Tools Deserve Sisyphus' Fate for Bashing Gays

As BW readers have seen every where, including the Media Matters sidebar on this site, the Coultergeist has a potty mouth of her own.

But instead of apologizing, and in which GOP pols even had to say her comments about gays was wrong, the NYT printed an article that read (albeit I'm not crazy about the reporter, but it's better than no article at all):

Ms. Coulter, asked for a reaction to the Republican criticism, said in an e-mail message: “C’mon, it was a joke. I would never insult gays by suggesting that they are like John Edwards. That would be mean.”

On her site, in which she calls herself, Chairman Ann (whatever that means, chairman of her chair I guess), her comment is, " I'm so ashamed, I cannot stop laughing."


Meantime, John Edwards issued the following statement this afternoon:

Ann Coulter's use of an anti-gay slur yesterday was un-American and indefensible. In America, we strive for equality and embrace diversity. The kind of hateful language she used has no place in political debate or our society at large.

I believe it is our moral responsibility to speak out against that kind of bigotry and prejudice every time we encounter it.

Elizabeth Edwards said it best, and perhaps it is because she has been the target of hate herself in the last campaign, with these words:

When Miss Coulter spoke about John at the conservative convention in Washington yesterday, she used a word that she intended as a nasty and derogatory suggestion. John and I have long ago shrugged off the vile words of this person. When she made a joke about the exact moment of death of Charlie Dean (Howard's brother and a schoolmate of mine), and when she attacked the courageous 9-11 widows, she told you all you need to know about what she is made of: her compassion -- or lack thereof. Now we need to find out about you.

Although her words did not hurt us, they may have hurt some in the gay community. We are all sick and tired of anyone supporting or applauding or introducing hate words into the national dialogue, tired of people thinking that words that cause others pain are fair game. And we are sick and tired of people like Miss Coulter thinking that her use of loaded words about the homosexual community in this country is remotely humorous or appropriate.

John gave a graduation speech at NC State several years ago, and in it he said that none of us can stand by when words of bigotry and division are used. It is only when the rest of us stand up and say that this is not acceptable that we drum out the hate-mongers from amongst us. The first reaction in the room at the conservative convention yesterday was a gasp -- a horrified gasp, even -- but it did not last. In a few seconds, those who were not horrified started clapping and drowned out the gasps.

Now it is our turn to drown out the hate. Find a way -- whether it is contribution here that sends a message to Miss Coulter and those who applauded her (which, of course, I prefer) or whether it is a statement on this blog or others or all of the above -- but please find a way not to sit silent in acceptance. It doesn't change until we say we will not be silent when this happens.

Silence..is betrayal.

I hope John Edwards includes this incident in his speech tomorrow at Berkeley in commemorating the march at Selma and civil rights.

Family Values pic of GOP candidate Mitt, Romney, and his Ann supporters (his wife and Coulter) at CPAC yesterday

(photo at CPAC courtesy of Talking Points Memo)




It was said in mythology that King Sisyphus was punished by Zeus for his hubris. So should Coulter (who is the Queen of the Mean Kingdom), the GOP, MSM, and anyone who is silent in not denouncing hate talk against gays, and for foul comments about John Edwards.

Obama to Impoverished Cleveland: "I Don't Care How Poor You Are, Pony Up for My Campaign"

Like many events anywhere, but this one in Cleveland, this may be a bit out of context; nonetheless Barack Obama is more than requesting--he is demanding money, even if you are poor. Jeepers, I hope this isn't his idea of "audacity of hope."

I doubt his opponents would do that, especially John Edwards, who understands when someone has to choose between giving taking his sick kid to the emergency room and demanding he give $5 to his campaign.

Instead, he wants us to all stand up for those in poverty:


BTW, Edwards has a great talk just loaded about his talk in NYC with a local union and with SEIU at Baruch College about Povery (only a snippet for now):

Check out what New York Daily News' Errol Louis had to say about Edwards' anti-poverty march:

Edwards' focus on the poor is a model to follow

Win or lose, John Edwards has already done America a great service by running for President and putting the issue of poverty where it belongs: front and center.

And the more he talks about it, the more political ground he will snatch from his leading Democratic rivals, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Which is as it should be.

LINK

John Edwards: YouTube Good for Democracy

JRE addresses all of those asshats who love attacking him with that 2 year old video mentioned in this interview with Brian Lehrer of WNYC radio. He is so right that if his supporters want to post things of his doing extraordinary things, or even every day things, that is A-OK. And he knows he's a target too.

JRE is the real thing and is truthful when he says he believes the Net is the grassroots we need for all of our voices.

And better when one can see him as much as hearing him.

To see a recap of this interview, go to Citizen53's diary @My DD.

More buzz l8tr...

Understanding the Iowa Caucus Process

Desmoines Dem at My DD created a diary in which she explained the basics of the Iowa caucus process. It is far more complex than what I am accustomed to, which is one person, one vote. But rather than repeating here what she wrote, I'll provide the link to her diary at MyDD so BW readers can read it for themselves there.

LINK

Ok, you are wondering why JRE gets a tag on this post. Because I just mentioned his acronym...no, that's not why. It's because Edwards actually understands how this works..better than his opponents.

Kitchen Table Politics in a Library: John & Elizabeth Edwards

Something that is missing from the Clintons and the Obamas is their ability to relate to the average voter in their kitchen.

(Picture taken in New Hampshire over the weekend, courtesy of the Edwards campaign).

Update: it appears they are in a library, and it still looks like plain talk to me. I hope they will do another podcast soon.

Presidential Candidate John Edwards on Face the Nation

John Edwards was on Face the Nation. I think Bob was taken back by the frank answers and underestimated Edwards' confidence.

Hat-tip to NC Dem Amy, who has become a good friend to many of us.

JRE Buzz: Granite State Edition

Elizabeth Edwards, on the trail with John ------->


Edwards draws packed house in Salem
By JIM DEVINE

SALEM – More than a hundred supporters packed the home and living room of a Corinthian Drive home yesterday to pose questions and hear more about John Edwards' Presidential primary run.

Edwards described his plan for universal health care as a solution to make health care spending more effective in the country while making it available for all Americans by repealing Bush tax cuts made for Americans earning more than $200,000 a year.

"Universal health care is not cheap," Edwards said. "I'm not saying it isn't. But I think it's critical for America to remain strong in the long run."

Edwards said his plan would cover preventative care, chronic care and long-term care while driving down administrative costs that account for 40 cents on every dollar spent on health care in America.

LINK to Union Leader article, which was favorable for a change.

Health care was not the only issue Edwards discussed at the house parties (as he called them on Face the Nation this morning). He also discussed energy.

Check out this video:



ABC News' Terry Moran spent some time with JRE yesterday too. A snip here:

Saturday, Edwards, along with his wife Elizabeth, embarked on his third trip to New Hampshire since he announced his candidacy. Despite New Hampshire's bitter cold weather, the Edwardses campaigned from Nashua to Salem, hopping from house party to house party. Crowds of supporters packed in to hear Edwards speak.

For Edwards, New Hampshire is one of the crucial battleground states needed to survive the primary elections, which are less than a year away. Unlike other candidates, who have to overcome their unpopular positions on the Iraq war or their modified views on abortion, Edwards' two biggest hurdles appear to be Clinton and Obama, who have emerged as the Democratic favorites.

Despite this, Edwards believes that his message is getting across.

"I think our fairest estimate would be that the three of us are all being heard very well right now," he said. "I think some of the other candidates are struggling to be heard, but I have no concern about being heard."

You can catch it on Nightline tomorrow night.

Daphne C, a brand new blogger to the John Edwards08 community, had this to say about seeing Edwards yesterday:

I have been following this primary with more attention and concern than I have ever given a primary before. I do feel that this is an absolutely critical time in our nation's history, and to hear Senator Edwards' commitment to the balance of powers which is the foundation of our government was both inspiring and reassuring. This is a man who is outraged -- something that doesn't necessarily come across in his television appearances -- at the gap, not only between the wealthy and poor in this country, but between what this country can be, and what it has become.

I have never been a registered Democrat. That is changing. I have never worked for a presidential campaign. That is changing. In order for America to change, we must change. I must change. There is no room to simply sit back, to bide our time, to stay on the sidelines. There is no time to do so. The time to act is now, when for once we have the opportunity of putting in the White House a man who knows what it's like to be a working-class Amercian (because he was one), a man who I believe is running, not because he loves power, or influence, or for his own personal gain, but because he loves, and believes in, America. The same America that I love and believe in. I cannot remember the last time I saw a deep, abiding moral outrage in a candidate -- an outrage that, in fact, equals my own. And I will be doing my damndest to equal John Edwards' commitment to a better future -- not for a select few, but for every American.

I think I've heard that story more than once.