Iowa paper dumps Coulter

[warrens]

NEW YORK Ann Coulter is no stranger to controversy, but her latest adventures have several newspapers questioning whether carrying her syndicated column is worth the trouble. The Shreveport (La.) Times is currently leaving the decision of whether or not to keep Coulter up to its readers. But the first newspaper to officially drop Coulter’s column since the latest uproar began seems to be The Gazette of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she had appeared for about 14 months.

Opinion Page Editor Doug Neumann told E&P, “Our decision was made before the plagiarism allegations. It did come after the publication of book, but I would say it didn’t directly play any role on our decision.”

However, Neumann surmised that Coulter’s incendiary book may have played an “indirect” role in the final decision. “I think it was the book that began to unwind support among her readers,” Neumann explained.

“Liberals have never liked her, and we’ve always gotten complaints . But the complaints that mattered the most were from the conservative readers,” who felt that their views were being misrepresented.


SNIP

The catch is, they picked up Pigboy's brother. But what the heck?

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002838462

[bryant69]

1. David Limbaugh is a bit less onerous than Ann Coulter

I mean I don't think he literally wants to see us all dead; just out of power forever. Which is, in an ugly sort of way, a step up.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Swamp Rat]

2. Too late! The GOP now owns Coulter.

She IS the face of the GOP.

[rodeodance]

6. consider this---liberals have always 'got it" (her vileness!-)--Slow to

catch on conservatives ruled the roost!!

[stanwyck]

3. Considering that Coulter has called

for terrorists to kill Americans - with her repeated pleas for The New York Times building to be bombed and the NYT editors be shot, I'm surprised any respectable newspaper or news outlet would feature her.

[cyberswede]

5. I wrote them when they started carrying her...

...and my letter had the quote about the NY Times building and her quote about invading coutries, killing their leaders, and converting them to christianity. The editor disagreed with me that her views were extreme, and compared her to *Molly Ivins* on the left! He replied to a colleague's letter by calling it hate mail. I'm glad they finally dropped her, but I still don't think it's a particularly enlightened paper.
thx - cs

[rodeodance]

7. geesh!!

[cyberswede]

9. Here's my letter...

Funny, I didn't mention my own political affiliation in the original letter (sent May 3, 2005).
I re-read his reply, which now pisses me off all over again. It's at the end (I added the bold).
Would it be small of me to reply to him again now with a snarky "I told you so?"
thx - cs

------------------------------
Dear Mr. Bowden:
While I understand and applaud the presentation of opposing political
viewpoints, I find the decision of the Gazette to carry a column by
Ann Coulter to be deeply troubling. Ms. Coulter does not present a
typical conservative viewpoint on current events; her opinions are
severely polemic, inflammatory, and even dangerous. For example, in
an interview with the New York Observer on Aug. 20, 2002, she said,
"My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York
Times Building."

Even the National Review Online dropped Coulter for being too extreme
after she said the following on September 13, 2001 (referring to
Muslims), "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and
convert them to Christianity."

Responsible journalism should reflect and transmit society's values
and encourage a well-informed citizenry. The writing of Ann Coulter
does neither. I hope you reconsider the decision to publish her
column.

Thank you,
-------------------

His reply:

Thank you for the thoughtful note. It is, perhaps, as difficult for me
to understand your reaction to The Gazette's decision to publish Ann
Coulter's column as it was for me to understand the outpouring of
negative reaction from readers and non-readers of The Gazette when this
newspaper started publishing Molly Ivin's column.

As I said then, and must say again: The Gazette does not expect its
readers to agree with the political talk of all columnists published on
the Opinion Page and on Page 2A.

The Gazette, Iowa's largest locally owned and independent daily
newspaper, publishes a spectacular mix of columnists, and a column by
Coulter is but one among numerous essays -- right, left and middle of
the road and on the extreme edges -- printed in this newspaper each
week.

The Gazette is Eastern Iowa's best-read newspaper because it
aggressively covers the news our readers want and need to know. The
Opinion Page is a marketplace of ideas and thought. Give the Coulter
column a chance before you condemn it. Don't be in such a rush to stifle
political speech.

Regards,

[warrens]

12. Remind him of that correspondence and defend Ann

Has Molly Ivins ever engaged in hate speech like the clinically insane Coulter has? Then tell him you want her back in the paper to remind everyone what Repukes REALLY stand for.

Edited to add: That will DRIVE HIM NUTS. I gor-on-tee.

[cyberswede]

13. Good idea

I'll expres my shock at his attempt to stifle political speech.
Asshat.

[gratuitous]

14. Curious that they compare Little Arfin' Annie to Molly Ivins

But they didn't (or couldn't) provide any quotations from Ms. Ivins similar to the ones you so helpfully provided from Ms. Coulter. I think a follow-up communiqué with the "told you so" language would be wholly appropriate, now that the Gazette is apparently ready to stifle political speech because it finally discomfits their conservative readers.

[warrens]

8. Frankly, I hope they keep running her running her mouth

She's turning off even a good chunk of the Repuke party. Hey, they loved her when she was up, now they OWN THE BITCH'S opinions. She's just a mainstream Repuke who says what they only think and act on.

[rodeodance]

4. so, they cared when the Conservatives whined! --but ignored the liberals.

what a joke!




.......“Liberals have never liked her, and we’ve always gotten complaints . But the complaints that mattered the most were from the conservative readers,” who felt that their views were being misrepresented.

[Mad_Dem_X]

16. That's the line that jumped out at me

Who cares if libs complained about her hatefulness...it only counts when conservatives complain. :mad:

[SheilaT]

10. The Kansas City Star

stopped carrying her several years ago because readers were so incensed at her vileness.

[rodeodance]

11. write to them here: I did.

Sarah Weber ([e-mail]) is a reporter for E&P.

[ComerPerro]

15. No, conservatives, your views were being represented

she speaks for the "true" conservatives out there.

I wish I had a nickel every time some self-congratulating "true conservative" told me how much they liked and agreed with Coulter, before her infamous 9/11 widows comment.

And I wish I had another nickel every time those same people, after the comment, told me the exact opposite.

[warrens]

17. Here's my letter to the Cedar Rapids paper

Mr. Bowden: I can't tell you how disappointed I am that you chose to stifle Ann Coulter's political speech by dumping her column. Not that I like her, mind you. I abhor the harpie.

But she has been published for years, giving an unexpurgated insight into the true beliefs of the Republican party. For years, Republicans giggled and screamed "you go, girl" as she said out loud what they only believe and act upon.

Did they complain when she called on terrorists to kill the people at the NY Times? No, Republicans giggled and nodded their heads. Did they stand up to her when she said we should invade Muslim nations, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity? Nope, not a peep. They backed her every insane chunk of hatemongering. And since she continues to speak for them, how dare you censor her?

Your intolerance is abhorrent. Bring back Ann and apologize and allow her to bravely set out the true Republican agenda.

Sincerely

XXXX

You have my permission to print this letter. And in case you don't recognize your own words being thrown back at you, here is the reply you sent to a reader who complained about you hiring a hatemonger for your editorial page, in which you compared her to Molly Ivins.

It is, perhaps, as difficult for me
to understand your reaction to The Gazette's decision to publish Ann
Coulter's column as it was for me to understand the outpouring of
negative reaction from readers and non-readers of The Gazette when this
newspaper started publishing Molly Ivin's column.

As I said then, and must say again: The Gazette does not expect its
readers to agree with the political talk of all columnists published on
the Opinion Page and on Page 2A.

The Gazette, Iowa's largest locally owned and independent daily
newspaper, publishes a spectacular mix of columnists, and a column by
Coulter is but one among numerous essays -- right, left and middle of
the road and on the extreme edges -- printed in this newspaper each
week.

The Gazette is Eastern Iowa's best-read newspaper because it
aggressively covers the news our readers want and need to know. The
Opinion Page is a marketplace of ideas and thought. Give the Coulter
column a chance before you condemn it. Don't be in such a rush to stifle
political speech.

[Contrary1]

18. All together now...

"Coulter Republicans, Coulter Republicans, Coulter Republicans". It's working.

Perhaps there are a few "Conservatives" reading this post that might want to contact their local newspaper and voice their concern regarding the negativity of being associated with Coulter.
:evilgrin: