If it's wrong for the 9/11 widows to use their experience to express their opinion about the war?

Question

Is it then O.K. for Ann COulter to use their experience to promote her own agenda? I asked a question about how Ann could say these women are enjoying their husbands deaths, and most answered that the widows shouldn't use their loss to further theri political agenda. Is it O.K. for Ann to use THEIR loss for HER own political agenda? Somehow it seems worse to me what Ann is doing. What do you think?

still not answering the question. I realize people feel that these women are using their husbands deaths to further their political agenda, but Ann is using them to further hers. At least I can see where the passion comes from in these women...they lost someone. But Ann? She has lost nothing, and gained a platform to promote her book.

I agree with what people are saying here. It is wrong for you to use a tragedy to further your own agenda. THAT GOES FOR ANN, TOO. And yes, these women are protected by free speech as much as Ann. It wasn't a 'whether or not it's legal' question. It's a question of right and wrong.

Answer 1

I don't think it's unusual for people who have lost loved ones to tragedy to become spokespersons. I've seen people lose loved ones to cancer and become advocates for cancer research and extremely vocal opposers to tobacco companies. I've seen people lose loved ones to gun accidents and become advocates for gun control and outspoken against the NRA. Since the 9/11 widows' husbands were murdered in an act directly related to politics, it's not that unusual that they would become outspoken against the government whom they hold partially responsible.

I read an article (from a conservative commentator) which I believe hit the nail on the head for the most part and which I am including a link to. Ann Coulter was wrong to make the statements she did. To say the widows were enjoying the media attention is one thing...but their husbands' deaths? For someone who considers herself a Christian, those statements are immoral. As the article points out, there are ways to criticize the widows without attacking them, as Dorothy Rabinowitz of the WSJ did with an article in which she commented, "The venerable status accorded this group of widows comes as no surprise given our times, an age quick to confer both celebrity and authority on those who have suffered."

Directly from the article and which I couldn't agree more:

"But Coulter went further, offering crazy and morally offensive speculation about what she thought these women were thinking. The idea that these women enjoyed their husbands' deaths runs contrary to what we would expect from people losing their loved ones in a terrorist attack. Is there any reason to suppose that these women did not grieve for their husbands? In fact, from what we know about the 9/11 attacks and the aftermath, they suffered terribly. That is what we would expect. Later, they did what you and I might do—they decided to investigate what happened that day and why it happened. They became disenchanted with the Bush Administration approach and said so. We can disagree with their approach without accusing them of abandoning the grief and suffering that resulted from losing their husbands. If Coulter really believes what she wrote, she should say so to the children of those widows. Does she think there will be any joy for them on Father's Day?

If I had to guess, and offer my own speculation, I would have to say that Coulter must know that she went too far, and that she ought to apologize for her comments...An apology would be consistent with the Christian cross that Coulter frequently wears around her neck."

Ann Coulter is going to do what she does. She likes to exploit. She likes to create a sensation. And she succeeded. Is it right? No. And all those other conservatives who like to jump on the Ann Coulter bandwagon...if the widows agreed with YOU on Bush instead of the other way around, you wouldn't have a problem with them. You'd be posting messages about how patriotic the widows were.

Answer 2

If anyone has the right to express their opinions about the war, it's the 9/11 widows. After all, they did lose their husbands in the 9/11 attacks, and that was ostensibly the reason why we went to war in the first place. Some may argue that Ann Coulter also experienced a great loss on 9-11-01, because her friend Barbara Olson was one of the 3,000 who died that day. However, there's a big difference between losing a friend and losing a spouse, don't you think?

Answer 3

I'd recommend you read the section of her book before you judge what she is saying out of context. The problem is that these women seem to be enjoying the celebrity status they've gotten because of the martyring of their loved ones and whenever anyone questions their political agenda they use it as a trump card to claim that what they suffered somehow makes them an expert about the subject.

Cindy Sheehan is doing the same thing. Her son died in Iraq and she uses it as a card to trump anyone who dares cross her opinion of the War on Terror. Well, other mothers who lost sons in Iraq are still advocating to keep on fighting. The loss doesn't make her (or any of them) an expert at anything - except perhaps in lengthening out make believe celebrity when people just wish you would go home.

Answer 4

To be honest I hadn't even heard about these 9/11 widows before Ann spoke of them.

However, in the research that I have done on them since hearing of them I think that they are using their husbands deaths to further a political agenda. I can't really see what good they have done by saying the things that they do. You would think that of all people they would want to rid the world of terrorists. Also, please note that by stating my last thought I am NOT saying that the Iraqis attacked us on 9/11...I am saying however that this is a war on terror and Iraq was/is definitely a prime example of terror.

Answer 5

Whatever Ann Coulter is doing is a reflection of her true character. I firmly believe that whatever she is doing to promote and impose her political agenda by any means is not right at all. We live in a country where we are taught the value of tolerance.To impose one's opinion or political affiliation at the expense of another individual contradicts the value of tolerance itself.

It is unfortunate that a highly educated individual such as Ms Coulter, failed to understand the concept of tolerance.

Answer 6

you would look a lot better if you wiped that scowel off your face.LIGHTEN up a little these women do not reflect the hardships endured by american women .they have the cash in hand to speak out on any subject and we have never tracked the spending of widows before or there politics why is this different .THE media will not go after real news ,it is all fluff pieces anymore cause real reporting would reviel how corrupt the administration is in america .
please ignore the widows and authors who turn a buck on others misery and do somethingwith your own life to make it more pleasent

Answer 7

These women wouldn't have the agenda they have if they didn't lose their husbands they way they did. They are trying to make their husbands' deaths not be in vain is my guess. People shouldn't be so judgemental until at least they are in the same boat. Not even then really because everyone deals with things differently.

Answer 8

Why shouldn't Ann say what she wants to about them. They are putting themselves out there on television and making the rounds about the war. I would have more problems if Ann was writing about the widows who were keeping to themselves.

Answer 9

She will use anything she can to promote her book. Look how much attention she is getting. But she resents the fact that the widows are using what they can to voice their opposition to a war that they think shouldn't be happening.And I would like to ask her why she thinks the difference between her stating her opinion and the widows stating theirs make THEM wrong???

Answer 10

You talkin bout I'm a good Christian Coulter? That lady with the neck of a Giraffe and the mouth of a Hyena! I really hate how people like that force you to stoop like poop to they're level!
Yes, It is wrong to take profit from any ones death!