WEIGEL, POLITICO CARRY WATER FOR PETER KING

Dave Weigel approvingly quotes a Politico reporter on Tailgunner Pete King's hearings:

Josh Gerstein has a perfect primer for Rep. Peter King's hearings on Islamic radicalism, which will start at 9:30.

In the last five years, House and Senate committees have held at least 22 hearings focusing on the problem of radicalized American Muslims plotting terrorist acts or joining Al-Qaeda and similar groups, according to congressional staffers. The investigations have also been bipartisan, convened by the likes of Maine Senator Susan Collins -- a moderate, low-key Republican -- and former Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat. While King has been slammed for focusing solely on Muslims -- the title of his investigation is "The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response" -- five Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearings since 2006 have had the phrase "violent Islamist extremism" in their descriptions.

Yup, it's true that "five Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearings since 2006 have had the phrase 'violent Islamist extremism' in their descriptions." You can find them all listed here. They were, in order:

* Hearing, May 3, 2007: "The Internet: A Portal to Violent Islamist Extremism."

Yes, we crazy liberals consider it more inflammatory to blame an entire community in America for terrorism than to blame global provocateurs online. Go figure!

* Hearing, May 10, 2007: "Violent Islamist Extremism: Government Efforts to Defeat It."

Here's the first paragraph of the opening statement from the lead witness at that hearing, the State Department's Jeremy Curtin:

Thank you for inviting me here today to discuss "Violent Islamist Extremism: Government Efforts to Defeat It." That I am appearing before this committee underlines the fact that public diplomacy is an important component in ensuring the national security of the United States. The relationships we build through international exchanges and information programs conveying an accurate picture of U.S. policy, society and values, over time, make America more secure by countering misperceptions and increasing understanding between ourselves and others.

Public diplomacy! Gosh, I can't imagine why liberals weren't howling in outrage!

* Hearing, June 27, 2007: "Violent Islamist Extremism: The European Experience."

Most liberals have the crazy notion that Europe is not part of America.

* Hearing, July 10, 2008: "The Roots of Violent Islamist Extremism and Efforts to Counter It."

The lead witness at this hearing was Maajid Nawaz, head of a British counterterrorism think tank. The focus of all the testimony seems to have been historical and global.

* Hearing, March 11, 2009: "Violent Islamist Extremism: Al-Shabaab Recruitment in America."

Even Adam Serwer, one of King's harshest critics, will tell you that the Somali-based Al-Shabaab has had recruiting success in the U.S., and should be an object of concern.

None of these hearings was focused on the premise that all the damn Muzzies in America are fifth columnists; they aren't helping us fight the evildoers. There's a huge difference. Weigel and Gerstein should know that.