And That's Four

Shreveport Paper Becomes 4th This Week to Drop Ann Coulter:

NEW YORK The Times of Shreveport, La., today became at least the fourth newspaper this week to drop columnist Ann Coulter.

In a note just posted on the newspaper's site, Times Executive Editor Alan English wrote: "Today we move past the rhetoric and unproductive dialogue offered by Ann Coulter. The Times is dropping her column effective immediately.

"It is her recent 'joke' about John Edwards being considered a 'faggot' that is the back-breaking straw for a decision we've openly discussed for some time."

The Times had previously considered dropping Coulter last year after the author/Universal Press columnist made nasty remarks about 9/11 widows.

Also dropping Coulter this week were the Lancaster (Pa.) New Era, The Oakland Press of Michigan, and The Mountain Press of Sevierville, Tenn.

While I hold no illusions that this is the beginning of the end for Coulter, and I realize that four papers is a drop in the bucket to her, it is nice to see some media outlets displaying some taste and respect.

Shreveport's English wrote today that Coulter's "repeated use of hyperbole in the call for the death of some journalists and politicians was beyond the pale. And while we all believe she was 'just kidding,' her 'shock-jock'' writing style is no different from Howard Stern's practical jokes and bathroom humor that aims to draw a school-yard snicker but falls well short of reasonable, thought-provoking journalism. Unlike the work of a Thomas Sowell or a Kathleen Parker, two thoughtful conservatives, does a Coulter column raise the level of discourse? The answer: rarely.

"No doubt some conservatives will lament the loss of their beloved Coulter, someone who made the joke they are too polite to make. Objections are expected, but please do not miss the continuation of outstanding conservative commentary by Cal Thomas and Jonah Goldberg that continues on our pages. Sure Michelle Malkin sometimes approaches a Coulter-style rant, but we don't recall any homicidal zingers.

Goldberg? Outstanding conservative commentary? Barf. And as for Malkin, you don't need to concern yourself with homicide when the people you don't like are safely locked away in internment camps.

Just keep talking, Ann.

Update: Yep, keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep talking....

More Update: Actually, That's Five. More, with action suggestions here.

I'll be writing more about update #1 above tomorrow; I'm too angry right now. But there's plenty at those links for you to whet your appetite.