Coulter Is Entertaining Us Again
Coulter Is Entertaining Us Again
Ann Coulter is at it again. She is an attractive woman that has managed to acquire some wealth through her efforts to keep the ultra-conservatives rolling in the aisles with laughter. She is an entertainer, but, despite her claims to the contrary, she is not a thinker of deep thoughts. Indeed, after having read a lot of her work, she gives cause to wonder if she has a heart or the capacity for compassion or sensitivity. Her latest howl is focused on the three cartoons regarding Muhammad and militant Muslims.
Before we venture off into analyzing Coulter's comments, let us first ask some questions and look at so me events around the world. Do all black people love watermelon and fried chicken? No, that is a racist stereotype. Is it true that white men can't dance? No, some white men can dance. That is yet another racist stereotype. Are all Jews stingy and evil? No, that is yet another racist stereotype. These stereotypes are reprehensible because they cast a wide net in an attempt to cast aspersions on all people in a certain group. While there is always some grain--a very small grain--of truth reflected in stereotypes, this small kernel of truth is exaggerated and used as a club to beat upon whatever group is the target of the punchline.
Coulter has used a stereotype to beat up on Muslims. She will howl if that is pointed out to her, and her ultra-conservative followers will stand behind her and make claims that saying so is an outrage and an affront. But denial seems to be an ever-present state of mind with the ultra-conservatives, especially those whose business it is to entertain the ultra-conservative troops. (Need I say it again, Coulter is an entertainer, not a serious journalist, analyst or commentator.)
Now, on with the show:
Do all Muslims have a predilection for violence? For anyone that has not been associated with Muslims in any way, that might be an easy assumption. But this stereotype has some truth to it. There are Muslims that have resorted to violence. Some have even organized around the principle of using violence to effect political change, demonstrate political power, and cause terror. But there are somewhere over 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, approximately 21% of the world's population. If every Muslim in the world were predisposed to a doctrine of violence, then the world would be in very sorry shape. We would have violence in every corner of the world. The United States would be in particular trouble because Islam is reported to be the fastest growing religion in the nation. Canada, too, would be in trouble because there has been an increase in the number of Muslims immigrating to Canada.
But I have actually met, worked with, lived with and socialized with a great many Muslims. While teaching in Bahrain I was invited to the Pakistani embassy, met the Pakistani ambassador to Bahrain, enjoyed a couple games of field hockey as well as some cricket, drank tea (took tea if I mind my English) and even discussed political affairs without one single act of violence occurring. I had the pleasure of being invited into the homes of several of my students, met their parents, dined with them, and enjoyed being a guest among their families. Not once was there a bit of violence.
Over the years I have met Muslims from India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kuala Lampur, Qatar, Iran, UAE, England, Detroit, Chicago, Boston and elsewhere. Were I to visit Pakistan today I would be welcomed as a family member in homes in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. There are places in Jordan where my arrival would be greeted with great celebration and I would dine with people that consider me family. I have friends living in Beirut that would welcome me as well. Not one of those Muslims could be considered pre-disposed toward violence.
But Coulter has a habit of painting all Muslims with the same color and the same brush. Of all the Muslims in the world, those that have a predilection for violence comprise a minority. Yes, there are many Muslims that shake their heads at the role the US plays in the world, and many that hold the United States government in contempt, and some that denounce the United States on a regular basis. But are there not Europeans who do the same? Are there not peoples from the far east that hold the same views? Are there not Christians who have disdain for American foreign policy and world views? We cannot label all Europeans as anti-American because there are some, or even a majority, that hate American policies and actions. Nor can we label all Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese or any other group in such a manner. But that is what Coulter and her fans are doing. But, they all claim not to be bigots.
Gee... 1.3 BILLION Muslims in the world and Coulter calls all of them violent because a few thousands riot. While we can all agree that these particular Muslims chose an inappropriate way to express their disdain for these cartoons, we cannot blame all Muslims for the violence they chose to perpetrate. If a group of Christians, for instance the Lambs of God, blow up an abortion clinic, would that mean that all Christians stand for the same type of violence? Let us be reasonable and fair. Yes, there is animosity between peoples of different faiths, cultures and nationalities. Yes, the reaction to the cartoons have been inappropriately violent. But these are political acts--similar to political acts all nations have experienced--not religious acts.
Over the course of history many people have claimed to do things in the name of God or some deity. Just because there is such a claim doesn't mean that the claim is valid. Let's be reasonable and not knee-jerk reactionaries.
Hmmm... What is that supposed to mean? Is that an insult to all feminists, all Muslims, all Muslim feminists, or all feminists and all Muslims? Why does Ms. Coulter have to be insulting at all? Can she not think of a better way to express her sarcasm? That, of course, would not be entertaining to her ultra-conservative following. Her circulation might suffer if she failed to be insulting.
Speaking of which, has anyone noticed that the ultra-conservatives have a predilection for having snide, loud-mouthed, non-thinkers speaking out in the media? Let's take a look at some of them:
Morton Downey, Jr... an absolute loud-mouthed ignoramus during his days of having his own television show. He has since curbed his mouth a bit, having admitted that a lot of it was hype and letting booze do a lot of his thinking.
Rush Limbaugh... a snooty, holier-than-thou, loud-mouthed commentator that hasn't met an idea he could not criticize... and also having admitted having a medical addiction which may have tinted (tainted) his views.
Bill O'Reilly... another loud mouth than can't see beyond his own pre-determined opinions, hasn't met a conservative view point that can't be spun in the RIGHT direction, and has developed a penchant for claims against him for sexual harassment... and works for the only network that believes a one-sided view of the world is "fair and balanced reporting."
Ann Coulter... who has declared in the past that it is the mission of all Christians to take over the world. The ultra-conservative predilection for being loud-mouthed and non-thinking is well illustrated by her own words:
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?pid=1088
http://rightwingnews.com/quotes/slander.php
http://www.tsujiru.net/?p=26
http://users.rcn.com/skutsch/anticoulter/quotes.html
The really disturbing aspect of Ann Coulter is that there are people that take her seriously, do not understand that she is an entertainer, and think she reflects the thinking of all Americans... and all conservatives. Believe me, there are conservatives that do engage their brains before speaking...
Ann Coulter is at it again. She is an attractive woman that has managed to acquire some wealth through her efforts to keep the ultra-conservatives rolling in the aisles with laughter. She is an entertainer, but, despite her claims to the contrary, she is not a thinker of deep thoughts. Indeed, after having read a lot of her work, she gives cause to wonder if she has a heart or the capacity for compassion or sensitivity. Her latest howl is focused on the three cartoons regarding Muhammad and militant Muslims.
Before we venture off into analyzing Coulter's comments, let us first ask some questions and look at so me events around the world. Do all black people love watermelon and fried chicken? No, that is a racist stereotype. Is it true that white men can't dance? No, some white men can dance. That is yet another racist stereotype. Are all Jews stingy and evil? No, that is yet another racist stereotype. These stereotypes are reprehensible because they cast a wide net in an attempt to cast aspersions on all people in a certain group. While there is always some grain--a very small grain--of truth reflected in stereotypes, this small kernel of truth is exaggerated and used as a club to beat upon whatever group is the target of the punchline.
Coulter has used a stereotype to beat up on Muslims. She will howl if that is pointed out to her, and her ultra-conservative followers will stand behind her and make claims that saying so is an outrage and an affront. But denial seems to be an ever-present state of mind with the ultra-conservatives, especially those whose business it is to entertain the ultra-conservative troops. (Need I say it again, Coulter is an entertainer, not a serious journalist, analyst or commentator.)
Now, on with the show:
"One [cartoon] showed Muhammad turning away suicide bombers from the gates of heaven, saying 'Stop, stop -- we ran out of virgins!' -- which I believe was a commentary on Muslims' predilection for violence. Another was a cartoon of Muhammad with horns, which I believe was a commentary on Muslims' predilection for violence. The third showed Muhammad with a turban in the shape of a bomb, which I believe was an expression of post-industrial ennui in a secular -- oops, no, wait: It was more of a commentary on Muslims' predilection for violence."
Do all Muslims have a predilection for violence? For anyone that has not been associated with Muslims in any way, that might be an easy assumption. But this stereotype has some truth to it. There are Muslims that have resorted to violence. Some have even organized around the principle of using violence to effect political change, demonstrate political power, and cause terror. But there are somewhere over 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, approximately 21% of the world's population. If every Muslim in the world were predisposed to a doctrine of violence, then the world would be in very sorry shape. We would have violence in every corner of the world. The United States would be in particular trouble because Islam is reported to be the fastest growing religion in the nation. Canada, too, would be in trouble because there has been an increase in the number of Muslims immigrating to Canada.
But I have actually met, worked with, lived with and socialized with a great many Muslims. While teaching in Bahrain I was invited to the Pakistani embassy, met the Pakistani ambassador to Bahrain, enjoyed a couple games of field hockey as well as some cricket, drank tea (took tea if I mind my English) and even discussed political affairs without one single act of violence occurring. I had the pleasure of being invited into the homes of several of my students, met their parents, dined with them, and enjoyed being a guest among their families. Not once was there a bit of violence.
Over the years I have met Muslims from India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kuala Lampur, Qatar, Iran, UAE, England, Detroit, Chicago, Boston and elsewhere. Were I to visit Pakistan today I would be welcomed as a family member in homes in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. There are places in Jordan where my arrival would be greeted with great celebration and I would dine with people that consider me family. I have friends living in Beirut that would welcome me as well. Not one of those Muslims could be considered pre-disposed toward violence.
But Coulter has a habit of painting all Muslims with the same color and the same brush. Of all the Muslims in the world, those that have a predilection for violence comprise a minority. Yes, there are many Muslims that shake their heads at the role the US plays in the world, and many that hold the United States government in contempt, and some that denounce the United States on a regular basis. But are there not Europeans who do the same? Are there not peoples from the far east that hold the same views? Are there not Christians who have disdain for American foreign policy and world views? We cannot label all Europeans as anti-American because there are some, or even a majority, that hate American policies and actions. Nor can we label all Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese or any other group in such a manner. But that is what Coulter and her fans are doing. But, they all claim not to be bigots.
"In order to express their displeasure with the idea that Muslims are violent, thousands of Muslims around the world engaged in rioting, arson, mob savagery, flag-burning, murder and mayhem, among other peaceful acts of nonviolence."
Gee... 1.3 BILLION Muslims in the world and Coulter calls all of them violent because a few thousands riot. While we can all agree that these particular Muslims chose an inappropriate way to express their disdain for these cartoons, we cannot blame all Muslims for the violence they chose to perpetrate. If a group of Christians, for instance the Lambs of God, blow up an abortion clinic, would that mean that all Christians stand for the same type of violence? Let us be reasonable and fair. Yes, there is animosity between peoples of different faiths, cultures and nationalities. Yes, the reaction to the cartoons have been inappropriately violent. But these are political acts--similar to political acts all nations have experienced--not religious acts.
Over the course of history many people have claimed to do things in the name of God or some deity. Just because there is such a claim doesn't mean that the claim is valid. Let's be reasonable and not knee-jerk reactionaries.
"Muslims are the only people who make feminists seem laid-back."
Hmmm... What is that supposed to mean? Is that an insult to all feminists, all Muslims, all Muslim feminists, or all feminists and all Muslims? Why does Ms. Coulter have to be insulting at all? Can she not think of a better way to express her sarcasm? That, of course, would not be entertaining to her ultra-conservative following. Her circulation might suffer if she failed to be insulting.
Speaking of which, has anyone noticed that the ultra-conservatives have a predilection for having snide, loud-mouthed, non-thinkers speaking out in the media? Let's take a look at some of them:
Morton Downey, Jr... an absolute loud-mouthed ignoramus during his days of having his own television show. He has since curbed his mouth a bit, having admitted that a lot of it was hype and letting booze do a lot of his thinking.
Rush Limbaugh... a snooty, holier-than-thou, loud-mouthed commentator that hasn't met an idea he could not criticize... and also having admitted having a medical addiction which may have tinted (tainted) his views.
Bill O'Reilly... another loud mouth than can't see beyond his own pre-determined opinions, hasn't met a conservative view point that can't be spun in the RIGHT direction, and has developed a penchant for claims against him for sexual harassment... and works for the only network that believes a one-sided view of the world is "fair and balanced reporting."
Ann Coulter... who has declared in the past that it is the mission of all Christians to take over the world. The ultra-conservative predilection for being loud-mouthed and non-thinking is well illustrated by her own words:
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?pid=1088
http://rightwingnews.com/quotes/slander.php
http://www.tsujiru.net/?p=26
http://users.rcn.com/skutsch/anticoulter/quotes.html
The really disturbing aspect of Ann Coulter is that there are people that take her seriously, do not understand that she is an entertainer, and think she reflects the thinking of all Americans... and all conservatives. Believe me, there are conservatives that do engage their brains before speaking...
posted by Jim Downey at 5:45 PM
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