The New York Times reported Sunday the three leading contenders for the Republican nomination, Sen. John McCain, Rudy Guiliani and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney denounced conservative author and commentator Ann Coulter for calling Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards a "f----t."
Ann Coulter is the author of several books, including "High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton," and "Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism." She is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel as a political commentator, and is known for her biting, often offensive criticisms of liberal and Democratic ideas, politicians and voters.
This is not the first time Coulter has been the object of criticism for her remarks, as she has made over-generalizing and offensive comments about Arabs and gays, among others.
The Lantern would first like to applaud the three Republican candidates for calling out Coulter and denouncing her counterproductive actions. Our leaders, from whatever political party, carry a burden of responsibility to encourage productive public debate and to usher in constructive discourse. When political commentators from "the left" make offensive remarks, we fully expect Democratic leaders to similarly respond.
The Lantern believes Fox News Channel and other news organizations should stop calling on Coulter as a source for political insight, as her patently offensive and derisive commentary adds little to the public discourse, and serves as mere entertainment for her fan base. The nature of her comments, though sometimes clever, are worth more for their entertainment value, and that is not the goal of journalism.
If Coulter were the spokeswoman for a political campaign, there would be relevance in interviewing her. If she were the president of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think-tank, there would be relevance in interviewing her. But she isn't. Her fame is the sole beneficiary of her actions, and large media organizations are giving her more attention than she deserves.
The Lantern is not calling for a complete ban on everything Ann Coulter. That would be antithetical to how we view the role of the news media - which is to either find the truth or the reality of situations and to tease out meaning from ideas.
If a story of particular relevance to her education, research or personal life is newsworthy, then her views may deserve attention. But the media should not be used as means by which a mean-spirited, offensive and insensitive hack gains more attention and notoriety for her own purposes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Heather
posted 3/05/07 @ 10:33 AM EST
Like most self-hating homophobes, she'll be outed soon. Personally I hope her medical records emerge and we all see verified in public what's been privately known for ages. (Continued…)
jules schwerr
posted 3/05/07 @ 10:46 AM EST
Please put a Mr. yuck sticker on her face whenever she get's to self promote herself on the world, because poison is poison no matter which form it comes in. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 3/05/07 @ 12:35 PM EST
The first amendment is a real bitch, isn't it. It protects speech that you don't like...not speech that you do.
TBDB36
tom walklet
posted 3/05/07 @ 2:42 PM EST
Interesting that you leave the condemnation of "leftist" pundits to the Dem candidates and do not criticize people such as Maher who suggests the Vice President's death would be beneficial. (Continued…)
T
posted 3/05/07 @ 4:46 PM EST
I think that this is a gross misrepresentation of what Coulter actually said. The original quote is as follows: "I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential can-didate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word fa**ot. (Continued…)
mike gwin
posted 3/05/07 @ 5:11 PM EST
When she comes on Fox News the title underneath says "Republican Strategist"...The anchors at the failing organizations (NBC,CBS,ABC) are not presented like that. (Continued…)
sumiallen
buckeye4life
posted 3/05/07 @ 8:19 PM EST
The Democrats should use Maher to represent their party the very minute Republicans use Hannity to speak on their behalf. Hannity, Coulter, and Maher are ENTERTAINERS. (Continued…)
Dana
posted 3/05/07 @ 9:00 PM EST
Cheney has been acting in ways detrimental to the wellbeing of the United States for decades. While I would not go so far to say that his death would improve matters for America, certainly we would be better off if he would leave politics entirely, and that includes acting in an advisory capacity. (Continued…)
BuckeyeGuy
posted 3/06/07 @ 5:17 AM EST
Just a question...Why do people think Cheney is so "evil"? I know its just your typical left wing talking point but I want to know what he did... Is there any kid on campus that is aware the Vice President has no power other than President of the Senate? His vote is only used in rare circumstances to settle ties, in which case he's no more "evil" than the other 100 members. (Continued…)
OldAlumnus
posted 3/06/07 @ 9:52 AM EST
Why do people think Cheney is so "evil"?
Let us count the ways...
His votes against sanctioning South Africa's apartheid regime - his specious argument was the unilateral sanctions don't work, although most of Europe already had sanctions in place. (Continued…)
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