Hitler was already booked

I'm sure everyone's heard all the hoopla about everyone's favorite holocaust denier, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, being invited to Columbia University to speak.  His itinerary also includes a stop down to Ground Zero where he plans to lay a wreath (though latest reports say city officials have denied him access due to security concerns).  Overall, Ahmadinejad's visit -- good thing or bad thing?

Comments

[Assman]

I don't care. They invite assholes to speak at colleges all the time.

Though I wonder... if a smartass gets up to the podium and acts like a dick to him, would get tased? Or would he be hip-deep in Republican pussy that night?

[Jack Klompus]

"if a smartass gets up to the podium and acts like a dick to him, would get tased?"

Only if he says the magic words: "Don't tase me, bro."

[jackie]

Traffic jams galore for this piece of shit. Completely unacceptable.

[M. Butler]

His visit will be a good thing if Columbia grills him instead of giving him free reign to spew his platform.

[Craig]

Though I wonder... if a smartass gets up to the podium and acts like a dick to him, would get tased? Or would he be hip-deep in Republican pussy that night?

Can't it be both?

[Jack Klompus]

"I don't care. They invite assholes to speak at colleges all the time."

Agreed. However, would you feel any different if said asshole, an elected leader of an entire country, went on record saying (for example) that slavery never existed in the United States?

[Art Vandelay]

Why can't he lay a wreath at Ground Zero? Is he Al-Quaeda or something?

[jackie]

If somebody decides to take him out, can they claim self-defense?

I mean, just before he gets here the guy is making speeches with "Death To America" signs right behind him.

[Craig]

However, would you feel any different if said asshole, an elected leader of an entire country, went on record saying (for example) that slavery never existed in the United States?

Ok, my perspective is obviously not going to be the same as others on this, but I would think (as I do with people who deny the Holocaust) that the person was so clearly an idiot that no one should bother paying any attention to them anyway.

[Ocho Ocho]

I think he should be able to speak. I dont care what he says. We are American and giving this jackass a forum and allowing to speak displays why we are better than them.

We are strong enough to allow him to be wrong.

It is also living history and a great experience for the students.

[Ocho Ocho]

Why is he worse than Farrakan. Mahmoud will leave at least when he is done.

[Jack Klompus]

"I think he should be able to speak. I dont care what he says. We are American and giving this jackass a forum and allowing to speak displays why we are better than them.

We are strong enough to allow him to be wrong."

In keeping with the free-speech paradigm, do you feel Columbia should also give U.S. military recruiters the same opportunity?

[Assman]

However, would you feel any different if said asshole, an elected leader of an entire country, went on record saying (for example) that slavery never existed in the United States?

Echoing Ocho here. And myself, kinda. I don't care. Assholes speak at colleges all the time. Just because they have a podium doesn't mean they're not an idiot, or that anyone is required to give them credence. They're just up there giving their perspective to kids who are supposedly being trained to think critically and determine if what he's saying has any validity anyway.

He can get on his podium and say Assman sucks cock, it wasn't a fumble, Chris Benoit is the greatest wrestler in heaven, 9/11 actually happened on 9/12, Asians dance funny and black people should have at least 7 black friends in their gay tennis support groups. I don't care. Enjoy the free speech, motherfucker.

[Assman]

In keeping with the free-speech paradigm, do you feel Columbia should also give U.S. military recruiters the same opportunity?

Sure, as long as its an advertised event that students can choose to either go to or to ignore. The hard sale is a nuisance, and they might end up making them late to something.

[M. Butler]

Do you think other countries have "how to influence the American people" playbook? Naturally most of our leaders have no backbone and are overly influenced by the approval ratings. So is there a "pandering to the American people 101" class out there that specifically influences the American populus in order to dictate our U.S. policy?

And if there is this type of program, do you think Iran is using it correctly?

[Jack Klompus]

"The hard sale is a nuisance, and they might end up making them late to something."

You don't think the Ahmadenijad fiasco is going to make anyone late for anything? And, this is the same Columbia University that invited the founder of the Minuteman project to speak -- only to have the guy attacked and ushered away before he even had a chance to "exercise his free speech." It will be interesting to see how this asshole treated in comparison.

[Ocho Ocho]

"In keeping with the free-speech paradigm, do you feel Columbia should also give U.S. military recruiters the same opportunity?"

I do feel that Military recruiters should have access to college campuses. Definitely. College students are educated, have more choices and are far less vulnerable than those the military recruits from prison or poor community parking lots.

[Assman]

You don't think the Ahmadenijad fiasco is going to make anyone late for anything?

Oh God... yes it will. And that Seinfeld diner should be booked solid all day.

And, this is the same Columbia University that invited the founder of the Minuteman project to speak -- only to have the guy attacked and ushered away before he even had a chance to "exercise his free speech." It will be interesting to see how this asshole treated in comparison.

I'm sure he'll get up, get attacked verbally, somebody will be tased, he'll say something retarded about whatever, he'll attack Bush, there will be a mild smattering of applause, and the whole thing will have to be cut short. And, in the end, Columbia will profit, yet won't cut incoming freshmen a break on their tuitions. Welcome to America.

[Ocho Ocho]

This is the nakedest pandering for a headline in recent history.

But does not anyone think that the Military should be able to recruit at colleges if they can in prison?

[Ocho Ocho]

Sorry does anyone "not think" . . .

[E-Boogie]

I think it's cool that they are allowing him to speak and students/faculty can question him. This is an important time in history. Now, it would be differnt if the audience was censored, but they are not. I'd love to see what he has to say. It'll pissed me off, I'm sure, but that's the cool thing about it. That's why I check out thsi blog, to get pissed off.

[DFS]

"However, would you feel any different if said asshole, an elected leader of an entire country, went on record saying (for example) that slavery never existed in the United States?

Echoing Ocho here. And myself, kinda. I don't care."

Exactly. If some idiot wants to deny slavery happened why would I get worked up about that.

[Jack Klompus]

"Exactly. If some idiot wants to deny slavery happened why would I get worked up about that."

If someone is that much of an idiot, is it necessary to afford them a podium?

[DFS]

"If someone is that much of an idiot, is it necessary to afford them a podium?"

If they happen to be the head of state of a nation where we will probably attempt "regime change" next then it might be interesting to hear what they have to say

[Jack Klompus]

"If they happen to be the head of state of a nation where we will probably attempt "regime change" next then it might be interesting to hear what they have to say"

Has he really been silenced up to this point? It wasn't long ago when he was fellated by Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes. But at the end of the day, it's Columbia U's right to invite him -- no matter how hypocritical. If they lose alumni donors because of it, I'm sure MoveOn.org will pick up the difference.

[Assman]

It wasn't long ago when he was fellated by Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes.

I hope you're speaking figuratively. That is not good television.

If someone is that much of an idiot, is it necessary to afford them a podium?

Cash rules everything around university decisions these days, CREAUDTD get the money - dollar dollar bill y'all.

[Jack Klompus]

"Cash rules everything around university decisions these days,CREAUDTD get the money - dollar dollar bill y'all."

Thanks for putting the first part in honkyspeak. Otherwise you might have confused the AofG cracker community.

[Schmoopie]

Not to worry—Columbia's president introduced Ahmadinejad by criticizing Iran's human rights record and saying he comes off as a cruel, petty dictator.

[Jack Klompus]

"Not to worry—Columbia's president introduced Ahmadinejad by criticizing Iran's human rights record and saying he comes off as a cruel, petty dictator."

No big surprise there. Bollinger pretty much advertised it beforehand. Either way, I still don't believe in legitimizing someone that denies the occurrence of the Holocaust.

[Assman]

Either way, I still don't believe in legitimizing someone that denies the occurrence of the Holocaust.

Even if that guy gets your name in the headlines, free publicity / notoriety and what will likely end up as gangs of cash?

Barely anybody gives a shit about principle anymore, Klompus. They just want dough. He could have walked across the street to Barnard and taken a leak on a copy of the Torah - as long as it gets them cash, a post on the AofG and a famous name, people will do anything.

[Newman]

We need a name for a comment a year after the fact after the post was linked to.

Like the one that Assman Assmanned a few days ago.