Robertson Redux
It's been interesting to watch how the Bush Administration reacted to Pat Robertson's call to assassinate Hugo Chavez.
The Bushies could have easily made it a one day story, had they issued a forceful repudiation of his comments.
Instead, they chose to tread lightly. While appearing to distance themselves somewhat from Robertson, the Bushies failed to condemn his comments outright.
Sean McCormack, spokesman for the State Department, called the comments "inappropriate," but also said "I would think that people around the world would take the comments for what they are. They're the expression of one citizen."
Donald Rumsfeld responded "He's a private citizen. Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time."
Sure, Pat Robertson is a private citizen, in that he's a non-elected official. But in every other way, he is a public figure. He's used his television show the 700 Club, and his organization The Christian Coalition, to advocate for neo-conservative candidates and policies. He said the Lord spoke to him and told him the 2004 Presidential election would be a blow-out (I guess the Lord didn't speak to him as well as Pat thought He would). And Robertson prayed on air for more vacancies on the Supreme Court, citing the frail health of certain liberal Supreme Court Justices.
Imagine for a minute, if some Islamic extremist (say Osama bin Laden) called for Pat Robertson's assassination. What would the Bushies' reaction been? Would Rummy have said that bin Laden is a private citizen? Me thinks not!
Many of George Bush's war-mongering supporters have trashed grieving mother Cindy Sheehan, saying "Cindy doesn't speak for me."
When will the supposed culture of life folks say "Pat Robertson doesn't speak for me."
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