"Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator." In all cultures and faith, it is tradition and custom to treat your invited guest with dignity and respect. As Columbia University President Lee Bollinger, in an unscholarly manner and subscribing to America's newfound doctrine of "pre-emptive strike", insulted and attacked his invited guest, the President of Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sat motionless listening to his hosts demeaning remarks. Bollinger's introduction of the President was disrespectful and cutting to not only the President of Iran but also to the Iranian people, Muslims across the globe, and socially conscious citizens of the world. Bollinger's comments were more of an indictment by a trial lawyer rather than an introduction by an open-minded Ivy League scholar. The insults inflicted on Ahmadinejad helped him win support of his chief opponents in Iran, including Iranian Jews and Muslims in general. Most agree that Ahmadinejad is a controversial figure; he should be subjected to tough questions in the realm of scholarly debate. However, it is not fair to say that history repeats itself in this case. During the Cold War, even as Russia and the United States were battling, Russian leaders and diplomats were given due respect and protocol when they addressed the United Nations. Even last year, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, despite his rhetoric, was greeted with more respect than Ahmadinejad. How would the news media, domestic or international, react if President George W. Bush had been introduced in a similar fashion at a university in Iran? Americans should ponder at the way Ahmadinejad was treated and how this image is portrayed throughout the international media. While the United States media focuses on Ahmadinejad's detachment from reality, the rest of the world is focused on Bollinger's callous introduction, giving Ahmadinejad the break he desperately needed. At a time when we are constantly asking the question "Why do they hate us", it is no wonder that Bollinger's actions will be used as justifications by hardliners around the globe to further their cause. We can win over our enemies' heart with dialogue, understanding, and tolerance; insult and high handedness simply escalates hatred. As the audience at Columbia University and some Americans laughed at the way Ahmadinejad was ridiculed, let's not be blind and forget that most of the world is not laughing with us. -- Anum Malik, Fall Intern, WILPF US Section office

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