Ann Coulter Explained

August 26, 2002 1:32 PM

Ann Coulter Explained For the benefit of members of the Left who just don't seem to get it, I offer a link to a short but pithy analysis of Miss Coulter's appeal.
posted by BGM (57 comments total)

That pith-es me off.
posted by ColdChef at 1:34 PM on August 26, 2002

Welcome to CoulterFilter.
posted by owillis at 1:35 PM on August 26, 2002

Yet there she still is enduring on the tightrope, however threadbare it may be by now, her long-limbed signature silhouette poised precariously aloft, riverine blonde locks riffled by the breeze and legs coltishly pirouetting above the shark pool.

Heh. *pluck*
posted by ColdChef at 1:37 PM on August 26, 2002

I can't help but wonder if the WSJ would have been so accomodating if someone like Michael Moore had said something like, "My only regret is that W wasn't breakfasting at Windows on the World that day."
posted by TCMITS at 1:40 PM on August 26, 2002

I'm glad to finally see someone defending Coulter - not because I am at all in line with her point of view, but rather because I've never heard a coherent explanation from someone who is. Nevertheless, this guy is putting words in her mouth - if she really said all those things about swarthy men and forcibly converting Muslim countries in jest, why didn't she say so? Nor is she nearly as thick-skinned as he'd like; she went on a self-defensive rampage after the NR dumped her. What he fails to do is explain what she's trying to defend - after all, race discrimination is hardly a part of mainstream conservatism. Nothing he says, in fact, undermines her critics' argument that she's simply doing whatever it takes to stay in the spotlight.
posted by risenc at 1:43 PM on August 26, 2002

So, according to Mr. Kaylan's logic, the next time I make an incredibly stereotypical, racist and imperialistic statement out in the open, the end result of my ass getting canned won't be my fault. Rather, I'll be a victim of a conspiracy trying to "shut me out." After all, I didn't mean it, it was just a flight of fancy.
posted by thewittyname at 1:43 PM on August 26, 2002

Huh...I woulda sworn the problem sane people have with Coulter is how outrageously she lies in her footnotes, not her hyperbole.
posted by jbrjake at 1:44 PM on August 26, 2002

watching Miss Coulter survive tenaciously on the tightrope,

survive tenaciously?
she trolled her way to best-sellerdom, that's not bad given her not impressive intellect (we've many times here debated her habit of refusing to answer to hard questions: "I'm here to discuss my book! my book! my book!"
I've read her impeachment book, so bad it was almost pathethic. I don't mind intelligent right wing nuts who know about law and politics. but she's not like that, she's a media-savvy right wing intellectual lightweight troll who's good on tv

TCMITS
Exactly, bro. Amen
posted by matteo at 1:45 PM on August 26, 2002

Ah, you guys are just pissed 'cause you all got little wee-wees and she won't do ya.
posted by Pressed Rat at 1:47 PM on August 26, 2002

The difference between Miss Coulter's and the Black Panthers' fuming is surely very clear. They meant it literally, bombs and all. Miss Coulter, on the other hand, acts out her thoughts in a kind of "what if" political theater, a tongue-in-cheek agitprop, and believes that most Americans understand the difference.

I'm reminded of Andrew Dice Clay's claims of "It's just a character" when the backlash against him started. BS then, BS now. Though in fairness it's not Ms. Coulter herself saying this. In unfairness to her, I personally think she's a dumb lying histrionic troll. Ugly too.

And what risenc said.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:47 PM on August 26, 2002

I find it strange how writers glom onto pundits' and politicians' physicality so much. Rush is/was a "big fat idiot", Bush looks like "a chimp", Clinton was "tubby", and Ann's apparently got a "signature silhouette". Fat or thin, someone's gonna give you shit about how you look. Seems like there is plenty fodder for debate without resorting to making cracks about how people look.
posted by mathowie at 1:47 PM on August 26, 2002

Wow: an entire column that could be summed up as "Ignorance Is Bliss".
posted by riviera at 1:49 PM on August 26, 2002

ooooh ok. so "lefties" don't like her because she's a gifted media manipulator?
posted by mcsweetie at 1:50 PM on August 26, 2002

In unfairness to her, I personally think she's a dumb lying histrionic troll. Ugly too.

And with a few minutes of consideration, I wish I'd cut that part, in light of my earlier whining about signal:noise problem in these threads.

*gives self a timeout*
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:53 PM on August 26, 2002

For the benefit of members of the Left who just don't seem to get it

Actually, my theory is Ol' Anne is a left-wing double-agent, because nobody since Limbaugh has done more to turn reasonable people away from conservatism. NTM, given reasonable conservatives a harder row to hoe.
posted by jonmc at 1:53 PM on August 26, 2002

mathowie,
one famous one-liner in this genre is "JFK was Clinton minus pervasive media scrutiny and a few rolls of flab", by James Ellroy

but celebrities -- major and minor as well --with obviously noticeable physical traits (Rush's and Ann Thrax's weight, or Letterman's teeth, or bad hair transplants/rugs, or combovers like Giuliani) are a godmine for commentators in search of an allegedly witty line. pundits are tv personalities and so it happens a lot for them too
posted by matteo at 1:56 PM on August 26, 2002

Reminds me of the Wiggins.
posted by ODiV at 1:58 PM on August 26, 2002

If this guy had actually defended her positions or justified her venomous attacks against everyone and everything not in agreement with her and her lifestyle, as opposed to just raising her on a pedastal and bowing down to her, and claiming that she was only tossing off racist jokes and dreams of violence in jest, maybe I'd have learned something. This does nothing to let me know where she's coming from or what her points of view are. It just points out how, exactly, she is a troll.
posted by Ufez Jones at 1:59 PM on August 26, 2002

Fat or thin, someone's gonna give you shit about how you look

Very true; you can't win. If Andrea Dworkin looked like Anne Coulter and vice-versa (for the record, I'd take earthy Andrea any day, if she'd have me, which she mercifully woudn't) all you'd have to do is switch around the epithets.

his is one of the most disagreeable (almost fascistoid) features of American culture, which MetaFilter does such a great job of reproducing and amplifying. It just carries on from the playground. The British do it too but they're more subtle.

In continental Europe any remark about someone's looks in any context other than the movies would be instantly pitied. Nya nya nya nya! ;)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 2:00 PM on August 26, 2002

Ann Coulter explained by James Lileks, after her statement, "My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York Times Building":

I think most anti-idiotarians have written her off - if they didn’t dislike her for other reasons already - and have no desire to be associated with her. They smell a publicity seeker, a tone-deaf anvil-whacker: Yeah, Anne, Whatever. Well, let me be on record that this is an appalling and inexcusable remark, and it turns my stomach. Of course she was being outrageous to make a point, but it was a stupid point, stupidly made, and it has the effect of making those indifferent to her presence in the ranks wish she would dry up and blow away. McVeigh blew up a fucking daycare center, Anne; that ought to be your main regret, not that he failed to drive a shard of glass through Maureen Dowd’s eyesocket.


No doubt some on the left winced when Mikey Moore agonized over the terrorists’ decision to strike New York, because it hadn’t voted for Bush. Same thing. Cheap shot, loud mouth, small mind.

posted by rcade at 2:04 PM on August 26, 2002

In continental Europe any remark about someone's looks in any context other than the movies would be instantly pitied. Nya nya nya nya! ;)
Are you kidding Miguel? What about the British tabloids? Even the Times?
Do you consider British press subtle when it comes to fat/thin/bad hair/ugly/short jokes? Jeez
posted by matteo at 2:05 PM on August 26, 2002

Go, Lileks! Come on, somebody try to call him a knee-jerk leftie. I dare you!
posted by Fenriss at 2:07 PM on August 26, 2002

Whaddya rate the chances of getting Arundhati Roy and Anne Coulter in a Thunderdome-style face-off?

Best. Pay-per-view. Ever.
posted by UncleFes at 2:07 PM on August 26, 2002

And, Miguel, you forget the huge controversy -- with lawsuits -- about Gerhard Schroeder's alleged hair colorist?
posted by matteo at 2:08 PM on August 26, 2002

Matteo: Please note that Miquel said continental Europe.
posted by Fenriss at 2:08 PM on August 26, 2002

Aside from the article being an apologistic load of crap, he didn't even get the Dr. Johnson quote right. It referred to dogs standing one their hind legs.
posted by gordian knot at 2:09 PM on August 26, 2002

In her America, political and personal, even ethnic quips get thrown about with abandon in fierce raillery, everybody laughs about it afterwards and the country is none the worse for wear.

Well, I guess as long as everybody is laughing. Oh, wait a minute, it's only "her" America.
posted by eddydamascene at 2:09 PM on August 26, 2002

I may be a confirmed "leftie" but I read Lileks every day.
I like his writing. He makes intelligent arguments for his views, even if I don't always agree with him. He keeps me centered if you know what I mean.
posted by TCMITS at 2:09 PM on August 26, 2002

fenriss
read the second post
ps want me to take a geography test? I'm ready
I'll give you a 10 point lead
and also I think Miguel is able to defend himself, God knows if he can post comments here
posted by matteo at 2:11 PM on August 26, 2002

"...on their hind legs." I swear I corrected it, but it didn't take. Blame the software.
posted by gordian knot at 2:11 PM on August 26, 2002

I'd never heard of Ann Coulter before, somehow I missed this. But damn, she's mean. Kinda pretty though. She looks like fun I always liked women I could have a good a screaming match with.
posted by elwoodwiles at 2:16 PM on August 26, 2002

McVeigh blew up a fucking daycare center, Anne

Didn't he blow up a lot more than that?
posted by ODiV at 2:16 PM on August 26, 2002

It seems whenever bullies get called out, their first defense is: "I was only kidding."

To Coulter's credit, however, I'm betting she wouldn't think too highly of this analysis of her motivations. I get the impression she's dead serious, and last time I checked there was nothing wrong with my sense of humor.
posted by frykitty at 2:17 PM on August 26, 2002

I'd never heard of Ann Coulter before,

A new definition for the Metafilter newbie debate!
"Who's a newbie? Somebody who never heard of Ann Coulter before"

As oliver pointed out, this place often becomes CoulterFilter
posted by matteo at 2:19 PM on August 26, 2002

Coulter? I hardly even know 'er!
posted by ColdChef at 2:21 PM on August 26, 2002

I'm kinda confused by all the sycophantic drooling and leaps of logic in that editorial. Is Kaylan just trying to get laid, or what?

"You have a great sense of humor, honey, especially when telling jokes about religious oppression and the possibility of mass murder."

"You're not like other women, dear. You're guilt free, no matter what you propose."

"Come to me, my statuesque and daring beauty. Everyone loves your whit, despite their cries to the contrary. They're jealous of you, you're rebelliousness, you're visions of beautiful white America. In their hate, they love you. Let me love you more."

This wasn't an op-ed piece; it was a friggin love letter.
posted by Wulfgar! at 2:28 PM on August 26, 2002

As oliver pointed out, this place often becomes CoulterFilter


Totally completely aside: matteo, you do realize that there may be newer folks here who don't know who Oliver is, don't you? (Hey, I think everybody ought to know who owillis is, but ... I'm just sayin') (/aside)
posted by Wulfgar! at 2:34 PM on August 26, 2002

She is supposedly dating a man Middle Eastern extraction, whom she had a complete security check performed on, so as soon as I read the by line MELIK KAYLAN and about his writing a book about Pakistan I wondered if the author was her boyfriend.

Inquiring minds want to know.
posted by filchyboy at 2:38 PM on August 26, 2002

So long as we're discussing acid-tongued blonde conservative tartlets, let's not forget the lovely Laura Ingraham.
posted by UncleFes at 2:39 PM on August 26, 2002

wulfgar
yeah, it's a bad habit, i know -- like people who called holgate nick and so forth, it also appeared in a few metatalk threads, it can be confusing

but, in this case, a new user can check out who said Coulter Filter, then learn who oliver/owillis is. their lives will be happier
posted by matteo at 2:47 PM on August 26, 2002

frykitty: "It seems whenever bullies get called out, their first defense is: 'I was only kidding.'" ... "I get the impression she's dead serious."

I'm not an Ann Coulter fan, and find her remarks indefensible. But you don't honestly think she literally meant that she would like everyone at the New York Times building to die, do you? Now that's a stretch. Hate her all you want, but recognize hyperbole when you see it.
posted by pardonyou? at 2:49 PM on August 26, 2002

In her America, political and personal, even ethnic quips get thrown about with abandon in fierce raillery, everybody laughs about it afterwards and the country is none the worse for wear.

Yet the mere existence of liberals is unbearable to her. Amazing how patchy that thick skin of hers is.
posted by argybarg at 2:49 PM on August 26, 2002

filchyboy, I'm really not tryin' to snark on ya here, but Istanbul is in Turkey.
posted by Wulfgar! at 2:54 PM on August 26, 2002

Ha ha ha! An Ann Coulter FPP.
They don't allow trout fishing with worms 'cause it's too damn easy!
posted by HTuttle at 3:07 PM on August 26, 2002

I realize that. Did I mention Istanbul?
posted by filchyboy at 3:08 PM on August 26, 2002

I can't help but wonder if the WSJ would have been so accomodating if someone like Michael Moore had said something like, "My only regret is that W wasn't breakfasting at Windows on the World that day." posted by TCMITS at 1:40 PM PST on August 26

Just have to repeat it v
posted by Slimemonster at 3:09 PM on August 26, 2002

From the love letter linked above, he says: Why would anybody even pretend to believe that Ms. Coulter wishes any real harm to the New York Times or wishes to convert all Muslims forcibly to Christianity (a post-9/11 flight of fancy that got her fired from National Review)?

Well, Mr. Kaylan...here's why nobody thinks it was a "flight of fancy".

In a column titled "This Is War", Coulter stated:

"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity."

Those words created an uproar on the National Review web site, which refused to run a follow-up piece in which Coulter singled out what she called "swarthy males."

Coulter began bad-mouthing National Review, which responded by firing her as a contributing editor.

Coulter remains unrepentant, telling Howard Kurtz at the Washington Post: "If National Review has no spine, they are not my allies," Coulter said yesterday. "I really don't need friends like that. Every once in awhile they'll throw one of their people to the wolves to get good press in left-wing publications."

Coulter also said: National Review Editor Rich Lowry and his deputies "are just girly-boys."

From the Post story: In any event, Coulter doesn't believe the controversy is hurting her. "Frankly, I'm getting a lot of great publicity," she says.

As media whores go, she's among the best...but a whore is still just a whore. Even when they bring their own pearls.
posted by dejah420 at 3:40 PM on August 26, 2002

Ann Coulter is my hero. Thank god she had so many references in her book. Otherwise, liberals would be lying about what she said and exactly how true it was. As it stands they're just upset that she's acting as outrageously as they do. And this is basically what the WSJ article was about.

good FPP BGM

The post above about the New York Times is basically about the same phenomenon of liberal repression of conservative argument in the major media outlets.
posted by paleocon at 3:55 PM on August 26, 2002

Off topic, but someone suggested something kind of interesting to me recently. That Coulter was actually secretly a strong liberal supporter, and was playing the right wing zealot card so forcefully that most people in the middle would automatically drift away from her.

Not unlike the Reverend Gerald Hutchens in The Last Supper

Seriously unlikely, but an entertaining theory nonetheless.
posted by quin at 4:01 PM on August 26, 2002

Ann Coulter is my hero.

I didn't see any liberals calling for the death of more innocent New Yorkers. Your choice in heroes reveals your very flawed character.
posted by anildash at 4:05 PM on August 26, 2002

Thank god she had so many references in her book

Yep, I'm pretty thankful. She made many allegations that were contradicted by those very references. One of my faves: she alleged that the New York Times didn't put Dale Earnhardt's death on their front page immediately. Wrong. And this wasn't just a tiny error made in passing: she spent some time on the subject.

I posted several links to investigations of many, many errors in her references here a few days ago.
posted by maudlin at 4:07 PM on August 26, 2002

Reminds me of the Wiggins.

Reminds me of the Wiggums.
posted by inpHilltr8r at 4:22 PM on August 26, 2002

Hero. n. 1. In mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. 2. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war. 3. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field: the heroes of medicine.

Why do you consider Coulter a hero, paleocon? I really am curious. Why do you think she's someone to look up to? Feel free to reply here or e-mail me privately.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:22 PM on August 26, 2002

Shared the green room at Fox news with her a couple of weeks back and did not recognise her. That whole "TV adds ten pounds" thing is true, she looked practically anorexic.

I'm sort of glad I didn't recognise her, because I wouldn't have done anything if I had and would have kicked myself for it ever afterward. She's a troll and a harpy and I don't for a minute believe that she is being tongue-in-cheek. It's not the tongue, it's the shaft, and we're talkin' a different set of cheeks here. She's a controversy vampire, and the concerns of liberals and --for the most part-- the sound sleep of reasonable conservatives are the jugulars she sups at. And that is enough typing energy wasted on her for one lifetime.
posted by umberto at 10:26 PM on August 26, 2002

Shez a B***H... Every time I see her on TV or hear her on radio, I give her a chance and listen to what she has to say, And every time I do, I kick myself in the end for doing so. Shez a B***H.

On another note there is a theory she is a Transexual ???.
posted by adnanbwp at 11:02 AM on August 27, 2002

pardonyou?:

I'm not an Ann Coulter fan, and find her remarks indefensible. But you don't honestly think she literally meant that she would like everyone at the New York Times building to die, do you?

Um, she said it didn't she? As someone who's rantings are widely read, am I not supposed to take her at her word? I guess I must go get a telepathic sarcasm filter installed, shouldn't I?

Rave on Ann! You're doing a fabulous job driving intelligent people away from mad dog conservatism.

I for one appreciate it!
posted by mark13 at 1:27 PM on August 27, 2002

An apocryphal version of a famous Dr. Johnson remark about women preachers has come down to us as rather nuanced in its meaning....In this version, the remark is not intended to be boorish or unchivalrous -- but simply to illustrate something so unexpected as to be startling, perhaps so startling as to border on spectacle.

What planet is this writer from? Every other time I have seen this saying quoted in my life, it has been meant as an insult. It's about as nuanced as Churchill's "Madam, in the morning I shall be sober" remark.
posted by redshoes3 at 3:36 PM on August 27, 2002