Security was high in Manhattan for President Ahmadinejad of Iran as he visited the UN and spoke at Columbia University. Protesters held signs of “Hitler Lives!” for Ahmadinejad, who spoke of Iran as a victim of terrorism instead of a supporter of terrorism. From his perspective, the United States is not to be trusted.

Ahmadinejad presented his views calmly, billing himself as an academic. He said, “We were the 1st nation to object to terrorism. We’re a cultured nation.” It is easy to say, of course. And say many things he did.

When asked about women being equal, Ahmadinejad replied that daughters bring far more joy to their parents than sons do.

The controversy over his views on the Holocaust was a key topic. Ahmadinejad defended his right to conduct further research. “I am an academic,” he said repeatedly throughout the speech...yet the audience had a few other words in mind.