Jump The Shark

As a child of the 80s, I have a long and abiding love for all things pop culture. I came of age in the time of Mowhawks, jelly bracelets and sticker collecting. And I was alive for the birth of Nick at Night. Thanks to this ingenious addition to our television lexicon, I was able to experience the legend that was Happy Days, even though the show began before my birth and ended when I was but a child of 8. In September of 1977, a now famous episode of Happy Days aired. It featured The Fonz water skiing in a leather jacket and swimming trunks and jumping over a shark in a tank. A few years ago, a man by the name of Jon Hein coined the phrase “Jumping the Shark” as a term to describe a moment when something that was once great has reached a point where it will now decline in quality and popularity. Kind of the beginning of the end.

In the years that have followed, many have found other uses for this phrase. It has been applied to not only television shows, but to movies, music and yes, even politics. And today, I think we can add another public figure to the illustrious “Jumped the Shark” club.

Pat Robertson of the 700 Club and Christian Coalition fame, called for the assassination of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela today. His argument being that getting rid of this dictator would be “cheaper than war and wouldn’t interrupt oil shipments”. Ok, I know that Chavez is an evil person and that the world probably would be better off without him, but come on Pat, do you really think a man known for his pro-life stance and for encouraging people to have a personal relationship with God should be calling for the assassination of anyone? In this world of instant media and 24 hour news cycles, where the least controversial statement gets blown completely out of proportion, to hand the world a statement such as this, is clearly not well thought out. Mr. Robertson has a following that listens and takes what he says to heart. Telling people that anyone’s life is any more valuable than anyone else’s is clearly not biblically based and a dangerous idea to put into the public square. Do we take that attitude with any person of questionable morality or leadership? Should we just wipe out those who offend us or cause us hardship? Should the list begin with President Chirac or France? He clearly thinks the US is wrong and has not supported us in many things? Perhaps President Putin of Russia should be next? He talks out of both sides of his mouth and has known KGB ties, so can he really be trusted? Or on a more personal level, do we advocate the “rubbing out” of someone who has hurt or offended someone we love? No, that is why we have police and courts of law, because a civilized society that condones vigilante justice will not remain civilized for long.

There are reasons the US doesn’t support a policy of assassination. They are simple. There is no end to the candidates once you start down that road. Not to mention the retaliation that would come the United States’ direction should we begin taking out world leaders. I am not naïve enough to believe that my government has never had an undesirable person killed through less than “acceptable” means. However, I do not think that such a thing should be declared as a viable option by a man who is a representative of God and His church. I sincerely hope that this stance of Mr. Robertson has not caused “a decline in quality and popularity” for many of his messages and ministries; however, I fear that it has lessened any call for mercy and peace he may ever give again.