Would Jesus order a hit?

One of the comforting things about the "religious" right is that if you let them talk long enough they'll say what they really think. It doesn't happen too frequently anymore of course. The bible-belters have come a long way since the innocent 60s when their bigoted, rascist beliefs where easier to see.

Nowadays it's usually all in code, it sells better in the media. You know the game: "Intelligent Design" rather than creationism, "culture of life" rather than anti-scientific, that sort of thing.

The problem for the right is that some of them actually have a sincere belief in the intolerant idiocies which cannot always be coded.

So it is with cappo di tutti Christi Pat Robertson who this week put out a contract on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. evangelist Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, saying the leftist leader wanted to turn his country into "the launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."

The founder of the Christian Coalition said during the Monday night television broadcast of his religious program, "The 700 Club," that Chavez, one the most vocal critics of President George W. Bush, was a "terrific danger" to the United States.

"We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability," Robertson said.

"We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator," he continued. "It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with."

The administration's rather mild response demonstrates the tight-rope BushCorp™ must walk with these loonies:

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack condemned Robertson's comments as "inappropriate" and said they were from a private citizen and did not represent the U.S. government position.

Oh good golly gosh, calling for the murder of a democratically elected leader is "inappropriate"?!

If I recall correctly, wearing white shoes after Labor day is inappropriate, calling for murder is something else entirely. But any deeper criticism would alienate those on the right who secretly, in their heart of hearts, agree with Robertson's ravings.