And now, from the "No wonder so many other countries hate us...it's all Pat Robertson's Fault!" files, and Yahoo! News

Sudiegirl sez: OK, just when you think things have calmed down and ol' Crazy Pat has had his nap that things would be OK, this happens. This is Pat Robertson's fault! I'm PISSED! As a Christian and a human being, he has really crossed the line from stupidity into "Strap this MF down in a chair!" Read my comments...please!


Israel Suspends Contact With Pat Robertson
By BRIAN MURPHY, AP Religion Writer
2 hours, 28 minutes ago

Israel has suspended contact with evangelist Pat Robertson for suggesting Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine punishment for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. (May I have permission to smack him on the forehead and say, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!", oh please?)

The controversy has cast doubt on plans for a Christian tourism center that would showcase the growing flow of money and influence from U.S. church groups. (Oh wait...it's gonna get better.)

The decision, announced Wednesday by Israeli officials, does not affect other Christian groups that also consider it their spiritual duty to support Israel as fulfillment of biblical prophecy. (Or just plain ol' being a Christian and supporting Jesus' heritage? What about that?)
Israeli leaders see the Christian allies as tireless lobbyists in Washington and elsewhere. The evangelicals also funnel millions of dollars each year to Jewish settlers in the West Bank and — before last year's pullout — the Gaza Strip. (Wow. That I didn't know...)

Tourism Minister Abraham Hirchson said he gave instructions to "stop all contact" with groups associated with Robertson. Last week, Robertson implied Sharon's massive stroke was a blow for "dividing God's land" with the withdrawal from Gaza and four West Bank settlements. (I can't say as I blame him. Robertson's lucky that's ALL Israel's done. If I were in Hirchson's place, I would probably use much more choice words.)

But Hirchson said the order did not apply to "all the evangelical community, God forbid."
Robertson is leading a group of evangelicals who have pledged to raise $50 million to build the Christian Heritage Center in Israel's northern Galilee region, where tradition says Jesus lived and taught. (So, read this paragraph thoroughly to truly register in your mind HOW MUCH AN IDIOT COSTS US! In this case, it costs $50 million PLUS the chance to have such a wonderful resource for all those people who want to learn more about Christ's homeland.)

Under a tentative agreement, Robertson's group was to put up the funding, while Israel would provide land and infrastructure. Hirchson had predicted it would draw up to 1 million pilgrims a year, generate $1.5 billion in spending and support about 40,000 jobs. (This paragraph is also applicable in "How Much an Idiot Costs Us"!)

But the fate of the project is now in question, said Ido Hartuv, spokesman for the tourism ministry. (Damn Skippy.)

"We will not do business with him, only with other evangelicals who don't back these comments," Hartuv said. "We will do business with other evangelical leaders, friends of Israel, but not with him." (Wow...and to think that I was about 20 years ahead of the state of Israel in figuring that out. Oh well...it's still the right choice. I don't think I could trust Pat Robertson to buy me a pack of chewing gum at 7-Eleven at this point.)

A spokeswoman for Robertson's ministry declined to comment on Israel's decision.
"We have not talked to the Israelis on this topic," said spokeswoman Angell Watts. "We continue to maintain our long-standing commitment to the Jewish people and the state of Israel." (Translation: "We're trying to figure out how to explain our sorry asses out of this one.")

Robertson's comments on Sharon drew condemnation from other Christian leaders and President Bush. (Now I'm surprised at the latter. Really, I am. I guess their golf date is canceled, as well as the Elks Club membership smoker they were to attend...)

"God considers this land to be his," Robertson said on his TV program "The 700 Club." "You read the Bible and he says 'This is my land,' and for any prime minister of Israel who decides he is going to carve it up and give it away, God says, 'No, this is mine.'" (I've been down this road before...read the previous entry about old Crazy Pat to know what I think.)

The "Christian Zionist" movement began to take shape in the 19th century, but in recent decades it strengthened into a powerful force with deep pockets. Some estimates place the annual figure of evangelical aid to Israel at more than $25 million. The Gaza withdrawal has become a new and potent rallying point. (Wow. I'll never even see or touch that much money, and now Pat Robertson has cost this movement twice that much with one stupid, thoughtless action.)

In October, a group of Gaza settlers received a standing ovation from more than 5,000 Christians at a conference in Jerusalem sponsored by the International Christian Embassy, a private agency that promotes Christian ties to Israel.

Robertson's Christian Heritage Center is planned for 35 acres of rolling Galilee hills near key Christian sites, including Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and Tabgha — on the shores of the Sea of Galilee — where Christians believe Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fish. (AGAIN...I want to state how important these places are in Christian history, how important they are in the study of Christ's life and times, and how GLORIOUSLY old Crazy Pat has screwed this up for the rest of us!)

Israel was considering leasing the land to the Christians for free. (If you hear a dull pounding sound, that's my head on my computer desk as I chant, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" It's like throwing away a Powerball ticket and the next day hearing your ticket could have been the winner.)

Hartuv left the door open for continuing the project, but only with people who don't back Robertson's statements. (Dude! Call me...I'll collect soda cans, ANYTHING!)

"We want to see who in the group supports his (Robertson's) statements. Those who support the statements cannot do business with us. Those that publicly support Ariel Sharon's recovery ... are welcome to do business with us," Hartuv said. (I really hope the Christian community at large can bounce back from this one.)

Sudiegirl's final opinion?

Remind me to NEVER watch the Christian Broadcasting Network; also, if Crazy Pat ever tries to run for president again, do everything in my power to keep him from winning, even if it means doing a write-in vote for Miss Piggy.