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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenator Schumer: "Peter King stood head & shoulders above everyone else"
Link to tweet
Chuck Schumer ✔ @SenSchumer
Peter King stood head & shoulders above everyone else
Hes been principled & never let others push him away from his principles
Hes fiercely loved America, Long Island, and his Irish heritage and left a lasting mark on all 3
I will miss him in Congress & value his friendship
The Hill ✔@thehill
#BREAKING: Longtime GOP Rep. Peter King won't seek reelection: report http://hill.cm/ZqP3Npp
7:50 AM - Nov 11, 2019
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,971 posts)that he supported the IRA. Apparently he was opposed to terrorist organizations only if they are Muslim.
H2O Man
(73,671 posts)He supported Sinn Fein. I still never liked him.
On edit: He did speak at what was called a pro-IRA rally in 1982.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,971 posts)on a number of occasions.
We must pledge ourselves to support those brave men and women who this very moment are carrying forth the struggle against British imperialism in the streets of Belfast and Derry, Mr. King told a pro-I.R.A. rally on Long Island, where he was serving as Nassau County comptroller, in 1982. Three years later he declared, If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the I.R.A. for it.
As Mr. King, a Republican, rose as a Long Island politician in the 1980s, benefiting from strong Irish-American support, the I.R.A. was carrying out a bloody campaign of bombing and sniping, targeting the British Army, Protestant paramilitaries and sometimes pubs and other civilian gathering spots. His statements, along with his close ties to key figures in the military and political wings of the I.R.A., drew the attention of British and American authorities.
A judge in Belfast threw him out of an I.R.A. murder trial, calling him an obvious collaborator, said Ed Moloney, an Irish journalist and author of A Secret History of the I.R.A. In 1984, Mr. King complained that the Secret Service had investigated him as a security risk, Mr. Moloney said.
H2O Man
(73,671 posts)familiar with Sinn Fein. And I have relatives who were associated with the IRA. I keep in touch with one cousin in particular -- when he was a teen, the British military entered the family's house and murdered his brother in front of the family. I'm also friends with a NYC resident who assisted John Lennon with sending the money from his song "Luck of the Irish" to Sinn Fein. Had another cousin who was friends with Bobby Sands.
I favor non-violent resolutions to conflicts, of course. But I do not blame the IRA for the Troubles.
OnDoutside
(19,983 posts)blame for continuing the Troubles.
H2O Man
(73,671 posts)that the IRA had blood on their hands. That's the horror of war. And so many innocent people were killed or seriously injured. It was terrible, and it didn't have to happen. Hopefully, this Brexit business doesn't result in a return of tensions.
My father was a first generation citizen of the US. Relatives fought in WW1, WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. I know that military conflicts take an ugly toll on those who live through them as participants. Likewise, wars take a terrible toll on non-participants that live through them.
I'm not an advocate of violent conflict.
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)at all like the violence, but for many the IRA was the epitome of the saying that one persons
terrorist is anothers freedom fighter.
H2O Man
(73,671 posts)It's interesting to note that two men, from different countries, went from being explosives handlers as young men, to statesmen when they were older: Nelson Mandela and Martin McGuinness. It's a shame that the world community doesn't learn from these and numerous similar examples. We would all be better off resolving conflicts with non-violent means.
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)situations it takes years of violence, horrible personal tolls,,mass horror, until opposing sides are pressed into peace to stop it.
In the case of the IRA, years of grievance. But I could tell my partner that the IRA did inexcusable things. He truly hasnt a violent bone and would not join them. But it is hard to find an Irish Catholic that would disavow their cause. I missed that Mandela had handled explosives.
whathehell
(29,103 posts)Under British rule, the IRA was not, but some of their grievances were legitimate.
RandiFan1290
(6,261 posts)tman
(983 posts)tblue37
(65,527 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)CHUCK SCHUMER CRITICIZED FOR PRAISING PETER KING AFTER RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
BY JENNI FINK ON 11/11/19 AT 1:10 PM EST
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced criticism for praising Republican Representative Peter King after news broke of the senator's decision to not seek re-election in 2020.
"Peter King stood head [and] shoulders above everyone else ... I will miss him in Congress [and] value his friendship," Schumer wrote on Twitter.
On Monday morning, King announced on Twitter that he would be retiring from Congress after 28 years when his term concludes in 2020. The New York congressman called not seeking reelection a "difficult decision" and noted that the years he spent fighting for his constituents were "extremely fulfilling."
King is the latest Republican congressman to announce that their name would not be on the upcoming election's ballot. To date, four Republican senators and 17 Republican representatives publicly said they would not seek reelection, according to Fox News. Some speculated Republicans deciding to leave Washington, D.C., could make their seats vulnerable to a Democratic successor, thereby enabling the Democratic Party to increase their presence in Congress.
Schumer, who also represents New York in Washington, D.C., credited King with being principled and a person who never let "others push him away from his principles." He added that King left a "lasting mark," on America, Long Island and his Irish heritage, which he "fiercely loved."
</snip>
tblue37
(65,527 posts)Wawannabe
(5,688 posts)quis·ling
/ˈkwizliNG/
noun
a traitor who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country.
Seriously?? You are calling Schumer a traitor????
tblue37
(65,527 posts)UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)What's Schumer supposed to say?
"Good Riddance"?
TBH, he could have opted not to say anything, but maybe they're friends in real life.
lindysalsagal
(20,787 posts)One of my personal prophets. Right up there with Mr. Rogers and Dr. Seuss. If only we had him around now.
hlthe2b
(102,503 posts)RKP5637
(67,112 posts)tblue37
(65,527 posts)PCIntern
(25,634 posts)Jesus. Next he will be composing odes to Jesse Helms.
dsc
(52,172 posts)he wouldn't be laying down for Trump's love of Russia and his treatment of Ukraine. He would be standing up for Congressional perogatives.
question everything
(47,573 posts)that hit the Wast Coast, but then - Cruz, that is - expected similar funds for Texas.
Also, he was one of the few Republicans objecting to the "tax reform" because, yes, it would penalize his constituents.
Everything is relative, but I think with the bunch of hypocrite self serving Rs now in Congress, he actually looked decent.
More or less
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)Glimmer of Hope
(5,823 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Yes, it can look like someone standing head and shoulders above everyone else.
Maybe Peter King is looking forward to a re-establishment of the hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland? Might be good times again for his terrorist pals.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)I remember when being cordial was a thing, but that was long, long, ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)The Right has ripped up that road.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Our government as a bizarre bad dream. Of course, President Obama was the saving grace, but the opposition, led by Moscow Mitch, wallowed in their cesspool. Thats really sad.
ChubbyStar
(3,191 posts)I have wealthy family, I am not real close but I go to functions, when I am asked (required). I always make sure to bring my smiley face, and my barf bag for when I leave. There was this one friend of the family, she was totally odious, a RW con woman, married a much older very wealthy man, vapid and real vindictive. I met her 20x, yet she NEVER remembered my name, and she couldn't even talk to me for 10 seconds without saying, in a very dismissive tone, "oh there's Bill, gotta go." In short a total DOUCHE.
The last time I spoke to Dore, last Christmas, I was very abrupt and excused myself quickly, she stopped me and asked if I was "speaking rudely to her?" I said "hell no Dore, I'm just speaking to you like you always speak to me."
Two way street, and they have done the damage, time for them to get out of the fucking way.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)Screw that.
This is war.
BeyondGeography
(39,393 posts)democrank
(11,112 posts)Ass-kissing is something else.
NRaleighLiberal
(60,034 posts)Garrett78
(10,721 posts)And a batshit insane political party has far more power nationwide than the Democratic Party does.
We're not soft on crime; we're soft on Republican crime.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,700 posts)doc03
(35,437 posts)Had the courage to say anything about Trump?
Response to Dennis Donovan (Original post)
Post removed
Rhiannon12866
(206,676 posts)He's my senator.
WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)and cringed a bit at Schumer's praise but I also get that he had to say something and, if nothing else, Schumer is the quintessential 'keep it classy' type of politician.
IDK... I figure both men are from NYC and have probably interacted in a "friendly opposition" way for decades. While I have always struggled with separating my political beliefs in relationships, I learned long ago not to be shocked (too often) by politicians/pundits being able to do so and maintain, to us, oddly friendly relationships. Now that I'm in a position where I have to sometimes bite my tongue and pick my arguments again, this time in order to gain info, etc for my personal well being as an adoptee in reunion, I must admit that I rather envy the ease some seem to have with this.
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)Must support Democrats
Must support Democrats
Must support Democrats
Must support Democrats
Must support Democrats
Whooo that was close, I had to reset my brain for a second.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)TheCowsCameHome
(40,169 posts)He pulls this crap all to often.
Enough.
dalton99a
(81,692 posts)uponit7771
(90,370 posts)melman
(7,681 posts)Peter King is one of the absolute worst.
spanone
(135,922 posts)No he didn't.
Maru Kitteh
(28,345 posts)UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)Cummings was friends with that Meadows fellow..things in life are not always in stark black and white terms.
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)howse the family before they go to,war. We dont know. I have no desire to control them or force them to insult or ignore each other. May be a political,game, friendship, how its done. As long as they do for us what they promise.
Liberal In Texas
(13,611 posts)King is an ass.
sprinkleeninow
(20,268 posts)dalton99a
(81,692 posts)WTF
liskddksil
(2,753 posts)Real profile in courage.
dalton99a
(81,692 posts)Miguelito Loveless
(4,477 posts)He spouts horseshit like this. Too many in the Democratic leadership share this same idiotic/suicidal belief that conservatives are honorable/ethical/principled when they would slit their throat given half a chance.
dalton99a
(81,692 posts)I believe he made a huge mistake
Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)This whole thing looks to me to be Schumer, a New Yorker, acknowledging King, another New Yorker.
There is no doubt they've had a lot of contact over the years, politically and socially. It's political glad handing.
I'm from Chicago. Political enemies praise each other all the time here. It's old school, but it's still a thing.
Of course, as an American, I'm very happy to see King go, but I'm not about to condemn Schumer as a traitor,
as an earlier poster did.
I don't see why this is such a big deal.
Be happy. Another seat that a Dem can have is opening up.
WePurrsevere
(24,259 posts)NCLefty
(3,678 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,100 posts)I know I speak for many of us when I say that I will not miss him at all.
theaocp
(4,248 posts)He didn't have to do or say anything. Stop fucking painting Republicans as anything less than the scum they are or shut your mouth. This is not complicated, but folks bend themselves into pretzels to defend it. Lunacy. Unity in a party comes from LACK of unforced divisive stuff like this. Schumer's old school? Make a phone call instead of announcing to the world how great Republicans are.
Hotler
(11,475 posts)was a sign that read "Silence is the only substitute for brains." jeez Chuck.
MurrayDelph
(5,303 posts)"...And if I achieved any success in life, it's because I stood on the necks of giants."