Posted on 10/30/2007, 2:52:16 AM by Forgiven_Sinner
Coulter's USC appearance proves media misrepresent popular figures.
To most who knew of the Ann Coulter event weeks in advance, she was simply a controversial radical. But for the more than 200 people who crowded Annenberg Auditorium Oct. 24 for her speech, she had more than a few surprises.
The New York Times best-selling author spoke to a USC audience as part of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week and was literally encircled by security guards at all times throughout the night.
I'm not really sure how I was lucky enough to slip through and talk to her. Briefly we discussed being slammed for conservative viewpoints, the protests in front of Annenberg earlier that day and the hate mail a right-winger gets for being a minority voice on a liberal college campus, especially when he's a freshman.
"It's so easy [to frustrate a liberal]. Isn't it great?" she said. "And they still have three years to try to indoctrinate you."
But aside from the harmless sarcasm that saturated the speech, the notable thing was the lack of "hate" she expressed. In fact, she displayed more warmth than anything else.
I must admit, going into the event, I was hoping for a chance to speak with the University of Michigan Law School graduate. But I assumed, from comments about her over the years, that it'd be hard to have a genial discussion with someone who often seems so uncompromisingly harsh.
I was wrong.
Though she spent close to a half hour signing books before her speech, something she reportedly hates doing, Coulter stayed more than 40 minutes afterward for a second signing session. The way she met and greeted every person who had their books signed was astounding. Especially for a person of her status.
As a woman commonly construed as being "hateful" of other people (a point pounded home by a staff editorial in this paper), she was certainly patient with those holding up the line with defective cameras and cell phones. Coulter waited, smiling cordially and showing no signs of the snobby, arrogant figure of which she's often been described.
She engaged in conversation amicably with every person in line for 20 to 90 seconds each, listening and discussing topics of politics, the Yankees or the various school-related projects of USC students - an incredible amount of time for her fans, considering almost 100 people were in line.
In fact, numerous people introduced themselves as Jewish, assuring Coulter that the comments for which she's recently been criticized were not racist at all - in one case, apologizing for the trouble she's endured.
The author of countless controversial but well-researched books, including "Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism," and "Godless: The Church of Liberalism" was interpreted by some as being intolerant of Jews earlier this month.
On Oct. 8, Coulter said on Donny Deutsch's "The Big Idea" on CNBC that Christians believe they are "perfected" Jews, in that they believe the same Old Testament but have been purified through salvation in Jesus Christ. She said followers of Judaism spiritually face a tougher road as they must rely strictly on their obedience to God's laws in going to heaven.
To many Jews, however, her comments were completely misconstrued, in part because of the reaction Deutsch made during the program, and also from a flurry of criticism from other media outlets.
In any event, the bad news for USC liberals is that it wasn't only the audience that was impressed by a classy appearance.
Coulter told me that appearing at USC was one of her best college visits, and she'd definitely be interested in returning to Los Angeles to speak.
"I'm going to have to [come back]," she said. "The students here were great."
Coulter's presence changed opinions - I'll admit, even my own opinion - of the writer. It was a vivid contrast with how she is typically portrayed - especially by the media.
I guess it really is true that you can't always believe what you read in the newspapers.
- Matt Schrader is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism.
Absolutely merciless to anyone who is not.
the rules. the rules. Ann Coulter Rules.
He can’t be a REAL journalism major - probably a plant, you KNOW how those evil righties operate...
( /sarc barely off)
“A well-written, fact filled article about Ann Coulter by a journalism major”
And an Article that probably will insure he is unemployable at the vast majority of media outlets in America...
I remember the first time I sent Ann an email, probably about 8-10 years ago. She responded within an hour. And she’d actually read my letter and responded. Classy lady.
Well, knock me over with a feather!
Long live this Cornell graduate.
And in a publication called The Daily Trojan? To hear most college kids talk, one a day is inadequate.
As they say in racing (NASCAR), "he's fast, but he hasn't hit noth'n yet."
What is her email? oh skip that and give me her phone #.
Corrected version:
I guess it really is true that you always can't believe what you read in the newspapers.
I have been fortunate enough to have met Ms. Coulter on several occasions, and have found her to be exactly the person this writer describes: considerate, articulate, edgy, nervous, but cordial and genuine to anyone who is willing to accept her for who she is.
Man, I love that woman.
coulter bump
Welcome to the world. The media is not there to disseminate news, but rather to shape public opinion according to the interests of its masters.
Hm...
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