Monster

On his radio show yesterday, Rush Limbaugh said the earthquake in Haiti will play into President Obama's hands by allowing him to play up his "compassionate" and "humanitarian" credentials, and that the President will use this crisis to "boost his credibility with the black community."

Today, Limbaugh discouraged his listeners from donating to the Red Cross, saying that accessing the charity via the White House website would likely mean their email addresses would be captured by the administration.

Limbaugh also seemed to discourage his listeners from donating to any charity through any means, "We've already donated to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax."

When asked about Limbaugh's statements, as well as controversial statements from Pat Robertson, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had this reaction:

Q: And just one more quick question. What did you think of Pat Robertson's comments yesterday that the Haitians brought this on themselves by making a pact with the devil?

MR. GIBBS: It never ceases to amaze that in times of amazing human suffering somebody says something that could be so utterly stupid, but it like clockwork happens with some regularity. What is -- well, I won't -- [...]

Q: Robert, Rush Limbaugh says that Americans shouldn't donate to Haiti. What do you say about that?

MR. GIBBS: Again, I'd refer you back to the -- again, I think in times of great crisis there are always people that say really stupid things. I don't know how anybody -- I don't know how anybody could sit where he does, having enjoyed the success that he has, and not feel some measure of sorrow for what has happened in Haiti. I think to use the power of your pulpit to try to convince those not to help their brothers and sisters is sad. My sense is that most people, though, because they understand we're part of an amazing world, won't listen, and instead will seek to help those that they know, because through no fault of their own, have suffered an unspeakable tragedy.