Columbia President Lee Bollinger Was Excellent -UPDATED AGAIN, three updates

UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM

I just finished listening to Columbia President Lee Bollinger's speech, prior to Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The man was wonderful. I will post a transcript of his comments here as soon as they are available. Here's the transcript. He did in fact challenge Ahmadinejad on everything I would have wanted. I was against Ahmadinejad appearing at Columbia, but now, it may be a good thing I'm glad that Bollinger called a dictator a dictator. I was also surprised at the huge applause Bollinger's comments received. Good for those students and others in the audience.

Ahmadinejad has begun talking, rambling religious quotes ....

UPDATE: LGF links to Daily KOS comments against Bollinger:

As an American, I was stunned and embarrassed by Bollinger's harangue of Ahmedinejad. It was a craven and cowardly capitulation to political pressures, and unworthy of the academic institution that Bollinger represents. I know who and what Ahmedinejad is, but I also know that he was at Columbia at Columbia's invitation. Bollinger's speech was less a challenge to Ahmedinejad than it was an ambush, and it dishonered all of us as Americans. [snip]

Bollinger’s behavior was inappropriate. It presented to the world the face of an ugly and bullying America. I am utterly humiliated that Bollinger should have behaved this way.

I completely disagree with Daily Kos.

UPDATE II. I'm still looking for the written transcript, but here are the videos of Bollinger's comments, in two parts:

Thanks to Hot Air.

UPDATE III: HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT TO BOLLINGER'S SPEECH, thanks to Cheat Seeking Missiles, who has some excellent commentary on Bollinger's speech, go check it out here.

Comments

[Debbie]

JACK; No problem. I'm headed over now.

[Jack]

Hi Debbie,

It comes from seraphic Secret.
(http://www.seraphicpress.com)
which is one of my favorite blogs. If you haven't read it take a look. It is chock full of good stuff.

My apologies for the link issue.

[Debbie]

Stormwarning: You could be right, I've thought about that. We may never know true motives.

Al-Ozarka : I'll see if I can figure out how to make a recording and send it to you. Maybe I will start using that as my tag line, ha.

American Interests: I was and still am against Universities inviting leaders of countries who are killing and endangering American soldiers, threatening Israel and the United States.

Jack: When I try that link you left, I get the following. I will keep trying:

The requested page could not be found.
Page not found - /archives/2007/09/dance_with_the.php)

[Stormwarning]

Debbie, I wouldn't put is past Bollinger (or the Admin.) to have planned this all along. To bring PR to the University, to ambush Ahmadinejad, to suck all of the "Ivy League School Hating" bloggers etc., and then to broadside him in a demonstration of free speech.

I know that what I've just written won't be all too popular, but its become way too easy for Conservatives of all varieties to damn universities as being bastions of "liberalism" as opposed to Institutions of Higher Learning. Learning takes on many forms.

Besides, except for Bob Jones University that spawns Lord knows what kind of "intellectuals" lets list some "conservative" universities. Is UT a conservative University? Based on what I've seen and the people I know, not really. How about UofK...not really either.

[Al-Ozarka]

Gawd! I REALLY need to proof myself every now and then!

"Standers"?!?!?

I meant "standard"...the distortion created by the typo was severe enough I felt I should clarify.

"I completely disagree with Daily Kos."

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

[Al-Ozarka]

"I completely disagree with Daily Kos."

LOL!

Debbie...that's hilarious! Really nice touch.

That should be the standers signature line you use each time you post about the Daily KaOS!

LOL!

Heck...if you send me a voice recording of you speaking that line, I'd by-golly run it as an intro to Daddio's!

LOL!

"I completely disagree with Daily Kos."

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

(Don't you love it when something that shouldn't really strike you as funny just tickles you half to death?)

[American Interests]

Bollinger was on the mark.

Though I wondered if the idealism of free speech should have been extended to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the first place.

[Jack]

I thought that this (http://www.seraphicpress.com/archives/2007/09/dance_with_the.php) response was worth a read.

[Debbie]

Stormwarning: Or to get their alum/hostage back from Iran. he was released from prison, but is still being held in house arrest, with no sign of release.

[Stormwarning]

That Bollinger took Ahmadinejad to task is quite admirable.

The argument of whether he should have been invited to speak at Columbia at all is fruitless. For all we know, columbia did it purposely to demonstrate how to confront an ignorant despot.

[Truth-Pain]

Debbie,
Thanks for the visit to Casa de Truth-Pain. I hope to see you often.

In regards to the event at Columbia University,... I wonder if anyone is going to mention how the Faculty and students gave this man a better reception than they gave many Right-of-center speakers such as Gilchrist (Minutemen), Ann Coulter and Pat Buchannan. I am a defender of free speech and am on record as saying I am ok with him coming to this country, regardless of my personal pangs about it. If nothing else,...it sure gives me fodder for many postings...

[Debbie]

Truth-Pain: Nice blog you have. Enjoyed the post on languages.

Paul: Yes he did, and freedom of speech is for Americans, not people killing Americans.

fariba: I'm still looking for a written transcript, but I have the videos of Bollinger. Listen to them.
We all know Ahmadinejad lied, all lies. There is a special place in Hell for men like him.

Bill Mitchell: That's exactly what he was doing, spouting what he has heard in the MSM from the far Left. Your take was the same as mine.

Stacy: I'm still looking.

[Truth-Pain]

As a Coservative-Libertarian, I am always looking for Blogs that -independently of my own view- can bring to light different things to my thinking,... yours is one of those. Great variety and a concise layout. Kudos! I hope I can host your comments at my humble page soon.

[Paul Champagne]

From what I heard, though the President of Columbia did himself proud today ... Inviting that petty despot, Armagedonjihad to speak should never have been done. Everyone is spouting off about "freedom of speach", but that is a right we give to "Americans", not to terrorists allowed in because the UN happens to be headquartered here.

[fariba]

I completely agree with Debbie.Also as an Iranian I believe Ahmadinejad deserves all the humiliation. Whatever he said about freedom in Iran was a lie,we(Iranian ) know them better.I look forward to the transcript when you get it.

[fariba]

I completely agree with Debbie.Also as an Iranian I believe Ahmadinejad deserves all the humiliation. Whatever he said about freedom in Iran was a lie,we(Iranian ) know them better.I look forward to the transcript when you get it.

[Stacey]

Okay, Debbie, I trust you--look forward to the transcript when you get it.

[Bill Mitchell]

I must say, I have never been so moved to the point of cheering by a liberal giving a speech in my life.

He gets my brass b***s award for the week.

Regarding Dr Evil himself, is it just me or does this guy speak in circles? I simply cannot follow him and he never seems to breathe between sentences.

The basic gist of what he is saying seems like "Poor little Iran, we are just trying to make our way in the world..."

Of course, we know that is utter BS of the highest order.

Unfortunately, he is not spouting DNC talking points word for word as I had hoped.

They must have strategized beforehand and warned him off that.