Ann Coulter; "faggot" comment; Open letter to Michelle Malkin

I write this piece in reference to Ann Coulter's "faggot" comment over the weekend at CPAC. [See also Atlas' excellent vlog today.] I write in response to the conservatives who have criticized and distanced themselves from Ann in response to Ann's comment.

I specifically address these comments to Michelle Malkin because she has been the target of necklacing and vile attacks over the years. I preface my post by saying that I don't think Michelle is a Rino. It is because I respect her greatly that I address her among all of Ann's critics. I will continue to be a fan and reader of Michelle Malkin regardless of this incident. [And I will continue to troll for links from Michelle whenever I can get them.]

Yesterday, Michelle quoted approvingly the comments of Captain Ed, who wrote the following:

If one wants to change the tone of political discourse, then one has to start with one's self, and hold one's own side accountable for their incivility.

These comments followed Michelle's own commentary that was highly critical of Ann Coulter's remark.

I ask Michelle the following questions. Has it worked? Will it work? Will criticizing or even banning Ann from CPAC and other events soften the tone from the left? Or will it embolden the left? Have we changed the tone of political discourse? Does the left now recognize that you are somehow "fair" or "civil", thus causing them to stop their attacks on you? Will they stop using the "c" word in reference to you? Will they stop publishing your home address in the hope that your family will be harrassed and attacked? Will they stop making ping pong ball references? Will they stop placing cropped photos of your head on top of bikini clad college girls?

I am guessing "no" to all of the above questions. I am guessing that they will continue their personal attacks against you. They attack you not because some conservative said the word "faggot" or because they really care about gay rights (or any other rights), but because you are an effective voice for conservatism, America, free markets, etc.

They attack you because they mimic Bill Clinton's philosophy that it is hard for their opponent to speak while they have their fist in his/her mouth. They do it because they can. They do it because the attacks energize their base. The attacks serve as a rallying cry for those who would use the government to destroy all of the freedoms for which America has stood for generations. They will continue to attack you with even more ferocity if Ann Coulter is silenced or marginalized - for they will have one less enemy in that instance.

These attacks come for the same reason that conservatives face prosecution on false charges - so that conservatives can be silenced despite, like Scooter Libby, having done nothing wrong.

There is a reason that Islam is known as the "religion of peace" while Christianity is reviled for homophobia, racism, intolerance, etc. That reason is fear. Islam saws off heads while the Christian churches welcome gays into the clergy. The more gays Christianity welcomes into positions of power, the more the Church will be known as "homophobic." The more heads Islam saws off, the more the western media will declare that Islam is peaceful.

The more we distance ourselves from Ann Coulter, the bolder the left will become.

The left will never give us credit for criticizing Ann.