This is self-explanatory. And overdue.
An Open Letter to CPAC Sponsors and Organizers Regarding Ann Coulter
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.
10:41 am
Well, lets face it. Hate is a stock in trade for fringe elements of the far left and the far right. It is a promotional tool for some and a personal belief system for others. One of the sillier parts of blogging is that reasonable people from both the conservative and liberal sides constantly point out the fringe element of their opponents and try to make the case that ALL of the other side is just like the fringe nuts.
Rick Moran is as conservative as anyone and is to be commended for this slapdown of this wreckless, publicity seeking word whore (and yes, the same term applies to the likes of Al Franken on the left).
There are freaks and misfits on both sides of the political spectrum, they are easily identifiable, and best are ignored in honest political debate.
11:31 am
Web Reconnaissance for 03/05/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.
12:05 pm
The difference of course that the fringe element of the right, like Coulter and Limbaugh, are welcomed with open arms in the mainstream press, and supposedly mainstream groups like CPAC. Not so the fringe elements of the left. Party on guys.
12:18 pm
Conservatives Look for a Winning Hand
Each year for more than three decades, a handful of icons of the American conservative movement hav
12:36 pm
Why you feel the need to show outrage is beyond me. Her comment brought more attention to his phony socialism than anything written so far. Edwards is the silk pony candidate. I’m more outraged by Clinton’s & Obama’s condescending language during Selma Sunday.
12:51 pm
Is feminazi due to be retired soon?
1:34 pm
[...] Owen Robinson, Boots and Sabres N.Z. Bear, The Truth Laid Bear Michael Demmons, Gay Orbit Mark Coffey, Decision ‘08 Russell Newquist, The Philosopher’s Stone Marshall Manson, On Tap Rob Port, Say Anything Matthew Johnston, Going to the Mat Timmer, The Daily Brief Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse [...]
1:37 pm
[...] 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. Credentialed CPAC 2007 BloggersSean Hackbarth, The American Mind James Joyner, Outside the Beltway BoiFromTroy, Boi From Troy Joy McCann, Little Miss Attila Kevin McCullough, Musclehead Revolution Fausta Werz, Fausta’s blog Patrick Hynes, Ankle Biting Pundits Ed Morrissey, Captain’s Quarters Jane Stewart, See Jane Mom Alexander Brunk, Save the GOPOther Right-of-Center Bloggers Owen Robinson, Boots and Sabres N.Z. Bear, The Truth Laid Bear Michael Demmons, Gay Orbit Mark Coffey, Decision ‘08 Russell Newquist, The Philosopher’s Stone Marshall Manson, On Tap Rob Port, Say Anything Matthew Johnston, Going to the Mat Timmer, The Daily Brief Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse Rob Port – Say Anything [...]
2:25 pm
[...] The Mahablog, AMERICAN DIGEST, Redstate, Right Wing News, Taylor Marsh, Hot Air, Macsmind, Sister Toldjah, Vox Popoli, INSTAPUTZ,The Philosopher’s Stone, Argghhh!, The Daily Dish, Instalawyer.com, Decision ‘08, No More Mister Nice Blog, CPAC Bloggers, Right Wing Nut House, Liberal Values , Hot Air, The Road to Surfdom, Blue Bayou, The Moderate Voice, PoliPundit.com, The Right Angle, Jules Crittenden, Wizbang [...]
2:31 pm
I understand that Al Franken riles many on the right. He is a passionate progressive who, at this worst, ridicules his targets with pointed barbs and a professional comic’s knack for handling hecklers. But please, he is no Anne Coulter. If someone can post an instance of him using the kind of bigoted, hateful, and gutter language used by Coulter, I’d like to know. Coulter may rival the left’s Ted Rall (who pens some pretty over-the-top hate screeds in his cartoons), but there is nobody else on the left who rivals Coulter in the hate she espouses and the national forums she’s invited to spew it in. And that’s including Michael Moore.
5:15 pm
[...] There are multiple posts deriding the woman. . .and the links I just described entail in brief why I removed the woman from my blogroll some months ago. As Rod Dreher put it, her material has lived past its sell date. [...]
6:57 pm
Don’t expect any response because I’m posting so late to this thread, but here goes…
As tasteless as Coulter’s joke may have been, it pales in comparison to what liberal opinion mongers say about conservatives on a daily basis. And nary a word of condemnation is spoken when they blithely campare us to Nazis or casually discuss the advantages of assassinating democratically elected leaders.
In any case, as conservatives, the knees shouldn’t start jerking all around the ‘sphere when Coulter, Robertson, et al, make some incredibly dumb comment. Until there’s some understanding arrived at by which all participants in the great conversation are judged according to the same standard of propriety, I won’t lose any sleep over anyone.
But since I’m not naive enough to believe that liberals and conservatives will ever be held to the same standard in this country, I’ll defend Coulter’s right to use the word faggot in any context she pleases.
8:49 pm
P.C. sucks. That was her point.
Suck it up, girlymen.
Ann’s one of the best fighters we have.
10:06 pm
[...] Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « Late primaries going to getcanceled? [...]
10:48 pm
[...] Owen Robinson, Boots and Sabres N.Z. Bear, The Truth Laid Bear Michael Demmons, Gay Orbit Mark Coffey, Decision ‘08 Russell Newquist, The Philosopher’s Stone Marshall Manson, On Tap Rob Port, Say Anything Matthew Johnston, Going to the Mat Timmer, The Daily Brief Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse Dustin Gawrylow, Free Republicans Dan, North Dallas Thirty Brennan Monaco, The American Pundit Nate Nelson, Reality Mugged Me Christopher Fotos, PostWatch Joe Carter, Evangelical Outpost Amy Ridenour, National Center Blog [...]
12:40 am
Sheesh!
Off to re-education camp with her, eh Rick? ;- )
QFE:
“If you never tell a lie, then you never have to play dumb.”—Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Storm in a Teacup”
7:47 am
Anne Coulter is the face of modern conservatism. She is not going anywhere.
7:50 am
I don’t fall on the same side of the aisle as you, but I’ve got new respect for you now.
I applaud your posting and feel sorry you’re not getting more support for it from the enablers who don’t see the big-picture damage her comments do to your cause.
There is no place in reasonable political discourse for language like that—and dismissing it as a “joke” is no excuse.
Had she said “I’d like to say how I really feel about John Edwards, but the liberals would probably make me go to rehab,” she’d have made her point without the incendiary firestorm that followed.
8:31 am
An Open Letter to CPAC Sponsors and Organizers Regarding Ann Coulter
Please sign on—via comments, and cross-posting—and spread the word. Enough is enough. Conservatism treats humans as they are, as moral creatures possessing rational minds and capable of discerning right from wrong. There comes a time when w…
8:37 am
[...] Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse [...]
10:43 am
[...] Other Right-of-Center Bloggers N.Z. Bear, The Truth Laid BearInstaPundit Joe Carter, Evangelical Outpost Amy Ridenour, National Center Blog Owen Robinson, Boots and Sabres Michael Demmons, Gay Orbit Mark Coffey, Decision ‘08 Russell Newquist, The Philosopher’s Stone Marshall Manson, On Tap Rob Port, Say Anything Matthew Johnston, Going to the Mat Timmer, The Daily Brief Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse Dustin Gawrylow, Free Republicans Dan, North Dallas Thirty Brennan Monaco, The American Pundit Nate Nelson, Reality Mugged Me Christopher Fotos, PostWatch Soren Dayton, EyeOn08 Greg, Rhymes with Right Jimmie, The Sundries Shack John Tabin, JohnTabin.com Dave Burris, First State Politics Dan McLaughlin, Baseball Crank Peter DiGaudio, Texas Hold ‘Em Blogger [...]
6:45 pm
[...] Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse [...]
10:33 am
[...] It seems like many very serious bloggers have taken to penning open letters to express one concern or another. Driving into work today, I was reminded of an incident that I need to atone for, and I can think of no better way than via the use of the open letter. And so I follow suit. [...]
1:50 pm
Wow—arn’t you something? You don’t get it do you? It isnt about “her” defense.
However, it is about a group of bloggers who have decided to tell the rest of us how to think and if we dont agree we are brain dead? mouth breathers? stupid? This makes you different from her—how?
Of course “she” is a “slut” and thats not personal or offensive? Because your daddy says to fight with guns when they come out with knives?
“She” is not deserving of “empathy”?
Whats really alarming—is what once was a group of grass roots bloggers jumping the shark. Your all now part of the system.
You dont speak for me nor can you tell me I am not a conservative because I dont agree with your over the top reaction to “her”.
Reading your work rings the alarm bells as your name calling is legend.
Go ahead and remove yourself from whatever subscription that you would like. Knowing that yours and other blogs have also been removed with great sadness…..........