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Coulter: Say something intelligent
By Chris Walker
There are many gray areas, however, that do not tell us when free speech is overbearing.
Freedom of speech is a principle that I value greatly. I truly believe that people should be allowed to freely express whatever they want, especially if it is speech that demonstrates an idea that the speaker is trying to convey.
Free speech is necessary in a democracy; it allows citizens the right to express to one another how we feel about issues, what we think is the best direction our government should take, and so forth.
I also believe that people can abuse this right from time to time. Many may use it to sabotage peoples careers, and in this instance, it is a crime to do so (as it is called slander). There are many gray areas, however, that do not tell us when free speech is overbearing.
Earlier this month, Ann Coulter gave a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. In it, she decided to exercise her freedom of speech and in doing so reached a new low.
I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, she said, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word faggot, so I “ so kind of an impasse, cant really talk about Edwards.
I try my best not to be a PC thug, to not criticize people when they say something that is not exactly mindful or tolerant of others, but I cant help but say that what Coulter said was wrong.
There isnt a crime against what she said “ there shouldnt be one either. But the people who set up that forum and allowed her to say those things should be ashamed of themselves.
Coulters words are wrong for two reasons. First, she makes the assertion that being homosexual is wrong. She uses a derogatory term of homosexuality in order to make her point.
But even if she had simply called John Edwards gay, the implication that homosexuality is something to be considered wrong is incredibly distasteful, even for Coulters standards. People are entitled to their own opinions, and whatever hers are on homosexuality are hers to make.
But as a public figure, she should have known better than to make such an insulting remark by using a derogatory homosexual term to belittle someone.
Second, Coulters words do little to offer discourse against John Edwardss actual policies. Rather than argue against the mans ideologies, she rushes straight to name-calling and ridicule.
Itd be a different matter altogether if Coulter had said she disagreed with Edwards on certain issues, and then laid out why. Instead, she chooses to ignore Edwardss stances, and moves right to questioning his sexuality in order to get a cheap laugh “ and support “ from the crowd.
But whats the greater crime: Coulter expressing her thoughts or the American Conservative Union, which runs the Conservative Political Action Conference, giving a voice such as hers a platform to dish out her intolerant speech?
The ACU is certainly entitled to giving Coulter a forum to speak at. But when she says the crazy things that come out of her mouth, they should know that these words are going to reflect badly on their behalf.
If the ACU wants to remove the image that conservatives are homophobic and demeaning to their opponents, then they should consider removing Coulter and other commentators like her from their events.
If, however, they want to appeal to the lowest common denominator and continue to push away the average American who finds these remarks insulting, then they have every right to do so. They just shouldnt expect to get much in return for advocating the intolerance that their speakers may spit out.
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