The Public Opinion Soapbox

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

But isn't Coulter just a "news novelty?" I think she's way over the top on purpose, and it's only the craziest people on the very fringe of right-wing politics that are listening to what she's saying.

At least I hope so; any intelligent conservative that I've known despises her (or anyone who gets all their information straight from a opinionated pundit for that matter).

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2194 Location: shippensburg

i'll be munchkin's in love with ann c.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

People who think she's sexy distress me.

On a related topic, her current partner is a major Democratic contributor and real estate guy in NY----That's weird.

Don't know where I read that, probably at her Wiki article (which BTW got vandalized and stayed that way for weeks at the very least...I guess all the nastiness was to truthful.)
I think that this ^ is the wrong 'to' I think it's supposed to be 'too', but I have apparently deleted that section of memory so sorry.
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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

It's well known that Ann Coulter was in a relationship with extremely left-wing libertarian Bill Maher (whose show I find excessively refreshing). Not to mention that the most left-wing of left-wing pundits, James Carville, is married to conservative commentator Mary Matalin.

In other words, for some of us, particularly on the political left, it's not about "us vs. them" but rather a different point of view. Unfortunately Munchkin fails to recognize that. For all his "we'll have to agree to disagrees" he continually puts down the character of anyone who doesn't feel sympathetic to his ideology which is a striking blow to his credibility.

Why can't we all just get along? Cool

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 527

Coulter is like a circus side-show act - like the bearded lady. She has a freakish deformity (the ability to think and act like a maniac) and she exploits that for money.

The "us vs. them" thinking is hard-wired in many conservatives. I think political ideology, like theology, is often very driven by personality. Certain personalities can't tolerate ambiguity, uncertainty, or complexity. They are fearful of change and things that are different than they are. They need a strong authority figure who will give them a sense of security and help define for them who the "enemy" is - to make things black and white for them and give them an outlet for their anxiety and fear (which comes out in the form of antagonism). These personality types also have a strong need for structure in their life and have a disposition to dominate others.

This personality type eagerly latches onto some of the ugliest traits of the Republican party and the Christian church. They define life in black and white terms, choose an "out group" to rail against (liberals, immigrants, minorities, "sinners" (such as gays or abortionists), etc.), are intolerant of dissent, and they support authoritarian leaders.

I don't think all conservatives are like this - some have a legitimate political philosophy not based on reactionary personality traits (William F. Buckley leaps to mind) - but virtually no liberals are like this. This type of personality is completely incompatible with progressive ideas.

Personality is stubbornly resistant to change - it's very hard to overcome your nature. The first step is self-awareness and insight into unconscious motivations for attitudes and behavior. This is why I tried to question Munchkin on some of the attitudes he holds, but he's unwilling to do any self-examination or consider for a moment that a "liberal" would have anything of value to say.

Does this make sense? Does it resonate with anybody else?

-- My thoughts on this were confirmed and expanded by interviews I saw and read with John Dean when his "Conservatives Without Conscious" was published. I didn't read the book, but I did look up some of the research by Dr. Bob Altemeyer on what he calls the Authoritarian Follower Personality. Here's a link to his research paper, if you have the time: http://members.shaw.ca/jeanaltemeyer/drbob/TheAuthoritarians.pdf

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2194 Location: shippensburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2194 Location: shippensburg

does anyone remember her doll that they made of her?

/shudder

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2617 Location: Chambersburg

Wow, even the doll looks anorexia-thin.

Not to be confused with:

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 527

Reminds me of this poster I came across last week:

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2194 Location: shippensburg

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! Laughing

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

But she doesn't look clean. She looks sickly and strange and dear Lord her eye makeup is atrocious!!
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Nevermind.

Curious · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 35

I'm glad you are all so tolerant.

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 527

Even Jesus was intolerant of hate-mongers. Why should we accept those that bring divisiveness and encourage victimization of the weak and most vulnerable? When society tolerates tyrants and demagogues it demeans us all. Unless we stand up, and even mock, the haters, we are complicit in their poison.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Not once have I ever claimed to be tolerant.

And if I did and you can prove that it was actually me, then I was lying.

But I don't think you can prove it.

And why would you expect us to be tolerant when you, yourself have had instances of intolerance?

I mean, Jeez, I know life isn't fair, but you could at least try to fairly judge us.
Rolling Eyes

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Nevermind.

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2194 Location: shippensburg

i find i'm tolerant, personally, i just lose patience quickly.

lol...