[Well he was *keelhauled* at Columbia. Here (below) is how Ahmadinejad was greeted by Lee Bollinger, president of Columbia as well as a faculty member there. In the later capacity he serves as John Robert Bolton Professor of International Amity.]
Columbia University Public Affairs Office Sept. 24, 2007
President Lee C. Bollinger's Introductory Remarks At SIPA-World Leaders Forum With President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
... Let's, then, be clear at the beginning, Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator. ...
I do expect you to exhibit the fanatical mindset that characterizes so much of what you say and do. Fortunately, I am told by experts on your country, that this only further undermines your position in Iran with all the many good-hearted, intelligent citizens there. A year ago, I am reliably told, your preposterous and belligerent statements in this country (as in your meeting at the Council on Foreign Relations) so embarrassed sensible Iranian citizens that this led to your party's defeat in the December mayoral elections. May this do that and more.
I am only a professor, who is also a university president, and today I feel all the weight of the modern civilized world yearning to express the revulsion at what you stand for. I only wish I could do better.
<http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/07/09/lcbopeningremarks.html>
I agree with Bollinger on one point: I, too, wish he had done better.
Carl