Can this man be recalled? Do his constituents support his blatant racism?
13
I'm one of many voting Iowans who are continually embarrassed and appalled by this far-right nut job. WHY do people keep re-electing this guy? What happended to "Iowa Nice"?
16
People of Iowa 4 - have you no shame?
15
America is NOT white, Black or Christian. An American is any one of us who assimilates, loves and defends this country. Any baby, any color, any ethnicity, any faith. Mr. King's babies included, although they should be extremely vetted.
18
I had always thought that Iowa was a little open-minded and tolerant that Nebraska; guess I thought wrong.
10
Steve King is another one of this country's worst - the bottom of the barrel in most every way.
31
What does it say about the people of the Iowa 4th Congressional District, that they keep electing this man, most recently with 61% of the vote? Are these really the values of the good people of the Heartland? Is this truly the Real America? Sad.
36
A fairly recent issue of The New Yorker (sometime in late 2016) reported that Steve King and several other Republicans had met with the leader of Germany's Alt-Right party.
13
I think the people that need to assimilate, Mr. King, are white people.
15
I think the Republicans need to rebrand themselves as the "Blood and Soil" party. Historically fitting.
3
Steve King has always been a nut. I really wonder about the people in Iowa's 4th district who keep re-electing this guy. I used to really like Iowa. Now, not so much.
16
Wrong but also dangerous. King. like Trump, Bannon, Miller, and for that matter, Kushner, Priebus, Ryan, and the silent majority of Republicans, are stoking the ugly prejudice of the worst among us, thereby condoning them, such as David Duke and other white extremist groups. Is the Springtime for Hate Groups? Sad ... and Shameful. No doubt, King and his ilk, and his Trump friendly WH, looking for scapegoats to blame for their empty and ill begotten governance.
13
Let's be clear: if a person with only a limited grasp of English is able to sneak across the border and "steal" your job then it is painfully clear that YOU failed to pay attention in school!! What happened to the GOP being the party of personal responsibility? Instead of whining about immigrants maybe these people should instead focus on improving their job skills? I have little empathy for people who refuse to invest in themselves, pay attention to the world around them and insist on being able to live in the town of their choosing even if there are no jobs available. If people can come into the US illegally with nothing than the clothes on their backs and earn a living then there's little excuse for people born in the US who are native English speakers and have had access to public schools. I work with people who grew up in India without access to running water and now make in excess of $150,000 year as software engineers. No reason a person born in the US can't do the same. Time for conservative, GOP voters to stop their whining and take responsibility for their own lives instead of demanding that the government take care of them. Might also help if you put down the religious books for a moment and picked up the math and science books for a change.
43
Steve King got elected on the politics of hate, denigrating migrant workers, claiming that they sewed up "bales" of marijuana and cocaine in their calves. He's never been remotely a reasonable human being; he's always been over in the playpen with the other foaming-at-the-mouth fruitbats. He represents the worst in America, as does Iowa's other claim to shame, Joni Ernst. "Sad, sad," as the orange gibbon would say.
12
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
We refurbished the Statue of Liberty a few years ago. Sounds like a little more work is necessary.
We refurbished the Statue of Liberty a few years ago. Sounds like a little more work is necessary.
10
Thank you NYT for reminding us of the level of depravity of Mr Trump's rabid supporters. Most immigrants do try to assimilate and adopt the American culture with a vengeance. They work harder, pay their taxes and openly support the American way - at least the old "American way". They support equality, religious freedom and turn out to vote. Is that what scares the people like Mr King? Newly arrived immigrants have a better grasp at understanding the Constitution than he and his family???
10
Does this asshat not realize that if people aren't "assimilating" - whatever that's supposed to look like in his narrow worldview - it might, just MIGHT, be because of people like him? Flat out, no excuse, ignorant racists.
Time to stop calling it xenophobia or nationalism or nativism. It's racism. Bold, intent, pure, and simple.
Time to stop calling it xenophobia or nationalism or nativism. It's racism. Bold, intent, pure, and simple.
13
Illegal immigration AND abortion crammed together into one thought??? That's a GOP turducken if I've ever seen one.
12
The man keeps a Confederate Flag on the desk of his office. Despite the fact that Iowa, the state he represents, fought for the Union. That says all you need to know about Steve King.
28
What my husband said when he heard of King's comments was "I remember when there were genuine Christians in Iowa." I think that says it all.
22
"He doesn’t know or care how immigration works. "
And how exactly does it work these days?
And how exactly does it work these days?
2
I have always thought that the US is the great melting pot or at the very least a great amalgam. Their children are OUR children. This is how it has always been. For Mr. King to deny this fact is to only emphasize his self-delusion or his dishonesty.
8
Reps. Steve King, Jason Chaffetz, Gov. Brownback and other fellow travelers have coarsened the GOP to a place where the, for want of a better term, the establishment Republicans have to decide whether they all belong in the same political party. To stitch together these extremists within their "big tent" just damages their brand beyond repair. Cut them loose, let them become a fringe political party yelling loudly from the edges. I fear for America if these people are representing the real values of Americans. I cannot and will not believe it.
6
Something to consider while all the smug commenters belittle Iowans ( I am not one). Iowa voted for Obama. Many of the people who voted for Obama, often twice, changed their minds in 2016. Perhaps, rather than looking down at the previously enlightened, but now obviously deplorable Iowans, we should consider reasons beyond just racism as to why many citizens have rejected a democratic liberal agenda. Perhaps the failure of Obama and the democrats to deliver on "hope and change" and not offering a viable candidate in 2016 has something to do with the rise of trump and king. This does not ever justify real racism but it might explain why people stopped voting for democrats.
10
The three Steves from USA are
Bearing gifts, from alt-right schemes
Fringe and extreme, phobic and bold
Following the nativists’ dreams.
Born a prince in Jamaica Queens
Xenophobia to crown him again
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Bearing gifts, from alt-right schemes
Fringe and extreme, phobic and bold
Following the nativists’ dreams.
Born a prince in Jamaica Queens
Xenophobia to crown him again
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
3
If you want bigots like Mr. King to go away, stop subsidizing Iowa corn farmers. Without the strong, masculine hand of the federal government propping them up, their local economy would collapse. Forced to live in a global, capitalist society like the rest of us, they might even rediscover the morality and empathy Iowans used to be known for.
7
Mr. King is an attention-seeker, first and foremost. We are having our fill of attention-seekers these days so, here's a thought, just ignore them.
In the age of Trump, dog whistles have become increasingly unnecessary.
4
The limp rebuke by the GOP tells me everything I need to know about the 21st Century Republican party. It is indicative of a festering virus that permeates a section of American society--fear of 'otherness'. King is not an island of racist thought; he is voted in by like-minded people who believe in their superiority over what he called 'subcultures'.
2
I guess I just can't comment on this sort of topic anymore. I suppose Trump must have gotten to the moderators and paid them off to block me. Oh well.
The ilk of King are in their glory with t-rump as the president. t-rump brought all of the low life from under the rocks and below the slime of the pond to feel okay to spout ignorance, racism, and bias. Bigots all of them.
3
When I visited the Tenement Museum (Google it) in Lower Manhattan a couple of weeks ago, I was struck by some of the memorabilia in the gift shop--placard replicas that read "Irish Need Not Apply" from the early 1900's. That area was home to 7000+ immigrants. Do we really want to do this all over again? History does repeat itself, which is a crying shame given our access to immediate information.
With King and his ilk, I fear we're doomed if those of us who know our history stay silent.
With King and his ilk, I fear we're doomed if those of us who know our history stay silent.
4
Steve King probably thinks (if the activity inside his skull case can be so called) that the movie "Mississippi Burning" was a tragedy with a sad ending.
2
King says that immigrants don't try to assimilate into US culture. Someone ought to point out to him that when people feel threatened they band closer together. So when Muslims see their places of worship trashed, burned, littered with ugly graffiti, or see people who are or are thought to be Muslim taunted, beaten and/or shot by "real Americans" their first thought is not "Gee, I want to be just like them."
7
The other day, a young driver in a small sports cars drove through my home town with a Confederate flag as big as the car attached to the rear bumper. We hadn't seen anything like this in some time around here, though we've always had our fair share of this crowd among us. DT and co. have brought out the racists and xenophobes, emboldened by the hate streaming from talk radio and the White House. They feel freer to show their true colors, Confederate flag included, and perhaps we can at least say that we know who these folks are, and that we can keep an eye on them. Still, it doesn't make us all the better showing our ( I say "our" because this kid is part of my community, and it takes a village as they say) racism and hatred in such a public way. The shame is gone, and it scares the horses and the children.
2
The noxious words emanating from this mans mouth represent all the people in his district. Surely these words say more about them than the man they choose as their representative. For shame!
2
Steve King fails to grasp that the "American Culture" is one that has been ever-changing since the beginning. He fails too to realize that he represents Iowa's Fourth District and not the Third Reich.
1
Did anyone expect anything less? Does anyone not see that we are still in a Civil War with the same mind set that Lincoln had to combat. Just because we passed Civil Rights legislation in the 60's doesn't mean that hatred and bigotry evaporated over night! These people, this mind set has always been here, either in plain sight or just under the surface, waiting for their chance to strike at America and it's values. They don't now, and never did, want an America, their vision is of an all white nation ruled by an ethnically pure white class, their vision is of Amerika that would make Hitler and the Grand Soviet proud! And now they have the perfect patsy in the White House. Wake up and smell the roses people, this is going to get a lot worse before we can rip power back and start to make it better.
2
What Steve King is saying is not just racist but factually wrong. Americans have wanted someone else (cheaper labor or slaves) to raise their own kids, build their homes and fight wars (no discrimination in the Military for sure).
And that is what has built America. It is very Utopian and "unicorn-esque" to think exploiting slaves and undocumented immigrants would not have an impact on our society.
It is only because this is America that these people assimilated and added to our great country. If "Americans" are threatened by this history and reality, then as this article suggests, we need to question their patriotism.
Can someone pass the chips and salsa, please?
And that is what has built America. It is very Utopian and "unicorn-esque" to think exploiting slaves and undocumented immigrants would not have an impact on our society.
It is only because this is America that these people assimilated and added to our great country. If "Americans" are threatened by this history and reality, then as this article suggests, we need to question their patriotism.
Can someone pass the chips and salsa, please?
2
I have long believed that the United States, the only major country, founded by Calvinists is still greatly influenced by Reformed Protestantism. That said, what does King mean by an American culture and civilization? From the effort to keep German Catholics out in the 1820s onward this has been the claim of bigots.
3
It's interesting that so much hate is receiving so much media attention now. This bigotry has always been with us, but the Trump administration has allowed it to come out of the shadows and into the mainstream of American life. Wbat does surprise me is the lack of response of both political parties and both houses of congress to a problem that could literally tear our nation apart. Bullies are one thing, but the failure to stand up to them speaks volumes about our leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. A nation so divided cannot stand.
1
C'mon, Cut This Guy Some Slack
Steve King is from Iowa for god's sake ... born and bred there. He went out of state to attend a very mediocre college, but, even so, he still didn't graduate. Not to worry, he did well enough to stay in school and use the experience very effectively -- as did many other draft dodgers of the day -- by milking it for several draft deferrals.
In fact, his knowledge of history is so keen that, on a daily basis, he extols the "fact" that Iowa was a part of the Confederacy ...
http://crabdiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Steve-King-Confederate-...
Mr. King is pure Iowa, winning most of his political races in the state with margins in excess of 25%. He is precisely the sort of Iowan who waxed ecstatic over the presidential candidacy of Donald J. Trump.
When you criticize Steven Arnold King, you criticize most Iowans and almost a majority of the citizens who make these "United" States of America, the greatest country in the world.
Steve King is from Iowa for god's sake ... born and bred there. He went out of state to attend a very mediocre college, but, even so, he still didn't graduate. Not to worry, he did well enough to stay in school and use the experience very effectively -- as did many other draft dodgers of the day -- by milking it for several draft deferrals.
In fact, his knowledge of history is so keen that, on a daily basis, he extols the "fact" that Iowa was a part of the Confederacy ...
http://crabdiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Steve-King-Confederate-...
Mr. King is pure Iowa, winning most of his political races in the state with margins in excess of 25%. He is precisely the sort of Iowan who waxed ecstatic over the presidential candidacy of Donald J. Trump.
When you criticize Steven Arnold King, you criticize most Iowans and almost a majority of the citizens who make these "United" States of America, the greatest country in the world.
4
Majorities in our Nations capital has been built with racist for a very long time. The Democrats used to control the government with a solid Jim Crow South. The Republicans are likely to continue to invite these creeps into their "Big Tent" until they start to lose power.
It's unfortunate that this thinking has enough support to tip the scales of power in our republic. The US Federal government discriminates enormous power and wealth on those who control it. They aren't going to be shamed in giving it up. The people have to make them give it up.
It's unfortunate that this thinking has enough support to tip the scales of power in our republic. The US Federal government discriminates enormous power and wealth on those who control it. They aren't going to be shamed in giving it up. The people have to make them give it up.
"Now Donald Trump is in power, and Mr. King is enjoying a moment of ideological solidarity. A few in his party have condemned his latest rant, but the White House has been silent."
Why did the Times Editorial Board pull its punches here? It's not just the White House that has been silent. Unless I missed it, apart from Rep. Adriano Espaillat and one or two other Republicans of color, no GOP leader has responded with anything stronger than pablum, weasel words like "I don't agree with Mr. King" or "I don't share his views"
What was and is called for from King's fellow Republicans is a powerful condemnation of King's hateful speech as antithetical to American values and ideals, and antithetical to the values and ideals of the GOP, and a condemnation of King himself as a mouthpiece for un-American ideas that have no place in America or in the GOP.
Yes, the Times rightly points to the failure of the White House to respond, acknowledging Donald Trump as the source of the current unleashing of xenophobia and ethnocentrism. But where is the call-out to Paul Ryan and other prominent GOP leaders whose silence on the subject has been deafening? If they had any moral center, any sense of country over party, they would not be tacitly accepting King, or casually writing him off as someone whose views are not their own.
This editorial should have called them on the carpet as well.
Instead, the damage continues to pile up, and those in power by must be called to account for it
Why did the Times Editorial Board pull its punches here? It's not just the White House that has been silent. Unless I missed it, apart from Rep. Adriano Espaillat and one or two other Republicans of color, no GOP leader has responded with anything stronger than pablum, weasel words like "I don't agree with Mr. King" or "I don't share his views"
What was and is called for from King's fellow Republicans is a powerful condemnation of King's hateful speech as antithetical to American values and ideals, and antithetical to the values and ideals of the GOP, and a condemnation of King himself as a mouthpiece for un-American ideas that have no place in America or in the GOP.
Yes, the Times rightly points to the failure of the White House to respond, acknowledging Donald Trump as the source of the current unleashing of xenophobia and ethnocentrism. But where is the call-out to Paul Ryan and other prominent GOP leaders whose silence on the subject has been deafening? If they had any moral center, any sense of country over party, they would not be tacitly accepting King, or casually writing him off as someone whose views are not their own.
This editorial should have called them on the carpet as well.
Instead, the damage continues to pile up, and those in power by must be called to account for it
4
Of course, Mr. King is saying what thinking people have always known - -throughout history, countries, empires, sovereign nation states, etc. have never survived that were not (basically) homogeneous. This fact is neither good nor bad. It just is. Perhaps Japan's enlightened immigration policy is the correct template. Maybe they know something we don't? Or will denial of reality, corrosive radical left politically correct ideology lead to the unraveling of a place once known as America..?
3
This comment about Japan is so ill informed its mind boggling. They have the oldest population in the industrial world. They cant replace their own workforce. Why? Because of their xenophobic immigration policy. Yeah, the place is almost all pure blood Japanese and in two generations it'll be a shell of its former self. Great policy, no?
5
"Immigrants in America do assimilate."
Let's make it easier for immigrants to assimilate: make English the official language of the United States and eliminate all dual-language federal, state, and local government forms.
Let's make it easier for immigrants to assimilate: make English the official language of the United States and eliminate all dual-language federal, state, and local government forms.
5
The true horror is that by insulting and threatening immigrants, King and his ilk are ensuring that non-European newcomers don't assimilate with ease and don't trust the principles of a country that doesn't abide by them.
King is making trouble for all of us. Will the good people of Iowa please teach him a lesson in intolerance by voting him out of office.
King is making trouble for all of us. Will the good people of Iowa please teach him a lesson in intolerance by voting him out of office.
7
Those "someone else’s babies" that Mr. King derides with such bald-faced bigotry are the very ones that we hope will grow up to be productive, highly employable, high-wage earning workers who can contribute to the social security fund that will support aging Americans in our retirement. Trump's immigration policies, supported by the hardliners who want to deport all unauthorized immigrants, do not take into account the impact of deporting the parents of US-born citizen children, who are faced with the choice of remaining in the US without their parents’ support or accompanying them to their parents’ country of origin. If they accompany with their parents, such as for example, to Mexico, these American citizens are educated in schools where English is not spoken and American history or civics are not taught. Nonetheless, when they reach voting age, they have the right to vote in the United States. Most likely, they will cast their votes to avenge their parents' deportation. The Republicans who share King's ideology are fooling themselves to think that they can discount the demographics of other people's babies in envisioning the long-range future of their party and the destiny of our nation.
2
King says "There’s an American culture, American civilization."
And he's right. Unfortunately the Europeans almost destroyed that culture and civilization. I recommend that Mr. King visit the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art at Phoenix, Arizona, to get a taste for the native American culture that his ancestors, and mine, nearly obliterated.
And he's right. Unfortunately the Europeans almost destroyed that culture and civilization. I recommend that Mr. King visit the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art at Phoenix, Arizona, to get a taste for the native American culture that his ancestors, and mine, nearly obliterated.
8
The GOP continues to make the case for a Democratic landslide in the 2018 midterms and every future election as long as republicans like this exist!
Keep it up! Thanks to DJT the world is paying attention now and starting to see what the GOP REALLY stands for.
Keep it up! Thanks to DJT the world is paying attention now and starting to see what the GOP REALLY stands for.
2
Our greed crazed 1% have used the NY Times and the rest of the major media to orchestrate a propaganda campaign of anti white racism and Europhobic bigotry for decades, and flooded the nation with 10's of millions of none white mostly illiterate immigrants to make their "narrative" more believable - despite the fact that our American upper class nobility are mostly white. Why! Because any coherent majority of whites or melting potted together people of all races and creeds that can form a consensus over the interests of common citizens (against outsourcing, financialization of the economy, illegal slave-wage immigrant labor, crime ...) poses an existential threat to our business owner, Wall Street nobility and their media mercenaries who want to continue to rape, pillage and plunder our society - put evermore of the nation's GDP into their bank accounts.
1
Native Americans, no not the white guys born here, but the original Native Americans should consider deportation of the rest of us immigrants and descendants of same. We certainly have made a mess out of their once pristine lands.
7
You got that right. Our claims that god created this country and gave us the right to do as we chose kinda says it all. The native races are still treated with hatred and contempt. Shame on our ancestors and shame on us.
4
King is correct in saying that PARENTS have to inculcate the good things about our country as their children grow up. Immigrants have led he way in loving their new country but this country will disappear if parents foolishly depend on the schools to teach love of the things that have made America the greatest country in the world (ask any immigrant for two centuries).
OBTW, King would have been tons better as our 44th president than the faculty-lounge dreamer we picked simply because he made us feel good about ourselves.
OBTW, King would have been tons better as our 44th president than the faculty-lounge dreamer we picked simply because he made us feel good about ourselves.
When Congressmen Keith Ellison, D- Minnesota, was running around saying the same sort of thing just with different targets, Jews, the left was silent or tut tuted when pushed. Congressmen Ellison has journeyed in from the fringe very nicely having won the support of a large chunk of the Democratic leadership to become the party leader. Yes he lost the leadership fight but he ran highly endorsed. Congressmen King remains a nobody from nowhere.
4
No, no, no. King does not "taint" the GOP. He shows it for what it is, and has been for decades.
Where is the RNC call to primary him? The resounding, unanimous (or at least large majority) condemnation from his Republican colleagues in the House and Senate? The swift repudiation by the head of the party, in the Oval Office?
Don't hold your breath.
Where is the RNC call to primary him? The resounding, unanimous (or at least large majority) condemnation from his Republican colleagues in the House and Senate? The swift repudiation by the head of the party, in the Oval Office?
Don't hold your breath.
7
This is another case of knee-jerk racism calling. I've experienced it myself the millisecond I raise the slightest question about the possible deleterious effects of cultures which do not allow intermarriage. And never mind that I voted twice without any hesitation for Obama and am part Hispanic, from a "mixed" family.
In the "old" days, people melted together. This is in my mind what has made America great. But what the U.S. and Europe is increasingly encounterig are traditional Muslims, Jews, and Hindi's who generally eschew intermarriage, if not outright outlaw it. Who then is being racist?
Please honestly answer this question before being so quick to pin a big "R" on King and others.
In the "old" days, people melted together. This is in my mind what has made America great. But what the U.S. and Europe is increasingly encounterig are traditional Muslims, Jews, and Hindi's who generally eschew intermarriage, if not outright outlaw it. Who then is being racist?
Please honestly answer this question before being so quick to pin a big "R" on King and others.
6
The best way to deal with cultures that prevent intermingling, is to intermingle.
Include, don't exclude. Respect, even celebrate, differences, learn from other cultures. But expect all to adhere to the rule of law and to respect and tolerate differences.
Happy St Patrick's Day, and happy all other ethnic day's!
Include, don't exclude. Respect, even celebrate, differences, learn from other cultures. But expect all to adhere to the rule of law and to respect and tolerate differences.
Happy St Patrick's Day, and happy all other ethnic day's!
4
But, again, how do you intermingle with cultures that won't allow intermarriage? And if those who choose not to are the ones with high birth rates, as is the case for example in Germany, then 'they', whom I suggest are the racists", will prevail over those who are open to all intermarrying and cultural blends. The net result, as King suggests, will be a narrow-minded culture, one certainly far from celebrating differences that I too embrace.
1
In all sincerity, what evidence do you have that we are "increasingly" encountering "traditional" Muslims, et al? I would think the opposite is true, that people who come to the United States are more accepting of different cultures. If not, why not go to a majority Muslim country?
Saying we can't restore "our" civilization with "somebody else's babies" is absolutely racist! Mr. King would be wise to remember that his own ancestors were German and Irish immigrants.
Saying we can't restore "our" civilization with "somebody else's babies" is absolutely racist! Mr. King would be wise to remember that his own ancestors were German and Irish immigrants.
1
He's like a lot of old European-American men: imagining a Norman Rockwell America that never existed, oblivious to the fact that the country has been multi-ethnic and multi-cultural for generations and will only become more so in coming years, no matter what.
King is a nobody. Getting into a lather about his inane and pathetic rants is giving him far more attention than he deserves.
King is a nobody. Getting into a lather about his inane and pathetic rants is giving him far more attention than he deserves.
7
Steve King's 4th District is very white, very rural, and very conservative. No one's been able to beat him in an election yet. He doesn't represent all of Iowa.
1
It is beyond my comprehension how a man like this can get elected to public office. But, I'm still trying to understand last year's presidential election.
8
As an Iowa native I am offended and embarrassed that this bigot fooled enough Iowans into thinking he would be a good representative of the state. I want everyone to please consider voting for his opponent to demonstrate that average Iowans do not support the divisive and discriminatory viewpoint Mr. King espouses. Please consider voting for Weaver to show the world that Iowans are thoughtful serious voters, not hateful racists.
11
Sorry to admit, I live in Iowa's fourth congressional district. King is my representative, just as Trump is my president. The district is fully as split as America is split. Those rural voters -- too many of them -- are liars, yahoos, willful idiots. And they aren't going away. The challenge is to get a grip, to understand the fears, frustrations, and hurt that drive too many of us under the wings of fascist demagogues.
8
Ethnic nationalism is one of the most primitive and dangerous mindsets. It is not just "politically incorrect"; it is dehumanizing. It is the attitude that can in its most virulent forms lead to ethnic cleansing and It was Steve King's opposition to immigration reform that led to its failure, which in turn has led to the vicious deportations of harmless, good, and mostly Latino friends and neighbors that are being carried out today. People like Steve King should not be in power in a modern, multi-cultural country like America. Attitudes like his need to be banished to the gutter fringe of society, else he and his kind gives voice and power to evil.
6
We have not been a country of purebreds for a few centuries now. The European settlers soon found the companionship of native Americans, followed by the plantation owners with their unpaid help. The Jim Crow era attempted to separate people based on some percentage of non-white blood which was often unclear and shifting. The Loving vs. Virginia unanimous decision in 1967 seemed to have settled the matter, except for numskulls like Rep. King.
8
The preservation of our cultures depend on these natural isomorphic tendencies no matter how much mud is thrown their way. Two of the most cohesive cultures in our world were labeled the enemy in WW2. Because they were the main obstacles to the enslavement of the workers of the world. 84 years later that void is being refilled, the populist movement in the western democracies is on the rise again in spite of every attempt by the MSM to keep them down.
This editorial is called into the Void With Steve King. Physics has shown that the void is not really empty but filled with potentialities that literally can appear from nothing. Steve King's void was was filled with latent bigotry which only needed a small nudge to blossom into action. The Republican party has been filled with latent bigots for decades disguising themselves as supposedly reasonable people. We talk about Trump as if he appeared from nowhere. but nowhere was the filled with the people whose latent bigotry attacked president Obama and now stops everyone with a different sounding name at the border with a third degree.
3
If elected officials like Steve King made childcare, women's health and wage equality priorities, US women most likely would have more children. In our economy many women have to choose between no children or one child. If we have them and cannot pay for them properly, women are again chastised. The problem is having children with men like Mr. King.
4
Re "That’s one of the reasons why we require that the president of the United States be raised with an American experience.":
I had always understood that the reason for the native-born Presidential eligibility requirement in the Constitution was to prevent some foreign power from installing a puppet in the White House - as was the case with Emperor Maximilian in Mexico, installed (IIRC) by Austria. It has nothing to do with "American experience" whatever that is - besides the name of a PBS series.
I had always understood that the reason for the native-born Presidential eligibility requirement in the Constitution was to prevent some foreign power from installing a puppet in the White House - as was the case with Emperor Maximilian in Mexico, installed (IIRC) by Austria. It has nothing to do with "American experience" whatever that is - besides the name of a PBS series.
6
Sadly, eugenics-inflected racism is nothing new in the longer history of mainstream American politics and culture. Teddy Roosevelt frequently warned against "race suicide" in the contexts of both immigration and women's reproductive rights, perhaps most famously in remarks made to promote the adoption of an official "mother's day." Roosevelt railed against the dangers of white, middle-class women abandoning their "natural" responsibilities of motherhood in favor of professional employment and independence while the immigrants and ethnic others of the underclasses were imagined to be reproducing at alarming rates. The centrality of racist, sexist ideas in discussions about citizenship and national identity is not so far in the past as we might wish to think.
I would like to see journalists refer to these kinds of people as "radical fundamentalist Christians," for that is what they are. The word "fundamentalist" itself entered the English lexicon less than 100 years ago with the rise of the reactionary Christian right in the 1910s, the world of William Jennings Bryan and Billy Sunday. Radical right Christians used to refer to themselves as "fundamentalists" and "evangelicals" more or less interchangeably in the 1980s and 90s.
I would also like to see more reporting on racist rhetoric in debates about abortion and reproductive rights. White middle-class radical fundamentalist Christians have led the so-called "pro-life" movement for more than thirty years.
I would like to see journalists refer to these kinds of people as "radical fundamentalist Christians," for that is what they are. The word "fundamentalist" itself entered the English lexicon less than 100 years ago with the rise of the reactionary Christian right in the 1910s, the world of William Jennings Bryan and Billy Sunday. Radical right Christians used to refer to themselves as "fundamentalists" and "evangelicals" more or less interchangeably in the 1980s and 90s.
I would also like to see more reporting on racist rhetoric in debates about abortion and reproductive rights. White middle-class radical fundamentalist Christians have led the so-called "pro-life" movement for more than thirty years.
42
While I firmly oppose the underlying "white is right" implications in most of Mr. King's statements, I do want to go against the grain of this editorial and 99% of the comments here. I'm a left-leaning Sanders-voting urbanite in NYC and was disturbed by the results of our recent presidential election. But if I learned one thing it is that this country is divided as hell, and by simply following our partisan pied pipers we will never reconcile. My father in South Carolina, who voted Obama in '08 and Romney in '12, expressed a sadness that "we are simply giving this country away," and I feel that that was the sentiment that buoyed Trump to victory. Isn't it a little easier to digest than all the "racist!" name calling that we liberals love to throw around? The principles of evolution I learned in college made a powerful impression on me-- we have limited resources. There is competition among species to acquire those resources. Then, theoretically, the strong survive. (Abridged version.) But our society does our damnedest to protect the weak, as it should, and so, while the resources continue to dwindle, our population surges right on ahead. When will we reach the breaking point? People are flooding into our country from all over the world and most of us don't care if they have any desire to adopt our language, our customs, our patriotism. Maybe it's time us liberals stopped listening to the same old song from the left and see the thread of truth from our enemies.
19
For a left-leaning, Sanders voting, urbanite you seemed to have parroted very well the rural, suburban myths about scarce resources, floods of immigrants unwilling to adopt our language, customs and patriotism.
Of course, every generation believes the same things about the immigrants of their day.
It wasn't so long ago that what you write was written about the Irish, the Italians, the Poles, the Germans, the Jews, the Catholics etc.
Of course, every generation believes the same things about the immigrants of their day.
It wasn't so long ago that what you write was written about the Irish, the Italians, the Poles, the Germans, the Jews, the Catholics etc.
3
Oh gosh, let's please not try to make Social Darwinist arguments. This analogy is so fraught with problems and so malleable that one can end up making any argument one wants. For one thing the idea that resources are so limited ("continue to dwindle") that we need to practice some form of survival of the fittest is undercut by the fact that as a society we have been getting wealthier over time. This means that abundance has increased faster than the population.
And what is this notion that people who come to the US "don't care if they have any desire to adopt our language, our customs, our patriotism." This is such an old chestnut -- the same was said about every immigrant group: the Italians, the Irish, the Chinese. You would think of all groups, the Chinese would be the most foreign, yet look around you. Did the children of the Chinese immigrants of the last century assimilate into US culture, or are they all still living in Chinatown?
And what is this notion that people who come to the US "don't care if they have any desire to adopt our language, our customs, our patriotism." This is such an old chestnut -- the same was said about every immigrant group: the Italians, the Irish, the Chinese. You would think of all groups, the Chinese would be the most foreign, yet look around you. Did the children of the Chinese immigrants of the last century assimilate into US culture, or are they all still living in Chinatown?
2
Matt D,
We need to think about how immigration laws and policies either work against or support the economic, social and cultural integration of immigrants. We need to realize that many unauthorized immigrants come to the US temporarily, with the intent of returning to their home country. Their purpose in being here and taking the risks of clandestine entry is to find work, send money back to their families, and eventually return to their lives in their own country. We need laws that allow these workers, who are needed in our economy, to work legally and enjoy the protections of our labor laws against abuses and exploitation. And for those immigrants who want to stay and acculturate or assimilate into our society permanently, we need pathways to citizenship. Assimilation is impossible without legal status and eventual citizenship, which is a recognition of equality as Americans. We need a realistic and pragmatic assessment of our society's stake in welcoming the strangers and supporting them in becoming part of us.
We need to think about how immigration laws and policies either work against or support the economic, social and cultural integration of immigrants. We need to realize that many unauthorized immigrants come to the US temporarily, with the intent of returning to their home country. Their purpose in being here and taking the risks of clandestine entry is to find work, send money back to their families, and eventually return to their lives in their own country. We need laws that allow these workers, who are needed in our economy, to work legally and enjoy the protections of our labor laws against abuses and exploitation. And for those immigrants who want to stay and acculturate or assimilate into our society permanently, we need pathways to citizenship. Assimilation is impossible without legal status and eventual citizenship, which is a recognition of equality as Americans. We need a realistic and pragmatic assessment of our society's stake in welcoming the strangers and supporting them in becoming part of us.
1
We are quickly reaching a global 'unraveling point' where insecurity and fear over the rapid pace of change in our scientific, cultural and economic reality is spawning a global and reactionary movement to return to that which we 'know' and are familiar with. Not surprisingly, this manifests itself in the demonization of what we do not 'know' or understand-the removal of which falsely promises a return to security and peace of mind.
This is not, as some would have it, a new or unique perspective. Rather it is the inevitable, albeit fatally flawed, ebb and flow of civilization for thousands of years.
New leaders will emerge from the ruins of this retreat from progress. They will articulate a fresher version of the future of our civilization that will resonate with those less encumbered by the past and eager to embrace the future they hope to build for their future generations.
The West is currently led by old, scared, and revisioinist white men. Their children and their children's children are young women and men who have grown up in a virtually unrecognizable parellel universe.
These future leaders will not be denied or forced to advance backwards. The clock is ticking on the Steven Kings and DJT's of the world. They are sowing the seeds of their own demise.
This is not, as some would have it, a new or unique perspective. Rather it is the inevitable, albeit fatally flawed, ebb and flow of civilization for thousands of years.
New leaders will emerge from the ruins of this retreat from progress. They will articulate a fresher version of the future of our civilization that will resonate with those less encumbered by the past and eager to embrace the future they hope to build for their future generations.
The West is currently led by old, scared, and revisioinist white men. Their children and their children's children are young women and men who have grown up in a virtually unrecognizable parellel universe.
These future leaders will not be denied or forced to advance backwards. The clock is ticking on the Steven Kings and DJT's of the world. They are sowing the seeds of their own demise.
36
I think people are missing an important point here. Some of us have a sincere concern that mass immigration may fundamentally change our country. And by that, I mean things like our beliefs regarding Democracy and the separation of Church and State, our cultural norms, our use of English as our primary language. This does not mean that I think that all immigration should be banned. But it does mean that I think we should be thoughtful about who and how many we allow to immigrate into our country.
Moreover, assimilation should not be a dirty word. There is nothing wrong with expecting new arrivals to our country to work to fit into our society. This means learning and using English, participating in our government, and respecting our traditions.
It is not surprising that people are afraid of the possibility that immigrants who come from societies that are much different than ours -- particularly those who are fleeing violence and thus are coming here as a means to escape rather than as a desire to join -- may try to change our society rather than fit into it. Labeling such people as racists or bigots does nothing to advance the conversation. It just further divides us and prevents progress.
Moreover, assimilation should not be a dirty word. There is nothing wrong with expecting new arrivals to our country to work to fit into our society. This means learning and using English, participating in our government, and respecting our traditions.
It is not surprising that people are afraid of the possibility that immigrants who come from societies that are much different than ours -- particularly those who are fleeing violence and thus are coming here as a means to escape rather than as a desire to join -- may try to change our society rather than fit into it. Labeling such people as racists or bigots does nothing to advance the conversation. It just further divides us and prevents progress.
5
Steve, I believe your concerns are sincere, but I just wholehearted disagree with your entire premise. You refer to "our country," but in case you haven't noticed most of the Indiana population is German, Irish, and Polish (particularly in the northern half of the state where I was born and lived for more than 20 years). People made the same arguments about all of those damned Catholics and Lutherans flowing into the Hoosier state. Statistically speaking, I would wager that you have ancestors are from one of those countries. And immigrants can't change American Democracy or Separation of Church and State. Those principles are guaranteed by the Constitution.
You have espoused the same concerns that have met each wave of immigrants in our country's history--the argument against the flood of Irish, the flood of Chinese, the flood of Italians, and others. Do you feel those earlier "floods" hurt our nation? Or did the immigrants and their descendants assimilate satisfactorily in your eyes? Have some faith in the country and system you love.
A very dishonest piece. When you pull on the strings it falls apart. The argument is based on King's recent tweet. When King was asked in another forum not presented here he said he was not talking about race at all but about assimilation. The assimilation of immigrants is obvious to those who believe the globe is comprised of separate and different countries. There is no "melting pot" and no peace without it. Maybe he deserves to be vilified for what he has done in the past, but not because of this recent tweet.
When I was in public school, the school said one of its tasks was to make us informed and contributing US citizens. We had to take a civics course. My kids are now told that the school's job is to make them global citizens with no mention of the country and there is no civics course.
What is really going on here is that the NYT sees value in only a global community with no borders. They misuse facts to support their argument on a daily basis. Maybe we will be there someday but it may be hundreds of years away. I wonder if the editors ever travel and if they do, do they talk to the other peoples of the world. The editors seem incredibly naive to me. It is my experience that most people are still relatively intolerant of others and do not hold the American ideals as set forth in the Declaration of Independence to be of value. Hence nation building in our image has never worked in South America, Europe, Asia or Africa and immigration must be carefully done.
When I was in public school, the school said one of its tasks was to make us informed and contributing US citizens. We had to take a civics course. My kids are now told that the school's job is to make them global citizens with no mention of the country and there is no civics course.
What is really going on here is that the NYT sees value in only a global community with no borders. They misuse facts to support their argument on a daily basis. Maybe we will be there someday but it may be hundreds of years away. I wonder if the editors ever travel and if they do, do they talk to the other peoples of the world. The editors seem incredibly naive to me. It is my experience that most people are still relatively intolerant of others and do not hold the American ideals as set forth in the Declaration of Independence to be of value. Hence nation building in our image has never worked in South America, Europe, Asia or Africa and immigration must be carefully done.
11
There is no "melting pot"?
One need only look at US history to see that this is flat-out wrong. All immigrant groups in the past have assimilated into US culture. The first generation tends to hang on to their culture, the kids are usually more interested in the latest music or becoming a baseball player. After a few generations people "re-discover" their ethnic routes and start to celebrate being an Italian-American, etc.
I don't know where this myth that immigrants don't assimilate into US culture comes from. And what does this have to do with nation building in other countries?
One need only look at US history to see that this is flat-out wrong. All immigrant groups in the past have assimilated into US culture. The first generation tends to hang on to their culture, the kids are usually more interested in the latest music or becoming a baseball player. After a few generations people "re-discover" their ethnic routes and start to celebrate being an Italian-American, etc.
I don't know where this myth that immigrants don't assimilate into US culture comes from. And what does this have to do with nation building in other countries?
1
Donald, I do hold those ideals to be of value. But to assert that we are exceptional in that regard is to deny history, including American history. In addition to bringing back civics classes, I would also like our students to learn the total picture of American history, Only when we learn from our mistakes can we can correct them, and continue in pursuit of our ideals.
Where is the evidence that people are not assimilating? And what is your definition of assimilation?
Of course, Steve King said it was not about race. He certainly would not admit to that. But "culture" and "values" are always analogous to not being the right color from people who describe immigrants.
We already have a global community without borders. That was decided and applied a long time ago. You just have not kept up with the competition. So you want to buy cheap iphones from China and keep your white neighbors? You want to drink coffee from Columbia and only speak English? You want closed borders only because you are afraid of the outsiders but have no problem exploiting them for your own benefit.
Of course, Steve King said it was not about race. He certainly would not admit to that. But "culture" and "values" are always analogous to not being the right color from people who describe immigrants.
We already have a global community without borders. That was decided and applied a long time ago. You just have not kept up with the competition. So you want to buy cheap iphones from China and keep your white neighbors? You want to drink coffee from Columbia and only speak English? You want closed borders only because you are afraid of the outsiders but have no problem exploiting them for your own benefit.
March 15, 2017
We all know the great black hole in today's Syria - the redefining contemporary hole gained by the power to violence and advertised by thugs in the name of Caliph to gain the rights for the living with and for the negation of the void ('s)
Fortunately, Iraq is reclaiming its national power to share its political structure - and learning that living with others is a crown jewel of peace on earth that is claimed by governing with reason and with goals to attain wealth in material and spirit - universal and eternal while the nature of heroics is enjoyed from cradle to grave and with honor to the greatest word everywhere - peace. Peaceful coexistence for all times the brand of human rights united.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
We all know the great black hole in today's Syria - the redefining contemporary hole gained by the power to violence and advertised by thugs in the name of Caliph to gain the rights for the living with and for the negation of the void ('s)
Fortunately, Iraq is reclaiming its national power to share its political structure - and learning that living with others is a crown jewel of peace on earth that is claimed by governing with reason and with goals to attain wealth in material and spirit - universal and eternal while the nature of heroics is enjoyed from cradle to grave and with honor to the greatest word everywhere - peace. Peaceful coexistence for all times the brand of human rights united.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
1
Sadly, this kind of eugenics-inflected racism is nothing new in the longer history of mainstream American politics and culture. Teddy Roosevelt frequently warned against "race suicide" in the contexts of both immigration and women's reproductive rights -- perhaps most famously in remarks made to promote the adoption of an official "mother's day." Roosevelt railed against the dangers of white, middle-class women abandoning their "natural" responsibilities of motherhood in favor of professional employment and independence while the immigrants and ethnic others of the underclasses were imagined to be reproducing at alarming rates. The centrality of racist, sexist ideas in discussions about citizenship and national identity are not so far in the past as we might wish to think.
I would like to see journalists refer to these kinds of people as "radical fundamentalist Christians," for that is what they are. The word "fundamentalist" itself entered the English lexicon less than 100 years ago in the era of the reactionary Christian right--the world of William Jennings Bryan and Billy Sunday. Radical right Christians used to refer to themselves as "fundamentalists" and "evangelicals" more or less interchangeably in the 1980s and 90s.
I would also like to see more reporting on the role of racist rhetoric of debates about abortion and reproductive rights. White middle-class radical fundamentalist Christians have led the so-called "pro-life" movement for more than thirty years.
I would like to see journalists refer to these kinds of people as "radical fundamentalist Christians," for that is what they are. The word "fundamentalist" itself entered the English lexicon less than 100 years ago in the era of the reactionary Christian right--the world of William Jennings Bryan and Billy Sunday. Radical right Christians used to refer to themselves as "fundamentalists" and "evangelicals" more or less interchangeably in the 1980s and 90s.
I would also like to see more reporting on the role of racist rhetoric of debates about abortion and reproductive rights. White middle-class radical fundamentalist Christians have led the so-called "pro-life" movement for more than thirty years.
7
I believe the correct title for this should have been "Into the Void, Steve King".
9
The thing is, their is all this hate for Trump and this guy, King, to stir up.These politicians didn't create the hate and force their voters to adopt these attitudes.
People. lots of them, are filled with hate and are starting to come out of the woodwork in full force.
People. lots of them, are filled with hate and are starting to come out of the woodwork in full force.
8
Steve King's xenophobia and racism is reflected in the novel by Jean Raspail, "The Camp of the Saints" which "depicts a setting wherein Third World mass immigration to Northern Europe and its descendant nations leads to the destruction of Western civilization." (Wiki) Not surprisingly republicans' acceptance of the book and the viewpoint it advocates is not new to Rep King. "In 2004 William F. Buckley, Jr. praised the book as 'a great novel' that raised questions on how to respond to massive illegal immigration." (Wiki)
3
While it is evident that Western Culture has evolved through the European embrace of Christianity, it is also clear that our modern technological progress is a consequence of the inevitable substitution of the rationality of the scientific method and explanations over the simplistic explanations and dogma of the bible. People like King are tied through religious indoctrination, since childhood, and are now hired-wired into seeing any questioning of their biblical culture as a threat.
5
Steve King, and others like him who reveal what disgusting cretures they are on a regular bases are free to do so because the press gives them a free pass most of the time. I don't know if CSPAN still covers one minute speeches by representatives. But month after month, year after year, Republicans revealed what low people they are without apology, actually with pride. So come on press report on these disgusting people. How hard is it to just tell the truth? Seriously.
10
Today's conservatives have had years and years of listening to Rush.....
1
These old white men should follow their own tune and leave on the next boat to their ancestors native lands. Using their theory, we (except for the First Nations People) are all invaders or descendants thereof. They rewrite history over and over. Let's get rid of Mexicans, African Americans, Chinese, etc. if they got their way they would be killing each other then their families until they were the last one standing. And they would still hold a grudge. Respect yourself before you berate others.
3
For the likes of this individual the world began just over 100 years ago. He never heard of Dark Ages, where White Europeans lived for a millennium in extreme poverty and were ravaged in civil wars. And being ignorant of history and full of bigotry he believes he can spew vile venom denigrating other ethnicities.
A revoting human waste like him shouldn't get his ugly picture on the pages of NYT.
A revoting human waste like him shouldn't get his ugly picture on the pages of NYT.
6
According to Nancy Eisenberg in White Trash, Making more babies was the message of old Ben Franklin and Jon Locke gave to the 8th century "underclass"that produced Andrew Jackson and his ilk. While "white Americans" kept usurping Native Americans homelands and forced migration on them and still continue to suppress their claims as reflected in the Dokota pipeline issue, we continue to support fundamentalist Israelis' claim to kick out all "non-Jewish" palestinians out of their home land. I believe that many of these muslimpalestinians are former Jews who converted to Islam for whatever reason (Based upon my knowledge of India and Indonesia and Malaysia and ... . King is outright shamelessly racist. I am South Asian for 57 years, have studied and paid my taxes, all legally with no "funny" deductions,, have two children, both married to non-Asian Americans (3rd or fourh generation European Immigrants) and have their own children, and I am worried. Mr. King should leave our melting pot and move to a country where he is welcomed to reproduce his kind.
7
Politicians win the most votes when they appeal to the voters. Obviously, King won over these Iowans by telling them what, they too, believed and wanted to hear. Doesn't say much for either King or the people that voted for him. The same thing of course happened with Trump. His hate and bigotry brought out all the like minded people that liked hearing him spew his filth. Trump and King, two peas in a pod. You vote stupid, you get stupid.
11
The Times seems to overestimate the character of the dumbest 45% of American voters. It's something Mr. Trump & Mr. King never do.
7
Only 27% of voters selected Trump. Don't give him too much credit.
I hope KKKing does realize that his "homeboy" Geert Wilders is himself not totally white................
4
Here's my email to Mr King:
March 14, 2017
Dear Congressman King:
Your offensive comments make quite evident your insufficient education: they are insular, unexposed and ignorant.
It's never too late to finish college or further the schooling you never completed in the hope of expanding your awareness and broadening your narrownesses.
It is shameful to hurt people with your dreadful prejudices. It is sad that you are in a public position that gives your stupidity such loud voice.
Robert Chwast
March 14, 2017
Dear Congressman King:
Your offensive comments make quite evident your insufficient education: they are insular, unexposed and ignorant.
It's never too late to finish college or further the schooling you never completed in the hope of expanding your awareness and broadening your narrownesses.
It is shameful to hurt people with your dreadful prejudices. It is sad that you are in a public position that gives your stupidity such loud voice.
Robert Chwast
10
Outside of predominately white Europe, it seems you don't hear much about the same sorts of things happening in other places. Is this just a strictly white phenomenon? That seems kind of strange and makes one wonder how and why that can be. But we dare not say, for that would be racist. So we all suffer together in helpless silence.
1
How could Iowa be so stupid to elect this White Supremacist and keep him in office? He spouts some of the most insane and incendiary insults in Congress. He's always making news, and not in a good way. It's always for something stupid he said. Iowa, you say you should be one of the first states to get a preview of the presidential candidates because you're just down home common sense people. Really ? If this demagogue represents Iowa, and he does, Iowa has no business is deciding who meets the criteria for Grade A presidential timber. Good God, Youse Folks are a bunch of goobers.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
18
Sadly, Congressman King gets reelected because he accurately reflects the views of his constituents.
1
Dennis D. - When someone like Trump becomes President, it's not so hard to believe why King gets re-elected. This is not just happening in Iowa.
2
Constituents choosing deplorables, such as George Wallace, Jesse Helms, Steve King, running roughshod over
others not perceived as Americans by hostile broad elements of the white majority, deserve outright contempt. Wallace ran his first campaign for office minus overt bigotry. He lost. Racist backwaters demand
Political reactionaries.
others not perceived as Americans by hostile broad elements of the white majority, deserve outright contempt. Wallace ran his first campaign for office minus overt bigotry. He lost. Racist backwaters demand
Political reactionaries.
5
Beer Hall rants.
9
I always find it strange when people like Mr. King talk about white America. Our African-Americans have been here longer than most of those of European decent and, of course, native Americans predate all of us. The United States has never been a white world. For a time it was ruled by a privileged few who happened to be white and were most definitely undemocratic.
185
If you grow up and live only among whites, and come to believe yourself superior to non-whites, it's easy to extrapolate and think the entire U.S. is a white world, and to insist on that as "reality" when your actual experience starts to suggests otherwise.
Ok, I have a solution for Mr. King. Instead of requiring a mandate for insurance or drug testing for unemployment benefits, let's mandate genetic testing from firms like 23 and me or ancestry.com. Anyone who is at least 25% Native American gets to stay. Everyone else, report to Ellis Island for a free return to your home country.
82
Not sure what you mean by anyone not at least 25% native American being returned to their home country. I am only 6.25% Native American so I would have to leave. But I'm not sure where I would be required to go. I don't really accept even the methodology of determining what % of what background a person is; but based on the traditional methodology I am to the best I can discover ( since my moom grew up in an orphanige) approxamately- 37.5% German; 37.5% Irish; 12.5% French; 6.25% Native American; 4.5% Swiss and 1.75% Italian. So where do I go after reporting to Ellis Island? And my guess is we would play hell trying to figure out where we send all the Afro-Americans. Point is that cataogizing anyone on ethnic basis beyond more then 2 generations is ludicrous. Any one whose grandparents were born in the USA should be considered a "Native American".
Before the great, super return to ellis island, (quoting freely from our president) the CBO should prepare a cost estimate of the 300+ years of principal and interest for these to be returning for the use and despoilment of this part of the North American continent.
All those 4th district Iowans who voted for Congressman King should proudly display KKK flags in their front yards!
47
Why are you giving this village idiot free publicity?
27
Why shine the light on Steve King ? Because he has power and position. He also happens to work for us, the people who hired him to represent and work for. He and is message are dangerous and part of a trend that needs to be addressed with proper public shaming and anger. His actions reflect the tone of more than just his ugly prejudice, it also highlights the tacit support of this vile being by Republican leadership who refuse to properly disavow it with the appropriate vervor. This is including and especially, 45's gang of sycophants out to destroy who we are as a nation. The silence is deafening.
1
Steve King: beyond being a disgrace to humanity, you're un-American. Get out.
25
Rep. King is wrong, and crazy in his wrongness, but you are also wrong, o, Editorial Board.
The big biz GOP likes illegal immigration because they like having an oversupply of cheap, easily exploitable labor.
The Democratic leadership likes illegal immigration because they think--probably largely correctly--that once legalized, these people will vote Democratic. Barney Frank once even admitted as much.
This is why that Senate immigration bill back in 2013, S744, would have done nothing to stop illegal immigration.
The Democratic Party's failure to try to do anything about illegal immigration--indeed, Pres Obama's efforts to legalize dreamers and their parents, and the continuation of ***too much*** immigration, gave us Trump.
It's time for the Democratic Party and the NYT Editorial Board to understand that the US has immigration indigestion, and the time has come for a time out.
The big biz GOP likes illegal immigration because they like having an oversupply of cheap, easily exploitable labor.
The Democratic leadership likes illegal immigration because they think--probably largely correctly--that once legalized, these people will vote Democratic. Barney Frank once even admitted as much.
This is why that Senate immigration bill back in 2013, S744, would have done nothing to stop illegal immigration.
The Democratic Party's failure to try to do anything about illegal immigration--indeed, Pres Obama's efforts to legalize dreamers and their parents, and the continuation of ***too much*** immigration, gave us Trump.
It's time for the Democratic Party and the NYT Editorial Board to understand that the US has immigration indigestion, and the time has come for a time out.
17
It's hard to figure the cause of the indigestion since net migration has been outbound for some time now.
"The Democratic Party's failure to try to do anything about illegal immigration"
this is nonsense. he deported more people than any other president ever had.
"the US has immigration indigestion"
nah. some prejudiced, xenophobic members of our society dislike immigration. they should be not just ignored but roundly criticized for their terrible attitude. the only people with any standing to complain about immigration are native americans. if that's not you, then you should keep your hypocrisy behind your teeth. if your problem is the illegal aspect of some immigraiton, then you should get behind an expansion of legal immigration, changing the quotas for legally entering the country to match up with the demand to do so.
this is nonsense. he deported more people than any other president ever had.
"the US has immigration indigestion"
nah. some prejudiced, xenophobic members of our society dislike immigration. they should be not just ignored but roundly criticized for their terrible attitude. the only people with any standing to complain about immigration are native americans. if that's not you, then you should keep your hypocrisy behind your teeth. if your problem is the illegal aspect of some immigraiton, then you should get behind an expansion of legal immigration, changing the quotas for legally entering the country to match up with the demand to do so.
how is he getting elected over and over?
Some of the posts here are disparaging the voters of Iowa's 4th congressional district which Steve King represents. Knock it off!
I lived for 11 years in his district prior to the 2010 redistricting. There are plenty of Iowans in his districts who cringe ever time he opens his mouth and are embarrassed to the core to be represented by him. Why does he keep getting elected?
First, He speaks Farmer fluently! And, despite what you might think about his verbal vomit, he is actually quite intelligent and articulate.He made his most famous opponent, former, Christie Vilsack (married to former Iowa Gov. & Secretary of Agriculture under Obama), look tongue tied in at least one televised debate! She lost. Second, Iowans are not different than the rest of Americans who fail to vote. Third, do not question how he got elected unless you can explain how this country elected 45!!! Iowans are a mixed bag with many contradictions.
Don't forget, on April 3, 2009 Iowa's Supreme Court found that Iowa's ban on same sex marriage violated the state constitution, which helped pave the way nationally for equality! Some of those justices lost their seats within a few years. Iowa is also has some of the best Sunshine laws in the country. Twenty years ago I'd have said that of Wisconsin, but Walker & republican legislature changed that!
The people of the 4th district are predominately conservative. Steve King gives them what is important to them which isn't necessarily white nationalism.
I lived for 11 years in his district prior to the 2010 redistricting. There are plenty of Iowans in his districts who cringe ever time he opens his mouth and are embarrassed to the core to be represented by him. Why does he keep getting elected?
First, He speaks Farmer fluently! And, despite what you might think about his verbal vomit, he is actually quite intelligent and articulate.He made his most famous opponent, former, Christie Vilsack (married to former Iowa Gov. & Secretary of Agriculture under Obama), look tongue tied in at least one televised debate! She lost. Second, Iowans are not different than the rest of Americans who fail to vote. Third, do not question how he got elected unless you can explain how this country elected 45!!! Iowans are a mixed bag with many contradictions.
Don't forget, on April 3, 2009 Iowa's Supreme Court found that Iowa's ban on same sex marriage violated the state constitution, which helped pave the way nationally for equality! Some of those justices lost their seats within a few years. Iowa is also has some of the best Sunshine laws in the country. Twenty years ago I'd have said that of Wisconsin, but Walker & republican legislature changed that!
The people of the 4th district are predominately conservative. Steve King gives them what is important to them which isn't necessarily white nationalism.
10
Blah, blah, blah...we Americans judge people by the trash they elect.
1
but "conservatives" in Iowa or anywhere else need to realize that this stuff isn't "conservative" it is extremist and it is dangerous.
3
nonsense. they elected him and deserve to be lambasted, just as the population that elected agent orange deserve to be castigated. i'll do both, because i can meet your challenge to "not question how he got elected unless you can explain how this country elected 45." our country is full of prejudiced white people who voted for prejudiced candidates, hence both agent orange and mr. king.
picking a terrible xenophobe as one's representative isn't something you can explain away by noting that he "speaks Farmer fluently."
picking a terrible xenophobe as one's representative isn't something you can explain away by noting that he "speaks Farmer fluently."
This is certainly a dark Chapter in the history of this glorious country. After electing the first black President ever and almost get a woman elected president for the first time, people from Rural American and blue collar workers have decided to retro-back the country 40 or 50 years.
Racism is rampant and free, a confessed racist is attorney general and people from India have been killed because the ignorance of some white supremacist who confused them with Middle Easters.
A hard lesson to learn, if we are not vigilant we can lost everything that cost so many blood, tears and suffering.
We are so backwards that is like regressing to the Dark ages after the Renaissance.
Racism is rampant and free, a confessed racist is attorney general and people from India have been killed because the ignorance of some white supremacist who confused them with Middle Easters.
A hard lesson to learn, if we are not vigilant we can lost everything that cost so many blood, tears and suffering.
We are so backwards that is like regressing to the Dark ages after the Renaissance.
28
I've tired of the meme that it is racist and sexist to detest the first black President and first female candidate. There is enough about each of them to hate from their attempts to purchase votes with other people's money to their disdain for capitalism to their high spending ways to their dismissal of those who live in flyover country. They'll go to bat for underdogs (the 1% who identify as transgender) but ignore the voices of the 40% who do not or cannot live in cities. I would have voted for Colin Powell any day and could accept Fiorina if she won the election but after HRC and her comment to the Bernie bros that your cause is my cause, I will never even consider a Dem for ANY position, not even dog catcher.
1
I have lived in the South and Midwest, these opinions by King and others like him are NOT the same opinions by ordinary people or in large cities in these states. Those in power now have a legitimate forum, King Trump legitimized hate speech and bigotry. This is why he is dangerous. But there is an ongoing theme in these regions, if you don't live in a large city you are forgotten. Every time a tornado rips through the Midwest, all Americans send aide, FEMA is there (late) and other agencies. What they don't see is the lack of education among the population. I don't mean college education. After being pounded year after year, they just rebuild. They have no where to go. Generation after generation has lived in these regions without venturing outward, most do not have the funds to do so. I've met people in the south that have never left their town for generations. While cities have been growing they left a considerable portion of our population behind, those who believe they do not "fit" with liberal views, political correct actions, environmentalist, and the list goes on. King is just saying what the population is unwilling to say for fear of a backlash not because they believe in those words. The education in these regions has been distorted by these elected officials or by unchecked home schools and what we are hearing is the result of this upbringing.
13
makes you wonder what happened to the spirit that got many "uneducated" immigrants here in the first place..Most African americans are descended from slaves and yet they have been more willing to migrate as circumstances changed,..education or not. Part of the white American myth as reflected in an endless barage of country songs is about god-fearing, small home towns and country boys and girls,..who are either defiantly " stayin' put" , or are heading home from the corruption of the city. In both cases it's an us against them trop, easily exploited by King and Trump as it sets up and uses tribal affinities to create a circle the wagons mentality. Our babies vs. there's.
King needs to set sail on a flaming barge.
7
Democrat Kim Weaver put up a fight against Steve King last year and is close to a decision to run again. This is the kind of ground-up, grueling fight it's going to take to root out bigotry and bring us back to our senses.
19
Hatred and bigotry are like falling down a
well, and discovering there is nothing good
found at he bottom.
well, and discovering there is nothing good
found at he bottom.
9
Unfortunately, King is just the tip of a political iceberg. Hate-talk radio, online right-wing "news" sites, Fox"News" and the extremist rhetoric of many Republican candidates has made this sort of "thinking" much more common than we care to realize. We have waken up to a world where a political party that continues to pride itself in the label "conservative" has become a party of extremists. Responsible Republican leaders could still pull the party back from the brink but they are quickly becoming a Western Hemisphere version of a party of LePens, Wilders or worse. Those who have profited and been elected on the coat-tails of hate will be consumed by it just like those who actually voiced the hate in the first place.
13
his tweet is white nationalist, in addition to racist. it's important to use the right words here.
8
Mr. King is merely speaking the tacit thesis of the Republican Party for the last 50 years. As their oligarchic policies no longer appeal to their degraded base, they have to shift to explicitly racist appeals to get a rise out of them. Expect this to get worse, and more widespread.
8
Maybe the Iowa caucus should be moved to the end of the line. The people who vote for this guy shouldn't be setting the tone for our presidential elections.
13
Nyts. You are talking out of both sides of your mouth. Sure mr king says terrible things, some are clearly not true. Otoh, linking him to your open borders agenda is dishonest. Whether mr king or mr trump are racists or not, does not justify flooding the u.s. with poor, uneducated, unskilled people with huge families. You can be against wholesale immigration, be against turning the u.s. into a Hispanic country, with two cultures that increasingly are separate and unequal and not be "xenophobic racists" as you are so fond of calling anyone who disagrees with you. The u.s. is going thru profound demographic changes with little to no thought or discussion based solely on PC thinking. Reviewing and rethinking immigration and its longterm effects on the u.s. and its citizens is long over due and is best done in the spirit of letting the facts speak for themselves and making informed decisions based on the needs of the country not a preformed agenda.
6
I am one of your fellow citizens from the state of Idaho, and I couldn't disagree with you more. As an immigration attorney I have worked with Hispanic people for over 25 years. Hispanics, mostly Mexicans, in Idaho, are hard-working family-oriented individuals who want nothing more than to live a good and prosperous life. They work 12-hour shifts at our local dairies, doing jobs, that every dairyman will tell you, white people won't do. These are individuals who travel thousands of miles risking their lives to come to this country for a better life. Who can think of s people that we should be more willing to welcome than people such as this? Finally, I am married to one of those Hispanic people. My wife has an MBA and she's an engineer. We have one child who is a medical doctor, another who's an attorney, and another who is a public school teacher. They are proud US citizens, and love this country, as do their Hispanic brethren. So, find someone else to pick on, because if I have to choose between racists like Steve King and those of his ilk, then I will choose my Hispanic neighbors any day.
5
Al, you're wrong. It's not immigration that's "flooding the u.s. [sic] with poor, uneducated, unskilled people"; it's the American public school system. The percentage of immigrants who come here with B.A./B.S. degrees or higher academic credentials is only a few points below the number of born-here Americans with college degrees: 29% for immigrants to less than 33% for native born (2014 stats). Many highly educated immigrants fill jobs that our under-educated population cannot perform because our high school grads lack the math and literacy skills required for much gainful employment in 21st century America.
Too many under-educated Trump supporters are in that basket, and it is indeed deplorable that we cannot pull them out of it because they have "diplomas" from our nation's K-12 schools, yet they can read only slowly if at all, with difficulty, and without full comprehension. Many do not bother to read but get their "news" by listening to Limbaugh or watching FOX and right-wing media. Without hard facts, they cannot think critically. Without critical thinking skills, they are easy dupes for Steve King and the Breitbart crowd, who, I assume, are acquaintances of yours, right Al?
Too many under-educated Trump supporters are in that basket, and it is indeed deplorable that we cannot pull them out of it because they have "diplomas" from our nation's K-12 schools, yet they can read only slowly if at all, with difficulty, and without full comprehension. Many do not bother to read but get their "news" by listening to Limbaugh or watching FOX and right-wing media. Without hard facts, they cannot think critically. Without critical thinking skills, they are easy dupes for Steve King and the Breitbart crowd, who, I assume, are acquaintances of yours, right Al?
1
NOBODY espouses an "open borders agenda". Our immigration policies must be updated...Where is your call for employers to be held accountable?
We wrap ourselves in moral indignation and pantomime outrage with other people's behaviors, comments, thoughts......mostly because those behaviors, comments, and thoughts have forced us to look at ourselves in a way that doesnt conform to the Norm......
We drive uncomfortable thoughts away by throwing out ecclesiastically accepted Magic words....Racist!, Bigot! Hate Monger! Nazi! KKK!, etc!
.....
But the uncomfortable truth is what, deep down, we all recognize and understand......the world has truly become a clash of civilizations......Samuel Huntington was roundly ridiculed and chastised just for creating the phrase "Clash of Civilizations".
.......
RightThink. DoubleSpeak. Social Engineering. What would Kurt Vonnegut or even George Orwell have to say about society's reaction to Rep Steven King's off the cuff tweet?
......
American Society still naively clings to an outdated self-image. We preen in front of a mirror, convinced of "american exceptionalism" and tell ourselves that the rest of the world wants to be just like us.
........
They Dont. We have a long string of foreign affairs that prove we are only fooling ourselves. Vietnam refused American Democracy. Afghanistan is no closer to democracy now, than it was in 1800. Iraq? Perhaps even a few steps backwards. Europe? After 60 years of pouring American resources and training into rebuilding Europe in our own image....they have chosen to return to the Divine Right of Bankers(Aristocracy).
We drive uncomfortable thoughts away by throwing out ecclesiastically accepted Magic words....Racist!, Bigot! Hate Monger! Nazi! KKK!, etc!
.....
But the uncomfortable truth is what, deep down, we all recognize and understand......the world has truly become a clash of civilizations......Samuel Huntington was roundly ridiculed and chastised just for creating the phrase "Clash of Civilizations".
.......
RightThink. DoubleSpeak. Social Engineering. What would Kurt Vonnegut or even George Orwell have to say about society's reaction to Rep Steven King's off the cuff tweet?
......
American Society still naively clings to an outdated self-image. We preen in front of a mirror, convinced of "american exceptionalism" and tell ourselves that the rest of the world wants to be just like us.
........
They Dont. We have a long string of foreign affairs that prove we are only fooling ourselves. Vietnam refused American Democracy. Afghanistan is no closer to democracy now, than it was in 1800. Iraq? Perhaps even a few steps backwards. Europe? After 60 years of pouring American resources and training into rebuilding Europe in our own image....they have chosen to return to the Divine Right of Bankers(Aristocracy).
4
The problem with this editorial is that you did not show any such concern or criticism when radical Islamic ideology killed Americans. Barack Obama was not even ready to call them that name jut to avoid hurting the feeling of some people. America must control its borders and immigration to vet people who want to kill us. We do not want racists and Islamic radicals in this country. But it appears that NY Times wants to criticize only white racist ideology, ignoring others. This double is the problem.
9
Then why do you believe NYTs endorsed invading Iraq after 9/11?
Which had 0 to do with the folks that actually attacked us.
Which had 0 to do with the folks that actually attacked us.
Hurt feelings had nothing to do with Mr. Obama's careful choice of labels. Identifying terrorists with Islam does nothing but reinforce their lie that what they are doing has any relationship with the great religious traditions of their faith.
There's no point in helping them radicalize more young people or legitimize their cause.
There's no point in helping them radicalize more young people or legitimize their cause.
Thank you for this strong condemnation. Many Trump rallies last year including the Republican National Convention were an atrocious spectacle of hate. Hate for immigrants, hate for Muslims, hate for Hillary Clinton. With a slight change of wording, instead of 'Lock her up!,' they looked like 'String her up!' lynch mobs.
Watching and listening last year, it was as though the entire Republican Party had transformed itself into a Jim Crow bloodthirsty pack of wolves against groups like immigrants and Muslims, or into clones of Nuremberg Rallies held across America. Trump encouraged and still encourages the white supremacists and the religious bigots as well as those who hate LGBT rights and women in a toxic mix of drunken fervor of male malevolence. Bannon and Breitbart, Duke and the KKK, evangelical hate mongers, and Steve King and his ilk all share white male bigotry in its most inglorious entitled form.
And they won. And they feel empowered. Everyone else is regarded as 'someone else's babies' to be scorned, attacked and persecuted. These were not just lies to be called out but were hate speech.
Abraham Lincoln would denounce the racism, xenophobia, sexism, and Islamophobia of his Republican Party under Trump and current day politicians like Steve King. This is an ugly picture of America.
Watching and listening last year, it was as though the entire Republican Party had transformed itself into a Jim Crow bloodthirsty pack of wolves against groups like immigrants and Muslims, or into clones of Nuremberg Rallies held across America. Trump encouraged and still encourages the white supremacists and the religious bigots as well as those who hate LGBT rights and women in a toxic mix of drunken fervor of male malevolence. Bannon and Breitbart, Duke and the KKK, evangelical hate mongers, and Steve King and his ilk all share white male bigotry in its most inglorious entitled form.
And they won. And they feel empowered. Everyone else is regarded as 'someone else's babies' to be scorned, attacked and persecuted. These were not just lies to be called out but were hate speech.
Abraham Lincoln would denounce the racism, xenophobia, sexism, and Islamophobia of his Republican Party under Trump and current day politicians like Steve King. This is an ugly picture of America.
18
Sorry, but have to wonder who continues to vote for this ignorant racist. Between him, the fossil that used to be Charles Grassley and the nut bag hypocrite Joni Ersnt, their elected reps are giving Iowans a bad name.
14
This has been building for some time. Trump let the Jeanie out of the bottle, so to speak. When a then candidate, and now president of the US talks all sorts of raciest, sexiest, bigotry and gets away with it, it shows all the crazy, hate filled screw balls its OK to come out of the closet, say and due what you want. You will be cheered, not booed!
9
"We've aborted", Mr. King??? If you accept that Nature is doing far more 'aborting' of fetuses without any help from humans, by what morals or ethics do you and your crowd imagine having the right to say ANYTHING about those occurring under a gynecologists care? About dictating public policy to half the population while having zero empathy for those who 1) don't believe as you do, and 2) don't have the same junk between their legs as you do?
That's not being pro-life, that's being pro-birth. It's pretty obvious that when the choice is between a life with public safety in mind, be it from guns, or botched abortions, and private profits, Steve King is all about the profits. From the gun industry, to the election industry, to healthcare, the MO is the same: leverage Fear of the 'other', win elections, live on the taxpayer dollar for life, gerrymander districts, rinse and repeat. Not a brain cell wasted on doubt.
The pro-life movement should be called the original 'birther movement'.
You and your Bible-thumpers are nothing more than nosey people masquerading as the righteous while not even having the decency to attempt putting yourselves in the shoes of those who could be you, but for the grace of God. You demand others be more Perfect in their actions, while denying the imperfection in just your words, much less your actions as a public servant.
That is hubris. That is pride. And we all know what the Good Book and Jesus himself said about Pride, don't we, Mr. King?
That's not being pro-life, that's being pro-birth. It's pretty obvious that when the choice is between a life with public safety in mind, be it from guns, or botched abortions, and private profits, Steve King is all about the profits. From the gun industry, to the election industry, to healthcare, the MO is the same: leverage Fear of the 'other', win elections, live on the taxpayer dollar for life, gerrymander districts, rinse and repeat. Not a brain cell wasted on doubt.
The pro-life movement should be called the original 'birther movement'.
You and your Bible-thumpers are nothing more than nosey people masquerading as the righteous while not even having the decency to attempt putting yourselves in the shoes of those who could be you, but for the grace of God. You demand others be more Perfect in their actions, while denying the imperfection in just your words, much less your actions as a public servant.
That is hubris. That is pride. And we all know what the Good Book and Jesus himself said about Pride, don't we, Mr. King?
14
Earth to New York Times: we all know what King is. What
we need is a strategy to destroy him.
we need is a strategy to destroy him.
3
Ewwwww...Iowans are gross.
I'd suggest an Iowa boycott but what would be the point?
I think the best thing we can do is go back to completely ignoring Iowa like we've always done until they manage to drag themselves into the modern age and scrape off racist twerps like king.
Iowa...
I'd suggest an Iowa boycott but what would be the point?
I think the best thing we can do is go back to completely ignoring Iowa like we've always done until they manage to drag themselves into the modern age and scrape off racist twerps like king.
Iowa...
12
@Bob
Forgive Iowa. It's 94% white and most Iowans have never seen a person of color except on TV or in the movies.
Forgive Iowa. It's 94% white and most Iowans have never seen a person of color except on TV or in the movies.
2
Hey Bob, please don's succumb to Mr. King's tactics by labeling a whole group bad, thanks. There are plenty of us Iowans who oppose King and his vile comments. Why don't you schedule to visit our state and see how terrific most of us all. Oh, and you'll have some terrific meals, no matter what your culinary tastes.
King is a despicable bigot. It is a terrible judgment on his constituents that they keep returning this racist to Congress. And, sad that the GOP leadership is unwilling to denounce him.
5
Oh the bitter irony that this person shares a last name with one of the greatest civil rights leaders. Sounds like he might be his own worst enemy rather than scary immigrants and "others." Is he afraid of the LGBTQ community as well or does he consider them part of Western civilization?
Beware of euphemisms and willful ignorance of history, fellow readers...
http://thewaryouknowcurat.wixsite.com/the-war-you-know-
Beware of euphemisms and willful ignorance of history, fellow readers...
http://thewaryouknowcurat.wixsite.com/the-war-you-know-
2
i am a 53 year old white guy with some native american ancestry.
i cannot stand my peers. most of them make me ill.
live in the reality of americas diversity or go find your own white island to inhabit.
i cannot stand my peers. most of them make me ill.
live in the reality of americas diversity or go find your own white island to inhabit.
9
I agree. I'm so white I'm almost blue but I'll be very happy when our government, businesses etc. reflect the diversity that truly is America instead of some whites only country club.
King's statements are so profoundly sickening, ugly and scary, I would have thought I was reading from a facist newspaper, circa 1938.
What delusional world does this guy live in?
Despite the supremecist, patriarchical, and revisionist history that was forced down our throats in grade school, and continues unabated, America is NOT, and have NEVER BEEN a nation predominantly made up of old European descent white guys kneeling to a white male god created in their own image (how convenient !!!) (Don't try and cut me off at the pass with a "founding father" argument - The American Constitution is greatly infused with native American tenets.)
Look around you buddy.
Underneath we are all the same. How can you not get that ? And none of us are here that long. Move over. A lot of us want to make it work.
What delusional world does this guy live in?
Despite the supremecist, patriarchical, and revisionist history that was forced down our throats in grade school, and continues unabated, America is NOT, and have NEVER BEEN a nation predominantly made up of old European descent white guys kneeling to a white male god created in their own image (how convenient !!!) (Don't try and cut me off at the pass with a "founding father" argument - The American Constitution is greatly infused with native American tenets.)
Look around you buddy.
Underneath we are all the same. How can you not get that ? And none of us are here that long. Move over. A lot of us want to make it work.
8
That these voices are in the mainstream and not marginalized is an egregious insult to our democracy. 45's silence is deafening and he needs to be held accountable. This country must get off it's collective, entitled and lazy behind to vote these scum out of power or we are headed for a world that is mired in pain and suffering. I cannot believe we are even having this conversation and that our "leadership" is standing by with their hands in their pockets looking the other way. I am talking to you Repubs...I am begging everyone to vote and stop this madness. It is the most powerful tool we have to turn the hate away and heal the cancer that these people are spreading. The folks involved and who also stand by, will answer to a higher power who does not take kindly to the evil that they espouse and the suffering that they cause by it. Shame on them and shame on anyone who did, for ever voting them into office. We need real leadership and we need it now to take back our country and get us back on track to be the hope in the world that others counted on to keep going. We have abandoned them and ourselves and the price is going to be too high to pay if we don't act. We can never forget how this type of thinking caused the misery and death that was WW2 for millions of people. Only this time, I fear that our country will be attacked and our response will cascade into armageddon with 45 and his finger so close to the button. People's memory is too short. Alarmist? I think not.
Is he that stupid not to realize that all us white people will be soon be mutts? I have an Asian wife, but I only think of it when I read about stupid people like Congressman King. Besides the higher birth rates that most (as yet) "minorities", versus white, who would want to immigrate from England, Germany or Australia in the White House? And then immigrants from non-European countries and inter-racial marriages.
Biologically, Mr. King, if you ever studied Biology, you would know that the broader-based your family's bloodline is, the healthier it is. That's why the rest of us had blood tests before marrying. You ought try it!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Biologically, Mr. King, if you ever studied Biology, you would know that the broader-based your family's bloodline is, the healthier it is. That's why the rest of us had blood tests before marrying. You ought try it!
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
3
It matters a lot what the ever-vile Rep. King projects from his hateful mouth. It matters because his bile may now be shared by a working majority of American voters.
Are we better than this? Until early November 2016, we could quite confidently say "yes." Now? Not so sure.
If the original white European colonists to North America had heeded the call of Steve King, today we would all be well integrated into Native American culture.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Are we better than this? Until early November 2016, we could quite confidently say "yes." Now? Not so sure.
If the original white European colonists to North America had heeded the call of Steve King, today we would all be well integrated into Native American culture.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
3
Donald Trump was endorsed by the KKK and the American Nazi Party and he still won!
What does that say about America?
What does that say about America?
5
That's why he won and that says all that needs to be said about a significant section of modern America. Ignorance, racism, bigotry, violence are the framework; the purpose of education and civilization is to be able to rise above that - we've failed spectacularly.
2
Why do we give these backwards racists the time of day?
I'm not saying that they don't represent a growing trend towards extremism, or that their vocal bigotry does not incite hate crimes. But, it seems like these ignorant bullies that have unfortunately been elected to public office are modelling themselves on Trump, or at least on what Trump has come to epitomize: publicly spewing out hate drivel because they feed off of being talked about, especially when being denounced by liberals and people who oppose them.
Also, as we have learned from the presidential election, people will not automatically select the best moral choice, even when the bad egg is shouting at them from multiple screens and media sources.
Like this article suggests, these extremists need to be shut down within the Republican party itself. There's nothing more effective than being being judged as pathetic by your peers, and Republicans need to steer their party away from this moral and political precipice that is seeing more and more lemming jumps. We also need to find a way to denounce what these bullies are pitching without fanning their perverse egos. We're focusing too much on the individuals themselves rather than their values which are incongruous with a multicultural and, what we need to defend, a forward-thinking nation.
I'm not saying that they don't represent a growing trend towards extremism, or that their vocal bigotry does not incite hate crimes. But, it seems like these ignorant bullies that have unfortunately been elected to public office are modelling themselves on Trump, or at least on what Trump has come to epitomize: publicly spewing out hate drivel because they feed off of being talked about, especially when being denounced by liberals and people who oppose them.
Also, as we have learned from the presidential election, people will not automatically select the best moral choice, even when the bad egg is shouting at them from multiple screens and media sources.
Like this article suggests, these extremists need to be shut down within the Republican party itself. There's nothing more effective than being being judged as pathetic by your peers, and Republicans need to steer their party away from this moral and political precipice that is seeing more and more lemming jumps. We also need to find a way to denounce what these bullies are pitching without fanning their perverse egos. We're focusing too much on the individuals themselves rather than their values which are incongruous with a multicultural and, what we need to defend, a forward-thinking nation.
2
American culture? What would that be? McDonald cheeseburgers? Napalming Vietnamese children? I welcome the influx of civilizing immigrants on this murderous land.
7
Civilizing immigrants?? For example the ones that muder their daughters for dating outside the clan? The gentital mutilating, mysogynists? The sharia law folks? The Isis recruits that head back to Somalia? Which ones specifically are you referring to?
4
Al - You might want to take a look at the statistics of women and children who are beaten and sexually assaulted in the U.S., and the number of white men who perpetrate these crimes.
While you're at it, take a look at the number of mass shootings in the U.S. The worst of them have been committed by white men who were born here.
Don't forget to pay attention to the number of white men who want to deny women cancer screening, birth control, pre-natal care etc.
While you're at it, take a look at the number of mass shootings in the U.S. The worst of them have been committed by white men who were born here.
Don't forget to pay attention to the number of white men who want to deny women cancer screening, birth control, pre-natal care etc.
2
There are no religions, civilizations or countries that are without some darkness in their past or present. The problem is fundamentalism in any form.
When I teach my students about the nativism of the late 19th/early 20th century, I provide them with newspaper articles and legislative documents from the period, and they are uniformly in shock. They have never read nor heard the bald-faced declarations of white supremacists, eugenicists, racial hygienists, anti-miscegenationists, and people who identified themselves as "native Americans" (i.e. from Anglo-Saxon stock) to distinguish themselves from dangerous blacks and immigrant "scum." Imagine how shocking it is to read the EXACT same phrases, practically word for word, by a member of Congress, who seeks to save Christian civilization from the hoi polloi. As I've always thought, the basic premise of the current GOP is not only to dismantle the protections of the Great Society or the New Deal or even the Square Deal. It's to return us to the Gilded Age and the social Darwinism that it made possible.
2
"Some might even wonder whether your hostility to American values reflects your own failure to assimilate. "
So snap. The hostility of this crowd doesn't stop at American values. We've seen since the beginning of Trump's campaign a flagrant contempt for facts, evidence, truth, and reality. This cancer in America's soul hates freedom, hates compassion, hates reason, ridicules science, casts aspersions at national institutions that have existed much longer than their fake news outlets, and embraces the ceaseless lies of its leaders regardless how preposterous. But how do they feel about the clown they support being the puppet of a foreign government, not even an ally? That's called "treason", you know. Impeachable. Myself, I'm thinking with the damage these animals are going to do to this country, they'll be lucky not to get the full-blown Mussolini.
So snap. The hostility of this crowd doesn't stop at American values. We've seen since the beginning of Trump's campaign a flagrant contempt for facts, evidence, truth, and reality. This cancer in America's soul hates freedom, hates compassion, hates reason, ridicules science, casts aspersions at national institutions that have existed much longer than their fake news outlets, and embraces the ceaseless lies of its leaders regardless how preposterous. But how do they feel about the clown they support being the puppet of a foreign government, not even an ally? That's called "treason", you know. Impeachable. Myself, I'm thinking with the damage these animals are going to do to this country, they'll be lucky not to get the full-blown Mussolini.
4
This Editorial
1. marvels at "the bad racism" of King without substantiation
2. makes the unfounded claim that King's reference to "American culture" means "Christian,English-only whitopia"
3. mischaracterizes Trump's policies as "anti-immigrant" instead of anti-illegal immigrant
4.claims that our Federal immigration laws envision "making America whiter"
These are demagogic,baseless rants intended to "effloresce" hate and in this lifelong NYT reader's opinion,"Not Fit to Print".
1. marvels at "the bad racism" of King without substantiation
2. makes the unfounded claim that King's reference to "American culture" means "Christian,English-only whitopia"
3. mischaracterizes Trump's policies as "anti-immigrant" instead of anti-illegal immigrant
4.claims that our Federal immigration laws envision "making America whiter"
These are demagogic,baseless rants intended to "effloresce" hate and in this lifelong NYT reader's opinion,"Not Fit to Print".
5
Respectfully:
1. What is good racism?
2. When the (first) travel ban had a footnote saying Christian refugees were to be treated differently, and when the constant refrain has been that assimilation would be simple if they could only "learn English", I think 2 of the 3 are easily substantiated. As for white part, I would suggest you listen to what your ears are hearing.
3. The distinction is meaningless when legal immigrants are presumed to be illegal - why were green card holders included in the travel ban? Why are Muslim American citizens being given the third degree at legal re-entry - check with them if you know any.
4. The above are sufficient to justify the assumption in your 4th question.
1. What is good racism?
2. When the (first) travel ban had a footnote saying Christian refugees were to be treated differently, and when the constant refrain has been that assimilation would be simple if they could only "learn English", I think 2 of the 3 are easily substantiated. As for white part, I would suggest you listen to what your ears are hearing.
3. The distinction is meaningless when legal immigrants are presumed to be illegal - why were green card holders included in the travel ban? Why are Muslim American citizens being given the third degree at legal re-entry - check with them if you know any.
4. The above are sufficient to justify the assumption in your 4th question.
1
1. they directly quoted him saying racist things.
2. it's very clear that's what he was referring to. i would love to hear what you're imagining that king meant.
3. trump and his allies are all on the record as wanting to reduce legal immigration to the u.s. as well, so they can certainly be described as being "anti-immigrant" overall.
2. it's very clear that's what he was referring to. i would love to hear what you're imagining that king meant.
3. trump and his allies are all on the record as wanting to reduce legal immigration to the u.s. as well, so they can certainly be described as being "anti-immigrant" overall.
He missed his own son's wedding so that he could vote against the Affordable Care Act.
http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/king-passes-up-son-s-nuptials-to-...
http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/king-passes-up-son-s-nuptials-to-...
So, one simple question; where are the people of Iowa who live in this guy's district? My suggestion to the NY Times or NPR or the Washington Post is to get "boots on the ground" in Iowa and find out whether this guy's constituents are just as bigoted as he is. If they aren't why have they voted to keep him in the House? And to the DNC get your posterior to Iowa and start talking to these people and maybe dump this guy in 2018. Ya think?
2
What will the republicans say?
Tea party bigots displayed racist cartoonish images of Obama ...
Cowards spit on a renowned civil rights leader in Washington D.C. ...
A congressman shouted 'you lie' at Obama during a joint session of congress ...
Newt Gingrich called Obama 'the food stamp president' ...
Trump disparaged John McCain's bravery as a prisoner ...
Trump insulted a Syrian family who lost a son defending America ...
Trump abused a disabled reporter ...
Trump threatened a heckler ...
As Hemingway said; nada, nada, nada ....
Most of them are destined for infamy as cowards, bigots, sycophants ... .
Tea party bigots displayed racist cartoonish images of Obama ...
Cowards spit on a renowned civil rights leader in Washington D.C. ...
A congressman shouted 'you lie' at Obama during a joint session of congress ...
Newt Gingrich called Obama 'the food stamp president' ...
Trump disparaged John McCain's bravery as a prisoner ...
Trump insulted a Syrian family who lost a son defending America ...
Trump abused a disabled reporter ...
Trump threatened a heckler ...
As Hemingway said; nada, nada, nada ....
Most of them are destined for infamy as cowards, bigots, sycophants ... .
3
Let's cut to the chase... King is a white supremacist.
5
I'd suggest a boycott of Iowa but come on, who am I kidding?
Iowa: Come for the flat, featureless coma inducing landscape, stay for white supremacists.
Iowa: Come for the flat, featureless coma inducing landscape, stay for white supremacists.
7
"He was praising Geert Wilders, a far-right Dutch politician who wants to close his country to Muslims, whom he calls “scum.” "
A superb troll for Donald Trump, the King of Trolls!
What a despicable, racist, odious, and wicked position.
Yes. he fits right into this Klan of white supremacists and fear mongrels.
This editorial is spot on: "The picture is of a president waging a toxic campaign of ethnocentrism and xenophobia, creating fear that foreign hordes threaten our existence."
A superb troll for Donald Trump, the King of Trolls!
What a despicable, racist, odious, and wicked position.
Yes. he fits right into this Klan of white supremacists and fear mongrels.
This editorial is spot on: "The picture is of a president waging a toxic campaign of ethnocentrism and xenophobia, creating fear that foreign hordes threaten our existence."
4
King has never said America must be only Christian and white. Liberals have put those words into his mouth as they have so many times to so many who have disagreed with them. Please NYTs, fact-check your own statements.
4
For a very long time,Republican party members were winning their elections by taking full advantages of their core supporters' lack of education.
And what does lack of education bring :utter ignorance.
Steve King,the congressman from Iowa was taking full advantage of his followers' ignorance to spread his hate filled diatribe which're similar to the views of all the White Nationalists here as well as Geert Wilders, a far-right Dutch politician and many others like him in Europe whose racist world views match with Trump and him.
But Mr. King who branded together all the children coming from South America with a few drug smugglers saying "these young immigrants have calves like cantaloupe,from hauling marijuana over the border," do not understand that by painting other people with black color he's asking those people to hate all the White people.
Also by blaming the Democrats for trying to"fill the void of nearly 60 million aborted babies since 1973, by raising somebody else's babies," Mr. King proved to us that he and Trump want to make America White again.
And that was the dumbest thing that any politician can ever say on national tv, because we're not raising other people's babies but our own American babies.
Those babies might look different from Mr. King's color of the skin but nonetheless if they're born in America like Obama,they're American citizens.
No wonder we got rid of these hatemongers from our party long time back when we expelled all the Dixie Democrats.
And what does lack of education bring :utter ignorance.
Steve King,the congressman from Iowa was taking full advantage of his followers' ignorance to spread his hate filled diatribe which're similar to the views of all the White Nationalists here as well as Geert Wilders, a far-right Dutch politician and many others like him in Europe whose racist world views match with Trump and him.
But Mr. King who branded together all the children coming from South America with a few drug smugglers saying "these young immigrants have calves like cantaloupe,from hauling marijuana over the border," do not understand that by painting other people with black color he's asking those people to hate all the White people.
Also by blaming the Democrats for trying to"fill the void of nearly 60 million aborted babies since 1973, by raising somebody else's babies," Mr. King proved to us that he and Trump want to make America White again.
And that was the dumbest thing that any politician can ever say on national tv, because we're not raising other people's babies but our own American babies.
Those babies might look different from Mr. King's color of the skin but nonetheless if they're born in America like Obama,they're American citizens.
No wonder we got rid of these hatemongers from our party long time back when we expelled all the Dixie Democrats.
1
For the longest time I considered Louis Gohmert the stupidest man in congress. But he's been laying low for a while.
Apparently Steve King is determined to take that crown for himself. I gotta admit, he's making one hell of an effort.
What on earth is going on in Wisconsin? Not only do they have the meanest man in congress, Paul Ryan, now they're also going to have the stupidest, Steve King. Are these really the superlatives you want to be known for?
Apparently Steve King is determined to take that crown for himself. I gotta admit, he's making one hell of an effort.
What on earth is going on in Wisconsin? Not only do they have the meanest man in congress, Paul Ryan, now they're also going to have the stupidest, Steve King. Are these really the superlatives you want to be known for?
1
I know it's all fly over country from NJ, but he's IA not WI. I know it's hard to tell their politics apart but one has Harleys and the other one only has hogs.
1
Unverified info. Mr. King, the "patriot" as with so many of our other "patriots", like the SCP:
Congressman King avoided the draft with "2S" deferments in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Nine days after receiving his third deferment, President Richard Nixon signed an amendment to the Military Service Act of 1967 that created the draft lottery. Under the new lottery system, draft deferments were still allowed. Because he had been receiving deferments under the old draft system, King was still shielded from being drafted in the lottery system as long as he maintained his deferments and stayed in school.
He let the brown and black people of the country do the fighting for him, and then he tries to kick them out of the country. What a guy.
Congressman King avoided the draft with "2S" deferments in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Nine days after receiving his third deferment, President Richard Nixon signed an amendment to the Military Service Act of 1967 that created the draft lottery. Under the new lottery system, draft deferments were still allowed. Because he had been receiving deferments under the old draft system, King was still shielded from being drafted in the lottery system as long as he maintained his deferments and stayed in school.
He let the brown and black people of the country do the fighting for him, and then he tries to kick them out of the country. What a guy.
2
Our president, by spouting his hatred and bigotry and racist statements to the world on a daily basis, has signaled to the rest of the bigots and haters that they can now crawl out from under their rocks and profess their hatred just like he does. He is such a fine example of everything we don't want our children to be. Hopefully, all his misguided and ignorant statements will, in the end, bring him crashing down. We can only hope that this is sooner than later. Let's hope he takes the hater King and those like him down with him.
4
How much does this guy get paid anyway? Another empty suit who thinks he is in Washington to preen for the disc jockeys on the right and stare blankly at anything that resembles work. Kind of like Ben Carson on meth.
1
King has been a bad reflection on the citizens of Iowa for years now. I hope the good people of Iowa will support Kim Weaver to unseat him.
3
Iowa, which elected Mr.King and has an outsized role in our presidential election system, stands as an example of how dysfunctional our politics have become. This is the same state where the Republican legislative majority is working to sanction agricultural pollution of the state's waterways, including the supply to its capitol and largest city, Des Moines. Anyone thinking of traveling to, living in or locating a business in such a place should think long and hard about the costs of their association with such a benighted place with its history of environmental degradation and increasingly racist politics. As that part of the country depopulates further, perhaps it will slowly lose some political clout and some sense of reason might slowly return to our system.
1
Me. King is the most illiterate person who bases his statements on his stream of consciousness and not facts. Pretty much like the odious man who nominated him. Birds of the same feather flock together.
1
King is a six term U.S. House Representative from Iowa. Throw in Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and there is no way to get around the fact that this does not speak well at all about the moral character of the people of Iowa.
The problem with both Steve King and this editorial is that when you mix the lack of nuance and thought seen on internet social media with hard-polarized ideas, and throw in a lack of thought and especially a lack of listening to anyone other than those who agree, what you get is one side with prejudice on full display and the other side yelling racism even when that isn't the core of the prejudice.
Steve King probably doesn't believe he's a racist. In fact, he's said so. To be fair to him, he hates anyone who doesn't believe that people coming into this country should integrate with American culture and wants to come here and establish an enclave of their own culture instead. He's probably got a lot of agreement on that, until he starts enunciating the details, at which point his sheer ignorance and willingness to accept stuff from social media as fact screws him up and he comes under attack.
The attackers waste no time going straight to racism, because that's the only word in some of their social media starved vocabularies. He believes that Hispanics, principally Mexicans, are trying to take over the society. He believes that Islam is fundamentally incompatible with our society and represents an existential danger. Both of those beliefs have their adherents on the other side, but are fundamentally bigoted and ignorant.
But jumping straight to race is also a social media fueled prejudice and its lack of nuance is piling up the votes for people like Trump.
Steve King probably doesn't believe he's a racist. In fact, he's said so. To be fair to him, he hates anyone who doesn't believe that people coming into this country should integrate with American culture and wants to come here and establish an enclave of their own culture instead. He's probably got a lot of agreement on that, until he starts enunciating the details, at which point his sheer ignorance and willingness to accept stuff from social media as fact screws him up and he comes under attack.
The attackers waste no time going straight to racism, because that's the only word in some of their social media starved vocabularies. He believes that Hispanics, principally Mexicans, are trying to take over the society. He believes that Islam is fundamentally incompatible with our society and represents an existential danger. Both of those beliefs have their adherents on the other side, but are fundamentally bigoted and ignorant.
But jumping straight to race is also a social media fueled prejudice and its lack of nuance is piling up the votes for people like Trump.
Steve King: “Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies.”
I am proud to say that I have never belonged and never will belong to Steve King's "civilization". The only culture that college dropout and perennial back bench politician Steve King ever contributed to is wing nut fantasies for the fringe. As a onetime resident of Iowa, it's sad that the people of Iowa have to settle for such small minded political representation.
I am proud to say that I have never belonged and never will belong to Steve King's "civilization". The only culture that college dropout and perennial back bench politician Steve King ever contributed to is wing nut fantasies for the fringe. As a onetime resident of Iowa, it's sad that the people of Iowa have to settle for such small minded political representation.
2
Representative King has been in office since 2003. While he is often scoffed at for his extremist views for the past several years it is worth noting that he has served his congressional district since 2003, and with an election every 2 years the math adds up to 6 consecutive election victories during that time. Mr. King may seem out of touch with reality, but the reality he does represent is that of his constituents who seem to be quite happy with him. The attack on King and the side attack on Trump fail to recognize an important fact that has been overlooked in the media for some time since the Trump election - the American public is broken up in geographical area with most of them homogeneous in nature. Liberals along the coast and major cities, and conservatives in the suburbs of the above as well as small towns in between the coasts. And for reasons too numerous to expand upon like groups congregate in subsections of America's geography. Representative King's views may be an embarrassment to many Americans, but Representative King's view represent the view of many of the constituents in his Congressional district, and likewise President Trump's views represent many Congressional districts (or is it electoral districts?). Mr. King's twisted thinking is the result, and not the cause. What should be focused on is America's cultural and educational deficiency so apparent among many of the electorate.
4
And who keeps re-electing people like Steve King?? And why haven't the Democrats in Iowa been able to mount a credible campaign to unseat him and his ilk?
I am afraid this issue is greater than just the fact that a bigot and racist is a US Congressman.
I am afraid this issue is greater than just the fact that a bigot and racist is a US Congressman.
4
Rep. King is just race baiting to get votes and publicity. Publicity gets him opportunities to make money. He can get away with it because Iowa is mostly white.
1
It says it all, that racist statements will get you votes. The USA is sick.....very sick.
If Rep. Steve King is the epitome of U.S. "civilization" or even Iowan civilization, we have problems.
It might be helpful for Wilders in the Netherlands, Bannon, King and other so-called civilization protectors to study a little biology and a little history. The difference in the genetic make-up of the various "races" are minimal. The various "civilizations" ( "cultures" would be the better word) are products of differing immigration patterns throughout history.
And maybe King, Bannon and Wilders should be asked what "civilization" values they are trying to protect. I'd not be surprised to learn that their "civilization" values look very similar to the values of ISIS - blind adherence to skewed dogma and to the "elites" who have the power to feed them or kill them.
It might be helpful for Wilders in the Netherlands, Bannon, King and other so-called civilization protectors to study a little biology and a little history. The difference in the genetic make-up of the various "races" are minimal. The various "civilizations" ( "cultures" would be the better word) are products of differing immigration patterns throughout history.
And maybe King, Bannon and Wilders should be asked what "civilization" values they are trying to protect. I'd not be surprised to learn that their "civilization" values look very similar to the values of ISIS - blind adherence to skewed dogma and to the "elites" who have the power to feed them or kill them.
4
Into the void with the NYT editors. Illegal immigration means that it is against the law. We have welcomed immigrants since the country was founded, but that doesn't mean can't make laws and enforce them regarding immigration. We can invite who we want, when we want. The unrestricted illegal immigration and open boarders favored by the NYT is a direct threat to our national identity. Countries go to war when their national identity is threatened. It is about time we started fighting this one.
5
Actually Robert we had unrestricted immigration until 1928. From 1928 to 1965 we did not welcome immigrants limiting immigration to 150k per year and mostly from europe. Only after 1965 did our modern system come to be.
2
nobody. nobody. nobody wants unrestricted immigration and open borders [sic]. why is it that to some people there is nothing in between wholesale influx and nobody coming in at all?
2
Robert wrote: "The unrestricted illegal immigration and open boarders favored by the NYT is a direct threat to our national identity. "
When, pray, has the NYT stated that it supports unrestricted illegal immigration and open borders? Any examples?
<> <> <>
Yeah, that's what I thought.
And what national identity are you referring to? The one where NON-WHITE people were HERE FIRST?
Okay, I'm down with that. Thank you for your support, Robert!!
When, pray, has the NYT stated that it supports unrestricted illegal immigration and open borders? Any examples?
<> <> <>
Yeah, that's what I thought.
And what national identity are you referring to? The one where NON-WHITE people were HERE FIRST?
Okay, I'm down with that. Thank you for your support, Robert!!
1
UNBELIEVABLE. I am a resident of the state protecting parts of two Canadian provinces, Ontario and Manitoba, from Iowa. It's time the gloves come off when it comes to responding to this kind of racist, bigoted, narrow minded, sub-human tripe. Where are the people of conscience in Iowa? Where are the loud, clear voices rushing to repudiate this guy, in his district, throughout Iowa, and nationally? For perspective, some background about the 4th Congressional district in Iowa: about 761,000 residents; 92% white, 6.4% Hispanic, 2.1% Asian, 1.7% black. In winning his third consecutive term to Congress last November, King garnered nearly 62% of the 370,000 votes cast (same % as he received in 2014). The 4th Congressional district covers northwestern Iowa; the median age of the residents is 39, the median household income is $51K/mean household income is $64K; 33% > 25 years old are high school grads only; 23% > 25 years old have some college; and 29% > 25 have associates/bachelors degree. Health care, manufacturing and retail jobs are tops. In the wide stretches of "rural" between the east & west coasts, this is what passes for the enlightened masses. Less than 60 days into forty-five's reign of terror, and I am growing so weary of how I need to "understand" these folks, generate empathy for the "angry middle," and blaze a trail toward common ground. How about you stop electing racists to office first? Oh that's right - they reflect your views . . .
15
Self deportation was a tactic tried by the nazis.
5
Whenever a troglodyte like Rep. King starts sharing his "thoughts", I find myself noting that if someone claiming superiority for a certain set of people (e.g. a "race" or a "culture", "religion" or bowling team) I would find the claim more convincing if the claimant were not, invariably, a member of the set himself. It is the last resort of a true loser with no positive human attributes to proclaim himself a winner merely by virtue of who (or what) his parents were.
4
My question is where are this guy's constituents? How does such a racist hate monger get elected? Time for those so called Christians to stop the hypocrisy and practice what they preach. Or come out of the closet and admit they support this guy because they are lock step with his racist thinking and behavior. Let's face it, if you continue to support this guy you either agree with his disgusting positions, are totally disconnected and blindly vote GOP or just so blinded by your crusade to violate a woman's right to make her own choices that you will allow discrimination and mistreatment of millions, who are documented human beings with birth certificates from wherever their country of origin. Absolutely disgusting and so is his district who votes for him.
9
A friend used to tell me how much he hated his coworkers and clients at his job as an electrician in Iowa. How outwardly racist and bigoted people were. I saw none of that when I visited Des Moines a few years back. I thought people were lovely. I realize now my friend must have worked with Steve King. We need to get this moron out of office. We can't let the bigots win.
5
I have family in Iowa. They're very nice until you listen to them talk about health care funding, education etc. Some of them are so nice they simply don't recognize evil when they see it, others are nice but only to people who look just like them.
Sadly the kind of ignorance espoused by Mr. King, and implicitly endorsed by Mr. Trump's silence, is all too common here in the Midwest.
Walk into any strip-mall bar and bring this up with any of the middle-aged white guys at the bar and the sentiment will be repeated. In their world-view, the US is a white Christian country, and always was until "Obummer" got into office. And no, they are not all blue-collar and unemployed. I hear this sentiment from highly-educated professionals as well. They watch Fox News and the believe what they here. Every word of it. Welcome to the red states. They are tired of your East coast elitism and they want you to know it.
Walk into any strip-mall bar and bring this up with any of the middle-aged white guys at the bar and the sentiment will be repeated. In their world-view, the US is a white Christian country, and always was until "Obummer" got into office. And no, they are not all blue-collar and unemployed. I hear this sentiment from highly-educated professionals as well. They watch Fox News and the believe what they here. Every word of it. Welcome to the red states. They are tired of your East coast elitism and they want you to know it.
8
This man is a white supremacist. He is not only anti-immigrant but also anti-black, anti-Hispanic, anti-Jewish and anti-all non-Christians. Frankly, I bet he is also anti-poor white and anti-non-subservient women as well. He represents the Guard House of America as a Gated Community.
6
As someone with whom I spoke noted, Steve King should drop all pretense. Just join the KKK and be done with the charade, Mr. King.
4
King has been elected and re-elected with large majorities while shooting his mouth off with this vile weirdness. Mature, adult citizens chose him repeatedly because they LIKE this kind of verbal sewage. Repulsive!
It's long past the time when we should be working toward breaking up the nation. It's non-functional, systemically. Much like the USSR was before it collapsed. The illusion that "we're all in this together", "working toward something better" is comical. Time to move on.
It's long past the time when we should be working toward breaking up the nation. It's non-functional, systemically. Much like the USSR was before it collapsed. The illusion that "we're all in this together", "working toward something better" is comical. Time to move on.
3
Millions of good decent Americans are counting down the days until we can finally say farewell to Trump, Bannon, Sessions and Mr. King. We are ashamed of our President and his racism, bigotry and lies.
Let this be the last gasp for these tired old white men. We hope that any damage they might inflict is 'small' and reversible.
American 'culture' does not exist. Our society is bound by our commitment to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Our society functions at its best when our diversity is acknowledged directly and is inclusive - Freedom, equality and justice FOR ALL. The 'American Dream' has always been significantly different from Europe not only geographically but in our whole formation as a country.
Mr. King will find his 'journey' abruptly ended.
Let this be the last gasp for these tired old white men. We hope that any damage they might inflict is 'small' and reversible.
American 'culture' does not exist. Our society is bound by our commitment to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Our society functions at its best when our diversity is acknowledged directly and is inclusive - Freedom, equality and justice FOR ALL. The 'American Dream' has always been significantly different from Europe not only geographically but in our whole formation as a country.
Mr. King will find his 'journey' abruptly ended.
3
Forget all the stratospherics re the vacuum created by abortions, sucking immigrants into its vortex.
Recognize the truth that many are here illegally.
Recognize the truth that this immigrant population is and has been a very very good thing for our country on multiple levels.
Recognize that evicting them from our country would have devastating economic effects.
Why submit hard working honest people to a cruel deportation when they are an asset better left to work for and with us here.
The law may be the law but it can be changed to avoid a wrong turn of the national destiny.
Recognize the truth that many are here illegally.
Recognize the truth that this immigrant population is and has been a very very good thing for our country on multiple levels.
Recognize that evicting them from our country would have devastating economic effects.
Why submit hard working honest people to a cruel deportation when they are an asset better left to work for and with us here.
The law may be the law but it can be changed to avoid a wrong turn of the national destiny.
3
Yes there are racists.
Lets get on top of that Russiagate horror, and stike a blow for the good people.
Lets get on top of that Russiagate horror, and stike a blow for the good people.
2
"Whitopia?" and yet you think King is a racist? Anyway, his views on abortion are ignorant, as he is, but for you to blame president Trump for his ignorance is simply ignorant on your part. And BTW, Donald Trump, though I am personally not a supporter, is not a racist. All that is is the old "label and hate" rhetoric of the Clinton campaign - the one that cost her the election? - and we can all clearly see that the NYT has bought into the frame, as have many of your readers. And oh, yes, I know: 3 million more people were all on board with her campaign. Great - and thanks for reminding us of how hateful people can be - not that we actually needed any reminding.
If it walks like a duck ... There should be no doubt to anyone an the NYT should call it out: the GOP is a racist organization.
4
what's wrong here with this comment section? It shows that only 86 comments have been made by readers, but just a few have received 2000 recommendations. It's doesn't usually work that way.
1
I was born, nurtured, and educated in Iowa. I left in '68. Alarmed at the election of Steve King in 2003, I wrote to newspapers around the state in cities where I had lived. Steve King shames all Iowans and all of us who called it our home. He shames the United States by his racist, xenophobic lies. He has opposed animal rights and food safety laws, same-sex marriage and lgbt rights, economic stimulus bills, hurricane Katrina aid, stem cell research and abortion in all instances, women's rights in general, affirmative action for women and minorities, immigration of non-whites, restrictions on lobbying, restrictions on racial profiling, and the science on global climate change.
He keeps a confederate flag on his desk and has insulted President Obama on numerous occasions, seeming to imply that the President was allied to terrorists.
Some of these positions are simply political opinions, but most of them are far from harmless. Mr. King fits every non-supernatural definition of evil: He causes ruin, injury, and pain, with anger and malicious spite. As long as the people of western Iowa elect him to office, I am ashamed of them because they bring shame on the rest of us.
He keeps a confederate flag on his desk and has insulted President Obama on numerous occasions, seeming to imply that the President was allied to terrorists.
Some of these positions are simply political opinions, but most of them are far from harmless. Mr. King fits every non-supernatural definition of evil: He causes ruin, injury, and pain, with anger and malicious spite. As long as the people of western Iowa elect him to office, I am ashamed of them because they bring shame on the rest of us.
The haters have always been there. Does the name "Ku Klux Klan" mean anything to you?
What mystifies me is the suspension of disbelief on the part of those 60 million Trump voters who responded to the "Build the Wall" thing, which, after all, was so clearly the theater of the absurd--as if desperate immigrants could not tunnel under, or otherwise circumvent any physical barrier. Our very own American Maginot Line.
All right, all right, I get the "don't take him literally" trope, but really, how were we supposed to take the wall thing either literally or seriously?
What mystifies me is the suspension of disbelief on the part of those 60 million Trump voters who responded to the "Build the Wall" thing, which, after all, was so clearly the theater of the absurd--as if desperate immigrants could not tunnel under, or otherwise circumvent any physical barrier. Our very own American Maginot Line.
All right, all right, I get the "don't take him literally" trope, but really, how were we supposed to take the wall thing either literally or seriously?
2
Steve King and Bannon are dangerous anti Semites. They have power and are treated as legitimate political operatives while they are in fact trying to engineer the adoption of white supremacy as the hope of America's future. Of course that excludes Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, Muslims, feminists, the old sick or poor. Any doubts one may have about their agenda is being undermined by their brazen fanaticism. If we ignore them they will succeed. Their arrogance and the giddy arrogance of all Republicans stems from our complacency and our complicity. Trump says Obama tapped him at Trump Towers, with no evidence at all. Now Republicans try to walk this back and Trump is silent, invisible. Maybe microwaves? Here's a misdirection: Steve King. Here's another: burn healthcare to the ground but don't notice that the ultra rich got another tax break. Who will handle the vouchers for the millions of nursing home patients who are sustained with Medicaid.
Of those things that the Trump Administration is, is racist. Of those things that they are not: democratic. All those suckers who are not rich who voted for King and Trump should comfort themselves with the knowledge that at least they are white....just like the Bacon rebels and the Confederate army regulars who had neither property nor slaves but were eager to fight to the death for those who did. Hatred and stupidity trump common sense and self interest every time.
Of those things that the Trump Administration is, is racist. Of those things that they are not: democratic. All those suckers who are not rich who voted for King and Trump should comfort themselves with the knowledge that at least they are white....just like the Bacon rebels and the Confederate army regulars who had neither property nor slaves but were eager to fight to the death for those who did. Hatred and stupidity trump common sense and self interest every time.
5
The New York Times, in its editorial, quoting Mr. Trump: "You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this?”
The NYT responds, "Nobody, actually".
And here lies the problem. In truth, many Americans believes this. And this is why Mr. Trump has been elected President and we have Republican control of both houses of Congress.
The NYT Editorial Board, and its liberal readers better acknowledge this quickly. A large part of America wishes this nation to be a White-Christian-Heterosexual-at least second generation American dominated nation. And this is what we have. Everyone else, prepare to be second class citizens, or better yet not even citizens.
So pretending that everyone condemns Mr. King is myopic. This is what a large part of America is, for better or worse.
The NYT responds, "Nobody, actually".
And here lies the problem. In truth, many Americans believes this. And this is why Mr. Trump has been elected President and we have Republican control of both houses of Congress.
The NYT Editorial Board, and its liberal readers better acknowledge this quickly. A large part of America wishes this nation to be a White-Christian-Heterosexual-at least second generation American dominated nation. And this is what we have. Everyone else, prepare to be second class citizens, or better yet not even citizens.
So pretending that everyone condemns Mr. King is myopic. This is what a large part of America is, for better or worse.
1
"a little cryptic" ?
“There’s an American culture, American civilization. It’s raised within these children in these American homes. That’s one of the reasons why we require that the president of the United States be raised with an American experience. We’ve also aborted nearly 60 million babies in this country since 1973."
60 million ...is more than the population of Canada and most EU countries...
So is this editorial condoning the elimination of an entire population?
“There’s an American culture, American civilization. It’s raised within these children in these American homes. That’s one of the reasons why we require that the president of the United States be raised with an American experience. We’ve also aborted nearly 60 million babies in this country since 1973."
60 million ...is more than the population of Canada and most EU countries...
So is this editorial condoning the elimination of an entire population?
3
I'm not so sure that the most effective weapon against hate is more hate. The problem is that they will kill you first. Kind of mitigates against reasonable response.
What do we do against ignonerance. Trump doesn't know.( Neither do I judging from the spelling)
What do we do against ignonerance. Trump doesn't know.( Neither do I judging from the spelling)
1
The editors write in paragraph six, "Immigrants in America do assimilate."
Really? You talking about illegal immigrants? Or as your board calls them undocumented? Assimilation and not coming forward cancel each other out.
So much for that. Where I live there are whole swaths of the community that live a clannish, separated life. English is not spoken. There is no push to integrate socially or culturally. There is a clear cut otherness, not because they are set aside, but because they themselves remain apart by their own choice.
So we assimilate. We are forced to press a button on the phone to hear a message in our native language. We have to listen to a foreign language translation before being connected to an insurance company.
More than anything else, we, as tax paying citizens are required to fund the medical, educational and welfare of people who refuse in many instances to assimilate while gaming this system to accommodate their needs.
Is this racist or just observational? I hear English spoken when I'm in the bank or the grocer and am taken by surprise.
Assimilation is a myth. Lets reframe the discussion. As for Mr. King, he's a lunatic fringe politician, whose has a tough time reconciling the fact that his ilk are a minority.
America has always been called a melting pot. But it seems more like a cold buffet.
Really? You talking about illegal immigrants? Or as your board calls them undocumented? Assimilation and not coming forward cancel each other out.
So much for that. Where I live there are whole swaths of the community that live a clannish, separated life. English is not spoken. There is no push to integrate socially or culturally. There is a clear cut otherness, not because they are set aside, but because they themselves remain apart by their own choice.
So we assimilate. We are forced to press a button on the phone to hear a message in our native language. We have to listen to a foreign language translation before being connected to an insurance company.
More than anything else, we, as tax paying citizens are required to fund the medical, educational and welfare of people who refuse in many instances to assimilate while gaming this system to accommodate their needs.
Is this racist or just observational? I hear English spoken when I'm in the bank or the grocer and am taken by surprise.
Assimilation is a myth. Lets reframe the discussion. As for Mr. King, he's a lunatic fringe politician, whose has a tough time reconciling the fact that his ilk are a minority.
America has always been called a melting pot. But it seems more like a cold buffet.
5
Exactly. Any fact that does not fit the pro open borders agenda is ignored. Anyone who says, like any other country on earth we should have control of our borders and who comes here is labeled a "xenophobic racist". Mr king is an idiot. That does not justify what we are doing to the country with an immigration system ( and I use the term loosely) that is premised on baseless PC notions and clearly better for immigrants than for American citizens.
"...or maybe he just cares more about harnessing bigotry."
And the power of it once it's harnessed should not be underestimated. 24 million twitter followers being given someone they can hate everyday, the former president, a judge, the media, anyone can be labled traitor, an enemy of the people. And what's done to traitors of their Great White Nation? They have the guns to carry out the purge, we're not close to it yet, but in Rwanda all it took was the leader going on the radio and saying "Kill them." And it was done. Never happen here? Well probably not, but I thought America would never elect an idiot conman who only ever collected other people's rents and pretended to be tough on TV. But they did. So all bets are off. Civilizations fall because those who would destroy them are allowed into the halls of power.
And the power of it once it's harnessed should not be underestimated. 24 million twitter followers being given someone they can hate everyday, the former president, a judge, the media, anyone can be labled traitor, an enemy of the people. And what's done to traitors of their Great White Nation? They have the guns to carry out the purge, we're not close to it yet, but in Rwanda all it took was the leader going on the radio and saying "Kill them." And it was done. Never happen here? Well probably not, but I thought America would never elect an idiot conman who only ever collected other people's rents and pretended to be tough on TV. But they did. So all bets are off. Civilizations fall because those who would destroy them are allowed into the halls of power.
2
Who in educated enlightened 21st Century America votes for this kind of person? If the people he represents are not ashamed and embarrassed by his racist attitude and beliefs, then he has nothing to worry about. I thought most Iowans were Christian, thus tolerant and caring for the less fortunate and dont discriminate - because those are some of Jesus' most important teachings. But I guess there are pockets of racial resentment all around the center of America - or the Trump debacle would never have happened. As the so cslled President often tweets: So sad,! So sick! So disgusting!
How are Steve King's word's any different from Trump's immigration ban and his description of our cities as hell-holes?
2
Steve King and all the others like him are despicable not only because of their fear of people who do not look like him, but because of the hypocrisy of publicly saying that it is the ethnicity of those people when really it is the poverty of those people that they despise. "I have got mine because I worked for it and God rewards the faithful, you have not got yours because you are lazy and godless" It is this lack of human compassion that is truly despicable. Our Christian Leaders have for too long preached the gospel of prosperity. Too many of our leaders in business, politics, and religion have bought into this false belief that they are special not because of the advantages they started out with but because god loves a prosperous person more than a poor person. And then they turn their backs on the poor because their condition is their own fault, all the while devising any way they can to steal what little they have from them.
In the movie "Rumor Has It" Mrs. Robinson, played by Shirley McLain, replies to her granddaughters question why these pampered people are like they are, her reply is "That's what you get when you give people everything that they want and leave them alone for a hundred years". Superficial, arrogant, and uncompassionate. This applies to most of our elected officials.
In the movie "Rumor Has It" Mrs. Robinson, played by Shirley McLain, replies to her granddaughters question why these pampered people are like they are, her reply is "That's what you get when you give people everything that they want and leave them alone for a hundred years". Superficial, arrogant, and uncompassionate. This applies to most of our elected officials.
2
Steve King would make a good character in a Steven King horror story.
These white supremacist/Nationalists, seem to forget history or they remake it to fit their twisted views of American exceptionalism.
That there was an entire race of people here before Europeans arrived and decimated the inhabitants is as always swept under the rug, as was slavery, the theft of the northern 1/3 of Mexico and the rape of Hawaii and the Philippine Islands.
These right wing thugs are really no better than the right wing thugs of the 1930's Germany.
These white supremacist/Nationalists, seem to forget history or they remake it to fit their twisted views of American exceptionalism.
That there was an entire race of people here before Europeans arrived and decimated the inhabitants is as always swept under the rug, as was slavery, the theft of the northern 1/3 of Mexico and the rape of Hawaii and the Philippine Islands.
These right wing thugs are really no better than the right wing thugs of the 1930's Germany.
2
Is there no mountain too high or boulders to move deterring the NYT's Editoral Board? No, they are the energezer bunny trying to move the impossible: Steve King. He, "King" has strands of DNA inherited from The John Birch Society and his particular form of paranoia is spectacularly abnormal. Yet, the famously indefatigably, relentless Board (once again) takes on nutcase central, thankfully.
1
Rep. King...more proof that trailer trash is not limited to the south and that Iowa is called "flyover country" for a reason.
7
I remember last summer when Steve King, racist congressman said. "no group other than white people have contributed anything to civilization." The host, Chris Hayes of MSNBC said nothing until the next day when he interviewed a black reporter (who was ion the segment with King) about the incident. King is an avowed racist from Iowa where they proudly receive their corn subsidy welfare. What a disgrace Iowa is!
Time for companies to boycott Iowa until they throw this racist bum out.
3
Is it impolitic or bigoted to oppose immigration, illegal or legal?
I do not care if the illegal aliens are the Swedish Bikini Team who were all platinum blondes ostensibly from Sweden advertising beer in the early 1990s; they should be deported.
The US Government is not required to allow any foreign national into the United States, unless that foreign national is cleared by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency. If there are insufficient workers to pick avocados in the central valley of California, then we will buy our avocados from Mexico. That may encourage the illegal alien workers to remain in Mexico.
A Republican Administration, now or in the future, is never going to approve amnesty, or allow uncontrolled immigration from any country. This is true for Mexico. The United States is not obligated in any fashion to assist Mexico by providing an outlet for Mexico's social, economic and political problems. Mexico is a corrupt, barely governed oligarchy, because that is what the Mexicans want. The Mexicans should remain in Mexico.
I do not care if the illegal aliens are the Swedish Bikini Team who were all platinum blondes ostensibly from Sweden advertising beer in the early 1990s; they should be deported.
The US Government is not required to allow any foreign national into the United States, unless that foreign national is cleared by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency. If there are insufficient workers to pick avocados in the central valley of California, then we will buy our avocados from Mexico. That may encourage the illegal alien workers to remain in Mexico.
A Republican Administration, now or in the future, is never going to approve amnesty, or allow uncontrolled immigration from any country. This is true for Mexico. The United States is not obligated in any fashion to assist Mexico by providing an outlet for Mexico's social, economic and political problems. Mexico is a corrupt, barely governed oligarchy, because that is what the Mexicans want. The Mexicans should remain in Mexico.
2
@John Quinn Virginia Beach
"Mexico is a corrupt, barely governed oligarchy, because that is what the Mexicans want. "
Anyone paying attention to the events of the not even two months since Donald Trump took office could more easily make this statement about the United States of America.
"Mexico is a corrupt, barely governed oligarchy, because that is what the Mexicans want. "
Anyone paying attention to the events of the not even two months since Donald Trump took office could more easily make this statement about the United States of America.
The notion that people are "illegal" is a moron's exercise. People are people. If a person has crossed a border without proper paperwork it is an administrative error to correct. Defining such people into criminals is asinine. Doesn't mean they shouldn't be deported, but they should be treated with respect and afforded full human kindness as they are administratively processed out. Describing them as criminals, treating them with disrespect is the cretins way. We are a better nation than that.
Mr. King's home state of Iowa is not exactly known for its diversity. It must be a culture shock for him every time he comes to Washington...all those people that don't look like him and his Iowa neighbors! Rather than getting to know and understand other cultures and appreciate how this makes our country interesting and open, he wants the majority of the country to become more like Iowa. SAD and ignorant! Iowans should be ashamed of his representation.
4
I am offended to the core by the term Illegal immigration. Please stop using it. Remember, "All the news................." You are on the wrong side of history, civilization and social justice when your editorials perpetuate hate.
1
White supremacists start world wars.
5
Since when does the New York Times speak for "the earth"?
I have no idea what King actually thinks and I also know that if he was invited to come and explain himself at my university, radical students would prevent him from speaking. He might even be manhandled.
The way to find out what conservatives, or far right, think is to let them speak. And that means that those who prevent communications should be in prison - or be expelled from the university.
I have no idea what King actually thinks and I also know that if he was invited to come and explain himself at my university, radical students would prevent him from speaking. He might even be manhandled.
The way to find out what conservatives, or far right, think is to let them speak. And that means that those who prevent communications should be in prison - or be expelled from the university.
2
That is all they do is speak: bloviate, pontificate, scream, hurl insults, lie and attack anyone who disagrees.
And I think we know exactly what King thinks...
And I think we know exactly what King thinks...
2
@Ludwig New York
"I have no idea what King actually thinks. . . "
I presume you have fallen for the Trump/Conway/Spicer alternate version of reality: as with the mendacious Trump, just ignore King's stream of ignorant or hate filled lies and read what's in his heart?
Since I am it a mind reader ( not are you), I can only judge the man by what he says and does. Res ipsa . . .
He enjoys freedom of speech -- and we enjoy the freedom to condemn him for what he says -- along with the people who have elected him over and over again. They are together a blot on American values.
"I have no idea what King actually thinks. . . "
I presume you have fallen for the Trump/Conway/Spicer alternate version of reality: as with the mendacious Trump, just ignore King's stream of ignorant or hate filled lies and read what's in his heart?
Since I am it a mind reader ( not are you), I can only judge the man by what he says and does. Res ipsa . . .
He enjoys freedom of speech -- and we enjoy the freedom to condemn him for what he says -- along with the people who have elected him over and over again. They are together a blot on American values.
1
So the guy is nuts. He also recognizes resources are not infinite. No resolution can be arrived at without understanding the other.
1
Last Fourth-of-July, I visited farmer friends who took me to a parade in nearby Storm Lake, Iowa. There were the usual older white men on tractors, war vets and blonde beauty queens--all waving American flags.
But then along came a group of Mexicans doing a hat dance; El Salvadorians on horseback; and Vietnamese women in their long ao dai dresses. They were followed by a dozen Laotians and a contingent of Somalis, in traditional Muslim attire. Where did these folks come from? What were they doing in a small community in the middle of America?
My friends explained that they were all immigrants, employed by two local companies that slaughtered turkeys and hogs. In fact, the businesses were so eager for workers for this very unpleasant work, they posted signs out front advertising $24/hour wages! I would guess that there were few takers among local residents; hence, the need to attract labor from outside the community.
Steve King should know that agriculture is a pretty big deal in Iowa. And without the immigrant labor that is willing and eager to do the "dirty work" in his state, many of his Trump-loving, white guy friends would be in serious economic trouble.
But then along came a group of Mexicans doing a hat dance; El Salvadorians on horseback; and Vietnamese women in their long ao dai dresses. They were followed by a dozen Laotians and a contingent of Somalis, in traditional Muslim attire. Where did these folks come from? What were they doing in a small community in the middle of America?
My friends explained that they were all immigrants, employed by two local companies that slaughtered turkeys and hogs. In fact, the businesses were so eager for workers for this very unpleasant work, they posted signs out front advertising $24/hour wages! I would guess that there were few takers among local residents; hence, the need to attract labor from outside the community.
Steve King should know that agriculture is a pretty big deal in Iowa. And without the immigrant labor that is willing and eager to do the "dirty work" in his state, many of his Trump-loving, white guy friends would be in serious economic trouble.
Well, I don't think Rep. King was referring to a "white" civilization when he made his statement on the heels of the Netherland's Wilder/election. He's referring to America, and the dream it once held for so many. It seems gone now, for all races and ethnicities. And, so, do we really need to load up on more babies, from other lands, when it seems we can't take care of the immigrants, their families and babies that came years ago? Look at our healthcare system -- the Dems under Hillary didn't want to change it, yet it's collapsing and they know it? Oh, let's bring in some more, -- no wonder the funeral home expanded. I'm sorry, but the Dems need to change -- they haven't a leg to stand on. They haven't been taking care of those that came before, and people will laugh when they ask for more.
Just like with the knee-jerk dismissal of residents of countries like Somalia, Sudan, Iran, and Syria as too dangerous to allow into our country, it's beginning to seem that states like Iowa, Alabama, Texas, and Arizona are full of dangerous extremists, and to be avoided at all costs. This is how bigotry is born.
2
This isn't a play from a fascist playbook, it is a glimpse into a philosophy that sees life as a Darwinian struggle between races for survival. It is deeply racist and leads, eventually, to justifications for genocide.
Mr. King has the right to spew whatever evil is in his head. But the rest of us have an obligation to call him out. That means you, Congressional Republicans.
Mr. King has the right to spew whatever evil is in his head. But the rest of us have an obligation to call him out. That means you, Congressional Republicans.
6
You know Mr. King your ancestors came to this land and that impact on the native peoples is basically the same thing you worry about today's immigrants. It's a bit ignorant. Ok it's a lot ignorant.
2
Stephen Powers, King's ancestors probably came over on the Mayflower, so they were the ORIGINAL white Americans and he is superior to everyone else due to this fact. (sarcasm).
This conversation completely misses the point. Immigrants come here to work! If there wasn't work to be done and get paid for 90% would have never come. Business wants cheap labor, be it agriculture, construction, retail, whatever. Mr. King needs to be attacking the U.S. Chamber of Commerce not some amorphous conspiracy. Tracking of social security numbers by the IRS could reduce the number of illegal workers (immigrants) substantially. Business doesn't want that, and neither do their lapdog politicians.
8
I see from all the anti- Iowa comments that folks aren't paying attention in high school government class. Nearly all states are comprised of districts, and the districts each get one representative. The ludicrous shouts from the rep in one district may have nothing to do with the state as a whole, which is true in this case. So, please, spare the rest of us your finger-pointing and admonitions of shame, and quit over-generalizing.
4
Hey Puny Earthling - then fight like hell to get him out of your state's elected officials, would you? Get your friends together and show up at his town meetings. Canvass his district and make sure the good people of Iowa know what he's like, and what he represents. I feel certain that there are other people on your side in his district. Get them to vote. Like it or not, his evil spewing does reflect on you, an Iowan.
3
@Puny Earthling
Like the morally bankrupt Republicans in Congress, who can't bring themselves to roundly condemn the bigotry and hatred Rep King represents and disseminates, you also distance yourself from those "others " who elected King.
That's how the "good" Germans were in the 1930s too.
Unless you speak out against King and the people who gave him power, you are complicit.
Like the morally bankrupt Republicans in Congress, who can't bring themselves to roundly condemn the bigotry and hatred Rep King represents and disseminates, you also distance yourself from those "others " who elected King.
That's how the "good" Germans were in the 1930s too.
Unless you speak out against King and the people who gave him power, you are complicit.
1
Tell us about your local efforts to oust Rep. King?
1
The current GOP is oh so willing to keep up the "unblackening" of America. They hated President Obama and want nothing more than to erase his presidency. They want to erase his progress on climate, Wall Street, healthcare, womens rights, LGBT rights more than anything. The kicker is that the progress made and the people he helped aren't going anywhere. We outnumber guys like Steve King who wants all of America to look like Iowa. The problem is that Iowa and states like them might be the GOP base but their policies will hurt them more than anyone. We need to quit catering to this base and trying to "reach out" They have no interest in becoming a part of a blended melting pot that is America. They feel they have nothing in common with a poor black or Hispanic person and that suits them just fine because at least they aren't them. I do wonder though...who is going to flock to Iowa to help on farms without the ability to hire H1B visa holders? I live in Montana where all I heard last summer was how they couldn't find workers to harvest, calve, or sheer sheep. Where are all those out of work miners from Appalachia? They complain about immigrants stealing their jobs but in all reality these are jobs they refuse to do themselves. Guys like Steve King need to be on the trash heap of history....along with the current lot of GOP racists currently running the White House.
10
If we ended SSI payments and oxy prescriptions and the only thing available to them was a one way bus ticket they'd have to follow those jobs. Instead we let them vote and they flock to DJT whose base is union workers he pandered to.
What bothers me the most about King is he flies a Confederate flag proudly on his desk. Iowans served in the war at a higher rate than any other state north or south as a percentage of its population and had 13,000 deaths and 8,500 wounded. Seems treasonous to me.
16
I think a lot of the racism of people like Steve King's constituents stems from envy and resentment of the success of others. They would have no problem with blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. as long as they stayed in the servants' quarters. Competing with them for the same jobs, or getting college educations and better jobs, is another matter. They hate seeing someone who is different from them getting ahead, and the possibility of having a non-white as their boss is poison to them. They feel they are entitled to be at the top by virtue of their pale skin alone. That is why they don't care if services they need get cut; they don't care how bad they have it, as long as those other people have it worse. That's how Jim Crow worked.
9
Moderate Republicans have the choice to side with moderate Democrats or with those right wing white supremacists such as Mr. King. Which one is it: Politics/Party or conscience/ethics/American people. They have a choice. No excuses.
8
How does the New York Times know, as a fact, and a future fact,
that new Immigrants will assimilate to American Culture,
or whatever is left of it ?
The last time I was in Los Angeles,
I drove for miles down a commercial
street and thought I was in Mexico.
The ability to fly back to your "Mother Country",
the Laws requiring that you can be educated in your "Native Tongue"
and the Election Booklryd in "Foreign Languages"
and the existence of Web-Sites that urge young Adults of
Immigrant Parents to destroy the West and American above all -
seem to indicate that the New York Times Editorial Board,
as usual,
is out of touch
with the brutal reality of Present Day America.
Now if this comment causes Liberals to want to hang from the
nearest Sour - Apple Tree, I am open to moving to Victoria, British Columbia
and a fund to make that possible could be started.
Thank You to all that might contribute.
that new Immigrants will assimilate to American Culture,
or whatever is left of it ?
The last time I was in Los Angeles,
I drove for miles down a commercial
street and thought I was in Mexico.
The ability to fly back to your "Mother Country",
the Laws requiring that you can be educated in your "Native Tongue"
and the Election Booklryd in "Foreign Languages"
and the existence of Web-Sites that urge young Adults of
Immigrant Parents to destroy the West and American above all -
seem to indicate that the New York Times Editorial Board,
as usual,
is out of touch
with the brutal reality of Present Day America.
Now if this comment causes Liberals to want to hang from the
nearest Sour - Apple Tree, I am open to moving to Victoria, British Columbia
and a fund to make that possible could be started.
Thank You to all that might contribute.
3
and when I walk through midtown New York City I see lots of Irish bars. And when I walk on 9th and 10th Avenue I see lots of Thai Restaurants. ANd when I walk down 32nd Street I see lots of Korean Shops. I still know I am in New York City. I still know I am in America. Like a New Yorker, I embrace the glory of other cultures that enhances our lives. I hope that the rest of my fellow citizens comes to this realization. As for The Imbecile King, in a democracy, even the Ignorant Bigot deserves representation. See you on 32nd Street for BBQ?
5
I'm not sure we want you. Multiculturalism may not be your thing.
When an elected official, such as Mr. King, openly states that his beliefs and policies favor whites over non-whites, then he is openly saying that he only represents the rights and will of the white members of his constituency.
It is the job of any elected official to represent ALL of their constituency. Even the ones who voted against them. Even the brown and black and Muslim and atheist ones. If elected officials can't do this job, then they have no business being in office.
It is the job of any elected official to represent ALL of their constituency. Even the ones who voted against them. Even the brown and black and Muslim and atheist ones. If elected officials can't do this job, then they have no business being in office.
7
Maybe all this negative talk about immigrants is a cover up for our really big problems like ovoid addiction. Maybe we should put our energy into building a healthy, educated and productive country. Maybe we should rebuild our roads, bridges, public water systems and sewage plants.
1
Or we could lock up the junkies and put them on work farms.
Sometimes it seems like the only solution to America's profoundly and deeply ingrained issues with race is to criminalize racial supremacy so that even a tweet can land you in jail for 6 months.
Several European countries have laws against antisemitism and holocaust denial including Germany and France and as far as I know they're still paragons of Western Democracy.
Our Constitution may guarantee Free Speech as a Right but it does so in order to the Ensure Domestic Tranquility and Promote the General Welfare not as an end onto itself.
Several European countries have laws against antisemitism and holocaust denial including Germany and France and as far as I know they're still paragons of Western Democracy.
Our Constitution may guarantee Free Speech as a Right but it does so in order to the Ensure Domestic Tranquility and Promote the General Welfare not as an end onto itself.
4
60 million babies brought up in heaven. What a great army I have to call on!!!!!!!!!!!
1
We can take a small amount to solace in the fact that someday Mr. King will no longer be in the gene pool to contribute to "American culture," and "American civilization."
4
I wonder if there were no Gerrymandering would idiots like this get elected?
4
Since Republicans insist upon underfunded education for all citizens and poor healthcare, what would those sixty million more Americans have gotten from King and the other Republicans? It boils down to a cheap shot from a shallow mind. The reason America has to immigrate expert labor is because they have a poorly organized local dumping ground for education and can no longer consider the general liberal Arts and Science education viable. Instead they put everything into vocational education with math and science and leave the humanity of the body/mind to rot. That is not what happens in other cultures whether in Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, Israel or even Russia.
Republicans have trashed the public schools for forty years and underfunded education to the point that anyone who goes to school now pays what it used to cost to train an MD except they can't work to pay off the loans.
These retrograde souls are not the America that I knew and grew up in. King has wandered from pillar to post on his identity as well. He should wonder what his radical ideas do for the reputation of the church and family that he now attends since he is speaking for them in the government.
Republicans have trashed the public schools for forty years and underfunded education to the point that anyone who goes to school now pays what it used to cost to train an MD except they can't work to pay off the loans.
These retrograde souls are not the America that I knew and grew up in. King has wandered from pillar to post on his identity as well. He should wonder what his radical ideas do for the reputation of the church and family that he now attends since he is speaking for them in the government.
3
The problem, as always, is that the GOP is (sometimes) willing to rebuke these people, but never actually punishes them. King won't lose committee assignments or campaign funding for saying these things. Trump can lie all day, but the GOP Senate will still push all his nominees through on party-line votes. The Republican Party will never, never, never rid itself of this gangrene until it does something other than whine about it.
2
This "man" sounds like a twelve year old school yard bully. No comples thought, no observation or mediation of his instincts. Just a fourth grader who can't stand not getting the attention, so he pulls on a girl's hair. Is he even worth writing about?
1
"That's one of the reasons why we require that the President of the United States be raised with an American experience."
No. Aside from all the other claptrap & hatred that Mr. King spews, this is simply false. The Constitution requires that a candidate for president be a natural born citizen, 35 years old and have lived in the US for 14 years. So theoretically a candidate of Trump's age could have been born in the US and lived elsewhere for decades before deciding to run for the presidency. He/she might even have been a politician in another country. It sounds far-fetched, but remember Boris Johnson.
No. Aside from all the other claptrap & hatred that Mr. King spews, this is simply false. The Constitution requires that a candidate for president be a natural born citizen, 35 years old and have lived in the US for 14 years. So theoretically a candidate of Trump's age could have been born in the US and lived elsewhere for decades before deciding to run for the presidency. He/she might even have been a politician in another country. It sounds far-fetched, but remember Boris Johnson.
3
It's always an embarrassment to the Republican Party when one of their leaders happens to publicly spill the beans on their agenda. Isn't the whole anti-abortion agenda really just about making sure that more white babies are born than black and brown babies, since white women have abortions in greater numbers than do their black and brown counterparts? Racism is never far below the surface in Republican politics.
3
I have a dream.
A dream that all the racists and their leaders pool their money together and buy themselves an all white promised land complete with wall and live together in harmony until greed and dissatisfaction overcomes them and they have to decide who is the new group to blame for their woes. Will it be the redheads? The skinny ones? The ones with brown eyes? The ones who like to read?
Then they can all be happy again while oppressing the offending group until it's time for another to take the blame. And so on.
And they will not be missed when they self destruct and become extinct.
A dream that all the racists and their leaders pool their money together and buy themselves an all white promised land complete with wall and live together in harmony until greed and dissatisfaction overcomes them and they have to decide who is the new group to blame for their woes. Will it be the redheads? The skinny ones? The ones with brown eyes? The ones who like to read?
Then they can all be happy again while oppressing the offending group until it's time for another to take the blame. And so on.
And they will not be missed when they self destruct and become extinct.
3
King needs to get educated on the facts. I am stunned that he was elected into office by Republicans.
Immigrants in the past (not including slaves who were forced immigrants) did assimilate into American culture pretty well - but look at their origins. Until recently, they mostly came from christian European cultures. Even Hispanics share a christian heritage, which is partly why they don't bring massive social problems with them. I think the current fear of immigrants not assimilating is based exclusively on Muslim immigrants. We have to face reality here - Islam is not compatible with western values of freedom and equality, and separation of church and state. Europe's current experience proves this.
As far as babies go, Muslims have way more kids than those of christian or other backgrounds. This is a problem, but we shouldn't combat it by prohibiting abortion. Unwanted babies do not make productive members of society - rather, they are a drain on social services and create major social problems when they grow up (see the family backgrounds of most violent criminals).
Immigrants in the past (not including slaves who were forced immigrants) did assimilate into American culture pretty well - but look at their origins. Until recently, they mostly came from christian European cultures. Even Hispanics share a christian heritage, which is partly why they don't bring massive social problems with them. I think the current fear of immigrants not assimilating is based exclusively on Muslim immigrants. We have to face reality here - Islam is not compatible with western values of freedom and equality, and separation of church and state. Europe's current experience proves this.
As far as babies go, Muslims have way more kids than those of christian or other backgrounds. This is a problem, but we shouldn't combat it by prohibiting abortion. Unwanted babies do not make productive members of society - rather, they are a drain on social services and create major social problems when they grow up (see the family backgrounds of most violent criminals).
1
Like it or not, we have a front row seat to the potential birth of an American fascism.
Resplendent which it is with hate, violence, bigotry, and racism.
Resplendent which it is with hate, violence, bigotry, and racism.
2
I have a gay friend who is from Iowa. He now lives in NYC where he said he feels "safe." What does that tell you?
3
Quoting Shakespeare, Edward R. Murrow once said of Joseph McCarthy that the fault was in ourselves, not our stars. Hence, the fault dear Americans is not in Steve King but the voters and supporters who put this guy into office and continue to back him up. And, no, he shouldn't be censored; instead, he should speak his mind so that we can confront him, rebuke him and refer his nasty breed of hate-speech to the House Un-American Activities Committee !!
1
Since there is only one biological DNA genetic evolutionary fit human race species that evolved in Southeast Africa 250,000 years ago Steve King is a European American Christian white supremacist bigot rather than a racist.
On a very deep basic level all of humanity traces it's ancestry back to the Africa that most African Americans have never visited nor can they identify their ethnic national origin progenitor by name, place or date. Neither color nor ethnicity nor national origin nor faith are racial markers.
The most massive illegal immoral inhumane migration in American history was the arrival of white Europeans and their enslaved African property on a violent mission of conquest and colonization.
But for Donald Trump's German grandfather fleeing criminal prosecution for dodging the German Bavarian military draft America would not be facing the troublesome socioeconomic political plague of Donald John Trump occupying the White House media casino hotel resort. Moreover, Americans need to know how and why two ethnic Slavic communist atheist models named Ivana and Melania Trump managed to legally immigrate to America ahead of so many more worthy candidates.
On a very deep basic level all of humanity traces it's ancestry back to the Africa that most African Americans have never visited nor can they identify their ethnic national origin progenitor by name, place or date. Neither color nor ethnicity nor national origin nor faith are racial markers.
The most massive illegal immoral inhumane migration in American history was the arrival of white Europeans and their enslaved African property on a violent mission of conquest and colonization.
But for Donald Trump's German grandfather fleeing criminal prosecution for dodging the German Bavarian military draft America would not be facing the troublesome socioeconomic political plague of Donald John Trump occupying the White House media casino hotel resort. Moreover, Americans need to know how and why two ethnic Slavic communist atheist models named Ivana and Melania Trump managed to legally immigrate to America ahead of so many more worthy candidates.
3
He has an opponent. Kim Weaver, Democrat. I will be contributing to her campaign.
4
King is an embarrassment. Can't remember him passing any legislation or doing anything constructive. Sure does run his mouth a lot though.
3
This is part of the Trump/Bannon theme: Destruction of the state from within.
2
Not gonna give Iowa a try...
1
To better understand how Steve King keeps getting re-elected, year after year, read this: http://iowastartingline.com/2016/07/24/why-western-iowa-keeps-voting-for...
The people who voted him into office likely aren't even aware of his recent remarks.
I've seen many comments here from readers who say they will never visit western Iowa, support western Iowa businesses, let alone move there to start a business and raise a family. This is exactly the problem. Segregation happens from both sides. If more people with a broader world view would move to western Iowa, it would change the demographics there and have the added benefit of broadening the horizons of the current residents.
The people who voted him into office likely aren't even aware of his recent remarks.
I've seen many comments here from readers who say they will never visit western Iowa, support western Iowa businesses, let alone move there to start a business and raise a family. This is exactly the problem. Segregation happens from both sides. If more people with a broader world view would move to western Iowa, it would change the demographics there and have the added benefit of broadening the horizons of the current residents.
Thank you for saying that. I live in the district that King represents. It is difficult to read all of the generalizations people have made, assuming we all think that way here. His hateful words are very upsetting to me. I do wish we had more diversity here, but there is a beauty to this part of Iowa that gets passed over from the rest of the country, including other parts of Iowa. I doubt most people saying they'd boycott this area would have ever come here to begin with, but it wouldn't hurt King. The problem I found working with a lot of college students of different races last fall was that they said they weren't voting because they truly didn't believe it would make a difference.
1
So basically you don't care if criminals are left in the community who should have been deported. You are basically saying to the mother of the young lawyer killed in Denver that her life just wasn't as important as keeping an illegal criminal in the community. You are saying to the four children in Washington State whose mother was shot, that the criminal illegal that should have been deported was more important than their mother.
This is truly the culture of "not us". The next step, one imagines, is a deep cleaning to restore this mythical "National DNA"
Each day Paul Ryan is looking more and more like the kid at McDonald's who becomes manager for the day when everyone calls in sick. He stands there and smiles, and smiles more, and is pleasant, but has no idea what is on the menu, how to work the cash register, and where the bathroom keys are located. And now he is being asked to handle an unruly customer who keeps shouting racists comments in the children's playland.
3
The problem America faces isn't Steve King. America is a representative democracy, and the elected officials represent the constituents who vote for them. So, King represents the people of Iowa. If he didn't, he wouldn't have been elected to 8 terms as their representative.
So the problem isn't King. The problem is that so many Iowans share his beliefs, and continue to want him as their Congressional representative. And they aren't alone. Many other states have similar beliefs of hate, bigotry, and ignorance. (Ignorance in particular as King is a college drop out.)
And THAT is the real problem with America. King is just the symptom of it.
So the problem isn't King. The problem is that so many Iowans share his beliefs, and continue to want him as their Congressional representative. And they aren't alone. Many other states have similar beliefs of hate, bigotry, and ignorance. (Ignorance in particular as King is a college drop out.)
And THAT is the real problem with America. King is just the symptom of it.
3
It's hard to believe the same state that propelled Obama into the presidency also keeps reelecting Steve King. We are not all like him. I have to believe the majority of Iowans disavow him and his racist ideas. Western Iowa is a territory unto itself.
3
While I am not an American myself, my long-held sense of America as a nation that has, to this point in history, unfailingly welcomed the world's disparate masses, especially those persecution at home, has come under great pressure. Given what I still maintain is America's readiness to assume its responsibilities as a safe haven, it is Mr. King who seems out of step with his own country's long-standing values. Perhaps he might enjoy life more freely elsewhere.
1
Speaking of connecting the dots, it was pretty obvious to some of us that the far-right or radical right wing of the very conservative Republican Party were not just ideologically pure conservatives, but were white supremacists. The media avoided that characterization despite overwhelming evidence.
If there were any respectable Republicans they glaringly avoided admonishing the extremists in the party allowing them to flourish and gain greater power. Also, it must be noted that the conservative media gave cover if not legitimacy to the extremists by cloaking their white supremacy and lauding their principled stand for conservatism.
Behind it all is billions of dollars of financial support from the rich oligarchs who are always making down payments on securing more and more wealth and income. In America, there is no protection or guards against greed or as Socrates likes to say, Greed Over People.
If there were any respectable Republicans they glaringly avoided admonishing the extremists in the party allowing them to flourish and gain greater power. Also, it must be noted that the conservative media gave cover if not legitimacy to the extremists by cloaking their white supremacy and lauding their principled stand for conservatism.
Behind it all is billions of dollars of financial support from the rich oligarchs who are always making down payments on securing more and more wealth and income. In America, there is no protection or guards against greed or as Socrates likes to say, Greed Over People.
2
My heart goes out to the millions of people of Iowa who are being misrepresented by Congressman Steve King. This is not who Iowans are and Representative King does a great disservice to his State and the People of Iowa.
How remarkable that our country was able to produce two people named King whose backgrounds and ideologies occupy the opposite ends of the known Universe: Steve King and Martin Luther King, Jr.
I do wonder whether their shared last name is in part to blame for Steve King's zealotry in trying to undo all the good for which MLK can claim credit. It must be galling, after all, for Steve King that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday.
Fortunately, Steve King will ultimately be relegated to the dustbin of history.
I do wonder whether their shared last name is in part to blame for Steve King's zealotry in trying to undo all the good for which MLK can claim credit. It must be galling, after all, for Steve King that Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday.
Fortunately, Steve King will ultimately be relegated to the dustbin of history.
1
Steve King does not speak for the majority of Iowa. We are not all dolts.
10
Thank goodness. Now it's time to vote him out!
1
Then why does he keep getting elected and why haven't we heard Iowans speak out against him? Because like many of the people who voted for Trump, in their hearts they believe and support what he says.
Dear Martha, I appreciate your concern and would not suggest you are all "dolts", but Mr. King has been re-elected 8 times. There has to be a majority in Iowa who believe he speaks for him. I urge you to address your fellow Hawkeyes directly. Tell them that returning this despicable person over and over again to Congress is in insult to Iowa.
"We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies"
"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now"
Wow. Things must be getting really bad in the Heartland. I hope these guys can make everything better. In the meantime, I may just continue to 'flyover'.
"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now"
Wow. Things must be getting really bad in the Heartland. I hope these guys can make everything better. In the meantime, I may just continue to 'flyover'.
3
What kind of people would elect a bigot like this? Is Iowa that twisted in its thinking? He must bring home a ton of bacon and I guess that to them, that is what matters. That is the more charitable point of view. If this is the future of America we are doomed.
15
Most of us are embarrassed. He has a lock on on part of the state. But he is being challenged in 2018! I hope Kim Weaver unseats him and he fades away.
2
I never paid attention to trump as candidate simply because I never thought he would win. I sure have paid attention to him since the election. To say that trump is in a "frenzy" about immigration is an understatement. He seems to truly believe that Muslims, that will commit terrorist acts, are simply pouring through our borders. He also believes that Mexicans are only here to commit serious crimes such as murder.
trump emboldens and enables fringe people such as King. The only positive thing I can say is trump has put the light on these people with fringe, extreme and hateful views. It is best that we know who these people are.
trump emboldens and enables fringe people such as King. The only positive thing I can say is trump has put the light on these people with fringe, extreme and hateful views. It is best that we know who these people are.
5
It is always a mistake to ascribe "beliefs" to Trump. There are no beliefs, only an extremely shrewd sense of what sells with a portion of the electorate. Instead, ascribe to him an uncanny knowledge of what he can say that will get attention and support for him and for politicians who support him.
Has there ever been a better reason for the political process to change such that Iowa no longer has any clout in thinning the field of presidential candidates? Who votes for such a person?
Doesn't he realize that in the 19th century, the same things were being said about Irish, Scottish, and German immigrants? Should we deport all of them now that their babies have transformed and enriched the American experience?
It's exactly that transformation, that mix of cultures that has made this country the envy of so many.
BTW Mr. King, since you obviously don't think we need it any more, we're sending the Statue of Liberty back to France. Will you pay the shipping?
Doesn't he realize that in the 19th century, the same things were being said about Irish, Scottish, and German immigrants? Should we deport all of them now that their babies have transformed and enriched the American experience?
It's exactly that transformation, that mix of cultures that has made this country the envy of so many.
BTW Mr. King, since you obviously don't think we need it any more, we're sending the Statue of Liberty back to France. Will you pay the shipping?
14
That was once my line, until I learned how Washington, both sides, ignored the huddled masses. 58% of Americans would like universal healthcare -- where are they? I have a new place for the Statue of Liberty, but I had better keep it to myself!
Mr. King doesn't taint just the GOP. He taints all Americans. I am sick to death of hearing this type of talk, like he thinks he represents all in the USA. He representsts his little slice of America. His constituents should stand up to him and vote him out of office. Come on, people! Stand up to this right wing, fascist government!
17
Wow! Unbelieveable! The silence of Trump and most GOP law-makers on Steve King's remark speak volume! All of a sudden, I feel that I am not an American (since I am not white nor Christian) in the country I call home for 40 years! I came to US to attend graduate school, have taught in a university for the past 29 years, I raised a family here.
If we continue to allow this type of open-racism continue, our country will no longer be the land of the free, the melting pot, and the statue of Liberty instead of a shining symbol will be a mockery of the US.
If we continue to allow this type of open-racism continue, our country will no longer be the land of the free, the melting pot, and the statue of Liberty instead of a shining symbol will be a mockery of the US.
18
The problem is not Trump.
The problem is not Steve King.
The problem is us, as in U.S. and its people.
How can a bald-faced racist be in Congress? How can a hateful, non-christian be in such a position?
The problem is us. We need to fight back against his ilk and learn to love the world and its inhabitants, including us.
The problem is not Steve King.
The problem is us, as in U.S. and its people.
How can a bald-faced racist be in Congress? How can a hateful, non-christian be in such a position?
The problem is us. We need to fight back against his ilk and learn to love the world and its inhabitants, including us.
14
The time has long since passed when the media can responsibly give the GOP a pass. Really: the alt-right "campaign" ensconced in the White House under Bannon and Trump "taints the entire G.O.P."? Present tense? That "campaign" has been the GOP's since Goldwater anti-civil rights platform in in 1964; Nixon's "Southern Strategy" has been GOP strategy ever since. There is no tainting now what has been gained for over 50 years. Republicans are, approve, or associate with racists, misogynists, xenophobes, anti-Semites, "Christian nation" white Americans because of shared values and attitudes. Say so.
8
Iowans voting in this tool's district keep sending him back to Congress. So, it's really their fault. They know who he is, what he says, and what he stands for. They get no pass for re-electing this racist time and time again...
12
Thank you for acknowledging he is a 4th district issue, and not a statewide problem.
3
The more I hear Donald Trump speak, and read of his tweets, the less I am able to, or even want to, understand and have reasonable discussions with those who voted for him and support him.
I've actually tried, both in actual conversation and on comment threads, to chat with some Trumpists, and I've been met with everything from a metaphoric stiff-arm to outright hostility. In my view, there's also been (Though I have never stated it.) a good deal of delusion.
Oh, and the false equivalency of "We hated Obama, but let him alone to do what he wanted. The least you can do is leave Trump in peace and let him choose his people." The equivalency is false because, as much as I dislike Obama, he is intelligent, informed, knowledgeable, seemingly reasonable, and not mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.
As for Mr. King - he's just nuts.
I've actually tried, both in actual conversation and on comment threads, to chat with some Trumpists, and I've been met with everything from a metaphoric stiff-arm to outright hostility. In my view, there's also been (Though I have never stated it.) a good deal of delusion.
Oh, and the false equivalency of "We hated Obama, but let him alone to do what he wanted. The least you can do is leave Trump in peace and let him choose his people." The equivalency is false because, as much as I dislike Obama, he is intelligent, informed, knowledgeable, seemingly reasonable, and not mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.
As for Mr. King - he's just nuts.
5
We're i an immigrant, I suspect I would find it difficult to assimilate if I lived next door to a racist xenophobe such as Mr. King. Does it ever occur to him that an unwelcoming environment leads to isolation!
5
Why do Iowans keep voting for Mr. King?
3
Questions to all my fellow NYT readers:
Do all immigrants really assimilate? Are there lessons we should take from Europe?
Do all immigrants really assimilate? Are there lessons we should take from Europe?
2
Depends on what you mean by assimilate. If you mean coming here, making a home, working, living, raising families, contributing to the community through culture, work, play, expanding our understanding of the world, people, different ways of think, most of them likely do, as we all who live here did in some way or other. . . If you mean, assimilating as in being like a white European settler, probably not.
2
There are Ugly people in all societies. We have to realize this and vaccinate ourselves against them. They need to be shunned. You do not have to listen to them, but you do have to react to them. Fortunately, most of those Ugly Americans have found a home in the new Republican Party. They are now clearly visible to all. Their actions are abhorrent but proudly displayed by them.
This allows the more sane and humane among us to single them out and vote against them in the next elections. We must continue to inform the public of these Evil Americans and get caring Americans registered to vote. We have a process to rid ourselves of these parasites and it is called democratic elections.
This allows the more sane and humane among us to single them out and vote against them in the next elections. We must continue to inform the public of these Evil Americans and get caring Americans registered to vote. We have a process to rid ourselves of these parasites and it is called democratic elections.
The old nativists dream is also modern anti-women and anti-choice where abortion is illegal and making having children the ultimate destiny for women. You may recall that Hitler set up human "farms" to stock the population, for the purpose of facilitating reproduction between "desirable people."
The white nationalism that permeates the top of the "White" house now emboldens this ignorance. But, it says as much about the ignorance of Iowans who elect him. But, if your entire diet of informations comes from Fox "News," then it is not surprising that you choose your facts based on white people opinions only. Losing our democracy to bigotry is not a pleasant experience.
7
I don't understand the left. They stand as bold supporters of abortion which kills babies and then call people racist because they don't want the US to be the world's dumping ground.
1
For decades I have heard of refugees from war/famine etc., being cared for in neighboring countries by the U.N. African countries in particular, come to mind. Some refugee camps in the Middle East have existed for decades.
Western countries have always been quick to contribute, and to insist that host countries accept refugees, while taking varying numbers themselves. The international community even created a formal "Responsibility to Protect" policy outlining the need to go to the aid of the vulnerable. Alas, it seems that the one thing western civilization may have failed to do is to keep it's populace informed and educated about how and why it is, that dehumanizing refugees - and indeed any group of people - makes us less civilized and less human as a society.
The greatest threat to Christianity today is not Muslim babies, it's the people who absolutely refuse to apply the Gospel's SOLE commandment to all humanity.
Western countries have always been quick to contribute, and to insist that host countries accept refugees, while taking varying numbers themselves. The international community even created a formal "Responsibility to Protect" policy outlining the need to go to the aid of the vulnerable. Alas, it seems that the one thing western civilization may have failed to do is to keep it's populace informed and educated about how and why it is, that dehumanizing refugees - and indeed any group of people - makes us less civilized and less human as a society.
The greatest threat to Christianity today is not Muslim babies, it's the people who absolutely refuse to apply the Gospel's SOLE commandment to all humanity.
2
I don't understand the right. They stand in bold opposition of abortion but want to get rid of the medicaid that will help half of the nation's babies be born safely. They want to take away entitlements that will feed the nations children and help single mothers and poor families get by. They come up with health care plans that will strip the poor and elderly of coverage, killing many, and give huge tax cuts to the rich.
The right is so worried about unborn babies dying. But yet their ideas and policies will hurt so many more living babies, children, and countless others!
And yes, implying that immigrants are refuse ("world's dumping ground") is racist and xenophobic.
The right is so worried about unborn babies dying. But yet their ideas and policies will hurt so many more living babies, children, and countless others!
And yes, implying that immigrants are refuse ("world's dumping ground") is racist and xenophobic.
3
Nope. America is not a skin color or an ethnicity or country of origin. Its certainly not a religion. America is an idea, a concept, a more perfect union. You come, you participate. You give it your best. You give US your best.
11
President Trump: 'You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this?”
Nobody, actually. '
Actually, 2 days after Trump made this statement, a suburb of Stockholm erupted in violence with car burnings, right on message to illustrate Trump's point. One police officer and a journalist were injured in the violence.
Sweden has definitely had an increase of crime. Cars have been burned frequently before this latest episode and girls molested on many occasions at Swedish music festivals. The recent case of the live gang rape by ME men on Facebook occurred in Sweden. There was a high profile case where a worker at a refugee home was killed by a refugee, someone whom she was helping. The Swedish government is in deep denial when it claims that there is no problem, and the press is complicit in the deceit by supressing the crime reports.
Also, as everyone knows, Germany has had crime incidents - it took the government, the police and the MSM 4 days to report the molestations on New Year's Eve of 2016, after victims made their own postings on social media. Many incidents of terrorism occurred in the summer of 2016 and there was the Christmas market terror attack by truck in Berlin, in Dec 2016. And the rape and brutal death by drowning of a beautiful young medical student in Freiburg.
The MSM can deny or downplay the problem, but people will come to their own conclusions, regardless.
Nobody, actually. '
Actually, 2 days after Trump made this statement, a suburb of Stockholm erupted in violence with car burnings, right on message to illustrate Trump's point. One police officer and a journalist were injured in the violence.
Sweden has definitely had an increase of crime. Cars have been burned frequently before this latest episode and girls molested on many occasions at Swedish music festivals. The recent case of the live gang rape by ME men on Facebook occurred in Sweden. There was a high profile case where a worker at a refugee home was killed by a refugee, someone whom she was helping. The Swedish government is in deep denial when it claims that there is no problem, and the press is complicit in the deceit by supressing the crime reports.
Also, as everyone knows, Germany has had crime incidents - it took the government, the police and the MSM 4 days to report the molestations on New Year's Eve of 2016, after victims made their own postings on social media. Many incidents of terrorism occurred in the summer of 2016 and there was the Christmas market terror attack by truck in Berlin, in Dec 2016. And the rape and brutal death by drowning of a beautiful young medical student in Freiburg.
The MSM can deny or downplay the problem, but people will come to their own conclusions, regardless.
6
I'd like to see a reporter interview some constituents of King. Are they as racist and ignorant as he?
A South Asian woman backed up into my car in a school parking lot. I was in a parked car. Afterwards, after I asked her if she had seen me, she answered yes, and she backed up into my car on purpose. Then she proceeded to scream at me in her bad English of how incredible it is that I had managed to get my driver's license.
I am a college educated immigrant from Eastern Europe and I am a super defensive driver. My English is excellent.
Not all people, least not all immigrants are the same. I don't know why all immigrants or all Americans are being lumped into the same neat category. Trump himself married an immigrant. I despise Trump as much as the next guy, but let's not categorize everybody in the same pot like that.
I am a college educated immigrant from Eastern Europe and I am a super defensive driver. My English is excellent.
Not all people, least not all immigrants are the same. I don't know why all immigrants or all Americans are being lumped into the same neat category. Trump himself married an immigrant. I despise Trump as much as the next guy, but let's not categorize everybody in the same pot like that.
2
Let's not generalize about immigrants, but let's extrapolate random one-off events to groups of people? And while we're at it, let's play the "Whose English is Better" game? Clearly anyone can dabble in bigotry - even those seeking protection from it. Sad.
2
Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself. - Mark Twain
8
Steve King's comments are repugnant but not unexpected given the atmosphere in our country right now. There have always been people and groups who feel what Steven King has said about abortion, immigrants, and the contamination of white Christian America where Jews, Catholics, African Americans, Muslims, Asians, and mixed race people, in their opinion, do not belong. I believe that Hitler or his henchmen referred to it as mongrelization. That King didn't doesn't lessen the offensiveness of his remarks.
Politicians who make comments such as his show a complete lack of understanding of genetics, history, and how civilizations are formed. We are not breeds or strains from different species. We're one species, Homo sapiens, and to state otherwise is ignorant. We have different cultures which is something that we ought to be proud of since they reflect the diversity of climates and ideas we can thrive in and with. If King is ashamed of having descended from immigrants to this country he can mourn in private. I know plenty of people who are proud of their antecedents and celebrate all of them. Isn't that what America is about: celebrating the fact that we can live together with all our different customs, religions, and origins?
Politicians who make comments such as his show a complete lack of understanding of genetics, history, and how civilizations are formed. We are not breeds or strains from different species. We're one species, Homo sapiens, and to state otherwise is ignorant. We have different cultures which is something that we ought to be proud of since they reflect the diversity of climates and ideas we can thrive in and with. If King is ashamed of having descended from immigrants to this country he can mourn in private. I know plenty of people who are proud of their antecedents and celebrate all of them. Isn't that what America is about: celebrating the fact that we can live together with all our different customs, religions, and origins?
9
The future is a strange place that resists control, especially by GOPERS. Right wing worry warts like King would be better off putting his energy into service to his constituents problems and less into dystopian fantasies.
8
Mr. King's 4th congressional district has a median income of $38,242., is 95% white & still fairly rural, despite re-districting.
Voter turnout was approximately 54% & those without a degree about 37%.
Voter turnout was approximately 54% & those without a degree about 37%.
4
Iowa's 4th congressional district and the State's Republican Party need to stand up and denounce their racist Representative Steve King - he casts a dirty shadow over them and all of us as Americans. Speaker Ryan and the House of Representatives need to strip him of his Chairmanship and censure him right now.
13
I'm an Iowan who is embarrassed by Steve King. I'll be supporting Kim Weaver to hopefully unseat him, and restore some integrity to Iowa's representation.
32
You're not alone. Minnesota's Michelle Bachman is as much a wacko as Steve King. I'm glad she "retired".
1
Are we a country racing backward? Are we on our way to becoming yet another failed nation state?
Remember that Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia were once progressive states with women in modern garb freely attending universities and visiting well-stocked libraries? Look now at the black body-robes and the confinement to home unless accompanied outside with an adult. Our country actually has an elected official who wants to force women to be breeders, to bring into reality the fiction of "The Handmaiden's Tale."
America, we must be careful about the path we choose and the leaders we select. The signs of an ominous future are right before us.
Remember that Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia were once progressive states with women in modern garb freely attending universities and visiting well-stocked libraries? Look now at the black body-robes and the confinement to home unless accompanied outside with an adult. Our country actually has an elected official who wants to force women to be breeders, to bring into reality the fiction of "The Handmaiden's Tale."
America, we must be careful about the path we choose and the leaders we select. The signs of an ominous future are right before us.
16
I put the blame squarely on the Iowans in the fourth congressional district. He apparently speaks for them, and I'll continue to fly over that part of the country.
12
Unfortunately, there are a lot of Iowas that you may want to fly over.
Mr. King represents a feral plurality in Iowa as well as within the country as a whole, close to, but not a majority in every case. This is particularly important when there is a third party, as in Maine's two past gubernatorial races giving them a crude, simplistic governor Paul LePage, and indeed, in the recent presidential election. 3rd parties and significant alternative political groupings will always split the non-feral vote. Given the current momentum of the likes of King, LePage and trump* among many others, and the current deconstruction of the civil State by the trump*/Bannon administration, it will take a massive effort, not to mention solidarity amongst moderates and progressives to put us back on an enlightened track. Sadly, "First in the Nation" Iowa does not seem inclined to rein in their feral attack dog.
7
Feral yes. Plurality in Iowa? Wrong. He carries slightly more than half the voters in one of four Iowa districts - the wingnut district to be sure, but by no means the state as a whole.
1
For every Steve King there are thousands of Steve King supporters who elect him and keep on electing him and those like him.
15
If the voters of Iowa are stupid enough to send this dummy to Congress there's not much hope for democracy.
9
Mr King attends and may even worship in the Catholic Church. It can't possibly be the same Church as Pope Francis leads. "As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families." Pope Francis uttered these words to a joint session of Congress in 2015. I wonder if Mr. King rose to applaud these words or staid in his seat and continue reading Leviticus?
8
No, King was probably reading the abridged version of "The Elders of Zion" or "Mein Kampf". That's what some of his statements sound like.
Steve King represents the Republican Party as it exists today. The silence confirms it. Don't think for a minute that those refusing to denounce him are simply sycophants afraid to move. They all believe in this stuff. We shouldn't kid ourselves. We shouldn't normalize this. Today, I'm calling Cory Gardner's office to request that he speak out against Steve King's racism, that he publicly disavow it. Every one of us with a GOP Senator should do the same. They can try to tell us to shut up, but we aren't having it. They work for us and we have a right to hear them proclaim whether they are with the King/Bannon/Trump/Miller crowd, or are they with the American people.
15
Thank you, Ms. Hislop. I didn't have the guts to say that before. But I'm fed up listening to some of my friends and some members of my own family (!) give me all this crying-in-their-beer self pity. In earlier years their superegos kept their hatred simmering below the surface. But now Trump has come along and freed the monsters in their id. "Make American Hate Again!"
8
Steve King appears mentally insane and has landed in Iowa by accident from some alien place. Better for him to return there and leave America for all the rest of us. Iowa please take the crazy dude back ASAP.
5
So ahem, is it then OK for the GOP to act racist (deport 'em while going to school or Court), be the saviors of the natives by giving them the punishment they deserve (separate 'em children from their mums once they cross the river, it's good for the children, Sec. Kelly informs us), and also practice eugenics (let's cancel the insurance of those that happen to be poor and middle-class old)... and give a big fat tax break to the predominantly white 0.1% as long as they don't talk racist?
9
Sorry folks but I really don't see any difference between people voting for Steve King or for Trump. In both cases you are dealing with openly and obvious ignorant and hate driven liars. Steve King may make you wonder what kind of people live in Iowa's Fourth District but Trump makes you wonder what kind of people live in America. In both cases the answer is an awful lot of really ignorant hate filled people.
As for this whole anti-abortion, right to life shtick of the rightwing it really is time that whole lie is put to an end. You can't have the notion that life begins at conception but ends at birth and still claim to be about the right to life. Besides that, under rightwing policies such as the Trumpcare/Republicancare abomination millions of people will likely die from lack of adequate healthcare, food, housing, and education and many of them will be the unborn, new-born, and young children of all ages.
As for this whole anti-abortion, right to life shtick of the rightwing it really is time that whole lie is put to an end. You can't have the notion that life begins at conception but ends at birth and still claim to be about the right to life. Besides that, under rightwing policies such as the Trumpcare/Republicancare abomination millions of people will likely die from lack of adequate healthcare, food, housing, and education and many of them will be the unborn, new-born, and young children of all ages.
22
@ZB:"ignorant, hate driven liars" is a baseless charge to make against someone who disagrees with you, and who, moreover, speaks the truth. Truth tellers,whistle blowers r seldom appreciated in any society, and Congressman King's remarks regarding immigration and the fact that any ethnic group which does not procreate in sufficient numbers is destined to disappear r merely a restatement of the obvious,Abortion on demand may be convenient, but in the long term it will lead to a zero natality rate,which is not a hopeful sign for the endurance of a particular ethnic group the long run. Contrary to what you may think, IOWA is not peopled with illiterate farmers walking around with cow dung on the soles of their shoes communicating in grunts. In fact,it spends more money per capita on education than any other state in the Union, is home to an excellent college in Grenell,an is truly America's agricultural heartland, its bread basket. In an age in which p.c. still prevails, where people speak in euphemisms in order to avoid bruising someone else's sensibilities, such straightforwardness is welcome.
2
There's two rants here: one Mr. King's, the other the NYT's. Guess which one makes more sense? The one with less marijuana, Mr. King's of course. He makes two simple points: American immigration, legal or otherwise, has long been out of control, the worst sort being the incentive to have babies on American soil aka Anchor Babies. The other, about abortion having gone completely out of control the past three decades, so much so that it's no longer about women's rights, but citizen irresponsibility and national policy. Then he connected the two dots and made a rather intelligent albeit shocking unPC link between the two.
It's a view that has more than a hollow ring of truth to it. It's hitting home too, except of course, the NYT, where opinions continue to be laced with pot rather than coffee. Sigh. Please somebody, make a fresh...err, pot.
It's a view that has more than a hollow ring of truth to it. It's hitting home too, except of course, the NYT, where opinions continue to be laced with pot rather than coffee. Sigh. Please somebody, make a fresh...err, pot.
3
Making a conservative point about immigration isn't the same as condoning mass bigotry and xenophobia.
@TMK: Funniest and most perceptive comment I have read in donkey's years.You merit a "triple ban!"Bravo.
1
Alas! What nitwittery is this?
As so many commenters have noted, King is a racist and a xenophobe. But let's take him at his word: that the "American culture" he represents is dying. The question is whether it is worth saving. My husband was born in rural Iowa which he escaped to get education but even though it was hardly a paradise of learning when he was a child, he is appalled by what it has become. A recent NYT article profiled the opiate-stricken rural Ohio: a land without books, Internet, social striving, or openness to the world where people literally kill themselves out of boredom. It is a land where "elite" is a dirty word, Biblical fundamentalism is the one true religion, and knowledge comes from talk radio. This is the culture that gave us Trump. So if it is indeed killing itself, why is it a bad thing? Conservatives like to talk about "self-deportation". Why not "self-annihilation"?
13
Earth to King's voters. Happy? Does looking in the mirror not make you wonder?
5
"Many Americans have been marveling at the bald racism of Steve King,"
People in his district love him. He keeps getting re-elected. So that means one of two thing:
People in his district
1. Don't recognize bald racism when they hear it.
or
2. People in his district are racist.
You can lose tract of all the crazy things King has said. Just like you continually hear outrageous things from Governors La Page and Scott. over the years. And yet the last I checked there they are in Maine and Florida in office as popular as ever. Face it whether it is King, La Page or Scott there are millions and millions of Americans who think just like them. It is time we wake up to that frightening reality.
People in his district love him. He keeps getting re-elected. So that means one of two thing:
People in his district
1. Don't recognize bald racism when they hear it.
or
2. People in his district are racist.
You can lose tract of all the crazy things King has said. Just like you continually hear outrageous things from Governors La Page and Scott. over the years. And yet the last I checked there they are in Maine and Florida in office as popular as ever. Face it whether it is King, La Page or Scott there are millions and millions of Americans who think just like them. It is time we wake up to that frightening reality.
7
Ten years in Iowa and two years in Nebraska woke me up to what is in the hearts of these God-fearing real Americans. It's not a pretty picture. Living in Texas continues to reinforce that ugly picture. Yes, it's a very frightening reality.
1
We should thank Mr. King for openly expressing his views. Sick as they may be, they at least are honest.
For decades, starting with Richard Nixon’s southern strategy, the GOP has made racism its party platform. The difference is that prior to the election of Trump, it was deemed political suicide to openly endorse racist views. Now, however, the tide has changed and that is no longer the case. Everyone knows that white supremacists are in the white house. That gives them an air of legitimacy. And they supremacists also know that 44% of the electorate will support them no matter what. The polarization of America has never been so clear.
I hope to hear more comments like Mr. King’s from the GOP and from the administration. Half of America did not vote in the last election, either from apathy or failure to realize the importance of this election to the future of the United States. I hope that the more we hear comments like this, the more people will be awakened to what is truly at stake, who these people really are, and the more people will go vote in the next elections. If American’s hear this rhetoric and still want to support the GOP, then I suppose we deserve what we will get.
For decades, starting with Richard Nixon’s southern strategy, the GOP has made racism its party platform. The difference is that prior to the election of Trump, it was deemed political suicide to openly endorse racist views. Now, however, the tide has changed and that is no longer the case. Everyone knows that white supremacists are in the white house. That gives them an air of legitimacy. And they supremacists also know that 44% of the electorate will support them no matter what. The polarization of America has never been so clear.
I hope to hear more comments like Mr. King’s from the GOP and from the administration. Half of America did not vote in the last election, either from apathy or failure to realize the importance of this election to the future of the United States. I hope that the more we hear comments like this, the more people will be awakened to what is truly at stake, who these people really are, and the more people will go vote in the next elections. If American’s hear this rhetoric and still want to support the GOP, then I suppose we deserve what we will get.
3
Walter...... you need to run for office. As does every articulate blogger at nyt below the age of 40.
Read the great philosophers and Machiavelli
Then read the Federalist papers and the writings of revolutionaries.
Senior citizen activists .... like myself active in policy changes using " grass roots power" since I was 12 years old cannot be in the streets consistently anymore and we are too old to generate funds for an honest election. But we can encourage and tell the young our stories of revolt against the systems enslaving humanity. And we can help them lead this country to light again.
We cannot drain the swamp. We must shove some landfill into it , suffocate it , and begin again.
Read the great philosophers and Machiavelli
Then read the Federalist papers and the writings of revolutionaries.
Senior citizen activists .... like myself active in policy changes using " grass roots power" since I was 12 years old cannot be in the streets consistently anymore and we are too old to generate funds for an honest election. But we can encourage and tell the young our stories of revolt against the systems enslaving humanity. And we can help them lead this country to light again.
We cannot drain the swamp. We must shove some landfill into it , suffocate it , and begin again.
5
The media needs to emphasize the GOP's refusal to put Mr. King and his ilk in line. Mr. Ryan offered a milquetoast apology for Mr. King's vile tweet: "I’d like to think that he misspoke and it wasn’t really meant the way that that sounds, and hopefully he’s clarified that". Mr. King made it abundantly clear that he DIDN'T mis-speak, he meant what he said. Mr. Ryan can do more than apologize for the misguided beliefs Mr. King clearly holds: he has the power as Speaker of the House to strip him of his chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Nutrition or formally rebuke him for his conduct. If Mr. Ryan remains silent in the face of all this, it should be made clear that Mr. King did NOT "mis-speak": he was speaking for the GOP...
13
If Mr. King hates it here so much because of our multicolored diverse society, then he is free to leave.
3
The GOP is in need for some serious self-reflection. Specifically, I am referring to the fact that a bigoted buffoon like Steve King would not fit in the Democratic party. Yet, he feels right at home as a Republican.
4
Truly amazing to me how liberal commenters, even though they may not know each other, seem to run in a pack, have a herd mentality, all accusing Congressman King of being a "racist,a bigot, a white supremacist,conspiracy theorist,"in essence a bad fellow. Yet no number of ad hominem slurs can alter the facts on the ground, or put into question the veracity of his remarks: Mass immigration is submerging us, and ethnic groups which do not procreate r destined to disappear, and that legalized abortion if a refusal of combat.One can be pro choice or pro life.Each position has its merits and supporters. But what is inarguable is that natality rates in the West are declining, and this spells doom for us.Congressman is only paraphrasing opinions of EU leaders like Junker and Chancellor Merkel who have said that major reason for mass immigration is to make up for a shortfall in labor force, because Western women r not procreating at a rate sufficient to ensure the survival of the species.King's frank comments on such a touchy subject do not make him a white supremacist, a bigot, a misogynist,xenenophobe as liberal eltitists would have us believe. They prove he is an honest man, and millions of Americans, not just Trump's supporters would agree that "il a raison!"
1
Oh Mr. King is honest, I'll give you that.
Do me a favor, Mr. Harrison, please don't paint with such a broad brush (dipped in white paint) and use the term "us" when you bemoan our 'doom." As a white, straight, Catholic (albeit lapsed) man who is also a lawyer and Veteran, I've got a pretty good view of America from my most comfortable perch at the top of the food chain. From what I see, America's doing just fine, thanks.
I am not, like Mr. King, fearful of an America that does not look precisely like the demographics of Iowa's 4th Congressional District. Here's what King said: "If you go down the road a few generations, or maybe centuries, with the inter-marriage, I'd like to see an America that is just so homogenous that we look a lot the same..."
The interview can be seen in its entirety here:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/13/politics/steve-king-babies-tweet-cnntv/ind...
So you don't consider that comment bigoted? Wow. So tell me, Mr. Harrison, (and I'm gonna ask nice) please tell me just what would cross the line? Or is everything fair game?
I noticed you claim NYC as your location. That is an AWFULLY diverse place. Perhaps you'd be more comfortable living in King's district. Something tells me you'd be welcomed with open arms...
Do me a favor, Mr. Harrison, please don't paint with such a broad brush (dipped in white paint) and use the term "us" when you bemoan our 'doom." As a white, straight, Catholic (albeit lapsed) man who is also a lawyer and Veteran, I've got a pretty good view of America from my most comfortable perch at the top of the food chain. From what I see, America's doing just fine, thanks.
I am not, like Mr. King, fearful of an America that does not look precisely like the demographics of Iowa's 4th Congressional District. Here's what King said: "If you go down the road a few generations, or maybe centuries, with the inter-marriage, I'd like to see an America that is just so homogenous that we look a lot the same..."
The interview can be seen in its entirety here:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/13/politics/steve-king-babies-tweet-cnntv/ind...
So you don't consider that comment bigoted? Wow. So tell me, Mr. Harrison, (and I'm gonna ask nice) please tell me just what would cross the line? Or is everything fair game?
I noticed you claim NYC as your location. That is an AWFULLY diverse place. Perhaps you'd be more comfortable living in King's district. Something tells me you'd be welcomed with open arms...
"Western women r not procreating at a rate sufficient to ensure the survival of the species." I wasn't aware that non-whites are a different species. Educated women of any ethnic background, no matter where, tend to have fewer children. So, maybe we should be giving the best education to the children of brown and black people who live in poverty.
@JENO:Thanks for your response, but find it presumptuous in the extreme.First wife is from Ghana,and our son, Alister Hall, was born at Lenox Hill. Second spouse is Muslim from Senegal, and she is awaiting, with my middle son, Youssef,her visa for the US as well. So, am comfortable in a multicultural setting. Nonetheless, I commend Congressman King for his honesty, and his perspicaciousness in enlightening us on a significant problem, the declining natality rate among Western women, aided by lenient abortion legislation, which, in the long term will lead to a disappearance of the species.Any ethnic group that almost ceases to procreate will vanish in the long term, and legalized abortion amounts to a form of philo suicide for us.King has been the targets of the usual ad hominem slurs, including your own, unfortunaely, which is the price one pays for not being p.c.But many Americans agree with him, and not just rabid Trump supporters.
This is no "side of hate." This is a full menu of hate. The social Darwinism that unifies the philosophies of King and Trump and Bannon and Ryan and the Scaife-funded cabal of Tanton and Kobach is a bald-face repudiation of the idea of America. either we are all created equal or we are engaged in a Bannonesque racial holy war.
Social Darwinism has always fit with America's racist original sin. I have long argued that it explains our culture far better than the Calvinist "Protestant Ethic", although it may be a syncretic co-faith with predestination.
As for me, I stand with freedom and personal responsibility and with the idea that we can be the land of opportunity.
Social Darwinism has always fit with America's racist original sin. I have long argued that it explains our culture far better than the Calvinist "Protestant Ethic", although it may be a syncretic co-faith with predestination.
As for me, I stand with freedom and personal responsibility and with the idea that we can be the land of opportunity.
4
At this moment, your wonderful comment has just 2 recommends.
Where are all of you kind and intelligent people out there?
Where are all of you kind and intelligent people out there?
As an Iowan, please understand that Mr. King does not speak for all of us. Sadly, he speaks for some. I also suspect that he will easily win re-election. As much as many of us wish he would run statewide so he could suffer defeat, we know that will never happen. He'll stay in his corner of Northwest Iowa (annual income about $38K) and say whatever is on his mind, returning to DC and cable TV. Sigh.
Sunday last I was traveling back home from Wisconsin. As I looked out the window, I saw what I will describe as "rural poverty." Small towns, no industry, little opportunity and less hope. In a house, next to a clearly inoperable car was a TRUMP/PENCE lawn sign. If a picture/image is worth a thousand words...
If I had studied more and drank less beer in college, then perhaps I would have learned why poor, rural people vote against their own interests. I could articulate why they send men like Mr. King back to office. Yet, they do.
I do not hate Steve King, I pity him. I pity him for his ignorance, for his fear. I take comfort that there are many, many people of good will who renounce his vile comments with acts of compassion, of love. It will take some time, but eventually, love will triumph over fear and hate. It will just take a LOT of hard work. I am willing to do my part and I know you will do yours as well. For that, you have my gratitude.
.
Thank you for reading my comments.
Sunday last I was traveling back home from Wisconsin. As I looked out the window, I saw what I will describe as "rural poverty." Small towns, no industry, little opportunity and less hope. In a house, next to a clearly inoperable car was a TRUMP/PENCE lawn sign. If a picture/image is worth a thousand words...
If I had studied more and drank less beer in college, then perhaps I would have learned why poor, rural people vote against their own interests. I could articulate why they send men like Mr. King back to office. Yet, they do.
I do not hate Steve King, I pity him. I pity him for his ignorance, for his fear. I take comfort that there are many, many people of good will who renounce his vile comments with acts of compassion, of love. It will take some time, but eventually, love will triumph over fear and hate. It will just take a LOT of hard work. I am willing to do my part and I know you will do yours as well. For that, you have my gratitude.
.
Thank you for reading my comments.
5
King's words, as abhorrent as they are, have been incorrectly characterized as racist in most media outlets. His comments are jingoistic, xenophobic, anti-immigrant, misogynistic (women are solely producers of babies in this man's worldview), anti-Muslim at least by inference, very weird and deeply disturbing, but they are not specifically racist. There is a tendency these days to cry "Racist!" when other descriptors and epithets would be more apt. For this guy you don't need to go there. He already buried himself.
King's pronouncements make it clear that he thinks whites are superior human beings, compared to black and brown people. That is the definition of racism.
@blueberry: No, not in his latest remarks quoted here and all over the media. Ethnocentric, yes, but not overtly racist. There is a difference. He is certainly a bigot. He may be a racist as well -- I did not know the man existed until this story popped up -- but that is not clear in the words quoted here. My point is that people are too quick to fill in the blanks with damning beliefs the man may or may not hold. Doing so weakens any argument against King (or people like him). He has already provided enough ammunition. There is no need to enhance with inferences.
What is causing this surge in racism, anti-immigrant hatred, and xenophobia? It is not just in the United States but in several countries including the United Kingdom. Is it that people from war-torn areas are running for our lives and seeking asylum on our countries and people in our countries feel threatened? Is it because climate change is also making life in certain areas too frightening so that again, people are running for their lives? Is that what is behind this? If that is the case, is the United States playing a part in this situation? After all, it is the United States and its allies that are at least in part responsible for the war-torn states of these middle eastern countries. It is the United States and its allies that are at least in part responsible for the climate change that now threatens the planet. Are we not supporting attacks in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and a number of other areas such as Honduras where people are trying to escape? You have to be pretty desperate to send your children unaccompanied to foreign lands. I'm just wondering.
Shame on the voters who keep reelecting him. We need to stop characterizing people who support racists as just good people who "overlook" these messages because of other concerns. There are other politicians who will readily support their conservative principles without this disgraceful racism. I'm a proud Democrat but I yearn for the days when Republicans honestly disagreed on the role of government and not on the values of tolerance and pluralism. For shame!
Iowa, you own Rep. King.
2
Iowans in Mr. King you have elected the person you deserve, a reflection of those who voted for him, you can change that. Every time I hear Mr. King I begin to wonder about your morality, Christian belief and human decency.
1
Shame on you, Iowa. Shame on the votes who put this vile creature in a leadership position.
2
Steve King should tell his theory to Jerry Yang, founder of Yahoo who was raised by a Chinese single mom!
“There’s been this effort we’re going to have to replace that void with somebody else’s babies. That’s the push to bring in much illegal immigration into America, living in enclaves, refusing to assimilate into the American culture and civilization.”
Mr. King? I'm illegally alien. I hereby swear-off refusing to assimilate into the American culture and civilization. Will you please give me a job so I can support my children so they don't grow up to be somebody else's babies? I'd like them to live with me and my wife in a safe place. I'd like them to be able to go to school and get decent jobs, not working out there in those Iowa fields picking whatever's popping up this time of the year. I'd like for them to speak American as well as you do, maybe even run for Congress, someday, just like you did. Look what it's done for you! Assimilate me! I and mine are yours!
Mr. King? I'm illegally alien. I hereby swear-off refusing to assimilate into the American culture and civilization. Will you please give me a job so I can support my children so they don't grow up to be somebody else's babies? I'd like them to live with me and my wife in a safe place. I'd like them to be able to go to school and get decent jobs, not working out there in those Iowa fields picking whatever's popping up this time of the year. I'd like for them to speak American as well as you do, maybe even run for Congress, someday, just like you did. Look what it's done for you! Assimilate me! I and mine are yours!
With Mr King, we aren't peering into the future envisioned by Orwell in 1984. Rather, it is all there in the past. When thinking about Mr King, Camus' final line from "The Plague" published just after WWII comes to mind: "The plague bacillus never dies or vanishes entirely,...it can remain dormant for dozens of years in furniture or clothing, ...it waits patiently in bedrooms, cellars, trunks, handkerchiefs, and old papers, and....perhaps the day will come when for the misfortune or instruction of mankind, the plague will rouse its rats and send them to die in some well-contented city. Camus well understood the evils of his age, as we must understand the evils of our own. We must never be complacent against the likes of Mr. King. "As far as possible," Camus said, "we must refuse to be on the side of pestilence."
2
You've gotten all the national, no international, attention you could ever want, Mr. King. Now everyone sees you plain.
Is this going to be the face of America to the world, this face in all its unabashed and putrescent glory?
Is this going to be the face of America to the world, this face in all its unabashed and putrescent glory?
2
We are a society who has gone off the deep end. Many Americans are in dire need of mental healthcare. The reason of our mental insatiability is proportional to our leadership. They are driving us insane. We are in desperate need of an intervention. Hopefully in the direction of electing rational, intelligent, compassionate human beings to office. You know, the opposite of Mr. King.
"Mr. King has long been a leader of the “hell no” caucus, a handful of far-right House Republicans"
Good piece.
But let's not forget who this is we are talking about; The TeaParty.
Let's not forget who their man is; Trump.
Let's not forget the founder of the feast; The GOP.
Good piece.
But let's not forget who this is we are talking about; The TeaParty.
Let's not forget who their man is; Trump.
Let's not forget the founder of the feast; The GOP.
1
If certain Iowans continue to happily succumb to "The Call of the Racist Xenophobe" of Steve King more shame to them, but do "responsible" news outlets like CNN have to give him a platform? Mr. King's catchy phrases like "calves the size of cantaloupes" and "other people's babies" may be entertaining in a voyeuristic way and be good for ratings, but giving them national coverage only validates them for the ignorant. Ask Trump.
America, like a Germany almost a century ago, is at a precipice. Do we fall into the hell of prejudice, or do we hold each other's hands and pull ourselves back to reason?
2
Always fascinating the people who live in the whitest enclaves feel the most threatened by racial diversity. You'd think he'd have the decency to stay in his hermetic bubble and shut up. Then again, there isn't a decent neuron in King's race-inflamed brain.
"Mr. Trump has made his ignorance, or cynicism, quite clear. He doesn’t know or care how immigration works. He doesn’t understand the damage his wall and deportation surge will do to the economy and the American character, or maybe he just cares more about harnessing bigotry."
I don't think the president is interested in "harnessing bigotry" at all. I think he is interested in liberating it to run rampant over the United States, at which it appears he is succeeding in grand fashion.
I don't think the president is interested in "harnessing bigotry" at all. I think he is interested in liberating it to run rampant over the United States, at which it appears he is succeeding in grand fashion.
2
My parents were born in this country to parents who were not. My father's two oldest sisters were brought here when very young. As a young woman, my mother was denied a job which she was told would be her's because she answered "Hebrew" to the question of religion on the application. On their honeymoon, my parents were refused passage on a cruise ship, for a cruise that they'd prepaid, because the Jewish quota was already full. Many clubs and organizations refused to allow Jews to become members, as they were not seen as real "Americans."
This was the reality of our country well into the latter half of the twentieth century for Jews. For other groups, the reality lasted much longer, and continues today. And that is the Marica that Mr. King wants to preserve.
Dear Mr. King: No way. Not today. Not ever.
This was the reality of our country well into the latter half of the twentieth century for Jews. For other groups, the reality lasted much longer, and continues today. And that is the Marica that Mr. King wants to preserve.
Dear Mr. King: No way. Not today. Not ever.
2
The man lives in a very white state. Some of us have a very different day to day experience in ethnically diverse areas. I will again, tomorrow, be in a classroom with twenty children which represent four different AMERICAN ethnicities. Everyone of those children belongs right where they are playing together, working together. People like Mr. King are correct, they are the outliers, the America they envision does not exists any longer, if it ever really did, except in small rural communities. There are some wonderfully diverse and vibrant urban/suburban areas in this United States of America. Get out and visit them Mr. King with an open heart, it will make you less fearful.
2
We have people of brown skin getting attacked in USA for no reason besides hate, which is spewed by King and their King Don on daily basis.
This virus is spreading through our social fabric, something must happen now, else it will be too late to be a peaceful civil society with all of true American citizens living as one happy nation under God.
This virus is spreading through our social fabric, something must happen now, else it will be too late to be a peaceful civil society with all of true American citizens living as one happy nation under God.
There is an American civilization, but it is not one based on racial and religious purity. What Mr. King is talking about is not civilization, it is a recipe for barbarism.
And just to state the obvious. Rep. King's party has said not one word in reproach or condemnation for his hate speech. Nor has their president. Just one more reason to throw the party of bigotry and greed out in 2018.
44
Why should we be surprised by Iowa's GOP Representative King's assertion about our country being put at risk by our nation's tradition of welcoming otherwise unwanted people into our country? I mean, if our newly elected President is able to go unchallenged over even the most outrageous claims- like the ones he made over, "Millions of illegal voters" affecting his ability to effectively govern the country-then why should someone as openly bigoted and desperate for attention, like King, not feel free to publicly complain about raising "Somebody else's children"?
- And yes as a third generation American I'am more than happy to sign myself, 'Somebody Else's Child'. God Bless.
-
- And yes as a third generation American I'am more than happy to sign myself, 'Somebody Else's Child'. God Bless.
-
15
Through one thread of my family I'm a second generation American. But through another thread of my family, I eligible to join the DAR, with an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War. What do I choose? Which piece or line of the family counts? I would say they all do.
Children born here belong here, as do their parents. People who love freedom belong here. Our country isn't founded on color of skin or national origins or religious beliefs. Our country was formed to promote and embrace freedom and equality. Steve King obviously, along with Bannon, Trump, Miller and a skulk of others, want to tear down that foundation and replace it with the very old, very tired, oppressive, despotic approach. It's fundamentally treasonous.
Children born here belong here, as do their parents. People who love freedom belong here. Our country isn't founded on color of skin or national origins or religious beliefs. Our country was formed to promote and embrace freedom and equality. Steve King obviously, along with Bannon, Trump, Miller and a skulk of others, want to tear down that foundation and replace it with the very old, very tired, oppressive, despotic approach. It's fundamentally treasonous.
Many of the tech companies in the U.S. have "somebody else’s babies” as their employees. Approximately 30% of Microsoft's employees are Asian, for example.
The biological father of Steve Jobs, one of the architects behind Apple, was a Syrian Muslim.
Rep. King should think about where his beloved country would be without the contribution of many immigrants from many countries.
Then again, thinking doesn't appear to be Rep. King's strong suit.
The biological father of Steve Jobs, one of the architects behind Apple, was a Syrian Muslim.
Rep. King should think about where his beloved country would be without the contribution of many immigrants from many countries.
Then again, thinking doesn't appear to be Rep. King's strong suit.
21
Iowans who keep voting for King and looking the other way when he couldn't be any more offensive rank up there with the mothers who conveniently miss or ignore that their boyfriend is molesting their kids.
10
We have lost our collective mimds We are back in the 30's debating whether the extermination of the Jews was a good idea. And Trump is largely to blame, or Trumpism is. Look, the guy is a spoiled, rich, Queens, nilitary academy( reform school) product. He deserves to be ignorant. He also is dumb enough to be taken over by the same people who took over Johnson, Nixon, Bush 2. We can somehow be the post WW2 America. We can't. Sorry, we just can't. And the more we gesture and bluster proves it.
We are great. Period. I'll repeat it for the Trumpsters, GREAT,Great..
But we can't remain so with the no sense, political bluster. The real enemy is the guys, way behind the scenes, that are coming up with the defense spending scam.
They are and remain the enemy. Good hearted, affable, all the good old Americans. But deadly nevertheless.
They actually believe that nuclear war is a reasonable option. That we should remain rich while a lot of people starve. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
It ain't so. The sooner we realize it the better.
It appears that Trump, in his Presidential compound. neither see or cares about it.
We are great. Period. I'll repeat it for the Trumpsters, GREAT,Great..
But we can't remain so with the no sense, political bluster. The real enemy is the guys, way behind the scenes, that are coming up with the defense spending scam.
They are and remain the enemy. Good hearted, affable, all the good old Americans. But deadly nevertheless.
They actually believe that nuclear war is a reasonable option. That we should remain rich while a lot of people starve. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
It ain't so. The sooner we realize it the better.
It appears that Trump, in his Presidential compound. neither see or cares about it.
9
Every person that surrounds or navigates around the hateful world of Steve King, Stephen Miller and/or Steve Bannon, helps Make America White Again. They help Make America Hate Again. But, know this: Love Trumps Hate
We need to build bridges, not walls. We must move forward, not backward.
America is a mixed-nation because it represents immigrants from around the world. We need healthier communities, not isolated enclaves of hate and separation based on a white supremacy mindset.
We need to build bridges, not walls. We must move forward, not backward.
America is a mixed-nation because it represents immigrants from around the world. We need healthier communities, not isolated enclaves of hate and separation based on a white supremacy mindset.
14
Charge Mr. King with Hate Crime incitement.
21
What kind of district does this intolerant racist represent?
I never want to visit or locate a business there.
I never want to visit or locate a business there.
31
We are trying to get him out in 2018. I don't understand why he keeps getting elected. We are rallying behind his opponent, Kim Weaver.
1
Maybe just a coincidence, but the few people I know from Iowa are definitely racists. Fitting this person would be their representativr.
2
The shock here is misplaced. Mr. King represents a substantial number of Americans — quite likely these days a majority — with his racism and xenophobia. Does anybody really think this is going to change for the better? It has only gotten worse over the past 20 years and it's only a matter of time before it descends into massive violence. As the editorial notes, where are the Republicans in Congress? Absent. That tells us everything we need to know. Thugs are running the country. So let's say goodbye not to Hollywood, as good as that song is, but rather let's say goodbye to the United States of America. The experiment is over. It succeeded for awhile but in the end the blood-dimmed tide came and went, and when it came back one last time the legal pillars of a civil society were gone.
7
Look at statisitics. It's not a majority. It's a minority that has grabbed power through gerrymandering and voter suppression. It is, however, substantial enough of a minority to be of great concern. The experiment is only over if we let it be. This is a major test, and those of us who embrace freedom and equality must rise to the challenge. Call your senators and representatives today.
The end of this article says that Rep. King's journey is from the fringe, and yet over 216,000 people voted for him in Iowa. Please, NYT and your journalists, recognize that the body politic of the USA is sick, and that this, like all cancers, cannot be ignored. Fringe is something decorative in design, this overt racism is not decoration, but, for many (at least for 216,000 citizens), the foundation and structure of what they believe we are as a nation.
17
The lack of white babies might have more to do with the lack of appeal of men who think like Steve KIng
33
I grew up in an Alabama with separate drinking fountains for white and black people. Rep King is quite familiar to me as a politician type. The real question is not demagogues like King, but the people who vote for them. It is discouraging to learn that Iowa is just north rural Alabama. The people in Rep. King's district need to look in the mirror and decide if that is who they really are.
20
What King and so many anti-abortionists don't seem to understand is that the result of their anti-abortion laws is to produce more unwanted poor people of color. If you have money an easy legal abortion is just a plane ride away.
5
And that's why they want to remove things like public education, so that these masses remain disempowered.
Nobody tell the guy where "Algebra" is coming from - that would blow his mind. Congratulations Iowa on electing such a pillar of our culture.
King is a disgusting face of an America that should be on the decline. I also have to blame his district which keeps electing him. Another "legend in his own mind" and a disgusting one at that.
7
In the end, if King, Trump, and Bannon have their racist, bigoted way, many families like mine--white, black, and bi-racial--will feel so uncomfortable and threatened here that we will move either to another part of the country or another country more welcoming to the diversity that we represent. The radically red area of a former purple state where we live now represents King and Trump's bigotry--and we are already uncomfortable. If this continues, Americans--who aren't lily white like King--will take their babies elsewhere and make a new life where they are valued for who they are not what they look like. And that will be America's true loss.
7
A very substantial portion of the aborted children of the last 44 years are minority children. Imagine how different this country would be if even half of them had been allowed to live.
3
That's true - because without a living wage or affordable healthcare - the things that King and his ilk have opposed, those mothers can't afford to raise children
Well, I can't speak for Steven King, but I can say it is hard to accept more babies, when you can't take care of the ones you already have, and yes, I would imagine any man would lash out at those who keep taking more --- especially, from the east coast crowd that imagines life was made for them. The kind that have babies and employ immigrants at low wages to care for them. (These kind aren't any better than the nation's largest employer paying the people dirt.) I'm sorry, but in "Practical Land" it is hard to make sense of it all. And then the people stirring up race and whatnot --- the entire middle section of the country has been hollowed out -- all colors - look at Ferguson, from the greed of many. Where I live, you either work at Walmart or the school and the Democrats want to take in more? I think it's a guarantee to return us to a third world nation. Maybe they should do a better job of taking care of the ones they have? We are all witnessing the troubles in our healthcare system, some saying it will collapse if not amended. And then to hear the amendments will lose 14 million people, whom I'm assuming will die ------ I think we had better close all the borders until we figure out how to care for our people --- all colors!
1
"Attrition through enforcement" is their policy towards everyone not like them. Be rich, white, straight and a "god loving" Christian or they will find ways to sweep you under the rug.
All of those things are mailable - you can be less white or less straight, but you better be more rich, or more Christian.
All of those things are mailable - you can be less white or less straight, but you better be more rich, or more Christian.
3
Poor Steve. Couldn't get in with the popular crowd in grade school and it's been just killing him ever since.
2
How did the likes of King evolve? It is one thing to be some far out racist in a pick up truck flying the confederate flag. But to be a United States Representative is so discouraging and scary to boot.
Who in in the heartland of Iowa would vote for someone like King. It takes voters to elect people like King. So I ask myself who are these people and what do they stand for?
On the plus side, I'm proud to say Congressman John Lewis represents my district. Now that's a good man! And there are many good Representatives, women and men, like Mr. Lewis on both sides of the aisle.
King is a minority but he and others like him are dangerous. As is Trump.
Who in in the heartland of Iowa would vote for someone like King. It takes voters to elect people like King. So I ask myself who are these people and what do they stand for?
On the plus side, I'm proud to say Congressman John Lewis represents my district. Now that's a good man! And there are many good Representatives, women and men, like Mr. Lewis on both sides of the aisle.
King is a minority but he and others like him are dangerous. As is Trump.
6
I agree that Mr. King's view is not correct. I don't presume to know what is in his heart. I have also heard hispanic members of La Raza say they are taking back the Southwest with babies. I think they are wrong and I also don't know what is in their heart. Everyone on the far left and on the far right need to think before they speak.
2
It's crazy town in the USA. We seem to have more than our share of white men with kooky ideas. Let's export some of them.
4
Steve King has been an abomination of a Congressman for many years. His antediluvian xenophobic views on immigration inspire cringes nearly every week. His racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia are atrocious, besmirching an already tainted reputation for Congress as a whole, and more pointedly for the Republican party. It is very easy to attribute his extremist, prejudiced view to the entire GOP.
The GOP has a pretty terrible record on social issues, but even for them, Steve King is a severe outlier. It is a mystery why this embarrassment of a legislator keeps getting re-elected. I fervently hope the good people of Western Iowa will wake up and understand that when people hear Steve King's outrageous statements, he is telling the world that his constituents are just like him. I wonder if they really would agree with that characterization.
Fingers crossed, in 2018 the Western Iowa voters will dump this troglodyte pol. Hardly anyone they could choose could represent them worse than Rep. King.
The GOP has a pretty terrible record on social issues, but even for them, Steve King is a severe outlier. It is a mystery why this embarrassment of a legislator keeps getting re-elected. I fervently hope the good people of Western Iowa will wake up and understand that when people hear Steve King's outrageous statements, he is telling the world that his constituents are just like him. I wonder if they really would agree with that characterization.
Fingers crossed, in 2018 the Western Iowa voters will dump this troglodyte pol. Hardly anyone they could choose could represent them worse than Rep. King.
He made a comment that blacks and hispanics would be fighting each other long before they can or will unite to become some sort of black/brown majority in this country.
He might be an objectionable person and his thought may be clumsily presented, but let's be honest about what's happening in black and brown communities.
More than 90 percent of black homicide victims are killed by other blacks. And hispanics are fleeing Central America because of rampant gang violence perpetrated by other hispanics. Mexicans and Central Americans feel tremendous racism towards blacks and to the extent that they are all packed into the same neighborhoods, they are competing for scarce resources in housing, schools and jobs.
So, this is not an apology for King, but he's got a point on this one issue.
He might be an objectionable person and his thought may be clumsily presented, but let's be honest about what's happening in black and brown communities.
More than 90 percent of black homicide victims are killed by other blacks. And hispanics are fleeing Central America because of rampant gang violence perpetrated by other hispanics. Mexicans and Central Americans feel tremendous racism towards blacks and to the extent that they are all packed into the same neighborhoods, they are competing for scarce resources in housing, schools and jobs.
So, this is not an apology for King, but he's got a point on this one issue.
The internet has been buzzing lately with stories about female Christian extremists being encouraged to win the culture war by having as many children as possible and home schooling them to assure the purity of their faith. If these Christians have enough babies they can control our government, would seem to be the idea.
I had dismissed this as internet nonsense, but maybe it is a cult thing going on given King's crazy remarks. These immigrants have children that usually integrate seamlessly into American culture (our huge advantage over much of Europe). It is American culture that Christian extremists wish to destroy as they attempt to turn our country into a religious state.
The goals of religious fundamentalists seem universal to all major religions. Create a government that enforces religion. This should be called out as the blasphemy it is- it is an attempt to destroy "God's plan" of testing the goodness of human beings, by denying them the choice of taking the "right" or the "wrong" path based on their own free will. The right choice is morally meaningless if it is done to escape immediate punishment.
I had dismissed this as internet nonsense, but maybe it is a cult thing going on given King's crazy remarks. These immigrants have children that usually integrate seamlessly into American culture (our huge advantage over much of Europe). It is American culture that Christian extremists wish to destroy as they attempt to turn our country into a religious state.
The goals of religious fundamentalists seem universal to all major religions. Create a government that enforces religion. This should be called out as the blasphemy it is- it is an attempt to destroy "God's plan" of testing the goodness of human beings, by denying them the choice of taking the "right" or the "wrong" path based on their own free will. The right choice is morally meaningless if it is done to escape immediate punishment.
King is a 6 term congressman. Those who voted from him know who he is and what he stands for. He reflects the views of his constituents.
Donald Trump received 63 million votes in the presidential election. He has been a public figure for decades. He underwent intense scrutiny throughout his campaign. He reflects the views of his supporters.
The Republicans control the house, the senate, congress and a majority of governorships and state legislatures. Their policies federally and from state to state are not identical but they are consistent. They reflect the wishes of their constituencies.
Interesting how the NYT always prefers to shoot the messenger.
Donald Trump received 63 million votes in the presidential election. He has been a public figure for decades. He underwent intense scrutiny throughout his campaign. He reflects the views of his supporters.
The Republicans control the house, the senate, congress and a majority of governorships and state legislatures. Their policies federally and from state to state are not identical but they are consistent. They reflect the wishes of their constituencies.
Interesting how the NYT always prefers to shoot the messenger.
More bad inspiration. The freak show Trump and Co. have unleashed has long, slimy tentacles, reaching deep in the bowels of men like King and Wilders to scoop out and fling the hate which common civility and good conscience used to keep a tighter lid on. And as the coal miners look on with hope for jobs, Trump's son-in-law inks a $500 million real estate deal with the Chinese, the Twittering Trump Bots (you'd better hope that those aren't real, living and breathing neighbors of yours) spew anti-Obama venom, our health care hopes are dashed and the health of our Earth diminishes - visibly - on a day-to-day basis.
But everything's ok because Beyonce's having twins, Kanye and Drake are dropping singles and what's-his-name is going to guest on Game of Thrones.
We're going down.
But everything's ok because Beyonce's having twins, Kanye and Drake are dropping singles and what's-his-name is going to guest on Game of Thrones.
We're going down.
1
This kind of thinking makes me think this guy has a vitamin B 12 deficiency. Or maybe he's just a psychopath.
1
How do people like Steve King and Louie Gomert keep getting elected? With those two leading the way, it's a race to the bottom. I must admit, though, whenever I see either King or Gomert at a microphone, I always turn up the sound. You never know what will come out of their mouths, but it will be stupid & racist.
1
Situations and Dispositions - Situation: isolating culture and people living in deplorable conditions (that's right, HRC was describing a situation, not a disposition) - a situation that causes shock, fear, anger and desire - how well do you think when you are thrown by anyone of these emotions much less all of them? Add a bunch of guys born with really low affect, callous, craving power, destructive thoughts, feelings and beliefs, with no ability to care - they don't care about others or how others think about them. The ultimate bad date - someone that will charm and tell you what you want to hear, paying enough attention to you that they know what you want, which they align with and then make promises (words, not actions) to get your loyalty to get what they want. They spread lies about their opponents, and focus on problems - it is easy to agree there is a problem, and offer vague simplistic solutions based on our fear response. They even use intermittent (unreliable) conditioning to strengthen loyalty - like you train a dog. And even as it becomes more and more obvious they are not going to help, pride and untested faith in their initial decision (Bem's theory of self perception) people stick with em. Similar condition led to Hitler's election and domination. Books to read: Mindset by Dweck, Jung on Evil edited by Stein.
1
Sickening. Just sickening. And the lack of outrage - or even simple disavowal - by this Republican Congress and this administration, is worse. Worse still? The silence of Republican voters in the face of these ugly sentiments.
Their silence tells me all I need to know.
That is, as a native-born American of Middle Eastern ancestry, I no longer have a place in this country.
Their silence tells me all I need to know.
That is, as a native-born American of Middle Eastern ancestry, I no longer have a place in this country.
3
As someone born and raised in Iowa, I am horrified and embarrassed by this man. He does NOT represent all Iowans!
One does have to question the character of those "good people" that DO continue to vote to make him their representative.
What gives?
One does have to question the character of those "good people" that DO continue to vote to make him their representative.
What gives?
2
"King then lamented that the U.S. has "aborted nearly 60 million babies" since 1973 and claimed that there is an effort to "replace that void with somebody else's babies."
Folks like King, Santorum and Huckabee etc. constantly trot out this figure. However none of them ask what was the maternal death rate pre-Roe? The number of stillborns or miscarriages? Death rate from illegal abortions? Health stats in general during that time "When America was great" were not all wonderful. He ought to know better.
Folks like King, Santorum and Huckabee etc. constantly trot out this figure. However none of them ask what was the maternal death rate pre-Roe? The number of stillborns or miscarriages? Death rate from illegal abortions? Health stats in general during that time "When America was great" were not all wonderful. He ought to know better.
1
I live in rural Northern Minnesota where relatives of mine have recently been ranting on their fear over a Muslim takeover of America, as if the possibility were just around the corner. They tell me that there is a hidden plot afoot to install Sharia law into our legal code and destroy "our" America.
We have no Muslims in my town that I am aware of; no mosque; no speaker of Arabic; just a whole bunch of White people trembling in their boots over, what? I do not know.
Combine this thinking with their everlasting opposition to the women's right to choose, and you have Steve King's audience. He is not a unique phenomena. There are enclaves of isolated right wing Christians out here, fearful of their future and locked into a belief system that is both silly and frightening. They are just waiting for the fire to start.
We have no Muslims in my town that I am aware of; no mosque; no speaker of Arabic; just a whole bunch of White people trembling in their boots over, what? I do not know.
Combine this thinking with their everlasting opposition to the women's right to choose, and you have Steve King's audience. He is not a unique phenomena. There are enclaves of isolated right wing Christians out here, fearful of their future and locked into a belief system that is both silly and frightening. They are just waiting for the fire to start.
6
Maybe Mr. King should follow his beliefs all the way to their logical conclusion: Deport everyone who is not a native American by ancestry and start over. The only reason Mr. King's forebears and many others were allowed to immigrate to America "legally" is that they tested negative for smallpox and lice. Then quotas and harsher rules were set up so that others would not be offered the same opportunities. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe King's ancestors came here in the hold of a slave ship, but I doubt it.
2
Iowa?
Is that even a thing anymore?
Didn't we fold that worthless speck of nothing in with one of those other insolvent worthless joke states?
Is that even a thing anymore?
Didn't we fold that worthless speck of nothing in with one of those other insolvent worthless joke states?
2
For centuries western powers colonized the world, looting wealth and resources indiscriminately and imposing their "culture," or lack thereof, on other peoples. Now they complain? Poor babies.
1
Immigrants with "calves like cantaloupes"? No. A congressman with a brain the size of pea.
4
Steve King is a joke...I can't believe responsible people take him seriously. But why don't you address this honestly and clearly...the issue is illegal immigration. I'm for a path to citizenship, worker permits, documentation, ...some order to this chaos. I'm against mass deportation that isn't the answer. But I'm not for automatic citizenship for the 11 million people who are here illegally...that's never going to happen you know that. That's a slap in the face to the millions of people who came here legally , played by the rules and had to wait years to become citizens...you also know that.
I am the 3rd generation descendant of my grandfather and brother who came to Ellis Island from Europe in 1920. They were many rules and everyone followed them. They were checked off by inspectors from ship manifests and asked questions by officials. They had to have at least $20, they had to read a passage in their own language & pass a full health inspection . They had to pass all of their inspections before they could enter NYC.
Those that did not pass were required to stay on the island or return to their home country. My grandfather's brother had TB & wasn't allowed in.
Republicans are cynically exploiting this issue. But Democrats had many opportunities to solve this problem over the past 30 years & did nothing. There's no question the reluctance address this issue stems from the fact that they thought they could register 11 million new voters. Like it or not you created Mr. King.
I am the 3rd generation descendant of my grandfather and brother who came to Ellis Island from Europe in 1920. They were many rules and everyone followed them. They were checked off by inspectors from ship manifests and asked questions by officials. They had to have at least $20, they had to read a passage in their own language & pass a full health inspection . They had to pass all of their inspections before they could enter NYC.
Those that did not pass were required to stay on the island or return to their home country. My grandfather's brother had TB & wasn't allowed in.
Republicans are cynically exploiting this issue. But Democrats had many opportunities to solve this problem over the past 30 years & did nothing. There's no question the reluctance address this issue stems from the fact that they thought they could register 11 million new voters. Like it or not you created Mr. King.
At some point, one has to lose respect for the district in Iowa that keeps sending this man back to Washington and by association, the whole state of Iowa. If you want outsiders like me to have more respect for Iowa, stop electing bigots.
I still just don't get it. How in God's name do people this arrogant, inconsiderate and just plain stupid get elected to office? And worse yet they manage to stay there and smell up the whole place..
Be dispassionate. Racism appears when isolated communities view people who differ genetically and culturally as repugnant. Whence the repulsion? I suppose it is based on fear. Fear that the 'others' will disrupt the delicate equilibrium of the homogeneous society. And perhaps it will. But perhaps it should. The point is that diversity is a great strength. The racist wants to create a mono-culture, and mono-cultures are always fragile, easily collapsing under stress. You see this dramatically in the senseless and error-prone pseudo-policy pronouncement generated by the Trump camp. If the Trump team were more diverse, they would produce better ideas. Yes-men, sycophants, cynical one-note operatives - this is not a prescription for success. The society envisioned by the racists like Steve King is a doomed society, a weak society, an essentially anti-human pseudo-society. A kind of closed cult commune.
2
What about highly successful "mono-cultures " such as Singapore, Japan, S Korea?
Singapore is not a mono-culture, but rather a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian. The presidents of Singapore have been:Yusof Ishak, Bejamin Henry Sheares, Devan Nair, Kim Wee, Ong Teng Cheong, S R Nathan, Tony Tan Keng Yam. Japan, on the other hand, works hard to maintain its mono-culture, and the result is exactly racism (against Westerners), a stagnant (actually declining) economy and sporadically disastrous political choices. The Japanese would indeed be much better off with a more diverse society.
I have a message for the residents of Iowa's 4th district in Ames, Sioux City, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Boone and environs: WAKE UP! The statements of your representative, Mr. King, are not representing your values, needs or interests. The latest vitriol is his Arnheim, a political bridge too far. It's time for you to vote him off the island to join the likes of other incoherent ranters like Allen West, formerly of Florida's 22nd district. To elevate a man as hateful and craven as Mr. King to his office diminishes you.
Sleaze like Steve King have been with us for ever. Sadly, he really doesn't understand what being an American or what American values really are. Maybe daddy King should have taken little Stevie to the woodshed a little more often. As it is, any congressional colleague supporting this small minded racist should be recognized for what he/she is, an embarrassment to the Country.
King appears to be claiming that the arrival of so many Invader Babies is what has forced the USA into a crisis of immorality regarding abortion and contraception. Without them, those issues wouldn't exist.
It is the same process by which rabid reactionaries link welfare programs and women's liberation to a perceived crisis in marriages and families. That fractured logic works well if one lives in the middle of nowhere, out of touch with the real world.
It is the same process by which rabid reactionaries link welfare programs and women's liberation to a perceived crisis in marriages and families. That fractured logic works well if one lives in the middle of nowhere, out of touch with the real world.
Another example of an abortion opponent who is, at the same time, morally repugnant. Let's get one thing straight. If you "chose" Trump for President, you don't get to "choose" a stranger's reproduction options because, with that one vote, you have proven you make terrible "choices".
Many in the Repubican Party agree with Steve King, except that they wouldn't come out and say it. I am sure most of his voters agree with him, exemplified by his landslide victories. A virulently racist Dutchman is idolized by a sitting congressman, while he calls other Americans "somebody else's babies". I am fearful for this country, for my children, for the coming generations. I will be visiting Gettysburg next week. I will go to the National Cemetery and contemplate the graves of the fallen, those who "gave the last full measure of devotion", so that millions of somebody else's babies in shackles could walk free upon this land. Probably, I can start feeling hopeful about our country again.
The press pretends that everyone who is against illegal immigration is a white nationalist or is akin to Steven King. The public is not buying it. Trump was elected primarily on this issue, along with his stance on trade.
The economy has permanently changed. We do not have, nor will we again have, enough low-skill jobs for our own citizens. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to take any of the remaining jobs. Every illegal immigrant displaces an American citizen or a legal immigrant. The result is that American citizens and legal immigrants cannot properly provide for their families. So many families are suffering that entire communities are affected.
40% of all children are being born out-of-wedlock. Most unmarried parents split apart by the time their child turns 5. Mothers do not want to have to support the unemployed or underemployed fathers of their children. As a result, the children grow up in poverty, either in single parent homes or with a series of step-fathers. Their futures do not look rosy. The fabric of our country is coming undone. We can no longer provide jobs and government services to illegal immigrants. They must return to their own countries so we can focus on helping our own citizens and on the people who immigrated here legally.
8 years ago, many Trump voters cast ballots for Obama. They are not racists. They need our attention. They want jobs.
The economy has permanently changed. We do not have, nor will we again have, enough low-skill jobs for our own citizens. Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to take any of the remaining jobs. Every illegal immigrant displaces an American citizen or a legal immigrant. The result is that American citizens and legal immigrants cannot properly provide for their families. So many families are suffering that entire communities are affected.
40% of all children are being born out-of-wedlock. Most unmarried parents split apart by the time their child turns 5. Mothers do not want to have to support the unemployed or underemployed fathers of their children. As a result, the children grow up in poverty, either in single parent homes or with a series of step-fathers. Their futures do not look rosy. The fabric of our country is coming undone. We can no longer provide jobs and government services to illegal immigrants. They must return to their own countries so we can focus on helping our own citizens and on the people who immigrated here legally.
8 years ago, many Trump voters cast ballots for Obama. They are not racists. They need our attention. They want jobs.
1
Steven King is my personal enemy. No, I have never met him, nor do I want to, but he's verbally attacked my family, directly. While I am White, as is my wife and our older child, our youngest is not. He was born in Central America, is the color of light toast, and we adopted him as an infant and named him for my late father. He's now a middle-schooler, a good student, and popular with his friends, who come in all colors. His first language is English, and all he's ever known is us and our home in New Jersey.
And Steven King, Steven Miller, and Stephen Bannon all hate him to the core of their very being simply because he isn't White. I suspect King and Bannon hate him for being Jewish as well--we know Bannon does. That makes all 3 of them my enemy. Because he's my son in every way but DNA, and, like any parent, I will do ANYTHING to protect him from such malevolence.
Despite being a Progressive Liberal, I share an affinity for Senator John McCain. His daughter, Bridget, is like my son, adopted as an infant by a White American family, from a troubled nation, and seen by her family as a gift, as we see our son. But to that unholy 3, she's even worse, because she was born in a Muslim nation, Bengla Desh, and probably born Muslim.
My child and Bridget McCain and not abominations, they are blessings. King, Miller and Bannon are the abominations. And have declared themselves my enemies. Because what is more important than family?
And Steven King, Steven Miller, and Stephen Bannon all hate him to the core of their very being simply because he isn't White. I suspect King and Bannon hate him for being Jewish as well--we know Bannon does. That makes all 3 of them my enemy. Because he's my son in every way but DNA, and, like any parent, I will do ANYTHING to protect him from such malevolence.
Despite being a Progressive Liberal, I share an affinity for Senator John McCain. His daughter, Bridget, is like my son, adopted as an infant by a White American family, from a troubled nation, and seen by her family as a gift, as we see our son. But to that unholy 3, she's even worse, because she was born in a Muslim nation, Bengla Desh, and probably born Muslim.
My child and Bridget McCain and not abominations, they are blessings. King, Miller and Bannon are the abominations. And have declared themselves my enemies. Because what is more important than family?
2
Trump didn't create these bigots and racists? Where have they been all of this time? Maybe Trump really does represent America.
Let's see. If King and Trump are responsible for the alleged outbreak of violence against Jews, Muslims, etc., does that mean Obama was responsible for Dylan Roof killing 9 people at a Carolina church?
And of course, the only person identified so far as the source of some of the threats against Jewish institutions turned out to be a liberal black man.
And of course, the only person identified so far as the source of some of the threats against Jewish institutions turned out to be a liberal black man.
1
Congressman Steve King is in the long tradition of American politicians who used race-baiting to bolster their political support. These also include Senator Tom Watson, Senator James K. Vardaman, and Senator Theodore G. Bilbo. While the others were from Georgia and Mississippi, King is from Iowa, which once was one of the most white supremacist free states before the Civil War but recast itself afterwards as one of America's most racially progressive states.
Steve King obviously represents the most retrograde element in Iowa. I hope that most Iowans reject his noxious beliefs.
Steve King obviously represents the most retrograde element in Iowa. I hope that most Iowans reject his noxious beliefs.
I live in Mr. King's district. I abhor his positions. But I am in a small minority here. Please know that there are very liberal and tolerant people like me who live in this district, and who need affirmation. We continue to work for more tolerance right here, where he is able to get elected time after time. We write op-eds that are published. We hold our placards high. We call and write our elected officials. But to date, we cannot rid our district of Steve King. Please stand with us and know that we would welcome more support to rid our very rural district of him.
1
Steve King, Rush Limbaugh, and yes, even Donald Trump depend on a center of civility and stability as they take their position on the margin and rant in the direction of that center. They have been supported and funded, up until recently, by cynical news outlets, dyed in the wool racists, and angry religious fanatics who have been numerous enough to make them all very rich.
Suddenly, with no explanatory preface, the mob has moved to the center, to the power seats in congress, to the Oval Office. From the gutters they have dredged the stokers and inciters who, as we have seen these 50+ days, are good at stoking, inciting, and little else.
Once at the center, these ranters begin feeding on the very stability and civility that makes them possible. If they "succeed," what, really, will they be left with? An overflow population at Gitmo? Millions of white people facing off against millions of brown people in every city in the country? If they win, they lose bigly.
But so do the rest of us.
Suddenly, with no explanatory preface, the mob has moved to the center, to the power seats in congress, to the Oval Office. From the gutters they have dredged the stokers and inciters who, as we have seen these 50+ days, are good at stoking, inciting, and little else.
Once at the center, these ranters begin feeding on the very stability and civility that makes them possible. If they "succeed," what, really, will they be left with? An overflow population at Gitmo? Millions of white people facing off against millions of brown people in every city in the country? If they win, they lose bigly.
But so do the rest of us.
Yes, King is concerned White, Christian America will dissolve in a sea of brown genetics and heretical religions, but he also has anther motivation for his comments--sexism. Donald Trump is just the personification of the misogyny rampant in the Republican Party--a Party keen to return women to the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant, and to their acceptable vocation as Sunday School teachers. If only the Burqa wasn't a Muslim construct...
What on earth has happened to Iowa? I always thought of it as a wholesome, decent place, with solid mainstream values. But not for the last 20 years or so. The plains states have become ugly.
1
Steve King is just one guy with a big mouth. Why are you making it even bigger? It only rewards them.
We wonder why the Palestinians and Israelite can't work things out and then we look at Steve King. He truly believes that the minority cultures in this country are the problem and yet his state is dependent on cheap labor from south of the border to do their agricultural work.
Then again, hatred keeps the spotlight on oneself. The only better PR is love. But, Love actually takes work.
Then again, hatred keeps the spotlight on oneself. The only better PR is love. But, Love actually takes work.
Once again hateful wagons are trying to circle and choke the American experiment.
Again, we must never forget to mention the endorsement of words for Steve King from the likes of the Ku Klux Klan and David Duke and white supremacist Richard Spencer who have had their fangs dug deep in the Republican conservative right-wing agenda for as long as we have lived in post-Reconstruction America.
Long after our horrendous Civil War was bravely ended by a "real" American President, Abe Lincoln, we now have a "reality TV" con-man faking it in the seat of Lincoln.
Trump will always be illegitimate, and he knows it.
Again, we must never forget to mention the endorsement of words for Steve King from the likes of the Ku Klux Klan and David Duke and white supremacist Richard Spencer who have had their fangs dug deep in the Republican conservative right-wing agenda for as long as we have lived in post-Reconstruction America.
Long after our horrendous Civil War was bravely ended by a "real" American President, Abe Lincoln, we now have a "reality TV" con-man faking it in the seat of Lincoln.
Trump will always be illegitimate, and he knows it.
1
Steve King may well represent Iowa's Fourth Districts culture and society. But America's? I think not.
Maybe Mr King will also have a hard time finding a job once he is out of office! Its clear that hatred and endless provocation aren't as acceptable in the job market as they are in DC. He should just ask the former NC gov for some advice
"A few in his party have condemned his latest rant, but the White House has been silent." Exactly. Steve King is a disgrace, and represents my state of Iowa. But I object to those in the GOP who single him out as "the race-baiting fringe" (a quote from a NYT article yesterday) while letting white supremacists Bannon and Trump spew the same hateful rhetoric, which only emboldens creeps like him. They should be the headline as much as he is, for his unacceptable behavior, and they should feel the same heat he does. Don't let up on them.
He is elected in Iowa. What does that say about the state: similarly vile or the just tolerant of the vile?
7
yes, what does it say about Iowa?
Steve King is not representative of all Iowans any more than Donald Trump is
representative of all Americans. Many of us did not vote for either one of them,
because we know better and disagree with them! The slippery have slipped through.
representative of all Americans. Many of us did not vote for either one of them,
because we know better and disagree with them! The slippery have slipped through.
Yes, King has been issuing this racist bunk for years, and yes, the Trump presidency emboldens King. Please go to Iowa, pick up the rocks, and interview King's constituents. They are the ones who keep re-electing him. What are they thinking, and why?
9
King proposes a eugenics that is twisted, but as racist and sexist as the eugnics movement was a century ago. The other question, that is just as important, is what policies based on his beliefs would do to women's rights and freedoms.
5
Steve King: " Neanderthal civilization is doomed"
4
As an Iowan, I agree that the NY Times should shine a light on the people of Iowa's 4th district--those that vote, those that do not, those for and against Steve King, and the growing number of former King supporters. Most of Iowa's population is outside of his district, sickened by his views, and at a loss as to why the voters of northwest Iowa want such a repugnant representative with such an ineffective record of governance.
King and his voters need look no further than their own views for why the young and talented are fleeing from and not migrating to that part of the state. However, don't place the blame on gerrymandering. Iowa's redistricting laws are actually exemplary compared to almost any other state in the nation; research it and you'll see. That part of Iowa just happens to have a population base that is actually that homogeneous. (As a whole, the population of the state is 91.8% white; US Census 2015. IMO, we lack the weather and vast swaths of natural beauty that tend to draw people to a place.) I suspect other demographics play as much of a role in why those voters have been accepting of King's babble, i.e. percentage of people living below the poverty line, level of education, household income, etc..
King is ill-equipped to provide solutions to his constituents but he can create scapegoats for the frustration and anger that should rightfully be directed his way for being too much of a twit to help raise their standard of living.
King and his voters need look no further than their own views for why the young and talented are fleeing from and not migrating to that part of the state. However, don't place the blame on gerrymandering. Iowa's redistricting laws are actually exemplary compared to almost any other state in the nation; research it and you'll see. That part of Iowa just happens to have a population base that is actually that homogeneous. (As a whole, the population of the state is 91.8% white; US Census 2015. IMO, we lack the weather and vast swaths of natural beauty that tend to draw people to a place.) I suspect other demographics play as much of a role in why those voters have been accepting of King's babble, i.e. percentage of people living below the poverty line, level of education, household income, etc..
King is ill-equipped to provide solutions to his constituents but he can create scapegoats for the frustration and anger that should rightfully be directed his way for being too much of a twit to help raise their standard of living.
8
I would relegate King to the status of "white noise".
3
Mr. King misstates the real question facing America today- it is not whether immigrants will assimilate (they do, but usually after a generation), it is whether or not America will embrace brown people as one of their own. Previous European immigrants could be assimilated in large part because they were eventually accepted under the blanket designation of "white" (an American construct). This can never be true for today's immigrants from Latin America, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. So, the real question is whether the children of today's immigrants will ever be looked at as regular Americans, instead of being considered "hyphenated" Americans because of their skin.
2
Let's stop one destructive fallacy Rep. King cites right now. Anti-abortion citations to the number of legal abortions since Roe v Wade assume the number of illegal abortions before Roe v Wade to be zero.
We now know illegal abortion rates in jurisdictions that ban abortions generally exceed abortion rates where abortion is legal. Legal abortions are usually accompanied by better access to healthcare and contraception. (The anomaly is former Communist countries where abortion was provided but not contraception.)
The countries with the lowest abortion rates rely on the Planned Parenthood model, providing healthcare, education and family planning services, services that sharply curtail demand for abortions.
We now know illegal abortion rates in jurisdictions that ban abortions generally exceed abortion rates where abortion is legal. Legal abortions are usually accompanied by better access to healthcare and contraception. (The anomaly is former Communist countries where abortion was provided but not contraception.)
The countries with the lowest abortion rates rely on the Planned Parenthood model, providing healthcare, education and family planning services, services that sharply curtail demand for abortions.
5
Iowa Voters: You are smart, decent, hard-working folks! Vote this national disgrace out!
4
I was King's opponent in 2016 and taking him on again in 2018. Last cycle, despite very little money and very little help, I had a higher vote % than Hillary and our Senate candidate. This cycle it will be very different. I've now raised $93k just since Sunday for my campaign. Instead of just talking about the horrifying things King says, it would be most helpful if you would also mention the fact that he has an opponent. I can be followed on Twitter @KimWeaverIA as well as on Facebook. Thank you in advance for your support of decency over division!
42
Thank you, Ms Weaver.
Good luck, Kim and thank you for running against the epitome of deplorable.
America's middle/working class has for decades since the early seventies stagnated to its decimation. These were and are America's salt of the earth and how are they today and how were they to support these sixty million children who they rationally chose not to exist.
The only thing I can figure is that voters in Mr. King's fourth district have eaten way too much chemically-fed beef over the years and have now passed critical mass lunacy.
Always stunned at how people like Steve King consider themselves good Christians, yet do exactly the opposite of what his religion purports. The amount of hatred some people have towards others never ceases to amaze me.
3
I suppose I just don't understand the local primary process in the US. Is there NOBODY in IOWA who could run against this man and defeat him? Are the district residents (a) so blind or (b) so bigoted that they cannot see this man for what he is?
Day after day I become increasingly concerned about the new collective voices emanating from your leadership. In our own GOP-Equivalent Tory party they are currently running their version of a primary. It is astounding how the trump-factor has emboldened some fringe candidates to make statements that are truly appalling.
I am hopeful that saner voices will prevail.
Day after day I become increasingly concerned about the new collective voices emanating from your leadership. In our own GOP-Equivalent Tory party they are currently running their version of a primary. It is astounding how the trump-factor has emboldened some fringe candidates to make statements that are truly appalling.
I am hopeful that saner voices will prevail.
1
I am trying to get a picture of who is pulling the lever in Iowa to elect Steve King. It is certainly nobody who would embrace the thoughts and hopes of John Lennon's song "Imagine".
3
In the age of trump's racist, sexist, misogynistic, paranoid, pathlogical lying, and basically bad everything about him, why are we even surprised that a "king" like Steve King is lauded in a trump administration?
1
First generation Americans of every stripe have always been the backbone of this country. If we can continue to be a place where education and opportunity are part of who we are, that will continue. If not, America will stumble down the path the haters have been paving since the Southern Strategy began. Mr. King needs to be voted out of office in 2018.
2
Time to make a campaign contribution to Kim Weaver who is running against Steve King.
4
If you check out the word 'assimilate' in Merriam-Webster you see several meanings covering, broadly, physiological, intellectual and cultural processes.
What they mostly have in common is that a system absorbs something from outside itself - an idea, food, people. Merriam-Webster gives as an example of use " … the belief that tolerant hosts would be able to assimilate immigrants of whatever creed or colour. "
'Making itself similar to' is a secondary meaning but appears to be the only meaning some people admit - *they* should become like *us*, period. Well, no doubt *they* should do some of that but *we* benefit from reciprocity, by assimilating *them* in turn.
Britain's favourite dish is said to be the chicken tikka masala. A generation or two ago a commonly voiced complaint was about 'foreigners and the smell of their cooking' but you don't hear anyone complain now. Chicken tikka masala is who we are. Those who complain about the latest waves of migrants barely notice the irony.
What they mostly have in common is that a system absorbs something from outside itself - an idea, food, people. Merriam-Webster gives as an example of use " … the belief that tolerant hosts would be able to assimilate immigrants of whatever creed or colour. "
'Making itself similar to' is a secondary meaning but appears to be the only meaning some people admit - *they* should become like *us*, period. Well, no doubt *they* should do some of that but *we* benefit from reciprocity, by assimilating *them* in turn.
Britain's favourite dish is said to be the chicken tikka masala. A generation or two ago a commonly voiced complaint was about 'foreigners and the smell of their cooking' but you don't hear anyone complain now. Chicken tikka masala is who we are. Those who complain about the latest waves of migrants barely notice the irony.
Mr. Trump's wall will do what other GOP boondoggles have done, pour money into the coffers of their friends and donors. It's why we have huge military facilities in places of no strategic value, but locked to GOP strongholds.
American Catholicism does not reflect that of the majority of the Church. These screeds are about America and America only, a place Christian in affect and little more.
The Church can fight its waning moral strength by doing as Jesus taught, and by laying off the polemical.
American Catholicism does not reflect that of the majority of the Church. These screeds are about America and America only, a place Christian in affect and little more.
The Church can fight its waning moral strength by doing as Jesus taught, and by laying off the polemical.
13
The Church can -- and will -- follow the guidelines of Pope Pius XII. Remember him?
American Catholicism reflects exactly what the Church preaches. Ask believers what they define as moral strength. Ask them who defines moral strength. Ask them is they have it.
Then ask every other believer in otherworldly things. If you can stomach it.
American Catholicism reflects exactly what the Church preaches. Ask believers what they define as moral strength. Ask them who defines moral strength. Ask them is they have it.
Then ask every other believer in otherworldly things. If you can stomach it.
Fear and Loathing in America's Heartland. Starring Steve King, Executive Producers Donald Trump and Steve Bannon.
37
Something must be wrong with my internet connection. This story about Rep. Steve King and his views just appeared in my browser as current news. But the internet also tells me that we are in 2017. Is it possible that people still think like him in this day and age? Nah, probably not. I'm just getting confused. Well, I had better get back to tinkering on my time machine...
23
There are many places in the world that I never want to visit....South Sudan, Syria, North Korea. Could someone let me know exactly where Mr. King's district is? I need to add that to my list.
51
He represents the NW quarter of Iowa. He's my representative. I'm so sorry.
Syria is a beautiful, historic noble country. Damascus is one of the absolute most wondrous cities on earth. I don't know Sudan nor N.Korea but my guess is they're beautiful too, under the political veil.
Whiplash. We all thought racial harmony was finally possible, indeed likely now that we had elected, improbably, a black President.
Now the racists and bigots think in the same way - acceptance of their intolerant hateful ways when their America was Great, now that we (I mean some) elected, improbably, a Trump with values like their own.
The Constitution's wording, defining our government, is missing two words. It should start as "We the People WHO VOTE ...." After all, it really is not a government for those who don't bother to vote or whose vote is suppressed. Hence the Republican movement to suppress the vote. Trump's base of hate and support is small - TINY! - compared to the complacent voters who did not vote. This is what we get.
Now the racists and bigots think in the same way - acceptance of their intolerant hateful ways when their America was Great, now that we (I mean some) elected, improbably, a Trump with values like their own.
The Constitution's wording, defining our government, is missing two words. It should start as "We the People WHO VOTE ...." After all, it really is not a government for those who don't bother to vote or whose vote is suppressed. Hence the Republican movement to suppress the vote. Trump's base of hate and support is small - TINY! - compared to the complacent voters who did not vote. This is what we get.
12
I listened to a story about Steven King yesterday on NPR. From the story, he made sense to me. I don't understand why people, like King, who make common sense are so maligned. America needs more such men. Thank you.
5
Given the widely diverse demography of the United States, how on earth could it make sense to talk like Mr. King? Given that the only two basic denominators of Americans are a common language and the Constitution, suggesting that any one slice of the diverse cultures we enjoy is superior or transcendent is simply nuts, or at worst, advocating ethic cleansing. Lordy.
1
Sad!
1
You are not living in the 21st century. If this is what people in the South believe, I hope you are a very small minority. Keep listening to NPR and you might learn something.
1
This sounds like a projection by Congressman Steve King of what European immigrants did to the Native Americans than any real threat of “hordes” of immigrants saturating our country with crime and violence.
It is in some ways like the fear of miscegenation and sexual assault of white women by black men that led to almost a century of lynching in our country following the Civil War. That fear was clearly projections by whites because the THOUSANDS of so-called “mulattoes” or mixed-race children found on the plantations of the South at the end of slavery were almost exclusively the offspring of white males and black females. Many have said that those sexual relationships amounted to rape because of the power differential between white male owners and black slave women.
It is in some ways like the fear of miscegenation and sexual assault of white women by black men that led to almost a century of lynching in our country following the Civil War. That fear was clearly projections by whites because the THOUSANDS of so-called “mulattoes” or mixed-race children found on the plantations of the South at the end of slavery were almost exclusively the offspring of white males and black females. Many have said that those sexual relationships amounted to rape because of the power differential between white male owners and black slave women.
14
To paraphrase Keith Olberman's concluding line after doing a piece on Sara Palin, "That man is an idiot."
I have a list of states of the U.S. that I don't even want to visit. I just added Iowa. And I was so looking forward to visiting the home of the fictional Radar O'Reilly -- Autumna (sp?)
Well, I guess it's called flyover country for a reason. I might feel more kindly disposed toward Iowans in general -- but they continue to vote for this guy again and again. (I was going to use "Neandertal" as a descriptive adjective for King, but I didn't want to denigrate Neandertals)
I have a list of states of the U.S. that I don't even want to visit. I just added Iowa. And I was so looking forward to visiting the home of the fictional Radar O'Reilly -- Autumna (sp?)
Well, I guess it's called flyover country for a reason. I might feel more kindly disposed toward Iowans in general -- but they continue to vote for this guy again and again. (I was going to use "Neandertal" as a descriptive adjective for King, but I didn't want to denigrate Neandertals)
15
That's "Ottumwa" Sorry, Radar.
Too bad we have a First Lady in absentia who could put King in his place and stand up for immigrants.
11
Is she allowed to speak?
2
That wouldn't work. She's European and very white.
2
No one is against immigrants. They are against illegal aliens. There is a major difference between a legal immigrant and illegal aliens. Check your dictionary.
"...living in enclaves, refusing to assimilate into the American culture and civilization.”
I wonder if Mr. King is aware of the existence of what amounts to Orthodox Jewish shtetls right here in good ol' Murrica. Perhaps one day he could visit places such as Kiryas Joel, New York (a Haredi community where women are prohibited from driving cars, most people speak Yiddish and know little English, 50% of the residents are on public assistance, and welfare fraud is rampant), and other enclaves such as Borough Park, where a rabbi must give permission for police to be called to report a crime - rabbinical courts ajudicate most matters within the community.
I wonder if Mr. King is aware of the existence of what amounts to Orthodox Jewish shtetls right here in good ol' Murrica. Perhaps one day he could visit places such as Kiryas Joel, New York (a Haredi community where women are prohibited from driving cars, most people speak Yiddish and know little English, 50% of the residents are on public assistance, and welfare fraud is rampant), and other enclaves such as Borough Park, where a rabbi must give permission for police to be called to report a crime - rabbinical courts ajudicate most matters within the community.
6
I grew up in Steve King's district in Northwest Iowa. My family still lives there. I left for Washington University 30 years ago. As the Jewish granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I thought many of my high school classmates were Nazis. My entire adult life, I have chosen to live in liberal neighborhoods, I began to think I was just paranoid in my youth. Maybe I wasn't paranoid. Maybe my classmates were racist.
48
My condolences. I currently live on a deep red state but escape to California when I can. Your high school perceptions were probably exactly right.
1
Your own side would have you believing such.
Steve King makes for great copy, but do the Times's editors really hope to persuade anyone with this piece? I can't imagine there are many people who read the op ed page who don't already agree that King is an inflammatory bigot. And those who might be inclined to agree with him aren't reading Times editorials. This kind of piece enables King to boast that he riles up coastal liberal media elites who look down on "the heartland." No doubt, voters in his district would say they don't always agree with him, "but respect a man who speaks his mind"
5
It's hard to imagine why "Many Americans have been marveling at the bald racism of Steve King" -- after all, that's why they voted for Donald Trump.
Just ask Steve Bannon and every other White Nationalist in his cabinet, who also happen to be fervent supporters of Geert Wilders.
Americans would be wise to take note.
When talk of "American culture" and "American civilization" becomes part of the national dialogue, the dog whistle has been sounded.
It's only a guess of who's next...and starting when.
Just ask Steve Bannon and every other White Nationalist in his cabinet, who also happen to be fervent supporters of Geert Wilders.
Americans would be wise to take note.
When talk of "American culture" and "American civilization" becomes part of the national dialogue, the dog whistle has been sounded.
It's only a guess of who's next...and starting when.
16
I wonder what Steve King has to say about the non white African Americans who were brought to the colonies hundreds of years ago? Are they not part of the "American culture?" How about the Hispanics who descended from those Hispanics who were living in what is now California hundreds of years ago. Not being white, I would guess that Rep. King doesn't consider them either. I could go on but these 2 examples should be enough to thwart Mr. King, at least logically.
Only the GOP would give a microphone to a stable-boy.
12
Par for the course, this article is short on facts and long on political correctness.
How many immigrants live in Mr. King's district?
How did he vote on the immigration reform bills advocated by GW Bush (2007) and Barack Obama (2013)?
How important is immigration to Rep. King's constituents?
Who are these voters, anyway, in the 4th district of Iowa, who keep re-electing King?
What is the economic and social profile of that district and how typical is of Iowa or "red states" in general?
Which Democrats opposed King in the biannual elections, how have they done over time in those elections, and what have they been proposing concerning US immigration policy?
Instead of investigative detail and factual information on actual deeds, roll call votes, election results, legislative actions, policy positions, etc., here is yet another in a long litany of stories emphasizing quotes overanalyzed for their relative degrees of political uncorrectness. This is just one more in the seemingly never-ending list of examples of how the New York Times, perhaps unknowingly, but with ever more vanishing excuse, continues to help stimulate popular resentment at such PC based "news": stoking just the kind of resentment which helped Donald Trump become US president, which has undeniably produced bad news for immigrants and for America.
How many immigrants live in Mr. King's district?
How did he vote on the immigration reform bills advocated by GW Bush (2007) and Barack Obama (2013)?
How important is immigration to Rep. King's constituents?
Who are these voters, anyway, in the 4th district of Iowa, who keep re-electing King?
What is the economic and social profile of that district and how typical is of Iowa or "red states" in general?
Which Democrats opposed King in the biannual elections, how have they done over time in those elections, and what have they been proposing concerning US immigration policy?
Instead of investigative detail and factual information on actual deeds, roll call votes, election results, legislative actions, policy positions, etc., here is yet another in a long litany of stories emphasizing quotes overanalyzed for their relative degrees of political uncorrectness. This is just one more in the seemingly never-ending list of examples of how the New York Times, perhaps unknowingly, but with ever more vanishing excuse, continues to help stimulate popular resentment at such PC based "news": stoking just the kind of resentment which helped Donald Trump become US president, which has undeniably produced bad news for immigrants and for America.
6
This is an opinion piece. Your outrage would be more constructively placed against Mr. King.
1
A quick glance online finds that the 4th District of Iowa was largely built on immigrant labor. Please do your own research if you have questions.
1
@TLee: Correct TLee. I noticed that it was an op-ed only after commenting, because it was so unlike a normal op-ed, I assumed it had to be an article! A critique of the statements of just one politician on just one topic would be common, even in an oped, only during a political campaign for a significant elected position.
Nonetheless, I withdraw my complaints about the dearth of facts, except to say that even an op-ed without facts still ought to have substance. This one doesn't. [King is on the House Judiciary commitiee, with jurisdiction over immigration, but despite his seniority is neither chair or vice-chair. He is basically one of 600+ members of Congress, expressing his in this case odd, not well-informed (and Trump-like) views on immigration.] This poor excuse for an op-ed is simply the latest in the daily outpouring of over-discussions (articles, features, op-eds, no section of the paper is spared) obsessing over twitter tantrums from the disastrous Trump administration, which the mainstream news media, NY Times included, helped install.
The people who could most "constructively" express "outrage" about Mr. King would be voters from his district. A pity that (apparently) the NY Times did not manage to interview a single one.
Nonetheless, I withdraw my complaints about the dearth of facts, except to say that even an op-ed without facts still ought to have substance. This one doesn't. [King is on the House Judiciary commitiee, with jurisdiction over immigration, but despite his seniority is neither chair or vice-chair. He is basically one of 600+ members of Congress, expressing his in this case odd, not well-informed (and Trump-like) views on immigration.] This poor excuse for an op-ed is simply the latest in the daily outpouring of over-discussions (articles, features, op-eds, no section of the paper is spared) obsessing over twitter tantrums from the disastrous Trump administration, which the mainstream news media, NY Times included, helped install.
The people who could most "constructively" express "outrage" about Mr. King would be voters from his district. A pity that (apparently) the NY Times did not manage to interview a single one.
1
Senator King's ancestors came from Irish background. There was a time in this country that the Irish were thought of as "somebody else's babies".
If you go to NYT Time Machine and search any number of words, such as "Italians," "immigrants," or Poles," etc, you will find many fascinating articles from the 1800s that sound quite a bit like Mr King. One is an argument to allow only Saxons in for the following 20 years, banning Italians, Poles, etc etc.
Then it is rebutted by a gentleman who feels much the way liberals feel: Let them all in, because that is what our nation was founded on, freedom for all and good will.
If you look on Twitter or FB, there are so many people with last names representing the places that are in the lists of those that would have been banned had someone like King made the decisions, and they are in agreement with King. To those people I'll say, thank a liberal today for being here. We will continue fighting against this bigotry and racism, and we will win.
Then it is rebutted by a gentleman who feels much the way liberals feel: Let them all in, because that is what our nation was founded on, freedom for all and good will.
If you look on Twitter or FB, there are so many people with last names representing the places that are in the lists of those that would have been banned had someone like King made the decisions, and they are in agreement with King. To those people I'll say, thank a liberal today for being here. We will continue fighting against this bigotry and racism, and we will win.
12
I have heard this same type of rhetoric from intelligent, otherwise educated, Fox News watchers... the bloodless birther coup conspiracy of the Muslims and Latinos. Is this something being perpetuated by Fox commentators and their guests? I don't know, but I would not be surprised.
5
This isn't the first time I've read a comment here that a Fox News watcher is intelligent and educated. That they always add "otherwise" is evidence enough that Fox News watchers are complete nincompoops.
And nincompoops often slip past college admissions bobbleheads, Look at Trump. Someone let him in. King, himself, got into Northwest Missouri State University (not exactly elite, but what the hell.) Colleges aren't perfect.
No. No one watching Fox News is intelligent. (Next, we can discuss the IQs of the general population of television viewers.)
And nincompoops often slip past college admissions bobbleheads, Look at Trump. Someone let him in. King, himself, got into Northwest Missouri State University (not exactly elite, but what the hell.) Colleges aren't perfect.
No. No one watching Fox News is intelligent. (Next, we can discuss the IQs of the general population of television viewers.)
My friend and, both Jewish New Yorkers in our early seventies (we know each other from junior high-school!), meet twice a month for a meal in Chinatown and weather permitting, we sit with coffee in Columbus Park. This was an Italian enclave one, hence the name, but now it is in the heart of Chinatown.
Sitting there is like sitting in a park in any Chinese city. You know most of the seniors don't speak English while pushing strollers, but I bet most thank their lucky stars they're in the United States. It's obvious they're minding their grandchildren while their children are at work, and you just know these little ones will grow up to be proud American citizens.
Think of how the Chinese contribute to the middle class, or for that matter the Indians, Pakistanis, Muslims. In the past, it was the Italians, Jews, Irish, the Scandinavians, Cubans and Germans who filled the middle-class and its resultant stability this country sustained. We forget there is also a large Black middle class.
Now Mexicans are maligned, who come here to better their lives and ultimately contribute to our prosperity.
It's ironic that the Republican Party, so instrumental in destroying the middle class - and it's succeeding - are the ones vilifying the new blood. They say they are taking away jobs, which the Republicans destroyed in their pursuit of profits by outsourcing.
The middle class means stability and the hateful GOP is out to destroy it for profit. King is reprehensible, like his party.
Sitting there is like sitting in a park in any Chinese city. You know most of the seniors don't speak English while pushing strollers, but I bet most thank their lucky stars they're in the United States. It's obvious they're minding their grandchildren while their children are at work, and you just know these little ones will grow up to be proud American citizens.
Think of how the Chinese contribute to the middle class, or for that matter the Indians, Pakistanis, Muslims. In the past, it was the Italians, Jews, Irish, the Scandinavians, Cubans and Germans who filled the middle-class and its resultant stability this country sustained. We forget there is also a large Black middle class.
Now Mexicans are maligned, who come here to better their lives and ultimately contribute to our prosperity.
It's ironic that the Republican Party, so instrumental in destroying the middle class - and it's succeeding - are the ones vilifying the new blood. They say they are taking away jobs, which the Republicans destroyed in their pursuit of profits by outsourcing.
The middle class means stability and the hateful GOP is out to destroy it for profit. King is reprehensible, like his party.
16
Actually what King and his ilk don't realize is that we become more like the Third World when we look to strongman dictators to save us.
We become more like "them" when we single out minorities to scapegoat.
We become more like 'them' when we base our society on religion rather than rule of law.
We become more like them when we degrade confidence in our judiciary by politicizing it and criticizing judges whose rulings we don't like.
We become more like a Banana Republic when leaders spout of nonsense that has no basis in fact, common sense or reality
So yes, we are losing our civilization, Sen. King, but it's not other people's babies that are destroying it. It is our big old homegrown babies that show every day they have no respect for the ideals this country was founded on.
We become more like "them" when we single out minorities to scapegoat.
We become more like 'them' when we base our society on religion rather than rule of law.
We become more like them when we degrade confidence in our judiciary by politicizing it and criticizing judges whose rulings we don't like.
We become more like a Banana Republic when leaders spout of nonsense that has no basis in fact, common sense or reality
So yes, we are losing our civilization, Sen. King, but it's not other people's babies that are destroying it. It is our big old homegrown babies that show every day they have no respect for the ideals this country was founded on.
15
Mr. King has no need to find reasons for opposing illegal immigration other than that they're here in violation of law, including 1907. Title 8, U.S.C. 1324(a) Offenses Title 8,. More specifically, as edited for submission, a person who, knowing an alien is illegal, does the following will be deemed in violation of law:
Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) anyone who - transports, or moves or attempts to transport or move such alien within the United States by means of transportation or otherwise .
Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii). anyone who shields an illegal alien from detection, or attempts to do so, in any place, including any building or any means of transportation.
Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) anyone who encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States.
And Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(v) expressly makes it an offense to engage in a conspiracy to commit or aid or abet the commission of any of the foregoing offenses.
More generally, it seems possible that the current administration will be the first to overcome the force of Dirksen's Inequality: The mind is no match with the heart for persuasion; constitutionality is no match for compassion.
If that proves to be so, there'll be only short shrift for advocates of maintaining the (illegal) status quo.
Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) anyone who - transports, or moves or attempts to transport or move such alien within the United States by means of transportation or otherwise .
Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii). anyone who shields an illegal alien from detection, or attempts to do so, in any place, including any building or any means of transportation.
Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) anyone who encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States.
And Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(v) expressly makes it an offense to engage in a conspiracy to commit or aid or abet the commission of any of the foregoing offenses.
More generally, it seems possible that the current administration will be the first to overcome the force of Dirksen's Inequality: The mind is no match with the heart for persuasion; constitutionality is no match for compassion.
If that proves to be so, there'll be only short shrift for advocates of maintaining the (illegal) status quo.
Do you ask the white-tailed deer that cross your property for their passports ?
1
Well, I will be very careful to not ask any new people I come across to show me their birth certificates.
Best way I can think of to avoid being in violation of all these illegal alien laws.
Best way I can think of to avoid being in violation of all these illegal alien laws.
1
If only illegal aliens were as quick to leave the country as the deer to cross the property!
Culture is not genetic. It's learned. It's also malleable.
Not to give in to despair: Even Steve King has the potential to develop into a reasonable person.
Get with it, Steve. It's time.
Not to give in to despair: Even Steve King has the potential to develop into a reasonable person.
Get with it, Steve. It's time.
6
I want Stephen King to keep at it, keep talking, keep being outrageous. All the better to put his buffoonery on full public display. Perhaps his own district will finally reject his myopic racism and elect someone with a greater sense of public dignity?
What I find most disturbing about Mr. King's comments is that he seems to think this is an accepted point of view for many Americans. This is still a country of immigrants, and not all of them are WASP. We can be grateful for that. It's our diversity that makes us who we are.
11
The real problem is that he represents a significant minority of people. The more desperate people get the more they get taken in by racism and demagoguery. Republicans have discovered that by destroying the safety net, then playing on desperate people's fears they can consolidate power. "Ignorance is Strength."
We must all assist Resist and Indivisible chapters in Iowa so that Senator King can become Mr. King and hurt this country no longer.
His thoughts are extreme. It is time for moderate thought but aggressive action to defeat bigots like Senator King. Replace him with a moderate Republican or a moderate Democrat.
But, please vote and replace Senator King. He is a disgrace.
His thoughts are extreme. It is time for moderate thought but aggressive action to defeat bigots like Senator King. Replace him with a moderate Republican or a moderate Democrat.
But, please vote and replace Senator King. He is a disgrace.
Ask a Donald Trump voter, "What makes (or made) America great?" and they will look at you bewildered. They never considered the question. Neither has the man himself.
The answer is immigration. The best, brightest, strongest, most motivated, creative and entrepreneurial people on the planet came to America and made it rich and strong and joyful. Trump and King and their ilk want to reverse that.
No.
The answer is immigration. The best, brightest, strongest, most motivated, creative and entrepreneurial people on the planet came to America and made it rich and strong and joyful. Trump and King and their ilk want to reverse that.
No.
1
It is a fact that the Republican Party has built their success with the southern strategy. If you lay down with dogs you are going to get flees. Mr. King is not an outlier he is the heart and soul of the party. If this not objective reality, Trump would not be president. He is, it is.
Guys like King should be linked to terrorism via their rhetoric. It's barely short of hate speech, and it is designed to incite hatefully ignorant people to commit violence
Nothing about this administration feels right or good. It feels like day after day a new lie, a new sickness comes from the news. We want the truth and the news associations try to give us what they believe, but it all feels very confusing and it feels very ugly.
1
I can sit here and steam, or I can take some action.
1. On my drives through Iowa, I will not spend one penny.
2. I can make a thorough inventory of the products in my home which are Iowa produced. I will no longer purchase these products.
3. I can contact the companies which use raw materials of Iowa origin and let them know, in an even tone of voice and a friendly manner, that I will no longer be purchasing their goods.
These steps are a simple plan of action.
It is obvious that the people of Iowa do not care for America.
I do not care for them.
1. On my drives through Iowa, I will not spend one penny.
2. I can make a thorough inventory of the products in my home which are Iowa produced. I will no longer purchase these products.
3. I can contact the companies which use raw materials of Iowa origin and let them know, in an even tone of voice and a friendly manner, that I will no longer be purchasing their goods.
These steps are a simple plan of action.
It is obvious that the people of Iowa do not care for America.
I do not care for them.
6
Were King's ancestors American Indians or were they immigrants from somewhere?
I appreciate this hard-hitting, straight-talking, dead-on editorial. This entire administration is so beyond the pale (or perhaps just the opposite in a sense) that for me, the only thing all of us can and should do is hit back every day as hard as we can with in-your-face truth and in-your-heart compassion for all those deemed disposable or strange or enemies of the state. I have seen serious division in our country over many decades, and I don't think it will ever change much because there seems to be a fundamental divide in the way we as a people assess the value of different kinds of people, lifestyles, education, real knowledge, and the willingness to work as a collective force for the good of all - in other words, the value of a real country that cares about each other, no matter where we came from or how we choose to live, as long as there is tolerance, compassion, and support for those who need it. But the divide feels different now - a flinty hardness with an edge that cuts more deeply and is more difficult to accommodate. I think this is a turning point in our society. How we will emerge is uncertain, but the way forward - the one we value - needs to be fought for. Sadly, it is a real fight.
2
The Donald and his acolytes, like Congressman King, have one simple goal - to bring back the America of the 50s. Not the 1950s, nor even the 1850s, but the 1750s.
In 1750 America you could vote if, and only if, you were White, Christian, Male, and owned property. The rest, well, they either were treated as property or really were property. Rights --- none. You took, without complaint, what your husband, father, or master chose to give you.
And in that world the Donald would have won the popular vote hands down. And, after all, that was when America was truly "great."
Oh, but if this were the 1750s, then we wouldn't have that to worry about, because we wouldn't be governing ourselves. So, let's admit that we made a little mistake in 1776, and ask the Queen to kindly take us back. We probably would owe a lot of back taxes to Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue (but we wouldn't have the IRS to kick around any more!) and we would have to learn how to spell anew (labour and defence). But we would have adult leadership in our Prime Minister Theresa May (finally a woman!), a solid true "Conservative" legislature, and, most of all, universal health care.
Put that way, it would be a fine choice! Thank you GOP for giving us the ability to trade in a King for a Queen!!
In 1750 America you could vote if, and only if, you were White, Christian, Male, and owned property. The rest, well, they either were treated as property or really were property. Rights --- none. You took, without complaint, what your husband, father, or master chose to give you.
And in that world the Donald would have won the popular vote hands down. And, after all, that was when America was truly "great."
Oh, but if this were the 1750s, then we wouldn't have that to worry about, because we wouldn't be governing ourselves. So, let's admit that we made a little mistake in 1776, and ask the Queen to kindly take us back. We probably would owe a lot of back taxes to Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue (but we wouldn't have the IRS to kick around any more!) and we would have to learn how to spell anew (labour and defence). But we would have adult leadership in our Prime Minister Theresa May (finally a woman!), a solid true "Conservative" legislature, and, most of all, universal health care.
Put that way, it would be a fine choice! Thank you GOP for giving us the ability to trade in a King for a Queen!!
1
KIng seems to be living in a paralel universe ,he seems to forget that those immigrants PAY TAXES and don't seem to get any benefits for it ,he seem to be blind aswell to the fact that whit's where saved at their arrival at this beautifull land by the American indian ,may be he should check the cantalopes body's of the midwest white americans who by eating cheap fast food have gotten to look like manaties.
Steve King, who supports dog fighting and once sponsored an amendment to wipe out state laws restricting the sale of dog and cat meat, decides he needs attention this week and mouths off about his dream of an all white America.
Perhaps he's itching for the vice presidential spot that should be opening soon.
I mean, they have to appeal to the base, you know?
Perhaps he's itching for the vice presidential spot that should be opening soon.
I mean, they have to appeal to the base, you know?
3
Unfortunately, Republicans have long relied on hate to energize their party. As far as his comments tainting the R's, hate hasn't seemed to hurt them yet. They have been guilty of pitting Races against each other, religious bigotry , fear and hate over guns, sexual preference to divide, and of course abortion.
The abortion issue is one that they have no desire to solve. Republicans have controlled the supreme court but have not chosen to change RoeV Wade, because they want its divisiveness to continue.
The abortion issue is one that they have no desire to solve. Republicans have controlled the supreme court but have not chosen to change RoeV Wade, because they want its divisiveness to continue.
2
Right now if you travel in the EU, police with Machine guns stand in the subways, on the streets and in front of monuments, museums, synagogue and churches and you pass through gates for security checks as you approach. This is how the EU handles diversity. The EB may continue to sing its praises but sooner or later they will have to confront whether their utopian dream of "we are family" was realistic. Before it is too late to question, maybe we should acknowledge Rep. King has a point to make.
1
This from the same person (I cannot bring myself to call him a man) who asserted that people or groups other than white people had not contributed or created ANYTHING of value to America. This remark and all the others tells me
exactly who he is, who Iowan's who keep reelecting him are and even more importantly who his fellow members of Congress are. Their silence speaks volumes and in this day of the shape shifting lie, speaks volumes about the occupants of the WH.
exactly who he is, who Iowan's who keep reelecting him are and even more importantly who his fellow members of Congress are. Their silence speaks volumes and in this day of the shape shifting lie, speaks volumes about the occupants of the WH.
Look - the old adage holds true - you can fix ignorance.....but you can't fix stupid. He represents people who keep sending him back so you make the connections...
2
Before the comments get too out-of-hand, a few facts. The United States of America has always, always, accepted a fair portion of immigrants from the international community. Taking into consideration our history, that will very likely never change. However, there is a population imbalance presently occurring within the planet. Sub-Sahara Africa is experiencing dramatic population growth. (Nigeria will reach population parity with the US by 2050. Africa's population is expected to roughly double by the aforementioned year.) Meanwhile, Europe (including Russia) and the Western Pacific Rim is witnessing dramatic population decline. If the trend continues, Japan is projected to reduce populace from 127M+ to 100M by 2050.(83M by 2100.) Obvious conclusion, this is an "international issue" to be handled accordingly.
You are what you vote for.
6
I commend Representative King for being honest about his racist and chauvinistic views. Too often we see politicians speaking in metaphors to hide their true feelings from criticism. Not so, Congressman King. It's rather refreshing to see a man so open about his reprehensible and backwards views, especially one who clearly doesn't respect the Constitution he took an oath to defend. In all seriousness, King should be shamed into oblivion the way that his beloved Western Civilization has done for thousands of years.
I guess it kinda explain the GOPs suddenly love of Mother Russia,..they look like the folks King is talking about Preserving(?).
2
Republican leaders are doing nothing, indicating they agree with him.
We knew that all along.
We knew that all along.
2
I don't think you are taking what is going on seriously enough. Demonizing part of a population along with attacks on the judiciary and on independent sources of news along with physical attacks on opponents (e.g. the ICE raids)are all elements of a program aimed at overturning representative democracy. It worked, for a time, in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Hungary (to name a few). It is being attempted here. It is important that those who do not want this country to devolve into a fascist state push back and treat the racists as dangers, not as cranks.
4
One does not have to be an extremist, like Representative King, to want enforcement of our current immigration laws. Every other country has strict laws about whom it allows to move in.
Canada assigns points to people who apply to move there. People with more education, proficiency with English and French, experience in an approved occupation, and who are between 21 and 49 years of age have the best chance of being accepted. Australia has a similar point system.
If we are going to change our immigration system, we, too, should assign points based on how much a potential immigrant could contribute to our country. This would eliminate most illegal immigrants from consideration. Illegal immigrants displace our own citizens, of all races, from jobs and affordable housing. Illegal immigrants crowd schools and hospitals. They would receive negative points on an immigration scorecard.
Whether we enforce our current laws or adopt a point system, illegal immigrants need to return to their own countries.
Canada assigns points to people who apply to move there. People with more education, proficiency with English and French, experience in an approved occupation, and who are between 21 and 49 years of age have the best chance of being accepted. Australia has a similar point system.
If we are going to change our immigration system, we, too, should assign points based on how much a potential immigrant could contribute to our country. This would eliminate most illegal immigrants from consideration. Illegal immigrants displace our own citizens, of all races, from jobs and affordable housing. Illegal immigrants crowd schools and hospitals. They would receive negative points on an immigration scorecard.
Whether we enforce our current laws or adopt a point system, illegal immigrants need to return to their own countries.
1
As an Iowan, albeit not in his district, I am humiliated every time he utters one of his racist, hateful statements.
1
From what NYT said the other day, he stays in office largely because he's affable and provides good constituent service, not because his constituents approve of his attitudes. Might it be possible to find someone equally affable etc, yet not as offensive, to challenge him in either the primary or the general?
How can any of you sanction illegal immigration...the rule of law Is what makes the USA the greatest country to exist on this Earth...how about a guest worker program? They pay taxes...no citizenship or voting rights...they get at the end of the line...and do it the right way...they will be able to drive and use in state tuition....compromise!! Or the only last hope since we are divided culturally is to break are country into republics...because I don't consider many of you as Americans...more like socialist Europeans...it's all about compromise to save our country...selah
President Trump what an evil web you spun, and the list keeps getting longer,
starting with Bannon, David Duke,up comes Steve King another white Suprematist, to join Spencer of the Alt right, & your web has reached England, France and the Netherlands,and is spreading around the world.This is your legacy, & the way you will be remembered.The Grand Oppressor of the weak & disenfranchised.
starting with Bannon, David Duke,up comes Steve King another white Suprematist, to join Spencer of the Alt right, & your web has reached England, France and the Netherlands,and is spreading around the world.This is your legacy, & the way you will be remembered.The Grand Oppressor of the weak & disenfranchised.
2
Immigrants have assimilated well in the USA. However ,demographics are changing. No immigrant group brings the baggage of 9/11 with it .and all it's complexities ,exposed to the American people.
The best way to fight these people representing white nationalist fringe groups is to ignore them. You only encourage them and their followers by publicizing their hateful rhetoric. Ignore them and they fade away. Let them howl away in an Iowan cornfield.
1
I'm afraid for the USA. Notions that immigrant babies are sub-human, turning back immigrants who just want to make a life in our generous rich nation (we can share), and belittling them is as un-American as you can get. We should heed their wisdom. In the words of a Honduran women here illegally for five years: "I have built this country. I am an American."
2
Sad for our Nation that somebody in a position of power can spouse such terrible believes. However, I can't avoid pittying him. It must be hard to live with such feelings about other human beings.
Putting seriousness aside, I know that if the task was to build civilization and the choice were between Mr King and myself ( a proud brown baby ), I know I would be by far the best choice cause, I assume, brains would matter most.... and I am not bad looking either ;-)
Putting seriousness aside, I know that if the task was to build civilization and the choice were between Mr King and myself ( a proud brown baby ), I know I would be by far the best choice cause, I assume, brains would matter most.... and I am not bad looking either ;-)
1
What Congressman King is saying is that that we in the West suffer from a profound neurosis, that we have the mindset of people who feel beseiged,and that we are retrenching Reading between the lines, King is alo saying that legalizing abortion is the equivalent of saying that we in the West have given up the fight, that abortion is " a refusal of combat,"since, in order to survive, whether it be we in the West, or Hindus in the sub continent, any ethnic group anywhere must procreate in order to endure, outlive. and our birth rates r near zero. Hence his remark that we should not depend on "anyone else's babies." to continue to exist. Like it or not, millions of Americans, in their heart of hearts, would agree , although they would be chary of saying so.One benefit of Trump's presence on the political scene is that he has freed Americans from the pressure to be p.c., and while the words of Congressman King may violate that protocol,they hit home in the eyes of so many of his fellow citizens. However, I doubt that he would be invited or even allowed to speak on many college campuses, Middlebury for a start.So much for freedom of speech, and tolerance for a diversity of opinions
I'm surprised and disheartened that there are so many Americans who are deviating from our traditional culture and appropriating American culture as theirs and theirs alone. They may wave a lot of flags, but they are not genuine Americans. Looking at the history of American literature, American film, American popular culture, and even American politics, it's clear that we extol the virtues of plain speaking, honesty, tolerance, and equality. I mean, look at Natty Bumpo and Huck Finn, honest straight-forward characters who see through the moral failings of others. Look at Jimmy Stewart's movies, or Henry Fonda's--they're always sticking up for the little guy, always clear-eyed about what's right. Our popular culture, which is remarkable for its diversity, has been imitated around the world--it's a testament to acceptance. And in politics, the McCarthys and the Nixons have always been exposed. We Americans are supposed to be plain-dealers who know what's right. Our heroes have traditionally been those who are honest, tolerant, and genuine. But now look what's going on. Our heroes are liars, exclusionists, and show-offs. This doesn't feel like America. How'd this happen? Where is Natty Bumpo?
1
@R. Adelman: "No se ofenda." but you have missed or chosen to ignore the point of the Congressman's remarks that , and reading between the lines, an ethnic group which does not procreate in sufficient numbers is destined to disappear, and natality rates among Western women, due to the accessibiity of abortion on demand, is declining at an alarming rate.Ergo, the survival of the species is in question.Doubt whether RN or "Tail gunner Joe "ever issued an opinion on declining natality rates in the West, since in their day, pre Roe v. Wade,problem did not exist.King was only echoing Chancellor Merkel's thoughts that German women were not having enough children, and hence Germany, like other Western nations, was resorting to mass immigration to compensate for the shortfall.Congressman is neither a liar nor an exclusionist.Those guilty of deceit r those who use ad hominem slurs targeting King to divert, distract and shut down the debate. After all, who wants to initiate a dialogue with a liar or an exclusionist? Amazing that those who say they believe in free speech and a diversity of opinions are the first to try to destroy those who disagree with them.Congressman spoke the truth and is paying the price for his veracity, but millions of Americans agree with him who are neither exclusionists nor deceits.
This isn't a random, ignorant eruption from this guy. It's a longstanding pattern of racist behavior, and the people in his Iowa district who keep voting for him should be ashamed of themselves. But apparently they have no shame.
4
I applaud you Editorial Board. It starts at the top. King is only a poster boy, enabled to now speak with no shame, as the Admin says nada.
Are we to allow these individuals to speak for our country? This hatred being espoused nowadays tears at the core of MY patriotism. The Constitution is clear. It says, We, the people.
I hope the contingent of citizens who find these actions and words abhorrent are loud in their disgust. We have seen this horror in our history before. It will not be revisited. The ideals of my country are inclusive, not exclusive. It seems those in power, need to be reminded. So be it.
Are we to allow these individuals to speak for our country? This hatred being espoused nowadays tears at the core of MY patriotism. The Constitution is clear. It says, We, the people.
I hope the contingent of citizens who find these actions and words abhorrent are loud in their disgust. We have seen this horror in our history before. It will not be revisited. The ideals of my country are inclusive, not exclusive. It seems those in power, need to be reminded. So be it.
2
"Our civilization." You have to wonder who Steve King is willing to include in this exclusive club. And how it is he's the one who gets to decide. What's next for this man? Genetic screenings to determine percent European heritage as a prerequisite for procreation?
1
I remember a high school teacher saying "There is nothing scarier than a poor white man." She was right.
5
We have to remember that all of these bigots - from King to Trump - have been elected by millions of electors who are themselves bigoted. What has happened that so many Americans are so intolerant? It certainly doesn't say much for the country's education systems. Bigotry, ignorance and hate are byproducts of fear. What are we so afraid of? Is it partially attributable to the political reality that the generation of deep fear is the way to elected office?
2
The new GOP slogan (it's not just Trump and his cabal, the entire party owns it by association): MAKE AMERICA HATE AGAIN.
Has nobody in a responsible position the moral courage to stand up to this abomination?
Has nobody in a responsible position the moral courage to stand up to this abomination?
1
It's really embarrassing that he's from my state. The other side of my state, but still...We have the only Democratic representative of the four in Congress - the other two Republicans are more normal Republicans, not as racist as King, though one isn't too far off.
1
Mr King is just one person. Evidently the majority of voters in Mr. King's district don't see very much wrong with what he's saying. Until that changes, there is a problem.
1
The Times's language is flowery and descriptive, but the math is simple: absent immigration, the U.S. has had a declining birth rate for decades now. With more women being pushed into the workplace and both men and women working longer, harder hours, there are fewer families willing to take on the often unglamorous chore of raising kids anymore. Add to that the uncertainty of a health care system that leaves people strapped financially, it's no wonder the U.S. is having to open its doors to more and more immigrants from around the world.
And open our arms we must. That's because of another simple math problem: generous social programs such as Social Security and Medicare, not to mention a growing, robust economy, require an increasing population with each successive generation. Social Security might not be the Ponzi scheme Rick Perry was criticized for suggesting it was in 2012, but not growing the population each generation leads to economic stagnation and either severe cutbacks in services many come to depend on, or exploding debt and/or taxes.
In short, Mr. King might be a poor spokesman on immigration given his tendentious rhetoric in the past, but he appears at least able to do the math. Maybe there's something in the drinking water in the rest of the world that Americans are being denied that makes us reproduce so few. That's another conspiracy theory Mr. King and his birther cohorts can get working on and leave the sensitive immigration issues alone.
And open our arms we must. That's because of another simple math problem: generous social programs such as Social Security and Medicare, not to mention a growing, robust economy, require an increasing population with each successive generation. Social Security might not be the Ponzi scheme Rick Perry was criticized for suggesting it was in 2012, but not growing the population each generation leads to economic stagnation and either severe cutbacks in services many come to depend on, or exploding debt and/or taxes.
In short, Mr. King might be a poor spokesman on immigration given his tendentious rhetoric in the past, but he appears at least able to do the math. Maybe there's something in the drinking water in the rest of the world that Americans are being denied that makes us reproduce so few. That's another conspiracy theory Mr. King and his birther cohorts can get working on and leave the sensitive immigration issues alone.
Steve King is a vulgar ethnic discriminator, and a white supremacist, a return to the days of tribalism, "Us vs Them", discordant with current reality, and filled with hate and division he seems to promote...but likely echoing the silent complicity of the republican party, and certainly of the discriminator- in-chief, Donald Trump. This is shameful and dangerous and ought not be tolerated. Xenophobia, among other prejudices, is a product of ignorance; not the type of ignorance amenable to correction via education...but willful, an expression of an inner poisoning of hearts and soul, like religious dogma, intolerant and oblivious to even listen to the voice of reason, seeking scapegoats to blame for their own irrelevancy.
While I in no way sympathize with Mr King or his followers their anger fear and frustration is understandable. He and most, if not all, have been subjected to the same sort of brain washing to which some prisoners of war are exposed, while he and his followers have received their programming since birth.
If reason, based on invented truth such as that to which I was exposed throughout my earliest years, is at the foundation of their character and beliefs, it is easy to acknowledge what he is saying as being part of his and others character. No one is born a racist or anti-Semite, but all of them are taught and adhere to whatever shading of truth conveniently supports the fallacies of those beliefs.
The odyssey of those aboard the ship SS St. Louis who were denied entry to both Cuba and the US permanently stain our history. At that point within my own lifetime, the human beings aboard that ship were sent back to their death. This is the same culture in which Mr King, his supporters and many among us are raised.
The actual basis for this was the perceived lack of humanity inherent to being a Jew, whether one practiced the faith or not. Religious belief is I suppose fine for those who are part of the group worshipping the same god, but if another god is held on high, war is relatively easy to find.
Why else are American troops in Syria? Oil? Expansion of the American ideal?
Good old fashioned mystical beliefs can and often do justify any crime.
If reason, based on invented truth such as that to which I was exposed throughout my earliest years, is at the foundation of their character and beliefs, it is easy to acknowledge what he is saying as being part of his and others character. No one is born a racist or anti-Semite, but all of them are taught and adhere to whatever shading of truth conveniently supports the fallacies of those beliefs.
The odyssey of those aboard the ship SS St. Louis who were denied entry to both Cuba and the US permanently stain our history. At that point within my own lifetime, the human beings aboard that ship were sent back to their death. This is the same culture in which Mr King, his supporters and many among us are raised.
The actual basis for this was the perceived lack of humanity inherent to being a Jew, whether one practiced the faith or not. Religious belief is I suppose fine for those who are part of the group worshipping the same god, but if another god is held on high, war is relatively easy to find.
Why else are American troops in Syria? Oil? Expansion of the American ideal?
Good old fashioned mystical beliefs can and often do justify any crime.
Why is it that the most vocal proponents of "white supremacy" are themselves the best argument against it?
2
We already have 100 million too many people in this country so King's comment about 60 million abortions since '73, assuming that's true, doesn't bother me. And I don't believe that there are groups trying to repopulate the U.S. with foreigners. Instead, those groups are afflicted with too much humanitarianism. I don't have that malady. I'm all for eliminating immigration, abolishing the H1B program, and deporting illegals and people overstaying their visas. These people take American jobs, cause salaries to stagnate because they'll work for less, utilize American social services, clog our schools, and take seats at our universities. Speaking of jobs, isn't it funny that the illegals work hard, yet we have a segment of our own population, about 40 million of them, native born, that resist efforts at self improvement despite the trillions we've spent on them since 1965? What do we do about them?
1
Let's eliminate everything that's non-Western and we'd be left without, for starters, an alphabet, mathematics, written law, gunpowder, etc. Only a looney draft evading college dropout like Representative King who reads far-right websites thinks that there is a pristine stand alone category that he calls "Western civilization."
Frankly, Steven King is sitting on land that was brutally taken by force from the indigenous. I'm reminded of Black Elk's comment when he say the grotesquely squalid conditions people were living in "civilized" places on the East Coast... his question was: "This is civilization?"
The same can be said of a person who in all likelihood calls himself a "Christian." As Pope Francis noted....that an atheist that lives ethically by the Golden Rule is a better person than a hypocritical Christian.
Frankly, Steven King is sitting on land that was brutally taken by force from the indigenous. I'm reminded of Black Elk's comment when he say the grotesquely squalid conditions people were living in "civilized" places on the East Coast... his question was: "This is civilization?"
The same can be said of a person who in all likelihood calls himself a "Christian." As Pope Francis noted....that an atheist that lives ethically by the Golden Rule is a better person than a hypocritical Christian.
1
Seventy-five years or three generations, is what it takes for ideals which have been set in concrete to start disintegrating because the third generation has not been an eye or ear witness to the history that preceded it.
The Holocaust and the butchery of Imperial Japan sound as if they are ancient history, as if they are on par with the long-ago curse of institutionalized slavery - but those very prejudices still exist and are showing themselves prouder than ever in this era of right wing conservatism.
The abuse of the past is now dismissed as a long gone cultural way of thinking or simply too long ago to have any relevance today. However, I'm sorry when I say that I cannot look away from the impact that organized religion has played into this narrative.
The same church groups that weekly justified slavery in the 19th and 20th centuries (read Mark Twain's autobiography), or who formed pacts with the German Nazi Party in the 1930s are the same ones today who have their arms up about an imaginary Sharia Law taking over the US; or are silent at the pulpit on the abject mistreatment of Muslims today, as they were for Jews in the '30s.
If a national religious leader like Jerry Falwell, Jr. or Franklin Graham stated that the doors of heaven would be closed to those with hatred in their hearts for Muslims and blacks, a great service would done toward the healing of this divided nation.
The Holocaust and the butchery of Imperial Japan sound as if they are ancient history, as if they are on par with the long-ago curse of institutionalized slavery - but those very prejudices still exist and are showing themselves prouder than ever in this era of right wing conservatism.
The abuse of the past is now dismissed as a long gone cultural way of thinking or simply too long ago to have any relevance today. However, I'm sorry when I say that I cannot look away from the impact that organized religion has played into this narrative.
The same church groups that weekly justified slavery in the 19th and 20th centuries (read Mark Twain's autobiography), or who formed pacts with the German Nazi Party in the 1930s are the same ones today who have their arms up about an imaginary Sharia Law taking over the US; or are silent at the pulpit on the abject mistreatment of Muslims today, as they were for Jews in the '30s.
If a national religious leader like Jerry Falwell, Jr. or Franklin Graham stated that the doors of heaven would be closed to those with hatred in their hearts for Muslims and blacks, a great service would done toward the healing of this divided nation.
5
Men with life philosophies like Steve King will make life worse for future generations of white people in US when they are outnumbered.
Steve King would be relevant If this were 1850 and he was a plantation owner in the deep South. That he seems relevant to millions of Americans in 2017 is not as scary as it is just pathetic.
4
Now I'm very curious as to what Mr. King's pedigree is. Perhaps he'd be willing to submit to a bit of genetic testing and make the results public?
1
Re: the wall.
Someone should introduce ladders, shovels, ramps, and ropes with grappling hooks, to our so-called President.
Someone should introduce ladders, shovels, ramps, and ropes with grappling hooks, to our so-called President.
1
Re: Release of partial Trump tax returns:
Bravo Rachel Maddow!
Bravo Rachel Maddow!
We have almost two more years to endure this open bigotry before the 2018 midterms. In that election, any reasonable-thinking person who stays home or casts a protest vote that keeps these odious people in office is not an American according to any definition I understand. Steve King cannot be expressing the opinion of the majority of Americans, and if everyone votes who is repulsed by the opinions of King, Bannon, Trump, Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the wrecking crew we should have at least 400 Democrats in the House of Representatives when the 116th Congress convenes in 2019. I'd accept a reliable majority but 400 is a good goal to aim for. If the Republicans are still in charge of the House after 2018, that settles the question of whether Steve King and the rest of the lot are true representatives of the citizens of the United States of America. Shame on us if that happens.
1
Some time ago I read projections of the change in demographics of the United States. One conclusion was that whites were going to be a minority. I remember thinking that this was not going to go over well. I had no idea that a member of Congress would make such horrid statements against the values of our country and yet win election after election. I am sad beyond words.
It is only a coincidence that massive illegal immigration and fewer children (due to a variety of reasons including legalized abortion) occurred at the same time in America and Western Europe?
Similar situation occurred during the Roman Republic and we know how that worked out.
Similar situation occurred during the Roman Republic and we know how that worked out.
Romans had massive illegal immigration? Do people just dream these things up?
1
He keeps repeating the same nonsense over and over and gets elected because he's a known commodity so I wonder what GOOD he does for his constituents and hope ALL the people of Iowa don't agree with the garbage he spews, perhaps they dismiss it... ... He'll keep doing it like a dog who barks and barks until he wears himself out while inside the house the people just turn up the radio
It seems this "Mr. King" has a "dream" also but a far cry from Dr. Martin Luther King's.
I'm guessing, however, in the "alright" universe, his dream is resonating quite well with 62 million Americans located mostly in the Bible/Rust belts.
These are the voters ready to blame any "scapegoat" for their ills no matter how far fetched. Remember, another fanatic in the 20's and 30's managed to convince his "volk" that the Jews were responsible for WW 1 and, after he started it, also clung to the myth that the Jews started the second one.
We'll see how well Mr. King's "nightmare" plays in 2018 when the public has a small chance to take back some of the power bestowed upon the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE. If that doesn't occur, just how hard is it to move to Denmark?
I'm guessing, however, in the "alright" universe, his dream is resonating quite well with 62 million Americans located mostly in the Bible/Rust belts.
These are the voters ready to blame any "scapegoat" for their ills no matter how far fetched. Remember, another fanatic in the 20's and 30's managed to convince his "volk" that the Jews were responsible for WW 1 and, after he started it, also clung to the myth that the Jews started the second one.
We'll see how well Mr. King's "nightmare" plays in 2018 when the public has a small chance to take back some of the power bestowed upon the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATE. If that doesn't occur, just how hard is it to move to Denmark?
What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea. Mahatma Gandhi
2
I don't know where your ancestors are from Mr King, but my grandparents came from another country and settled in an enclave where they kept many of their traditions and took many years to give up their native tongue for English.I'm sure that some people said similar things about them. That enclave was called Brooklyn, and everyone of the next generation was 100% American, spoke English and some even served in the military defending the US in WW II.
1
The fact that this one man is a racist is sad but not unusual. The fact that the overwhelming majority of voters in his district support him in sickening.
1
A normal lunch at work this week. One colleague turns to another and asks "has your JCC received any bomb threats?".
Suddenly the world seemed darker.
Suddenly the world seemed darker.
It is not tainting the entire GOP! It is GOP.
How does this person stay in office? If possible, fix whatever is the cause for an unamerican to hold office in the 'land of the free'. Looks like that might be a way to calm him down a bit.
2
He's a perfectly dreadful man representing a district that is over 90% white. Nothing like whipping up fear of "the other" to coast to easy victories.
2
He is merely the mouthpiece for his constituents. If they were decent Americans, they'd throw him out of office, but the boogeyman under every bed paranoia he invokes plays well in rural areas.
3
"American culture and civilization" is based on immigration. Any American can tell you that.
Really makes you wonder about the sanity of some voters.
Really makes you wonder about the sanity of some voters.
Well King is a mean and silly person but he's representative of so many of our fellow country citizens that I guess we are going to have to learn how to live with a huge number of mean and silly people. They are not going away and until they learn to perceive the world differently they are going to perpetuate a lot of harm upon innocent people and not even know that they are doing anything wrong.
During the past couple presidential election campaigns, the loudest dog whistle one heard repeatedly was, “We’ve got to take our country back.” Trump uttered this numerous times during the 2016 campaign, as did several of his supporters. Romney supporters made a similar appeal in the 2012 campaign. I’ve heard it from dozens of Republican leaders and it made me cringe every time, especially because it always seemed like a veiled attack on President Obama, our first black president.
So when Rep. Steve King made his abhorrent statement, “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies” you know he was expounding on how he believed, “We’ve got to take our country back.” Some extremist politicians at the local, state and national levels have gotten emboldened with their ideological soul mate in the White House, which is why “intolerance is in breakout” nationwide. One hopes that some Republican leaders will have the courage to speak out clearly and forcefully against this ominous trend and instead emphasize, “We’ve got to take our country forward.”
So when Rep. Steve King made his abhorrent statement, “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies” you know he was expounding on how he believed, “We’ve got to take our country back.” Some extremist politicians at the local, state and national levels have gotten emboldened with their ideological soul mate in the White House, which is why “intolerance is in breakout” nationwide. One hopes that some Republican leaders will have the courage to speak out clearly and forcefully against this ominous trend and instead emphasize, “We’ve got to take our country forward.”
1
I always wonder where people like King actually came from or what is the first thing they think when they get up in the morning. I have never ever seen/felt so much hatred in the country. People like King should be reminded every minute that the US is the country of immigrants and his grand or great parents migrated from someplace.
1
And the normalization continues...
1
I just don't understand it. The country I grew up in, statements like these would have the politician spluttering his apologies within a fortnight. For many a politician is was a career ender. But in this dark new world this appears to be the new normal, and I cannot begin to fathom were it will lead us to. Where once the future was bright and full of possibility, we now face a historic abyss. We cannot survive long as a united country if one half of the population has such evil designs on the other half. Sooner or later something has got to give. To think that all this time we were afraid of terrorists across the sea, when the enemy was so much closer to home than we thought.
1
Ah yes, "civilization," the preferred rhetorical trope of the usual scoundrels among us in times of fear and loathing, their most refined and sanctimonious way to demonize foreign babies and tear apart families, shut compatriots' minds and harden their hearts, always under the radiant glow of superior cultural entitlement, dispensing with the ugliness of race-talk. "Christian," "Anglo-Saxon," "Judeo-Christian," "Western," and now "American," the many color-blind ways to say - and do - the same old tired barbaric things.
Well, do we take up arms or words?
Prefer words minus the late night comics.
Prefer words minus the late night comics.
Rep King's voters likely have no idea the maelstrom they have created. They have to answer for this. Send reporters to their homes, please. Have them defend their votes.
1
Terrifying.
People like King, Trump, Bannon, not to mention the white-identity movement and the Klan embrace such a dystopian view of the world that one must wonder how they're able to function at all. Surrounded by their own manufactured hatreds and fears, these people are to be pitied as much as scorned.
1
I don't know whose babies will "restore" our civilization. I only hope it isn't any of Steve King's or anyone who thinks like him. If that is our civilization, then I think I'll pass.
2
To paraphrase Congressman Steve King: do you want the United States of America to become the United States of Mexico?
Wow - as a native Californian, dude I just can't relate.
I feel so lucky.
I feel so lucky.
The pushback to King's racism is a welcome sight. But we should remind ourselves that only a few months ago media pundits both liberal and conservative were declaring that we were in a post racial America, where race was either noticed nor counted.
And then the presidential campaign began and the truth began to emerge. All this shows is that racism is deep in American culture and needs constant vigilance and effort to root it out. We pass civil rights laws, as we should, but think that's the end of it.
Then the David Duke's and Congressman King's remind us that ending racism is not so simple. Bomb threats against synagogs are on the rise as are hate crimes and all this too is part of America.
King should be condemned, but the real question is why are his views so popular? Until and unless we answer that question, and deal with it then we will slide back into the convenient fog of post racialism, until the next David Duke or Congressman King, or Donald Trump wakes us up again.
And then the presidential campaign began and the truth began to emerge. All this shows is that racism is deep in American culture and needs constant vigilance and effort to root it out. We pass civil rights laws, as we should, but think that's the end of it.
Then the David Duke's and Congressman King's remind us that ending racism is not so simple. Bomb threats against synagogs are on the rise as are hate crimes and all this too is part of America.
King should be condemned, but the real question is why are his views so popular? Until and unless we answer that question, and deal with it then we will slide back into the convenient fog of post racialism, until the next David Duke or Congressman King, or Donald Trump wakes us up again.
1
There is no such thing as "American Civilization" and to assert otherwise is a ridiculous simplification of world history. There is an "American Culture" but, taken on balance, I'm not sure that it's something we should be celebrating and certainly not something we should be exporting. What is great about the United States is not transmitted by genetics.
There were Mesoamerican civilizations and well-developed North American cultures; all of which lasted longer than the measly 250 years (more of less) that the United States has lasted so far. We could very well (and are on track to) join Carthage in the annals of world history.
The great contribution to world civilization of the United States has been its Enlightenment Constitution. It was and, while in need of some buffing up, is a genuine work of human genius.
People from all over the world have come to this hemisphere. They found room in a once well-used and well-managed eco-system occupied by indigenous people who were disappearing beneath a different technology and moral depravity perpetrated by European colonists rarely seen on the scale demonstrated in the so-called New World. Many grasped the meaning and spirit of the Declaration of Independence and the genius of the Constitution. They were not all Europeans and white people have no special claim to the love of liberty that burns in the hearts of fellow citizens who do not share their complexion.
People like Steve King are either ignorant or depraved.
There were Mesoamerican civilizations and well-developed North American cultures; all of which lasted longer than the measly 250 years (more of less) that the United States has lasted so far. We could very well (and are on track to) join Carthage in the annals of world history.
The great contribution to world civilization of the United States has been its Enlightenment Constitution. It was and, while in need of some buffing up, is a genuine work of human genius.
People from all over the world have come to this hemisphere. They found room in a once well-used and well-managed eco-system occupied by indigenous people who were disappearing beneath a different technology and moral depravity perpetrated by European colonists rarely seen on the scale demonstrated in the so-called New World. Many grasped the meaning and spirit of the Declaration of Independence and the genius of the Constitution. They were not all Europeans and white people have no special claim to the love of liberty that burns in the hearts of fellow citizens who do not share their complexion.
People like Steve King are either ignorant or depraved.
7
How beautifully stated with exactly the facts of "our civilization" and its inception. Thank you so much for your comment which should be framed on the wall of school rooms.
1
I agree with a lot of what you wrote, and it is very well written. Some things I disagree, particularly your first paragraph except the last sentence It is not ignorant to think there is an American civilization. It may be a matter of definitions, but culture is part of a civilization. And, we should and do export it. The enlightenment values you rightly cherish are part of it. Our constitution was part of it. I am so appalled at so many American's hatred of our culture, civilization, whatever you want to call it. No, we do not transmit our culture by genetics, but primarily by example. Personally, I feel like one of the luckiest people who ever lived, just by being born a barely middle class person in this country. I don't know your life, but I bet I would think the same of you if I did. Our opportunities and comforts, in general, are astonishing. That it itself is part of a long heritage does not diminish it. That we have black marks, does not mean it doesn't exist.
There is no surprise in Mr. King's statements. As has been noted, this is simply another long, nativist, rant. Of course he is wrong about immigrants and acclimation. The Irish and the Italians (both of whom were not considered "white" at the time) along with the Chinese, the Japanese, the Koreans, other Asian peoples and the Hispanics, all became part of mainstream America. They have enriched our society through their art, music, cuisine, and fashions to name just a few of their contributions.
We are a society in transition...a global village, if you will. There will be no stopping it, even if the likes of Mr. King and Mr. Trumps manage to slow it somewhat. You cannot turn back the clock to a "whiter" time. A more productive strategy would be to look for new ways to improve life for ALL Americans.
Let's not lose sight of the fact that for many years America was the "holy grail" for people seeking a better life from all over the world.
We are a society in transition...a global village, if you will. There will be no stopping it, even if the likes of Mr. King and Mr. Trumps manage to slow it somewhat. You cannot turn back the clock to a "whiter" time. A more productive strategy would be to look for new ways to improve life for ALL Americans.
Let's not lose sight of the fact that for many years America was the "holy grail" for people seeking a better life from all over the world.
243
You forgot Jews in your list of assimilated immigrants.
Since Africans came forcibly to America as property there was nothing "holy grail" nor human nor humane about America to any of them.
While Natives already in America were invaded and occupied by a lying crooked inhumane European horde.
Who and who is not "we" depends on your individual personal context and perspective.
Whose "baby" was the son of Stanley Ann Dunham and Barack H. Obama the first or the offspring of Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved African property Sallie Hemmings?
While Natives already in America were invaded and occupied by a lying crooked inhumane European horde.
Who and who is not "we" depends on your individual personal context and perspective.
Whose "baby" was the son of Stanley Ann Dunham and Barack H. Obama the first or the offspring of Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved African property Sallie Hemmings?
1
Tragically there has always been this strain in American politics. There were those who embraced Hitler the way King embraces Wilder. Fortunately there were many more Americans to stand against it. It is more challenging now that the president and some in congress have embraced this. But while we are still a democracy it is incumbent upon all of all to stand in solidarity against this nativism, and in the process hopefully emerge with a reinvigorated civil society.
1
Erratum. Rep. King hasn't journeyed anywhere. Optical illusion, as others move to the fringe to join him.
King's behavior is not new, but Trump unleashed him and others like him. They all wear it proudly like a badge.
King's colleagues must rebuke this in the strongest terms - immediately! He must be censured and his resignation demanded. A little slap on the wrist isn't going to cut it. Let's watch who stands by silently. And who has the courage to speak out.
King's colleagues must rebuke this in the strongest terms - immediately! He must be censured and his resignation demanded. A little slap on the wrist isn't going to cut it. Let's watch who stands by silently. And who has the courage to speak out.
He's always been like this, even when he was returning our roads to gravel as our so called 'congressman'. Always, always, always. People would come back from his rallies and tell about his racist statements and jokes---but no one ever called him on it. Now his rock's been kicked away and he shines, iridescent toad in full light.
3
Mr. King must keep a copy handy of Madison Grant's 1916 publication (yes it is still in print), "The Passing Of The Great Race." It was a call to white Americans to be fearful and ways to counter the dangers from both non-whites and non-North Western European immigration into the USA. Sadly to say not much has changed in the minds of many over the past 100 years.
For 2 weeks, every 4 years, King is an enthusiastic supporter of how diverse the US is. I'm sure it's just a coincidence it coincides with the Summer Olympics.
America would be better off if Steve King - and his constituents - would simply 'go back to where they come from'. We don't want them in our country.
1
At the very least King should be censured, more justly he should be expelled from Congress. Neither will happen. Most of the GOP base and many of not most of his colleagues, agree with him. They are simply more subtle.
No it is not abortion based, but our economy is based on population growth. Unfortunately, that growth is killing the planet.
1
This toxic administration is poisoning this country with its hateful rhetoric, its stunningly corrupt cabinet choices, and its cruel house and senate leadership.
No wonder Trump is so fearful of conspiracies---he knows whereof he speaks.
No wonder Trump is so fearful of conspiracies---he knows whereof he speaks.