Ann Coulter's use of the R-word

[adpimiz]

What an inspiration this young man is! Reading his letter almost brought tears to my eyes.
http://now.msn.com/john-franklin-ste...r-retard-tweet

As a Republican, I am disappointed and appalled at the way Ann Coulter used the word retard to describe President Obama. I do not agree with many of Obama's views, but is it that difficult to have some respect? Jeez, Ann.

[ForeverRoses]

Almost brought tears to your eyes?

I completely teared up reading the letter. So well said. and Ann Coulter really needs to just shut up.

[DubaiSis]

It would be one thing if she appeared to mean what she says about ANYTHING, but she will say anything just to be harsh and confrontational. She hated Romney up until the day he was nominated. The least she can do is keep her trap shut now that he's their choice. She is one more example of why, IMO, the Republican party needs to take back their party. The people with the strongest voices don't represent any Republicans I know. I may not agree with those Republicans, but I don't think they're horrible despicable people. And most of the ones I hear on TV I do see as horrible despicable people.

[NinjaPoodle]

From my friends fb:
The last comment

[AOII Angel]

Your friend is so right with that post, ninja poodle!

I read the letter from the man with Trisomy 21 (I don't like the term Down Syndrome. Dr. Down was an asshole!) and was touched by his warmth and graciousness. I fear his words have fallen on a hardened heart with Ann Coulter, however. She is downright vicious. I will be more careful with my own words in the future after reading his thoughts, though.

[happilyanchored]

That letter he wrote was wonderful. I'm so glad that so far the majority of people, Republican or not, are condemning her comments for being as wrong as they are.

A lot of girls in my chapter have said that they refuse to consider someone so vicious their sister. I wouldn't go that far, but I definitely won't be offering up our shared letters any time in the near or distant future....

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by happilyanchored

That letter he wrote was wonderful. I'm so glad that so far the majority of people, Republican or not, are condemning her comments for being as wrong as they are.

A lot of girls in my chapter have said that they refuse to consider someone so vicious their sister. I wouldn't go that far, but I definitely won't be offering up our shared letters any time in the near or distant future....

She's a Delta Gamma? I did not know that. I'm sorry.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by happilyanchored

That letter he wrote was wonderful. I'm so glad that so far the majority of people, Republican or not, are condemning her comments for being as wrong as they are.

A lot of girls in my chapter have said that they refuse to consider someone so vicious their sister. I wouldn't go that far, but I definitely won't be offering up our shared letters any time in the near or distant future....

She definitely challenges our ability to live up to our oaths. HOWEVER, remember (as some religions teach) to separate the act and the person. Ann Coulter gets paid to do what she does -- it's her job. Few of us know how much of that is the person and how much is the persona.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

From my friends fb:
The last comment

Palin was too busy creating her own less-than-savory sound bytes. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics...jive-on-libya/

People can whine about "Political Correctness" all they want, but, to be quite truthful, there's off color and there's intentionally incendiary.

[happilyanchored]

Originally Posted by DGTess

She definitely challenges our ability to live up to our oaths. HOWEVER, remember (as some religions teach) to separate the act and the person. Ann Coulter gets paid to do what she does -- it's her job. Few of us know how much of that is the person and how much is the persona.

Yep. Unfortunately, nothing can condone her comment. And for every informed person who understands the separation of persona/person, there's another two that think that the Ann Coulter they see is the one and only Ann Coulter. It's just frustrating that the one we do see is this vicious and offensive...

And I agree. I was just looking over our creed and such because our elections are coming up, and she is in no way demonstrating social responsibility or the finest qualities of character right now

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DGTess

Ann Coulter gets paid to do what she does -- it's her job. Few of us know how much of that is the person and how much is the persona.

Normally, I might go along with this, but I just don't think I can in this case. Ann Coulter's persona is a reprehensible one with no redeeming value that I can see. The only thing that could make me have less respect for her would be to know that that's only the persona she takes on for money. In my mind, that would make her a worse person, spouting such venomous and reckless nonsense not because she believes it but because it makes her rich. That would say nothing positive about her as a person.

[DubaiSis]

It would make her a whore. Rush used to be a Democrat when he did talk radio in Chicago. I think there's more money in being a Republican, but I just don't get how you can get paid for being a horrible person and live with yourself. Or never give a little wink to the camera. I wish there was some way to tell GMA and the Today Show, et all to stop putting her on TV, stop repeating the horrible things she says, etc. She doesn't have anything valid to say so stop quoting her! Maybe this will have served as the wake up call to the various media to stop giving her their time or money.

And a lot of people have despicable people in their family. You can't justify or minimize. You just have to accept that some people are bad or become bad and move on. The Unabomber's brother doesn't say "well, he did have some valid things to say." He just has to be the best person he can be and hope the karma doesn't rub off on him.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Rush used to be a Democrat when he did talk radio in Chicago.

Do you have a reference for this? I've never heard this before and there is nothing in his Wikipedia entry about him ever working in Chicago. I would think if this were true, it would be widely known.

Any links? Thanks!

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by DGTess

She definitely challenges our ability to live up to our oaths. HOWEVER, remember (as some religions teach) to separate the act and the person. Ann Coulter gets paid to do what she does -- it's her job. Few of us know how much of that is the person and how much is the persona.

I admit that, until 2008, I used to use the R-Word and I am ashamed to say so (For example, if I thought a situation was stupid or ridiculous, I would say, "Oh, that's so retarded".

Then two things happened:
1) My boss' 3rd child was born (a daughter) and she had Down Syndrome
2) I read this article by Maria Shriver (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...,7263175.story)

I've now made a conscious effort to refrain from saying that word, as I've now been enlighted as to how hurtful and what a terrible slur it is. It now quite bothers me when I hear someone say it.

As a DG, I really struggle with the Ann Coulter issue and the person vs. persona. I appreciate what some of my fellow DG's have contributed on this thread in terms of a mature discussion, so thank you for that.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

(I don't like the term Down Syndrome. Dr. Down was an asshole!)

Oh dear, I just saw this now after mentioning Down Syndrome up above. Why is he an asshole -- what did he do?