She moves with ease from a specific contested fact or an event to the generalization that sweeps broadly to condemn all within the scope of her ill-founded, and consistently fraudulent, universal truth. Virtually every assertion throughout the book, which I have just finished reading, casts the widest possible net to indict all of those with whom she disagrees as some form of traitor for whom disloyalty to America is a permeating truth.
Her work is neither a scholarly nor a competent examination of contested issues that constitute the playing fields of today's political debates and community concerns. It does nothing to enlighten the reader of the competing perspectives and goals of advocates along the spectrum of American society and how those voices undertake the task of justifying their positions and communicating to convince others. Rather, it is nothing less than a self-indulgent, self-aggrandizing and aimlessly angry screed in bold language that "waves the bloody shirt" intending to inflame the passions of those who already share her predispositions of unrelenting hatred of those having differing views and offering differing solutions. And, by the sound of the loyal Coulter devotees' postings, she has succeeded beyond expectations. Instead of being an enlightened advocate and communicator, she is merely a highly effective cheerleader.
Ms. Coulter is obviously bright, articulate and an observer of the contemporary scene who could, if she chose to do so, add to the inventory of thoughful commentary and become an respectful advocate for her policies, as well as the policy goals of those who agree with her. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she has opted for a strident, hyperbolical, and contemptuous tone of authorship that obliterates any morsel of meritorious fact and thought that must certainly exist somewhere among the pages.
The real loss caused by her book is that the conservative message, to which I am a firm adherent and that contains a great deal of value to serious listeners, fails to get delivered. The only value of the work is to the author who benefits by the sale to readers anxious to say: "Yeah, go get 'em Ann" or, "You go girl."
You are obviously no fan of Ann's. Which books out there would you recommend that are scholarly and a competent exam of today's concerns, that are appealing to the general public and delineate the political debate?
The real loss caused by her book is that the conservative message, to which I am a firm adherent...Perhaps your adherence to our principles is not as firm as you imagine. :o)
I am only on her FIRST chapter, so I cannot yet fully comment on your analysis, beyond noting that Ann is of course a partisan (a fact for which MANY of us are extremely grateful!) - and as such, she believes that the "competing perspectives" to which you wish she would defer are already sufficiently represented in the mainstream media.So far, I am amazed at how thoroughly I had personally accepted the extraordinary character assassination of Senator McCarthy, and welcome the reexamination of this man's charges that Ann's bold assertions will certainly stimulate in "the playing fields of today's political debates and community concerns."