Rep. Peter King Lies About Glenn Greenwald, Uses Those Lies To Say Greenwald Should Be Arrested & Prosecuted

from the the-politicians-we-elect dept

We already mentioned how terrorist supporter Rep. Pete King has said that journalists reporting on government leaks exposing blatant abuse of power should be prosecuted, and rather than admit that he misspoke, he appears to be doubling down… by flat out lying. He went on Fox News to specifically call out Glenn Greenwald and claim that legal action should be taken against him, mainly based on the entirely false claim that Greenwald is threatening to reveal the names of CIA agents and assets. The problem is this is not true. Greenwald has made no such threats or even suggested anything like that. But King bases his entire attack on Greenwald on these false claims.

According to the summary at TPM:

“I’m talking about Greenwald. Greenwald, not only did he disclose this information, he has said he has names of CIA agents and assets around the world and threatening to disclose that,” King said. “The last time that was done in this country, we saw the CIA station chief murdered in Greece. No right is absolute and even the press has certain restrictions. I think it should be very targeted, very selective and certainly a very rare exception. But in this case, when you have someone who’s disclosed secrets like this and threatens to release more, then to me, yes, there has to be, legal action should be taken against him. This is a very unusual case with life and death implications for Americans.”

Later on in the interview, King is asked about whether Greenwald’s existing leaks should lead to prosecution, and King says yes, that this is clearly being done to “hurt Americans.” When it’s pointed out to him that Greenwald will (quite rightly) say that what he’s doing is to help Americans by exposing abuse of power, King again says that because Greenwald has threatened to reveal CIA agents (again, a totally false statement), it shows his intent is harm.

Fox News: Well, Glenn Greenwald will say he’s trying to help America.

King: Well, first of all, he’s not. To me, what shows his intent, is his saying he’s threatening to release the names of CIA agents. There’s no way that helps the United States. And that, to me, shows his motivation.

Hmm. And what “motivation” does it show when an elected official blatantly lies about a reporter revealing abuses of power from the federal government, and claims that reporter should be arrested and prosecuted for doing his job, based on those lies. Also, Fox News, perhaps next time you speak to Rep. Pete King, you can point out that he’s been lying to you.

Filed Under: , , , , , ,

Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Rep. Peter King Lies About Glenn Greenwald, Uses Those Lies To Say Greenwald Should Be Arrested & Prosecuted”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
70 Comments
Anonymous Coward says:

so, to make out that he has some concern over this, a prominent USA politician can stand in front of a camera and come out with such blatant lies? the question to ask is, who has put him up to this when there is absolutely no evidence of Greenwald (or anyone else) saying this? what made him come out with such ridiculous statements? who the hell voted someone like this into office in the first place? surely people want to be represented by someone that, if nothing else, speaks the truth, dont they? this, to me, is just another example of the truth trying to be hidden and for someone to be made the patsy, just to cover the law enforcement agencies asses! they have fucked up big time. dont make matters worse by trying to spin more shit!!

Anonymous Coward says:

POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

This year’s results of Gallup’s annual ?Confidence in Institutions? poll are now available.

At the top of the poll, 3 in 4 Americans have confidence in the military. At the bottom of the poll, only 1 in 10 Americans have confidence in Congress.

?Americans’ Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record?, by Elizabeth Mendes and Joy Wilke, Gallup, June 13, 2013

Congress ranks last on list of 16 institutions; military earns top spot again

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans’ confidence in Congress as an institution is down to 10%, ranking the legislative body last on a list of 16 societal institutions for the fourth straight year. This is the lowest level of confidence Gallup has found, not only for Congress, but for any institution on record. Americans remain most confident in the military, at 76%.

[…more…]

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

A party based political system allow the powers seekers to dominate the parties, and ensure that only people with similar outlooks rise in the parties. this leaves the electorate trying to make the least worse choice between those that are self selecting for power.
I think that the solution is for the the electorate to get more involved in candidate selection, bullying people they think will do a good job into serving for a term. It would be cruel to force them to serve two or more terms, and any one volunteering for a second term should be looked at most carefully before re-electing them, and almost certainly replaced after a second term.

TheLastCzarnian (profile) says:

Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

The confidence in the military will fall if people pay attention to the huge problem of sexual misconduct going on in the ranks. A conviction of rape dismissed by a commander? WTF? Those who bring suit are blacklisted and drummed out? No honor there at all.
I think too many people have their impression of the military given to them by their grandparents.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

you don’t understand politics much do you, it is not possible (or desirable) that politicians can make everyone 100% happy 100% of the time, that is not even their charter.

everyone has different opinions and different wishes and goals and requirements, politicians have to try to make ‘things fair’, they live in a world of compromises and limitations.

it’s the “some of the people all of the time, or all of the people some of the time” problem.

It’s just not about popularity, if a politician does someone for one group, and not for others the other group sees ‘unfairness’, you expect politicians to be ‘all things to all people” ?

You surly have a great on the real world enough to know that that is simply not possible.

with 300 million people in America there is probably 300 million (or more) opinions about what a ‘perfect’ politician is, and 299 999 999 people who disagree about what that perfection is.

The best a politician can do is reach compromises, people understand they cannot get exactly what they want but most people understand that a compromise means you get some of what you want, if you are willing to put up with some things you don’t want.

Reporters do not have this problem, they don’t have an impact on how millions of people live, they can simply put out things they think will be popular to a large number of people (to sell their product) and that’s all they have to do.

that is why the constitution says “We the people” not “ME the person”

Lowestofthekeys (profile) says:

Re: Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

“that is why the constitution says “We the people” not “ME the person””

There are basic necessities and comforts that politicians should push for especially considering that they’re elected by people to voice specific concerns and incite change.

The poll is proof that they’re not voicing the concerns of the majority very well.

The fact that you are trying to dismiss the majority reference of the poll by pointing to the opinion of one person is a pretty ignorant thing to do.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

The poll is proof that they’re not voicing the concerns of the majority very well.

or it shows that a lot of people expect the impossible, and have an expectation that THEY should not have to compromise and be a part of a community based on compromise.

they’re elected by people to voice specific concerns and incite change.

actually NO, they are not, they are elected to Govern.

Lowestofthekeys (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:2 POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

“Or it shows that a lot of people expect the impossible, and have an expectation that THEY should not have to compromise and be a part of a community based on compromise.”

How so? What exactly are the people expecting that is impossible for these politicians to attain?

…and compromise? What types of compromise are reasonable to the American public?

“actually NO, they are not, they are elected to Govern.”

Um, excuse me? Politicians are elected by each state as the voice for the public, they serve the interests of the people.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:3 POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

“How so? What exactly are the people expecting that is impossible for these politicians to attain? “

making everyone happy all of the time, that is impossible, they do serve the interests of the people, they just do not serve the interest of the PERSON.

What if you don’t have the same interests as the person who lives next door to you, who out of you two gets to have their interest served and who does not, who decides that ?

If you all have THE SAME interests (impossible) then it would be possible to serve YOUR interests, but if (like in the real world) there are as many ‘interests” as there are people, that could change from day to day, how do you expect them all to be ‘served’??

This is really an issue more about you living in a dream world as opposed to the actual REAL world.

It’s also very egotistic and self-serving, you are saying if you do not get exactly what you want you get upset, and shows you have no care for what other people want, and no willingness to reach a fair compromise where (like the real world) you get some things you like and accept some things you don’t. Because when you don’t like is probably the thing someone else does like, and when you do like is probably what someone else (or many else) don’t like.

Get it ?

Lowestofthekeys (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:4 POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

“making everyone happy all of the time, that is impossible, they do serve the interests of the people, they just do not serve the interest of the PERSON.”

Yes it is, but you’re assuming that is what people want.

I agree, politicians are not there to support the interest of one person, but you’re forgetting there are plenty of politicians who are only looking out for themselves and their interests instead of the people they represent.

“What if you don’t have the same interests as the person who lives next door to you, who out of you two gets to have their interest served and who does not, who decides that ?”

Then I would start a special interest group of people with like minded values and we’d fund politicians to voice our interests. I’m not supportive of a singular voice of concern, but when you have a poll of multiple people displaying concern, you can’t write it off as people expecting too much from politicians who are put into office to represent them.

“If you all have THE SAME interests (impossible) then it would be possible to serve YOUR interests, but if (like in the real world) there are as many ‘interests” as there are people, that could change from day to day, how do you expect them all to be ‘served’??”

According to your logic then, if a number of people voice their concern over say having clean drinking water, then they’re being unrealistic?

“It’s also very egotistic and self-serving, you are saying if you do not get exactly what you want you get upset, and shows you have no care for what other people want, and no willingness to reach a fair compromise where (like the real world) you get some things you like and accept some things you don’t. Because when you don’t like is probably the thing someone else does like, and when you do like is probably what someone else (or many else) don’t like.

Really? is this how you justify what the NSA is doing? So it’s egotistical for the public to be concerned about their privacy from the government?

And no, I don’t get it because your logic matches your asinine analogies.

John Fenderson (profile) says:

Re: Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

Except this is a poll about confidence, not popularity. It is possible (and it used to be true) that the public had a reasonable level of trust in politicians even when they didn’t agree with them.

Specifically, the trust that they are honest and have the nation’s best interests at heart even if they differ on positions.

Those days are long gone — for good reason.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: POLL: Americans' Confidence in Congress Falls to Lowest on Record

“. It is possible (and it used to be true) that the public had a reasonable level of trust in politicians even when they didn’t agree with them.

Nixon, Carter ?, Reagan ? Bush 1, Bush 2? Truman ? Oliver North ? Hoover ? what short memory, or failure in History class you have !!

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re:

you think ‘truth’ is a valid defence for all crimes ? It might be (in some countries) for liable and slander, but if you walk into a police station and tell the following truth.. “I killed someone” do you think the cop will say “oh that ok, as you told the truth we cannot prosecute you for murder”, or theft, or Treason or whatever ??

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:3 Re:

pick your crime, in fact the TRUTH is demanded from you in Courts, but telling the truth does not get you off the charge.

so replace murder with “stole a car” or “sold some drugs” or J walked, or treason, or murder, or rape, truth or the telling of it is not a defence that will result in no charge.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

“you think ‘truth’ is a valid defence for all crimes ? It might be (in some countries) for liable and slander, but if you walk into a police station and tell the following truth.. “I killed someone” do you think the cop will say “oh that ok, as you told the truth we cannot prosecute you for murder”, or theft, or Treason or whatever ??”

No. They’ll prosecute you for the murder but thank you for telling them the truth.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

“you think ‘truth’ is a valid defence for all crimes”

Not sure where you got that. I guess it is ok to make shit up, certainly you would not be alone in that regard.

“as you told the truth we cannot prosecute you for murde”

Yes, whistle-blowing is definitely the exact same thing as murder. Wow, a bit over the top are we?

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re:

Keep in mind that whistleblowing isn’t the crime, the actual crime is release of classified information.

Bruce Schneier has an excellent piece discussing this (http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/06/prosecuting_sno.html) – before anyone decides whether Snowden (or any whistleblower) has committed a crime by releasing classified information, it should be determined whether the information was correctly classified in the first place. If the information was erroneously classified and should in fact be available to the public, then no crime has been committed.

If in the balance we find that for the most part no crime has occurred (the information should always have been public) but some correctly classified details were also released along with the public information, then one would hope that the judge would consider how much the public good in releasing information that should be public and “blowing the whistle” on abusive behaviour should weigh against the actual crimes committed, and perhaps this would reflect in sentencing.

RyanNerd (profile) says:

Founded by geniuses, but run by idiots

By Junius P. Long
Food For Thought
If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for being in the country illegally …you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you have to get your parents? permission to go on a field trip or take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you have to show identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor or check out a library book, but not to vote who runs the government … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the government wants to ban stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines with more than ten rounds, but gives 20 F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If an 80-year-old woman can be stripped searched by the TSA but a woman in a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If a seven year old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher?s “cute,” but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If children are forcibly removed from parents who discipline them with spankings while children of addicts are left in filth and drug infested ?homes?… you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government intrusion, while not working is rewarded with EBT cards, WIC checks, Medicaid, subsidized housing and free cell phones … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If the government’s plan for getting people back to work is to incentivize NOT working with 99 weeks of unemployment checks and no requirement to prove they applied but can?t find work … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If being stripped of the ability to defend yourself makes you more “safe” according to the government … you might live in a country founded by geniuses but run by idiots.
If you are offended by this article, I’ll bet you voted for the idiots who are running, and ruining our great country.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Founded by geniuses, but run by idiots

Junius P. Long is also quoted as having said:
Obama Is Officially The Worst President In American History!

This statement is clearly delusional as there is a wealth of data on this subject accompanied by many analyses performed by recognized experts most of which conclude otherwise.

It does however provide insight into that which you have quoted above. These statements could be considered Anecdotal Fallacy or Appeal To Ridicule, either way they are drowning in logic fail whilst completely devoid of supporting evidence.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Founded by geniuses, but run by idiots

For every American with your opinions there is probably another American with the opposite opinions, you have to agree (I hope) that your opinions are not the same as everyone else’s in your Country.

So if you got everything you want, there would be someone (or many) that feel they did not get what they want.

How do you deal with that ?? do you just say “screw them”?

Or do you think it might be possible they would say “screw you”?

The politician in being everything you want him to be would have to be nothing someone else wants them to be, that simply cannot work, so you have to be willing to compromise and accept that you are not the only person in your country the politicians have to please, you also need to understand it is IMPOSSIBLE for the Government the be “all things to all people”.

That is why you appear to be so upset with the world, you want to live in a world without compromise, where you get everything you want, and screw the rest of the world, and deny everyone else (or many others) that same privilege.

I guess you are so upset because the world is not perfect, and you expect it to be. If you expect to live in a perfect world you are 1) going to be very bored, and
2) very disappointed.

It’s just NOT going to happen, and it would be really bad if it did.

Anonymous Coward says:

Upcoming 10am: House Judiciary: FBI Oversight

This morning, at 10am, the House Judiciary Committee will be holding an ?Oversight Hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation?.

The witness for today’s hearing will be the Honorable Robert S. Mueller, III, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has submitted written testimony.

Live video of the hearing is scheduled on C-SPAN 3, along with the usual webcast from the House Judiciary website. According to C-SPAN, Director Mueller is ?expected to answer questions on the National Security Agency?s information-sharing program called ?PRISM?.?

?

Upcoming in ten minutes or so. ? (Unless the hearing starts late.)

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Upcoming 10am: House Judiciary: FBI Oversight

The Guardian live-blogged the recently-concluded FBI oversight hearing before the full Judiciary Committee.

?FBI director: government reviewing Google request to disclose Fisa orders – live updates? by Tom McCarthy, The Guardian, June 13, 2013

Among other things discussed at the hearing today, The Guardian notes the questions about James Rosen of Fox News, who was identified as a co-conspirator in an espionage investigation.

12.54pm ET ???? ???? Rep Trey Gowdy of South Carolina is up. He, too, questions why James Rosen of Fox News was named as a possible co-conspirator under the Espionage Act, if there was no intention to prosecute him along with the state department source who leaked him secrets.?.?.?.

Although The Guardian’s live coverage does not note this, just before the conclusion of the hearing, Representative Labrador from Idaho also had questions about the James Rosen case. He was assisted in his questioning by Chairman Goodlatte.

While Director Mueller’s answers were neither entirely satisfactory nor entirely clear, I was left with the impression that DoJ or FBI may have been interested in obtaining the cooperation of Mr Rosen in the leak investigation.

Rob says:

Poor Peter King

Poor little Peter King. It’s Executive Branch vs. whistleblowers: now he’s gotta decide who he hates more, the Sharia-Law-Promoting-Kenyan-Socialist President or the traitorous-Arab-sympathizing-terrist-enabling reporter.

Personally, I’d prefer his head would explode from the cognitive dissonance and we’d be rid of one of the worthless King boys in Congress. Unfortunately, his skull’s probably too thick for that to happen.

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...