Shut up, Pat

Let's hope Pat Robertson does not practice what he preaches. If so, he could find himself on trial for the assassination of a head of state.

Like many of the Christian broadcaster's other public musings — the warning that God would unleash hurricanes on Orlando, Fla., because of Disney World's gay-pride events comes to mind — his suggestion that the United States government assassinate the president of Venezuela should not be taken seriously. On Monday's airing of "The 700 Club" after a segment on the oil-rich South American nation and its president, Hugo Chavez, Robertson said, "If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it."

Robertson went on to say that Chavez would make Venezuela a "launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism all over the continent ... We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability."

Robertson's stab at international diplomacy is all the more ridiculous considering his position as a religious leader. As the founder of the Christian Coalition, with a devout following, he should recognize the hypocrisy of his call for murder.

Robertson's suggestion will do nothing but undermine his hope of a deposed Chavez, a self-styled thorn in the White House's side who has often claimed that the U.S. government wants to assassinate him. Robertson has now given Venezuelans another reason to stand behind their president. It's a campaign gift for Chavez, who is up for re-election in 2006.

Like most public blunderers, Robertson has apologized. Kind of. Even though video and transcripts of his comments show he said "assassinate," Robertson says his comments were taken out of context and that to "take out" Chavez could mean a kidnapping.

Instead of suggesting breaking laws and making empty apologies, Robertson should consider a period of penitential silence.