Right-Wing Barbie

Last night I read a post on Ann Coulter, written by an anonymous (hah) Big AC Fan, detailing an apparent example of the 'hypocrisy' of the left. The logic of the 'column', what little I can garner from it, goes something like this: Ann Coulter is a woman who says some stuff. People (aka Those Mean Lefties) criticise her, but they only point out things about her appearance. Therefore what she says is valid.

Ann (can I call her Ann? I like to keep things a little less formal over here, unless it's completely necessary) has every right so say whatever she wants to say. It's in that old Constitution thingy those Americans are so proud of (right after that apparently inconsequential part about separation of church and state, y'know, the First Amendment). And I totally agree that people who just sit in front of their laptops and say "She's a whore" are not helping anyone.

The thing that confuses me is this: how can people actually read or listen to what dear Ann has to say honestly be able to defend what she says (rather than her right to say it)?

The purveyor of Defend Ann 2004 listed down a bunch of quotes berating dear Annie on the basis of her gender, appearance and sexuality as proof of why the Left Wing is sexist.

If that was the point, then I'd have to agree that that's just not on. But, kids, let's not forget context. Maybe we should be able to see if those Ann-haters had something meaningful to say as well? (Subtitles: what are your sources?)

But what about looking at Ann's work itself and telling us why she should be so admired and revered? What about defending her instead of bashing her critics? "People say mean stuff about her so she should be given a medal" just doesn't cut it for me.

So, in my dedication to rational debate, and in flagrant violation of context (because these things should not be said no matter what the context), I pulled up another random Coulter-bashing page off Google and I will reproduce some little Annie pearls of diplomacy, wit and wisdom which were reproduced in it...

"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"---Hannity & Colmes, 6/20/01

The "backbone of the Democratic Party" is a "typical fat, implacable welfare recipient"---syndicated column 10/29/99

To a disabled Vietnam vet: "People like you caused us to lose that war."---MSNBC

"I think we had enough laws about the turn-of-the-century. We don't need any more." Asked how far back would she go to repeal laws, she replied, "Well, before the New Deal... [The Emancipation Proclamation] would be a good start."---Politically Incorrect 5/7/97

"The presumption of innocence only means you don't go right to jail."---Hannity & Colmes 8/24/01

"I have to say I'm all for public flogging. One type of criminal that a public humiliation might work particularly well with are the juvenile delinquents, a lot of whom consider it a badge of honor to be sent to juvenile detention. And it might not be such a cool thing in the 'hood to be flogged publicly."---MSNBC 3/22/97

And as for gender, appearance and sexuality...

"Anorexics never have boyfriends. ... That's one way to know you don't have anorexia, if you have a boyfriend."---Politically Incorrect 7/21/97

"Women like Pamela Harriman and Patricia Duff are basically Anna Nicole Smith from the waist down. Let's just call it for what it is. They're whores."---Salon.com 11/16/00

"I think [women] should be armed but should not [be allowed to] vote."---Politically Incorrect, 2/26/01

"Clinton is in love with the erect penis."---This Evening with Judith Regan, Fox News Channel 2/6/00

"[Clinton] masturbates in the sinks."---Rivera Live 8/2/99

And, my favourite Ann quote of all time, detailing her anti-terrorism policy at her old job on National Review Online* on 13 September 2001:

"we should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity."

You go, girlfriend.

‘[L]ogic in Miss Coulter’s arguments’ indeed. That's all I have to say, I'm supposed to be learning about Breach of Trust. But, the moral of the story: Ann Coulter is a crazy person (ooo! how PC of me!) and deserves to be seen as such.

___

*Sorry, I'm not including hyper-links because those Right-Wing Arses get enough hits, but here's Google to give you a headstart. Or better yet, go read The Nation. The blogs there are quite excellent. I highly recommend The Daily Outrage and Editor's Cut.