Mike Rogers on Coulter: "I don't think we ought to shy away from that"

Last night, one of Michigan's most out-of-touch Congresscritters, Mike Rogers spoke with Lansing's 1320 WILS host Jack Ebling host of the show Ebling and You. While on the show, Rogers was asked about Ann Coulter's appearance before the Livingston Economic Club in October.

You can listen to the audio clip here.

For those who can't listen, I've provided a transcription below.

Here's where Rogers refuses to really see the problem. First Amendment Rights protecting Free Speech are extremely sacred and holy. Everyone should be able to say what they want to say. But the line is crossed when business and community economic forums are paying $30,000 to have someone spew hatred and preach intolerance and violence.

$30,000 doesn't equal Free Speech.

Hate, intolerance and violence, bought and paid for by the Livingston Economic Club, as they choose to spend the equivalent of a year's salary on Coulter, who among many, many other terrible things she's said also said this about journalists - defenders of the First Amendment -

"My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York Times Building."

From his comments on last night's show, one must assume that Mike Rogers fully supports Ann Coulter's message of hate, destruction, and intolerance. Leading the organization that he proudly help to found, Mike Rogers doesn't think we should "shy away" from paying and bringing Coulter and others like her.

It's one thing to let a person speak, it's a completely different thing to pay thousands and thousands of dollars for that hate speech.

Shame on you, Mr. Rogers. You surely aren't representing me or any of the thousands of others that live in your district.

Interview Transcript

Ebling: In your district, Ann Coutler is going to be making an appearance in Howell, and she's been a lighting rod for controversy and I'm curious what your view is on that.

Rogers: "Well I think it's uh, through Cleary University. I think that divergence of Opinions are really important. I think that, ah they ought to have the opportunity to say some things, even if we all disagree with some of the things we say, they ought to have the right to say it. And I think it fosters a healthier, uh debate on the issues, versus this, this notion that we've got to - if they don't say the things we exactly like and exactly agree on, we don't want to hear from them.

Ebling -I guess she's getting a $30, 000 appearance, or speaking fee, and I know what Ann Coulter makes, uh or at least part of what she makes and it'd be really nice if she could turn out and give that back to Livingston County.

Rogers - Ha well, I'd be for that! I'm sure that Cleary University would love to have some of that back as well! It's a - my understanding is it's an economic forum, uh that was started a few years ago. And one of the reasons was, and actually I started the first year, I helped get that started, was to bring in a variety of speakers who could cover issues and topics of the day, to try and get Livingston County kind of on the upswing of,uh of uh, you know, what's going on in the world, and to have this kind of a network and an economic-type club, like the Detroit club, like the Grand Rapids club, and I thought you know, that time when people approached me about the club, you know, Livingston County is ready for that, that would be a great thing, the business community there is pretty strong and wouldn't it be great to have that kind of opportunity. My argument again, sometimes that they're going to get speakers there that are not in line with where everybody is at but that, and offer some controversial ideas, and I don't think we should shy away from that. Just like when Michigan State University brings in some very, very controversial speakers who certainly aren't, certainly that I don't agree with, and I imagine a lot of the people in the area don't agree with. But I still believe it's important for them to come to an environment like that, and offer their ideas and offer their - I mean that's one of the things that made us great, we've never been really afraid to hear things we don't like.

The $30K Question: Ann Coulter or a Job?

Update: Since posting this, I just received an email from informing me that the Livingston Economic Development Council is no longer a member of the LEC, despite being listed on the LEC's website. See below for the email text.

In Michigan, the Livingston Economic Club (LEC) is going to pay Angry Ann Coulter over $30,000 to come and speak at Cleary University this fall. Wow, with that kind of cash, business must be pretty good in Livingston County.

Too bad that's far from the case. The fact is, one of the LEC's own sponsors, the Livingston Economic Development Council is struggling to stay afloat. According to the Livingston Co. Press and Argus after having to let staff go - the agency is really hoping its donors will step up contributions to help keep the lights on.

(Livingston Co. Administrator Bob) Block said having (LEDC Director Fred) Dillingham provide economic development services is a cost-effective way for the county to attract and retain businesses.

“It’s a legitimate and meaningful activity to promote economic development within your jurisdiction,” he said.

In such a poor economy, “clearly an effort to retain the existing employee base and seek out the next generation is maybe more important,” Block added.

Bill Rogers, county board chairman and member of the EDC board, agreed.

“Right now, if anything these folks are more critical to help existing businesses stay existing, and to help bring in new businesses,” he said.

By the way, Bill Rogers is also the brother of LEC Founder and conservative MI Congressman Mike Rogers.

Businesses in Livingston aren't the only ones suffering, in the village of Pinckney (pop. 2000) scores of teachers are being offered buyouts to counter the district's $1.5 million budget deficit.

According to an employee with the Michigan Works! Livingston Service Center, the Center is seeing 1800-2000 new clients a month who are looking for a job, which is 21,600 to 24,000 people a year looking for a regular paycheck.

Livingston County, like the rest of the state, is economically suffering. So why would the Livingston Economic Council opt to spend $30,000+ to bring a hate-monger like Ann Coulter to town rather than providing a member of their community with the means for employment ? In Michigan, $30,000 is more than enough to put a roof over someone's head and food on the table.

Exactly where are the priorities of the Livingston Economic Council? On promoting hate and intolerance and bleeding their area dry or on improving the economic situation of their area? What kind of investment from the LEC do you think the residents of Livingston County would prefer - one more job, or a visit from Coulter?

*If you haven't already, please contact the LEC Founders and tell them to invest their money in jobs, not Ann Coulter. Visit yesterday's post for the list of names and contact information.

Update cont: Email from Fred Dillingham, Director of the Livingston Economic Development Council -

We were series sponsors in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Due to budget shortfalls, the EDC is not a sponsor for this year's series. The EDC did not participate in either the selection of speakers or the solicitation of sponsors for the 2007 series.

Interesting, I wonder if we'll hear from any of the other LEC Founders?

They fire Imus, we hire Coulter - A Call To Action

In the wake of the Don Imus disaster, one would think that Corporate America would be highly sensitive to the promotion of hate speech, if not for morality's sake, for their profit's sake. For our sake, it's time to fight back and simply say 'No' to Coulter and her hate-mongering.

There's still a chance to stop Coulter's Tour of Hate and Intolerance from coming to Michigan and making a hefty $30,000 while she's at it. But we need your help! (Action Alert Below)

Unfortunately that's not true in one community in Michigan, already branded with a decades-old racist reputation and where, even today, its children are publicly being called racists just for living there.

Howell, Michigan - home of the Livingston County seat, the Michigan Ballonfest Challenge, the Howell Melon Festival, Cleary University, former KKK stronghold, a 95.97% white population and one of the next stops on Ann Coulter's tour of Hate and Intolerance.

Sadly, the Livingston Economic Club (LEC) has opted to pay Coulter $30,000 + travel expenses to preach hate and intolerance to a crowd of 200+ at Cleary University in October. Even worse, Coulter kicks off the Cleary University Founders Week Celebration. According to the Cleary Website -

Through special programs and events, Cleary University attempts to increase it awareness to the community, our alumni, faculty, staff, and current students by highlighting achievements, activities, projects, and future goals.

We at Cleary University have a strong past and proud tradition as a specialized business university and we remain committed to the enhancement of society through the many successes of our alumni and their employers.

*emphasis added*

Despite local outrage and protest over the appearance, according to the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus, the LEC has no plans to rescind the offer.

An advisory committee to the Livingston Economic Club decided recently not to rescind the offer to Coulter, said university President Tom Sullivan, despite the furor she caused by using a derogatory term for homosexuals when discussing Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards earlier this year.

Yet, the eight-member executive committee will meet on Thursday, he said, and will conduct a routine review of the economic club's speaker series.

Sullivan said the panel will be told about calls the school has received, either objecting to or supporting Coulter's appearance. The tally of those calls: 33 against Coulter and 35 in favor.

"We're not recommending to them that they take any action," Sullivan said.

He said 200 tickets have been sold.

What A Tangled Web They Weave

It must be mentioned that while it was university that booked her, the actual person (Janet Filip) responsible for booking Coulter is none other than the wife of Livingston County Republican Chairman, Alan Filip.

Another quote from a earlier Press and Argus story has the brother of ultra-conservative MI Congressman Mike Rogers, Livingston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Rogers voicing his support of Coulters, but he was cautious about her now-infamous words against John Edwards.

Bill Rogers — chairman of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners and a fan of Coulter's no-holds-barred take on politics — said he was appalled by her recent remarks.

"I'd still like to hear her speak but I pretty much thought that was a classless remark. You're always curious whether (it) is a bunch of shtick for publicity or is it really her feelings," Rogers said.

Congressman Mike Rogers is a Founding Partner of the Livingston Economic Club, and a sponsor of the series.

According to OpenSecrets, another sponsor of the series, telecom giant Comcast also happens to be a major donor of Mike Rogers.

Purely coincidence, or more agenda pushing by local Republicans?

Michigan Netroots Fight Back

Since the news broke back in early March, Michigan's Liberal/Progressive Bloggers have been hard at work exposing Coulter as the hate monger that she truly is.

Hardest at work has been Livingston County's own Communications Guru. Not only has he been tracking the latest LEC follies, but he's also been keeping tabs on Angry Ann and her latest hateful diatribe of the week.

Republic of M - Gay Michigan has been tracking the events from the LGBT perspective.

Far Left Field - Left Fielder is one great progressive activist who has some great calls to action.

Christine Barry has an interesting perspective on the Imus v. Coulter debate. Of course, that's not all she's got. Her blog is chock full of Coulter insights.

Michigan Liberal is more than just a great blog, it's also the hub for all of us here in the Great Lakes State. There's a long Coulter thread.

Speak Up, Speak Out, Stop the Hate from Invading

The only way to stop Ann Coulter's tour of Intolerance and Hate from festering in Michigan is to contact the Livingston Economic Club and it's members. Remember, they need to hear from us by Thursday in order to stop this!

Please call or email each of the sponsors below, and then send an email to 10 of your friends and family members asking them to do the same. Stopping the hate and spreading a message of tolerance and acceptance begins with us.

Tom Sullivan
President, Cleary University
lec@cleary.edu
734.929.9107

Pamela McConeghy
Executive Director, Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce
pamm@brightoncoc.org
810.227.5086

Julia Liljegren
Executive Director, Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce
info@hartlandchamber.org
810.632.9130

Pat Convery
President, Howell Area Chamber of Commerce
pconvery@howell.org
517.546.4115

Fred Dillingham
Executive Director, Economic Development Council of Livingston County
information@livingstonedc.com
517.546.0822

Congressman Mike Rogers (MI-08)
Click to Email
517.702.8000

Jerome Espy
Vice President -Michigan Communications, Comcast Corporation
Jerome_Espy@cable.comcast.com
248.233.4834

Rich Perlburg
Executive Editor, Livingston County Daily Press and Argus
rperlberg@gannett.com
517.522.2810

The new Political Cartoonist on the Block

He's already made a splash over at Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Michigan Liberal, and Daily Kos. But did you know that Mike Ramsey's been cartooning for years and years? No kidding. You can also check out his blog.

But for now, this is straight from today's State News. Following my piece on Friday, I just couldn't resist. Enjoy!

A Necessary Dialog on Hate

I make a point of not giving hate-mongers any more free press then they deserve. However, I also believe in a fine line between ignoring a situation that needs to be discussed and acted upon by society and discussing something simply for discussion's sake. With this most recent news, I feel that this new black eye upon our state calls for a serious discussion. ~LiberalLucy

While I spent time serving in leadership at MSU's Student Government, ASMSU, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting a certain chairman of the school's Young Americans for Freedom chapter. Kyle Bristow served on the Student Assembly for several months as a representative of the James Madison College until he was recalled by his college in a special election because of his words and actions (see below).

During this time, I had a chance to speak with Bristow several times about various miscellaneous student government issues. I was unnerved by this young man, who outwardly looked pleasant and quite innocent despite appearing painfully uncomfortable in public situations, mainly because he spoke with such hate and anger in his voice. I've met hundreds, even thousands of politically-charged people in my short life. Never before had I encountered someone who seemed so closed-minded and full of hatred.

What scares me is that Bristow, who spews from a pulpit built of intolerance and injustice, is attracting others to his cause. He's a self-proclaimed devout Roman Catholic, (he calls himself a Freedom Fighter), who is proud of his community service, and his bragwall on his website of photo-ops with famous ultra-conservatives is enough to make any good American's stomach turn.

Bristow worked quite diligently on the creation of Catch An Illegal Immigrant Day which was later condemned by the student government, the student body, the university administration and the Lansing community as a whole. From MSU President LouAnna K. Simon

In my view, the tactics being suggested are demeaning to individuals and to the values of Michigan State University.

Immigration policy is, without question, an important issue for national debate, one that has serious implications as the U.S. strives to remain competitive in the new global economy. Part of our responsibility as a university is to address this issue in a balanced and scholarly way-without resort to offensive gimmicks as a means of drawing attention to the topic.

I consider the tactics of "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," as reported in Thursday's State News, a way to mock and demean, not to educate; a way to exclude, not include, voices. And inclusion is one of MSU's core values.

This week, MSU's YAF had the distinction of becoming the very first university-affiliated group to be classified as a hate group by the Southern Law Poverty Center, the full report will be out next month. This is a big deal, namely because the SLPC has been long-regarded as the definitive social watchgroup of America for hate groups. Unfortunately, the YAF chapter becomes the 26th group in Michigan that the SLPC classifies as a hate group.

The national Young Americans for Freedom is not on that watch list. YAF is a conservative group who does not propagate the same discriminating statements on a regular basis as the MSU group. In fact, when you read their founding statement, their tenets are much like any other well-established and respectable conservative group. (I tried contacting the national YAF group, but their phone has been disconnected and my email requests were not returned.) In fact, while other university groups are listed and linked to on their website, there was only one link for Michigan YAF (CMU and U of M-Ann Arbor also has chapters, and they appear to follow the dog and pony show at MSU) and it was down. Makes you wonder.

Just in case you aren't fully disturbed yet, get a load of this "Media Strategy" as emailed by Bristow to his followers.

MEDIA STRATEGY

1. All media questions regarding the hate group status go directly to Professor Allen at first until we establish that the media won't spin it.

2. Prevent all dissent in YAF from appearing in the media. If we are seen as being divided, then the media will argue that I am a whack job, even by YAF standards. This will hurt us more than anything.

3. I will mention how mainstream YAF is - Ronald Reagan was the honorary chairman, Sen. John Tower was a member, Barry Goldwater's supporters started it and Dan Quayle was a member.

4. I will mention that we support the ideas of the great majority of America. Most of America believes in the sanctity of marriage, want to secure our borders, oppose affirmative action and believe that abortion is wrong. If these views make me a hateful person, then I am proud of it. People at LI (Leadership Institute) suggest that we make a mockery of the whole thing by pointing this out.

5. If The State News mentions that you saw the "evil of YAF's ways" or something, all I can do is have you talk to them (only with my permission.) ? You cannot apologize for anything YAF has done, cannot say bad things about me, cannot say that YAF is divided on any issues and cannot say that we need to do things in a better way. Any of these items can be twisted around to make us look bad. Regardless of whether or not The State News takes interest in the Between the Lines or City Pulse article, you must not speak to the media unless you have my permission (not even on your own behalf because it still represents the group). Don't even tell them the time or day of the week without my permission.

Of course, if that's not quite enough, check out these choice statements from Bristow.

"I believe abortion is absolutely despicable. It hurts women ... It raises the chance of breast cancer. It allows men to abuse women."

"It's sad all these groups exist to advocate for all these different groups based on their ethnicity or skin color. Personally I would like to see these groups go away."

"Homosexuality kills people almost to a degree worse than cigarettes. It's sad these groups are complicit in murder."

"Planned Parenthood ... They're pretty much an advocacy group for infanticide. It's a blight on the MSU community. It's a slap in the face."

- From video interview, Spartansedge.com, this format taken from Between the Lines

Between the Lines, Michigan's weekly for the LGBT community, had another great profile into Bristow, as did Lansing's City Pulse.

As much as this sickens me, it also leaves me fearful. I see Bristow with his American-as-apple-pie face, a member of our society, our state, our community, trample and spit upon the very liberties and freedoms we uphold. Here we see the double-edged sword of the First Amendment really begin to gleam.

How does this make you feel? What, if anything, do you feel should be done about Bristow, the MSU YAF, their hate-mongering and other groups who preach a similar message of hate and discrimination?

(Cross-posted on Michigan Liberal and Daily Kos)