Justin's Political Corner

Pat Robertson issues an ominous warning about used clothing.

(via RWW: Robertson on CBN’s The 700 Club: “‘Demonic’ Islam Isn’t a Religion but an ‘Economic and Political System’” | Right Wing Watch)

Televangelist Pat Robertson on the 700 Club today responded to a news story about the conflict in Mali with a rant against Islam, calling the faith a “religion of chaos” that is almost “demonic” — before saying that he doesn’t consider Islam a religion at all but “an economic and political system with a religious veneer.” Robertson has previously claimed that “Islam is not a religion” but the Antichrist that is akin to Nazism and fascism.

(via Robertson Troubled that ‘Hard-Nosed’ and ‘Slatternly’ Women are Ruining Marriages | Right Wing Watch)

Televangelist Pat Robertson is dishing out more useful marital and family advice to 700 Club viewers, including one who asked how to rekindle the relationship between his parents. In a question to Robertson, “Maxim” said that he “noticed that there has been a change in my father’s behavior” as he “spends too much time at the computer playing a war game,” which is making his mom feel alone. After suggesting that Maxim bring his parents to a “romantic resort,” Robertson promptly blamed the mother.

“You know it may be your mom isn’t as sweet as you think she is, she may be hard-nosed,” Robertson said. “It’s easy to blame the mother.”

WND's Joseph Farah: "Curtail Muslim Immigration" | Right Wing Watch →

WorldNetDaily editor Joseph Farah has been touting a WND/Wenzel Strategies poll purporting to find that many Muslim-Americans want the imposition of Sharia law, contradicting other studies which found extremely low support for radical views among Muslims in the U.S. Should the results of a Wenzel Strategies survey be trusted?

But while speaking to fellow anti-Muslim activist Erick Stakelbeck of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Farah said that the poll proves that the U.S. should rethink allowing Muslim immigration, to which Stakelbeck agreed:

Farah: I think it’s time for us to really think about our immigration laws because if we want to preserve our Judeo-Christian institutions in this country, our culture, our laws, our Constitution, do we really want to have an open borders policy for Muslims who just don’t see it that way? They have a completely different worldview.

h/t: Brian Tashman at RWW

Robertson: "'Miserable' Atheists Trying to 'Steal' Christmas" | Right Wing Watch →

The “War on Christmas” has arrived and the 700 Club is doing all it can to stoke fears that Christmas may cease to exist. Host Pat Robertson warned that “the Grinch is trying to steal our holiday” as “miserable” atheists “want to steal your holiday away from you” simply because they can’t stand the joy of Christmas. “Atheists don’t like our happiness, they don’t want you to be happy, they want you to be miserable,” he said. “They’re miserable so they want you to be miserable.”

h/t: Brian Tashman at RWW

Franklin Graham: "Americans 'Turned our Back on God' by Re-Electing Obama; Marriage Equality 'Takes the Family Away'" | Right Wing Watch →

After warning that the re-election of Obama will bring God’s judgment and ultimate destruction, Franklin Graham while speaking to David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network asserted that Obama’s second term will “usher in the largest changes in our society since the Civil War.” He later maintained that Obama’s re-election is proof that Americans have “turned our back on God,” and said that “we need someone like a Jerry Falwell to come back and resurrect the Moral Majority movement.”

Graham also told Brody that same-sex marriage puts society in jeopardy because it “takes the family away and there is no way you can have a family with two females or two males, if you just think biologically how God made us our plumbing is completely different.” “There is no room for us to consider gay marriage or same-sex marriage,” Graham continued, “that is redefining what God gave us.”

h/t: Brian Tashman at RWW

Erick Stakelbeck: 'Imam Obama' is Aiding the Muslim Brotherhood | Right Wing Watch →

The Christian Broadcasting Network’s terrorism analyst Erick Stakelbeck has no credentials to report on security issues (he is a sports reporter), but that hasn’t stopped him from playing the role as “expert.” Stakelbeck appeared on The Janet Mefferd Show to repeat right-wing talking points to claim that President Obama is a failed leader. He said Obama is “using the bin Laden raid as his sole, only foreign policy talking point,” arguing that it doesn’t reflect “foreign policy” and that “anyone in their right mind” would have made the call to go into Pakistan to find bin Laden (unless you’re Mitt Romney). But then Stakelbeck claimed that mission didn’t really matter since bin Laden “was basically isolated and neutralized at that point anyway.”

He went on to talk about how Obama is “empowering and emboldening the Muslim Brotherhood,” “throwing Israel under the bus” and “appeasing the Iranians,” and even said that Obama may pull of an “October surprise” by making a deal with Iran or sending troops into Libya. “Who knows what else they have up their sleeve, I have to say these are people who are leftist ideologues, they are hell-bent in their words ‘fundamentally transforming America,’ and I don’t think they’re going to go quietly,” he said.

Stakelbeck also discussed with Mefferd the non-scandal in Benghazi, arguing that the President has turned into “Imam Obama” over his UN speech where he said: “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. But to be credible, those who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see in the images of Jesus Christ that are desecrated, or churches that are destroyed, or the Holocaust that is denied.” Stacelbeck decried the speech and lamented, “This is an American president saying that in front of the UN? This is madness,” apparently forgetting that President George W. Bush made similar statements during the Muhammad cartoon controversy. He concluded that Muslim countries can never have democracy because “Islam and true democracy are not compatible.”

h/t: Brian Tashman at RWW

The 10 Most Dangerous Religious Right Organizations | Alternet →

The movement known as the Religious Right is the number-one threat to church-state separation in America. This collection of organizations is well funded and well organized; it uses its massive annual revenue and grassroots troops to undermine the wall of separation in communities nationwide.

1. Jerry Falwell Ministries/ Liberty University/Liberty Counsel

Revenue: $522,784,095

Although Jerry Falwell, a Religious Right icon and founder of the Moral Majority, died in 2007, his empire is going strong thanks mostly to Liberty University, a Lynchburg, Va., school now run by his son, Jerry Falwell Jr. Following in his father’s footsteps, Falwell Jr. regularly meddles in partisan politics – from local contests to presidential races. This year, he invited Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney to give Liberty’s commencement address, introducing him as “the next president of the United States.” A second Falwell son, Jonathan, is pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, a mega-church in Lynchburg. Liberty Counsel is a Religious Right legal outfit founded by Mat Staver that is now based at Liberty University, where it launches lawsuits undermining church-state separation and encourages pastors to get involved in partisan political activity.

2. Pat Robertson Empire

Revenue: $434,971,231

Known for his years of involvement in far-right politics, TV preacher Pat Robertson has forged a vast Religious Right empire anchored by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Robertson also runs Regent University and a right-wing legal group, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). (Attorney Jay Sekulow heads ACLJ, as well as his own quasi-independent legal outfit, Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism.) CBN, which brings in the bulk of Robertson’s revenue, broadcasts far-right religious and political invective laced with attacks on church-state separation, a concept Robertson has called a “myth” and a “lie of the left.” His “700 Club” TV program is a powerful forum for the promotion of right-wing ideology and favored politicians. Robertson has been welcomed into the halls of government. The current governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, is a Regent U. graduate.

3. Focus on the Family (includes its 501(c)(4) political affiliate CitizenLink)

Revenue: $104,463,950

Fundamentalist Christian James Dobson founded Focus on the Family to offer “biblical” solutions to family problems. Dobson, a child psychologist by training, soon branched out into the dissemination of hardcore right-wing politics with an international reach. Dobson has been a major player in the halls of power in Washington, D.C., and Focus-aligned “family policy councils” pressure lawmakers and influence legislation in 36 states. In fact, the Colorado-based organization frequently plays a key role in fighting gay rights and restricting abortion at the state level. Jim Daly is now president of Focus; Dobson left the organization in 2010 but remains active on the political scene.

4. Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly Alliance Defense Fund)

Revenue: $35,145,644

The ADF may have changed its name, but it still promotes a familiar Religious Right agenda. The Arizona-based organization, which was founded by far-right TV and radio preachers, attacks church-state separation, blasts gay rights, assails reproductive freedom and seeks to saturate the public schools with its narrow version of fundamentalism. In recent years, the ADF, headed by Ed Meese acolyte Alan Sears, has worked aggressively to overturn a federal law that bars tax-exempt churches and other nonprofits from intervening in partisan elections. The group says church-state separation is not in the Constitution and calls the church-state wall “fictitious.”

5. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Lobbying Expenditures: $26,662,111

The USCCB for years has lobbied in Washington, D.C., to make the hierarchy’s ultra-conservative stands on reproductive rights, marriage, school vouchers and other public policies the law for all to follow.

6. American Family Association

Revenue: $17,955,438

Founded by the Rev. Donald Wildmon, the Tupelo, Miss.-based AFA once focused on battling “indecent” television shows. When that failed, the group branched out to advocate for standard Religious Right issues such as opposing gay rights, promoting religion in public schools and banning abortion. In recent years, AFA staffer Bryan Fischer has become notorious for making inflammatory statements. Fischer has asserted that Adolf Hitler invented church-state separation and has proposed kidnapping children being raised by same-sex couples. The AFA, designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, frequently announces boycotts of companies that don’t give in to its demands. The organization says it operates nearly 200 radio stations nationwide.

7. Family Research Council

Revenue: $14,840,036 (includes 501(c)(4) affiliate FRC Action)

This group, an offshoot of Focus on the Family, is headed by GOP operative and ex-Louisiana legislator Tony Perkins. It is now the leading Religious Right organization in Washington. Every year, FRC Action sponsors a “Values Voter Summit” to promote far-right politicians and rally Religious Right forces nationwide. The 2012 edition hosted many top Republican politicians and drew about 2,000 attendees. The organization frequently assails public education, political progressives, reproductive justice and the church-state wall and seeks to form a far-right coalition with the Tea Party. FRC is also known to engage in harsh gay bashing and has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

8. Concerned Women for America

Revenue: $10,352,628 (includes 501(c)(4) affiliate CWA Legislative Action Committee)

Founded to counter feminism, Concerned Women for America (CWA) claims to be “the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization.” Its mission is to “bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.” CWA was organized by Tim and Beverly LaHaye in 1979 to oppose the Equal Rights Amendment, and when that issue faded, it moved on to other Religious Right agenda items.

9. Faith & Freedom Coalition

Revenue: $5,494,640

This 501(c)(4) advocacy group was founded by former Christian Coalition executive director Ralph Reed. He formed the organization after his run for lieutenant governor in Georgia was derailed because of his ties to disgraced casino lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In just three years of operation it already boasts more than 500,000 members and claims affiliates in 30 states. Reed is infamous for exaggerating his organizations’ clout, but his latest group is certainly making political waves. In 2012, it hosted forums for GOP presidential hopefuls in four states. Faith & Freedom Coalition claims to have budgeted $10 million in 2012 to lure conservative religious voters to the polls.

10. Council for National Policy

Revenue: $1,976,747

The Council for National Policy exists to do just one thing: organize meetings of right-wing operatives, Religious Right leaders and wealthy business interests at posh hotels around the country to share ideas, plot strategy and vet GOP presidential candidates.

h/t: Simon Brown at Alternet

(via 700 Club Host Pat Robertson On Embassy Attack: “You Wonder What It Is In These Muslims That Causes Them To Go Crazy” )

Pat Robertson: Since 'We Don't Condone Wife-Beating These Days' Husband Should 'Move to Saudi Arabia' to Beat Her | rightwingwatch.org →

Mitt Romney this weekend stumped alongside televangelist Pat Robertson, not minding Robertson’s legacy of incendiary, insensitive, heartless and apocalyptic rhetoric that has gotten him in trouble in the past. Apparently, Robertson’s own CBN has become aware of Robertson’s problematic statements, and may even be editing his controversial claims out of episode archives.

“Well, you could become a Muslim and you could beat her,” Robertson responded. “This man’s got to stand up to her and he can’t let her get away with this stuff,” Robertson continued, “I don’t think we condone wife-beating these days but something has got to be done.”

He later said the woman is a “rebellious child” and pondered if she has psychological problems. Robertson told the viewer that since he “can’t divorce her according to the Scripture, so I say: move to Saudi Arabia.”

From the 09.10.2012 edition of CBN’s The 700 Club:

h/t: Brian Tashman at RWW

WI-Lt. Gov Anti-Choice Whackadoodle Kleefisch: "Most Women Prize Family, Not Birth Control" - Politics - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com →

Abortion could become a hot issue in this election, with many “pro-life” voters worried taxpayer funding of the practice is just ahead for America.

Among them was Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who just survived a nasty recall battle along with popular Tea Party figure, Gov. Scott Walker.

The lieutenant governor told CBN News Chief Political Correspondent David Brody “pro-life” efforts to limit abortions aren’t a “war on women” because most women don’t want abortions.

“I think you would be very surprised at how few women put free abortions and government-paid-for birth control at the top of their priority list,” she said. “Most women prioritize their relationships, their family, making ends meet.”

“It’s insulting; it’s ignorant frankly to say ‘women believe that reproductive rights… are number one for all the women in America,’” she said.

Dear Ms. Kleefisch, There IS a “War On Women,” and it’s on YOUR side, and YOU are one of the perpetrators of it.

h/t: CBN.com

Gingrich: “Ask About Obama’s College Papers, Other Records” (by RWWBlog)

While talking with David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network at the Republican National Convention, Newt Gingrich demanded that President Obama release his college application, senior paper, and other records. “What I said to the conservative movement is we know so little about this President that it’s perfectly reasonable for conservative activists to ask lots of questions: where’s his senior paper at Columbia? Where’s his application to go to Columbia? All sorts of stuff that we don’t know.” Gingrich claimed, “In some ways we know less about this president than almost any president in modern times.” While Gingrich said Mitt Romney “should get involved in that kind of stuff, it’s perfectly legitimate for conservatives as citizens to raise a whole range of questions about Barack Obama.”

As FactCheck.org notes, “It would be illegal under federal law (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) for Occidental, Columbia or Harvard Law School to give any former student’s records to reporters or members of the public without that person’s specific, written permission. Obama hasn’t released them, but neither have other presidential candidates released their college records.”

Pat Robertson on CBN’s The 700 Club: “Akin ‘Screwed Up,’ But GOP Needs To Call Off ‘Circular Firing Squad’”

Add yet another Akin defender to the list.

Robertson on CBN’s The 700 Club: “Gay Rights Advocates Should ‘Shut Their Mouth’”

No, YOU shut the Hell up, Pat!

Yesterday on the 700 Club, Pat Robertson said that activists who don’t want Chick-fil-A on their college campus due to the company’s anti-gay advocacy should keep quiet: “I defy these homosexuals to bring forth a baby from that part of the anatomy which they concentrate on, when that happens I will change everything I’m saying; until that happens, I wish those demonstrators would shut their mouth.”

WorldNutDaily's Joseph Farah: "Obama Is 'At War With God'" | rightwingwatch.org →

WorldNetDaily editor Joseph Farah is upset that Republican congressional candidate Samuel Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, believes President Obama is a Christian (which he explained in a rather peculiar and patronizing letter to David Brody), because according to Farah, Obama “has been at war with God before he took office and ever since”.

“I don’t question his faith, and when I read or hear people claiming he’s not a Christian because of this or that, I don’t like it,” he wrote in his letter to CBN. “[But] Barack Obama once famously told me he just wanted to spread the wealth around and I take him at his word about that as well. After three years of watching the policies he’s put forth, the agenda he’s pushed and the detrimental effect it’s had on our country, I don’t question it one bit.”

How about this?

• his support of same-sex marriage

• his support of open homosexual activity in the military

• his support of killing innocent babies in the womb

• his support for withholding life support for survivors of abortion

• his support for forcing those of Christian conscience to provide sterilization and abortion services to their employees through mandatory health-care programs

Barack Obama has been at war with God before he took office and ever since.

H/T: Brian Tashman at RWW