I’ve been somewhat reluctant to defend Ann Coulter because I’ve notice that when you do, you’re often labeled a religious, ring wing, crazy. This is exasperating for me because Hello! Atheist right here! Also, most religious, right wing, crazies happen to be pro-life (Including Ann Coulter) and I’m probably the most pro-abortion person in this country. I love dead babies! Love them! In fact, I would totally perform abortions myself, all day long, if I didn’t suspect the government would take all the fun out of it by demanding that I use sanitary equipment and antibiotics. Where’s the fun in that? The only way I’d prep a patient is with a push down some stairs. By the way, are rusty coat hangers considered sanitary?

Oh. I kid.

I mean, you act like I wouldn’t do anything for the pain. They can totally bite on a piece of worn leather.

Isn’t it great that I can make totally tasteless jokes without fear of being arrested, fined or censored? And isn’t it great that you guys are all free to call my jokes lousy, sophomoric, immature, or otherwise insult my personality in various creative ways without fear of the same? That’s the last great thing about this country. It’s the one thing Americans should cling to because we all know for sure that the evil, corrupt, greedy shit heals we elected into office have pissed on damn near everything else.

That’s why it makes me feel a little icky inside to hear John Edwards say that Ann Coulter’s use of the word ‘faggot’ should not be tolerated. Isn’t that the entire point of free speech? Aren’t we supposed to tolerate what each other say even when we don’t like it? John Edwards makes it sound like he supports the banning of certain words. Perhaps he thinks the first amendment should only apply to speech that is not considered ‘hateful?’

In that case, ‘nigger’ should be the first word to go. Then we can get rid of ‘faggot, queer, spic, and kike.’ In fact, we might as well just get rid of all racial slurs or words that negatively refer to someone’s sexual orientation now.

Then the whole country will be happy because there would be no more bigotry, right? Yeah.

But, here’s the thing: At that point, we would have started a slippery slope. What if, one day, the majority decides that simple swear words are too offensive and must be banned? What if they make the argument that saying ‘shit’ is just like saying the ‘N-word?’ What if they demand that we get rid of ‘ass, cock, pussy, bitch, and piss?’ At that point, my website will be totally [ expletive deleted ].

I once knew a girl who absolutely despised the word ‘fart.’ I also knew a family who did not allow the phrase ‘shut up’ used in their home. Some people say that the words ‘waitress’ and ‘mailman’ are sexist. Should we get rid of them too? What if the people offended by them manage to swing the majority in their favor?

Where does it all end?

If we quit tolerating ‘hate speech,’ it will never end. No matter what you say, someone, somewhere, is not going to like it and will effectively make the argument that it’s too awful to say. That’s why John Edward’s suggestion that Ann Coulter’s jokes should not be tolerated are particularly horrifying to me. (And don’t get me started on the attempts to force Ann to apologize!) It might just be easier if we all learn to suck it up and develop a thicker skin now because I have a feeling that a lot of you would hate to see the word ‘cunt’ removed from the dictionary.

After all, with it gone, what would you all call Ann Coulter?

In closing, anyone who votes for John Edwards is a faggot.