September 24, 2007 7:45 AM

New York & Iran

There's a lot of passion and protest today in New York City over the arrival of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his speech at the UN...and especially over the decision of Columbia University to have him deliver an address.

Columbia argues it's an issue of free speech and an opportunity for debate. The university's President negotiated that Ahmadinejad would answer questions for the same amount of time he speaks, ensuring that his views on the Holocaust, the state of Israel, and the role of America in the global community get some scrutiny.

There are plenty of legitimate objections to his appearance. I wouldn't want a university to legitimate the views of a crank pseudo-academic Holocaust-denier. And I think it would be appropriate to deny diplomatic respect to someone guilty of heinous crimes.

And there are plenty of reasons to see this as a valuable use of Columbia's resources. A man who is shaping the course of geopolitics on a world stage is going to be grilled by a University president and exposed to questioning from students -- that is a unique and important opportunity.

So, I think the debate is good. And that Columbia should make up Columbia's mind.

That said, I am worried about some of the language opposing his appearance. Discussion of the "next Hitler" has been seen in New York media. And Councilman David Weprin of Queens, in publicly opposing the visit, announced that it was an affront to those who died on 9/11.

No, Councilman, Iran had nothing to do with 9/11. Repeat: Ahmadinejad was not behind 9/11. It may seem unnecessary to point that out to a thinking, breathing, literate public -- but the administration is in overdrive convincing us that Iran is a clear and present danger. And we know what happened last time they did that.

So, everyone, oppose his visit all you want -- loudly, passionately, angrily. But please don't buy into the right-wing neocon spin...don't let us get tricked into an unnecessary war. And take action now to make sure President Bush doesn't go pre-empting any more illusory threats.