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Ann Coulter is not a tasteless, trouble-making, uninformed, clueless bimbo, though she often plays one on TV.
At least that's what we were led to believe during a nearly ten minute, extended Wikipedia-style introduction of the lawyer-turned-talking head at USC's Annenberg Auditorium.
"I’ve never seen such a friendly crowd at a college campus," Coulter beamed as the standing-room audience of about 250 settled down after the majority greeted her with a standing ovation.
Coulter was invited by the USC College Republicans to speak for Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week but all she really seemed interested in was selling her latest book, which apparently conflates defeating terrorists with taking out "liberals."
Coulter's 45-minute presentation elicited many laughs, loud cheers and roars of approval, although plenty of her statements made little sense no matter their relation to fact. The only subdued groan from the middle of the room came when Coulter stated: "If the terrorists were to take [Nancy Pelosi] hostage they wouldn’t even have to blindfold her."
Coulter finds it ludicrous that "liberals" are so adamant about capturing Osama bin Laden. "Arresting Osama is like saying if we put Kenny Rogers in jail, country music would end."
Terrorism is everywhere, and, the terrorists -- not unlike these "liberals," according to Coulter -- want to do nothing but kill Americans and their training ground is Iraq. To say that Iraq didn't attack America on 9/11 is to surrender to the terrorists, she added.
Her presentation was so disconnected and wrought with contradictions and fabrications attributed to imagined sources such as "Czech intelligence," with deliberately rhythmic punchlines, it seemed only natural for the rational part of one's brain to shut down and giggle along.
Perhaps most disturbing was Coulter's predilection for name-calling and self-serving statements which obfuscated any sense of humanity -- our troops in Iraq are mentioned only by number, as if they are merely expendable devices to protect the homeland and secure "victory." Casualties are going down, she said, adding that at this rate, "only 6,000" American soldiers will have to die in Iraq to assure us of 10 full years without "another 9/11."
Speaking unchallenged, for an adoring crowd, Coulter came off as a quick-witted humorist with a simple, albeit delusional black&white view of the world. Nobody dared step up to the mike during the 30 minute Q&A without prefacing their question with: "My name's Mark and I am a very proud conservative..."
Equally uninspiring were the protesters who gathered outside the north entrance of the Annenberg School during Coulter's two hour stint. While signs protesting the war and many of Coulter's more controversial statements are a welcome sight, the effort put forth to protest Coulter plays into her schtick. Event the public safety officers monitoring the protesters were busting up laughing.
As the ethos of the so-called Conservative Right and that of a black-and-white, two party political system wears thin and Coulter's adoring minions have their final last laugh, perhaps they'll come to see the Coulter charade (not unlike much of the programming on Fox News) as little more than a crude joke -- the kind of entertainment that amounts to constantly deriding and bullying the smart kids in class.
Photos and video by Andy Sternberg for LAist.
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great job andy!!
Talk about taking one for the team.
Ann Coulters crazy rants are akin to the celebrity crotch shot. Every time there is something to sell, just throw one out there and wait for the frenzy. She is becoming a sad parody of herself, and everything reeks of such desperation. Kinda like Andrew Dice Clay when he began his downfall.
isnt it fascinating how conservatives hate Hillary more than Osama Bin Laden?
they have zero interest in capturing/killing/finding the dude responsible for 9/11 - yet all they ever want to spend money to prevent another 9/11
Just clicked over to the permalink for the original Oct 23rd post about this. What appeared at the top of the page? A banner ad for Coulter's mailing list. Nice one, LAist.
Coulter is in show business; it's a shame they invited her. She'll divert attention away from an important issue: Islam's current trend toward strict Qu'ranic interpretation and the contemporary leaders who want to enforce its true totalitarian nature upon the whole wide world.
So, Tony, you really think that conservatives hate Hillarity more than Osama and have zero interest in finding him? What delusional planet are you on? Gee, I guess all the special forces guys and American troops over in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border are just over there for tea and crumpets. One goofy goat-fucker is not the top priority in the GWOT. Judging from his last audio tape, he's desperate and marginalized. I gather you also think spending money on preventing another 9/11 is a waste. So, in your world, let's go after one man and ignore the rest of the threats. Typical liberal rhetoric. Pointless and ill-informed.
Well, Neo, there's still the small matter of holding Bin Laden to account for 9/11 as well as the other attacks he planned and funded. Strange that an apparent conservative would be so dismissive of the concept of criminal justice.
However, the larger issue is that if there had been appropriate energy spent to plan and execute the initial hunt for Bin Laden with some competence and diligence, rather than diluting our resources by fighting an unjust and largely irrelevant war in Iraq, we could actually have reduced the threat of terrorism worldwide, rather than having fueled global anti-Americanism and having inspired the radicalization of hundreds of thousands of Islamic men.
I give you credit for chutzpah, though. It must take an iron will to easily dismiss "liberal rhetoric" with a straight face after six years of conservative rhetoric, combined with conservative action carrying out conservative policy, has led us inextricably down this particular hell hole.
yes, clearly anyone who dares to question bush or ann coulter, who never ever seemed to want to find OBL is a "liberal".
oh if life was that simple, you simple man.
If Kenny Rogers was responsible for a specific act that caused the death of thousands of people I would want him "brought to justice" even if it wouldn't bring country music to an end. Even Bill Maher doesn't stick up for Ann Coulter anymore because you can only respect someone who has a political stance opposite to yours if they aren't bat shit crazy. Hopefully, TarPitRob is correct and the hyperbole that is her shtick will be her downfall sooner rather than later. I've said it before: Vagina Dentata!
oh man, did you have to say it again, pg? ;-)
I agree with you though -- to ever say "we've defeated the terrorists" is like saying "punk is dead."
Famous last words either way.
Well all I can say is that Team Liberal has better looking trannys. Get that "woman" a bag. She has a "Bob Roberts" kind of vibe, but much much uglier ...and no songs. Maybe she needs some songs.
I keep waiting for the big reveal when it's acknowledged that this is a performance art piece.
If the "west side" (of civilization) can ever stop trying to fight "a war" on terror, maybe we could improve the situation that has progressively become much worse over the last 20 years to the tipping point of 9/11. Why don't people understand that you can't fight fire with guns? The more we kill, the more extremist recruit...
Ted Koppel did a 20/20 special which is fairly bipartisan and a lot of people in it suggest that the "war on terror" is decades from completion.
Andy's "punk is Dead" analogy is spot on, nice article, I would have been escorted out for laughing outside the "applause signs" appearances.
Hypothetically: "O wait, she's serious, I thought this was a comedy routine..." -(me on my way out the door)
btw, lay off The Roaster people! What the hell did he do to you. =p
nice one Andy, we definitely owe you one
So why didn't Andy Sternberg mention how Ann Coulter was asked about (and then was given copies of) the Mearsheimer and Walt book (see www.israellobbybook.com) and James Bamford's 'A Pretext for War' book which both convey that the pro-Israel lobby (JINSA, PNAC, AEI, AIPAC, etc.) pushed US to attack Iraq and is now doing similar to get US to attack Iran. How many 18-26 year-olds (at USC as well?!) want to be drafted when Iran is attacked next for Israel?
How could Mr. Sternberg not address the above in his piece especially when such took place in the 'Q & A' of the Ann Coulter presentation the night before last. In addition, Coulter mentioned that anyone speaking out against the war should be tried for treason and sent to GITMO. She also mentioned that Iran should be attacked next and that atomic bombs should be used on the Muslim world to 'pacify' it like we did to Japan. Why didn't Mr. Sternberg cover this as well?
See the comments section associated with http://neoconzionistthreat.blogspot.com/2007/10/re-aipac-is-pushing-us-to-war-with-iran.html to access the youtubes of Scott Ritter about the coming war with Iran and how nukes will more than likely be used as well. Also access http://neoconzionistthreat.blogspot.com and http://nomorewarforisrael.blogspot.com as well.
Good job Aandy!
www.theageofnepotism.com
http://theageofnepotism.com/2009/02/chapter-5-red-white-and-the-blues/