On Being Wrong about Ahmadinejad and Columbia University
Posted by StormWarning on 29 Sep 2007 at 09:10 am | Tagged as: Current Affairs, Iran, Opinions
When Ahmadinejad appeared at Columbia University, some defended Columbia claiming this terrorist boob’s (being disrespectful to boobs of all sizes and shapes) non-existent “speech rights.” Most blasted Columbia for asking him. My first reaction to President Bollinger’s scathing introduction was that he had “embarrassed” Ahmadinejad. I was wrong. As post-events have evolved…
My misconception resulted from the unavoidable “day job” stresses and a tendency to scan articles and blogs, only stopping momentarily if something catches my eye. I was wrong. On reflection, and now in “downtime” on a weekend flash-trip back to NYC, two three things are apparent:
1) The appearance at Columbia University legitimized a terrorist and gave him a platform from which to spew his ridiculous thoughts
2) Bollinger’s performance is being panned in both the West and in Islamic countries for having insulted his “guest.”
It is clear to me that my initial opinion, on whatever it was based or influenced by a hectic (that doesn’t even begin to describe the maelstrom of my “day job” these days) schedule, was way off target.
3) Bollinger’s words are being used as propaganda, and being characterized as “discourteous” and disgraceful.
Among the many who read my comments was Spree at Wake Up America (I had disagreed with her post). Also see more about this at Right Truth. I’ve got to be more careful about reading stuff sometimes. But if in hindsight…when you’re wrong, you’re wrong.
Ahmadinejad, Columbia, Iran
I think you are being too hard on yourself. Many, MANY times I have read a piece, commented, then gone and reread the whole thing (which in hindsight I should have done to begin with) just to discover that what I thought was being said, wasn’t.
The written word is difficult because without body language, nuance, loses some of itself in translation.
No matter how many times I tell myself to read things more than once before disagreeing, sometimes 24 hrs is NOT enough in a day and I find myself rushing to judgment.
Takes class to admit when you have done so.
You have class.
The pendulum of world opinion swings back and forth… at first, Prez of Iran (PoI) had the upper hand, then reaction to his pronouncements indicated he didn’t, now he does. Eventually, world opinion will settle into something less positive than PoI would hope. He’s been revealed for what he is–a terrorist, not only to the world community, but in his own back yard. He’s really not much different than Saddam Hussein was before the war.
No worries mate, we all do it.
My take is he shouldn’t have been invited, but since they did I thought Bollinger handled it correctly by laying everything out upfront and making himself the story, effectively stealing the little boob’s thunder. As he said, A’jad was not going to answer the questions truthfully anyway, made prolific later by the gay question.
If they were telling the truth about inviting Hitler let’s hope they would have treated him the same way.
All in all, I thought it was a great day for America and liberals in general..
Just for the record, all too few people retract or correct what they write or say.
My take? Better left unsaid beyond what I have already written.
It was a win-win for Ahmadinejad and a lose-lose for Bollinger. I figure he will be gone soon from the job.
Columbia University claims they are America’s best and brightest?
Did you see the way they applauded Ahmadenijad?
They are just a bunch of filthy Little Eichmanns.
Too bad that Cho Seung-hui didn’t go to Columbia University!