Friday, March 09, 2007

Does Anyone Know What A "Coulter" Is?

The dictionary defines a coulter as, #1: “a sharp steel wedge that precedes the plow and cuts vertically through the soil (Synonym: colter)” The infamous Ann Coulter has one of those amusingly appropriate names. Her euphonious name is derived from the above described farm implement. Ms. Coulter is clearly proud of her rural know-nothing roots as evidenced by her amazing performance last Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. See, NY Times.

I know it is beneath the dignity of this publication to even mention Ann Coulter. I agree that it is not appropriate to humiliate someone like Coulter, who is so obviously mentally ill. Though having said that, one cannot evade the responsibility of analyzing and discussing the nature and timing of her weird outburst

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference before an overflow crowd on Friday, Ms. Coulter said, “I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I - so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.” Not surprisingly, those paragons of civic virtue, the “leading” Republican candidates (Guiliani, McCain, and Romney) all condemned Ms. Coulter’s use of the pejorative term.

Mr. Edwards’s aides responded with an e-mail message that attacked Ms. Coulter and urged supporters to donate to Mr. Edwards’s campaign. “John was singled out for a personal attack because the Republican establishment knows he poses the greatest threat to their power,” said Edward’s campaign manager, David Bonior. “Since they have nothing real to use against him, Coulter’s resorting to the classic right-wing strategy of riling up hate to smear a progressive champion.” See, NY Times.

Ms. Coulter, asked for a reaction to the Republican criticism, said in an e-mail message: “C’mon, it was a joke. I would never insult gays by suggesting that they are like John Edwards. That would be mean.” Sometimes, “insult humor” can be hilarious. Edgy language in the mouths of masters like Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor or Bill Maher has a higher purpose. The word, “faggot” spoken by a lightweight hustler like Ann Coulter can only be interpreted in one way: It is a bad thing to be gay. She thinks that gay men are unworthy of basic human rights. Well, it takes all kinds. Long ago, someone twisted young Annie’s little mind. Now everyone who is “different” must pay.

Believing in psychoanalysis, I remain

Savant