Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America, Urges Assassination of Venezualan President Hugo Chavez

Ooops, the mask slips...

(Courtesy of Melissa Purdue)

Robertson urges assassinating Chavez
ASSOCIATED PRESS, printed in the Lexington Herald-Leader

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson called yesterday for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, calling him a "terrific danger" to the United States.

Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a former presidential candidate, said on The 700 Club it was the United States' duty to stop Chavez from making Venezuela a "launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."

Chavez has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of President Bush, accusing the United States of conspiring to topple his government and possibly backing plots to assassinate him. U.S. officials have called the accusations ridiculous.

"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," Robertson said. "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war ... and I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

Electronic pages and a message to a Robertson spokeswoman were not immediately returned Monday evening.

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