Difference between revisions of "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad"
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'''Mahmoud Ahmadinejad''' is the current President of Iran. He was invited to speak at Columbia as a part of the [[World Leaders Forum]] in the Fall of [[2006]], but the invitation was revoked after apparent confusion at the highest levels of the Columbia administration, between then-[[SIPA]] Dean [[Lisa Anderson]] and President [[Lee Bollinger]]. However, he was invited back in [[2007]], this time by Bollinger directly, showing, if nothing else, more courage than the man has previously displayed at Columbia. His speech took place on Monday, [[September 24]], [[2007]]. | '''Mahmoud Ahmadinejad''' is the current President of Iran. He was invited to speak at Columbia as a part of the [[World Leaders Forum]] in the Fall of [[2006]], but the invitation was revoked after apparent confusion at the highest levels of the Columbia administration, between then-[[SIPA]] Dean [[Lisa Anderson]] and President [[Lee Bollinger]]. However, he was invited back in [[2007]], this time by Bollinger directly, showing, if nothing else, more courage than the man has previously displayed at Columbia. His speech took place on Monday, [[September 24]], [[2007]]. | ||
| − | The first time provoked a great deal of criticism as well as praise. The second time | + | The first time provoked a great deal of criticism as well as praise. The second time was even more controversial, everyone having their arguments already rehearsed and ready to shout. Protests and condemnations of Columbia in the media began days before the event. [[Geraldo Rivera]] made a special visit to campus,<ref>http://www.bwog.net/articles/the_circus_continues</ref> and many members of the Columbia community were interviewed, including [[SIPA]] dean [[John Coatsworth]] and [[College Republicans]] head [[Chris Kulawik]]. The ''[[Spectator]]'' ramped up its coverage with an "Ahmadineblog".<ref>http://www.columbiaspectator.com/ahmadinejad/</ref> |
The runup to the appearance led to the release of a Columbia architecture school alum, [[Kian Tajbakhsh]], who was imprisoned in Iran. [[PrezBo]] had planned to question Ahmadinejad about his holding, but Iran released the Columbian preemptively. | The runup to the appearance led to the release of a Columbia architecture school alum, [[Kian Tajbakhsh]], who was imprisoned in Iran. [[PrezBo]] had planned to question Ahmadinejad about his holding, but Iran released the Columbian preemptively. | ||
Revision as of 19:29, 24 September 2007
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the current President of Iran. He was invited to speak at Columbia as a part of the World Leaders Forum in the Fall of 2006, but the invitation was revoked after apparent confusion at the highest levels of the Columbia administration, between then-SIPA Dean Lisa Anderson and President Lee Bollinger. However, he was invited back in 2007, this time by Bollinger directly, showing, if nothing else, more courage than the man has previously displayed at Columbia. His speech took place on Monday, September 24, 2007.
The first time provoked a great deal of criticism as well as praise. The second time was even more controversial, everyone having their arguments already rehearsed and ready to shout. Protests and condemnations of Columbia in the media began days before the event. Geraldo Rivera made a special visit to campus,[1] and many members of the Columbia community were interviewed, including SIPA dean John Coatsworth and College Republicans head Chris Kulawik. The Spectator ramped up its coverage with an "Ahmadineblog".[2]
The runup to the appearance led to the release of a Columbia architecture school alum, Kian Tajbakhsh, who was imprisoned in Iran. PrezBo had planned to question Ahmadinejad about his holding, but Iran released the Columbian preemptively.
On the day of the actual speech, thousands of students protested on the Low Steps or watched the video simulcast on South Lawn, classes were cancelled by the dozens. Protesters lined Broadway. The appearance opened with a castigation by Bollinger, who accused Ahmadinejad of being a "petty and cruel dictator". Ahmadinejad retorted that this was an "insult". He went on to give his own address and take questions from the audience. Among his more controversial remarks was the assertion that there was no homosexuality in Iran, which drew jeers and laughter from the audience.
The speech lacked the characteristic Columbia and World Leaders Forum branding that typically characterizes such events, perhaps because the university feared the potential such a visual connection between itself and Ahmadinejad might have.
