Pat Robertson released a statement on his CBN website stating that the comments were taken out of context. The entire 700 Club episode has been added below so that you may hear the comments as they were delivered during the episode. The first comment began at 2:56 and the comments regarding Haiti’s pact with the devil begins at 6:29. You can listen to the full episode and hear the comments in context and then decide.

The statement released on the website said that Pat Robertson was speaking about Haiti’s history and the 1791 slave rebellion led by Dutty Boukman at Bois Caiman. There is a link to the Boukman ceremony as it pertains to the history of Haiti.  The statement also indicates that Pat Robertson’s compassion for the Haitian people is evident if you listen to the video in context. According to the video, Pat Robertson believes that Haiti has been cursed due to the Dutty Boukman treaty that sparked the Haitian Revolution and that is evidenced by the nation’s abject poverty. Here are links to more information regarding Dutty Boukman: Wikipedia Dutty Boukman (check eternal links)

Similar comments were made by some in the Christian Right movement following Hurricane Katrina. Former president George Bush’s wife, Barbara was called to task for comments that she made in a similar vein, stating that those who survived Katrina would be better off after the storm.

“What I’m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them.” Barbara Bush

On September 12, 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, Pat Robertson made comments that indicated the wrath of God had fell upon America due to legalized abortion.

“I was reading, yesterday, a book that was very interesting about what God has to say in the Old Testament about those who shed innocent blood. And He used the term that those who do this, ‘the land will vomit you out.’ … But have we found we are unable somehow to defend ourselves against some of the attacks that are coming against us, either by terrorists or now by natural disaster? Could they be connected in some way?” – Pat Robertson

Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson after 911

Here are some ways to help:

•Heart to Heart International: People can donate to Olathe-based Heart to Heart by going online to www.hearttoheart.org or by calling 913-764-5200.

•The Red Cross: The Greater Kansas City chapter of the Red Cross said contributions from the area could exceed $1 million.

The organization’s cell phone fundraising effort has raised $5 million so far. People can donate by texting the word “Haiti” to 90999, by going online to www. redcross.org or by calling 800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767).

•The Salvation Army: People can make $10 cell phone donations by texting “Haiti” to 52000. The charge will appear on the donors’ cell phone bills.

Credit card donors should call 800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769) or go to www. salvationarmyusa.org. Send checks designated “Haiti Earthquake Relief” to 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111.

The Salvation Army is also helping people find relatives in Haiti through its SATERN locator system at www. satern.org.

•The United Way: United Way Worldwide is focusing on long-term relief in Haiti rather than short-term emergency aid.

To donate, go online to https://volunteer.united- e-way.org/uwwwdisaster/donate; send checks to United Way Worldwide, P.O. Box 630568, Baltimore, MD 21263-0568 (with “Fund” in the memo line); or text “HAITI” to 864833 (UNITED).

•Habitat for Humanity: The group’s goal is to provide shelter for displaced Haitians. Donate online at www.habitat.org.

•Take care: As with any disaster relief effort, officials warn donors to be cautious about where they send money. Sticking with well-established agencies is recommended.

“Something happened a long time ago in Haiti,” Robertson opined on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s 700 Club on Wednesday. “They got together and swore a pact to the Devil.”

“They said, ‘We will serve you if you get us free from the French.’ True story. And so, the Devil said, ‘OK, it’s a deal.’ And they kicked the French out,” he went on. “You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another,” Robertson said.

Robertson’s tasteless and seemingly insane comments on the Haitian earthquake have left no few people furious, including the Haitian ambassador, Raymond Joseph. He quite snarkily responded by saying “what pact the Haitians made with the Devil, has helped the United States become what it is.”

White House adviser Valerie Jarrett said on Good Morning America she was simply left “kind of speechless” by Robertson’s demented remarks. “That’s not the kind of attitude that expresses the spirit of the president or the American people, so I thought it was a pretty stunning comment to make.”

We just wonder when someone is finally going to gift Pat Robertson with a nice, snug straight-jacket and haul him off for a long (hopefully permanent) stay in crazy town.

President Obama said on Tuesday that his “thoughts and prayers” were with the people of Haiti. “We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti,” Obama said in a statement. The Obama administration said that the State Department, USAID and the U.S. military were working to coordinate an assessment of the situation and any possible assistance.

Huffington Post Impact is working to collect a comprehensive list of links and ways to get involved in relief efforts, detailed below.

•The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund.

•UNICEF has issued a statement that “Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them.” UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

•Donate through Wyclef Jean’s foundation, Yele Haiti. Text “Yele” to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.

•Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles. Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

•Ben Stiller’s Stillerstrong campaign will be temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.

•Partners In Health reports its Port-au-Prince clinical director , Louise Ivers, has appealed for assistance: “Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS… Temporary field hospital by us at UNDP needs supplies, pain meds, bandages. Please help us.” Donate to their Haiti earthquake fund.

•Mercy Corps is sending a team of emergency responders to assess damage, and seek to fulfill immediate needs of quake survivors. The agency aided families after earthquakes in Peru in 2007, China and Pakistan in 2008, and Indonesia last year. Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR; PO Box 2669; Portland, OR 97208.

•Doctors Without Borders is on the ground and has set up clinics to treat injured in Haiti. Donate any amount so they can keep their efforts going.

•Direct Relief is committing up to $1 million in aid for the response and is coordinating with its other in-country partners and colleague organizations. Their partners in Haiti include Partners in Health, St. Damien Children’s Hospital, and the Visitation Hospital, which are particularly active in emergency response. Donate to Direct Relief online.

•Oxfam is rushing in teams from around the region to respond to the situation to provide clean water, shelter, sanitation and help people recover. Donate to Oxfam America online.

•The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donate now to help bring food to those affected as quickly and efficiently as possible.

•The Baptist Haiti Mission is operating an 82-bed hospital that is “overflowing with injured.” Donate online to BHM and 100% of your donation will go to the relief effort.

•International Medical Corps is assembling a team of first responders and resources to provide lifesaving medical care and other emergency services to survivors of the earthquake. Donate online.