On Oct 11, 2006, at 9:55 PM, Sulayman Ferguson wrote:

Mr. Brodsky,
I know it sucks to be out $50, but please tone down the hyperbole. A private college has the right to restrict whoever it wants. Complaining about a violation of free speech on private property is like complaining I can't insult your family while on your lawn. I don't think you're aware of it, but they had a mini-riot during the Minutemen lecture only days ago, and want to avoid the same.

--Sulayman F.

Hmmm, well, let's see, where do I start? OK, one thing at a time:

1. Yes, it sucks being out $50;
2. It sucks having to waste a day on travel between the two cities, which are 4.5 hrs apart by bus;
3. As a matter of fact, yes, a private college does indeed have the right to restrict whoever it wants (as a law student, I should know) -- but doesn't this whole thing look fishy to you? Sure does to me, and to many others, too -- see the following blog entries and the comments therein:

http://www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/009290.shtml
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/10/columbia_uninvi.html
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=22927_CU_Shuts_Doors_at_Last_Minute#c0043
http://dailyinfidel.blogspot.com/2006/10/columbia-offends-pro-israel-community.html
http://dailyinfidel.blogspot.com/2006/10/unbecoming-columbia-bars-public-from.html
http://www.keshertalk.com/archives/2006/10/avoiding_politi.php
http://www.keshertalk.com/archives/2006/10/columbiashoebat.php

That's right, Jewelnel, the list keeps on growing, and fast ... Check your local paper soon -- this neat little scandal is coming to a newsstand near you.

4. "Complaining about a violation of free speech on private property is like complaining I can't insult your family while on your lawn."

Wait a second, Sulayman -- whoever said anything about anyone insulting anybody else? Whatever gave you that idea, Mr. Ferguson? Just what were you insinuating?

When looking up your unusual name (after all, one does not often come across a person with a British last name and a Muslim first one -- are you a Muslim convert, by any chance?), Google gave me this, which states, inter alia:

Maintained by Sulayman Ferguson
© 1998 - 2006 Islamic Center at NYU

Ummmm ... (as opposed to umma) ... Could it be that a Webmaster for the Islamic Center at NYU just might happen to be partial?

5. As a matter of fact, I am perfectly aware of the "mini-riot during the Minutemen lecture only days ago, and want to avoid the same." -- I do not live in the vacuum, and subscribe to a bunch of lists, and have a pretty good idea of what's going on in the world, including NY, especially Columbia U., which has gained much notoriety lately. There was coverage in both the NY press (NYT, NY Sun, etc.) as well as national (LA Times, etc.)

Are you implying this was purely a law and order issue this time?

Now, we all know who started that riot last week -- the hard-core leftist extremists, who only like a very specific application of the First Amendment -- namely, when it applies to them, but not their opponents.

Who do you think would start a riot this time around -- those same intolerant leftist extremists, or their strange bedfellows, the Islamo-fascists with their sympathizers and supporters, or both? You tell me.

I just checked the above log entries, and found the following comment posted by you, where you state, inter alia: "Would you be up in arms the same way if someone wanted to let Hizbullah talk at Columbia?"

Are you implying that the 2 former Arab terrorists and 1 former German Nazi are as bad for the world as is Hizbullah, a violent terrorist organization? No, you couldn't have. So what exactly did you imply?

Then I noticed your comment at Kesher Talk which said pretty much the same thing -- Sulayman, brother, you do get around -- I admire your tenacity and persistence. The Prophet Himself, PBUH, would surely admire your tireless efforts at taqiyya.

Oh, wait a second -- was this a blasphemy? Am I going to have to deal with a fatwah upon my butt now? Oh my, what have I done ...

Discombobulated and puzzled,
Seva

Seva, you didn't even mention that it was raining heavily all evening. This was truly a sucky day for you and everyone who came to Columbia and had the door slammed in their faces. Also it's sucky to sit around in Port Authority waiting for the next bus. I hope you get home okay.

UPDATE: One last email from Seva in which he attempts to engage Columbia U's self-respect. I searched our archives for many additional examples of Columbia shooting itself in the foot and added them to that post.