Crackpot

"...I can remember, you can remember, and I'm sure Jesse Helms can remember, a time in this country when the word crackpot meant something. It is getting harder and harder to tell when the mainstream stops and the lunatic fringe begins." -Ann Richard

There have been a couple of things in the news that I feel the need to comment on. I don't expect you to agree with me so if at anytime you don't like what you're reading, you are more than welcome to stop reading and come back when I have something amusing to say.

Let's start with, as Whoopi would say, "I'm A Dinner Jacket" otherwise known as Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Many people are upset that he was invited to speak at Columbia University. Everyone is welcome to their opinion.

I can't believe he accepted the invitation. I hope he didn't think that students would sit there and believe everything that he said. There probably wasn't a better group of people to skewer the guy. What's that saying about it's better to keep your my mouth shut and look like a fool rather than open your mouth and prove you are a fool.

(from the AP):
He sought to portray himself as an intellectual and argued that his regime had respect for reason and science. But the former engineering professor soon found himself drawn into the type of rhetoric that has alienated American audiences in the past.

He provoked derisive laughter by responding to a question about Iran's execution of homosexuals by saying: "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country. ... I don't know who's told you that we have this."

Well, the reason you think you don't have any homosexuals in your country is probably because they have all been executed.

Let's move on to the 2nd crackpot of the day: Bill O'Reilly.

(from Media Matters):

During the September 19 edition of his nationally syndicated radio program, discussing his recent trip to have dinner with Rev. Al Sharpton at Sylvia's, a famous restaurant in Harlem, Bill O'Reilly reported that he "had a great time, and all the people up there are tremendously respectful," adding:

"I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship."

Later, during a discussion with National Public Radio senior correspondent and Fox News contributor Juan Williams about the effect of rap on culture, O'Reilly asserted:

"There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea.' You know, I mean, everybody was -- it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all."

O'Reilly also stated: "I think black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves. They're getting away from the Sharptons and the [Rev. Jesse] Jacksons and the people trying to lead them into a race-based culture. They're just trying to figure it out. 'Look, I can make it. If I work hard and get educated, I can make it."

What the F___? I mean, come on. I wonder if he has ever been to a Mexican restaurant in a Mexican neighborhood in a city like Houston or Ft. Worth? He probably thinks everyone walks in with a switchblade?

I guess what scares me about Bill O'Reilly is that he has people who actually listen to him and buy his books.

I'm still shaking my head over this one!

I miss Ann Richards

On an episode of Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect (when it was on ABC) his guests were Dennis Miller, Mike Ferrell, Ann Coulter and Ann Richards. The topic of discussion was the death penalty. With the exception of Ann Richards (former Governor of Texas), the panel was having a heated debate. Bill Maher finally engages Ann Richards and asks for her opinion. She was quick to note that of the five people sitting there she was the only person who ever had to deal with the death penalty. (Round of applause from the audience.)

She proceeds to offer her thoughts and Ann Coulter interrupts her and starts to talk over her. Ann Richards looks at Ann Coulter and says in her best Southern drawl, “Would you please shut up? I didn’t interrupt you when you were talking.” (Round of applause from the audience. Str8 Up With A Twist cackles.)

I used to be able to tolerate Ann Coulter. I’d listen to her and roll my eyes ‘cause she was good for a laugh every now and then. (And recently, Kathy Griffin is getting a ton of laughs at Ann Coulter’s expense.)

At some point Ann Coulter got too big for her britches. Celebrity went to her head. She stopped buying new clothes and started wearing the same black cocktail dress at morning, noon and night…with black Ray Bans.
If you haven’t kept up with what has put a new bee in my bonnet, you can see the footage from Hardball on YouTube or read the story on USA Today. It really started back in January when she referred to John Edwards as a f****t . What was the point of THAT?!?!

People like Ann Coulter really irritate me. They talk just to hear themselves talk (except she gets paid big bucks). They say things just to say them. I’ve worked with people like her (and I’m not naming names but some of you can figure it out). They’re hard to ignore because they won’t shut up. And if you get into an argument with them, they won’t argue the facts. They just mouth off. They say things just to say things. Specific to Ann Coulter, our political views are miles apart from each other.

And here’s to Elizabeth Edwards for standing up to her. I have no idea if it was a calculated move by the Edwards campaign but I don’t think so. I think Elizabeth is just as fed up as I am. So here’s a You Geaux Girl Award to Elizabeth Edwards. And good for the Edwards campaign for using Ann Coulter to raise money. I’m sure that if Ann Richards was still with us she would join the mêlée.
I really wish Ann Coulter would go away. Go buy a new dress. Do something other than mouth off! In the words of Ann Richards, “Would you puh-leeze shut up?”

PS I was late with this post because I've been up to something this morning. Can't give the details just yet. :-)