[lbo-talk] Ann Coulter shut up

[JBrown72073 at cs.com]

Yoshie writes: 
> As far as I'm concerned, those are fighting words, and it is time 
> for  us to fight back and deflate Coulter's claim to beauty.  After all,  
> beauty is merely a matter of conventions -- there is no reason for 
> us to let her get away with her "pretty girl" act just because the 
> Right  -- including herself -- tell us to worship her (or else).

The problem with this strategy is that it relies on male supremacy for most 
of its bite.  Same thing with criticizing Condi Rice for being not sufficiently 
movie-star attractive, or, conversely, putting her in her place by saying 
she's attractive.  It's gaining momentary 'points' while giving up ground in 
women's general fight to be treated as more than meets the eye.  

Gaze shmaze.  It's about raising beauty standards impossibly high so no 
mortal can meet them, thereby undermining all mortal women, so none of us shall 
feel comfort in our own skin.  "He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to 
destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen her self-respect, and to 
make her willing to lead a dependent and abject life."  Declaration of 
Sentiments, 1848.

Jenny Brown