Mahathir Mohamad and the hypocrisy of Cambridge University

One of the most enjoyable videos to watch on YouTube features Colonel Gadafi. I am not referring to those snuff videos which cover the internet in which the Libyan leader is shown getting the sharp end of the Libyan peoples’ emotions. Rather I refer to the Colonel’s seminal, though too infrequently referenced, address to the academics and students of the London School of Economics in 2010.

On that occasion the Libyan dictator was given a truly magnificently fawning, indeed rather flirtatious, introduction by a female academic. She also read out a message of support from the then-director of the LSE who made some joshing jokes about how good it would be if Gadafi could only bring some Libyan weather to London. After this courteous badinage and a typically incoherent ramble by the dictator himself the students of LSE had the chance to question the Libyan dictator. And essentially they showed themselves most eager to bowl softball questions, such as asking Gadafi where he sees Libya’s place in the world. ‘Libya is in North Africa’ is one of Gadafi’s typical insightful replies.

Anyhow – I say that it is one of the most enjoyable videos on the internet because it reminds us of a few basic truths. Such as the truth that people who think they are clever can be awfully stupid; people who imagine they are good can nod along to extraordinary evil; and people who think they would stand up to dictators and despots can easily find themselves being distinctly courteous to them.

Yesterday Cambridge University provided the latest reminder of these truths. For last night the Union hosted Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. If there is one thing that has caused Mahathir Mohamad to make international headlines in recent years it is that he is an exceptionally happy and virulent anti-Semite.