*rattles cage bars*
Jul. 12th, 2006 07:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
constanceI've been meaning to mention the Ann Coulter plagiarism scandal for the past few days, but I've hesitated because I hate her so very, very much. She is without question my pet whipping girl for the whole conservative media, and I've been afraid that anything I could write about her would be chock-full of ye olde schadenfreude, and that's not exactly the way to comment rationally, is it?
But the more time goes on, the more columnists and reporters who weigh in on this issue, the more I just don't give a shit how biased and unfair I sound. It's true that I hate her. Man, oh man, do I hate Ann Coulter, more than just about any conservative columnist I can think of, because God, at least other conservative writers have style or intelligence on their side (and sometimes they even have both); at least other conservative writers have thoughtful opinions and can speak eloquently of them. Ann Coulter is a moron who can't even put together a competent sentence, much less a cogent argument; not to mention she's one of those loathsome antifeminists who capitalize on the movement's achievements while somehow forgetting to give it credit for giving them a goddamn voice in the first place; and her politics are so incendiary, muddy, and generally wrongheaded that even other conservatives (of the more reputable sort) distance themselves from her. And she further discredits the conservative movement with nearly every sensationalist column she writes, and still people listen to her. Why, God, why?
I mean to say. Honestly. What's not to hate?
So, yeah, the stench of schadenfreude hangs over any comment I might have to make about this latest Coulter controversy. I admit it; I am reading updates and commentaries with glee. Glee, I tell you! But putting my own feelings aside, and trying to speak with as much objectivity as possible: whom do her defenders and apologists think they're kidding? It's true that there are only so many ways to report the news. But it is also true that most reporters manage to do it--indeed, are careful to do it--without "accidentally" quoting each other word for word. I've seen the evidence (albeit evidence quoted by unreliable witch-hunters from the Liberal Media), and it looks pretty irrefutable. And I'd have a lot more respect for Coulter--well, okay, a little more respect, a teensy lift in the total searing contempt I've had for her since I first saw her spewing invective all over the goddamn place--if she were to stand up now and take her licks like a person responsible for her own actions and decisions.
And now I'm just going to stop trying to be rational and go back to reading and rooting for a total career meltdown. I say to you now, if this scandal brings her down, if I never have to see her gracing the cover of a cretinous and badly-written bestseller again, I will be a very happy woman.
But the more time goes on, the more columnists and reporters who weigh in on this issue, the more I just don't give a shit how biased and unfair I sound. It's true that I hate her. Man, oh man, do I hate Ann Coulter, more than just about any conservative columnist I can think of, because God, at least other conservative writers have style or intelligence on their side (and sometimes they even have both); at least other conservative writers have thoughtful opinions and can speak eloquently of them. Ann Coulter is a moron who can't even put together a competent sentence, much less a cogent argument; not to mention she's one of those loathsome antifeminists who capitalize on the movement's achievements while somehow forgetting to give it credit for giving them a goddamn voice in the first place; and her politics are so incendiary, muddy, and generally wrongheaded that even other conservatives (of the more reputable sort) distance themselves from her. And she further discredits the conservative movement with nearly every sensationalist column she writes, and still people listen to her. Why, God, why?
I mean to say. Honestly. What's not to hate?
So, yeah, the stench of schadenfreude hangs over any comment I might have to make about this latest Coulter controversy. I admit it; I am reading updates and commentaries with glee. Glee, I tell you! But putting my own feelings aside, and trying to speak with as much objectivity as possible: whom do her defenders and apologists think they're kidding? It's true that there are only so many ways to report the news. But it is also true that most reporters manage to do it--indeed, are careful to do it--without "accidentally" quoting each other word for word. I've seen the evidence (albeit evidence quoted by unreliable witch-hunters from the Liberal Media), and it looks pretty irrefutable. And I'd have a lot more respect for Coulter--well, okay, a little more respect, a teensy lift in the total searing contempt I've had for her since I first saw her spewing invective all over the goddamn place--if she were to stand up now and take her licks like a person responsible for her own actions and decisions.
And now I'm just going to stop trying to be rational and go back to reading and rooting for a total career meltdown. I say to you now, if this scandal brings her down, if I never have to see her gracing the cover of a cretinous and badly-written bestseller again, I will be a very happy woman.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 12:52 pm (UTC)It depresses me that anybody takes her seriously. I mean, the woman wrote a book called How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Really Must) or something like that, didn't she? I mean...really, now.
But Al Franked pwned her, so that's something, anyway. And now this! I have no problem whatsoever with schadenfreude. Or with you experiencing it. Truth to tell, it is very sexy on you! :D
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 12:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 01:07 pm (UTC)ahahahahahahaha! ♥
I agree with you, every word. I mean, I can't say with any conviction that people like Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity don't make me wish I were an accomplished assassin. But Ann Coulter is in a class by herself, and I automatically discount the intelligence of anyone who gives her opinions and columns the slightest weight.
And I think that any liberal columnist who doesn't leap for the jugular on this one should be fired from the democratic party, because s/he isn't doing his/her job. So yay for Franken! >:D
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 01:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 02:39 pm (UTC)I do think that not every one of the quotes listed can be strictly described as plagiarism. But enough of them are either direct word-for-word liftings or echoings of notable turns of phrase that I think her accusers have excellent points to make.
As for Al Franken -- Telanu mentioned him in the above comment -- I've been looking around to see what, specifically, she's talking about. I mean, it's certainly no secret that he loathes Coulter in general (and has devoted many hours to the Evisceration of Her), but I want more, I'm greedy that way, and I want to see what he has to say specifically about her latest troubles. I haven't come up with anything so far, at least partly because my connection is giving me serious grief this morning (hence, too, the reason why I haven't linked to the commentaries I've mentioned above), but I'm still looking.
I also think that it was the Gawker who pointed out that it says something about how fucked up life in general is that Ann Coulter can get away with her viciousness as long as she's not being vicious in the words of other people. How sadly true.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 02:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 02:41 pm (UTC)Nice icon!
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Date: 2006-07-13 07:58 am (UTC)I kind of want to marry JD!
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Date: 2006-07-12 02:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-13 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 03:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-13 03:12 am (UTC)