March 04, 2007

Malkin on Ann Coulter

Michelle on Ann Coulter's rhetorical "fragging" at CPAC:

Her "faggot" joke was not just a distraction from all the good that was highlighted and represented at the conference. It was the equivalent of a rhetorical fragging--an intentionally-tossed verbal grenade that exploded in her own fellow ideological soldiers' tent.
. . .

With a single word, Coulter sullied the hard work of hundreds of CPAC participants and exhibitors and tarred the collective reputation of thousands of CPAC attendees. At a reception for college students held by the Young America's Foundation, I lambasted the substitution of stupid slurs for persuasion-- be it "faggot" from a conservative or "gook" from a liberal--and urged the young people there to conduct themselves at all times with dignity in their ideological battles on and off campus.

I made something else explicitly clear: Not all of us treat the communication of conservative ideals and ideas as 24/7 performance art. You can and should use humor to convey your message. You can enlighten and entertain--without becoming a tired old schtick. You can joke without becoming the joke.

I disagree with Charles. Coulter's choice of words wasn't "stupid." This move was calculated and selfish. It's already succeeded in getting her face and name in the news. It'll no doubt sell more of her books and put more cash in her pocket.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had enough of this bitch.


By Ragnar Danneskjold, R.I.N.O. Hunter at March 4, 2007 02:38 PM | | l digg this