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OPINIONS
[ Monday, Jan. 9, 2006 ]

Pat Robertson: Comments make light of peace process
 
Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final responsibility.

Pat Roberston has done it again.

The Christian televangelist and The 700 Club host recently made comments concerning Ariel Sharon's stroke, saying Israeli prime minister deserved his fate for removing Israeli settlers and returning the land to Palestinians.

"He was dividing God's land and I would say woe unto any Prime Minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations, or the United States of America," he said on The 700 Club Jan. 5. "God says 'this land belongs to me. You'd better leave it alone.' "

Robertson's latest comments about Sharon's declining health showed a blatant disregard for the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East. Sharon started the most recent round of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, including the Gaza pullout in mid-August. If he dies, it may lead to more unrest in the region and set back the peace process for many years.

These statements may cause foreign leaders to take Robertson more seriously than many U.S. citizens, who see Robertson as simply another figure trying to steal the media spotlight with his outrageous comments.

Leaders of other countries could look at Robertson as a representative of the American sentiment, though in reality, he represents only a small minority of the population.

And this isn't the first time Robertson has decided to address foreign policy. Last August, he also suggested that the U.S. assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, saying "it's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war."

Robertson doesn't seem to know any bounds, which could very well lead to future foreign policy issues if his words are accepted as truth by the rest of the world.

 


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Updated Monday, January 09, 2006  1:01:09 AM  -5
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