Community | October 26, 2012 | 209 comments

Ann Coulter To Disabled People Offended By ‘Retard’ Tweet: ‘Screw Them!’

source: http://www.mediaite.com/online/ann-coulter-to-disabled-people-offended-by-retard-tweet-screw...

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FreeSpiritMuse

http://www.mediaite.com/online/ann-coulter-to-disabled-people-offende...

Conservative columnist Ann Coulter appeared on Alan Colmes‘ radio show Thursday to defend her use of the word “retard” in a tweet about Monday night’s presidential debate, describing the responses from disabled people and advocacy groups as “bullying” by “liberal victims,” and telling people with disabilities who don’t approve of the word “Screw them!”

Alan tried gamely to get Coulter to understand why her use of the word was offensive (even to “liberal victims” like Michelle Malkin), but it was a doomed exercise, since Ann Coulter isn’t really that ignorant, she just thinks she’s protecting her unapologetic “brand.”

During Monday night’s final presidential debate, Coulter tweeted to her followers that “I highly approve of Romney’s decision to be kind and gentle to the retard,” an apparent reference to President Obama. The tweet drew widespread denunciation, even from Coulter’s fellow right-wing provocateur Michelle Malkin, and an invitation from Special Olympian John Franklin Stephens to come and meet some of the people she insulted.

Coulter spent a good ten minutes trying to defend her tweet, but the essence of her argument is that she would never use the word “retard” to describe a disabled person, but that it was okay to use it on President Obama because he’s not disabled. Coulter knows better, like I said, and is really only burnishing her “edgy” reputation at this point. As a PR move, this looks like a miscalculation, but it is her career, and she’s the one who is going to miss it the most. Alan is absolutely right that this is not a right/left issue, and if it ever was, it ceased being one when former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin rose to prominence, and raised awareness among conservatives about special needs children, and among liberals about ableism. Coulter is miscalculating if she thinks conservatives will simply close their ears to this.

As such, it’s hard to care whether Coulter ever apologizes, but to the extent that there might be people listening to her who are still confused about this issue, let’s straighten a few things out. First of all, nobody is telling Ann Coulter that she can’t use that word, but Mr. Stephens is probably right, she might have trouble getting booked on television if she does. That’s partially because the reaction of this community to slurs like this has been so thoughtful, giving Coulter’s cries of “word policing” no surface to bounce off of. Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver‘s approach, in campaigning to get people to stop using the word, has been “to be a teacher, not a policeman.”

“You’re allowed to be humiliating, degrading and hurtful,” Shriver told Stephen Colbert in an interview, “and I’m allowed to petition you to at least recognize what you say and be aware of the option you have to stop.”

Coulter is saying “Screw them” to a group of people who are asking for the most reasonable thing in the world, in the nicest way possible. Let’s see how that works out for her.

Second, even though Coulter is only pretending not to know why her insult was offensive to disabled people, and not just to President Obama, it bears explaining anyway, for those who might hear Coulter’s words and still be confused. Coulter is aware that “retard” is a slur used to describe people with certain disabilities (she acknowledges this when she says she would never use the word in that context), and by applying the term to a non-disabled person as an insult (which she also acknowledges), she is making a value judgement about those disabled people, that to be called one of them is an insult. The same principle applied to Keith Olbermann‘s attempt to insult Ann Coulter as transgender (for which he eventually apologized); the fact that he thought transgender was an insult demonstrated contempt for them, as well as for Coulter. It’s also why President Obama’s own self-deprecating crack about the Special Olympics (for which he also apologized) was offensive, because it the remark was premised on disability as an insult.

Finally, for those who feign confusion about what they’re “allowed” to say, including Coulter, who pretends not to understand the difference between “retard” and words like “imbecile,” it’s pretty simple: you’re “allowed” to say whatever you want, but if someone asks you really nicely not to, maybe consider not saying it.

There are probably people for whom the outrage over words like “retard” is just a cheap way to shame an opponent, and shame on them for that, but Coulter’s attempt to normalize that word is something that actually hurts people, and I hope she just stops.
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209 comments // Ann Coulter To Disabled People Offended By ‘Retard’ Tweet: ‘Screw Them!’

  • simplecj
  • MSII
  • corndog67
    • +1
      corndog67  

    • What's she look like with her clothes off, the only reason most people will listen to her.

      And the term retard, was pretty damn common up until a few years ago.

    • 7 months ago
  • warman1138
  • WalmartRamen
  • warman1138
    • +6
      warman1138  

    • In the spirit of meaness that Coulter seems enjoy, if I ever bumped into her I would probably run over one of her feet with my wheelchair. And if she complained or bitched about it I would apologize for being retarded and run over the other foot.

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
    • -4
      Mishima [removed]  
    • warman1138:

      I know a Liberal whose cousin, I believe, met her socially several times. He does not like Ann a bit, of course, and raged about her online, but he reported that his liberal cousin said Ann is completely different in person: Cordial, personable, friendly and relatively modest.

      I think that Left-wingers really personalize too much, and they ascribe to the "politics of meaning," which really is the politicization of every aspect of one's life. Therefore, it becomes virtually impossible for Liberals to compartmentalize politics at all, and it permeates every aspect of their lives.

    • 7 months ago
  • FreeSpiritMuse
  • Mishima
    • -3
      Mishima [removed]  
    • Image
    • FreeSpiritMuse:

      This is a great DVD in which the maker is quite clever putting together past interviews and ones of his/her own in presenting insights into Coulter. Notice the sources that give a thumbs up to this - Not "right winger."

      Entertaining and non-partisan. What is especially interesting is when Ann is asked how she got started attacking Liberals: It happened during her student days, and it was not even planned.

    • 7 months ago
  • dcrog
    • -8
      dcrog  

    • It's quite ironic, all this feigned outrage over comments made by a hot and sexy blonde that most heterosexual men would jump at the chance to rock her world! I don't rememeber any outrage from the Nut Bags over comments made by the loons on MSNBC over the years, damn, I could list a bunch of freaks who have said the most vile things about women, and the most racist and hatefilled rants that went by without even a peep from the freak crowd. Perhaps it'd be best if y'all just sipped your Obamaite koolaide and took a chill pill. It'll all be over soon anyway, Romney will be the next President, the people may not get the Senate back, but it will be close. It'll all be good soon, don't worry be happy! ;)

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
  • alexandrekBack
  • coolplanet
  • APimpNamedSlickback
  • cpad
  • cpad
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • Hardytoo
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • Hardytoo
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • dubscorleone
  • SFirman
    • +14
      SFirman  
    • Image

    • Ann Coulter is incapable of being any kind of normal. I put her in the same class as that idiot Bachman and dumb Palin that OMG could have been our VP.

    • 7 months ago
  • dcrog
    • -7
      dcrog  
    • SFirman:

      It's quite ironic, all this feigned outrage over comments made by a hot and sexy blonde that most heterosexual men would jump at the chance to rock her world! I don't rememeber any outrage from the Nut Bags over comments made by the loons on MSNBC over the years, damn, I could list a bunch of freaks who have said the most vile things about women, and the most racist and hatefilled rants that went by without even a peep from the freak crowd. Perhaps it'd be best if y'all just sipped your Obamaite koolaide and took a chill pill. It'll all be over soon anyway, Romney will be the next President, the people may not get the Senate back, but it will be close. It'll all be good soon, don't worry be happy! ;)

    • 7 months ago
  • SFirman
    • +4
      SFirman  
    • dcrog:

      You can fantasize about Coulter all you want. It's what comes out of her mouth that's ugly.
      Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Obama has a good chance of re-election. It appears the Democrats will hold the Senate. If Romney wins perhaps Reid will say what McConnel said. "Our main goal will be to make him a one term president." As under Obama they stop what will help the middle class. Not so funny when the shoes on the other foot. Don't worry be happy.

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
  • Varex_Sythe
    • -1
      Varex_Sythe  
    • Mishima:

      Just to reiterate something I said earlier in a different post...

      If Obama wins the 2012 election, there's an awful lot of us here who are going to rub your nose in it for at least six months.

    • 7 months ago
  • Varex_Sythe
  • youngdebater
  • Hardytoo
  • youngdebater
  • dcrog
  • Duncan_Beach
    • +4
      Duncan_Beach  
    • Image

    • Coulter knew what she said, she knew that what she said was incredibly offensive, and she knew that this would be the effect. Boycott Fox News and Townhall.com until they can her!

    • 7 months ago
  • Incredulous
  • Duncan_Beach
  • cpad
    • +14
      cpad  

    • Ann Coulter is a textbook example of a person who is profoundly damaged and incapable of interacting with others on the basis of love, respect and fellowship that normal humans seek out and enjoy.

    • 7 months ago
  • Hardytoo
    • +14
      Hardytoo  
    • cpad:

      Nailed it, cpad.
      Her old boyfriend was Dinesh D'Souza (who was also once engaged to the Hateful Laura Ingraham). They really like to share, and date ONLY each other - just "keep it all in the family."

    • 7 months ago
  • cpad
    • +14
      cpad  
    • Hardytoo:

      I'll bet their relationships don't last very long.

      Speaking of which, we seem to have a new couple here on Current. It's kind of cute seeing them in the throes of newfound infatuation. I didn't know there was a dating site called TrollMatch.com.

    • 7 months ago
  • cw9000
  • Hardytoo
  • cpad
  • Hardytoo
  • Incredulous
  • MSII
  • wolfess
  • wolfess
  • Mishima
  • Mishima
  • jackhole
    • +8
      jackhole  
    • Mishima:

      I hear that Ted Bundy was an engaging and witty fellow, so that ANN COULTER appears normal is no surprise---Right-wingers wear mask to keep the true EVIL from sight.

      No surprise TED BUNDY WAS A REPUBLICAN just like Coulter.

    • 7 months ago
  • Hardytoo
    • +8
      Hardytoo  
    • jackhole:

      Exactly right Jack. Psychopaths are THE best at donning their "masks of sanity." They can "hum the tune," but can never quite remember "the words."
      Revealing, always very revealing.

    • 7 months ago
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • Hardytoo
  • jackhole
  • jackhole
  • Mishima
    • -7
      Mishima [removed]  
    • jackhole:

      I have read "Letters to a Young Conservative," "Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader," and "Illiberal Education," all by D'Souza. I would be happy to discuss the contents and concepts of any one or any part of them. I find blather over people to be rather boring.

    • 7 months ago
  • cpad
    • +6
      cpad  
    • Mishima:

      I will tell you this once, and once only, so pay close attention and do try to remember.

      If you wish to speak with me, you wll approach me on your knees and say the following: "Please, Your Royal Highness Princess cpad, most lovely most magnificent. I am so sorry to impose upon your most valuable time, but will you consider favoring me with the honor of your response?" Then you will kiss my feet and hobble backwards on your knees out of my sight.

      Then, if I am so inclined to favor you with a response, I will leave one for you.
      Thank you.

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
  • jackhole
    • +4
      jackhole  
    • Mishima:

      Please! nothing you do is intended to promote an honest exchange of ideas, you have made yourself clear on other sites. Just remember I gave you a chance when you reached out and I thought you were being forthright.

      Now when I see your post I think of toothpaste.

    • 7 months ago
  • cpad
  • jackhole
  • Hardytoo
    • +5
      Hardytoo  
    • cpad:

      Caused O'Reilly to "boycott" Canada. She ranted and raved about this incident on his show - called Canada a "rinky dink country." Funny tho, she still wanted $$$ for speaking fees and last year when she tried to enter our "rinky dink" country to speak at a university, she couldn't get across the border - and the protests at the University were heavily attended - against her "hate-speech."

    • 7 months ago
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • cpad
    • +7
      cpad  
    • cpad:

      Now that you've voted me down, the terms have changed. In the future, in addition to the above, you will also give to me a very expensive present. Diamonds will suffice, as will precious gems such as rubies, sapphires or emeralds.

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
  • MSII
  • Hardytoo
  • Hardytoo
  • Mishima
    • -5
      Mishima [removed]  
    • Hardytoo:

      " the protests at the University were heavily attended"

      Yes, Ann once said "Liberal's idea of free speech is throwing food." The Left-wingers shut down speech. Please give me a credible reason that a person's views should be summarily shut down. That appears to be what you are advocating.

      An example: I was attending graduate school in the United States. Arthur Jensen was scheduled to speak. He was considered a genius related to intellectual testing, and I wanted to simply hear his presentation.

      The students rioted and demonstrated. Some professors encouraged this. It was so bad that the university decided to shut it down for reasons of safety.

      One more: I worked at a college in Connecticut for a year. Another new professor presented Arthur Jensen's overall thesis to this GRADUATE class, people mostly in their 30s. Only for a couple of classes; his intent was to inform his students of the controversies surrounding it.

      He was told to never present this again or he would lose his job. He was dismayed. He thought the university was a place to present ideas. He thought about quitting but capitulated.

      Comments? Thoughts?

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
    • -6
      Mishima [removed]  
    • HarukoHaruhara:

      Since you read the comments from the Canadian poster, I will repost them to you in the hopes you or someone else will respond.

      Ann once said "Liberal's idea of free speech is throwing food." The Left-wingers shut down speech. Please give me a credible reason that a person's views should be summarily shut down. That appears to be what you are advocating.

      An example: I was attending graduate school in the United States. Arthur Jensen was scheduled to speak. He was considered a genius related to intellectual testing, and I wanted to simply hear his presentation.

      The students rioted and demonstrated. Some professors encouraged this. It was so bad that the university decided to shut it down for reasons of safety.

      One more: I worked at a college in Connecticut for a year. Another new professor presented Arthur Jensen's overall thesis to this GRADUATE class, people mostly in their 30s. Only for a couple of classes; his intent was to inform his students of the controversies surrounding it.

      He was told to never present this again or he would lose his job. He was dismayed. He thought the university was a place to present ideas. He thought about quitting but capitulated.

      Comments? Thoughts?

    • 7 months ago
  • jackhole
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • Mishima
  • cpad
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • Hardytoo
  • jackhole
  • FreeSpiritMuse
  • Hardytoo
  • wolfess
    • 0
      wolfess  
    • FreeSpiritMuse:

      Maybe she's had A LOT of old boyfriends.
      Yeah, that very real possibility gives new credence to her last name; COULTWHORE :-)!

      Pwr 2 the retarded COULTWHORE peons!
      GUILLOTINE RETARDED COULTWHORE REAGAN MCCARTHYISTS!

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
  • Varex_Sythe
  • cw9000
  • Weishaupt
    • -11
      Weishaupt [removed]  

    • Ann Coulter described US Prez ‘Retarded’. She’s right. Candy Crowley given nice break to Romney to prove that he’s ain’t another Bush. He was unprepared to fix the damage that caused by Ann-Coulter-Type Rhetoric to Public. The more Ann Coulter allowed to column the more conservatives are loathed. Obama ain’t qualified to run America outta trouble as Ron Paul if he is elected. Americans are deranged by Ann-Coulter-Type Rhetoric. Conservatives prefer Trouble to Prosperity. Keep up with good work Anny. Kudos.

    • 7 months ago
  • Joeydee44
  • Weishaupt
  • dcrog
  • coolplanet
  • pakazak
  • MSII
    • +6
      MSII  

    • What is it with the right-winger-"women" (I use the term loosely in "her" case) and the helter-skelter freakshow-eyes!?! Creepy! "Her" and "bat$hit-bachmann" being the poster-freaks.

    • 7 months ago
  • Leen61
  • chew_chew
    • +6
      chew_chew  

    • Wow.

      Not only is Ann desperate, she is arrogant and one of the most callous humans around.

      I never thought even she would sink this low.

    • 7 months ago
  • seekeroftruth
    • -8
      seekeroftruth [removed]  

    • More bullshit from the left. Ann Coulter didn't say screw them to the mentally disabled, unless you consider the average democrat as being such, hmmmmm. She was referring to the dumb ass critics that whined about her calling the president a retard. You liberals called George Bush worse things, so get over it hypocrites. I don't know whats worse, the lefts gullibility and or hypocrisy or Obama's lack of transparency. You guys are pathetic...
      Ann Coulter defended calling President Obama a "retard," saying "screw them" to critics of her tweet on Thursday.
      Speaking on Alan Colmes' Fox News Radio show, Coulter said that she had no regret over using the word because she wasn't referring to someone with a disability.

      "Look, no one would refer to a Down Syndrome child, someone with an actual mental handicap, by saying ‘retard.’ Where do you think the words ‘imbecile,’ ‘idiot,’ ‘moron,’ ‘cretin’ come from? These were all technical terms at one time. ‘Retard’ had been used colloquially to just mean ‘loser’ for 30 years,” Coulter insisted. “But no, no — these aggressive victims have to come out and tell you what words to use.”
      http://blog.jcagain.com/?p=118799

    • 7 months ago
  • mitekillem
  • seekeroftruth
  • Mishima
    • -7
      Mishima [removed]  
    • seekeroftruth:

      You are right, of course, but the Libtards want to make an issue. It is part of their speech control codes: They want capitulation to their tyranny and total control first over how we express ourselves, and next, how we THINK because speech is an expression of our thoughts. These Gestapo-Leftists want to monitor our utterances, and they are willing to use the force of goverment, threat of losing one's job, social isolation, being branded in any one of the multitude of Liberal sobriquets.

      This becomes very obvious where the Left-winger Fascists have the most total control: Our universities. In the universities, the students undergo speech code training, sensitivity training, and other programs of conformity to Liberal ideology.

      But some student groups are fighting back against LIBERAL TYRANNY in these places. For example, they LIBERALS have taken away Second Amendment rights, and some places are getting them back! Christians in universities are fighting back, too.

      These LEFT-WINGER TYRANTS despise Ann Coulter because she absolutely refuses to give in to these despots. That is the REAL issue here. Good for you, ANN!

    • 7 months ago
  • seekeroftruth
    • -4
      seekeroftruth [removed]  
    • Mishima:

      So true. The left is blowing a gasket over Anns comments but were guilty of worse durihg the Bush administration. This post is a non issue. But the continued unfolding of the Benghazigate scandal and coverup they ignore.

    • 7 months ago
  • Mishima
    • -5
      Mishima [removed]  
    • seekeroftruth:

      "The left is blowing a gasket over Anns comments but were guilty of worse durihg the Bush administration."

      I respectfully take issue with that approach. I do not think it is productive to try to get in a contest of which side or who did more negative things. It leads nowhere. I prefer to focus on Left-winger committment to uniformity, political correctness and conformity to their ideology. We have given in too much already. We must not give in anywhere, anymore.

    • 7 months ago
  • Varex_Sythe
  • seekeroftruth
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