U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., is one of many members of Congress who’s in love with the sound of his voice.
Allow me to stipulate that this is a bipartisan love affair. Democrats and Republicans are equally guilty of popping off when they should perhaps show some discretion.
King told a radio station that he is inclined to believeĀ who everĀ killed three people and injured dozens more at the Boston Marathon on Monday is linked to a foreign terrorist group “or could be a white supremacist.”
OK, congressman, sure thing. Then again, it could be just some deranged crackpot.
King is known in D.C. as an expert on national security issues. He’s usually one of the first sources the TV networks seek out whenever an event such as the Boston bombing occurs. To be honest, though, this kind of public speculation does nothing but raise anxiety among those of us just wanting some answers from those who can provide them. Some congressman spouting off isn’t one of them.
I listened earlier today to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, along with local and federal authorities say they have no idea yet who’s responsible for this terrible deed. President Obama spoke this morning and said essentially the same thing, but assured the nation that the perpetrator — whether one person or many — will be brought to justice.
It is my fond hope that in this time of grief and anger that our elected representatives refrain from this kind of needless guesswork. How about next time someone asks, “Congressman do you think this was an act of foreign or domestic terror?” they could say, “I don’t have the foggiest idea. Let’s allow the authorities do their job.”