http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=192885By Joe Kovacs
© 2010 WorldNetDaily
Ann Coulter promoted on a poster for a homosexual-sponsored event
MIAMI – Conservative superstar Ann Coulter launched a verbal assault on WND Editor Joseph Farah today, calling the veteran journalist "swine" and a "publicity whore" after she was dismissed as a keynote speaker for the news site's upcoming "Taking America Back National Conference" here.
"[F]arah is doing this for PUBLICITY and publicity alone," Coulter wrote in an e-mail to the Daily Caller, a political site founded by journalist Tucker Carlson.
As reported yesterday, Coulter was dropped from WND's event next month because of her plan to address a gathering titled "HOMOCON" sponsored by the homosexual Republican group GOProud that promotes same-sex marriage and military service for open homosexuals.
Farah said the decision was a gut-wrenching one for his team because of their fondness for Coulter as both a person and writer-speaker.
"Ultimately, as a matter of principle, it would not make sense for us to have Ann speak to a conference about 'taking America back' when she clearly does not recognize that the ideals to be espoused there simply do not include the radical and very 'unconservative' agenda represented by GOProud," said Farah. "The drift of the conservative movement to a brand of materialistic libertarianism is one of the main reasons we planned this conference from the beginning."
Coulter took issue with WND's publication of her e-mail discussion with Farah concerning her appearance.
"[T]his was an email exchange [between] friends and even though I didn't expressly say 'OFF THE RECORD' and I believe everything I said, he's a swine for using my private emails politely answering him," Coulter wrote to the Daily Caller. "[W]hy would he do such a despicable thing? ... for PUBLICITY."
She continued: "I will say that [Farah] could give less than two sh--s about the conservative movement – as demonstrated by his promotion of the birther nonsense (long ago disproved by my newspaper, human events, also sweetness & light, american spectator and national review etc, etc etc). He's the only allegedly serious conservative pushing the birther thing. for ONE reason: to get hits on his website."
Farah responded to Coulter's remarks, saying, "Ann is angry. I hope she calms down and there can be some restoration, repentance and forgiveness. She said some mean things about me, but I can sleep at night knowing I did the right thing in God's economy."
David Kupelian, WND's long-time managing editor, added, "Ann Coulter's a hero to many, but her angry accusation that we were motivated by publicity couldn't be more off-base. This wasn't Farah's sole decision; our executive team, including me, discussed this at length in a serious and thoughtful manner, and in the end, we went with what we considered to be the principled decision."
The Daily Caller noted WND was not the sole voice of outrage at Coulter's decision to address the homosexual group.
"As a fan of Ann Coulter, it pains me to see her cave into political correctness and lend credibility to the phony homosexual 'conservatives' over at GOProud," said Peter LaBarbera, founder of Americans for Truth, a national organization devoted exclusively to exposing and countering the homosexual activist agenda.
But GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia told the site, "We have been very pleased with outpouring of support we've received from conservative groups around the country."
Christopher Barron, chairman of GOProud, issued a statement about Coulter's appearance at his event: "We did not invite Ann Coulter to speak at Homocon 2010 because we believe she has 'evolved.' Quite the contrary, we invited Ann Coulter because of who she is, who she has been, and who we know she will continue to be – the smartest, funniest, most provocative conservative author and columnist around. If anyone needs to evolve, it's the uber-PC gay left and their enablers not Ann Coulter."
In the hours after WND confirmed it was dropping Coulter from its conference in South Florida, the news site was flooded with e-mails of both praise and criticism.
"Thank you for sticking to your principles! I know it is hard, I like Ann Coulter a lot, but we gotta draw lines here. The fact is that the Republicans, conservatives for years now have been wandering ... so to speak by pouring water into the wine. For fear being called all kinds of names. Well that era is over. We need to stick to our guns, no more wishy-washy behaviour," wrote R.J. of Richmond, Va.
"I want to applaud you for dumping Ann Coulter for what amounts to an endorsement for GOProud. If Coulter doesn't understand the ramifications of her speech in the conservative culture then I too am dumping her from my 'respected conservative' list," added L.C. of Gillette, Wyo.
On The Hill blog, Shane D'Aprile wrote that GOPRoud was thrilled at the development, and now expects Coulter to be an even bigger draw for its HOMOCON.
"I'm sure they're not intending to help us by doing this, but they're doing us a huge favor," said Barron. "We certainly appreciate the free publicity."
And on the Washington Scene site, it was noted that, "Even without Coulter, the Miami, Fla., WND conference will still feature plenty of conservative stars, including Rep. Michele Bachman (R-Minn.). Bachman will be joined by Ambassador Alan Keyes, Colorado gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo, former Sen. and retired Admiral Jeremiah Denton, and talk-show host Rusty Humphries. "
The Mediaite reported that Coulter, however, hadn't "defiantly pitched a rainbow flag" and would continue as a columnist on WND, a fact that Farah had stated earlier.
"There's a different standard for columnists and speakers at our conference," Farah explained. "We boast the broadest ideological forum of commentators in any news or opinion publication or website anywhere on the planet – and we will continue to do that. We think people should hear all points of view discussed openly and honestly."
He said the issue was that the conference is a serious event "designed to provide some real leadership for those who are serious about changing the direction of this country. There is simply no room there for compromisers or for people who accept money from those determined to destroy the moral fabric required for self-governance and liberty."
The comments also included the random assortment of suggestions that WND should recant, and re-invite Coulter, but also included those who demanded that with the ground she has staked out, her column also should be impacted.
"I can not begin to tell you how appalled I am at the total stupidity and lack of political commons (sic) sense you have demonstrated by publicly dumping the brilliant Ann Coulter from speaking," wrote S.D.
Added N.R., from Albuquerque, "I'm confused ... Ann Coulter is an excellent writer – why would you 'dump' her? I'm a U.S. Army veteran, federal employee, American patriot, registered Republican and yes, A LESBIAN ... ."
But one reader who identified himself as "American Citizen," said, "I beli[e]ve Ann Coulter should NOT remain a weekly columnist for WND, because of her stance on homosexuality. GOProud is promoting same-sex marriage, which is wrong according to the Bible. WND needs to distance themselves from Ann Coulter immediately."
Other comments:
* "Is it all about money and greed with Ann Coulter, before morals and beliefs?" asked D.H., of Flagstaff, Ariz.
* "Thank you very much for standing on principle … you are a real Godly man," said G.M.
* "I salute you for taking Coulter off the list of speakers because it shows you have the courage of your conviction," said L.D.L. "We're in a spiritual war the likes no American has ever witnessed before. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Sorry wasn't preaching at you but only an attempt to keep the focus where it belongs ..."
* "It was the right thing to do," added D.K.
* "Applaud your decision as I know it was difficult," added C.W.D.
* "I read with sadness about Ann Coulter's accepting money to speak for GOProud. It's good that you dropped her from your speaker list for your event – but you should also drop her completely. She obviously does not realize the consequences of her actions – by accepting the offer to speak for GOProud, she is saying loud & clear, 'I really am not sincere in my convictions – I'll do whatever you want if you pay me enough," added D.T.
* "Thank God for your faith and your convictions," wrote G.A.
* "While I love Ann's writing, she is making a huge mistake in helping promote the homosexual movement within the GOP," added K.L.
* "After hearing that WND was willing to take this approach, even with one of their own most popular columnists, by dropping Ann Coulter from next month's conference because of her scheduled appearance at a homosexual Republican event, my faith has been somewhat restored in my once-favorite news site," said J. E.
* "I love her wit, but our fight is more than funny. It is serious business," said D.P.
* "You are right about Ann Coulter – even though I love her and enjoy reading her columns," added R. T.
When Farah had raised the conflict with Coulter, she explained she speaks to a lot of groups and does not endorse them.
"I speak at Harvard and I certainly don't endorse their views. I've spoken to Democratic groups and liberal Republican groups that loooove abortion. The main thing I do is speak on college campuses, which is about the equivalent of speaking at an al-Qaida conference. I'm sure I agree with GOProud more than I do with at least half of my college audiences. But in any event, giving a speech is not an endorsement of every position held by the people I'm speaking to. I was going to speak for you guys, I think you're nuts on the birther thing (though I like you otherwise!)."
Farah said the speech to GOProud was very different.
"Earlier this year, GOProud was permitted to sponsor the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, the biggest event of its kind," said Farah. "This bad decision resulted in consistently conservative groups dropping sponsorship and withdrawing from participation – much to their credit. GOProud is about infiltration of the conservative movement and dividing it from within with twisted and dangerous ideas way out of the mainstream of American public opinion. Ann Coulter is, I'm afraid, validating this effort for money. I support her speaking to people with whom she disagrees on college campuses. That's a good idea. I do it, too. But if you see the way GOProud is exploiting its coup in getting Ann Coulter to speak to its HOMOCON event, you begin to understand what a mistake this is for a conservative icon like Coulter."
The conference will feature Rep. Michele Bachmann, Ambassador Alan Keyes, Colorado gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo, former Sen. and retired Admiral Jeremiah Denton, WND's Jerome Corsi, Aaron Klein, David Kupelian, comedienne Victoria Jackson, talk-show host Rusty Humphries, homeschool champion Michael Farris and many others in a lively, interactive forum that will include debates on some of the hottest issues of the day. It will be followed by a weeklong cruise of Caribbean that will include many of the speakers and participants.
Last week, WND rejected sponsorship of its "Taking America Back National Conference" in Miami by the Florida Tea Party after an investigation of the group concluded it was misrepresenting itself. Farah announced WND was returning the money the group paid in sponsoring the event and rejected its participation.
"This event and the tea-party movement are not about making money," Farah said. "If we're serious about changing the direction of the country, we've got to start policing ourselves. We hope real tea-party groups all across Florida and the U.S. join us in Miami next month to celebrate the political rebirth of this country and help us strategize about the future."
Topic: Ann Coulter slams Farah as 'swine,' 'publicity whore' (Read 463 times)