I sympathize with Robertson's frustration. Felt that way myself at times. I can't think of a Government spokesman I detest as much as Boucher of State. What an arrogant asshole!
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washingtonpost.com
Robertson Remark Decried
Associated Press
Sunday, October 12, 2003; Page A22
VIRGINIA BEACH, Oct. 11 -- The State Department has condemned an on-air suggestion by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson that the agency ought to be blown up with a nuclear device.
Robertson, who heads the Virginia Beach-based Christian Broadcasting Network, made the remark while interviewing author Joel Mowbray on "The 700 Club" television program last week.
Mowbray wrote a book called "Dangerous Diplomacy: How the State Department Endangers America's Security."
"I read your book. When you get through, you say, 'If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom, I think that's the answer.' I mean, you get through this, and you say, 'We've got to blow that thing up,' " Robertson said during the interview.
Richard Boucher, the agency's top spokesman, called the remark "despicable."
"I lack sufficient capabilities to express my disdain," Boucher said to reporters Thursday.
Robertson was out of town and could not be reached for comment, his spokeswoman Angell Watts said Friday.
In National Review magazine, Mowbray has written articles criticizing the way visas were issued in Saudi Arabia.
Mowbray was questioned in 2002 by the State Department after disclosing at a news conference that he had obtained a classified document about visa issues.
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