Andy Rooney’s Insult via God: “Mel [Gibson] Is a Real Nut Case”

Media Research Center ^ | 2-24-04 | Brent Baker

[FlyLow]

Andy Rooney lashed out Sunday night, using his 60 Minutes platform to do some name-calling, in the name of God, against Pat Robertson and Mel Gibson. Claiming to be relaying what God wanted him to say after Rooney had a conversation with him, Rooney passed along how God delivered insults as he said that “I wish you'd tell your viewers that both Pat Robertson and Mel Gibson strike me as wackos. I believe that's one of your current words. They're crazy as bedbugs” and “Mel is a real nut case. What in the world was I thinking when I created him?”

Returning to his own voice, Rooney demanded: “My question to Mel Gibson is: How many million dollars does it look as if you're going to make off the crucifixion of Christ?"

Now that’s harsh. I thought the liberal argument was that gay marriage doesn’t in any way hurt a heterosexual marriage, so there’s no reason to oppose same-sex marriages? So how does Pat Robertson proclaiming his belief that Bush will win big, or Mel Gibson making a movie conveying his interpretation of a religious event profound to him which he thinks many others will want to experience, in any way impact Rooney? Why is he so bothered? Plenty of Hollywood moguls have made money off less worthy exploitations and I don’t recall Rooney condemning them? And Gibson hasn’t yet made any money. He put his own money at risk and may or may not make it back.

Here’s Rooney’s commentary at the end of the February 22 60 Minutes: “It doesn't seem right, but religion has been in the news a lot recently. Pat Robertson says that God has spoken to him and told him that George W. Bush will be re-elected because he deserves to be. Here's Pat Robertson's exact quote [Rooney pretends to read from a newspaper]: 'I think George Bush is going to win in a walk. I'm hearing from the Lord that it's going to be a blowout.’ “The movie by Mel Gibson called The Passion of the Christ is the other religious issue in the news. Everyone's talking about that. The question is whether the Jews killed Jesus Christ -- who was Jewish, of course. I hadn't wanted to say anything about this, because it seemed like a personal matter, but Pat Robertson isn't the only one who has heard from God. “I heard from God just the other night. God always seems to call at night. 'Andrew,’ God said to me. He always calls me 'Andrew.’ I like that. 'Andrew, you have the eyes and ears of a lot of people. I wish you'd tell your viewers that both Pat Robertson and Mel Gibson strike me as wackos. I believe that's one of your current words. They're crazy as bedbugs, another earthly expression. I created bedbugs and I'll tell you, they're no crazier than people.’ “'Let me just say,’ God said to me, 'that I think I'd remember if I'd ever talked to Pat Robertson, and I'd remember if I said Bush would get re-elected in a blowout. As far as Mel Gibson goes, I haven't seen his movie, The Passion of the Christ, because it hasn't opened up here yet. But I did catch Gibson being interviewed by Diane Sawyer. I did something right when I came up with her, didn't I? Anyway, as I was saying, Mel is a real nut case. What in the world was I thinking when I created him? Listen, we all make mistakes,’ God said to me.” “That's about all he did say because I'm sure God has a lot more important things to do than talk to someone on television. My own question to Pat Robertson is this: The election looks as though it could be close, certainly not a blowout. If George W. Bush loses the election to a Democrat, will you become an atheist? “My question to Mel Gibson is: How many million dollars does it look as if you're going to make off the crucifixion of Christ?"

The DrudgeReport.com on Monday linked to a CBS News.com posting of the text of Rooney’s commentary, but my version above differs a bit since it matches what actually aired on 60 Minutes after I checked it against the tape. CBS’s posted version: www.cbsnews.com

An unbylined Monday night AP dispatch, “Rooney Calls Gibson 'Wacko,' Drawing Ire,” reported: “Andy Rooney set the phone and e-mail lines at CBS buzzing over his commentary -- in which he said God was speaking through him -- calling Mel Gibson and the Rev. Pat Robertson 'wackos.’ “CBS said Monday it received its heaviest audience response to a 60 Minutes report since Rooney's commentaries on the Iraq war last spring. The network wouldn't specify how many calls or e-mails were received. 60 Minutes spokesman Kevin Tedesco said it was 'several times the normal feedback.’" For the entire AP piece: story.news.yahoo.com

[blackie]

Rooney is senile!

[Always Right]

Why is it, the further left one drifts, the more angry and bitter they become....

[dfwgator]

"Did you ever notice how some networks allow a bitter old fart to ramble on about things he knows absolutely nothing about?"

[old-ager]

> bitter old fart

CBS's audience is a few million of same. They like him! Liberal protestants like Andy because he reminds them of their apostate pastors.

[LongsforReagan]

"Why is it, the further left one drifts, the more angry and bitter they become...."


Because being liberal is about blaming others for your failures. And Andy is geting near the end of the line...

[plain talk]

Not sure if he is senile or just another garden variety ignorant atheist who gets worked up about something he doesn't believe in.

[BluSky]

The left reside in a state of perpetual anger.

It would seem as Rooney gets closer to triple digits, he would come closer to God.

[Ingtar]

As to how much money he will make, I have considered buying extra tickets to reward him for his courage in making this film, and the local theater for their courage in showing it.

[Owen]

Like Charlton Heston's decision to do sci fi, Mel Gibson has taken up the mantle of great conservative men or the arts and asserted personal artistic courage.

Heston's courage was profound in retrospect. He was Moses. He was Ben Hur. The top of his profession. He could have rested on his laurels. But he chose artistic courage instead. And now, so has Gibson. Gibson's career is already made from Braveheart to Hamlet to Lethal Weapons. Did he rest on his laurels? No. He stepped forward with courage and tried something new.

Applause. Whether it is a good film or a bad film, whether religiously uplifting or not. Applause for his courage.

[mware]

How many million dollars does it look as if you're going to make off the crucifixion of Christ?"

I have a question for you Mr Rooney.

How many souls will Mel Gibson save by making this movie? One other think Mr Rooney, How much money did Tom Hanks make off of, "Saving Private Ryan?" "How much money did Steven Spileberg make off of the Holocaust???"

[MississippiMan]

It would seem as Rooney gets closer to triple digits, he would come closer to God.

I believe some people reject God so fervently for so long, that it becomes irreversible, the self-inflicted situation of the unpardonable sin. God speaks to everyone, and we never know when He will decide that He's spoken enough to someone, and leave them alone. Forever. When I see an older person who is filled with such hatred or even indifference toward God, I can't help but wonder if they've passed that point of no return. How utterly terrifying.

MM

[blackie]

That waa just a put down ~ we have the lunatic left on the run and they're fit to be tied!

I love observing as they come unglued!

[chachacha]

Wouldn't you just love to see Andy when the day of reckoning arrives for him.

[BluSky]

I absolutely agree with you.

[vpintheak]

Shows what the lowlife scumbag knows about God. God does not make mistakes!

[John Lenin]

Andy Rooney has



Typical liberal

[feedback doctor]

One of the morning talk shows (Good Morning America????) had a debate about "The Passion" - I think they titled the segment - IS IT WORTH SEEING? Now I ask you, in the past 25 years has one talk show or news program ever approached a movie, TV show, or entertainment event from that perspective? I will tell you -Absolutely Not! And why, because of what this movie is, and what it isn't. It isn't a movie that talks about this good guy, this loving guy, that got a raw deal. It isn't a movie where the message is "you all try to be more loving." The whole focus of the film is that evil (sin) has a heavy price, and that price will be paid, but God allowed Himself the take the punishment because of His great love for us. The world wants it easy, where you have to try to be good. They want a formula on how to measure up. Even in the church we seem to want formulas on how to have prayer answered, on how to be healed etc. The God of the Bible is so different. Judaism and Christianity (really fulfilled Judaism) are the only religions where God comes to dwell among and in you, the mystery, the Messiah in you, the Hope of Glory.

[TomEwall]

Well said.

[isasis]

Amen! Point taken, and a good point it is.