Do you think the president of Columbia University was out of line criticizing president Ahmadinejad?

Question

He was invited to speak, then it seems to me he was ambushed by his host. To me this was bad manners, and worse diplomacy.

Answer 1

One, I fail to understand why the U.S. government permitted the Iranian president to speak. Two, even though I have to agree that what the president of Columbia said was in bad taste, I don't believe the Iranian president denied it.

Presidents aren't diplomats because sometimes they are put in positions that they can't respond in a diplomatic way.

In this case, in my opinion and from the reaction of the audience, it didn't hurt very many people's feelings listening to what was being said.

Answer 2

I thought the president of Columbia University was way, way out of line in his introduction of Ahmadinejad. For a highly "educated" person I would say he needs a lot of work in diplomacy. With words like this no wonder people in the mideast hate the US. The board of Columbia University should consider dismissing him.

Answer 3

I agree...that was completely uncalled for and disrespectful. Why would he extend the invitation and then attack him so viciously?
I'm not saying that I agree with the man's politics, but he IS a president of a country. No one would like it if a university did that to our president whilst traveling abroad. It is a matter of bad taste and lack of class.
On top of that, (according to an article I read in the Times) those in the auditorium heckled and jeered at him. What a bad reflection on Americans in general. If they didn't want him there, they should have stayed outside to protest. There is nothing wrong with hearing a speech and disagreeing with it; but to voice it loudly and publicly like a little child is crazy.
This further perpetuates the stereotypes that many have about our country in the first place. Instead of proving them all wrong, we showed them what absolute @$$es we can really be.

Answer 4

I think Jillymittens hit the nail squarely on the head.

Buffy, the President of Iran, even if he is a son-of-a-pig, has every right to visit the United Nations, which is located in New York City. And what does President Bush have to do with the question at hand???

Answer 5

First of all.. his biggest mistake was inviting Ahmadinejad to speak at Columbia.... what kind of president of a college would do that? To me, he was wrong in inviting him and then critize his 'guest'... hes just as bad as Ahmadinejad... I dont even know why Ahmadinejad was even allowed in the USA.. he dont have any business here.. but look who is the president of US.. guess it answers my question....

Answer 6

Bollinger was out of line inviting him in the first place. Once he did, I don't think he was prepared for the firestorm of criticism that he got for doing it and was trying to save his sorry butt from being fired. He tried to sound tough to save face, but it just made him look like a bully from a propaganda perspective...which is exactly how it is being portrayed overseas. So while I agree with everything he said, he shouldn't have said it...at least THAT WAY.

Answer 7

I agree with jillymittens, I think he had to do something to save face with the Alums and the press but I feel it went a little overboard. There are ways to make your point without being offensive, necessarily. If the man was invited, then he does warrant a certain amount of respect. If he wasn't worthy of respect, then he should've never been asked to speak.

Answer 8

I am going to give the President the benefit of doubt that he didn't have a choice in the invite in the end.
I thought the whole thing was very bizarre and pointless.

Answer 9

Rude

Answer 10

That dirty little yak should have never been allowed out of the 25-mile radius of the U.N. - with his record on human rights abuses, you're worried about him being offended by bad manners?!?