Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Ann Coulter is (surprise!) at the center of a controversy for her repeated use of a variant of the term "Retard" this election season -- primarily on Twitter. She has referred to the president this way as well as those who are using the term Romneysia. It's a strong and cutting word and I understand why she uses it.
But she is wrong to use it that way.
I understand that she is intentionally trying to rile the PC-police but there are words I know that she does not use and this one should be on that list as well. There are myriad blog posts one can read, some of which are quite eloquent, to describe why this word is wrong, but I like this one, posted by Ursula Hennessey in the early days of Ricochet. Please enjoy her amazing prose and perhaps you will be persuaded, as I was, to give up the use of that word. (She has written specifically to Ann Coulter at her own blog here.)
Perhaps if the editors read this post, they might consider re-promoting Ursula's post to the Main Page.
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Comments:
Nov '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Trace, the link to Ursula's blog seems to be broken...
May '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Thanks Nanda. I think I fixed everything.
Aug '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
I don't think she should use that word derisively. You know, she's smart and witty, and in doesn't have much fear-- these are good things for a conservative--but the big danger would be that she makes herself so toxic that it would do no good to cite her work or her books. She should cool it down some.
Jun '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
When you use that word to describe a person that it would never apply to with the original meaning, it's much less of a transgression. I've been called that for asking a woman her age, and in that case, for that moment, it was accurate. I think Obama could handle it. It didn't make him cry, I don't think.
May '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
The point Mel is that using that word as an insult derides mentally disabled people and those that care for them. I get that it's a sharp, effective word, but she should be supporting those that choose to give birth to and raise children with birth defects, not using them as a punch line.
May '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Oh, I have written about this before and how I don't think changing words is helpful. Retarded is already a PC version of other words, like idiot, now commonly used as a derisive term that is not complained of. Retarded has been changed into handicapped and has likewise made the transition into a different meaning. I think, particularly because it is no longer acceptable in its original definition, it is fair game as used by Ann coulter. I'd link to the essay, but I am on my ... Stupid phone!
Jun '12
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
And it's simply not an accurate description of the President. Obama understands perfectly well what he's doing and has to a large extent successfully executed key pieces of a social progressive, statist agenda. We may regard his political philosophies as wrongheaded but he has articulated and sold them in a masterful way.
Sep '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Technically speaking, the "retarded vote" includes my youngest daughter, Annie, who has Down syndrome. She'll vote a week from Tuesday, just as she has in the past five elections. She'll show her state-issued Photo ID (she's insanely proud of her "license"), and I'll take her into the voting booth.
Does Ms. Coulter think Annie's vote isn't worthwhile? Does she think that Annie's vote--in Pennsylvania, where Romney is within striking distance, and Tom Smith is a hair's breadth behind in the Senate race--is worth mocking?
I normally don't get irritated by variations on the word "retarded." But in this case, Coulter is specifically referring to a very specific group of voters--one of whom is particularly dear to me.
Shame on her.
May '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
John, Ann was very obviously NOT speaking technically. I wholly understand your personal sensitivity, but think about how often we use non-technical language every day. To hold people to that standard despite the fact that their plain meaning is obvious would be disingenuous.
Edited on October 25, 2012 at 12:24amAug '12
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
I used to be a big fan of Ann Coulter but she lost me when she violated Ronaldus Magnus' eleventh commandment.
May '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
John Murdoch
I normally don't get irritated by variations on the word "retarded." But in this case, Coulter is specifically referring to a very specific group of voters--one of whom is particularly dear to me.
And John, I do not mean to minimize your relationship or your daughter - as a father how that feels, and nothing in the world could change that.
But I also think you know full well that Ann Coulter was in no way referring to actual downs syndrome voters with that comment.
And I think this is a question that most people wouldn't want to touch with a 10 foot pole, due to sensitivities, but if we don't allow voting for children - why would we allow voting for adults with the minds of children? Now, from what I know, that does NOT include all mentally handicapped individuals. I believe there is a spectrum. But I think it is an interesting question on how we approach the concept of voting. I am reminded of pushes to get out and vote - to reach to younger, uninformed voters. Seems this isn't always wise.
Sep '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Ryan M
But I also think you know full well that Ann Coulter was in no way referring to actual downs syndrome voters with that comment.
Actually, I assume she was referring, specifically, to the mentally-retarded. Not Down syndrome specifically--but the mentally-retarded in particular.
She's bright, she's capable, she's literate. She writes and speaks for a living. She knows the power of words, and she chooses her words deliberately. She has a longstanding reputation for deliberately courting controversy as a way to attract attention.
Shame on her.
Sep '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Ryan M
And I think this is a question that most people wouldn't want to touch with a 10 foot pole, due to sensitivities, but if we don't allow voting for children - why would we allow voting for adults with the minds of children?
Among other reasons, because the Voting Rights Act of 1964 outlaws intelligence tests for voting.
Whether the mentally-retarded should be permitted to vote is an interesting policy question--one that I'd be happy to discuss on another thread. (And my views might surprise you.)
But here, we're talking about Ann Coulter consciously trashing mentally-retarded adults.
Shame on her.
May '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
John Murdoch
Among other reasons, because the Voting Rights Act of 1964 outlaws intelligence tests for voting.
Whether the mentally-retarded should be permitted to vote is an interesting policy question--one that I'd be happy to discuss on another thread. (And my views might surprise you.)
But here, we're talking about Ann Coulter consciously trashing mentally-retarded adults.
Shame on her. · in 0 minutes
Well, I don't think we're far apart, here. Except inasmuch as I specifically do not think that she was in any way talking about mentally-retarded adults of the sorts we commonly come across. She is basically saying that you would have to be stupid to believe obama's statements about the video. She is using the word "retarded" to convey that meaning. It doesn't make much sense that she would be talking about an actual voting bloc. Implied in her statement is "... and you (referring to those people talking about the video) are the retarded vote." The reverse is also necessarily implied, that she is not talking about actual mentally handicapped voters.
May '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
... and I am not suggesting that they not be allowed to vote or that we have intelligence testing. But you are right that another thread about the policy of voting would be interesting. I have a super high-functioning but definitely mentally handicapped friend who works with my wife @ DSHS. Huge into the union. It is interesting to think about why that is.
Sep '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Trying to comment on live event leaves little time for self editing, but why would you be saying that in the first place? Insulting Obama isn't that hard. Instead, Coulter ended up insulting millions of innocent men, women, and children.
May '11
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
She certainly should have said that Obama was locking up the vote of the mentally challenged voter instead of retarded voter. Maybe the 140 character count came into play.
May '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
She's done it enough times now to believe that the choice is a deliberate one. She actively courts controversy.
May '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
Part of supporting those who choose life even when it's a difficult choice means having their back. It means not indulging in snark at the expense of them and their loved ones.
Jul '10
Re: Ann Coulter & The "R" Word
John Murdoch
(she's insanely proud of her "license"),
Shame on her. · 2 hours ago
Care to clarify?