Thank you for a thoughtful reply to King's thoughtless comments. I will be recommending this article.

Sent by Robert Cochrane | 7:31 PM ET | 03-10-2008

By his own perverted logic shouldn't the royalists everywhere in the world (say Jeddah) be dancing in the streets since this intellectual Lilliputian's name is "King!"

Sent by Javad Hashtroudian | 8:22 PM ET | 03-10-2008

The scary thing is that people like him are running this country. No wonder we are hated all over the world.

Sent by Carmen | 8:29 PM ET | 03-10-2008

what would this world be like if people like this guy tried to put down others to make themselves feel ok? Just because you have a nose like a clown doesn't mean your intellegence is of a 5th grader...it's your narrow mind.....

Sent by Bob | 9:07 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Just as there are calls for Eliot Spitzer to step down as governor of New York State, there should be calls for Steve King to step down as representative from Ohio for his ridiculous association of Obama with Al Quaida. Spitzer and King represent what is wrong with our country. Obama represents what is right.

Sent by Alice | 9:12 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Can't the Congress sanction this racist guy or something for being slanderous to another standing member of Congress?

Sent by Andrea Fuentes | 9:47 PM ET | 03-10-2008

I feel ashamed and frustrated that King represents a part of my home state, even if I never lived in that area and don't even live in Iowa at all, now. He has been an embarrassment ever since his election. I wish his opponent lots of luck in November.

Sent by MJ Kuhns | 10:17 PM ET | 03-10-2008

I am so sick and tired of the ignorance we are forced to here from politicians! I've tried to voice my concern to the congressman but, his website only allows you to email if you use an Iowa zipcode. Yet we as Americans must listen to what he has to say without recourse! Since when do we as Americans start basing our decisions on OUR president by what terrorists will do! Who cares if terrorists dance/celebrate about a decision we make! If the argument is about terrorists increasing their stonghold by our withdrawal from Iraq, OK tell me about it!! His statements are baseless! King is running for re-election. His apponent is Rob Hubler; hublercongress.com
If you'd like to voice an opposition to Steve king, donate to his opponent.
thank you,
resident of Oklahoma

Sent by OK Mom | 10:34 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Wow.I think the septic tank is backing up again.

Sent by Larry Z | 10:40 PM ET | 03-10-2008

i have many muslin friends and all of them suppot Obama, so i belive that in some way King is rigth

Sent by D. Villacres | 10:45 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Not only will "those" people be celebrating. All the world will be. I can guarantee that I will be. The "National Interests" of Imperialism and Global domination need to be rode out of Washington on a rail. The bigotry and ignorance it takes to propagate such a blatant lie is nothing less than astounding.

Sent by Steven Duke | 10:46 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Let's not forget the fact that -- as most Americans recognize -- the war in Iraq has been a major recruiting boost to al Quada and terrorists. Who best serves their needs? George W. Bush and his would-be-successor McCain, who promises a 100 year occupation of Iraq. Meaning, since only 1% of Iraqis want a permanent US presence in their country, 100 years of war. And a 100 years of terrorist recruiting. Nice try, Rep. King. But the real terrorist recruiters are at the helm of your party.

Sent by MItchell Zimmerman | 10:53 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Steve King is an embarrassment to most Iowans.

Sent by Michael Dack | 11:51 PM ET | 03-10-2008

Is Representative King living in the 1960s? His ignorant remarks are an embarrassment to the Republican party and the good people of Iowa he represents. He has done both, as well as this Nation, a disservice.

Sent by Glen Crawford | 12:16 AM ET | 03-11-2008

I did a google search to find out how to contact Mr. King and what came up was Mr. Ridley's insighful and informed response. I'm guessing that King doesn't listen to NPR , or that, if he did, he would change his mind after hearing Ridley's blog, not to mention apologize for insulting Mr. Obama, bringing shame upon himself and completely insulting the people who he purports to represent. This is America, Mr. King. Love it or leave it.
(The Rev.) Grant F. Sontag, Mountain View, CA

Sent by GRANT F SONTAG | 4:16 AM ET | 03-11-2008

Well said Mr. Ridley. This hack is a big, ripe pimple on the face of America.

Sent by tobloyd | 8:01 AM ET | 03-11-2008

As an Iowan, I would like to apologize for the fact that our state has somehow elected someone as unthinking, crass, and shameless as Mr. King. Unless we can get past fear-mongers such as King and others, our country is in for some tough times. We've got work to do in this country to face significant challenges. But restoring civility is critical to the health of our threatened democracy.

Sent by Charles Miller | 9:58 AM ET | 03-11-2008

It's too bad that there weren't required intelligence tests for people who want to run for office. Senator King's comments only proves that the dumbing down of America is a reality. It is saddening that someone like Senator King is representing our country.

Sent by jason irwin | 11:12 AM ET | 03-11-2008

witty and well phrased. thank you for the assurance that asinine remarks won't go unchecked. here's hoping the House Foreign Affairs Committee shares your common sense.

Sent by Eric | 12:14 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Once again the people of the United States have selected a racist, fear mongering idiot to Congress. Do these dweebs ever look at their poll numbers? Probably not since we keep re-electing this bunch. I guess the real question is why are we so stupid?

Sent by Jeff Maddox | 12:14 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I think that world peace is more likely to happen if a Democrat (particularly Obama) is in office rather than a Republican.

Sent by Shawn Green | 12:18 PM ET | 03-11-2008

The great thing about our country is that we all have the right to speak our minds. But what's even greater is that we don't have to listen to a sad bigot such as King. Now that he's had his moment, let's discount him in the national conversation.

Sent by Michael Miles | 12:31 PM ET | 03-11-2008

He might be a Representative from Iowa.....but he does NOT represent me....

Sent by BA Scherrman | 1:38 PM ET | 03-11-2008

It angers and amuses me to see Republicans such as King use things such as a person's name and heritage (both completely out of one's control) to make an arugment against Obama. I get angry because people so stupid are in positions of power, but it also amuses me; while King is trying to argue against Obama for President, he's probably helping Obama's campaign by providing a perfect example of the Republicans' way of doing things--use illogical points to ignite fear in the audience and hope to get your way--tactics that we the people are sick and tired of!

Sent by Alexis | 1:59 PM ET | 03-11-2008

What scares me is that AMERICANS elected this guy. How pathetic is that?

Sent by Jim | 2:57 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Steve King said this? The horror! Oh no, that would be Stephen King. Still, it seems like Stephen King, Steve King, and Republicans in general are all working the horror angle. "Be afraid, be very afraid." Let's see if it "scares" up any votes.

Sent by Chris Carrigan | 3:02 PM ET | 03-11-2008

He's from Iowa, not Ohio, and believe me there are plenty of Iowans outside his district that would like to see him gone. Unfortunately there are enough idiots who go to the polls in his district as well as an inexcusable lack of quality Democratic candidates to oppose him that he gets re-elected. (He won handily in 2006 in the same state where moderate Jim Leach got bounced out on his rear.)

Sent by Todd | 3:59 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Hmmm. I figured in 2004 that terrorists who wanted more terror supported George W. Bush. After all, recruitment for more terrorists certainly is easier with that booby in the White House.

Sent by Ann Frye | 6:10 PM ET | 03-11-2008

"All they care about is chalking up a steady body count?" quite a naive comment considering the criticism. While I obviously don't agree with terrorism in any sense, perhaps some investigation into the terrorists intentions and beliefs might be appropriate.

Sent by Phil | 6:22 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I have been trying in vain to e-mail congressman king, but i am unable to without a iowa zip code. works well, that way he can stay nice and insulated in that hot bed of progressive thinking that the state is known for.

Sent by Christopher Trudeau | 10:20 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Perhaps Rep. King should instead go back to commenting on traditional Republican rants such as fighting masturbation.

One irony is that the USA is a large supporter of islamic terrorism.
Mujahaddein-e-Kalq (MEK) - Marxist/islamic terrorist group operating in northern Iraq and protected by the US Military.

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) - Kurdish terror group operating in northern Iraq.

Perhaps the first solution to addressing terrorism is to stop funding it yourselves.

Sent by Rick Cain | 10:07 AM ET | 03-12-2008

Shawn Green, world peace will never be! And to think Obama being President makes it more possible?

Sent by Jeremy Wadkins | 10:50 AM ET | 03-12-2008

I have never heard such a awful coments by an elected official. Now we can understand why people dislike politicians. Being from Iowa I think this is terrible and will sure remember it when you come up for election.

Sent by Gary Vanness | 11:02 AM ET | 03-12-2008

Beautiful response!!

Sent by christie | 1:04 PM ET | 03-12-2008

Clearly Rep. King's remarks reflect the thoughts of a bigot but, with respect to Mr. Ridley, they appear to be those of only a religious bigot, not a racial bigot as well. His words contained nothing about the Kenyan or African heritage of Sen. Obama or his father. He said "They will be dancing in the streets because of who his father was...". Taking this remark in context, the basis for drawing this conclusion would seem to be that this would happen because Sen. Obama's father was actually once a Muslim. It seems to have nothing to do with anyone's country of origin.

There is no defense of Rep. King's remarks but on the other hand, there are enough charges of race baiting being thrown about without making the bad even worse.

Sent by Buck | 1:05 PM ET | 03-12-2008

Mr. Ridley's rebuke of the assertions voiced by Rep. King of Iowa are on point and justified. Freedom of speech
allows for any and all opinion to be voiced, but if Rep. King's narrow- minded views that reek of prejudice and discrimination are to be scorned, why then do many of the posted comments essentially
show the same type of prejudice by aligning all Republicans with the opinion of Rep. King? After all, I thought that the point of Mr. Ridley's article was to shine the light on a very prejudiced viewpoint?

Sent by shedworld | 4:52 PM ET | 03-12-2008

Thank you Mr.Ridley. Rep. King not only represents enough republicans to be voted into office but he unfortunately represents the irrational fears of many Americans. Nothing magical for anyone, here or abroad, will take place after inauguration day. Regardless of who wins, hunger, torture (thanks to Bush and republican congressmen), slavery and whole-sale murder of the poorest of the poor will continue. It will continue just as long as we place our extreme need for extreme security above the extraordinary needs of our neighbors and the world.

Sent by Chris Hartbarger | 9:24 PM ET | 03-12-2008

If you really want to debate the comment as ignorant you should ignore Kings logic/justifications and grant the "dancing" point then attempt to destroy the assertion or you will just find yourself back at square one later on down the road.

Sent by Lionel Richie | 9:31 PM ET | 03-12-2008

What he said was absolutely true. Obama doesn't identify with White America but with the world's dusky masses. It is an undeniable fact that al-Quaida et al favor Obama.

Sent by Johann | 9:13 AM ET | 03-13-2008

Well said, Mr. Ridley. Representative King's comments reflect the astounding level of intellectual bankruptcy of so many in the Republican Party. Have they nothing to offer but fear-mongering and intolerance, and can they not see the harm this has caused, both at home and abroad?

Sent by David Allen | 2:54 PM ET | 03-13-2008

Re: Johann's posting:
Barack Obama is running for the presidency of the United States, not the presidency of the "dusky masses," and he would not be in such a close race with Hillary Clinton if that were not evident to a significant number of "non-dusky" Americans. I suppose you will argue that the kind of "keen insight" ostensibly displayed by your remarks is no less valuable for being rare, but I prefer to think that the bigotry and narrow-mindedness that undergirds your comments is what is endangered, and for that I am very thankful.

Sent by Stephanie | 3:14 PM ET | 03-13-2008

All activists have preferences; arab terrorists would 'rather' have Obama than McCain. Your position is partisian, to be sure; therefore, discountable.

Sent by tuffone | 4:06 PM ET | 03-13-2008

Johann, If you're seeing "dusky-masses", try washing the racist film from your eyes.

Sent by Psmith, ELP | 10:04 PM ET | 03-15-2008

Who al-Qaida prefers for President is rather beside the point, but if you wish to debate the matter, I believe they would far rather have John McCain or some other Bush clone. You must admit Bush has proven himself an excellent al-Qaida recruiter over the past eight years.

Sent by Leigh | 4:55 PM ET | 03-19-2008

It's not just politicians that think the way he speaks. If we're going to come out of our shell let's come all the way out America, open your eye, ears and bend over!

Sent by Christopher Robinson | 2:36 PM ET | 03-20-2008

What's even more disturbing than this man's thought process, is the fact that he was elected at all.

Sent by s. | 2:42 AM ET | 04-26-2008

I was watching C-SPAN and Mr. King was giving a presentation on oil, the federal sales tax on oil (and how it subsidizes mass transit in NY, Chicago, S.F., etc - apparently there are no public buses in Des Moines)and how we can NOW become energy independent.

I find it hard to believe that the good citizens of Iowa elected this jerk!

Sent by rsperez | 6:59 PM ET | 06-12-2008

The fact that everyone is upset by King's truth just shows the ignorance of folks only concerned with themselves.

Do you really think that if we pack up and leave the Middle East alone that you are safe in your local Starbucks only because you pretend that everything is okay and are only worrying about your ETrade account?

Daily we find cells of terrorist groups in Iraq seeking to kill us here at home. Yet, we seek to turn from a fight for freedom by trying to elect the same person the terrorist would seek to lead us.

Truth and freedom of speech-- although may hurt your feelings is not wrong and is needed when political correctness is censoring what should be said.

Sent by Storm Lake, Iowa | 7:01 PM ET | 06-26-2008