Comments on: Oh, shut up

By: MZ

MZ — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:05:00 +0000

So you are one of the fascists that only believe speech should be allowed for those that you agree with. Why don’t you have the fortitude to ask for a debate with Coulter? What did Ann Coulter say that was wrong? Why is the Islamic community not speaking out against Islamic fundamentalism?

If the problem with airline security is a result of a certain group, why not target that group for additional security screening? Why do you not oppose addidional scrutiny of men in domestic disputes?

Go enjoy these freedoms offered by Canada, at the expense of another opinion.

By: Susan MacPhee

Susan MacPhee — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:37:56 +0000

I’m with you and must say though I was very soon tired of the whole dreary so-called debate, I do think it important to be aware of what the “bad guys” are saying. It’s important to keep it in the open where light can be shone on it so it can’t just squirm around the dark and murky spots taking advantage of easy marks.

Reminded me of a time many years ago when a visiting friend expressed shock that I was reading William F. Buckley. I told him “what am I supposed to do, pretend he doesn’t exist? Knowing the other side is important, they know us, you can be certain.”

Keep going, Sharon.

By: Robbie Lochead(Pereira)MGH 1964

Robbie Lochead(Pereira)MGH 1964 — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:48:22 +0000

Sharon, we don't have Ann Coulter in NZ but we do have Paula Bennett. Paula is an MP which means we the taxpayers have to fund her crap! I shall research Ann, you can research Paula who wants to get all unemployed working for one dollar an hour. Apparently there was a ruckus today in her electorate, people wearing red T Shirts saying "Kill Paula Bennett." Ah, life goes on!

By: Pat Kipping

Pat Kipping — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:38:53 +0000

I believe in freedom of speech but there can often be more power in silence.

That woman and her spin machine don’t deserve another second of our time or thought.

Ignoring someone that ignorant is the most powerful thing we can do.

By: Margaret Davis

Margaret Davis — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:03:30 +0000

Very well argued, Sharon — you’ve made points that I haven’t heard elsewhere. I also applaud David’s comment about how Conservatives like to make laws that take our freedoms away — something that the neocons of course deny.

By: Rashida Collins

Rashida Collins — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:00:43 +0000

Well said! Thank you. As one of the people on Ann’s “hitlist” so to speak it’s nice to be validated for once … I think it is dangerous to just ignore someone like this.

By: Ann Roman

Ann Roman — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:31:44 +0000

Very good … as always!

By: Tim Gill

Tim Gill — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:30:56 +0000

Absolutely bang on! Ignoring her won’t work. She has no shame, so I’m not sure that telling her that she is an ignorant boor will work either, but I’m game for any strategy that doesn’t legitimize her rants.

By: David Cadogan

David Cadogan — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:42:21 +0000

I agree that Ann Coulter is a pestilence. However, I believe, as you pointed out, that it is better to allow the lunatic fringe to spew its vitriol in the open. I think it is incredibly stupid for a Canadian university to give her a platform but I don’t think it should be illegal. In situations like this, I think we can leave it to the public, the media, and the marketplace to express their opinions and direct their donations and tuition fees. I do have great faith in the people in a democracy to identify and reject the vicious extremists.

Considering that we hear that there was a socialist coup d’etat in the US, people here seem to be going about their lives as if they had not had a terrible violation of their freedom to watch children die rammed down their throats. (WE REALLY NEED A PUNCTUATION MARK FOR SARCASM. THAT WAS SARCASM. !?!) Conservatives are the ones who like to make laws that really restrict our freedoms. Be careful you do not give them the excuse that you do too.

By: Patricia Campkin

Patricia Campkin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:18:21 +0000

Way to go, Sharon!!!