The Smarm Stops Here

This past Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to meet my hero Ann Coulter. You might have to be interested in politics to know who she is, but at any rate she is a great American and accomplished author of six New York Times bestsellers. What she is most known for is her political punditry which is seasoned with biting sarcasm and a fearless pursuit and declaration of the truth. Nonetheless, I was at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina with my father to hear her speak to an audience in McAlister Auditorium which was filled to capacity. After waiting for quite some time in the fourth row from the front, the lights were dimmed and the political science professor at the University came out to present her accolades. Then Ann came out smiling and immediately 99% of the audience stood to their feet and applauded in approval.  All 6 feet and 120 pounds of her slight and ghostly figure stood there in her short black skirt, tuxedo-style black jacket with satin lapels and three quarter length sleeves and a collared white shirt. She glided to the microphone as the crowd resumed their seats. Her speech was thought-provoking, extremely intelligent, and riddled with humor. I enjoyed every word. Following the speech there was a Q&A in which she had everything from a marriage proposal to the typical heckling remarks, she answered with her usual poise and right-back-atcha comments in return.  After the speech we queued up for a book signing.  As I approached her with my copy of Treason to be signed, she greeted me with enthusiasm as I handed her my book.  When I walked away I had to ask myself, did I really just meet Ann Coulter or was she only a ghost? It felt like she was a mirage but I have the autographed book and memories to prove otherwise.