Cocktails with Ann Coulter
I just returned from a most wonderful evening. Along with two other blog readers and a banquet hall filled with Hollywood conservatives and libertarians, I celebrated the seventieth birthday of David Horowitz. What a night it was to celebrate this good man and to be able to talk openly about politics–and movies right in the heart of blue America.
Oh, and, I did get to talk about the blog. And, well, gosh darn it, hate to disappoint our liberal readers again, but I had the same sort of experience I have pretty much every time I come out as a gay man to conservatives, so what? You know the opposite experience I get when I come out to a good number of gay liberals as a conservatives.
After the dinner, over drinks with Ann Coulter, a few people did make a joke or two at my expense, but then, well, we were all making jokes at everyone else’s expense. This was the first time I had seen Ann since she attended the Federalist Society’s 1994 Annual Symposium at the University of Virginia, an event which I directed. And while I’ve criticized her from time to time on the blog, in person, she is as funny, gregarious and friendly as she was the last time I saw her.
She definitely has as a presence and is witty even without prepared notes or a teleprompter to guide her. And while she doesn’t mince words (which made the conversation all the more enjoyable), she does listen. And listen very well. In fact, that was the quality I found most remarkable about her. While she was clearly the “star” among the group who retreated with her to the bar after the event, she didn’t hog the limelight, let other people speak and addressed their points in her responses.
She was most interested in people’s stories about Hollywood and the bias they encountered in the industry and seem particularly interested in the work and experiences of a screenwriting friend of mine (who sometimes comments to this blog).
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It makes sense that conservatives would be happy to meet gay conservatives while the liberal gays would be unhappy to meet gay conservatives. We tend to value agreement from others.
Comment by thuja — April 23, 2009 @ 8:42 am - April 23, 2009
I guess we will see and hear about you in her next book. “Those elusive gay conservatives…..”
I am still writing to Huckabee to get you on his show. I would encourage others to do the same.
Thanks for giving all of us a voice.
Comment by jentex — April 23, 2009 @ 9:45 am - April 23, 2009
Way to go, Dan! I am way envious of you for spending the evening with one of my favorite columnists.
O/T – Ann’s column today deals with the death of her mother this past week. If you or someone you know has lost a parent, you will really identify with this post. It will make you laugh between the tears.
Regards,
Peter H.
PS – I second jentex above. Let’s book you on Huckabee!
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 23, 2009 @ 10:19 am - April 23, 2009
So what was she drinking (my soon to be newest preferred adult beverage)?
Comment by epb — April 23, 2009 @ 10:26 am - April 23, 2009
Dan, thanks for the wonderful report. Peter thanks for the heads up on Ann column this week. It was very touching.
Comment by Leah — April 23, 2009 @ 10:43 am - April 23, 2009
Man, you’re making me wish I lived closer.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — April 23, 2009 @ 10:45 am - April 23, 2009
If we could just get more drag queens to dress like Ann Coulter, maybe gay conservatives could start gaining more visibility.
Comment by Ashpenaz — April 23, 2009 @ 11:22 am - April 23, 2009
#7 – Better they dress like Ann Coulter than Nancy Botoxi or (shudder) Fat Jan Napoleon.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 23, 2009 @ 12:54 pm - April 23, 2009
I’m an unattractive shade of green with envy.
Comment by Juju — April 23, 2009 @ 1:25 pm - April 23, 2009
Sounds like it was a great evening. I wouldn’t have been able to get to sleep once I got home if I had been there.
And yes, Ann’s column is very touching this week, especially
“My brothers and I always figured we’d have no inheritance, but there would be a lovely memorial to Oliver North somewhere.”
Comment by Jeff — April 23, 2009 @ 1:36 pm - April 23, 2009
Wow! I can’t believe you’ve gone TEN comments without a troll! Is Obama giving a speech or something?
Comment by Sonicfrog — April 23, 2009 @ 3:47 pm - April 23, 2009
#11 – SHHHHH!!! Don’t tempt fate, SF!
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 23, 2009 @ 4:36 pm - April 23, 2009
You know what they say about wearing green on Thursday.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — April 23, 2009 @ 5:50 pm - April 23, 2009
Man I am impressed.
Good for you.
Hell, good for all of us.
Comment by The Rude Dog — April 24, 2009 @ 1:14 am - April 24, 2009
After the dinner, over drinks with Ann Coulter, a few people did make a joke or two at my expense, but then, well, we were all making jokes at everyone else’s expense.
Can you elaborate on that?
This was the first time I had seen Ann since she attended the Federalist Society’s 1994 Annual Symposium at the University of Virginia, an event which I directed. And while I’ve criticized her from time to time on the blog, in person, she is as funny, gregarious and friendly as she was the last time I saw her.
Funny, that’s what Bill Maher has been telling people.
Comment by Rob — April 24, 2009 @ 5:58 am - April 24, 2009
#15 – “Funny, that’s what Bill Maher has been telling people.”
Really? Got a link to that?
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 24, 2009 @ 4:55 pm - April 24, 2009
Really? Got a link to that?
Yep, actually she was the most frequent guest on politically incorrect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iD-ohvTUQg
Comment by Rob — April 25, 2009 @ 7:27 am - April 25, 2009
I’d very much like to briefly meet with Ann Coulter. I’ve seen her “around” but don’t think she’d appreciate being approached by a stranger for a conversation – especially with a very direct question she would probably rather not answer.
I know a lot of conservatives who are quite courteous to gay people who themselves are also courteous and friendly – as am I.
But that doesn’t mean squat.
Ann called a creepy guy a “Faggot!” for yuks to a group of people in public at CPAC in DC.
She refused to apologize and shrugged “it’s a schoolyard taunt.” Which, unfortunately, it is. But it’s a taunt because it means “wimp” by way of “gay” by way of homosexual. Because homosexual is always wimpy and unacceptable to these bigots.
(Not calling you a bigot – yet – Ann.)
Next she’ll defend kids in school for using “gay” to call anything uncool because it’s a schoolyard taunt that has nothing to do with gay people.
Hmmm. Not looking too good, Ann.
If she really is “ok with gay” – meaning homosexuality is good and a monogamous, loving, and sexual relationship between two same-sex people is a good thing – as good as heteros…then why doesn’t SHE step up and loudly SAY SO? And then say it again on FOX, and again on Maher’s show, and again on CNN, and again and again and again.
Huh Ann? C’mon! If you’re so outspoken, say what you believe and don’t “mince words.” OK? You’ve got a LOT of potential gay supporters here. I mean it’s a small market, but a very aggressive one. And while I am not a supporter of you (yet) I’ve defended you to knee-jerk liberal brainwashed hypocrites when they call you names – again, and again and again and again.
We’re waiting Ann – and don’t chiffonade words by saying “the bedroom is none of my business.”
Comment by Tom — April 28, 2009 @ 9:26 pm - April 28, 2009