Shreveport Paper Becomes 4th This Week to Drop Ann Coulter

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003555963

The Times of Shreveport, La., today became at least the fourth newspaper this week to drop columnist Ann Coulter.

In a note just posted on the newspaper's site, Times Executive Editor Alan English wrote: "Today we move past the rhetoric and unproductive dialogue offered by Ann Coulter. The Times is dropping her column effective immediately.

"It is her recent 'joke' about John Edwards being considered a 'faggot' that is the back-breaking straw for a decision we've openly discussed for some time."

The Times had previously considered dropping Coulter last year after the author/Universal Press columnist made nasty remarks about 9/11 widows.

Also dropping Coulter this week were the Lancaster (Pa.) New Era, The Oakland Press of Michigan, and The Mountain Press of Sevierville, Tenn.

Statement by Shreveport Editor Today on Dropping Ann Coulter

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003555954

Today we move past the rhetoric and unproductive dialogue offered by Ann Coulter. The Times is dropping her column effective immediately.

It is her recent “joke” about John Edwards being considered a “faggot” that is the back-breaking straw for a decision we've openly discussed for some time. We had a dialogue with readers last year regarding whether Coulter was a responsible commentator and journalist.

Her repeated use of hyperbole in the call for the death of some journalists and politicians was beyond the pale. And while we all believe she was “just kidding,” her "shock-jock'' writing style is no different from Howard Stern's practical jokes and bathroom humor that aims to draw a school-yard snicker but falls well short of reasonable, thought-provoking journalism. Unlike the work of a Thomas Sowell or a Kathleen Parker, two thoughtful conservatives, does a Coulter column raise the level of discourse?

The answer: rarely.

No doubt some conservatives will lament the loss of their beloved Coulter, someone who made the joke they are too polite to make. Objections are expected, but please do not miss the continuation of outstanding conservative commentary by Cal Thomas and Jonah Goldberg that continues on our pages. Sure Michelle Malkin sometimes approaches a Coulter-style rant, but we don't recall any homicidal zingers.

[NMDemDist2]

1. biggest town so far

let's hope the trend continues......

[maddezmom]

2. K&R

:thumbsup: Keep them coming.

[mconvente]

3. It's great for these papers to take a stand against hatred

Those are some pretty scathing words from the paper's editorial staff. And they are obviously willing to lose some customers, but that's the noble thing.

[EFerrari]

4. Good for them. n/t

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. How many papers carry her column?

Is there a list?

Just wondering...

[RamboLiberal]

13. Media Matters has a list

http://mediamatters.org/items/200703080002

Also looks like the count is now up to 5.

Update: Brett Downer, editor of the American Press, informed Media Matters for America on March 8 that the newspaper "dropped Ann Coulter on Monday," three days after Coulter made her comments.

[JoFerret]

14. DOWN to five

...is the answer we seek. Name and shame the papers that still consider her spew legitimate discourse.

[POAS]

18. In Ohio only 2 and they are both Gannett papers.

Neither is in a "major" market.

[rodeodance]

6. ......homicidal zingers...... ho ho

[kestrel91316]

7. Let's set a goal of getting a total of FIVE papes to drop her this week,

then a goal of TEN next week, and TWENTY the week after, etc.

Look at her. She WANTS to starve. I say we help her along.

[Straight Shooter]

8. Please contact the Shrevport Times and thank them for making this decision.

It's nice to see the level of civil discourse possibly rising again in this country.

Their online contact page for questions and comments:

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/customerservice/lettertoeditor_mail.shtml

edit to add, it accepted my comment without requiring my phone number, but I did give my name and city of residence, as I think it adds authenticity to a comment.

[intheflow]

9. Shreveport is pretty conservative.

And in the Deep South. drip... drip... drip...

[youngdem]

10. VERY conservative. Christian Schools and College, Football Worship and a bomber base

This is good news. Shreveport is one of those towns I would expect to PICK UP Coulter's column after the 'faggot' remark, not drop it. Good for them.

[NotGivingUp]

11. awww...poor annie and her slimeball friends. my question is, 'why did it take so long?' n/t

[funkybutt]

12. A bad news paper gets a little bit better

I'm impressed with their justification for dropping her column.

[superconnected]

15. Eventually he'll lose all his popularity and out himself for the attention.

[sarcasmo]

16. Kick.

[POAS]

17. Outstanding conservative commentary by.......

Jonah Goldberg? Speaking charitably, that is a stretch.

And this, "we all believe she was “just kidding,”! They're kidding right?

[Acadia Blue]

19. How can we contact her syndicator to complain about her?