Let's seize the opportunity to held a dictator accountable

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Ahmadinejad In New York

Submitted by Tim, Sep 20, 2007 17:24

I will be the first to protest Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday outside Lerner Hall. But I will be the last to protest his right to say it.

Why are we so afraid of having Mr. Ahmadinejad trumpet his prejudice, racism, and hubris for all the world to see? Precisely because Mr. Ahmadinejad's views are so clearly illogical and indefensible, having him speak will hurt him more than it will hurt his critics. Suppressing the dictator's speech would be self-defeating; it would give his opinions the same degree of unaccountability and importance they currently enjoy under his oppressive reign. The Q&A session will be one of the first real opportunities in the world to ask him the tough questions he has for so long avoided.

To be critical of both Mr. Ahmadinejad and Columbia's invitation to him seems an impossible position. Don't we criticize Mr. Ahmadinejad precisely because he has stifled free speech in Iran, rendering his views unaccountable? Isn't the opportunity to criticize his untenable views at the World Leaders Forum thus golden?

Americans must seize the opportunity to do what Iranians cannot under this zealot's leadership; they must use free speech to make him defend the indefensible. Mr Ahmadinejad must be allowed to speak and, for once in his life, be held accountable for his preposterous views.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I don't understand why American's are so petrified by the visit of Iranian President, when the US can invite the... [MORE]	Royce George	Sep 25, 2007 17:33
Other presidents from other coutries that have visited this country have been welcome and yet they are affiliated with terrorism,... [MORE]	MILLIE	Nov 4, 2007 20:38
in the name of Alllah(God) the benfisent the mersiful hello my sisters and brother from all of the word i am an... [MORE]	rose parsa	Sep 24, 2007 16:18
Let's think about that one for a second. [MORE]	james Daniel	Sep 21, 2007 00:32
I will be the first to protest Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday outside Lerner Hall. But I will be the last...	Tim	Sep 20, 2007 17:24
The Sun is quite right in its assessment. Ahmanadinejad tried to play New Yorkers, and the rest of us, for... [MORE]	Kyda Sylvester	Sep 20, 2007 12:38
It is beyond my comprehension why Columbia would even allow this man to speak. I can't even understand why he... [MORE]	jane auger sr.	Sep 20, 2007 10:39
Of course it is a stunt. Of course it is disingenuous, offensive and a move designed to raise our ire.... [MORE]	Scott Baker	Sep 20, 2007 10:37
Columbia University's invitation to Ahmadinejad has brought shame on a great university, that once stood for justice and truth. [MORE]	Naomi Steinberger	Sep 20, 2007 10:25
With this obscene invitation Columbia disregards the victims of Ahmadinejad's virulent anti-Semitism. This will prove a profoundly shameful moment in... [MORE]	James Carmine	Sep 20, 2007 17:45
I am not an islamic scholar in any stretch but I believe once a religious leader or cleric offers prayers... [MORE]	jerry	Sep 20, 2007 10:15
Not to be knit-picky, but the first paragraph of the article says: "the scene of Al Qaeda's crime" in reference... [MORE]	vt	Sep 20, 2007 08:10
Welcome Amadinejad to ground zero and allow a girder to accidentally drop on his head. Oops! [MORE]	Danny Kidron	Sep 20, 2007 03:38
In response to this article, to the entire visit of President Ahmadinejad, and also to Danny Kidron's response "Welcome the... [MORE]	vic	Oct 9, 2007 11:47

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