Thursday, February 26, 2009

King Goes to Gitmo Part 1; Apples and Oranges Edition

King has an op-ed in today's NYPost extolling the virutes of the Gitmo facility and attacking President Obama for preparing to close it. There are many points to look at in the op-ed so I'll do them bit by bit.
King says that at Gitmo "Detainees at Guantanamo are treated far better than most American prisoners in the US jails and prisons I've inspected over the years."

Umm.. Peter..... the prisoners in US jails have all faced a judge and jury and have been found guilty of a crime. The detainees at Gitmo have not had a trial. That is the problem.

It's fairly simple; have a trial and either find the detainees guilty of terrorist acts or send them back to thier own countries.

Here is a scenario King ought to think about:
When King went to Northen Ireland years ago as an IRA supporter and agitator, he stayed with and spent time with murderers and assorted criminals. If the British forces did a sweep and arrested King along with the other terrorists would King think that it is okay for the British to hold him indefinately without trial?
Would King feel good about languishing in prison for 4 or more years without contact with family and friends or a lawyer to represent him?

Friday, February 20, 2009

Wavering King May Lose Chance to Run for Senate

According to an AP story, Republican Senate Campaign Committee head John Cornyn is looking to former governor George Pataki to run for Senate against Gillibrand in 2010.
King has consistantly performed extremely poorly in match-up polls against Gillibrand. And he hasn't been as gung-ho to run as he was against Caroline Kennedy.

"A person who spoke to George Pataki says national Republicans have approached the former New York governor about running for the Senate in 2010.
The person confirmed Tuesday's meeting in New York City between Pataki and Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican who heads the party's national Senate campaign committee. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he isn't authorized to comment.
The person says Pataki, now in private law practice, hasn't yet accepted or rejected the idea. The race would be against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton and said she will run.
Pataki didn't respond to a request for comment.
Cornyn's office referred questions to the committee, which didn't comment."

The Journal News gives a reason why Pataki would be the better choice...
"A Marist College poll last month found Gillibrand and Pataki in a statistical dead heat in a hypothetical matchup, with Gillibrand at 44 percent and Pataki at 42 percent.
"What he brings to a candidacy in a very blue state is name recognition, a proven statewide vote-getter, an ability to raise money, candidate experience. And those are many of the ingredients for success," Marist pollster Lee Miringoff said."

King can always run against Schumer..... Nah..... he doesn't have the guts to try.