Coulter was one guest who could handle boos

Hateable conservative Ann Coulter hasn't appeared on the lefty "Real Time With Bill Maher" for a few years. Maher thinks she's "literally in an undisclosed location" handling "security issues" after denouncing 9/11 widows and such.

"In America, you shouldn't have to have security issues because of free speech," he says. "She's not afraid to get booed. We need more people who are not afraid to get booed."

Maher used to hang out with Coulter -- "she was great company" -- and liberal friends gave him grief about it.

Coulter has gotten "more out of her mind. That's true," Maher says.

"But she always was out of her mind. I mean, she always said things that I thought were ridiculous."

So with her, he steers clear of politics. Says Maher, "You just learn with friends: Don't go there."