An Ann Coulter political statement/joke inadvertantly symbolizing what’s wrong with our politics backfired and her Tweet could become to Twitter satirists what the clip of “Downfall” has become to You Tube satirists.
Coulter ran a Tweet poking fun at those pushing the #BringBackOurGirls” Twitter campaign aimed at raising awareness of and getting back the 200 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamic terrorists. This campaign is backed by British Prime Minister David Cameron, first lady Michelle Obama and Malala — and increasingly mocked or sneered at by conservative Republicans.
For the life of me, the mocking of good-faith efforts by people all over the world — by any means — to get these schoolgirls back a)saddens me b)underscores the utter BANKRUPTCY of our current political scene where everything has to be turned into an ideological or political issue and partisans to go on ideological attack or be in snark mode.
That’s so much easier than actually rolling up your sleeves and trying to bring about a policy outcome, or enact some kind of change.
GO HERE to The Huffington Post to see some of the examples (aside from the one on top of this post).
Our politics and the people who make their money or gain hits off of throwing out red meat to ideologists and partisans have become so tiresome, and nauseating; But, hey, they’re laughing all the way to the bank and get great audience share. I mean, that’s what’s important in life (not doing everything you possibly can to raise awareness on the plight of these girls), right?
Even 20 years ago we wouldn’t see this kind of political response on an issue like this. Even the usually thoughtful George Will is acting like a cretin.
I’ve defended Will over the years, but now I must say it: liberals…you were right.
But, then, it isn’t one of h-i-s kids that’s held captive. Why not just sneer at those who are trying to raise awareness in the hopes that by raising international awareness there will be international mobilization that could translate into increased pressure to help Nigeria track down the terrorists and free the schoolgirls now enduring a terror no child should ever endure?
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.