The overwhelming first point all conservatives should take from the latest Pat Robertson remarks is the new assembly line for conservative gaffes: from David Brock’s Media Matters for America directly to the Associated Press, and then right into the cable news networks, like CNN, which hyped them on “The Situation Room” yesterday in the middle of their reporting on Sharon.
People for the American Way larded on to the manufactured liberal controversy with the usual line claiming Robertson has immense influence in the GOP and the White House. But isn’t it fascinating that a liberal media which cannot seem to locate the regular gaffes of the chairman of the Democratic National Committee keeps lapping up lulus on “The 700 Club”?
As a Biblical matter, Robertson claims as his reference the book of the prophet Joel, but Joel 3 says he will “enter into judgment” on the dividers of his land “when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,” when “I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehosaphat.” Forgive me for being literal where the verse may be metaphorical, but I haven’t seen that on the news just yet. Do you think the ADL, fulminating in press releases about the Robertson vision of a “cruel and vengeful God,” will release their own theological or textual analysis of Joel? Don’t hold your God-given breath.