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Local News Ann Coulter: Beware the Coultergeist! B orn in New York City on Dec. 9, 1961, arch-conser- vative Ann Coulter is the author of eight New York Times bestsellers and of a nationally-syn- dicated column for Universal Press Syndicate. She also serves as the legal correspondent for Human Events and is a frequent guest on such TV shows as The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Sean Hannity, The O’Reilly Factor, The Glen Beck Show and HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. The ever-controversial, flame- throwing firebrand has been on the cover of Time Magazine and pro- filed in publications like TV Guide, the Guardian, the New York Observer, National Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle Maga- zine, too. In 2001, she was named one of the top 100 Public Intellec- tuals by federal judge Richard Posner. C ELEBRITY I NTERVIEW by Kam Williams Ann Coulter: Thank you, Kam. KW: I’m a fellow Cornellian, but I went there a decade ahead of you. AC: Wow! It was such a beauti- ful campus. But were you there during all the turmoil? KW: No, I arrived the year after the famous, black student takeover with guns that made national news. But while I was there, we did have plenty of strikes, takeovers and demonstrations about everything from Apartheid to the War in Vietnam. There was so much chaos on campus it ‘The first blacks in Congress and the first black Governor were all Republicans’ --Ann Coulter A Connecticut native, Coulter graduated with honors from Cor- nell University and received her J.D. from University of Michigan Law School, where she was an editor of The Michigan Law Review. Here, she talks about her ninth book, “Mugged: Racial Demagoguery from the Seventies to Obama.” Kam Williams: Hi Ann, thanks for the interview. C O seemed like finals were cancelled every spring semester. AC: Didn’t you people ever learn anything? [Laughs] KW: Rather than reminisce, let me get right to the questions, since my readers sent in more than I could ever get to. Troy Johnson was upset by a quote from your book where you counter Michael Moore’s Stupid White Men by asking: “Shall we compare SAT M M U N scores, cultural contribu- tions and inventions?” Troy wonders whether you’re aware of all the cultural contributions that can be traced back to Africa, including Christianity? And are you aware that blacks tend to outperform whites from similar socioeconomic backgrounds on standard- ized tests? AC: Yes, in fact, in an early chapter of Mugged, I rely heavily on Thomas Sowell’s magnificent book, Black Rednecks, White Liberals. He points out that blacks in the North perform better, academically, than whites in the South where they did not have much of an emphasis on learning. But please note that I’m not the one making that argu- ment in that section about Michael Moore. And by the way, I’m not a man. White men have done a lot. It’s silly to write a book titled, Stupid White Men. KW: Filmmaker Kevin Williams, director of Fear of a Black Republican asks: Why do you think the Republican Party doesn’t reach out more to African- Americans on its own terms today? Have you seen the docu- mentary? AC: No, but I’ve heard of it. KW: It’s excellent. You figure prominently in it. So does Michael Steele. Kevin says he’d like to get you a copy. AC: Oh, I would love that, and I love Michael Steele. KW: Kevin’s basic thesis is that the Republican Party is hurting itself by failing to court the black vote. AC: Oh, I don’t believe that’s true at all. Republicans have I T Y C reached out so much to black Republicans because it’s part of our tradition. Blacks have been in this nation longer than most other Americans with the possible exception of WASPs. The first blacks in Congress and the first black Governor were all Republi- cans. It was Republicans who fought the Civil War over slavery and who introduced the Civil Rights legislation over the next hundred years. So, suggestions to the contrary drive Republicans like me crazy. KW: Marcia Evans says she agrees with your recent comment that the U.S. is only indebted to African-Americans. What prompt- ed that statement? AC: I was being a little cross with a right-wing black friend for throwing in the Hispanics and the Asians into a Jesse Jackson-type A L E N D Rainbow Coalition. No! No! Blacks have a special history, since they were enslaved and were here as early as the first Americans. I hate to sound like a liberal but these are facts. That makes blacks a special group and I really don’t appreciate all these hangers on coming along. Yes, of course, black Americans are a special group, and I’m dis- appointed that they’re not Republicans, given our tra- ditions. We’re not getting much love in return, despite our efforts. KW: Why do you think that’s the case? AC: Part of the reason is that it’s really hard to be a black Republican. I see what they go through. It’s a good little trick the entire mainstream media has pulled by describing Repub- licans as “Racist! Racist! Racist!” and then turning around and laughing at us for not having more blacks in our party. That’s why I hope a lot of black people will read my book because I think it will change minds. KW: One discussion I found interesting in Mugged was where you point out that Strom Thur- mond was the only segregationist U.S. Senator to change his affilia- tion from Democratic to Republi- can. I would’ve guessed that there had been a wholesale flight of Southern conservatives to the Republican Party. AC: Thurmond’s the only segre- gationist anyone can name. Mean- while, the Democratic Party had former Klansmen, members of a terrorist group that was lynching and murdering black people. That See ANN on page 6 A R S EATTLE 2012 If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com Saturday October 20 FAMILY SYMPOSIUM AT CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL. The Symposium which runs from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. includes a resource fair, community booths, activities for children and much more. 2600 SW Thistle St. For more information please call 206-252-0698. THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDSHOP COMES TO BALLARD. Join the friends of The Seattle Public Library for the Friendshop Pop-Up event from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Ballard Branch Library, 5614 22nd Ave. NW Page 2 The Seattle Skanner October 17, 2012 CLEAN THE CLUTTER – RECYCLE IT AT KENT’S FALL RECYCLING COLLECTION EVENT. Event will take place at Russell Road Park, 24400 Russell Rd. Kent from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Residents are invited to bring those items that are not easily recycled at the curb including appliances, mattresses even toilets and sinks. Sunday October 21 THE NEXT FIFTY CLOSING DAY FEATURES SEATTLE SYMPHONY, DANCE, FOOD, CLOSING CEREMONY AND MORE. Oct. 21 marks the final day of The Next Fifty, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free community event Seattle Center and Fisher Pavilion. Tuesday October 23 ROBIN DALE JOHNSON CO EDITS NEW BOOK: FAITH AND RACE IN AMERICAN POLITICAL LIFE. Robin Dale Johnson talks about the effect of Americans religious beliefs and race perceptions on the U.S. political system. How race and faith shaped our country and are still shaping it today. 7 p.m. Immanuel Presbyterian Church. 901 N.J. St. Tacoma, in the Fireside Room. Friday October 26 SOUTHWEST HALLOWEEN CARNIVALS. Join us in a family night of Spooktacular fun! This year we have added new games, treats and prizes. Find the closest carnival to you! Delridge Community Center, 6:30 – 8 p.m. 4501 Delridge Way SW. Hiawatha Community Center, 6 – 8 p.m. 2700 California Ave. SW. South Park Community Center, 6:30 – 8 p.m. 8319 8th Ave. S. and Highpoint Community Center, 6 – 8 p.m. 6920 34th Ave. SW. Saturday October 27 VOLUNTEERS & PARTNERS HELP CITY CELEBRATE FIRST GREEN KENT DAY. Hundreds of volunteers, Kent’s Mayor and others will join the Green Kent Partnership at the First Annual Green Kent Day, a day of volunteer restoration events to celebrate the partnerships’ great success. If you would like to join the fun and volunteer please register at www.greenkent.org or call 253-856-5110. 9 a.m. – noon. Two locations available Morrill Meadows park, 10600SE 248th St. Green River Natural Resource Area, 21250 Russell Rd. S. Kent, WA.
