September 26, 2007 -- THE ridiculous little man who needs a shave and a tailor has every right to make a fool of himself, says Sgt. John Borders, who left his right leg in Iraq.

"The reason I went over there was to make sure everyone there had the right to freedom," said the sarge. "This is a free country and we are showing the world that.

"Maybe it wasn't right that Columbia invited him, but he had every right to speak at the United Nations. We're not scared of freedom of speech."

Sgt. Borders suffered his injury in the explosion of a roadside bomb - quite possibly supplied by Iran - that blew up his Humvee outside the town of Tajic on Jan. 5, 2006, during his second tour to the blood-soaked country.

"Perhaps if he knew the determination and patriotism of the men I served with, he might not have come here," the sergeant was saying.

"Not that we would cause him any harm, but if he said something derogatory about our country to our face, well, that might be something else."

Borders came to New York to see Dr. John Kennedy, a specialist, who is trying to save his other leg, which also was damaged in the bomb blast.

His trip was sponsored by Flip Mullen of the Wounded Warriors organization.

Said Borders, "I am lucky. I can see, I have my hands, and I can get around by myself.

"I am very, very lucky."

How can that despicable little dictator think he can scare a country that produces men like Sgt. Borders.

steve.dunleavy@nypost.com