No Way should the President of Iran even be allowed on American Soil. His plane should have never ever landed here. Arent we supposed to screen terrorists at the Airport? He gets to speak at the Un and Columbia U. While the rest of us cant even take a bottle of water on board an airplane. Ridiculous! How disrespectful to all of the families that lost a loved one on September 11th. I am disgusted...

I agree, we are a nation with a deep foundation based on free speech. As a recovered Roman Catholic I hate it when the Catholic League spews their hate, but I will defend that right to do so. That is free speech. Not just hearing what we prefer or can control. How can our students learn if not exposed? I understand the Jewish response to Iran's President, but not why the Catholic League got to address. Just grandstanding and like Iran's President the Catholic League's speaker and Mr. Gingrich got to spew their hate. Oh, and by the way, Mr. Gingrich when did you become so concerned about homosexuals??? Hmm maybe watching mindless Britany Spears information is no different than the obvious photo-ops here eh? Good job Matt on the interview. feel free to be bold!

How is it possible that America is allowing a leader to land on our soil who is an avowed enemy to our nation? One who tells his people that America and Israel should be wiped off map? How do we think this makes our troops feel when they are risking their lives daily to combat such insanity? This is a slap in the face to the 911 surviving families, the military and seems absurd. Aren't we supposed to STOP terrorists not invite them in?

Americans who think that freedom of speech means that anyone can say anything and that our enemies should be invited into our country to spew-forth evil rhetoric that inspires violence against our society are deluded to the point of needing medical help.

If a crazy man tells you he intends to wipe Israel from the face of the earth, and publicly calls for the destruction of the United States, I think it is prudent to take him at his word.  I am honestly amazed that you just don't get this.  

I am so glad that Columbia University is upholding scholarly tradition of bringing together opposing views in order to enlighten students and the public by alllowing the president of Iran to speak and answer questions that the students and faculty have.  What has happened to this great nation and the value of our first amendment of the right to free speech?  Yes,  people  do not agree with him, myself included, but he has a right to speak his opinion and policies no matter how uncomfortable this may make us.  It is a very dangerous road we take when we restrict opposing views and the right to free speech.  It leads to dictatorships and tyranny.  Is that where we want to go?  Thank you Matt for the enilghtening interview!

Why does the Iranian leader have free speech here in this country?  What ancestor did he have in the United States that fought for his rights.  My grandfather fought in WWII for my rights to free speech.  This man's ancestors are probable terrorists who did nothing to secure my rights as a tax paying member of these our UNITED STATES!

I don't usually post twice but... Exactly who do you think should determine who is "allowed" to speak, and who is not? And who will determine that right? I for one love the America that stands for free speech and supporting a thinking society. If the speaker is a real threat and or nutcase, what better way to expose the tripe than allowing that speaker to share that information? Remember, our armed service is fighting to protect the right of free speech. Restrict it and what are they fighting for?

This whole thing with Ahmadinejad reminds me of elementary school. I think we need a reminder to play nice, listen to others, and have good manners!!

This is a man that we hold as the number 1 opponent of the U.S. We should welcome him and show him what this nation stands for!! Freedom and Acceptance!! Just like when Bush talks, he doesn't represent all Americans... we need to remember that Ahmadinejad doesn't speak for all Iranians. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't let him speak and be questioned! How can we get any understanding of what makes this guy tick, unless we listen to him.

As shocked as I was to hear that Ahmadinejad would be speaking at Colombia University, I can not be as disgusted by the event as so many are.  I view this as an opportunity for Ahmadiniejad to learn just how vehemently those in this country oppose him and his beliefs. This event is fueling U.S. citizens to protest and voice their outrage against this man and that makes me proud of my fellow citizens.  Don't sequester Ahmadinejad, give him the opportunity to face those who speak out freely against him (a far cry from anything he would experience in his country under his regime) and don't deny the U.S. citizens  their right to protest against a man who is clearly unaware of the solidarity and conviction of this country's loyal citizens.

The issue for some is that Columbia University, like the New York Times makes free speech more available to those who lean left. To cover all points of this story, The Today Show should report on how many of Columbia's speakers are liberal and how many are conservative.

He is here to visit the UN not USA. If you don't like him visiting here then move the UN to a different city than NY and from this country.

Like bats, ignoraant people fly better in the dark and have trouble flying once in the light.  Hence they resist any idea which may go against their pre-conceived notions.  That is the truth.  Are the protestors afraid of what they will hear?  He sounded quite intelligent on 60 minutes.  I feel sorry for the protestors who have been dooped by the relentless propaganda regarding Iran, the Holocaust, and Israel.

We should welcome any leader of any nation.  We are supposed to be trying to get along with other countries.  
The bush war mongers spread so much hate, it is frightening.  Maybe if our leaders would engage in a real conversation with guys like him, we could avoid war.  
"what religion, please tell me, tells you as a follower of that religion to occupy another country and kill its people, please tell me, does Christianity
tell its followers to do that?" Ahmadinejad asked.

I have read the Bible, and it says to me "Thou shall
not kill"  I don't read, Thou shall not kill except for....

Columbus, Ohio,

I guess we can count at least one conservative speaker at Columbia.

What hypocracy by the media hyping this topic.  Ahmadinejad just finished giving a speech and answering questions at the National Press Club without a lot of fanfare.  But it's some sort of huge issue if he does the same a another location, this time a international affairs oriented college setting?  Someone please explain the difference to me.

Ahmadinejad has himself said on many occasions that he is a sworn enemy of the United States of America. He has also on countless occasions stated that his goal in life is the total destruction of Israel. I understand that the UN is located in NY and as such we must grant him access to it. However it is a disgrace to our nation to give him access to anything else while he is here. This man is our sworn enemy! Would we have invited Hitler to speak at one of our universities? Inviting Ahmadinejad to speak is the same as inviting Hitler! Wake up America!

whoever snipers him is a hero

...guys, let's be realistic. We cannot believe in Free Speech and market ourselves as a free country if we do not allow for the free-flow of ideas. Moreover, we cannot truly disagree or argue against anyone else if we do not see first-hand exactly what they have to say.

I am glad he is not going to Ground Zero, I believe that would be disrespectful to us and the many dead on 9/11. But, a place of higher learning is the best place for this man to speak: to educated individuals.

Let him speak, and let us listen with open minds so that we can better argue against this dictator.

American citizens, politicians and students need to listen to Ahmadinejad and all Middle East and World leaders to better understand the problems in this area in order to work to achieve World peace. I applaud Columbia for trying to enlighten its students of Ahmadinejad's positions and to make them aware of the difficulty in solving problems in the Middle East.

Not since the days of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich has a head of state spoken as openly about the destruction of Jewish people and his contempt for the Western democracies and international law as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. <-- that came straight from www.outragedamerica.org

I'm all for free speech for US citezens but not for sworn enemies of the United States of America! Out political correctness is slowly killing us....

I did listen to both of ahmadinjad's speeches today.  Even though I don't agree with anything that this man said, I think he displayed more class than his hosts at the University did. Lee Bollinger proved to be a pitty  and cruel host.

America..A country that claims it is based on *freedom and democracy*, by which it brings such things to other countries by blowing them up, stealing resources, raping, pillaging and plundering other's. Basically it is the whole robber baron mentality, but then the history of the USA, since the moment they got off the boats and proclaimed the American colonies as *theirs* they have been using the same mentality. It does not shock me that they would be upset about Ahmadinejad's talking at Columbia, because heaven forbid people might actually see that alot of what the  American media is saying is propaganda and be given the right to form their own opinion instead of believing the story given to them by a government that has been proven is based on lies and untruths and immoral and unethical behaviour. I'm not saying Ahmadinejad's a good guy, he has done his fair share of bad things, but, he is not responsible for anything to do with 9/11, as the USA has already said, so why deny him what others from other countries have been allowed to do? Other's have laid wreaths at ground zero, 15 of the 19 highjackers were of Saudi decent, yet wasn't a representative from Saudi allowed to lay a wreath there? Talk about hypocrisy. They also do not have anything but nuclear energy plans that they so far have been playing with, with the UN's approval, unlike North Korea who have recently tested their first nuclear weapon, but no one stopped them or sanctioned them as of yet. Or Russia and their new long range air deployable bombers fully loaded that they are bragging about. By the looks of the topic questions the university has set out to be asked, I think people should have the right to hear his answer's. His animosity towards Isreal is simple, Isreal was made an illegal state in what, 1948? It was given this state status against what all the other countries in that region said and voted for. Isreal is the USA's idea of keeping their hold in the Middle East. If a state that was not in your region until 60 years ago was thrust on you without your approval then ofcourse your going to get all the other countries around that area upset, anyone would. Someone else's land was given to them, ofcourse people are going to fight and argue over it. Iran, contrary to popular belief is now the strongest country in the Middle East, thanks largely in whole to the USA taking out Saddam, since he was the one keeping Iran in check and under thumb. 30 years Iran has been under the thumb and control of Iraq and Saddam, 30 years they have spent learning DEFENSIVE procedures. As Ahmadinejad's statements say, he has no intention of attacking anyone, he does not need to. The USA is collapsing in on itself and all he has to do is sit back and watch. To attack Iran, who is a silent partner and observer with voting right's in the SCO (Shanghia Co-operative Organization, google it, learn for yourselves) headed up by Russia and China, along with Jordan, Syria, turkey, Lebenon, just to name a few. In the end it will come down to the NAU/SPP fighting against the SCO to see who will come out on top, and with the collapse of the American economy and the fact that 600 Canadian companies, mostly in the resource sector, have been silently sold out to American companies, right down to the last Canadian steel company just sold 2 weeks ago and is now owned by US Steel. We are only months away from the Amero dollar being introduced, and since the gold and silver that once backed the USD has been gone for while, they will use Canada's resources now to back the Amero dollar, since it is already printed and waiting for distribution anyways. The USD and CND will sit at par for a few weeks, people will and are already are starting to voice their thoughts and concerns on the fact Canadian's are paying more for the same products in Canada then the US when the dollar is par, but they need this to happen before they tell everyone it will be for their own *safety,protection and prosperity* that they allow this new currency to be distributed. All of which are lies if you read the fine print, Canadian's had best start fighting for what is left of their healthcare now because it is a known fact that America will not give it's 300 million people universal healthcare, so it will be cheaper and make it an *even* playing ground to just cut Canada's already chopped apart healthcare. The media has everyone arguing over whether or not people like Ahmadinejad should be heard at a university to keep them from seeing what is going on right under their noses. Where is the freedom of speech in that? But then American's and Canadian's alike have silently sat by and watched the present ruling parties take away their own freedom's and liberties and not done a thing about it. I guess it makes them feel like they still have a say when they can deny someone from another country the right to speak or lay a wreath in their own *freedom of speech* country.

I'm not sure if my memory is serving me right, but didn't Iran come out in our support right after the 9-11 terror attacks?

This may be a country founded on free speech, among other values, however that does not mean I can yell "fire" in a crowded theater....the man should not be allowed on our shores, let alone address the citizens of whom he has continually insulted.  Suzi Fregeau, Loleta, CA

Ahmadinejad is the president of a sovereign nation who represents his country at the United Nations, which is in New York City.  Perhaps we should move the UN to a place where free speech and interchange of ideas is welcome, because that certainly won't be here in this country.  

Free speech is one of the first rights given to us in the Bill of Rights, as is freedom of religion, the press, assembly . . .  oh, and habeus corpus, but that's a different discussion.  

How embarrassing that people here do not give respect to this man who is the leader of a country with one of the oldest civillizations;  a country of culture, with a tradition of knowledge.  

Much of what is said above is pure emotion.  How glad I am that those people who would deny this man the right to speak are not in charge of this country.  

Who is to decide who speaks and who doesn't?  What is the criteria?  For those who are against letting Amanedinejad speak, why not know what your enemy is thinking?  

Initially, I too was enraged at the prospect of this despot being invited to CU to speak. Denying him access to the U.S./ U.N. was never enforcable. But Columbia? Then, I began to think. Columbia? Our Republic. Freedom. Liberty. Patriots. Intelligence, (as in CIA). Never one to go in for conspiracy theories, just suppose the 'Master Plan' was to grant this puppet, (remember, he takes his marching orders from the Ayatollah) a forum on our soil to expound his diatribe face to face, with all of us,who's only previous exposure to him is through the media.
Now. He is here, he is real, and nothing, heretofore, has been as sucessfull in demonizing him as he himself.
Today, we have had the privelage of seeing this millinium's answer to 'Archie Bunker'

Our Bill of Rights were controversial, almost toppling the Constitution itself. Our ancestors have fought and died to protect these rights and this document. But when  a man has the courage to walk in front of a hostile crowd and answer to the ideals and values of the country he represents, we find ways to insult our ancestor's memories.

You may not agree with what he said or the actions of his administration, but when our founders penned these rights, they did not add the phrase "these rights only  apply to those people who agree with us" because it was not their intention to deny the rights of anyone.

Throughout the history of this nation, many groups have fought for access to these rights because our society did not see them as equals. This man who came to have a discussion and to shed light, for those willing to listen, on the basis for his beliefs was not treated as equal.

We embarrassed ourselves today, the moderator embarrassed himself today, and the President of Columbia University embarrassed himself today. We stood up and proved, to the world, our ignorance to the foundation true democracy, equality.

This man was insulted when he should have been applauded for even coming. We had the opportunity to begin the movement towards understanding and co-existence between our people and our allies, however we felt it better to reflect immaturity and ignorance.

We need to take him up on his invitation for the students and faculty of Columbia University to travel to Iran and work alongside Iranian students and  faculty. We need to attempt to quell this hate before there is no chance for peace. We failed today.

It's great to see so many people supporting free speech...Not talking with a country for 25 years because of our botched foriegn policy really solved our problems didn't it? (/sarcasm off)

Seriously, this is the type of debate this country needs. Anyone ever hear the phrase "Know your enemy"? How are you supposed to know anyone if you don't listen to them...I'm tired of ignorant Archie Bunker slobs who wave the flag and know nothing about what this country was founded on. Or by whom this country was founded by. If you want to call yourself an American than its high time you start reading a couple books. I used to respect Newt until I heard the ignorant filth that came out of his mouth but I guess I can almost lump him with the ingnorant filth that I heard come from the Iranian prez's mouth also. Our soldiers are dying for "Freedom" let me ask you what does that word mean to you?

At least Bush is smart enough to recognize this as our country's true strength. I never thought I'd give our president any credit.

grow up people, the silent treatment is a childs game.

The same reason you don't allow a pedophiler to speak his views on why its okay to have relations with children. It does no service to society, it only humanizes or sympathizes with a sick/hurt individual. Look at how homosexuals have gained so much ill-advised support.

Amanedinejad is a disgusting person, who loves to back-paddle to avoid direct confrontations. To the Iranian people, his speeches are filled with hate (I'm Iranian and I can read farsi newspapers). To the American people, he turns a 180 and speaks of peace.

I used pedophilers as a comparison because it seems alot of Political correctness these days seems to damper the seriousness of social ills in our society. Amanedinejad is not an American, and in fact has stated he does not like America. His words, much like Hitler, may be passionate and incite like-minded individuals to sympathize and act upon them.

Is the reason most all of these comments are about free speech and not about Iran, because the comments are screened?
You all are ignorant. Listen to Glen Beck. Matt Lauer is coming across as extremely uninformed also. It's so sad, shocking and irresponsible.
They want to wipe America off of the map.

It's not about political correctness. Its about listening to this nut job speak. The more this guy speaks the more he makes a fool of himself. "We have no homosexuals in Iran." I was laughing for a good 30 seconds. Let him speak and make an idiot of himself.

I just love listening to this guy dance around questions. He really showed how crazy he is by spouting off all of these conspiracy theories about 911 and how he almost denied it was Al-Qaida that plotted 9/11. If there is one thing I learned today...Its how evil this guy can really be. That is the reason why this country is great, it can out a true enemy in front of millions people.

Why are you silent regarding todays Press Club Ahmadinejad Forum?  at least the Columbia U. moderator presented a professional demeanor, asked hard questions and hard follow-up. Ahmadinejad ran circles around your Press Club President and panel of your fellow journalists.

I find the hypocrisy how members of the US government want to invade a country like Iran (killing innocent civilians...I mean collateral damage) to remove a man like Ahmadinejad instead of letting the 'democratic process' that they all want to uphold take it's course in 2009 when Iran has their next elections.  The only difference between Bush and Ahmadinejad is that both have desires in destroying countries except one has the power and capabilities to do so and one only can speak to it.  

I am so disappointed in Columbia University President Lee Bollinger—after having been being so proud of an American who had initially stood up against the press and against politicians in the name of freedom of speech and expression, and education on foreign policy and relations.

If we cannot even lend our ear to a world leader, if we cannot even grant them the chance to express theirs views (as ‘wrong’ as they may be), how can we ever reach a mutual understanding and ultimately achieve world peace?  

As much as I disagree with President Ahmadinejad on certain topics, I applaud him for his courage and the strength it took to remain on that stage after having been vociferously beaten by the very person who had invited him there in the first place.

As an Iranian-American I hate Ahmadinejad, his beliefs and what he has done to my origin country. However, I do belief in freedom of speech in this great country and I do believe that it was a right move from the Colombia University to invite him to speak. We should listen to him and hear what our enemy says, if we treat him the way he treats his own people denying them to have a right of speech then we are the same as him.

America needs to listen to what he has to say, not what the media is telling you his intentions are. Try learning another language, or making friends from around the world to interpret for you, break the language barrier, the rest of the world is. So, why are you people afraid to let the man talk?

How you know his "mile long rap sheet" of offenses came from his mouth? They sound more Western generated political / political media penned to me. NY didnt even shut their hypocritical mouths or open their tiny narrow minds to allow themself the ability to try and find out. Not even the words from the 60min interview (of which a tiny sliver of it was aired) were his words. If anyone took effort to listen to his barely audible voice under the lazy and / or incompetent translator one would have discovered much different words than those translated.

Rebecca, Silver Spring, MD - YES! Thank you. And they were quickly kicked in the teeth.Heaven Forbid America sees these people as for who most of them are. They also have tried desperately to help in Iraq as it is in better interest to them than us to stifle chaos there. However, in our ever seeking greed monger leader's minds, they again were told to go to hell --- as the Lying Leaders of our Nation are trying to (and succeeding) and ripping of the national resource of this undefending country.

Clearly Ahmadinejad is a dangerous fanatic that we should all be concerned about. However I have a few simple questions for the Americans that are so upset about Iran supplying arms to Iraqi insurgents. How do you think the Iranians felt about the chemical and other weapons that Cheney, under Regan, sent to Saddam to use against the Iranians after Saddam attacked Iran? Do you think that they gave thanks to America as missiles carrying American cyanide gas landed in Iran? Do you think they gave thanks to America when American supplied airplanes dropped American bombs on their sons and daughters? Do you think they gave thanks to America when they were told that American satellites were being used to direct artillery fire on their cities? Or have these facts been conveniently forgotten in your hypocritical outrage? Surely the death of over a million Iranians during a war started by Saddam and supported by America gives the Iranians more right to be upset than the loss America has suffered or are you too blinded by hatred to accept any responsibility for the hatred on the other side?

The reasons given for Muslims attacking America are false, i.e., they are not attacking Americans because we're free, etc. The reasons given for invading Iraq also proved to be false. Given our leaders and media have failed to provide us with the truth, Americans should hear from the other side of this conflict. The bottom line is that we need to challenge 50+ years of Middle Eastern policy that is ruining our economy, undermining our image and jeopardizing our way of life.

Kate Ohio, What exactly does he have to do with 9/11? the hijackers were Saudis.Have you ever heard of saudi arabia?, you where Osama is from, it happens to be a completely different country.
Or do you think all middle eastern people are your enemies? Well for any mentally challenged people out there let me spell it out for you. OIL!OIL!OIL!OIL!OIL!OIL!OIL!OIL!OIL! The American military industrial complex is hungry for power and profit. It needs to feed and control of oil, the ability to reap and the ability to constrict supplies all means big profits for the fat cats <Ahem CHENEY! Ahem> I didnt see you guys invading North Korea too quickly even though they managed to detonate a nuclear  device. I wonder why? NO OIL! maybe.......

Freedom of speech is what makes America a different country from he rest. I support the idea of letting someone freely deliver his/her message but ... why allowing him to speak "freely" here when he is denying this right to millions in his own country? I am a Cuban, and I want freedom of speech for my country, but would never sit down to listen to Castro empty rhetoric simply because my brothers and sisters in the Island do enjoy this priviledge. Freedom of speech only for those who share and respect the principle

Columbia University President Lee Bollinger certainly made himself look like a backpedalling fool, in damage control cowering to the press and their emotive headlines.  His introduction shames Columbia more than it shames Ahmadinejad. I agree with little or nothing Ahmadinejad may have to say, but if he had come and gone without the over-reaction witnessed today,  it would have caused but a ripple and his visit would have been deemed to be rather a non event, surely a much more subtle and dignified way to send a real message to the likes of Ahmadinejad.

Hearing what Ahmadinejad has to say is a first step to finding some potential common ground. Ahmadinejad doesn't represent all Iranians, just as Bush doesn't speak for the majority of Americans. Now we should push for the opportunity to address students at an Iranian university, but it'll have to be after Bush leaves office.  Both sides need to appeal to the next generation of leaders, who hopefully will be capable of achieving a peaceful co-existance; something that Ahmadinejad and Bush are obviously not capable of nor interested in pursuing.  Lee Bollinger's introduction was disgraceful.

If someone is invited he should be treated as a guest. A guest should not be attacked before he even speaks.  What ever happened to manners or civil behavior?  If you know he is not someone you want in your home or institution don't invite him!  I feel this has probably done as much damage to the Iran/United States relationship as anything our present administration has done.

When did Pres. Ahmadinejad say: "denial of the Holocaust, his call to wipe Israel off the map," per NYTimes editorial?  I think that is manipulative gossip.

Let Ahmadinejad speak, visit and whatever he wants to do.  Contrary to Iran, USA is still the land of freedom, but, TVs stations, newspapers, radios, schools and everything (and I mean, EVERYTHING) else connected with advertising should agree to completely ignore this "IRANIAN."  Ignore Ahmadinejad and that is the very best we can do.  Lets not give him the exposure he wants so much.  Ignore him. Period.  

The trouble with the United States is that we never know when a country is our friend or enemy...this is completely a designation applied by the administration that happens to be in power at the given moment...check back on records of the conflicts in the Middle East....if we agree, they (Iran, Iraq, Saudi ARabia etc) are our friends; should the stakes change and we don't agree, they become our enemy.....it is so hard to keep track because it is all accomplished thru the manipulation of the mainstream media....plant a story..it spreads....and low and behold someone becomes our enemy.....(weapons of mass destruction comes to mind).....come on people...wake up and be willing to embrace the uncomfortable feeling you have been lied to and manipulated into behaviors (backing up admin policies of murder, destruction of the oldest civilization on earth, etc) which are blantently hate-oriented and profit-motivated. Only when you face your own short-comings can you choose to decide for yourself and act accordingly.....this dictator is not what we want for America....but if we embrace dialogue...we will be more able to deal with the situations he presents.....why is it the media can interview and broadcast it (profits???) and a University can not?? WE need to stop the overreaction to the press and form logical open and balanced discussions on these foreign and domestic issues that keep dividing the nation....remember, united we stand; divided we fall.....the administration and media seek to divide the America populace which gives them more power to implement policy which if we were cognizant we would not vote for...instead we are using our anger to protest all the wrong issues....

i am outraged at him even being allowed into our country.............whoever invited him to America should be tried for treason.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):