"Coulter is a gadfly, not a fascist"

Regarding George Zornick's column on Ann Coulter ("Coulter shock," March 2), I must admit that his opening statement did not lead me to expect much reason out of his opinion piece, as most "college liberals" are yet-to-fully-mature and sometimes hopeless and delusional parrots when it comes to politics.

As it is probably safe to assume that a great number of readers agreed with Zornick, here are a few reasons as to why he and many others should be excited about having one of the most prominent conservatives in America on this campus next week.

One important thing to remember above all is that much of Ann Coulter's most criticized statements are examples of her intellectual and dry sense of humor. They should be no more offensive to liberals than statements made by the likes of Chris Rock, who continually injects racist terminology into his routines, or Michael Moore, who often stretches the truth so far that it becomes offensive to truly patriotic Americans. If prominent politicians reward Coulter with applause it is then only because they enjoyed her observations and not because they endorse "fascist" ideas.

Ann Coulter is "blowing (the administration's) cover" no more than anyone with half an ounce's worth of ability to think critically. To believe that she intentionally does such a thing is utterly simplistic and does not consider the craft of public speaking at all. The reason why the administration has been able to make so many changes is because they have successfully dominated the national conversation on several important issues. Like I have said in the past: There is nothing shady, unfair or fascist about that, it's merely good PR work. Part of that work is also to present oneself in the best possible light. As much as he would probably like to forget about it, Zornick should realize that Bill Clinton was a lot better at glossing over the truth than President Bush is. Beyond his untruthfulness in regards to his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, he was a master at disguising military activities such as the attacks on Kosovo and policy changes that liberals would normally have opposed.

Ann Coulter is also more than qualified to be a part of the distinguished speaker series: not only did she successfully complete law school with merit at the University of Michigan, but she has also practiced law at the Department of Justice, served as a clerk on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and was an editor of the Michigan Law Review. Janet Reno will stick to the facts as much as Bill Clinton did. If she didn't she could hurt the liberals' darling Hillary Clinton's chances of ever getting elected to an office again.