Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Dumbest Thing Said Leader in August
I will admit that I have a soft spot for Pat Robertson. I know I shouldn’t, but, I can’t help liking the guy. But what a boob! Do you say that on national television and then when caught, don’t simply apologize and admit, “I say stupid things sometimes, we all do, and I was wrong, especially as a Christian, to call for the assisination of an elected leader of another nation.”
Look, the fact is that when Pat R said the “take em out” comment, he was dead wrong. First off, Venezuela elected him, they have the right to him. An attempted coup and recall both failed, and the recall election, though still with many question marks, was certified by the paragon of election, James Earl Carter. So, tough. We do not have to like other nations leaders, but that is the glory of democracy. Now, should Chavez not step down in three more years when his term is supposed to be up, yes, we should go the sanction route and support opposition parties and efforts.
But as a Christian leader, a man who I do believe sincerly loves God at least as much as his fame, that was the dumbest thing I have heard this month. I don’t think that assaination of elected leaders falls under the just war criteria. There simply is no excuse for advocating that, especially in the course of a Christian program. If you want to advocate that away from your electornic pulpit, knock yourself out. But in it??? Duh!
Having said that...we do need to come up with a plan to deal with Mr. Chavez, who is a demagogue of the first order. But assisination? Did we go back in time to the 4th century BC?
