# Pat Robertson: People For the American Way twisted my words! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 18, 2001, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401 "2001-09-18T15:37:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/1 "2001-09-18T15:37:57Z")
Yeah, suuuuure, Pat. But here’s the [CBN statement](http://www.cbn.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID2546%7CCHID101024%7CCIID838722,00.html): > [@](#): > > [PatRobertson.com](http://PatRobertson.com) - > > VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., September 17, 2001 – On Thursday of last week, as The 700 Club continued its coverage of the tragic attack on the World Trade Center by radical extremists, Pat Robertson not only was reporting the news, but was also asking his audience to pray for the survivors and their families, as he had been doing for the previous two days. > > In addition, he personally issued a statement that indicated that the church and all of America should come in repentance before God so that He would not lift the protective covering that has graced our land since its founding. Toward the end of the program, The 700 Club producers had booked Jerry Falwell for a satellite interview. Rev. Falwell’s initial remarks were completely in accord with what had been said in preceding parts of the program, and then, unexpectedly, he uttered a political statement of blame directed at certain segments of the population that was severe and harsh in tone, and, frankly, **not fully understood** by the three hosts of The 700 Club who were watching Rev. Falwell on a monitor. > > **It was this brief interchange with Rev. Falwell that was picked up by People For The American Way, who for approximately the past fifteen years have taped every single telecast of The 700 Club and unfortunately take statements out of context and spin them to the press for their own political ends.** Rev. Falwell has issued a pointed clarification of his statement, and Dr. Robertson said on Fox News’ The Edge that he considered the remarks “totally inappropriate.” He does not wish to comment further on something that is not personally in keeping with the spirit of prayer and sorrow that has been evidenced by the staff of the Christian Broadcasting Network over the past several days. (Emphasis mine. OK, Pat, you’ve been on TV for three _decades_, not three weeks. This can’t possibly have been the first time someone has said something unexpected on your show. So when Falwell said, “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped this happen’”, I have to believe you meant what you said when you replied, “Well, I totally concur, and the problem is we have adopted that agenda at the highest levels of our government.” What you’ve said here about People For the American Way has a simple name here, Pat. It’s called Bearing False Witness, and it’s one of those things that had a big “Thou shalt not” in front of it when Moses brought the tablets down off the mountain. You know, one of the Big Ten. Or is it really just Nine for you folks? ---
**Author:** ![DavisMcDavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/2 "2001-09-18T16:14:55Z")
Falwell told CNN: > [@](#): > > “I would never blame any human being except the terrorists, and if I left that impression with gays or lesbians or anyone else, I apologize.” [http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/14/Falwell.apology/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/14/Falwell.apology/index.html) Gee, those crazy gays! Wherevever did they get that idea? Falwell told CBN: > [@](#): > > “I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped this happen’” ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/3 "2001-09-18T16:18:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\* > You know, one of the Big Ten. > > Or is it really just Nine for you folks? \*\* I’m not sure they have that many ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/4 "2001-09-18T16:25:59Z")
And I suppose his “Amen” to Falwell’s statements, _being a holy word meant to solemnize words to God_, was “just kidding?” Go fuck yourself, Robertson, and your little Falwell, too. My God will see you atone for your sins on this earth, you despicable cretins. Esprix {don’t mind me, folks. Just fixing the coding. – Uke} [Edited by Ukulele Ike on 09-18-2001 at 12:15 PM] ---
**Author:** ![Demise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@Demise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demise)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/5 "2001-09-18T16:27:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arden Ranger \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > > \*\* > > You know, one of the Big Ten. > > > > Or is it really just Nine for you folks? \*\* > > I’m not sure they have that many \*\* Yeah, I was thinking three, maybe four, tops. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/6 "2001-09-18T16:30:37Z")
Oh please! He’s been saying for years that the “insertgroupofchoicehere” is responsible for stuff like this-what a weasel!!! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/7 "2001-09-18T16:32:42Z")
Well, I think he should start chewing, because the only way he’s ever going to get his foot out of his mouth is to gnaw it off and swallow it. IMO “sorry” doesn’t mean much after you’ve accused your fellow-citizens of contributing to the deaths of 5500 of their brothers and sisters. The fact that the comment makes no zero sense cannot minimize how highly insulting it is to everyone who believes in tolerance or justice. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/8 "2001-09-18T16:35:29Z")
Memo to Pat Robertson. Try one of these, maybe they’ll work: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=87747](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=87747) ---
**Author:** ![jmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/9 "2001-09-18T16:45:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > It’s called Bearing False Witness, and it’s one of those things that had a big “Thou shalt not” in front of it when Moses brought the tablets down off the mountain. > > You know, one of the Big Ten. > > Or is it really just Nine for you folks? No, there’s ten, it’s just that they swapped some of the less convenient out for ones like “Thou shalt not be a commie homo”. I don’t know if they have consciously decided to misread the Bible, or if they have some kind of moral dyslexia. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/10 "2001-09-18T16:58:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jmonster \* > No, there’s ten, it’s just that they swapped some of the less convenient out for ones like “Thou shalt not be a commie homo”. Or, ‘thou shalt forgive thy brother seventy times seven times, but only if he’s a good, wholesome, God-fearing sort like us. Otherwise, don’t bother.’ > [@](#): > > I don’t know if they have consciously decided to misread the Bible, or if they have some kind of moral dyslexia. Damn, that’s a good line. Dog knows they can’t seem to think straight. ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/11 "2001-09-18T17:16:23Z")
They create enemies to vilify as a way to drive their fundraising efforts. It is sick and disgusting, but they are always finding ways to try to get weak-minded people to hate others so that they will send them money because they are supposedly standing against this. Christianity is about love, not hate. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/12 "2001-09-18T17:19:09Z")
**Exprix** You are needed [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=87507), please. You impress me as a leader. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/13 "2001-09-18T19:40:21Z")
Gee, since when does quoting at length in context constitute twisting your words? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/14 "2001-09-18T20:09:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Irishman \* > Gee, since when does quoting at length in context constitute twisting your words? When those words reach people who won’t take them as gospel, and all of a sudden you realize they make you sound like a real shit. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/15 "2001-09-18T22:28:17Z")
Pat’s on again, weaseling out of it again-we need to allow kindy-gardin kids say grace over milk and cookies-we need to bring God back into our nation!!! Oh, and Pat? That jacket and that tie do NOT match, mmmkay? ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/16 "2001-09-18T22:39:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Gee, since when does quoting at length in context constitute twisting your words? What he _really_ doesn’t want you to know is that if you play the tape backwards he’s saying “Take me now, my mustachioed, muscled stallion! Spank me with that riding crop and ride me like Seabiscuit!” That or “I buried Paul.” It’s a little unclear. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/17 "2001-09-19T13:09:57Z")
Jodi - I gotta clean my keyboard and monitor, and it’s _all your fault_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-people-for-the-american-way-twisted-my-words/82401/18 "2001-09-19T13:11:56Z")
Once again, the good Mr. Robertson assumes the Fundamentalist Yoga position. In which you put your foot in your mouth while sticking your head up your bum.