Shame On You!

It took a tragedy of historic and epic proportions to bring to the forefront that which was most important. With the earthquake that devastated Haiti, suddenly the daily trivialities of life were tossed aside and we were all driven by an inner voice to put aside our petty differences and to think of what we could do – even in some small way - to help those in need. Well almost every one.

Over the last 12 months I have chronicled many instances of political chicanery by the Right, and yes even some by the Left. While all were deserving of winning the lofty status accorded them, not until now did I finally come across two shining examples of humanity that prove beyond the shadow of a doubt just how low some can sink when push comes to shove.

And while I find it abhorrent to start this year’s Shame on You awards in the backdrop of such a horrific event, to ignore the deplorable conduct of these individuals is equally wrong. They have not only earned this month’s infamous honors, they have gone above and beyond to display in full bloom their dizzying minuscule intellects. I’d say both these individuals have hit rock bottom here, but I fear sadly that may not be the case. For now, let’s just say this one takes the cake.

There is no first place; both are equally obnoxious. So without further ado.

Pat Robertson. For most of his scandalous and hypocritical career as founder of the Christian Coalition and host of The 700 Club Robertson has said many inflammatory and outrageous things and brought great shame upon a faith that sadly has had more than its fair share of shameful chapters throughout its history. But none were more outrageous and completely devoid of any sensitivity and Christian spirit than the words he vomited over the air less than 24 hours after the Haitian earthquake.

“Christy, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, uh, you know, Napoleon the third and whatever, and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, we will serve you, if you get us free from the French, true story. And so the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' And they kicked the French out, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by one thing after the other, desperately poor. The Island of Hispaniola is one island cut down the middle. On the one side is Haiti, on the other side is the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is, is, prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etc. Haiti is in desperate poverty, same Islands, uh, they need to have, and we need to pray for them, a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I'm optimistic something good may come, but right now we're helping the suffering people, and the suffering is unimaginable.”


Forget for a moment the revisionist history lesson, which is always skewed when it comes to the West, the simple matter of fact was that Robertson, at a time when responsible religious leaders were doing their best to offer their prayers and imploring their congregations to lend whatever support they could afford, once more revealed the dark side of himself and Christianity to a world that doesn’t need any more examples of man’s inhumanity to man.

Too often men like Robertson have not only stuck their proverbial feet in their mouths but put a stain on all Christians in the process. The “devil” in this case is not some entity that the Haitians entered into a pact with some two centuries ago, but the ignorance and hatred that the Church has had to put up with from people of his ilk. Bill Maher, a noted comedian and self-proclaimed atheist, has made it his life’s work to expose just how fraudulent and idiotic all religions are. From his point of view he is correct. The unfortunate and sad truth is that it is the charlatans of our faith that have become its ambassadors to a mostly uneducated and susceptible world. A world that hardly ever sees the mercy and compassion of Jesus; merely the fire and brimstone of clowns like Robertson. It was at least gratifying to know that in this instance, he was outed not only by the majority of the world, but by many within the Church. Miracles, I guess, do happen.

And speaking of clowns, Rush Limbaugh really outdid himself this week. Always eager to show off his never bounding ignorance on anything resembling facts, his comments on Obama’s quick response to the Haitian earthquake surpassed even his “supercilious” heights. I’ll let the maestro tell it in his own words.

“Here's President Obama speaking about Haiti this morning in Washington at the White House. He held a press conference. Now, I want you to remember, it took him three days to respond to the Christmas Day Fruit of Kaboom Bomber, three days. And when he came out after those three days, he was clearly irritated that he had to do it. He didn't want to do it. He comes out here in less than 24 hours to speak about Haiti.

“Oh, this is what he lives for. He lives for serving those in misery. Now, don't misunderstand here, folks. I don't have the whole press conference, but I wonder did he apologize for America before acknowledging we are the only people on earth that can possibly help 'em out down there in any significant way? By the way, I've checked it out, Cuba has offered nothing. Venezuela has offered nothing. They have nothing to offer.

“Yes, I think in the Haiti earthquake, ladies and gentlemen -- in the words of Rahm Emanuel -- we have another crisis simply too good to waste. This will play right into Obama's hands. He's humanitarian, compassionate. They'll use this to burnish their, shall we say, "credibility" with the black community -- in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country. It's made-to-order for them. That's why he couldn't wait to get out there, could not wait to get out there.”Despicable would be a word in a half for the depravity of this man. Like his compadre above, Rush Limbaugh can reduce any thing to its basest element. It is one thing to have a disdain for political correctness; it is quite another to behave like an insensitive ass. When even Sean Hannity’s website has a link for Haitian relief, you know you’re out in left field, or should I say right field.

Jon Stewart said it best. “I think I know the cause of your heart trouble. You don’t have one.” Apparently he doesn’t have a brain either.