Was that a fatwa from Pat Robertson?

Re “A Call for Assassination Brings a Cry of Outrage,” Aug. 24

The Bush administration calls televangelist Pat Robertson’s call for assassination of the Venezuelan president “inappropriate.” No, its non-condemnation is “inappropriate”; Robertson’s statement is criminal. Or maybe this administration doesn’t have a problem with religious leaders who advocate murder.

KEN NARASAKI

Venice

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Might the Federal Communications Commission investigate Robertson’s “warmongering malfunction” with the same fervor it investigated Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction”? Might it fine ABC Family (Disney) for airing such an obscene, illegal and anti-Christian call to assassinate a duly elected head of state? Might it impose a five-second delay on Robertson’s mouth? Might pigs fly? The hypocrisy escalates.

VICTOR KENYON BROWN

Los Angeles

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As a Christian pastor and American citizen, I was appalled by the comments of Robertson. Hugo Chavez has been democratically elected as president of his country. That a person with the influence of Robertson would use his platform to propose that the strongest nation on Earth assassinate a political leader whose only offense is to criticize the United States and govern in a way in which our government disagrees represents a complete lack of responsibility and ethical maturity. It is sad that a person recognized by such a wide audience to represent Christianity would so denigrate the reputation of the followers of the prince of peace.

REV. DR. FRANK M. ALTON

Pastor, Immanuel

Presbyterian Church, L.A.

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Although I must admit to a certain appeal to the notion that liquidating Saddam Hussein would have been preferable to the Iraq war, how is what Robertson said any different than some hard-line imam issuing a fatwa against one of our leaders?

HAROLD N. GIBSON

Compton