L’Affaire Coulter

National Review Online ^ | 10/3/01 | Jonah Goldberg

[Paradox]

I'll buy his story. I read the column, and I thought she stepped out of bounds. Sure, I understood how and why she could write such a thing, and I personally had no problem with it because I understood where it was coming from. Having said that, I think NRO was perfectly within their right, editorially, to do what they did, and I understand their point of view as well.

There is no need to choose sides. I love them BOTH and unless they turn into commies, I always will.

Can't we all just git along?

[Illbay]

I don't know what to think. I love Ann, but I admit that I thought here "Christianize-'em-at-gunpoint" article was way over the top. But I chalked it up to the emotion of the moment. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Ann lost a friend in the WTC or the Pentagon.

But the aftermath, where she's going around and bad-mouthing NR...that's just plain strange. No matter how much you disagree with editorial decisions, that's just WRONG. It's sophomoric.

Ann, you're the most beautiful conservative alive, but PLEASE get a grip!!!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Can't say we're sorry to see her go. She no longer comes across as rational or educated on the subject at hand. I know I'm repeating myself, but our friends and us have noted how shrill and rude she has become in the last 6 months. Time for Ann to get off the "Susan Ethridge" train, and back to the basics that afforded her respect from so many in the past.

In other words,.. Ann really needs to "get over herself". She should take some lessons from Barbara Olsen,.. not Susan Ethridge who drives us to change the channel upon hearing her voice!

[cd jones]

"This sounds like a catfight to me. But I'll still subscribe. "

Not me.......I'll follow Ann.

[francisandbeans]

gee I was just thinking about you....with the private fights in public and all

[ken5050]

Just like to remind everyone that Jonah's mom, Lucianne, once pulled a fast one on all her erstwhile Freeper friends, and you, good sir, especially.....so maybe the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree.......

[r9etb]

I will continue to subscribe [to NR], as I have done for years.

Me too.

In cases like this, the truth is generally someplace in the middle. Goldberg's probably overstating the case, and Coulter came out looking really bad even in her own defense.

I mean, really: if NRO can't "censor" its own content, then all the constitutional law in Ann's pretty head is moot.

IMO, Ann's real frustration is that her TV days are over for now. The networks don't want or need a telegenic blonde "constitutional lawyer" to discuss terrorists and special-ops warfare. Nor, for that matter, do I.

Whereas NR has a long and glorious history of bringing in experts to give a detailed and nuanced look at whatever subject is at hand.

NRO: 1
Ann Coulter: 0

[SC DOC]

L’Affaire Coulter - Just the thought gets me excited.

[Illbay]

Y'know, I didn't connect those dots. I just mentioned in a previous post that Ann might have lost someone in the disasters. I had forgotten about Barbara Olson.

[francisandbeans]

FYI: she was pretty darned close to Barbara Olsen

[The Other Harry]

actually, this did change my mind. Jonah laid it our pretty well here, without resorting to name calling

He gets pretty catty though:

"I have no desire to get any deeper into this because, like with a Fellini movie, the deeper you get, the less sense Ann makes.

"We're delighted that FrontPageMagazine has, with remarkable bravery, picked up Ann's column, presumably for only $5 a month. They'll be getting more than what they're paying for, I'm sure."

I don't think the column served any purpose that as public punch-back.

[KC_Conspirator]

I guess its time to come out and say that I actually agree with Goldberg. Ann can be bombastic, and that not a bad thing. However, the publication has every right to sever ties with her. It will take a couple of months to get over it.

[skeeter]

I'd suggest they settle this thing out in the parking lot but alot of neocons would probably faint at the sight of Jonah's blood.

Let's see if the little Squirrel has the stones to disassociate WFB from NRO for saying in as many words the same thing as Coulter.

[francisandbeans]

If anything, its a distarction right now (and needed)...Jonah's columns are usually "catty".It's the way he approaches every topic (even bombing Africa)

[The Vast Right Wing]

I didn't like the column, I think NRO has every right to fire her if they so choose. Having said that, I like Ann and will continue to enjoy her entertainment. I do think that something is going on in her life, she seems to be about to have a nervous break-down. I hope I am wrong about her mental state, if not I hope she starts feeling better.

[TKEman]

Now is the time for unity. They should be discussing this after all this is over. Her column was somewhat of a rant. I too think Ann went a bit far with her comments. The $5 thing was also too much. No one in their right minds believes that. This is becoming a blood feud.

[Andrew Byler]

Nice series of ad hominems Jonah.

[NeoCaveman]

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Ann lost a friend in the WTC or the Pentagon.

She did, Barbara Olson was on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon; they were friends.

[father_elijah]

What an amazingly prissy letter...

Jonah G. needed to do better than this.

[Born to Conserve]

"Apparently, in Ann's mind, she constitutes the thin blonde line between freedom and tyranny"

Is this Jonah Goldberg's idea of good "professional" writing?