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.
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