Ann Coulter, Peter Zenger, and Chris Matthews: Free Speech.

Going back to Peter Zenger, the right of free speech as embodied in the Bill of Rights is a protection against government repression:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Ann Coulter has no Constitutional protection against the legal efforts of anyone who wants to shut her up. 

All of us, bright people like you and me, and creeps like Coulter, are protected from the government censoring us. But there is no protection against boycotts, verbal attacks, or other public strategies to lock her mouth down.

There are two things we need to understand.

First, Coulter is not a political commentator; she is a stand up jerk, making money by being over the top. She could have been a fraudulent snake oil salesman in another era, or she could have been a semi-feminine Elmer Gantry if the timing and money were right.

Let's get it right. Coulter is not about politics; she's about making money.

Secondly, to shut Coulter down, efforts need be directed at those who consort with her, those who provide a platform. Chris Matthews would have distanced himself from rabid racism aired on his program by anyone who preached the Nazi creed and used vile epithets to describe Jews and Blacks.

Those who provide Coulter a forum need to understand that she does not stand on the conservative side with George Will or Bob Novak, but with George Lincoln Rockwell. Her routine, when measured against the most obnoxious racist or bigot, is as cruel and demeaning to humanity.

Comments

[Some guy.]

Fix:

a fraudulent snake oil salesman in another _ear_, or

to -->

a fraudulent snake oil salesman in another _era_, or

[Still some guy.]

would have distanced himself _form_ a rabid racist

-->

would have distanced himself _from_ a rabid racist

and...

Secondly, to shut Coulter _done_,

-->

Secondly, to shut Coulter _down_, (?)

[Barry Orton]

Hey guy,

Thanks for the typo patrol. Paul gets too riled up by Coulter.

Want a job editing a blog?

Barry

[Righty J]

You are right, but I hope you would agree that the same applies to those radio listeners and radio stations that stopped playing the Dixie Chicks a few years back. You have a right to free speech, but no right to demand a forum from which to speak from any other private body.

PS - As a right winger, I hate Coulter. She just says things to get attention rather than offer reasoned debate.

[nonheroicvet]

Finally - someone has gotten to the bottom of the right wing talk radio and tv. Limbaugh, Coulter, Belling nd others of their ilk are laughing all the way to the bank. When will we learn to ignore these a-holes. When I was a student at UW Eau Claire in the middle 60's George Lincoln Rockwell spoke at a forum - It was the funniest thing you ever saw. He appeared serious and much of the audience was in a major lather but all he was doing was pushing the same old buttons and taking the money to the bank.