Ann Coulter

Two things are at work here, neither one of them pretty. On the one hand, Coulter is a product of the vitriol between the partisanship we saw since the collapse of the American politican consensus (I date this consensus to 1942-1967). In this vein, put her in the tradition of other poison pills. On the other hand, the country has been attacked and is sensitive to even seeming anti-Americanism. What would have been written off as he ravings of a cook before 9/11 is now a potential source of comfort as we circle the wagons. The poison pills are bad for the political health of the country and should be shunned by responsible politicians and media. Having circled the wagons there is always the risk of shooting at anyone outside the barriade for fear that it is attacking savages. My fear is that she's not going away soon. Perhaps we should accuse her of being a fifth column for the terrorists, intending to divide us from within. Its no more absurd than some of Coulter's claims.