No second thoughts: Michael Jackson 'a child molester' -- Rep. Peter King

Maybe you remember a large ruckus the other day when Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.) expressed puzzlement at least and probably more like distaste over the emotional national reactions to the sudden death of pop icon Michael Jackson at 50.

Now a day after the huge L.A. musical memorial service that drew thousands and glued millions to their TV screens around the world, in case you missed his meaning last time, King has gone a bit further.

In an interview tonight on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" with Bill O'Reilly, Republican King (in photo, right, above) says: "OK, he's a good singer, he's a good dancer. But why -- why is he getting all this coverage? Why has the nation stopped for Michael Jackson? That's why I said strip aside the psycho-babble. This man was a child molester."

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) announced to rousing applause at the Staples Center Jackson service Tuesday that she would be introducing a House resolution calling Jackson a "great American," an icon and someone who would be "remembered forever and ever and ever."

Lee has but one co-sponsor on the resolution, whose political fate is up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and thus uncertain. It's a prickly issue for her and the Democrats as much as they would like to hail the record-breaking musical accomplishments of a world-famous African American.

Debating such an issue in the summer of President Obama's eagerly sought healthcare reform would be a distraction and hand the GOP a publicity bonanza to unite its base and others over what is, in effect, nothing but a ceremonial piece of paper.

Pelosi could well decide it's not worth the effort and the resolution will be buried too. Only without celebrities and ceremony.

Even in Moscow, talking about nuclear weapons, the president was forced to address the Jackson service to break into the news cycle, calling Jackson a member of a long line of black entertainers who impacted American culture. "There are certain figures in our popular culture that just capture peoples' imagination," Obama said, "and in death they become even larger."

On Fox, meanwhile, King said he certainly had no regrets over his weekend statements. "I stand by everything I said, and there's absolutely nothing racist or racial in any of the words I used.”

He added: “I just think that people who are raising this issue are absolutely phony… it's wrong.”

King said what put him "over the edge" was that he'd spent the Fourth of July with firefighters, veterans and police and detected "such a resentment building up" over the nonstop public and media attention about the troubled singer's death.

O'Reilly pressed King about possibly waiting a week or two before saying such things. King said: "I would say an adult male who sleeps with young boys is a child molester.... If nothing else, he's molesting and abusing their psyche."

And he noted: "It was a real reflection on the culture of our country.... It can't be much more down than what Michael Jackson did with young boys, and yet we exulted that over the last 10 days in two weeks. It was wrong."

Then King added something that may strike a note with others: “I was saying what millions of Americans really felt." What do you feel?

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Fox News Channel screen grab; AFP / Getty Images.

Comments

[David King]

woahh woahh...
Controversial.

[Robin Mutoid]

If Michael Jackson had been legally PROVED to be a 'child molester' then this idiots comments would at least carry a little wieght!

Michael was a Humanitarian, a Genius and a troubled man. Most of his troubles appear to stem from his mistreatment by his own Father!

Who then is the 'real' child molester?

Michael will be remembered with a great deal more LOVE than any jealous Polititian or TV Anchor-idiot!

[Michael Is INNOCENT]

Michael was and always had been innocent. The case with the Chandler family was settled out of court because Michael was advised to do so. His people wanted to put this aside and get on with business as usual. In the agreement, both parties admitted no wrongdoing. In other words, there was not admission of guilt on MJs part. Plus during the 2005 trial, when asked on the witness stand if she thought anything had occurred between Michael Jackson and her son, June Chandler responded "NO!" It was and always has been about the money.

[MIchael Is INNOCENT]

Michael was investigated, tried and found NOT GUILTY by a non-black jury in a court of law. There was no evidence whatsoever with which to bring this to trial. This was only to further damage MJs image and to bankrupt him. They succeeded in severely damaging his image. And he has been so imbroiled in lawsuits it nearly bankrupted him. This man should never have been treated this way. There are real child molesters out there, and they only get a slap on the wrist. This has always been about money!
Both King and O'Reilly will get a one-way ticket to hell! They have persecuted an innocent man and continue to slander his name. Yes, it is racially motivated.

[Lynn]

Peter King you are a horrible person and a shame to the USA for your comments. Ever heard of INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty??? This world was better off with Michael Jackson in it listen to his MUSIC,"Man in the Mirror", "Heal the World", "Earth Song", "We are the World" just to name a few. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most money donated to charities from a Pop Star. He also toured to places all over the world raising money for AIDS and donating money to orphanages. He wanted to make the world a better place if you ask me this world was better off with Michael Jackson in it, I know it was for his children Paris, Prince and Blanket. He was not just an ICON or pop star he was also a SON, FATHER, BROTHER, UNCLE, FRIEND and most importantly he was a HUMAN BEING.

[whatever]

Hey King people who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones and you sure as heck dont speak for this white american! No wonder this country is so screwed up with people like you trying to run it.

[steve rodriguez]

Peter King, he ain't lying!!!!

[Phillip McCrevis]

If this guy cant seem to figure out the difference between "sleeping with" and "having sex with", I am trying to figure out how he even made it out of high school with such a biased and closed mind(make note that I did not say "racist"), let alone go to college, pass the bar, and become a representative of our DEMOCRATIC government. And you, the public, the VOTERS, can put an end to this ignorance and real waste of tax dollars, who votes himself a cost of living raise every year and votes us a cost of living increase every twenty years!!!! People wake up and realize who the real criminals are and remember Michael for the good. Try to remember this insignificant congressman for whatever good he contributed to his little hole in the wall place he hails from compared to the good Michael contributed to the WORLD. And most of all, remember to vote and overcome bias and prejudice and ignorance.

[Larisa]

I think there are 2 distinct issues.

1. Michael Jackson
2. Media Coverage.

Re #1. King is entitled to his opinions and feelings about MJ. I thought in this country one is innocent until proven guilty.

Re #2. The MEDIA is shamelessly MILKING MJ's death. I understand that many people feel MJ got too much coverage. Perhaps it is too much.

The irony is had King just talked about the firefighters and other issues he deemed important, nobody would have paid attention to him and he'd remain in obscurity. JUST LIKE THE MEDIA, King himself had chosen to MILK MICHAEL JACKSON. Because of THAT King is now in the spotlight. He is no better than the media that he so adamantly criticizes or those "low Americans" that pay too much attention to Michael Jackson.

Now they pay too much attention to King himself. His hatred I am sure is shared by many, and will unite them...

Does running around giving interviews about why he chose to call MJ what he did make him that same "low American"?

What about the firefighters, again?!

[EC]

He will have his 2nd thoughts on Election Day, 2010 when he'll probably run for Governor of New York.

[Ice Man]

This is what Fox does. It ignores real news cycles and plays angry sounding non-sense over and over.
Put Fox next to any other 'news' channel and see how often stories change for each. Fox picks something then puts up talking heads and drive it into the ground.
This is piece in the L.A. Times is just playing into their hate bating hands.
Who cares what this guy thinks.

[Al]

Peter King is an idiot and I can't wait to vote him out of office!

[dorothy hackney]

We are still under the law of "Innocent until proven guilty." Michial Jackson was judged "NOT GUILTY"....I think the republican party is a bunch of perverts....Guilty? No one has proven they are innocent....in fact, some have already admited that they are guilty.!!!!!!!!!!!
The man is dead now...find some one else to kick around!! He paid more than enough....many congressmen have not paid for their promiscuities....in fact, they are still collecting!!!

[Carolyn Michel]

Mr. King is just trying to draw attention to himself, It was inappropriate for him to make those unfounded comments in such a public way. Michael jackson was a deeply troubled, emotionally arrested, and INCREDIBLY TALENTED and SENSITIVE human and a great father apparently. There has been no proof that he was a child molester. Mr. King should not be in the business of speculating. He should be in the business of solving the nation's problems.

[Jonathan]

Multiple investigations proved Michael Jackson did not molest any children. Congressman King (who nearly no one had heard of until his comments) should be sued for slander and defamation. Michael Jackson treated kids the way the perfect, picket fence, perfect scenario father would treat them. He said he tucked them in, read them a book, gave them hot milk and cookies. This is what the story book father would do. And not to play arm chair psychologist, but I imagine he felt the need to do this because it wasn’t done for him by his father and he knew how devastating that could be to someone. Alot of the things he did were beyond the understanding of some people whose minds cannot process that kind of selfless kindness.

[jason]

id like to say something to this peter king guy you should pay more close attention they have been saying on national television that michael jackson is cleared on all counts of child molestation and dont tell me that if you have any kids that when they were younger you havent slept in the same bed as them guess that makes you a child molester then huh? and ontop of that alot of those kids have came forward to clear it up that michael jackson would always sleep on the floor enews now has done interveiws with some of them like the kid from home alone and both of the guys from the show called THE 2 COREYS . u call yourself a congressman obviously you dont pay much attention to the world news out there if you do theres more then just the news that did cover the michael jackson death . thats dam right im a big jackson fan and if he was still alive today dam right id let him hug my kids it just sickens me that your locked on this thing about jackson when and after alot of these kids have stated that jackson never slept in the same bed as they did he would always sleep on the floor . also peter like i said u cant tell me that when your kids were younger that u havent slept in the same bed as they did and just remember if thats the case guess you molested ur own kids then too .also peter ive said it before and ill say it again listen before you speak the one accuser does have a parent sitting in jail right now for fraud . maybe you dont want to except that cus u r racist or maybe you arent and that your just jealous that michael jackson will always b king to the world and since your lastname is king maybe ur just trying to get ppl to think that your the only king . my final words for u peter king is theres only gonna ever be 1 king and thats god and there will only be 1 king of pop and thats dam right its MICHAEL JACKSON wheither u like it or not he will also b higher then u im sorry but its the truth . also what ur crying about has been covered since the 9/11 hit . sorry to break that news to u.

[Jan]

Michael Jackson as a child star was absolutely adorable and talented. Sadly, as Michael grew into manhood, he seemed to undergo a metamorphosis into being down right weird-BIZARRE! I personally think it is appauling that he slept with young boys - PERIOD! That is sick, just plain sick! Normal men do NOT sleep with young boys.

[Marie]

Peter King forgets that he is a representative of the government. He should respect the rule of law. Michael Jackson was acquitted in a court of law. Is King throwing disbelief and contempt at a court of law? This is very ubecoming of a public official.

King's comments show the kind of person he is really is. I wonder if his parents taught him not so speak ill of the dead, when they can no longer defend themselves.

Today we need leaders who heal and unite. Not people like King who are mean spirited, unintellectual, and
out of touch with the global wolrd, and who s totally archaic for our society.

[April]

Can't wait to see what comes out of this low-life Peter King's closet! I don't give a darn if he is racist or not. I hope he is PERFECT to pass judgement!

[Amritta]

You, Peter King and other like you and you know who I mean.....you are the kind of people who have the North American society in such a mess....you ought to channel your influence and your so called "loud mouth" for a better cause. Where were you when Bush and the banks were lgetting us in the trouble we are in today?
As a CONGRESS MAn you should be ashamed of your self. What was your upbringing? Were you never thought of respect especially for the dead. It is sad and real sad that you are representing I think people who are intelligent and of a now society. You are evil and you need to be with the devils who are all pretending to be human and Godly. May you and your family and July 4th friends get what you deserve.

[taami]

In this country, people are innocent until proven guilty. In this case Michael Jackson was proven INNOCENT in a court of law. This is the type of thinking that allowed lynching to flourish in the South. If King will have us ignore the fact Jackson was acquitted of all molestation charges , then let's also label Robert Wagner a murderer for the death of Natalie Wood, despite the fact the coroner declared her death an accident. While we're at it, let's brand Woody Allen as a pedophile too, one who married his own daughter.

[taami]

Michael Jackson, one of the world's largest contributors to childlren's charities, was found Innocent of all charges in court of law. If King would have us ignore the court system so he can be Jackson's sole judge and jury, why have a constitution and a legal system? We can once again adopt a lynch mob mentality.

[Tara]

Spare me. A great many parents still sleep with their older children, and while not a great idea, it's NOT a crime, nor is it child molestation. If a child was ever "scarred" by sharing a bed with MJ, it was most likely done by the child's parents after having second thoughts about what they initially agreed to in the first place.

I watched the trial, and MJ was NOT guilty. The boy's mother clearly intimidated her son to make the story worse than it was, and was trying to backmail MJ with it. And don't talk to me about "oh he settled another lawsuit and only guilty people do that" when the truth is lawsuits are settled ALL the time regardless of guilt, just to end it. See the medical field if you want further info.

[steve rodriguez]

Which one of these is not an African American icon?

1. Martin Luther King Jr.
2. Colin Powell
3. Condi Rice
4. Michael Jackson

I vote for #4

[Samantha]

Only one thing .... MIchael Is INNOCENT .