Well, it looks like the plan of the US Government in the guise of Bollinger's welcoming address really back-fired on them!! Serves them right for meddling.

Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks, USA

In reply to L. M. Hasselt: - Why should we believe a word G. W. Bush says? His dishonesty is on show for the whole world to see, not just Muslims, or any other religious group.

Neil., Gloucestershire., England.

I think America has misinformed the public about the facts.
It wouldn't be the first time.
I don't think he called for Israel to be wiped off the map.
Or denial of the holocaust.
It sounds like propaganda to me.
If he wants to lay a wreath, by god, let him.
It's a gesture of goodwill, and peace.
As a state sponsor of terror? Didn't they say the same
about Saddam? Turns out our government lied then.
The president of Iran is just trying to get a chance to
tell their side of the story.
I bet it gets translated incorrectly like his other speeches.
He said it. Iran wants to be friends with America.
And he is right. Bush is an liar and had no right to invade
Iraq. Turns out, Iraq is going down as a huge mistake.

Dave, Tally, FL

President Ahmadinejad never said Israel should be wiped off the map; what he said in correct Farsi translation was that the zionist entity should vanish from the pages of time, like apartheid South Africa. Given 60 years of mass death, devastation, and forced expulsion of hundred of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and nation, who could disagree except a zionist?

He explicitly denied according to an Associted Press account that he was questioning the existence of the Holocaust and was quoted in saying ``Granted this happened, what does it have to do with the Palestinian people?'' So drop that one too.

In his address at Columbia University, he was challanged on sending IEDs to Shiia militias in Iraq, causing American casualities. What about the Iraqi deaths since the US attack for entirely bogus reasons, being from half to a million deaths in direct consequence? Pot calling the kettle black.

I disagree with him on much but lets get the basics straight.

tarquinis, Seattle, USA

I quite agree with Tim Stephens and I believe he gave the most fantastic answers you could imagine. I would say this because I am in Iranian myself living in London and I have been here for quite long time now. Nevertheless I completely disagree with the US or UK attacking Iran because at the end of the day we know this is just an excuse they are trying to use. Their main point of view is how much they are going to benefit out of this such as they did in Iraq. have you thought about the numbers of barrels of petrol they are extracting out of Iraq per day without anyone's concern. And yes they are the real terrorist as they managed to prove it when in the 80s they shot down a civilian airline containing ordinary people. So ask your self again who is the real terrorist here. Or who was the main cause of Islamic revolution in 1979? It was the involvement of US and UK.

Can't say, London,

The reality is that Iran does not initiate wars of conquest. Israel does and has. Israel just attacked Syria. A year ago they attacked Lebanon.

As for nuclear threat, one and only one nation has ever actually used nuclear weapons against the civilians of another country, and that nation is the United States of America.

stanzler, ny, usa

To H.M Hasselt......

In christianity exists the concept of "lie". Christians are allowed to lie to the rest of the planet in order to gain profits and expand power bases over resoures. Muslims can lie too. In conclusion people lie. But lets not poit the finger to one without casting an objective view towards the other. Unless you feel there has never been a christian leader in history that has lied to the public. Did i mention Iraq is lovely place to be this time of year....quiet streets, happy civilians and lots of honey and milk flowing rivers.

s johnson, CA,

The enthusiasm for war with Iran on the part of so many Americans is disturbing. I doubt these blogosphere warmongers have ever been to Iran, met an Iranian or know anything about Iran beyond the fact that its people are largely Muslim. Why such hatred for people you know nothing about? I doubt that many of them know that a US navy missile shot down an Iranian airliner in the 1980's, killing hundreds of Iranian civilians. Who are the real terrorists?

Tim Stephens, Cambridge, UK

Elaine, Northampton - as opposed to the millenia of British invasion and expansion? But you go right on believing Ahmadinejad. Afterall, he says the holocaust never happened either. And he doesn't lie. Does he?

Brian, syracuse, US

You all speak out against what you do not like. What about the Millions of people that do not speak out about the evil you say and do. Let this Iranian leader see the trouble you all say he caused. Maybe this will change him! Your children show the world who you are.

Lorenzo, San Diego, USA

I feel a university is the site for the free exchange of ideas. The President of Columbia, however, has mentioned that if Adolf Hitler were in the country, he would be invited to Columbia to speak. I would disagree, and I feel that avowed enemies of our country should not be accorded entry into our country. Access to the UN, but that is all. To give them a forum to lie to our citizens is unacceptable.

Columbia could use a new president in my view. We need to protect our country.

Dr David Stephenson, Anaheim, California

any man that want,s to talk peace let him speak,shure deep in any human there is hatred fore this ore that, that moment is only a learned hatred that started long ago, middle east is a hotbed of hate against the jew,s against the crewsader,s the roman,s the german,s,etc,etc,we must let ourself think fore the moment ,the iraq leader sadam offered to talk one on one a offer president bush refused,we all hate because of color sexual orientation etc,etc, ,we must control our emotion,s,atom,s fore peace is ok fore the earth clean energy,fossil fuel rich iran might be thinking green earth too,global warming is a real,blessed are the peace keeper,s fore the shal be the chidren of god,the perfect human being,

bo, anchorage, alaska

There seem to be a copetition in the American media, who loves Israel the most.

I am recommending that we have a new program that nominates and awards the best lover.

Al, houston, texas

"Why would Iran need a nuclear bomb?" President Ahmadinejad asks. Perhaps the commonsense answer may be "To deter foreign powers, for example the US, from attacking your country".

Piggy Kruger, Bridgwater, UK

Remember the lies spouted by Powell at the UN, which country was he from???

Anyone????

Zak, London, UK

Lies, half-truths, fake diplomacy - these are the tools of government to convince the population to go to war, spend money they dont have to fight an enemy created by government in various ways. All of it ultimately to serve either the corporate or religious interests who really control the country. Fascism can be religious or secular, corporate or totalitarian - in either case the losers are the people of iran and the people of America.

Mr Ahmadinejad is serving the Imans and mullahs - doing their bidding - ultimately to keep them in power - beat the drums of war to remind the population why they need the government.

When you get to be old and jaded like me you see things for what they are - theatre - to accomplish the goals of the hidden leaders.

not bob, slc, utah U.S.,

He doesnt have the right of free speech, hes not an american, he has rights in his country but not in ours. With that said I think Columbia univ. has every right and even a duty to foster debate about a country that has been targeted as the next war by the Bush regime. If the liar Bush calls him a terrorist then he should have the opportunity to defend himself and his country publicly - deny him this and you play into the hands of the Bushies - allowing them to control the denate with no opponet or open review of their claims will lead to another unprovoked American war in Tehran.

What exactl has Iran done to the U.S. that is measurable, threatening and deserves a military respone ?

not bob, slc, utah U.S.,

I find it incredible the way Americans have let themselves get hot under the collar about Ahmadinejad's appearance on our shores. We're like ants running around after a child stirs up their nest. What are we so afraid of? Whether or not you agree that the man makes a certain amount of sense -- and it does help to understand the Middle-Eastern mind a bit in order to see this -- he is only one man and only words are coming out of his mouth. Why not listen? Why not show, if not respect, at least a little hospitality? We're supposed to be brave and strong but this behavior looks an awful lot like fearful weakness.

Jim Houghton, Encino, CA, USA

Bollinger claims that there is some important relationship between the invitation that was issued to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Columbia’s commitments to the free exchange of ideas. What is this relationship? Do the aforementioned commitments require the invitation? If not, and thus not inviting Ahmadinejad is also consistent with these commitments, then what was the reason for the invitation? Moreover, that ideas can be exchanged at all is an acknowledgement of the fact that ideas can be debated and analyzed without the presence of particular proponents of the ideas in question. Since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s ideas can be debated, analyzed and otherwise exchanged without him, what was the reason for the invitation?

Alex, NYC,

What you say doesn't negate his right to free speech.

Keren, Reading, U.K.

I hope both United States and Iran can become closer because of this Trip of Mr Ahmadinejad to New York and they can work together to bring greater peace to the whole Middle East

mohsen, malaga, spain

As far as we "the world" have seen lies coming from your president and his poodles.

Reza, tehran,

L.M from Hasselt - Whereas in the West our governments just lie anyway? After the American lies about Iraq's WMD why should anyone now believe a word that comes from the USA? In fact, looking at US history and its 200 years plus established form for 'provoked' invasion an annexation, why just stop at WMD as an example.

Elaine, Northampton,

Mr. Ahmadinejad is given the opportunity to express his controversial opinions in the US. Well, that is democracy ? Unfortunately, the same can not be said for Iranian people living under Mr. Ahmadinejad and his Mullah regime. If Ahmadinejad and his cronies are seeking equity, then he should start being equitable himslef.
If one criticises the regime in Iran, it is highly likely, like may other already jailed in Iran, to be
arrested without a proper judicial process and dumped into a prison with all basic human rights denied. Perhaps he should be questioned more vigorously on these issues and his 27 year role in this murderous regime.

Nicholas, London, UK

Ahmadinejad: “In political relations right now, the nuclear bomb is of no use. If it was useful it would have prevented the downfall of the Soviet Union.” - You could accuse the Sovjet leaders of many things, but not of being irrational. I wish I could say the same thing of orthodox islam and the theocratic regime in Tehran. - I also find it quite disturbing that president Ahmadinejad used the words "right now" in his statement ...

l.karremans, Heusden,

In Islam exists the concept of "taqyia": Muslims are allowed to lie to non-Muslims for the "just cause" of Islam. If they even have a special word for lying to non-believers, it can only mean that they do it. So why should we believe a word of what Ahmadinejad says?

L.M., Hasselt,

I say let the man talk. That is all he is I hear. But lets see what is on his mind UN. Then make a decision. If its the same rhetoric talk as before then Ignore HIM. I am a Vietnam Vet and just retired with 29.8 yrs military. My view on Iraq is the same as Vietnam. WE SHOULD NOT BE THERE. Bush should listen to the People of his US he is presiding over. Get our people home. If the Iraqi's cant make there own mind up by now they never will. Lets not make this another "Vietnam Conflict".
Let the Iranian leader have his say. YOU cannot judge only GOD can judge.

Ronnie, Albion, New York