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'That's Not Nice' - "Our political discourse needs more self-discipline" (re: Coulter & Maher)
Opinion Journal ^ | Friday March 9th, 2007 | Peggy Noonan

Posted on 03/09/2007 3:18:12 AM PST by ajolympian2004

Here is what has been said the past week or so that sparked argument: Bill Maher, on HBO, said a lot of lives would be saved if Vice President Cheney had died, and Ann Coulter, at a conservative political meeting, suggested John Edwards is a "faggot."

She was trying to be funny and get a laugh. He was trying to startle and get applause.

What followed was the predictable kabuki in which politically active groups and individuals feigned dismay as opposed to what many of them really felt, which was grim delight. Conservatives said they were chilled by Mr. Maher's comments, but I don't think they were. They were delighted he revealed what they believe is at the heart of modern liberalism, which is hate.

Liberals amused themselves making believe they were chilled by Ms. Coulter's remarks, but they were not. They were delighted she has revealed what they believe is at the heart of modern conservatism, which is hate.

The truth is many liberals were dismayed by Mr. Maher because he made them look bad, and many conservatives were mad at Ms. Coulter for the same reason.

I realized as I watched it all play out that there's a kind of simple way to know whether something you just heard is something that should not have been said. It is: Did it make you wince? When the Winceometer is triggered, it's an excellent indication that what you just heard is unfortunate and ought not to be repeated.

In both cases, Mr. Maher and Ms. Coulter, when I heard them, I winced. Did you? I thought so. In modern life we wince a lot. It's not the worst thing, but it's better when something makes you smile.

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: anncoulter; billmaher; coulter; cpac; cpac2007; dickcheney; hbo; johnedwards; maher; noonan; peggynoonan; realtime; rhymeswithmaggot
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To: L98Fiero

L98Fiero: If you are sooooooo disillusioned with politics because Ann does not go on autosmooch in the presence of liberal patoot that you will quit politics altogether, then name three reasons why any actual conservative will notice that you are gone much less miss you.


141 posted on 03/09/2007 7:59:17 AM PST by BlackElk (Dean of Discipline of the Tomas de Torquemada Gentlemen's Club)
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To: saveliberty
RE: "Who cares about an apology? Fix the problem going forward - pick better opportunities and deliver them [jokes] well."

If you cannot discuss at a politcal meeting the serious threat to freedom of being pressured (forced?) into rehab (reeducation?) where can it be discussed?

It was less a joke than a serious statement. The "joke" was merely a transition to the serious issue. Ms Coulter has been made the "issue." It's a trick the left is very good at, I personally have seen it work time after time for more than fifty years.

142 posted on 03/09/2007 8:00:37 AM PST by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: PierreLegrand
You really think that the Republicans are going to seize back the initiative from the Democrats by referring to them as "faggots"?

You shouldn't, if you do. Quite frankly, you look ridiculous for saying such a thing. All of this - all of this streaming of whingeing about how it's not fair, that you're only paying the Democrats in kind, this is the sort of crybaby nonsense I would expect out of the liberals. Life isn't fair. As an adult, one gets used to it. This basic inequity in the world is not an excuse to behave like a jackass.

Finally, it would seem to me that if the energy utilised in the elaborate justification of base behaviour was actually applied to refuting the Democrats, the latter would be denied any success in the political arena.

Ivan

143 posted on 03/09/2007 8:02:37 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: PierreLegrand

What a wonderful post. Thanks.


144 posted on 03/09/2007 8:04:34 AM PST by dforest (Liberals love crisis, create crisis and then dwell on them.)
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To: PierreLegrand

Nice post. You have the game plan for a permanent minority nailed down I see.


145 posted on 03/09/2007 8:06:11 AM PST by ajolympian2004
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To: BlackElk

"L98Fiero: If you are sooooooo disillusioned with politics because Ann does not go on autosmooch in the presence of liberal patoot that you will quit politics altogether, then name three reasons why any actual conservative will notice that you are gone much less miss you."

Refraining from calling people school-yard names is going "on autosmooch" to you? What is the deal with these extremes? Either it's this extreme or the other with you today.

Deciding to abstain from watching overzealous, poop-slinging talking heads and discounting their pointless rhetoric is not the same as quitting politics. Unlike some, I am not so enamored with myself as to believe that I would or should be missed should I fall from the face of the earth.


146 posted on 03/09/2007 8:13:31 AM PST by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
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To: bvw
Yes, she did indeed "suggest" that Edwards was a faggot when she implied that she would have used the word, but couldn't because of political correctness.

"I'd call you a bitch, but I don't want to get dishes thrown at me."

"I'd call you a jerk, but I don't want to get fired."

Comments like those are just smart ass ways of pretended to "do the right thing" while still slamming someone.

147 posted on 03/09/2007 8:13:38 AM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: abigailsmybaby
"I haven't missed any point."

Yes you did. The event didn't prosper from Ann's remark, neither did she nor anyone else associated with CPAC. If it didn't help, it should've been omitted. Show me once where President Reagan would've associated with those of such display. When you lower yourself to the level of foul liberals, those foul liberals have won already.

148 posted on 03/09/2007 8:13:50 AM PST by azhenfud (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: DCPatriot

You're entitled to your own stupid opinion, no matter how wrong you are.

Just don't expect anyone who can reason to share it.

Have an ice day.


149 posted on 03/09/2007 8:15:00 AM PST by Don W ("Well Done" is far better to hear than "Well Said". (Samuel Clemens))
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To: Don W; DCPatriot

ROFLOL

Appears that Don was insulted by your "non-insult" DCP.


150 posted on 03/09/2007 8:17:30 AM PST by Texas_shutterbug
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To: ajolympian2004
"Girlie-man" or Breck girl" would have been perfect in place of the word Ann used.

The point is that nobody (yet) needs to go to rehab for using the word "girlie-man". However if you accuse someone of being a "Bassoon player", you may have to be sent to sensitivity training and re-education camps.

.


151 posted on 03/09/2007 8:18:23 AM PST by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: PierreLegrand

"Ann is willing to use the Lefts tactics against them. Thank goodness..."

Combating evil with evil is the way to go?

The left likes to call conservative blacks racist names. By your logic, the way to combat that is to call black Democrats racist names.

The left likes to damage vehicles with Republican stickers on them. I guess the way to combat that is to do a little vandalism of our own.

Your post was devoid of any common sense.


152 posted on 03/09/2007 8:21:25 AM PST by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
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To: ajolympian2004

We're not even close to being here. We have some wiggle room to be rude.

153 posted on 03/09/2007 8:21:31 AM PST by Centurion2000 (If you're not being shot at, it's not a high stress job.)
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To: Texas_shutterbug
Yeah...well too bad if they can't take a 'joke'.

Cheers!

154 posted on 03/09/2007 8:31:06 AM PST by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: Texas_shutterbug

Actually, I laughed when I read it.

I've kinda outgrown the "need" to take offense at schoolyard insults. Something about growing up or something like that (ask my mommy).


155 posted on 03/09/2007 8:35:23 AM PST by Don W ("Well Done" is far better to hear than "Well Said". (Samuel Clemens))
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To: azhenfud

I get the point. I don't agree with it. Do you get that point?

Frankly, I don't give a crap what Reagan would have done.


156 posted on 03/09/2007 8:35:43 AM PST by abigailsmybaby
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To: rpellegrini
"I am getting a little tired of Ms. Noonan's "inside-the-beltway" moral preening. We desperately need more conservatives like Ann Coulter who are willing to come out swinging and keep on fighting."

Excellent point. Frankly, I disagree with Peggy's column but it doesn't upset me like some of the other conservative attacks on Coulter.

Peggy is always reasonable, moderate, in favor of good manners, etc. She's always used a rapier rather than a battle-ax to make her point. I'm sorry she's wasting her time attacking Coulter when she could have written on of her sober, responsible columns on a more important subject.

As for the other so-called Conservatives:

1) We should not be giving the left the power to dictate what words, we can and can't use.

2) I thought conservatives were against the whole concept of protected groups, "Hate" speech, Speech codes, and the entire totalitarian left-wing attempt to control of by language.

3) I find it annoying that so many so-called conservatives love to bash Coulter and want to drive out of the conservative movement. There is no advantage to the conservative movement to doing this. The liberals would love for this to happen. So, what is their motivation? There are only 2 answers. a) They are not really conservative, but only call themselves that to be noticed b) they've been hired (or hope to be hired) by the Liberal MSM in some capacity, and attacking Coulter wins them brownie points with their liberal bosses.

3) Coulter is one conservative author and speaker. She isn't our "representative" neither is she a politician. She's under no obligation to speak or write like a politician.

4) Reagan told any number of anti-PC jokes. Remember the "we will begin Bombing Russia in 3 minutes" joke? Remember how the liberal MSM went ballistic? Wonder what Captain Ed thought of that? Was he still a liberal Democrat back then?

5) Coulter represents mainstream conservative thought on Gays. We are not ant-gay, we like Gays as individuals and hope they join the movement along as they agree with our positions on taxes, defense, social issues, etc. We are against speech codes, affirmative action, hate speech laws, protected classes, gays in the military and gay marriage.
157 posted on 03/09/2007 8:39:49 AM PST by pablo H (Rememeber '96- No more Doles!)
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To: Don W
Excuse me?

What exactly is the difference between what Ann said about Edwards and what I addressed to you..in #112?

You and many other intelligent Freepers have claimed Ann never called Edwards a 'faggot'.

In my example in #112, did I say and/or imply you were a whatchamacallit?

Since you got all upset, I think you did.

There, that was easy, wasn't it?

158 posted on 03/09/2007 8:42:07 AM PST by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: saveliberty; ninenot; sittnick; abigailsmybaby; WilliamofCarmichael
I gather that you were actually responding to #125 since your post has nothing whatever to do with #131. I also gather that you are suggesting your defense of Goldwaterism and libertoonianism by posting a link to Reagan's magnificent speech for Goldwater on election eve in 1964.

Reagan's speech brought in to a post-office box named nowhere else a full 1/3 of all of Goldwater's campaign funds.

How did social anarchist Goldwater express his thanks??? Let us see.

Barry Goldwater became a Republican not like Reagan because the Demonrat Party had left him but, instead, for business reasons related to the Goldwater Department Store's interests. He and his brother Bob Goldwater agreed that one would have to become a Republican and Barry lost the coin toss. See Conscience of a Conservative, Barry's autobiography actually written by ghostwriter Karl Hess.

Barry's first wife, Peggy was a member of the babykilling National Board of Directors of Planned Barrenhood from approximately 1940 until her death in 1975 or thereabouts. She and Barry were on the same wave length on killing innocent babies.

When Reagan had said nothing on lavender "rights" and before Reagan actually signed a pro-aborion law in California during a brief vacation from tradition, morality and good sense, Goldwater attended the 1968 GOP Convention in Miami. Barry had each and every 1964 Goldwater delegate who also served as a 1968 delegate paraded through his hotel suite to be old that if Nixon was good enough for Barry, Nixon was good enough for his old delegates. The 1968 convention required a 2/3 vote to nominate and Nixon was nominated by a 12 vote margin when then minority leader (natural born to be in a minority) Gerald Ford (a maximum pro-abort bear of little brain and fewer principles) took just enough switches to Nixon and arbitrarily ended the switches as Senator Laxalt approached to switch the Nevada Nixon delegates to Reagan.

By the time Reagan next ran in 1976 against His Accidency Ford (president as Buckley observed by a concatenation of circumstances felonious), he had completed two terms as California's governor. Ronaldus Maximus had signed the pro-abort bill but became rather immediately appalled at its results and was personally taking initiative petitions for its repeal door-to-door within the year. He never wavered on abortion again. You can bet that sealed his fate with Barry and his pro-abort libertarian pals. Barry cut radio commercials for Ford in which Barry Goldwater (of all people) actually solemnly warned California Republicans against allowing Reagan's finger near the nuclear button. BMG was nothing if not shameless and had an awful lot of which to be ashamed. Reagan's position on lavender "rights" had evolved to opposition to any and all special rights for them and opposition to the Briggs Amendment initiative which would have denied them public employment. He took time from his presidential campaign to campaign against the Briggs Amendment.

Barry did squat for Reagan thereafter. He did take the trouble between lying and dying (lying to Arizona pro-life leadership to obtain their public support in the 1980 Senate race at the last moment when he was trailing a Democrat pro-life conservative businessman who was also a patriot) to publicly brag about taking his daughter to abort his grandchild and his support for one or more lavender queens in his bloodline.

Yes, we certainly do disagree. Reagan made the GOP a venue that is welcoming to Catholics, Bible-believing Christians and other religious conservatives who are probably the largest single bloc of voters in our nation and certainly in conservative ranks. History will not be re-written and there will be no backsliding to accommodate libertoonians devoid of morals. In the GOP as in the conservative movement, money is no longer everything and it never will be again.

159 posted on 03/09/2007 8:45:29 AM PST by BlackElk (Dean of Discipline of the Tomas de Torquemada Gentlemen's Club)
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To: DCPatriot

You didn't call me that rude name. I was actually amused by your try at getting my back up, and am genuinely distressed that you didn't see the sarcasm I thought was dripping from my reply.

You did imply that I was an unpleasant person, but since we both know that's not the case, it's quite amusing.

I gotta get to bed now. Graveyard shift has its drawbacks.


160 posted on 03/09/2007 8:52:39 AM PST by Don W ("Well Done" is far better to hear than "Well Said". (Samuel Clemens))
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