At the beginning of CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Conference) the main thing being talked about was Senator John McCain's snubbing of it.  Unfortunately, that would not continue to be the main thing talked about.  Ann Coulter's comment about John Edwards dwarfed McCain's non-appearance.  You can see or read about it here.  Aside from the obvious fact of using a derogatory comment like faggot is just idiotic, it also tarnishes all of us conservatives who try and fight the good fight.  One of the amazing things that I've noticed over the years, is that Republicans usually debate ideas and facts.  Liberals debate emotions.  Another thing that seperates us from them, is we generally stay away from the name calling game.  How many times have you heard President Bush equated to Hitler?  The 9-11 Truth group on the UAlbany campus always have flyers up doing just that.  What Ann did this weekend brought us down to their level.  And that is just a shame.  Another problem, is as a conservative, I'm constantly having to battle the stigma of being hateful...or racist...or a bigot.  Ann's comment will only continue that wrong perception.  What do you think will be the first thing I hear when I go to campus on Monday?  I'll be asked about Ann's comment!  Most of my day will be spent telling people that I do not condone what she said.  And most people will probably not believe me.  Ann's comment served absolutely no purpose.  There was no reason for it.  I like trying to use humor just as much as anybody else.  I'm one of Dennis Miller's biggest fans.  But the comment by Ann was not humorous.  It was stupid and there was no reason for it.  And do you think the Edwards campaign will try and capitalize on it?  The answer is of course yes!  Look, I am a big Ann Coulter fan.  Her book Slander: Liberal Lies About The American Right is one of my favorite books.  I have all of her other books as well, and really like them.  I read her column all of the time.  But this was an instance where she was just wrong to use a comment like that.  It tarneshed all of us.