Shortly, Peter King (R-NY) will begin his hateful investigation into the radicalism of American Muslims. The irony here is that America faces a far greater threat from the radicalization of Republican pseudo-Christians. There is no basis for singling out Muslims for this investigation, and Democrats are beginning to take a stand against the bigoted hatred that Republicans are promoting.
In only three days, Rep. Peter King’s (R-NY) controversial hearings into the threat of radical Islam will begin on Capitol Hill. Already, hundreds of faith leaders in King’s district and in California have asked him to cancel the hearings. Protests at his district office and in Times Square have drawn hundreds of demonstrators, and one member of Congress who spent time in a World War II-era Japanese-American internment camp has pleaded with King not to “divide or target Americans simply on the basis of their faith or ancestry.”
Now, more lawmakers on Capitol Hill are speaking out. Twenty-six House members have signed onto a letter being circulated by Reps. Pete Stark (D-CA) and John Dingell (D-MI) that expresses “[deep concern] that the stated narrow scope and underlying premises of these hearings unfairly stigmatizes and alienates Muslim Americans.” The letter, a copy of which was provided to ThinkProgress, asks King to “reconsider” the hearings:
Dear Chairman King:
We are writing regarding the Homeland Security Committee’s upcoming hearings, which you have stated will focus exclusively on radicalization among Muslim Americans and homegrown terrorism. We agree that Congress and all levels of government have a duty to protect America from terrorism, whether from abroad or homegrown. We are, however, deeply concerned that the stated narrow scope and underlying premises of these hearings unfairly stigmatizes and alienates Muslim Americans. We ask that you reconsider the scope of these hearings and instead examine all forms of violence motivated by extremist beliefs, rather than unfairly focusing on just one religious group.
We believe that the tone and focus of these hearings runs contrary to our nation’s values. Muslim Americans contribute to our nation’s wellbeing in many professions including as doctors, engineers, lawyers, firefighters, business entrepreneurs, teachers, police officers and Members of Congress. Their hard work helps to make our country exceptional.
Signatures are still being collected until the close of business tomorrow. Current co-signers of the letter are Reps. Baldwin (D-WI), Blumenauer (D-OR), Chu (D-CA), Conyers (D-MI), Edwards (D-MD), Frank (D-MA), Fudge (D-OH), Grijalva (D-AZ), Gutierrez (D-IL), Hirono (D-HI), Holt (D-NJ), Honda (D-CA), Jackson (D-IL), Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Kucinich (D-OH), Lee (D-CA), McCollum (D-MN), McDermott (D-WA), Meeks (D-FL), Moran (D-VA), Polis (D-CO), Rush (D-IL), Schakowsky (D-IL), Scott (D-VA), Serrano (D-NY), and Waters (D-CA)… [emphasis original]
Inserted From <Think Progress>
Thanks to all the Democrats who are standing for justice here. Cenk Uygur and Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center explain the lack of justification for King’s stance and the need for more concern about the hate groups that now constitute a large part of the Republican base.
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I hope you noted the list of groups that are now welcome under the Republican banner.
12 Responses to “Peter King’s Hearings: GOP Hate!”
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Telling, isn’t it, that not one damn Republican signed this letter. Aside from the hatred behind this witch hunt, does anyone else find it interesting that the party of less spending is wasting tax payer money by establishing yet another McCarthy era?
Leslie, I’m sad to report that hatred and bigotry among Republican legislators is virtually unanimous.
Personally, I think the REAL irony here is that Rep. Peter King (R-NY) himself has a thirty-year history of supporting a terrorist group – the IRA (Irish Republican Army).
d
Source:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-10/the-terrorists-man-in-washington/full/
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_T._King#Support_for_the_IRA
Great links, Nameless. I have a similar one for today’s Short Takes. Since King is a Catholic Republican, Catholic terrorism is OK with him. Not all Catholics are that way.
KKKing is also fairly well known for not having a whole lot of use for them damn darkies.
Business as usual in the Klanservative Klavern.
Also true. JR.
Absolutely disgusting– I would like top be polite and not offend– however in the face of such despicable behavior -that is so very offensive– i doubt if King has the sensitivity to realize how truly despicable he is : Its enough to gag a maggot
Phyllis, it’s that absolute exceptionalism so common with Republicans. Since they are the :good guys” whatever they do, no matter how evil, must be good.
King is just another in a long like of hateful and paranoid racist Republicans who doesn’t know shit from shinola.
I do. I would not feed King shinola. 😉
The Congressman, Peter King (Rep-NY) is a dimwit. He has to learn a few basic things before he starts to open his loud mouth.
The Article mentions:
Congressman Peter King (Rep. – N.Y.) will be starting his federal investigation into “radical Islam” in America.
First of all there is no such thing as “radical Islam” or “radical Christianity”. The Muslims that follow the radical path, are deemed to be “radical Muslims”. Those Muslims that act radically have their priorities confused with the religion of Islam.
Congressman Peter King is a radical pig, and a racist element.
Peter King is the real enemy of man kind, and he is the co-conspirator of some radical group with an agenda to start hatred. I dont have a category or name for the group that Peter King is associated with, but any radicals that join him becomes one of the group(s).
Welcome Kritik. 🙂
That’s an excellent point. I call the American Taliban pseudo-Christians. It follows that Al Qaeda are pseudo Muslims.