Posted on 08/22/2005 8:42:04 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson called on Monday for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, calling him a "terrific danger" to the United States.
Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a former presidential candidate, said on "The 700 Club" it was the United States' duty to stop Chavez from making Venezuela a "launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."
Chavez has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of President Bush, accusing the United States of conspiring to topple his government and possibly backing plots to assassinate him. U.S. officials have called the accusations ridiculous.
"You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it," Robertson said. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war ... and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."
Electronic pages and a message to a Robertson spokeswoman were not immediately returned Monday evening.
Venezuela is the fifth largest oil exporter and a major supplier of oil to the United States. The CIA estimates that U.S. markets absorb almost 59 percent of Venezuela's total exports.
Venezuela's government has demanded in the past that the United States crack down on Cuban and Venezuelan "terrorists" in Florida who they say are conspiring against Chavez.
Robertson accused the United States of failing to act when Chavez was briefly overthrown in 2002.
"We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," Robertson said.
"We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator," he continued. "It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with."
In this picture released by Miraflores Press Office Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, left, listens to President Fidel Castro, as they arrive in Cuba's Sandino province Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005. Chavez is on official visit in Cuba.(AP Photo/HO Miraflores Press)
Chavez is a hazard to the world. I'll leave my comments at that.
Right on pat!!!
You're not serious, are you?
I'm dead serious. You're not serious are you?
Ditto!!!!!!!!! Serious as a heart attack.
Good grief. And if he were of a different faith calling for a jihad, you'd be right behind that too, or is it that only Christians have the right to demand the deaths of others?
Where is Venezuela's 'Pinochet'?
Chavez is clinging to Fidel, because Fidel is the exception to the rule in Latin America--a dictator who managed not to get a bullet in the back of the head from one of his lieutenants or an insurgent mob. I don't think Hugo will be so lucky. He was dumb enough to get "crank called" by those DJs in Miami--I think it's just a matter of time, really.
The thinking exemplified by the previous poster is the same shared by the crinton admin. that kept osama bin laden alive pre 9/11....'nuff said
What an ass. The guy just loves publicity. Chavez will make good use of Robertson's big mouth.
I am in total agreement. Message to Chavez: Remember the Communist Salvador Allende from Chile, 1970's...
Bullshit. Osama Bin Laden had declared direct war on America and had already proven responsible for a number of terrorist attacks that cost the lives of American citizens.
Pat Robertson is off his rocker. He is going to get justifiably thumped for this, and he's further sullying the image of Christians in this country for it.
Nice try to set up your little argument....doesnt work on me.
Um... its the story
He did it WHILE broadcasting. What do you think he broadcasts? (Hint: its NOT a cooking show)
-Dan
Christians have the right to demand the deaths of others, due to their moral superiority. Ok. My education is complete.
And killing Chavez wouldn't be "extreme"???!! Wouldn't that make us just like the Muslims?
Come on Pat! Why would you say such a thing? For crying out loud, that is all the body of Christ needs, is a call for killing someone!
What would Jesus do, Pat? What DID Jesus do? I don't think you are spending enough time with him....take a break.
Wow, aren't you the spinmeister. He said, and I quote, "If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it." That isn't even close to the way you're trying to spin it. Nothing there about whether or not we are considering it; he even said he doesn't know what our assassination policy (here it is Pat: as a policy, we don't).
Umm... perhaps Televangelist Pat Robertson did?
It's being presented and endorsed on this and other threads in religious terms. So... yes. Just like the Muslims.
All kinds of people get killed in the bibul, so what's the problem?
Well, heck, if God told Pat to say that, then, who are we to argue.
"Wow, aren't you the spinmeister."
Not deliberate. And, speaking of spin, it still doesn't equate with calling for the death of Chavez, now does it? As if Pat Robertson has the authority to make good on it anyway.
Robar 50 Cal Bump!
I endorsed it, but not in religious terms. I said that I didn't care who said it, it is about time. Actually, I think that it's past time. Chavez should have been eliminated before Bush even took office.
Ah, we don't "do" that at FR.
Umm, what? What part of "I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it" do you not get? Or if you need confirmation, how about, "We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability"?
The "thinking" expressed by Utopia is that -- at least on THIS site -- we don't openly call for ANYONE's death.
If you feel like you need to say stuff like that, you're at the wrong web site.
There is another longer thread going and there was also one that was deleted. It's been done on those. But, you're right. It hasn't been supported on this thread in religious terms yet. Trust me, though. It's coming...:-)
Thanks a lot, Pat.
You've just lost the Republicans many thousands of potential votes.
Why don't you stick to diverting hurricanes, you idiot.
"Calling for death" versus "I think we ought to." Spin it into some sort of fatwah-equivalent if you like (and you clearly do like). But, there is a big difference, semantically speaking.
"Bullshit. Osama Bin Laden had declared direct war on America"
Ah but of course....Chavez hasn't threatened America.....he's just a "good" Commie, right?
Are you really this ignorant???
"Venezuela and North Korea Connect"
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17748
"Even more troubling than Russian intervention, recent reports indicate that a North Korean military sales delegation has visited Caracas with the intention of selling Chavez intermediate range ballistic missiles."
"‘New Castro’ threatens to take his feud with America nuclear - (Chavez rattling nuke sabers!)"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1413034/posts
"“We want to initiate nuclear research and ask for help from countries like Iran,” he said."
"An overview on the relationship of Chavez, Castro & terrorism"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309533/posts
"Chávez’s Venezuela prepares for confrontation with the US"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1365879/posts
Are you at the right web site?
We don't call for the death of people at this web site.
He was wrong and he said something stupid but I just love how the superior anti-Christers always want to hold Christians to a higher standard.
Show me where *I* called for someone's death? Nice try, howlin....
WHAT ..??
I'm stunned!
You nailed it.
god? A figment of the imagination did not tell pat or anyone else to say anything. I do agree with pat on this one, take the murderer out as cheaply as possible and as soon as possible.
"Good grief. And if he were of a different faith calling for a jihad, you'd be right behind that too, or is it that only Christians have the right to demand the deaths of others?"
There is a difference between pushing a little old lady in front of a speeding bus, and pushing a little old lady out of the path of a speeding bus.
"ould someone calling for the assassination of Pol Pot before he could murder so many be the equivalent of a mooselimb calling for the murder of innocent civilians?
I've said it before and I'll say it again. You couldn't conjure a more simplistic, dense, and ignorant person if you tried. Every negative stereotype of Christians is personified in one man (oh, and Falwell).
Hey, I'd swear I saw the guy on the left washing dishes in the local eatery, earlier this evening.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.