Khatami lecture - such bollocks

[bounces]

I understand that all the relevant headsets in all of Scotland were in Younger Hall this evening...

[jamesboulter]

I agree, great scoop for The Saint.

The original's here:
http://www.thesaintonline.com

[Dom]

Quoting DrAlex from 11:25, 1st Nov 2006
Are you referring to the protesters or the report itself? Because I counted 10 protesters, and one man repeatedly saying "Shame on University of Andrew for inviting a terrorist".

I was referring to the protesters.

[Argus]

See, I knew to come the Sinner forum to see what it was *really* like at the Khatami lecture. Benefits of being a graduate of the place, you know where to look...

Funny how so much stuff happens at St Andrews... Tony Blair & co. there for talks, now former Iranian President. It's all go.

[DrAlex]

Quoting Dom from 13:21, 1st Nov 2006
I was referring to the protesters.

In which case I agree with you. I'd love to know what the protesters know that our IR department and the Police don't: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... U&refer=uk

[hr]

"Listen to DrAlex."-Polli
http://standrews.facebook.com/profile.php?id=37100343

[Al]

Quoting Akasha from 10:00, 1st Nov 2006



Certainly looks as though the protest was busy...

Are we sure they're protesters? They look oddly like the Peruvian (or whatever they were) musicians from The Fast Show.

[Guest]

I actually took the time to go over and talk to the few protesters who turned up, not being particularly happy with my university awarding a degree to someone who recently described the head of Hezbollah as the shining light of all Islam, and in the past was partly responsible for the persecution and torture of students. Don't get me wrong, I admire what he did try to do for Iran, as well as his dialogue between civilisations (although it's a bit wishy-washy for my liking), but you can't seperate that from the numerous past blots on his character in my opinion. I've also heard he still sits on ten or so important committees in Iran, so looks like he's still collaborating with the oppressive regime he claims to have stood against. The protesters were Iranian exiles from across the UK who, having lived with Khatami, weren't particularly happy about the degree either. (There was also a big English guy with a baby who was ordering them about for some reason...) Two of them had actually been tortured and condemn Khatami for not speaking out against such human rights violations during his time in office. Some of them (including the guy with the megaphone, which was a bit silly) didn't seem to have a great grasp of English, and that's the reason for the rather oddly (and incorrectly) phrased accusations on their placards.

As a side note, I find it interesting that the St Andrews branch of Amnesty International didn't turn up, as the AI spokesman on the news heavily condemned the university's actions. Maybe AI's policy doesn't apply to them when they actually have to do something about it, or perhaps they thought it was a bit too cold outside.

[Steveo]

Perhaps they have their own opinions, and weren't just towing the line?

[hr]

Set your goals way too high so I can laugh when you fail.

[AR]

I went to the speech and as I was waiting in queue I saw the protesters. It seemed like there were about 5 of them. But then of course on the news that night they zoomed in to make it look like there was a large protest. Naturally.

I thought the speech was lacking. I had one of the headsets, so I was able to hear the translation but even so, from a man who could say so much, he talked about very little. It was all theory on a topic which needs much more concrete answers.

[hr]

"Well la de dah... la de dah"
--annie hall

[Bonnie]

Hey,
Congratulations to the Saint!

You two ladies better be sure to tout that interview all over the place. Even seasoned BBC/ AP/ Guardian journos can't make your claim to fame.

[grousefanatic]

Did anyone manage to save the text of the lecture from the weblink? I looked at it a couple of days ago but didn't save a copy. Now my dad wants one (and I want one too for my IR course this semester), but it's vanished...

[hr]

veni vidi nates calce concidi - i came, i saw, i kicked ass

[Dave the Explosive Newt]

Quoting grousefanatic from 21:13, 2nd Nov 2006
Did anyone manage to save the text of the lecture from the weblink? I looked at it a couple of days ago but didn't save a copy. Now my dad wants one (and I want one too for my IR course this semester), but it's vanished...

[hr]

veni vidi nates calce concidi - i came, i saw, i kicked ass

No, but I've still got my handout which you can gladly photocopy.

[hr]

Mmmmmmm, cake.
http://standrews.facebook.com/profile.php?id=37102114

[Al]

It's back up now.

[jamesboulter]

Quoting grousefanatic from 21:13, 2nd Nov 2006
Did anyone manage to save the text of the lecture from the weblink? I looked at it a couple of days ago but didn't save a copy. Now my dad wants one (and I want one too for my IR course this semester), but it's vanished...

Hmmm...I'm not usually one to be cynical but that is rather strange. I can't see why the press release system would suddenly delete the most controversial press release there's been in ages. Could it be his negative comments about liberal democracy - which, I'm told, were excluded when he made the speech itself - that warranted its removal?

[jamesboulter]

Quoting Al from 17:49, 3rd Nov 2006
It's back up now.

Yes, but only after I emailed the Press Office.

[Al]

Quoting jamesboulter from 18:45, 3rd Nov 2006

Quoting Al from 17:49, 3rd Nov 2006
It's back up now.

Yes, but only after I emailed the Press Office.

Well done. But I never said anything other than the fact that the transcript was available again.