It took courage

This story was published in 'The Ottawa Citizen' on Saturday, September 29, 2007

I completely agree with columnist Dan Gardner's assessment of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and that Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia University, did the world a favour by letting Ahmadinejad expose his true colours.

I also have no qualms about Mr. Bollinger's so-called insulting comments prior to letting Ahmadinejad have the floor. Just because someone is the ruler of a country doesn't entitle him to respect. With that kind of logic, one would have to speak respectfully of Idi Amin and Pol Pot.

Mr. Ahmadinejad clearly showed his untrustworthiness by denying his antipathy towards Israel and by his denial of the existence of homosexuals in Iran.

It took great courage for Mr. Bollinger to invite Mr. Ahmadinejad as was evident by the fury the invitation caused.

I only hope that the doors leading to the hall where the hall where Mr. Ahmadinejad spoke had clear signs warning that the hall "May contain nuts."