Comments on: White House To Robertson: Shut Your Piehole

By: Sean P

Sean P — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 03:46:30 +0000

tst: Reid may not have said Moore speaks for him, but he has said “SE” Kos does, at least by implication, owing to his fawning over him by attending that strategy session, or whatever it was. And while calling the thugs who kill our soldiers “Minutemen” was pretty vile, I think dismissing the murder of American soldiers with a callous “screw ‘em” was somehow worse.

By: peter

peter — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 02:08:29 +0000

Well, no, I don’t think that a political party is “responsible for the views of every person who tried to run for president under its banner” — but when they call for the death of the head of state of an ally, I think you make an exception –

Also, I think the audience here is Al Jazeera and the Arab world as much as for domestic ears — it is a smart move, not least because you know that Robertson will be quoted throughout the Arab press, and a quick denunciation from the White House is the right thing to do –

As for Al Sharpton: I think there is a difference between buffoonery and suggesting that Sharon’s death (or 9/11) is God’s way. Also, when Jesse Jackson made the Hymietown remarks, he was roundly condemned by the Democrats -

By: too many steves

too many steves — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 02:03:22 +0000

OMG! I’m going to defend Senator Reid, et al! Silence does not equal endorsement, period; or until Reid says that Moore speaks for him, at least. But, it is notable and noteworthy that the White House moved swiftly to criticize Robertson, and not just because it was politically expedient, but because it is right and Robertson is such a complete and utter tool.

Btw Pat, I want no part of a God that would stoop so low as to punish wrongdoing as you claim he has done in New Orleans (via Katrina) and with Ariel Sharon. What happened to the omniscent, omnipotent, and benevolent god the 700 Club is selling?

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 01:11:22 +0000

Oh, I don’t disagree, Sean – I’m glad the Bush administration condemned the comment – but wouldn’t you agree there seems to be some sort of expectation? For example, if Bush didn’t say anything – don’t you think we’d see headlines of the ‘Bush Silent On Robertson Comments’ variety?

It’s not the condemnation I object to, but the expectation – last time I checked, Pat Robertson is not in the Bush cabinet…

By: Sean P

Sean P — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 01:02:57 +0000

Mark:

Plenty of bloggers and regular blog readers (myself included) jump over any idiotic comment from Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan, “SE” Kos, et al. and go after any Democratic officials who defend them. And while Reid doesn’t try to distance himself from the MooreOn crowd (he even attended a conference w/ Kos, if I’m not mistaken), that’s because Reid is an idiot. Keeping your distance from moral cretins (and Robertson’s post 9/11 comments were actually more vile than Moore’s, IMO) is not just the right thing to do, its good politics.

True, the MSM excercises a significant double standard when it comes to how Republicans treat “their” sons of bitches vs. how the Democrats do, but that’s a point for another day. Today, Robertson said something truly despicable, and he deserved to be slapped for it. By everybody.

By: dmac

dmac — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:33:24 +0000

Perhaps Dobson is not as bad as Robertson, but the “Spongebob Squarepants” controversy did not put him in a good light – I mean, for cryin’ out loud.

He’s also made statements that are dead – set against stem – cell research, and I have a huge problem with that kind of thinking. Of course he has a right to his opinions, but many of them seem quite intolerant, at least in terms of considering other viewpoints.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:26:48 +0000

“The difference is that Michael Moore never ran for his party’s nomination for President.”

Well Peter, that was 18 years ago, and anyone can run for a nomination. Robertson didn’t get anywhere when he ran.

Al Sharpton has said his share of doozies and has spent a career as a crooked race hustler, yet no one demands the Democrats answer for everything he says just because he’s run for their nomination.

Regarding Robertson, I read some guy joking that more and more he’s sounding like a mob thug. “You know, I think Ariel is swell, but you know, my boss, he’s one angry guy. He’s getting really P-O’d at what Ariel’s doing. It sure would be a shame if something were to happen to him.”

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:17:42 +0000

peter, come on – a political party is responsible for the views of every person who tried to run for president under its banner? I doubt you really believe in that standard – the real question is, did he get anywhere? I think we all know the answer to that…

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:15:14 +0000

Yeah, Dobson is in a bit of a different category – he makes moral judgements on issues that many people are uncomfortable with, and that’s his right and their right – but I haven’t seen him ever make just flat out crazy statements like Robertson…statements I often disagree with, yes, but not of the lunatic variety…

By: Martha

Martha — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 23:56:48 +0000

It was a stupid thing to say.
I will have to disagree with some comments on
Dobson, though. He does have some good advice and has helped a member of my family by sending out helpful information for a special need at that time.
I’ve never much agreed with Pat Robertson.