The concept that hate messages are acceptable, besides straining credulity, runs contrary to the Christian ethic. We are exhorted to love our neighbor, a lofty goal but often not met.
Ann Coulter puts a real strain on this ethic, so much so that we have not been able to read her for quite a while. We know those who do not take the local paper because of the likes of her. When we did read her, my spouse and I would look at each other in disbelief and wonder whether her mother had been bitten by a viper when A.C. was in utero.
The idea that spewing venomous diatribes contributed to her appeal and thus generates income is beyond my ken. Tons of writers and speakers do not resort to pandering to the lowest common denominator to peddle their wares. Hers are testimonials to bad taste, not to mention wildly erroneous judgments and say as much about her admirers as they do about her. By comparison, she makes Michael Moore look like the poster boy for the diplomatic corp!
She was quoted in an area newspaper when speaking at a university she ended her message by saying she would take questions "as she loved debating with people more stupid than she." At that point what a pity the event leader did not usher her from the podium, escort her to the airport and exhort her never to darken that campus again - what a huge step for civility that would have been.
If she has a compelling need to vent her spleen, wouldn't it be lovely if she could package it and have it sent into outer space, thus sparing "We, the People" from her malice? She was quoted as saying that the brouhaha about her arises about every six months and she goes on ignoring it, pursuing her agenda, making money and the flap evaporates. Is this something akin to the schoolyard ploy of "I double dare you"? In my view, it is high time we did just that.
