 Ann Coulter on CNBC’s “The Big Idea” with host Donny Deutsch |
With friends like her, who needs enemies?
This time, she’s accused of anti-Semitism with demands she be condemned for her comments. She faces an online petition that she no longer be given air time by TV news organizations.
The uproar stems from her appearance on CNBC’s program “The Big Idea,” hosted by Donny Deutch. It all started out normally enough on what is routinely a laid-back, low-key show.
Her appearance was part of Coulter’s promotional efforts for her newest book with its’ characteristically snarky title: “If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans.”
As if religion and Christianity don’t have enough trouble these days – with all kinds of people interpreting what the faithful believe – Ann Coulter jumped in headfirst.
That alone isn’t unusual for her, but this time she not only got liberals angry, she ticked off conservatives too, to say nothing of evangelicals, Catholics and Jews.
Deutch asked her what the country would look like if her dreams came true. Coulter said it would be heaven if it looked like New York City during the ’04 GOP National Convention.
“People were happy. They’re Christian. They’re tolerant. They defend America.”
Deutch picked up on that: “Christian – so we should be Christian? It would be better if we were all Christian?”
“Yes,” Coulter said.
They continued in the same vein. Deutch asked if “we should just throw Judaism away”… and … all be Christians?”
Coulter said “Yeah” explaining it’s a lot easier because Christians “have the fast track program,” – apparently meaning an easier route to salvation and heaven.
Clearly flummoxed, Deutch couldn’t believe what he was hearing, especially when he asked if people who talked of “wiping Israel off the map” meant “no Jews?”
Coulter said, “No, we think – we just want Jews to be ‘perfected,’ as they say.”
Deutch responded, “Wow, you didn’t really say that, did you?”
Yeah Donny, she did. And the smart-mouthed political pundit turned biblical theologian went on to explain the difference between the Old and New Testaments, God’s reasons for them and that the New Testament is “why Christ came and died for our sins.”
She continued, “Christians believe the Old Testament. You (meaning Jews) don’t believe our testament.
She said Christians consider themselves “…perfected Jews,” and “We just want Jews to be perfected.” In other words, become Christian.
When Deutch asked if he should be trying to perfect himself, Coulter responded, “Well, that’s what the New Testament says.” Deutch was furious, saying she had no brains for saying what she did and that her comments about “imperfect Jews” were personally offensive.
As the program continued, Deutch persisted. Coulter said she didn’t intend to offend anyone and backtracked a bit on her statement that “Jews need to be perfected.”
He and Coulter got in deeper and deeper as she strangely rambled on about Christian mega churches, mixed-race couples and an episode of “Seinfeld.”
When Deutch expressed shock that she, as “an educated woman,” couldn’t see that her words were hateful and anti-Semitic, Coulter replied “No!” It “isn’t hateful at all.”
She said Christians think Jews go to heaven but only if they follow the laws … believing “Christ died for our sins.”
“We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all.”
No apology. No humility. And, no common sense.
As a writer, she knows word choice is critical.
For all her education and media experience, Ann Coulter shows herself to be a narrow-minded, holier-than-thou Christian of the worst sort.
Even the pope had the grace to apologize for the antagonism toward Jews, which long lingered with Catholic laity and many clergy who interpreted Catholic teachings to provide a basis for anti-Semitism.
Coulter’s brand of Christianity (she didn’t specify which, and they’re not all the same) gives all reasoned, educated Christians and Catholics a bad name.
The National Jewish Democratic Council is furious, as is the Anti-Defamation League, which calls her remarks “outrageous, offensive and a throwback to the centuries-old teaching of contempt for Jews and Judaism.”
I suspect atheists are snickering at the uproar and Muslims seem to be staying out of this catfight. That’s a smart move for them for a change.
It all started with Coulter, usually described as a “conservative pundit,” though her only expertise to expound on politics is that she’s a good observer, knows the conservative line and is smart enough to package it to sell.
Her successful books and columns illustrate that and add up to thousands of words, which, whether heard or read, please or infuriate people.
The rest of the package is Ann herself: tall, thin, lots of eye makeup, lots of hair and lots of leg.
TV directors love it, and so do male hosts. If the ratings hold, that means the audience does too, and the bottom line thrives. TV is forever and always a business, and Coulter knows it. Her outrageousness sells books and gets ratings. She’s no fool.
Donny Deutch may be offended and furious – legitimately so – but Ann Coulter gave him and his show more publicity than the whole CNBC public relations department has in a year. Such a deal!
I’ll bet any ratings spikes don’t offend him, and the short-skirted blonde who’s built a career on her glib tongue, quick ripostes and written turn-of-phrase laughs all the way to the bank.
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Ann Coulter’s latest: “If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans”
