I find it very troubling that conservative commentators are so offended by a few harsh words for our sworn enemies.
During her standing-room-only speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last Friday, Ann Coulter made some rather blunt remarks about Muslims that have offended listeners on the left and right alike.
Yesterday on The American Spectator website, in an article by David Hogberg entitled “Not Funny,” Ms. Coulter was even tarred as a “racist,” and castigated for damaging the “conservative movement” with her incendiary rhetoric. She also was blamed for “ruining” this year’s CPAC.
As someone who attended CPAC and heard Ms. Coulter’s speech, let me begin by flatly denying that Ms. Coulter’s speech “ruined” CPAC. There were a multitude of intelligent and informative speakers at this year’s CPAC — including Dick Cheney, John Bolton, George Will, Phyllis Schlafly, Mark Krikorian, John Fund, Ramesh Ponnuru, Oliver North, Gov. Rick Perry (TX), Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY), Newt Gingrich, and many others — whose contributions to a robust political debate were not lessened in the least by what Ms. Coulter said, or how she said it. CPAC is not a one-woman show. To suggest otherwise is, itself, a denigration of the conservative movement.
Moreover, the expressions of shock! shock! at Ms. Coulter’s incendiary remarks ring especially hollow, given that Ms. Coulter is the author of the most (in)famous commentary on 9/11: “We know who the homicidal maniacs are. They are the ones cheering and dancing right now. We should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them to Christianity.” Nothing she said on Friday — in which she referred to our Islamic enemies by the derogatory term “rag heads” — compares to this statement.
I agree, of course, that it is not nice to refer to people with crude ethnic epithets. I also agree that Ms. Coulter’s remarks, if broadly construed, are potentially unfair to Muslims who do not share our enemies’ values and ambitions.
Nevertheless, only the most abstruse, self-righteous person (which includes the two young men who challenged Ms. Coulter during the question and answer period) would believe that Ms. Coulter was referring to “all” Muslims in her remarks. She quite clearly was addressing the radical Islamists who have declared war on the United States and its allies — and who are aggressively fighting that war, while we in the West debate the finer points of free speech.
Indeed, Ms. Coulter’s speech is the latest example of western political humor deemed offensive to Muslims that “sensitive” Westerners –- including conservatives who should know better –- rush to criticize, so as to demonstrate what decent people they are. Apparently, these Westerners believe that the way to “win the hearts and minds” of Muslims is to show them how willing we are to demonize the very people who are standing up to the radical Islamist bullying and terrorism that is going on across the globe. How utterly naïve.
At the risk of being labelled a “racist” myself, I confess I find it very troubling that conservative commentators like Mr. Hogberg are so offended by a few harsh words for our sworn enemies. Let us not forget that these enemies, who are committed to a way of life that is antithetical to our own, have killed thousands of our fellow citizens and would gladly kill millions more.
How can it be that calling these enemies “rag heads” is so intolerable, but killing them by the hundreds and thousands in Iraq and elsewhere is deserving of praise? After all, we on the Right (and center) loudly applaud President Bush whenever he speaks of “destroying” our enemies. But Ann Coulter calling them “rag heads” is going too far? This is a ridiculous example of political correctness run amok. But “politically correct warfare” is an oxymoron, and a foolish and self-defeating way to fight a war.
"Rag-head" is a convenient racial slur to describe the enemies of the U.S.A. We can blow them up,
but, man-oh-man, don't call them names??!? Come on, people. War is hell… call them names,
shoot them, bomb them, stab them, take their stuff, nuke them… that's what war is all about.
Now we bomb and negotiate… bomb and rebuild, bomb and then bring food.
Screw that. Let's just go to it and be done with. Everyone should stop being so sensitive and learn
to destroy an enemy without mercy or remorse. Otherwise, kiss America goodbye.
Don't believe it? Whatever helps you sleep at night…
Many years ago, in response to a comment regading the offense nature of some of the comedic skits of the Monty python troupe, actor John Cleese remarked, "there are some people one should wish to offend!" I couldn't agreee more. I love Ann Coulter, she can sit on my face anytime!!!
From the Canadian Press
Sat Feb 18 2006,
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) – Nigerian Muslims protesting against caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad attacked Christians and burned churches Saturday, killing at least 15 people in the deadliest confrontation yet in the whirlwind of Muslim anger over the drawings.
It was the first major protest to erupt over the issue in Africa's most-populous country. Mobs of Muslim protesters swarmed through the city centre of Maiduguri with machetes, sticks and iron rods. One group threw a tire around a man, poured gas on him and set him ablaze.
…
Anyone still offended by the word rag-head?
If you are still offended then you better check yourself in the nearest health clinic, or you better move to the Middle East where you will fit in nicely.
A Danish political cartoonist's artwork implies that Islam may not be a "religion of peace".
In response, Muslims place a petrol-soaked tire around an innocent Christian man and burn him alive. With machetes, they hack to death, other innocent Christians including children, during an orgy of murder and arson. How dare anyone imply that Islam is not peaceful! Ann Coulter should give these peace-loving people the respect and dignity they deserve.
DebO,
To suggest that Ann Coulter is not an intellectual simply because she speaks the truth with force, is simply sticking your head in the sand. This is typical of Democrats: I disagree with you, therefore, you are ignorant. That's how they tried to paint Reagan, that's how they still portray W., and that's another reason why they have lost election after election.
To suggest that she is bitter simply betrays a willful blindness to her amazing sense of humor, wit, and linguistic mastery.
Lastly, as a matter of perspective, Democrats' most precious sacrament, abortion, is responsible for more deaths than Hitler and al-Qaida combined, so maybe "sworn enemies" is rather appropriate for those who want to protect innocent life.
Remember the old blonde joke, “What do intelligent blondes and UFO’s have in common? We hear a lot about how they really exist but we have yet to see one!” Well, Ann is proof that UFOs do exist! First, she is hot! Second, she got brain cells! Third, she knows how to use those brain cells! Fourth, did I mention she’s hot! OH! Please excuse my hormonal distractions…the only bad this about Ann is that she is a lawyer, but I can forgive and over look her youthful indiscretions. (That was a joke folks, calm down!!)
Ann is dead on the mark with her comments about the Muslim terrorists. And although I have no problem with folks who have a different opinion, I do oppose those folks who are ignorant of what the Muslim world is trying to tell us. Ann just got it right and or she understands what the Muslim world is trying to tell us. Maybe we should listen a little closer to the Muslim world also, we might learn a thing or tow about them and their intentions.
Of Hyperbole & Slander… one Christian’s perspective.
Whether or not Ann Coulter’s unkind comments toward the widows of 9-11 slanders them, will be a matter for lesser courts; but her ongoing and arguably un-Christian self-promotion through hateful hyperbole, perhaps calculated for maximum fame and profit, belies the crucifix she wears around her neck, and slanders our Christ, whose love and sacrifice it represents. As Christians, we will love Ann, but must challenge her words and actions, when they are so contrary to our Lord’s example, and could threaten the inheritance of so many. For the sake of our children, who look toward our example and what we value and reward, we must stand up, and speak out.
Ann’s compassionate conservatism was contrasted by her vitriol, in recent television interviews. Regrettably, her style and manner remains consistent, buoyed no doubt by monetary reward and celebrity. Is this what we, regardless our religion or politics, hope to stand for? Is this what we choose to reward? Is this the legacy we would leave for our children?
I could not take my eyes off the beautiful cross around her neck, and wonder its effect on those who might otherwise be attracted to life through the Lord. I pray that if she is to continue to wear a cross in venues where so many can see and hear her, she would act in a way that brings more people to God, than repels them, and that she reflects peace and light in her life. For all of us who might be attracted to the attacks and divisiveness that our society now seems to crave and reward, it would be better to study the life and teachings of Christ, and pray for the wisdom and strength to pattern our lives closer to His.
We are taught to know a thing by the fruit it bears, and too much is but bitter and poisonous. None of us can be perfect, but all of us can be better than this. And when we fail, as we all do at times, nothing goes further than a sincere apology.