Of Iranians and Universities
It was repugnant enough when Harvard rolled out the crimson (as it were) carpet for former Iranian President Khatami.
But his successor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- terrorist supporter, Holocaust denier -- is even worse, yet he is being hosted by Columbia University, as Bill Kristol points out.
Both Harvard and Columbia apparently have no problem extending every courtesy to America's enemies. Yet the military is unwelcome on both campuses.
Is there a clearer example of the corruption of our nation's academy?
But his successor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- terrorist supporter, Holocaust denier -- is even worse, yet he is being hosted by Columbia University, as Bill Kristol points out.
Both Harvard and Columbia apparently have no problem extending every courtesy to America's enemies. Yet the military is unwelcome on both campuses.
Is there a clearer example of the corruption of our nation's academy?
posted by LadybugUSA at 2:00 PM
4 Comments:
It is the function of a university to explore any and all issues of intellectual merit. Surely you will agree that the conflict between America and Iran is a matter of some intellectual interest. Therefore, the examination of this issue by direct interaction with the president of Iran is certainly an endeavor to be applauded.
Mr. Ahmadinejad can be charming, but do you have any doubt that an open discussion of his country's policies will reveal the errors in those policies? If so, then what possible objection can you have to the exposure of those errors?
How intellectually stimulating for the students to have one of the actors in a real world conflict come to their stage.
One has to be open and honest to begin to understand a problem. This is the first step in addressing any problem. Hats off to the Universities that create an environment of real discussion and debate.
What is good for the universities, and even for the students, is not necessarily the same thing as what is good for the USA. To give Ahmadinejad a forum where he can speak to young Americans who have already be suitably prepared by leftist faculty and will likely be warmly received can do him a great deal of good but it is not in the best interest of the US. The interest of the nation must be put ahead of all other consideraitons.
dr.d, your point is antithetical to the principles upon which our Republic was founded. The whole idea of 'freedom of the press' was the belief that the Republic is healthiest when all points of view are aired, so that the public can consider them properly. Let people see Mr. Ahmadinejad speaking for themselves; are you afraid that he might turn out to be something other than the monster you think him to be? If he is the monster you think him to be, don't you think it would be good to let everybody see that?
Mr. Bush once declared that Islamic fundamentalists hate us because of our freedoms. It would appear that you are in the same boat.
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