Two Guys In New York

One favors Prada suits, the other favors capital punishment as sport. One wants to be America's friend, the other has engaged in combat against American troops. One has all but declared war on the other.

And both will appear before the United Nations this week to make a case for their country's relevance in the world. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already sparked a new Right Left debate by being scheduled to appear at Columbia University on Monday -- how dare an institution of higher learning engage one of the most controversial figures of our time in a debate, on American soil, about his policy? (Without the risk of anyone being hung for asking the wrong kind of question either)

On the other hand French President Nicholas Sarkozy is the subject of a glowing profile in today's New York Times, and his address before the UN this week is expected to mark the beginning of a beautiful friendship between France and the U.S.

This is what I love about New York. History is happening here, right now, and our citizens and press are exercising their right to speak up, not only for and against our leaders, but against foreign leaders who want to come and talk policy here. Ahmadinejad has taken up the tabloids' attention, and the headlines have been priceless, especially over his request to lay a wreath at Ground Zero.

Do I think Ahmadinejad belongs at Ground Zero? No.

Do I think he should be allowed to speak at Columbia? Absolutely. I think we're especially privileged as a city to show off how freedom of speech works. Every anti-Semitic, homophobic, anti-American statement the Iranian President makes, I trust, will be met with a thoughtful and fact-based retort by the students and faculty of Columbia University. We're doing a favor to the people of Iran by showing their leader that dissent is a good thing, a thing that need not be punished by death and torture.

And should Sarkozy and Ahmadinejad cross paths, the French leader should make a case for metrosexuality. Hair product and sartorial awareness are nothing to fear either.