Peter King McCarthyist Hearing LiveBlog

You can watch here or here.

Bennie Thompson gets permission for Andre Carson and two other Reps to sit on the hearing. People often forget that Carson, like Keith Ellison, is Muslim.

King accuses those who oppose the form of this hearing of hysteria. “To back down would be craven abdication to political correctness.”

King: “No equivalency of threat between al Qaeda and Neo-Nazis. Only Al Qaeda part of intl threat to our country.”

Bennie Thompson: Raises yesterday’s Spokane arrest and notes the suspect has ties to same group as Tim McVeigh. “A narrow focus lacks clarity.” Then says that we all come to this hearing from our history, alludes to King’s background in a country split by religion, an implicit reference to King’s material support for terrorism.

Thompson: I cannot help but worry that propaganda about this hearing will be used to inspire new suicide bombers.

John Dingell up. Note he represents Dearborn, the most Arab city in the US–though Conyers actually represents the side of the city with the heavy Muslim and Arab population (though of course his district has changed over the years).

Dingell: I kept a picture of Joe McCarthy on the wall so I knew what I did not want to be. I would beg you, Mr Chairman, to see to it that as we go into these matters we do not blot the good name of Arabs or Muslims or other Americans en masse. There will be plenty of rascals that we can point at and say these are real dangers to our country.

Keith Elliison up. Ellison introduces mother of son who died trying to rescue people on 9/11.

Ellison: This approach contrary to the best of American values. Need increased engagement to keep America safe.

Ellison: We need to conduct fair hearings and do no harm.[emphasizes reference to Muslim community in title of hearing] These are individuals not the entire community. [mentions people like Nidal Hasan and al-Awlaki] When you assign their violent actions, you assign collective blame to an entire group. Demanding a community response asserts entire community bears responsibility. All communities are responsible for combating violent extremism.

Ellison calls KKK “America’s oldest terrorist organization”

Ellison ends his testimony by describing how Hamdani–the Arab-AMerican who died trying to save people in 9/11–was vilified after the attacks until they found his remains. He described his football uniform, singing Messiah in the choir. By the end, Ellison was weeping. During it, CSPAN broke away to an image of the Twin Towers burning.

Frank Wolf claims the violation of Muslim-American rights is the exception, not the rule.

Wolf talks about the danger of ignoring radicalization in this country. Of course, this hearing is premised on ignoring the threat of ignoring the radicalization of white people.

Wolf is now going on a rant against CAIR. The Republicans in this hearing have been using a poster the SF CAIR group used–and was scolded for by CAIR national–as evidence that CAIR as a whole opposes cooperation.

Here’s the Ellison testimony on Mohammed Salman Hamdani:

Let me close with a story, but remember that it’s only one of many American stories that could be told. Mohammed Salman Hamdani was a 23-year-old paramedic, a New York City police cadet and a Muslim American. He was one of those brave first responders who tragically lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks almost a decade ago. As The New York Times eulogized, “He wanted to be seen as an all-American kid. He wore No. 79 on the high school football team in Bayside, Queens, where he lived, and he was called Sal by his friends… He became a research assistant at Rockefeller University and drove an ambulance part-time. One Christmas, he sang in Handel’s Messiah in Queens. He saw all the Star Wars movies, and it was well known that his new Honda was the one with “Yung Jedi” license plates.

Mr. Hamdani bravely sacrificed his life to try and help others on 9/11. After the tragedy some people tried to smear his character solely because of his Islamic faith. Some people spread false rumors and speculated that he was in league with the attackers only because he was Muslim. It was only when his remains were identified that these lies were fully exposed.

Mohammed Salman Hamdani was a fellow American who gave his life for other Americans. His life should not be defined as a member of an ethnic group or a member of a religion, but as an American who gave everything for his fellow citizens.

As I said, he was weeping by the time he was done.

Zuhdi Jasser claims that non-Muslims can’t solve Muslim radicalization. If so, then shouldn’t white people like Peter King focus on white radicalization?

Here’s a description of Zuhdi Jasser, who is testifying right now.

Melvin Bledsoe is describing the radicalization of his son. Key point is that the last part of radicalization happened in a jail in Yemen. If so, wouldn’t the jailing and beating of Gulet Mohamed be the worst possible thing the FBI could have done?

Abdirizak Bihi now describing opposition in Somalia-American community over finding children in Somalia.

King interrupts Bihi for going over on time. Finally stops his testimony. Then turns to Sheriff Leroy Baca, and says, “your time will not be limited.” So the white guy interrupts the black Muslim–in the middle of criticizing his own community and saying he will not be silenced–and then turns to law enforcement and tells him he can speak as long as he wants.

Lee Baca starts by comparing numbers of Muslim plots versus white extremism.

Jasser now ranting about mosques where they support Muslim law over American law. Me, I’m going to rant about our leaders who call to support Military law over the Constitution.

King to Bledsoe: “What is your opinion of this hearing.” Hmm, maybe not the right person to ask.

Thompson smartly asks King’s witnesses whether they advocate profiling, whether they advocate more mosques. Jesser wants to add something and asks King for more time. King goes to give it to him. SOmeone interrupts–“regular order.” King realizes it was Thompson’s time. Backs down.

Dan Lungren now trying to claim this is not about profiling. Then analogizes this hearing w/hearings investigating continuing presence of German Nazi war criminals (that is, people who ALREADY committed crimes), as well as hearings on the KKK (that is, hearings on one particularly terrorist organization).

Bihi now talking about intimidation by Muslim community.

Loretta Sanchez: As a minority, I would advocate they should have attorney present when talked to by FBI. Why should ANY minority waive that? Jasser says he has nothing to fear.

Mike Rogers, a white dude from AL, is trying to refute Loretta Sanchez’ point that minorities ought to have attorneys present when they talk to the cops.

Sheila Jackson Lee: We have two Muslims here cooperating, which is what this hearing suggests doesn’t happen.

Michael McCaul quotes from a Joe Lieberman letter to John Brennan–arguing he had to call it a threat from Islamic extremism–to justify his own bigotry. (Joe Lieberman, with us on everything but the war)

Laura Richardson talks about being born in the 60s, seeing films of McCarthy hearings. “The only difference between this hearing and the 60s is that those films were in black and white, and this one is in color.”

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  1. BoxTurtle says:

    Normally, I’d say something like “Never blame on malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity”.

    But King isn’t stupid. He’s appealing to EXACTLY the group of voters he wants, and he’s skillfully playing to their fears (scary brown moslems) and their prejudices (Dems in congress support scary brown moslems). If we treat him as an idiot, as opposed to a schemeing racist maggot, we’ll wake up some morning to find him eating our lunch.

    Boxturtle (You can ignore the Nazi’s on the streetcorner, but a congresscritter must be challenged)

    Edit: This was intended as a reply to Isis @3, but the replay button didn’t take.

  2. harpie says:

    From an article Marcy linked to in yesterday’s post:

    Congressman Peter King’s strange journey from Irish radical to Muslim inquisitor — I no longer recognize the politician I have known for 25 years; Niall O’Dowd; 3/7/11

    Something changed for Peter King soon after, and it was undoubtedly 9/11.

    He was always an uncomfortable fit as a revolutionary supporter, but 9/11 seemed to trigger some latent streak in him that made him rethink his entire philosophy.

    He drifted away from the Irish community, especially over the issue of immigration which is a major concern with so many Irish undocumented.

    King opposed every attempt to remedy their situation, despite defending many Irish men over the years that the U.S. government wanted deported.

    His stance was difficult to understand, but it has become clear since he has resumed his position as head of the Homeland Security Committee in the House. […]

    Two things about this:

    *There are “so many Irish undocumented”?? I didn’t know that. I wonder why.

    *I would really like to learn more about the second bolded phrase, above.

  3. radiofreewill says:

    This hearing is nothing more than the gas-lighting of a whole religious group for the actions of a few of its members – not different than the KKK or the IRA lighting-up *all Jews* or *all Protestants* as the agents of ‘radicalized’ agendas out to destroy ‘our way of life.’

    What a crying shame that Complete Hypocrite King has been given the gavel to orchestrate such a sham display of government sponsored demonization by ‘investigation’ – not seen since McCarthy, but with roots going all the way back to the Spanish Inquisition.

    A mockery of our founding principles is being foisted upon us all by King’s mis-use of Congressional over-sight and investigatory powers to create a Religious Boogeyman, and thereby *taint* all – including fellow Citizens – who would practice that Religion with ‘Enemy’ status.

    In terms of Peace-seeking and healing, the real terrorist here is King.

  4. harpie says:

    ACLU Submits Testimony For Rep. King’s “Radicalization” Hearing

    [Group Urges Committee To Allow Constitution To Play A Role In Hearings]

    http://www.aclu.org/free-speech-national-security-religion-belief/aclu-submits-testimony-rep-king-s-radicalization-heari

    ACLU Statement for House Homeland Security Committee Hearing on the So-Called “Radicalization” of the American Muslim Community

    http://www.aclu.org/free-speech-national-security-religion-belief/aclu-statement-house-homeland-security-committee-heari

  5. Gitcheegumee says:

    Just an idle rumination, but King does realize that the BFFE Saudis are Muslims also,doesn’t he?

    • BoxTurtle says:

      It might be nice for someone in the Saudi government not currently involved with supressing riots to remind him of that. Perhaps a note written on an oil barrel.

      Boxturtle (Koch is on line #1. Abdullah is on line #2. Which call does a GOPer take first?)

        • Gitcheegumee says:

          BTW,Talking Points Memo has been doing quite a few threads on the subject of MEK since last winter. Very interesting.

      • Gitcheegumee says:

        See this yet?

        Saudi police open fire at protest

        Source: AP

        (AP) – 12 minutes ago

        CAIRO (AP) — Saudi police have opened fire at a rally in the kingdom’s east in an apparent escalation of efforts to stop planned protests.

        Government officials have warned they will take strong action if activists take to the streets after increasing calls for large protests around the oil-rich kingdom to press for democratic reforms.

        A witness in the eastern city of Qatif says gunfire and stun grenades were fired at several hundred protesters marching in the city streets Thursday. The witness, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared government reprisal, said police in the area opened fire. The witness saw at least one protester injured.

        Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfi7_