More Hypocrisy from the Left...

Well, I doubt there are gays in Iran, or at least not openly gay, as all openly gay were likely executed. But hey! That's not as bad a human right's abuse as say, listening to terrorist's phone conversations when they call to the U.S. or someone in the U.S. calls them. - Don't you know? Pres Bush (and every conservative) is THE enemy, THE danger. And Castro, Chavez and Ahmadinejab are heroes because they hate Bush, the reaL danger to the free world and civilization.

I guess I'm a tad confused, what does this have to do with the lefties? I apologize I haven't been keeping up with the news lately, all I know is he spoke at Columbia.

I thought I heard that they execute homosexuals...not put them in prison. The news talk shows were showing segments of the protestors etc. all evening long. There were so many people that felt he had the right to come to talk. Right! What rights? He's not an American citizen! Oh...right...the ones that aren't citizens seem to get rights and privileges nowadays.

They would laugh if the president or any public official claimed there were no gays in the US. And they have protested the iranian embassy on behalf of 2 sixteen year old kids who were hanged for being gay. They were caught holding hands, in a non platonic fashion. Generally I can see where you are coming from whether I agree or not. This time, I don't get it. They laughed because they know there are gay people everywhere. Makes sense to me. I'd laugh too.

No, they wouldn't laugh...any more than they would laugh it that was happening with any other group, with the possible exception of Christians. What I think they were laughing at was the fact that he was in denial about the existence of gays in Iran...along with the other statements that he was making. He did not get nearly as warm of a reception as a lot of people thought he would...and the guy who introduced him included an insult in the introduction calling him a dictator. There was a little more to it, but I don't have the quote handy. The students laughed at him because of the lies he was saying and because they knew he was lying.

I'm pretty sure they were laughing because they knew it was an ignorant statement on his part - not that they knew it because most of the gays in Iran are being persecuted in such a cruel manner. As for "leftist hypocrisy", I don't know why you're complaining. The school invited the Iranian president there, and did practically nothing but insult him and ask him loaded questions, from what I've heard.

One of the points that has not been made is that Columbia justified having him speak because of the 1st Ammendment and Freedom of Speech. When does the Freedom of Speech apply to our enemys but not to US Citizens - Military Recurters, ROTC professors, and students who want to participate in the ROTC Program and the Minutemen. It seems that the 1st Ammendement only applies to those who speak the Liberal agenda.

Yeah I see what you mean but I think their laughs were in awkward confusion. If Bush told you something like that you would just think it was a bad joke so you would laugh. The terrible thing here is that Ahmadinejas wasn't joking, so in hindsight it looks bad to laugh at something like that.

What are they suppose to do? Run up there like savages and beat the man for his statement? They booed him, yes. They couldn't do anything but that. The president did invite him to the school, and if it was an American leader saying those things the kids would have done the same. If it was our country leader we would have every right to protest. He's going back to his country, so it's not like they're going to follow him and protest there. Of course there are homosexuals in Iran, they are just to afraid to be open about it. He would love to think that there aren't any there, but the jokes on him. If this was a left vs right argument I would expect a little more. I think you have fallen short on your example. Nice try though.

I reckon that, although the "lefties" probably didn't like what the Iranian president said, and as you said the students did boo him, the audience was treating the leader with some respect. People in another country have no idea about that country's customs etc etc and so have no right to storm the stage asking for his head. They do have the right to storm the stage and ask for their own presidents head as they know the customs. Its people that invade countries to change their social structure for better or worse that are showing disrespect.

When I hear things that are absolutely ABSURD I laugh... I laughed when I heard that he claimed their were no gays in Iran I WOULD laugh if Bush were to claim the same thing. But laughing at it does not mean I am taking it lightly. Sometimes the absurdity of something is so large that it is impossible not to laugh at it. And when I say I would laugh... it would be more a response that shows surprise than something being funny... and I am sure this is how the students also felt. SURPRISED that he could actually deny something like this. SO, i am a "lefty" and am NOT a hypocrite. I don't think you can categorize all of us liberals the same... do not trap us into corners and assume we are all alike.