She choose "fagot" as opposed to "nigger" because she knew with the crowd with which she was speaking and a wide part of America in general that the nature of the offense would not be perceived of as offensive in a sense of bigotry, but yes, it's still bigotry.  It's also not an either/or choice. One doesn't have to say that it's either bigotry against gay people, or it's offensive to use such terms. She could have called him snakehead or something else, and that would have been offensive as an assault on him personaly, but think about it. She's clever. She choose language designed to do the following: a) tap into the conservative frame about the "pc" crowd b) tap into the conservative need for masculinity (as they define it) c) show their own 'toughness' (again as they define it) d) tap into the culture wars (gays being one of the main two center points of battle these days) and d) attack the brand Democratic. She's doing a lot here, so the response has to be in kind of what she's doing and what she represents- yes, it's that she represents the true face of conservative, but in all its glory on multiple levels.

     Reagan did not announce his candidacy in Philadelphia, Mississippi. He opened his fall campaign there on Labor Day, 1980.

Wouldn't it be more effective to issue a statement along the lines of:

We understand why Ann Coulter might suspect Republican politicians are hiding their true sexual orientation but we are confused why she'd think a Democrat such as John Edwards would need to do so.

In the Democratic Party we don't hurl the word "faggot" as an insult because we accept people for what they are and don't feel the need to use homosexuals as scapegoats.

Ann Coulter and her Republican friends constantly feel the need to put on a tough guy image and in schoolyard fashion try to put others down to puff themselves up.

Our official position on this newest incident in a series of tired childish routines from Ann Coulter is that:

"It's just another pathetic insult from Ann Coulter. We'd expect nothing else and wonder why Republican presidential candidates would want to associate themselves with her extreme lameness".
.

Demands for apologies are weak. Ridicule is strong.

It certainly is bigotry, whether she actually thinks Edwards is gay is irrelevant. And she was probably worse last year. Since this convention is supposed to represent people focused on morality and conservative values, with presidential candidates attending, and purposely invited her, they should be held to some accountability.

Its a bit more than firing up the troops.

Coulter's comment actually presents us with an opportunity.  She made the 'faggot' remark at a speaking engagement where Mitt Romney was also on the roster, and he made complimentary comments about her.   So, I say we tar Romney with the stench of Coulter; put him on the defensive, and force him to disavow her words.

http://ifuckedanncoulterintheasshard.blo gspot.com/

Saying that it was one of the worst moments in American politics is just so stupid it burns. Has Edwards forgot about Strom "Jungle Fever" Thurman's filibuster of civil rights legislation? Or how about NAFTA? Or the stolen election of '00 & '04? Dems seem to have taken the bait from Cunter. There's just too much hype to saying "one of the worst moments" of anything.

Bonior's following the tried-and-true method of raising Internet cash at every insult that was perfected by Joe Trippi in 2003.  He's GOT to raise funds this way, because the internet is the only way he can compete with the high-rollers in the race.  This is as good an excuse as any, because the outrage isn't fake, it's real.

It is bigotry to think that calling someone gay is an insult.  It is worse to use an epithet used to denigrate gays to belittle a person.

No matter how you look at it, Coulter is a bigot and calling her that is not at all a mistake.

John Edwards' issued a statement this afternoon:

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/3 /3/172259/3775

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 had a blog post about it earlier in the day:

Hate Words and You

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.  

Con't...

I think the people that do like this type of language, like it because it is real and not politically correct.  Call her a crazy nut bag or what ever, but it does take balls to say that type of thing.

You can see how political correctness can go awry with the Reagan example.  If states rights become something that only racists want then our country is screwed.  Sorry I am a strong believer in states rights because that is how the people can control the government.  I do understand that racists used states rights in the past, but it doesn't make strong state's rights a racist position.

do not like being called a "faggot" then do not suck dick.

Why call  her "bigot" because she feels it is wrong to be "gay" I  also feel it is  wrong and and just a freak choice to make.  

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