On Ahmadinejad; it’s not that complicated
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
-Mark Twain
And so it did this morning,
‘No homosexuals in Iran’: Ahmadinejad
NEW YORK (AFP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad skirted a question about the treatment of homosexuals in Iran on Monday, saying in a speech at a top US university that there were no gays in Iran.
“In Iran we don’t have homosexuals like in your country,” Ahmadinejad said to howls and boos among the Columbia University audience.
“In Iran we do not have this phenomenon, I don’t know who has told you that we have it,” he said.
Inside Iran’s Secret Gay World
Ahmadinejad’s Answer
Guilty of being gay
Jim at Gateway Pundit has the story behind this photo
This is no joke
See for yourself
All of this happened on Ahmadinejad’s watch. The fact that Columbia University president Lee Bollinger made some strong comments before he spoke does not make up for the bad decision to legitimize and give him a platform.
It’s not that complicated. The guy is a liar, not to mention an enemy of the United States responsible for killing and maiming our soldiers in Iraq. The fact that Ahmadinejad bombed today, excuse the pun, doesn’t make Columbia look good for inviting him. If anything, it makes them look worse, they should have known they were dealing with a fraud and a liar.
UPDATE: Here’s the President’s statement,
“He’s the head of a state sponsor of terror, and yet, an institution in our country gives him the chance to express his point of view, which really speaks to the freedoms of the country,” Bush told FOX News on Monday ahead of the Columbia event. “I’m not so sure I’d offer the same invitation, but nevertheless, it speaks volumes about the greatness, really, of America. We’re confident enough to let a person express his views. I just really hope he tells everybody the truth.”
Politics, Radio, Religion, War On Terror | Kevin | 
September 24, 2007 8:50 pm
Why Human Rights Watch is always so concerned about “NOT” protecting human rights, or denouncing those that are in violation of them, is of grave concern.
Let us not forget here, that this thug might have been present during the hostage crises…
Neither this country nor Iran have appropriate leaders that act in the true interest of the people, and both governments will have to be overhauled sooner rather than later.
The old corrupt are being challenged by the new enlightened, as is being witnessed in Myanmar. This will accelerate through the remainder of the year.
Kevin:
Well that was one of the most disturbing posts ever. I never understood hatred based on sexual preference. It boggles the mind.
But I actually disagree on the not listening to these crazies. I think him speaking at Columbia did more to show his true stripes to college students than any story a US newspaper could write. I have no problem listening, it is the action that follows after we know what they are all about that is important.
Just my two cents.
Optimist,
My friend Bruce McQuain from QandO.net, 28-years in the Army, Vietnam Vet, said it better than I could ever say it, so here it is,
“I objected to his speaking because he’s a thug and a terrorist. I objected to his speaking because he has American blood on his hands. I objected to his speaking because while he was standing at the podium at Columbia, Iranian EFPs and rockets were aimed at American soldiers in Iraq.
You don’t fete men who are responsible for killing your countrymen. You don’t socialize with them. You don’t legitimize them. You don’t invite them for tea and crumpets and photo ops or give them a platform for their propaganda or treat them like they’re worthy of any attention from a free country.”
Those are Bruce’s two cents, and I agree with that completely.
Kevin
I can definitely see that point. But I don’t think anything could have shown that guy is all sorts of whacky better than a bunch of college students openly laughing at his comments.
I think the lecture of Columbia university chair was unmannerly and shamefully.
- he named Ahmadinejad as a dictator. my question is why the Iran old king (Shah) that fall with the Iranian will and have a lot of prisons in Iran was the friend of USA, but Dr. Ahmadinejad that selected in a democratic election and is very popular in Iran is a dictator?
- Some people that execution in Iran were some big smugglers and some that kidnap women and daughters and abuse them and people request the police execution them. The question is why in Afghanistan the plant of poppy increased 5 time more after the USA army occupation?
- USA Army occupied Iraq. question is why more than 500000 Iraqi people must be killed? How many racemose bombs and 2500 kilograms bombs fell over the Iraqi houses? Aren’t the Iraqi peoples angry from the USA? Why USA couldn’t present any degree and document from interference of Iran in Iraq? Do USA say reality?
1- Why did the US media put you under so much pressure to prevent Mr. Ahmadinejad from delivering his speech at Columbia University? And why have American TV networks been broadcasting hours of news reports insulting our president while refusing to allow him the opportunity to respond? Is this not against the principle of freedom of speech?
2- Why, in 1953, did the US administration overthrow the Iran’s national government under Dr Mohammad Mosaddegh and go on to support the Shah’s dictatorship?
3- Why did the US support the blood-thirsty dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran, considering his reckless use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers defending their land and even against his own people?
4- Why is the US putting pressure on the government elected by the majority of Palestinians in Gaza instead of officially recognizing it? And why does it oppose Iran ’s proposal to resolve the 60-year-old Palestinian issue through a general referendum?
5- Why has the US military failed to find Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden even with all its advanced equipment? How do you justify the old friendship between the Bush and Bin Laden families and their cooperation on oil deals? How can you justify the Bush administration’s efforts to disrupt investigations concerning the September 11 attacks?
6- Why does the US administration support the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) despite the fact that the group has officially and openly accepted the responsibility for numerous deadly bombings and massacres in Iran and Iraq? Why does the US refuse to allow Iran ’s current government to act against the MKO’s main base in Iraq?
7- Was the US invasion of Iraq based on international consensus and did international institutions support it? What was the real purpose behind the invasion which has claimed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives? Where are the weapons of mass destruction that the US claimed were being stockpiled in Iraq?
8- Why do America’s closest allies in the Middle East come from extremely undemocratic governments with absolutist monarchical regimes?
9- Why did the US oppose the plan for a Middle East free of unconventional weapons in the recent session of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors despite the fact the move won the support of all members other than Israel?
10- Why is the US displeased with Iran’s agreement with the IAEA and why does it openly oppose any progress in talks between Iran and the agency to resolve the nuclear issue under international law?