28 House Members — And Counting — Oppose King’s Radicalization Hearings

[cal04]

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/07/house-opposes-king/

In only three days, Rep. Peter King’s (R-NY) controversial hearings into the threat of radical Islam will begin on Capitol Hill. Already, hundreds of faith leaders in King’s district and in California have asked him to cancel the hearings. Protests at his district office and in Times Square have drawn hundreds of demonstrators, and one member of Congress who spent time in a World War II-era Japanese-American internment camp has pleaded with King not to “divide or target Americans simply on the basis of their faith or ancestry.”

Now, more lawmakers on Capitol Hill are speaking out. Twenty-six House members have signed onto a letter being circulated by Reps. Pete Stark (D-CA) and John Dingell (D-MI) that expresses “ that the stated narrow scope and underlying premises of these hearings unfairly stigmatizes and alienates Muslim Americans.” The letter, a copy of which was provided to ThinkProgress, asks King to “reconsider” the hearings:

(snip)
We are writing regarding the Homeland Security Committee’s upcoming hearings, which you have stated will focus exclusively on radicalization among Muslim Americans and homegrown terrorism. We agree that Congress and all levels of government have a duty to protect America from terrorism, whether from abroad or homegrown. We are, however, deeply concerned that the stated narrow scope and underlying premises of these hearings unfairly stigmatizes and alienates Muslim Americans. We ask that you reconsider the scope of these hearings and instead examine all forms of violence motivated by extremist beliefs, rather than unfairly focusing on just one religious group.

We believe that the tone and focus of these hearings runs contrary to our nation’s values. Muslim Americans contribute to our nation’s wellbeing in many professions including as doctors, engineers, lawyers, firefighters, business entrepreneurs, teachers, police officers and Members of Congress. Their hard work helps to make our country exceptional.

[louis-t]

1. There's that "exceptional" talk again.

At least the Dems are throwing it back in repugs' faces.

[Drale]

2. Can any house member begin an investigation?

Because if so I call for one of them to step up and investigate Peter King.

[rurallib]

3. or at least crime and terror caused by RW hate groups.

[SoCalDem]

4. 28 to 407?

Republicans will have their hornets-nest poke fest, and then they will turn their attention to the next freakshow..:(

It's what they always do..

[AsahinaKimi]

5. He wants to be the next Joseph McCarthy..

Muslims first, the rest of us next.

[pacalo]

7. My first thought, too.

[tavalon]

6. except for the exceptional part - we aren't

These hearings do run counter to this countries stated values.