Editor and Publisher is reporting that Universal Press Syndicate, which carries Ann Coulter's columns, will look into reports that Coulter may have plagiarized a number of her columns.  Claims of plagiarism by Coulter were apparently first published by the New York Post.  To be honest, I don't really care whether Coulter plagiarized her columns or books or anything else.  That's not because I don't appreciate the seriousness of the charge of plagiarism, because I do.  Rather, I don't care whether Coulter plagiarized because I don't care about Coulter.  Generally speaking, I have little tolerance for polemicists on either side, including Coulter, O'Reilly or Hannity on the right, and Michael Moore, Al Franken or any other polemicist on the left.  The reason is that they simply add very little to the public debate about any issue at all, or even political life in general.  I'm simply amazed at the number of books Coulter can put out that are bestsellers, yet all revolve around the same exact issue: how stupid liberals are. 

I disagree with liberals on nearly every issue of the day, with very few exceptions.  Likewise, I'm no great fan of elites and establishment figures (in the media, in universities, etc) that often have god-complexes and feel the world should bow down before them.  But that does not mean that I am opposed to intellectual conversation and discovery.  (The saddest part is, Coulter actually graduated from Michigan Law).  Calling all liberals stupid, and then calling all conservatives liars or corporate shills, only to be answered that all liberals are traitors, to be quite honest, bores me.  Besides, Americans are smarter than that.  Many conservatives have (rightfully) argued that democrats should make efforts to make clear that Michael Moore, Al Franken, Air America and others do not represent their party.  Likewise, Republicans have made similar arguments, that are not entirely unconvincing, that these figures of the radical left do indeed play far too great a role in the Democratic Party. 

Let's not forget, though, that Coulter's and Hannity's books are making the NY Times bestsellers list as well.  Likewise, The O'Reilly Factor is possibly the most popular show on any of the three main news channels.  These people do not represent me as a conservative, and, in my mind, we should ensure that they are not allowed to become the standard-bearers of the Republican Party.  I get mad when the talk shows call in Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell or others to get the "religious" perspective on an issue.  They don't represent me as a Christian, not even as a conservative Christian.  I get similarly upset when Ann Coulter or other polemicists (different from pundits, because there are plenty of smart conservatives and liberals that make the talk show rounds) are trotted out to speak for the conservatives.