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.
If anyone would know a pervert – it's a Republican but in this case he's wrong! Michael Jackson was acquited of all charges and although Peter King would like to continue to slander Michael Jackson in death, the truth is Michael Jackson attained more love, wealth and fame from his fans than Peter King will ever attain with the pathetic attempt to steal the spotlight away from a wonderful human being that was Michael Jackson.
Jackson was ACQUITTED.
Does this "lawmaker" not believe in our laws?
Everyone that comes with a message of peace is met with hatred and anger in this world. As a politician I'm sure you're a great person. Shut Up and respect the dead. Michael is and was a symbol of peace and some people just don't understand or can't comprehend a pure soul. R.I.P MJ
this guy has some issues. he is correct that men and women who serve our country deserve our respect but that has nothing to do with Michael Jackson. Mr. King seems like a pervert himself who is still in the closet and though he is saying vile things, he is entitled to his opinion.
It must be a very cold day, I agree with a republican.
Michael Jackson was found not guilty of the charges, Mr. King, in case you are unaware of the facts.
I agreed with him totally. I'm so sick of hearing about Michael Jackson. When is it going to end?
While I agree 100% with Mr. Peter King about the amount of news coverage dedicated to Michael Jackson (I'm already sick of it to be honest and I was a fan back in the 90's) let us not forget that it was never proven in a court of law that he molested anyone. One of my coworwerks' son was killed in Iraq last year and it wasn't even mentioned anywhere, it is true that we do not give credit to the ones that rightfully deserve it.
Dear Mr. King,
I'm no Jackson fan, but your comments are the the kind of Right-Wing psycho talk that juxtaposes you kind at the opposite end of the spectrum – but just as bad if not worse – than the behaviors you claim to revile.
John Dean calls it "Conservatives without Compassion". I call it the right wing Nazi Cabaret of extremist repression oriented doctrine.
No Thanks! If faced with picking between the "worst of the worst" - I'll take Jackson over your ilk hands down.
You are an idiot man. We know our servicemen and women are dying overseas. We all know that and yes we all care and want this war to end, but for you to say we don't need Micheal Jackson is a slap in the face. Stop looking for instant fame Mr King and take a chill pill.
Innocent until proven guilty? Someone needs to tell Peter King that the "pervert" Michael Jackson was acquitted by a jury of his peers, and remind him that in America that means he's innocent.
All day coverage?...It's either Michael Jackson or Governor Sanford.
I'll take the talent over the Republican hypocrisy anyday.
...and Peter King, perhaps he should concentrate on ending the troop deaths by reversing the devastating policies of his President Bush.
Finally somebody said it
The senator is correct about MJ's "other side". This bad side will always be a part of MJ's history. I too am getting a little tired of the coverage. With that said, you cannot forget what Michael Jackson did to influence millions with his musical genius, and creativity. For me, I will always remember him through his videos & music. They ARE some of the greatest of all times!
WOW what does he know no one else knows??? Obviously if he were a republican evangelical it would all be swept under the carpet just like Sanford! Oh ya he was'nt white either!!! These people need ot just go away!
Peter King? Who's that...
The news will report on what people want to know about and at current it's Michael Jackson. You yourself Pete are outspoken with the harsh comments riding on the skirts of Michael's coffin stirring up stool to get your name out there for personal gain...
We do need people like Michael Jackson, but unfortunately it is rare to find people like him who attempt to give of themselves and their talent because of people like you who will only subject them to ridicule and extreme scrutiny without baring any factual information. How do you know he was a pedifile? What did you see? Yeh I know you want the focus to be on politics and wars. What do we learn about that, more about hate and corruption and that is FACTUAL!
Mr. King has forgotten that in this great country a man is innocent until proven guilty. Michael Jackson was aquitted of all charges. Perhaps this country should investigate Mr. King's background. That could bring up quite a few stories I would imagine.
You are right on some levels but he did give the world some interesting sounds and dancing moves if that is important. Note however that you can't say this about a Black in the USA - only if he were White. "Politically correct" is lopsided in favor of only the minority side of the issue and this is not American.
The truth hurts, but it will set you free.
definitely right on.
I do not need you to speak for me or MJ..
MJ was found INNOCENT!
Someone shut him up!
Jackson was acquitted, you idiot, by a court of law....your comments smell of racism ("kind of danced")
Try concentrating on some of the real problems this nation potentially has... like not endorsing Republican idiots like Sara Palin. I think she could do more damage to this countrys attitude than Michael Jackson! Have fun running for the senate.
Dude....if you don't like it....don't watch!!!!
The false indignation is annoying. I applaud the media for recognizing an icon's passing. I expect the media to recognize Bush when he dies and that guy is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, the destruction of our economy, and destabilizing the entire middle east.