Haiti - Unlike Pat Robertson, do something useful

For those who have paid any attention to the ravings of Pat Robertson over the years, his idiotic lies about Haiti should come as no surprise. Pat Robertson preaches a false gospel of American exceptionalism with a huge dollop of bumph about how God will supposedly reward those who enrich his "ministry."

Enough bloggers have embedded video of his bizarre (and historically out to lunch) ravings about the Haitians making "a deal with the devil" to overthrow Napoleon III (who, BTW, was not born until four years after the conclusion of the slave revolt which resulted in a free Haiti). But this is consistent with his perverse, anti-Christian sermonettes which have, in the past, defended minority white rule in Rhodesia / Zimbabwe, claimed that the 9-11 terrorist attacks were caused by gays and lesbians, called on his supporters to pray for the deaths of US Supreme Court justices and called on the Bush administration to assassinate foreign heads of state.

Most of the commentary to date - including mine - has been understandably outraged. But perhaps The Huffington Post has the more effective and more appropriate commentary. Even as a senior public relations practitioner, I have trouble imagining God holding a news conference. But if God did want to comment on Pat's rambling lunacy, it might well go like this:

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) - In the wake of his comments about the earthquake in Haiti, televangelist Pat Robertson has become a "public relations nightmare" and a "gynormous embarrassment to me, personally," God said today.

Okay, a bit irreverent, I admit. But isn't that more or less what most Christians would want God to say about this if God did have a news conference at the Grand Hyatt, New York City?

Outrage is all very fun, of course. But outrage at Pat Robertson's collossal stupidity does nothing to help the victims of the Haitian earthquake.

So, do something useful.

Here's a challenge.

For every nasty and unprintable word you have written, said or thought about Pat Robertson's slanders and lies, donate a dollar to help the people of Haiti.

There are several reputable charities collecting money designated for Haiti. I suggest the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, the Anglican Church of Canada agency supporting international development, relief, refugees and justice. You can donate through your parish church (simply designate your cheque "PWRDF - Haiti), or you can donate online here. When you click "donate," you will be able to designate your gift to Haiti Relief.

Instead of embedding a video attacking the people of Haiti and mocking them in their tragedy, I'll leave you with this video of the Governor-General of Canada, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. Her Excellency is, herself, a Haitian refugee who came to Canada as a small child. From this humble beginning, she has risen to be the Queen's Representative and de facto head of state in her adopted country. She still has family in Haiti, and refers here to a severely ill uncle who has been reported safe. This is not your typical public statement.

Watch this video instead. It is far more edifying.