Lots has been put out there in the Jewish world (particularly the blogging community) about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Columbia University.

Since I’m against reinventing the wheel while I’m already rolling, I figured I’d pass on some good links. But here is my general take on the whole situation. Yes he’s an anti-Semite who hates Israel and doesn’t accept the Holocaust as we all know it happened. But I like my crazy, nuclear-developing pseudo-dictators where I can see them. Right out in the open, standing at an American university arguing, or at least trying to argue, his views in a civilized setting. Not hiding in a cave somewhere plotting his next attack.

Here’s my best of the bunch.

• The best titled article: A, Ach, Achma, Achmadinejad
• The best summary of blogs, on a blog, now on our blog: Slate’s rundown
• The best use of humor: New York Magazine’s Daily Intelligencer and it’s minute-by-minute blog
• The best use of an SNL music video: Oh Andy Samberg.
• The best venue that didn’t happen: NYU’s President John Sexton and protocol for inviting similar speakers
• The best chastise of the Jews, by the Jews, for the Jews: The Forward on a squandered opportunity
• The best way to debunk “facts” from the speech: Gawker explores the gay community and it’s hot spots in Iran
• The best proof that Ahmadinejad’s message didn’t sway the minds of vulnerable college youth: Check out the number of kippot present in this video from the speech
  
• The best use of fund raising: Hillel’s latest e-letter: “When the world’s attention fell on Columbia University, our students and professionals rose to the challenge and helped to focus the debate on the Iranian president’s despicable policies. Barnard/Columbia Hillel is a model for all of us in the Hillel movement. Please consider supporting Columbia/Barnard Hillels efforts to counter Ahmadinejad and his message of hate. In this way, we can all share in the success of this moment.”

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