Pat Robertson's Latest "Foot-In-Mouth" Gaffe

By now, I am sure most of you have seen the horrific devastation in Haiti, wrought by this week's massive earthquake.   The pictures, videos and personal accounts of suffering and death cannot help but stir one's compassion and desire to assist these destitute people.

And then: along comes another bonehead commentary from none other than the "Rev." Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network.   Take a look and a listen, via Fox News:



At one time, I rather admired Robertson, for starting up a Christian radio and TV network out of nothing.  CBN once owned five radio stations in Upstate New York, and I would listen to their contemporary Christian music programming back in the early 1970s.   And I enjoyed it very much.   These stations today, however, were sold off in the spring of 1981, and, as far as I know, CBN only does television, out of their Virginia Beach headquarters.

But my feelings about the man changed back in 1988, when he ran for President of the United States.   His commentaries on his flagship program, "The 700 Club", became more and more political in nature.   And what was shocking to me was the way his audience (and even some of his co-hosts) would look to Robertson as some sort of 'great expert' about politics (both foreign and domestic).   They looked like what I call "bobble-head dolls": just nodding and smiling at whatever 'pearls of wisdom' were falling from his lips.   It seemed to me to come very close to manipulation of the audience.   Slowly but surely, I began to think the man was off his rocker.

Those feelings were intensified, when Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke several years ago.   In past years, Robertson proclaimed himself a friend of Israel, and had assisted the Israelis with several projects aimed at Christian visitors to Israel.   But then, Robertson came out with the astonishing 'revelation' that Mr. Sharon's stroke was sent as a punishment from God, because of Mr. Sharon's dealings with the 'Palestinian Authority' -- that is, ceding 'land for peace' (which, BTW, I do not agree with -- but that's another story for another time.).   But Robertson's comments infuriated the Israelis, and the government decided then and there that Robertson would not be welcomed to work on any further tourism projects.  He would be able to visit Israel as a tourist.   But there would be no further working together on an official basis.

Of course, who could forget what Robertson and his fellow televangelist Jerry Falwell said in the wake of 9/11?    Both of them brought embarrassment to the church, and Christians as a whole.

Now--in the wake of this ghastly disaster in Haiti: behold, we have yet another 'foot-in-mouth-moment' from Robertson!   Notice again how his co-host (if that is what the woman sitting beside him is) gazes at him as if he is a true 'prophet of God'.   When he speaks, he sounds like a complete fool.   Where does he get this 'information' from, anyway?    He can't even get the right "Napoleon", for heaven's sake!    (It was Napoleon Bonaparte, in the early 1800s; Napoleon III ruled France in the 1850s and 1860s.)

I wish he would do the Christian world a big favor, and retire from the airwaves.   Better yet, I would like to see Christians using their BRAINS for a change, and supporting level-headed ministries like Franklin Graham's "Samaritan's Purse", who are truly aiding the desperate in Haiti.   Or, at the very least, Robertson needs to put a bridle on his tongue.   Or engage his brain with his mouth.   He has done too much damage to Christianity as it is.