From The Guy Who Said 9/11 Happened Because Heather Has Two Mommies
And because men in the West Village wear leather pants with the butt circles cut out.
In Haiti, in the wake of human tragedy from the horrible earthquake, Pat Robertson sees a light at the end of the rubble -- for scaring a little business back to the church and for a moment in the media spotlight for Pat:
Disgusting little man.
His comment sent me into a white hot fury earlier. Ignorant ass!
Feebie at January 14, 2010 12:03 AM
I recall when he blamed 9/11 on the gays, I think The Onion had a headline, "Pat Roberston, Is this Guy a Dick or What?". I thought dick at the time and have heard or read nothing to make me think otherwise. The man is a cancer.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 12:35 AM
Robertson is the voice for the “Christian” we have an answer for everything sect. You’d think those folks could show a little more compassion when tragedy strikes. Guess not.
Roger at January 14, 2010 4:52 AM
What a miserable human being. I'm disgusted.
Melissa G at January 14, 2010 5:14 AM
So the Haitians made a "pact with the Devil", eh? That's why 80% of them are Roman Catholic, I guess. What a vile little man!
Flynne at January 14, 2010 5:32 AM
Ignorant.
David M. at January 14, 2010 5:52 AM
People are supposed to consider what they as individuals might have done in order to “earn” a punishment and what they can do to improve. This "punishment" can be as trivial as reaching in your pocket for a quarter and pulling out a nickel or as serious as the most horrible thing you can think of. When something happens to other people, a person is supposed to realize that he himself needs to introspect and repent. As far as the other people are concerned, when G-d “releases” destruction on an area (for whatever reason), even the righteous among the people of that area are subject to the harm.
It may even be that a number of people have reached their “end date” or that the general wickedness in the world has reached a “trigger point” so that a catastrophe is now due in the world. It does not mean that the individuals harmed are wicked, just that they are not due to be saved by a miracle.
In any case, we are required to act as if it all happened “naturally”.
Why did G-d create atheism?
So that when a poor person comes to us, we should not say, “G-d will help”, but dig down and do our best to help because “it is up to us”.
Sabba Hillel at January 14, 2010 6:05 AM
Robertson is another warning (as if we needed it) that an Ivy League education is an oxymoron.
He's proof that it's possible to go to school and learn nothing.
I wonder why it is not fashionable to consistently shun the immoral (and criminal?) Tiger Woods gets ostracized, Charlie Rangel gets a pass. Tiger never took anything from me. Rangel cheats on his taxes.
MarkD at January 14, 2010 6:42 AM
What I can't figure out who he actually speaks for. Why is he being interviewed? It's like Al Sharpton claiming blanket representation of the black community. Or one of those nasty, man-hating women's studies professor types claiming to speak for me.
Off topic, did everyone see the very nice review of Amy's book by Patterico a couple of days ago?
http://patterico.com/2010/01/12/amy-alkon-sees-rude-people/
Robin at January 14, 2010 6:44 AM
It's kinda fish in a barrel-y. I mean, 'y'know, Pat Robertson. He's nuts. It's hard to believe anyone thought this guy could ever be a presidential candidate. Nobody ever thought of him as a respectable portal to conservatism or anything...
Meanwhile, on the left, Stewart guy just took it on the chin, similarly misleading a lot of shallow believers.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 14, 2010 7:24 AM
I'm just saying, M4's link to that Hitchens piece a few days ago may have been prescient. Between Harold Ford and Marth Coakley, leftyhood may be in transition. The deficiencies of liberal savvy may be the story of the year.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 14, 2010 7:29 AM
It's interesting because some friends and I were just discussing that it does seem like they're cursed. I never heard of this "pact with the devil". lol I guess if you believe in good and evil, it's not so farfetched.
Am I the only one who finds the way he breathes between statements really creepy? I've never understood why pastors always seem to have to have an affected way of speaking.
lovelysoul at January 14, 2010 7:40 AM
His little zombie sidekick was the one I found amazing. Sitting there with a straight face, even nodding in agreement toward the end. Scary.
Pricklypear at January 14, 2010 7:45 AM
I had the privilege of voting against Harold Ford, or Junior, as he's commonly known, a couple of years ago. I suppose it's necessary for him to run in NY, as in Tennessee it's all but impossible not to be aware that he's about the last unindicted Ford left in the state.
Robin at January 14, 2010 7:49 AM
This isn't new. I've heard evangelicals blame Haiti's problem on a pact with the voodoo gods, particularly with The Baron who they equate with Satan, before.
NicoleK at January 14, 2010 8:10 AM
>> His little zombie sidekick...
Exactly my reaction, Pricklypear. Robertson is old and crazy. You could see in that woman's face she knows that but will swallow anything to be on TV.
Eric at January 14, 2010 8:18 AM
They must have sidekicks because, otherwise, they'd have to look directly into the camera to say this crap.
lovelysoul at January 14, 2010 8:26 AM
Robertson has totally lost his marbles. Either that, or he's the most damn cynical preacher who ever lived; I'm not sure which. Either way, it's hard to believe that he was once regarded as a viable Presidential candidate.
Cousin Dave at January 14, 2010 8:32 AM
As a Christian, I understand the desire to defend the "truth" as you believe it to be. BUT, I cannot understand the venomous hate that Christian "leaders" spew gainst those who disagree with their doctrines. This kind of comment reminds me of the muslim radicals the call America "The Great Satan" and deand Sharia law and death for any who disagree with their doctrines. If Islam is the " religion of peace" then what is this saying of Christianity and the sects that pervert our faith in the same way? Dontwe call Jesus "The Prince of Peace"?
Jack W at January 14, 2010 8:38 AM
I'm stealing the opening remarks from another website. Link is at the bottom. Read the whole post, it isn't that long and it provides historical context. Btw, I think Pat Robertson is batsh!t crazy, but....
Call Pat Robertson crazy or, worse yet, insensitive for his remarks following the earthquake in Haiti. To a reasonable person,the notion Tuesday's 7.3 magnitude earthquake was punishment for a 200 year old pact with the Devil sounds crazy or, worse yet, insensitive. This perhaps particularly so to a reasonable person recalling Robertson's remarks along similar lines following 9/11. The trouble for critics of Robertson's insensitivity (I have seen no sympathy for the devil troubling him), is that Haitians say much the same thing themselves.
http://www.ghostofaflea.com/archives/013479.html
Michael at January 14, 2010 8:53 AM
Meanwhile, on the left, Stewart guy just took it on the chin, similarly misleading a lot of shallow believers.
Crid, you are right that Yoo got the better of Stewart. It's not surprising. What's pathetic is the Stewart is the only "journalist" who has had the balls to even attempt to make Yoo answer for the disgrace he visited upon America. It would be have been better if someone who has done a little more of their homework would have done it (not sure if any teevee "journalists" currently qualify), certainly. But Stewart is, post-Russert, the only person with a big media following who even attempts to get people to answer tough questions.
On a side note, though, it's always nice to see Glenn come down on the pro-torture side. He's nothing if not consistent on that.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 8:54 AM
Whatever,there are people from every possible point of view using this to further their agenda, check out Keith Olberman's broadcast last night or Obama wanting to show this is not his Katrina. It's all very disgusting and so typical.
jksisco at January 14, 2010 9:53 AM
it's not even that this guy is losing his marbles... he's always been like this, and I have loathed him for it. A Modern pharisee who has forgotten who he works for.
SwissArmyD at January 14, 2010 10:26 AM
OMG. This man is CRAZY. He needs to be committed.
Melody at January 14, 2010 10:36 AM
there are people from every possible point of view using this to further their agenda
it's not even that this guy is losing his marbles... he's always been like this
True.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 11:53 AM
Though I am not a practicing Christian, I often go out of my way to defend Christians when they're viciously attacked by the Rabid Left. Why? Because when I hear attacks against Christianity I immediately think of my dear friends who do practice the religion.
Pat Robertson is a disgusting little man who gives all Christians a bad name. This latest rant of his puts him in the same league as 9-11 Truthers IMHO.
Robert W. (Vancouver) at January 14, 2010 12:00 PM
Actually this is not true. The Pharisees were the leaders of the great mass of people who believed in G-d, were merciful, and truthful under all circumstances. The modern connotation of "pharisee" as "hypocrite" (which is how you used the term) is totally a smear. It is the equivalent of the leftists calling the tea party movement "teabaggers".
They were not the "official" leaders but were in that position by the acclamation of the people who recognized their greatness.
He would not have been accepted as a "Pharisee" by anyone living then.
What is also interesting is that people ignore what he is actually doing, in that he is mobilizing massive amounts of aid for the Haitians.
Sabba Hillel at January 14, 2010 12:25 PM
> Stewart is the only "journalist" who
> has had the balls to even attempt
> to make Yoo answer
Much, much more likely that Yoo knew that a man with a career built on a canned laugh track would not be able to land a punch. So why NOT go on TV? People like people who've been on TV!.... You get seated in restaurants quicker, better cuts of meat from the butcher, that kind of thing.
> Stewart is, post-Russert, the only person
> with a big media following...
And we care about his "big media following" because...?
> ...who even attempts to get people to
> answer tough questions.
This sounds like a promo, with flashy, abstract graphics, and the turn-and-freeze glance from talent at the end, with the show time time listed beside his face. "9:00pm Mountain, 8:00pm Pacific".
> nice to see Glenn come down on the
> pro-torture side. He's nothing if
> not consistent on that
Why the sarcasm, and why don't you write to him and tell him that he's "pro-torture"? That might be fun.
Crid (cridcomment at gmail) at January 14, 2010 1:09 PM
...in that he is mobilizing massive amounts of aid for the Haitians.
Oh, well that's okay then. He can say whatever he wants to about them, as long as he's sending them help. Yeah. /sarcasm
Flynne at January 14, 2010 1:11 PM
"ctually this is not true. The Pharisees were the leaders of the great mass of people who believed in G-d, were merciful, and truthful under all circumstances."
Actually, that great mass of people bit is historically false, since the great mass of that people became Christians in that particular schism. It's the only way to account for the sudden expansion of the population of Christains in the historical record, and also it's the only way to account for the survival of so many Jewish liturgical elements in Chritianity. It's not because the Christians were on such cozy terms with the leaders of a community they were being pushed out of, often after those leaders sicced Roamn authorities on them.
As for your last bit about being merciful and always telling the truth etc, that was one of the points that that controversy and schism turned on, wasn't it? So it's not really a settled matter or a matter of fact, is it?
Jim at January 14, 2010 1:33 PM
> His little zombie sidekick was the
> one I found amazing
A morning radio guy said that this morning too (Handle in LA, not a rightside superfreak by any means)
People shouldn't talk as though he's been caught doing something naughty. He knows who his audience is, and it's not collegiate lefties. Reagan was good, brilliant at throwing bones to this audience without anyone else seeing what he was doing. Robertson serves raw meat.
Crid at January 14, 2010 2:18 PM
True and funny, Crid.
This thread is boring me. For once, we all agree -Pat Robertson is an idiot. In fact, we're so at a loss for something to argue over, we're actually debating the Pharisees. Only this group could do that! :)
Amy, give us something more contentious, please.
lovelysoul at January 14, 2010 3:22 PM
Uh, Sabba H? For a Christian preacher, being called a Pharisee would be, as intended a deep insult:
"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" Matthew3:7 Obviously John The Baptist didn't see much good in them. Likewise Jesus: ""'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Matt15:8...
I think very few modern Christians would fail to understand the insult.
SwissArmyD at January 14, 2010 3:41 PM
Why the sarcasm,
Cause it's amusing to see a so-called libertarian who unfailingly supports Yoo and Bush and Cheney and other proponents of unlimited executive power. Of course, you gotta hand it to Glenn, he knows what side his bread I'd buttered on; he knows his audience would go elsewhere if he did otherwise.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 5:54 PM
> it's amusing to see a so-called
> libertarian who unfailingly supports
> Yoo and Bush and Cheney and
Little fella, you should say it to HIM, not us. He's a real guy, not a TV celebrity like that glamorous Anderson Cooper or that regal George Will. I've met him briefly (at an informal event at UCLA) and traded emails. That's the magic of the internet! There are real people out there. There's nothing so exalted about these humanoids that you need fear actual contact... They're conventional carbon-units of the typically endoskeletal variety... Obligate aerobes, opposable thumbs, the whole nine yards.
So, like, before maligning one of them, you might want to take it up with him first. We aren't the droids you're looking for, and apparently you're already on a first-name basis with him. Your "Whatever, dude" posture isn't really appropriate (or convincing)... Unless you are, in fact, a sullen teenager.
(And I've been meaning to ask... Have we seen you around here before, in another guise?... Like maybe Patrick's friend Rod, or Maya, or the (lower-case) "whatever"?...People who show up late in complicated threads with perfectly-conversant awareness of the arguments that have been made, often months earlier?)
I'm pretty sure Reynolds would be amused by your presumption that he's a Bushy. The Google cache don't lie.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 14, 2010 6:28 PM
And btw, could list for us five of Bush's "executive powers" that Obama has relinquished?
1. ___________
2. ___________
3. ___________
4. ___________
5. ___________
We're, y'know, a year into this thing.
Well... it's been going on for a year. Some of us aren't into it.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 14, 2010 6:32 PM
Yep, Crid. I'm the point man for an army of sockpuppets here to troll you. You got me!
Obama is not made of win; it is the nature of politicians not to give up power. In this regard he has done less than would be ideal. However, Obama banned torture. He's in the process of winding down the disgrace that is Gitmo. He doesn't have any advisors telling him there's no law preventing him from ordering the crushing of a child's testicles. It's a start.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 10:26 PM
His achievements are that he's getting ready to do stuff? After a year?
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 14, 2010 11:00 PM
He did some stuff last year; he's fixin' to do some stuff this year, and he's not gonna do some stuff he said he would. He's a politician, not magic. I'm not blown away, but I'm not shockingly disappointed. He's been a bit too compliant on the rights front; I'd have liked to see some of the torture regime prosecuted. But not doing that was probably good management of the State.
He passed a stimulus even AEI acknowledges helped the economy. Despite the opposition of his base, he stuck with his plan to bolster our troops in Afghanistan. I think this was stupid, but it was neither feckless nor cowardly. He's on the verge of passing landmark healthcare legislation. If that happens he will have acheived a Democratic policy success that eluded even policy masters like Johnson and Clinton.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 11:28 PM
The thing is, Whatever... this is about what Obama foolishly promised to do, either naively or cynically. Renditions were suggested by AlGore and carried out by Clinton... Waterboarding went on back then too. And I will believe that Obama doesn't allow anyone to get caught torturing. Gitmo will never be closed, because it is needed. You know that during Nurenburg, we executed those found guilty. Terrorists are THE ENEMY. As is often pointed out, they didn't come here to j-walk. They aren't criminals. The hit parade of what Obama promised has a ton of stuff I figured he'd never do. But. Don't Ask, don't Tell? IS an executive order, and can be removed with one signatuere. CSPAN in the Health Debate? IS something that he could bully congress into doing. Firing Geitner for lying on his taxes IS something he could just do.
No love lost for W, he did plenty of stupid stuff, but only a fool would believe that The Chicago Way is different. I lived there for 10 years, and this is going precisely as I would expect.
New Boss, same as the old Boss. Except with the boldness to claim it's not so.
SwissArmyD at January 14, 2010 11:36 PM
Take this one for the example on the heavily hyped Stimulus:
Remember the Shovel Ready?
They were going to save us from 8% unemployment... and so they did. It's 10+ percent now...
SwissArmyD at January 14, 2010 11:47 PM
Fine OK that's great, I'm just looking forward to my tax cut!
...Hmmm? Wut?
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 14, 2010 11:52 PM
Swiss,
I'm not an apologist for all Democrats. I'm aware that renditions began under Clinton, but I've heard nothing about waterboarding or other torture tactics authorized prior to 9/11.
I'd also happy to see terrorists executed after a trial. I'm OK with killing them instead of capturing them. I actually find the restraint shown by the passengers who captured the pantybomber to be puzzling; I would have been trying to break his neck.
Obama has been stingier with his political capital than I would have thought. Don't ask Don't tell is one area. Firing Geithner and replacing him with Volker seems smart to me (but the upcoming tax on big banks will burnish his populist fiscal credentials).
But one thing I think about him is that people, both left and right, allowed themselves to be mislead. Daniel Larison, who I find quite perceptive, has argued persuasively that there was never any reason to think of Obama as other than a coventional Democrat with above average rhetorical skills. I'd say he's looking more and more accurate over time.
Whatever at January 14, 2010 11:59 PM
Fine OK that's great, I'm just looking forward to my tax cut!
LOL.
Whatever at January 15, 2010 12:03 AM
lovelysoul - some of the more "charismatic" preachers use that obnoxious breathy speech. i think they are taught to use it because silly people often equate that kind of affectedness to be caused by the holy spirit, and then they get all caught up in a whirlwind of religious ecstasy. i personally find that those are the preachers who are not saying anything theologically sound, just the aren't-we-wonderful-isn't-god-great people. my stepfather, on the other hand, does not breathe obnoxiously, and is actually an excellent preacher. good sermons, not too long, theologically sound, good balance of you're a sinner-you're forgiven (at least if you're christian. obviously an atheist would not be similarly impressed. but he does preach about the need to do good stuff, so maybe it wouldn't be too bad.) unfortunately it's the obnoxious breathers that are popular right now.
whatever at January 15, 2010 12:30 AM
So apparently Danny Glover did the same thing last night, only he put in Gaia in place of God. Compare and contrast.
Cousin Dave at January 15, 2010 7:28 AM
Danny Glover's comment was a little imprecise. Gaia is one interpretation; another is that the earthquake was caused by global warming.
Pseudonym at January 15, 2010 7:44 AM
Soody, I thought you were a fan of these guys.. "Rock stars", you called 'em
Crid at January 15, 2010 8:40 AM
Glover: "When we see what we did at the climate summit in Copenhagen, this is the response, this is what happens, you know what I’m sayin’?"
So, this earthquake was caused by the lack of an agreement at a conference only a few months ago?
And here I though plate tectonics had something to do with it.
Conan the Grammarian at January 15, 2010 3:05 PM
Whatever: Crid, you are right that Yoo got the better of Stewart.
Actually, both you and Crid are wrong. Yoo simply got all double-talky...I was actually largely unimpressed with both of them.
Patrick at January 15, 2010 4:09 PM
Like VD, Pat Robertson is the gift that keeps on giving. Every time he opens his mouth, his foot goes farther in. But more importantly, he makes himself look like an idiot, and a senile one at that.
I didn't check the video yet, but know about what he said. Was he giggling, as usual, when he said it?
mpetrie98 at January 15, 2010 6:10 PM
No, I called William Lane Craig a rock star. Pat Robertson's an embarrassment.
Also, I do not believe that the earthquake that hit Haiti was caused by Global Warming.
Pseudonym at January 15, 2010 6:58 PM
> No, I called William Lane Craig
> a rock star. Pat Robertson's an
> embarrassment.
They're pretty much identical, you know... Certainly indistinguishable to the rest of us.
The fastidious use of three boring names reminds me of this character from a novel I read in college; An oblivious ninny-woman who slows down the lives of the plotters with mundane pamphlets from a religious hector named "Miss Mary Ann Stamper".
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 15, 2010 8:16 PM
And your selection of metaphors provides interest, too. In a great piece years ago, Reynolds put it like this, as applicable to the pulpit as to the House of Representatives: Could there be a worse insult than describing a rock musician as looking "like a Congressman?"
Anyway, I thought of you the other day when crossing twenty seconds on this clip. That was years after my other cite, but still... Totally co-winky-dinky!
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 15, 2010 8:19 PM
Sorry, linkrot. Here-
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=082102B
It's among the best things he's ever said.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 15, 2010 8:27 PM
That's silly. Since silliness is fun, here are some ways to tell them apart:
Only one of them has a PhD.
Only one of them is an ordained minister.
Only one of them is a professor.
Only one of them has run for President.
Only one of them has his own TV show.
Only one of them comments on current events.
Only one of them has won dozens of debates against intelligent, knowledgeable opponents.
Only one of them has trounced Christopher Hitchens in a debate about the existence of God.
I was using "rock star" to mean "really good at what he does, especially compared to his peers." I call my last Realtor(TM) a rock star too. I've got a couple coworkers who are rock stars within their field.
:)
Pseudonym at January 16, 2010 7:53 AM
LOL. So the Dominican Republic is prosperous because they have beach resorts for tourists? Has Pat Robertson ever been there? I guess Mexico is a "rich" country also; plenty of resorts in that country as well.
mike hunter at January 16, 2010 8:32 AM
"In fact, we're so at a loss for something to argue over, we're actually debating the Pharisees."
SPLITTER!!
Pirate Jo at January 16, 2010 9:23 AM
> here are some ways to tell them apart
The list isn't long enough to overcome their similarities.
> I was using "rock star" to mean...
Right. We know.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at January 16, 2010 6:39 PM
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