I don't know why, but Rep. King's comments struck a more reprehensible than usual chord with me. So I just finished emailing him, something I rarely do in these instances, and decided to repost it here as an Open Letter
I tried to keep it short though, because I know he'll most likely never read it; that's is why some thoughts aren't fully expounded.
If this diary does fall into the repetitive column (I know Kargo X already front paged it), please let me know and I'll delete it with apologies. Of course you won't see them because the diary's been deleted.
Dear Rep. King,
I write to inform you I find your bigotry, callousness, & ignorance reprehensible in a a person of your stature and your fear-mongering political tactics most vile. To suggest that the election of your colleague Sen. Obama to the presidency would give terrorists (Islamic ones aligned against us, not the ones the United States consistently supports) reason to celebrate is baseless & horribly prejudiced.
Baseless because they surely understand that Sen. Obama is Christian. They do not possess your belief that a name, and I imagine a skin-tone, define a person. I would like to remind you, Congressman King, that Stephen is a Biblical name, meaning it most likely derives from the same origins. To this end, I hope you will disqualify yourself from further holding public office, lest the terrorists you fear take your election as a sign of victory. Horribly prejudiced, since you seem to be equating that name (and, most likely skin-tone) with an unassociated happenstance, namely a religion.
You only insult Americans with these tactics. You, in fact, are saying that "I am going to make these illusory references because I believe Americans are too uninformed to know otherwise." Of course, you seem to revel in their ignorance.
Many around the world will be joyous to see Sen. Obama elected. Certainly not the enemies you mention. As I said before, they recognize his faith and that his election will change little of the dynamic which they so fervently oppose. No, those happy to see Sen. Obama ascend to the Oval Office will view it as as symbolic representation of America finally moving past its repressive Anglo-American centrism and long standing racist culture (unfortunately, these seem to be two things in which you appear to revel).
Respectfully,