Video: RFK says hog producers more dangerous than Osama bin Laden
posted at 5:55 pm on February 4, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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It’s not the first time Robert Kennedy Jr has said it, either. Thankfully, he confirms it in his appearance today in Congress to gripe about hog producers and some admittedly stupid laws restricting criticism of farmers, so we don’t need to do a Lexis raid to corroborate it. Kennedy manages to amp up the hysteria even further when he accuses Rep. Steve King (R-IA) of being a paid stooge of farmers.
Er, who does RFK think a Congressman from Iowa would represent, anyway?
Today during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Congressman Steve King asked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to confirm a quote he made to the Des Moines Register in 2002: “Large-scale hog producers are a greater threat to the United States and U.S. democracy than Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network, says Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a New York environmental group.”
Kennedy responded: “I don’t know if that’s accurate, but I believe it, and I support it.”
I’ll go on record here in noting that RFK’s point isn’t entirely insipid, but just mostly insipid. He’s right about the laws that make criticism of farmers illegal, outside of the normal restrictions on slander and libel. At their heart, they’re in conflict with the First Amendment, but then again, so is the BCRA’s same exact restriction on criticism of incumbents within 60 days of an election by interest group advertisements. Did RFK criticize his cousin Patrick or his uncle Ted for supporting the BCRA? If so, I’ve never heard it.
However, even if RFK had a point to make, he overwhelms it in a flood of cockamamie moral relevancy. Have hog farmers killed 3,000 Americans? No. The hysterical nature of Kennedy’s attacks reveal him as an extremely unserious person, a mental and moral lightweight, and an attention seeker of the first order.
Watch to the very end, when King plays RFK’s little personal-attack game and brings up his prior conviction for heroin possession and his light sentence of community service, which King underestimates by almost half (it was 1500 hours, not 800). Kennedy gets so apoplectic he can barely respond.
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So is Sirhan Sirhan up for parole again soon, or…?
fivefeetoffury on February 4, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I don’t know… there are a lot of hog farmers out there… and with car accidents, and murder, and swine flu….
/sarc…
Romeo13 on February 4, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Gee, a global warming hack junkie prefers a group that is allied to heroin prodcuers to farmers?
I hate lefties.
PimFortuynsGhost on February 4, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Holy sh$t, this guy goes to the same school as Al Gore. He must be talking about Manbearpig!
MDWNJ on February 4, 2009 at 6:00 PM
What a moron
Defector01 on February 4, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Newsflash: Kennedy opposes pork!
Fletch54 on February 4, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Another terminally leftarded, silver-spoon-in-mouth, never-worked-a-day-in-their-life Kennedy saying something stupid?
Stop the presses.
When will this cancer stop afflicting the country?
Good Lt on February 4, 2009 at 6:02 PM
But he supports the Porkulus Bill!
Christien on February 4, 2009 at 6:03 PM
RFK jr. is my FAVORITE ex heroin user!
Wander on February 4, 2009 at 6:03 PM
That dude easily has one of the whiniest voices I’ve ever heard…and of course, it fits right in with his whinny, hysterical points.
AUINSC on February 4, 2009 at 6:04 PM
I’m sure if you ask PETA, they’ll say that hog farmers have killed many more than that.
I think they’re gearing up their campaign to call pigs “land goldfish” so kids will beg their parents to stop eating pork.
malclave on February 4, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Thank goodness we won’t have to hear Caroline repeat these inane type of comments….
ladyingray on February 4, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Weren’t pig valves , used to fix heart valves in humans. I could be wrong, but that would actually be a net gain for saving peoples lives.
MDWNJ on February 4, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Oh look… another Kennedy who’s an a-hole… what a shock.
D2Boston on February 4, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Why does Robert Kennedy Jr. sound like Katherine Hepburn?
Barrack on February 4, 2009 at 6:07 PM
As a resident of Iowa I would love King to challenge either Harkin or Grassley but am not optimistic. Saidly, I am not in his district.
Luthien on February 4, 2009 at 6:08 PM
“criticism of farmers illegal”?
Geez.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Those pork farmers do kill.
the_nile on February 4, 2009 at 6:09 PM
I love it….love it. It’s Hope and Change…this doofus and Princess Caroline and Patches might actually be able to kill the Kennedy myth off so my kids don’t have to deal with it.
funky chicken on February 4, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Kennedy – nuf ced
Wade on February 4, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Oh please, I was a farmer for years and I am not aware of any laws making criticism of farmers illegal. In fact back in the 80’s a man from the USDA said that agriculture was too important to be left in the hands of a bunch of jack legged farmers. Back in those days I knew farmers who were losing everything and small rural communities all over the midwest were turning into ghost towns.
Personally I don’t feel sorry for people who complain about corporate farmers. That is what they wanted. They said farming should be a business like any other business. They said that family farmers were inefficient and that we needed larger more efficient farming operations to keep down prices for consumers.
Well congrats folks, you got what you wanted.
Terrye on February 4, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Genetic dilution. ‘Nuff said.
Scotsman on February 4, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Are all the Kennedy’s brain dead?
grapeknutz on February 4, 2009 at 6:10 PM
If he’s talking about Rosie’s mom then I would have to agree.
fogw on February 4, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Another embarrassment for the Kennedys…An environut. Hogs have been raised for centuries so….I do not understand his point.
I wonder…does he eat pork? I hope not.
becki51758 on February 4, 2009 at 6:10 PM
MDWNJ on February 4, 2009 at 6:06 PM
True. There are two choices. A pig valve that lasts about 7 years or a mechanical man made valve that lasts until you die.
I chose the mechanical aortic valve and it works pretty good.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I hope one day we can lock this POS up. The biggest threat to Democracy is the global warming alarmists/liars… Meanwhile, this worthless scumbag has called people like Limbaugh “traitors” for not buying in to the hoax.
RightWinged on February 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Have hog farmers killed 3,000 Americans? No
Correction, NOT YET! But now that I am personally getting $1 Billion of the Stimulus to develop and market chocolate covered bacon, just wait…BWAHHAHAHAHA
kirkill on February 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Ok , thanks for the info. And i hope your valve and your health last a very long time.
MDWNJ on February 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM
I am TELLIN’ you guys….one KC-130 loaded with PORK RINDS, chitlins and footballs….. and this little G.W.O.T would be sOOOooo OH.VER.
seejanemom on February 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM
kirkill on February 4, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Sorry, Porkulus…
kirkill on February 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Somebody needs to find a meeting.
sherry on February 4, 2009 at 6:15 PM
NIIIICELY DONE!
seejanemom on February 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM
MDWNJ on February 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Thank you.
getalife on February 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM
First thought that occured to me??? Going back to shortly after 9/11 when I saw some comment about putting a pig on every U.S. airliner as an insurance policy: If “a pig in every livingroom” was a national mantra, pig farmers would be seen as a salvation, not as a danger. (Tongue firmly implanted in cheek.) I’m just saying…
Chewy the Lab on February 4, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Other than JFK Jr., did any other Kennedy actually have a job?
fogw on February 4, 2009 at 6:18 PM
My God. These people are such fools.
marklmail on February 4, 2009 at 6:19 PM
“I don’t know if it’s accurate, but I believe it.”
Why is Congress even giving this moron a microphone?
Don’t let anything as bourgious as accuracy get in the way of your testimony, Mr. Kennedy.
patriette on February 4, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Another elitist Kennedy, so worried about democracy and the environment. How about those wind farms out in Cape Cod Robbie?
ctmom on February 4, 2009 at 6:19 PM
What are his thoughts on windmills?
bloggless on February 4, 2009 at 6:20 PM
I must say that I had never heard that before, although I do seem to recall something about Oprah and beef, where I believe she won.
Something like that would be a direct assault on the U.S. Constitution, which is the basis for all our freedoms.
MB4 on February 4, 2009 at 6:20 PM
I have maintained that Teddy IS, INDEED, HIS OWN TUMOR…but nobody listens…..
//////////snark
seejanemom on February 4, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Yeah…yet to see the ribbon cutting on those….HHmmmm
seejanemom on February 4, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Pigs? Got a problem with pigs? Then get rid of the Kennedys and the other elites.
Swine are useful animals from which humans benefit greatly.
The Kennedys not so much.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 6:22 PM
If a man says something and there is no woman around to hear what he said would what he said still be wrong?If a Kennedy says something and their is no conservative around to hear what he said would what he said still be wrong?
MB4 on February 4, 2009 at 6:23 PM
I have maintained that The Tedster is, in fact, his own tumor….but nobody listens….
///////////snark
seejanemom on February 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Dude needs to show a little decorum and respect.
KelliD on February 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Never trust anyone who doesn’t eat pork!
TheSitRep on February 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
King should of said, “Speaking of pigs, Robert, let’s talk about the way your family has treated the women in their lives.”
The brain power of Robert and Caroline could not light a 25 watt bulb. Their gravitas could not hold down a feather.
kingsjester on February 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
RFK Jr. is the poster child for continuing the War on Drugs as proof positive that drug use is a national security risk as long as we allow loons like him help set national policy.
GT on February 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
As long as bacon comes from pigs, more powah to the hog farmers!!!
saltydogg14 on February 4, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Wallowing in muddy thinking.
dont taze me bro on February 4, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Liberals live in an alternate universe where food magically appears on the shelf at the supermarket. They have no understand of what it takes to produce enough food to feed 300 million people, at a price most of us can afford.
Skandia Recluse on February 4, 2009 at 6:26 PM
And he needs to holster that finger.
KelliD on February 4, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Can anyone name one positive thing RFK, Jr. has EVER done for this country? For that matter, can anyone think of a single positive thing the Kennedy has done in forty years? I don’t understand the drive-by fascination with that bunch of overprivileged clowns. If they wanted to be royalty, they should have been born to the House of Windsor.
flyfisher on February 4, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Just more proof that it takes more than the name “KENNEDY” to be an intelligent person. Robert Jr. should be the poster boy for abortion in the liberal media. The proof that all babies do not have to survive.
afotia on February 4, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Dang. . .RFK jr is gooofy. Rich and gooofy always
make the best comedy.
Texyank on February 4, 2009 at 6:29 PM
just one more example of fetal-alcohol syndrome…
Teejay12 on February 4, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Ugh, what a voice, how can anyone listen to him for more than a minute; it sounds like he is on the verge of crying the entire time.
Bishop on February 4, 2009 at 6:31 PM
mmmm, love me some bacon
Red State State of Mind on February 4, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Like Ron White says; “You can’t fix stupid”. Of course RFK jr is the same guy collecting $400K year as head of a “non-profit” organization.
GarandFan on February 4, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Libs want to go after bacon now? Oh, it is on!
I suspose they are preparing to welcome their new Islamist overlords.
baldilocks on February 4, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Didn’t his mom tell him that whenever you point your finger at someone else there are three more pointing back at you? Geez.
patriette on February 4, 2009 at 6:35 PM
I will give his mom credit for starting Special Olympics. That is a good thing.
sherry on February 4, 2009 at 6:35 PM
If they wanted to be royalty, they should have been born to the House of Windsor.
flyfisher on February 4, 2009 at 6:28 PM
That would have been perfect. As someone once described the Windsors to me, “They are the sort of people who will reduce property values if not for their titles. You don’t want to live next to them.”
The Kennedys are the same. Joe had enough money and energy to create one legend. After JFK the rest was a fizzle.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 6:36 PM
I am from Steve King’s district in Iowa. Unfortunately though he is one of the last conservative voices in the state. RFK Jr. embarrassed himself bad enough, but what in the hell was he doing in front of congressmen in the first place!!
CycloneRed on February 4, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Heroin use does alter the mind, even of the famously named.
He is a drooler of the first order, and has a severe case of BDS.
I think “the family” used to have members lobotomized for having fewer problems than RFKjr has.
trl on February 4, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Have hog farmers killed 3,000 Americans? Well???
dont taze me bro on February 4, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Don’t cast pearls before this Kennedy swine!
Generations of inbreeding have shown up in this moron’s regular pronunciamentos, displaying themselves as an accumulated body of self-serving presumed knowledge which has little, if any,solid basis in science. But hey! He needs something to do!! His voice’s timbre is caused by a rare disease which affects his ability to speak,so I can’t launch an ad hominem attack against him for that, which is beyond his control. But his idiocy and weird fixation on blaming other folks (primarily, that is, Conservatives), for example, for weather-related phenomena, such as his assertion that the Bushman caused the Katrina Hurricane (no kidding! he really did try to affix that blame) is just shameful. But the Kennedys, you know, like, know no shame, you know??? Well, do you know??? Like.
jsaturn on February 4, 2009 at 6:41 PM
RFK Jr. lost me at the start when he brought up Teddy Roosevelt saying the U.S. couldn’t be destroyed from without but could only be brought down from within. Holy crap, that was a century ago, before weapons of mass destruction. It’s ludicrous to cite Roosevelt’s declaration today.
radjah shelduck on February 4, 2009 at 6:42 PM
I thought this was the country without the anti-Semitism. I guess I was mistaken….
But not like they’re raised now. Even in ancient times, people recognized their potential for disease. That gets compounded drastically when you shove them in a high-density environment, pump them full of chemical and biological controls, and leave their waste lying around (rather than using it, say, in fertilizing crops).
A serious epidemic would be far more serious than what, it seems, the decimated bin Laden network can do nowadays. And certainly, if the industry has passed laws against its critics’ free speech rights — what Kennedy’s talking about — that’s far further than the “fascist” anti-terror policies of the Bush administration went.
Not everything a Kennedy says is automatically without merit.
calbear on February 4, 2009 at 6:45 PM
I thought Kennedys were for pork, not against it.
My bad.
Anna on February 4, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Another “under performing” family member who thinks they deserve a platform because of his name. What else does he have to do?
d1carter on February 4, 2009 at 6:48 PM
But they still might! I’m going to try the Bacon Explosion this weekend.
Gives a new meaning to the concept of a vast pork conspiracy.
ElRonaldo on February 4, 2009 at 6:49 PM
I don’t personally eat pork, but I’ll defend to the death their right to exist- The Kennedy’s? Not so much.
anniekc on February 4, 2009 at 6:50 PM
RFK Jr. is like Moon Unit Zappa, the child of someone once famous. For what reason are his utterances considered newsworthy? We complain about the presumption of Princess Caroline, yet we give publicity to this deposed royal family.
JiangxiDad on February 4, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Maybe he meant that hog producers were more dangerous to muslim terrorist.
Johan Klaus on February 4, 2009 at 6:51 PM
You realize that Bush is no longer president? Get a grip.
Johan Klaus on February 4, 2009 at 6:54 PM
But not like they’re raised now. Even in ancient times, people recognized their potential for disease. That gets compounded drastically when you shove them in a high-density environment, pump them full of chemical and biological controls, and leave their waste lying around (rather than using it, say, in fertilizing crops).
Gee, I didn’t know that hogs were raised in ghettos.
Not everything a Kennedy says is automatically without merit.
No, not everything. Ordering lunch might be OK, but beyond that their views are pointless.
calbear on February 4, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Crikey! Get a life, man.
Cody1991 on February 4, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Robert Kennedy Jr has a screw loose. He cannot be taken seriously.
sinsing on February 4, 2009 at 6:58 PM
That’s the money quote, right there.
tru2tx on February 4, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Pass on the vid,…
Can’t believe people give him the time of day, I’ve always thought he has some form of brain (ignorance) damage.
christene on February 4, 2009 at 7:07 PM
So RFK is Kosher. I thought he was Catholic.
PappaMac on February 4, 2009 at 7:09 PM
A politician about nothing. Step right up!
Randy
williars on February 4, 2009 at 7:09 PM
There is something bad wrong with this man and the rest of the Kenndy clan.There brains don,t work like most peoples brains do.The sad thing is he realy beleaves all of this stuff.These kind of Libs what to control ever faze of our lives from were we live what we eat how much money we make even what kind of tolet we have in our homes.They think of them selfs as almost god like and can do no wrong.
thmcbb on February 4, 2009 at 7:10 PM
“This is your brain on drugs”.
Johan Klaus on February 4, 2009 at 7:10 PM
To quote Congwethman Fwank:
“What a puthy”.
hillbillyjim on February 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM
“EVERY SINGLE KENNEDY IS A LOUSY DOUCHEBAG”
On the next Geraldo…
wccawa on February 4, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Why is RFK such a moron?
Maxx on February 4, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Please familiarize yourself with the term “scare quotes.”
calbear on February 4, 2009 at 7:24 PM
What, did the Hawk and Dove run out of liquor and did CVS run out of pills?
How about we all chip in and give this clown act flying lessons?
NoDonkey on February 4, 2009 at 7:24 PM
If RFK is hoping for a career as an environmentalist huckster then he needs to take lessons from Al Gore.
Maxx on February 4, 2009 at 7:30 PM
“But it was hard community service! Served with some of the most ill mannered and worst white collar miscreants and (gulp) traffic criminals South Dakota has ever produced. Terrible. Not a bespoke suit among them….suits hung like gunny sacks…..not a single day was I offered an aperitif. Terrible…almost like Gitmo.”
moxie_neanderthal on February 4, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Muslims dislike pigs more than Jews. They even hate Piglet. Maybe he’s a secret convert to the Religion of Peace.
Disturb the Universe on February 4, 2009 at 7:33 PM
What a dangerous fool.
I’m no fan of JFK, but even he would disown his family at this point in time.
notagool on February 4, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Loon….
DL13 on February 4, 2009 at 7:38 PM
That is nice of you the only problem is she did not start Special Olympics.
Wade on February 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
You know what’s funny about that? He had a rant a few years ago and it turns out RFK Jr is an anti-vax nut.
Dave_d on February 4, 2009 at 7:49 PM
How can you tell when a liberal has come off the rails …
tarpon on February 4, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Eunice. My mistake.
sherry on February 4, 2009 at 8:24 PM
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