robertson's folly

Robertson Espouses Assassin Solution
Washington Post
August 10, 1999

Christian Coalition President Pat Robertson suggested yesterday that assassinating troublesome world leaders would be a preferable alternative to U.S. policy that prohibits assassinations. "It would just seem so much more practical to have that flexibility," Robertson said.
"I know it sounds somewhat Machiavellian and evil, to think that you could send a squad in to take out somebody like Osama bin Laden, or to take out the head of North Korea," Robertson said on the "700 Club," his nationally syndicated religious television program. "But isn't it better to do something like that, to take out [Serbian President Slobodan] Milosevic, to take out [Iraqi president] Saddam Hussein, rather than to spend billions of dollars on a war that harms innocent civilians and destroys the infrastructure of a country? I just think it's the intelligent thing to do," he said "I don't see anything un-Christian about it"

I see this is old news… I wonder why it was in the news again today?
Oh yea … this is why: Furor grows over Robertson assassination remarks

Two or three things come to mind when I hear this:


Thou shalt not kill. - Exodus 20:13

7. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. …
9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
19. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,
21. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment
38. "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.
39. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also
43. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45. that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5
The Beatitudes : Sermon on the Mount : Jesus of Nazareth

U.S. Presidents Assassinated

Abraham Lincoln
James Abram Garfield
William McKinley
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
In 1982, Ronald Reagan became the first incumbent president of the United States to survive being struck by a would-be assassin's bullet.

robertson's folly? "a dangerous comment from someone with a 'captive' audience"