But there are a couple of other tid bits in this story that bear emphasis.
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld pointed out that "Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time." Yet, both the Departments of both State and Defense felt compelled to issue statements repudiating Robertson's remarks. When is the last time the Departments of State and Defense felt compelled to repudiate your remarks? Robertson and his ilk have insinuated themselves so deeply into this administration that even the administration recognizes they can justifiably be seen to be speaking for the President.
Some of Mr. Robertson's evangelical brethren did issue statements condemning his remarks. However, "the Traditional Values Coalition, the Family Research Council and the Christian Coalition sa[id] they were too busy to comment." Huh?! Too busy to comment?? "Commenting" is what these people DO!
Mr. Robertson's rationale was, if anything, even stranger than the his call for assassination:
Speaking live in the studio, Mr. Robertson said Mr. Chávez had "destroyed the Venezuelan economy" and was turning the country into "a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."Muslim extremism? In South America? And, can you imagine a more unlikely combination: atheistic communists allied with Muslim holy warriors? To paraphrase Mr. Taranto, it goes to show that one can amass a huge following without being intellectually serious.
And, lest we forget, the NY Times closes it's piece with a reminder of some of the other pearls this great Christian has cast before the faithful:
In May he said the threat to the United States from activist judges was "probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings." In 1998, he warned that hurricanes and other natural disasters would sweep down on Orlando, Fla., because gay men and lesbians were flocking to Disney World on special "gay days." And he has often denounced the United Nations as a first step toward a dangerous "one world government."Sheesh. How is it possible that anyone can take this man seriously?
4 comments:
Agreed to almost all you say. The part of the Rev's quote I like the best was the one in which he suggest that South America will be a launching ground for Commies and Isamists-----amazing!!!!! He might as well add mafia and homosexuals. I noticed on Fox News Channel, their usual Pundits, in an attempt to separate Rev R from W, three times each said with clear unequivocal resolve" This doesn't matter, Pat Robertson is a has-been, he is irrelevant. Dr Dobson has become the leading spokeman."--Interesting the distance FOX put between themselves and the good rev. But hey, why not expect this kind of stuff, you know----- elections have consequences, don't they now.
Good ol' Pat. Though I hate admitting the visit, I was just checking out his website to confirm a rumor I heard, and it's true... Though not as prominent as "Pat Robertson Clarifies His Statement Regarding Hugo Chavez" at the top of the page, in the "More From Pat" sidebar on the right there are links for, "Pat's age defying protein pancakes"!
On a more serious note, the one-way view of so many Americans right now is incredibly frustrating to me. From our repeated violations of the Geneva Convention to the head of an American Evangelical organization explaining the religious right's declining support of President Bush is due to the fact that he's allowing religion to be part of the new Iraqi government, the rules seem to apply to everyone but us.
As I perpetually and stubbornly question everything I'm taught, be it in school, church, or anywhere else (except on the 700 club, of course!), I find it harder and harder to not dismiss sermons littered with politics. Why can't they all just be about not sitting in squeaky chairs?
Make love, not war...and NOx, not N2.
LOL. EDspecially the NOx part. Just wish I knew who Captain America was. Write more.
Bill - Can't write much today. Busy at work, and no internet at home in the middle of a corn field. I'm not really Capt. America, but heard the name was being tossed around as a possible alternative.
I'll try to catch up with the latest excitement on Parentheticals this weekend. Great site!
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