US State Department protests televangelist's nuclear threat; Robertson wants to nuke State Dept.

AFP | http://www.spacewar.com/2003/031009191517.3ugt4crn.html

[Brian S]

WASHINGTON (AFP) Oct 09, 2003

The US State Department has lodged a vehement complaint with prominent conservative televangelist Pat Robertson for comments suggesting that its Foggy Bottom headquarters should be destroyed with nuclear weapons, officials said Thursday.

Spokesman Richard Boucher called the remarks -- which Robertson made last week on his nationally televised "700 Club" program -- "despicable" and a senior department official said a protest had been made "at the highest level."

"I lack sufficient capabilities to express my disdain," Boucher told reporters when asked about Robertson's comments. "I think the very idea, though, is despicable."

The senior official said Robertson had been made aware of Secretary of State Colin Powell's extreme outrage at the tone and content of the remarks.

"That's not the way one expresses an opinion in Washington," the official said, adding that Robertson's conduct had been "outrageous."

Robertson, who has been a frequent critic of the State Department, made the offending comments during an interview with a like-minded critic of US diplomacy, columnist Joel Mowbray, who has written a book entitled "Dangerous Diplomacy: How the State Department Threatens American Security."

"I read your book," Robertson said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on his Christian Broadcasting Network's website (www.cbn.com).

"When you get through, you say, 'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom, I think that's the answer'," he said.

"I mean, you get through this, and you say, 'We've got to blow that thing up.' I mean, is it as bad as you say?" Robertson asked.

Mowbray responded: "It is."

Mowbray's book accuses the State Department of endangering the security of the United States by allegedly cavorting with sponsors of terrorism, negligence or incompetence in the visa issuance process and ignoring the travails of US citizens abroad.

[mmandahl]

Someone should thump the bible-thumper.

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[Dog]

"That's not the way one expresses an opinion in Washington," the official said, adding that Robertson's conduct had been "outrageous." It's called freedom of speech...

[Dog]

Why........... because he expressed his opinion...

[Poohbah]

"When you get through, you say, 'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom, I think that's the answer'," he said.

God, could You please tell this guy to shut up?

[Argus]

Laughing too hard to comment right now.

[sport]

Got my vote.

The State Department is and has been riddled with communists and communists sympathers.

[El Conservador]

When you thought Pat Robertson wasn't capable of inserting his foot in his mouth YET AGAIN!!!

Please, Reverend, shut your mouth!!!

As if the 700 Club wasn't enough...

[semaj]

I don't get it.

[Stopislamnow]

I caught that segment of the 700 club.

Very good segment.

Sad thing is, he's right.

SD needs a very deep purging.

[Texas_Jarhead]

""I mean, you get through this, and you say, 'We've got to blow that thing up.' I mean, is it as bad as you say?" Robertson asked.

Mowbray responded: "It is.""

Looks like Robertson was simply re-stating what the other of the book had suggested.

[tet68]

I don't get it, Robertson didn't say this , Mowbray did, at least that is how I read it.

They are discussing Mowbrays book.

"I read your book," Robertson said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on his Christian Broadcasting Network's website (www.cbn.com).

"When you get through, you say, 'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom, I think that's the answer'," he said.

"I mean, you get through this, and you say, 'We've got to blow that thing up.' I mean, is it as bad as you say?" Robertson asked.

Mowbray responded: "It is."

Robertson didn't say this , Mowbray did in his book.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Another intelligence failure! Who knew the 700 Club was in violation of the non-proliferation agreement?

[sport]

I agree.

[habs4ever]

...more fine words from the genuis that left his marks all over the CA GOP....

[WackyKat]

Jesus save us from your followers.

[Alouette]

Pat Robertson has nukes?