Outrage over Rep. Peter King's Michael Jackson 'pervert' comment

Standing in front of an American Legion Hall building, King complained that people fighting in Iraq don't get much credit and that the soldiers should be the ones recognized instead of Jackson.

"This guy was a pervert. He was a child molester. He was a pedophile," King said. "And to be giving this much coverage to him, day in and day out, what does it say about our country?"

King continued: "No one wants to stand up and say, 'We don't need Michael Jackson.'" He added, "There's nothing good about this guy."

"Congressman Pete King feels that we should be honoring the good men and women of our country who have dedicated their lives to helping others and serving our country, not Michael Jackson," an announcement on King's YouTube page added.

Daily Voice columnist Joni Reynolds called King's remarks a "hateful tirade" and questioned his motivation. "Michael Jackson settled out of court in the early nineties when he was accused of child abuse. In 2005 he was acquitted of all charges. This would mean he is and was not guilty."

Yes, "Jackson exercised poor judgment when dealing with children," Reynolds acknowledged, "but he was not a pedofile or a molester."

So why is Rep. King speaking up all the sudden? "He like so many others wants to attach themselves to Michael Jackson," Reynolds wrote. "This guy while known as a conservative Republican in New York was not a household name, but now he is."

"It galls me when someone utters hateful words and then tries to cloak them in patriotism," Reynolds continued. "King achieved his goal we all are talking about him and he is now another pathetic person just trying to get a little of the Jackson spotlight."