Steve King: We All Look Alike to Him

The punch line to some old, racist joke roughly goes: "they all look alike to me." The set up to the joke was rewritten by this past weekend by Congressman Steve King - (R) Iowa. On some radio show King claimed that were Barack Obama to be elected president Al-Qaeda would be "dancing in the streets" in greater numbers than on September the 11th of 2001. King bases his assertion on three things, the first being that Obama favors a withdrawal from Iraq. While that point might be at least worthy of debate, King's next two remove logic from the discourse. What will bring on the outbreak of public jubilation among OBL's minion's are Obama's middle name -- Hussein; a name nobody had a problem with when we were funneling the guy guns and money during the Iran/Iraq war -- and Obama's Kenyan heritage.

What King is basically saying is; anyone who's got a "funny" name and African lineage is a kissing cousin the ilk who took down the twin towers.

We all look alike to him.

Of course the Christian, biracial, Harvard educated Obama is as far from being a terrorist as George Clooney is from being lonely on Friday nights. And in his rush to link Obama with "those people," King ignores a fact that Al-Qaeda makes over and over again: their ideological hatred cuts across racial and religious divides. They care nothing about where someone's ancestors are from or who they worship. All they care about is chalking a steady body count.

I would remind Congressman King of the August 7th, 1998 bombings by Al- Qaeda of US embassies in both Tanzania and Kenya. There was no dancing in the streets on that day. Just Tanzanians and Kenyans pulling victims from the rubble. Estimates are that more than 200 people were killed and as many as 4,000 injured. I imagine many of them had "funny" names. Rather than Obama's election, I would say what would get the survivors of those and other Al-Qaeda massacres dancing would be Bin Laden's head on a pike or platter or stuffed in a bowling bag for lack of other display options.

The fact is that Al-Qaeda doesn't really care who's in the White House come next year. They will do as they do regardless of whether it's a woman, a man of color or an old white guy. Much as with the victims of their violence, they don't really discriminate that way. You could say that to the terrorists, we're all alike to them.

Is that something Steve King and Osama Bin Laden have in common?

Comments

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

The symptoms are the same beacuse the disease is the same - Virulent Religious Fundamentalism.

[Denni]

I watched you on Morning Joe. I sent in a letter asking that the offer you a permanent position OR your own show on MSNBC. You're the only person who made sense!!! WTH with Craig Crawford? Clearly he's Clinton's prime target voter/supporter!

Thank you for being the voice of reason when hotter heads, unfortunately, prevail.

As for King, what's left to say? You've said it all so well, AGAIN!

[jvomd]

Your point is good.

But I can tell you. This prehistoric and ignorant way of thinking is changing in America. These are just traces of what's left about this issues in the minds of the great young americans, wich are becoming more powerful.

You can prove it. Just look at the statistics. Who are voting for Obama? Young people, no matter their races.

But, your point is good, anyways.

Good day.

[musicman42]

I'm amazed that Republican's have been so successful conning the American public with their "we'll keep you safe" bullshit when THEY WERE ON WATCH WHEN BIN LADEN HIT US! Details, details.
Who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?

[tgood]

Obama is so busy pandering to Latinas and pleasing them, he doesn't have time to worry about the rest of America. If he is an ambassador for anyone, it's the Latin American countries who are more than happy to use the U.S. and taxpayers as a relief valve from their over population and poverty. . He seems to find their needs paramount to those facing people living in this country legally. After all, he has to have an agenda and his just happens to align with that of LaRaza. I can't believe Americans are so blind to what this person plans to do and how it will impact what is left of America. You better brush up on your Spanish and get ready to tighten your belt when Senor Obama takes over.

[Cerebus]

Why is it that so many well intentioned, literate people manage to elect so many self serving, arrogant, intellectually mediocre representatives? This stuff transcends party lines.

[DinahMoeHum]

Want to help get rid of that assclown King? Donate to his opponent:
http://www.hublercongress.com/

[charlietuna11]

mr.ridley, i have to wonder about the surname king. we in new york have a congressman named peter king. he stated recently that there were to many mosques in america..he didn't mention what an acceptable number would be. i would guess not more than one.. just wondering if these two bigots were related..maybe one of your bloggers could let us know..

[paul195]

No they are not.

I for one, happen to agree with him..

[HeevenSteven]

Geez, yeah, those Kings all sound alike; don't they !

[valleygent]

Who are the terrorists? Hasn't it been proven that the Republican Party is full of them? This congressman King should be removed from his seat immediately, he is a racist pig. Now, since Pelosi didn't do her job and remove the Bush terrorist movement against our democracy, the people will, just watch the wave of angry voters in November. I predict a LANSLIDE win for Obama.

[feo]

What's wrong with singing old Martha and the Vandallas tunes?

[desmirl]

The sad thing is McCain's lukewarm opposition to the hateful and insane things King is saying. Why can't McCain stand up and tell the public that King's statements are so far beyond offensive that he is going to encourage the House to censure the man and the Senate to pass a resolution condemning King's behavior. Instead of standing up for what's right, McCain just wimps out.

[LutherBrixton]

If racism didn't work, Republicans wouldn't use it - period. They know it appeals to their noxious, white supremacist base.

When are Democrats going to start pointing out that racism in the Republican Party isn't "isolated cases"- it's a staple of their platform? Everyone is aware that the GOP embraces racism, yet the Democrats tip-toe around this enormous Achilles heel of the Republicans.

[paul195]

Racism Quiz from a Independent:

Which major Party can claim to have both a Black panter and Klan member elected from their party?

It isnt the GOP...

Charles Barron and Robert Byrd...

Learn some facts..

[LutherBrixton]

Some facts:

The GOP has repeatedly uses both police intimidation and purging of votes to supress black votes in Florida.

The GOP continues to laud Bush 'sdecision to refuse to send federal assitance to New Orleans during Katrina because the citizens were poor and black.

Saint Ronald Reagan began his campaign for presidency in 1980 by making a speech in Philadlephia, Mississippi, solely because of it's historic importance in the murder of civil rights workers. The reason to speak in such an obscure location wasn't lost on anyone.

Rush Limbaugh, the GOP's top spokesperson, as recently as last week was laughing on air about comparing Barack Obama to Curious George the cartoon monkey.

While just barely scratching the surface of the vile racism that appeals overwhelmingly to Republicans, anyone still denying the transparent pandering to white racism in the GOP needs to ask themselves what the 'Southern Strategy' is, why every Republican from Nixon to Reagan to Bush embraced it, and why every Republican since has fully utilized it. Thankfully, 'Macaca' shows the strategy is backfiring in the 21st century.

The "Robert Byrd-proves-Republicans-aren't-racist" excuse only proves my point - that Republcans embrace racism and can't refute it with any proof.

Learn some facts..

[mslindab]

Did Obama get votes from his district? What is the reaction in Iowa? Shame on McCain and the RNC.

[Lust4Lost]

Hey if experience were so important to success in politics wouldnt both Cheney and Rumsfeld be two of the most successful pols?

Obama needs to align McNasty alongside W, Cheney and Rummy

[realpolitic]

Rep. King is on the conservative side of the tracks where Mr. Ridley usually writes from. So in this case, the statements made by the Congressman are perhaps the chickens coming home to roost, as Malcom X said. Conservatives have long used fear to link the fight against al Qaeda with Iraq with voting Republican.

Rep. King's fear mongering is beyond the pale and should be denounced by thinking people. Mr. Ridley is not above such fear mongering, as we can see by his conclusion to this short piece. I believe we have created more terrorists by going into Iraq than we have eliminated and various NIE reports agree. Therefore, we need an intelligent leader who can react proportionately and measuredly to terroists threats. Fear mongering only sets us back and this fear is what bin Laden wanted to create in America. Let us protect our remaining civil liberties with the same zeal with which bin Laden would like us to destroy them.

[Aaror]

Steve King and Osama Bin Ladin are in the same party. I mean, look at them, both conservitives who want to restore the "good old days," ways we did things in the past. They both want to put women "in their place," they both want religion in government and the schools. Osama Bin Ladin is a Republican.
Please call him Osama Bin Ladin (R) Saudi Arabia, it keeps us focused on what this man is. That we have been fighting wars for Saudi Arabia because of him makes me both sick and perplexed. If Siberian Terrorists attacked us, would we kick over Poland's government and let Russia take it over?