Freedom of Speech belongs to everyone

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is visiting the U.S. It is what foreign dignities do. It is especially what dignitaries of countries who are at odds with the U.S. should do. Our dignitaries should visit their country as well. All of these dignitaries should get together and talk things out. We should never have another war with any nation without taking the time to sit down and talk and clear the air of all unfounded and malicious rumors about war.

Why not let the man speak at Columbia University? What do you think is going to happen? Is he going to be able to ‘charm’ Americans into agreeing with him that we should “wipe Israel off the face of the Earth” as he espouses? Do you think we are so ripe for brainwashing that after his speech we will also believe that the “Holocaust was a myth”?

Those people who oppose an open forum with people of a differing point of view are not only cowards but show that they have no faith in the American public’s ability to see through hateful rhetoric. Certainly, and unfortunately, there are weak-minded Americans who might believe what he has to say, just as there are free-thinking Iranians who do not believe what he says.

At a protest to prevent Ahmadinejad from speaking, New York state Assemblyman Dov Hikind said Ahmadinejad "should be arrested when he comes to Columbia University, not invited to speak for God's sake." This statement illustrates the close-minded and repressive thinking that tries to shutdown free speech. It is the statement of a hate-mongering idiot. This fool believes his point of view is the only one that matters and that anyone who does not agree with him should be arrested. He is an enemy to any free society.

If we truly believe in the foundation that our forefathers based the Bill of Rights on, then those rights belong to ‘everyone’ no matter their nationality. These rights are inalienable, just as our forefathers reasoned. They are not inherent ‘only’ for Americans, but to everyone. We, as mere humans, do not have any right to withhold them from any single person or nation.

We owe it to ourselves and our future to hear what leaders of all nations have to say, even those who oppose us in their beliefs. I would argue that it is especially important to invite those of opposing views. Let them see that we are not afraid of their ideas. Let them see that we are of a stronger mind and that we are united in our belief system and cannot be swayed from over 200 years of freedom by someone who preaches a different message.