Ann Coulter

I have to tell you that I thought about it for quite a while before deciding to blog about Ann Coulter. My indecision stemmed from my overwhelming desire to not give her any more attention than she has already received and not wanting to share her bitter rants with anyone who has been lucky enough not to witness them already. However, that desire was beat out by my need to respond in some way to her ignorance and bitterness. For anyone who didn't see it - Ann Coulter was a guest on "The View" this week. In her brief segment (approximately 12 minutes - the first half of which she wasn't at the table, her book was being discussed by the hosts), she managed to insult single mothers, celebrities of mixed race, President-Elect Barack Obama and nearly all of the co-hosts of "The View" - particularly Barbara Walters who she accused of reading her book like Mien Kampf. I have a huge problem with the things Ann writes and says. Her ignorance, lack of compassion and the brutality with which she attacks groups of people and individuals that are different from her are just the beginning of why I can't stand her. However, my biggest problem with her is that she spews her venom without ever trying to work towards a solution for the problems she rants about. Instead, she chooses to be a part of the problem. By choosing to simply continue to make attacks and spew hatred at people (her favorite group to attack seems to be single mothers) as opposed to working towards change, she willingly embraces her role as part of the problem, not a proponent for a solution. Personally, I would prefer she take a few classes in empathy and compassion. I'd like her to follow the rules: "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all" and "treat others as you would like to be treated". Ann Coulter isn't going away anytime soon - she loves to create drama and attack people simply because she can and because conservative, right-wingers buy into her crap. Much as I wish she would disappear from public view, I know that isn't likely since, sadly, there are a lot of people that agree with her hateful words and opinions. However, what I wish for more is that hopeful, compassionate, open-minded people read her words and take the time to see for themselves how inaccurate and hurtful they are. I wish that those of us that disagree with her and see how venomous she is will discuss her ignorance with others and help to educate. Most importantly, I wish that from her ignorance we can all become more aware, more empathetic and more committed to positive social change and acceptance of each other despite our differences.