I'm a little p-o'd at Freddie Patterson. For a good part of the day I've been kicking around the idea of doing a bit on Anne Coulter, the ultra-right wing political commentator from the US who didn't make it into the hall at The University of Ottawa last night because protesters blocked her way.
Now Fred has created quit a "crap storm" with his blog (you should check it out) ripping on the protesters for denying her freedom of speach.
Did the protesters have the right to protest? Yes. Did Coulter have the right to speak? Yes.
Coulter knows exactly what she's doing. She's from the same extreme right wing group that produced Glenn Beck and Bill O'Riley and Rush Limbaugh. I don't agree with anything they say but I'll give them props for knowing what buttons to push. They know where the buttons are and they know what kind of reaction they'll get and who's going to react.
Coulter being stopped from speaking is worth more to her than a 2 hour diatribe of her normal psycho babble. She got what she wanted. Everyone's attention. I'm not sure what we're afraid of and I have a difficult time with her being stopped from speaking at a university where an exchange of ideas should be embraced.
You listen, you form opinions. You accept them or reject them. I've read Mein Kempf. It didn't turn me into a Nazi. I've read the Commuist Manifesto. I don't call any of my friends commrade. But I thought it was important to read those books because of the impact they had on the 20th century. Both books had a lot to do with how a lot of us grew up. You may hate the message, but don't suggest the books be banned.
What scares me more than Coulter's message is people trying to stop her from speaking. If the message is as reprehensible as the protesters believe, I can figure that out. The only people being fooled by Coulter, Beck, Limbaugh and O'Riley are the same people who sent money to that Nigerian prince over the internet, they didn't hear back so they cover their losses by sending more money to the doctor from China who needs help getting his money to North America.
I think the worst thing you can do is get sucked into playing their game. Do that and they've got what they wanted. Your attention and media attention.
I actually find this wingnut entertaining to listen to for the laughs she gives me. I agree with nothing she says and it doens't matter if you agree or disagree with her but free speech is what a university, and in particular a CANADIAN university is all about.
I wonder what the protesters felt so threatened by? Don't agree with, don't go listen to her.
If we lose the perspective of allowing someone to simply exercise there right to speak, we are in trouble as a a society.
Remember folks to turn on every friggin light and electrical appliance in you home or apt. this Sat night to make a statement to the Al Gore and Suzuki nutbar followers out there.
Heck even start up the car and let the headlights beam out onto the street.
I have rented 3 search lights to spread the word.
Jim, excellent point. I put her in the same category as Homer Simpson and Archie Bunker only not as loveable.
You can count me in , Global warming is a joke and we are the punch line
Suzuki and Gore both are both comedians and should be put on the same list as Ann Coulter but that would be politically incorrect
Sorry Rick but you are wrong about Glen Beck. He is the most refreshing TV Host to come out of the U.S. in a long long time. Suggest you read a couple of his books and tune in once in awhile.
Phil, my point about Glenn Beck is that it's pure show biz. He knows exactly what he's doing. He plays to a specific audience just like Jon Stewart does on the other side of the political spectrum. I take Beck as seriously as I do any other comic actor.
What are the lefties worried about, we've been inundated with left wing ideology for years and it still hasn't converted everyone with a brain and who can think for themselves.
Let her have her say, she usually stuffs her foot in her mouth as she did with a comment once that Canada had folowed the US into Vietnam to fight beside them.
The students should open their minds to other ideas than the ones planted by their left wing, tenured and living on the public teat professors.