Posted on 10/12/2007 3:26:26 PM PDT by ChicagoHebrew
I've seen a significant amount of support on this board for Ann Coulter's recent comments on CNBC. Let me explain why that support is misplaced:
First, as an initial matter, I don't think Coulter's comments about Jews needing to be "perfected" are offensive at all. As an observant Jew, I obviously don't agree with Coulter. But Coulter's remarks here clearly represent standard Christian belief, and it's wrong and intolerant to condemn someone for her basic religious beliefs (provided, of course, that those beliefs don't cause one to do things like blow up Israeli school children or crash airplanes into buildings).
That being said, Coulter said more than standard Christian dogma. In explaining why the 2004 GOP convention was "like heaven," Coulter said "People were happy. They're Christian. They're tolerant. They defend America." That's flatly wrong and blatantly offensive -- attendees at the GOP convention included Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics and adherents of several other faiths. In defining the Republican Convention (and, tacitly) the Republican Party as Christian-only, Coulter has done a tremendous disservice to Republicans and conservatives in general. The fact of the matter is that you don't have to be Christian to believe in things like small government, strong national security, legal fidelity to the constitution, and basic moral values. No one here should defend attempts to define conservatism or the Republican Party as limited to believing Christians. . .
As an aside, please don't let this thread be dominated with replies trying to "convince" me that Christianity is right. Suffice it to say that I have heard and rejected every single one of those arguments. But, as is the nature of being a 1% minority, I -- like most Jews -- get missionized quite frequently, which we find very irritating. Kind of like door-to-door salesmen who keep showing up a few times a week and don't always take a polite "no" for an answer.
Theologically, I agree with her. Politically, it was stupid.
What is an “un-observant” Jew?????????
That's an exaggeration of what she said.
For the record, I stopped paying attention to Ann a long time ago. She makes too many outrageous statements that really are not helpful to the conservative cause.
Coulter appears to be a juvenile ditz who has difficulty coming up with substance and reverts to adolescent retorts (such as If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans with Coulter making a 'modelesque' pose on the cover).
That stated, Coulter isn't all that crazy. This is just another case of pointing out somewhat superficial or partial flaws in subjects which are generally supported.
She was following her faith. It is not aligned with yours. Such is history and such is the future. Don’t take it personally, eh?
Try this out on DU. Dont be ignorant. You remind me of a lib.
Like most of us do if offended, get over it. Disagreement is a human condition.
Christians get it socked to them daily, including here.
No one has a right to not be offended. I am not up for condemnation of too many people other than, perverts, liberal appeasers, and Islamo fascists. Words don’t kill.
Ann uses extreme comments to draw attention. It sells books and keeps her on TV and in the talk show circuit. I’m no fan at all. I prefer to change the channel when I see her on TV.
I wouldn’t think of missionizing you. I’d just appreciate it if you didn’t missionize us.
When you’re in a group that is 70-80% Jewish, do you find it highly offensive when a speaker addresses the crowd as if all the peopole were Jewish?
I’ve been in situations like that, and it wasn’t particularly alarming to me. I chose to enter a venue knowing I was the minority, and I realized what I might hear going in. Big deal.
Ann is a good person and I like her. I don’t find this problematic.
BTW, if you are of a mind to let this sour you on consevatives, you better think long and hard about who your friends are. And I can guarantee you Ann Coulter would line up behind you in seconds if a threat against the Jews were to rear it’s ugly head. I certainly can’t say that for other goups out there.
Think long and hard about who you saw parading around with Yasser Arafat, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez. They weren’t conservatives my friend, and it certainly wasn’t Ann Coulter.
>>>That’s an exaggeration of what she said.
BTTT
Off to buy another copy of her book, or two. I have them all; but I will need more now to support her.
Ann said what she did to get a rise out of the person she was speaking to. I had a friend who used to say, "Guns for the Arabs; Sneakers for the Jews," to me. It was a joke. Judge these people by their actions and how they treat us.
Shabbat shalom.
ML/NJ
Sardonic is the operative word here.
I’ll stick with Anne, but thanks just the same.....
Is it OK if we pray for you, our beloved elder brethren?
:^)
you post a thread like this here, and then tell us what we can post? Unbelievable.
Republicans are a more secular bunch, as you've practically stated, with adherents of a variety of faiths.
Also, while Christians would overwhelmingly tend to be 'socially' conservative, they may also be fiscally and otherwise politically liberal.
You are vastly over-reacting.
You have done a very good job of explaining why this particular remark by Ann Coulter was unwise and unhelpful.
I take exception to the call to condemn people for such things. You did precisely what was necessary...you explained why you took exception to the remarks and explained in sensible language why.
There is just way too much of the condemning and denouncing going on. It doesn’t bring people around to one’s way of thinking or seeing things.
You mean, you’re asking for this without even posting pictures? Wow, you’re way off.
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