(CNN) – New York Rep. Peter King called on the media to "knock out the psycho-babble" and stop covering Michael Jackson because "this guy was a pervert."
"He was a child molester. He was a pedophile. And to be giving this much coverage to him day in and day out, what does it say about us as a country," King said Sunday in front of the American Legion Hall in Wantagh. "We're too politically correct. No one wants to stand up and say, 'We don't need Michael Jackson.'"
King, a nine-term Republican representative from New York's Third Congressional District, said the media has "disgraced itself," noting that there are people dying everyday.
"There are men and women dying today in Afghanistan. Let's give them the credit they deserve," he added.
Jackson went on trial for child molestation allegations in 2005, but was acquitted after a 14-week media circus of a trial in Santa Maria, California. A decade earlier, prosecutors in Los Angeles declined to file charges in their own 13-month child molestation investigation. That case settled out of court, reportedly with Jackson paying millions in damages.
"There's nothing good about this guy. He may have been a good singer, did some dancing, but bottom-line is - would you let your child or grandchild be in the same room with Michael Jackson? What are we glorifying him for?" King said, asking instead that the public honor people like servicemen, teachers and firefighters.
King defended his comments in an interview Monday with CNN radio affiliate WOR, “The fact is that what he has done as far as young children are concerned, young boys are concerned, is a horrible example to set to the world.”
“…Anyone who causes evil or endangers children, to me that supersedes anything else. And do we as a culture really want to be defined by Michael Jackson's singing and dancing or by the fact that he became a worldwide spectacle for abuse of children? “
King was chairman of the powerful House Homeland Security Committee from 2005 until the Democrats took over the House in January 2007.
He won 64 percent of the vote in his re-election victory last November.
Earlier this year he said he was considering a run for the Senate next year, taking on Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who replaced Hillary Clinton as New York's junior senator.
From CNN Politics
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So much for, "innocent until proven guilty".
Why are we letting peop-e like this, who are blatently ignoring the concept of having to be proven guilty, run our government?
About time someone has the courage to say it!
See, this is typical of the GOP nowadays....This sort of flame throwing is uncalled for even for a useless politician such as Peter King. MJ is an ICON and will forever be missed....Just when you thought they couldn't go any lower, they've sunk to a whole new level....Disgusting.
First of all, Jackson was aquited on all charges. To make statements like these say Mr. King doesnt believe in this country's judicial process. Michael Jackson did alot of great things besides music and dance. To say he did nothing good is outrageous. Look at the number of charities he sponsored. He gave an incredible amount of money and time to these causes. Sometimes, people talk out of hate. I think that may be the case with Peter King.
This guy ever heard of Innocent until proven guilty? We may never know the truth, if he was molesting kids or the victim of people who knew how to take advantage of his eccentricities. Whatever the case, he was aquitted and as for the music industry, he was one of the biggest icons in history.
This idiot needs to keep his trap shut and stop sending the troops over to countries that don't want our way of life and can't wait until we are gone. There would be a lot less dead Americans and Iraqis if this nation would stop taking the role of world police.
Bite my independent rear end, you nimrod, Peter King.
Watch the fireworks begin!!!!!!!
Everyone knows that the Republicans are really closet bigots only pandering to race because of votes. If I remember correctly, Jackson was acquited! He was weird but not a convicted anything!
Dear Rep. King,
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Innocent until proven guilty..." before. Has Michael Jackson ever been found guilty of any charges? Now, if you are so concerned about the men and women dying in Afghanistan, then maybe you need to spend more energy helping them and not defaming someone who is dead. What happened to your respect.
Congressman Peter King is jealous that he is not getting as much attentions as MJ.
MJ deserves all the attentions he is getting!!
Amen. He was a punch line until the day he died and now the media idolizes him. Obama will probably declare a national day of mourning and then name a new Federal holiday after him.
About time a public figure called in the truth.
It's about time someone said it...good for him.
King has a point. I also believe Jackson has had way too much media coverage and most of us have grown weary of it all. However, I suppose they are honoring him for his music and not for his past problems.
I agree!!!
Oops, there go a few votes
At least he's inspirational...you people just don't understand him as a person...just do your political stuff, ol' man!
Mr. King,
If a man was proven innocent under the same constitution/law that you serve, does that make it right for YOU a LAWMAKER to publicly slander an individual that was proven innocent of these crimes?? I call for your resignation. You are clearly not a "standup" lawmaker, and you have publicly commited the crime of slander.
I was beginning to believe that no public figure would stand up to the truth about Michael Jackson. Thank you, Peter King.
Rep King should not have been given any media time. Stop hating on MJ. Envy will get u nowhere.
Thats right Republicans.....keep making statements like that! It shows how "in-touch" you are with the black community. This is beautiful!
Rep King is correct The media has made a person with many less than good actions stand out as a hero to the young I would not want one person to fellow in his foot steps after 13 he did not do anything to truly be honored for. His daily life was for the public to see was one of less the positive behavior
Right On !!!! It's about time someone stood up to this crazyness.
First of all according to the Judicial system, he is innocent. Second of all his contribution to the music industry can not be denied. Third of all, sit yourself down somewhere and shut up. I love the media coverage. It takes your mind off of the gloom and doom of the ususal cycle of news. Our troops are always first and foremost in our thoughts. Although I must admit SARAH PALIN's psycho babble was a brief diversion. Absolutey mind boggling. Loved it! LOL!
Someone needs to inform Mr. King about libel and slander. Say what you will about Michael Jackson and his personal life, but he was acquitted on all charges by a court of law. Should you have your doubts? Sure, but you can't publicly say something like that without proof. I hope that the Jackson family goes after this guy.