Rep. King on Jackson: 'There's nothing good about this guy'
(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.
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Rep King, like GOPers in general these days, "Party of No", is simply out of touch with reality. MJ with global fame and noted by Guinness as the most giving of all entertainers, has done more for the world than King will ever do. Why doesn't he take his own advice and speak about something he thinks is important vs slamming MJ.
With his statement about MJ, Peter King has disgraced himself and his district by showing that he has no respect for black people. MJ was never convicted of any charges. There were a lot of people who lied as part of a shakedown of MJ. Peter King needs to resign and give someone else a chance to serve.
Finally someone who has the guts to tell it like it is. Thank you!!!
In the imortal words of Ken Starr, "Those charges were litigated. He won." (paraphrasing)
I could not agree more. What has this country come to when someone of such a dubious chartacter is held up as an Icon?
AMEN!!! Brother. The media is so self indulgent. They run this country, not you and me.
Bravo, Rep. King! Thank you for having the courage to say what so few would. Our country has become one of "worshippers" of their celebrities rather than worshippers of God. Continue to stand strong!
I would agree that the media has gone overboard with MJ coverage. However, I don't think Rep. King should be slinging comments such as "pervert" either. Your opinion is best kept in silence when commenting about the dead.
not everyone wants to read about the senseless dieing of soldiers. some people want to remember the ones that they went through childhood watching and listening to...admiring their individuality and accomplishments that no one else has ever been able to touch. How can a man shout out on something that was never proven. Innocent until proven guilty.
Thank god we have another item for the sheep of both parties to comment on, lest they pay attention to the activites of our government.
Then again, my sentiment will be lost in the sea of invective hurled by partisans of all sides
Is this guy serious?
Lighten up dude. Sounds to me like you're covering for some skeletons you have in your closet. Diddled a few kids of your own? There's nothing like right-wing hypocrisy, especially when many of these 'conservatives' have plenty to hide themselves – stop telling people how to live their lives, and fix your own.
Why does people harp on allegations? Michael was never convicted of any wrong doing. He was a rich naive target for many people. In the U.S. we have a innocent until proven guilty!
Amen!! It's about time someone called it like it is.
What a jerk this guy is he has always been jerk and in my book will never stop being one just another disgruntled republican thug.
More of the Republican plan to woo black voters. Hahahaha!
I like this guy.
This is an appauling statement from a public official representing his constituent of New York. This is one more example of his ignorance or miscalculation of the public sentiment at large – yet amazingly his fellow citizens elected him multiple terms. Does his district continue to be proud or ashamed?
This congressman must be defeated .. Micheal Jackson was never convicted of any wrong doing ....
Some shameles parents were just trying to extort money from him.
Please show some respect the man is dead...
WOW....
I'm speechless! Is this lawmaker so desperate that he is trying to score points, talking bad about a dead person? How much lower can he go,
considering that there are millions of people worldwide mourning?
Hope that Karma comes around and bites him!!!!!
Some folks said the same thing about him. What a loser – and to think he's be REelected repeatedly....
I may not have liked Michael Jackson or his recent music, but I'm a lot more offended by Rep. King. King makes Jackson look like a saint! This guy is still in congress? This speaks very poorly of his district.
Growing up (before the accusations) republicans never liked michael jackson. They never liked the thought of a black man being the biggest popstar in the world. (They still don't).
I agree 100%. I am glad that he had the courage to speak the truth.
waoouh, what a comment. i don't think its appropriate at this particular time when family and friends still mourn the legend that passed away.
but i do agree that the media EXAGGERATED WITH MJ DEATH COVERAGE...