Hunter: I Will Try To ‘Cut Off Funds To Columbia University’ Because Of Ahmadinejad Speech
Hunter: I Will Try To ‘Cut Off Funds To Columbia University’ Because Of Ahmadinejad Speech
Earlier today, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) said in a statement that if Columbia University President Lee Bollinger “follows through with this hosting of the leader of Iran, I will move in Congress to cut off every single type of Federal Funding to Columbia University.”
Introduced as a “petty and cruel dictator” by Bollinger, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did indeed speak at the Ivy League university, where he outlandishly claimed that there are no gay men or women in Iran.
Appearing on Fox News’ Your World with Neil Cavuto after the speech, Hunter said that he plans to follow through on his threat and will now “initiate legislation, and try to get as many people as can see it my way, to cut off funds to Columbia University.” Watch it:
Hunter is not the only lawmaker looking to punish Columbia and Bollinger for hosting a speaker whom they dislike. The New York Sun reports today that state and city lawmakers in New York are considering punitively withholding public funds from the school as well.
Glenn Greenwald asked:
Is there anyone who fails to see how dangerous and improper this is — not to mention unconstitutional — that government officials threaten and punish universities for hosting speakers whom the officials dislike?
Even President Bush doesn’t think Columbia should be punished for hosting Ahmadinejad, telling Fox News today that “I guess it’s okay with me” and that America is “confident enough to let a person express his views.” Everyone … except a host of right-wingers who cower when faced with the “views” of people they dislike.
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What a Preznut he'd make - NOT!
September 24th, 2007 at 6:06 pmduncan "yo yo" hunter is a clear and present danger to our Constitution.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:07 pmDuncan Hunter, this is your "jumping the shark" moment on your presidential hopes.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:07 pmIt's hard to fathom someone as nutty as ahmadinijad, but hunter almost wins the prize.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:09 pmFourteen Defining Characteristics of Fascism
#11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:11 pmhey dinkin' Duncan! ever hear of freedom of speech? i personally wanted to hear what the madman wanted to say!! the more people what he has to say, the more people will see he is a nutjob.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:11 pmWhen even George Bush has a clearer understanding of the First Amendment than you, it's time to get out and go back to grade school.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:12 pmDoesn't he have more important things to trivialize? Like the amendment to condemn MoveOn? Can we find a few more folks for Congress to condemn because they don't agree with the Republicans? I mean really, that's where I want my tax dollars going: to condemn free speech. Sarcasm off now.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:13 pmSeptember 24th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I'm so glad to know our military men and women are dying in Iraq so that Duncan can try to suppress our freedoms back in America.
I'm writing my Senators. They need to pass a law which states all future Congresspeople need to pass a test which documents their understanding of the Constitution.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:18 pmWill someone please explain fascism to Hunter? Totalitarianism?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pmColumbia University, you must conform to Duncan Hunter's right wing extremism!
Columbia University must be punished for hosting a right wing extremist, in much the same manner as the right wing extremist in question would punish his own Universities.
Good job Hunter! You are behaving just like Amadeenutjob!
=========================
Gleichschaltung [ˈglaiçʃaltʊŋ] (help·info) (literally "equal switching", "synchronization"; meaning "coordination", "making the same", "bringing into line") is a Nazi term for the process by which the Nazi regime successively established a system of totalitarian control over the individual, and tight coordination over all aspects of society and commerce. The historian Richard J. Evans offered the term "forcible-coordination" in his most recent work on Nazi Germany. One goal of this policy was to eliminate individualism by forcing everybody to adhere to a specific doctrine and way of thinking and to control as many aspects of life as possible using an invasive police force.
===================
Iran's Ahmadinejad calls for purge of liberal university teachers
The Associated Press
Published: September 5, 2006
TEHRAN, Iran Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged students Tuesday to push for a purge of liberal and secular teachers from universities, in another sign of his determination to stamp a strong Islamic fundamentalist revival on the country.
Ahmadinejad's call was not a surprise — since taking office a year ago, he also has moved to replace pragmatic veterans in the government and diplomatic corps with former military commanders and inexperienced religious hard-liners.
Earlier this year, dozens of liberal university professors and teachers were sent into retirement, and last November, Ahmadinejad's administration for the first time named a cleric to head the country's oldest institution of higher education, Tehran University — drawing strong protests from students.
His administration also has launched crackdowns on independent journalists, web sites and bloggers.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/05/news/Iran_University_Purge.php
September 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pmwow
in Mexico the publicly-funded colleges often incorporate the word "autonomous" into their names to indicate that although the state funds them they are independently run.
although this might not always be true in Mexico perhaps the schools in the US can start doing this to remind the population that higher education needs to be run by those whose careers ARE about education.
if American universities are to be run by those in government then perhaps US hegemony will drop ever faster due to the drop in standards and quality that would surely ensue - that might not be so bad for the rest of the world.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:20 pmYeah, heaven forbid we learn from one another through communication...
May I have my country back now?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:21 pmDuncan Hunter, you have just illustrated in the clearest possible way why Ann Coulter believes you to be the best candidate for president.
I can't believe you want to take on the responsibility of vetting speakers at every educational institution that receives public money. What else do you want control of? Curriculum? Football scholarships? Dress code for the students?
Ahmadinejad isn't one of my heroes, but unless he is barred from entering the country, Columbia University has every right to invite him to speak. Furthermore, the students may learn something -- hopefully by the time they get to college age, they recognize the difference between a statesman and a madman (oh wait -- YOU were elected by adults, so that might not be true).
September 24th, 2007 at 6:21 pmMemo to Hunter: Mind your business and worry about your graft! Hunter has the nerve to poke his nose in threatening Columbia U for inviting the Iranian President when Hunter is one of the 13 Congressmen that is resisting the subpoena by indicted Brent Wilkes.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:21 pmBush took his meds when he made the comment to allow the Iranian Prez to speak hie views. Amazing. Bush allows the Iranian President to speak his views whereas the U.S. citizens are suppressed to give their views of Bush.
I sent the "yo yo" a respectful email, suggesting that since he has violated his oath to uphold the Constitution, he should resign.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:22 pmWill humans every try to get along? When will we try and talk 1st, kill later. Sure isn't going to happen in my lifetime, that's pretty obvious.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:23 pmAre the neocons feeling threatened because a human face was put on the country next in line for an attack?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:25 pmCan't we wait for a year... get rid of Bush ... then have some decent diplomacy? No? The warmongers want Iran too for the oil and of course the benefits of the MIC? The more Americans see the human side of Iran and the truth, the less likely We are going to go along with an attack.
dunkin donut should shave his ass and get a real job instead
how's he going to censure Columbia from prison - where he's going to join his crooked buddy duke cunningham
mahmoud's a creepy idiot, but he never ripped me off - dunkin did
September 24th, 2007 at 6:28 pmBARTLEBEE; The Reich wing Nazis won't stop at just Columbia U for their book-burning bonfires, it would only be the beginning. They would take it nationwide, to ALL universities, colleges, public/private schools, libraries, and bookstores.
Can't have any free speech around here(especially in the "land of the free") now, can we?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:28 pmI'd like to see Ann Coulter banned from speaking engagements first. Honestly, is there any difference? Before I entertain any proposals to ban free speech, I need to see certain other people on the list as well. Personally, I am willing to tolerate the idiotic ranting of Coulter and her ilk because I understand it's part of the freedom I enjoy. Why Ahmadinejad would be any different is beyond me.
If the biggest problem I ever have is listening to these people talk, I will consider myself fortunate indeed.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:28 pmMost ignorant people are afraid of intelligent people and it shows. Hunter is trying to get headlines as he knows nothing about Columbia University he went to a California college. Columbia was founded in 1754 longer then these idiots will be around so no problem. At lease the reaction of the United States officials and some Americans should answer one question. Don't ask by young people don't have respect as look at the examples the adults are showing. Thank goodness Reagan wasn't treated that way when he visited Mikhail Gorbochev during the crises with Russia.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:28 pmAhmadinejad was right about who was the only country to use the Atom bomb on a country that had no Atom bomb. Yes the United States set that Atom bomb in Japan and quickly killed thousands of people and thousands of others died later. Now that the US gave Israel, Pakistan and India Nukes those countries can know use them to protect themselves. Well do bad for Iran and North Korea as the US wont allow them to have Nukes. I did notice how Reagan/Rummy/Cheney gave Saddam Nukes years ago well so much for friendship. Good move on Cheney's part picking Osama Bin Layden as a fighter for the United States. Just think if Cheney hadn't personally pick Osama there would be another name as the most wanted.
in Mexico the publicly-funded colleges often incorporate the word “autonomous†into their names to indicate that although the state funds them they are independently run.
Comment by nakmario — September 24, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
"Autonomous"??? But, but... doesn't that mean everyone drives a car to school?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:29 pmI did notice how Reagan/Rummy/Cheney gave Saddam Nukes years ago well so much for friendship.
Comment by Jackie — September 24, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
They gave Saddam chemical weapons but not nukes.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:31 pmmahmoud’s a creepy idiot, but he never ripped me off - dunkin did
Comment by tombaker — September 24, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
Not only is he a "creepy idiot", but Columbia helped show that to the world. Has Hunter even read a transcript of what was said?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:32 pm1776 - 2001 - "Give me Liberty or Give me DEATH"
2001 - Current - F the Liberty part - I'm s-c-a-r-e-d!!!!
Hopefully, in 2008/2009, the US will grow some balls and quit being lead around the short hairs by the fear card.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:33 pmOK, Ahmadinejad is a basket case, but it's important that students be able to hear people like him. Education is not about only politically correct information, it's about learning. How are you going to know if he is the nut the press makes him out to be if you can't listen to him yourself?
I keep forgetting that the GOP wants no freedom of speech in this country unless it's their speech.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:34 pmWhat we are missing is what Ahmadinejad said here. We know what the president of Columbia had to say, and that was pretty denigrating to Ahmadinejad. We have the curious gay denial statement, but what else is there? Has anyone come forward with a transcript or has anyone suggested they will publish such a transcript?
Isn't it curious that we have all of this uproar when not a single one of these people could quote what Ahmadinejad actually had to say?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:36 pmthis is a very dangerous line for Hunter to cross. Talking about going after a univeristies funding for presenting a side of an argument that the administration doesn't like is massive. These people have no sense of perspective anymore. And of course, the Dems will follow right along like condemning MoveOn. Very bad day for democracy.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:37 pmThere was no free speech in nazi Germany; there was no free speech in fascist Italy; there was no free speech in communist Russia.
And so, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R - CA) wants to punish Columbia University for have the unmitigated gall of "allowing" a speech by an elected official of the Republic of Iran? This was all after Columbia University officials rudely insulted and smeared their "guest."
Sieg Heils to the Bush crime family and the worthless complicit corporate media that props up these worthless lying election-stealing war-mongering traitors.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:38 pmStonehinge,
Check the yahoo main page, Ahmadinejad said he doesn't believe the official accounts of 9/11, and has a problem with the holocaust.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:39 pmVery bad day for democracy.
Comment by willyloman — September 24, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Salesman! Nice to see ya... gonna be at the book burning later on?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:39 pmAhmadinejad is Iran's George W. Bush.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:40 pmComment by Uncle Ho — September 24, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
I wonder if the Dunker would feel as strongly about punishing Falwell's Regent U (Home of the Gonzo Cloning Factory), if they brought in a wack-job like David Duke, the Repug's favorite KKK Wizard to speak about White Power?
3 guesses!
September 24th, 2007 at 6:41 pmIsn’t it curious that we have all of this uproar when not a single one of these people could quote what Ahmadinejad actually had to say?
Comment by stonehinge — September 24, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
Apparently the issue is that he was allowed to say it at all.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:41 pmThe Dems let this dangerous door open even wider when they condemned the MoveOn ad. We're now sliding down the slippery slope.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:43 pmFor the love of jebus - since when is America a fascist dictatorship punishing free speech....???
Oh. Never mind. Stupid question.
BTW, Hunter is a complete asshat, and the fact that he is from my state of California embarrasses me no end.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:44 pmIt is unfortunate that the reichwingers can't see how they closely resemble all the things they accuse this guy of...just like they do Saddam. What is the definition of hypocrite?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:45 pmEveryone … except a host of right-wingers who cower when faced with the “views†of people they dislike. And a host of left-wing politicos who shudder at the thought of losing the Jewish vote!
September 24th, 2007 at 6:46 pmDemocratic State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for one.
and Dov Hikind, a Democratic New York State Assemblyman. Hikind is an Orthodox Jew.
You'd think that representatives of a people who had been repressed and oppressed so much would know better. But they do not. And, like their right wing moonbat counterparts, they are just as unAmerican.
The guy from Iran is labeled a nut, a crazy man, etc. etc. Bush calls for his country to be attacked and nuked, rumors fly that the US is going to nuke Iran, killing countless civilians, then Bush complains that Ahmedinajad doesn't respect his own citizens. (WTF?)
I can't help but cringe at how unintelligent, petty, biased and ignorant are the questions from the US media and our "president" when dealing with this man who is, let's not forget, the recognized leader of a foreign country, nevermind that what he says makes a lot of sense when you factor in the cultural divide. When he spoke of Bush being a religious man, who could have said it better, "What religion invades a foreign country that hasn't attacked us and kills innocent civilians?"
In this exchange of "ideas" I'd say that the Iranian wins. He comes to New York looking for dialog to possibly stop his country from nuclear attack, I'd say that's a brave move. Bush sends a snide and arrogant letter with a "statement." How embarrassing it is to be an American in this climate.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:46 pmWasn't this guy running for president?
What a joke!
It's so sad that we have so many of these clowns in our government who are so eager to curtail free speech, among our other rights, to show how tough they are.
Can't their wives just put on an act for the benefit of the country and make a lot of noise in bed, tell them their little peckers are really the biggest they've ever seen and the best they've ever had so they can feel macho on their own without having to try and whip out their genitals in public every time they are "outraged" over something?
September 24th, 2007 at 6:47 pmThese sad displays of psuedo-testosterone by the pathetic Republicans are really... REALLY, getting old.
Krazny, I saw the Yahoo page. Once you look into the articles, all you get is the rant from the Columbia president and a few more tidbits. I found one real-time translation, but the audio is so bad you can't make out what is being said. So far, it's virtually nada for what Ahmadinejad had to say.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:49 pmIs it Ahmadinejad's fault that Dubya did away with Habeas Corpus or did the thugs of the reichwing do it all alone?
Pot calling the kettle black...go figure those little thugs of the crime family.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:49 pmOldfart...you nailed it...such incredible intolerance.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:52 pmDavid Weprin, a councilman from NYC, is one who intends to withhold funding for Columbia University. Let's write to him here: http://www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/contact_member.cfm?con_id=51
You can also write to NYC, Christine C. Quinn, speaker here: http://www.nyccouncil.info/rightnow/speakerspage.cfm
September 24th, 2007 at 6:52 pmThese guys would love a police state.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:57 pmComment by stonehinge — September 24, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Sorry to point you in the wrong direction. I didn't have a chance to read the articles, just saw the headlines.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:58 pmOldfart, go find some KKK site to post on!
September 24th, 2007 at 6:59 pmeverything you've posted today has been about some Jewish conspiracy!
BTW, Hunter is a complete asshat, and the fact that he is from my state of California embarrasses me no end.
Comment by Leftside Annie — September 24, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Leftside,
And I have Tommy "Bigot Man" Tancredo from my state, so I guess we all have our crosses to bear!
September 24th, 2007 at 7:00 pmThis is as anti-american as you can get. Hunter and all of his sympathizers should be called anti-american because of this horrible idea.
On a side note, did Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have any problems getting into the country? Is he not on the no fly list? Perhaps the anti-americans like Hunter should pursue a path to get Mahmoud on this list. Then he wouldn't be such a threat to him.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:02 pmI jsut read an article in HuffPo that quotes Libermann as saying that Amadinajah, comes here "literally with blood on his hands"!
What kind of sick country do we live in?
Libermann is on the Committee on the Present Danger with the likes of Shultz, Kyl, and James Woolsey. their MISSION is to create the stirrings for a war with Iran!
And they say Ahmadinejad is a "hatemonger"? Give me a break. This is sick. They are working as hard as they can to toss more young men and women into a meat grinder all over again.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:02 pmIt looks like Hunter needs to under go an ethics investigation by Congress. Using the power of the Federal government to violate the inalienable right to free speech is a crime against the Constitution. Something Hunter swore never to do when he entered office when he took his oath to protect the Constitution.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:03 pmRagingGurrl, thanks for the addresses.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:04 pmGina Garafano was right. Repukes bring the worst out of people. Question, whose party thinking does the KKK and white supremists align themselves with? Republicans. They love to attack the most trivial things to distract the kool-aid drinkers from the important issues.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:05 pmI was waiting at the VA office for my appointment( Bush has slashed the hell out of VA benefits) and the vet next to me said that he had a world almanac. He looked up and found out throughout american history after a twice serving Repuke president the country has gone into a recession. Did you guys know that?
Nature Rules,
September 24th, 2007 at 7:06 pmHe gets a pass to go to the UN. I know the last time he came to town, he was restricted to UN business.
He'd certainly need permission to go anywhere else. He can't walk freely in the US, as no head of state can. From a simply security standpoint, the government would have to approve of wherever he'd go.
These guys would love a police state.
Comment by Christian51 — September 24, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
One little correction...
"These guys DO love a police state."
September 24th, 2007 at 7:08 pmeverything you’ve posted today has been about some Jewish conspiracy!
Comment by Wilco — September 24, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Hmmm... not very tolerant of free speech...
September 24th, 2007 at 7:10 pmAs it turns out, this whole event was fascinating. For so long, Reps have had to be the adult seperating childish dictators and childish left-wingers, but today, they were free to misbehave face-to-face.
Left-wingers got to act self-righteous and indignant, and Ahmedinijad got to act self-righteous and indignant right back in their face. I hope now the left-wingers understand better what the US is trying to deal with, and that self-righteous indignation has no affect.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:10 pmHunter sitting at the bottom of the presidential candidates list and after almost a year from declaring his candidacy finally found him an ISSUE to play with... and that is : punish Columbia University Because of -----AhmadiNajad visit !!
September 24th, 2007 at 7:10 pmNow be carefull Hunter...don't blow your cover as an AIPAC spy.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:11 pmI hope now the left-wingers understand better what the US is trying to deal with, and that self-righteous indignation has no affect.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — September 24, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
Oh, the irony...
September 24th, 2007 at 7:12 pmhow bout trying to cut off funds to the bush administration for constantly wining and dining the Saudis? or supporting the bogus elections of Islom Karimov and Ilham Aliyev?
September 24th, 2007 at 7:13 pmIn order for American universities to avoid punishment,they must invite people or guests that agree with our government and Israeli policies and speaks like us,according to Duncan.
To duncan, that is the test and violaters should be punished.
It is laughable.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:17 pmKrazny, I saw the Yahoo page. Once you look into the articles, all you get is the rant from the Columbia president and a few more tidbits. I found one real-time translation, but the audio is so bad you can’t make out what is being said. So far, it’s virtually nada for what Ahmadinejad had to say.
Comment by stonehinge — September 24, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Go the audio/video section on C-Span and you can see the whole thing.
http://www.c-span.org/
September 24th, 2007 at 7:24 pmRoS?
September 24th, 2007 at 7:24 pmCriticizing someone's constant barrage of "it's all about the Jews" posts is anti Free Speech?
Then you must hate free speech for criticizing me!
There! That was easy!
And just as reasonable.
Duncan has signaled to Ahmenijahd that he's amenable to change his position if Ahmenijad will funnel a couple million to Duncan's off-shore slush accounts
Prof
September 24th, 2007 at 7:24 pmIf you want this to get the attention it deserves, I made a Digg story linking here:
http://digg.com/politics/Hunter_I_Will_Try_To_Cut_Off_Funds_To_Columbia_University
September 24th, 2007 at 7:31 pmAnd just as reasonable.
Comment by Wilco — September 24, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
I personally didn't find what old fart said to be that crazy. If you want to disagree w/ old fart, do so, like I'm disagreeing w/ you. I didn't tell you to go somewhere else, or compare you to the KKK, like you did.
I didn't say I hated free speech. If comparing someone to the KKK counts as "free speech" for you, hey, knock yerself out.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:37 pmOK, I get your game. You didn't say I hate free speech. You just suggested I'm not tolerant of it...huge difference. My bad.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:44 pmI didn't compare the guy to the KKK. I suggested his statements on here (more than just the one on this thread) might find a better home on a KKK site, which I would certainly hope they would.
And yes, if I actually did compare someone to the KKK, yes, it would be free speech. I have that beautiful right, free from prosecution. God bless America and the US Constitution.
We haven't left the right wing McCarthy era of sixty years ago. America's regression may finally be confirmed with this BS. What are this country's standards? He can come here but not speak? Sounds like 1984 has finally arrived.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:44 pmAmerica may already be second world.
Cutting Federal funding will hurt college,and not Bollinger..this is a taxpayer dollar...goes to all colleges.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:49 pmAlll of that for what?.because you don't agree with an opinion of a guest Columbia unviersity invited? !
OK, I get your game.
Comment by Wilco — September 24, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
Game??? WTF are you talking about?
September 24th, 2007 at 7:49 pmbecause you don’t agree with an opinion of a guest Columbia unviersity invited? !
Comment by tarazan — September 24, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Especially when the speech given apparently makes the speaker look like a crank. Really can't think Ahmadinejad helped make his case any.
What is Hunter upset about?
September 24th, 2007 at 7:51 pmGrow up, Duncan. Who the hell are you trying to impress?
September 24th, 2007 at 7:55 pmI thought you were having fun. Because I don't want to take you seriously if you think stating I'm not tolerant of free speech isn't akin to hating free speech. Otherwise, you're arguing semantics.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:56 pmWhich, of course, you are free to do as a non-card carrying member of the U.S. of A. Or I assume you are. Otherwise, if you don't have the constitutionally enshrined right, you certainly should.
But I'm outta here. Just remember free speech does not protect one from criticism, nor should it. This site would not exist otherwise.
later
Duncan has a poll on his "official site for president '08." The question is " Do you agree with Duncan Hunter that Columbia University should withdraw its speaking invitation to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?" The "yeas" currently have an overwhelming majority which doesn't surprise me because (a) East County San Diego is a bit conservative (b) I'm sure Dunghole Hunter is cooking the books.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:01 pmThis site would not exist otherwise.
later
Comment by Wilco — September 24, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Yer not the most rational person when ya talk...
September 24th, 2007 at 8:08 pm84 - Yeah, but that was diff-runt!!!!! (spoken like a 4th grader)
/sarc off
September 24th, 2007 at 8:10 pmMatt wrote: 'Everyone … except a host of right-wingers who cower when faced with the “views†of people they dislike.'
Um, Matt....Your Massachusetts roots are showing. Your knowledge of New York politics is sadly lacking....The speaker of the New York State Assembly Sheldon Silver, who has essentially echoed Rep. Hunter's comments, is a liberal Democrat, as is NYC Council Member David Weprin and James Gennaro.
For you to label people like Silver and members of the New York City Council is laughable and indicates some very shaky research. I mean, all you had to do was read your own blog: See "NY lawmakers threaten to punish Columbia over speech."
September 24th, 2007 at 8:20 pmWhen will the US Attorney get back to investigating this demagogue's cozy dealings?
September 24th, 2007 at 8:27 pmThe koolaid drinkers' wet dream would be a country where every film or television station they watch, every book they read, every song they hear, all content on any and all radio stations, any travel outside your own community, any and all items that you might purchase, any meetings between two or more people, all written correspondence between U. S. citizens, all telephone conversations, and any/all other means by which two or more people can communicate must be preapproved and/or are closely monitored to ensure that none of us are ever exposed to information that might cause us to doubt the cabal in the White House who will assume control over every aspect of our lives.
Bush told us that the "terrists" hate us for our freedoms. By now, they should be liking us at least a little, and if the Neocons have their way, by the time Bush & Co. are done, they should be loving us.
Anyone feel better now?
September 24th, 2007 at 8:57 pmDoes Rep. Hunter plan to eliminate 60 Minutes and CBS for doing an interview with Pres. Ahmadinejad? The interview by Scott Pelley was a nasty White House hit piece, but I'm sure the entire CBS network should be severely punished, according to Hunter.
Someone above mentioned the similarity to the McCarthy Era, 1950-1954. We're there folks, and you can see that once the lid of demagoguery is lifted, it takes time -- and luck -- to restore our institutions and system of law.
We're on a wild ride with these GOP fanatics. Does Hunter know that we are stuck in a disastrous war of our own making? Does he know that Greenland is melting? He has better things to do -- trash our Constitution.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:06 pmJust watched the tape extract on Olbermann. Funny thing, because he had the chance to speak, he had the chance to deny that the Shoa ever happened and also deny that there are homosexuals in Iran. By such, he has provided parodists with a couple of weeks' worth of material to further belittle him.
In short, his opportunity to speak gave him the opportunity to be discredited. Hopefully, he also found out that statements that play well to the home crowd may face skepticism when said away.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:15 pm'The New York Sun reports today that state and city lawmakers in New York are considering punitively withholding public funds from the school as well.'
As a faculty member at NYU, I completely and wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments. Take the bastards down!
September 24th, 2007 at 9:16 pmReichwingers do not realize how closely tied they are to this wingnut. A wingnut is a wingnut if he is in Iran or the USA. Duncan Hunter is a scary sob who is about an inch from being a fascist pig. Our resident crime family has cammited every crime they accuse this weirdo of doing but they can't see reality.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:57 pmI would GLADLY trade their head of state for ours. We'd get the better part of the deal-hands down.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:05 pmColumbia should invite Duncan Hunter to speak and give him the same treatment. A fascist is a fascist. How much is Hunter making off his Blackwater stock?
September 24th, 2007 at 10:24 pmGoodbye, Hunter! Woohoo!
September 24th, 2007 at 11:28 pmHaven't we had enough from idiots like Hunter?
September 25th, 2007 at 1:04 amhey dinkin’ Duncan! ever hear of freedom of speech? i personally wanted to hear what the madman wanted to say!! the more people what he has to say, the more people will see he is a nutjob.
Comment by sc mom — September 24, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
And the more Dumbcan opens his mouth, the more people will see what a nutjob he is, too.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:06 amBTW, Hunter is a complete asshat, and the fact that he is from my state of California embarrasses me no end.
Comment by Leftside Annie — September 24, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Leftside Annie,
September 25th, 2007 at 1:10 amI am also from California (as well as a Columbia U. grad). As California is a large and diverse state and Dumbcan doesn't represent my district, I don't particularly feel embarrassed about him. Unless you are from the San Diego area, there is no need to feel overwhelmingly embarrassed about this jerk.
103 - yes ron, there are only 2 alternatives - letting crooks drive us to hissy fits while they loot the treasury, or surrender and capitulation to sharia law. that's it - just two choices, the bush way, or the way of certain death for all. thanks for helping me understand how the whole wide world is really just a simple black or white proposition. what a relief!!!
September 25th, 2007 at 1:39 amOh -- Duncan WON'T cut off funds for Bush to keep killing people, but now he wants to cut off funds because someone he doesn't like is invited to speak. What a brave chickens*it he is -- just like all the others.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:45 amNear as I can tell, Duncan Hunter is mostly an idjut. and when he's not that, he's just a moron.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:22 am.
Hunter is so on the money here folks...
After all, a University is where we shrink the mind, narrow it's focus, and instill Nationalism into the public. This way, all good(?) American's can procreate more human fodder for our future wars as we attempt to rule the world.
[/sarcasm]
Irony is, that for all the demagoguing the neo(anti)conservatives and GrOoPers do about Iran, "State sponsor, blah, blah, blah..." that they too sponsor terrorism...er... private contractors, and beat a drum of MORE WAR, possibly wiping Iran off the map with tactical nukes.
Oh, that's right.
It's not Fascism when WE do it.
.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:29 amWe need to cut off funds to Duncan Hunter. Can you image this jerk as President?
September 25th, 2007 at 4:15 am>So do we let Osama bin Laden speak?
Osama Bin LAden has charges pending against him in this country. Iran dude doesnt. And please dont even start with the "state sponsor of terror" cr@p. You do realize that the united states has funded extremely brutal groups also, right? (look up central america in the 80's)..the only difference is, we call all terrorists "freedom fighters"
Also, it amazes me that idiots like you whine about AMERICANS having the right to invite this guy to speak, but have no problem with spending our tax money and our lives to give Iraqis the right to elect a guy who would shake hands and make alliances with the guy:
http://www.islamicmediacity.com/cms_files/news_images/1190391250.jpg
there you go ron.... the democratically selected leader of free Iraq shaking hands with the president of Iran... theres your "Iraqi freedom" for you, bought and paid for with american blood and treasure... I guess at least one good thing about saddam hussien was that he wouldnt be caught dead shaking hands with the leader of Iran, right ron?
September 25th, 2007 at 5:09 am>we call all terrorists “freedom fightersâ€
sorry, I meant, we all OUR terrorists freedom fighters
September 25th, 2007 at 5:10 amDuncan Hunter being a free man, and not serving a long sentence for taking money from defense contractors, is a testament to how efficient Gonzales' Department of Justice was a abetting republican criminals. That this criminal thinks he has a right to censor anyone is preposterous.
These rightwing nuts will do everything they can to bury the Bill of Rights.
First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Yet they try their hardest to do otherwise. Just ask MoveOn.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:18 amI hope now that Jason M. Hendler understands better what the US is trying to deal with, and that Jason M. Hendler's self-righteous indignation has no affect.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:57 amWill someone please tell this neo-nazi Duncan Hunter that this is still a democracy and he doesn't run the University system? This guy is severely twisted in his ideology and thinks that our country is a dictatorship! Obviously, Duncan Hunter needs a crash course in the US Constitution. And this guy is running for President??? Yikes!! Scary.....very scary!!
September 25th, 2007 at 9:03 amSince Duncan Hunter is making himself "public enemy of the people #1" right now, perhaps we need to do some research about his defense contracts and how he's broken the law? Surely, his rep is legion in Congress and it's high time he's "outed" for his criminal activities.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:05 amHunter apparently didn't watch the speech... they invited him there and then tore him a new one... it was no warm hero's welcome... it seems to me Republicants and consternatives in general would've enjoyed the opportunity to question him... all he did was make an ass of himself... "we have no homosexuals in our country" - what a joke!
September 25th, 2007 at 9:06 amBy the way, here is probably the BEST coverage that the Ahmadinejad Columbia visit got on any major network station:
VIDEO
Hardball - Iran President Visits Columbia (Matthews + Buchanan)
http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=a44e85c3-476c-4aa1-b482-e84554afb205
September 25th, 2007 at 10:42 amMr. Hunter - where did you put the constitution again? I can't find it.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:34 am106, Lora - thank goodness that nutjob Hunter doesn't represent me (I'm in Los Angeles), but dayum, he's *still* a colossal embarrassment.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:55 pmThere is no "freedom of speech" in the minds of these Republicans. The guy came and talked and people saw what he is for themselves. Sorry that REpublicans are so dumb they can't think for themselves. Guess that is what the University was trying to do. Duncan..,.go back to school and study civics and maybe you will learn something.
September 29th, 2007 at 12:43 pm"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Still true.
September 30th, 2007 at 5:51 pmHunter once again wipes his ass on the constitutional principles he's sworn to uphold.
September 30th, 2007 at 6:31 pm