Assaulting Humor: The Persecution of Ann Coulter

Ann Coulter has been unfairly attacked for using the "f" word, not that "f" word the other one. "Faggot" is the favorite insult of males aged 9 to 90 looking for the ultimate jab at another male. However, Ann is not male. The current stir stems from a speech Coulter gave at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. "I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I -- so kind of an impasse, can't really talk about Edwards," Coulter said. Ann should have realized she wasn't going to get the soft treatment given former Congressman Dick Armey when a few years ago he referred to fellow congressman Barney Frank as Barney Fag.

Armey got a two week media slap on the wrist but apologized (which Coulter still hasn't) and all was forgiven. Just like school-yard boys do. Ann's problem with the "f" word is indicative of her larger problem with being the conservative right's James Carville, she's a woman. Women just aren't going to be allowed to be as mean-spirited as men.

Someone had to take over for pill-popping Rush Limbaugh. Prescription drugs or not, Rush is getting too old to handle the mantle of the liberal left's leading bogeyman. Enter Ann. She is young, blond, attractive and full of fire. No offense to other contenders, but Pat Buchanan has become somewhat of a softy (often critical of Bush and the administration as well as fellow republicans), Bill O'Reilly stays just above the line of offensive, though he hits annoying and condescending dead on and Tony Blankley's thick English accent still makes it impossible for anyone to see him as an American. Like it or not, Ann has to take the mantle and I believe she's up to the challenge. She shouldn't be punished for it. Now, let's get back to the "f" word.

Faggot is a term (more often than not negative) used to define homosexuals. If being a homosexual isn't so bad than why is being referred to as one in jest with a negative term such a high crime? Have we found the gay equivalent of "nigger"? My God should we ban the word "faggot". Where is The New York City Council when we need them? Should we go one step further and ban humor? After all humor got John Kerry in trouble.

John Kerry said not being so bright could land you in Iraq and the US media, the Republican Party, veterans and soldier of all political ilks went nuts? Why? I served 7 years in two different decades. I am here to tell you, contrary to brochures, commercials and grand speeches; the army isn't chock full of the best and the brightest. John Kerry was attempting a joke, a joke ruined by explanation and apology. All jokes (even vicious ones) are based in truth that is what makes a joke funny, the problem is not that people can't take a joke; the problem is people can't take the truth associated with the joke.

John Kerry got in trouble because people thought he was saying soldiers were not so smart. The only way that isn't funny is if you have never served in the army. Ann got in trouble because she implied that John Edwards was a faggot. Faggot is defined by most dictionaries (on-line and traditional, professional and user) as an effeminate male. Now anyone who has ever heard Edwards speak would have to get Ann's joke.

Ann Couture and others must be allowed to tell jokes even in bad taste and until such time as the word "faggot" has been banned (even symbolically) it is fair game for use in jokes political or not. People in this country need to accept that some jokes, if not all, are based in truth and some words that are offensive are also funny. Laugh at the joke and stop being a, well you know.