NJDC CALLS ON MEDIA OUTLETS TO IGNORE COULTER AFTER ANTI-JEWISH COMMENTS

NJDC issued the following press release today:

NJDC CALLS ON MEDIA OUTLETS TO STOP INVITING ANN COULTER AS GUEST

COULTER IN CNBC INTERVIEW: JEWS SHOULD BE “PERFECTED” & AMERICA BETTER OFF IF EVERYONE WERE CHRISTIAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) called on mainstream media outlets to stop inviting Ann Coulter as a guest commentator/pundit and strongly condemned recent comments that Jews should be "perfected" by accepting the New Testament and that America would be better off if Judaism were "thrown away" and all Americans were Christian.

"While Ann Coulter has freedom of speech, news outlets should exercise their freedom to use better judgment," said NJDC Executive Director Ira N. Forman. "Just as media outlets don’t invite those who believe that Martians walk the earth to frequently comment on science stories, it’s time they stop inviting Ann Coulter to comment on politics."

Media Matters for America has a complete transcript of Coulter’s comments -- and video -- available here:

http://mediamatters.org/items/200710100008

"How does someone who says that Judaism should be thrown out, that Jews should be ‘perfected’ and that America would be better off were everyone Christian continue to receive a megaphone and platform from the news networks?" continued Forman. "When will the media say ‘enough is enough?’"

From Media Matters:

During the October 8 edition of CNBC's The Big Idea, host Donny Deutsch asked right-wing pundit Ann Coulter: "If you had your way ... and your dreams, which are genuine, came true ... what would this country look like?" Coulter responded, "It would look like New York City during the [2004] Republican National Convention. In fact, that's what I think heaven is going to look like." She described the convention as follows: "People were happy. They're Christian. They're tolerant. They defend America." Deutsch then asked, "It would be better if we were all Christian?" to which Coulter responded, "Yes." Later in the discussion, Deutsch said to her: "[Y]ou said we should throw Judaism away and we should all be Christians," and Coulter again replied, "Yes." When pressed by Deutsch regarding whether she wanted to be like "the head of Iran" and "wipe Israel off the Earth," Coulter stated: "No, we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say. ... That's what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You have to obey laws."

After a commercial break, Deutsch said that "Ann said she wanted to explain her last comment," and asked her, "So you don't think that was offensive?" Coulter responded: "No. I'm sorry. It is not intended to be. I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to live up to all the laws. What Christians believe -- this is just a statement of what the New Testament is -- is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don't believe our testament." Coulter later said: "We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all."

EMPHASIS ADDED. Excerpt from:

http://mediamatters.org/items/200710100008

Comments

[Michael]

This just goes to demonstrate the Anne Coulter is indefensively irrelvent and a politcal C-You-Next-Tuesday!

[estelle raderman]

i've thought this woman was on the brink, for a long time. but now i'm sure she is quite mad. i find her comments veery offensive

[Rebecca Samuels]

I never could stand this woman (Ann Coulter,) but now she really has gone too far. I can't believe she still gets to air her views on the Today show...!! Freedom of speech does not mean she gets to spew her venom at will.

[town crier]

dont worry, despite the boycott she will still be welcome to speak at columbia

[Frances Rose]

How is it this venomous creature is invited to so many news/talk radio shows? Her ignorance is beyond belief and her tongue rattles around spewing hateful trash