in Iran! all those who are captured and kept in “Evin Jail” are considered “Intruder of national security”!
I agree that Shah Killed! HE Killed as a King, a ruler who was willing to keep his Rule and kingdom. But that is WAAAAAy Different from Someone who Considers himself as God’s representative, And all the Holiness he thinks he deserve! which would make him think that every insult to him, is an insult toward GOD!
Ahmadinejad Considers himself as the representative of the SAVIOUR that has been mentioned in Religions, well Shi’a. And He is preparing the whole thing for the “SAVIOUR” to Come. he belongs to a Sect that believes if the world become a unbearable place as hell, the SAVIOUR will come. so if we there would be a war against “DEVIL”, No Fear! The Saviour will come and Save us and we will live in a peaceful world!

And One More thing To My Fellow Americans: The Leader of a Nation which claims “9/11, A BIG LIE” as a TV show, Doesnt Have the slightest respect for the victims of the Tragedy. It’s Just the Hypocrisy.

]]> By: Frank Warner http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5348 Frank Warner Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:12:57 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5348 This was one of the rare chances in human history when a mirror was held up to the ugly face of repression. Ahmadinejad finally had to see himself for the petty and cruel dictator he is. Bollinger was obligated to tell Ahmadinejad what Ahmadinejad would never hear anywhere else. Ahmadinejad's "election" was illegitimate. His regime hangs innocent people who demand their democratic rights. He deserved no courtesy. He deserved to be arrested. In Iran, there is no real freedom. Its Supreme Leader is the Ayatollah Khamenei, appointed for life by a band of religious thugs. Ahmadinejad, as dangerous as he is, is but an arm of the oppressive machine. And he was "elected" only after the mullahs disqualified hundreds of relatively normal candidates. In Iran, you can't call the ayatollah or the president a liar and get away with it. You can't call for a new Supreme Leader and get away with it. In Iran, there is only a hint of free speech, no real free press, no free opposition parties (couldn't run against the ayatollah anyway) and no independent courts. Thanks to a small group of clerics aided by tyrants like Ahmadinejad, the Iranian people can only dream of enjoying the freedom and self-determination they are due. Occasionally, shame can shake a despot. Let's hope Bollinger shamed Ahmadinejad well. This was one of the rare chances in human history when a mirror was held up to the ugly face of repression. Ahmadinejad finally had to see himself for the petty and cruel dictator he is.

Bollinger was obligated to tell Ahmadinejad what Ahmadinejad would never hear anywhere else. Ahmadinejad’s “election” was illegitimate. His regime hangs innocent people who demand their democratic rights. He deserved no courtesy. He deserved to be arrested.

In Iran, there is no real freedom. Its Supreme Leader is the Ayatollah Khamenei, appointed for life by a band of religious thugs. Ahmadinejad, as dangerous as he is, is but an arm of the oppressive machine. And he was “elected” only after the mullahs disqualified hundreds of relatively normal candidates.

In Iran, you can’t call the ayatollah or the president a liar and get away with it. You can’t call for a new Supreme Leader and get away with it. In Iran, there is only a hint of free speech, no real free press, no free opposition parties (couldn’t run against the ayatollah anyway) and no independent courts.

Thanks to a small group of clerics aided by tyrants like Ahmadinejad, the Iranian people can only dream of enjoying the freedom and self-determination they are due.

Occasionally, shame can shake a despot. Let’s hope Bollinger shamed Ahmadinejad well.

]]> By: Mohammad M. (Iran) http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5347 Mohammad M. (Iran) Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:51:19 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5347 unfortunately I missed the chance to watch the program either online (for I use dialup and that is not enough) or on-TV (for I think they didnt show it). I will say my word after I can see the whole program or at least read the transcripts. The only important matter is that I think this program was much more important than hid speech in due in UN. do you agree? unfortunately I missed the chance to watch the program either online (for I use dialup and that is not enough) or on-TV (for I think they didnt show it). I will say my word after I can see the whole program or at least read the transcripts.

The only important matter is that I think this program was much more important than hid speech in due in UN. do you agree?

]]> By: Brook http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5346 Brook Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:39:22 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5346 Ray will have to explain how we oppress our citizens in the same way as Iran. The fact is that over 1 million Iranian-Americans have more civil rights protected by the Constitution than 70 million Iranians who are consistently thrown in prison for asking for the same rights. While Americans may not understand the Middle East at all, it's safe to say the same level of ignorance of our country is alive and well in that region. Ray will have to explain how we oppress our citizens in the same way as Iran. The fact is that over 1 million Iranian-Americans have more civil rights protected by the Constitution than 70 million Iranians who are consistently thrown in prison for asking for the same rights. While Americans may not understand the Middle East at all, it’s safe to say the same level of ignorance of our country is alive and well in that region.

]]> By: limpia http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5345 limpia Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:06:57 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5345 Ray- your opening paragraph- I cant agree with it- I think he deserves to hear America's voice from the grassroots level- and dont think that this particularly well informed and often leftwing population does not have a fairly broad amt of info re him and his country. Certainly, many would agree with u re america's role in the shah's Iran. re honorifics? well, save that for the UN, a place where compromise is sought. limpia Ray- your opening paragraph- I cant agree with it- I think he deserves to hear America’s voice from the grassroots level- and dont think that this particularly well informed and often leftwing population does not have a fairly broad amt of info re him and his country. Certainly, many would agree with u re america’s role in the shah’s Iran.
re honorifics? well, save that for the UN, a place where compromise is sought. limpia

]]> By: Ray Hanania (Palestine/USA) http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5344 Ray Hanania (Palestine/USA) Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:58:13 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/09/24/ahmadenijad-at-columbia-the-wisdom-of-dishonoring-ones-enemy/#comment-5344 PS Miriam ... I am not criticizing you at all and hope you don't take it that way. I am just adding my views on the this very hot topic, rather than starting another blog entry. I think this is one worth discussing in detail. Thanks for bringing it up. Ray Hanania www.ArabWritersGroup.com PS Miriam … I am not criticizing you at all and hope you don’t take it that way. I am just adding my views on the this very hot topic, rather than starting another blog entry. I think this is one worth discussing in detail.

Thanks for bringing it up.

Ray Hanania
http://www.ArabWritersGroup.com

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