I have mixed feelings on this one...as I often do.
I disagreed with much of what the 4 specific women Coulter is speaking of had to say. I did not like how they were put front and center to state their negative opinions regarding Bush, the country, and the way 9/11 was handled while numerous family members with opposing viewpoints were not given anywhere NEAR the level of fame and media time that these 4 women were given. I did not like how much they were so obviously being told what to say by anti-war, anti-Bush activists (if you are unaware of this, look for the number of talking points they came out with in all of their speeches...politically driven based on what was going on politically at the time). It was for many of the same reasons I disliked and disagreed with Cindy Sheehan...it seems that if you have lost a loved one during 9/11 or during the war, it seems you get MASSIVE media time and fame for coming out with an anti-war, anti-Bush message - but if you come through the tragedy more patriotic, more in support of our nation, with messages like "my loved one died for a cause that s/he believed in...and therefore I will continue to honor them by supporting that cause." You are marginalized and your words are not carried into homes nationwide like these women's politically-driven words were.
(Deep Breath)
HOWEVER...I did not like, in anyway, how far Ann Coulter took her statements with this comment. Ann often uses hyperbole to make a point - I can recognize that and respect it. She often goes as far to the right as possible in order to spark conversation that will inevitably settle closer to the middle of political thought. I can respect all of that...but just as I found Ted Rall's comments on Pat Tillman disgusting and unneccessary, I find Ann Coulter's comments disgusting and unneccesary.
There are always ways to discuss the fact that these women were given a platform because of their tradgedy...and that you disagree with that tragedy...but to imply that they are enjoying their husbands deaths is unnecessarily cruel.
Do Ann Coulter and Ted Rall and you and I have the right to say whatever disgusting, cruel, things we want? ABSOLUTELY!!! Do we have the right to PUBLISH those cruel disgusting thoughts? ABSOLUTELY!!!! So in the end, I'll just say that I disagree with Ann on this point, and think that she went too far...although, I do respect her ability to stir people into conversation...
Finally though, I do think this is much ado about nothing. She is a political commentator, nothing more. She is not important in the grand scheme of things...neither is Rush Limbaugh...neither is Michael Moore...they are all just people who decide to get people up in arms about something and do it in inflammatory ways. If you choose to listen to them, do so at your own peril...if you don't - then you are expressing your opinion on these people in your own way.
I'm not sure if it really needs to be the topic of such intense media attention.