Attacking Widows, Unwed Mothers and Newborn Babies

  Attacking Widows, Unwed Mothers and Newborn Babies

By Elaine Viets

Ann Coulter is back on the attack. The conservative Queen of Mean is one fearless fighter.

Some sentimental cowards might hesitate to slam the 9/11 widows. Not Coulter.

Remember the four wives of New Jersey firefighters who burned in the World Trade Center? These women wanted an independent commission to examine the government failures that killed their husbands. They also had the nerve to endorse a Democrat for president.

Ann called the four widows the "Witches of East Brunswick." She said, "I’ve never seen people enjoying their husbands’ deaths so much."

Ranting against widows wasn’t enough. Coulter also pounded pregnant women. She called abortion "the sacrament of liberals."

What if a single woman decides to keep her baby?

No namby-pamby forgiveness for you, slut. You’re still wrong – at least in Coulter’s latest book. What’s the name? Look it up. I’m not helping sell it.

Coulter says single women give birth to future criminals. One chapter is called "Victim of a Crime? Thank a Single Mother."

Does that make poor unwed Bristol Palin a crime breeder? She still hasn’t married her baby’s self-proclaimed "fucking redneck" father. Is she giving Tripp a one-way ticket to the slammer? Maybe if Bristol can keep the baby away from Granny Sherry and her OcyContin, he’ll have a chance.

Coulter has slammed widows, unwed mothers – and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. She called Al Gore a "total fag."

Al’s a politician. He can take it.

I suppose Michelle Obama’s shapely shoulders will withstand Coulter’s latest attack. Coulter hates Michelle O’s clothes – and the reporters who love them. Coulter, whose fashion accessory should be a broom, criticized the soon-to-be First Lady’s style.

"Her obvious imitation of Jackie O’s style – the flipped up hair, the sleeveless A-line dresses, the short strands of fake pearls – would have been laughable if done by anyone other than a media-designated saint," Coulter carped.

Didn’t another media saint, Barbara Bush, also prefer pearls?

Coulter says Cindy McCain "dressed well without freakishly imitating famous First Ladies in history."

But Cindy slings a strand or four around her neck. She was photographed wearing a single strand with some of her suits. At the Republican National Convention, she wore a four-strand pearl necklace. Vanity Fair estimated that Cindy McCain’s necklace cost $11,000 to $25,000. The diamond earrings were $280,000. Her gold Oscar de la Renta dress was a mere $3,000.

So what if her outfit cost more than the average American home? She could afford it.

There is one thing Coulter and I can agree on: Jackie O had style.

Camelot’s First Lady loved designers such as Oleg Cassini, Givenchy and Chanel. Michele O prefers to highlight new American designers. She made a daring fashion move when she wore an off-the-rack Donna Ricco dress on "The View." That cost $148. Michelle boldly flaunted a J. Crew ensemble on the "Tonight Show."

What is the proper look for the new African-American First Lady? What would stop Coulter’s demented diatribes? Since Michelle O will be living with a black man in America’s crown jewel of public housing – the White House – maybe a rhinestone manicure and purple Spandex are fitting. They’re so deliciously urban.

Michelle O dares to dress like a woman of her age and class – "a corporate lawyer with a big education" as the New York Times called her. She’s smart, curvy and looks good in most of what she wears. Michelle is a Midwestern style setter, and that’s almost as hard to achieve as a black man being elected president. Most Easterners regard us as hayseeds.

It’s a new century, and it’s time to reconsider the role of the First Lady. Should she be a pearl-wearing tea pourer? A happy little political wife mindlessly applauding her man?

Or is there more to a candidate’s wife than her wardrobe?

Go ahead, Coulter, feel free to diss Michelle O. But find a better reason than her clothes.

I know carping is your style. But it’s time for an update. Hating the First Lady’s clothes is so old hat.

Comments

[Karen in Ohio]

Hear, hear, Elaine! Coulter is such a sore loser. First a Democrat wins a run at the Oval, then her old nemesis, Al Franken--someone who more than once has shown her to be a fraud and a liar, gets more than a toe in the Senate. She must be frothing at the mouth these days.

Couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

[Josh]

She is vile. If she doesn't like the way our First Lady dresses, then she should move to Russia.

[Kathy Sweeney]

Skeletor Woman wants to talk physical appearance?

As I may have mentioned, we saw her in person once, on the beach in Florida. No camera filters, no hair and makeup professionals.

When I say she is just as ugly outside as she is inside, I'm being kind.

I am very close to pitying that woman. That doesn't happen much when it comes to arrogant, bullying morons who have neither a clue nor manners. Apparently, my disdain does have limits.

[William Simon]

Ann Coulter is a classic example of someone suffering from the democratic delusion that all people are created interesting....

[JanetLynn13]

The hatred from that woman is astounding. I can't believe anyone listens to her.

My elderly grandfather bought me her book - I'm sure without reading it - thinking I would like the political aspect. After reading the cover, there was no way I was going to read that hatred, but I didn't know what to do with the book. It sat on my table for a while (face down, of course). I couldn't give it away because I didn't want to contribute to anyone else reading it. Then my daughter had a great idea. She took it to an end-of-school bonfire as kindling. Never a fan of book-burning, we felt this one was justified!

[Elaine Viets]

Janet Lynn, that may be the way to shut up Coulter: Don't buy her books, turn off the TV and radio when she's blathering and let the station know you won't buy from their sponsors. Maybe we'll finally have peace and quiet.
Letting some loony rage on the air is not "journalism."

[Laura (in PA)]

I just don't understand how reasonable people can enjoy her antics. I don't care how conservative your beliefs, why would you agree with that behavior and vitriol?

I guess it's worked for her.

[ArkansasCyndi]

Coulter exemplifies LOSER. Her hate-filled outlook could be comical if so many people didn't BUY HER DAMN BOOKS and listen to what she said.

Personally, I think she's built her career on these hateful comments. Whether or not she actually believes all this crap? Who knows. Sometimes I wonder if she isn't doing and saying all this crap for the $$.

I believe in an afterlife. I would not want to be Ann Coulter explaining my life to the "decision-maker" about where I'll be spending eternity.

[Harley]

I saw one of her newly-released books at an airport bookstore sometime last year, prominently displayed, and I casually moved the whole stack back a few inches and replaced the facing-out copy with Sarah's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL.

[michele]

The good news is, she's fading and she'll be over soon. The whole right-wing talk radio phenom has lost its luster anyway, and Coulter was never that influential in the panoply of Rush and Bill O'Reilly and all those testosterone guys. She relied on the contrast between her looks and her politics, but she's aged badly and that's not working for her any more. Now you can barely tell her from Bay Buchanan (except that Bay's more thoughtful and articulate).

[Tom]

" I casually moved the whole stack back a few inches and replaced the facing-out copy . . ."

Funny; I find myself doing the same thing when I see her detritus taking up valuable store shelf space.

Janene Garafalo described her once as "a performance artist," which sounds about right, and is closely related to being a clown or a street mime.

Someday soon she'll fall through a sewer grating, to be washed out to sea. We'll all be sad about the fish kill and closed beaches. And then she'll be forgotten.

[Kerry]

There must be a special karmic reward for someone who has tried so hard for so long to foster a culture of hatred. When I'm trying desperately to be kind, I try to imagine that the folks who listen to her must be so desperately afraid that they must be miserable. But somehow that doesn't make it better.

The sooner gone the better.

[Book Tarts]

Why do the hate-mongers thrive particularly on radio, do you suppose? Because radio waves reach places where reliable newspapers do not? Or is it something else? I find it amazing how many workplaces have Rush on all day.

I hear The View had AC on yesterday, and the program broke down into chaos. I can't bring myself to YouTube it.

[Book Tarts]

That was me, Nancy. I am still email-less, so I'm back to being Book Tarts with Mr. Typepad, I guess.

[William Simon]

Wow, Harley, that's odd. The same thing happens at the local Barnes and Noble when New Tart Releases. Mysterious phenomena, to say the least....

[Karen in Ohio]

Wow. When I posted last night I was worried that I might have come off as a bit harsh. Glad to see I'm not the only one who can't stand this witch.

I have heard, but cannot verify, that her books (and O'Reilly's, and others) are bought in massive quantities by a certain faction to make the numbers go up. Which is why you can find them in such equally massive quantity at remainder stores or on sale tables. In other words, they are manufactured "bestsellers".

[ramona]

Here is what I have to say about Ann Coulter (and thanks for the platform to say it, Elaine.)

Only a person desperately unhappy with herself, her life choices, her body image and her personal relationships would make an entire career out of spewing so much venom. Her self-hatred is palpable.

If I were a nicer human being, I'd say she is to be pitied. Instead, I am me, and seeing her rant cracks me up.

And if she doesn't like that, I can snap the skinny bitch like a twig.

[Pam aka SisterZip]

Ramona, I have a girlcrush on you!

[Mary Eman]

Maybe I'm oversimplifying here, but I think hunger is one of the reasons she's such a bitch. She needs a sandwich or some soup or a steak.......

[Elaine Viets]

"I casually moved the whole stack back a few inches and replaced the facing-out copy . . ."
Way to go, Harley.

[storyteller Mary]

Yeah, Harley! Sisterhood is . . . good marketing?
A friend just brought up Ann C. in conversation at the Y Monday. No one stepped up to contradict her dislike of AC. Mary Eman, you're on the right track -- let's feed her. One of my students wrote his own anti-war slogan, "Drop pies, not bombs." I love the image of all sorts of pies with little parachutes, floating down on former enemies. The woman needs steak and pie! (and maybe a trip to the Wizard for a heart . . . ;-)

[gaylin in vancouver]

Cookies for Coulter!

[Karen in Ohio]

Am I wrong to disagree with feeding her, and just letting her starve to nothing? Ooh, that's mean. Just replying in kind, I guess. Love your comment about the Wizard, Mary!

But to get back to Michele Obama--I love her down-to-earth outlook; her style reflects her practical mien in every other aspect of her life. Why shouldn't she dress the way she does? She's a lawyer, and spends a lot of time in professional situations; it just makes sense that she look the part. It confuses me that anyone could criticize her for that, or for being economical. They do have young children, for heaven's sake.

Does anyone else remember when the Republican women could be spotted because they were wearing a "good cloth coat"? Boy, things have sure changed in the last 40 years. Now it's the Democratic women who are less likely to be ostentatious, and the Republicans whose wardrobes rival Oprah's.

[William Simon]

Small hijack, Elaine. Sorry.

http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/news/arc/2009/nz13539.php

Number Six has finally escaped....

[JanetLynn13]

Harley, I'm gonna start following your lead on surreptitiously moving those books out of the way, and moving Tart books out front! Great idea!

Love all the comments today. And so far, I haven't seen anything about Michele Obama that I dislike. She seems like a thoughtful, educated woman/mother and I hope she finds a great way to make a difference.

[Tom]

"Number Six has finally escaped...."

Well, hell. I suppose it would be too much to hope he'd be buried in the Lotus 7.

[margaret]

Kathy S, if I saw AC in the flesh (well, what there is of it) and on the beach, I would find it necessary to avert my eyes. Or find a barf bag.

I have a special phrase for her and for similar annoyances: "She just doesn't exist for me."

I had the pleasure and privilege of being around Michelle Obama, her mother, and her daughters during an '07 campaign swing through the Granite State. Her poise, attractiveness, dignity, and confidence (the good kind) commanded every eye. Her speech was effortless--and actually riveting. In my view, she's a true patriot, worthy of respect for her decision and ability to personally sacrifice the domestic and professional life she enjoyed in Chicago. She feels that her country deserves her husband's presidency at this time, and worked hard to make it happen. She's not perfect, she'll make mistakes. But she seems like the sort of normal grown-up who can learn from her mistakes. Washington doesn't seem to have a lot of those--what a novelty.

But she's interesting in her own right, not only in the way she dresses. I think that's cool.

If AC can't handle all that...that's cool, too!

[nancy martin]

"Cookies for Coulter!" Gaylin, you gave me a big laugh today!

Nancy

[Judy Larsen]

Yeah, AC simply amazes me with her vitriol, her sense that she's so right about everything, and her rudeness. I saw a little bit of her on the Today show last week and couldn't stand it. It'd be funny if it weren't so disturbing. I wonder how she lives with herself.

Now, Michelle, I have a total girlfriend crush on her. I'm going to be in D.C. next week for the inauguration and my husband's worried that I just might get arrested for stalking her. I so would love to have a glass of wine with her and just dish.

[Karen in St. Louis]

Like Grandma always said: "Pretty is as pretty does." I don't understand why anyone gives her a platform to spew her venom.

Years ago I started a below-the-radar movement, "L.I.P.S." (Let's Ignore Phyllis Schlafly.) How about "L.I.L.A.C." (Let's Ignore Loathsome Ann Coulter)? With no controversy, she will fade away. Next time she appears on some show, contact the network/station & tell them she's BORING & a waste of time, so you switched channels.

As for her being a "performance artist," she is bizarrely laughable - especially HER taste in clothes!

[Elaine Viets]

Karen, LILAC is a terrific movement -- maye we can get her off the airwaves.

[Kathy Sweeney]

Karen - I LOVE that idea - plus, we have another bumper sticker for the list:

LILAC

[Maryann Mercer]

Well, there are still pockets (like my neck of the woods) where people seek out books by Rush Limbaugh and Ms. Coulter...and it's amazing as to the age range-young as well as old, although I find myself hoping the young 'uns are reading for the absurdity of it all. Ann Coulter is well, I hate to waste space on her. I admire Michelle Obama's unflappability more than her style. She seems well-prepared to take on (if she chooses) the Coulters and Limbaughs of the world. My bet is she couldn't care less. She'd rather set her own agenda and make choices unimpeded by any pundits-pseudo or otherwise.
One last thing though---if Ann Coulter ever thought before she spoke, she'd decide to tape her mouth shut and go live in Wasilla.

[Karen in Ohio]

Karen, I like that idea!

And while we're at it, how about LISP: Let's Ignore Sarah Palin, as well? There's someone who hasn't realized (along with "Joe" the "plumber") that her 15 minutes expired a long time ago.

[Becky Hutchison]

I hate to give Ann Coulter any numbers to use by googling her. So I looked her up on Dickipedia.com: http://www.dickipedia.org/dick.php?title=Ann_Coulter

Two portions of the entry say it all:

"Best known for purveying hate, Coulter revels in the mass loathing she herself inspires, a delight so aberrational as to invite speculation that she may in fact be an alien life form. That, actually, would explain a lot."

--and--

"Though she claims to have been engaged many times, she has yet to meet Mr. Rightwingnut. Those concerned with the future of humankind are watching Coulter’s biological clock, counting the days until the onset of the menopause that will render the species safe from her virulent strain of DNA."

Here, here!!! She's a legend in her own mind, obviously. Whereas, Michelle O is, and will be, a true legend!

[Tom]

I suspect, rather, that she *has* met different Mr. Rightwingnuts several times, and made the same mistake repeatedly, i.e., tearing the right nut away.

She then wondered, innocently, at the gentlemen's sudden retreat, and why they so hated America.

[Karen in Ohio]

Now, now, Tom. Just because she has a prominent Adam's apple, that's no reason to cast aspersions on her sexuality.

[mary alice at mystery lovers bookshop]

Hey folks.....we will not have or order this crazy women's books.
Just in case you wanted to know.
It is one of the great things about owning your own store.........BUT we need you to go to www.mysterylovers.com to keep us here!

[Laraine]

I'm mystified by the folks who say they listen to AC or Limbaugh spew because they find it entertaining. Isn't that like finding it entertaining to dismember live bugs or butterflies?
Michelle O: I have the notion it would be terrific to have tea with her. Let's all find out (but no stalking!).
Buy at Mystery Lovers and your local cafe, Mom & Pop store, etc., and send me any folks who want acupuncture . . . all of us need to stay in business until things pick up . . . .

[Laraine]

P.S. Farewell, Number Six: we loved ye well when ye were with us . . . . Thanks, William, for the link.

[keeps2busy]

If I wanted political talk of this type, I'd go to MSNBC and listen to their liberal opinions. Sorry, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, even Ann Coulter. And my opinion is Michelle really has no class,regardless of the clothes.

[Tom]

" . . . no reason to cast aspersions on her sexuality."

Nothing at all to do with her sexuality, KIO; everything to do with her personality.

[Charlotte Hughes]

Elaine: Thank you, thank you, for your column on Ann Coulter. She should be charged with a hate crime every time she opens her mouth. The woman is pure venom. She is the female version of a shock jock-what is the politically correct term for this? Bitch woman? Satan's daughter? What bothers me most is that she gets so much media attention and that her books sell so well. She is an embarrassment to women and the human race in general. In a time when Americans face so much uncertainty, we need to be united. We need to genuinely care for our fellow man/woman and practice tolerance. Coulter is lucky she lives in a country where freedom of speech is a basic human right; but as long as people buy her books she will continue to spread her poison. I am thrilled that America is starting a new chapter with a president who has the potential to change the face of our country, give us hope, and make us better citizens. Perhaps there will come a time - very soon! - that Ann Coulter's book will simply be considered bad taste to all. Charlotte Hughes

[Charlotte Hughes]

PS: Ann Coulter doesn't care what anyone says about her, good or bad. Just as long as people are talking about her she's happy as a pig in slop. Uh-oh, did I just call her a pig!

[Cinema Dave]

"So this is how liberty dies – with thunderous applause."

[Dana Booth]

Truth does not seem to fit in your tirade against Ann Coulter. The facts were exactly what Coulter was relaying and the only way to discredit her is to attack her motivation for revealing them. Hatred was very obvious in your attack so I guess that makes your unjust criticism acceptable