“I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.” Audience members said “ohhh” and then cheered.
This is, of course, nothing new from Coulter. I have a number of things I could call her, as well, but I have far too much respect for women to do that. The issue is not Coulter. She’s a nutjob, and it is still fun to see her get her ass kicked by Jane Fleming. The issue is Coulter’s acceptance by mainstream conservatives (an oxymoron, I know). Mitt Romney, Republican Presidential candidate, introduced her, even praised her, moments before she made these remarks.
The people feigning upset over those matters are either active participants in, or passive aiders and abetters of, a political movement that, at its very core — not at its fringes — knowingly and continuously embraces the most wretched and obvious bigotry and bloodthirsty authoritarianism. They love Ann Coulter — and therefore continue to make her a venerated part of their political events — because she provides an outlet, a venting ground, for the twisted psychological impulses and truly hateful face that drives the entire pro-Bush, right-wing spectacle.
She is the face of what the hard-core Republican Party has become, particularly during the Bush presidency. That is why she holds the position she holds in that movement. That’s why Mitt Romney was giddy with glee when her name passed his lips. He knows that her endorsement is valuable precisely because she holds great sway within the party, and she holds great sway because the hard-core party faithful consider her a hero for expressing the thoughts which they themselves believe but which other, less courageous Republican figures are afraid to express.
This is not about a single comment or isolated remark. The more Ann Coulter says these things, the more popular she becomes in this movement. What this is about is that she reflects exactly what sort of political movement this is. She reflects its true impulses and core beliefs. If that were not the case, why would she continue to receive top billing at their most prestigious events, and why would she continue to be lavished with rock star-adoration by the party faithful?
Why, indeed? Coulter’s certainly not the first racist or bigot to have a considerable following within the Republican Party. She certainly won’t be the last, either. And she certainly has the right to say whatever she wants to say. What’s bothersome, though, is that for whatever reason, people like Coulter, Bill Bennett, Michelle Malkin, and the commentators at FOX News are accepted by the media as part of the mainstream of American political thought. They continue to say things that would offend any reasonably tolerant person, and yet, there is no accountability. In fact, they are met with praise and adoration from the activist base.
I know moderate Republicans, reasonable people who are fed up with the way this country is going. But the activists, the leadership, and the voices of the Republican Party overwhelmingly endorse this kind of rhetoric simply by associating themselves with the people who espouse it. The political discourse on the right is controlled by a number of ignorant fearmongers who live on shock value – the trouble is, I think they actually believe what they are saying.
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Nicely put Dave. For the most part, I will respect anyone’s opinion as long as he or she has conviction- the whole agree to disagree situation. Ann Coulter, however, has no factual basis for the majority of the insensitive comments she makes. Sadly, the ignorant conservatives praise her for every ridiculous one of her rants, because they probably don’t have a single original thought in their heads.
There is a good reason why words such as “faggot” are no longer politically or socially acceptable. Vicious words like “faggot” drive young men and women to suicide and hopelessness, and no human being should ever be forced into that kind of agony. I do not believe that people chose to be gay. That is just the way they are, or as the conservative might say, the way god made them. The same goes for certain ethnic groups, women, and any other group of people who experience the wrath of discrimination. I long for the day when radical conservatives stop hiding behind their precious religions and realize that they are not acting very Christian-like. From what I understand of the Bible, Jesus was against oppression of any form. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
Why must society alienate a faction of society because they are simply different? It is disgusting in my opinion. When are these ignorant conservatives going to wake up and start thinking for themselves? But maybe these ignorant people do think for themselves, and that is what really worries me.
Hey everyone,
As one of the team captains for John Ewards here in Nebraska, I am urging everyone to go to http://www.johnedwards.com and give a contribution to the campaign. You know like in the tradition of Howard Dean when he breaks out the bat.
I know that many of you here are struggling students so give whatever you can and if Edwards isn’t your guy than give to HRC or Stonewall or some other GLBTQ friendly organization.
Show Coulter that her use of words have consequences.
I think Ann Coulter is one of the most awful human beings in the United States. I dont know how she gets respect from people, because I rarely ever hear her say anything about politics. The only reason why she gets attention, is because she constantly makes childish, ad hominem attacks. Things you might say in junior high to someone you dont like, that sort of thing. I dont know how someone could be so hateful towards other human beings.