Obama ‘Not Raised With An American Experience,’ Says Rep. Steve King

[big_dog]

Source: The Hill -4 hours ago

Rep. Steve King told a crowd in his home state of Iowa that President Obama was not raised with an "American experience." King (R) said he would not "assert where [Obama] was born," according to a video of the speech at an immigration rally posted on Buzzfeed, but questioned a 2007 picture of Obama listening to the national anthem without his hand over his heart.

"I can tell you, his vision of American is not like our vision of America — that we know," King said. "Now I don't assert where he was born. But I will just tell you that we are all certain that he was not raised with an American experience. So these things that beat in our hearts when we hear the national anthem, and when we say the pledge of allegiance, doesn't beat the same for him."



Obama was born in Hawaii and spent a few years in Indonesia as a child. He released his long-form birth certificate during his first term, as questions swirled on the right about whether he had been born in the United States.

 The photo King referenced came from an event in Iowa during Obama's first presidential campaign. Obama, at the time, said he was taught to put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and to sing during the national anthem.



"What was that about?" King asked about the photo. "Was that an act of defiance? I don't think so. Some thought so." 

"We grew up in this kind of a cultured environment when we hear our national anthem, we stop, we take our hats off," he continued. "We place our hand over our heart and we gaze at the flag with admiration and appreciation for those who have gone before us and what they have done."



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/213082-rep-king-obama-not-raised-with-an-american-experience

[sakabatou]

1. *facepalm*

[muntrv]

2. Stevie, he was not raised to be an ignoramus like you!

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Dog whistle message

Meaning Obama doesn't know that he's supposed to be a second class citizen and know his place.

[big_dog]

5. exactly its mid term election season

and he's warming up the wingnut base with the red meat

[archaic56]

43. yep

FRom day one as I watched these men attack him..I knew I was seeing the insecure ramblings of white boys who are led by their fears and not by their hearts(do they have hearts?)

sighs... so tired of racism..I've never experienced it but my ancestors and tons of my friends have.It pains me to think we still haven't gotten the truth that "we are all connected and what happens to one will happen to all" Native American wisdom


IF the RETHUGS win in NOvember..expect it to get far worse

[sufrommich]

45. That's not even a dog whistle, that's a

rabid dog howling at the moon.

[atreides1]

4. WTF

Is an "American Experience"?

Hate to bust his bubble(no I don't) but I too grew up in Hawaii and attended a public school...and we not only sang America, we also sang what was formerly the Hawaiian National Anthem, "Hawaii Pono'i", which is now the State song!

And we said the Pledge with our hands over our hearts but sang with our hands at our sides!

[George II]

33. When I grew up, and was in school in Brooklyn NY, we sang....

...."My Country Tis Of Thee", which used the same music as the British National Anthem, "God Save The Queen"! We never even heard of the "Star Spangled Banner" until about third or fourth grade.

Would Mr. King consider that the "American Experience"?

[elleng]

50. Hey, Brudda!

I grew up in Brooklyn too!

Didja learn THIS too???

http://www.libertystatepark.com/emma.htm

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Statue_of_Liberty,_NY.jpg

[Raine1967]

6. King was not raised with an American Experience, IMO

HE is an old white republican and doesn't really see the REAL America.

America is many colors and flavors, and I like THAT America. That is the America I have lived.

I would be interested in Kings version of an American experience. Being born in Hawaii is not American now? Who the hell is this person to decide what is an American experience?

Oh, wait, he's old, white and Republican.

[busterbrown]

14. Steve King is either a little mentally ill or in it for the money!!!

Period!!!

[Louisiana1976]

28. I'd say he's certifiablly nuts.

[busterbrown]

38. I agree...

But sometimes I really wonder how sincere these guys are.. It’s a nice way to possess power and wealth feeding off stupidity..

[Jack Rabbit]

65. Oh, I imagine Mr. King was raised with an American experience

Just not one that most of us take any pride.


[font size="1"]From Wikipedia
(Public Domain)
[/font]

[Cha]

78. Yeah, that good ol KKK "American Experience" whose claim to fame is a society of

rabid ignorant as shit racists.

[Fearless]

7. Methinks the gentleman doth protest too much.

[liberal N proud]

8. The birther movement transformed into the experience movement

They will be fighting the Obama image 20 years after he has left office. That is just how obsessed republicans are with the horror of having a black man in the white house.

[Louisiana1976]

29. True.

[OKNancy]

9. The whole hand over the heart during the anthem... when did that start anyway

We just did the pledge with the hand and stood at attention or sang when I was in school.

( I'm 65 btw.. if that explains anything)

[mahatmakanejeeves]

27. I had to look it up, being, um, just about that age.

It might be different on King's home planet, but right now this is what you're supposed to do here on Earth. I don't know how long this protocol has been in effect.

36 U.S. Code § 301 - National anthem

(a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

Want a lengthier version? Start here: 36 U.S.C. 301 - National anthem

Evidently, that was not the protocol in 1969. Most members of this audience are sitting down, many with their hats on:

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. "doesn't beat the same for him."

You aren't suppose to circle jerk to it!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Hey Idiot! I was raised in Ohio and I also was taught to put my hand over

my heart during the pledge and to sing the National Anthem.

[Gore1FL]

17. He is suggesting Obama wasn't taught that.

There is a pick from 2007-2008 where he merely stood at attention.

It's pure "let's work up the teabillies" rhetoric, on the part of master teabilly, Steve King.

[Purrfessor]

49. That one time I sang the National Anthem, people put their hands over their ears...

even the Republicans.

[Gore1FL]

12. This tears it.

I will not be voting for Obama in 2016.

[Plucketeer]

24. I'm with you! NT

[blackspade]

13. "Not Raised With An American Experience"

WTF does that actually mean?

Steve King apparently doesn't understand shit about the US, but does seem to understand 'Merca.

[Skittles]

18. it's dog whistle-speak meaning Obama is a black Muslim

King is grovelling to his stupid, bigoted base

[blackspade]

21. You forgot 'socialist'

[Skittles]

64. oops

black Muslim socialist <-------- hitting the code words there; yes INDEED

[csziggy]

48. I thought Obama was Muslin?

just in case.

[awoke_in_2003]

62. He isn't white...

that is what it always means when they say shit like this.

[justgamma]

15. He was raised by Kansan's

doesn't get any more midwest than that. I was there when he stood at attention for the national anthem. Most of us stood just like he did. That is what we were taught to do.

[Skittles]

16. Obama has MORE than American experience

which is GREAT for a PRESIDENT

[Mr.Bill]

55. Obama having experience with other cultures

was one of the main reasons to vote for him. We've had too many presidents that were ignorant of other cultures and we are paying dearly for it.

[roody]

19. Poor Iowa. What an embarrassment.

[Archae]

20. Crowd?

[KamaAina]

22. Huh? They most certainly do have PBS in Hawai'i!

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

23. Not in my neighborhood....

Wait....... What? ..... Really?
Love my country, but this is a little OTP. Cultured? Really?

"We grew up in this kind of a cultured environment when we hear our national anthem, we stop, we take our hats off," he continued. "We place our hand over our heart and we gaze at the flag with admiration and appreciation for those who have gone before us and what they have done."

[jonjensen]

25. christian nation

what would steve king know about being american since he has never been one. Someone should ask him if he thinks this is still a christian nation and if so what children would jesus deport?

[groundloop]

26. It's pretty obvious our right-wing 'friends' need to get their bat-shit crazy base stirred up again

Gee, if my calendar isn't lying to me there's an election in less than 6 months, which means GOPers want money.

[Louisiana1976]

31. Exactly. And they want to make sure their batshit crazy base votes. So Democrats

better get out and vote.

[handmade34]

30. and which American Experience would that be

Mr. King? the one of being raised on a farm in the Midwest, having sex with farm animals or maybe any of the hundreds of thousands of "uniquely American Experiences"

Steve King is an Ass and not worthy of the title 'Congressman'

[tridim]

32. Yes Steve King, President Obama is black.

And despite your dancing around it, I know exactly what you wanted to call him. It's the word you use only in private.

[packman]

34. Well, we should, but---

"we gaze at the flag with admiration and appreciation" and tear up a bit with a lump in your throat.

But , hell, I remember this and it was inspirational.

&feature=player_embedded

God, how we were propagandized.

[tularetom]

35. Even if I cared what kind of "experience" he had, he isn't running for anything

Bullshit like this is aimed strictly at the dumbest of the dumbass demographic. It's almost funny.

[BumRushDaShow]

36. When the chips are down, it's back to the birther shit

and then soon thereafter, the primordial scream of "BENGHAAAAAAAAAZZZZZHHHHHIIIII" will usher forth.

[Sunlei]

37. republicans ruin everything they touch-even our own personal "American experience" Rs nag over.

[Zambero]

39. Raised by a single parent of very modest means

Yes, Mr. King what a very un-American experience that is. As opposed to a true blue-blooded American with the last name of Romney or Bush, and lacking a darker skin tone. Now THAT would be a fitting pedigree for the presidency.

[Lobo27]

40. Hmm, I wonder what my experience is.

Born to a Mexican dad, and a white mom. Lived in Germany for several years of childhood, and travel a lot to Mexico. Btw, I like German beer and Tacos.

[bvf]

74. You said Mexico and Germany as if either of those

Weren't inherently evil. It would be interesting to see a survey of what qualifies as "American experience" in the minds of some of these idiots King is pandering to.

[amandabeech]

41. I know a couple of people who have said just this, but voted for Obama anyway

because he was the better candidate, not that they like their choices all that much.

None of them thought that Obama was born anywhere but Hawaii, but they did mention the anthem, the lack of a flag pin on the lapel at all times, Obama's comment about "57 states" and his awkwardness at bowling. But mostly they felt something in their gut that they couldn't explain.

If they are racist, they have kept it under wraps around me for years.

Some people really are racist--I can see that. But these other folks are a puzzle to me.

[onehandle]

42. He's slapping the face of our military personnel and their families.

Many of them work and are brought up traveling around the world. Hardly an 'American Experience.'

Why Does Steve King hate the troops?

[lunasun]

60. +1

[oldandhappy]

44. ha ha I have lived in Iowa

and my experience is not the same as the King man. He has no substance.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

46. steve king you ignorant

slut.

[alp227]

57. "Slut?" nt

[The Wizard]

47. Just another babbling

Republican bigot.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

51. He's just insulted the entire State of Hawaii for being unAmerican

[onecaliberal]

52. Not even being subtle.

I wish these racist pigs would just STFU already.

[AlbertCat]

53. He's correct!

What other person of color that HAS experienced the "American Experience" ever been elected President?


Seems like he's way ahead of the usual "American Experience".

[BeyondGeography]

54. Ignorant is the best I can do...the unbearable whiteness of being

Last edited Wed Jul 23, 2014, 06:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Stfu already.

[Trillo]

56. I thought the "American experience" was a "melting pot."

That's what they said repeatedly in compulsory schools. Perhaps Steve King wasn't paying attention on those days.

[Skittles]

63. it is, unless you are a republican

then it means a strictly white, Christian pot

[Tarheel_Dem]

58. Really Steve? Will this ever get old?

[LoisB]

59. Is "American" the new code word for "white" much as "urban" equals "Black"?

[mikekohr]

61. -Family Timeline- You Can't Get Any More American Than President Obama.

Time Marches On
by mike kohr 9/8/2009

In 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor two brothers, related to six US presidents, enlisted in the Army.

In 1944, these brothers, Stanley and Ralph Dunham went ashore at Normandy, and served their nation fighting the Nazi’s across France, Italy and Germany. Another young American, Stanley’s, brother-in-law, Charles Payne, fought with Patton’s Third Army and was among the troops that liberated the prisoners at the Nazi Death camp of Buchenwald.

In 1945, upon return from the war zones of Europe, Stanley Dunham and his wife Madelyn, who had served the nation’s war efforts by working on a B-29 assembly line, settled down and started a family.

In 1961 a grandson was born to the Dunham’s at the Kapi’olani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In 2008, that grandson won the election for President of the United States with 52.7% of the vote, a 9,522,186 margin, in an election noted for the highest voter turnout in 40 years.

In 2009, on the 5th day of the 9th month, a group of Americans gathered at Bureau County’s Soldiers and Sailor’s Park in Princeton, Illinois, a park dedicated to honor the service and sacrifice of all of America’s service men and women. On that day, the grandson of Stanley and Madelyn Dunham, on this hallowed ground, was compared to Adolph Hitler, his name was mocked, his birthright challenged and his citizenship questioned.

Today Sergeant Stanley Dunham rests in the Punchbowl National Cemetery where he was buried with full military honors. The light from Sergeant Dunham’s life, and the example of his family’s sacrifice, and service, will brighten the shadow that one day darkened this county’s place of honor on that regrettable day in 2009, a day that will be not long remembered and be quickly tossed on the trash heap of history.
http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/p/something-to-think-about.html

[jwirr]

66. This pig makes me ashamed of the fact I was born in his district and I am equally ashamed of the

Iowans who elected him. What in the hell is he talking about? He thinks that his greedy bigoted way of thinking is the American way. NOT.

[Peacetrain]

67. And I still live in his district..

How he keeps getting reelected is beyond me.. but in Dutch country Orange City etc.. they absolutely love him.. go figure

[jwirr]

70. I was born near the MN border and I suspect they love him also. I do not get it. We were not

raised that way.

[Peacetrain]

71. I swear there is something in the water over here on western border

You go straight north.. and viola there is the Bachmann district in Mn.

[Sognefjord]

76. I was up there awhile. It's discomfort with the outside world mixed with Calvinist fundamentalism

and a fearsome work ethic which causes them to despise anyone perceived as less industrious.

[Peacetrain]

80. The people in that area are loving and kind

It amazes me how they
get so caught up in fear on the global level, and yet be so kind on a one to one basis.. It is discomfort with the "other" I think you hit that nail right on the head. And Steve King plays right into that..

[marble falls]

68. King is full of it, most Americns don't even take their hats off, let alone cover their heart.

[olddad56]

69. at least he wasn't raised with the GOP fear and greed experience.

[MADem]

72. Asshole best not plan a Hawaiian vacation any time soon.... nt

[El Shaman]

73. Too much

dinesh d'Souza movies for you Mr. King . Get some love in your system :go copulate with a cow .

[Manifestor_of_Light]

75. They still don't know that Hawaii is a state.

And was a state when Obama was born there. It's too exotic and far away for them to understand that it is a state.

What if these idiots find out about American Samoans, Puerto Ricans, and Guam residents (Guamians?)? And that they have delegations to the national political conventions, just like the states do?? I've seen the political convention signs on TV every four years since 1960 or so.

[Cha]

77. Sorry MoFo.. your Ignorant MF Whine is too late for our Two Term President Barack Obama.. it

must really suck big elephant ass to know that all the whining in the world will never change that fact of historical record.

[DinahMoeHum]

79. +1000s

[erpowers]

81. Who Puts Their Hands on Their Heart During the National Anthem?

I do not recall ever seeing anyone put their hand over their heart during the national anthem. In addition, I would not be surprised to see video of Steve King, his supporters, and/or Ronald Reagan without their hands on their chest during the playing of the national anthem.

[Solly Mack]

82. Racist fucker.