Why Lee Bollinger has a tin ear

This pretty well sums up Columbia University’s ill-conceived invitation for Iran’s Ahmadinejad to speak:

By providing a madman like Ahmadinejad with a platform at Columbia
University, President Bollinger has in effect welcomed him into the
community of candid reasoners. He has granted him a patent of
legitimacy that no amount of "dialogue and reason" can dissipate. In
this case, "listening" is indeed tantamount to an endorsement. It
reduces free speech to a species of political capitulation and renders
dialogue indistinguishable from a suicide pact.

Yeah.  What he said.  I can only hope some brave souls throw bladders of pig’s blood on this monster.  Maybe on Ahmadinejad, too.

Update (24 September).  So Lee Bollinger looked into the abyss and stepped back.  He’s not a monster, just a lucky fool.  I’m sticking with Wretchard.

Update (29 September).  The picture says it all.  Tip from Power Line, by way of the Discerning Texan.