you know, you know——no, you don't, you don't

[erika]

I pretty much hate politics. Seriously. It's like this ... maelstrom of people talking at each other who will never agree. I hate it, I hate it a lot. [cut rant about how much I hate politics, not the point here!]

However, I do have a soft spot approximately the size of the Pacific* for people sticking up for themselves. *not actual size

So when I read something like this letter written by John Franklin Stephens to Ann Coulter, asking for an explanation as to why she casually used the r-word in more than one tweet during the Presidential Debates——I feel like the Grinch at the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, because my heart just grew three sizes.

I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.

Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next.

Finally, I wondered if you meant to degrade him as someone who is likely to receive bad health care, live in low grade housing with very little income and still manages to see life as a wonderful gift.

Because, Ms. Coulter, that is who we are – and much, much more.

The most powerful part for me was when Stephens signs his letter:

A friend you haven’t made yet,
John Franklin Stephens
Global Messenger
Special Olympics Virginia

(And yes, Obama made a shitty offhand comment comparing his bad bowling skills to the Special Olympics back in 2009, whatever, I'm over it because, you know, he FUCKING APOLOGIZED.)