BACK LOESCH
A fair and balanced portrait: First, kudos to the author for an interesting, in-depth and impartial piece about a potentially controversial and polarizing personality ["Patriot Dame," Kristen Hinman]. You presented a multifaceted and complex individual — and not a one-dimensional cardboard cutout to be judged merely on a political viewpoint. I am pleased that, thanks to your piece, many more people who had never heard of Dana Loesch will now be introduced to her, and they will have the benefit of a full-spectrum picture of her in this article. Being that the RFT tends to lean leftward, some of us who love Dana had some trepidation about a profile piece about her. Thank you for dispelling those fears with a fair and balanced piece. It's appreciated.
Doug, St. Peters, via the Internet
If she only had a brain: She's just Sarah Palin with tattoos and half a brain. But hey, in a world of retards, the woman with half a brain is queen. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame, sweetie.
Big Picture, via the Internet
Political flesh sucker: She is following the philosophy that nothing gets you more attention than being a train wreck, all the while leading a scary, blinded-by-the-light group of followers. She is a vampire, sucking on this little bit of political flesh right now. And this article has done nothing to expose her for the hypocrite she is.
A Blogger, St. Louis, via the Internet
A woman for our time: The hate comes out in these comments, but that's to be expected. Jealousy of success always brings out haters. There's no better antidote to the lies and smears of the Tea Party haters then meeting us in person. You can rant online, but you can't hide the truth from someone in real life. And, as the article reveals, those who meet Dana get the impression of an honest but fiery personality whose time has come.
Jim Durbin, St. Louis, via the Internet
Riverfront Slimes, ouch! Wow. The RFT can't help but try to make every conservative into an over-the-top controversial figure. Of all the things to talk about, a Tweeting catfight? And one that was exacerbated by one of the RFT's own contributors? Hey, pass me the National Enquirer. Hey, RFT, here is a novel idea: How about one fair journalist on your staff, just for the sake of diversity. You know, a real conservative. You may have heard about them. Surely you can find one somewhere and add an ounce of credibility to the Riverfront Slimes.
Donuna, St. Louis, via the Internet
Unhappy camper: Are you fucking kidding me with this Dana Loesch rising mist of a fart shit? Isn't it bad enough that I have to listen to the dumbing down of our nation going on in all major media? Now it's on the cover of the RFT. Please, God, nooooo! Where is the sanity? Where are the facts? Teabagger, teabagger, teabagger. There, I feel better.
JC, St. Louis, via the Internet
Fakin' it: I am a critic of Dana Loesch because I perceive her as an opportunist of the worst kind — the kind of opportunist who embraces a political philosophy for money and success. The reality is that Dana is more of a liberal than she is conservative, but liberalism just doesn't pay well. Loesch has been faking her way for a long time, and she is being rewarded by a disinterested fan base not clever or savvy enough to catch on.
Heidi, St. Louis, via the Internet
Try using some intellect: We get it about the hardscrabble upbringing, yadda yadda. But that's no excuse for going through your so-called adult professional life with a potty-mouth and flipping the bird at everyone who doesn't agree with you. Dana, I'll be impressed when you start responding to your detractors with intellect instead of insults, with facts instead of F-bombs. Until then, my dear, you are simply "entertainment." Enjoy the ride.
The Way I See It, via the Internet
Send in the clowns: The fact that someone so young could be so passionately misinformed on social issues is beyond sad. And the fact that this uneducated, shrill circus clown is headed for "stardom" on the vile talk-radio circuit is yet another sad reminder of how a small but irritating group in this country reward bad behavior with fat contracts and unmerited accolades.
Other than all of that, though, she seems like a real "sweet gal."
Cameron, Richmond Heights, via the Internet
Dana's critics best beware: Dana is awesome. Those of you haters who go so far as to attack her family have a great big kick in the backside coming, courtesy of karma! Keep up the good work, Dana!
BabaBooey, Jefferson County, via the Internet
No love lost: Let's be clear: Many of us dislike Dana because she is a childish, condescending, holier-than-thou, arrogant person. It's not because we disagree with her beliefs. Dana has made a career out of spouting hateful, dishonest and shameful attacks on anyone she disagrees with. Look up the definition of hypocrite and there you will find Dana Loesch. As long as she continues to spread hate and misinformation in an attempt to gain fame and fortune, she will be my nemesis.
Sonia, St. Louis, via the Internet
Loesch connects: Dana's success is due to hard work and raw talent. She takes advantage of opportunities that rightly come her way, so good for her. I think it's refreshing to see someone become successful following their passion. That's the beauty of living in this awesome country of ours. Those who don't agree with Dana's political views or style can choose not to listen to her or read her work. She obviously resonates with many, as evidenced by her continued success. I predict we will be seeing much more of Dana Loesch, and I am glad!
Laura F., St. Charles, via the Internet
Dana makes Dina think: She is a writer who is able to get into my head and make me think. Her passion for what she believes incites me to get up off my apathetic duff and research the issues myself. I am sorry that there are some who think that Dana has blind followers, but I think that she has just as many empowered followers as well.
Dina, St. Louis, via the Internet
Loesch offers cheap thrills: I wonder if Dana even understands that she's just cheap entertainment — like a Jerry Springer guest. I wonder how someone who misspells and uses bad grammar can homeschool children properly. And what about being a young kid and hearing your mom rant, rave and insult people on the air, calling them "butt cracks" and "douchebags"? Gee, what a classy chick.
Harry, via the Internet
Dana's charred soul: Dana, and all of the other Danas of the world, feeds upon anger, fear and ignorance — just like carnivores tearing at whatever carcass is available to them. I hope that her short-lived fame as a clown makes up for her charred soul.
Michelle Malkin's Conscience, via the Internet
An honor to know: I have had the honor of getting to know Dana and others in the Tea Party movement, and I have found her to be nothing but gracious and kind. Some mistake her passion for screaming and may be intimidated by a strong-willed, tough, no-holds-barred woman. But that is only because they have not had the opportunity to get to know her. I would also like to take my hat off to the author of this article. If the Post-Dispatch had reporters of such high caliber and integrity as the RFT seems to have, then they would still be the paper of note in the St. Louis area — and bloggers like me would be out of work.
Patch W. Adams, St. Louis, via the Internet
Dana rocks: Dana is absolutely amazing. She not only knows stuff, but she seems to be well-rounded, down to earth, and she was awesome when I met her in person. She is only going to get a larger and larger following. Rock on, Dana!
Dan S., Florissant, via the Internet
Pulling a Beck: I guess the joke's on all of us. Had no idea Dana was doing a Colbert. She needs to be a little more over the top so that more people can be in on the joke. Otherwise, it looks too real. She's not too far removed from Hannity or Beck. Or wait — are they doing a Colbert too? Is that it? The great cosmic joke is no one can really believe all that conservo-nonsense, right? Y'all had me going there for a minute! Glad to hear it's all just a joke!
Nobody, via the Internet
Erratum
In Ellis E. Conklin's March 4 news story "Heavy Duty," we erroneously stated that the St. Louis Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services operates 24 ambulances. It operates 13.
