Jordan arrests four gay men

"But remember: Pat Robertson et al represent a far greater threat."

Yeah, but what if Robertson converts to Islam?

There could be more money in it for him.

I guess it depends upon your perspective, guys.
From Michael Barone @ usnews.com Opinion:
11/12/01

Robertson and Jackson, both candidates for president in the 1980s, have not had a good time in the post-September 11 season. On Robertson's 700 Club program days after September 11, Jerry Falwell said, "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and 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.' " Said Robertson, "Well, I totally concur, and the problem is we have adopted their agenda at the highest levels of our government." For this both were roundly criticized, not least by conservatives, and both apologized. Jesse Jackson's first initiative after September 11 was to volunteer to go to Afghanistan and mediate with the Taliban. First he suggested that he had been asked by the Taliban; then he said that he had been contacted by family members of Americans held captive by the Taliban; then he said it didn't matter who asked him, he was available to help. Unsurprisingly, U.S. officials said his services weren't needed. Then near the end of October, he suggested that children should not go trick-or-treating on Halloween. In November, he appeared on BET Tonight and said, among other things, "We are really killing a lot of innocent people." "By saying on the one hand we have global terrorism but by focusing on one cave man in one country, it seems to me that they're looking at this crisis through a keyhole rather than a door." On targeting Saddam Hussein, "Even to threaten him in this way is in fact to misread his own capacity to respond perhaps chemically and biologically."

It is impossible to believe that Jesse Jackson or Pat Robertson were aware that their friend and business ally Charles Taylor's regime was helping fund al Qaeda by selling it diamonds. But they should have known that they were dealing with, and aiding, a very unsavory character indeed. At a time when their recent comments make their erstwhile presidential ambitions seem preposterous, they would both do well to break their ties with Charles Taylor and denounce his regime for aiding and abetting terrorism–before people start asking which side they are on.

Has Robertson ever distanced himself and denounced Taylor? A lot of amputees in Sierra Leone would like to know, I'm sure.

Here is the whole story. I don't have any updates on it, but I remember finally loathing Pat Robertson utterly after finding this out:

Dirty Diamonds: What do Jesse Jackson, Pat Robertson, and al Qaeda have in common?

The answer is: They all have been associated with the bloody Liberian dictator Charles Taylor.
The al Qaeda connection is the one that has most recently come to light. In a November 2 Washington Post article, Douglas Farah reported that "the terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden has reaped millions of dollars in the past three years from the illicit sale of diamonds mined by rebels in Sierra Leone." Al Qaeda has been buying the diamonds at below-market rates in Africa and selling them for higher prices in Europe. Diamonds are easy to transport and smuggle, and diamond transactions are hard to trace; al Qaeda evidently increased its purchases in July, presumably in anticipation of its bank accounts being frozen. The diamonds are mined in Sierra Leone by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels, who famously hacked off the arms and legs of hundreds of people and built up an army of boys. Since 1998, the diamonds have been sold for cash in Liberia to al Qaeda agents by the RUF's diamond dealer, alleged to be a Libyan-trained Senegalese rebel. There is big money here: A United Nations panel estimated RUF diamond sales in 1999 at $75 million. Farah writes that Taylor receives a commission on each sale in Liberia; Taylor has repeatedly denied this.
Taylor runs a regime that, according to Amnesty International, routinely imprisons, tortures, and rapes citizens for offenses like participating in peaceful demonstrations. Taylor has been the major supporter and arms provider to the RUF and its leader, Foday Sankoh. In a lengthy and well-documented article in the July 2000 New Republic, Ryan Lizza describes how Taylor's regime has had the enthusiastic and effective support of Jesse Jackson. As Bill Clinton's special envoy to Africa, Jackson in late 1998 pressed the president of Sierra Leone to "reach out" to Sankoh–"a man," Lizza wrote, "who built his Revolutionary United Front (RUF) by systematically kidnapping children and forcing them to murder their parents. ... Once children were conscripted, their loyalty was maintained through drugs–they were injected with speed, which numbed their sensitivity to violence and rendered them dependent on their adult suppliers–and violence. When conscripts tried to escape, RUF leaders amputated their limbs. Refugees even accused the RUF of cannibalism." Taylor, who had taken power by starting a rebellion in Liberia in 1989 and building his own Small Boys Unit, had gone to the same revolutionary school as Sankoh.
Jackson first met Taylor in 1998, in what was billed as a friendly meeting, and in November 1998 called for the Sierra Leone government to "reach out to these RUF in the bush battlefield." In January 1999 the RUF launched an attack Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital and, as Lizza recounted, "burned down houses with their occupants still inside, hacked off limbs, gouged out eyes with knives, raped children, and gunned down scores of people in the streets." Even so, Jackson strongly supported the July 1999 Lome agreement, pushed through by the Clinton administration, which made Sankoh vice president, placed him in charge of a commission overseeing Sierra Leone's diamonds, and granted amnesty to the RUF for all crimes. In May 2000 the RUF took U.N. peacekeepers hostage, and the Clinton administration sent Jackson to mediate. As Lizza told the story: "the Sierra Leonean government told him it could not guarantee his safety. One group of prominent Sierra Leonean democracy activists warned Jackson, 'Our people will greet your presence in the country with contempt, and we'll encourage them to mount massive demonstrations in protest.' During a conference call with Freetown leaders in which he tried to explain himself, Jackson was openly attacked as a RUF 'collaborator.' His trip to Sierra Leone was canceled." Only later were the hostages released and Sankoh captured; Taylor cpontinued to arm the RUF, who have remained in control of the diamond areas.
Pat Robertson's tie to Charles Taylor is based on a financial connection. In 1999 Robertson's Freedom Gold company signed a deal to mine an area in southeastern Liberia. The Liberian government, i.e. Taylor, has a 10 percent interest in Freedom Gold. "I pray that this investment may become a wonderful blessing to the people of Liberia," Robertson said in a press release. More likely the government's 10 percent share will go to maintain Taylor's of the Sierra Leone diamond trade–and its big customer, al Qaeda. Colbert King of the Washington Post has written two columns criticizing Robertson for associating with the likes of Taylor. In reply, a Freedom Gold vice president faxed King, "Freedom Gold Limited was formed in response to Liberia's need to spur economic activity after their long and devastating civil war. Dr. Robertson remains a friend of Liberia and is working to alleviate the suffering of the Liberian people. Dr. Robertson's first and foremost goal is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations."
Robertson and Jackson, both candidates for president in the 1980s, have not had a good time in the post-September 11 season. On Robertson's 700 Club program days after September 11, Jerry Falwell said, "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and 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.' " Said Robertson, "Well, I totally concur, and the problem is we have adopted their agenda at the highest levels of our government." For this both were roundly criticized, not least by conservatives, and both apologized. Jesse Jackson's first initiative after September 11 was to volunteer to go to Afghanistan and mediate with the Taliban. First he suggested that he had been asked by the Taliban; then he said that he had been contacted by family members of Americans held captive by the Taliban; then he said it didn't matter who asked him, he was available to help. Unsurprisingly, U.S. officials said his services weren't needed. Then near the end of October, he suggested that children should not go trick-or-treating on Halloween. In November, he appeared on BET Tonight and said, among other things, "We are really killing a lot of innocent people." "By saying on the one hand we have global terrorism but by focusing on one cave man in one country, it seems to me that they're looking at this crisis through a keyhole rather than a door." On targeting Saddam Hussein, "Even to threaten him in this way is in fact to misread his own capacity to respond perhaps chemically and biologically."
It is impossible to believe that Jesse Jackson or Pat Robertson were aware that their friend and business ally Charles Taylor's regime was helping fund al Qaeda by selling it diamonds. But they should have known that they were dealing with, and aiding, a very unsavory character indeed. At a time when their recent comments make their erstwhile presidential ambitions seem preposterous, they would both do well to break their ties with Charles Taylor and denounce his regime for aiding and abetting terrorism–before people start asking which side they are on.

Just like the feminists, the gays in the West haven't a clue what their multicultural future portends.

I actually like Pat Robertson. Maybe it's because my housekeeper/nanny made me watch the 700 Club when I was very little, but I've come up with new reasons to like him in my old age. I've actually watched it a few times lately, and I've gotta say that they really do some decent journalism on there. They actually cover the holocaust in Sudan, terrorism worldwide, and the evils of Islam. It really is the most un-dhimmi-esque show on TV. The MSM could learn a lot from the 700 Club. Of course, they all hold hands and pray about 45 minutes into it, thus forcing me to change the channel because, no matter what you believe, that is just bad TV.

I started it watching it because I kept happening upon interviews with awesome people on YouTube and lots of them were on the 700 Club, like Nonie Darwish, Walid Shoebat, and Walid Phares. Seriously. They get really good onterviews and they ask the right questions.

Then there's this article by Ali Sina, in which he writes:

Last Wednesday night [JD: my main man] Sean Hannity of the Fox News Channel hosted the televangelist Pat Robertson. Robertson's comments on Muhammad were: "This man was an absolute wild-eyed fanatic. He was a robber and a brigand. And to say that these terrorists distort Islam [is a mistake], they're carrying out Islam" [emphasis mine].

CAIR is fuming over this interview. Nihad Awad, the CAIR's Executive Director says, “Such views on Islam, Muslims or the Middle East are neither fair nor balanced. Venomous and hate-filled remarks like those made by Robertson, and Sean Hannity's failure to challenge those remarks, poison the minds of ordinary viewers and can incite acts of violence against American Muslims,"

But CAIR's Executive Director did not say that the Quran contains much worse inflammatory remarks against the Christians, the Jews and the infidels. He did not say which parts of those remarks made by Robertson are false? The fact is that everything that Pat Robertson said about Islam is true. Yet CAIR likes to portray Islam and Muslims as victims and amazingly they get away with it and even receive apologies.

Robertson has redeemed himself in my eyes since 9/11. I excuse the homophobia because he's very, very old. I encourage you all to check out some 700 Club on YouTube and CBN. You will be pleasantly surprised unless you happen upon one of the hand-holding, praying moments.

Jdamn:

While I appreciate Robertson's coverage of Islamic horrors, he was long a casual blasphemer. The Third COmmandment (Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD in vain) refers chiefly to those who would be prophets. Robertson did things like prophesy that the Berlin Wall would come down in the 1970's, which was obviously giddy spirits rather than the Holy Spirit. While I'm not big on stoning anyone, the fact that false prophecy was a capital offense in ancient Israel says much about how God views it.

Robertson's homophobia is no sin to me. As a hardcore fundie myself, I say that the whole sexual revolution stinks. While I refrain from claiming to be a prophet (the only things that I know God has said can be cited with book, chapter, and verse), I also entertain the pious opinion that an America given over to sensuousness and religious error is asking for a divine judgment.

Still, this article on Islamic treatment of homosexuals is worthwhile. While it's too much to hope that the multicultie left will notice the Middle Eastern Chritians and Jews and Islam's rabid hatred of non-Muslims, maybe the Left could stand up and notice what's happening to their dear homosexual friends.

Oh, this gay leftie gets it, Kepha. That's why I often share things posted here with The Advocate's newsdesk. Baby steps, guys. Baby steps.

The Left isn't being Left enough when it tolerates canonical Islam's atrocities. Kindly remember that under rigorous Marxist analysis, canonical Islam shriveled its balls in Siberia.

That said, just as Obama's victory was announced, I got an email from a member of a dissident group of Iranians In Tehran. Most of them profess to be closet Zoroastrians.

You see, recently I'd sent the group news of a gay Iranian who may be extradited to Iran by the Greek government on Cyprus. This Iranian faces almost certain death if he is sent home.

This was my dear friend Simak's reponse. It is almost biblical in demonstrating the power of a family honoring love with sacrifice.

Here are Simak's words. With all my heart I pray that I endanger niether Simak nor his family by posting them here. Take note at how taqquia can be practiced to save a a beloved family member from cannonical Shia Islam itself.

"From: persian_empire@yahoogroups.ca on behalf of siamak_parsa (siamak_parsa@yahoo.com)
Sent: Tue 11/04/08 11:33 PM
To: Persian_empire@yahoogroups.ca

Dear all,

Reading the news Kevin sent to the group reminded me of the problems
I had and still have as a Homosexual Iranian! Three times I was
close to death and all times my friends (all related to Shahriar)
saved me!

When I was 24 , I got caught kissing another man and we were close
to be taken by BASIJIS ( Jihadis that do not have that much of power
anymore) but Parviz (Shahriar`s brother) saved me by proving that I
was mentally unstable and that I use drugs!

Second time was 1 year ago and this time I was hand in hand with my
ex-partner and of course it was obvious that we were no friends but
lovers so police caught us and this time Jila(shahriar`s fiance and
now wife) came along and claimed that I was her fiancee and then
they let me go!

The third time was the most dangerous one because this time my
landlord who was a religious man complaint to the court that I was
homosexual and this time.....

Everybody saved me! 33 women and men all relatives and friends of
shahriar came to the court to swear that I`m not gay!!! but of
course not all of them could come inside so we choose the best ones
who could lie better and kick courts ass! Ali , Hedi , Mahnaz ,
Fariborz , Ardeshir , Leila , Faramarz , Parviz , Shahriar and Jila
came inside! the hero of that trial was Ali because he was
unexpectedly the first witness to be called to approach for swear!
but you can`t imagine how confident Ali was , he stood up with a lot
of pride in his face! court asked him to swear and he did but you
could see in his face " what the fuck is this! fore saving a human
being I`d do anything"! judge asked him couple of questions and Ali
answered them all perfect!

The next witness was Mahnaz and after her Jila and they both claimed
that I was their boy friend and fiancee! shahriar and Parviz also
claimed that they haven`t seen anything gay from me and so did hedi
and finally court said that the case is closed and we won the case!
next day I moved out from that place and moved in with shahriar and
his family for a bit and now I`m living in one of Leila`s great
aparments in Tehran!

I`m blessed to have such friends... otherwise I could have been
executed! thank you god!

Siamak "

Iran sounds like hell on earth. I feel for the Iranians in a way I will never feel for the Saudis, who wouldn't have it any other way. I have met several Iranians and none of them were Muslim, or even religious, except for one guy who was a, Evangelical Christian. And they tell you this right off the bat because they know what most Americans think of Iran. It sucks that good people like the Iranians I've known have to live under a dictatorship. I had a professor last summer who introduced himself as 'Persian.' It never occurred to me that he was Muslim simply because he interacted with us effortlessly and naturally, in a way that Muslims never do. He later told us that he wasn't Muslim. He explained to me in his office how he had flown home during the Revolution. He now of course regrets what his people did to themselves, but the way he described it I did feel for him. He said "you can't imagine what it's like living under a dictatorship." He's right, even if it was the Shah's Iran, which never sounded that bad to me. Without freedom people want whatever they're deprived of. Now Iranians don't want an Islamic state but they have no choice but to pay for the sins of their fathers. I don't think the same paradigm holds up for the Egyptians and the Saudis. I think the Iranians are just more human than the rest of the 'Muslim' world, which is why I feel for them. They're much more like me than the Egyptians or Saudis I've known. I can't see Saudi Arabia producing an Ali Sina. I've known good Saudis, but they lack the compassion and the committment to the betterment of the world that I've seen in Ali Sina, who has always returned my emails and always answered me thoughtfully and warmly.

The Left isn't being Left enough when it tolerates canonical Islam's atrocities.

Yeah, basically. How long has feminism been around? 120 years? 150? Even fundies all throughout the free world unanimously believe that women are human beings and deserve equal treatment under the law. But the Left still turns a blind eye to the treatment of women under the law, which I would argue is considerably worse than that of gays. Gays don't live their entire lives as sex slaves, get mutilated and then get stoned for being gang raped, or hanged for fending off a rapist, as has happened in Iran.

Also, I was thinking about it, and wasn't it Falwell, not Robertson, who said that the US brought 9/11 upon itself? I agree with you, Kepha, that the American media and pop culture have elevated mediocrity and trashiness to a ridiculously undue level. And even though I was born in 1979 I agree that the sexual revolution sucks. I'll take long periods of celibacy and meaningful sexual relationships with people, ideally just one but it hasn't worked out that way for me, over 'hooking up' and meaningless sex with no relationship. People who live like that never grow up, not that I felt that to be appropriate or ethical when I was a teenager. It does come down to self-respect and Objectivist/Judeo-Christian values. Without those neither individuals nor societies ever prosper.

Also Kepha, I would call what Robertson did 'punditry,' not 'prophesy.' Communist societies can never sustain themselves. We all knew the Wall would come down. It was just a question of when.

I will make only one more comment about Pat Robertson and then I will quietly fade into the woodwork.

When I talk about prophecy, I do not spell prophet the same way Robertson does.

He spells it p-r-o-f-i-t.

tanstaafl, THASS what I'm tawkin' bout.

Jewel -

You go, girl.

I have a good friend who is both gay and Republican. He has many friends who can't believe that his political affiliation. He believes, though, that Jihadists are a much greater threat than conservatives to the lives of gays. Conservatives may be, say, anti-gay marriage, but they don't want to see homosexuals strung up in the streets.

He is also disgusted by the fact that gay and feminist advocates in the West are so often silent on the most horrendous abuses of gays and women in the Muslim world--FGM, forced child marriage, stonings for "adultery" (often rape victims), arrests and hangings of homosexuals in places like Iran.

He's even more upset that these things are starting to show up in the West with Muslim immigrants--most assaults on gays in France and the Netherlands are committed by Muslims, and honor killings are becoming common. The skyrocketing cases of rape in Europe is largely because of Muslim immigration.

He considers it the height of hypocrisy to talk about issues like the acceptance of "Heather has Two Mommies" in schools, or "Mommy track" issues in the West, while ignoring the absolute horrors taking place under Shari'ah for both women and gays. I couldn't agree more.