Fightin' words from King -- Rep. Peter King takes gloves off in replies to angry voters

Newsday ^ | June 30, 2005 | J. JIONI PALMER

[StuLongIsland]

WASHINGTON -- A lifelong boxing fan who himself trains in the ring twice a week, Rep. Peter King is not one to run away when it comes to confrontation -- even when it comes in the form of a letter from a constituent.

"I understand that you recently contacted my office requesting that I vote to censure President Bush," King, a Republican from Seaford, recently wrote Bellmore resident Harry Halikias. "I disagree with you in every respect. You are morally, intellectually and politically wrong. President Bush is an outstanding leader of outstanding integrity. Like Ed Koch, I thank God every night that he is our president. You should do the same." Halikias, 28, a computer systems analyst, was taken aback by King's missive, which he said was an unwarranted response to his initial letter.

"I was somewhere between shocked and disappointed that someone elected to represent us would use that kind of language," said Halikias, a Democrat who says he may have once voted for King. "I think he took it personally when he didn't have to. I didn't question his morality or intellect."

[gridlock]

BTW, Peter King is far from my favorite Republican. He is wrong on guns and wrong on taxes, most of the time. But it is good to see that he stands behind the President when he is attacked by the wacky moron fringe of the Donk party.

Frankly, is I was a constituent who got a letter like this from the Congressman of the opposite party, I would frame it and hang it on the wall.

[markedman]

Stu from lonGEYEland,

I've always loved King. This guy never pulls his punches. It would be nice if he could set up classes for his fellow Republicans in the Senate on how to grow a backbone.

[jos65]

I do believe Peter King hit a nerve.

[kenth]

"I was somewhere between shocked and disappointed that someone elected to represent us would use that kind of language,"

King said the G word. Can you believe anyone would use that kind of language in this day and age? I'm shocked and appalled.

[sgtbono2002]

****"I was somewhere between shocked and disappointed that someone elected to represent us would use that kind of language," said Halikias, ****

Well Hoss I wasnt elected to represent you but if you want to be shocked, write to me about your stupid idea to Censure President. When it come to censuring let me name a few POS legislators that need it. Fat Ted Kennedy ,Nancy Pelosi ,Turban Durbin, Harry Reid, Maxine Waters, Charlie Rangels John Conyers. John McPain. Rino Snowe. Lets censure these anti-American piss-ants. take that and shove it where the sun dont shine.

[Doneel]

King's reply was excellent. He did not say that the writer was morally and intellectually deficient, which would be a personal attack. He said that the writer's stand on this issue was morally and intellectually wrong - an attack on the issues, not on the person.