Haitian ambassador: Our alleged “pact with the devil” helped your country a lot
posted at 7:03 pm on January 14, 2010 by Allahpundit
Via Breitbart, the Robertson story’s almost out of gas but a rejoinder this clever deserves wider airing. Most were content to hammer Reverend Pat yesterday for blaming the victims, but this guy’s after bigger game. If you’re trying to divine divine will by tracing a cause-and-effect line between certain historical data points, how do you know which data points to select? Does Haiti get no credit in the heavenly ledger for overthrowing a slaveholder regime and thereby bringing about the conditions for the U.S. to purchase the Louisiana territory? If not, if that’s spoiled by their, ahem, “pact with the devil,” does that mean the U.S. has some sort of reflected retribution coming because it profited from the deal (or was Katrina that retribution)? Or was the “pact with the devil” actually a good thing because God wanted the U.S. to have Louisiana — in which case, why are the Haitians supposedly being punished? If we do have retribution coming, how do we know when it’s finished — i.e., that Katrina wasn’t just part one of many? How come the Haitians needed help from the devil to get rid of slavery, anyway? Wasn’t God on their side? What about other non-Christian countries, as Peter Wehner asks? Stop me before I atheist-query again.
Note that Maddow doesn’t prompt this either; the ambassador offers it on his own, indicating the depth of his indignation. Below that you’ll find Gibbs, who was prompted, giving his own take. For once, he’s unobjectionable.
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Politics instead of aid. Real nice,
RobCon on January 14, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Robertson is an ass.
bloggless on January 14, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Nice softball for Fibbs.
RobCon on January 14, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Glad to see the WhiteHouse to respond to an 81 year old Private citizen, and take weeks to respond to the Iranian elections, Fort Hood, Christmas Plane Bomber, etc.
portlandon on January 14, 2010 at 7:06 PM
This jackass needs to worry less about what Robertson has to say and worry more about the pathetic conditions the Haitian people live in!
HornetSting on January 14, 2010 at 7:07 PM
hole bottom reached. cease digging.
ted c on January 14, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Gee, I almost forgot Harry Reid’s comment.
No double standard’s here.
RobCon on January 14, 2010 at 7:08 PM
That’s 3 steps or more ahead in chess.
BowHuntingTexas on January 14, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Why is the Haitian ambassador doing talk shows? Does he have nothing to do at the moment?
Ronnie on January 14, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Did you expect anything more? The dems earned alot of political capitol on Katrina.
portlandon on January 14, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Any dolt who continues to give money to Robertson or the 700 Club is a fool who deserves to be parted from his/her money. Friggin’ maroons.
packsoldier on January 14, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Too. Many. Exity questions.
BadgerHawk on January 14, 2010 at 7:10 PM
What are you talking about? They had already talked about Haiti aid by this point. Obama himself came out this morning and talked about it. Someone asked Gibbs a question about Robertson later in the presser so he answered. What is he supposed to do?
Allahpundit on January 14, 2010 at 7:12 PM
So the Haitians will refuse the Aide from Robertson’s charity drives and organizations right?
Didn’t think so.
portlandon on January 14, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Robertson is a rich-ass fraud.
bloggless on January 14, 2010 at 7:05 PM
FIFY.
Meremortal on January 14, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Who gives a crap about what Robertson says? Get aid to Haiti.
cubachi on January 14, 2010 at 7:13 PM
So the Haitians will refuse the Aide from Robertson’s charity drives and organizations right?
Didn’t think so.
portlandon on January 14, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Robertson is sending aid to devil-worshippers? This I have to verify…
Meremortal on January 14, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Robertson’s an old fool-but he’s not evil.
I’ll save the majority of my outrage for petty little things like-oh-socialized medicine or radical islam.
annoyinglittletwerp on January 14, 2010 at 7:15 PM
FIFY.
Babino on January 14, 2010 at 7:16 PM
FWIW this is actually quite systematized in many serious theological circles, not just the Pat Robertson kind.
I like Pannenberg for the reason that the Resurrection is of utmost importance for his concept of history as revelation. And as such, offers a great defense for the historicity of the resurrection. He strays in many regards, and ironically (at least as I interpret what he wrote) his Christology actually stands against his notion of history as revelation. All in all a great read, and a far better approach in interpreting historical events as revelation from God, then what Robertson offers (again, not orthodox, but worth reading). You’d love him, AP.
Weight of Glory on January 14, 2010 at 7:17 PM
The evil Bush/Cheney caused Katrina.//
farright on January 14, 2010 at 7:18 PM
I think Gibbs gave it more of a response than it deserved.
DaveS on January 14, 2010 at 7:19 PM
I don’t think any Haitian rep should even give Robertson the credit of even addressing his inane comment.
I’m not entirely sure she/MSNBC didn’t prompt him before the interview to say something.
JetBoy on January 14, 2010 at 7:19 PM
I should clarify: from what I’ve picked up from your various posts over the years, I think you’d enjoy him.
Weight of Glory on January 14, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Start by answering the C-SPAN question…
Seven Percent Solution on January 14, 2010 at 7:20 PM
I thought it was Karl Rove, swimming in circles in the Gulf of Mexico?
HornetSting on January 14, 2010 at 7:21 PM
Breaking News: Christians can be just as stupid as Non Christians!!!
portlandon on January 14, 2010 at 7:21 PM
So we should all practice voodoo?
tarpon on January 14, 2010 at 7:23 PM
Made a pact with the Devil once…
But enough about my ex-wife.
TXUS on January 14, 2010 at 7:24 PM
I don’t know why AP didn’t title Robertson’s pact statement “obligatory”. You had to know this was coming; that’s what Robertson does.
azkenreid on January 14, 2010 at 7:25 PM
ZING!
+10
alohapundit on January 14, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Yeah .. no surprise that you would find this “this clever”.
Pathetic.
neurosculptor on January 14, 2010 at 7:28 PM
I normally do not agree with anything Bobby Gibblets has to say about anything, but in light of the thoroughly absolutely assclown commentary by Pat Robertson yesterday pertaining to his somewhat warped-out goofy theory why Haiti just got all shook up right back to the Stone Age, I will somewhat reluctantly make an exception in this one single case only and agree with Gibblets.
Oh, and if I were Robertson right now, I would be worrying on the soon to be booming Robertson Voodoo Doll business that is about to erupt in that part of the world.
pilamaye on January 14, 2010 at 7:29 PM
Hm. If I were the Haitian Ambassador right now, I’d want to spend as much time as possible….talking about what some guy on a TV show said.
Dongemaharu on January 14, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Earthquake-stricken Haitians Overwhelmed by Robertson “Pact with the Devil” Remark and Haitian Ambassador’s Clever Rejoinder, but Mostly by Ambassador’s Clever Rejoinder.
Christien on January 14, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Best press secretary EvAh!!!!!!!1111111!!!!!!!!!eleventy
jukin on January 14, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Haiti went from Papa Doc to Baby Doc, there was a devil in that country, the leadership.
rob verdi on January 14, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Funny how Robertson is ‘utterly stupid’ but I never heard BO describe Jeremiah Wright this way……aids a gov plot, chickens coming home to roost, etc. Seems to me he distanced himself, but sure was not ridicule.
Of course 20 years of hearing JW and it all sounds plausible……
Starlink on January 14, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Robert Gibbs is incredibly stupid for answering the question at all. He amazes me.
ndulik on January 14, 2010 at 7:34 PM
It is the voodoo ghosts of catholics past
tomas on January 14, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Are you going to rant about the idiocy of the “karma” concept, too? Not too many people believe that little theory, there … I wonder what they might say about natural disasters and their causes.
neurosculptor on January 14, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Pat Robertson was pwned by the Haitian ambassador. I hate it when people use tragedy to make a “see told ya” point for petty political gain. Those people need help, not people telling them they deserved it.
Rightwingguy on January 14, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Can’t you just see Maddow doing her Pee-Wee Herman dance during that monologue?
BKeyser on January 14, 2010 at 7:37 PM
BTW, the world must be ending because I agreed with BOTH Rachel Maddow AND Robert Gibbs….
Rightwingguy on January 14, 2010 at 7:37 PM
I wish I could, I really do. I grow weary.
kg598301 on January 14, 2010 at 7:38 PM
I honestly can’t believe people are still surprised that this happens, just about every single time.
It’s almost a law of physics or something –
For any large scale disaster, Pat Robertson will be on the air shortly after attributing it to the wrath of God. The bigger the disaster, the faster he shows up and spouts off.
Apologies for not being able to express this in proper mathematical notation. . .
Wind Rider on January 14, 2010 at 7:38 PM
I wouldn’t play golf or walk around with metal in your pocket for awhile if I were you.
*ZAP* *CRASH*
Rightwingguy Struck by Lightning. News at 11
alohapundit on January 14, 2010 at 7:40 PM
No one has done more to help the victims of natural disasters than atheists. When disaster strikes, they’re there.
Maxpower on January 14, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Please. I just threw up my carrots~
HornetSting on January 14, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Robertson the idiot never fail to appear like the complete ass that he is.
bayview on January 14, 2010 at 7:45 PM
I think Pat Robertson should have kept his big mouth shut – he does no good and considerable harm to the conservative and Christian portrayals in our news media.
Still, from 2003:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/987900/posts
From 2002:
http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti-archive/msg10709.html
http://philippians-1-20.us/haiti.htm
Fascinating reading:
http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/religion_cults/news.php?q=1248382402
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Soc/soc.culture.haiti/2005-08/msg01446.html
http://www.notjustnotes.ws/haitidelivered.htm
I’m sure that there’s more out there on Haiti’s “Pact with the Devil”, but it’s difficult to find – almost every google result refers to Pat Robertson, and there are over 1.6 MM hits. I had to go to around page 49 before this stuff started showing up. And the only reason I did was that my husband has several friends that have lived in Haiti as missionaries over the years and had talked to him about it.
ElvenPhoenix on January 14, 2010 at 7:46 PM
I’d like to add GD America and the UsKKKa.
BowHuntingTexas on January 14, 2010 at 7:47 PM
What a D-bag!! Gibbsy, that is.
ihasurnominashun on January 14, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Leave that old man alone, I bet his organization will sent plenty of aid. Maybe more since he had an attack of foot in mouth.
Cindy Munford on January 14, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Why sould anyone invite Pat Robertson to make comments anyway. Who cares what he thinks about anything?
scalleywag on January 14, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Gibbs should have been asked what kind of “Negro Dialect” Harry Reid thinks the Haitian ambassador has…
Seven Percent Solution on January 14, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Hmmm…for some reason it looks like my comment didn’t post.
Google Haiti pact with the devil – skip forward to around page 49 and start reading. Apparently the “pact” has been around awhile.
I AM NOT excusing Robertson. I think he’s an idiot. But the truth of the matter is that the knowledge of said Pact has been around awhile – at least in Evangelical circles…
ElvenPhoenix on January 14, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Has Maobama apologized for the earthquake yet?
Philly on January 14, 2010 at 8:00 PM
If he said he found atheism “stupid” would you laugh it off?
Robertson’s a preacher, and he has the view that God punishes nations for their sins. Abe Lincoln thought so too. I think they’re both dead wrong, but if Robertson sets up a channel for his error and preaches on his own network, why is it appropriate for our government to mock him?
Chris_Balsz on January 14, 2010 at 8:06 PM
Wow,Lousiana State right out of the gate,this guy must be
friends with the Obama Administration,as well as Professor Gates,and the scream’n little devil chickens come’n home to
roost made a pact with the devil,the Rev.Wright!!
canopfor on January 14, 2010 at 8:06 PM
I wonder where he heard about it. I’m pretty sure he’s not a regular Robertson viewer.
Ronnie on January 14, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Eh, again…
http://www.ghostofaflea.com/archives/013479.html
Too many seem eager to jump on the liberal bandwagon. You never see liberals throw one of their own to the wolves like conservatives always do. We play way too soft in the culture wars.
SirGawain on January 14, 2010 at 8:08 PM
I’d say that is a VERY credible possiblity, canopfor. You don’t go on Madcow’s show if you don’t have the right liberal creds.
HornetSting on January 14, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Bingo. If it wasn’t Satan possessing those two killers, then Satan doesn’t exist.
SirGawain on January 14, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Anyone else been seeing these images, and find them a bit disturbing:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100114/photos_wl_afp/d5f0b09cceee154046f65f40b3607fab/
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100114/480/e6b4f4c65bcc41bc8df6778867fe0350/
Great, China, send help… but why must your aid workers parade around with a Chinese flag?
Maybe it’s just me, but that’s a bit unsettling
RightWinged on January 14, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Gibbs Translation!!
You Bitter Birther Clnging bitterly to your gun types,
and especially you RightWing zealot Bible thumping
Christian Holier than tho types,
its just so typical of “YOU PEOPLE”!!(I kid,sarc).
canopfor on January 14, 2010 at 8:17 PM
He’s representing his country to us “average” Americans, and is using a great forum to push back on Pat Robertson.
The other thing I imagine he’s doing is trying to get the maximum number of people to donate.
There’s not much else he can do at this point.
unclesmrgol on January 14, 2010 at 8:19 PM
Screw Robertson, but with that out of the way, I’m somehow not impressed by the notion that the US somehow owes a debt of gratitude to Haiti. And you’d certainly think that at a time like this, that nation’s ambassador would have much better things to talk about.
Blacklake on January 14, 2010 at 8:20 PM
That was my thought as well.
4shoes on January 14, 2010 at 8:20 PM
We Catholics have a Holy Ghost but no “voodoo ghosts”. If Catholic theology is right, upon death we are immediately judged by God. Our souls don’t get to wander around on this Earth either for good or for ill, as the concept of a “ghost” implies.
unclesmrgol on January 14, 2010 at 8:23 PM
I don’t know why this surprises anyone; this is what Pat Robertson does. I don’t think the problem is so much that he considers voodoo the work of the Devil and isn’t afraid to say so. I imagine even most moderate Christians would agree. The problem with the statement for me anyway is that he goes on to make a judgment based on that fact. Even if the leadership of the country is evil, it’s not the fault of ordinary Haitians. I don’t really feel like it’s anyone’s place to say whether someone else “deserves” misfortune or not. I think it’s pretty presumptuous to claim to know what God’s motives are. It’s His place to judge, not ours. But maybe that’s just me — I’m sure someone will flame me for saying that.
Anyway, Robertson is an old man whose edit function is starting to wear out as it does for a lot of people as they age. In spite of his words, I am sure his organization will be giving money to the relief effort and ultimately that’s all that matters.
NoLeftTurn on January 14, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Well yeah. Robertson is an idiot, but the Louisiana Purchase? Might as well thank Napoleon.
Terrye on January 14, 2010 at 8:34 PM
The POTUS also comments on Kanye. There are bigger problems than either Kanye or Robertson, but if the press asks the questions it would be pretty boring if the only response was “no comment”.
dedalus on January 14, 2010 at 9:08 PM
I am sick of all the Robertson bashing. No big deal coming from left winged heathens, but Christians should be ashamed that ridicule a man who helps more people than they could ever dream of helping.
wytammic on January 14, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Regardless of what Pat Robertson said, if anybody thinks that much of what ails Haiti isn’t the result of human sin, then think again. It started with slave-trading Europeans and progressed to superstitious voodoo practicing Haitians. Be that as it may, neither this rotten cultural condition nor God caused the earthquake and they still should be helped.
ncborn on January 14, 2010 at 9:24 PM
Not that I am going to defend Robertson for going Fred Phelps on Haiti, but he’s not the only one using this disaster to forward their agenda.
After slamming Robertson and Limbaugh for their statements, Keith Olbermann went on to say the disaster in Haiti was “a good frame of reference in terms of the health care issue.” He speculated if “… A slightly heavier earthquake in California could do extraordinary devastation to San Francisco or Los Angeles. I was thinking about this — and maybe it’s inappropriate and tell me if I’m inappropriate in asking it — but how would survivors of something like this here fare in terms of getting on their own feet economically afterwards, with the health care system we have in place right now?”
BohicaTwentyTwo on January 14, 2010 at 9:28 PM
canopfor on January 14, 2010 at 8:06 PM
——————————–
I’d say that is a VERY credible possiblity, canopfor. You don’t go on Madcow’s show if you don’t have the right liberal creds.
HornetSting on January 14, 2010 at 8:10 PM
HornetSting: Ya no kidding,eh,it seems Socialists are quite
welcome!:)
canopfor on January 14, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Has Maobama apologized for the earthquake yet?
Philly on January 14, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Philly: Which one!:)(I kid).
canopfor on January 14, 2010 at 9:33 PM
We had a disaster called Katrina. NONE of the local, state, or federal emergency teams could manage for a long time. THAT is how government handles health care, terribly. By contrast private groups, especially the church, swooped in and brought aid quickly and enthusiastically.
Governments should govern. Let charities do the benevolence work as they do it SOOooo much better.
Mojave Mark on January 14, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Where was this criticism of a belief in a higher power when Obama was referring to the ‘Holy Koran’ and espousing the myth of it’s divine appearance here on earth?
This is just more Christian bashing from the left – and a bunch of CINO’s from the right piling on.
All you CINO’s who dumped on Pat should GET THE HELL OUT of your houses of worship. You aren’t really Christians.
Mr Purple on January 14, 2010 at 9:58 PM
Wasn’t Robertson in the middle of raising aid for Haiti when he made the comment? With a phone number on the screen taking pledges? Where’s the HotAir campaign? I’ll put up some cash. But of course, you all are just the new definition of drive by. Interesting how the smug and self righteous apparently monitor 700 Club like oppo research. Why? Blogosphere bread & circuses.
rhodeymark on January 14, 2010 at 9:59 PM
Well-articulated response from the Archbishop of New York: Pray and be generous. CRS (Catholic Relief Services) already has elements in place to begin the job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYOpE-9B0So&feature=player_embedded
The allusion to The Pieta is especially poignant when viewing the inconsolable grief of that mother who lost 4-5 children.
onlineanalyst on January 14, 2010 at 10:01 PM
FWIW…
CBN’s Operation Blessing International has a relief team on the ground in Haiti.
Bill Horan, president and chief operating officer of the charity aid organization, says relief supplies are on the way to the devastated nation.
“We actually have a container, an Operation Blessing container, sitting at the port in Port-Au-Prince,” he told CBN News on Wednesday. “It was waiting to clear customs with $2 million worth of medicines that we were giving to Partners in Health.”
Jeff2161 on January 14, 2010 at 10:03 PM
I’ve heard Robertson say some smart things, and a couple of dumb things. But this one must be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard him say.
AlexB on January 14, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Why is the Haitian ambassador doing talk shows? Does he have nothing to do at the moment?
.
That’s what makes this a little bizarre. He’s clearly on to help solicit donations but a soliloquy designed to put Americans in our place, especially in light of the checks people have been writing, seems to have no upside. Robertson should have kept his trap shut and this guy should have casually dismissed the cranky old preacher.
A.C. McCloud on January 14, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Screw this guy and everyone else with this reparations bullshit! So every race has been conquerer by another some time throughout human history. Eat me dude Hanibal came across the alps and ravaged Italy and the Black Moors ravaged much af Europe. You guys just can”t fight so get over it. Besides your fight is with the French.
sonnyspats1 on January 14, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Doesn’t take an atheist to ask those questions.
ricelchew on January 14, 2010 at 11:23 PM
Contrarian point of view: I bet Pat Robertson’s donating far more dollars to Haiti’s needs than Robert Gibbs is.
God works in mysterious ways.
Lourdes on January 14, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Robertson’s remarks were in very poor taste.
But they weren’t so far out of leftfield, per what Robertson believes.
My faith includes the belief that God inflicts whatever He deems necessary on anyone and all to bring about salvation of any and all. Suffering is not punishment, not necessarily, not inherently, to anyone of Christian faith — many Christians have suffered mightily and remained in love, literally, with the Holy Trinity, and faithful to such.
The history of Haiti is an interesting one and one of note and worth far closer examination, however. Maybe that’s all Robertson was getting at: why Haiti has floundered so badly for so long and remains without many basic survival abilities despite having received so much “aid” from others. I don’t know the answer to that.
I don’t think Robertson was saying that Haitians “deserve” their current (or past) suffering. I think he was trying to point out a basic principle of faith (which is in the Bible, by the way), and that is that “the wages of sin are death.”
God says He heals a people (anyone, all) when they turn from sin and do what God asks of them. He also says He punishes sin. He doesn’t declare that material wealth represents righteousness or inherently means anyone is good or bad, but that He does provide for our needs (materially and spiritually) when we place our love and faith in Him — perhaps we won’t be dressed in wealth and be grandiose with fame and such, but we will have what we need that does not distract us from our greater relationship with God (and oftentimes love of material wealth does distract people from God).
We’re human beings. God is divine, the Creator. We can’t understand Him with human terms but He does give us a roadmap and reveal Himself to us when we seek Him. What Robertson said was a dumb-blundering unkindly timed cruel blurb but Robertson was pointing out that God doesn’t indulge sin. Voodoo, the occult, that’s sin.
Lourdes on January 14, 2010 at 11:45 PM
AND, the suffering of others is an occasion for people of faith to work on God’s behalf, to alleviate suffering is charity, in the truest sense of the word.
Lourdes on January 14, 2010 at 11:47 PM
The worst I’ve read so far about the whole “Robertson thing” is a post on Salon yesterday, day before (I read it yesterday).
Post went on to integrate voodoo into normalacy — in Haiti and otherwise — and moreorless refer to that as some “community” daily doing, like a daily routine for all, not unusual, “just what everyone practices” like breathing and eating food, etc.
THEN the article went on to denigrate Robertson and Christianity for being ridiculous or inane fantasy.
The article essentially proved Robertson’s underlying observation while also being preposterously hypocritical.
Lourdes on January 14, 2010 at 11:52 PM
Robertson still thinks its the 80s and people still give a crap about his opinions. Of course they will use him to represent all conservatives no matter how hard we disown him.
Speedwagon82 on January 14, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Dude, everybody knows it’s the Moops.
hillbillyjim on January 15, 2010 at 12:52 AM
Oh for pete’s sake. How in the world could a whole country make a pact with the devil? That’s just stupid. People make individual choices about religion.
This is a natural disaster! This is nature. This is how the earth functions!
Now we are judged on how we react.
I just read that my church’s buildings in Port Au Prince are doing fine and have running water and tomorrow they are opening up one as a hospital and some doctors are on a plane right now to staff it.
And some of our other buildings are being used for shelters. When in Rome you don’t have to follow local building codes for churches! Do what is right even when everybody else does it wrong!
We are small but we make a difference.
Oh and all our missionaries are safe and accounted for.
petunia on January 15, 2010 at 12:52 AM
People from all walks of life give thanks to God on a daily basis. Athletes often credit God for blessing them with good fortune. They aren’t openly mocked for when they say these things, and the shouldn’t be. People have been giving thanks and praise to God for thousands of years for everything from health to weather to victory in war.
So Pat Robertson’s belief in a God and a Satan (the Devil) is not extreme and it is not something that should be ridiculed.
The Boukman Contract is also a story that is hundreds of years old and has been intertwined with Haitian history for about 200 years. Many scholars and historians believe the legend of the Boukman Contract to be valid.
In the modern era many are looking to cement this ‘Boukman Contract’ into the realms of fiction – regardless if the story is based in fact or not. Boukman certainly existed. The ceremony taking place may be difficult to prove either way. A ‘pact with the devil’ is a thing that requires a strong faith to believe.
I have a hard time putting much belief into a ‘pact with the Devil’ – but I will defend Mr. Robertson’s right to believe it.
It was a poor choice of words. To my eyes the man appeared genuinely affected by this tragedy and deeply concerned for the Haitian people. He does wonderful things to help Haitians and poor and needy people around the world. He does a hell of a lot more to help than those currently dumping on him.
I would like to know where this ‘scoffing’ at religious beliefs is when some muslim claims it is ‘Allah’s will’ that the Twin Towers fell, somebody strapped on a suicide vest or decided to shoot up an army base. Why won’t the media or AllahPundit ridicule the muslims for their belief that God had any role in a terror attack? Where are the attacks on the Islamic belief that the Koran is holy document revealed by God?
Mr Purple on January 15, 2010 at 1:31 AM
Well said. And I would add that people rarely make fun of the idea of karma, even if they don’t believe it.
neurosculptor on January 15, 2010 at 1:36 AM
Question for either or both of you (and others):
When you watched this video – did it strike anyone as odd there was no DENIAL of the pact? In fact, it seems to reaffirm this belief in a pact with the devil.
Interesting Allah felt compelled to force “alleged” into the title. The Haitian ambassador never says it. He almost speaks as if not only the legend is true but he may have his own beliefs in the pact.
I’d be interested to hear his take on it anyway. Lies by the white man to make his country look bad or misunderstood local legend.
I don’t see how Pat Robertson gets all the blame here for this well circulated ‘Haiti is cursed’ myth. Really it could be argued that those mocking it are being insensitive to Haitian culture.
Mr Purple on January 15, 2010 at 1:55 AM
The Haitian ambassador was trying to justify it, not deny it.
neurosculptor on January 15, 2010 at 2:16 AM
Supernatural stupidity is still dumb.
Haiti has been a cesspool for over two hundred years. An earthquake dropped a third (just guessing) of the “country” and this is a disaster. Sucks to be you. Especially with Hispaniola just over the divide.
American relief floods Haiti and still doesn’t bring it to the eighteenth century. Listen, you Haitians have had over two hundred years to make your half of the island work. And have provided constant failure. Explain just why I should be guilt tripped in prolonging your stupidity. It is past time for the Darwin selection to have deleted Haiti from the gene pool. For me, it starts now.
For Obama, it is just another diversionary crisis.
Caststeel on January 15, 2010 at 2:34 AM
That really only proves the point that the Boukman Contract is something that is taken very seriously by many in Haiti.
Shame on Allah for being so culturally insensitive to the Haitians during this crisis. Mocking their history is really no way to give aid (not that HA is doing a DAMN THING about giving aid to Haiti – except to mock one of the best fund raisers in the country in an effort to ‘pile on’ another Christian under attack)
Mr Purple on January 15, 2010 at 2:49 AM
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