Ann's Jedi Mind Trick At CPAC

March 3, 2007 | aas

[an amused spectator]

On Friday, March 1, 2007, Ann Coulter spoke at the 34th annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

Toward the end of her remarks, she touched on the subject of Democrat John Edwards (former US Senator from North Carolina and 2008 presidential hopeful):

"Oh, and - I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, ummm, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so, I — so - kind of at an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards, so I think I'll just conclude here and take your questions. Thank you."

Notice the Jedi Mind Trick that Ann uses here. She talks about Edwards, then segues to a newsworthy current event in the world of entertainment, then segues back to John Edwards.

She never calls John Edwards a faggot - she allows the minds of her listeners to do that for themselves. Now, a person who was actually at the event may be forgiven for momentarily falling for the mind trick, but's what's hilarious is the number of weak-minded or sloppy thinkers who are OUTRAGED, OUTRAGED that "Ann Coulter called John Edwards a faggot!!!". There are actual "hard news" websites that actually repeat this blather (UPI, E&P, and The Nation, among others).

I also read an article on a weblog complaining that noted mainstream media outlets are ignoring the story (among these: The Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post and The New York Times). Apparently, the AP, Reuters, the WP & the NYT are on to Coulter's Jedi mind tricks, and are willing for others to make buffoons of themselves before piling on.

Coulter's command of the language reminds one of Clemens or Bierce, and the way she can get her critics to do the work of lampooning themselves is simply amazing (and amusing).

[an amused spectator]

No, the attempt to explain it away is. The knots are beginning to tighten.

You need to broaden your literary horizons, joesbucks. We all love Free Republic, but there ARE other writings available in the world. Try reading the collected works of Samuel Clemens, and you'll see where Coulter is coming from at times.

[an amused spectator]

Anyone on FR who wants to castigate Ann for her remarks should go to a gay/lesbian bar and drink himself/herself into a coma.

They should take care not to pass out on their stomach... ;-)

[an amused spectator]

Yes. It appears that Coulter had dealt with the subject before.

[joesbucks]

Annie is no Mark Twain.

[Tax Government]

Gay people with self respect will take ownership of words like 'faggot' and 'queer' and wear them like badges. Until then, they will depend on -- or rather, will accede to -- encroachments on free speech to foster the 'equality' they have no courage to defend.

GOP hangers-on on FR -- fearful of the MSM -- will clear the way for reductions in free speech by feigning outrage and what Ann said...which was, after all, true.

Ann might also have said:

"Edwards is a primping weasel who publicly outed Cheney's daughter, who reacted with pride and self respect. I'd call Edwards a faggot except he has a better name already, "The Breck Girl." Did America want as Vice President in 2004 someone who poses for photos within French-kissing distance of the Presidential candidate? No. Does America now want that same weasel, or anyone remotely like him, as President? No."

[an amused spectator]

Her comments weren't meant to be funny, they were meant to label and harm.

As Whit pointed out, the Breck Girl brought up Cheney's daughter unbidden during the 2004 campaign. Coulter left MORE bear traps scattered around this one, and here at Leftist American Bear Trap, we believe in safety.

[TigersEye]

"Is she serious or just having fun?"

I think the answer to that is "yes."

[an amused spectator]

Annie is no Mark Twain.

Ahhh! I presume that you've read the collected works of Clemens, several times?

Or is your yardstick the Twain of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huck Finn? ;-)

[non-anonymous]

If you were impressed by this Jedi Mind Trick, this masterful elicitation of the English language, well, I - so, I wonder if there's a better word or phrase than "third grade" to describe someone's level of mental discipline - well, anyway I'll just end this comment here.

[MHGinTN]

Agreed ... she is a unique pundit not a copy.

[Busywhiskers]

She also didn't mention that he was seen masticating in public and that his sister is thespian.

[JennysCool]

Har!

[TigersEye]

'Grey's' star in counseling for gay slur

So, if you use the word "faggot" you have to go to some queerbait headshrink?

[Yardstick]

LOL! Well-crafted try, but being hoist by my own petard isn't on the agenda for today... ;-)

Aw, bummer. I was hoping for a good petard hoisting ;)

I do have to say, though, that I think my earlier comment was more than a good try. From where I'm sitting, it looks more like QED. I don't think you can rely on the fact that she didn't 100% literally say what she said to deny that she said what she said.

[Luke21]

Thank you. Astute observation.

[Silicon Cowboy]

I provided this on another thread this morning. This is to what she was referring-- http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/59979 'Grey's' star in counseling for gay slur LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Actor Isaiah Washington has entered a treatment program as part of an effort to atone for a gay slur against a "Grey's Anatomy" co-star in Hollywood. "With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling," the actor said in a statement Wednesday. "I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again." Washington reportedly agreed to undergo a psychological assessment following discussions with ABC executives about his denial at the Golden Globe awards that he had called co-star T.R. Knight a "faggot," Eonline.com said. "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement that Washington's use of "such a disturbing word" insulted gays and lesbians and "anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference." Washington publicly apologized, saying he could he could no longer deny that he had issues he needed to face. His decision to enter treatment may directly relate to his future on "Grey's Anatomy," Eonline.com said. The Walt Disney Co., ABC's parent company, has a corporate nondiscrimination policy that could provide for dismissing the actor from the show, Eonline.com said. See also-- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769888/posts ABC, Washington apologize for slur (Grey's Anatomy, Isaiah Washington, T.R. Knight, Golden Globes)




No job... acting or otherwise is worth that crap. Sounds like the ol' communist re-education camp mentality. I would flippin' quit first.

[Yardstick]

Hey! You're hornin' in on my schtick.

[TigersEye]

Blackmail. I guess he's going to pay them off.

[an amused spectator]

Hey! You're hornin' in on my schtick.

Yours was exquisite, Yardschtick. Now, non-anonymous - let's just say it needs some work... :-)

[an amused spectator]

So, if you use the word "faggot" you have to go to some queerbait headshrink?

Yes, those in the Los Angeles gulag apparently do.