Virginia's biggest crackpot has opened his mouth again. This time, Republican right-winger Rev. Pat Robertson thinks that Ariel Sharon's recent stroke and Yitzhak Rabin's assassination were the smiting of an angry God:
I have said last year that Israel was entering into the most dangerous period of its entire existence as a nation. That is intensifying this year with the loss of Sharon. Sharon was personally a very likeable person. I am sad to see him in this condition. But I think we need to look at the Bible and the Book of Joel. The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who, quote, "divide my land." God considers this land to be his. You read the Bible, he says, "This is my land." And for any prime minister of Israel who decides he going carve it up and give it away, God says, "No. This is mine." And the same thing -- I had a wonderful meeting with Yitzhak Rabin in 1974. He was tragically assassinated, and it was terrible thing that happened, but nevertheless, he was dead. And now Ariel Sharon, who was again a very likeable person, a delightful person to be with. I prayed with him personally. But here he is at the point of death. He was dividing God's land, and I would say woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the EU, the United Nations or United States of America. God said, "This land belongs to me, you better leave it alone."
And, for those of you that think this is just the harmless musings of a barely noticed preacher, please note this headline in Israel's Ynetnews, the country's leading news web site:
Robertson: God punished SharonEvangelical broadcaster warns Israeli prime ministers against making Sharon?s mistake of endorsing a division of Holy Land
So, Robertson's the embarrassing representative regarding this tragedy for our state and for our country. This article is still headlined on the Ynetnews main page as of this morning. And, in the article's webpage, there's a link to the crazy talk of the Iranian President - fine company for Robertson - on the tragedy.
Also, the 700 Club, where the Rev. issues his proclamations on who should die and why, is broadcast nationwide by ABC Family. Robertson is relevant, and it's high time for such status to end. Tell ABC that it's high time to take this embarrasment off the air. His show certainly is not Family friendly.
[UPDATE 1/7/06: The Washington Post has an editorial entitled, "Robertson{heart}Ahmadinejad." Among other things, the Post has this to say: "Pat Robertson and [Iranian President] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are probably beyond the point where they can be reached by embarrassment or shame. But they are not beyond the kind of strong condemnation that they have richly earned." How true. Now, when are Republicans like George Allen going to denounce Pat Robertson, just as Bill Clinton had his "Sister Souljah momen?"]