THE LAMEST STORY OF THE WEEK

Really, I can't believe this story is getting so much attention.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration swiftly and unequivocally distanced itself Tuesday from a suggestion by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson that American agents assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a frequent target of U.S. foreign policy.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, appearing at a Pentagon news conference, said when asked: "Our department doesn't do that kind of thing. It's against the law. He's a private citizen. Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time."

Acknowledging differences with the Caracas government, and saying it should be promoting democracy in the Western Hemisphere, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called Robertson's remarks "inappropriate."

"This is not the policy of the United States government. We do not share his views," McCormack said in a flat refutation of Robertson's suggestion that the United States "take out" Chavez to stop Venezuela from becoming a "launching pad for communist influence and Muslim extremism."

In Caracas, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel called Robertson's statement criminal and terrorist. "The ball is in the U.S. court," he said.

Robertson, 75, is a founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a supporter of President Bush, who was elected twice with the solid backing of Christian conservatives.

AP Diplomatic Writer Barry Schweid is bending over backwards here to make a connection between Robertson and the President.

Schweid needs to take a class in logic.

Because Christian conservatives supported the President and because Robertson is a founder of the Christian Coalition of America that means President Bush and the U.S. government believe that Chavez should be assassinated.

HOW LAME!!!

This is so goofy I can't believe it!

"I would think that people around the world would take the comments for what they are," McCormack said. "They are the expression of one citizen."

...Rumsfeld said he knew of no consideration ever having been given to assassinating Chavez.

"Not to my knowledge and I would think I would have knowledge," Rumsfeld said.

McCormack said, "Any accusations or any idea that we are planning to take hostile action against Venezuela or the Venezuelan government _ any ideas in that regard _ are totally without fact and baseless."

The spokesman said the administration had urged Venezuela "to play a positive role in the hemisphere" and to have "an open, transparent and positive relationship that you would have between two sovereign states anywhere around the world."

It's utterly ridiculous that the Bush administration needs to answer for Pat Robertson.

The Venezuelan government and the liberal mainstream media should hold Robertson accountable for his words. Take it up with him.

Yes, Robertson is a public figure and his voice is heard by more people, thereby giving his comments more weight than those of the average person. That still doesn't mean that President Bush should be held responsible for the idiotic remarks of Pat Robertson.

I voted for Bush and so did lots of my friends, family, and co-workers. Hypothetically, if one of us called for the assassination of a foreign leader, should the Pentagon have to explain or back away from the statement?

Being a supporter of Bush does not mean that Robertson speaks for the administration.

It is absolutely insane.

It's all part of an effort to embarrass the President.

Robertson should be ashamed for saying something so off the wall.

The liberal media should be ashamed for the manner in which they are covering the story.

Robertson AND the media outlets that are blaming Bush for Robertson's comments digust me.

Note to Pat Robertson: If you want to promote the assassination of a world leader, turn your message into a work of art.

Then, it may be hailed as powerful artistic expression rather than dangerous and irresponsible.




Al Brandtner's work titled "Patriot Act"