Steven D. wrote a magnificent diary about boycotting advertisers who advertise on Leno because of his promotion of Ann Coulter and her fascist venom on The Tonight Show. His diary evoked many comments, a few of which I have copied here because they illuminate what I think is a fatal flaw possessed by some on the left. This may be a good place to get a debate, or even an argument, about tactics.
Brian Nowhere made a comment to Steven’s diary to which I added my comments. Here is the string.
First, Brian Nowhere.
I’m sorry, but I have to stand in opposition to this.
I believe in market regulation, but not when it comes to the marketplace of ideas.
How would we feel if the republicans led a boycott of advertisers on a show like Michael Moore’s The Awful Truth, were it still on the air? We sure didn’t like it when Bill Maher’s advertisers got him kicked off the terrestrial airwaves. Personally I don’t want advertisers getting involved with the Coulter debate either.As disgusting as she is, I think she should be allowed a forum. Sad as it is, she represents a segment of our society and that makes her relevant. It sucks that many agree with her, but letting her views be heard is what this country is all about. The only acceptable way to combat this IMHO is to promote opposing voices.
However, if Leno was only offering up Coulter like viewpoints on his show and not booking opposing voices too, I would be all for a boycott. I don’t think that’s the case here as Leno books many liberal guests on his show as well.
Then my response.
Sorry, but you don’t get this. And you’re completely wrong.
That Coulter is now “acceptable” to mainstream media is an enormous red flag in the increasingly fascist direction of our country. Thuggery and hate speech are engaged in by fascists consciously and precisely to demonize and ultimately deny the humanity of those they attack. It’s much easier then to haul them to the ovens with little protest from the great “undecideds.”
Brian Nowhere again.
I don’t agree..doesn’t make me wrong (none / 0)
I agree that Coulter’s popularity is a red flag to the coming fascism, which is exactly why it needs to be visible.
If you had a strange lump on your body would you just put a band-aid over it and try and forget it’s there? Coulter is merely a symptom, she is not the disease. In fact I think in many ways she helps our cause as she paints the true face on what Republicans really stand for; hate, racism, selfishness, greed, callousness et al.Without her presence, republicans will just tune in to George Will and be treated to a completely reasonable looking representation of truly reprehensible ideas. Not so with Coulter, for all her nastiness, she at least represents an honest portrayal of what Republicanism really is.
So, Fight to promote the voices you agree with. Fight to make liberal voices be heard. If you fight to silence those you disagree with thorough intimidation, IMHO, you’re really just becoming a part of the disease, not part of the cure.
To which I responded.
Re: doesn’t make me wrong..Yes It Does (none / 0)
Coulter is merely a symptom, she is not the disease.
Like I said, you don’t get it. Coulter is the disease. It’s called fascism. It uses her kind of verbal thuggery and the thuggery practiced by the “spontaneous” mob of Republican Congressional staffers who showed up at the recounts in Florida after the theft of the 2000 election. While you’re defending their right to be fascists, they’ll either imprison or kill you.
So, Fight to promote the voices you agree with. Fight to make liberal voices be heard. If you fight to silence those you disagree with thorough intimidation, IMHO, you’re really just becoming a part of the disease, not part of the cure.
The issue isn’t whether in America fascists have the right to speak, of course they do, the issue is that we on the left must create consequences for the media that promotes this garbage.
You are bordering on ostrich-hood with your last sentence. Do you think the Coulters of the world are intimated by your “fight to make liberal voices heard?” On the other hand, what do you think Steven D’s diary about consequences for the media if they want to promote fascist thuggery was if not just that?
Finally, ask Republicans if Coulter represents Republicanism? Ask Olympia Snowe, ask even blowing in the wind politicians like John McCain and Arlen Specter, if they think Coulter’s fascism represents them.
The fascist Bush Administration and its fascist fellow travellers like Coulter, Hannity, Limbaugh, et. al. are the aberration that the fucking American media, in order to make mo’ money, is pandering too. That’s what this is all about.
Jesus exhorted his disciples to have the innocence of the dove, but the wisdom of the serpent. The kind of whimpy liberalism your comments express is what our opponents think liberalism is. Find a damn snake.
But for the fact that I went a little over the top in my last comment about ostriches and snakes, this exchange is a good illumination of what I think is a false liberal quandry. How can we maintain our support for free speech and still do battle with those like Coulter who would not only deny our right to free speech, but given enough power, deny our citizenship, our humanity, and finally our lives?
Steven D. has found one good way to do this. Make the media and its corporate sugar daddies feel consequences to their pandering to the fascists. Don’t let our disgust at the fascist Bush Administration and how servile it is to the farthest of the Right. Non fascist Republicans are looking for someone to save them too.
Finally, the marketplace of ideas is a stupid metaphor. The marketplace may be an efficient way to sell cars, laundry soap, or politicians. But it is not the way ideas work. The difference between a Honda and a Buick is a matter of choice and opinion. The difference between one and idea and another in many cases is the difference between truth and falsity. Proponents of Intelligent Design like the idea of a marketplace of ideas. Then they can market bullshit for truth.
The place where ideas and opinions have intercourse is not a marketplace, but a battleground. The quicker progressives get it, the better.
