News Pat Robertson and the power of free speech

[Evo]

So, if some other "religious nut" did decide to assassinate Chavez because of what Robertson said, how would that make him any different than bin Laden?

bin Laden recruits, trains, arms and funds terrorists. Before 9/11 he had special training camps, probably still does, although more discreet.

Robertson isn't doing any of that. If some nut decides to go through with what Robertson talks about, it still doesn't make Robertson a terrorist.

 

[russ_watters]

It depends on how specific his statements are, but there is a law against "terroristic threats". Plus, if someone actually did shoot the President of Mexico and said he was "inspired" by Robertson, it could be possible to charge Robertson with a lesser charge of murder (not sure how that applies internationally).

But yeah - tough to call someone who is all talk a "terrorist".

And Penguino's point is valid - we've had quite a number of people here make suggestions/threats of violent acts. By your definition, Art, those people would be terrorists.

 

[Burnsys]

bin Laden recruits, trains, arms and funds terrorists. Before 9/11 he had special training camps, probably still does, although more discreet.
Robertson isn't doing any of that. If some nut decides to go through with what Robertson talks about, it still doesn't make Robertson a terrorist.

I know it's a little off topic but, evo, do you know who, recruited, funded armed and trained OBL and the mujaidin?

 

[Evo]

I know it's a little off topic but, evo, do you know who, recruited, funded armed and trained OBL and the mujaidin?

If you are referring to US aid, it's common knowledge. I suppose you know it was to help them regain control of their own government, not to terrorize civilians of other countries. And you're right, it has nothing to do with the topic.

 

[Smurf]

Plus, if someone actually did shoot the President of Mexico and said he was "inspired" by Robertson,

don't you mean venezuela?

 

[loseyourname]

don't you mean venezuela?

Well, if some nut killed the president of any country and claimed that Robertson incited him, Robertson could be charged if there was enough evidence. It's not an easy thing to prove, though, especially since Robertson didn't call for a follower of his to assassinate Mr. Chavez. He called for US covert ops to do it.

 

[Burnsys]

i wonder if the secret service or the fbi visited pat Robertson and O'Reilly after advocating terrorism...

But we are sure they visited this schoolkid becouse he "had taken a photo of George Bush out of a magazine and tacked the picture to a wall with a red thumb tack through his head."
http://www.alternet.org/walmart/26503/

" The Secret Service questioned a 15-year-old boy last week and confiscated drawings he made depicting President Bush as the devil"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/28/national/main614193.shtml

 

[russ_watters]

don't you mean venezuela?

Yes, sorry. Anyway, here's the quote:

You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it. It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war...

We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator. It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with.

Anyway, I threw out that "terroristic threats" thing largely as a hypothetical. Since he doesn't threaten to do it himself and he isn't calling for his followers to do it, it doesn't qualify.

 

[enigma]

He always has on his television show, although he did change hhis tone when he ran for president.

He did? I seem to recall reading that he advocated instituting a 'prayer police' squad, where the 'cops' would 'pray' for guidance, and when 'God' responded to them to tell them that someone was doing something 'evil', they had full authority to arrest him.

EDIT: Can't seem to track down a source on that, so it may not be reputable.

Those people are the worst threat to rational thought on the face of the planet.

Pat Roberson Quotes