Political Convenience
I love love love reading the comments on the (generally left-leaning) various blogs I read that have covered Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech at Columbia. Take for instance the Gawker coverage:
MEDIAHOHOHO: “… by tradition, in our country we don’t fear opinions. Especially at an academic institution, the free exchange of ideas is considered a vital part of democracy. To deny the opportunity for people hostile to many of ideas to directly question him would punish us, not him.”
When one user dared to imply that the presence of a notorious Holocaust denier like Ahmadinejad at Columbia was offensive, this hilarious response was given:
MARIALLENA: “How about people who doesn’t believe in Evolution? (like our beloved President). Should we allow them to speak in public?”
Yes, clearly George Bush should be allowed to give a speech at Columbia about Intelligent Design. Also, classes in Intelligent Design and Holocaust Denial should be offered at Columbia.
It’s so convenient to support irrationality - as long as the irrationality appears to run counter to the ideas of your political enemy.
The enemy of my enemy is an duplicitous medievalist who intentionally manipulates my political naiveté, but he’s still like, my friend.
