From Newsday:

Coulter host takes heat for author's visit

BY CARL MACGOWAN
Newsday Staff Writer

June 9, 2006

Richard Klein sold a few hundred copies of Ann Coulter's new book Wednesday when the conservative commentator appeared at his Huntington bookstore, but he may think twice before inviting her back.

"There has been an adverse reaction, more than I anticipated," said Klein, co-owner of the Book Revue. "I may have made a mistake."

The Book Revue co-owner said some regular customers objected to Coulter's appearance to promote the book, in which she calls widows of some 9/11 victims "witches" and "harpies." During the appearance, Coulter ripped up a letter from a Huntington Town Board member who objected to her comments.

Coulter drew several hundred customers to the store, located in a town where 34 people died on 9/11. She signed copies of the book, "Godless: The Church of Liberalism," and was interviewed by conservative radio commentator Sean Hannity. In the book, Coulter directs her scorn at four New Jersey women who demanded a federal investigation after their husbands died in the terrorist attacks. Coulter called them "the witches of East Brunswick."

"I've never seen people enjoying their husbands' deaths so much," Coulter wrote. "How do we know their husbands weren't planning to divorce these harpies?"

Even conservatives recoiled.

Bill O'Reilly, host of Fox's "The O'Reilly Factor," yesterday called Coulter's comments about the widows "foolish."

"Ann Coulter has become a legend in her own mind," said Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), who called Coulter's words and actions "disgraceful."

King, who himself has clashed with the four New Jersey widows and says they should not be seen as representative of other 9/11 families, said Coulter's comments "went beyond all limits of decency."

The Huntington Town Board member, Mark Cuthbertson, said he received about 25 phone calls and an equal number of e-mails yesterday about his confrontation with Coulter. He said 95 percent of the correspondents supported him.

"They really are appalled by her lack of sensitivity," Cuthbertson said. "The negative phone caller said I should stick to sponsoring tulip festivals."

One Coulter supporter who attended her Book Revue appearance defended the author's right to criticize the widows.

"She was only speaking of four, she wasn't speaking about all of them," said Margaret Malone of Sea Cliff. "When the widows get political, they open themselves up to criticism."

But not everybody approved of Coulter's appearance.

"I've gotten a few calls from customers," Klein said. "They're not Ann Coulter fans."

Klein said most of his angry customers calmed down once he explained his decision.

"We're not censors and I believe that people should have the right to speak. I have a line across which I won't have someone here ... and in my mind, she stands right on that line."

Staff writer Alfonso Castillo contributed to this story, which was supplemented with an Associated Press report.

Several storied visitors

Huntington's Book Revue has been host to several controversial political figures over the years:

Feb. 16, 2005. Watergate linchpin and talk show host G. Gordon Liddy signs copies of his book "Fight Back: Tackling Terrorism."

Oct 28, 2005. Liberal commentator Al Franken does his radio show in front of 200 fans. His goal: To better understand the "hall of mirrors" that was nemesis Bill O'Reilly's LI childhood.

May 1, 2005. Actress Jane Fonda fends off Vietnam veterans critical of her anti-war activism as she signs her book, "My Life So Far" for about 200 fans.

Aug. 7, 2004. Former President Bill Clinton signs copies of his book for more than 1,200 supporters.

Nov. 16, 2003. Anti- "spin" guru Bill O'Reilly signs copies of book for 1,500 fans. He says he is unfairly portrayed by the media.

Nov. 7, 1996: Former President Jimmy Carter draws 3,000 people for a book signing.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.