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Ann Coulter's backward use of the 'r-word'
(CNN) -- Parents of children with special needs are demanding an apology from conservative political pundit Ann Coulter for tweeting after Tuesday's foreign policy debate that she approved of "Romney's decision to be kind and gentle to the retard."
It appeared to be a response to critiques of Mitt Romney's debate performance, but it wasn't the first time Coulter used the "the r-word" during this election season. And, it's not the first time blogger Ellen Seidman has called her out on it.
"At this point, I'm thinking the woman must surely be aware that the word is offensive, and she chooses not to care. That's pretty vile and heartless," said Seidman, the mother of a special needs child who shares her world on the blog "Love that Max."
"You want to slam the president, go ahead. But you can't think of any other word to use? Come on."
Ending the r-word: Ban it or understand it?
Coulter: Romney a 'square' Ann Coulter shocks at CPAC
The word "retard" demeans Max and millions more with intellectual disabilities, Seidman tweeted at Coulter. Still, the comment was favorited 1,215 times and earned 2,993 retweets as of this writing, presumably by a number of people who didn't find it offensive. But sentiments from those who chose to respond to Coulter on Twitter ranged from disappointment to outrage.
"You disgust me. That man is the president of this country. (& I'm sure all of the disabled children in America appreciate you.)," actor Sophia Bush tweeted.
"Politics aside, this tweet from @anncoulter was offensive & disgusting. ANY use of the "R" word is unacceptable," @amurphy217 said.
The Special Olympics also condemned her use of the word, saying that it was "sad to see @AnnCoulter continue her use of hateful language by using the #Rword in her discourse."
In an open letter directed at Coulter posted Tuesday on the Special Olympics blog, John Franklin Stephens, a 30-year-old Special Olympian with Down syndrome, described what the word meant to him: "I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.
"Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next. ... Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor. No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much."
Even people known for their sense of humor came out against it. Comedian and Twitter personality @UncleDynamite resurfaced a 2-year-old post from his tumblr in which he explained why he would no longer follow anyone he saw using "the r-word."
He re-posted it after seeing people retweeting and favoriting the tweet, which he found disturbing coming from a a "well-educated, self-described Christian with such a huge public presence."
He hopes she'll read it and maybe have a change of heart, but he's not necessarily counting on it.
What do you think of Coulter's comment? Sound off with CNN iReport
"Based upon Ann's tweets today, I'd say she's dug in and unrepentant," he said Tuesday in an e-mail. "She must not know, love or respect anyone with an intellectual disability, then, and more's the pity. I'd like to see her after a great day of volunteering at a Special Olympics or Best Buddies event. I'd lay odds she'd never think or say the r-word word ever again, and she'd probably be quick to anger if someone she heard did so."
Others observing the controversy surmised that Coulter used the word solely to draw attention.
"Guys. Ann Coulter is trolling you. Always. Outrage gives her strength. The only thing that will kill her? Complete & utter indifference," @PaprbakPrincess tweeted.
Congress banned the use of the words "retard" and "retardation" in 2010 in federal health, education and labor laws in favor of using the words "intellectual disability." The American Psychiatric Association also plans to replace the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual development disorder" in the fifth version of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, to be published by in 2013.
Then why do people cling to the word, Seidman and people like her wonder. She has posed the question before in her blog, which is probably why she woke this morning to find a slew of tweets and e-mails asking her to call out Coulter again for repeatedly using "the r-word" to describe President Obama.
The last time was just a few weeks ago in a blog post called "Let's talk about people who cling to the word 'retard.' " In the post, she recounted a series of recent examples of the word being used: in a New York Times article, in the comments of a YouTube video she made for the Special Olympics' annual campaign to end the use of the word, in the comments section of a CNN.com article.
She also included Coulter's last tweet about a video the president made for the National Forum on Disability Issues: "Been busy, but is Obama STILL talking about that video? I had no idea how crucial the retarded vote is in this election."
"Many people think that using the word 'retard' to slam someone is fine—as long as it's not actually directed at a person with disability. I've had plenty of people argue with me over that distinction. What people don't understand is that every time someone uses the word 'retard,' they perpetuate the idea that people with intellectual disability, like my son, Max, are stupid or losers," Seidman said in an e-mail Tuesday.
"As I've said before, my son shouldn't be defined by ghosts of stereotypes past. He has enough to contend with in this world. Use. Another. Word."
Do you use the "r-word"? Do you object to its use? Please share your opinions respectfully in the comments section below.
"Like" CNN Living on Facebook.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/living/ann-coulter-obama-tweet/index.html?npt=NP1
It appeared to be a response to critiques of Mitt Romney's debate performance, but it wasn't the first time Coulter used the "the r-word" during this election season. And, it's not the first time blogger Ellen Seidman has called her out on it.
"At this point, I'm thinking the woman must surely be aware that the word is offensive, and she chooses not to care. That's pretty vile and heartless," said Seidman, the mother of a special needs child who shares her world on the blog "Love that Max."
"You want to slam the president, go ahead. But you can't think of any other word to use? Come on."
Ending the r-word: Ban it or understand it?
Coulter: Romney a 'square' Ann Coulter shocks at CPAC
The word "retard" demeans Max and millions more with intellectual disabilities, Seidman tweeted at Coulter. Still, the comment was favorited 1,215 times and earned 2,993 retweets as of this writing, presumably by a number of people who didn't find it offensive. But sentiments from those who chose to respond to Coulter on Twitter ranged from disappointment to outrage.
"You disgust me. That man is the president of this country. (& I'm sure all of the disabled children in America appreciate you.)," actor Sophia Bush tweeted.
"Politics aside, this tweet from @anncoulter was offensive & disgusting. ANY use of the "R" word is unacceptable," @amurphy217 said.
The Special Olympics also condemned her use of the word, saying that it was "sad to see @AnnCoulter continue her use of hateful language by using the #Rword in her discourse."
In an open letter directed at Coulter posted Tuesday on the Special Olympics blog, John Franklin Stephens, a 30-year-old Special Olympian with Down syndrome, described what the word meant to him: "I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.
"Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next. ... Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor. No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much."
Even people known for their sense of humor came out against it. Comedian and Twitter personality @UncleDynamite resurfaced a 2-year-old post from his tumblr in which he explained why he would no longer follow anyone he saw using "the r-word."
He re-posted it after seeing people retweeting and favoriting the tweet, which he found disturbing coming from a a "well-educated, self-described Christian with such a huge public presence."
He hopes she'll read it and maybe have a change of heart, but he's not necessarily counting on it.
What do you think of Coulter's comment? Sound off with CNN iReport
"Based upon Ann's tweets today, I'd say she's dug in and unrepentant," he said Tuesday in an e-mail. "She must not know, love or respect anyone with an intellectual disability, then, and more's the pity. I'd like to see her after a great day of volunteering at a Special Olympics or Best Buddies event. I'd lay odds she'd never think or say the r-word word ever again, and she'd probably be quick to anger if someone she heard did so."
Others observing the controversy surmised that Coulter used the word solely to draw attention.
"Guys. Ann Coulter is trolling you. Always. Outrage gives her strength. The only thing that will kill her? Complete & utter indifference," @PaprbakPrincess tweeted.
Congress banned the use of the words "retard" and "retardation" in 2010 in federal health, education and labor laws in favor of using the words "intellectual disability." The American Psychiatric Association also plans to replace the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual development disorder" in the fifth version of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, to be published by in 2013.
Then why do people cling to the word, Seidman and people like her wonder. She has posed the question before in her blog, which is probably why she woke this morning to find a slew of tweets and e-mails asking her to call out Coulter again for repeatedly using "the r-word" to describe President Obama.
The last time was just a few weeks ago in a blog post called "Let's talk about people who cling to the word 'retard.' " In the post, she recounted a series of recent examples of the word being used: in a New York Times article, in the comments of a YouTube video she made for the Special Olympics' annual campaign to end the use of the word, in the comments section of a CNN.com article.
She also included Coulter's last tweet about a video the president made for the National Forum on Disability Issues: "Been busy, but is Obama STILL talking about that video? I had no idea how crucial the retarded vote is in this election."
"Many people think that using the word 'retard' to slam someone is fine—as long as it's not actually directed at a person with disability. I've had plenty of people argue with me over that distinction. What people don't understand is that every time someone uses the word 'retard,' they perpetuate the idea that people with intellectual disability, like my son, Max, are stupid or losers," Seidman said in an e-mail Tuesday.
"As I've said before, my son shouldn't be defined by ghosts of stereotypes past. He has enough to contend with in this world. Use. Another. Word."
Do you use the "r-word"? Do you object to its use? Please share your opinions respectfully in the comments section below.
"Like" CNN Living on Facebook.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/living/ann-coulter-obama-tweet/index.html?npt=NP1
Well it is supposed to be against the law to do hate crimes here too, but like everything else, they get away with it all in the name of entertainment. You see coulter is considered an entertainer and not a journalist so a whole set of different rules apply to people like her, beck, matthews, etc.
No I meant fox on cable, I had read somewhere they had been discontinued in Canada. Guess not! LOL
And coulter is considered to be a man before she was a woman, because she has a goiter in her neck? LOL, just a little bit of gossip from those just like her. I find myself watching her neck all the time to see what their talking about. LOL I know Im bad!
No I meant fox on cable, I had read somewhere they had been discontinued in Canada. Guess not! LOL
And coulter is considered to be a man before she was a woman, because she has a goiter in her neck? LOL, just a little bit of gossip from those just like her. I find myself watching her neck all the time to see what their talking about. LOL I know Im bad!
No respect at all for the President!....Damn shame!
I don't think so. I get it on my cable network. Or do you mean to come in and interview? That I do not know.
We do have free speech here, but hate speech is a crime - maybe that is different then the US? Not sure. But here you can get in a lot of trouble for saying hateful cruel things. I'm ok with that.
We do have free speech here, but hate speech is a crime - maybe that is different then the US? Not sure. But here you can get in a lot of trouble for saying hateful cruel things. I'm ok with that.
Im not surprised, she is known for her outlandish remarks and is how she makes her money. I salute you for kicking her to the curb. Wish they would do it here too! LOL
I also read somewhere that fox news is not allowed in Canada. Is this true?
I also read somewhere that fox news is not allowed in Canada. Is this true?
See how much we love her? My recommendation would be that she not visit us again anytime soon. We are pretty easy going here and good at turning the other cheek, but boy did she get folks riled up. Here's another article referencing the "ride a camel" incident.
And she still hasn't been arrested.
Ann Coulter has responded to the University of Ottawa’s provost Francois Houle suggestion that she choose her words carefully, unless she wants to wind up with criminal charges. Coulter is scheduled to speak at the University of Ottawa this evening. In an email to the Ottawa Citizen, Coulter says that Houle is promoting “hatred” and “violence” against people with conservative views. She also told the newspaper that she would like to file a human rights complaint. Coulter spoke at the University of Western Ontario Monday evening, and will also be speaking at the University of Calgary this week.
As the Citizen reported:
“Now that the provost has instructed me on the criminal speech laws he apparently believes I have a proclivity (to break), despite knowing nothing about my speech, I see that he is guilty of promoting hatred against an identifiable group: conservatives,” Coulter wrote in an e-mail on Monday.
The Citizen had requested a telephone interview with Coulter. Instead, the newspaper received the e-mail from the author.
She questioned whether every speaker booked at the university received a similar warning or just the conservative ones.
“The provost simply believes and is publicizing his belief that conservatives are more likely to commit hate crimes in their speeches. Not only does this promote hatred against conservatives, but it promotes violence against conservatives,” Coulter wrote.
She added she would ask the human rights commission to investigate, but didn’t specify which one.
“I was hoping for a fruit basket upon my arrival in Canada, not a threat to criminally prosecute me,” Coulter said.
After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Coulter notoriously wrote of Muslim countries, “We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.” She has also suggested that Muslims use “flying carpets,” as opposed to airplanes.
At Coulter’s University of Western Ontario talk, a Muslim student challenged her on her previous comments. The student said, as reported by the Sun media chain, “As a 17-year-old student of this university, Muslim, should I be converted to Christianity? Second of all, since I don’t have a magic carpet, what other modes do you suggest.” To which Coulter responded, “take a camel.”
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2010/03/23/ann-coulter-responds/
And she still hasn't been arrested.
Ann Coulter has responded to the University of Ottawa’s provost Francois Houle suggestion that she choose her words carefully, unless she wants to wind up with criminal charges. Coulter is scheduled to speak at the University of Ottawa this evening. In an email to the Ottawa Citizen, Coulter says that Houle is promoting “hatred” and “violence” against people with conservative views. She also told the newspaper that she would like to file a human rights complaint. Coulter spoke at the University of Western Ontario Monday evening, and will also be speaking at the University of Calgary this week.
As the Citizen reported:
“Now that the provost has instructed me on the criminal speech laws he apparently believes I have a proclivity (to break), despite knowing nothing about my speech, I see that he is guilty of promoting hatred against an identifiable group: conservatives,” Coulter wrote in an e-mail on Monday.
The Citizen had requested a telephone interview with Coulter. Instead, the newspaper received the e-mail from the author.
She questioned whether every speaker booked at the university received a similar warning or just the conservative ones.
“The provost simply believes and is publicizing his belief that conservatives are more likely to commit hate crimes in their speeches. Not only does this promote hatred against conservatives, but it promotes violence against conservatives,” Coulter wrote.
She added she would ask the human rights commission to investigate, but didn’t specify which one.
“I was hoping for a fruit basket upon my arrival in Canada, not a threat to criminally prosecute me,” Coulter said.
After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, Coulter notoriously wrote of Muslim countries, “We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.” She has also suggested that Muslims use “flying carpets,” as opposed to airplanes.
At Coulter’s University of Western Ontario talk, a Muslim student challenged her on her previous comments. The student said, as reported by the Sun media chain, “As a 17-year-old student of this university, Muslim, should I be converted to Christianity? Second of all, since I don’t have a magic carpet, what other modes do you suggest.” To which Coulter responded, “take a camel.”
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2010/03/23/ann-coulter-responds/
Here's one lovely interview she gave while here....
Controversial U.S. political commentator Ann Coulter said she's determined to "save the good Canadians" in Calgary and regions west from "crazy liberals," a day after she was met by protests in Ottawa.
Coulter spoke at the University of Calgary on Thursday night, the last stop of a three-city Canadian tour. She is famous for inflammatory comments against Muslims, liberals and gay people.
Should she limit her speech in Canada?
Her speech at the University of Ottawa was cancelled after safety concerns amid protests on Tuesday night.
"It's quite a country you have here," Coulter told Evan Solomon, host of Power & Politics, on CBC News Network on Thursday. "I'm more determined than ever to turn pretty much from Calgary through the west into the 51st state now. We got to save the good Canadians."
"Save us from what, Ann?" Solomon asked.
"From the crazy liberals. From the crybabies," Coulter answered, sporting sunglasses. "How did Canada go from being the country that sends us all our best comedians to a bunch of whining, crying babies that can't take a joke?"
'It's a lovely little country. I do recommend that you get free speech. It's a lot of fun.'— Ann Coulter
Coulter said she intends to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission over an email sent to her by University of Ottawa provost François Houle, reminding her about Canada's hate laws.
In an online column, Coulter claims Houle is guilty of hate speech because his missive sparked the demonstration that led to her speech being cancelled.
A small crowd of protesters stood outside Ann Coulter's Calgary speech Thursday evening, in contrast to a boisterous protest in Ottawa. A small crowd of protesters stood outside Ann Coulter's Calgary speech Thursday evening, in contrast to a boisterous protest in Ottawa. (John Spittal/CBC)
"I have discovered that Canada's approach to free speech, and that is speech they like," Coulter said Thursday. "It's not free speech if they are going to say, 'Yes, you can have free speech as long as you don't say X, Y, Z.'"
When asked what her message to Canadians was, Coulter answered: "It's a lovely little country. I do recommend that you get free speech. It's a lot of fun."
About 200 people lined up outside the Red and White Club on the U of C campus on Thursday evening where Coulter's speech had been moved for security reasons. A few dozen protesters stood outside with hand-drawn signs.
Many people said they were fans of Coulter, while others said they were there to ask tough questions and hear what she had to say.
Organizers said the event — free for students, $10 for non-students — was sold out
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2010/03/25/calgary-coulter-speech-university-.html
Controversial U.S. political commentator Ann Coulter said she's determined to "save the good Canadians" in Calgary and regions west from "crazy liberals," a day after she was met by protests in Ottawa.
Coulter spoke at the University of Calgary on Thursday night, the last stop of a three-city Canadian tour. She is famous for inflammatory comments against Muslims, liberals and gay people.
Should she limit her speech in Canada?
Her speech at the University of Ottawa was cancelled after safety concerns amid protests on Tuesday night.
"It's quite a country you have here," Coulter told Evan Solomon, host of Power & Politics, on CBC News Network on Thursday. "I'm more determined than ever to turn pretty much from Calgary through the west into the 51st state now. We got to save the good Canadians."
"Save us from what, Ann?" Solomon asked.
"From the crazy liberals. From the crybabies," Coulter answered, sporting sunglasses. "How did Canada go from being the country that sends us all our best comedians to a bunch of whining, crying babies that can't take a joke?"
'It's a lovely little country. I do recommend that you get free speech. It's a lot of fun.'— Ann Coulter
Coulter said she intends to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission over an email sent to her by University of Ottawa provost François Houle, reminding her about Canada's hate laws.
In an online column, Coulter claims Houle is guilty of hate speech because his missive sparked the demonstration that led to her speech being cancelled.
A small crowd of protesters stood outside Ann Coulter's Calgary speech Thursday evening, in contrast to a boisterous protest in Ottawa. A small crowd of protesters stood outside Ann Coulter's Calgary speech Thursday evening, in contrast to a boisterous protest in Ottawa. (John Spittal/CBC)
"I have discovered that Canada's approach to free speech, and that is speech they like," Coulter said Thursday. "It's not free speech if they are going to say, 'Yes, you can have free speech as long as you don't say X, Y, Z.'"
When asked what her message to Canadians was, Coulter answered: "It's a lovely little country. I do recommend that you get free speech. It's a lot of fun."
About 200 people lined up outside the Red and White Club on the U of C campus on Thursday evening where Coulter's speech had been moved for security reasons. A few dozen protesters stood outside with hand-drawn signs.
Many people said they were fans of Coulter, while others said they were there to ask tough questions and hear what she had to say.
Organizers said the event — free for students, $10 for non-students — was sold out
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2010/03/25/calgary-coulter-speech-university-.html
Let me tell you what Ann did in our neck of the woods. She was invited to speak at one of our Universities here. She addressed the student body adn I cannot remember how this came to pass, but at the assembly told a muslim women that if she didn't like it she should "ride her camel home". I'm suspecting she will nto be invited back here anytime soon.
Ah, the "R" word.... Use of the word certainly lacks sensitivity, doesn't it? I guess you'd have to consider the source who is repeating the word. .
Yes, definitely. Some people are just idiots. Ann is one of them.
I've seen Romney called some pretty nasty names too. This election has brought the worst out of people, and they should be embarassed.
Yes, definitely. Some people are just idiots. Ann is one of them.
I've seen Romney called some pretty nasty names too. This election has brought the worst out of people, and they should be embarassed.
They can conceive and then we'll discuss the appropriateness of abortion..........for the sake of the baby this time.
I think her need to diss Obama was stronger than her thoughts on insensitivity. I don't like her, don't get me wrong, but I clearly got her meaning being directed at Obama and not people in general. With that said, yes, lets send her with the Donald. They can talk about their hair.
Ah, the "R" word.... Use of the word certainly lacks sensitivity, doesn't it? I guess you'd have to consider the source who is repeating the word.
Good idea !
Ann needs to go wherever we are sending the donald.
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