Haaretz Adds Clarity to Columbia Propaganda Event

Shmuel Rosner

From the Full Story at Rosner's Blog:

"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University in New York on Monday resulted in one clear loser: Israel.

In his speech, Ahmadinejad took aim at Israel. If he managed to convince one person of his views on Israel and Zionism, then he has already gained. If he managed to persuade 50, then he has gained even more.

For months, Israel worked fervently to prevent what happened on the podium Monday. For the duration of his speech, Ahmadinejad produced a televised illusion: It is not Iran versus the world, but Iran versus Israel.

If he manages to convince enough people of this, the mirage could become reality and Israel would be isolated, and that is exactly what Ahmadinejad is trying to accomplish."

Today, in the Arab press, Ahmadenijad's words are being played over and over, painting a picture of a reasoned, thoughtful man addressing young Americans. Only a fool grants center stage to the most hateful ideas imagineable. Ahmadenijad belongs in the margin, which is where his ideas exist. Granting him a stage and credibility only serves to expose his thoughts to other fools in the margins.

Columbia granted the stage to a Neo-Fascist. They should be ashamed, but they are likely proud of their open-mindedness. We live in a world where bloody-minded relativism is considered open-minded. That's what is wrong with this picture, and why Rosner is right to voice concern.

Our universities have become an intellectual wasteland.