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Ann Coulter: A great American

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by Letters to the Editor
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 00:00

I think Ann Coulter is wonderful. Who wouldn't? She's a bold, outspoken woman who gets her point across by making outrageous comments that have truth to them. As for the "wishing Jews could be perfected" comment, isn't that just expressing her beliefs? Don't Jews wish Catholics believed only in the Old Testament?

"That is what Christians consider themselves: They are perfected Jews," Coulter said. "What Christians believe — this is just a statement of what the New Testament is." Christians are encouraged to share their beliefs with everyone, including the Jews. That is part of what Christians believe.

The reason everyone hates Ann Coulter is because she says things that they disagree with. She's provocative — but she makes people listen to her. If she didn't say anything stimulating or thought-provoking, the liberals wouldn't jump on her, and nothing would be made of what she said. Ann Coulter is blunt and says what she means in this age of "political correctness." I have two of her books, and the latest, "If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans," is on the way. If only we would say what we think instead of hiding behind this fear of "offending" other people. If people are scared to say what they think, they will be run over and controlled by those who aren't.

Heidi Voss

Freshman, undecided major

Hvoss2@wisc.edu


Feedback
Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 4:46am):

Heidi, you're completely misguided.

Jews don't wish Catholics believed in only the Old Testament. That is one of the main differences between Christianity and Judaism, is that the former seeks as part of its mandate to convert unbelievers, while the latter does not.

What you further don't understand (most likely because your ultra-patriotism blinds you) is that the comments made by Coulter are only one step away from reducing people's humanity, and believing that "others not like me" should be herded into gas chambers or killing fields.

If you are so misguided into actually believing that the common people in 1930s Nazi Germany were not affected in this same way, and that even the mighty America is not immune from the evils of bigotry and ignorance, then you must also not believe that millions of innocent people were deported and slaughtered and sent to gas chambers.

To permit and accept Ms. Coulter speaking the way she does about your fellow Americans, and about the citizens of other countries she shares this world with, is to also permit and accept the horrible and inhumane way that other supposed "civilized" people treated others in the past.

Let me ask you this -- Is that the kind of love your fellow man which Christ preached, and which is believed and espoused by conservatives? Because if it is, God help America.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 7:35am):

Ann Coulter got rich on gullible xenophobes.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 9:13am):

take your argument to its logical conclusion-let's say she had said "jews should be killed" rather than that they should be "perfected."

that, per your definition, would be both "stimulating" and "thought-provoking," and i am fairly certain that those darned liberals would be "jumping all over her." does that make such commentary worthwhile? i certainly hope not!

in sum, just because something provokes a reaction or discussion does not make it right for someone to say it, and just because someone is "bold" and "outspoken" does not make them "wonderful." every tyrant in history would fit that bill.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 9:27am):

Oh man. File this one under "Things I Did Freshman Year That Will Taint My Reputation For The Rest of My Life".

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 9:27am):

Well, Heidi is a freshman. Maybe after a couple of classes on the Holocaust, she'll have a more educated opinion.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 9:49am):

"Don't Jews wish Catholics believed only in the Old Testament?"

We Jews don't care if Christians or anyone else didn't believe in the Old Testament. We do, however, wish you would read it so you would better understand it. We also wish you wouldn't try to re-interpret it to support you asinine claims that we Jews only need to accept Jesus as our Messiah in order to be "consummated."

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 10:22am):

Nazi comment: Reductio ad Nazium.

Also, not all Christians are conservatives: Reductio ad absurdum.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:00am):

My free speech entitles me to say you're an idiot. Both the writer of this letter and some parts of 4:46pm.

Ann Coulter spoke freely, but she did not speak wisely. Her lack of tolerance of other religions speaks to a greater xenophobia that affects the conservative population. There is a greater tendency among conservatives to fear that which they do not know - there is a study by David Amodio saying that conservatives genetically and neurologically tend to be more creatures of habit than liberals and inept at dealing with new things . The majority of homophobes, for example, don't know any gay people in their own lives.

I know several Christians who are accepting, even supportive of those who disagree with them - and I'm an atheist.

I propose we drop Ann Coulter in a room of gay people, black people, other women, and other religions and see if she doesn't have some sort of mental breakdown from all the difference she has to deal with.

Here's some advice from a world-weary liberal upperclassman: Just because you have the right to talk like an idiot doesn't mean you should. Educate yourself before formulating an opinion. See both sides of a story. Try to discern why someone thinks what they think and you will learn more accurately .

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:01am):

"take your argument to its logical conclusion-let's say she had said "jews should be killed" rather than that they should be "perfected."

You know, there were times when "killed" was what they really meant by "perfected."

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:06am):

My free speech entitles me to say you're an idiot. Both the writer of this letter and some parts of 4:46pm.

Ann Coulter spoke freely, but she did not speak wisely. Her lack of tolerance of other religions speaks to a greater xenophobia that affects the conservative population. There is a greater tendency among conservatives to fear that which they do not know - there is a study by David Amodio saying that conservatives genetically and neurologically tend to be more creatures of habit than liberals and inept at dealing with new things . The majority of homophobes, for example, don't know any gay people in their own lives.

I know several Christians who are accepting, even supportive of those who disagree with them - and I'm an atheist.

I propose we drop Ann Coulter in a room of gay people, black people, other women, and other religions and see if she doesn't have some sort of mental breakdown from all the difference she has to deal with.

Here's some advice from a world-weary liberal upperclassman: Just because you have the right to talk like an idiot doesn't mean you should. Educate yourself before formulating an opinion. See both sides of a story. Try to discern why someone thinks what they think and you will learn more accurately .

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:21am):

Ann Coulter also said women shouldn't have the right to vote. Take her up on her advice and don't vote next year, that'll MAYBE make up for the stupidity of your letter.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:29am):

I think all of the comments are a perfect example of what is wrong with the liberal craziness of Madison. We cannot even have a healthy discussion about someone's comments. It is very sad that liberals believe that there has to be one right opinion and then will smash everyone that has a thought against them. If everyone thought the same, the world would be a pretty boring place.

I definitely do not agree with Ann Coulter and I really don't think Heather does either, she believe in the PRINCIPLE of being able disseminate ideas in an open space. Apparently the liberal a-holes of Madison refuse to even hear the other side. Sounds like a great education to me when you can't even consider the other side.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:34am):

Heidi, do have any old Partridge Family records you'd like to swap with me? I'm trying to find "I'll Meet You Halfway". Ooooh, that was my favorite Partridge Family song!

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:46am):

the height of ann coulter's intelligent political discourse probably was reached when she referred to someone she was arguing with on a Fox News program as a "faggot"...i'm not sure why this woman is famous. what policy prescriptions did she propose to make america a better place? what has she done to improve society or the discourse around testy political issues? nothing. the woman is only famous because idiotic people actually take seriously the bullshit she spews forth, and by attempting to refute anything she says, they fall right into her trap and she garners even more attention for herself. if you want ann coulter to go away, take everything she says with a microscopic gain of salt

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 12:08pm):

never in my life would I ever have thought I would say this but...I agree with Anne Coulter on something. Her belief that women should have their right to vote revoked. If we have females so brainwashed and out of touch with reality as Hedi is, there is no way in hell they should be allowed to vote, or for that matter, propagate and have children.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 12:10pm):

Heidi, stop buying her books. She is only writing the things you want to hear. You could write the same book by interviewing any redneck with a confederate flag in his Ford's back window.

Wake up, honey, you're just making her rich.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 12:25pm):

Ann Coulter has advocated for the revocation of women's suffrage, told us that we should "rape" the earth, rehashed the retarded creationist canard that evolutionary biology is a religion, and stated that we should forcibly convert Muslims to Christianity. If you regard the above to be "stimulating" and "thought-provoking," then you are utterly devoid of either intellectual standards or the capacity for critical thought.

Steve Slapps (October 17, 2007 @ 12:33pm):

Since Coulter thinks women shouldn't vote and you like her so much, don't hand in your ballot to show it.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 12:45pm):

Ann Coulter has probably done more for the liberal cause than anyone else. By saying ridiculous and ignorant things (like women shouldn't be allowed to vote and 9/11 widows are money-grubbers) and pretending to be the voice of conservatives, she turns off any intelligent person capable of rational thought. Every time Coulter opens her mouth, liberals should jump for joy and conservatives should be ashamed.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 12:46pm):

"believing that 'others not like me' should be herded into gas chambers or killing fields."

You're clearly describing the actions (repeated ad nauseum over the past century) of atheistic Marxist movements-- not Christians.

Now kindly stop slandering Christians. You are hypocritically perpetrating the very blatant religious bigotry of which you've falsely accused Ms. Coulter.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 12:49pm):

I serioously thought this was a joke article at first. Its sad that I was wrong. Though I do have a twisted dream to meet people like this - it would be like seeing a dodo or the loch ness monster - not something you get to see every day, if ever again.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 1:26pm):

If Heidi believes that Ann Coulter is right, why is Heidi in college? Ann Coulter believes that women should be nothing more then baby makers.
How about you go troll local churches to get your MRS Heidi.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 1:28pm):

I would call Heidi Voss a Dyke, but then I have to go to rehab for doing that.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 1:34pm):

I suppose you also find proponents of eugenics thought provoking. They are, after all, certainly foes of political correctness.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 2:02pm):

she could go to the College at Southwestern and really get her MRS degree, mmmm homemaking majors....

http://college.swbts.edu/academics/homemakingconcentration.cfm

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 2:26pm):

You've GOT to be kidding me, right?! Ann Coulter is the devil reincarnate. I don't consider myself a violent person or do I ever have plans to carry this out, but if I was given one shot any ANYONE in the world - I really do believe I would choose MAN Coulter.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 2:46pm):

There are no liberals and no conservatives, just Americans and scumbags who want to divide us.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 2:57pm):

...let's say she had said "jews should be killed" rather than that they should be "perfected."

Then she would be a Moslem!

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 3:32pm):

Not violent, but you'd like to shoot her?

Sounds about right for a liberal.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 3:43pm):

To October 17, 2007 @ 12:46pm:

It's too bad everyone brings up communist Russia and Nazi Germany of examples of atheists gone bad. Those are actually extremely weak arguments. One can reasonably debate whether communism was a new form of religion and Hitler used Christian themes and imagery to rally his citizens.

Even if you could legitimately prove that these leaders were atheists, you would still be lacking the evidence that their lack of belief in a god caused them to kill millions. On the other hand, phrases such as "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity" make their point blatantly obvious.

I'm not saying religion can't accomplish good things at times, but it's not bigotry to point out that religion is one of the few tools strong enough to cause the masses to commit evil. If you'd like, you can probably find a list of armed conflicts that have taken place recently and count how many are between religious groups.

You have not been slandered, seeing as how no one has misconstrued or misrepresented the intolerance that some, like Ann Coulter, show when they speak for Christianity.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 4:35pm):

Ann coulter is a specialist in fear mongoring and creating a divide between people. Most christians don't care what jews do and vice versa. She is just saying these things to get people riled up and get their emotions goign so they'll buy her book. if you believe ann coulter on any level you are a sheep. i think sh ehas the right to say what she wants (what the constitution is about) but only an evil person would believe the crap she spews. Heidi don't be a fuckin degenerate cuz you came to college to avoid.

Andrew Traverse (October 17, 2007 @ 4:38pm):

First off, I'd like to say that as a Republican, I absolutely hate Ann Coulter, because I'm a conservative person, not a reactionary one. Whoever believes that conservatives should be ashamed when Coulter speaks is also misguided, because her principles would deny some their constitutional rights, mainly women's suffrage, and conservatives would never take those rights away.

Secondly, I feel bad that some people still do not realize that Jews do not wish that Christians believed in the Old Testament, as someone said before me, they only wish Gentiles would interpret it differently. Jews believe that they are the Chosen People, that is why they do not actively convert, they only accept those who want to convert on their own.

Finally, although I do not agree with Heidi, and the fact that she clearly did not research Jewish beliefs before she wrote this LTE bothers me, it is un-American to say that her beliefs should be silenced and she should stop buying Ann Coulter's books. If Heidi believes in this, let her keep believing and writing into the Herald. There is a reason why the Herald does not censor anyone who is published in it, and it's called the First Amendment. Also, I'd like to call everyone out who insulted the author anonymously. Sign up for a Badger Herald account and use your name. If you had enough time to write a comment, you had enough time to do that.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 4:44pm):

Like already stated, making provactive statements does not equate to being thouhgt provoking, its being sensationalist. Coluter has proved time and time again that she is on the same level as the Islamic Extremists she talks of. She criticizes all of Islam as violent and uncivilized, but says we should invade, carpet bomb, and convert the Muslims. Also, in that interview she proved herself to be lacking anything that could be deemed "thought". She exposed her prejeudice immediately assuming that Deutsch was not a practicing Jew, and her comments that followed could be narrowed down the conclusion that the character and morals of a person can be determined by their religion. I personally am agnostic, but I know plenty of Jews that are alot more moral and ethical then Christians that I know. You can't determine a person's worth by their religion. Hopefully this fine institution will introduce you to something called "critical thinking." Save your money on that next book, and add a little pragmatism to your diet.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 4:56pm):

another great though provoking thing about ann coulter is that she always appears in some sexy new outfit on the book cover. now that's just a great way of women's empowerment. hilary should do a playboy centerfold and the dems would be back where they need to!! woopiedoo. check out susan estrich's book Soulless instead before you get too brainwashed.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 5:09pm):

it's true. accusing public figures of being homosexual really gets a good point across, which is that ann coulter is just a fucking joke trying to make money off of stupid people who fall for her shit and that nothing she says can be taken seriously. she's not going to say what she thinks, but what is going to get her the most attention. she is a disgrace to politics, journalism, the book publishing industry, to women, to America, to republicans, to christians and she does not deserve the attention she gets.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 6:31pm):

While your point on people speaking their mind openly is important, your opinion on Ann Coulter and her ideas sickens me. Your ignorance and bigotry show through with your statements and I hope your time at UW-Madison opens your eyes to an objective look at the real world.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 6:41pm):

You're writing is biased...clearly! You buy her books, obviously you agree with her! Get a clue.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 9:11pm):

Heidi, I feel sorry for you.

Ann Coulter goes against all the ideals that make America what it is. If you didn't know, this country was founded on the belief of free religion to all and Ann Coulter has, time and time again, said things that are against this belief.

She is a brainwashed, conniving political toy that, I can only hope, the Republicans see in disgust along with all the rest of America.

She has used minorities to further her radical ideals (and her wallet). She has spoken-out against the families of 9/11 victims, Jews, gays, WOMEN... she is a disgusting person.

I really hope you go back and read those Coulter propaganda books you bought again and realize how un-American you are by doing so.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:11pm):

I predict this letter is going to come back to bite Heidi in the ass four years from now when she's trying to get a job and a potential employer Googles her. Conservative or liberal, I wouldn't want to hire someone who's unintelligent enough to support Ann Coulter's moronic beliefs. Hopefully in the next four years, little Heidi will moved on to reading actual smart conservatives like D'Souza or Matalin.

Anonymous (October 17, 2007 @ 11:32pm):

This girl is forever going to be known as crazy. Maybe her and Coulter have something in common after all.

Anonymous (October 18, 2007 @ 10:39am):

3:43pm whined: "It's too bad everyone brings up communist Russia and Nazi Germany of examples of atheists gone bad. Those are actually extremely weak arguments."

Clearly it's "too bad" (for Marxists) for anyone to bring up these inconvenient facts.

Weak arguments? Why? You need more examples of atheistic murderous thugs? See also: Mao, Pol Pot, Kim il Sung, Ho Chi Minh, Honecker, Ceausescu, Mugabe, Ngouabi, Castro, Che, IRA, ETA, ANC, PFLP-GC, FARC, FMLN, Baeder-Meinhoff, Weather Underground, Rachel Carson, etc., etc., ad nauseum...

Heidi Voss (October 18, 2007 @ 1:02pm):

I am not suprised at the response I've received after my letter to the editor the other day. Most of it has been the typical negative smear that liberal students are known for saying. No, I am not a Nazi, I'm not anti-Semitic, I'm not ignorant and I'm not crazy as several people on thes thread have said.

I'd like to clarify some things that I've said. I do not agree with Ann Coulter on everything she says or believes. I can think for myself. The main point of my letter was to defend Ms. Coulter's right to say what she wanted without being afraid to offend people. I'm glad people have demonstrated that they understand that in these comments.

I, nor Ms. Coulter, meant "perfected" in the way that many people seem to be taking it. Many think the use of "perfected" is the same as "kill" as Hitler and many other tyrants did. The use here is "convert" I believe that you may believe in what you will, but I also believe I can influence and try to CONVERT people into thinking the way I do. You all must believe that too, with the way you are lambasting my letter.

Yes, sometimes Ms. Coulter says things that make me cringe, but it is her right to do so. Most times she is making a point that many people seem to overlook because of the outrageousness of her comment.

I'm not going to apologize for saying that Jews wish Christians saw things their way. I was only stating that in general, people wish other people believed the same thing they do. I wasn't saying Jews actively go out and work to convert people to Judaism. I'm a very strong supporter of Israel and all the Jewish people. They have a right to believe what they want, as do I.

I fully believe the Holocaust happened, I don't see how you can't. My grandfather was shot down in WWII and taken prisoner of war in a prison camp much like the concentration camps. I know firsthand it happened. And you are saying I don't believe when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad states outright that it never happened as well as saying he hopes the Democrats win the election. Something is wrong about a terrorist wanting a Democrat in the White House.

Thanks to those who have been supportive, and could we please leave out the bashing and have intelligent conversation?

Heidi Voss (October 18, 2007 @ 1:20pm):

I just wanted to add something about Mary Matalin (yes I do know who she is..I don't restrict my views to one source.)

In 2004, Matalin said that she agreed with Coulter's "larger point that in the absence of not being able to make persuasive arguments [the left] rolls out messengers that it's politically incorrect to argue with."

People go out and call Republicans Nazis, extra-chromosomes and Hitlers and no one does anything, but Ann Coulter says one thing and you would think the earth was on fire.

Anonymous (October 18, 2007 @ 2:05pm):

Perhaps the most disturbing fact of all - is that the UW let Ms. Voss into this school...think about it.

Anonymous (October 18, 2007 @ 2:14pm):

so fine...coulter has the right to obnoxiously express herself in the public discourse. i don't think anyone is going to disagree with you there. but what does coulter's bullshit discourse add to society? what does purpose do these provocative statements serve? they don't serve to provoke intelligent debate on the myriad of topics she likes to whine about. they simply enrage the opposition and make coulter look like a ignorant, uneducated fool. what contributions do coulter's statements make to society? NOTHING. they only serve to divide the various ethnic groups in the US further and they only serve to prevent consensus and compromise.

coulter esssentially has the right to yell fire in a crowded theatre. she is polluting the public political discourse over important and controversial political issues and she is doing nothing to help society solve these issues. everything coulter says is worthless.

Laura Saltzman (October 18, 2007 @ 7:18pm):

Heidi no one is arguing about the right to free speech (although it may be important to note that it is Coulter and her ilk that want to limit it and other civil liberties in the past 6 years), it is more of an offense that you buy her books, and are effusively supporting her. The hate spewed by that woman is truly amazing. O man, so a terrible man wants a dem president in office, this must mean that all dems support terrorists! That is some absurd logic that reminds me of the idea of going into Iraq, despite the fact that the majority of the hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. And perfected and convert are not the same thing, and dont use convert when you mean persuade to try and make your point. Ann Coulter forced conversion (of Muslim countries), and many other tyrannical un-American acts; that you dare to call her a GREAT American should offend any American

Anonymous (October 19, 2007 @ 12:27pm):

heidi.....really? can someone like you who has probably never met a jew in her life before college honestly say that jews deep down want to covert catholics? not only are you a horrible writer but your "article" and follow up response were disorganized rants about nothing.

at least ann coulter knows how to write

Heidi Voss (October 19, 2007 @ 3:10pm):

I also wish to point out I did not name the article...the editor at the Badger Herald did that. I wouldn't have chosen that title.

Please don't assume that I have never known a Jewish person, you don't know me.

The reason my responses are so "disorganized" is because I wish to respond to many of the comments without wasting more of my time trying to write an article fit for a paper.

One last comment on Ann Coulter and I'm done here. She loves playing the Devil's advocate. It's what she does in order to get an audience. I don't take her comments at face value and neither should you. Again, the point of my letter was that Ms. Coulter says things other people won't say in order to make a point about something. For example, I don't think she actually believes that women shouldn't be allowed to vote. She was just making a point about who women generally vote for in elections. She wouldn't actually take away the right to vote, thus taking away democracy.

Perhaps my letter was too hastily written and I should have taken more time to explain what I mean, but as always, homework was calling.

Anonymous (October 24, 2007 @ 2:17pm):

Ann Coulter leads simple minds astray, much like Michael Moore. Legitimate political discourse should never be influenced by these fame-seeking narcissists. If you want to listen to someone play the devil's advocate, I suggest Stephen Colbert. He derides each political camp with zeal... and hilarity.

Greg Mawer
ggmawer@wisc.edu

Anonymous (October 24, 2007 @ 4:20pm):

The following comment bothers me to no end, and I really cannot stop myself from making a comment;
"Perhaps the most disturbing fact of all - is that the UW let Ms. Voss into this school...think about it."

I have thought about it. You have no right to pass that judgement... so please don't. If you are so close-mnded that you would not allow another person with views different from that of your own be educated at this great universty than you just as low as Ann Coulter herself.
Ms. Voss I do not agree with you. However, I will not personally attack you in anyway. It is simply uncalled for and childish. Really people, come on.

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