http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/23/robertson.chavez/index.html


On Monday, Pat Robertson addressed the issue of President Chavez (president of Venezuela), remarking we should "go ahead do it." The 'it' being assasinate Chavez due to the state his country is in.

I don't know what surprises me more, the fact that people actually watch the 700 Club, or the loyal following of those who support Robertson. (as a side note, i was home sick one day from the office and due to lack of cable, i did watch an episode of the 700 club and found it not so bad. that is, until the very last 7 minutes where the guy onscreen proceeded to pray the sinner's prayer into the camera with his eyes closed. also--there were no asinine statements made during that program.)

Robertson often plays on the fact that his viewers and listeners have very little knowledge of world events, and who are we kidding? look at his audience, the acclaimed 'Greatest Generation.' my grandmother listens to his radio programs frequently (though to her credit, does disagree with nearly all of his political positions) This generation is one who fought in the world wars, who supported the troops, who believe in the idea of America. Yet, they often are more interested in domestic than foreign issues, and b/c the American media is completely biased, it is hard to keep an eye out for countries that are not making the news, case in point: Venezuela.

The issue at hand is gas and drugs. Let's face it. Venezuela does have an ample oil supply, and gas prices are predicted to reach $3 a gallon before year end. I remember asking the question in college: Why don't we abandon our efforts at obtaining oil from the Middle East and deal with the Central American supply? Can't they just turn up their tap?

Unfortunately, the oil supply in Central America is dramatically less available than what is over in the Middle East. And Saudi Arabia knows that, and uses that knowledge to their advantage.

Our problems in Central and South America are of a different nature. The drug trade is taking over the governments, wreaking havoc on the entire economic system. Most of these drug organizations are feeding their products into this country. Arrests for those involved with multiple drug transportation rings with international ties were made throughout the US on Monday. Not only in the big cities, New York and LA, people were caught in the ever-safe Midwest state of Des Moines, Iowa. It's no longer and international problem.

All this to say, that yes, I do not think that Chavez is an entirely innocent pawn. Have you ever seen a politician who fits that description? The problems that are raging in his country to not attribute well to his governing ability. However, when do we as Christian leaders make comments about assasination? America is largely viewed (although wrongly) as a Christian nation. I knew two Muslim guys fairly well when I was in college. We had a lot of classes together. We approached the subject of religion tentatively one day. And they kept mentioning "Christian nations" as opposed to the East. I asked them for an example of a representative Christian woman (a man was too easy, they would have said Bush) from the US. Do you know what their response was?

Madonna.

Look at our position in the world. Look at how we are viewed. And choose your words carefully. Does it matter?

I think it does.

posted by Kelly @ 12:13:00 PM