All this furor over free speech. How quaint. Coatsworth gets excoriated for saying that it would have been proper to have Hitler speak at Columbia in 1939? Of course it would have been proper; the European war had not begun, and the US opted not to declare war until '41. It was "proper" for American companies to do business with Hitler's Germany until '41, remember? Kruschev spoke in the US as I recall, and I'm fairly certain that Castro has, on occasion.
What I see when I watch Americans react this way is fear, based in ignorance. And THAT is scary. Ask any Iraqi outside the Green (that's rust and tarnish btw) Zone.
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Other reader comments on this article
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Zionist control of our educational institutions, the media, our banking system, our monetary currency and our government is not about... [MORE]
Jerry
Sep 27, 2007 03:47
ron mahfouz
Sep 26, 2007 18:13
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Dear Mr. Bollinger:
I commend your courageous act of exposing the human rights violation of the Islamic Regime in Iran (IRI).... [MORE]
MJ
Nov 5, 2007 23:45
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NOT A FREE SPEECH ISSUE? I am outraged with America.... I am outraged that most of America is ok with... [MORE]
AMBER
Sep 26, 2007 10:51
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The community invites Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to give a view other than what mainstream media lies to the US constantly about... [MORE]
June
Sep 25, 2007 15:47
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For those of you that claim to support Free Speech, where were you when the Minutemen were prevented form speaking... [MORE]
Danny
Sep 25, 2007 14:43
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Mr.Bollinger's opening remarks shows his ill-manners and reminds me of 'Ugly American' feelings around the world. Couldn't he let the... [MORE]
ProudIranian
Sep 25, 2007 12:34
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So now the City Council and other leaders and from city and state agencies are threatening a university for providing... [MORE]
RL
Sep 25, 2007 11:08
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Yes, I was among those opposed to Bollinger's invitation to the despot of Iran. The event changed my mind. Yesterday's... [MORE]
Robert
Sep 25, 2007 10:44
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Hats off to Lee Bollinger, president of Columbia university! Like many others, I was very annoyed that his school was... [MORE]
BOB WEISE
Sep 25, 2007 10:05
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Why do we believe that our constitution does not protect people who are not Americans? Do we really think that... [MORE]
Branden
Sep 25, 2007 04:34
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If I recalled correctly, he is elected in his country 2005 by popular vote. How much do we really know... [MORE]
A Forgetful Citizen
Sep 25, 2007 03:27
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Does anyone at Columbia remember last year Mr. Ahmadinejad purged the universities in Iran of all liberal and progressive professors?... [MORE]
Chris
Sep 25, 2007 02:07
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As usual, those who bleat the loudest about freedom are the most willing to jettison it when politically expedient.
A living Dichotomy : he starts off, in his first, most vital moments in front of an intelligent audience, with... [MORE]
Lise D'Aristide
Sep 24, 2007 14:42
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The media spins and spins. It's not so much a question of "if" certain things where said by one person... [MORE]
Lance Browning Pitman
Sep 24, 2007 14:38
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LL in La.
Sep 24, 2007 15:04
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Mr. Pittman think that by listening to what the Iranian President says that he is going to unfiltered information? Not... [MORE]
John Schuh
Sep 24, 2007 19:41
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Jeff
Sep 24, 2007 22:26
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Marc M
Sep 24, 2007 14:17
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i think my position on this is entirely dependent on Mr. Bollinger's questions. I would argue that this is what... [MORE]
chris
Sep 24, 2007 14:05
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as they describe themselves at this university, the academia, and act as if their the elite. perhaps we are smarter... [MORE]
lea testyn
Sep 24, 2007 14:03
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Only the Government is banned from limiting speech...private entities can limit any speech they choose! Columbia is a private institution!... [MORE]
Jarhead
Sep 24, 2007 13:58
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for everyone using the free speech card. I thought that free speech was guaranteed to all americans in one manner... [MORE]
christian
Sep 24, 2007 13:53
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What a bunch of small-minded haters in the state legislature and that idiot Hunter in Congress. Why are they so... [MORE]
Avvorio
Sep 24, 2007 13:52
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If I thought he would really lay things on the line, I'd listen to what he has to say if... [MORE]
Lori
Sep 24, 2007 13:40
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how would u know that you wouldnt believe anything he says. u have been brainwashed by the US media. Why... [MORE]
Cheyenne Nicholson
Sep 24, 2007 19:07
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You didn't hear him, but you know what is his views, what he will tell
and you don't believe him. Wow,... [MORE]
NotAmerican
Sep 25, 2007 07:01
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Those who say that we are fools in America are right. Were Hitler killed in the 1930s as he should... [MORE]
Victor Galindo
Sep 24, 2007 13:38
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How many people died in south America? In Asia? In eastern and central Europe??? The non American count is horrendous,... [MORE]
Ian Watson
Sep 24, 2007 15:40
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From your diatribe I'm assuming you are from the United Kingdom or Western Europe. You should thank your lucky stars... [MORE]
L Guertin
Sep 24, 2007 17:46
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We have to allow someone who is obviously against us and our standards into our country because of the UN?... [MORE]
Beck
Sep 24, 2007 13:38
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karin
Sep 24, 2007 15:08
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Just take a look at this hypocrisy... Adolf Hitler was financed into power by a cabal of European and American... [MORE]
Ian Watson
Sep 24, 2007 13:34
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It's sad to see America dying,(inside an out). Since the 1980's, 911, education lacking population, the destuction of the middle... [MORE]
James Salvatore
Sep 24, 2007 13:35
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Few years ago Columbia had an arabist professer that I understand made life difficult for Jewish students.Columbia with this act... [MORE]
ric
Sep 24, 2007 13:15
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Let him speak. America should not, and I believe does not, fear words spoken by some fanatical leader of sheep.... [MORE]
shinea
Sep 24, 2007 13:11
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Allowing Ahmadinejad an American forum in which to spew his hatemongering talk is just wrong, wrong, wrong. Columbia University should... [MORE]
LM
Sep 24, 2007 13:02
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Columbia - free speech is not the issue since actions speak louder than words. Nothing Monkey Boy says at Columbia... [MORE]
Dave
Sep 24, 2007 13:00
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As I read this article I was alarmed at the fear that people like Sheldon Silver and Councilman Weprin have... [MORE]
Geezer Batflabe
Sep 24, 2007 12:50
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It look as if we are afriad that the Iranian guy will spread rumors and play some kind of voodoo... [MORE]
John
Sep 24, 2007 12:50
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Not to say I support everything or anything that Ahmadinejad says, but I think this is a great oppportunity for... [MORE]
Moo
Sep 24, 2007 12:47
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I think everyone looks at Ahmadinejad's forum as some sort of "Indoctrination". Columbia University is going to get his views... [MORE]
dan
Sep 24, 2007 12:47
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When Cheney spoke at a BYU commencement ceremony, public protest or dissention was not allowed. Ahmadinejad is sounding quite reasonable these... [MORE]
K. Mansfield
Sep 24, 2007 12:43
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I am astounded at the criticism of Columbia for permitting the President of Iran to speak at its campus. Universities... [MORE]
George
Sep 24, 2007 12:42
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It's infuriating that we choose to close our eyes and ears to other people's opinions. The problem in this country... [MORE]
Sam Layssi
Sep 24, 2007 12:41
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Let him speak, and the persons asking the questions should let him know that they do not agree with his... [MORE]
Dan
Sep 24, 2007 12:38
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To read some of these comments it is clear the University has had great influence on many of its students.... [MORE]
James
Sep 24, 2007 12:33
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What is this country coming to that we, once one of the strongest nations in the world, where we were... [MORE]
Susie
Sep 24, 2007 12:30
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Wow, are we all ready to start burning books? Whats all the fuss about. Are you afraid you might really... [MORE]
Nick
Sep 24, 2007 12:28
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This enemy within is publicly laughing at us and saying that not only will you be forced to pay for... [MORE]
ted zas
Sep 24, 2007 12:23
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Bob
Sep 24, 2007 12:20
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We allow Mr. Bush freedom of speech even after He lied and started an illegal war with a country that... [MORE]
Fred John jr
Sep 24, 2007 12:18
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This has nothing to do with hate mongering. If what Ahmadinejad has to say is so repugnant, allowing him to... [MORE]
Eda Celis
Sep 24, 2007 12:15
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Our rights of free speech are afforded only by our system of Govt, that has been granted by our special... [MORE]
Fernandez
Sep 24, 2007 12:14
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Ahmadinejad is not Hitler - at least not yet. Suppose Hitler had wanted to speak at Columbia in 1943, when... [MORE]
Scott Baker
Sep 24, 2007 12:13
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Do we as a Nation have the obligation to extend the Right to free speech to all people on earth... [MORE]
Slippery Slope
Sep 24, 2007 12:13
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Iran was the US and west best friend until the pro-Israel and anti-Muslim policy ruled the west mindset. Ahmadejad is... [MORE]
Masyus
Sep 24, 2007 12:11
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The University believes in free speech. I challenge them on that, when they booed the Minutemen off the stage last... [MORE]
Vicki
Sep 24, 2007 12:07
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Im am proud to be an American citizen, however, i think everyone who lives in this country is blind and... [MORE]
Cruz
Sep 24, 2007 12:25
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"this regime occupying Jerusalem (een rezhim-e eshghalgar-e qods) must [vanish from] the page of time (bayad az safheh-ye ruzgar mahv... [MORE]
Ian Watson
Sep 24, 2007 13:41
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John
Sep 24, 2007 17:18
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Thank goodness this Iranian dictator will not be afforded the benefit of returning to Iran with video footage of his... [MORE]
Terry Webb
Sep 25, 2007 21:39
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His free speech rights are not at issue. Columbia is only a place to speak. He's got lots of others,... [MORE]
Free Speech
Sep 24, 2007 11:55
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Its funny how Free Speech is used as the reason to welcome the dictator, Ahmadinejad, with open arms, but the... [MORE]
Diane
Sep 24, 2007 11:52
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As a "hard-core conservative" I rabidly defend the right of free speech and often take criticism for for my position... [MORE]
LeftCoastCurmudgeon
Sep 24, 2007 11:49
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I understand that he may travel to, and address the United Nations. However, it is also my understanding that we... [MORE]
Bill McDonald
Sep 24, 2007 11:47
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If just once the people of america could stop and think outside the box, and give this guy a chance... [MORE]
Jegggo
Sep 24, 2007 12:13
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It is with disgust and dismay that I condemn Columbia for its decision. Are they located in Morningside heights or... [MORE]
Paul
Sep 24, 2007 12:29
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Allowing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak at Columbia has no value. True, free speech should be upheld. But we... [MORE]
Bill
Sep 24, 2007 11:39
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Punish those who allow him to speak, and you prove that we DO NOT ALLOW FREE SPEECH, any more than... [MORE]
I must be a fool
Sep 24, 2007 13:28
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Why would rational human beings, given a choice, choose to attack their neighbors rather than live together in peace? More... [MORE]
Ziad Khoury
Dec 11, 2007 12:59
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As an alumnus of Columbia, I have permanently cancelled all plans for future donation to University coffers. They will never... [MORE]
ZB
Sep 24, 2007 11:37
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Tim
Sep 24, 2007 17:07
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I think our country's definition of free speech is turned a bit upside down. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who advocates killing all... [MORE]
Sue Parker
Sep 24, 2007 19:42
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Codeman
Sep 24, 2007 11:34
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Higher education is supposed to expand our thinking and broaden our horizons to improve our view points. By restricting, or... [MORE]
Ron Mann
Sep 24, 2007 11:32
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For those of you who believe that Ahmadinejad should have his freedom of speech where were you when it was... [MORE]
Danny Eller
Sep 24, 2007 12:16
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When the Military people are welcommed on campus, when the Minutemen hecklers are shouted down by the other students, then... [MORE]
Elliott Althouse
Sep 24, 2007 13:03
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Well, our politicians are at it again. They profess free speech but use blackmail to change Columbia's position on letting... [MORE]
martykmunoz
Sep 24, 2007 14:24
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karin
Sep 24, 2007 15:02
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Our free speech laws are for the people of the United States, not for people that live else where! We... [MORE]
gmaness
Sep 24, 2007 15:20
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Columbia has a right to say yes or no to anyone requesting an opportunity of speaking to the university's students... [MORE]
Mike Hogan
Sep 24, 2007 11:23
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Ahmadinejad does not have the same rights protected by the First Amendment as a US citizen. As stated in the... [MORE]
B. Smith
Sep 24, 2007 11:22
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The First Amendment only prevents the government from stifling free speech. It does not "entitle" anyone to a public forum... [MORE]
Paul Silhan
Sep 24, 2007 11:36
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Jody King
Sep 24, 2007 11:48
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Allowing Ahmadinejad to speak on campus may broaden the minds of the stdents. The problem is what it does to... [MORE]
Dick Sohn
Sep 24, 2007 12:50
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I always had an impression that the Americans believe in freedom of speech (and action) ONLY FOR THEMSELF. The rest... [MORE]
NotAmerican
Sep 25, 2007 06:25
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always remember that people ruled by religion make their own rules. and will say and do what they can and... [MORE]