Critical Mass

The Columbia Spectator reports that CU has invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak this Friday.

University President Lee Bollinger, who learned of the invitation on Wednesday, said in a statement, "I happen to find many of President Ahmadinejad's stated beliefs to be repugnant, a view that I'm sure is widely shared within our university community."

Bollinger said he believes students and faculty will use the opportunity to engage the controversial leader in debate.

"I have no doubt that Columbia students and faculty would use an open exchange to challenge him sharply and are fully capable of reaching their own conclusions," he said.

Keep an eye out to compare the reactions by the left and the media about this speaking invitation to their reaction when John McCain addressed Liberty University.

Meanwhile, keep tabs on the CU student body's reaction, at this (unscientific) poll. Currently 82% of voters oppose the invitation.

 UPDATE: It is now reported that President Ahmadinejad will not speak at CU.

The dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, Lisa Anderson invited Ahmadinejad to speak Wednesday morning, and he accepted Wednesday afternoon, Robert Garris, Director of Communications at SIPA told Spectator.

But SIPA and University officials decided Thursday morning that it was not possible to coordinate the security precautions necessary to accommodate such a high profile guest under short notice.

 Security precautions? But why? At least there's no threat here in the U.S. of a suicide bomber blowing himself up at the speech of a terror-supporting head of an Islamic state.