White House Distances Robertson

[DemsUnite]

snip

The administration quickly distanced itself from the suggestion by religious broadcaster and Bush backer Pat Robertson that the United States assassinate a leftist Latin American head of state. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called Robertson's remarks about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "inappropriate," but stopped short of condemning them.

"This is not the policy of the United States government," McCormack said Tuesday. "We do not share his views."

The Bush administration does share many of Robertson's views on other matters, such as stem cell research, and Robertson's largely conservative, evangelical audience overlaps with the core of Bush's political base.

About nine of 10 white evangelicals voted for Bush in the 2004 election — about as high as his support from any group of voters, according to exit polls. This group also supported Bush overwhelmingly in the 2000 election.

snip

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050825/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_robertson_assassination;_ylt=AuHFla5SO4TVRVYGyAE9N0iyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[Missy M]

1. Yes, they distance themselves when it's convenient.....

then go back when it's election time.

[blm]

14. On the bright side, BushInc CAN'T assassinate Chavez now as they planned.

Noone would believe it's just a coincidence...certainly NOT the rest of the world.

[Missy M]

16. Well they could always do it and then blame Pat Robertson!!!!

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Seems to me that there is not a SHRED of Christianity in most of...

those who are leading the Evangelical movement (indeed, of most fundy Christians in the country). But what is it - hypocrisy? Seems too simple....ignorance? Fear? Stupidity? I just don't get it.

[cliss]

10. It's called "Christian Capitalism"

it seems that somehow, these religious people have managed to fuse christian principles with the concept of making money.

Throw in the concept of Manifest Destiny into the mix, and voila. You have Pat Robberson, an ordained minister who owns diamond mines in Africa, is good buddies with dictators and murderers. He also owns race horses, even though he lambastes gambling.

That's what you get: a crazy stew of Pick And Choose Principles, all morphed into one disgusting reeking pile.
--------------------

On a side note, I went to the 700 Club and posted a viewers response. I wrote to Pat Liarson: "How DARE you call yourself a Christian?" among other things.

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. Reminds me of the mega corporate so-called churches springing...

up around here in Raleigh. Comfy chairs, ferns, topics like how to make money, etc - certainly a bizarro world view of religion. Reminds me of the current so called war in Iraq - no one has been asked to sacrifice anything (and in fact tax cuts implemented so the rich get richer). Dub seems to be part of the me generation to the thousandth degree - all about him, everything for him, he will die someday and who cares what the condition of the world will be....just disgusting.

[AlinPA]

19. ....disgusting reeking pile of garbage.

[me b zola]

3. That is the best they can do?

This week statement only makes them appear to agree with Robertson (which *we* know they do).

Without a strong condemnation of the statement and at least the appearance of supporting criminal charges, the rest of the world will run further & further from the US.

The arrogance of the bush** administration counts on the bully factor to keep other nations from severing ties with US. I foresee, however, peaceful nations will flip the bird to bush*inc.; the backlash is coming.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Except they gave him1.5 million bucks through their faith based

bribes.
http://blog.au.org/2005/02/love_for_sale_f.html

Love For Sale: Faith-Based Grant Buys TV Preacher's Favor

What a difference four years and $1.5 million makes!

On Feb. 20, 2001, TV preacher Pat Robertson expressed grave concerns about President George W. Bush's "faith-based" initiative. Addressing his "700 Club" audience, Robertson opined that the scheme could lead religious groups to become dependent on government handouts.

"his thing could be a real Pandora's box," Robertson said. "And what seems to be such a great initiative can rise up to bite the organizations as well as the federal government. And I'm a little concerned about it, frankly."

Robertson went on to warn that "federal rules will envelope these organizations, they'll begin to be nurtured, if I can use that term, on federal money, and then they can't get off it. It'll be like a narcotic...."

Robertson also expressed concern that unconventional religious groups would get the aid, a point that has proven prescient in light of report of faith-based money going to followers of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church and reports of public schools in California using an anti-drug program tied to the Church of Scientology.

Eight months later, a Robertson charity called Operation Blessing received a three-year, $1.5-million grant from the federal government. And guess what? Robertson hasn't uttered a word of protest about the faith-based initiative since.

[underpants]

13. $10.8 Million in the Highway bill

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=183x1899

[Megahurtz]

5. Bullshit!

Robertson and Bush&Corp. are all in bed together!

It's interesting that all of a sudden they act like they don't know the man
and "he's a private citizen, and private citizens say things all the time".
LIARS!:argh:

[Rob H.]

6. "The administration quickly distanced itself..."

Would be more accurate to say "finally," imo.

From the article linked above:

"He's a private citizen. Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time," Rumsfeld said.

Shyeah, he's a "private citizen" all right--a "private citizen" whose crackpot remarks are seen daily on television. :eyes:

You can bet money that if a liberal had made a statement even 1/10th as outrageous, Rumsfeld and VP "Go fuck yourself" Cheney would be on television demanding an immediate apology. Fuckin' hypocrites.

[flannelmouth]

7. The RW spin is starting

While the WH may officially be condeming Robertson, the RW is heating up this story.

"Fresh from his influential White House post, Stephanopoulos devoted an entire column in Newsweek to the topic of whether the U.S. should take out Saddam Hussein.
His headlined? "Why We Should Kill Saddam."

"Assassination may be Clinton's best option," the future "This Week" host urged. "If we can kill Saddam, we should."

www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/8/24/122804.shtml

As always it will all be Clinton's fault

[maseman]

15. Everyone needs to know the connection...

Bushco and the religious right are most certainly in bed together. But Robertson saying something this stupid needs to be understood by the general populace Joe voter out there that the right wing and these fruitcakes are tied together.

Everyone needs to call talk shows...including the super right-wing shows on Salem radio stations and ask if this was a Christian thing to say. Everyone needs to write letters to the editors and e-mail talking heads. The more these idiots say stupid things the more the LEFT-WING machine needs to ramp up.

EF these people. Let's make sure our voives are loud and clear. I already wrote ABC Family and the FCC.

http://abcfamily.go.com/home.html

[WildClarySage]

8. Pat who?

[Gregorian]

9. All he's getting is distance. We must demand more.

Outrageous! Smoke a joint, go to jail. Incite assassination, get DISTANCED.

Way too serious for just distancing. This is a very serious act. What message does this send to Americans? Inciting assassination is fine, but don't burn a flag, or else?

[catmandu57]

11. I did not have religious relations with that man

I only depend on his nutjob followers for support of my mandate.

[Tempest]

17. Venezuela has not been contacted by U.S. diplomats over scandal

The foreign minister said he had received no communication from U.S. diplomats following the remarks by the conservative commentator, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a supporter of Bush's re-election bid.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBSMYELUCE.html

[Tempest]

18. Patriot act Section 802

Patriot act Section 802


Under this definition of the Patriot Act Section 802 Pat Robertson should be being held on charges of Domestic Terrorism by:

(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the US or of any State;
(B) Appear to be intended --
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
(C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United State.