Hysteria

[Cancel7]

My friends and I know this woman who is very moralizing and melodramatic. And when one of my friends mentioned that her husband was bringing a woman to a party that my friend didn't want to go in, this woman loudly drew in her breath, gasped, and then said "heee's MARRIED" in the funniest way. So now, whenever someone is preaching, or expressing overdramatic outrage, we all loudly gasp and then say "heeeee's MARRIED".

That's pretty much what this mass-hysteria reminds me of. How dare Ahmadinejad try to lay a wreath at ground zero? Did Iran have anything to do with 9/11? Well, no. Did Ahmadinejad express satisfaction over 9/11? Well, no.

But, heeee's A HOLOCAUST DENIER!

Well, if he insulted the Jews, then ok, let's all get hysterical, have headlines in NY newspapers like "The EVIL HAS LANDED" and make complete jackasses out of ourselves in front of the whole world. After all, he can't do that, heeeee's MARRIED!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070924/iran-us/

NEW YORK — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, facing protests and tabloid headlines calling him "evil" and a "madman," stirred debate Monday about free speech ahead of his appearance at Columbia University.

Columbia President Lee Bollinger has promised to grill Ahmadinejad on subjects such as human rights, the Holocaust and Iran's disputed nuclear program. The Iranian leader previously has called the Holocaust "a myth" and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

Bollinger said Monday it was a question of free speech and academic freedom.

"It's extremely important to know who the leaders are of countries that are your adversaries. To watch them to see how they think, to see how they reason or do not reason. To see whether they're fanatical, or to see whether they are sly," he told ABC's "Good Morning America."

Ahmadinejad is to speak and answer questions at a Columbia forum Monday, followed by a scheduled address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.

The New York Daily News' front page on Monday read: "THE EVIL HAS LANDED." The New York Post called Ahmadinejad the "Madman Iran Prez" and a "guest of dishonor."

Tensions are high between Washington and Tehran over U.S. accusations that Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, as well as helping Shiite militias in Iraq that target U.S. troops _ claims Iran denies.

"Well, you have to appreciate we don't need a nuclear bomb. We don't need that. What need do we have for a bomb?" Ahmadinejad said in a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday, taped earlier in Iran. "In political relations right now, the nuclear bomb is of no use. If it was useful it would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union."

He also said that: "It's wrong to think that Iran and the U.S. are walking toward war. Who says so? Why should we go to war? There is no war in the offing."

Before leaving Iran, Ahmadinejad said the American people have been denied "correct information," and his visit will give them a chance to hear a different voice, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Ahmadinejad has appealed to the American people before, distinguishing between the population and their government. Recently, he told a television show that Iran wants peace and friendship with America. Since coming to power in 2005, Ahmadinejad also has sent letters to the American people criticizing President Bush's policies in the Middle East.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070924/iran-us/

 

[Cypress]

Yeah, I posted on this last week.

I haven't the foggiest what this guy or his nation had to do with 9/11. He's not my definition of a liberal, democratic leader, but I have no problem with him laying a wreath. I'm quite sure it wouldn't be rocket science to figure out the logistics and security neccessary to do so.

 

[Cypress]

Did you see that 60 Minutes interview with him last night? Again, I'm no fan of theocratic iran, but Scott Pelley sounded like a bush adminstration official.

 

[Damocles]

This is the same university that shouted down, and would not let speak, the minutemen.

Free speech at that university seems to only run in one direction.

 

[Cancel7]

Yeah, I posted on this last week.

I haven't the foggiest what this guy or his nation had to do with 9/11. He's not my definition of a liberal, democratic leader, but I have no problem with him laying a wreath. I'm quite sure it wouldn't be rocket science to figure out the logistics and security neccessary to do so.

And to "greet him" with signs that read "GO TO HELL" and calling him evil? Wow, way to start the dialog people. That's great. People sure are good at taking their marching orders from the Fuhrer in the White House.

And of course, we have a large Jewish population in NY and that's a big part of this too. I'm not going to skirt around that. You know, if someone disses the Irish no one gives a shit.

 

[Cancel7]

This is the same university that shouted down, and would not let speak, the minutemen.

Free speech at that university seems to only run in one direction.

First of all, I'm not posting this about free speech, this is about the hysterical reaction of New Yorkers to his visit, including our tabloid papers.

Second of all, you'll have to post a link, I don't keep up with the slurs against the Minutmen, I'm too busy cataloging sins against the Jews, I can't do everything.

 

[Damocles]

And to "greet him" with signs that read "GO TO HELL" and calling him evil? Wow, way to start the dialog people. That's great. People sure are good at taking their marching orders from the Fuhrer in the White House.

And of course, we have a large Jewish population in NY and that's a big part of this too. I'm not going to skirt around that. You know, if someone disses the Irish no one gives a shit.

In what way? What could possibly be equal to denying the holocaust in the history of the Irish?

I have no objection to the little troll going anywhere so long as we can live up to the responsibility of keeping him alive while he is here.

 

[Cancel7]

Did you see that 60 Minutes interview with him last night? Again, I'm no fan of theocratic iran, but Scott Pelley sounded like a bush adminstration official.

No. I was watching the Ken Burns thing on PBS, which by the way, was excellent.

 

[Damocles]

First of all, I'm not posting this about free speech, this is about the hysterical reaction of New Yorkers to his visit, including our tabloid papers.

Second of all, you'll have to post a link, I don't keep up with the slurs against the Minutmen, I'm too busy cataloging sins against the Jews, I can't do everything.

Here, the official university response after the 'protestors' actually took to the stage....

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/06/10/statement061005.html

University Statement on Disruption of the "Minutemen Forum" Sponsored by the Columbia College Republicans



Free Speech on Campus is Everyone's Right and Responsibility.

The University deplores the disruption that took place last night at the "Minutemen Forum" sponsored by the Columbia College Republicans at Alfred Lerner Hall. The specific facts surrounding the incident are under active investigation by the University and so it is premature to make any official statement regarding facts that are yet to be confirmed.

This much is a matter of core principle at Columbia: The freedom to speak, to pursue ideas, and to hear and evaluate viewpoints totally objectionable to one's own is an essential value of this university and, indeed, of our civil society. We defend the right to peaceful protest and expression of opposing views. But it is never acceptable for anyone to physically take to a stage and interrupt a speaker.

Our regulations are intended to help event organizers, participants and protestors maintain a safe environment for members of the University community and their guests to engage in meaningful and sometimes contentious debate across the spectrum of academic and political issues. We will continue to review the events of last evening to determine how that safe environment was violated and take appropriate measures to ensure it does not happen again.

 

[Cypress]

And to "greet him" with signs that read "GO TO HELL" and calling him evil? Wow, way to start the dialog people. That's great. People sure are good at taking their marching orders from the Fuhrer in the White House.

And of course, we have a large Jewish population in NY and that's a big part of this too. I'm not going to skirt around that. You know, if someone disses the Irish no one gives a shit.

The bush adminstration and their supporters have tried to conflate everything "evil", into one box with a few catch phrase words: somehow, Iran, 9/11, and al qaeda are being conflated together.

As for me? I don't believe a word from Bush about Iran, their nuke program, or their alleged support of al qaeda. That's why the scott pelly interview was alarming - he tossed out bush talking points like they are facts.

 

[Cancel7]

Here, the official university response after the 'protestors' actually took to the stage....

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/06/10/statement061005.html

University Statement on Disruption of the "Minutemen Forum" Sponsored by the Columbia College Republicans



Free Speech on Campus is Everyone's Right and Responsibility.

The University deplores the disruption that took place last night at the "Minutemen Forum" sponsored by the Columbia College Republicans at Alfred Lerner Hall. The specific facts surrounding the incident are under active investigation by the University and so it is premature to make any official statement regarding facts that are yet to be confirmed.

This much is a matter of core principle at Columbia: The freedom to speak, to pursue ideas, and to hear and evaluate viewpoints totally objectionable to one's own is an essential value of this university and, indeed, of our civil society. We defend the right to peaceful protest and expression of opposing views. But it is never acceptable for anyone to physically take to a stage and interrupt a speaker.

Our regulations are intended to help event organizers, participants and protestors maintain a safe environment for members of the University community and their guests to engage in meaningful and sometimes contentious debate across the spectrum of academic and political issues. We will continue to review the events of last evening to determine how that safe environment was violated and take appropriate measures to ensure it does not happen again.

So who is the "they" regarding free speech Damo? The university, who is the one defending having the IRanian President on grounds of free speech, also did the same for your friends.

 

[Damocles]

I always look at it this way. If I was in any nation that didn't already have one, and lived in an area such as the ME, I would certainly work toward any weapon that might make my nation both safer and stronger.

 

[Damocles]

So who is the "they" regarding free speech Damo? The university, who is the one defending having the IRanian President on grounds of free speech, also did the same for your friends.

No, they shut down the forum because they couldn't keep the Minutemen safe from the protestors.

There would be no need to apologize if they were afforded their free speech rights at that campus.

 

[Cancel7]

No, they shut down the forum because they couldn't keep the Minutemen safe from the protestors.

And I'm sure they'll do the same thing if they can't keep Ahmadinejad safe from the protests that are already going on.

That's not the University denying anyone a platform.

 

[Damocles]

And I'm sure they'll do the same thing if they can't keep Ahmadinejad safe from the protests that are already going on.

That's not the University denying anyone a platform.

Apology is not necessary if they are afforded their actual free speech rights.

However, do you think that Ahmadenijad will be shouted down, that his stage will be invaded by those students? Or do you think that they'll be far more careful with him?

If so, why did they not also protect the stage for the minutemen? There is both inaction as well as action that one can take in a leadership role. And there were also Professors and other staff as part of that "protest" group that overtook and rejected the right of the minutemen to speak.

 

[Cancel7]

Can we have one discussion on this board, about an upcoming war, and the hysteria of the sheep that is going to allow it, without people running on the thread to wag their finger and yell "he did it tooooooooo", to change the subject?

Who gives a shit Damo? I don't.

I didn't post this thread about free speech, try and re-read it and figure it out.

 

[Cancel7]

Apology is not necessary if they are afforded their actual free speech rights.

However, do you think that Ahmadenijad will be shouted down, that his stage will be invaded by those students? Or do you think that they'll be far more careful with him?

If so, why did they not also protect the stage for the minutemen?

I DON'T CARE.

What I care about is the demonization of someone, and of their entire COUNTRY, so that when bush nukes them, it's ok with the general population. That's what this is about.

If it ever gets on topic, I'll be back.

 

[Damocles]

Can we have one discussion on this board, about an upcoming war, and the hysteria of the sheep that is going to allow it, without people running on the thread to wag their finger and yell "he did it tooooooooo", to change the subject?

Who gives a shit Damo? I don't.

I didn't post this thread about free speech, try and re-read it and figure it out.

I notice that you center on this and ignore other things that I have added to the thread as your topic.

Also, in any conversation such side topics come into play.

It may annoy you that the university made no effort, and that staff and professors took part in a protest that denied the free speech to another, but assure this person's free speech, but it is the truth.

 

[Cypress]

No, they shut down the forum because they couldn't keep the Minutemen safe from the protestors.

There would be no need to apologize if they were afforded their free speech rights at that campus.

Nice attempt at diversion. This thread isn't about minutemen. I read the university apologized to those fascists anyway.


I'm actually pretty sick and tired of bush supporters trying to conflate all "evil" in the world, into simple, easy-to-undertand simplistic talking points for their base.

To date, Bush and his fans have not profered one piece of evidence that Iran has a nuclear weapons program, or that the iranian government is aiding and abetting al qaeda, or that the iranian goverment is actively supporting iraqi insurgents.

I'm no fan of this iranian president. But, I know one thing for certain: Bush lies his ass off.

 

[Cancel7]

I notice that you center on this and ignore other things that I have added to the thread as your topic.

Also, in any conversation such side topics come into play.

It may annoy you that the university made no effort, and that staff and professors took part in a protest that denied the free speech to another, but assure this person's free speech, but it is the truth.

It didn't annoy me. I don't give a fuck about it. I don't know how to be any more clear. YOU are annoying me. I'm talking about the deaths that are coming, because of people like you who are too busy going 'he did it tooooooo" to notice what the fuck is going on.

I don't care what happend to the minute men. I have zero interest in the state of free speech at Columbia university. These protests are happening at the UN this morning as well.