Robertson's remark on taking out Chavez

[bayouwolf]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

I'm no fan of Pat Robertson but in the US we have free speech.

People can use there right to free speech to show how smart or dumb they are sometimes the person speaking doesn't know which one he is.

Like the old saying goes..." Better for everyone to think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

[T4 Primera]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

I'm no fan of Pat Robertson but in the US we have free speech.

People can use there right to free speech to show how smart or dumb they are sometimes the person speaking doesn't know which one he is.

So would you apply that same logic to an Islamic cleric suggesting the assassination of the leader of a country?

When an Islamic cleric says such things, the media expects the Islamic community to publicly condemn the words. Has the Christian community publicly condmened the words of Robertson?

In the UK, Blair is passing laws that will have people like this removed from the country - however I don't expect he will have Pat Robertson denied entry into the UK.

Double standards.

[DGB454]

The problem with Robertson is that he is on TV. What he said is I'm sure is what others have said before.
He has no real power to carry out those remarks and he has no real followers who will take what he says to heart and do it.Unlike the Muslim clerics. They hold positions of power where they are from and some of their followers do take them to heart and follow through with his ideas and ramblings.

You want the Christian community to condemn him? OK I as a Christian condemn what he said in a public forum. Bush as a Christian immediatly distanced himself from the whole thing and had his people put out a statement that they did not agree with what he said.

Is it bad for a Christian to have these thoughts? I don't know. I had the same ones about Saadam. So did millions of others that are not Christian. Do you hold us to a higher standard than you do everyone else? If so why? Do you consider us above the normal person? I don't condone killing but at times the killing of one will save thousands. Would any of us have not killed Hitler if given the chance? What's right and what's wrong? In the end we are human. We are prone to mistakes in judgement and actions.

What he said may not have been the right thing to say under the given circumstances and even less right given that he is a Christian leader of sorts but he is just one man who has very little real power and not as much influence over the Christian community as some may believe.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by T4 Primera

So would you apply that same logic to an Islamic cleric suggesting the assassination of the leader of a country?

Which country has free speach where that happened?

When an Islamic cleric says such things, the media expects the Islamic community to publicly condemn the words. Has the Christian community publicly condmened the words of Robertson?

The media makes no such demand. People with half a brain understand he's talking out his ass and hope to hear other leaders say as much. Which is what happened in this case. Robertson talked out his ass and the congress and the president said as much.

In the UK, Blair is passing laws that will have people like this removed from the country - however I don't expect he will have Pat Robertson denied entry into the UK.

What you expect? What you expect has no effect on reality. Maybe it raises to the level of being excluded - maybe it does not. But your attempt to set up the straw man is noted.

Double standards.

None at all.

[Cbass]

Originally Posted by 2strokebloke

Does anybody else find it funny that in the "related links" at the bottom of the page there is this statement: "Great deals on Hugo Chavez Shop on eBay and Save!"

Hey, if you're for sale, it might as well be to the highest bidder!

I think the best two for that were the Ebay/Google generated ads for "russian children" and "african slaves"

Lowest prices! Best selection! Save on African slaves today!



As for Venezuela, the US needs that oil, VZ is one of the US's biggest supplies. The US already tried a military coup, it was either in 2003 or 2004, IIRC, that failed miserably, due to popular support for Chavez. The US can't afford another war right now...,

This is what has the US worried about Venezuela.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4123465.stm

[lamehonda]

Gotta love how he said his comments were taken out of context before he realised he was a huge moron and apologized.

[Muscletang]

Pat Robertson

MAD Magazine's #1 Dumbest Person, event, and thing of 2001

Do I need to say more?

[T4 Primera]

Why isn't he being prosecuted?

From the moment I heard Robertson's remark, on the radio, I thought of the federal criminal statutes prohibiting such threats. Do they apply?
For me, the answer is yes. Indeed, had these comments been made by a Dan Rather, a Bill Moyers, or Jesse Jackson, it is not difficult to imagine some conservative prosecutor taking a passing look at these laws - as, say, Pat Robertson might read them -- and saying, "Let's prosecute."

...It is a federal felony to use instruments of interstate or foreign commerce to threaten other people. The statute is clear, and simple. Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 875(c), states: "Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both." (Emphases added.)

The interstate or foreign commerce element is plainly satisfied by Robertson's statements. Robertson's 700 Club is listed as broadcasting in thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia, not to mention ABC Family Channel satellites which cover not only the United States but several foreign countries as well. In addition, the program was sent around the world via the Internet.

Did Pat Robertson commit a felony?

[YogsVR4]

For the same reason that Baldwin didn't get prosecuted for saying Hyde should be stoned and his family killed; they're both idiots that hold no real power.