It took Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) only a few hours to condemn Pat Robertson’s disparaging remark about Ariel Sharon, but no such rebuke was directed at Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who made an even more despicable comment about Sharon.
“Yet again, Pat Robertson has made a completely outrageous, insulting and inappropriate comment,” Reid said in a statement sent to reporters at 8:24 p.m. “Prime Minister Sharon is fighting for his life. He and his family deserve our thoughts and prayers, and I hope Mr. Robertson will offer them after he apologizes."
News about Robertson’s remark broke late Thursday afternoon. On his radio program, “The 700 Club,” Robertson said: "The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who, quote, 'divide my land.' God considers this land to be his. … You read the Bible, he says, 'This is my land.' And for any prime minister of Israel who decides he's going carve it up and give it away, God says, 'No. This is mine.'"
Hours later Ahmadinejad was reported saying, "Hopefully, the news that the criminal of Sabra and Chatilla has joined his ancestors is final."
I don’t fault Reid for his criticism of Robertson, but to attack one prominent figure (who is prone to such tactless comments) and ignore another (who is arguably much more important in global affairs) proves Reid’s critics correct when they call him a political hack.
If Reid wants to take a stand on matters such as attacks on an ailing Ariel Sharon, the Democratic leader would do well to be consistent in his criticism.