The Ahmedinejad Walkout

What to make of the walkout at the UN summit in Geneva? Ahmedinejad is a goon, a liar, a bully, a religious zealot, an anti-Semitic propagandist, and yet the state figurehead for the most ardently Islamic "Republic" in the Middle East. The two protesters who disrupted the speech before it had even begun should be severely reprimanded. We don't need that kind of crap when it comes to this man; the last impression we want to give is one of ludicrousness and extremism. That only acts to legitimize the equally extreme views Ahmedinejad expressed. Once again we walk the tightrope of freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Ahmedinejad has every right to his opinion and every right to express it. Likewise, the representatives who walked out have the right to do so. Although, in doing so, they appear to undermine his right to free speech. I doubt any of them, if questioned, would agree with me, preferring instead to claim that his speech is redundant once he descends into anti-Semitism. Again, however, you have to claim the rights of both. If Ahmedinejad's speech contains a single, measly ounce of truth, and it forces you to question, rethink, or solidify your own beliefs, then it is worth hearing. If he claims that right, which I allow him, he must accept mine, which is to walk out and deny him a single, measly ounce of credibility. Hmm, tough one.