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Rep. King Promises "Fair" Muslim Hearings, Proud Of IRA Support
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 9, 2011
Modified Mar 9, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 9, 2011
Modified Mar 9, 2011
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Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island), who heads the Homeland Security Committee, is getting ready for tomorrow's hearings on Muslim radicalization and was on CBS's The Early Show and tried to address criticism that they were racist. King promised to "run a good hearing. I will run an honest and fair hearing." But what about his support of those white guy terrorists, the IRA?
The NY Times devoted a lengthy article about King's pro-IRA past today, noting his comments from the 1980s, "We must pledge ourselves to support those brave men and women who this very moment are carrying forth the struggle against British imperialism in the streets of Belfast and Derry" and "If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the I.R.A. for it." And the Daily Show (video below) also wondered about it.
King said the Times article was "a last-minute attempt to take a shot at me... I was absolutely essential in bringing about that peace process. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people are alive today in Northern Ireland because of my efforts. I would be happy to discuss and debate this issue at any time." He also used the bad apple analogy to emphasize why the hearings were important, "Al Qaeda is attempting to radicalize the Muslim-American community. I have said over and over again, 99 percent -- more than that maybe - of Muslims in this country are outstanding Americans, but their community is being targeted. That's why the investigation is there."
The Daily Show - How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sharia?
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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