Meditation 822
True Story: Pat Robertson is a liar
by: JT
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Normally, I am careful. I try not to write someone is a liar. I try to remember to write that I think someone is a liar. There is a difference both in logic, and, importantly in these litigious times, in law. But, this time I will make an exception. I'll state clearly: the televangelist Pat Robertson is a liar.
Robertson's ignorant statement on the Haiti tragedy has been widely reported. But for those unfamiliar with it, I will extract from the CNN website report:[1]
The Haitians "were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever," Robertson said on his broadcast Wednesday. "And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story.(emphasis added) And so, the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' "
"You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other."
See why I am stating that Pat Robertson is a liar? Two words -"True story"!
Of course it's not a true story. It's sick demented nonsense. And it shows he did not bother to review Haiti's history before opening his mouth. Here's a true story: Haiti achieved independence from France under Napoleon in 1803, not Napoleon III nearly half a century later.
Now in a subsequent press release on his website, Robertson now claims about this incident:
Robertson also spoke about Haiti’s history. His comments were based on the widely-discussed 1791 slave rebellion led by Boukman Dutty at Bois Caiman, where the slaves allegedly (emphasis added) made a famous pact with the devil in exchange for victory over the French.
Robertson is just backtracking with dishonest bullcrap to avoid admitting he was factually wrong. That particular incident started with a voodoo ceremony, not a deal with the devil. And the outcome was not a victory over the French, but a defeat and the execution of Boukman Dutty. No devil, and no victory. And of course, in 1791, Napoleon was not even a factor - he was still a lowly lieutenant in Corsica. The facts of 1791 simply do not correspond with Robertson's initial "true story." It was another 12 years, including a period when the Haitians fought on the side of the French before rebelling again, until independence was achieved.
And notice that in his explanation Robertson has dropped "True story" to "allegedly." He obviously knows he lied in his initial comment.[2]
What is really amazing is that immediately after his twisted claim about the deal with the devil, Robertson asked his viewers to send him money for Haitian relief. I agree that money should be contributed for this worthy cause, but don't send it to someone who has obscenely enriched himself through his ministry. Don't send a donation to someone with sticky fingers.
There are many legitimate charities helping in Haiti. I personally recommend Medicins Sans Frontieres who were already operating in the country prior to the earthquake. But there are also others doing good work.
Footnote:
- I had planned to embed the You Tube video of his actual comments, but Robertson's CBN exerted its copyright privileges and had the video removed. Now why would they have done that?
- Another lie from Robertson - On Pat Robertson's website, he refers to himself as a statesman. My dictionary defines statesman as: a person who shows wisdom and skill in conducting state affairs and treating public issues, or one experienced or engaged in the business of government. Pat Robertson fits no part of that definition. None of the material on his "Statesman" page supports the claim to be a statesman. Pat Robertson is not now a statesman and never has been.