Pat Roberston stirring up a storm again

[eclectics]

But hoping the same for repressive dictators is somehow wrong? Sounds hypocritical to me.

Nothing wrong with hoping (if that's your feelings). However I must point out that you are not a Venezuelan citizen (I'm assuming) and very sorry but you don't have a say in their election process. It's when the "hoping" turns into "invading" that I have a problem with.

 

[TLHB70]

I had to comment here. I have read through most of the posts so I hope that I am not restating something that has already been said.
First of all, I am a Christian. However, I think that PR made a mistake, a big mistake. I do not watch his show, but I have heard other statements that he has made in other places that I have disagreed with. He does NOT speak for me as a Christian. I think it was wrong for him to say that. I, too, have said and done wrong things.
Second of all, I have lived in Venezuela. I lived there because of DH job. He went before me so he lived there 1 1/2 years. My girls and I lived there right at a year. And guess when I lived there?!?!?! 2002. Yep. I lived there during the coup. I lived through the protests, the marches, the killings, all of it. As a matter of fact, I can remember making posts during the protests and telling you all about the noise........they bang on pots with spoons.
I can tell you that Venezuela is split right down the middle as a nation with regards to the president. Just like us in America.........right in half. Chavez has rallied the poor, the barrios. They support him with their lives if they have to. The upper and middle class (There are very few middle class, though.) are anti-Chavez, and you can imagine why. I will tell you that the weekend of the coup was CRAZY!!!!!! We went to bed Friday with a new president and on Sunday Chavez was back. He immediately got rid of the people in the military and government that supported the new guy. Now, all of the government and military are basically puppets in his control. It is indeed sad. I have many dear friends that are there. I communicate with them almost daily about the events. They are scared. They are sad. They feel hopeless. Yes, as someone said earlier, I believe he is a mini Castro. After all, Chavez considers Castro his best friend and wants to be like him. Chavez has hated America since the coup. PR's comment gives more fuel to the fire. I don't believe that Chavez will let it go. He appears to be the type of guy that will handle it.......in his way, too. He is truly one to be watched. I don't agree with PR's comment or believe that is the answer. However, I do agree that Chavez could be a problem and we need to watch him!!!!!
BTW, while I lived in Venezuela I didn't feel fluent with my Spanish enough to read their local papers. My main source of news was this terrific web site that gives all of South America's news. Check it out. There will be LOTS of stories about Chavez and how he responds. There are a few now, as a matter of fact.
http://www.southamericadaily.com/

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I wasn't aware however that wishing that some of the most evil, repressive leaders, who remain a threat to world peace, would vanish from the planet, that one would need to apologize for it.

How is this any different than the rants of religious extremists who want to see America destroyed? This is simply the root of terrorism/extremism.

 

[DawnCt1]

How is this any different than the rants of religious extremists who want to see America destroyed? This is simply the root of terrorism/extremism.

You're kidding! You actually don't see the difference? I guess in your mind its exactly the same, which makes any further discussion pointless. Perhaps you could spearhead a movement to have him cannonized. BTW. How did you feel when Idi Amin died? I am sure that he had people in his country who knew and loved him.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

You're kidding! You actually don't see the difference? I guess in your mind its exactly the same, which makes any further discussion pointless. Perhaps you could spearhead a movement to have him cannonized. BTW. How did you feel when Idi Amin died? I am sure that he had people in his country who knew and loved him.

I am quite serious and yes, I see no difference between Robertson's remarks, your posts on this thread and the ravings of some religious extremist who wants to kill (fill in the blank with today's targets).

There are lines one shouldn't cross and publicly wishing or wanting someone killed, taken out, "put out in the cornfield (as you quaintly put it) -- it's all the same thing -- just plain murder -- crosses that line. I cannot remember where I read it, but someone hit the nail on the head with this comment.

Pat Robertson claims to be a Christian. What part of "Thou shalt not kill" is unclear to him... or to you?

Maybe you can explain how Idi Amin is relevant to this discussion? But to answer your question, I had no feelings one way or the other when he died. Unlike you, I don't celebrate the deaths of people I may dislike or with whom I disagree.

 

[eclectics]

Unlike you, I don't celebrate the deaths of people I may dislike or with whom I disagree.

Wonder what the gun laws are in her state. You'd better watch it!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Wonder what the gun laws are in her state. You'd better watch it!

It's one of the benefits of being anonymous... maybe it's one less thing to worry about. Although one never really knows...

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Do we really all sincerely mourn when an oppressive or brutal dictator or a chronic criminal dies of natural causes (especially if they're not that old yet)?

Or do we think "the world's a better place without them"?

I know I usually think the latter.

 

[ThAnswr]

Do we really all sincerely mourn when an oppressive or brutal dictator or a chronic criminal dies of natural causes (especially if they're not that old yet)?

Or do we think "the world's a better place without them"?

I know I usually think the latter.

I think the world is bettor off without them.

However, once we become judge, jury, and executioner, we're on a dangerous path.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

At least he called it like it is. It only sounds crazy because he said it out loud.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I think the world is bettor off without them.

However, once we become judge, jury, and executioner, we're on a dangerous path.

And there you have it!! Well said!

But for the exception of T_M, who still seems to be batting for our side, doesn't this just feel better!!

 

[peachgirl]

At least he called it like it is. It only sounds crazy because he said it out loud.

Damn, I should have put some money on this one!

I knew if this thread stayed open long enough, someone would finally admit that they agree with Robertson. They're there...it just takes a while.

But hoping the same for repressive dictators is somehow wrong? Sounds hypocritical to me.

You're not hoping that the the legal system in place for a country works. In fact, you're not just hoping that leaders you don't like somehow die accidentally.

Much like Pat Robertson, you're trying to back off what you really said in the first place, but you didn't just say you hoped they died or had an accident. Here are your words Dawn..

It would be nice if a good citizen of Venezuela stepped up to the plate but its not a foreign policy that we should advertize. Is 007 around??

You want a Venezuelan citizen to assassinate the President of their country and your only complaint about us doing it is that it's a foreign policy that should be kept quiet and we should get some secret agent to do it.


Go ahead and tell us how you didn't say what you said Pat, errr... I mean, Dawn.

 

[caitycaity]

At least he called it like it is. It only sounds crazy because he said it out loud.

so you think it's ok for democratically elected heads of state to be assassinated by other countries if the other countries don't like them? i have a feeling if someone was saying that about our president, you wouldn't like it to much.

 

[caitycaity]

BTW. How did you feel when Idi Amin died? I am sure that he had people in his country who knew and loved him.

ummm... idi amin wasn't democratically elected. as a matter of fact, he wasn't elected at all.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

Damn, I should have put some money on this one!

I knew if this thread stayed open long enough, someone would finally admit that they agree with Robertson. They're there...it just takes a while.

I never said I agreed with Robertson's words. What I believe is he spoke what many others say behind closed doors. I don't think he was being crazy when he said it. Just honest. I at least give him credit for that. I wonder what horrble things are said about Bush around the world?? Would other countries be so quick to condem their own? I can answer that. NO!

 

[Charade]

I think the world is bettor off without them.

I agree.

However, once we become judge, jury, and executioner, we're on a dangerous path.

Not always IMO. There are only a few ways to get rid of those kinds of "leaders". Voted out. A revolution/coup. Or an "intervention" by a third party.

 

[Charade]

so you think it's ok for democratically elected heads of state to be assassinated by other countries if the other countries don't like them? i have a feeling if someone was saying that about our president, you wouldn't like it to much.

What do you mean "if"??? It's already been said. And by people in *this* country too!

 

[peachgirl]

What I believe is he spoke what many others say behind closed doors. I don't think he was being crazy when he said it. Just honest. I at least give him credit for that. I wonder what horrble things are said about Bush around the world?? Would other countries be so quick to condem their own? I can answer that. NO! __________________

I absolutely agree that he is simply saying what many people who follow him believe. I said in my first post on this that the man isn't crazy, he knows exactly what he said.

However, I don't think he deserves credit because he's honest about the fact that he endorses what amounts to no more than terrorism...there are a lot of terrorists who are upfront about their intentions and I certainly don't give them any credit.

Whether or not these sorts of things are said about Bu$h in other countries is irrelevant. I don't subscribe to the "yeah, but they're worse than we are" theory.

 

[DawnCt1]

What do you mean "if"??? It's already been said. And by people in *this* country too!

Absolutely, and it gets completely ignored. President Bush has been called everything from a liar to the worst terrorist in the world. People who are citizens of this country and others have wished the worst fates to befall him. Somehow that gets a "pass" but if someone speaks out against a vocal enemy of this country and an enemy of world stability, they are accused of being judge, jury and executioner. How much better off would the world have been if someone had assassinated Hirohito or Hitler....but then who are we to judge them.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Absolutely, and it gets completely ignored. President Bush has been called everything from a liar to the worst terrorist in the world. People who are citizens of this country and others have wished the worst fates to befall him. Somehow that gets a "pass"...

You have got to be kidding me?!?! Sure, people "get a pass" from complaining that Bush sucks, or is an awful President, or has his head up his ***, or is as bad as the terrorists...but BELIEVE ME...if you, or I, went on national television and said that President Bush should be assassinated...the Secret Service would be at your house quicker than you can say "habeas corpus"!!! It is perfectly legal for Americans to protest and complain about our leaders! It happens to be protected by the 1st Ammendment, but calling for the head of the President on a plate happens to be illegal. Please refain from being sooo dramatic...it weakens your other positions!