May 25, 2006
Apple-Polisher Shows P.O.W. Real Courage
Printer FriendlyBy: Ann Coulter
This week the world gasped in awe at the raw heroism of Jean Rohe, the student at the New School who gave a speech attacking the commencement speaker, Republican Sen. John McCain, at the commencement ceremony.
We mostly heard about Rohe's bravery from Rohe -- and, really, who is in a better position to judge? As Rohe herself put it: "If there's one thing that I know about myself, it is that I care for people, and in that sense I have a great deal of character."
According to her posted biography, Rohe "grew up singing and performing folk music with her family. Jean spent a year at Smith College followed by a summer at the Universidad de la Habana in Cuba on scholarship where she honed her Spanish skills, learned about Cuban history, culture and politics, and made some of her dearest friends" -- mostly while waiting in line for hours and hours each day to get toilet paper.
In other words, Rohe is just a typical all-American girl, right down to a stint in Castro's Cuba.
In an unintentionally ironic article about her brave decision to attack the commencement speaker, Rohe describes going around campus the day before her speech and discovering how overwhelmingly popular it would be to attack McCain. At two graduation ceremonies a day earlier, attacks on McCain brought wild cheers from the audience.
See, where I come from, sucking up to the audience is not called "courageous." It's called "toadying."
Every place Rohe went that day she ran into students and faculty fashioning armbands and preparing their protests. As she said: "The situation seemed pretty serious."
Literally every person Rohe talked to the day before the ceremony opposed the war in Iraq and hated McCain with blind fury. Her mother -- the one who tortured the children by making them sing folk songs -- wept when Rohe read her illiterate speech over the phone.
Rohe's resolve to tell the audience what it wanted to hear, guaranteeing wild standing ovations for herself, was only hardened when she was told there would be media at the event.
While some might say it was gutless to suck up to the audience by insulting an invited guest, they didn't understand the incredible risks Rohe was taking by attacking a Republican at the New School: You'll be a pariah in the West Village! You'll never sing in a jazz club on the Lower East Side again! And don't even think about setting foot on the Upper West Side!
As Rohe later said: "It was something I didn't want to do, but knew I had to out of an obligation to my own values" -- which happened to be the exact same values as the entire audience, the faculty, her fellow students, her boyfriend and her mother, each of whom shared the value of being rude to an invited guest who also happened to be a Republican, a U.S. senator and decorated war hero.
And so Rohe attacked McCain's speech before he delivered it, with such devastating ripostes as this:
"Sen. McCain will tell us that we, those of us who are Americans, 'have nothing to fear from each other.' I agree strongly with this, but I take it one step further. We have nothing to fear from anyone on this living planet."
Except all the people who want to kill us.
Such as, for example, Osama bin Laden -- and that's according to Rohe, who is furious with Bush for not having caught him yet. Isn't Osama a person "on this living planet"? Does she think we have something to fear from him?
I'm sorry to be a snob, but this trusting view of terrorists is hard enough to take from smart liberals. When I have to hear the New School version of it, my eyeballs have rolled not only out of their sockets but out of the building.
Maybe in her heart of hearts, Rohe does think Bush is an imbecile, McCain a lout, and the war is wrong. Maybe she would think so even if she had ever met someone who holds a different opinion.
But then she should just admit: "I know, I know. I'm an utterly conventional brown-noser, the very definition of going-with-the-flow, middle-of-the pack, finger-to-the-wind follower, who doesn't have the candlepower to resist conforming to the beliefs of everyone around me -- but that's what I think."
If you want to find the cool, anti-establishment rebels who don't answer to "The Man" on college campuses today, you have to go to a meeting of the College Republicans. They are rebelling against at least 99 percent of their professors. Even the original '60s anti-war protesters were rebelling against at least 5 percent of their professors. Today's college liberals ape the beliefs of 99 percent of their professors and then pretend they're on-the-edge radicals.
We've always had to endure goody two-shoes apple-polishers -- kids with their hands always up, who turn in talkers when the teacher leaves the classroom and volunteer for extra work after school. But not until today's college liberals have we ever had to suffer the effrontery of the ass-kissers telling us: "I'm bad -- I clean erasers for teachers after class because I'm baaad."
I don't care what liberals think. I don't care that they're spineless suck-ups. Just don't insult my intelligence by telling me they're brave.
Posted by redguy at May 25, 2006 11:41 AM
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Comments
"Brave liberal"? Talk about an oxymoron!! Which of course also fits that "liberal" and "moron" are synonomous. I don't mean to be a name caller, but since the socialist liberals that are destroying our country can do it (and so effectively...), so can I. Protesting is how liberals "are brave". What we really need are some conservative leaders to be "brave" and find their spines to stop this spiral down to socialism that the liberals are enacting on our country. Ann...your voice carries so much clout...you are a true patriot...can't you rally the others to do the right thing and defeat these liberals before it's too late?!? We are so close to the brink...and the liberals know it...they can taste it. We need the bravery of our soldiers to be in the hearts and minds of our conservative leaders. IF THAT WERE THE CASE...our path would be clear and our cause would be won. Otherwise...well, I guess we learn to like bulgar and speak foreign languages...
Posted by: Ziggy Spaz
at May 25, 2006 12:32 PM
Even more cowardly is her spin on the swarmy Keith Olberman Show that she did it because she found out the night before that (gasp!) Senator McCain was going to give a speech he had given the week before and, thus, he was not honoring "their commencement" but talking about himself.
And if you want to think she is loony, one only has to read the defense given by former Senator Bob Kerrey (the President of this school) of his students and why he is so proud of their behavior (other than hissing). No wonder such behavior is tolerated --although I bet that if the school newspaper said things like "he is someone who doesn't match the principles or morals of this university" or hissed, booed and turned their backs when he spoke that the paper would be brought up in front of the Honor Committee and the hissers and booers would be thrown out.
Posted by: Chgolaw
at May 25, 2006 12:37 PM
The New School is a repository for all the red-diaper babies who could not get into a better college. I do not see why anyone, including myself, would waste one pixel on commenting about that place of indoctrination. It is so left-wing that the students and faculty look down on the Village Voice as a right-wing paper.
The putzette in question would better serve humanity by rolling around a minefield looking for a clue.
One would think that her ad hoc ad hominum attack on McCain would have been better thought out given the lead time she had crib her remarks.
I am not a fan of McCain, not even a little. I find him tiresome, boisterous and worse, a fair-weather friend of the right. In a few words, he does not have my trust. But, that said, he is far more deserving of respect than most of the other hate-mongers on the commencement circuit. His record as a war hero, POW and, begrudgingly, a Senator has earned him the right to be accorded a modicum of respect. Even by the vermin infesting most of the institutes of “higher learning.”
This pansy-assed cry-baby commie-symp poor example of an American ought to get on her hands and knees each and every day and thank the Good Lord for people like McCain who risked their lives and gave their service so malcontented pissants like her can have the right to make a complete and utter ass of herself in public.
God Bless, God Speed and for once, God Bless John McCain
Posted by: Jaksavin
at May 25, 2006 01:38 PM
That article is so right.
When I went to College...Alas, about 30 years ago, it was in the mid 70's, but the effects of the protests were still ringing in many of the ears of the staff. I got so tired of hearing them trash the United States, and take their little cheap shots at 1. Non Muslim Religions, 2. conservatism, and 3. Patriotism.
This little rohe person is nothing more than a sycophant, pure and simple. I'm glad that she has caught some attention with her stunt. Here's something that needs to happen with these out of control "Universities".
1. Parents need to monitor the political climate in where they are sending their Children, and if it is one of these Anti American flamers like UCLA, Boston, Etc. then they should not go there, as simple as that. Get them where it counts, in their pocketbook.
2. Any alumni that attended any of these flaming left wing repositories and are presently sending money should first, send a warning letter, threatening to cut off said aid unless a demonstrable change in climate is enacted, with proof, and onsite visits. Much like visiting a prison camp, and confirming humane treatment. I consider many of these liberal brainwashing factories to be "Liberals own little Abu Ghraib", where they torture conservatives, Christians, and/or Republicans. Then, if such behavior continurs, cut off the aid.
3. Legislation should be enacted that will rate a university based on it's political weight, and any university that slants significantly either to the right or the left should be eligible for no Money, not only on a federal level, but a State level. Ooops. There I go with the Federalism Vs. States again.
Unfortunately these changes were a long time in coming, they did not happen overnight. First there were beatniks with bongo drums in coffee shops...Now we have a whole range of folk who are still carrying the liberal torch. They are learning a lot of it from these left leaning wackos in these Universities.
I would like to know what the name of Rohe's counselor there at the College was, and what they knew about her stunt...And When they knew it.
At any rate, Ann, thanks for the noble and BRAVE work that you perform by going to these dangerous areas of our society and daring speak forth the truth so eloquently. I for one am grateful to you.
Posted by: Right Thinkner
at May 25, 2006 02:01 PM
It constantly amazes me that someone can live long enough to be college age and supposedly bright enough to attend college and still be such an idiot!
Posted by: rsmurray
at May 25, 2006 04:47 PM
I love what you've written this time Ann. You really have read my mind on a number of occasions. I can tell you what would have happened if the "brave and noble" Rohne had given the same treatment to Al Gore or John Kerry. She'd probably have to leave town. She would definitely have to leave school. She would have become thoroghly un-popular really fast. I could just see the outburst from the students. If you tried that in Seattle you'd most definitely get your tires slashed for your efforts. What an ingrate! John McCain is one of our heroes (certainly one of mine). As everyone here is acutely aware, he very valiantly served his country. He fought so that commmie pukes like Rohne have the freedoms that we cherish today. Maybe she should move to Iraq or Afganistan.
Hillary and Osama in 2008!
Nope! Better yet, John McCain in 2008
Posted by: Tolbert
at May 26, 2006 12:46 AM
Hillary Rodham--now Hillary CLINTON--spoke at her Wellesley commencement in 1969 and regaled the armbanded seniors protesting the Vietnam War while horrifying the dignified guests and parents by insulting the graduation speaker (who had been invited by vote of said senior class). The speaker in 1969 was a senator too-- Senator Brooks of Massachusetts-- a Black but also a Republican.. and he was considered fair game by Hillary to insult freely as he sat captive on the dais. Perhaps Ms. Rohne at the New School was following the now Senator Clinton's example. I was at that graduation as a representative of the junior class. It was a memorable graduation but not a pleasant one for anyone but Hillary who even then was a shrieking scold when she gave speeches.
Posted by: macD
at May 26, 2006 07:18 AM
This column is truly poignant today.
It is 27 May, the Saturday before Memorial Day.
This morning all across our country, the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Boy and Girl Scouts and countless other fraternal and service organizations got up out of their comfy beds before dawn, in many cases, drove to a National Cemetery and placed flags at the headstones of millions upon millions of vets.
To walk in the cemetery at daybreak, a small fog hovering over the fallen is truly an honor. Literally miles upon miles (yes, miles) of small marble headstones inscribed with the names of those who served our country really brings home what America should mean to each and every one of us. The fact that so many of those stelea reflect the date of a death that occurred during one of the periods that our country was engaged in vanquishing an enemy bent on destroying all that we not only hold dear but too often take for granted ought give you a reason to give pause.
Without the sacrifice of these millions we would not have the freedoms with which we have been so richly blessed by our God. Without those sacrifices such a “student” as Ann describes would not have the freedom be able to disgrace herself, insult a Senator and sully the memories of those who have sacrificed so much for her.
Drive by a National Cemetery if there is one near you. Do not even try to count the headstones. But reflect on the fact than under each and every one of those untold millions of pieces of marble lies a body of someone, most likely unknown to you, who served his or her country and in many cases lost their life in the process.
God Bless Our Troops and Veterans, God Bless America and God Speed.
Posted by: Jaksavin
at May 27, 2006 08:31 AM
From the excerpts of that Little Commie's speech that Ms. Ann has decided to share with us, I am not sure why Rohe would be against John McCain. He is afterall, the person who is responsible for giving the terrorists exactly what they want more-so than anyone else other than perhaps his buddies, Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy. After-all, it was McCain who authored the open-baorders legislation that just recently passed the Senate, it was McCain who authored the bill that gives terrorists caught in war the ability to be treated as US Citizens and free from true war-time interrogation. Wasn't it also McCain who took away our rights of free-speech? Why would any smart Commie come out against him?
Posted by: rabiddogg
at May 28, 2006 01:22 PM
From the excerpts of that Little Commie's speech that Ms. Ann has decided to share with us, I am not sure why Rohe would be against John McCain. He is afterall, the person who is responsible for giving the terrorists exactly what they want more-so than anyone else other than perhaps his buddies, Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy. After-all, it was McCain who authored the open-baorders legislation that just recently passed the Senate, it was McCain who authored the bill that gives terrorists caught in war the ability to be treated as US Citizens and free from true war-time interrogation. Wasn't it also McCain who took away our rights of free-speech? Why would any smart Commie come out against him?
Posted by: rabiddogg
at May 28, 2006 01:24 PM
Sara Rohe made me so proud jumping up to ambush Senator McCain with her faulty logic. I can imagine the state of fear she found herself in as she grasped the courage to stand up in front of him and a large crowd and begin lashing out at an invited guest. Even if her only heroic act was to spend a summer at the Universidad de la Habana in Cuba on scholarship this surely equated with McCain's POW time in Vietnam. Being on equal footing with Senator McCain Ms. Rohe grabbed her 15 minutes of glory at Senator McCain's expense.
Now it's time for Ms. Rohe to go international with her heroism. I recommend returning to cuba where she can insult Mr. Castro for any number of deaths that he is responsible for. This way Ms. Rohe can truly understand the meaning of free speech. While Mr. Castro deals with her in his own way, sarah can fully understand the courage it took for citizens to sacrifice their lives to secure for her and other Americans the right to freedom of speech.
Posted by: shadowgov2010
at May 28, 2006 07:00 PM
Senator McCain deserves to be criticized, but not because he may have supported the war. He deserves criticism because he is an opportunist. He does not support conservative causes. He opposes us on many of our most important causes--such as illegal immigration. Enough said.
Of course, what that gutless, small-minded liberal college student is really opposing is George Bush (moderate) Republican and all Republicans. She is so irrational in her hatred of Republicans that she fails to realize that McCain is just a RINO.
Posted by: Loser
at May 28, 2006 09:40 PM
It's a generalization for this topic, but I've been waiting a long time to say it:
It's amazing how quickly socialism has spread since the Soviets gave up! I bet if Stalin had known, he would have given up years ago!
As for THIS budding party member, it was brave-- to a point-- when my mother-in-law was protesting in the 60's because the majority supposedly DIDN'T share her opinions (not that I do either). But this and all the other examples of "bravery" today ARE really no more than parroting, pandering... ass-kissing.
If only the silent majority would break the silence. What do we have to be silent about, anyway?
Posted by: ReaganGasMan
at May 30, 2006 10:14 AM
Has anybody read the reform bill, so highly criticized by Republicans or are you just assuming that because the left helped it is BAD. It was about bad campaign tactics. The kind used by Kerry when he bought a certain CBS reporter and the Bush bashing was on. The campaigning should have stopped. Look up McCain's voting record and READ it all. Then make the RINO comments. All I can say is that people are too interested in the thoughts of the MSM, where he is concerned.
Good Article ANN!
Posted by: TheIcePrincess
at May 30, 2006 05:08 PM
To my dear friend The Ice Princess:
It is always heartening to see you steadfastly standing my your man McCain. And per your request I did as you asked and looked up his voting record.
The “true” conservative in your great state is your junior senator, John Kyl. Kyl enjoys a 97% approval rating by the Conservative Union, the second highest ranking and far above the rating earned by McCain. On the other hand, our friends at the ACLU hold McCain in higher regard than Kyl. (And I do not mean “Ann Coulter Loves U!”)
Those two bits of info coupled with his blatant attempt to subvert the 1st Amendment guarantee of free speech by co-sponsoring the “McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Bill” only serves to underscore his recognition as a “RINO.”
While I respect the man, I am not a fan. I will consider him what he is, a RINO” till proved otherwise.
God Bless and God Speed.
Posted by: Jaksavin
at May 31, 2006 09:38 AM
To my dear friend The Ice Princess:
It is always heartening to see you steadfastly standing my your man McCain. And per your request I did as you asked and looked up his voting record.
The “true” conservative in your great state is your junior senator, John Kyl. Kyl enjoys a 97% approval rating by the Conservative Union, the second highest ranking and far above the rating earned by McCain. On the other hand, our friends at the ACLU hold McCain in higher regard than Kyl. (And I do not mean “Ann Coulter Loves U!”)
Those two bits of info coupled with his blatant attempt to subvert the 1st Amendment guarantee of free speech by co-sponsoring the “McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Bill” only serves to underscore his recognition as a “RINO.”
While I respect the man, I am not a fan. I will consider him what he is, a RINO” till proved otherwise.
God Bless and God Speed.
Posted by: Jaksavin
at May 31, 2006 09:39 AM
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