Congressman Peter King's strange journey from Irish radical to Muslim inquisitor -- I no longer recognize the politician I have known for 25 years
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 2:40 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:07 PM
I've known Peter King longer than I know any other politician in America.
We have dined out together, traveled to Ireland together and been friends for close to a quarter century.
I knew him first as the firebrand comptroller of Nassau County, Long Island, utterly unafraid to speak out on behalf of the Republican movement in Northern Ireland at a time when they were about as popular as Genghis Khan.
It took bravery to do that, and Pete was certainly brave.
Like many Irish Americans, he saw the hypocrisy of the American position, seeing no evil on one side in the North and all on the other.
He was the highest ranking elected official in the U.S. to speak out.
As the peace process began and Sinn Fein came in from the cold Pete, by now a congressman, continued to play a very large role.
Alone among American politicians, he had the ear and confidence of Sinn Fein because of his past association with them. Having a trusted political figure in Washington was very important for them.
They felt they could trust his advice on the American role in the peace process, and that he would not abuse the trust as he was no Johnny Come Lately.
The success of the peace process was a huge boost for King, who was first and was right on the issue of keen concern to millions of Irish Americans.
He had put himself out on a limb, yet refused to back off because what he saw was right.
It had to hurt because of the odium it attracted from "respectable" circles.
There was the time that President Reagan was coming to Long Island and King, an elected official, was essentially branded a terrorist and ordered to come nowhere near him.
Such incidents only enhanced his stature with Irish American activists, however, and it was no surprise when King was elected the grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City in 1985.
He had the last laugh with the success of the peace process, and he was loyal to those who stood by him.
When President Clinton was threatened by impeachment in 1998 King was one of five House Republicans who refused to vote in favor.
King said it was because of Clinton's stance on the Gerry Adams visa and his support for the peace process.
Something changed for Peter King soon after, and it was undoubtedly 9/11.
He was always an uncomfortable fit as a revolutionary supporter, but 9/11 seemed to trigger some latent streak in him that made him rethink his entire philosophy.
He drifted away from the Irish community, especially over the issue of immigration which is a major concern with so many Irish undocumented.
King opposed every attempt to remedy their situation, despite defending many Irish men over the years that the U.S. government wanted deported.
His stance was difficult to understand, but it has become clear since he has resumed his position as head of the Homeland Security Committee in the House.
He has now become the biggest hardliner in Congress against Muslim Americans and alleges that some have ties to Al Qaeda.
His hearings this week probing Muslim Americans have drawn great controversy.
On Sunday, in Times Square, 500 protesters marched against them.
The New York Times accused him in Tuesday's newspaper of leading a 'show trial' writing ".. he is focusing on one group that appears to have obsessed him since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, resulting in slanders and misstatements that might have earned him a rebuke from his colleagues had they been about any other group. "
"The Washington Post" among others highlighted King's strange dichotomy between his past support for the political wing of the IRA, and his obsession with Muslims and radicals.
His efforts come at a time when, ironically, there are signs that Muslims are beginning their own journey towards a political enlightenment similar to America in 1776 and France in 1789, and indeed Northern Ireland in the 1990s.
The scenes from Egypt, Tunisia and Libya all show Muslims embracing the concept of democracy that seemed impossible just a few months ago.
That is the greatest threat of all to Al Qaeda -- not a hearing in Washington seeking Muslim radicals under the bed.
Strangely, given Sinn Fein's journey towards their own political awakening, King is uniquely poised to understand that shift in the Arab world.
Alas, he finds himself on the bully pulpit espousing a very different take on Muslim Americans.
It is a very strange situation for a great advocate of democracy in Ireland.
I'm glad to still call him friend, but hope he sees sense one of these days. Demonizing a group of people never works. It only leads to further fear, hate and suspicion.
I think given the reaction to his hearings that King is able to see that clearly now.
Hancock, Maloney,....well said,...It is nice for a change to see my Republican brothers on here,.....Realist,..Go on home,..it isn't yours!
EireinAmerica | Apr 13, 2011, 08:05 PM EDT
Realist,...you are NOT a realist,..The Brits are indeed terrorists,..the real terrorists,..they aren't going to give media attention to loyalist paras,..but they will give them support!
hancock | Apr 01, 2011, 04:17 AM EDT
My wife says hello.
hancock | Apr 01, 2011, 04:16 AM EDT
Explain England's behavior in Ireland. Can you? The paras, what did they get? Anything? They shot at my Grandfather. Of course he was shooting at them too. He was buried in 1976 with a Tricolor. why do you defend the indefesible?
Realist | Apr 01, 2011, 03:06 AM EDT
hancock: No, I don't quite buy this. There's something personal behind your animosity. Something more than the usual rhetoric. I can see it in your responses. Why don't you just spit it out?
Realist | Apr 01, 2011, 02:50 AM EDT
hancock: My friend, I keep asking....Would you please produce one statement to support your claim that the UK Government are terrorists? Would you please name one country or internationally recognized organization that has designated the British as terrorists or the UK as a terrorist or rogue state? Again, feel free to quote from Stalker, Stevens, and Cameron.
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 04:28 PM EDT
When you kill innocents and cover it up for thirty years you are a terrorist. Do you noT agree? When you fund,arm and collude with the good terrorists i.e UDA, B specials, rogue RUC you are terrorists. Realist, what did the Paras get? How would you describe this behavior? Infantile? It was you who brought my wife into it, I really am getting to you aint I? why don'y you come to grips with the disgraceful conduct of the English IN Ireland, not just since 1969.
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 04:20 PM EDT
Stalker, Stevens, Cameron, what did the paras get? Guilford, Birmingham ETC. internment, potato famine,
Realist | Mar 31, 2011, 04:12 PM EDT
hancock: "terrorist tendencies"? Lol....so the British have designated themselves as terrorists? Really? Would you please produce one statement to support your claim that the UK Government are terrorists? Please feel free to quote from both the Stevens and Stalker enquiries. My friend, you just can't go around printing lies and unsubstantiated claims just because you're nursing some infantile chip on your shoulder (aka ex-wife syndrome).
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 12:54 PM EDT
The UK govt acknowledged theit terrorist tendancies.
Realist | Mar 31, 2011, 12:15 PM EDT
hancock: Would you please name one country or internationally recognized organization that has designated the British as terrorists or the UK as a terrorist or rogue state? By contrast, during the 'Troubles' the Provisional IRA were designated as an illegal terrorist organization by, among many others, the US, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland.
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 12:02 AM EDT
Because they're terrorists.
Realist | Mar 30, 2011, 04:28 PM EDT
hancock: What has the IRA got to do with this? Why do you hate the British? What happened? What did they do to you?
hancock | Mar 30, 2011, 03:47 PM EDT
I hate them as much as you hate the IRA.
Realist | Mar 30, 2011, 02:57 PM EDT
hancock: Lol....you really hate the British, don't you? What happened? What did they do to you?
hancock | Mar 30, 2011, 01:32 AM EDT
Battle of New Orleans? Great song.
Realist | Mar 29, 2011, 03:50 PM EDT
maloney: What age are you? 12? Lol....let me get this straight....are you proposing that the descendants of the original English, Scottish, Welsh, and Huguenot settlers from the late 16th and early 17th centuries now pack up their things and "go home"? After over 400 years? I tell you what, if you can persuade the entire non-indigenous population of the United States to leave North America (having been there for a shorter period), maybe the Unionists of Northern Ireland will consider it too. As for running like "b*tches"....don't you mean President James and First Lady Dolly Madison who did just that when the British burned Baltimore, Washington, and the White House in 1812....lol? I suggest you look up the Bladensburg Races in your school history book and have a grown-up read it to you. Therefore I return to my question and for the 3rd time of asking...why do you describe the British/Unionist community of Northern Ireland as "trash"?
maloney | Mar 21, 2011, 11:10 PM EDT
realist...you said it yourself, "british/unionist in Ireland" nuf said. Oh hell, the british have been running rufshod around the world for hundreds of years. They are real terrors when fighting out manned and out gunned peoples. They ran like b*tches twice from America. My family lost lives and land because we didn't have the guns. It's not yours, go home.
Aughavey | Mar 20, 2011, 12:34 PM EDT
9/11 changed his mind and perhaps the advent od the internet exposing Sinn Feins anti American marxist rhetoric used in Ireland whilst courting US dollars on St Pats. The increasing awareness that there was a terrorist network will also have influence , the IRA worked and trained with ETA in Spain, FARC in Columbia, PLO in Palestine, Fidel Castro and Colonel Gadaffi of Libya. Sinn Fein The Workers Party (connected to but not the same as Gerry Adams Sinn Fein party) was involved in the North Korean Super Dollar plot
Realist | Mar 20, 2011, 07:13 AM EDT
maloney: I ask again....why do you describe the British/Unionist community of Northern Ireland as "trash"? What part of the question do you not understand?
maloney | Mar 17, 2011, 10:57 PM EDT
I, for one, never said they were equal. Ireland will be equal when they are gone, realist. Go home, it's not Ireland.
Realist | Mar 17, 2011, 10:36 AM EDT
maloney: Why do you describe the British/Unionist community of Northern Ireland as "trash"? So much for an 'Ireland of equals'. Shame.
maloney | Mar 15, 2011, 02:45 PM EDT
realist..how long the crime has been going on is not justification that it should continue. Kick out the trash whether it's the brits in Ireland or the liberals in America.
hancock | Mar 15, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT
Great congressman.
Realist | Mar 15, 2011, 04:32 AM EDT
That interview was nothing short of embarrassing. King is a poor choice for this role. He is 'poacher-turned-game-keeper'. His IRA terrorist supporting past will be thrown in his face time and time again. I think he knows it too.
Realist | Mar 15, 2011, 04:20 AM EDT
Lol....Sir Ronald, Sir Rudy, Sir Teddy....
sully1167 | Mar 14, 2011, 04:13 AM EDT
GeorgeDillon, Don't forget Ronald Reagan. He kissed The Queens ass and Margaret Thatchers ass.
hancock | Mar 13, 2011, 04:35 AM EDT
As are the English.
Realist | Mar 13, 2011, 03:24 AM EDT
maloney: To quote John Hume, "....Nationalists need to accept that the Unionists have been in Ireland longer than the white man has been in America...." Also, King, as any blind man could see, is little more than a discredited hypocrite.
maloney | Mar 12, 2011, 12:39 AM EST
ulsterboy...That time machine should send Americans back to Ireland at the beginning of the troubles, then there wouldn't be any brits in Ireland. Go get em Mr. King.
luckysusan | Mar 11, 2011, 07:40 AM EST
Wll said, Niall.
hancock | Mar 11, 2011, 01:19 AM EST
The English are the terrorist puppet masters in Ulster. Always have been.
Ulsterman | Mar 10, 2011, 11:17 PM EST
After reading all the comments, I wish we had a time machine to send you--you know who you are--back to 1930's Germany, where you could heap praise on those Jews who "stabbed Germany in the back". You would fit right in. Futhermore, why are American lives worth so much more than the 100,000 plus lives of innocent men, women and CHILDREN killed by American bombs in Iraq. Remember "Shock and Awe"--it was not a Hollywood movie on CNN--ordinary, peaceful people died as you watch and cheered! Oh, I'm sorry that was just collateral damage, and the U.S. government issued an apology.
Ulsterman | Mar 10, 2011, 10:38 PM EST
Peter King has supported terrorism in Northern Ireland since the 1970's--morally and materially. Innocent people--Protestants and Roman Catholics were shot and blown apart by IRA "freedom-fighters" he so ardent admired and advocated for. This hypocrite has blood on his hands and now has the gall to sit in judgement on U.S. citizens who are Muslim. How about some of those "Second Amendment Remedies", you Americans are always boosting about. Terrorism is simple pervasive fear. It is not in itself an ideology. Regarding King's role in the Peace Process, he was a bit player! Senator Mitchell did the hard work! But more importantly, the success of the Good Friday Agreement is a home-grown product of the politicians and PEOPLE of Northern Ireland. Why is it that Americans must overstate and overrate their role and influence in what occurs in other people's countries around the world (from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the revolution this year in Egypt?
FallsRNat | Mar 10, 2011, 06:37 PM EST
al qaeda will love him, as an apologist for a terrorist organisation they will know that eventually the US will capitulate & enter talks with Osama bin laden.
bin laden has always claimed that they should be treated in the same way as the PIRA & by appointing King to head this committee, the US are on the slippery slope to surrender.
casualMBA | Mar 10, 2011, 03:32 PM EST
Peter King loves the North. As a sometimes too strident self elected spokesman for the "radicals" of Irish America and their feelings on the issue (pardon me, question,)of Northern Ireland and the peace process, he still rendered (for cillowen's sake) "yeoman" service to the Irish American community, and Ireland. (He should have stuck harder to the McBride Principles, in my opinion.) Now, he has turned his attention, as an elected U.S. Representative charged with The Responsibility of Homeland Security I might add, to the Middle East and its virtually daily suicide bombers - not to mention NY's own ashes of 9/11 - and asked "Do we have a potential problem here?" I can assure you, having worked in the Middle East several years, we may be respected by many here, but we are not loved by them. My hope is that Rep. King puts his Jesuit inspired mind not only to further American risk from radical Elements within the Moslem community, but quickly turns his attention to Mexico and its descent into social anarchacy in its Northern regions. Niall, give him a bit of space.
cillowen | Mar 10, 2011, 01:46 PM EST
The politician you knew all those years was a CIA
operative doing yeoman's work for crown and their big cousin on this side of pond. Don't be so nieve.
McNamara31 | Mar 10, 2011, 10:50 AM EST
Niall, Also you gave a very good interview with Chris Matthews this week. I agree Peter King is not the man he once was. Like John McCain he is bending down and pandering to the far right in his party at the cost of losing the respect of the moderates who had supported him in the past.
eiriamach | Mar 10, 2011, 09:19 AM EST
"The failure of multi-culturalism" is a dangerous new doctrine. And the silly either-or notion that either we can be politically correct/ multicultural OR we can condemn groups on the basis of their religion alone takes us several steps down the path of McCarthyism. Americans are critical-thinking multi-culturalists, not simple-minded. Multi-culturalism does not mean relativism; we can critique all cultures, we can learn from all cultures, and indeed we must do so if we are to critique American political culture when it goes this far astray. Mr. King should "follow the money" that funds extremist groups and get out of the pope's "religion of violence" inflammatory attack mode.
I find comments like Mike7571's most distressing: "If the majority of the American Islamic community has nothing to hide, they should welcome the hearings to help clear their reputations." Mike7571 throws the cornerstone of American justice out the window--innocent until proven guilty. We do not indict groups on the basis of religion, politics, culture, sexuality, "reputation," etc. We proceed on the basis of evidence, and without evidence of wrongdoing, we leave people the heck alone! Follow the money trail--the evidence--and you'll find the terrorist supporters.
Good words last night on Chris Matthews' show, Niall!
FallsRNat | Mar 09, 2011, 07:57 PM EST
borefield - the point about King is that he identified a terrorists cause as a legitimate 1 over democracy, so PIRA didn't kill 3000 americans, yes, but they responsible for 2000 deaths in the troubles, over a longer period, however, the point is to legitimise 1 terrorist campaign is to legitimise all of them, what is so different from Islam's cause to PIRA's. They both try to subtugate a differnt cultural identity with their own.
I still believe that UI will one day become a reality, but it cannot be based on an armed campaign that forces the majority of 1 country to be taken over & incoporated into another state by a minority who don't have a political majority in either of the countries, it is a moral absurdity.
kickstar | Mar 09, 2011, 07:56 PM EST
I agree with Peter King 100%, Never trust the sons of allah
kevinhayes | Mar 09, 2011, 07:26 PM EST
Niall, great appearance just now on Hardball with Chris Matthews. Chris is never the easiest interviewer and his "I'm a Collins man, not a DeValera man" was a bit bizarre, if well meant. First time I've seen you on tv - well done.
Esther1 | Mar 09, 2011, 01:42 PM EST
Dear Mr. O'Dowd,
Thank you for being brave enough to share your thoughts, openly, even though they will undoubtedly test your friendship with Congressmen King. When we allow one group to be demoralized and demonized we risk a tidal wave for any group. This is NOT an American value. We should instead be commending the American value of welcoming all those to our country. The Muslim American community by and large, is peaceful and that is proven by the minute amount of extremism we have seen from extremists that are American. THAT is what King should be recognizing!
peterson | Mar 09, 2011, 12:20 PM EST
The Muslims have earned distrust !!!
jamieLM | Mar 09, 2011, 11:35 AM EST
Usually the U.S. is reactive instead of pro-active. Whenever there's some national tragedy, people will be angry and demand from those in power - "why didn't you know that and why didn't you DO SOMETHING to stop it before it happened"? Among these people will be the same people who would've loudly and angrily objected to any questions being asked or any actions taken beforehand. You can't have it both ways. The problem is HOW and WHAT you do to prevent these incidents from happening. If the shoe fits... I would've been pleased if someone would've tossed Tim McVeighs's white "Christian" a** in jail before he bombed the Federal Bureau in Oklahoma City. If I'd known him and what he was planning, I would've ratted him out so fast. All people who are plotting large-scale murderous acts against the American people deserve to be investigated. If you're not part of the problem, you should be willing to be part of the solution on what can be done to keep EVERYONE in the U.S. safe.
hancock | Mar 09, 2011, 09:49 AM EST
Sarah Palin.
hancock | Mar 09, 2011, 09:48 AM EST
It would be nice if akbar allah shouting shooting terrorists were given a harder time by Obama empty suit and the lefty brigade than they give to S
divilment | Mar 09, 2011, 09:07 AM EST
@borefield, you're right The IRA did not blow away 3000 Americans. They specialised in killing Irish people.
FallsRNat | Mar 09, 2011, 04:46 AM EST
Mike7571 - just what do the law abiding muslims have to do, wander the streets with placards stating they aren't terrorists
Mike7571 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:56 PM EST
If the majority of the American Islamic community has nothing to hide, they should welcome the hearings to help clear their reputations. As Rep. King has pointed out, as a group the American Muslims are doing very little to ferret out the radicals in their numbers. We can not pretend that the people who have declared war on the United States and contunue to attack us at every oppurtunity are Muslims doing so in the name of Islam, so therefore they must be looked at more closely.
DennisQ | Mar 08, 2011, 11:17 PM EST
Peter King is probably kicking himself for not running for Senate against the unknown and vulnerable Kirsten Gillibrand. He had the best chance he'll have in years of being elected to higher office; but party elders apparently talked him out of it.
King's somewhat pinched expression today reflects his frustration at having blown a big opportunity. To make a name for himself now, he'll need some sensational headlines from his research into secret Muslim activities. Unfortunately, this little Jack Horner is unlikely to pull out the kinds of plums he'll need to defeat Gillibrand in '12.
Look for King to become increasingly McCarthy-like over the next two years. "I have the names of 153 jihadist collaborators," he may announce. "I'm waiting for the administration to issue indictments."
olovely | Mar 08, 2011, 11:03 PM EST
It's so sad to see grown men become a paranoic Glenn Beck or Lou Dobbs or Rick Santorum or Rush Limbaugh type conspiracy theorist. But it's worse when they actually call a Congressional hearing.
MrSinatra | Mar 08, 2011, 10:32 PM EST
investigating the mafia was not anti-italian, and investigating islamic jihad is not anti-muslim. the far left POV is as stupid as it is tedious.
eirenan | Mar 08, 2011, 07:46 PM EST
Agree, Niall....am disappointed with Rep. King, as I admired the man for his stand for the Irish Cause...and am puzzled by the complete aboutface..as a 911 Family member...I do not believe for one moment that Muslims are guilty..I do believe what my lying eyes saw that fateful morning...better he should get some answers for the JERSEY GIRLS QUESTIONS..if he is hunting terrorists.
warrenpoint00 | Mar 08, 2011, 07:11 PM EST
I would surmise Peter King like everyone else in America who was a vocal opponent against the government,s stance of its crusade again muslims was told to back off as it was some how un American and there fore he succumbed to the fear tactics employed by his and indeed governments all over the world in this respect so ultimately he rejected his democratic ideals.Whats new.
borefield | Mar 08, 2011, 06:44 PM EST
Niall, you are the most confusing person I ever read in my life. You are a TRUE WAFFLER. Are you ever loyal to anyone?. Peter King is not afraid to speak up for what he thinks is right for America and what he believes. The IRA did not blow away 3000 Americans, listen to their innuendo, kill Jews, Christans, defile women. are these the principles you follow Niall? You have no backbone. You defended Bloomberg when he knowingly insulted you race. yes, you are pupil of Kennedy, Moynihan & O'Neill. Man Up!!
GeorgeDillon | Mar 08, 2011, 05:49 PM EST
O'Dowd, you're an ungrateful creep. Peter King stood by the suffering Nationalists of the North of Ireland when your buddies Moynihan, Kennedy, O'Neill etc. were kissing the Queen's ass.
jlhumpj | Mar 08, 2011, 05:12 PM EST
It is astounding to read some of the comments about Mr.King, accusing him of "demonizing", causing "fear,hate and suspicion", etc.
Apparently history and basic knowledge of Islam- and the reign of terror the radicals impose wherever they can operate- is not part of the writer's background.
Who is behind most of the terrorism across the globe? Whose religious Bible states Jews and all those who support the "Zionists" should die? This infectious belief has already caused many terrorist acts in THIS country.
If Mr. King had been an activist opposing the Nazi party in Germany during the 1930's, I suppose he would have been blamed there also for demonizing the Nazi party. I am grateful for a real American patroit like Mr. King, who is not afraid to speak truth in the face of our PC climate.
vincem13 | Mar 08, 2011, 04:23 PM EST
Dear Niall: Egypt becoming more democratic? Tell that to Lara Logan. I'm sure that will help ease her nightmares after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by those wonderful democratic demonstrators in Cairo while they shouted "Jew, Jew" at her. Perhaps the next of kin of Major Hasan's victims at Fort Hood might disagree with your take on the Congressman's motives. What congressman King is trying to do is identify those Muslims in the USA who intend the country harm before they act. Or, would you rather he wait until the bodies of more innocent Americans are laid out to begin his investigations?
FallsRNat | Mar 08, 2011, 03:17 PM EST
How can the muslims be terrorists & yet PIRA weren't, we are fooled by Peter King's conversion to anti terrorist supremo, he thinks that if he attacks the muslims so much, we will forget about his own lamentable past.
REMITROMJR | Mar 08, 2011, 03:15 PM EST
A Pew Research study of ALL Muslims in America found such interesting facts, such as:
Relatively few Muslim Americans believe the U.S.-led war on terror is a sincere effort to reduce terrorism, and many doubt that Arabs were responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Just 40% of Muslim Americans say groups of Arabs carried out those attacks..
The majority of American Muslims see themselves as Muslims first and Americans second
According to the survey, a majority would favor changing current laws to allow stoning as a punishment for adultery, hand amputation for theft and death for those who convert from Islam to another religion.
Fewer native-born African American Muslims than others completely condemn al Qaeda.
Younger Muslims in the U.S. are much more likely than older Muslim Americans to say that suicide bombing in the defense of Islam can be at least sometimes justified.
God's Blessings on Rep. Peter King
John G. Hogan | Mar 08, 2011, 03:12 PM EST
Keep up your good work, Chairman King, doesn't hurt to ask questions.
Niall, you might want to read THE ENEMY WITHIN by Robert F. Kennedy.
MalcomAC | Mar 08, 2011, 02:28 PM EST
It's sad that King has resorted to such hate-mongering.
MasonsDaughter | Mar 08, 2011, 02:19 PM EST
King is a "rethuglican"; nuf said.
manhattan | Mar 08, 2011, 01:57 PM EST
I cannot believe you Niall . Peter King is protecting us from RADICAL MUSLIMS that want to kill us. The people who want to do us harm are fanatic muslims among the thousands who reside in the U.S. Those are the ones we have to get and of course no one is saying all muslims are the enemy but are you forgetting who has been killing us for over 20yrs? I'm so sick of those who can't face what is so clear. Thankyou Peter King.
haikued2 | Mar 08, 2011, 01:06 PM EST
Last comment: political correctness does not and has never solved problems in any society or other human organization. It masks reality by refusing to address real issues and failing to identify root causes. Without being able to freely discuss and analyze possible causes, we tend as a group to band aid problems rather than solve the underlying causes. Companies do it all the time and the Government is the leading proponent for not calling like it is. Reality can be harsh, but if you do not even allow yourself to see it, it can literally kill you while you are singing "we are the world".
haikued2 | Mar 08, 2011, 12:59 PM EST
Interesting perspective, implying al Queda and the IRA are moral equivalents...best think about that one. Obvious bias in the comments, one side or the other...normal name calling, etc. The "freedom" Muslims are fighting for is yet to really be defined...from oppression, yes, but into what? A FREE democratic style of political life OR Sharia Law? The establishment of Islamic theocracies is part and parcel of what the Muslim world has as part of its religious and political (the two are very much married to each other) life. Peter King is over the top in how he is approaching the issue and it is not, perhaps the best approach, to enlist American Muslims against the obviously worldwide war called Jihad. While the IRA did some atrocious things...they were/are not a worldwide threat wanting and funded to destroy a country and all of its inhabitants (i.e. Israel and the Jews). Obviously, I think, the vast majority of Muslims do not subscribe to what the Jihadists are up to, but it is only they that can really ferret out these monsters and save, not only the non-believers, but the world of Islam itself. I think King is a bit crazy in his approach, but NOBODY else has made any apparent effort to really enlist the peaceful Muslims who are not radicalized, yet.
ochshane | Mar 08, 2011, 12:38 PM EST
Peter King is my hero.
Nicomax | Mar 08, 2011, 12:35 PM EST
King should avoid repeating the mistake FDR, a former esteemed NY politician, made when he assigned Japanese citizens to far-away camps simply because they were Japanese.
ChiChione | Mar 08, 2011, 12:16 PM EST
Can you say "Tea Party Express"??? They now have such a hold on the GOP that unless they go along with their ideas they are OUT!
allentown | Mar 08, 2011, 12:05 PM EST
When will O'Dowd learn that when he quotes the New York Times, his article loses its objectivity.
ripley838 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:56 AM EST
He could be John F. Kennedy, but he chose to be Joe McCarthy.
bfahey7 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:54 AM EST
Comparing people fighting for their freedom,after hundreds of years of oppression, to terrorists responsible for 9/11 and thousands of other murders is insulting. Thank God Peter King is protecting us.
briddy29 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:43 AM EST
I wish there was some way I could block Niall O'Dowd's blogs. I really hate seeing them and every time I do I think I should unsubscribe. It's very annoying!!!
citizen69 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:29 AM EST
Obviously he's OK with terrorism & terrorists in Northern Ireland but doesn't like it in his own backyard. Strange how un-romantic it all seems when you're close to it.
cillowen | Mar 08, 2011, 11:05 AM EST
Methinks King is a CIA operative been all through the IRA years and always, others like O'Reilly, Hannity come to mind ..
... recall Sharpton's confession of being in service to FBI. All being also zionists to boot.
olovely | Mar 08, 2011, 10:58 AM EST
Birthers, 9/11 conspirators, socialist takeovers, the end of marriage and civilization - the 2011 GOP is a ragtag of Chicken Littles and outright nuts like Glen Beck.
kevinhayes | Mar 08, 2011, 10:43 AM EST
King is the epitome of the crescendoing weirdness that has engulfed the GOP in the last 30 plus years. It has given us huge deficits, a failing economy and society, increasingly unequal and unsustainable income and wealth distribution, unconscionable wars and lowered America's standing in the world. Obama can only hope to stem the tide. I have been waiting for you to call King out on this, Niall. Well done.
dan Breen | Mar 08, 2011, 10:33 AM EST
Maybe he don't recognized you Sir Lord O'Dowd !
RedBranch | Mar 08, 2011, 10:19 AM EST
Crazy like a Fox, whose got a high profile national position and whose an editor limited interest media outlet?
Lucky14 | Mar 08, 2011, 10:13 AM EST
O'Dowd argues against himself. King has the guts to ask questions that many other politicians find non-PC. But because O'Dowd disagrees with those questions, King is a sell-out. Typical liberal nonsense.
PiperMac52 | Mar 08, 2011, 10:09 AM EST
Peter king is without a doubt a visionary and astute observer of history. He is right on with his concern about Islam. One needs only follow world events where Islam is at the heart of veirtually every trouble spot. Influential Imams are legion who espouse the spread os Islam and establishment of a world Caliphate. The Qur'an itself is replete with such instructions as ..."take no jew or Christian as friend". I pray more politicians find the courage to speak out on what may turn out to be our most serious threat. Hasn't Europe learned anything? Roits, bombings in Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands....
bern1952 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:59 AM EST
God Bless Peter King. We are fortunate to have him. Common sense is a great gift especially when it trumps ideology.
sedwinmars | Mar 08, 2011, 09:54 AM EST
This clearly shows the dilemma within the Republican Party today. Old time conservatives have a clear choice: Retain your ideals and lose your seat; Pander to the extreme far right wing neo-conservative members and retain your seat. It's as simple as that. The Republicans have become so radicalized to the right that the old time conservative values of Reagan and King no longer exist in todays party.
ktrush512 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:43 AM EST
The fact that Mr. O'Dowd equates the journeys "towards a political enlightenment" of America in 1776 with France in 1789 shows his complete inability to draw meaningful distinctions between the civilized and uncivilized. One gave us the Declaration of Independence, the other the Reign of Terror and the guillotine. I guess Mr. O'Dowd expects that any day now a Muslim Thos. Jefferson will step forward in Cairo or Tunis and chart the course away from 15 centuries of conquest, enslavement and dictatorship. While Mr. O'Dowd waits for Muslims worldwide to disavow sharia and jihad, he can be grateful that Mr. King is working to assure that no one drops a skyscraper on him.
kelauggie1 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:36 AM EST
King is a patriot and you are a hopeless liberal. He wants to find the enemy so we are protected and you want to permit the bad guys to mix in among the good guys.
Political Correctness is dead among the masses - only blindly liberal media types want it to live on. I say slay that beast!
hancock | Mar 08, 2011, 07:48 AM EST
Great man, great congressman. Says what needs to be said.
DrTrelawney | Mar 08, 2011, 07:01 AM EST
The man is an idiot. He unapologetically supported terrorism until he saw its effects in his own back yard. Suddenly it dawned on him that blowing up innocent civilians might not be an act of great bravery, but an outrage. Rather than moderate his earlier stance, he flung himself into a new class of bigoted fervour. He is impossible to take seriously.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.EireinAmerica | Apr 13, 2011, 08:16 PM EDT
Hancock, Maloney,....well said,...It is nice for a change to see my Republican brothers on here,.....Realist,..Go on home,..it isn't yours!
EireinAmerica | Apr 13, 2011, 08:05 PM EDT
Realist,...you are NOT a realist,..The Brits are indeed terrorists,..the real terrorists,..they aren't going to give media attention to loyalist paras,..but they will give them support!
hancock | Apr 01, 2011, 04:17 AM EDT
My wife says hello.
hancock | Apr 01, 2011, 04:16 AM EDT
Explain England's behavior in Ireland. Can you? The paras, what did they get? Anything? They shot at my Grandfather. Of course he was shooting at them too. He was buried in 1976 with a Tricolor. why do you defend the indefesible?
Realist | Apr 01, 2011, 03:06 AM EDT
hancock: No, I don't quite buy this. There's something personal behind your animosity. Something more than the usual rhetoric. I can see it in your responses. Why don't you just spit it out?
Realist | Apr 01, 2011, 02:50 AM EDT
hancock: My friend, I keep asking....Would you please produce one statement to support your claim that the UK Government are terrorists? Would you please name one country or internationally recognized organization that has designated the British as terrorists or the UK as a terrorist or rogue state? Again, feel free to quote from Stalker, Stevens, and Cameron.
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 04:28 PM EDT
When you kill innocents and cover it up for thirty years you are a terrorist. Do you noT agree? When you fund,arm and collude with the good terrorists i.e UDA, B specials, rogue RUC you are terrorists. Realist, what did the Paras get? How would you describe this behavior? Infantile? It was you who brought my wife into it, I really am getting to you aint I? why don'y you come to grips with the disgraceful conduct of the English IN Ireland, not just since 1969.
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 04:20 PM EDT
Stalker, Stevens, Cameron, what did the paras get? Guilford, Birmingham ETC. internment, potato famine,
Realist | Mar 31, 2011, 04:12 PM EDT
hancock: "terrorist tendencies"? Lol....so the British have designated themselves as terrorists? Really? Would you please produce one statement to support your claim that the UK Government are terrorists? Please feel free to quote from both the Stevens and Stalker enquiries. My friend, you just can't go around printing lies and unsubstantiated claims just because you're nursing some infantile chip on your shoulder (aka ex-wife syndrome).
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 12:54 PM EDT
The UK govt acknowledged theit terrorist tendancies.
Realist | Mar 31, 2011, 12:15 PM EDT
hancock: Would you please name one country or internationally recognized organization that has designated the British as terrorists or the UK as a terrorist or rogue state? By contrast, during the 'Troubles' the Provisional IRA were designated as an illegal terrorist organization by, among many others, the US, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland.
hancock | Mar 31, 2011, 12:02 AM EDT
Because they're terrorists.
Realist | Mar 30, 2011, 04:28 PM EDT
hancock: What has the IRA got to do with this? Why do you hate the British? What happened? What did they do to you?
hancock | Mar 30, 2011, 03:47 PM EDT
I hate them as much as you hate the IRA.
Realist | Mar 30, 2011, 02:57 PM EDT
hancock: Lol....you really hate the British, don't you? What happened? What did they do to you?
hancock | Mar 30, 2011, 01:32 AM EDT
Battle of New Orleans? Great song.
Realist | Mar 29, 2011, 03:50 PM EDT
maloney: What age are you? 12? Lol....let me get this straight....are you proposing that the descendants of the original English, Scottish, Welsh, and Huguenot settlers from the late 16th and early 17th centuries now pack up their things and "go home"? After over 400 years? I tell you what, if you can persuade the entire non-indigenous population of the United States to leave North America (having been there for a shorter period), maybe the Unionists of Northern Ireland will consider it too. As for running like "b*tches"....don't you mean President James and First Lady Dolly Madison who did just that when the British burned Baltimore, Washington, and the White House in 1812....lol? I suggest you look up the Bladensburg Races in your school history book and have a grown-up read it to you. Therefore I return to my question and for the 3rd time of asking...why do you describe the British/Unionist community of Northern Ireland as "trash"?
maloney | Mar 21, 2011, 11:10 PM EDT
realist...you said it yourself, "british/unionist in Ireland" nuf said. Oh hell, the british have been running rufshod around the world for hundreds of years. They are real terrors when fighting out manned and out gunned peoples. They ran like b*tches twice from America. My family lost lives and land because we didn't have the guns. It's not yours, go home.
Aughavey | Mar 20, 2011, 12:34 PM EDT
9/11 changed his mind and perhaps the advent od the internet exposing Sinn Feins anti American marxist rhetoric used in Ireland whilst courting US dollars on St Pats. The increasing awareness that there was a terrorist network will also have influence , the IRA worked and trained with ETA in Spain, FARC in Columbia, PLO in Palestine, Fidel Castro and Colonel Gadaffi of Libya. Sinn Fein The Workers Party (connected to but not the same as Gerry Adams Sinn Fein party) was involved in the North Korean Super Dollar plot
Realist | Mar 20, 2011, 07:13 AM EDT
maloney: I ask again....why do you describe the British/Unionist community of Northern Ireland as "trash"? What part of the question do you not understand?
maloney | Mar 17, 2011, 10:57 PM EDT
I, for one, never said they were equal. Ireland will be equal when they are gone, realist. Go home, it's not Ireland.
Realist | Mar 17, 2011, 10:36 AM EDT
maloney: Why do you describe the British/Unionist community of Northern Ireland as "trash"? So much for an 'Ireland of equals'. Shame.
maloney | Mar 15, 2011, 02:45 PM EDT
realist..how long the crime has been going on is not justification that it should continue. Kick out the trash whether it's the brits in Ireland or the liberals in America.
hancock | Mar 15, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT
Great congressman.
Realist | Mar 15, 2011, 04:32 AM EDT
That interview was nothing short of embarrassing. King is a poor choice for this role. He is 'poacher-turned-game-keeper'. His IRA terrorist supporting past will be thrown in his face time and time again. I think he knows it too.
Realist | Mar 15, 2011, 04:20 AM EDT
Lol....Sir Ronald, Sir Rudy, Sir Teddy....
sully1167 | Mar 14, 2011, 04:13 AM EDT
GeorgeDillon, Don't forget Ronald Reagan. He kissed The Queens ass and Margaret Thatchers ass.
hancock | Mar 13, 2011, 04:35 AM EDT
As are the English.
Realist | Mar 13, 2011, 03:24 AM EDT
maloney: To quote John Hume, "....Nationalists need to accept that the Unionists have been in Ireland longer than the white man has been in America...." Also, King, as any blind man could see, is little more than a discredited hypocrite.
maloney | Mar 12, 2011, 12:39 AM EST
ulsterboy...That time machine should send Americans back to Ireland at the beginning of the troubles, then there wouldn't be any brits in Ireland. Go get em Mr. King.
luckysusan | Mar 11, 2011, 07:40 AM EST
Wll said, Niall.
hancock | Mar 11, 2011, 01:19 AM EST
The English are the terrorist puppet masters in Ulster. Always have been.
Ulsterman | Mar 10, 2011, 11:17 PM EST
After reading all the comments, I wish we had a time machine to send you--you know who you are--back to 1930's Germany, where you could heap praise on those Jews who "stabbed Germany in the back". You would fit right in. Futhermore, why are American lives worth so much more than the 100,000 plus lives of innocent men, women and CHILDREN killed by American bombs in Iraq. Remember "Shock and Awe"--it was not a Hollywood movie on CNN--ordinary, peaceful people died as you watch and cheered! Oh, I'm sorry that was just collateral damage, and the U.S. government issued an apology.
Ulsterman | Mar 10, 2011, 10:38 PM EST
Peter King has supported terrorism in Northern Ireland since the 1970's--morally and materially. Innocent people--Protestants and Roman Catholics were shot and blown apart by IRA "freedom-fighters" he so ardent admired and advocated for. This hypocrite has blood on his hands and now has the gall to sit in judgement on U.S. citizens who are Muslim. How about some of those "Second Amendment Remedies", you Americans are always boosting about. Terrorism is simple pervasive fear. It is not in itself an ideology. Regarding King's role in the Peace Process, he was a bit player! Senator Mitchell did the hard work! But more importantly, the success of the Good Friday Agreement is a home-grown product of the politicians and PEOPLE of Northern Ireland. Why is it that Americans must overstate and overrate their role and influence in what occurs in other people's countries around the world (from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the revolution this year in Egypt?
FallsRNat | Mar 10, 2011, 06:37 PM EST
al qaeda will love him, as an apologist for a terrorist organisation they will know that eventually the US will capitulate & enter talks with Osama bin laden. bin laden has always claimed that they should be treated in the same way as the PIRA & by appointing King to head this committee, the US are on the slippery slope to surrender.
casualMBA | Mar 10, 2011, 03:32 PM EST
Peter King loves the North. As a sometimes too strident self elected spokesman for the "radicals" of Irish America and their feelings on the issue (pardon me, question,)of Northern Ireland and the peace process, he still rendered (for cillowen's sake) "yeoman" service to the Irish American community, and Ireland. (He should have stuck harder to the McBride Principles, in my opinion.) Now, he has turned his attention, as an elected U.S. Representative charged with The Responsibility of Homeland Security I might add, to the Middle East and its virtually daily suicide bombers - not to mention NY's own ashes of 9/11 - and asked "Do we have a potential problem here?" I can assure you, having worked in the Middle East several years, we may be respected by many here, but we are not loved by them. My hope is that Rep. King puts his Jesuit inspired mind not only to further American risk from radical Elements within the Moslem community, but quickly turns his attention to Mexico and its descent into social anarchacy in its Northern regions. Niall, give him a bit of space.
cillowen | Mar 10, 2011, 01:46 PM EST
The politician you knew all those years was a CIA operative doing yeoman's work for crown and their big cousin on this side of pond. Don't be so nieve.
McNamara31 | Mar 10, 2011, 10:50 AM EST
Niall, Also you gave a very good interview with Chris Matthews this week. I agree Peter King is not the man he once was. Like John McCain he is bending down and pandering to the far right in his party at the cost of losing the respect of the moderates who had supported him in the past.
eiriamach | Mar 10, 2011, 09:19 AM EST
"The failure of multi-culturalism" is a dangerous new doctrine. And the silly either-or notion that either we can be politically correct/ multicultural OR we can condemn groups on the basis of their religion alone takes us several steps down the path of McCarthyism. Americans are critical-thinking multi-culturalists, not simple-minded. Multi-culturalism does not mean relativism; we can critique all cultures, we can learn from all cultures, and indeed we must do so if we are to critique American political culture when it goes this far astray. Mr. King should "follow the money" that funds extremist groups and get out of the pope's "religion of violence" inflammatory attack mode. I find comments like Mike7571's most distressing: "If the majority of the American Islamic community has nothing to hide, they should welcome the hearings to help clear their reputations." Mike7571 throws the cornerstone of American justice out the window--innocent until proven guilty. We do not indict groups on the basis of religion, politics, culture, sexuality, "reputation," etc. We proceed on the basis of evidence, and without evidence of wrongdoing, we leave people the heck alone! Follow the money trail--the evidence--and you'll find the terrorist supporters. Good words last night on Chris Matthews' show, Niall!
FallsRNat | Mar 09, 2011, 07:57 PM EST
borefield - the point about King is that he identified a terrorists cause as a legitimate 1 over democracy, so PIRA didn't kill 3000 americans, yes, but they responsible for 2000 deaths in the troubles, over a longer period, however, the point is to legitimise 1 terrorist campaign is to legitimise all of them, what is so different from Islam's cause to PIRA's. They both try to subtugate a differnt cultural identity with their own. I still believe that UI will one day become a reality, but it cannot be based on an armed campaign that forces the majority of 1 country to be taken over & incoporated into another state by a minority who don't have a political majority in either of the countries, it is a moral absurdity.
kickstar | Mar 09, 2011, 07:56 PM EST
I agree with Peter King 100%, Never trust the sons of allah
kevinhayes | Mar 09, 2011, 07:26 PM EST
Niall, great appearance just now on Hardball with Chris Matthews. Chris is never the easiest interviewer and his "I'm a Collins man, not a DeValera man" was a bit bizarre, if well meant. First time I've seen you on tv - well done.
Esther1 | Mar 09, 2011, 01:42 PM EST
Dear Mr. O'Dowd, Thank you for being brave enough to share your thoughts, openly, even though they will undoubtedly test your friendship with Congressmen King. When we allow one group to be demoralized and demonized we risk a tidal wave for any group. This is NOT an American value. We should instead be commending the American value of welcoming all those to our country. The Muslim American community by and large, is peaceful and that is proven by the minute amount of extremism we have seen from extremists that are American. THAT is what King should be recognizing!
peterson | Mar 09, 2011, 12:20 PM EST
The Muslims have earned distrust !!!
jamieLM | Mar 09, 2011, 11:35 AM EST
Usually the U.S. is reactive instead of pro-active. Whenever there's some national tragedy, people will be angry and demand from those in power - "why didn't you know that and why didn't you DO SOMETHING to stop it before it happened"? Among these people will be the same people who would've loudly and angrily objected to any questions being asked or any actions taken beforehand. You can't have it both ways. The problem is HOW and WHAT you do to prevent these incidents from happening. If the shoe fits... I would've been pleased if someone would've tossed Tim McVeighs's white "Christian" a** in jail before he bombed the Federal Bureau in Oklahoma City. If I'd known him and what he was planning, I would've ratted him out so fast. All people who are plotting large-scale murderous acts against the American people deserve to be investigated. If you're not part of the problem, you should be willing to be part of the solution on what can be done to keep EVERYONE in the U.S. safe.
hancock | Mar 09, 2011, 09:49 AM EST
Sarah Palin.
hancock | Mar 09, 2011, 09:48 AM EST
It would be nice if akbar allah shouting shooting terrorists were given a harder time by Obama empty suit and the lefty brigade than they give to S
divilment | Mar 09, 2011, 09:07 AM EST
@borefield, you're right The IRA did not blow away 3000 Americans. They specialised in killing Irish people.
FallsRNat | Mar 09, 2011, 04:46 AM EST
Mike7571 - just what do the law abiding muslims have to do, wander the streets with placards stating they aren't terrorists
Mike7571 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:56 PM EST
If the majority of the American Islamic community has nothing to hide, they should welcome the hearings to help clear their reputations. As Rep. King has pointed out, as a group the American Muslims are doing very little to ferret out the radicals in their numbers. We can not pretend that the people who have declared war on the United States and contunue to attack us at every oppurtunity are Muslims doing so in the name of Islam, so therefore they must be looked at more closely.
DennisQ | Mar 08, 2011, 11:17 PM EST
Peter King is probably kicking himself for not running for Senate against the unknown and vulnerable Kirsten Gillibrand. He had the best chance he'll have in years of being elected to higher office; but party elders apparently talked him out of it.
King's somewhat pinched expression today reflects his frustration at having blown a big opportunity. To make a name for himself now, he'll need some sensational headlines from his research into secret Muslim activities. Unfortunately, this little Jack Horner is unlikely to pull out the kinds of plums he'll need to defeat Gillibrand in '12.
Look for King to become increasingly McCarthy-like over the next two years. "I have the names of 153 jihadist collaborators," he may announce. "I'm waiting for the administration to issue indictments."
olovely | Mar 08, 2011, 11:03 PM EST
It's so sad to see grown men become a paranoic Glenn Beck or Lou Dobbs or Rick Santorum or Rush Limbaugh type conspiracy theorist. But it's worse when they actually call a Congressional hearing.
MrSinatra | Mar 08, 2011, 10:32 PM EST
investigating the mafia was not anti-italian, and investigating islamic jihad is not anti-muslim. the far left POV is as stupid as it is tedious.
eirenan | Mar 08, 2011, 07:46 PM EST
Agree, Niall....am disappointed with Rep. King, as I admired the man for his stand for the Irish Cause...and am puzzled by the complete aboutface..as a 911 Family member...I do not believe for one moment that Muslims are guilty..I do believe what my lying eyes saw that fateful morning...better he should get some answers for the JERSEY GIRLS QUESTIONS..if he is hunting terrorists.
warrenpoint00 | Mar 08, 2011, 07:11 PM EST
I would surmise Peter King like everyone else in America who was a vocal opponent against the government,s stance of its crusade again muslims was told to back off as it was some how un American and there fore he succumbed to the fear tactics employed by his and indeed governments all over the world in this respect so ultimately he rejected his democratic ideals.Whats new.
borefield | Mar 08, 2011, 06:44 PM EST
Niall, you are the most confusing person I ever read in my life. You are a TRUE WAFFLER. Are you ever loyal to anyone?. Peter King is not afraid to speak up for what he thinks is right for America and what he believes. The IRA did not blow away 3000 Americans, listen to their innuendo, kill Jews, Christans, defile women. are these the principles you follow Niall? You have no backbone. You defended Bloomberg when he knowingly insulted you race. yes, you are pupil of Kennedy, Moynihan & O'Neill. Man Up!!
GeorgeDillon | Mar 08, 2011, 05:49 PM EST
O'Dowd, you're an ungrateful creep. Peter King stood by the suffering Nationalists of the North of Ireland when your buddies Moynihan, Kennedy, O'Neill etc. were kissing the Queen's ass.
jlhumpj | Mar 08, 2011, 05:12 PM EST
It is astounding to read some of the comments about Mr.King, accusing him of "demonizing", causing "fear,hate and suspicion", etc. Apparently history and basic knowledge of Islam- and the reign of terror the radicals impose wherever they can operate- is not part of the writer's background. Who is behind most of the terrorism across the globe? Whose religious Bible states Jews and all those who support the "Zionists" should die? This infectious belief has already caused many terrorist acts in THIS country. If Mr. King had been an activist opposing the Nazi party in Germany during the 1930's, I suppose he would have been blamed there also for demonizing the Nazi party. I am grateful for a real American patroit like Mr. King, who is not afraid to speak truth in the face of our PC climate.
vincem13 | Mar 08, 2011, 04:23 PM EST
Dear Niall: Egypt becoming more democratic? Tell that to Lara Logan. I'm sure that will help ease her nightmares after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by those wonderful democratic demonstrators in Cairo while they shouted "Jew, Jew" at her. Perhaps the next of kin of Major Hasan's victims at Fort Hood might disagree with your take on the Congressman's motives. What congressman King is trying to do is identify those Muslims in the USA who intend the country harm before they act. Or, would you rather he wait until the bodies of more innocent Americans are laid out to begin his investigations?
FallsRNat | Mar 08, 2011, 03:17 PM EST
How can the muslims be terrorists & yet PIRA weren't, we are fooled by Peter King's conversion to anti terrorist supremo, he thinks that if he attacks the muslims so much, we will forget about his own lamentable past.
REMITROMJR | Mar 08, 2011, 03:15 PM EST
A Pew Research study of ALL Muslims in America found such interesting facts, such as: Relatively few Muslim Americans believe the U.S.-led war on terror is a sincere effort to reduce terrorism, and many doubt that Arabs were responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Just 40% of Muslim Americans say groups of Arabs carried out those attacks.. The majority of American Muslims see themselves as Muslims first and Americans second According to the survey, a majority would favor changing current laws to allow stoning as a punishment for adultery, hand amputation for theft and death for those who convert from Islam to another religion. Fewer native-born African American Muslims than others completely condemn al Qaeda. Younger Muslims in the U.S. are much more likely than older Muslim Americans to say that suicide bombing in the defense of Islam can be at least sometimes justified. God's Blessings on Rep. Peter King
John G. Hogan | Mar 08, 2011, 03:12 PM EST
Keep up your good work, Chairman King, doesn't hurt to ask questions. Niall, you might want to read THE ENEMY WITHIN by Robert F. Kennedy.
MalcomAC | Mar 08, 2011, 02:28 PM EST
It's sad that King has resorted to such hate-mongering.
MasonsDaughter | Mar 08, 2011, 02:19 PM EST
King is a "rethuglican"; nuf said.
manhattan | Mar 08, 2011, 01:57 PM EST
I cannot believe you Niall . Peter King is protecting us from RADICAL MUSLIMS that want to kill us. The people who want to do us harm are fanatic muslims among the thousands who reside in the U.S. Those are the ones we have to get and of course no one is saying all muslims are the enemy but are you forgetting who has been killing us for over 20yrs? I'm so sick of those who can't face what is so clear. Thankyou Peter King.
haikued2 | Mar 08, 2011, 01:06 PM EST
Last comment: political correctness does not and has never solved problems in any society or other human organization. It masks reality by refusing to address real issues and failing to identify root causes. Without being able to freely discuss and analyze possible causes, we tend as a group to band aid problems rather than solve the underlying causes. Companies do it all the time and the Government is the leading proponent for not calling like it is. Reality can be harsh, but if you do not even allow yourself to see it, it can literally kill you while you are singing "we are the world".
haikued2 | Mar 08, 2011, 12:59 PM EST
Interesting perspective, implying al Queda and the IRA are moral equivalents...best think about that one. Obvious bias in the comments, one side or the other...normal name calling, etc. The "freedom" Muslims are fighting for is yet to really be defined...from oppression, yes, but into what? A FREE democratic style of political life OR Sharia Law? The establishment of Islamic theocracies is part and parcel of what the Muslim world has as part of its religious and political (the two are very much married to each other) life. Peter King is over the top in how he is approaching the issue and it is not, perhaps the best approach, to enlist American Muslims against the obviously worldwide war called Jihad. While the IRA did some atrocious things...they were/are not a worldwide threat wanting and funded to destroy a country and all of its inhabitants (i.e. Israel and the Jews). Obviously, I think, the vast majority of Muslims do not subscribe to what the Jihadists are up to, but it is only they that can really ferret out these monsters and save, not only the non-believers, but the world of Islam itself. I think King is a bit crazy in his approach, but NOBODY else has made any apparent effort to really enlist the peaceful Muslims who are not radicalized, yet.
ochshane | Mar 08, 2011, 12:38 PM EST
Peter King is my hero.
Nicomax | Mar 08, 2011, 12:35 PM EST
King should avoid repeating the mistake FDR, a former esteemed NY politician, made when he assigned Japanese citizens to far-away camps simply because they were Japanese.
ChiChione | Mar 08, 2011, 12:16 PM EST
Can you say "Tea Party Express"??? They now have such a hold on the GOP that unless they go along with their ideas they are OUT!
allentown | Mar 08, 2011, 12:05 PM EST
When will O'Dowd learn that when he quotes the New York Times, his article loses its objectivity.
ripley838 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:56 AM EST
He could be John F. Kennedy, but he chose to be Joe McCarthy.
bfahey7 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:54 AM EST
Comparing people fighting for their freedom,after hundreds of years of oppression, to terrorists responsible for 9/11 and thousands of other murders is insulting. Thank God Peter King is protecting us.
briddy29 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:43 AM EST
I wish there was some way I could block Niall O'Dowd's blogs. I really hate seeing them and every time I do I think I should unsubscribe. It's very annoying!!!
citizen69 | Mar 08, 2011, 11:29 AM EST
Obviously he's OK with terrorism & terrorists in Northern Ireland but doesn't like it in his own backyard. Strange how un-romantic it all seems when you're close to it.
cillowen | Mar 08, 2011, 11:05 AM EST
Methinks King is a CIA operative been all through the IRA years and always, others like O'Reilly, Hannity come to mind .. ... recall Sharpton's confession of being in service to FBI. All being also zionists to boot.
olovely | Mar 08, 2011, 10:58 AM EST
Birthers, 9/11 conspirators, socialist takeovers, the end of marriage and civilization - the 2011 GOP is a ragtag of Chicken Littles and outright nuts like Glen Beck.
kevinhayes | Mar 08, 2011, 10:43 AM EST
King is the epitome of the crescendoing weirdness that has engulfed the GOP in the last 30 plus years. It has given us huge deficits, a failing economy and society, increasingly unequal and unsustainable income and wealth distribution, unconscionable wars and lowered America's standing in the world. Obama can only hope to stem the tide. I have been waiting for you to call King out on this, Niall. Well done.
dan Breen | Mar 08, 2011, 10:33 AM EST
Maybe he don't recognized you Sir Lord O'Dowd !
RedBranch | Mar 08, 2011, 10:19 AM EST
Crazy like a Fox, whose got a high profile national position and whose an editor limited interest media outlet?
Lucky14 | Mar 08, 2011, 10:13 AM EST
O'Dowd argues against himself. King has the guts to ask questions that many other politicians find non-PC. But because O'Dowd disagrees with those questions, King is a sell-out. Typical liberal nonsense.
PiperMac52 | Mar 08, 2011, 10:09 AM EST
Peter king is without a doubt a visionary and astute observer of history. He is right on with his concern about Islam. One needs only follow world events where Islam is at the heart of veirtually every trouble spot. Influential Imams are legion who espouse the spread os Islam and establishment of a world Caliphate. The Qur'an itself is replete with such instructions as ..."take no jew or Christian as friend". I pray more politicians find the courage to speak out on what may turn out to be our most serious threat. Hasn't Europe learned anything? Roits, bombings in Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands....
bern1952 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:59 AM EST
God Bless Peter King. We are fortunate to have him. Common sense is a great gift especially when it trumps ideology.
sedwinmars | Mar 08, 2011, 09:54 AM EST
This clearly shows the dilemma within the Republican Party today. Old time conservatives have a clear choice: Retain your ideals and lose your seat; Pander to the extreme far right wing neo-conservative members and retain your seat. It's as simple as that. The Republicans have become so radicalized to the right that the old time conservative values of Reagan and King no longer exist in todays party.
ktrush512 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:43 AM EST
The fact that Mr. O'Dowd equates the journeys "towards a political enlightenment" of America in 1776 with France in 1789 shows his complete inability to draw meaningful distinctions between the civilized and uncivilized. One gave us the Declaration of Independence, the other the Reign of Terror and the guillotine. I guess Mr. O'Dowd expects that any day now a Muslim Thos. Jefferson will step forward in Cairo or Tunis and chart the course away from 15 centuries of conquest, enslavement and dictatorship. While Mr. O'Dowd waits for Muslims worldwide to disavow sharia and jihad, he can be grateful that Mr. King is working to assure that no one drops a skyscraper on him.
kelauggie1 | Mar 08, 2011, 09:36 AM EST
King is a patriot and you are a hopeless liberal. He wants to find the enemy so we are protected and you want to permit the bad guys to mix in among the good guys. Political Correctness is dead among the masses - only blindly liberal media types want it to live on. I say slay that beast!
hancock | Mar 08, 2011, 07:48 AM EST
Great man, great congressman. Says what needs to be said.
DrTrelawney | Mar 08, 2011, 07:01 AM EST
The man is an idiot. He unapologetically supported terrorism until he saw its effects in his own back yard. Suddenly it dawned on him that blowing up innocent civilians might not be an act of great bravery, but an outrage. Rather than moderate his earlier stance, he flung himself into a new class of bigoted fervour. He is impossible to take seriously.