Ingraham’s low-road rants embarrass conservatives
She’s calling it “an Easter vacation,” meaning Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who’ll be off the air this week, remains mired in denial, disavowing any responsibility for commentary so outrageous it had advertisers rushing to wash their hands of her.
She tweeted out an apology Thursday — after the advertisers began dumping her. With a more sincere mea culpa — perhaps actually calling the young man and uttering the words “I’m sorry, my fault, I apologize,” as many of us find we have to do from time to time, she’d have discovered it’s the quickest way to move beyond messes of our own making, to say nothing of exhibiting graciousness.
That, however, would have required a dose of humility, which is not to be found in the toolbox of a self-absorbed airhead whose apparent credo is, “I may not be right, but I am never wrong.”
On the contrary, Ingraham, the self-appointed queen of conservatism, was indeed wrong, rude, malicious and venomous in ridiculing David Hogg, a senior at the school where 17 were massacred seven weeks ago in Parkland, Fla.
Since that horrific carnage, Hogg has emerged as an articulate advocate for stronger gun-control legislation, which of course is anathema to traditionalists on the right.
Truth be told, you might include this writer among them. But that should never translate to suppressing or demeaning the opposing point of view.
Yet Ingraham, rather than engaging in a thoughtful exchange, took the low road by naming four colleges that had rejected Hogg’s application for enrollment.
It’s what’s known as killing the messenger and, journalistically, its roots are in the bottom of the barrel, entirely void of fairness or relevance.
A few weeks earlier she lashed out at LeBron James, the great Cleveland Cavaliers star, who told an ESPN interviewer of the challenges that come with being a black public figure, suggesting it’s a dynamic President Trump does not understand.
Ingraham’s reaction was shameful: “Shut up and dribble!”
Was she trying to imply athletes have no intellect? It’s obvious she’s never heard a Bill Russell or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar mesmerize an audience.
Plus, she added, “It’s unwise to seek political advice from anyone who gets paid $100 million to bounce a ball.”
Wealth and wisdom have little to do with one another, as she ought to realize every time she cashes her own pay check.
But look at it this way: She’s leveled the field.
Conservatives have long bemoaned the prominent platforms given to lefty lunatics such as Rachel Maddow, Bill Maher, Chris Matthews.
Now those on that side of the street can correctly point to Ingraham as evidence boorishness also flourishes on the right.
Enjoy your “vacation,” Laura.
And please don’t hurry back.