When the president of your university (Lee Bollinger) espouses such hate and intolerance when introducing an invited guest speaker, what else can you expect from the student body. They are just following their president.

Susqi, New York,

To KR in Stockport,

Are you related to Stalin?

MM, London, England

I have heard some of the most prejudicial things spoken by people who call themselves liberals. ("I don't have anything against X people, but...") People will also label themselves (liberal, not a racist, etc.) and then, decide that this shields them from responsibility for the overall social problem. I think that sometimes the political correctness of certain environments, a liberal university perhaps, tends to suppress certain unpopular thoughts. In consequence, these people then act out. The problem in America is that people don't talk about racism. Most people will say "I am not a racist," while refusing to look at their own racist thoughts (and the real root of them). Race itself is an artificial construction that exists for the purpose of pushing someone else down. I think we can start by refusing to legitimize the concept of race altogether.

Jennifer, New York, NY

Free Speech at Columbia, huh? First Ahmadinejad and now a lunching noose. Both are equally disgusting and a disgrace to Columbia.

Allan, Bellevue, WA USA

The U.S. continues to be a nation deeply rooted in racism. Racism is not only uni-directional, but it cuts across all ethnic groups. The check the race box syndrome continues to provide division in a country which is becoming increasingly biracial and multi-racial. Ya basta...enough is enough, and the greatest culprit of racism is the American media!

Patricia, los angeles, California

Columbia President Lee Bollinger invited Ahmadinejad under the guise of free speech. Well, apparently free speech, in all of its ugly forms, has bitten Columbia back. Perhaps it's time that some sanity returns to the halls of academe.

C. Rosenblatt, Cleveland, OH, USA

thank you Tim for letting Ms, Rachel know that were what we are so outraged about is the inconsistencies in the legal system when it comes to minorities. yes, what the kids did was wrong, but how can you charge one for attempted murder and the other gets a slap on the wrist.

alex, DC, United states

No one could and should imply that Columbia University is associated in any way with the apalling act of one or more person/s. The truth be told, since the campaigning of Obama began for President, the US increasingly slid towards racial polarisation, exascerbating the pre-existing racial tensions in the country. This was preceded by the unpopular treatment of the blacks in New Orleans and neigbouring States by none other than the Bush administration. Unfortunately my friends, there is an ostensible move towards racial unrest in the country. It God help us all.

D.Edward, London, UK

First of all, I am saddened that situations like this even happen, tells more about the person who did it than anything else. Second, before referencing the Jena, LA case I believe America needs to get the details. The arrests of those 6 students occurred months after the noose incident. The charges are harsh but on the other hand I don't care who you are or what race you claim, 6 men beating one man is beyond a school yard fight, that is a beating. I can't believe people get so angry over other people's stupid acts.

Rachael, New Orleans, LA

well said.

clarke maxwell, woodside, ca

I hope that this is would not be a reflection of Columbia University. It has been a symbol of liberal progressive New York institution for many years. Those responsible for this heinous act is/are solely responsible for this.

Thomas N. Leung, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Yes, please quieten those idiocies, and let us all race against those racists.

I agree with this person, but someone oughta do a study on why, when given a public forum, people always fall back on stilted chest-thumping.

Friggin Louie, Bronx, NY

Your brief explanation of the Jena incident obfuscates the issue. It's not just that the black students were arrested when the white students were simply suspended, it's that the black students were arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Tim, Washington, D.C., USA

"diverse" = Liberal in NYC.

Bob Hall, New York, United States

Are there really any politicians who still seriously believe that it is possible to legislate against the combined idiocies of the human race like racism and abuse. When the perpetrators are found, use the noose on them. The human race will run out of racists before the rest of us run out of rope.
Always remember that a noose is re-usable but a racist is a one-shot device and once quietened by a noose he stays quiet forever.

KR, Stockport,