I just stumbled on this thread while on my way to post my own regarding... my aunt's opinion regarding Ann Coulter.
Earlier this week, I visited my ailing grandmother in a neighboring state. During that time, I stayed with my aunt and uncle.
My aunt has always been a Xian nutjob, born on a farm just south of where I live now and raised by evangelical parents. My uncle, a doctor and a well-read and educated man, only recently converted to that way of (non)thinking after their grand-daughter recovered from cancer.
Of course, the little girl had chemo and surgery etc., but her recovery was still a "miracle" to them. But I don't think it was the recovery that swayed him. I think that happened during the time when her death seemed nearly certain, when he gave himself over to the Xian believers and prayer-peddlers who flocked to them. At some point, he surrendered himself.
Now -- I'm still astounded by this -- he's a Bible literalist and a young-earth creationist!
The power of love works to both good and ill, I suppose.
Anyway, my aunt asked if I'd read Coulter's new book. I said I'd read excerpts and seen her interviewed... for the first time, btw. She seemed really flaky in the interview, and I said so.
Oh, but she's not a flake, they insisted. She's very sharp.
Now, I'm familiar w/ the outright falsehoods she peddles, so I had to disagree.
But they were solidly behind her. Even my uncle, who has money, education, and social standing, and who -- until recently -- read very widely. Now, sadly, the books piled on his desk, shelves, and tables are all Xian fundamentalist hooey.
They take her at face value. And so do lots of folks where I live.
Let's not underestimate her potential for harm, just because she's obviously a lying nutball.
)
