Grrr! Ann Coulter Goes Too Far

Thursday , June 08, 2006

By Mike Straka

As Bugs Bunny would say, "What a Maroon!"

Ann Coulter, that is.

After calling a group of 9/11 widows "harpies" who seem to be "enjoying their husbands' deaths" in her new book, the conservative pundit has gone too far. She even added:

"And by the way, how do we know their husbands weren't planning to divorce these harpies? Now that their shelf life is dwindling, they'd better hurry up and appear in Playboy..."

Huh?

Ugly is the only way I can describe what Coulter has written. Now I understand why Time magazine put her on the cover last year and made her look like a praying mantis. She just might be the type of creature that would eat its mate after sex.

Coulter's comments would be more understandable if they were off-the-cuff remarks on some television show. After all, she is known for shooting off about liberals and anybody else who questions the Bush administration.

But these abhorrent comments were written in a book. Books don't just hit the printing press as soon as authors submit them to a publisher. They are edited. They are read by marketing executives, agents and editors.

Surely somebody at Crown Forum, the publishing house behind Coulter's latest inflammatory tome, must have read these paragraphs and questioned whether they shouldn't just be deleted.

It was probably some marketing genius who fought to keep the words intact.

"Imagine the outrage and subsequent book sales," he might have said. In the end, that's what it's all about, isn't it? Money.

Book sales, appearances on the "Today" show, radio shows, more outlets to syndicate her column and her next book deal might be what Coulter was thinking about when she pecked at her keyboard and formed such ill-conceived thoughts.

As all commentators, writers, talk show hosts, "experts" and pundits with any type of national or local platform know, you must have an audience if you want to continue to make a living in media.

Sometimes commentator-types simply pander to their audience — and sometimes the things they say are utterly unchallenging and frankly insulting to that audience, no matter who they are.

I can't tell you how many times I've written something that I believed whole-heartedly to be true, but recognized the comments were mean spirited and may have gone too far, for the sake of going too far. I deleted them.

Also, I don't know that any educated, conservative-minded person (Coulter's target demographic) would really want to hear speculation about the marital status of people who were involved in the worst terrorist attack on our nation's soil.

One thing conservatives are good at is dealing with the facts. Any type of speculation that appears in one's work without proper research and backup is quickly used against the publisher.

Just ask Dan Rather, Michael Moore, Howard Dean. Not company Ms. Coulter is used to sharing.

Coulter should have known her remarks would cause controversy. But she may have underestimated how sensitive even her own audience might be to such an ignorant rant.

"Coulter should have known her remarks would cause controversy."

Sure, she's selling a book no such thing as bad publicity.

Someone should put superglue in her lipstick. On the plus side she looks great in a mini dress. gulp, did I say that?

"One thing conservatives are good at is dealing with the facts."

You misspelled 'ingnoring'.

First Rosen now Coulter. The only words that come to mind are cunning stunt.

but the Ditsy Hicks are "cool" for expressing their opinions.....
I can almost agree with Coulter, but I aint buying rude-ass crap like that (same reason Im not buying the Dixie Chicks)

That bitch, I by saying that, that is what she would expect me to call her, and of course she wouldn't be offended, because she says whatever falls out of her mouth, thus speaking the truth, and that is what truth is, or is that what she has trained herself to do, like vomitting out whatever food she happens to swallow and allowing herself to get into that miniskirt meant for a 19 year old. It is like whenever she is asked a question, her immediate response is to be volitile and argumentative. She has lost all her column contracts, speaking engagements. All she has left are her books and free publicity on cable news. She might have her looks, but the corpse look is so...'70's. By comparision, Katherine Hepburn is vibrant and bold.

that is one scary freakin picture

she looks like a major crack head

"but the Ditsy Hicks are "cool" for expressing their opinions....."

That's why - they don't do those kinds of comments.

I really hoep you aren't suggesting that saying that you are ashamed = being rude like Coulter rude.

I mean, comparing Dixie Chicks being ashamed to this person... you get the idea.

I hate to say this but...

Even Bill O'Reilly, who blames everything on the vague "far-left," said that Ann Coulter went too far and that the Dixie Chicks have paid penance for their sin. When O'Reilly is the voice of reason, it's time to start worrying.

"When O'Reilly is the voice of reason, it's time to start worrying."

Good one, George!

Regarding Bill O'Reilly saying that the Dixie Chicks have paid penance for their sin:

Perhaps Bill considers speaking one's mind as being "sin" if it's a rebuke against the neocon establishment that's embodied by the current administration. Other than that, I suppose it would fall under exercising free speech, nicht wahr?
I just adore pundits who harbor double standards.
[sarcasm]

i still like Bill O'Reilly even though i dont agree with evrything he says but ya she screwd up.

the only dwindling shelf life i hope is her book, shes already off the shelf... and miniskirts look great on most people

And what of this "vague far-left"

Well myself being the only voice of balance (I know among this vast silent conservative major) that resides here, one don't have to look so far as to check the quotes from "Mother Sheean"



"You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine, and you'll stop the terrorism."


“And it's because our country, is so good at demonizing people, I still have relatives from WWII that still call Japanese people Japs'.”

“9/11 was Pearl Harbor for the neo-conservatives’ agenda.”

“We should not stay. We should not let Israel/USA invade Syria or Iran.”

“We began the killing as soon as we stepped foot on these shores and the
killing has gone on unabated for over 200 years. “

“America has been killing people on this continent since it was started. This country is not worth dying for.”

“It’s OK for Israel to have nuclear weapons but we are waging nuclear war in Iraq, we have contaminated the entire country. It’s not OK for Syria to be in Lebanon. Hypocrites! But Israel can occupy Palestine?”

In defense of Ann Coulter….I know I know…she like me are like the devil to you people……Was merely stating the fact that the “Jersey Girls” 4 women out of Thousands that suffered during the 911 attacks were using their tragedy many who are ineffective, unskilled, and often wrong in their views, simply because they're a victim, staging a new strategy to win public policy debates providing spokespeople that no one is allowed to respond to. Hence ending all discourse…..It’s kind of looking at it as if gdZiemann were saying all Republicans wrap themselves in the flag and in patriotism….

Larry, you should think twice about this whole Boycott-riaa thing….posts are way down. Most averaging about 2 or 3 per thread….The new website doing much worse….But WOW…turn the whole thing into a political debate and these freakers go nuts…..Posts go up……Tinfoil hats and liberal lunacy permitting….

Have to admires Coulter’s knack for publicity….Leflaw I’d take note of her style and do as she does and “really” come out about your “true” feelings about this nations military….I still have those quotes you put out there about our armed forces but thought better of posting…..

"It’s kind of looking at it as if gdZiemann were saying all Republicans wrap themselves in the flag and in patriotism"

I had to go look back at what I said to make sure, but I was merely referring to O'Reilly's tendency to use the "far-left" as the catch-all cause for every problem facing the country. I didn't say anything about Republicans, the flag or mention the word patriotism.

Once again, you have taken what I actually said, distorted it and made it fit your attack rant.

You know, Gad, this site was fine until you showed up and chased off everyone with personal attacks, insults, name-calling and general illiteracy.

Gads gets it...
If your opinion is stated too rudely, it will no longer be heard thur the rudeness
It doesnt matter weather I agree or disagree with the dixie chicks or ann coulter, they were so rude their point was mistaken and ignored. Such insults really ruin the mouth of the speaker...
No, MP3user, Im lost with what youre trying to say... (thank you for being polite tho') If Ted Nurgent ever said he was ashamed of Michigan, or of the people who call MI home, he'd get huntted down up here...

What bothers me the most is when the news media (controlled in part by the same corperations who have joined the RIAA) twist things around. The AP from Detroit reported that "...the Republican controlled state senate passed a bill raising cigarette taxes..." and then later in the same article showed that 100% of the Democrats voted to raise the tax and just enough Replicans voted to raise the tax in order for the bill to pass. I blame the Democrats for the increase in the price of smoking, but anyone not reading the entire article might blame the Republicans.
Also lately, the mass news media seems to be writting a lot about people's opinions instead of dead-on news facts. It may be easier to control sheeple when they are presented with a famous person's opinion about filesharing instead of being presented with hard cold facts. Plus hard cold facts have to be proven and opinions just need to be quoted and not very factual.

No George this site was "not" fine.

As for "personal attacks, insults, name-calling and general illiteracy" and chasing people away. One just has to look so far as......

"You are a small minded fool, probably uneducated. You are a crpyto-leftist democrat- welfare- ambisexual- asshole who can't hum a tune."

"We will see very shortly...We have a surprise for you, and its not Dick Cheny's Brain ( and also not Brain Cheney's dick...)"

"I cannot tolerate uneducated trolls. I can barely tolerate educated ones."

'Trolls prevent you from discussing the topic at hand, which in this case is --"

"I will tell you that we don't make these decisions lightly, but I will gladly sacrifice "traffic" for peace of mind and drawing a line in the sand with trolls. "

"You don't air dirty linen in public. If you try it with me, I will out your whole family if I have to."

"You want to diss me, do it in private. If you want to diss me in public, you lose, at least here. Don't like it? Don't register."

"I never promised free speech, just the TOS. "

"This idea about free speech on private websites is babytalk"

Of course none of these quotes are from The Gadfly...and may...just may contributing to the low posts, frightening off members, and all around lack of interigity of the site.

No George this site was "not" fine.

As for "personal attacks, insults, name-calling and general illiteracy" and chasing people away. One just has to look so far as......

"You are a small minded fool, probably uneducated. You are a crpyto-leftist democrat- welfare- ambisexual- asshole who can't hum a tune."

"We will see very shortly...We have a surprise for you, and its not Dick Cheny's Brain ( and also not Brain Cheney's dick...)"

"I cannot tolerate uneducated trolls. I can barely tolerate educated ones."

'Trolls prevent you from discussing the topic at hand, which in this case is --"

"I will tell you that we don't make these decisions lightly, but I will gladly sacrifice "traffic" for peace of mind and drawing a line in the sand with trolls. "

"You don't air dirty linen in public. If you try it with me, I will out your whole family if I have to."

"You want to diss me, do it in private. If you want to diss me in public, you lose, at least here. Don't like it? Don't register."

"I never promised free speech, just the TOS. "

"This idea about free speech on private websites is babytalk"

Of course none of these quotes are from The Gadfly...and may...just may contributing to the low posts, frightening off members, insensitivity to constructive criticism, and all around lack of integrity
of the site.

I sent out a warning long ago that the antics and lack of true free speech would hurt the site and leave non-regulars and lofters or new members with a feeling of irreverence. Not so funny now that the site are averaging 0 posts. All that has nothing to do with me…..Just the topic thread itself is a perfect example of what’s wrong here….Why is Ann Coulter even mentioned on a site that’s about music and the fight against the RIAA. Pure politics of course….Why are we sending out props for RIAA signed artist…for example Jimi Hendrix who is long dead.A thread that could be better spent promoting Indie artists….My guess is people have lost all faith here. Maybe rightfully so…It’s a shame!

sorry for the double post or whatever screwed up there. Maybe the grammar Nazi's can help me out!

Certain basic ideas and principals here at Dmusic and also at boycottriaa have not changed since I joined a few years ago. Its about music, artists and fans. Its never seemed to me to be a narrow site focusing only on one way, one aspect of the whole situation. Some sites are for amatures only, looking to get signed, some are nothing more then political, some are for filesharing "pirates", some take your copywrite away from you...
Dmusic has been much broader then the other sites I researched and then rejected to post my recording expiraments at. Believe or not I am AGAINST the filesharing of copyrighted works. I am also against artists being paid less then a $1 for a product that sells for $15. I am a crappy artist, yet soon my recording studio might make someone else's band money... yet I fit-in here and call Dmusic home.
Also there are the same old problems here, nothings changed. People tend to toss insults around forums, get WAY off topic, and insist what Dmusic is and isn't. Personally Im still waiting fer spel chek. At times I post crap that takes a shot of vodka and a bowl for me to understand the next day, let alone the people who misunderstand my point to begin with... but Im still here.
I dont wonder about the posts about Les Paul and Hendrix, but I do wonder, but dont mind, the news article here. Other then comparing the Dixie Chicks I see no reason for it, still I enjoyed everyone's opinion on it.
Id like to thank the owners and admins for a place for everyone who's into music; artists, fans, and the politically motivated.


enough ass-kissin' gimme spel chek!

Great post InsaneWayne.

My only beef is if it's going to be political, let's have some balance. Where are the little cutie photos of Cindy Sheehan or an Amy Goodman. Mocking their rants without looking deeper into their meaning.

Who's really important here??? It's the Indie artist of course...A group of fine musicians that I'm proud to be a part of here.

Wayne, you thanked the owners and admins here…and even I will give them homage for allowing the rest of us to post (when they’re not zapping my account that is) and share our music.

But they also must be held accountable when things may not be right……Constructive criticism is a fine thing. Much can be learned from those who are participants here.

I don’t want to play fun and games with…..and well lets face it somebody else site…..but hope to steer things towards a real war with the RIAA…..None of us can say the actions of the cartel would be things we find funny.

Leflaw and I are both have a vast knowledge of history…..Even he can tell you that the likes of Mao,MLK, Che Guevara, Laurent Kabila, and Rosa Luxemburg were serious people not prone to baffonery.

Nelson Mandela once stated…..

"A freedom fighter learns the hard way that it is the oppressor who defines the nature of the struggle, and the oppressed is often left no recourse but to use methods that mirror those of the oppressor. At a certain point, one can only fight fire with fire."

Now if we can only find somebody who will be General. Don’t look at me though…the job as captain takes up all my time

Why is it that InsaneWayne and I are apparently just as far apart politically as I am from Gad, but I like Wayne and have zero tolerance for Gad?

Gads - Thank You
Im not allways sure where the news posts come from, at times it seems as if the poster of certain news is allways held to AGREE with that news. Ive been "sneaking" links to Leflaw because Im not sure of copyright law for "reprints", not sure if it's "newsworthy", dont care about the points in my membership, and in part because I dont wish for certain articles to be consitered something I agree with.

"they also must be held accountable when things may not be right"
Im at a loss at what you mean by that...

I owned a chatroom for an awful long time. My PC spent 100% of it's time there and yes, I would read thur almost all of the postings. Now a days my children prevent me from being online as much as I would like.
We had rules, orginally meant as guidelines for other hosts, it became a page of outright rules, with the reasoning behind them explained. One that comes to mind often when going thur the forums here is "Age doesn't matter, Maturity does. 40yr old crybabies may get kicked and 14yr olds may wind up as hosts"
I know the headaches that the admins have at night and how hard it is to allow someone who's opinion is "just plain wrong" to keep posting Another rule was the frist person to name-call during a discussion was the one who turned it into a fight and got kicked. Regardless if they were right or wrong.
So far, in my opinion, no one needs to be kicked in this thread. I allways enjoy George's fire and allways understand his points. Gads did lose me more then once (do I need to smoke a bowl now? lol) and Code is too intelligent for the mundane. Too often I myself jest in order to make a point and I get taken too seriously.

Politics are difficult to be discussed. Some see Mandela as a great rebel, others as a criminal. Many forget that Hitler was a great economical leader bringing Germeny out of a depression worse then the US's. Personally I'd like to see the US (dang, I really need spel chek now, Im in over my head) unjoin the UN, Nato, and if Iraq wants to play with nukes we should send them one.
I get lost on subjects, ramble on, politics are difficult. Wanna discuss religon? I am a priest ya know

As a MEMBER Leflaw is very active, as an ADMIN he's very fair. He wouldve made a fine host in my chatroom.

lol, we posted at the same time, I like you too George
but dont mistake my tolerance for Republicans for membership in their party, as soon as I am a homeowner again I will be running for local office as an independant. I only poke smot with the members of the local republican party as well as the democrats who live live next door.
My political memberships are in the NRA, the VVA, and boycottriaa

"dont mistake my tolerance for Republicans for membership in their party"

I voted for John McCain last time he ran for the Senate. I voted for Nixon, Reagan and Clinton. In 2000 and 2004, I voted for Dave Barry because he seemed like less of a joke than the other three choices that showed up on the ballot.

Regardless of who I voted for, I voted. I grew up to believe that as long as you did that, you had a right to a political opinion and if you didn't agree with someone's opinions, you had a few beers and hashed out the nuts and bolts of where you differed. Questions like "Why?" or "Why not?" or maybe even "What if...?"

Compared to stuff like Neil Young's "Ohio" or John Fogarty's "Fortunate Son" to name only two examples, what the Dixie Chicks said seemed really insignificant. They were ashamed the prez was from Texas. Eddie Vedder did something at about the same time involving a mask of Bush that seemed much more degrading, but the press still loves Pearl Jam. Springsteen campaigned for Kerry.

Of all the artists who spoke up with their opposition to the current administration, Natalie Maines seems like the least offensive. That's why I don't understand what that whole thang is all about.

Ann Coulter, on the other hand, was just being hateful and nasty. I'd rather be godless than heartless.

lets not forget what happened to The Smothers Brothers when they criticized Nixon and the Vietnam war

George - dude if yer buying the beer Im bringing some purple buds, we'll hang at the bar and discuss politics and religon all night. If the band sucks like the last time can we slap the guitars outta their hands and jam?
I believe in the same thing: dont vote = dont bitch

The issue here really comes down to: how far can an artist go before it's just insultive and nasty?
As long as it's in a song I can tolerate almost no limits. However while appearing at a music awards shows I would find it the wrong place and time to bring up any political issue.

'ere, yer turn

man she is fugly

As long as it's in a song I can tolerate almost no limits.



I seem to recall her majesty getting a little miffed when the sex pistols sang "God save the Queen, she ain't a human being"

it was offensive but the world didn't end.

"However while appearing at a music awards shows I would find it the wrong place and time to bring up any political issue."

Except maybe the awards shows themselves.

"lets not forget what happened to The Smothers Brothers when they criticized Nixon and the Vietnam war"

Or Lenny Bruce. Or Bill Hicks. Or Bill Maher.
At least they were funny.

The likes of Coulter, OReally, Limbaugh, Goebbels et. al. will only be remembered for
disorienting the already clueless.

"disorienting the already clueless"

(that was clever)

I suppose the net effect of a clueless person being misdirected or disoriented means they not only don't HAVE a clue, they're not likely to ever GET one.
Pretty sad, methinks.

I agree, an excellent phrase.

And "At least they were funny" sums up my whole frustration with the political scene right now. No one can make a joke without being treated like a traitor.

We laughed at Lyndon Johnson. We laughed at Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Carter, the first Bush, Clinton, all of 'em. They probably even made fun of Kennedy until he got shot.

If you erase your political bias (and those other inconvenient things like war), Dubya is the funniest damn president to ever take office. He looks funny, acts funny, says stupid shit all the time and falls down more than Gerald Ford.

Yep; Dubya even loses his balance on a bicycle.

You know, come to think of it, that might just be the signature description of this president: OFF BALANCE.
Figuratively if not literally, he's been out of balance ever since 9/11 and he styled himself as "the war president".
Fitting justice would be if war turns out to be his undoing, which it had every indication of being before the recent successful killing of the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq a few days ago.

Y'all never seen marketing before? All the backlash has made the book #1. Mission accomplished.

Yep.
All that uproar got her free publicity, so now she'll be a RICH sea hag.
Disgusting.
I hope those 9/11 widows sue her butt off and take all the profits from the sales of the book.

still waiting for my royalty check for the DTAC quote. Cmon now don't make me sue you.