Iowa congressman apologizes for jest

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | June 21, 2006

[HAL9000]

DES MOINES, Iowa - An Iowa congressman apologized Wednesday for disparaging comments he made last week at the state Republican convention about a veteran White House correspondent.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, was discussing the June 7 death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi on Saturday when he mentioned 85-year-old Helen Thomas, who has covered the White House for nearly 50 years and is a columnist for Hearst Newspapers.

"There probably are not 72 virgins in the hell he's at," King said about al-Zarqawi, in a recording transcribed by Radio Iowa. "And if there are, they probably all look like Helen Thomas."

~ snip ~

[sinkspur]

Of course he is. He's a classy guy. Unlike you.

If he's a classy guy, what did he say that made him apologize?

[RobbyS]

For cracking a good joke, That is very uncongressional.

[Molly T.]

You wouldn't be from that elitist North East by any chance, would you? You know,where they think they know just a bit more than anyone living out in the "fly over" section of our country. You'd be amazed at just how much common sense and good old fashioned values are still out here, even in the cornfields. Sheesh, that was a silly remark.

[bannie]

Helenback is Arabic? Get that broad a burka!!!

[EternalVigilance]

If he's a classy guy, what did he say that made him apologize?

Unlike you, he knows how to say, "I was wrong. Sorry."

That's class.

[EternalVigilance]

If I heard you apologize for inferring that Steve King was a racist, I think I'd faint from surprise.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Pssst! Over here. But bring a barf bag...

[angelsonmyside]

;-)

[sinkspur]

You wouldn't be from that elitist North East by any chance, would you?

Texas.

Sheesh, that was a silly remark.

King agrees, which is why he apologized.

[idkfa]

It almost sounds like The Arab American Institute thinks it is an insult to Zarqawi to imagine Helen Thomas as one of his virgins:

Arab American Institute demands apology from Rep. Steve King

DES MOINES, Iowa
A Washington-based Arab American public policy group is demanding an apology from an Iowa congressman for comments he made Saturday to delegates at the state Republican convention.

The Arab American Institute says Republican Steve King made disrespectful comments about a veteran White House correspondent when he discussed the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a U-S airstrike on June seventh.

King says that al-Zarqawi is now in hell, and if there are any virgins there they probably all look like 85-year-old Helen Thomas.

Thomas has covered the White House for nearly 50 years and is currently a Washington columnist for Hearst Newspapers.

King's spokeswoman Summer Johnson says King has already called Thomas to apologize.

[sinkspur]

If I heard you apologize for inferring that Steve King was a racist, I think I'd faint from surprise.

I inferred nothing. Perhaps you jumped to a conclusion, EV.

It would not be the first time.

[rock58seg]

Actually, rock, for you, I pee on your neck and it's pee.

Stinkspud here is a quote that describes you to to a pee, "I was sad I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no class."

[bannie]

I think King was talking about her "inner beauty" when he spoke disparagingly.

[ncountylee]

back is Arabic? Get that broad a burka!!!

Yup...she is one of the few bad Lebanese Christians.

[martin_fierro]

This Congressman's a lurker, fer sure...

Between yesterday & today I heard the following big-name radio show hosts refer specifically to FR:

• Rush Limbaugh
• Howie Carr
• Hugh Hewitt

[swheats]

"...And if there are, they probably all look like Helen Thomas."

badabing. Must have been a long day.

[Wycowboy]

King's low class, and it shows.

Pot...Kettle, same old same old, nothing new here.

[martin_fierro]

No apology necessary.

[bannie]

Sink, you seem to be in a foul mood today. You insult others while you complain about insults.

It makes you look silly.

[swheats]

Helen Helen Helen. The years have not been kind.