Monday, March 05, 2007

An Open Letter to CPAC Sponsors and Organizers Regarding Ann Coulter

I’m joining with Sean and my other conservative brethren in circulating this letter.  Signatures will be added as time permits. 

Conservatism treats humans as they are, as moral creatures possessing rational minds and capable of discerning right from wrong. There comes a time when we must speak out in the defense of the conservative movement, and make a stand for political civility. This is one of those times.

Ann Coulter used to serve the movement well. She was telegenic, intelligent, and witty. She was also fearless: saying provocative things to inspire deeper thought and cutting through the haze of competing information has its uses. But Coulter’s fearlessness has become an addiction to shock value. She draws attention to herself, rather than placing the spotlight on conservative ideas.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2006, Coulter referred to Iranians as “ragheads.” She is one of the most prominent women in the conservative movement; for her to employ such reckless language reinforces the stereotype that conservatives are racists.

At CPAC 2007 Coulter decided to turn up the volume by referring to John Edwards, a former U.S. Senator and current Presidential candidate, as a “faggot.” Such offensive language—and the cavalier attitude that lies behind it—is intolerable to us. It may be tolerated on liberal websites but not at the nation’s premier conservative gathering.

The legendary conservative thinker Richard Weaver wrote a book entitled Ideas Have Consequences. Rush Limbaugh has said again and again that “words mean things.” Both phrases apply to Coulter’s awful remarks.

Coulter’s vicious word choice tells the world she care little about the feelings of a large group that often feels marginalized and despised. Her word choice forces conservatives to waste time defending themselves against charges of homophobia rather than advancing conservative ideas.

Within a day of Coulter’s remark John Edwards sent out a fundraising email that used Coulter’s words to raise money for his faltering campaign. She is helping those she claims to oppose. How does that advance any of the causes we hold dear?

Denouncing Coulter is not enough. After her “raghead” remark in 2006 she took some heat. Yet she did not grow and learn. We should have been more forceful. This year she used a gay slur. What is next? If Senator Barack Obama is the de facto Democratic Presidential nominee next year will Coulter feel free to use a racial slur? How does that help conservatism?

One of the points of CPAC is the opportunity it gives college students to meet other young conservatives and learn from our leaders. Unlike on their campuses-where they often feel alone-at CPAC they know they are part of a vibrant political movement. What example is set when one highlight of the conference is finding out what shocking phrase will emerge from Ann Coulter’s mouth? How can we teach young conservatives to fight for their principles with civility and respect when Ann Coulter is allowed to address the conference? Coulter’s invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking.

CPAC sponsors, the Age of Ann has passed. We, the undersigned, request that CPAC speaking invitations no longer be extended to Ann Coulter. Her words and attitude simply do too much damage.

(33) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0900 hrs
Culture + Politics + Politics - General

  1. He response to the criticism of her comments shows she just does not get it.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 0939 hrs


  2. I’ve always made my feelings about Ann Coulter known.

    Posted by Nick on March 05, 2007 at 0952 hrs


  3. Nicely said.  Sometimes the big names become less intellectual and more self-promoting entertainers (you have Ann Coulter and Pat Robertson, we have Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton).

    What disturbs me almost as much as Coulter’s remarks are the bursts of laughter and approving applause from the CPAC audience.  Reminds me of the the “Kramer” meltdown being played on Letterman, when Jerry Seinfeld asked the audience, “what are you laughing at?”  Indeed, CPAC attendees, what were you so approving of?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1150 hrs


  4. This letter and those that signed it can be summed up by one word, “Pathetic”.

    How much longer until Huffington Post and KOS link to you?

    Ann is worth more than every signer of this letter put together.

    Self righteous twits.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1335 hrs


  5. Why are we pathetic, JayHawk?

    Because we feel that conservatism should be held to a higher standard, even if it is a double standard (given the trash that’s posted on Huffington Post and the Daily KOS)?

    The problem with this situation is the left will use Ann (once again) to paint the rest of us conservatives with the same broad, biased, and inaccurate brush.  There are lines that just should not be crossed - and I’m hardly one for censoring free speech.

    I would think, by now, Ann would realize that this sort of rhetoric only inflames the left and the media, and turns off conservatives who are, as I said above, sick of being pigeon-holed with her in the category labeled “bigot”.  It does NOTHING - I repeat, NOTHING - to further conservatism in the eyes of the general public.

    And if we don’t open our mouths and say this is unacceptable (because it is), it makes us no better than the liberals who say hateful things about conservatives, religious, etc.  If that makes us “self-righteous twits”, at least this twit will be able to sleep at night knowing I’ve argued for reasoned, mature, and intelligent discourse.

    I think Ann has great ability to frame intelligent, well-researched, and informed arguments.  The problem is her vitriolic, venomous statements are clearly starting to tick off conservatives - and that negates her ability to be a strong conservative voice - because it prefers childish name-calling over serious debate.

    She needs to realize that just because she has the freedom to say things that it doesn’t mean she should.

    Is it really worth trashing all conservatives because you think Ann is more valuable than our opinions put together?  Hardly.

    Posted by Amy P. on March 05, 2007 at 1349 hrs


  6. P.S. - If you’re taking signatures, Owen, please feel free to add my name to the list.

    I used to defend Ann, but I’m getting tired of the same old immature song and dance.

    Posted by Amy P. on March 05, 2007 at 1350 hrs


  7. I have to agree with jayhawk..you guys want to hold us to a higher standard, for what? So we can sit around and declare how evil the left is for them doing the same and far worse on a daily basis??

    Ann speaks her mind, people..same as you..and if she made a joke or even if she was dead serious in labeling Edwards a fag, you all are ready to toss her out. You want to hammer her so the left will love you…and yet you, yourselves give the left a constant pass other than a few “oh they’re so bad!”
    What does that say about your own PC commitment and your own butt kissing reactions?


    “Oh no mommy, she dared to say something that the religious right will find offensive!”  “Kill her!!”

    Well, bullshit. If the far right is so touchy that everyone else has to watch every word, then they are no better than the fringe leftists, no smarter, and even less tolerant.

    I would sooner send CPAC packing as send Ann Coulter packing.  I am thankful she is out there saying what so many of you all say under your breath and offscreen.

    Cowards!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1446 hrs


  8. quietman and jayHawk…

    You guys are looking at Ann the wrong way.  She has basically admitted to defeat by the left in the way she has been acting lately.  And this comment of hers just proves it.

    In one of her recent articles she went on about how conservatives should be treating the prosecutor in the Libby case the same way the left treated Ken Starr during the Clinton impeachment.  She is all about abandoning reasoned and fact-based debate, and instead opting for personal attacks.  And she clearly states that her reason for advocating it is because it has “worked” for liberals.

    Well, count me out of that line of reasoning.  As I’m sure Owen and the others who are upset by her actions feel as well.  I believe that the debate over policy can be won on ideas - not middle-school name-calling.

    Coulter believes that that line of argument is futile.  Unless you take her stance that we’ve lost the battle for ideas and now need to fight on pure pragmatism and nit-picking, then what is there to defend about what she said?

    Posted by David on March 05, 2007 at 1457 hrs


  9. It’s about time some have finally called her to task. I’ve wondered for some time how long it would take. Reading many of these comments, you have said it better than I could have put into words. I’ve read several of her books and even there, many of her points are not based on logic, or good research. There are times she makes some good points but it appears that is when she is not reacting to the name-calling mentioned. She should not be like them and use the “Libs” tactics, but be better than them.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1542 hrs


  10. quiteman:

    No conservative I know gives the left a “pass” for the language they use.  I find it disgusting.  They find it disgusting and it’s completely unacceptable.

    But it’s nonsense to argue this point from the mentality of a six-year-old.

    The left calls names all the time.  I know that.  You know that.

    However, it DOES NOT give us a pass to decide to throw up our hands and say, “Well, if you can’t be ‘em, join ‘em.”  David Svendsen is right on - Ann’s becoming the thing she despises by engaging in such childish name calling.

    If the far right is so touchy that everyone else has to watch every word, then they are no better than the fringe leftists, no smarter, and even less tolerant.

    Don’t you understand that the left and the MSM uses Coulter’s comments to paint us all with a broad brush?  And have you been so out of the loop that you don’t realize 99.9% of the media outlets in the world are liberal, and jump at the opportunity to portray us all as people who - whether vocally or otherwise - hate those who aren’t the same as us ideologically?  Because that’s what they do.

    Is it a double standard?  You bet.  Especially if you read the crap on Daily KOS or HuffPo.  And especially when you consider that Bill Maher can get on national television and basically cheer the terrorists for trying to kill our Vice President.

    Is it unfair?  Yes.  But you know that life is unfair.  Get a helmet.

    We all have the right to free speech.  However, what separates us conservatives - or what SHOULD separate us - is how we choose to use that free speech.  We shouldn’t have to reduce ourselves to calling Edwards (or anyone else) “fag” (or any other pejorative).  Unlike the left, we aren’t calling for Ann to be brought up on hate crimes - but we can choose to distance and disassociate ourselves with her if we find her comments offensive.  Which is what we are doing.

    Ann’s chosen to use such commentary to inflame the media and stir up controversy with the left, and she’s doing it with the attitude that the opinion every conservative who disagrees with her be damned.

    And that’s a poor way to conduct yourself in the sphere of public discourse.  Especially when you claim to represent a group of people.

    I believe the reason the left engages in so much hateful rhetoric and name calling is because - underneath that - they rarely have an argument that could stand on its own.

    I’ve read a few of Coulter’s books and, when she’s not engaging in childish behavior, her research and evidence are - in my opinion - airtight.  I’ve never met a liberal who has been able to logically refute her intelligent arguments.

    And that’s what I used to love about her.  In the end, the truth will always out - no matter how the MSM or the left tries to spin it.

    But such behavior on Ann’s part nulls and voids all the arguments because it’s the vitriol that people are going to focus on and remember.

    We aren’t being cowards by holding her to a higher standard.  We’re being respectful, mature, and responsible.

    Imagine what it would be like of both sides of the political spectrum did that.

    Posted by Amy P. on March 05, 2007 at 1551 hrs


  11. Right On, Amy

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1603 hrs


  12. “I’ve read a few of Coulter’s books and, when she’s not engaging in childish behavior, her research and evidence are - in my opinion - airtight.  I’ve never met a liberal who has been able to logically refute her intelligent arguments.”

    Wha? Not only does she not used footnotes or post sources, it takes us literally 5 seconds to pop her psychotic arguments. If this is what passes as reasoned, logical discourse for you, there’s trouble.

    But, glad to see you are finally evicting the crazy aunt from your attic.

    And no, there is no liberal who gets so much main stream media air time as Man Coulter who spews such vicious bile. You can imagine that, but it isn’t true.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1618 hrs


  13. kr:

    I am holding in my hands a copy of Coulter’s Godless.  No footnotes?  No sources?  There are 11 pages in the back of the book, citing sources and references to each of the chapters.  These are called “endnotes”, and they’re a perfectly acceptable means of citing sources.

    I challenge you to “pop” her arguments (citing sources, naturally).  Especially from Godless, since I can’t seem to find any other Coulter book at the moment.  I’ve raised this challenge to several liberal commenters on blogs, and no one’s taken it.

    For me, fact IS reasoned, logical discourse.  Sorry to hear you don’t feel the same way.  And FACT is what’s presented when you cite sources so meticulously.  I may disagree with her name-calling, but Ann’s not going to put anything in her books that can be proven wrong through other factual evidence; she knows that would be too easy for the MSM.  And should Ann decide to drop the childish rhetoric and return to such arguments, then I’d embrace her again.

    Posted by Amy P. on March 05, 2007 at 1639 hrs


  14. Don’t know which book I had but their were no end notes, plus she is notorious for misquoting her sources.

    If recall Godless, the premise is pure BS but heavy on the irony since much of what she believes is Godless.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1727 hrs


  15. My general opinion about much of the reaction to this is…what a bunch of bullshit.  For those who declare their barometer for “liberal” reaction to anything to be what you find on DailyKos, Huffington or Maher (who, by the way, is a Libertarian, not a liberal), get a clue people!

    For anyone who thinks Robertson, Coulter or Limbaugh are a barometer for conservative logic, bullshit as well.

    Here are some simple guidelines for you:
    (Try to follow carefully)
    - When Maher says he wishes Cheney died at the hands of the Taliban (jokingly or not), it does not mean liberals wish Cheney had died.
    - When any liberal calls conservatives (in general or one specifically) dumb, evil, hateful, etc., it does not mean liberals believe you to be so.
    - When Jesse Jackson refers to “Hymietown”, it doesn’t mean liberals support him doing so and are all politically correct hypocrites.
    - When Ann Coulter calls Edwards a fag, I do not believe conservatives believe this, or that they approve of people using the word fag.
    - When Pat Robertson says God inspired him to say this or do that, I don’t believe your average conservative believes him.
    - When a conservative pastor calls for the murder of doctors who perform abortions, I don’t think of this as a conservative position - only his.

    Liberals and conservatives both do it…finding the most objectionable reaction from the other side and declaring it to be the opinion of most on that side of the political fence.  It’s grade-school level political argument.  To go down that road is to prove your opinions to be unworthy of an audience.

    Enough of this political persecution complex….from both sides.  Oh, nobody is fair to us!  Nobody understands us!  We’re so much more fair than the other guys!  They all lie about us!  Crap.  Just plain crap.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1728 hrs


  16. She was the only Conservative at the CPAC and by the way, presided over the largest audience?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1728 hrs


  17. Ann shouldn’t have said it.  Fine.  But it’s more than a little offensive that so many self-proclaimed conservatives want Ann barred from CPAC in the future while Rudy Giuliani never should have been allowed in the first place.

    My God, this man accepts the premeditated slaughter of defenseless children!  Why does a crude & reckless joke warrant more outrage than the fact that this walking obscenity is welcome in the Republican Party?

    Seriously disturbing priorities….

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 05, 2007 at 1952 hrs


  18. kr, you are soo funny. “there is no liberal who gets so much main stream media air time ” as Ann Coulter who doesn’t spew their vile.  Please.  Bill Maher, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Michael Moore, Al Gore, Rosie O’Donnell, (especially Rosie) and the list can go on and on and on and on….
    kr, you can come up with something better than that, you’re much smarter than that.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 06, 2007 at 0020 hrs


  19. So, Owen, in other words, Ann Coulter’s been useful in the past, but now that her bile is generating a backlash, you think she should be shunned?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 06, 2007 at 0653 hrs


  20. Here’s how I see it.
    Should Ann Coulter be calling John Edwards or anyone else FAGGOT?  Of course not.
    No matter how conservative intelligent or brilliant some may find her, she SHOULD NOT speak the way she did.
    It wasn’t a slip of the lip, and it wasn’t the most heinous sin.
    It was however UNACCEPTABLE.  I see no need to beat Ann Coulter down, and I certainly do not defend what she said.
    She has marginalized herself and the only thing left is for liberals to piss and moan about her.  She is entertainment, and she doesn’t represent CONSERVATIVES.
    Meanwhile, back in HYMIE TOWN.

    Posted by mickey on March 06, 2007 at 1146 hrs


  21. Steve-zero, there is a difference between people of character like Owen, and liberal ass hats like you.  Owen examines his moral conscience and chooses to suipport or not support someone based on their acts words and deeds   Mental midgets like you choose your leaders based on their ideology.  Ann Coulter is correct most of the time, but her “bile” as you call it, has lost her the modicum of support she recieved from the likes of Owen.  Bill Clinton is a rapist, you have no problem with that.  Republicans and conservatives take out their trash.  Liberals get in bed with theirs.  Zero, you morally bankrupt libs have a KKK WIZARD and TED KENNEDY serving you nicely.  Then there’s William Jefferson.

    Posted by mickey on March 06, 2007 at 1156 hrs


  22. I have started my own petition to get the stuffed shirts off of Ann’s back as I believe that common courtesy gets you defeated when your political opponents have no shame in their game and say and do whatever and are never held accountable.  I find it extremely interesting that out of all the things at CPAC that the MSM could have talked about they found one persons opinion, who by the way is not running for anything and splashed it all over the news, SHOCKER!!!  Here is the petition for those who disagree with the “conservative stuffed shirts” http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rightmom

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 06, 2007 at 1250 hrs


  23. Nice to see the guys (and girl) at gop3 who were at the conference think this is no big deal and they would have laughed at the “joke” if they had heard it.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 06, 2007 at 1917 hrs


  24. wow. what a joke. only one person here gets it: PatrickR. THAT is how normal people think. everyone gets so wrapped up in politics and labels that they miss the whole point. You’re all wasting your breathe. Screw Coulter, Maher, all of them. they distort your views of average people and create a discourse of hate and complete, blind ignorance. Pundits are just politicians with no ideas, no drive, and no vision. They make a living by tearing down others around them and artificially inflating those that don’t deserve it. Try to make it a point in your life to maybe…oh I dunno, THINK FOR YOURSELF. Real americans dont make up their mind before they even hear the question.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 06, 2007 at 2304 hrs


  25. Every one of you blog owners who are trying to tar and feather Ann are clearly overwrought with jealousy that she says what she wants, while you don’t dare, because you’re riddled with and immobilized by fear of offending liberals.

    Instead of growing a spine, you try to bring down Ann. Not possible. Give it up. Don’t muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.

    It’s people like you who have prevented the Republican party from ever being successful and victorious over socialism.

    Leave Ann alone. She speaks for multi-millions of us. And you don’t.

    by Patty Nottoli

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 07, 2007 at 1809 hrs


  26. Patty:  It’s people like you who have prevented the Republican party from ever being successful and victorious over socialism.  Leave Ann alone. She speaks for multi-millions of us. And you don’t.

    So…let me understand this…if only a conservative was free to call Democrats fags without fear of reprisal, the Republican Party would be stronger?  THAT is what’s holding you back?

    Letter authors:  Within a day of Coulter’s remark John Edwards sent out a fundraising email that used Coulter’s words to raise money for his faltering campaign. She is helping those she claims to oppose. How does that advance any of the causes we hold dear?

    A more well-reasoned view of things?  Me thinks so.

    Now, see, as a liberal I could take Patty’s comment, do what so many small-minded people on both sides of the aisle do and declare it to be indicative of what conservatives really believe and blast all conservatives as hate-mongering assholes.  But, I know that Patty’s comments are not what your average conservative thinks.  So I’ll just go on thinking of only Patty in the terms described above.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 07, 2007 at 2010 hrs


  27. You STILL do not get it…  Ann has posted the link to John E’s (aka Breck Girl) on her site.  https://johnedwards.com/action/contribute/coulter  this link is on http://www.anncoulter.com
    If you are worried about HOW MUCH MONEY Ann is making for John Edwards, you truly missed the point and I feel badly for you.  Please listen to the speech and enjoy it for what it was, entertainment.  It was AWSOME!

    This is not about the Republican Party it is about making money for Ann.  She does it well.  If you think this hurts the party so badly we are in deep trouble as she is not a politician she is a pundit, and an entertainer.  We could all worry about what Ann says or just forget about it and let her be.  I agree with her.  It was a joke and it was funny.  Where did everyone’s sense of humor go?

    We could go back and forth about how many times libbys say unbelievable things and they get a pass in the media.  But Why?  Who cares what they say anyway.  It does concern me though that some bloggers have jumped on the “Get Ann” bandwagon over a joke.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 08, 2007 at 0210 hrs


  28. Huh, so if you’re not a politician then let loose with the insult jokes?  I think I’ll start a career in punditry…here goes…

    W. was asked the other day if he was upset about the 35 approval rating.  he replied, “heck, as long as it still hovers above my IQ, that’s ok with me.”

    Let’s see…just as (not so much) funny as Coulter’s fag joke, just as (not) true as the Coulter joke, just as mean-spirited as the Coulter joke.  Have I got the gist of this?  Anyone want to hire me to speak at their event?  My jokes are just as good as Ann Coulter’s.  I promise to work on even better “totally appropriate” material.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 08, 2007 at 0859 hrs


  29. She does it well.  If you think this hurts the party so badly we are in deep trouble as she is not a politician she is a pundit, and an entertainer. 

    Ummm…so Steisand, Moore, Clooney, et. al. never hurt the Democratic Party with what they say or do and are immune from criticism because they’re only entertainers and not politicians?  There was no damage whatsoever to the Democrats when Streisand mocked the president in concert, used the F word to tell off a concert-goer, and it was plastered all over the news?  Funny, because at the time my conservative friends could do nothing but talk about how out of touch Democrats are because they are represented by the likes of Streisand.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 08, 2007 at 0906 hrs


  30. But I don’t think that Streisand hurt or offended other libs.  It hacked off the conservatives more.  Did the Democratic “cause” suffer?  It sure doesn’t look like it does it?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 13, 2007 at 0924 hrs


  31. Just organize a mail drop and make yourselves heard among the people… But first of all be sure that you want to go through with this and if that is the case proceede with caution.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 12, 2008 at 1014 hrs


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