Pat Robertson’s statement that the US should knock off Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, because he is a “terrific danger” to the US and Venezuela will become “the launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism.” is a perfect illustration, outrage not withstanding, of the difference between public and private morality. It’s alright for Robertson to suggest murder, as long as it’s the State that’s carrying it out. If, on the other hand, Robertson were to seriously suggest that he was planning to kill his neighbor, or a competitor, what do you suppose the reaction might be? As I said, the comments have caused some public sensation, but not as much as they should have. In a more civilized era, Robertson would no doubt have been shunned to the point of effective non-existence for comments like these.
Robertson may not be aware that the US does not engage in political assassinations. It is, in fact, illegal by Executive Order;
“Prohibition of Assassination. No employee of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, political assassination.”
Setting aside morality for the moment, Robertson identifies “communist infiltration” and “Muslim extremism” as his motives for the killing. Don’t make me laugh. Communism failed, as it was preordained to do. It never had a chance of succeeding and should have been greeted with snickers when first proposed. Robertson must be one of the only people left who’s willing to publicly say that he believes communism can work, so much so that he’s willing to commit murder to stop it. The irony of a prominent Fundie talking about Muslim extremism is…well he makes it too easy. Chavez is a danger to Venezuela, not the US, and it’s Venezuela’s problem to solve, if they choose to do so. America’s problem is Pat Robertson.
The contemptible thing about these kinds of helpful suggestions by warmongers is that they invariably involve someone else doing the dirty work. I say that if Robertson wants Chavez on the slab, he should have the guts to do the job personally.