Mr. Butler’s World: Episode IV
Hi, I'm Mr. Butler. For those of you who don't know who I am, please refer to my previous posts by searching my mommy's blog for the words "Mr. Butler's World." I would provide links if I could, but I'm only three, and despite my advanced vocabulary, I am computer illiterate. Onward then.I got up in this morning really early because I had a bad dream about some man with a head like a big, round ball.
Mommy was talking at the TV last night at that man, and called him a lot of naughty names. I think his real name is The Fat Robertson or something.
Anyway, I got up really early. It was fifteen o’clock, and it was dark, but I went pee-pee in my Pull-Ups a little, which was very uncomfortable, and I desperately wanted a peanut butter sandwich, so I made my way through the dark, scary house and woke Mommy up. She seemed angry and told me to go back to sleep. I, of course, did not. I felt that Mommy was wrong in not rising immediately to my demands, but I only screamed and punched her door for free minutes or so. I’m proud that I am able to control my tantrums. That must mean I’m becoming a big boy, which is a good thing. Mommy says that big boys get to go to school and have Nemos that won’t die, because big boys don’t go pee-pee and poopy in their Pull-Ups, so the teachers won’t get mad, and big boys don’t put Doritos in fish bowls and kill Nemos.
Yeah. And I watched cartoons until Mommy and Daddy finally woke up.
I tried to tell Mommy about my bad dream about The Fat Robertson, but all she said was “Oh, honey, there’s no such thing as ball-headed monsters.” As usual, she just didn’t understand. Seems to me that grown-ups understand very little.
Sometimes I wonder about things. I wonder if The Fat Robertson has a little boy, and if the little boy has a big ball head, too. Is The Fat Robertson nice to his little boy? Does The Fat Robertson tell big stories to scare his little boy like he does to other people?
Sometimes I tell big stories, but only if I really need to. Say I feel lonely, or bored, perhaps confused about something abstract that presented itself to me during the day, and my brain starts to hurt. I will tell a big story to make Mommy feel sorry, like the time I told her that there was a sad mousie named Cutie Nose in my tummy when there really wasn’t, and she picked me up regardless of my heavy thighs that put a strain on her back, and she kissed my head and pretended to bite my fatty arms. I liked that.
I wonder if The Fat Robertson tells big stories because he is confused, too.
posted by Ms. Lori @ 9:36 AM
9 Comments:
M. G. "Pat" Robertson has achieved national and international recognition as a philanthropist and humanitarian. Much of his public humanitarian works have been carried out through Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, which he founded in 1978. Operation Blessing International is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid in the form of food, clothing, medicine, and financial assistance to help disadvantaged people and disaster victims throughout the world.
Operation Blessing has provided nearly $500 million -- which includes Operation Blessing donations and matching funds from other organizations -- to assist nearly 130 million people in 50 states and 71 foreign countries.
In 1996, Operation Blessing completed the conversion of a Lockheed L1011 airliner into a flying hospital which brings state-of-the-art medical assistance to remote areas of the world.
Numerous presidents, governors, state legislators and mayors have recognized Robertson's humanitarian efforts with citations.
Founded on November 14, 1978 Robertson set up Operation Blessing to help struggling individuals and families by matching their needs for items such as clothing, appliances, vehicles with donated items from viewers of The 700 Club, Robertson's daily television program. However, as requests for assistance poured in, he and the board of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. (CBN) decided to make a financial commitment to assist Operation Blessing out of CBN's general fund.
Mr. Robertson has made mistakes in some of the things he has said. But he has done so much good. People are always going to make mistakes especially ones that are doing as much for humanity as Mr. Robertson. Those who never make mistakes are those who never do anything.
My question to you Ms One Whipped Mama is what have you done recently to help humanity?
Hmm, Ms. Lori, seems you've somehow got the attention of Mr. Robertson's personal PR person. I'm impressed.
While most of us little everyday people don't have people sending us their money to do all these good deeds, we do manage to do other worthwhile things like work, raise our children, become a good friend to someone in need, etc. While we don't own a television station to broadcast our good deeds/works to the world, we do try.
However I will note one thing about your posting in reference to Mr. Robertson's resume, you forgot to mention the little people who FUND these works. He doesn't do any of these things on his own. He also lives a lifestyle of luxury compared to the people that send him their hard earned money.
Oh, and one more thing, maybe a small thing to you, Brenda, but it seems you forgot to give any credit to the one Mr. Robertson is supposed to represent.
Maybe that's the problem that people have with Mr. Robertson and others like him, Brenda, they seem to have forgotten in the course of stroking their own ego, who made all their great humanitarian deeds possible.
Show a little tolerance for people that are out there trying to make it day by day instead of tooting your own pompous horn. A little humility goes a long way.
Ms. Lori, you know who I am but I'm not going to post a name or link because I have no desire to deal with this kind of self righteous nonsense.
Brenda, I'm aware of Mr. Robertson's charitable contributions, and I appreciate the fact that the man has made no secret of his opposition to the war in Iraq -- but he's still the Pat Robertson who preaches a twisted version of Jesus’ word, e.g., calling for the assassination of Chavez
(Thou shalt not kill?), and pointing his mighty finger of judgment at an entire town (Let he who is without sin cast the first stone?). Oh, I could ramble on all morning, Brenda, but I won't. I'll end by agreeing with you that Mr. Robertson has indeed made many mistakes. Yes, people make mistakes, but as far as I'm concerned, when someone of his stature and influence attempts to lead his "flock" by hypocritical example, that is not merely a momentary lapse in judgment, it is stomping on Christ's intention, bending Christ's word to fit his own warped world view. As you already are aware, I'm sure, spouting twisted religious rhetoric can lead to dangerous things. Very dangerous. The Muslin extremists are a prime example of that. Their sick dogma has little to do with what the Quran is truly all about.
Mr. Robertson would best serve his followers by preaching Christ's unconditional love and tolerance, His compassion, His kindness, His respect for *all* men. Jesus was a liberal, complete with bleeding heart, not a vengeful bigot who berated others for their lifestyles, or who wished harm on His enemies.
Perhaps Mr. Robertson should go back to Sunday school and brush up on a few facts before he opens his mouth again.
Hi Anonymous. Nope, no idea who you might be (I looked at my stats to try and pinpoint times and postings -- there are four visitors logged at around the same time), but I thank you for your excellent post.
You know what amazes me most about the internet--or as my child once, in true child fashion and when she was still cuddly and cute called it--'the interNUT'?
It is the propensity of the pompous and the supposedly righteous who, in their ever striving search to spread said pomposity and overbearing opinion and will, always seek out the blogs and journals of those with opinions radically different to their own, then insult their views and dare them to show them what THEY have done to deserve the right to have an opinion.
Want to know what Ms. Lori has done to help ME (and I am part of humanity the last time I checked)? She's stood by me as I battled what can only be described as hellish disease, held my hand, hugged me and made me laugh as my body was first being inundated by deadly chemicals to battle said deadly disease.
See, she doesn't need to found a mass organization to help out her fellow man and friends, nor does it require the funds of others. She does what any hard working, good willed person does. She shows it. She does not condemn others for having differing views, nor is she pompous about it. She doesn't need to brag to others about it. It's called being a good person. And when she doesn't agree with someone's ideology, she approaches it with humor and a a tongue and cheek sense of humor--she certainly doesn't seek out folks and challenge their right to have their own opinions on subjects.
I'd never go out of my way to respond to someone as pompous as yourself, Brenda, but it was your last sentence that set off my "DO NOT MESS WITH MY BEST FRIEND" meter, dear.
By the way, what have YOU done for humanity lately?
Do YOU have a personal friend willing to defend you so vehemently as you're willing to defend a man who wouldn't know you from a hill of rotting sewage?
PRESS RELEASE
Pat Robertson Clarifies His Statement Regarding Hugo Chavez
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., August 24, 2005--I want to take this opportunity to clarify remarks made on the Monday, August 22nd edition of The 700 Club where I adlibbed a comment following a very brilliant analysis by Dale Hurd of the danger that the United States faces from the out-of-control dictator of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. In this story, Col. Chavez repeatedly claimed that Americans were “trying to assassinate him.”
In my frustration that the U.S. and the world community are ignoring this threat, I said the following:
Thanks, Dale. If you look back just a few years, there was a popular coup that overthrew him; and what did the United States State Department do about it? Virtually nothing; and as a result, within about 48 hours, that coup was broken, Chavez was back in power. But we had a chance to move in. He has destroyed the Venezuelan economy, and he’s going to make that a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism all over the continent. I don’t know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we’re trying to assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it. It’s a whole lot cheaper than starting a war, and I don’t think any oil shipments will stop. But this man is a terrific danger, and this is in our sphere of influence, so we can’t let this happen. We have the Monroe Doctrine, and we have other doctrines that we have announced, and without question, this is a dangerous enemy to our south, controlling a huge pool of oil that could hurt us very badly. We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don’t need another 200-billion-dollar war to get rid of one strong-arm dictator. It’s a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with.
Is it right to call for assassination? No, and I apologize for that statement. I spoke in frustration that we should accommodate the man who thinks the U.S. is out to kill him.
Col. Chavez has found common cause with terrorists such as the noted assassin Carlos the Jackal, has visited Iran reportedly to gain access to nuclear technology, and has referred to Saddam Hussein and Fidel Castro as his comrades. Col. Chavez also intends to fund the violent overthrow of democratically elected governments throughout South America, beginning with neighboring Colombia.
As I report the news daily from around the world, I am acutely conscious of the fact that our nation is at war. Not only are there active wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but there is a war of terror being waged against civilized nations throughout the world.
We are in the midst of a war that is draining vast amounts of our treasure and is costing the blood of our armed forces. I am a person who believes in peace, but not peace at any price. However, I said before the war in Iraq began that the wisest course would be to wage war against Saddam Hussein, not the whole nation of Iraq. When faced with the threat of a comparable dictator in our own hemisphere, would it not be wiser to wage war against one person rather than finding ourselves down the road locked in a bitter struggle with a whole nation?
The brilliant Protestant theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who lived under the hellish conditions of Nazi Germany, is reported to have said:
“If I see a madman driving a car into a group of innocent bystanders, then I can’t, as a Christian, simply wait for the catastrophe and then comfort the wounded and bury the dead. I must try to wrestle the steering wheel out of the hands of the driver.”
On the strength of this reasoning, Bonhoeffer decided to lend his support to those in Germany who had joined together in an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer was imprisoned and killed by the Nazis, but his example deserves our respect and consideration today.
There are many who disagree with my comments, and I respect their opinions. There are others who think that stopping a dictator is the appropriate course of action. In any event, the incredible publicity surrounding my remarks has focused our government’s attention on a growing problem which has been largely ignored.
Mr. Robertson's response to the Chavez comment.
Mr. Robertson doesn't live a lavish life style, he lives a good one but not lavish. I've been a guest in his home many times. He is a good man and he is entitled to his opinion just like everyone else.
I'm not pompous just because I do not share the same opinion as you. All of his humantarian deeds are done in the name of God, no one has left that out. Yes, many people contribute to his efforts, but none as much as he does himself. He is a good man.
BTW, where do you get off saying what he should and shouldn't teach?
From the example of what I have read here on your blog your not a Christian. All I have read is you putting down everything. There has been no positive posts in your blog. Would you like for your readers to tell you what you should be posting?
Lady you are the one that is hypocrite.
Hmm..., Brenda, Brenda...thou go forth spewing and spewing...again the sewage analogy comes to mind. Why do thou keepest returning?
You ask, Would you like for your readers to tell you what you should be posting?
Well, gosh darling, since you keep traveling back here, YOU are now officially a reader...and aren't you trying to tell her what to be posting?
Hey Brenda, since you apparently have a lot to say, ever thought of putting up a blog where people who actually WANT to read what you think, can?
Monopolizing another person's blog comment section is considered horrible blog etiquette and not going to win you any brownie points with anyone.
Lori has never professed her religious preferences (as far as I know) so I don't understand your holier than thou attitude of saying she's not a Christian. You don't know her heart.
However, I will say this, your rude, overbearing, judgemental attitude makes ME question YOUR Christianity.
First, thank, thank you, beautiful Olivia. I love you.
Second, thanks, Anonymous, for another great post. Wish I knew who you were though! E-mail me, dammit! (Oops, I made a swear, heathen that I am.)
And Brenda, believe it or not, I respect your beliefs, and I welcome comments from ALL perspectives. Truly I do. It was the tone of your first post that set me on edge a bit, not the content.
While you are correct in assuming that I do not belong to any one specific religious organization, I am a highly spiritual person who has great faith in my creator. But that's not important to anyone but me, certainly not the fine folks who read this blog. If my faith is important to you, Brenda, and you'd like to discuss our differing views, I'd be more than happy to oblige, with one caveat: Don't be anonymous, please. If you’ve been a regular reader for a while, I sincerely would like to continue this via e-mail.
Regarding Mr. Robertson, I never said he was an evil man. I'm sure his intentions are good, and I do think his convictions are born of true faith -- but surely it doesn't make *me* a bad person if I disagree with him on certain issues. Do his bigoted and intolerant views make me angry? You bet. But I don’t hate the man. He, in my opinion, is merely afraid of what he doesn’t understand, and despite my snaky, sarcastic posts, I won't shy from honest debate.
Brenda, I have many family members and friends who belong to different political parties, have different ways of looking at the world than I do, and while we might sometimes argue those differences, even kid each other about how "wrong" we think the other is, I wouldn't dream of hurting their feelings by belittling that which they hold in high esteem. As in the case of my in-laws (born again Christians), we keep politics and religion away from the family table -- they know and respect my beliefs and I theirs. What I write here on this blog is my right, my business, and for myself. I wouldn't dream of throwing this stuff in their laps. And I certainly wouldn't go looking for blogs whose authors have differing opinions than my own for the sole purpose of trying to sway or demean those opinions.
Take care.
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