Oops! Another US blunder, highlighted today on the BBC website which should serve to remind us that religious extremism is by no means restricted to the Islam faith.
Right wing “christian” nutcase (and FAR more worrying – ex presidential candidate) Pat Robertson has publicly urged the US to assassinate the new thorn in their side – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Mr Robertson, 75, said on Monday’s edition of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), the 700 Club:
“We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability.”
“It’s a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with.”
So much for Christian forgiveness…whatever happened to: “Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone” or “love thy neighbour as thyself” – must have been a misprint in the 700 club’s most recent bible reprint.
Chavez is, undoubtedly, no angel himself and he may well be a little on the paranoid side, but given the level of US hegemony that is now part of all our daily lives, along with the fact that Venezuela is the 5th largest oil producer in the world, I think it’s fair to say that his paranoia is at least partially justified, especially in view of the sort of extremist nonsense that Robertson is expousing.
I’m no lawyer (thankfully!) but it seems to me that Robertson’s comments make him indictable as a terrorist under the provisions contained in the US Patriot Act. Specifically, Section 411 (Definitions relating to Terrorism) includes the following relevant clauses:-
(iv) ENGAGE IN TERRORIST ACTIVITY DEFINED- As used in this chapter, the term `engage in terrorist activity’ means, in an individual capacity or as a member of an organization-
(I) to commit or to incite to commit, under circumstances indicating an intention to cause death or serious bodily injury, a terrorist activity;
But of course Robertson will NOT be arrested/indicted. Why? Partly because as a bible thumping right-wing Republican dimwit, he shares many of the same viewpoints as “President” Dubya, but mostly because he’s got the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card you can hold in the US (or anywhere really); he is filthy rich!
We can only hope that the Home Offices plans to deport potential terrorists will include a special provision to deny Pat and his flag-waving God-bothering Osmond clones entry into the UK, if they ever decide to visit.
We don’t need HIS sort here!
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