"You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't knowin) / When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain't knowin) / For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't knowin) / Because a whole lot of bitches talkin shit (you ain't knowin) .... "

"Man it seems like I'm duckin dodgin bullets everyday / Niggaz hatin on me cause I got, hoes on the tray / But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water / Couldn't keep up with my hoes, that's when shit got harder ... "

2006 Oscar Winner, Best Song from a Soundtrack, It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp

Ann Coulter's watershed moment at the CPAC conference last week released a firestorm of condemnation from the left (here, here, and here) and from the right (here, here, and here). Freedom of speech being what it is, Ms. Coulter is, of course, free to express herself verbally in any way she sees fit, and the rest of the world is free to respond as they see fit.

However, once again, the victicrats are out in full force feigning offense, making money, and diverting our attention from the very serious issue that Ms Coulter attempted to raise. Andrew Sullivan insists that the statement and, the audience reaction, was "designed to make any gay man or woman in the room feel marginalized and despised." He may very well feel that way. However, I doubt very much that such collusion is possible. Most likely, the crowd's true feelings about John Edwards had found a voice and their passion was unleashed (isn't that what language is for?).

The immediate reaction from the public was understandable. "SHE SAID WHAT?" Condemnation was inevitable and justified, just as it was in the Mel Gibson, Michael Richards and Isaiah Washington affairs. However, once the dust settled and it became clear that Ann had no intention of calling John Edwards gay, and that the term was meant to express the idea that her feelings about the millionaire liberal are so profoundly negative that any public discussion of him would be impossible given the current climate of political correctness.

And she was right. The media and public reaction proves it. Instead of focusing on the very serious issue of how political correctness marginalizes our public discourse, everyone is rallying around the far simpler accusation of hate-speech.

Let's not forget that the liberal left embraces all forms of expression in art and culture, while struggling to limit the free speech of ordinary citizens. Last year, the song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" won the Oscar for best song in a movie. At a glance, the lyrics are odious and vile. However, ultimately, the song makes a very strong, and noteworthy, statement about life in America for African-Americans. The artists were rightfully recognized for their performance. The same deference should be extended to the rest of us.

Ms Coulter could not have made her point less eloquently. But the reaction could not have been more misguided:

“I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.”

Witless? Maybe. Pointless? Absolutely not.

-JHB