You know Bollinger... That *would* have been a brave and forthright speech.

If you weren't such a gormless, fawning hypocrite.

http://www.distantocean.com/2007/09/lee-bollinger-f.html

Bollinger would have done better not to invite the Iranian President at all. It gave the President publicity that he did not deserve.
It was also a breach of diplomacy - which will merely reinforce the Iranian view of the US and the west in general.
Nobody can take pride in this event.

Marilyn,

http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=200247

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on 26/10/2005, and its own news and translation services, thats exactly what he did say.

Other are more unsure as to the what the exact translation could have meant, but you think their own news service would have no doubts about the intent and the accuracy of the message when translated.

We are with you, Marylin even though oldies like us are being lined up among the Left Wing Loonies.

It is true that Iran, unlike the US and its Middle East allies, including Saddam at one time, has never in the last 500 years attacked a Middle East neighbour - only in defence against Iraq, and valiantly winning after eight years of war.

Certainly not many of us like the present leader of Iraq, if only looks make a difference, but the Iranians, former Persians, are a proud people who could be destroyed simply by the actions of Bush and Cheney, and Condoleeza Rice who also as a former oil executive, must fit well in with Cheney who under the lap is an active oil man hoping like hell that the US will stay in occupation in Iraq till Kingdom come.

Maybe Iran is doing the safe thing to allow China to take over much of its oilfields - India too is very interested.

Also to save the Middle East getting pulverised with Israeli atomic rockets, maybe it would be the best thing for the future?

Thank you for that link bigmal. Having just read the IRIB News report of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech to 4000 students in October 2005, it would appear quite ridiculous to suggest - as Marilyn does - that Ahmadinejad never said that he wanted to wipe Israel off the map. Exactly what part of a direct quote that states, "As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map," don't you understand Marilyn?

As for Bollinger's 'porky pies', what exactly are they? Or do you take issue issue with Amnesty International reports on Iran as well?

Methinks there are some disingenous critics of Bollinger commenting here.

If Bollinger hadn't repudiated that maniac's views, you would've all been baying for Bollinger's head on a stake and whining about how liberal academics are a grave threat to Western civilisation.