A Political Statement
I got a bunch of letters this week complaining about my Ann Coulter wise-crack. Some of you think the comment was political and that politics has nothing to with the newsletter. On the surface, I completely understand this reaction. Here what regular reader Jim had to say:
"While I generally find it beneficial to read your newsletter, I am having difficulty with your repeated snide and snarky references to conservative political figures. I fail to see how a snide reference to Ann Coulter does anything to communicate the point of your articles. If it does, then why are these snide references reserved for conservative-thinking people? And, just to make sure we're clear, the Ann Coulter reference was just the last such of several.
"Perhaps I'm just not the right kind of person to be in your audience. I will look forward to your reply to determine whether I should remove myself from your mailing list."
Here's what I wrote to him:
"I thought about that as I wrote it. If you read regularly, I make fun of conservative and liberal talking heads, such as Keith Olbermann. I am in no way a liberal nor conservative. I focus on issues in my own politics, not parties.
"I'll make it up to you by making fun of a liberal. Who do you suggest? Al Franken? Chris Mathews? Let me know.
"I also make fun of Bill O'Reilly, not for his politics but for his bluster. He knows he has a huge ego and that is part of his show. I find O'Reilly to be about the most interesting and independent TV personality. I can predict what Rachel Maddow (how can anyone be so condescending and smug?), Hannity, Olbermann and Coulter will say; they are that doctrinaire. I can't do that with Bill.
"When I watch commentators, I am less interested in their point of view than I am in the originality of their thought and honesty. I don't like self-important, narrow-minded windbags like Bill Maher or Sean Hannity -- or Ann Coulter. On the other hand, I can listen to Pat Buchanan or even Barney Frank all day long.
"In short, I am making fun of the personalities and character flaws of these talking heads, not where they stand on issues."
Posted by Doug Barney on September 16, 2009