Sweeney Disgusted with Ann Coulter Tweet
The state Senate president lashes out at a tweet by political commentator Ann Coulter that described President Obama as a "retard."
New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney voiced his outrage Tuesday about a tweet by conservative political commentator Ann Coulter during the Oct. 22 presidential debate.
At one point during the debate, Coulter tweeted, "I highly approve of Romney's decision to be kind and gentle to the retard."
Her words drew the ire of many, including Sweeney, a Democratic state senator who sponsored legislation to remove the word "retard" from New Jersey laws and regulations in 2010. Sweeney, a West Deptford resident, also has a daughter who attends school in the Gloucester County Special Services School District.
In his statement, Sweeney said:
It really does not get any more despicable than this. I honestly don’t know if there is another person on this planet as shameless as Ann Coulter. She has no morals, no boundaries and no sense of common decency.
Her thoughtless remarks are meant to provoke and draw attention to whatever latest nonsensical ultra conservative rant she is peddling. I really have no words to describe her other than just a horrible person. I guess going after 9-11 widows was not enough for her. She now has to attack people with disabilities too.
This is not only insulting to millions of people across the country, but to me, it is personal. I have worked hard to scrub that word from our vocabulary forever, and with good reason: words matter. If Ann Coulter wants to get out from behind Twitter and have a face to face discussion with me on why she wishes to insult my daughter and the millions of people with developmental disabilities in this country, I will have it anytime, anywhere, any place.
Adding to the insult, Coulter detractors say, is that this isn't the first time the instigative commentator has used "retard" publicly. She did so in August and September, The Hollywood Reporter says.
As in times past, advocacy groups denounced Coulter's use of the word. "Sad to see @AnnCoulter continue her use of hateful language by using the #Rword in her discourse," tweeted the R-word Campaign, a movement to strike "retard" from speech.
Eleanor
5:24 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I saw on another comment board that someone said something like Coulter is Lucy holding the football and liberals are Charlie Brown who run and kick it every time. What they meant is that Coulter might be saying something provocative to see if liberals will take the bait - will they ignore her or respond intelligently or will they reply with even more vile things, which they do every time. I would not put on this board (and the editor probably wouldn't put it up) what people called her.
pat duran
9:23 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
This is how you defend the arrogant,cruel words of this woman? She insults the President and all special needs people, and your comment is as clueless as the initial remark.
Eleanor
1:00 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I did not defend Coulter, I mentioned how her remarks were interpreted by someone who commented on them on another forum. What is interesting is that Coulter's remark was mild when compared to some of the names that she was called on that board - stuff so vulgar I would not put it up here. But beyond that people were calling for her to shut up. Is free speech only when it is nice and PC and chosen by our legislators? I dont like what Coulter said, but I am also bothered by a self important legislator who wants to "scrub that word from our vocabulary forever". I don't want Sweeney choosing what words I can and cant use.
pat duran
5:06 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I agree that vulgar remarks should not be tolerated, but that is part of free speech. I just think Coulter has insulted many with her insensitivity.