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cali

(114,904 posts) Sat Apr 20, 2013, 07:13 AM Apr 2013

Students Object To Rep. Peter King As Commencement Speaker At St. John's University

The selection of Rep. Peter King as the commencement speaker at St. John’s University in Queens has sparked an uproar among students angry about his history of controversial comments about Muslims.

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“It’s just mind-boggling,” said Will Hamza Giron, 24, a graduating senior. “As a Muslim student I find it very insensitive of St. John’s University to invite somebody like Peter King...It’s not just Muslims who are angry, it’s most of the student body.”

King sparked controversy by hosting Congressional hearings on Muslim “radicalization,” has commented that most American mosques and has said that “over 80 percent” of American mosques are controlled by radicals, among other comments that have offended Muslims.

“He’s a hatemonger,” said Gabrielle Fonrouge, 21. “We’re all just completely disgusted and flabbergasted they’ll be having this kind of speaker at our university.”

<snip>

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2013/04/students-object-to-rep-peter-king-as-commencement-speaker-at-st-johns-universi

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Students Object To Rep. Peter King As Commencement Speaker At St. John's University (Original Post) cali Apr 2013 OP

Being a race baiting fool should bounce one out of office.... midnight Apr 2013 #1

King: “85 percent of American Muslim community leaders are an enemy living amongst us.” pampango Apr 2013 #2

midnight

(26,624 posts)

1. Being a race baiting fool should bounce one out of office....

Reply to cali (Original post)

Sat Apr 20, 2013, 07:20 AM

Apr 2013

Definition of RACE-BAITING

: the making of verbal attacks against members of a racial group

I've had to adjust this comment, because at first thought it was exactly how I felt, but could not remember a time when being a race baiting fool would bounce one from office.... It must of been a brief moment of my lifetime that it seemed wrong to race bait...

pampango

(24,692 posts)

2. King: “85 percent of American Muslim community leaders are an enemy living amongst us.”

Reply to cali (Original post)

Sat Apr 20, 2013, 07:25 AM

Apr 2013

An online petition entitled “St. John’s University: Replace Congressman Peter King as the 2013 Commencement Speaker” was launched on Tuesday after the University announced the Congressman’s selection on Monday, with Fire Department Commissioner Sal Cassano speaking in Staten Island. The petition currently has over 350 signatures.

Although the University appointed King as the commencement speaker for his role in addressing the victims of Hurricane Sandy, several St. John’s students believe his past remarks on Muslims do not fall in line with the school’s mission of diversity and tolerance. “A decent portion of our student population is Muslim and to criticize diversity in America is contradictory to the values we uphold at St. John’s,” said Randy Cornish, a graduating senior.

“A school with so many Muslims and a school that boasts its diversity should not host someone who directly verbally assaults Muslims,” said Shaykh Ubaid, a recent St. John’s graduate.

One of King’s most controversial quotes include a statement where he mentioned that “85 percent of American Muslim community leaders are an enemy living amongst us.”

http://www.qchron.com/editions/north/rep-king-pick-rankles-st-john-s-students/article_738dfea5-fcf9-5d30-bda5-14d783c9247c.html

King may indeed have supported efforts to get the federal government to help his district recover from Hurricane Sandy. However, I wonder how he supports recovery efforts in other parts of the country that have suffered from disasters. Most republicans seem to want federal help for their district when in need, but view help to other parts of the country as 'pork barrel spending.'

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