Before Bollinger extended the invitation to the president of Iran he should have thought through to the end result. Before Ahmadinejad made the “speech”, most Americans already knew that he was and continues to be a controversial figure, a cruel dictator, and the head of a state that sponsors terrorist groups. Not to mention providing funds and weapons to the insurgents (some from Iran) in Iraq whose goal is to kill our troops and cause chaos. That was a given, so what else can be gained from hearing a man that answers questions with questions and spews propaganda to any and all that will listen. Nothing. The only thing that comes out of this what we are currently seeing right now (http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0709252616013529.htm) by the way that his country’s ‘media’ is covering the event. In the eyes of his followers this is being portrayed as a victory… that he was invited to a prestigious American University, and that those in attendance gave him applause. Nothing was gained, and we made him look like a hero and that people in America agree with his horrific views. The introduction and slamming from President Bollinger was not covered even though his words were powerful and challenging. This event does not improve anything as far as diplomatic relations with Iran. Bollinger is simply the president of a university that challenged a man that could quite possibly have his hand over a red button in the near future. The invitation has nothing to do with the right of free speech. Bollinger has the right to speak, students have the right to speak, but providing a forum for this man to demonstrate his lack of reality does not.

As far as his request for the NYPD to provide the security detail to see ground zero is ridiculous. The man despises the United States, and to think that some people do not see the direct insult in this request blows my mind. I was in my sophomore year at Columbia when thousands of New Yorkers and international civilians were murdered, and for this future enemy of the United States, I believe that his intentions were to mock us simply by issuing the request knowing full well that it would be denied.

People in this country need to understand the inherent evil that confronts our peaceful and freedom filled way of life that our troops are sacrificing themselves for.