Peter King's "terrorism" problem

Asked, during a Wednesday appearance on "Good Morning America, "Name one other specific recommendation the president could implement right now to fix this," King responded, "I think one main thing would be to, just himself, to use the word terrorism more often."

In his defense, King did go on to offer some actual policy prescriptions. But that his first suggestion -- a "main thing," in his words -- was purely about language, well, that seems to speak volumes about the seriousness of his criticisms.

And despite King's tough-talking stance on calling terrorism terrorism (which, for the record, President Obama actually does quite often), he hasn't always been willing to do so himself. In fact, as the New Republic's Jonathan Chait and the Spectator's Alex Massie pointed out, back in the 1980's, King was very openly friendly with and supportive of some terrorists, specifically the Irish Republican Army. From a New York Sun article that Chait linked to:


He forged links with leaders of the IRA and Sinn Fein in Ireland, and in America he hooked up with Irish Northern Aid, known as Noraid, a New York based group that the American, British, and Irish governments often accused of funneling guns and money to the IRA. At a time when the IRA's murder of Lord Mountbatten and its fierce bombing campaign in Britain and Ireland persuaded most American politicians to shun IRA-support groups, Mr. King displayed no such inhibitions ....

King's support for the IRA was unequivocal. In 1982, for instance, he told a pro-IRA rally in Nassau County: "We must pledge ourselves to support those brave men and women who this very moment are carrying forth the struggle against British imperialism in the streets of Belfast and Derry."

By the mid-1980s, the authorities on both sides of the Atlantic were openly hostile to Mr. King. On one occasion, a judge threw him out of a Belfast courtroom during the murder trial of IRA men because, in the judge's view, "he was an obvious collaborator with the IRA." When he attended other trials, the police singled him out for thorough body searches.


Considering how vocal King is on terror policy in his role as ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, it's rather amazing this doesn't come up more often. Frankly, I didn't know about it before this. But it really should be part of any discussions involving his frequent criticisms and his stance on counterterrorism generally.

More Alex Koppelman

Source:salon.com/

Improve your outlook with projects, programs for 2010

This is a great time of the year to get out of the house and make memories, especially since a lot of people are trying to squeeze in more activity, learn something new or make other lifestyle changes that fit in with their resolutions for the new year.


Here are some fun, family-friendly ideas to consider:


Play and learn: Kids can play while grownups can add skills to their parenting toolboxes during the Hands On Children’s Museum’s free Power Parenting Series. This month’s class, which will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, covers positive ways to deal with stress and anger. Preregistration is required to ensure adequate staffing levels for child care; for more information, call the Hands On Children’s Museum at 360-956-0818 or the Family Support Center at 360-754-2629.


Go birding: Bundle up for cold weather and learn about ducks, seabirds and many of the other feathered friends that winter on Capitol Lake and around downtown Olympia during a guided bird walk, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The walk begins at Marathon Park on Capitol Lake, and will be led by retired Evergreen professor Burt Guttman, author of “Finding Your Wings: A Workbook for Beginning Bird Watchers.”


The trip is geared toward beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome to attend. “There’s something there for everyone,” said member Whittier Johnson, a member of the Black Hills Audubon Society. However, the event probably would be better suited to families with older children. “The little kids aren’t going to be focused,” Johnson said.


Unlike many Audubon events, there isn’t a limit for the class, and preregistration isn’t required. “Folks should show up and enjoy it,” Johnson said.


For information about the trip and other birding events, go to www. blackhillsaudubon.com or call 360-352-7299.


Create art: On the second Saturday of each month, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma hosts Family Day, where children and adults can create their own Chihuly-inspired projects. Families are invited to create seed bead and glittered snowflakes and felt mitten clips with artist Jennifer Adams from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Museum of Glass is at 1801 Dock St., Tacoma. Regular admission is $12 adults, $5 ages 6-12, and $36 for families (includes two adults and up to four children under 18). For more information, call 253-284-4750 or go to www.museumofglass.org.


Take in a concert: Join the fun with “Buck & Elizabeth: Animal Songs to Sing-a-long” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Ave. S.E., Olympia. The free event, geared to ages 3 to 6, will encourage children and their caregivers to sing, dance, use sign language and other movement. For more information, call 360-704-4636 or go to www.trlib.org.


Volunteer for a cause: Every year, more Americans vow to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day “a day on, not a day off” and participate in community service projects. Find a Jan. 18 activity to support at www.MLKday.gov or contact the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties at 360-741-2622.


Hit the ice: If you love the feel of winter activities without slippery driving conditions to area Sno-Parks and ski resorts, why not take the family to an ice skating rink? The Group Health Ice Arena in downtown Bellevue is the area’s only outdoor skating rink, and is open through Jan. 10. Regular admission is $10 and includes skate rental; cost is $7 if you bring your own skates. For more information, call 425-453-1223 or go to www. magicseason.com.

Source:theolympian.com/