Newspaper gives itself a pat on the back for promoting racist hatemonger

Only in the office of the general manager of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus would you give someone a pat on the back for bringing in rightwing hatemonger Ann Coulter to speak.

But that’s the case, and the Press & Argus editorialized on Friday that Clearly University “deserves applause” for bringing in Coulter to speak back in October of 2007 - sponsored, coincidently by the paper - for its annul Livingston Economic Club speakers series. The business college paid the queen of hate $30,000 plus expenses for a 90-minuytge hate, filled tirade, and it touched of months of protests in conservative Livingston County.

The Livingston 2001 Diversity Council denounced her appearance, and a Cleary board member even resigned in protest.

The mission of the economic club is “to enrich the Livingston County community by hosting speakers who can share a broad spectrum of social, political, intellectual and cultural experiences.” But they continue to bring in right-wingers, with a few actual business people and a journalist. Not much of a “broad spectrum.”

Past speakers have included Clinton-hater Dick Morris, Faux “news” commentator John Stossel and alleged terrorist expert Steve Emerson. Basically, the Faux “news” lineup.

The editorial is really a promo for the 2010 speaker series, and the rightwing parade continues. Plans are to bring in another rightwing hatemonger, rightwing radio host Michael Reagan. Among the many vile and hate-filled rants from Reagan include calling for the murder of supporters of the 9/11 Truth Movement. He seems to follow the rightwing career path of the more hateful and disgusting things you say, the more money you make.

I don’t know if they’re paying $30,000 in this kind of economy like they paid Coulter, or does Reagan have to say more hateful things to reach the income bracket Coulter has reached?

To blunt criticism of bloggers like me, they are bringing in Elizabeth Edwards, wife of two-time Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. In fact, she has written a book about her fight against cancer and her husband’s betrayal and infidelity. I have a lot of respect for her, but if I were cynical and with all the news about Edwards fathering a child and alleged spousal abuse, I might think her appearance is timed just to embarrass Democrats.

But knowing how fair and balanced Cleary and the newspaper are, that’s impossible.