Putting the "Ick" in Rhetoric
Hold on to your hats, Hive-fans ... this one could be a bumpy ride. Yes, we're going to talk politics. You've probably all heard about the remarks made by conservative columnist Ann Coulter last Friday during her speech at the American Conservative Union's Political Action Conference. Using a gay slur to refer to Democrat John Edwards, Coulter came under fire over the weekend from both the left and right. Somehow, hearing that Ann Coulter made some offensive remarks doesn't exactly come as a surprise. Still -- what purpose do these kinds of statements serve in the political arena? Of course the folks on the Politics Today board are all over this one. If it's one thing I love about the Politics Today board, it's that they waste no time in getting down to business. After debating whether or not Coulter is just plain evil (and then later in the thread, if she's really a dude ... I am not making this up), it wasn't too long before someone brought up some recent remarks from Bill Maher in reference to Vice President Dick Cheney. Oops. Maybe it’s only funny if it’s about the other guy? iVillagers weigh in...
sopal1953 comes out swinging with this assessment: "Coulter shows the heart and soul of the conservative movement in that 30 second video clip."
Ouch!
Member bethannne, however, disagrees. "Hardly! I am a conservative and I don't approve of her words. If you listen, after she said that, there were a lot of shocked people and yes, a few clapped, but hardly what I would call a raving response. I also know that Michelle Malkin and other conservative bloggers have condemned her comments, so to say that she is speaking for the heart and soul of the conservative movement is plain wrong!"
mountainlaurel2005 doesn't mince words and offers "Coulter is an idiot. Period." Regarding Bill Maher, she also adds, "I have on many occasion rolled my eyes over his comments, and so has my husband. I guess they both need to keep their traps shut." Now there's an idea!
After further discussion of bad behavior on all sides of the fence, sopal1953 comes back with this wise approach: "I think it is time for all of us to practice what we preach. All of us. The politicians have got to quit that (juxtaposition) inference that those who disagree are assisting or playing into the hands of terrorists, and that voting for one political party over another is what terrorists want. The discourse in this country is appalling." Indeed.
Member gettingahandle puts it another way: "Both Maher and Coulter strike me as being arbiters of bad taste. Titillating but not balanced, nuanced or logical. Hyperbolic. Kinda like cayenne pepper, good for a kick but definitely not something to consume in volume."
So ... have we overdosed on political hot sauce, then? At times it’s as if the polarized climate of American politics has sent everyone completely overboard, dissolving into insults and name-calling. Does the bashing on either side actually get us anywhere, or is it just part of the game? Does anyone feel like they’re being represented in any of this? Offer your take – or vent your frustration -- here, and remember … keep it above the belt.
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Excellent post!
It's as though they've all been given *just* enough rope to hang themselves. Some of them are better equipped to judge the length of said rope, obviously. ;)
I don't think the bashing gets anyone anywhere - but I also don't think it SHOULD be part of "the game".
People are smarter than they used to be about their politics. I'm of the opinion that those politicians who mud-sling are blatently disregarding and underestimating the intelligence of the voters. People aren't "impressed" by these displays - they're put off and discouraged. What says "I have nothing intelligent to say!" faster than insulting someone? Not much, in my view.
Coulter's only saving grace is that she's honest - to a fault. As for Maher getting away with things like Coulter has said, well, he's known for acting and comedy routines and I think he gets away with a lot because people take it like a talk show host's monologue and such - with a sense of humor. But when Coulter speaks, well, she's not given that luxury, and I'm not sure *either* deserve it, lol. I also agree with Tab that people seem to continue mudslinging as if that will impress voters, not realizing that they're in fact *alienating* those very voters they're trying to sway. I, for one, have *far* more respect for a political candidate who intelligently debates the *issues* and *not* the candidate's past attempts to smoke marijuana, or to avoid joining the Army, or his/her kid getting into trouble, etc. All I want to know is can this person do a good job in office?
I try not to get into politcal discussions, even though I did meet my husband thanks to my views and a friend lol.
However I think these slurs are getting out of hand. I don't agree with them, and think New York who is going Anti-racial slang should take that to the Senate and we should all go that route.
I also don't believe its correct for those of a certain race or sexual orientation should be allowed to use the negative slangs against those in their circles either. It shows the rest of the world that they really don't care about the word, and others think... Well if he can say it... so can I.
I think the bashing is part of the old game. Like Tab said, people are smarter than they used to be about their politics. Comments like those Coulter made just make people appear stupid and make me more confident in my own choices.
Almost makes you wish Britney Spears would pull another stunt that would change the headlines back to her again.
I go back and forth on this - wondering if they are both simply that mean or if they are that aware of the spotlight that will shine on them when they do cross the lines.
Would we have seen Ann Coulter's speech if she hadn't made that comment? Probably only a snip on a few news shows. Would anyone have shows Bill Maher in relation to an attempt on Cheney's life if he'd not spoken so "out there"?
Like it or not, people get a lot more headlines for being mean and inappropriate than they get for kindness and consideration.
I think that it comes down to what the average (not everyone) person says in their daily lives....and they let it slip instead of actually reading the speech that was written for them.
I think Coulter got exactly what she wanted....publicity.
Sometimes Maher's HBO show bores me, but never his ending segment New Rules. He is so on point with how absurd life has become. Coulter bores me every time she opens her mouth.
I saw a post on one board where they said we need to stop discussing her and shining the spotlight on her giving her more time and publicity than she deserves, and then we won't feed this monster anymore. I think it's a good plan.